Chapter 1429: Defecting to Han

The place where Xiao Siwen and his party lodged was called Jieqiao Post Station, one of the three major post stations at the junction of the Yan Mountains and Hebei circuits, situated in the middle position. Before the northern expedition recovered Yanyun, it had been a bridgehead built by the court in Hebei. After the Yan Mountains were fully recovered, its military role greatly diminished, yet it became a key thoroughfare for north-south traffic, and the authorities specially established a post station here.

The name was taken from the Battle of Jieqiao between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan during the Three Kingdoms period. Although the legend was questionable, it was said the battlefield was nearby, and not far away was the even more bustling Linhe Ferry Crossing.

During the Kaibao northern expedition, Jieqiao Post Station was also an important army supply transfer depot for the court's overland military logistics. After the war ended and the state gradually became stable, this post station quickly regained its prosperity, and relying on the convenience of north-south transportation, its condition surpassed even its former glory.

Most of the post stations densely distributed across the Great Han shared a common characteristic: the station and town were integrated, not merely serving postal relay functions. Most grew from stations into towns, with dense populations and thriving economies. And the more convenient the transportation, the more prosperous they were.

Post stations like Chenqiao, Xiangfu, Yong'an, and Yanxi in the two capitals were great stations famous throughout the realm. Jieqiao naturally did not have such great fame, but at least here on the banks of the Juma River, at the meeting point of Yan and Ji, its prosperity was visible to the naked eye. The clamor lasted from day to night—merchants, travelers, carriages, horses, and goods flowed in an endless, unbroken stream. The prosperity of the Great Han's common folk was precisely reflected in this bustling noise.

Those who came to receive Xiao Siwen and his party were cavalry under the Hebei Regional Command, and the leader was even a battalion commander. Xiao Siwen seemed to understand thoroughly the principle that petty officials are hard to deal with. At Jieqiao Post Station, he specially hosted a banquet for the military officers who came to receive them, and it lasted deep into the night before ending.

Though the night was deep, the clamor within the post station seemed never to end. Whether in the main hall or the rooms, waves of conversation could always be heard, with wine being the best enhancer of the mood.

Xiao Siwen stood by the window, silently observing the scene within the post station through the gap. His aged face bore a hint of profundity, his brows tightly knit, his expression somewhat grave.

After gazing for a long while, he turned and sat down, pulled a piece of sheepskin parchment from his bosom, spread it open, and by the light of the candle flame, silently studied the pictures and writing upon it.

"Bang bang"—two knocks sounded at the door. Xiao Siwen started, immediately covered up the parchment, raised his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "Who is it?"

"Father, it's me!" A voice crisp as a warbling oriole sounded.

Hearing this, the wariness on Xiao Siwen's face relaxed, and he let out a light breath, saying: "Come in!"

The door slowly opened, and a young maiden entered with graceful, mincing steps, not forgetting to turn back and close the door behind her. The maiden's appearance was naturally beautiful—perhaps not stunningly gorgeous or capable of toppling cities and states, but a genuine beauty nonetheless. Especially those eyes of hers, which were expressive and captivating.

This woman was naturally Xiao Siwen's youngest daughter, Xiao Chuo, Xiao Yanyan. At this time, Xiao Yanyan was still merely a young maiden in the bloom of youth, worlds apart from the famously renowned Empress Dowager Xiao of history. Yet the trace of heroic spirit that lingered around her arose naturally and drew attention.

With pearl and jade ornaments in her hair and a full set of green silk gauze robes, she had entirely the bearing of a great Han clan's refined young lady. Seeing his beloved daughter, Xiao Siwen's expression was very kind, his smile gentle, as he said: "Yanyan! Sit! This outfit of yours is very good—any Han person would never think you are of my Khitan clan!"

Hearing this, Xiao Chuo's red lips curled slightly upward, and she said softly: "It's still thanks to Father's good upbringing!"

Xiao Siwen then sighed and said: "With Yanyan's qualities, your future was originally boundless. His Majesty had intended to take you as Empress, and I was happy to see it come to pass. It's just a pity that heaven did not fulfill men's wishes—war between Han and Liao suddenly erupted, and this matter came to naught. Your two elder sisters did not get good matches chosen for them, and your match is even more regrettable... However, this may not necessarily be a bad thing!"

Hearing Xiao Siwen speak of these matters, Xiao Chuo's expression was calm, as if they were not discussing her own marriage at all. Looking at her father, her voice as calm as ever, she said: "Father's painstaking efforts, Yanyan understands. What was missed is missed. When the old man at the frontier loses his horse, who knows but that it may be a blessing in disguise. Given the Great Liao's current situation, my marrying into the palace may not be a blessing!"

Hearing Xiao Chuo say this, Xiao Siwen's eyes brightened slightly. Looking at this composed daughter of his, he asked: "Why does Yanyan say this?"

Xiao Chuo said: "Even if I were taken as Empress, I fear that before long, I would become the empress of a fallen state!"

Xiao Siwen's spirits lifted slightly. Looking at Xiao Chuo, who had spoken these words so calmly, he praised: "I have always known Yanyan's insight was not that of an ordinary woman, and now it seems it already far surpasses most men in the world. What a pity, what a pity!"

It was unclear what exactly Xiao Siwen was lamenting. After a few sighs, his gaze fell once more upon Xiao Chuo's beautiful face, and he asked: "Yanyan, what business do you have in coming to see me?"

Xiao Chuo's expression also softened somewhat, and she said: "Father has been traveling south with a furrowed brow, and I have been worried. Yanyan wanted to see if there was any way she could share Father's burdens."

At this question, the father and daughter looked at each other for a while, then Xiao Siwen spoke first: "With Yanyan's intelligence and wisdom, you must have already seen that this trip of mine is unusual!"

Xiao Chuo nodded and said: "Father's coming here is not like an embassy—it is more like fleeing!"

"None of the other family members noticed, but I knew I could not hide it from your eyes!" Hearing her words, Xiao Siwen said.

Having received a confirmed answer, Xiao Chuo was silent for a good long while, then fixed her gaze steadily upon Xiao Siwen and said softly: "Father has decided to turn away from the Great Liao and defect to the Great Han?"

The information revealed by this one lightly spoken sentence would have shocked anyone else out of their wits. But Xiao Siwen remained very calm. Facing Xiao Chuo's question, he said bitterly: "If it were not out of desperation, how could I make this choice—to turn my back on my motherland and abandon my clan!"

"You have also seen that over these past half year and more, I have fallen out of favor before His Majesty, and all power in my hands has been stripped away!" Xiao Siwen said with a bitter smile: "Seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster is human nature. I know that abandoning Tongzhou back then and returning alone to Shangjing was an ugly thing to do, but I did my utmost to hold Shangjing.

His Majesty is still young after all. The state suffered a heavy blow at the hands of the Great Han, and he was even routed at Shanyang. He has been blinded by failure and humiliation, and he also blindly trusts men like Han Derang. There is no place for me in the court at Shangjing anymore. What's more detestable is that Xiao Talin even submitted a memorial accusing me. If I stay in Shangjing any longer, I fear my very life will be in danger!"

Listening to this speech of Xiao Siwen's that was both complaint and explanation, Xiao Chuo's expression showed no change. Instead, she thought seriously for a moment before saying: "The Great Liao is now buffeted by wind and rain, unstable and turbulent. For Father to flee south with the entire family at this time and defect to the Great Liao's sworn enemy—this act, compared to the Tongzhou affair, will likely burden you with even heavier infamy in the future!"

Hearing this, Xiao Siwen's aged face flushed red, but meeting Xiao Chuo's crystalline gaze, he suppressed his embarrassment and replied: "The Great Liao is now like a ship about to sink, with no way out. As a person on that ship, seeking refuge and survival is also instinct."

Xiao Chuo nodded, and finally said with emotion: "However, what Father has done is still too risky! If you had told Yanyan earlier, this journey south might have had a more thorough plan!"

Xiao Siwen nodded in acknowledgment and replied: "Thinking it over during this period, I do feel lingering fear. Fortunately, having entered Han territory, we are already safe!"

"Does Father think the Great Han Emperor will accept us?"

"Certainly!" Xiao Siwen gave an exceptionally affirmative answer to this: "Over these past half year and more, countless tribes have come south to submit to the Great Han. And among those Mobei tribes that have stirred up trouble, is there a single one without Han influence behind it?

Including among our own Khitan people, there are not a few who have defected. However, so far, not a single high minister or noble has done so. I, Xiao Siwen, do not fear the infamy, and I am willing to be the first. With the wisdom of the Han court's sovereign and ministers, they will not shut the door on me!"

As he spoke, Xiao Siwen also pointed at the sheepskin parchment on the table and said: "This is my gift to the Great Han Emperor!"

Xiao Chuo did not inquire in detail about the specifics of the gift, but instead said leisurely: "At this point, I fear Shangjing has already discovered Father's intentions. Even the sovereign and ministers of the Great Han may have sensed something as well!"

"I have nothing much to hide either!" Having come this far, Xiao Siwen appeared all the more candid. After pondering for a moment, he said: "However, since I bear the mission of peace negotiations, whether it succeeds or fails, I ought to carry it out—consider it my final contribution to the Great Liao!"