Chapter 1436: The Khitan Finally Beaten Back to Their Origins

When he clearly expressed his acceptance, the atmosphere of the conversation between Emperor Liu and Xiao Siwen became less formulaic and more sincere. Emperor Liu settled into the role of a listener, earnestly taking in Xiao Siwen's account of conditions inside Liao.

The Great Han was not lacking in Khitan affairs experts like Wang Zhaoyuan, and the two bureaus of Military Virtue and Military Intelligence had been probing Liao's internal affairs in every conceivable way, but there were ultimately limits—some confidential matters were difficult to know fully, and differences in political culture meant that perceptions of certain things were somewhat off.

Xiao Siwen was different. He was both a Khitan noble of close blood ties and a Liao minister, and he understood both Han and Khitan culture. Naturally, his understanding of Liao's situation was deeper and more thorough.

Xiao Siwen clearly knew what Emperor Liu wanted to know—or rather, he understood the value of his own defection to the Han—and so he told him everything about Liao's internal secrets, especially the critical situations, without reservation.

This included Liao's military strength, the state of its tribes, its pacification campaigns, and its national strategy—nothing was withheld, no matter how minor. He even recounted to Emperor Liu the details of the assassination of Yelu Jing and the internal struggles within Liao before and after Yelu Xian's ascension.

After all, Xiao Siwen had been a key figure deeply involved in that struggle for the throne, and hearing it from his lips gave Emperor Liu a clearer understanding of the contradictions within the Liao imperial clan.

Through this conversation, Emperor Liu genuinely felt the sincerity of Xiao Siwen's defection, and the smile on his face grew increasingly warm and genuine, joy welling up naturally.

Especially when he received the gift Xiao Siwen presented, Emperor Liu praised it lavishly: "Minister Xiao, this gift of yours is truly precious—more valuable than gold, silver, pearls, or jade!"

"I won't hide it from you, Minister Xiao—the Great Han has spared no effort in reconnaissance and espionage beyond the northern frontier. Unfortunately, the grasslands are vast, the tribes are in disarray, and travel is difficult, so much of the intelligence is chaotic and hard to distinguish between true and false, valuable and worthless.

For the Great Han, the situation beyond the northern frontier has always seemed shrouded in mist. The court knows it is chaotic, knows the Khitan's position is dire, but a truly clear picture has been hard to come by.

This map of yours, Minister Xiao, helps in understanding Liao's situation—it has solved no small problem for the court in its dealings with Liao!" Emperor Liu said with feeling.

The map Xiao Siwen presented depicted in detail the current distribution of power among the various tribes within Liao, including Liao's military deployments and an overview of the pacification situation. It was an extremely valuable treasure of a map—only a high-ranking Liao minister like Xiao Siwen could have produced such a comprehensive account.

Xiao Siwen naturally knew the value of this map, and seeing that it pleased Emperor Liu, he was inwardly delighted. In response to Emperor Liu's praise, he said humbly, "If it can be of use to the court, your servant can rest easy!"

"I appreciate your efforts, Minister Xiao!" Emperor Liu said with a smile, continuing to flatter Xiao Siwen. "But compared to this map, I am even more pleased that you have come to us. A map is ultimately static, while situations change. With you here, I need not fear losing my understanding of Khitan affairs. In the future, I will likely need to consult you often!"

"Your servant does not deserve such praise!" Xiao Siwen maintained a humble expression on his aged face and replied, "Whenever Your Majesty has a question, your servant will speak all he knows without reservation!"

Emperor Liu nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with Xiao Siwen's attitude. After a moment's thought, he asked again: "Regarding the peace negotiations between Han and Liao, my mind is made up and will not change, but I remain curious about the Liao sovereign's thinking in seeking peace. You must have some understanding of it, Minister Xiao—please enlighten me!"

"I want to know: if the court agrees to peace, what are the Liao sovereign's considerations? And if not, what countermeasures does he have?"

Having already sold out Liao completely, Xiao Siwen answered frankly: "From what your servant knows, whether the court agrees or not, Liao will first pacify internal troubles, then deal with external threats.

The Liao court is already prepared to concentrate its forces and eliminate the rebellious tribes in Mobei before the year's end. Over these past months, while maintaining the situation in Mobei, the Liao court has been requisitioning grain and military supplies, preparing a heavy blow against the rebels.

Autumn has already arrived, and troops are likely being mobilized on the grasslands. This time, the Liao sovereign's resolve is great—even if he cannot completely sweep away the Mobei rebellion, he will utterly crush several of the major tribes!

The court should have agents and spies beyond the northern frontier—news should arrive before long. Even if the movements are secretive, there should be signs and traces to be seen!"

Hearing Xiao Siwen say this, Emperor Liu's brow darkened slightly, then quickly cleared as he smiled: "So you're saying that Yelu Xian sending you south to negotiate peace was just a feint, meant to confuse the court?"

Xiao Siwen nodded, then continued: "However, from what your servant observes, if the court agrees, the Khitan will do their utmost to accommodate the court, showing submission and carefully avoiding the court's suspicion or attack, creating a relaxed environment for pacifying the Mobei tribes.

Although Mobei is currently in turmoil, with various tribes raising arms in resistance, their forces are scattered and their hearts are not united. The Khitan, despite suffering heavy losses and weakened national strength under the court's campaigns, still possesses strength that the rebellious Mobei tribes cannot match.

What the Liao court truly fears and dreads is the Great Han. Since the northern expeditions, the Great Han has massed troops in Monan, poised to move. Even without a full-scale advance north, it has tied up a great deal of Khitan energy.

If the court can agree to peace, it would be a tremendous relief for Liao's situation—and it is what the Liao sovereign and his ministers most hope for!"

"So Yelu Xian has also prepared for my refusal of the peace talks?" Emperor Liu said.

Xiao Siwen: "Exactly! Before your servant came south, there were rumors in Linhuang that if matters could not be resolved, the Liao court would undertake a relocation, moving the capital to Mobei and concentrating all strength on pacifying Mobei, to avoid the Great Han's military edge! Your servant believes this is no mere rumor—the Liao sovereign may already be prepared for it!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu showed surprise and said: "The Khitan have had their capital at Linhuang for over fifty years now—an old capital, a city of flourishing enterprise. Can Yelu Xian bear to give it up? Is he not afraid that Liao's morale will completely collapse?"

Xiao Siwen replied: "Your Majesty should know that after the Xi submitted to the Great Han, the Liao capital lost its southern defensive support. Linhuang is no longer as safe and secure as it once was! Though it has the Huang River as a defense, last year the imperial army marched north and nearly broke through. Since this spring, General Dong has led troops north several times, watering his horses in the Huang River. Though separated by a hundred li, one can still feel the sharpness of the imperial army's blade—Linhuang has been alarmed many times.

Liao is already wracked by internal strife. Though the Supreme Capital is its capital, it has long been threatened by the Great Han, and staying there long is untenable. The Liao court also fears that if one day the imperial army advances north in force, it will be impossible to hold.

Rather than fall into a foreseeable crisis, it is better to make an early decision, abandon it in time, and relocate to Mobei—this both avoids the threat of the Great Han's military might and allows full concentration on pacifying Mobei!"

"And fleeing to Mobei will bring safety? Being thousands of li away will let them avoid the Great Han's blade?" Emperor Liu said coldly.

Xiao Siwen said: "Even if the Great Han can campaign a thousand li, fighting in Mobei would present the court with greater difficulties and potential costs than the previous two northern expeditions. Fighting in Mobei would give the Khitan a greater chance of victory!

Han Derang, a close minister of the Liao sovereign, once said that if it came to the critical moment, Mobei would be the last place Liao could rely on for revival—staying far from the Great Han, pacifying internal unrest, recuperating and building strength, and biding time for another opportunity. That was Han Derang's advice to the Liao sovereign!

Your Majesty may not know, but though Han Derang is a Han minister, the Liao sovereign trusts him greatly, and this man is among the most knowledgeable and capable of all the Liao court ministers. With his assistance, one can imagine what the Liao sovereign's final choice will be!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, then finally sighed softly: "If the Liao sovereign truly has such aspirations, then I must not let him go! He wants to emulate Goujian, enduring humiliation and tasting bitterness, but I am no Fuchai!"

"Your Majesty is wise and farsighted, the Han army is invincible—even if the Khitan flee far away, your servant firmly believes they will ultimately submit beneath the iron hooves of the Great Han!" After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Siwen flattered again.

"But if that day truly comes, then this Khitan will really have been beaten back into a nomadic regime!" Emperor Liu could not help joking.

That day, Emperor Liu spoke with Xiao Siwen at great length, and later even summoned Zhao Pu and other key military and civil ministers to hear Xiao Siwen's report on Liao's internal affairs together. On the spot, he appointed Xiao Siwen as an Academician of the Inner Cabinet, to await summons at the palace gate, showing favor and allowing him to be called upon at any time for counsel.

Not long after, as more news from Liao came in, it proved that developments had not deviated from Xiao Siwen's assessments and predictions.

On the Liao side, sure enough, there was intense activity—troops were being mobilized and generals dispatched for a powerful pacification campaign in Mobei. At the same time, the Liao Supreme Capital also stirred, and the Liao sovereign Yelu Xian moved his capital, leaving the palace chambers to return to tent and yurt, fleeing far into Mobei.