Chapter 1745: Submission Still Has Its Threshold

Han Derang's journey south was the result of comprehensive deliberation. Though far away in Mobei, he had been constantly studying the Great Han's development and changes over the years, as well as its various political, economic, military, and diplomatic policies.

Though hampered by the difficulty of obtaining information, with much of what he heard being mere hearsay and viewing flowers through fog, Han Derang's intelligence and talent allowed him to glean something nonetheless.

After Yelu Xian fled north, the Khitan's established national policy was to nurture the people and restore their strength, waiting for the right time to march south, attack the Great Han, recover their old territories, and exact vengeance.

But as time passed, this fundamental national policy remained nothing more than empty words. Aside from a small number of old-timers immersed in the glory of bygone days who occasionally made noisy clamor, most Khitan power-holders had reached the point where they would not even mention it.

After all, the present reality was too stark—the disparity in national strength between the two countries was too vast, and the Great Han Empire was too powerful, so powerful as to be despair-inducing. Even if heaven granted a golden opportunity, it would not arrive in a short time; at least the current generation of Khitan could hardly hope to see that day.

Taking things as they come was widespread, and the Khitan were no exception, especially the upper-class noble chieftains. Though they coveted the wealth of the south, raising more tribesmen, breeding more cattle, sheep, horses, and camels, and securing their own power, status, and wealth were the greater priorities. Mobei was indeed remote and bitterly cold, but it could still sustain people, and it was relatively safe—one could live in peace.

Over the past decade, relations between the Great Han and the Khitan had basically been in a state of "cold politics, hot economics." The Great Han's influence over Mobei was deepening in a subtle, imperceptible way—after all, even the currency commonly used in Mobei was the Great Han's silver and copper coins.

Through these civilian economic exchanges, a large number of Khitan nobles reaped substantial profits. The various goods from the Great Han were enough to let them live a decent life, with no lack of luxuries.

Ordinary Khitan tribesmen might have had a hard time, but the noble chieftains above them had always lived comfortably. Without a doubt, after more than a decade of recovery, the Mobei Khitan had gradually degenerated—corroded from without by the Great Han, and corrupted from within by their own decadence.

The corruption and degeneration of the exploiting class knows no national or ethnic boundaries, and the Mobei Khitan were no exception. Ever since the Great Han's Kaibao northern expedition, the backbone of the former Khitan dynasty had been thoroughly broken.

Though there was no lack of men of insight, the change in the overall environment was not something a few rational individuals could reverse. No matter how lofty their ideals, they could hardly solve practical problems; shouting slogans, in the end, even they themselves stopped believing.

Watching the changes among the Khitan, many of the older generation of Khitan civil and military officials felt deeply pained, and this was why some actively advocated marching south. But these people held no power in Mobei Khitan, nor could they easily gain it, being firmly suppressed by Han Derang and others.

In this regard, Han Derang saw things clearly—raiding south might yield some gains and plunder some resources, but it would more likely invite even more brutal retaliation from the Great Han. And the Great Han Empire under Emperor Liu's rule had an extremely strong vindictive streak, with little in the way of gentleness or kindness; countless wars and deaths in the past had proven this.

Moreover, the Great Han clearly had no intention of marching north to destroy the Khitan—to raise an army and provoke them would be asking for trouble. The disparity in strength was enough to sober anyone up, and Han Derang knew all too well how terrifying a unified Central Plains dynasty could be.

The Khitan had already declined beyond recognition, yet the Great Han, despite its constant internal disturbances, was still in a rising phase—this was even more despairing. In the past, regarding civilian exchanges between the two countries, the Great Han's official upper echelons showed a certain tolerance, while the Khitan side was enthusiastic—besides profit, it was because the Great Han had too many things that Mobei needed.

As early as several years ago, Han Derang had already detected a change in the Great Han's attitude toward the Khitan, which naturally put him and many Khitan nobles and ministers considerably at ease. They had discussed this change many times, and the conclusion they reached was that the Han Empire to the south had eaten its fill, and the Mobei Khitan could be preserved.

Probably to test the waters, Han Derang had some Khitan tribes migrate southward to pasture on the fringes of the desert, while also establishing outpost markets for civilian trade, convenient for Han merchants to come. In response, the Great Han likewise adopted a tacit attitude—even when Han cavalry rode north on patrol, they did not attack, and after confirming there was no threat, they voluntarily withdrew. Li Jilong, Emperor Liu's son-in-law, had led troops north almost every year during his years in Shanyang, but now even he had quieted down.

These circumstances were all signs of improving relations between the Great Han and the Khitan. However, Han Derang was not satisfied with this; he believed things could go a step further, returning to normal diplomatic intercourse.

This was not just Han Derang's idea, but also what many Khitan upper echelons hoped for. In the past, they had been considering and testing, but had taken no substantive action.

It was not until last year, upon learning of the various situations occurring within the Great Han—whether the war with the Kara-Khanids or the rebellion in the northwest—that Han Derang saw an opportunity.

Of course, not an opportunity to take advantage of the chaos and raid south. From the perspective of an observer, Han Derang saw those as mere superficial ailments, hardly capable of shaking the Great Han's rule.

What Han Derang saw was an opportunity to thoroughly improve the hostile relations between the two countries and return their interactions to normal. Of course, to accomplish this, the Khitan needed to take the initiative, with sincere attitudes, lowered postures—bowing when bowing was needed, kneeling when kneeling was needed. Han Derang's personal mission as chancellor was itself a display of sincerity.

The Great Han happened to be in a troubled season, yet the Khitan came voluntarily to pay court, expressing their submission, giving the Central Plains Empire face, and also offering help in time of need. Moreover, an enemy that had opposed them for decades now softening and declaring vassalage would greatly satisfy Emperor Liu's vanity. One must know that previously, even after being driven to Mobei, the Khitan had shown no intention of softening; when the Han army marched north, the Khitan forces had fought back tenaciously.

In Han Derang's view, with the foundation of improved relations between the two countries, the Great Han court had no reason to refuse. Therefore, Han Derang set out from Mobei southward, riding hard day and night, enduring no small hardship before finally arriving at the Eastern Capital.

Upon arriving in the capital, he did not even take time to admire and marvel at the Eastern Capital's grandeur and prosperity, immediately expressing his desire for an audience with the court. However, his heartfelt sincerity and hopes were directly doused with a bucket of cold water—the court had no time for him.

The court, though it had agreed to receive the envoy and allowed Han Derang and his party to enter the country and come to the capital, and had arranged for them to stay at the Protocol Hostel, that was all. Thereafter, they were ignored and left to cool their heels.

Of course, it was not that they were completely ignored—after all, these were Khitan visitors. It was just that this matter required Emperor Liu's personal approval. He had always personally handled Khitan affairs; if he did not express his stance, even Crown Prince Liu Yang would not dare act rashly.

Han Derang did not know the inner workings of this, so he could only take up temporary residence in the Eastern Capital, waiting bitterly for the day Emperor Liu would summon him. Of course, Han Derang had excellent psychological fortitude and could endure neglect and humiliation, staying put obediently—he even had the leisure to stroll around the Eastern Capital, personally observing the state of the Great Han's heart.

And this observation yielded great rewards. Coinciding with the grain price turmoil in the Eastern Capital, it further convinced Han Derang that the Great Han was not at peace, and that the court's desire for stability and security meant the Khitan's sincere submission might well be accepted.

However, more than half a month had now passed, and Emperor Liu still showed no intention of receiving him. Inquiries were only answered with "await the imperial summons." Settling for second best, he tried to see the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince was too busy with state affairs to meet him.