Chapter 1751: Taming the Khitan

Upon arriving at the Eastern Capital, after being cold-shouldered for over twenty days, Khitan Chancellor Han Derang finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel and was granted an audience with the Emperor of the Great Han. Because it had been so hard-won, Han Derang treated the occasion with exceptional gravity, even fussing repeatedly over his attire until it was immaculate. As for his bearing, only reverence and humility could describe it, epitomizing humble words and lavish gifts.

"Han Derang!" In Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu sized up this famed Khitan Chinese minister with keen interest.

"Your subject Han Derang pays respects to Your Majesty!" Han Derang's movements were precise—three kneelings and nine prostrations—displaying utter submission.

"I have heard of you for a long time!" Looking at this "illustrious" minister of extraordinary ability, Emperor Liu spoke in a slightly complex tone.

This was naturally the first time Han Derang had ever laid eyes on Emperor Liu. Given the disparity in status and position, he maintained a cautious and humble demeanor, yet at the same time, he harbored a certain curiosity about this man who had suppressed an entire era and utterly destroyed the Great Liao dynasty.

But at this moment, sensing the slight peculiarity in Emperor Liu's tone, Han Derang felt a faint unease in his heart. Without hesitation, he clasped his hands and replied: "Your subject dare not accept such praise! That my humble name should reach His Majesty's ears is the greatest honor of my life!"

"Is that so?" Emperor Liu smiled faintly: "Between the Great Han and the Khitan, there are decades of accumulated blood feuds, the hatred of a destroyed nation. As the Khitan chancellor, shouldn't you be constantly singing aloud about eating my flesh and sleeping on my hide?"

Emperor Liu's words carried barbs. Though Han Derang's heart skipped a beat, he maintained his composure on the surface and said steadily: "Your Majesty speaks too gravely! The fate of a man, the rise and fall of a nation—all follow the Mandate of Heaven. Your Majesty is favored by Heaven's mandate, victorious in all endeavors. That the Khitan fell to Your Majesty's hands is simply the working of destiny—what resentment could there be? If there is any hatred, it can only be that the Khitan shared the world with Your Majesty, and that the Khitan failed to recognize Heaven's will and made an enemy of Your Majesty."

"Hahaha!" Hearing Han Derang speak thus, Emperor Liu could not help but laugh, even rubbing his eyes in amusement as he looked at Han Derang, whose words had almost no bottom line: "Have you heard some rumors and assumed I enjoy flattery, thinking that by buttering me up and making me happy, you could deceive me and accomplish your mission? If those Khitan nobles in Mobei heard your words today, wouldn't they fly into a rage and have you executed?"

"Your subject merely speaks the truth!" Han Derang replied calmly: "Your Majesty's merits and greatness need no flattery from an insignificant Han Derang. Even if I returned to Mobei, I would say the same. Moreover, even the Khitan people themselves, from top to bottom, hold Your Majesty in extraordinary awe and fear, regarding you as a god. How could mortals dare to contend with a god? To be defeated by Your Majesty is but to suffer Heaven's wrath—bringing calamity upon oneself!"

After Han Derang finished speaking, the hall suddenly fell silent. Emperor Liu's gaze roamed over Han Derang, scrutinizing him repeatedly. Though Han Derang sensed something amiss, he dared not make any rash move, merely keeping his head lowered and maintaining a low profile.

After a long while, Emperor Liu finally spoke in a tone of admiration: "Knowing someone by reputation is not as good as meeting them in person. To deliver fawning, flattering words with such dignity and freshness—truly no ordinary man! A man like you deserves a broader platform to display your talents. Staying in Mobei is a waste of your abilities. Remain at court and serve the Great Han!"

Upon hearing this, Han Derang's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. After a brief pause, he bowed and replied: "Your Majesty's praise fills me with shame. If I may speak frankly, without the Khitan, my humble name would likely never have reached Your Majesty's ears. The court is teeming with talent and wise men abound; compared to them, I am but ordinary. I possess only modest abilities, barely sufficient to contribute a little toward peaceful relations between the Great Han and the Khitan..."

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu laughed again, waving his hand: "Your ambitions lie elsewhere—I will not force you!"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's understanding!" Han Derang inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. Though he had tried his best to respond calmly, the pressure exerted by Emperor Liu was even greater than he had imagined.

"Enough! Speak of your purpose here!" Emperor Liu's patience seemed to run out all at once.

Hearing this, Han Derang's heart tightened slightly. Taking a deep breath, he solemnly clasped his fists and respectfully laid out the Khitan's submission to the Great Han, as well as the intent of establishing friendly relations between the Han and Liao nations.

This speech had clearly been thoroughly prepared in private, practically engraved into his memory. Han Derang delivered it with great fluency and even exceptional emotion, blending reason with sentiment and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the current situation—its persuasiveness was immediately elevated.

However, he was facing Emperor Liu—an emperor who had ruled the realm for decades, a tyrant who held the power of life and death over all under heaven. Interests were certainly his guiding principle, but by no means the only one. Sometimes, personal likes and dislikes could also determine the outcome of a matter.

At this moment, for instance, facing Han Derang's earnest entreaties, Emperor Liu appeared exceptionally cold and spoke bluntly: "Spare me these insincere words—they are worthless. You come representing the Khitan, claiming submission, but surely you must have requests of the Great Han. Speak of something practical!"

Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, even a man of Han Derang's thick skin could not help but feel embarrassed. This Great Han emperor was too sharp, always aggressive, never giving one any sense of moderation. Was this simply acting on whims, or had he become arrogant and self-opinionated to a certain degree?

Quickly dispelling the stray thoughts from his mind, Han Derang hesitated for a moment before speaking earnestly: "To be honest with Your Majesty, the Khitan does indeed have requests of the Great Han! We beseech Your Majesty to open the border restrictions and re-establish trade markets, allowing the people of the Great Han and the Khitan to trade freely, and to lift the restrictions on salt, tea, wine, and grain that Mobei lacks.

At the same time, the Naiman people are ambitious and growing ever stronger, and the Shiwei in the north are continuously pressing southward. Sooner or later they will harm the Great Han. The Khitan is willing to join hands with the Great Han to resist and drive them out together."

"Heh heh heh" Hearing him out, Emperor Liu was amused again, speaking in an almost sneering tone: "How is it that everything is the Khitan asking of the Great Han? What benefit does the Great Han get?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, the Khitan is willing to swear an oath with the Great Han, to submit forever, to send tribute annually without cease, and never to rebel!" Han Derang said solemnly: "Furthermore, if Your Majesty shows mercy, I, on behalf of my king, request a Great Han princess in marriage, to become nations bound by matrimonial ties."

"You people certainly know how to scheme, and you're thinking far too beautifully!" Emperor Liu said coldly: "Nations bound by matrimony—weren't you that before? When it came time to tear up the friendship, did you ever show mercy? When it came time for war, you fought with equal ferocity, leaving no room for quarter!

Let me tell you plainly: in the past, when the two nations were locked in conflict, the Khitan still had a chance to obtain a peace treaty. Now, weigh it yourself—does Mobei have that qualification?"

Emperor Liu blatantly displayed an attitude of bullying the weak, causing Han Derang's face to pale slightly. Though he had been humble before, there had been an element of pretense—he had maintained his dignity throughout, with a sense of enduring humiliation for his country and even savoring it.

Now, under Emperor Liu's cold words, Han Derang seemed to cast aside the last shred of his dignity. Prostrating himself fully, he knocked his head forcefully against the floor: "A small state dares not offend a great one. I have come only to beg Your Majesty's mercy and grace. If it is not granted, I can only submit to the great nation's will, daring not to complain..."

Seeing Han Derang in this posture, Emperor Liu's expression finally returned to normal. After pondering for a moment, he said: "I understand your purpose. As for whether to grant it or not, I still need to consider. You may withdraw."

"Your subject takes his leave!" At this, Han Derang felt both relief and disappointment, but dared not show either. He could only obediently comply and respectfully take his leave.

"Oh, and—I hear you've been frequenting the Eastern Capital lately. Since you enjoy it, stay a while longer and take a good look around. If you fail to see all of the Eastern Capital's splendor, wouldn't it be a pity once you return to Mobei?" Emperor Liu added slowly.

"Yes!"

"The Khitan... Mobei..." After he had departed, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed as he muttered to himself. Clearly, he was somewhat conflicted.

After a long while, Emperor Liu returned to normal, his gaze sharpening once more as he said to Yan Tuo: "Summon Xiao Siwen!"

"Your subject Xiao Siwen awaits Your Majesty's command!" Having received Emperor Liu's summons, Xiao Siwen hurried in. Upon reaching the imperial presence, he knelt swiftly with movements showing no sign of his age.

Looking at Xiao Siwen, Emperor Liu wasted no words and said directly: "I have received the Khitan envoy's purpose, and I imagine you've heard something of it as well. I am giving you a task: convey this to Mobei. If they wish to build friendly relations, to lift the restrictions, or even to request a princess—I can agree to all of it!

However, I have conditions, and the first is this: dismiss Han Derang, Yelu Xiuge, and others. For vassalage and tribute, I do not seek mere empty titles. I may enfeoff Yelu Longxu as a king, but from this day forward, Mobei shall be Han territory, and I may grant them autonomy.

Mobei must accept court officials taking up residence to coordinate administration. The Mobei army must be reduced and subject to court inspections at all times. When the court mobilizes troops, they must answer the court's summons...

That's all for now!"

"Yes! I will convey every word!" Xiao Siwen listened while pondering, inwardly marveling—if Mobei agreed to this, they would truly become a vassal of the Great Han. This was perhaps an even greater benefit than dispatching troops to conquer them directly.

Emperor Liu murmured: "The Khitan as it is now—I am still not satisfied!"