Chapter 1764: The Khitan Coup

Like the Eastern Capital city, the Han palace was also filled with joy, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, appearing extraordinarily grand. Clearly, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival was to be celebrated with great fanfare, and Emperor Liu also intended to share in the festivities with the people.

The situation at Chongzheng Hall was the same, fully immersed in the atmosphere both inside and outside the palace. Within the hall, Emperor Liu sat cross-legged behind the imperial desk. The weather was growing cooler, and he wore a robe that appeared entirely unadorned. His spirits seemed excellent, a smile on his face.

Several people attended before the imperial presence: Crown Prince Liu Yang, Commissioner of the Wude Office Li Chongju, Commissioner of the Palace City Wang Ji'en, and Commissioner of Border Pacification Xiao Siwen.

Since the suppression of the Yulin rebellion, Li Chongju, who had been stationed in Guannei for over half a year, had finally returned to the Eastern Capital to report and present his credentials. During that time in Guannei, Li Chongju had in fact been performing the duty of holding the rear, safeguarding the suppression of the Yulin rebellion. Of course, the process had involved heads rolling in abundance, and many had witnessed the old Commandery Duke's ruthlessness. In truth, how could anyone serving as Commissioner of the Wude Office be a true man of kindness?

How many people Li Chongju had actually arrested in Guannei, how many he had killed, how many were guilty, and how many were wronged — perhaps even the Wude Office itself could not say clearly. In extraordinary times, the greater situation took precedence, and one could not spare thought for such matters.

Of course, Li Chongju was not in essence the type of pure hawk-and-hound figure. He did the work, he killed the people, but after it was done, the moral burden inevitably weighed heavily upon him. And the past year had indeed been arduous, which was why the old Commandery Duke gave an ever more aged and declining impression, no longer the hale and vigorous man of before.

"The task was handled well. The current state of Mobei is finally proper — it pleases me greatly!" Seated high above, Emperor Liu set down the memorial in his hand, looked at Xiao Siwen, and said with a beaming smile.

Seeing Emperor Liu in good spirits, everyone present felt somewhat more at ease. Xiao Siwen, who had been singled out, paid no heed to his advanced age, bent his old back a full ninety degrees, and said modestly: "Your Majesty, I truly dare not claim the credit. The upheaval in Mobei was, in the end, the painstaking achievement of the capable agents of the Wude and Palace City offices. I truly dare not presume to take the credit!"

"Ah! Minister Xiao is being modest!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately waved his hand and said: "Without your coordination in the middle, how could such results have been achieved! A few of your letters may have been more useful than months of running about by those below!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me!" Xiao Siwen remained low-key, appearing unwilling to contend with others for merit.

"The two offices' intelligence work was also quite diligent this time. Those with merit shall be richly rewarded!" Emperor Liu then said to Li Chongju and Wang Ji'en.

"We thank Your Majesty!" The two replied in unison.

Not long ago, through the multi-party collusion and instigation of the Great Han's relevant agencies, fully playing the role of a stirring stick, a coup had been stirred up among the Khitan in Mobei. It was an attack and reckoning launched primarily by Khitan imperial clansmen and nobles against Han ministers holding power — of course, aimed mainly at the two Han families. In fact, it was a power-grabbing operation.

For those Khitan nobles who launched the coup, it was setting things right, returning governance to the sovereign. At the same time, they did not fear causing the state's turmoil and peril, for they had obtained the Great Han's promises and support.

Although they were dissatisfied with Han Derang and other Han ministers holding power, they were still relatively approving of some of Han Derang's policies, especially the idea of easing relations with the Great Han. At least judging by the development of the past decade or more, it was by leaning on the Great Han that these nobles could live more comfortably. Times were no longer what they once were; wallowing in the past was good for neither the state nor the people.

"Yelu Mozhi and Yelu Puning — these two are both Khitan imperial clansmen, are they not?" Emperor Liu asked.

Li Chongju replied in an aged voice: "In answer to Your Majesty, indeed they are. Yelu Mozhi serves as Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs. He has administrative talent, has rendered merit in pacifying rebellions and comforting the people, and assists Yelu Xiuge in overseeing Mobei's military affairs.

Yelu Puning serves as Commissioner of Palace Attendants. Previously he joined the campaign against the Shiwei and rendered great merit, enjoying considerable trust and favor. Had these two not exerted themselves in this Khitan coup, it might not have succeeded!"

"And what of Yelu Xiuge? Did he not suppress it?" Emperor Liu asked with some curiosity.

Li Chongju shook his head and replied: "From beginning to end, Yelu Xiuge remained steadily in his court, not moving an inch, letting the changes unfold, neither inquiring nor interfering!"

"Presumably, Yelu Xiuge also understands the principle that the will of the people cannot be defied. The Han clan may be useful, but compared to the interests of the imperial clansmen and nobles, it amounts to nothing! Even with his great merit and high prestige, Yelu Xiuge could hardly suppress the backlash of the entire imperial clan and nobility!" Emperor Liu said calmly.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Were both Han families completely wiped out?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Wang Ji'en interjected: "In answer to His Majesty, the two Han families numbered several hundred members. Aside from a few who escaped and fled to distant lands, all the rest were executed. The Han clansmen of the royal court and their retainers — not a single one survived!"

"A pity!" Emperor Liu said flatly upon hearing this: "This is the fate of those who forget their ancestors. They stayed loyal through thick and thin, journeyed far to Mobei, shared hardships together — but the others never treated them as their own. When the butcher's knife was raised, there was not a trace of mercy!"

"What Your Majesty says is most true. The two Han families merely brought it upon themselves!" Wang Ji'en replied.

Back when Liao was at its height, there were several great Han minister families, the most famous of which were none other than the two Hans. The Khotan Han Zhigu family and the Youzhou Han Yanhui family — these two families were symbols of the Khitan's sinicization. At their peak, the two families nearly divided between them the great power over Liao's Han ministers and subjects.

And indeed, the Han families produced talent in abundance. Over the past few decades, they had shown a complete explosion of talent. That Han Derang could hold power in Mobei was not due to his ability alone — his brothers, uncles, and nephews were equally the foundation of his strong support.

But times had changed; the former glory was no more, and now they had even fallen to the point of death and clan annihilation.

Emperor Liu had some understanding of the two Han families. As for their fate, to say he felt greatly gratified would be going too far; to say he felt pity was merely speaking in passing. At the very least, the Great Han had played a part in pushing forward the destruction of the two Han families.

In fact, after he had sent word to Mobei conveying his intention to depose Han Derang, he had already anticipated such an outcome might occur. How could the struggle for power be tender and gentle? Especially for a nomadic regime — without slaughtering until blood flowed like rivers, how could one secure the fruits of victory?

"Your Majesty, the Khitan ruler has once again sent envoys south, intending to seek reconciliation with the Great Han!" Liu Yang also spoke up, reporting the news he had learned.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu said with a smile: "This time, who serves as envoy?"

Liu Yang said: "According to reports, it is a Pishi Army general, Xiao Paiya!"

"Xiao Paiya?" Emperor Liu's gaze immediately turned to Xiao Siwen, and he asked: "Minister Xiao, this man should be of the same clan as you, should he not?"

Xiao Siwen reported: "In answer to Your Majesty, the Khitan Xiao clan is basically composed of people from the consort clan. He is indeed of the same lineage as myself. As for this Xiao Paiya, I have heard of him — he is the eldest son of Xiao Taling!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu reacted, turning his head to look at Liu Yang: "Han Derang and Xiao Taling are still in the capital, are they not!"

"They remain. Without an imperial edict, we dare not release them!" Liu Yang replied.

The corners of his mouth turning up, Emperor Liu said: "Now that the Han clan of Mobei has been destroyed, I wonder where Han Derang will go from here?"

Liu Yang's expression stirred at these words. He knew well how much Emperor Liu valued Han Derang. After thinking a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, with his family annihilated, Han Derang is now like a lonely ghost with nowhere to rest. Moreover, he bears a blood feud with the Khitan. If we recruit him now, we can use him with confidence. The Great Han would gain a capable minister!"

"With confidence? With Han Derang's intelligence, could he fail to see the hand behind the upheaval in Mobei?" Emperor Liu gave a cold smile upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said leisurely: "What if we kill Han Derang?"