Chapter 33: Inside the Eastern Capital

The Eastern Capital, Kaifeng, backed by the canal, rises tall in the heart of the Central Plains. Through the construction of successive dynasties, the Eastern Capital of today has already become a first-rate mighty city, standing at the center of the realm.

Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, constrained by over-exploitation of the land and a surge in population, the economy of Guanzhong declined, gradually losing its position as the nation's economic center. Especially after the An Lushan Rebellion, repeatedly ravaged by war, Guanzhong's economy became even more constrained, and Chang'an's several falls gradually stripped it of its political status.

As Guanzhong continued to decline, the economic center shifted eastward and southward, while the political center kept moving east. Bianjing, with its convenient transportation and prosperous economy, became the beneficiary of this process.

Chang'an fell to ruin, Luoyang declined, and the Bian capital rose.

Ever since Zhu Wen usurped the Tang and established the Liang, making Bianjing his capital, the city's status had risen steadily. Even though the Later Tang moved the capital to Luoyang for over a decade, after Shi Jingtang replaced the Jin and couldn't hold on for two years, he once again moved the capital to the even more prosperous Daliang.

Prosperity was Kaifeng's greatest feature. Yet no matter how splendid the prosperity, it could not withstand the ravages of war. Even though the Khitan did not engage in wholesale slaughter and arson after entering Bian, their ferocious plundering and unceasing extortion still added a layer of sorrow to this pearl of the Central Plains.

A gentle mid-spring breeze softly brushed over Kaifeng's thick city walls, yet it could never blow away the desolation that hung over the battlements. Throughout the city, it was Khitan who stood guard on patrol, and atop the parapets flew row upon row of brand-new "Liao" banners.

At this time, the Eastern Capital was subjugated under the rule of the Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang, and the newborn "Great Liao" state's rule over the people of the Central Plains had been teetering on the brink of chaos since its very founding. In recent days, as one piece of bad news followed another, the Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang, who was reveling ceaselessly in the Bian palace, had complained more than once: the people of China are too difficult to rule...

Kaifeng was divided into three cities—the palace city, the inner city, and the outer city. Among the densely packed wards, many of the mansions that had belonged to the high officials and ministers of the Later Jin were now occupied by Khitan generals and officers.

Southeast of the palace city, in a ward pressed tight against the main gate, stood lofty gates and great households, with one mansion in particular being the most honored. This had originally been the residence of Jing Yanguang, a minister of the Later Jin; after Jing Yanguang died miserably, it was bestowed upon the Great Liao's Defender of the Central Capital, Grand Chancellor, Commissioner of Military Affairs, and Prince of Yan—Zhao Yanshou.

At this moment, within the Prince of Yan's mansion, unlike the cold desolation of Kaifeng's streets and alleys, there was a scene of song and dance, peace and prosperity. In the rear hall, graceful beauties danced, their fluttering postures stirring the heart. Prince of Yan Zhao Yanshou leaned askew against his desk, his gaze hazy and lost, his aged face full of drunkenness.

Since the establishment of the Great Liao, the people of the Eastern Capital had all fallen silent, but as the Han minister most "valued" by the Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang, His Highness the Prince of Yan did not seem to be in good spirits. In fact, ever since Yelu Deguang ascended the imperial throne and sought to rule the Central Plains, Zhao Yanshou had been perpetually disgruntled.

Zhao Yanshou was a native of Zhenzhou. In his youth he was handsome, fond of books and histories, and first served the Later Tang. Like Shi Jingtang, he was a son-in-law of Emperor Mingzong of Tang, Li Siyuan—an imperial in-law, once illustrious and wielding great power in the Later Tang court. His adoptive father, Zhao Dejun, was also highly regarded by Li Siyuan, serving as Military Governor of Lulong, holding Youzhou for over a decade. To a certain extent, the qualifications and strength of the Zhao Dejun father-son pair at that time were no weaker than those of Shi Jingtang in Hedong.

When Shi Jingtang broke with the Later Tang court and took up arms, Zhao Dejun was also ordered to lead troops to punish Hedong. Holding the Lulong army, Zhao Dejun began to harbor his own schemes, bargaining with the Later Tang court, intending to swallow up the army of Fan Yanguang stationed in Liaozhou to expand his own strength, and to secure the Zhenzhou military governorship for Zhao Yanshou.

However, the last emperor of the Later Tang, Li Congke, was fiery-tempered and uncompromising. He flatly refused and issued a stern edict urging the advance of troops. Having incurred the court's displeasure, Zhao Dejun was also displeased, and turned instead to defecting to the Khitan.

At that time, Yelu Deguang, having accepted Shi Jingtang's plea to "cede territory and acknowledge vassalage," had already led his army south to Jinyang to assist. Probably prompted by Shi Jingtang's instigation, Zhao Dejun sent men to Yelu Deguang, likewise requesting to be established as emperor.

At that time, Shi Jingtang and Yelu Deguang still harbored mutual suspicions, and the Later Tang court's military strength was in fact still considerable. Yelu Deguang was quite tempted by Zhao Dejun's request, inclined to abandon Shi Jingtang. It was Shi Jingtang's trusted minister Sang Weihan who personally ventured into the Khitan camp and staged a scene of "weeping remonstrance before the tent," laying out for the Khitan lord a thorough analysis of the situation and men's hearts, so that Yelu Deguang did not change course.

By the time Shi Jingtang seized the realm, the Zhao Dejun father-son pair found themselves in an awkward position, locked up and taken back to Khitan territory. Zhao Dejun died in misery, but Zhao Yanshou, on the contrary, received important appointments.

Zhao Yanshou was a man of some talent—handsome of face, skilled in poetry and prose. In the northern court, whenever he composed a poem, it was often passed around and read by others. He was appointed by Yelu Deguang as Military Governor of Youzhou, in charge of southern affairs, and enfeoffed as Prince of Yan.

In the past year, during the Khitan army's march south, he had been especially zealous, because Yelu Deguang had more than once expressed his desire to rule China with Han people—the implication was already quite obvious.

After the Khitan army entered Bian and destroyed the Jin house, Zhao Yanshou became even more active, offering Yelu Deguang many "constructive" suggestions for ruling the Central Plains—such as dividing and controlling the surrendered Jin troops, paying the barbarian soldiers to curb their looting, and pacifying the military governors... Unfortunately, Yelu Deguang didn't take much of it to heart.

Even so, in the month or so since Yelu Deguang entered Bian, Zhao Yanshou still remained "diligent and conscientious," only because of the burning hope in his heart.

The 'Son Emperor'—if Shi Jingtang could do it, why couldn't he, Zhao Yanshou?

However, perhaps because destroying the Jin had been too easy, Yelu Deguang also got carried away and ultimately changed his mind, enthroning himself as emperor to become the lord of China. With his long-cherished wish shattered in an instant, Zhao Yanshou's mentality collapsed outright. His mind began to cloud, and he had the Later Jin chancellor Li Song speak to Yelu Deguang, seeking the position of Crown Prince.

That was a lack of discernment. Yelu Deguang, smiling amiably, refused in a very friendly manner. But to appease Zhao Yanshou, he bestowed upon him a string of resounding titles—only to have all real power thoroughly hollowed out, and even the surrendered Jin troops originally under his command were stripped away...

Zhao Yanshou of today, in terms of position and seniority, could be called the foremost Han minister of the Great Liao. Yet in reality, he had been utterly reduced to a mascot, put on display for people to see.

How could Zhao Yanshou not see all this clearly? Twenty days had passed, and the resentment in his heart had not diminished with the passage of time, but had instead grown heavier and more oppressive. By now, even wine and beautiful women could no longer ease him.

With a sharp "crack," the wine cup shattered into pieces, and the dancing and music in the hall came to an abrupt halt. As if his drunkenness had suddenly been startled awake, Zhao Yanshou glared fiercely: "Continue!"

The sound of pipes and strings resumed, the beauties resumed their dancing, and Zhao Yanshou took up a new cup, thrusting it before the attendant: "Fill it for me!"

"Yes!" Facing the mercurial Zhao Yanshou, the attendant was deeply afraid.

Downing a mouthful of the yellow brew, the drunkenness on Zhao Yanshou's face deepened another layer, making him look even more dejected.

"Your Highness!" A figure hurried into the hall—an old servant, it seemed—and came straight before Zhao Yanshou.

"What is it?" Zhao Yanshou's attention remained fixed on the dancing girls in the hall, as if selecting one to serve him in bed tonight.

"Someone has come from the palace—the Emperor summons you to an audience!"

"The Emperor? Hah, I'm not going!" Zhao Yanshou gave a cold snort.

Seeing this, the old servant's face showed a flash of panic, and he was about to urge him, when he heard Zhao Yanshou say with a bitter, mournful face: "Help me bathe and prepare my court robes..."