Chapter 441: Brother States

The amusement in Liu Chengyou's gaze made Xiao Husi feel somewhat uncomfortable, sensing ill intent. Knowing full well that this Han Emperor was deliberately asking what he already knew, Xiao Husi suppressed his unease, cupped his hands, and said: "Our Tianlu Emperor led the army on a hunting excursion in Guihua Prefecture, where he unfortunately passed away. Prince Shou'an ascended the throne before his coffin..."

"Heh heh!" Liu Chengyou rudely cut off Xiao Husi, feigning sudden realization, and remarked with feeling: "I had heard that the Khitan sovereign led a hundred thousand troops southward. So it turns out it was merely for hunting—quite the grand spectacle!"

His tone then turned cold, his gaze stern: "I too have prepared a hundred thousand armored soldiers, originally intending to join the Khitan sovereign in a grand hunt at Youyun. But as it now appears, heaven is not cooperating. A pity, a lament indeed..."

Liu Chengyou's words made Xiao Husi's brows knit tightly. He looked up directly at this young Han Son of Heaven—truly as the rumors said, forceful in character, with words that carried an edge.

Noticing the change in Xiao Husi's expression, Liu Chengyou shifted his approach and asked: "Let the envoy speak plainly. What does your new emperor intend by sending you here?"

Hearing this, Xiao Husi perked up at once, though he maintained a composed demeanor as he replied: "Our Tianshun Emperor has always been benevolent and kind. Seeing that the two states of Liao and Han have suffered years of unceasing warfare, with border soldiers and civilians enduring the hardships of conflict and struggling to maintain their livelihoods, now that he has ascended the imperial throne, moved by this, he wishes for the two states to restore good relations, each ceasing hostilities, reopening trade markets and commercial exchanges, and facilitating communication. As the Han saying goes, to turn weapons of war into gifts of jade and silk, and jointly work toward friendship!"

Hearing his purpose, Liu Chengyou appeared quite surprised, and said with sarcasm: "That the new Khitan emperor possesses a benevolent heart and peaceful aspirations—this truly surprises me..."

Xiao Husi watched helplessly as Liu Chengyou turned and asked Guo Wei, who was seated in the hall: "How many troops have been mobilized in Hebei thus far?"

Guo Wei replied: "Your Majesty, two hundred thousand infantry and cavalry!"

Upon hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou spoke in a tone that made Xiao Husi tremble with alarm: "Do you know? Just moments ago, I was considering leading two hundred thousand of our Han sons north to Youzhou and Yan, to offer condolences to your Tianlu Emperor and to congratulate your Tianshun Emperor on his ascension to the great throne. I wonder—how would the Khitan Emperor receive such guests?"

Facing this almost naked threat from the Han Emperor, Xiao Husi felt a flicker of panic, but quickly steadied his mind. He recalled Yelu Wuzhi's instructions before he had come south—though this mission was for peace talks and cessation of hostilities, he must not weaken the Great Liao's prestige.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Xiao Husi met Liu Chengyou's gaze directly, his tone turning firm as well: "Though our Tianshun Emperor is young, he is accompanied by worthy ministers, capable generals, and fierce warriors. The southern division's prefectures still hold a hundred thousand troops, and within the realm, another hundred thousand bowmen can be gathered at any time. If Your Majesty comes north to offer congratulations, then this humble minister will surely advise the Great Liao Emperor to build a separate residence in the Supreme Capital, for Your Majesty's long-term stay!"

"How dare you!"

"Insolent!"

The moment Xiao Husi finished speaking, Guo Wei and Wang Zhu—the impassioned scholar who had been promoted to Palace Rectifier—both shouted in rebuke. Wei Renpu remained silent, but his eyes too carried displeasure. As the saying goes, when the sovereign is humiliated, his ministers must die—this was a necessary display.

Facing this scene, Xiao Husi instead appeared even more composed, his back straighter. Compared to the ministers' agitation, Liu Chengyou seemed far more at ease, unconcerned. He regarded Xiao Husi with interest, setting aside his earlier veiled threats and overbearing demeanor, and said: "The Khitan sovereign wishes to end hostilities and restore good relations between our two states—this benefits the people of both. I am not a ruler who delights in war, so there is no reason for me to refuse. However, the Khitan sovereign sent you south—surely he did not bring just these bare words!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou speak thus, clearly sensing the shift in the Han Son of Heaven's tone, Xiao Husi also set aside his arrogant bearing and replied: "Before this humble minister came south, I was granted full authority by the Emperor. The terms of peace may all be deliberated and decided!"

"In that case, let us begin talks—slowly, carefully. As this concerns peace between our two states and the stability of the people, I shall have my two chancellors discuss matters thoroughly with you and work out a framework for negotiations!" Liu Chengyou said calmly.

Xiao Husi was pleased at this, though a glint flashed in his eyes as he made another request: "When this humble minister came south, I observed frequent troop movements within the Great Han's borders—armies marching north without end. Since His Majesty the Han Emperor has the heart for peace talks, might he first demonstrate sincerity by temporarily halting the advance?"

"Heh heh!" Liu Chengyou laughed: "Then first let me see the Khitan's sincerity. However, I can issue an edict—the Han army south of Yan shall withdraw to the city passes, and a ceasefire shall take effect along the border!"

The Han Emperor's attitude actually put Xiao Husi somewhat at ease. Liu Chengyou had attendants escort Xiao Husi to the Protocol Hostel, and also sent word to Feng Dao and Fan Zhi, instructing them to begin talks first and probe the Khitan's true position.

Back in the government hall, Liu Chengyou asked Wei Renpu and Guo Wei: "What do my two ministers think of this Liao envoy, Xiao Husi?"

"Though somewhat arrogant, he is measured in advance and retreat, and does not diminish his nation's prestige—the Khitan sovereign knows how to choose his men!" Guo Wei did not deliberately disparage the envoy.

Wei Renpu also replied calmly: "What concerns me now is exactly what I worried about in the hall yesterday—if the Khitan has capable ministers and brave generals who can turn the tide, then the situation may not be as chaotic as we imagined, nor as optimistic as we hoped. I hear the new Khitan sovereign is not yet twenty, a mere youth who ascended the throne before the army—he likely has worthy ministers assisting him!"

"Minister Wei's concern is well-founded—this is something I too have sensed!" Liu Chengyou nodded: "When my late father passed away and I ascended the throne at a tender age, it was truly a case of a young sovereign and a doubtful realm. The Khitan raided south, the puppet Tang harassed the borders, and the Meng Shu invaded—all because they slighted our dynasty. It was precisely by relying on my ministers' assistance and my generals' valor that we repelled external threats, cultivated virtue at home, and secured the state."

"Now the Khitan emperor has died in internal strife, and likewise a young sovereign has succeeded him. I and all my ministers took this as a heaven-sent opportunity, feeling that Yan lands were within easy reach, and were eager to launch a northern campaign. Though we have now settled on the southern expedition, I cannot help but wonder—have I too fallen into the trap of 'first impressions,' slighting the Khitan?"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's reflections, Wei Renpu and Guo Wei exchanged a glance and bowed in admiration: "Your Majesty can take history as a mirror and examine yourself well—this is truly a blessing for the Great Han!"

"Do not praise me, I beg you—the court already has no shortage of ministers singing praises. If I hear too much flattery, I fear I might lose myself in it. I would rather hear more unpleasant but loyal counsel!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, and though he said this, his tone was relaxed.

"I believe Chancellor Wei spoke from the heart, not flattery!" Guo Wei said from the side.

"I have been thinking—the situation in Khitan still awaits observation. But the Liao envoy's arrival has at least made one thing clear to me: with the old sovereign dead in rebellion and a new sovereign on the throne, their ruler and ministers truly do not wish to fight. With that, I can be somewhat at ease! My two ministers, you may return to your offices and plan the great matters—the court's energy must now shift entirely to the southern expedition!" Liu Chengyou said to Wei and Guo.

"Yes!"

After the two ministers took their leave, Liu Chengyou instructed Wang Zhu: "Go find Chancellors Feng and Fan. Have them negotiate well with the Liao envoy. Only one thing must be ensured—do not diminish the Great Han's dignity, and by no means reveal our true situation. Everything else, let them use their own judgment."

"I imagine the Liao sovereign gave his envoy similar full authority—probably much the same meaning..."

Just as Liu Chengyou had predicted, though there were disputes during the negotiations, overall they proceeded fairly smoothly—after all, when the falling flower has intent, the flowing water too has feeling.

After several rounds of talks over three days, both sides agreed: each would cease hostilities, lift border war preparations, and withdraw their armies. This was the most essential point—ending war. As for reopening trade markets and merchant exchanges, those were merely incidental. To symbolize the renewal of friendship between the two states, the Khitan would provide one thousand fine horses and two thousand cattle, while the Great Han would pay with tea, salt, and copper and iron wares of equivalent value.

For the reopened border trade markets, the envoys of both sides marked ten locations on the map, stretching from the Yundai region all the way to Youyan.

Originally, the Northern Han side had also raised some territorial demands, which Xiao Husi firmly rejected. However, these were merely probing words—if the extortion happened to succeed, so much the better; if not, no need to mind.

The territorial question was set aside for the time being. Largely to accommodate the Northern Han's feelings, Xiao Husi agreed to release the Han soldiers and civilians captured this year.

With the Liao envoy showing such sincerity, the Northern Han side responded in kind, releasing the captured Khitan tribesmen—though the number was not great, the goodwill was there.

Afterwards, Xiao Husi further indicated that the former emperor of the previous dynasty, Shi Chonggui, who had been taken captive beyond the frontier, could be returned to the Central Plains. This clearly carried some "hidden malicious intent," but to Liu Chengyou, the Khitan's scheming was rather crude.

Had they re-established Shi Chonggui as emperor in Hebei back then, it might have caused considerable trouble for the founding of the Northern Han. But now, a mere deposed emperor—what meaning did he hold for the Han Son of Heaven beyond that of an ant? To demonstrate the Son of Heaven's virtue, Liu Chengyou simply agreed and sent men to fetch him.

After a round of negotiations, the Northern Han and the Khitan formally concluded a peace treaty at the Eastern Capital, agreeing to be "brother states." As for who would be the elder brother and who the younger, after some dispute, that too was set aside. As for tribute payments—that was never even mentioned.

Once the treaty was concluded, Xiao Husi immediately took his leave, eager to return to Tanzhou to report to the Liao sovereign. Liu Chengyou dispatched a squad of Inner Palace guards to "escort" him—on the return journey, he must not be allowed to see the true state of the realm.

At the same time, Liu Chengyou appointed Xu Taifu, Hanlin Academician-in-Chief serving concurrently as Vice Minister of Rites, as envoy to travel north with the Liao envoy, presenting the state letter in person—a return visit of sorts.

This "Eastern Capital Peace Conference" was forced by circumstances and concluded in haste, but for both the Han and Liao states, it could be called a win-win. Liao was pleased to be free of the southern threat, able to focus on stabilizing its domestic affairs, consolidating its regime, and adjusting state policy to alleviate the internal contradictions left during Yelu Ruan's reign; the Northern Han, for its part, could pursue its southern campaign with greater peace of mind.

As for how long this treaty would last, that would depend on future developments. For the Northern Han, the longer the better, naturally.