Chapter 992: The Second Han-Liao Peace Negotiations

"Please, have a seat!" Liu Chengyou said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Husi returned a calm bow.

Observing his bearing, Liu Chengyou had to admit that the Liao sovereign indeed still had a number of capable ministers under him; otherwise, Liao would not have managed to emerge from all that chaos in just three short years. The heavy blow they had suffered back then was not something easily survived.

"How time flies!" Liu Chengyou remarked with a deliberate air of sentiment, then asked: "I wonder how the Liao sovereign has fared these years — does he still enjoy hunting? Three years ago, I had intended to join him in a hunt at the Yin Mountains, but who would have thought he would hurry northward so abruptly, and it never came to pass. To this day, I still regret it!"

Emperor Liu's words were mocking and sarcastic, somewhat sharp, but Xiao Husi had already lowered his posture earlier, so how could he take offense now? Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, he smiled lightly and replied with composure, cupping his hands: "I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern! Our Son of Heaven is hale and hearty, in the prime of his vigor — mounted, he can drive off tigers and wolves; dismounted, he can seize bears and leopards. That he was unable to meet Your Majesty before is also a regret for our court. Should Your Majesty wish to survey the scenery beyond the passes, we will surely clear the grass and sweep the courtyard to welcome you. Though Linhuang Prefecture is not as vast and splendid as Kaifeng, it is still sufficient to host the imperial carriage. When that time comes, Your Majesty may hunt and roam to your heart's content alongside our Son of Heaven!"

Xiao Husi's reply was quite resolute, showing not a trace of timidity. Liu Chengyou was not angered by this; rather, he regarded him with interest and said with a light laugh: "When I make my imperial visit to Linhuang Prefecture, I will certainly summon the Liao sovereign to attend my hunt!"

Before Xiao Husi could respond, Liu Chengyou continued: "You keep saying 'our Son of Heaven' — how can there be two suns under heaven?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, the world has the sun of the four seasons and the sun of dawn and dusk — how could there be only two?" Xiao Husi answered calmly.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was amused and said to Lü Yin: "Look, this Liao envoy is quick-witted and glib-tongued — how is he anything like a crude northern barbarian?"

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven of the Central Plains, and my Great Liao is likewise a powerful state of the north. Now that an envoy of a great state has come, is it fitting for Your Majesty to humiliate him so — does this not lack the decorum befitting a great power?" For the first time, Xiao Husi's emotions stirred somewhat as he fixed his gaze on Liu Chengyou and questioned him with righteous indignation.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou also put away his expression, composed himself, and said with extraordinary flatness: "The Liao envoy has come to the Eastern Capital — for what purpose? Surely not merely to display verbal sharpness before me?"

When Emperor Liu assumed this serious demeanor, Xiao Husi inexplicably felt pressure — perhaps it was the effect of the Han Son of Heaven's long-steeped presence. Though the emperor had been steering the conversation, Xiao Husi no longer had the heart to argue. Instead, he rose and replied: "I report to Your Majesty: I have come by order of the Great Liao Emperor, wishing to restore good relations with the Central Kingdom, open trade routes, reaffirm the friendship of neighbors, eliminate conflict and disorder, return peace to the people of both nations, and remain brother states forever!"

When Xiao Husi spoke these words, Liu Chengyou suddenly felt like laughing. He did not believe this — and he suspected that even the one saying it did not truly believe it either.

Yet, facing Xiao Husi's utterly candid demeanor, Liu Chengyou's response was equally straightforward: "I have always treated distant peoples with benevolence and virtue. The Han and Liao are both great states; when they are at odds, the calamity falls upon the people. If Liao has the intention to cease hostilities and seek peace, how could I refuse? Amity between our two nations is, after all, a matter that benefits millions of lives!"

Xiao Husi was somewhat surprised by the Han emperor's attitude. Given the days of being avoided and the demeanor just now, he had expected that achieving the goal of peace talks would involve some twists and difficulties. He had never imagined that Liu Chengyou would agree in just a few words.

A flash of joy passed through his eyes as Xiao Husi bowed deeply once more: "Your Majesty is truly a Son of Heaven of great virtue!"

Liu Chengyou smiled. No matter the country or the people, flattery was universal — and that was gratifying. And at this moment, where was the unyielding composure Xiao Husi had shown just moments ago?

"Lü Yin!" Liu Chengyou called out.

"Your servant is here!"

"Draft an imperial edict conveying my intentions to Guangzheng Hall. As for the detailed terms of amity between our two nations, continue the discussions — and as for the minister to preside over it... hmm, let Tao Gu take charge!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

With that settled, the atmosphere of their conversation naturally became much more harmonious, and they moved to the prepared banquet, eating while they talked. Liu Chengyou again began asking about Liao's affairs — the Liao emperor's western tour, expressing regret over Yelu Wuzhi's passing, and offering to send troops to help quell internal rebellions as a gesture of friendship...

Of course, Xiao Husi handled all these matters with composure, keeping a smile on his face — agreeing where agreement was due, and declining without hesitation where refusal was called for.

"Minister Lü, do you think this renewed peace and amity between the Han and Liao — can this treaty be relied upon?" After hosting Xiao Husi, Liu Chengyou's interest remained, and he asked Lü Yin.

Upon the question, Lü Yin answered without hesitation, reporting directly: "Your Majesty, I believe it absolutely cannot last long!"

"Share your views!" Liu Chengyou showed no sign of surprise, but calmly gestured for him to speak.

Lü Yin organized his words briefly, then said: "The Great Han's founding lay in driving out the Khitan; Your Majesty's fame spread across the realm through the great defeat of the Liao army and the recovery of Hebei. Since the Great Han's establishment, friction between Han and Liao has never ceased — border conflicts have nearly become the norm.

Only when the Liao sovereign Shulu succeeded the throne did things ease somewhat, but that was born of necessity — the Great Han was busy with reform and advancement, pacifying separatist regimes, while Liao, beset by internal strife and prolonged warfare, needed time to recuperate.

Once its national strength gradually recovers, it will no longer remain peaceful, and will bare its fangs at our Central Kingdom — hence the Battle of Yanmen, which triggered the Northern Expedition War and soaked the northern frontier in blood. Therefore, the enmity between Han and Liao runs deep, with a heavy ledger of blood debts. The hundreds of thousands of corpses buried by both sides in the Northern Expedition War alone cannot be erased in a short time.

Therefore, I believe there is still one great war to come between Han and Liao. Only by utterly destroying Liao, stripping it of its ability to oppose the court, can the threat to the Great Han's northern frontier be lifted, can the north find peace, and can the Han-Liao struggle reach its conclusion!"

Liu Chengyou was increasingly satisfied with Lü Yin — what Lü Yin thought was exactly what he himself worried about. Among those at court, few possessed such insight and judgment. In fact, even with ample precedents before them, not everyone could draw lessons from them. Since the Northern Expedition War, a voice had emerged at court saying that with Yanyun recovered and the Khitan fled north, the northern frontier could enjoy peace, and the Great Han need only unify the south to leisurely welcome an age of prosperity and contentment...

"You accompanied me throughout the audience with the Liao envoy just now — in your view, what is Liao's purpose in taking the initiative to send an envoy seeking amity this time?" Liu Chengyou's expression turned somewhat grave; this was the only point that concerned him.

At this, Lü Yin hesitated briefly, pondered seriously for a while, then said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, I cannot be certain, but based on the many pieces of intelligence received previously, I can venture to say — Liao may be planning something!"

"Do you think it is directed at the Great Han?" Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly.

"I think that is unlikely!" Lü Yin was quite certain on this point, saying: "First, if they intended to scheme against us, with Your Majesty's wisdom and the acumen of Han ministers, we would not be lulled into complacency but would instead heighten our vigilance. Second, after the bloody battles of the Northern Expedition War, Liao's wounds run so deep as to threaten its very rule — absolutely not something recoverable in a mere three years. Should they rashly initiate hostilities, with the Yan Mountains, Shannan, and Hetao defense lines, the Great Han could stand in an invincible position!"

"But what of the Tangut's movements!" Liu Chengyou pointed out the source of his concern.

Lü Yin also worried for a moment, but still shook his head: "The Dingnan Army is now divided. If Li Guangrui dares to raise a rebellion, the imperial army entering Xiazhou would be as easy as turning over a hand. The Khitan may harbor the intention of using the Dingnan Army to trouble us, but they will never act rashly!"

"Then tell me — where do you think Liao's moves will be?" Liu Chengyou nodded, still perfectly composed.

Looking at the emperor, Lü Yin said: "Your Majesty, this time Liao sends an envoy to conclude a treaty, which reminds me of the fourth year of Qianyou, when the two sides first exchanged envoys to negotiate peace. At that time, Liao suffered the Huoshendian Rebellion, while the Great Han campaigned south into Huainan, and so they agreed to be brother states, non-interference with each other.

This time, again, at the very moment Your Majesty is sweeping away the separatist regimes and unifying the realm, seeking stability in the north to focus on southern affairs — Liao may well harbor the same intention!"

Lü Yin's words served as a wake-up call. Liu Chengyou immediately walked to the ever-larger and more detailed map of the Great Han in the hall, surveying from east to west the array of powers surrounding the Great Han. He pondered for a long while, then suddenly said: "If the Khitan intends to act, it must be in the northwest — either the Tangut, the Uyghurs, or the Western Regions. But if I were to choose a target, it would surely be the Western Regions!"

"Your Majesty is wise — very likely indeed!" Lü Yin seemed to have just realized this as well, and immediately echoed.

Staring at the map for a long time, Liu Chengyou suddenly said: "In that case, perhaps Han and Liao are once again headed for a tacit understanding!"

Liu Chengyou's mood had turned somewhat sour. Clearly, while the Great Han sought to unify the realm, Liao was not about to stay quiet either.