Chapter 133

The Khitan Upper Capital, the imperial palace—here everywhere exudes the vigor and ruggedness of the steppe peoples, the air faintly scented with leather and kumis.

Translation: "Khitan Upper Capital, the imperial palace—here everywhere exudes the vigor and ruggedness of the steppe peoples, the air faintly smelling of leather and kumis."

The Khitan Upper Capital, the imperial palace—here everywhere exudes the vigor and ruggedness of the steppe peoples, the air faintly scented with leather and kumis.

Make sure it's one line.

Yelü Deguang, the second emperor of the Khitan state, sat complacently on his throne, receiving the kowtow of the envoy Sang Weihan sent by Shi Jingtang.

Translation: "Yelü Deguang, the second emperor of the Khitan state, sat complacently on his throne, receiving the kowtow of the envoy Sang Weihan sent by Shi Jingtang."

Yelü Deguang, the second emperor of the Khitan state, sat complacently on his throne, receiving the kowtow of the envoy Sang Weihan sent by Shi Jingtang.

Sang Weihan wore the crimson official robes of the Central Plains, his forehead pressed hard against the cold floor tiles, his body bowed low, not daring to breathe. He had just presented Shi Jingtang's state letter, which not only contained respectful words for Yelü Deguang but also promised that if the Khitan could help Shi Jingtang seize the Later Tang throne, he would style himself as the "Son Emperor" and was willing to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun to the Khitan.

Translation: "Sang Weihan wore the crimson official robes of a Zhongyuan official, his forehead pressed hard against the cold floor tiles, his body bowed low, not daring to breathe. He had just presented Shi Jingtang's state letter, which not only filled with respectful words for Yelü Deguang but also promised that if the Khitan helped Shi Jingtang seize the Later Tang throne, he would style himself as the Son Emperor and cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun to the Khitan."

He wore crimson official robes, a Zhongyuan official with his forehead pressed hard against the cold floor tiles, body bowed low, not daring to breathe; he had just presented Shi Jingtang's state letter, which not only contained respectful words for Yelü Deguang but also promised that if the Khitan helped Shi Jingtang seize the Later Tang throne, he would style himself as the Son Emperor, and was willing to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun to the Khitan.

We'll produce one line.

Yelü Deguang played with the jade thumb ring on his finger, listening to Sang Weihan tremblingly recount Shi Jingtang's "filial heart." Suddenly he burst into loud laughter that echoed through the vast hall, full of a conqueror's pride. He stroked his thick beard, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials below, his tone brimming with boast: "My son Jingtang, truly filial!"

Translation: "Yelü Deguang toyed with the jade thumb ring on his finger, listening to Sang Weihan tremblingly recount Shi Jingtang's 'filial heart,' then burst into loud laughter that echoed through the vast hall, full of a conqueror's pride. He stroked his thick beard, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials below, his tone brimming with boast: 'My son Jingtang, truly filial!'"

He wore a jade thumb ring on his finger, trembling as he recounted his filial heart, then burst into loud laughter that echoed through the vast hall, full of a conqueror's pride; he stroked his thick beard, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials below, his tone brimming with boast, saying, "My son Jingtang, truly filial!"

We'll produce.

No sooner had his words finished than the Khitan nobles in the hall broke into laughter. One shouted loudly, "Your Majesty's heavenly might—all the little sons of the Central Plains willingly bow as subjects!" Another said, "Once Shi Jingtang gains the empire, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun will be ours; thereafter marching south into the Central Plains will be as easy as walking on flat ground."

another said

Translation: "No sooner had his words finished than the Khitan nobles in the hall broke into laughter, one shouting loudly, 'Your Majesty's heavenly might, all the little sons of Zhongyuan willingly bow as subjects!' Another said, 'Once Shi Jingtang gains the empire, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun will be ours; thereafter marching south into Zhongyuan will be as easy as walking on flat ground!'"

No sooner had his words finished than the Khitan nobles in the hall broke into laughter; one shouted loudly, "Your Majesty's heavenly might! All the little sons of Zhongyuan willingly bow as subjects!" Another said, "Once Shi Jingtang gains the empire, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yunyun will be ours; thereafter marching south into Zhongyuan will be as easy as walking on flat ground."

We'll produce.

"Go back and tell him to rest easy. My Khitan warriors will soon march south. By then, not just a Later Tang emperor—I can crush the whole flourishing world of the Central Plains and present it to him!"

Translation: "'Go back and tell him to rest easy. My Khitan warriors will soon march south. By then, not just a Later Tang emperor—I can crush the whole flourishing world of Zhongyuan and present it to him!'"

Go back and tell him to rest easy; my Khitan warriors will soon march south. By then, not only can I defeat a Later Tang emperor, I can crush the whole flourishing world of Zhongyuan and present it to him!

We'll produce.

Sang Weihan, this silver‑tongued shameless man, immediately kowtowed obsequiously: "Father Emperor's heavenly might—none under heaven can withstand it! My lord, to be your son is the fortune he cultivated over eight lifetimes. He has said that when you, Father Emperor, arrive in the Central Plains, he will surely lead all officials out thirty li to meet you and perform the great kowtow ceremony."

Translation: "Sang Weihan, this silver-tongued shameless man, immediately kowtowed obsequiously: 'Father Emperor's heavenly might, none under heaven can withstand it! My lord, the Head of Family, to be your son is the fortune he cultivated over eight lifetimes! He has said that when you, Father Emperor, arrive in Zhongyuan, he will surely lead all officials out thirty li to meet you, performing the great kowtow ceremony.'"

The silver-tongued shameless man immediately kowtowed obsequiously, saying, "Father Emperor's heavenly might, none under heaven can withstand it! My lord, to be your son is the fortune he cultivated over eight lifetimes. He has said that when you, Father Emperor, arrive in Zhongyuan, he will surely lead all officials out thirty li to meet you, performing the great kowtow ceremony."

We'll produce.

"Hahaha!" Yelü Deguang laughed even more heartily.

Translation: "'Hahaha!' Yelü Deguang laughed even more heartily."

He seemed to see himself riding a tall horse, surrounded by a crowd of obsequious Han officials, entering Luoyang city.

Translation: "He seemed to see himself riding a tall horse, surrounded by a crowd of obsequious Han officials, entering Luoyang city."

He seemed to see himself riding a tall horse, surrounded by a crowd of obsequious Han officials, entering Luoyang city.

The Central Plains, that rich and beautiful land, he had long coveted.

Translation: "Zhongyuan, that rich and beautiful land, he had long coveted."

Previously he still had some fear of the founding emperor of Later Tang, Li Cunxu. But now Later Tang is an empty shell, split apart internally. Adding Shi Jingtang as an insider, it is simply a heaven‑sent opportunity.

Translation: "Before, he still had some fear of the founding emperor of Later Tang, Li Cunxu. But now Later Tang is an empty shell, split apart internally. Adding Shi Jingtang as an insider, it is simply a heaven-sent opportunity."

He still feared the founding emperor of Later Tang, Li Cunxu, for Later Tang was already an empty shell, internally divided; adding Shi Jingtang as an insider made it a heaven-sent opportunity.

"Pass on my orders!" Yelü Deguang sprang to his feet, shouting with high spirit: "All troops assemble! In three days, march from You Prefecture! Target south! Help my son Jingtang seize the Central Plains' realm!"

Translation: "'Pass on my orders!' Yelü Deguang sprang to his feet, shouting with high spirit, 'All troops assemble! In three days, march from You Prefecture! Target south! Help my son Jingtang seize Zhongyuan's realm!'"

"Pass on my orders!" he sprang to his feet, shouting with high spirit, "All troops assemble! In three days, march from You Prefecture! Target south! Help my son Jingtang seize Zhongyuan's realm!"

The Khitan nobles and commanders waiting inside and outside the hall heard this command and instantly burst into wolf‑like howls: "Ah!"

Translation: "The Khitan nobles and commanders waiting inside and outside the hall instantly burst into wolf-like howls: 'Ao!'"

The howl sounded like a gust of wind sweeping over the palace, making the Khitan wolf banners hanging below the eaves flutter and rustle.

Translation: "That howl was like a gust sweeping the palace, making the Khitan wolf banners hanging below the eaves flutter and rustle."

These steppe warriors, gripping the sabers at their waists, stared southward, their eyes full of greed. They had waited for this day far too long.

Translation: "These steppe warriors gripped their waist sabers, eyes fixed on the south, full of greed; they had waited too long for this day."

In their view, the Han people of the south are merely fat sheep awaiting slaughter. Their silk, porcelain, gold and silver, and women will all become the spoils of the Khitan warriors.

Translation: "In their view, the Han people of the south are merely fat sheep awaiting slaughter; their silk, porcelain, gold and silver, and women will become the spoils of the Khitan warriors."

"Pass on my orders!" Yelü Deguang sprang from the gilded throne, his jade belt clinking with the motion, his jade thumb ring slamming heavily onto the imperial desk, his eyes blazing with the fire of conquest. He shouted with high spirit: "All troops assemble! In three days, march from You Prefecture! Target south! Help my son Jingtang seize the Central Plains' realm!"

Translation: "'Pass on my orders!' Yelü Deguang leapt up from his gilded throne, his jade belt clinking with the motion, his jade thumb ring slamming heavily onto the imperial desk, his eyes blazing with the fire of conquest, he shouted with high spirit, 'All troops assemble! In three days, march from You Prefecture! Target, south! Help my son Jingtang seize Zhongyuan's realm!'"

His voice, imbued with the majesty of a steppe emperor, pierced the hall's doors and windows and carried straight to the outside; the Khitan nobles and commanders waiting outside, upon hearing this command, instantly burst into wolf-like howls—"Ao——!"—the sound coarse and mighty, bearing primordial wildness and a lust for plunder, like a gust of wind sweeping over the palace square, making the Khitan wolf banners hanging below the eaves flutter and rustle.

Translation: "His voice carried the majesty of the steppe emperor, piercing the hall's doors and windows straight to the outside. The Khitan nobles and commanders waiting outside instantly burst into wolf-like howls—'Ao——!'—that cry coarse and vigorous, bearing primal wildness and lust for plunder, like a gust sweeping the palace square, making the Khitan wolf banners below the eaves flutter and rustle."

These steppe warriors, gripping the sabers at their waists, stared southward, their eyes full of greed. They had waited for this day far too long.

Translation: "These steppe warriors gripped their waist sabers, eyes fixed on the south, full of greed; they had waited too long for this day."

Since the time of Yelü Abaoji, the Khitan have gazed upon the fertile lands south of the Great Wall, watching the Han wear splendid silk, use exquisite porcelain, and hoard endless gold and silver.

Translation: "Since the era of Yelü Abaoji, the Khitan people have gazed upon the fertile lands south of the Great Wall, watching Han people wear splendid silk, use exquisite porcelain, and hoard endless gold and silver."

They have heard from merchant caravans that the women of the Central Plains are gentle, its cities wealthy, and they have long yearned to cross the Great Wall and seize those riches.

Translation: "They had heard from caravans that Zhongyuan's women are gentle, its cities prosperous, and they had long hoped to cross the Great Wall and seize those good things."

"At last we march south!" A bearded general slapped the hilt of his sword at his waist; the bronze ornament on the scabbard gave a dull thud. "I've long heard that in the cities of the Central Plains gold can be piled into mountains—this time I will surely take more back!"

Translation: "'Finally we march south!' A bearded general slapped his waist sword, the bronze ornament on its scabbard emitting a dull thud, 'I've long heard that in Zhongyuan's cities gold can be piled into mountains; this time I will surely seize more!'"

The young nobles beside him echoed his words, their tone full of contempt: "Those southern Han folk are weak and feeble, can't even stay on a horse—how could they match our Khitan warriors? They are nothing but fat sheep awaiting slaughter."

Translation: "A young noble beside him also chimed in, his tone full of contempt: 'Those southern Han folks are all weak and frail, can't even stay on a horse—how could they match our Khitan warriors? They're just fat sheep awaiting slaughter!'"

"Not just gold and silver!" another general rubbed his hands, eyes gleaming. "I also want several bolts of their silk for my wife, and some fine porcelain—my tent lacks a few nice vases."

Translation: "'Not just gold and silver!' Another general rubbed his hands, eyes gleaming, 'There's also their silk—I must bring several more bolts for my wife; and porcelain—my tent lacks a few nice vases.'"

The murmur of discussion, laughter, and the clashing of sword scabbards filled the palace square, boiling over. Yelü Deguang stood at the hall's gate, watching his troops eager to fight, and could not help but laugh heartily.

Translation: "The hum of discussion, laughter, and the clink of sword scabbards mingled, setting the imperial palace square abuzz. Yelü Deguang stood at the hall's gate, watching his troops eager to fight, and could not help laughing heartily."

The splendid rivers and mountains of the Central Plains will soon become his Khitan pasture; everything the Han cherish will turn into spoils for him and his warriors.

Translation: "Zhongyuan's splendid rivers and mountains will soon become his Khitan pasture; all that the Han people cherish will turn into spoils for him and his warriors."

Soon, one hundred thousand Khitan iron cavalry, the elite units known as the "Pishí Army" and the "Shǔshān Army," under Yelü Deguang's personal command, surged out of the steppe like a black tide, sweeping southward.

Translation: "Soon, 100,000 Khitan cavalry, the elite units known as the Pishijun and Shushan armies, under Yelü Deguang's personal command, surged forth from the steppe like a black tide, sweeping southward."

Meanwhile, in Hedong.

Translation: "At the same time, Hedong."

Shi Jingtang, upon receiving the definite news of the Khitan troop deployment, immediately raised the banner of rebellion.

Translation: "Shi Jingtang, upon receiving the accurate news of the Khitan troop dispatch, also immediately raised the banner of rebellion."

He proclaimed himself emperor, naming his state "Great Jin," and respectfully honored Yelü Deguang as "Father Emperor."

Translation: "He proclaimed himself emperor, naming his state the Great Jin, and respectfully honored Yelü Deguang as Father Emperor."

Then, he led his tens of thousands of Hedong troops, joined forces with the southward-marching Khitan great army, and, with a mighty momentum, marched toward Luoyang, the capital of Later Tang, and attacked it.

Along the way, the Prefectures and Counties of Later Tang surrendered at the sight of the wind.

Shi Jingtang and Yelu Deguang both felt that this southward march would be an easy military parade.

However, when their allied forces reached the foot of Wei Prefecture city, they unexpectedly kicked an Iron Control board.

Weibo Prefecture's military governor, Fu Yanqing, not only did not open the city and surrender as they had expected, but instead tightly closed the gates and raised on the city wall the great banner reading "Heaven‑mandated Punishment of Rebels".

"Stone Jingtang beneath the city, listen up!" Fu Yanqing, this stalwart veteran, personally stood on the battlements, facing the city below, and roared loudly, "You who recognize a thief as father, sell out the country for glory, you shameless wretch! What face do you have to call yourself a Han?"

"I, Fu Yanqing, am ashamed to be in the same company as you! If you have the ability, come attack the city! My Weibo troops would rather be shattered jade than remain intact tile!"

Shi Jingtang was so angry his nose twisted.

"Fu Yanqing! You old fool who doesn't know the times! How dare you stand like a mantis against a chariot! Once I breach the city, I will surely tear your body into ten thousand pieces!"

He turned to Yelu Deguang beside him and, fawning, said: "Father Emperor, look at this old thing—he toasts but won't drink, instead drinks the penalty. Why not let my son's troops take this first battle for you, capture Wei Prefecture city, and present it as a greeting gift?"

Yelu Deguang curled his lip in disdain.

In his view, capturing a Han city was still not as easy as picking something up.

"Very well. I will stay here and watch my son display his divine might."

Shi Jingtang immediately ordered his several thousand finest Hedong troops under his command to launch a fierce assault on Wei Prefecture city.

Amid the thunderous war drums, the Hedong troops carried ladders, pushed battering rams, and howled as they rushed toward the city wall.

However, what happened next left Shi Jingtang and Yelu Deguang outside the city with their jaws dropped.

Only to see on the city walls suddenly appear rows upon rows of soldiers dressed in shiny black armor, holding uniform-model strong bows and crossbows.

"Fire arrows!"

At the command from the city top.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Thousands of arrows flashing with cold light rose like dark clouds, emitting a sharp whistling as they poured down upon the city below.

The Hedong troops in the front fell like cut wheat, collapsing in swaths.

Their leather armor, even their Iron Control armor, was as fragile as paper before these specially made armor‑piercing arrows.

After a round of arrow rain, the ground below was filled with moaning wounded soldiers.

"What... what kind of bow is this?" Shi Jingtang stared, dumbfounded.

Before he could react.

On the city walls, another earth‑shaking shout rose.

The city gates suddenly swung open!

Rank after rank of infantry, likewise clad in black heavy armor and wielding horse‑cutting longswords taller than a person, formed neat columns and charged out of the city.

Their steps were steady, their killing intent soaring, and they slammed head‑on into the Hedong troops who had not yet recovered from the arrow storm.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang incessantly in their ears.

The ordinary swords and sabers of the Hedong Army, when striking the enemy's heavy armor, could only send up a spray of sparks, utterly incapable of inflicting any effective damage.

Yet the enemy's heavy, powerful great sabers, with each swing, could easily cleave the Hedong soldiers—man and armor alike—in two.

Shi Jingtang's elite troops, before this Weibo "New Army," were beaten back repeatedly, collapsing into disarray.

"Retreat! Fall back quickly!" Shi Jingtang shouted in terror.

Yelü Deguang, watching from behind, also furrowed his brow tightly.

"When did this Fu Yanqing acquire such an elite force? And their gear—why does it look so familiar?"

He suddenly recalled it.

He had once seized several items from a captured Han merchant from Jiangnan, among which was a short dagger whose material and forging pattern were astonishingly similar to those great sabers the soldiers wielded.