Chapter 101: The Status of Women in This Era Is Truly Low

…

"Today, I'm just disguised as a eunuch—if I weren't, they'd never listen to me say these things, would they?"

"Women's status in this era is truly low—even a man who's had that thing cut off holds far higher status than a woman."

As Li Lin was lost in lament, even sinking into despair, Zhao Yu gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder to comfort her.

Looking at Zhao Yu beside her, Li Lin's heart stirred—"Though many women have already borne Zhao Yu's children, what if all of them give birth to daughters, while I alone bear him a son? I cannot give up so easily…"

……

The next morning, at court, envoys newly dispatched by Liao arrived to request an audience.

The Liao envoys sent this time were Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng.

Xiao Fengxian was the fifth-generation descendant of Beifu Chancellor Xiao Jixian; historically, he rose to Grand Secretary and was granted the title of Commandery Prince of Lanling because his sister, Xiao Guige, was favored by Emperor Tianzuo, Yelu Yanxi.

When the Jurchens rebelled against Liao, his younger brother Xiao Sixian was defeated in battle; fearing his brother would be executed, Xiao Fengxian falsely reported to court that the defeated general should be pardoned, causing Liao morale to collapse and counties to fall.

As Liao faced crisis, loyalty shifted toward the virtuous Prince Jin, Yelu Aoluowan (born to Lady Wenfei Xiao Sese); Xiao Fengxian, fearing his nephew, Prince Qin Yelu Ding (born to Empress Yuan Xiao Guige), would not become Crown Prince, falsely accused Yelu Yudu (Xiao Sese's brother-in-law) of conspiring with Prince Consort Xiao Yu to install Yelu Aoluowan, leading to the executions of Xiao Yu and Xiao Sese and others. Upon hearing this, Yelu Yudu, stationed at the front, fled in terror with over a thousand cavalry to Jin Chao.

This incident not only shattered Yelu Yanxi's reputation, but later, Yelu Yudu became the vanguard of the anti-Liao forces.

Later, Yelu Yudu pursued Yelu Yanxi, and Xiao Fengxian again slandered him, saying: "Yelu Yudu is of the imperial clan—how could he truly rebel against Liao? He merely wishes to install Prince Jin. If Your Majesty executes Prince Jin, Yelu Yudu will cease his pursuit."

Yelu Yanxi believed him and ordered Yelu Aoluowan executed.

When the Liao people saw their last hope vanish, yet Yelu Yanxi, this great fool, remained unharmed, they lost all faith in Liao and began surrendering en masse to Jin Chao.

Without exaggeration, Xiao Fengxian was Liao's greatest traitor and one of the causes of its downfall.

Li Chuweng, though recorded in the Song Shi as a corrupt official who fawned over Xiao Fengxian, is noted in the Song Shi and Han Chinese records as having plotted to surrender Jingcheng—and nearly succeeded—before his plot failed and his entire family was executed. Thus, to the Zhao Song dynasty, he was a man of merit; moreover, during the Northern Liao period, he attained the post of Chancellor and proved himself useful.

Learning these two had come as envoys and that the issues between Song and Liao could no longer be delayed, Zhao Yu decided to meet Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng.

Notably, Zhao Yu specifically sent Li Yan and Yang Jian to secretly contact Li Chuweng, to see if he could be bribed into becoming a spy.

Zhao Yu received Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng in the Chongzheng Hall.

After ascending the dais, Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng knelt and reported: "Your humble servants bow before the Great Song Emperor. Our emperor has instructed us to convey to Your Majesty that the border along the Bai Gou River remains unclear, and we have been sent specifically to discuss its demarcation."

Having finished, Xiao Fengxian presented Liao's state letter.

Zhao Yu smiled faintly: "It is rare that, amid your western tribes' rebellion, your emperor dares propose redrawing borders with me—your courage is commendable."

At these words, Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng's hearts tightened.

Liao had long imposed harsh rule over the nomadic tribes of the northwest—Zubu, Dili, Wugu—demanding tribute and military service, and reinforcing control through the Northwest Road Pacification Commission and garrisons at Zhenzhou.

These tribes had long resented Liao's economic exploitation and military conscription.

Coupled with severe natural disasters in recent years, Liao court relief efforts were siphoned away by corrupt officials, leaving no aid to reach common people, further inflaming tensions.

Several years ago, Liao's General Tu Gusi mistakenly attacked the Zubu tribe under Mogusu, causing heavy casualties—the direct spark of rebellion. Mogusu then killed Tu Gusi and allied with Wugu Za, Dali Di, Basi Mu, and others to rise against Liao.

For years, rebellion in Liao's northwest had never ceased, with both sides locked in a grueling stalemate.

This prolonged rebellion had nearly drained Liao's treasury, and the persistent instability along its northwest frontier weakened Liao's control over Mobei.

Historically, it was precisely this rebellion that consumed Liao's military strength and finances, creating the opportunity for the rise of the Jurchens in the northeast.

Zhang Chun had long ago informed Zhao Yu of all this.

Zhao Yu had long sent agents to investigate.

Now, the Zhao Song dynasty held complete command of this critical intelligence.

Thus, Zhao Yu's hardline stance—even the threat of war against both Liao and Xia—was successfully enforced.

Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng had not expected Zhao Song to know Liao's situation so thoroughly.

At this moment, they finally understood why Zhao Song had grown so firm: they had uncovered Liao's secrets.

Seeing their expressions shift, Zhao Yu knew he had struck their weakest point.

Zhao Yu added: "I have heard your wife, Lady Xing, is beautiful and frequently enters the palace. You instructed her: 'Do not fail to please the Emperor.' Thus, your power and favor have grown stronger—is this true?"

At these words, Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng were both humiliated and stunned.

In his later years, Yelu Hongji became obsessed with Buddhism, neglected state affairs, and even absurdly decided official appointments by dice rolls—he became the only emperor in Chinese history to select officials this way.

Yelu Yan, having won a dice game, was directly appointed Grand Secretary by Yelu Hongji.

Yelu Hongji called him "a sign of a great minister," revealing how casually he treated appointments.

After luck made him Grand Secretary, Yelu Yan had his young, beautiful wife, Lady Xing, frequently visit Yelu Hongji, instructing her: "Do not fail to please His Majesty—do not anger him."

Through sending his wife, this lucky man grew ever more favored by Yelu Hongji.

Capable men are cast aside; schemers rise. How could Liao's condition be anything but dire?

Moreover, Yelu Hongji waged war while building countless Buddhist temples and lavishly favoring monks, squandering state resources recklessly.

To be honest, had Zhao Song's own situation not mirrored Liao's, Zhao Yu would have personally led an expedition to crush this hollow, overblown enemy and complete the great unification.

Two sentences, and Zhao Yu had exposed Liao's core, leaving Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng trembling, afraid to speak lest they invite disaster.

This was chiefly because, seeing Zhao Yu's vigor and resolve, they compared him to their own aging, feeble emperor—and thought, simultaneously: "Are we really threatening him? What if he truly declares war on us—what then?"

Indeed!

The more one fears something, the more it comes.

Zhao Yu said seriously: "I too believe the border is unclear and must be redrawn. You two may go to the Chancellor's residence to discuss the details."

Zhao Yu directly handed Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng over to Ceng Bu.

Zhao Yu's performance delighted the iron-fisted Chancellor Ceng Bu immensely; he smiled at Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng like a wolf eyeing sheep.

Yet others, such as the pragmatic Zeng Bu and the conservative Han Zhongyan, worried that Zhao Yu's provocation of Yelu Hongji might plunge Song and Liao into war.

They exchanged a subtle glance, then, with perfect tacit understanding, waited until court dismissed before seeking audience with Zhao Yu again.

……

In the Chuigong Hall.

Han Zhongyan and Zeng Bu repeated their old warnings, urging Zhao Yu to remain calm and not be blinded by temporary advantage.

Zhao Yu emphasized: "Our Great Song's situation is this—I truly do not wish for war, but the Liao and Xia have pressed us too hard; both states are so powerful, how can I possibly compromise?"

In truth, Han Zhongyan and Ceng Bu could understand Zhao Yu.

The Liao state is now beset by internal troubles and external threats; Yelu Hongji has sunk to such a level of incompetence that to cede territory and pay tribute would be utterly indefensible.

Meanwhile, the Western Xia has lost its most vital region—the Hengshan area.

Hengshan lies in northern Shaanxi, its terrain rugged and strategic, forming the border between Song and Xia, and it is crucial to the Western Xia.

Its importance lies in this: the region's mountains stretch across the land, its water resources abundant, serving as the Western Xia's primary grain-supply zone for offensives against the Zhao Song dynasty; the Cha Mountain and Xialu Mountain in eastern Hengshan are the main sources of salt and iron for the Western Xia; the native Hengshan Qiang, who have long dwelled here, are a vital source of elite troops for the Western Xia—fierce and formidable warriors; the terrain is steep and easily defensible; after the Western Xia built fortresses there, Hengshan became a barrier to Song northern advances, and the Western Xia could use it to launch raids across the Song-Xia border at will.

In simple terms, the Hengshan region is to the Western Xia what the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are to the Liao.

Previously, when the Zhao Song dynasty lost Hengshan, it was strategically passive, its prefectures and counties under threat, forced to split its troops for garrison duty, making it easy for the Western Xia to pick them off one by one.

More critically, whenever the Zhao Song dynasty launched expeditions against the Western Xia, it repeatedly failed—mainly because as soon as Song troops crossed the border, they entered desert terrain, traveling seventy to eighty li before reaching Lingzhou, where there was neither water nor grass nor human habitation; before even encountering the enemy, the Song army was already exhausted.

When the Xia army invaded the Zhao Song dynasty, though they too crossed the desert, since they were operating within their own territory, they could always gather troops and procure provisions in Hengshan, then exploit this advantage to raid the Zhao Song border.

Once the Xia army penetrated Zhao Song territory, they could sustain themselves through warfare, striking wherever they wished and plundering wherever they chose.

This is why the Zhao Song dynasty never succeeded in reclaiming the Western Xia, why it was constantly harassed by the Western Xia, and why the Western Xia gradually grew stronger and larger.

Now that the Zhao Song dynasty has regained the Hengshan region, it stands on unshakable ground.

Next, as long as the Zhao Song dynasty continues its strategy of shallow advances and occupation, slowly encroaching upon Hengshan, the Western Xia will eventually be reclaimed by the Zhao Song dynasty.

Under these circumstances, it is understandable that not only Zhao Yu refuses to compromise, but even Zhang Dun, that warlike minister, desires to seize back the Western Xia in one decisive stroke.

But the problem is, the Zhao Song dynasty is now externally strong but internally weak; if it were to wage war simultaneously against both the Liao and Xia, it might face the danger of national collapse.

Fortunately, Zhao Yu is fully aware of his dynasty's condition—he does not seek peace, but refuses to pay the price for it.

There is still room for negotiation.

After leaving the Chuigong Hall, Han Zhongyan and Ceng Bu conferred briefly, then Ceng Bu personally went to seek out Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuweng to pressure the Liao into compromise.

As Han Zhongyan and Ceng Bu expected, Zhang Dun's stance was extremely hardline.

Zhang Dun declared that their emperor had already prepared to lead troops in person, suggesting that the two emperors each bring their armies to the border to negotiate the new boundary lines.

Zhang Dun also stated that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun have, since ancient times, been Han territory; he proposed that both sides reconsider the ownership of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Just as Xiao Fengxian and Li Chuwen had been rebuffed by Zhang Dun and were deeply troubled, Ceng Bu approached them.

Xiao Fengxian said to Ceng Bu: "Your chancellor speaks repeatedly of mobilizing troops—what is his intent?"

"Affairs between our two courts, if not mutually accommodating, must lead to war," Ceng Bu replied. "Your state has repeatedly pressed us aggressively, yet you ask why we speak of mobilizing troops—why?"

"Affairs between two great states must be negotiated," Li Chuwen said. "Why must this happen so suddenly?"

"I have striven to mediate and ensure peace between our two states," Ceng Bu said. "Yet your state has pressed us too far—now our emperor has amassed a large army in Hebei, ready to lead troops in person. If your state persists in obstinacy, once the armies move, there will be no room left for mediation."

Xiao Fengxian hurriedly urged: "War is an instrument of doom; heaven abhors it. Who can say when the fighting will end once it begins? I beg Chancellor Ceng to consider the people of both states and mediate once more."

Seeing Xiao Fengxian's tone soften, Ceng Bu said: "If you are eager to act, we can negotiate—but your court must consider how to quell our emperor's boundless fury…"

…

(End of Chapter)