Chapter 161: The Enemy

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The Zhao-Song dynasty has adopted a posture of willingness to fight on two fronts—could they truly intend to wage war simultaneously against Western Xia and the Liao?

How could that be possible?

Fighting on two fronts has always been a grave military taboo; even mighty dynasties like Han and Tang rarely dared tread this perilous wire, let alone Western Xia, which has fought Zhao-Song to a stalemate for years, much less the northern giant that is Liao—a shadow that has haunted Central Plains dynasties for generations.

—Even if Liao has declined, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse.

The key is, Zhao-Song may excel in civil governance, but its military prowess is conspicuously weak; its border peace has long been maintained not by iron hooves and bowstrings, but by tribute payments and treaties.

This time, Zhao Yu and his ministers are putting on this two-front posture mainly to gamble that Yelu Yanxi, this fool, will make a mistake and not mobilize the entire Liao state to fight Zhao-Song over Western Xia.

And as long as Liao dares not stake its fate on this gamble, granting Zhao-Song the opportunity and time to eliminate Western Xia, then Zhao-Song may strike with thunderous force to first uproot Western Xia, its thorn in the side, then turn and slowly deal with Liao, which has missed its chance through hesitation.

Yet affairs of the world are like a game of chess—each move is new.

Yelu Yanxi may be foolish, but that does not mean Liao lacks wise men.

Perhaps some clever man within Liao could persuade Yelu Yanxi to realize that once Western Xia falls, Liao will stand alone before the colossal Zhao-Song, and without any counterbalance, Liao's fate will be dire. At that point, Yelu Yanxi might choose to take a desperate risk, staking Liao's destiny on an alliance with Western Xia to jointly resist Zhao-Song's threat.

Either way, Zhao Yu has already moved—now we wait to see how Yelu Yanxi will respond.

…

Liao.

Having first witnessed Zhao-Song's envoy Lin Shu brazenly provoking their authority, then seen Zhao Yu adopt a posture of readiness for war, Yelu Yanxi and his ministers were truly at a loss for how to respond.

According to Yelu Yanxi's wishes, he wanted to kill Lin Shu and his entire delegation.

But Liao's Han ministers told Yelu Yanxi: absolutely must not fall for Zhao-Song's trap—and gave him several examples:

In the early Han, Liu Bang's envoy sent to woo Ying Bu collided with Xiang Yu's envoy sent for the same purpose; the Han immediately publicly declared Ying Bu had defected to Han, and while everyone was stunned, swiftly killed Xiang Yu's envoy, forcing Ying Bu to accept the fait accompli and join Han.

During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, envoy She He was sent to persuade the King of Wiman Joseon to surrender; the king hesitated, saying he would consider it, then tried to send She He back. She He realized his mission had failed—he needed to make it collapse—so negotiations broke down, then She He was killed, and soon after, Joseon became the Han's Four Commanderies.

In the southwest, envoy Huo Anguo Shaoji was sent to Nanyue; this Han envoy even slept with Nanyue's Empress Dowager and became the king's stepfather. The Nanyue king, unable to bear the humiliation, executed Huo Anguo Shaoji, and Nanyue became Han's Guangdong and Guangxi.

The ancient kingdom of Loulan repeatedly switched allegiances between Han and Xiongnu; Fu Jiezi was sent to reprimand them. Upon meeting, without a word, he beheaded the Loulan king, then carried the head into the royal palace hall and taunted the Loulan ministers: "Han troops arrive immediately—surrender and live, move and die!" The entire hall unanimously cried: "Well done!"

But these were not the most brazen. In early Eastern Han, all the Western Regions were under Xiongnu control, and Xiongnu envoys ruled the region with tyranny. At this time, a Han envoy arrived in the Western Regions with only thirty-some men. Faced with this scene, he felt a storm of emotions, and under no supply of grain or reinforcements, he relied solely on diplomacy and alliances to dominate the Western Regions, annihilating the Xiongnu envoys and successfully subduing all thirty-six Western Regions states—he was Ban Chao, another outstanding representative of Han history.

Since ancient times, envoys are not slain during war—but this "ancient times" does not include Han envoys, because every Han envoy killed grants another opportunity to declare war.

As the diplomats with the highest mortality rate in history, Han envoys specialized in aggressive provocation: one word out of place and they'd kill a king, sleep with a queen—they were so arrogant they courted death.

Yet they were also the diplomats who expanded territory the most: the stronger the state, the bolder the head; no matter how distant, they went out, seeking only death.

How brazen were they? Borrowing the words of Su Wu, the Han's outstanding representative who herded sheep in Mobei: "When Nanyue killed Han envoys, it was carved into nine commanderies; when the King of Dayuan killed Han envoys, his head hung from the Northern Gate; when Joseon killed Han envoys, it was instantly exterminated." Then, before the eyes of the Xiongnu Grand Chanyu, he added: "Now only the Xiongnu have escaped punishment—I will not surrender. If you dare, kill me! See if my Great Han heavenly army won't cut you down!"

This terrified the Grand Chanyu so much he let him herd sheep for nineteen years rather than dare kill him.

Of course, Liao's Han ministers could not directly tell Yelu Yanxi these stories, but they subtly conveyed them, making Yelu Yanxi realize that Lin Shu and his men were imitating Han envoys seeking death—if they died, Zhao-Song would have a pretext to declare war on Liao.

And if Zhao-Song abandoned Western Xia and turned to fight Liao instead, it would be Liao, not Western Xia, that fell into passivity.

This was not what Yelu Yanxi and his ministers wanted to see.

What to do?

Liao's ministers all wore troubled expressions, calculating how to defuse this diplomatic crisis without damaging national prestige.

The ministers offered all kinds of advice; Yelu Yanxi grew weary and irritated, so he flung his sleeve and left, leaving them to deliberate among themselves while he avoided the noise.

Back in the inner palace.

Yelu Yanxi's consorts came out to greet him.

Leading them was Empress Xiao Duoli Lan.

Her skin was as white as jade, glowing softly under sunlight, as if it could be pierced by a breath. Her exquisite features were perfectly balanced, harmonious and breathtaking, forming a dignified and elegant face; every gesture and smile radiated an irresistible charm, like the most radiant flower blooming on the steppe.

To the left rear of Xiao Duoli Lan was Yelu Yanxi's primary consort, Xiao Guige, her younger sister. Because Xiao Duoli Lan had never borne children, her family sent Xiao Guige to the then-Crown Prince Yelu Yanxi.

Xiao Guige proved exceptionally capable: soon after entering the palace, she gave birth to Prince Liang, Yelu Yali; within five years, she bore two more sons (Prince Qin, Yelu Ding, and Prince Xu, Yelu Ning) and three daughters (Yelu Waliyan, Yelu Da Aoye, and Yelu Ci Aoye)—the most children of any consort in the harem.

Her skin was as white as snow, radiating innate nobility. When she smiled, the dimples at her lips held tender affection. Her figure was graceful, every movement exuding elegance—truly a flawless, radiant beauty.

To the right rear of Xiao Duoli Lan was Yelu Yanxi's Virtuous Consort, Xiao Shigu, who bore him his third son, Yelu Tala.

She resembled a willow swaying in the wind, as if her health was frail.

Behind Xiao Guige and Xiao Shigu stood many other women, among whom the most beautiful was Xiao Sese.

Hmm… for now, Xiao Sese cannot yet be called Yelu Yanxi's consort—she is merely his concubine.

Xiao Sese was originally of the Bohai Da clan, later adopted into the maternal uncle's Da family, hence her surname changed to Xiao. Last year, Yelu Yanxi visited Yelu Tage's home and happened upon Xiao Sese, who was visiting her sister. He was immediately captivated by her dignified bearing and enchanting beauty, and secretly took her into the palace, indulging her for months.

The Grand Uncles' Prince Yelu Heluowan has already urged Yelu Yanxi to formally select Xiao Sese according to ritual, but since Yelu Yanxi is currently in mourning for Yelu Hongji, he cannot yet marry her.

Yet their relationship is already settled—Xiao Sese will soon become Yelu Yanxi's Literary Consort, and Yelu Yanxi has already moved her into the palace to reside.

She appeared radiant and captivating, her black hair coiffed into an intricate bun adorned with pearls and jade, dressed in splendid Khitan attire, her sleeves fluttering as she walked—her brilliance stood out sharply against the Liao palace.

Besides these one Empress and three Consorts, Yelu Yanxi also had beauties such as Zhao Zhaorong, who bore him his eldest illegitimate son, Prince Zhao, Yelu Xinilie.

Overall, while the number of Yelu Yanxi's consorts cannot match Zhao Yu's, their quality is certainly no inferior—especially his one Empress and three Consorts: aside from Xiao Shigu's slight deficiency, Xiao Duoli Lan, Xiao Guige, and Xiao Sese were all peerless beauties of their age.

Seeing Yelu Yanxi return with furrowed brows, Xiao Duoli Lan, Xiao Guige, and Xiao Shigu remained silent; only Xiao Sese, unconcerned with her unofficial status, bluntly asked: "Why does His Majesty look so troubled?"

Yelu Yanxi had no intention of speaking of this vexing matter—otherwise he wouldn't have fled the court for the inner palace.

Had anyone else asked, he would not have answered.

But Xiao Sese was different.

First, Yelu Yanxi had only recently acquired Xiao Sese and was still in the throes of passionate affection.

Second, Xiao Sese had studied literature since childhood, excelled in poetry, and possessed wisdom far beyond ordinary women.

Thus, though deeply irritated, Yelu Yanxi suppressed his annoyance and told Xiao Sese of Zhao Yu and his ministers' aggressive posturing, and Liao's current precarious predicament.

Xiao Sese listened, then said: "Our court fears not Song, but we should avoid pointless war. Lin Shu's mission is clearly Song's attempt to probe and provoke. Your subject believes we should detain them here—neither kill nor release them—let their envoy group hang like a kite with severed string, uncertain and unresolved. Song Ting will grow suspicious and dare not act rashly."

Yelu Yanxi found Xiao Sese's suggestion reasonable, yet still sighed in despair: "But this only treats the symptom, not the root. Whether soon or late, our court must still confront this directly."

Xiao Sese said: "The current situation mirrors the late Han's Three Kingdoms: Song, Xia, and our Great Liao stand in stalemate. Song is now dominant, seeking to emulate Cao Cao's sword; our court is temporarily defensive, while Xia resembles Wu and Shu. Two weak states facing one strong must unite to resist—or they cannot survive."

Xiao Sese's words displeased Yelu Yanxi.

What displeased Yelu Yanxi was that Xiao Sese had actually claimed the Song was strong and the Liao weak.

Know that for a long time, our Liao Dynasty and the Zhao Song Dynasty have stood in northern-southern confrontation; the Liao has always regarded itself as the legitimate power, often calling itself the Celestial Court, and even though there was once the Treaty of Chanyuan between Liao and Song, it was merely a temporary compromise under equal strength, not an act of Liao weakness—how could the Liao ever have stood beneath the Zhao Song Dynasty? How, after Yelu Yanxi took over the Liao, did the Liao come to be mentioned alongside the tiny state of Xia, inferior to the Zhao Song?

Yet, since Yelu Yanxi and Xiao Sese were currently in their honeymoon phase, Yelu Yanxi could barely tolerate Xiao Sese's "mistake," so he only said: "Had our Great Liao not been beset by troubles these past years, why should we fear the Southern Court?"

Hearing Yelu Yanxi say this, Xiao Sese realized she had spoken wrongly; she quickly corrected herself: "Since the founding by our Great Ancestor Emperor, our Great Liao has thrived through nine emperors; our iron cavalry swept the steppes and struck awe across the four seas—how could we ever have feared others? We have suffered only minor setbacks due to internal rebellions. With Your Majesty's grand talent and vision, you will surely lead our Great Liao through this crisis and restore its former glory."

Hearing Xiao Sese pull the conversation back, Yelu Yanxi was satisfied; he said: "Your Majesty's words are most true. I shall now go practice archery; one day, I shall strangle Zhao Yu with my precious bow!"

Soon, under the incredulous gazes of all, Yelu Yanxi took up his precious bow and went hunting with his attendants, completely forgetting the Song envoys and the Xia's request for alliance.

Seeing this, Xiao Sese's heart sank! She had a very bad feeling: the man she was marrying was no towering hero.

Just as Xiao Sese was deeply troubled, a servant came to report: "Your Majesty, the Princess of Cheng'an requests an audience."

Hearing her friend Yelu Nanxian had arrived, Xiao Sese hurriedly said: "Quickly, show her in."

Not long after, a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl entered, her eyes full of tender emotion yet unyielding spirit, her gaze lively, as if holding the untamed grace and soft passion of the northern frontiers, her figure light and graceful, her luxurious palace attire unable to conceal the boldness of a Khitan daughter.

Xiao Sese immediately stepped forward and smiled: "What wind has blown my sister to my chambers?"

Yelu Nanxian spoke swiftly: "That night, we drank wine until late; though we are women, we swore a great vow—do you still remember, sister?"

Xiao Sese's expression grew solemn: "Of course I remember—we swore to revive our Great Liao, to stand equal to men, to face our nation's crisis together; had it not been for that…"

Xiao Sese wanted to say: had it not been for that, how could she have submitted herself to Yelu Yanxi?

But the words reached her lips and she swallowed them back—they were inappropriate.

But it did not matter, because Yelu Nanxian understood Xiao Sese's meaning.

Yelu Nanxian said: "This is our shared ambition; I will never let my sister laugh at our imperial house for having no one."

"What do you intend to do?" Xiao Sese asked.

Yelu Nanxian did not beat around the bush; she spoke bluntly: "I have heard that the Song Zhu mocks our Great Liao as empty-handed and presses us hard. I have also heard that the Xia Zhu has repeatedly sought marriage with our Great Liao, hoping to form an alliance against Song. I wish to serve as the intermediary—I beg you, sister, to mediate…"

…

(End of Chapter)