Chapter 174: Sending Consort Xiao to Seek Peace

…

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong, traveling north, reached Xincheng and found it already occupied by Song troops.

The city walls still bore faded arrow marks and the smoldering remnants of battle; on the eastern wall, a massive collapse remained, with craftsmen now repairing it and reinforcing the defenses—all of it seemed to speak of a fierce battle not long past.

The setting sun, red as blood, stained the ancient city with a somber hue; Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and helplessness in each other's eyes.

They had been ordered by imperial decree to negotiate with the Song dynasty to ease tensions between the two states, yet before they even reached their destination, Liao had suffered a crushing defeat—and then another.

Liao had maintained a trade post at Xincheng, a vital commercial hub between Liao and Song. This market trade largely compensated for Liao's domestic market shortages, enriched its internal economy, and ensured diversity in its goods. The Yan-Yun region itself had well-developed transportation, serving as a transit hub and gathering point for goods, fostering commerce; as the site of the trade post, Xincheng had thrived with vibrant trade.

Yet now, this once-bustling frontier trading town, once a frontline between the two empires, lay in ruins, Song banners flying high on the walls, proclaiming their victory and occupation.

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong continued northward, arriving at Zhuozhou.

What made them even more bitter was that this place, too, had been captured by Song troops.

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong wished to press further north, but a Song junior officer stopped them: "Our commander has sent orders from Zhuozhou: you are to go there—he likely wishes to see you."

Xiao Fengxian, Zuo Qigong, and their attendants were greatly alarmed; they had heard of Guo Cheng, knew him as the Song army's frontline commander in this war, a great general of the Zhao Song dynasty who had crushed the Xia forces at Pingxiacheng, and even knew he was Zhao Yu's adoptive father-in-law.

Such a man was one Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong dared not provoke.

The Song officer, who had accepted "gifts" of northern pearls from Xiao Fengxian, kindly warned them: "When you meet Commander Guo, speak with great caution. He is a seasoned general with a fiery temper—do not provoke his wrath, or you risk losing your lives."

Xiao Fengxian hurriedly replied: "Thank you, General, for the warning."

Soon after, Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong were taken to Zhuozhou, to the Song military camp.

By the time they arrived, Guo Cheng had already led his troops away.

At that moment, the Song army was splitting into two columns advancing toward Zhuozhou city.

So the Song junior officer led Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong to pursue Guo Cheng.

Finally, just before reaching Zhuozhou city, they caught up with Guo Cheng.

Guo Cheng rode a towering black warhorse, clad in golden helmet and armor, imposing and majestic.

Guo Cheng said nothing more to Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong, only ordered them to follow the army.

This was a formidable cavalry force; every thirty li, horns blared to bolster morale.

Near noon, Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong followed Guo Cheng to a hill north of Zhuozhou city.

This hill was called Dulu Mountain, surrounded by mountains, teeming with birds, its pine forests lush and fragrant; standing atop it, one felt a profound sense of peace.

Gazing at nearby Zhuozhou city, Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong were filled with turbulent emotions—they knew this city well, having visited many times. Time had passed, landscapes had shifted, yet the city remained, though the people were changed. They never imagined they would be brought here by Guo Cheng to witness his assault on Zhuozhou.

Only then did Guo Cheng summon Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong and demand: "Our two realms have enjoyed peace for over a century—why has your Liao court aided the Xia in opposing Great Song, threatening to attack us?"

Fearing Guo Cheng would slit their throats on horseback, they dared not say that Liao and Xia were now in a fate-sharing bond—that aiding Xia was aiding Liao itself; for if Zhao Song reclaimed Xia, the next target would surely be Yan-Yun Sixteen Prefectures, vital to Liao's survival, and Liao might then perish.

Xiao Fengxian could only say: "Our emperor's true intent was to restore amity with Great Song and seek a peaceful golden age. But some misled his ear, causing our two realms to clash and our people to suffer. We came to Xiongzhou to explain the truth to your emperor, to clear up misunderstandings and restore peace, yet heaven did not favor us—we failed to meet your emperor. We wished to prevent war, but lacked the power—what can we do?"

Zuo Qigong quickly added: "The National Uncle speaks truly. Our Liao people have long grown weary of war and long for peace. This upheaval stems from wicked schemers—please, Commander Guo, report this truth to your emperor, and beg him to see clearly, not be deceived by appearances."

Guo Cheng asked: "Who is this person you speak of?"

"This…"

Zuo Qigong glanced at Xiao Fengxian.

Xiao Fengxian took a deep breath and said: "I dare not conceal it, Commander: this person is our emperor's imperial consort, Xiao Sese. She persuaded our emperor to ally with Xia, arranged for a Liao royal daughter to marry the Xia Zhu as empress, and also advocated the detention of your envoys, including Lin Shu."

Xiao Fengxian's younger sister, Xiao Guige, was too gentle; Xiao Duoli Lan, having no son, had lost interest in court affairs; but Xiao Sese, wise and composed, had loved literature and calligraphy since childhood, excelled in music and dance, and was deeply respected by ministers.

Left unchecked, Xiao Sese's son, Yelu Ao, might seize the crown prince's position from Xiao Fengxian's nephew—the son of Xiao Guige.

Thus, Xiao Fengxian sought to overthrow Xiao Sese, so the crown prince's seat could only come from among his own nephews.

Of course, these deeds were indeed hers.

Guo Cheng frowned: "Such a major matter stems from a woman?"

Xiao Fengxian evaded: "In our court, women hold high status—unlike yours."

Thinking of Xiao Chuo, then of the two Empress Dowagers Liang, Guo Cheng mused: "Xiao Sese… yes, I'll remember that name. I'll report it to our emperor."

Then Guo Cheng added: "Even if Xiao Sese truly sowed discord, your court should not have been so foolish as to shatter the alliance and plunge our two realms into war, bringing ruin to the people."

Xiao Fengxian bowed deeply: "Yes, yes, yes—we shall return and urge our emperor to see the truth, to turn back from this path and restore peace, never again lightly starting war to poison the people."

Zuo Qigong nodded vigorously, adding: "The National Uncle speaks rightly—we shall spare no effort to advise our emperor, so our people may be spared the horrors of war and return to peace."

Guo Cheng gazed at them, his eyes deep, and slowly spoke: "Since you hold this intent, I shall temporarily believe you."

Then Guo Cheng told Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong: "Our emperor has ordered you to observe how our army wages war, and then decide whether to fight us."

With that, Guo Cheng rode down the hill to the front lines and ordered his troops to beat the war drums.

Instantly, horns blared and war drums thundered.

The Song troops surged forward from three sides, advancing like waves.

On the walls, Zhuozhou's commander, seeing this, urgently deployed troops; archers took position and arrows rained down, trying to halt the Song assault.

But the Song army had prepared well—siege engines appeared endlessly: behind goose carts, flying towers, sky bridges, cloud ladders, and fire wagons, countless Song soldiers moved to the base of the walls and launched a fierce assault.

Within about an hour, a deafening explosion shattered the western wall, opening a massive breach; as dust billowed, Song troops poured in like a tidal wave, unstoppable.

Seeing his city on the verge of falling, the Zhuozhou commander turned pale and ordered his remaining troops to fight to the death—but it was already hopeless.

Before dusk, Song troops captured Zhuozhou city.

What Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong never expected was that Guo Cheng immediately ordered: all nobles, officials, gentry, wealthy families, chieftains, and officers who resisted—regardless of ethnicity or reason—were to be executed and their lands confiscated, then equally distributed among Zhuozhou's commoners and slaves, men, women, old, and young.

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong failed to grasp the deeper meaning behind Zhao Song's actions; they only saw its cruelty, believing Zhao Song meant to make an example—to surrender and be rewarded, resist and be killed.

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong rode through the night toward Yanjing.

Upon returning to Yanjing, Xiao Fengxian, Zuo Qigong, and their attendants were overjoyed, celebrating their survival. Since leaving Xiongzhou, exactly twelve days had passed. For twelve days, they had lived on the edge of the blade, each moment threatening their lives.

Thankfully, they had returned alive, against all odds.

Upon reaching Yanjing, Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong saw the city in chaos: wealthy families were hastily preparing to flee northward. Streets were filled with frightened citizens, whispering anxiously of Liao's repeated defeats. Shops were shuttered, markets barren, as if a dark cloud had settled over the entire city.

The Liao court organized personnel to post notices across Yanjing's streets and alleys, recruiting "brave and fearless warriors" to form a new army.

The people of various ethnic groups in Yanjing City responded enthusiastically and signed up in large numbers.

Some came from occupied territories, and others were scattered soldiers who had lost their homes; they too flocked to enlist.

Even many wealthy families posted notices declaring they would provide their own money and grain to recruit brave warriors to aid the state in resisting the enemy and defending Yanjing.

Xiao Fengxian and Zuo Qigong paid no attention to these matters; they went straight to the palace and reported to Yelu Yanxi and others everything they had seen and heard on their journey—especially that the Song army had breached Zhuozhou City in just one hour, and that they had executed and confiscated the property of all high-ranking officials, scholar-gentry, wealthy clans, chieftains, and officers in Zhuozhou, regardless of whether they were Fan or Han, and without asking for reasons.

After hearing this, Yelu Yanxi's face turned as dark as water, his heart trembling with fear. He never imagined that the brief clash between Song and Liao had resulted in a complete Liao defeat—and worse, the Song army, having shattered the defenses of Yanjing, would soon arrive at the city gates, directly threatening his safety.

Some Liao ministers argued that the Song army was advancing with overwhelming force, its target unmistakably Yanjing; with insufficient Liao forces to defend the city and no sign of reinforcements arriving, it was unsafe for the Emperor to remain inside. They strongly urged Yelu Yanxi to leave the city, retreat north to Zhang Zhongjing, avoid the enemy's momentum, and plan for the long term rather than stay in Yanjing and risk disaster.

Others argued that Yanjing was one of the rarest fortified cities in the world; when the Song army had swept forward with unstoppable momentum and reached Yanjing's walls, Zhao Guangyi had personally overseen the assault, launching fierce attacks from all four sides—but for over ten days, they failed to breach it. Later, Emperor Jingzong of Liao, Yelu Xian, urgently dispatched Prime Minister of Nanfu Yelu Sha and General Yelu Xuege with elite troops to reinforce them. Upon arriving, Yelu Xuege joined forces with the retreating Liao troops and attacked the Song army from three sides, while the Liao forces inside the city sallied out in coordination; the Song army, surrounded on three fronts, collapsed in total rout. Zhao Guangyi was wounded by an arrow and fled hastily on a donkey cart. Given this precedent, they should hold the city and wait for reinforcements.

Still others argued that even if they were to defend Yanjing, the Emperor need not remain personally; a capable general could be left in charge. They still insisted Yelu Yanxi retreat to the safer Zhang Zhongjing.

Additionally, some Liao ministers believed that Liao was currently unable to manage its own affairs and should redeploy its troops stationed along the Song-Liao-Xia borders to Yan region to make a decisive stand against the Song army.

Yet others opposed redeploying the Liao troops along the Song-Liao-Xia borders—not because they still wished to reinforce Xia, but because they feared that if those troops were moved to Yan, the Song army would launch an attack from Hedong and seize the Nine Prefectures beyond the Mountains.

In short, the Liao ministers said everything under the sun, driving Yelu Yanxi to near despair.

Yelu Yanxi himself was deeply conflicted, torn between holding the city and fleeing it.

At just over twenty years old, Yelu Yanxi had not yet sunk to moral ruin, and he had only recently become Emperor of Liao—his throne still unstable, his considerations must be greater.

Given this, Yelu Yanxi could not help but wonder: if he fled Yanjing without fighting a single battle, would he not be handing over Yan-Yun Sixteen Prefectures and the Three Prefectures of Pingluanying to Zhao Yu?

That would surely earn him the condemnation of abandoning his ancestral legacy and his own subjects.

Staying in Yanjing meant many loyal ministers were at his side, and his imperial authority could be preserved—but Yelu Yanxi feared that if the city fell, he would be captured alive by Zhao Yu.

Yelu Yanxi was a coward by nature; his mind churned with these conflicting thoughts, tormenting him endlessly.

As usual, Yelu Yanxi retreated to the inner palace, seeking solitude.

The Liao ministers, seeing the Song army nearly at their gates while Yelu Yanxi still evaded responsibility, were so enraged they nearly spat blood.

Even more frustrating to the Liao ministers was that no one could replace Yelu Yanxi in making this decision.

With no other option, the Liao ministers turned again to Xiao Sese, hoping she could persuade Yelu Yanxi.

But when Xiao Fengxian returned to Yanjing, he struck first, accusing Zhao Yu of having no intention of invading Liao—until Liao stubbornly aided Xia, detained Song envoys, and repeatedly provoked the Song dynasty, driving Zhao Yu to fury and launching the invasion.

Xiao Fengxian also implied that all of this was caused by Xiao Sese's seduction of Yelu Yanxi.

Yelu Yanxi thought: his current helplessness was entirely due to Xiao Sese's foolish advice; otherwise, he could now be happily hunting, not facing such a perilous situation.

Emboldened, Xiao Fengxian offered Yelu Yanxi a suggestion: "What if we send Consort Wen to the Song Zhu as a gift, to appease his anger and negotiate peace between the two states?"

To his surprise, Yelu Yanxi was somewhat tempted.

But Xiao Sese was still a woman Yelu Yanxi had once loved—and she carried his child.

Moreover, how could an Emperor seek peace by surrendering his own woman? The humiliation would be unbearable.

So Yelu Yanxi hesitated.

Yet this did not prevent him from beginning to despise Xiao Sese—and to distance himself from her.

Precisely because of this, Yelu Yanxi unusually refused to see Xiao Sese, wasting more precious time and military opportunity…

…

(End of Chapter)