Emperor Liu's speech of welcoming people from afar was not purely polite. Today's Han Dynasty has gone a step further on the basis of the Tang Dynasty in terms of naturalization and integration. It is said that all races prosper together, and the ethnic groups and tribes under his rule are not as exaggerated as all races.
, there are always hundreds of ethnic groups.
The Khitan tribe is naturally one of the major tribes. Their population is not large, with nearly one hundred thousand people. But with the name of Khitan, they dare not be ignored. Among the Khitan people who surrendered to the Han, there were prisoners who had fought in previous battles, and some who had been collected from the desert during the Northern Expedition.
Of course, the majority of those who failed to evacuate north during the process of moving south were those who led their troops to Nantou due to various reasons.
Naturally, Xiao Siwen did not fully believe what Emperor Liu said, but he still respectfully said: "Your Majesty, I have a proposal. I wonder if your Majesty can agree to it!"
"Speak!" Seeing that Xiao Siwen still had something to say, Emperor Liu waved his hand generously and said.
Xiao Siwen's expression remained respectful and he said calmly: "Your Majesty, during the past two years since I returned to the Han Dynasty from the south, I have been constantly sending people north to contact the Khitan nobles. I want to attract them to come to the court. Now, I have begun to see results. Recently, I have been getting more and more people.
Reply, I am willing to lead the people to the south, and I think that as long as the imperial court takes the initiative to accept it and cooperates with us, I think the Han Dynasty will welcome more Khitan subjects!"
After listening to this performance, Emperor Liu immediately became excited. He looked at Xiao Siwen and said with joy: "Oh? It seems that Xiao Qing's work in the past two years has been really effective! In the past, Wude Si has not tried to win over, but the effect
It’s always unsatisfactory, if this happens, Xiao Qing will have made a great contribution!"
This task was given to him by Emperor Liu after Xiao Siwen came to the south. It has been so long and has not seen any significant results. Emperor Liu has almost forgotten about it. Now that he heard about it occasionally, it can be regarded as an unexpected surprise.
Xiao Siwen said: "This all depends on your majesty's might and virtue, and it is not the merit of the veteran minister. If you want to achieve this and attract people, you still need the support of your majesty and the court!"
"Of course this is not a problem!" Emperor Liu also expressed his position, thought about it, and said: "Xiao Qing was the one who brought this matter, so Xiao Qing should be responsible for it. I will ask Wang Yinwu to assist you with all his strength. From the imperial court's side
If you need cooperation, you can ask Mr. Zhao for help!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Siwen actually felt flattered.
After coming to the south for so long, he has been shelved and not reused. He has also suffered all kinds of looks and contempt. This is something Xiao Siwen cannot tolerate. Now, he finally gets an opportunity to display his talents and influence.
, it’s really rare.
Zhao Pu stood by silently. Hearing Emperor Liu mention himself, he also said yes, but his serious expression showed that he had reservations about the matter.
Emperor Liu continued: "Swordsmen should not be touched lightly, but by analyzing their tribesmen and alienating their hearts, they can also disintegrate their power and subjugate the enemy's troops without fighting. This is the best strategy!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Xiao Siwen responded.
"How many tribes are there in the Khitan today? How long can it withstand such methods?" Emperor Liu smiled, as if he had found a way to win.
Of course, population is indeed the Khitan's biggest weakness, and it is also one that can never defeat the Central Plains. Now that it has moved to Mobei, in that harsh living environment, it will only become more difficult in the future.
Xiao Siwen replied: "After many years of war, before I came to the south, the total number of Khitan military tribes was only over one million. If we include the continuous chaos and fleeing in the past two years, the entire Mobei is probably no longer enough."
Millions, or even less!”
"I'm afraid this is not even close to the May 1st period when the Khitans were completely victorious! It's not even as large as the population of our Han Dynasty!" Emperor Liu sighed with emotion, seeming to sympathize with the Khitan's situation, jokingly said: "The Khitan is so weak that I am still poor.
Does chasing and fighting seem not generous enough or kind enough?"
Although he knew that Emperor Liu was joking, Xiao Siwen responded quickly and said that this was all the Khitan's own choice, and it was the Khitan's own fault...
Seeing that Emperor Liu was happy, he continued to report: "Your Majesty, I believe that the chaos within the Khitan will never end here, but will intensify because of the death of Yelu Sage.
Among the clan members, there was also King Yelu Bishe of Yue. He was the only surviving descendant of Taizong Yelu Deguang. He had been in charge of state affairs in the past and was very popular. At that time, the struggle for succession was either forced by public sentiment or he took the initiative to retreat.
Because of the overall situation, otherwise the Khitan Lord would not be able to succeed to the throne so smoothly even if he had the army under his control and even if he had the support of Yelv Xianshi, Yelu Xiezhen and others.
However, since he succeeded to the throne, he has brought the Khitan into its current weak state and is gradually declining. I suspect that Yelu Bishe may also regret his original decision!"
"Even if Yelvbi had seized the throne back then, could he have avoided today's outcome?" Emperor Liu said calmly.
"The great power of the Han Dynasty is hard to match. The outcome is already determined, so there is no way to escape!" Xiao Siwen said hurriedly.
"However, will this Yelu Bishe resist Yelvxian? You also said that back then, you could take the overall situation into consideration and retreat voluntarily. Now, how can you make the Khitan worse?" Emperor Liu was a little distrustful.
Xiao Siwen said: "Even if Yelu is unintentional, there is no guarantee that others have intentions. Furthermore, the Khitan master will inevitably not be suspicious of him..."
When he said this, Xiao Siwen was a little cautious and his voice was much lower. Emperor Liu glanced at him and said softly: "Xiao Qing has a thorough understanding of the emperor's heart!"
Xiao Siwen did not dare to accept this, and Emperor Liu did not elaborate on it, but said: "Even so, after Yelvxian solves this Yelvbishe, who else can challenge his position? Khitan internal fighting, or for
There are constraints, but if you want to bring about its collapse solely through internal friction, I’m afraid it won’t be easy. There are still capable people in the Khitan right now!”
Seeing Emperor Liu's emotion, Xiao Siwen said: "The Khitan succession dispute has been going on for decades. When the Khitan Lord succeeded to the throne, he made an oath with the princes and nobles to establish the succession of the eldest son to clarify the inheritance.
However, the Khitan Lord did not have enough time to complete the reinforcements, and the Han Dynasty had already started the Northern Expedition. In addition, the Khitan Lord only had a son at the beginning of this year, and as far as I know, the Khitan Lord suffered from the root cause of the disease due to the rebellion in the Huoshen Lake that year.
The body is damaged and it is difficult to recover after long-term treatment.
During the Northern Expedition, in order to defend the Han army, it was tiring and injurious. As for the commander of the army, he went south and witnessed the military journey, which made his illness even more serious. I believe that the Lord of Khitan is not a long-lived king, but there is a difference. Where will the situation of Khitan go?
It can be known.”
"If so, this is really something to look forward to!" Emperor Liu showed a smile on his face, and there was a hint of thinking in his eyes.
Xiao Siwen's words reminded him that those memories that had long been buried in the depths of his mind were blurry, but with his guidance, he found some sense of familiarity.
It seems that the original Yelu Xian did not reign for too long, and in the end he left an orphan and a widowed mother to guard the country, which also made the legend of Empress Dowager Xiao a generation.
All in all, Xiao Siwen's trip to Kaifeng did bring a certain surprise to Emperor Liu. This person's value to the Han Dynasty was gradually revealed.
Zhao Pu also had something to report when he came here. Thinking of Xiao Siwen's hard journey, he ordered him to retreat and rest, while Zhao Pu stayed alone to have a secret talk with Emperor Liu.
"What kind of person does Zhao Qing think Xiao Siwen is?" Emperor Liu's attention was still on Xiao Siwen.
After hearing the question, Zhao Pu thought for a while and then replied: "I think this person is too deferential to your majesty and too loyal to the court..."