Xiao Luan, the imperial envoy from the Liao Dynasty, passed through Bazhou on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. He looked around at the four state capitals that the Liao Kingdom had just snatched from the Zhou Dynasty, even though he didn't stop too much.
It was already the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month when he entered the border of the Northern Han Dynasty.
Northerners have a tradition of celebrating the off-year. Since Emperor Yelu Abaoji of the Liao Kingdom established a great empire that unified the grasslands a few years ago and gradually annexed the land of the Han people, the Khitan people have gradually adapted to the customs of the Han people. Yelu Abaoji prefers
The name the Han people call themselves is Yelu Xiongji. (Note 1)
The capital of the Liao Kingdom was in Youzhou, and the life of the Khitan people was no longer much different from that of the Han people. The prosperous city, the lively city scene, these things that the grasslands did not have fascinated them.
Youzhou was once the residence of General Luo Yi. When Luo Yi was here, he commanded 5,000 tiger soldiers, which was intimidating to the grassland people.
There are gaps in the Great Wall, but the tigers are unparalleled.
These eight words are the most appropriate portrayal of Luo Yi’s Tiger and Ben Iron Cavalry at that time. The Turkic Ashina family that ruled the grassland at that time was beaten by Luo Yi and retreated. The ferocious and vicious Turkic Wolf Cavalry never failed in countless battles with the Tiger and Ben Iron Cavalry.
He had won a victory. At that time, Luo Yi only had to send three to five hundred tiger cavalry north out of the Great Wall, and he would cause a bloody storm on the grassland. However, since Shi Jingtang dedicated the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Khitans, Youzhou has never seen it again.
There was no trace of the Han cavalry.
Xiao Luan was an aide to King Yeluji of the Nanmian Palace of the Liao Kingdom. He finally got this lucrative job from the King of Nanyuan this time. Naturally, he had to walk slower on the way. No matter where he went in the territory of the Liao Kingdom,
He would receive the warmest reception in any city. He would use his well-maintained white hands to harvest countless jewels, gold and silver, and caress countless beauties. In Dingzhou, which the Liao Kingdom had just acquired, he got a pair of three
A foot-high fiery red coral tree. In Mozhou, he got three boxes of gold and silver treasures. In Yizhou, he got a pair of sisters that are addictive. In Xiongzhou, he got three full-sized flowers.
Dongzhu the size of a bull’s eye.
He walked slowly and leisurely, and deliberately made a big circle. Like a snake, he crawled across the land of the four states, and then swallowed all the benefits he could. He celebrated the Little New Year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month.
On this day, in a festive atmosphere, he finally set foot on the land of Northern Han, a vassal state of Liao.
Unlike the prosperity of Bazhou, the land of the Northern Han Dynasty was devastated, even compared with Xiongzhou of Dingzhou, which had just experienced the war. Xiao Luan looked at the expressionless people of the Northern Han Dynasty on the street, who were like walking corpses.
I felt annoyed for a while. How much gain could I get from such a poor place? The reason why I rushed to take on this job was because I was jealous of the abundant bounty that the imperial envoys could get every year when they went south. But now the Northern Han Dynasty is barren.
Now that I'm like this, what good gains can I get?
Fortunately, he was the first imperial envoy to pass through Yizhou and Xiongzhou. Although these four state capitals suffered from wars, they were not fatally damaged in general. Those Han people
Big shots from wealthy families can always give themselves many unexpected surprises.
He has always believed that the reason why Daliao could remain undefeated in the war was because the Liao cavalry still maintained their wolf nature. The reason why the Han army collapsed at the first touch was because they were as soft as a group of sheep with fat tails.
The strong and flexible goat can bravely push out its horns when forced by the enemy, but the sheep can only crawl under the wolf's feet and tremble.
After arriving in these four states, he once again confirmed his thoughts. And he had a deeper understanding of the Han people, that is, the Han people are servile. As long as they are defeated, they will often choose to obey the destiny and sacrifice themselves.
Most cherished jewelry and women.
The Tigers and Horses who once dominated Youzhou have been automatically ignored by Xiao Luan. They are a group of Han people who have not lost their wolf nature. No, they are a group of enemies who are more like wolves than prairie people. However, they have become extinct.
Already.
Soon after entering the border of the Northern Han Dynasty, the minister who greeted him from Taiyuan, Hou Shen, the Minister of Rites, was already waiting in a small county called Anlai to the west of Gaobeidian. Anlai County is very small, and it is easy to walk from south to north.
It took less than half an hour, and it would probably take even less time to walk from east to west. In such a small county, Lord Hou, the Minister of Household Affairs of the Northern Han Dynasty, stood with a ceremonial team of more than a dozen officials and thousands of people.
Outside the East City Gate.
The desolation along the way disappointed Xiao Luan, but the grand reception given by Hou Shen and his ministers made him feel elated again. The status of an angel from the kingdom was so noble in front of the humble people of the subject country.
Thirty-six musicians blew the welcome horns, and eighteen drummers beat the loud drums. When Xiao Luan's carriage entered the county town, the people standing on both sides of the street began to throw flower petals. Of course,
Those petals are fake. In the middle of winter, in a remote town in the north, where can I find real flowers?
Even so, Xiao Luan felt a little elated. He understood the national strength of the Northern Han Dynasty and saw the desolation of the Northern Han Dynasty along the way. Therefore, he was satisfied with such a grand welcoming ceremony for the Northern Han Dynasty. After all,
, if a high-ranking official with the title of "Shang Shu of the Ministry of Rites" was placed in Daliao, he would have to nod and bow when he saw others. But now the situation is exactly the opposite, a high-ranking official of the second rank is saluting him!
Although Xiao Luan is a Khitan noble, he is not a direct descendant of the Xiao family. Just like those aristocratic families in the Central Plains, the huge family has countless small branches that spread throughout the country, and he is just a very peripheral member of the Xiao family.
She is just a human being. Empress Xiao of Daliao Kingdom has a very noble status, and the surname Xiao is synonymous with dignity in Daliao.
Xiao Luan was just an insignificant figure in the Liao Dynasty. There were no fewer than fifty staff like him under King Yeluji of the Southern Palace. Among them were many resourceful people, such as Han Zhigu and Lu Wenjin, two Han Chinese who were very powerful.
Even the prince once said that these two people are like a pair of white swans with strong wings. Sooner or later, they will fly away from the South Palace and rise to a higher and broader sky.
Among the staff of King Yeluji of the Southern Palace, Xiao Luan's status was not high but he gained Yeluji's trust. It was not because he had extraordinary strategies or powerful martial arts, but because he had a pair of comparisons.
The falcon flying in the sky has sharper eyes. Whether it is the strongest wine or the hottest beauty, he can satisfy Yeluji's needs. For example, the pair of fifteen-year-old girls he got in Yizhou this time
Sisters, they have waists like water snakes and straight and powerful thighs. If they are presented to the prince, they will definitely receive many rewards.
Maybe the prince will give himself a future as soon as he is happy and arrange to be the governor of a certain county.
Just as I was thinking about it, the carriage and horse suddenly stopped.
Hou Shen, the Minister of Rites of the Northern Han Dynasty, stood in front of the chariot and horse, bowed and said: "Hou Shen, the Minister of Rites of the Han Dynasty, has received the decree of His Majesty the Han Dynasty to welcome the angels of the Kingdom of Heaven."
Angel of Heaven, this is such a good word.
Xiao Luan grinned, very contented. He opened the heavy cotton curtain on the carriage, and a cold wind immediately blew on his face. Xiao Luan, who was used to the cold, did not care about the weather, but in his heart
There is a fire burning. This fire is called desire, called satisfaction, and called happiness.
"Master Hou, there is no need to be polite. It's really hard for you to stand outside and wait for me in such cold weather."
Xiao Luan said with a smile.
"Master Xiao, you're welcome. This is what I should do. Your Majesty has been working hard all the way, so I have prepared a small table of wine for you in the Anlai County Yamen. Please move to the County Yamen."
Hou Shen laughed along with him.
"Well, that's fine. I'm not tired at all, but just a little depressed. Since Mr. Hou has already made arrangements, I won't be respectful."
Hou Shen said with a smile: "The county government office is not far from here, and I have ordered my men to sort it out. You can have some wine at the county government office to warm yourself up and take a rest. I will accompany you back to Taiyuan Mansion."
"
Xiao Luan chuckled: "Wine is a good thing, but it's not the best choice to warm up. Haha."
Hou Shen was stunned for a moment, then understood. He leaned close to Xiao Luan's ear and whispered: "This Anlai County is remote and desolate, and there is no attractive woman to be found. His Highness Prince Zhong has already invited her from Taiyuan Mansion.
The most beautiful woman who can sing and dance is a fairy-like beauty. Many young men from famous families have been pursuing her but they can't catch her. I heard that the Lord has come from afar, so I have made all preparations and am just waiting for the Lord to arrive. When I arrived in Taiyuan Mansion, I drank.
There are also beauties, so don’t worry, sir.”
The expression on Hou Shen's face was very flattering, which greatly satisfied Xiao Luan's self-esteem.
He hummed, cleared his throat and said, "I have come south with the trust of His Majesty Daliao, so I'd better talk about official business first."
Hou Shen immediately echoed: "If you are a low-ranking official, you will naturally discuss "official matters" first.
Xiao Luan chuckled and said: "It's windy outside, please come to my carriage, Mr. Hou. You can tell me in detail about the affairs of the Han Kingdom, by the way, especially the defeat of the Zhou army by Liu Ling, the loyal king of Han Dynasty. I
Everyone in the Liao Kingdom has heard that the 200,000 Zhou army was defeated by your loyal king. We Khitan people respect heroes the most, and I also admire the loyal king very much."
Hou Shen secretly said: "Oh shit, don't you admire the singer invited by the prince?"
But in his mouth, he said respectfully: "I will obey my orders."
After boarding Xiao Luan's carriage, a piece of flawless jade the size of a palm was already thrust into Xiao Luan's hand before he even sat down. As a result, there were many more topics to talk about between the two of them, and their interest continued until the carriage stopped.
Accompanied by more than a dozen officials, Xiao Luan sat down with a smile. A sumptuous banquet was served in a stream, gradually filling the entire table. But before Xiao Luan could take the lead to use his chopsticks, a military general ran away in a hurry.
Come in.
"There are no rules for being in such a panic! If you collide with the ambassador, I will kill you on the spot!"
Hou Shen scolded the general in a cold voice.
The general wiped the sweat from his face and said breathlessly: "Sir, thousands of horse thieves suddenly arrived at the west gate of the city. The soldiers and horses under my command are fighting fiercely with the horse thieves."
Hou Shen's face changed and he said: "Why do so many horse thieves suddenly appear? Didn't I ask you to clean them up in advance?"
The military general said sarcastically: "Sir, after years of famine, the people have eaten a lot of food and have to resort to desperate measures to gather people into banditry. Now there are large and small tangles everywhere. How can we clean them up?"
Xiao Luan's expression changed and he asked: "Why is the territory of Han already in such chaos now?"
Hou Shen blushed and explained: "You don't know something, sir. Since the severe drought the year before last, it has only snowed this time. Countless people have starved to death. In order to grab a bite of food, that... did come out of nowhere."
These are ruthless bandits who take risks out of desperation. But don’t worry, Your Majesty, His Highness King Zhong has sent three thousand armored warriors to protect you this time. A few horse thieves still can’t cause a big storm.”
He glanced at Xiao Luan cautiously: "It's just..."
Note 1: The country founded by Yelu Abaoji was originally called Khitan, not Liao, and during the Anshi Rebellion of the Tang Dynasty, Yelu Abaoji had basically unified the grasslands, and all the once-glorious Turks, Shiwei, and Xi tribe warriors surrendered
Under the hooves of the Khitan cavalry. Yelu Abaoji had been dead for many years during the period corresponding to the book. The emperor of the Liao Kingdom at this time should be Yelu Jing, Muzong of the Liao Dynasty. But this Muzong of the Liao Dynasty was a confused emperor who was greedy for saving and murderous.
Not as good as Yelu Abaoji, Taizu of the Liao Dynasty. In order to create a powerful enemy for the protagonist, the establishment of the Liao Kingdom in this book is postponed. Experts are advised to laugh it off and do not delve into it.
