Chapter 7 7. Retreat as Advance: Blood Flows into Rivers to Build an Empire

Troubled times are often a period of explosive growth for heroes, and creating heroes based on the current situation is the most basic mode for the emergence of great characters.Under the chaotic social state of the Five Dynasties, heroes of all colors appeared on the stage, writing a generation of legends in different ways, such as brutality, treachery, or bravery, and affecting the trajectory of history.On the land of the Central Plains, Zhu Wen, Li Keyong and others are the only ones who stand out from the crowd.In the vast northern region, the rapidly rising Khitan became the overlord, and being able to lead this nation known for its bravery and brutality on a galloping horse gallop has already demonstrated the extraordinaryness of Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji.

Yelu Abaoji was born in a noble family of the Diel tribe. His grandfather and father have been in charge of the tribe's military power for generations.During the whole process of Abaoji's growth, the aristocratic class continued to fight for the position of leader of the Khitan Alliance, and fierce wars continued.He witnessed his grandfather being killed and his father and uncles fleeing everywhere. Under the protection of his grandmother, Abaoji grew up. The uncle's position became "Yu Yue" second only to Khan, equivalent to the prime minister of the Han people, holding the military and administrative power of the Khitan alliance.After long-term accumulation, according to Khitan tradition, the khan was re-elected every three years, and he ascended to the position of khan.

Yelu Abaoji, who became the Khitan Khan, and Li Keyong and Zhu Wen of the Central Plains became the three most powerful branches. He hoped that he could also realize the lifelong and hereditary system of the throne like the emperors of the Central Plains. Seriously violated the Khitan traditional system.His brothers, who originally thought they could succeed Abaoji after he abdicated, were extremely dissatisfied with his long-term hold on power.There were three "brother rebellions" in the Diela tribe. In order to fight for power, Abaoji exiled, demoted or murdered his brothers.The most powerful opposition he will face is not from within the tribe, but from the leaders of the seven other tribes in the alliance.

Abaoji was re-elected Khan three times, which lasted nine years, and other tribes gradually became dissatisfied.Under the banner of restoring the election system, he asked Abaoji to abdicate, and handed over the flag and drum that symbolized the Khan's power and the sacred account left by his ancestors.The alliance of the seven tribes forced A Baoji to think carefully about this issue. He called Han Zhigu and Han Yanhui, the Han advisers who had been valued by his side, to discuss this issue together. Han Zhigu and others have always suggested that Abaoji adopt the Han system to manage the people by means of prefectures, counties, city walls, and taxes. The crisis they are facing this time will determine whether their suggestions will be promoted in the long run.

Abaoji said: "For a long time, there have been countless wars between various tribes in order to compete for the position of Khan. This time, the alliance of seven tribes wants to force me to abdicate. They must be ready to fight." Han Zhigu and Han Yanhui were very aware of the trauma caused by the war to production, so they strongly opposed the war, so they said to A Baoji: "If every abdication of the Khan's position must be resolved through war, then the Khitan's People’s power cannot be improved in the long run.” But A Baoji said: "As long as I can sit in the Khan's position, even if the people's strength temporarily retreats, I will not hesitate."

Han Zhigu said: "The emperors of the Han people have always demanded that the people be the foundation, and they hope that the power of the people can be improved. This is the foundation of the country's prosperity. You have always hoped to follow their example. Why do you want to use blood to wash away the throne now? ?” A Baoji laughed and said, "It is precisely because of this that your Han emperor has been replaced countless times. I hope to follow the management system of the Han people, but I cannot use their bad things." Everyone was arguing endlessly. A Baoji's wife suddenly walked into the military tent after explaining the law, and said to A Baoji, "I heard the Khan and the counselors arguing outside the tent. I have a little opinion of my own. I hope I can tell you about it." .”

Empress Shulu once led troops to defend the territory in the "Rebellion of Brothers" when Abaoji's nephew and uncle seized the throne, so Abaoji respected her very much. The Empress Shulu said: "A few years ago, your younger brothers Lage, Anduan and others rebelled against you, trying to force you to abdicate, and also tried to hijack you to the 'burntwood ceremony' recommended by the Khan. Zhongqu, at that time, we all obeyed your request and led our troops to counterattack quickly. Therefore, you sat in Khan's position for nine years." A Baoji nodded, and said, "Yes, if it hadn't been for such a decision at the beginning, maybe the one sitting in Khan's place now is Rage, not me, A Baoji."

The queen said: "But have you noticed that after these wars, the number of our horses has decreased rapidly. In the past, tens of thousands of horses were nomadic among the people, but now the common people can only go out on foot." Abaoji is not ignorant of this, and he can only be noncommittal about the question of the post-law.Seeing that he didn't speak, the queen of the law said: "The previous wars were all within our tribe. The seizure of power between brothers caused us to suffer so much. What's more, the seven tribes are united against us now? If the end is tragic, say From then on, the Indeterminate Tribe will disappear from the territory of the Khitan Alliance."

Everyone knows that Yelu Abaoji is a very aggressive and proud monarch, so Han Zhigu, Han Yanhui and others dare not say such words, and only Shulu Empress dares to speak so bluntly to him.These words made A Baoji start to think, although he hoped that he could always occupy the position of Khan for life.But it's really unwise to take such a big risk. After some thought, Abaoji decided to accept the suggestion of Shuluhou, Han Zhigu and others to temporarily retire and let the lords of other tribes be the Khan.But he said to Han Zhigu: "The reason why I retire is not because I am afraid of these seven tribes, but because I hope to find a better opportunity. The position of Khan can only belong to me."

Han Zhigu discussed with the people, and said to A Baoji: "The most scarce things on the grassland now are salt and iron. Any tribe needs these things urgently. Seoul is rich in these things. If you can go there after you abdicate, you will definitely be able to." Guaranteed good income for us.” Abaoji agreed to this, and sent someone to tell the lords of the other seven tribes, held a khan election meeting, and used the most traditional "burnt wood ceremony" to burn firewood to pray to heaven, expressing that he would give up the khan position. Let the lords of other tribes elect a successor from among them.Everyone rejoiced, and Yin Dishi, the lord of the Shubugu tribe, was elected as the new Khan.

Abaoji respectfully said to the new Khan: "I have been in the Khan for nine years, and many of the subordinates under my command are Han Chinese. Now that I have retired, I hope you can grant me the city of Seoul so that I can govern there." Yin Dishi, immersed in joy, quickly agreed to A Baoji's request.Yelu Abaoji led his subordinates and Empress Shulu to Seoul, encouraged farming in the Han way, and sold salt and iron to other tribes. Within a year, the local economy developed rapidly, and the other tribes People need to rely on the salt provided by Abaoji to live, and Abaoji has gradually formed a very friendly relationship with the lords of other tribes. After a period of preparation and planning, Yelu Abaoji said to Han Zhigu: "I came here, accumulated a lot of wealth, and provided the army with very good equipment. But staying here is not my wish. , now it's time for me to go back and be a khan." Han Zhigu was taken aback, and hurriedly asked him what his plan was.Abaoji said confidently: "Now all the tribes rely on me, and I have formed a very good relationship with the lords of the tribes. They must think that I am satisfied now and have relaxed their vigilance towards me. So if I have a banquet They, these lords will definitely not refuse." Han Zhigu hurriedly asked: "Then what are you planning to invite them to do?" The empress Shulu said to him: "We are sticking here to look forward to this moment. As long as other lords come here, we can wipe them all out. At that time, Khan can go back to lead the Khitan Alliance." The counselors were shocked when they heard the news, but they also admired Yelu Abaoji's strategy and courage, so they began to deploy closely.Abaoji first asked his son Yelubei to send invitations to the Yishi tribe and the Shubugu tribe one by one, and sent his gifts to the lords of these big tribes, and then said to them: "Every year, I pay a very low price. I sell salt to everyone at a high price, just to hope that everyone can live in harmony. Now that the land of Khitan is peaceful and happy, you should thank me!" The lords all felt that what A Baoji said made sense, and they had already relaxed their vigilance against A Baoji, so they brought wine and meat to the banquet one by one.A Baoji ambushed the warriors at the banquet, and when everyone was drunk, he slaughtered all the lords of the seven tribes, and beheaded all their accompanying relatives for public display. The land of Red Seoul. With blood all over his body, Abao led his army to Shubugu, killed Khan Yindishi, seized the flag and drums that symbolized Khan's power, and quickly controlled the armies of various tribes. Show no mercy, kill them all. Such a strong counterattack cleared away all obstacles for Yelu Abaoji and eradicated all the forces that opposed him. Abaoji finally got what he wanted and proclaimed himself emperor in 916 AD. Yelu Abaoji's lifelong dream was to rule the land from the north of the Yellow River to Mobei, so he kept fighting with the Central Plains.He played a decisive role in the development of Khitan from a tribal alliance to a unified management country, and made great contributions to the development of nomadic culture and economy.After the establishment of the Khitan Kingdom, Yelu Abaoji still used a large number of Han people to manage it, which promoted the integration of various ethnic groups, provided a common form of rule for the survival and development of the Liao and Han people, and shortened the development period of Khitan social evolution. He built the empire by bloodshed, but this form of unification also prevented more wars from happening later.The decline of the political power in the Central Plains provided a good opportunity for the development of the Liao Dynasty, and Abaoji also seized this opportunity accurately, pushing both himself and the Khitan to a historical climax.