Chapter 68 Chapter 68: The most perfect extramarital affair in history

——The love swan song of Queen Mother Xiao of Liao Kingdom First of all, the author would like to talk about the origin of the surname Xiao in the Liao Kingdom. This is a very interesting story. The Liao state was transformed from a clan slavery society, and there was a custom of intermarriage outside the clan.The Weiyi and Bali clans intermarried with the Yelu clan who founded the Liao Kingdom for generations.After Yelu Abaoji, Taizu of the Liao Dynasty, established the Liao Dynasty, because he admired Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, he also called his own Yelu family the Liu family; All clans were renamed the Xiao family.Although Abaoji's queen, Shuluping, did not change her surname, her two younger brothers both changed their surnames to Xiao.

The custom of intermarriage between the Xiao family and the Yelu family has been passed down from generation to generation: all the daughters of the Xiao family marry the Yelu family, and all the women of the Yelu family marry the Xiao family.The Xiao family became the most powerful force in the Liao Kingdom after the Yelu family.During the Liao dynasty, the Xiao family had thirteen queens, thirteen kings, seventeen chancellors of the Northern Mansion, and twenty sons-in-law. Among the thirteen Empress Xiaos, the most famous one is the Empress Xiao Chuo of Emperor Jingzong of Liao Dynasty, who was also the Empress Dowager Xiao in the storytelling "Generals of the Yang Family", which was popular all over the country in the 1980s.In "Generals of the Yang Family", there is another important figure in the Liao Kingdom, and he is the general Han Chang Han Derang.In history, Empress Dowager Xiao and Han Derang are not only the relationship between monarchs and ministers, they are also a pair of life-and-death lovers who "will to be lovebirds in the sky and Lian Lizhi in the earth". If you don't believe me, let me explain in detail.

Xiao Chuo's baby name was Xiao Yanyan, and she was born in a Khitan noble family in 953 AD (the third year of Liao Yingli).Her mother is Princess Yan (the second daughter of Emperor Taizong of Liao Dynasty), and her father, Xiao Siwen's family, has been an official in the court for generations.Xiao Siwen is not only resourceful and scheming, but also "combine on history". From Taizong to Muzong, he was the chief of Nanjing's left-behind soldiers and horses. , this is a heavily Sinicized family. Han Kuangsi, a minister of the Han nationality, and Xiao Siwen are family friends, and the relationship has always been very close.Han Derang, the son of Han Kuangsi, was handsome, handsome, and capable of both civil and military skills. He had long heard that Yanyan, the third daughter of the Xiao family, was number one in the Liao Kingdom in terms of talent, martial arts, and appearance, but he had no chance to meet him.Once Han Derang followed his father to the big tent of Xiao's family, and happened to see Xiao Yanyan, who was dressed in arrow-sleeved military uniform and charming, and found that she was indeed a stunning woman, which was even better than the rumors, and Xiao Yanyan also had a good impression of this young master, and the two The emotions resonated inexplicably.

Just when the two hit it off and were about to discuss marriage, an earth-shattering event happened in the palace.In February of 969 AD (the 19th year of Liao Yingli), the fatuous and brutal Liao Muzong was killed by six people including Hua Ge, his servant.Attendant Xiao Siwen relied on wisdom and courage at the critical moment to support Yeluxian on the throne of the emperor with Gao Xun, the privy envoy of the South Court, and the maid of Feilong.This major historical change brought great political benefits to Xiao Siwen. Not only did Xiao Siwen himself continue to be promoted to rank and title, but also to be a privy envoy of the Northern Court, and also the Prime Minister of the Northern Mansion. Moreover, the trajectory of Xiao Chuo's life has been rewritten since then.

It turned out that Jingzong Ye Luxian had seen Xiao Chuo dressed in military uniform long ago, and her heroic spirit had made Ye Luxian envious and admiring.After ascending the throne, he quickly remembered this beautiful woman, and an imperial decree summoned her into the palace, and the marriage between Xiao Chuo and Han Derang naturally ran aground. Liao Jingzong Yeluxian was the son of Sejong. When Sejong was murdered during the "Huoshendian Rebellion", the four-year-old Yeluxian was wrapped in a felt by the imperial cook Liu Jieli and hid in the firewood pile, so that he could not be rebellious. He was frightened, so he suffered from wind disease since childhood.After the seventeen-year-old Xiao Chuo married the twenty-two-year-old Jing Zong, she was full of talent and affection, and she was unwilling to be just a virtuous concubine. She secretly determined to participate in state affairs.Soon she was established as a queen from a noble concubine.

Facing the chaotic situation, Jingzong really wanted to do something big, but he was in poor health and often suffered from wind diseases. Whenever he fell ill, the queen would go to court to handle state affairs on his behalf. The mission of reversing the fate of the Khitan Dynasty was historic The land fell on Xiao Chuo, who was full of political ambitions.With such a capable queen to rely on, Jing Zong felt relieved and happy to be able to take a break. The two emperors and queens could be said to have their own place.Xiao Chuo's name is assistant, but she is actually in power. She just needs to tell Jing Zong on the bed what she has made.

In September of the fourth year of Qianheng (982 A.D.), 35-year-old Liao Jingzong died of illness in Jiaoshan Palace in Yunzhou (Datong, Shanxi) while he was hunting.When he was dying, he left a will: "Longxu, the king of Liang, is the heir, and the military and state affairs are subject to the queen's orders." This will indisputably handed over the Liao Kingdom to Xiao Chuo, who was only 29 years old at the time. became the Queen Mother. In the days after Liao Jingzong's death, Han Derang's loyalty and ability were further demonstrated. He not only came up with a wonderful strategy for the queen mother and young master to govern the clan, but also "lead the guards" and was directly responsible for their safety.

At this time, the Empress Dowager Xiao Chuo was not yet thirty years old, which was the age when a woman was mature and flamboyant.She was ruthless and never soft when governing the country, but she showed a unique love for Han Derang, a minister with a special status. It is said that shortly after Jingzong's death, Xiao Chuo confided her deep affection for Han Derang for many years. She said: "I used to have a marriage contract with you. Now that the emperor has passed away, I would like to reconcile with you and reconnect with you. Now My son becomes the emperor, so he is your son, I hope you take good care of him!" Han Derang did not expect that the little girl in those years would still be fond of her old love after becoming the queen mother after so many years, it was really touching Inexplicably, since then he has become more loyal to Xiao Chuo, and Xiao Chuo has completely trusted him, allowing him to lead the imperial army and be responsible for the security of the capital.

Afterwards, Han Derang went in and out of the palace tent, and he and Xiao Chuo were like husband and wife. Don't shy away. Perhaps because of Han Derang, Xiao Chuo carried out a series of drastic reforms to the Liao Kingdom's system and customs.These reforms included rewarding farming, advocating integrity, managing unjust prisons, liberating some slaves, and reorganizing tribes...not only transformed Liao from slavery to feudalism, but more importantly, improved the relationship between Khitan and Han. Although the world knew about the affair between Empress Dowager Xiao and the Han official Han Derang, it was a matter of no status after all, and it was still other women, not her, who sat in the position of Han Derang's wife.After a long period of time, Xiao Chuo finally couldn't hold it back anymore. After many years in the political army, she had a violent attack that had been deeply rooted in her bones. She secretly sent someone to poison Han Derang's wife, Li Shi, to clear the way for her to marry Han Derang.

One day in September of the sixth year of Tonghe, Xiao Chuo went against the old practice of entertaining the royal relatives and officials in the palace, and held a banquet in Han Derang's tent, and rewarded all the officials generously, "ordering all the officials to share friends and relatives. Lu Yi enjoys himself."Facing such a big banquet with Han Derang and Xiao Chuo as the hosts, everyone knew that this was the wedding banquet for Empress Dowager Xiao to marry Han Derang. From then on, Han Derang was the Supreme Emperor of the Daliao Kingdom.Later, there were even rumors that Yelu Longyou, king of Chu, was actually the son of Han Derang and Xiao Chuo.

Since Xiao Chuo officially stated that he would marry Han Derang, not only did Liao Shengzong Yelu Longxu have no dislike for Han Derang's "stepfather" status, but he also had heartfelt respect and father-son affection for Han Derang.Every day, he asked his two younger brothers Longqing and Longyou (the youngest of Xiao Chuo's four sons, Yelu Zhengge, to die early) to greet Han Derang, and asked them to get off the car when they were two miles away from Han Derang's dormitory. Walk; if Han Derang leaves Beijing and returns, the two princes will also stand guard to greet him and greet him.When Yelu Longxu, the emperor of the Liao Kingdom, went to meet Han Derang himself, the etiquette was even more unambiguous: he would get off the car and walk 50 steps away. Although Han Derang went out to greet him, Longxu would definitely salute him first. After entering the account, Han Derang took the high seat, and Longxu gave him the gift of father and son very respectfully. In the eighteenth year of Tonghe (AD 994), Han Derang became the most powerful and powerful figure in the Liao Kingdom: Ren Taibao, Concurrent Political Order, Prime Minister of the Privy Council of the Second North and South Courts, worshiped the Prime Minister, and entered Qi Wang. In December of the 22nd year of Tonghe (AD 998), Han Derang was given the surname Yelu of the Liao Kingdom, changed his name to Yelu Longyun, and was granted the title of King of Jin, ranking above the Prince.In addition to these titles, he also obtained a Prince Wenzhong Mansion with regulations comparable to that of the imperial palace, and enjoyed an imperial-level entourage.From then on, the Han family, which appeared in the history of the Liao Kingdom as the slave of Queen Shuluping, officially became the royal family. Han Derang did not disappoint Xiao Chuo's trust and admiration. Throughout his life, he was loyal to Xiao Chuo. He never took advantage of the privileges she gave him to do anything that endangered the government of the Liao Kingdom. He did his best for the revitalization and development of the Liao Kingdom. , do one's best, die after death. Enjoying the filial piety of her children and the love of her husband, Empress Dowager Xiao Chuo of Chengtian held the Khitan traditional "Chai Book Ceremony" for her son in November of the 27th year of Tonghe (AD 1009), and returned the imperial power to Yelu Longxu. It was decided to end her more than 40 years of career as "Queen Regent" during the reigns of Emperor Jingzong and Shengzong of Liao Dynasty, and go to Nanjing (now Beijing) to enjoy her old age. Unfortunately, on the way to the south, Xiao Chuo contracted a disease. In early December, she died of illness in the palace at the age of fifty-seven. Xiao Chuo's death made Liao Shengzong Yelu Longxu extremely sad. He could not eat or sleep, cried until he vomited blood. The death of Xiao Chuo was a heavy blow to Han Derang in his later years.From then on, he was depressed and unhappy, and a year later he became seriously ill.Yelu Longxu and Empress Xiao Bodhisattva served him decoctions every day according to the etiquette of sons and daughter-in-laws, but they were still unable to recover. At the beginning of March in the twenty-ninth year of Tonghe (AD 1011), Han Derang passed away at the age of seventy-one. Yelu Longxu, Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, held a grand funeral for his stepfather, and all the regulations were the same as those of his mother.He personally took Han Derang's hearse and sent it a hundred paces away, and mourned for him, and then buried him beside his mother. There are countless empresses and concubines in Chinese history, but after all, only Xiao Chuo, who not only made great achievements and shined in the annals of history, but also truly enjoyed a complete and happy life as a woman.