Ein Bettler bereist die Welt

Kapitel 58

Early the next morning, a fast horse galloped out of Nanjing and headed towards the capital. Upon receiving news of Xiu Ge's passing, Xiao Xuan ordered a carriage to be prepared and rushed to Nanjing that very night.

Emperor Longxu suspended court for five days to express his condolences and ordered the construction of a shrine for Xiuge in Nanjing.

After rushing all the way to Nanjing, Xiao Xuan finally stepped into the Song Prince's Mansion. She covered her trembling lips with her hand and hurried towards the mourning hall. She couldn't believe he was gone just like that; he must be playing a joke on her. He loved playing jokes on her, didn't he?

Hugh! Hugh! Stepping into the mourning hall and seeing the solemn atmosphere, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. A gentle breeze blew into the hall, ruffling her hair slightly, as if someone were stroking her graying strands.

The bracelet he had given her dangled from her arm, still warm from her body. She gently stroked the thick coffin with the hand that wore the bracelet. "Brother Xiu, how could you leave like this? I haven't even found you a wife you'd be happy with yet!" Xiao Xuan cried, her sobs echoing through the mourning hall.

No one else would joke with me like that, no one else would let me trust them so completely. Hugh, I don't belong here, and I haven't left yet, but you've gone first. Why? The iron tower in my heart finally crumbled.

Unlike Yan Yu, who was a close friend with whom she could never be together, but with whom she shared a deep connection, Xiu Ge was a friend who would always be there for her, protecting her from any hardship. "I so wish I could do more for you all, why did you all leave so soon?" Xiao Xuan cried out in her heart.

Several days later, at dawn, Xiao Xuan joined the convoy to attend Xiu Ge's funeral. Watching his coffin being lowered into the grave, Xiao Xuan clenched her fists tightly. It was true; the man named Yelü Xiu Ge, the man she had clung to for life, had truly left this world. As the earth was slowly leveled, Xiao Xuan took a deep breath, took out the white camellias she had prepared, and covered Xiu Ge's grave with them.

Afterwards, Xiaoxuan sat down alone in front of the tombstone, and asked someone to place a low table in front of the tomb, with a pot of tea and two teacups on it. She filled the teacups with tea and began to sip it.

"Hey, try this tea, is it good?" Xiaoxuan finished her tea, spilled the other cup on the ground, and then refilled it. "You just left like that, without waiting for me. Let me see you one last time, talk to you a little longer." I was choked up and couldn't speak, so I might as well let the tears flow freely.

Her tears flowed intermittently for three or four months, yet they still wouldn't stop. Whenever she thought of Hugh, her tears would pour down like a flood bursting its banks.

Good things come in pairs, but misfortunes never come singly. Before her tears could stop, another piece of bad news arrived.

Yelü Xiezhen also passed away.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth years of the Tonghe era, Yelü Xiuge and Yelü Xiezhen, two great generals of the Liao Dynasty, passed away one after the other, plunging the entire Liao Dynasty into a deep sorrow.

The passing of two meritorious generals who had made great contributions to the Liao Kingdom caused quite a stir within the kingdom. Various forces that had been suppressed began to rise up and challenge Xiao Xuan, who was now old and gray and had lost two capable generals.

Now, among the officials of the Liao Dynasty, the old are old, the dead are dead, and those who are alive are all old bones. Who would want to listen to this old woman, especially since she is an old woman with no one left to rely on?

The throne always holds an endless allure.

Despite her grief, Xiao Xuan was not so confused as to be unable to discern her surroundings. She spent her days in sorrow before the court officials, muttering the names of Xiu Ge and Xie Zhen, while secretly pondering how to suppress the impending storm.

She wanted to tell everyone that before she died, their fate was simple: to obediently listen and accept their destiny.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 111 Siege

Updated: 2008-09-23 16:44:42 Word Count: 2712

"Yan Yan, the soup is ready, come and eat." A gentle voice called out from a bedroom in the palace.

Han Derang, who had been appointed Grand Tutor, Chancellor, and head of the Privy Council of the North and South, and later promoted to Grand Chancellor and enfeoffed as the Prince of Qi, stopped in front of Xiao Xuan's desk, carrying a bowl of freshly stewed chicken soup. Seeing that Xiao Xuan was still looking at the map on the table, Han Derang couldn't help but grumble, "Look, look, you've been looking at the same map for two or three years, aren't you tired of it?"

"Dechang, I want to attack the Song Kingdom," Xiaoxuan said calmly. Dechang was the new name she had given to Han Derang.

Han Derang was startled, and the soup bowl he was holding spilled out, scalding his hands. He hurriedly put the bowl on the table.

"What happened? Can't you be more careful?" Xiaoxuan stood up and complained with concern when she saw the soup he was carrying spill and burn her.

"It's alright, it's alright," Han Derang said, placing his hand behind his back. But Xiao Xuan grabbed his hand from behind and stared at the burning red back of his hand.

"I will summon the imperial physician."

"Yan Yan, it's nothing! Don't make a fuss!"

glaring at Han Derang, Xiao Xuan called out towards the door, "Summon the imperial physician."

"yes!"

Han Derang glanced back at the door, then looked at Xiao Xuan and said, "The chicken soup is freshly made, it's very delicious, drink it while it's hot." "Okay," Xiao Xuan nodded, sat back down, placed the soup in front of her, and was about to pick up a spoon to drink when she heard Han Derang whisper, "Why did you suddenly think of attacking the Song Dynasty?"

"Because I don't want to fight again in the future. I don't want another war." Xiaoxuan finished speaking and lowered her head to drink the soup in her bowl.

Upon hearing this, Han Derang fell silent and sat to the side, quietly watching her carefully sip her hot soup. Only after the imperial physician arrived and bandaged her hand did Xiao Xuan speak again: "Brother Xiu and Xie Zhen are gone. Many of the capable generals of our Great Liao have aged or died. The court is currently undergoing a process of replacing the old with the new. Over the years, I've been thinking about how to achieve peace and avoid further war. There's only one answer: only when we become strong will others respect us. Only when we conquer this world will there be peace. I think all emperors throughout history have had this thought: conquer the world first, then worry about other things. Longxu is not young anymore. I am old too. I want to leave something for my children before I leave this world."

"Look at you! What kind of talk is that!" Han Derang shouted angrily when he heard Xiao Xuan's last sentence.

Xiao Xuan looked up at him. Seeing him, also with white hair, glaring angrily at her, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"You can do whatever you want, I'll be with you." Looking at her with a smile, Han Derang lowered his head and whispered.

"Okay!" Xiaoxuan stood up, a smile on her face, and said, "It's settled then."

In the twenty-second year of the Tonghe era, seven years after the death of Zhao Guangyi, Empress Xiao Chuo, together with Emperor Yelü Longxu of Liao and the senior minister Han Derang, led 200,000 elite troops to begin the war of invasion against the Song Dynasty.

The entire Liao Kingdom was focused on this war. In the past, when their Empress Dowager personally led the campaign, victories were always reported frequently. But back then, she had two capable generals, Yelü Xiuge and Yelü Xiezhen. Could she still do it now? Could she bring them new victories? The people had doubts, the ministers had doubts, but the soldiers going to war had no doubts.

They had long heard of the Empress Dowager's formidable reputation, and no one wanted to think poorly of their commander, as their lives were in her hands. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was a seasoned general with extensive battle experience. Encouraged by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's joint campaign, the Liao army, with its high morale, advanced with unstoppable momentum, relentlessly conquering cities and seizing territory. With lightning speed, the Liao army reached Chanzhou, only a river separating them from Dongjing Prefecture.

The people of Tokyo were in a state of panic, and the court officials were also in a state of frantic chaos, discussing the matter anxiously. Some suggested moving the capital to Jinling, while others argued that Chengdu would be safer. Amidst the confusion, a dignified old man glared at the crowd and addressed Zhao Heng, the 31-year-old son of Zhao Guangyi who had ascended the throne: "Your Majesty, I, Kou Zhun, request permission to lead the army. I implore Your Majesty to personally lead the campaign to boost the morale of our troops." Upon hearing Kou Zhun's words, Zhao Heng was displeased. Such a dangerous place! You want me to go there? Aren't you sending me to my death? I won't go! Thinking this, he remained silent, seemingly oblivious to Kou Zhun's words.

Seeing this, Kou Zhun couldn't help but advise, "Your Majesty, it is precisely because Empress Dowager Xiao and the Emperor of Liao personally led the expedition that their morale was boosted, which is why their offensive was so swift. Currently, our army's morale is low. If Your Majesty personally leads the expedition, it will surely inspire the soldiers' morale, and perhaps even turn the tide of the battle."

Seeing that Zhao Heng remained silent, Kou Zhun sneered inwardly and said, "If Your Majesty is considering moving the capital, then the Liao army will definitely take advantage of the situation, first taking over my Tokyo Prefecture, and then gradually seizing all our land. At that time, no matter what it is, Jinling or Chengdu, they will all become someone else's possessions. Therefore, Kou Zhun urges Your Majesty to reconsider."

"Court adjourned! We will discuss this again tomorrow!" Zhao Heng ordered.

Back in his palace, Zhao Heng was in a state of confusion and had no good ideas. He remembered Kou Zhun's words and found them to make some sense. He secretly made up his mind to do as Kou Zhun suggested and see if it could really turn the tide of the battle as Kou Zhun said.

The news of Emperor Song's impending personal campaign spread throughout the court and the country the next day, and the Song troops defending against the Liao army were greatly excited upon hearing the news. When Zhao Heng's imperial carriage appeared at the front line in Chanzhou, the Song soldiers excitedly shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" The shouts shook the heavens and the earth, and continued without end.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan stepped out of her tent and gazed across the river, already understanding what had transpired within the Song army. Wang Jizhong, a Song minister captured by the Liao army, seeing this, hurriedly suggested peace talks to Xiao Xuan. Xiao Xuan pondered for a long time, looking across the river at the Song Dynasty no longer ruled by Zhao Guangyi, and at the distant grudges and conflicts between them, and finally nodded in agreement. Unexpectedly, the peace proposal was rejected by Zhao Heng, whose morale was high at this time. Enraged, the Liao army successively captured Qizhou, Yizhou, Beizhou, Deqing, and other places, besieging Chanzhou on three sides.

The battle between the two sides reached a stalemate. Xiaoxuan gazed towards Tokyo, her heart filled with countless emotions.

I wonder if Luoxia Temple is still standing. I remember someone once invited me to visit Luoxia Temple, but now I am the only one standing here, gazing at Tokyo Prefecture.

Seeing Xiao Xuan's sorrowful face, Commander Xiao Dalin, unaware of her thoughts, assumed she was troubled by the prolonged siege of Chanzhou. He immediately led several dozen cavalry to inspect the city walls, searching for a breakthrough in the battle. Unexpectedly, he was struck by archers who had been lying in wait. The arrow hit him squarely in the head, and he fell from his horse. When his men brought him back to the Liao camp, his body was already stiff and lifeless. Seeing her general fall in battle, Xiao Xuan wept bitterly and suspended court for five days.

In early December, the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement and began negotiations. The Song side dispatched Cao Yong to the Liao camp to negotiate with Emperor Yelü Longxu.

Xiao Xuan entrusted the entire negotiation to Long Xu, while she sat alone to the side, silently watching the two sides argue until the final settlement was reached. Only then did she stand up and say, "Guards, prepare a banquet."

Cao Li hurriedly said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager of Liao. The peace talks have concluded, and my lord is still awaiting news, so I will not delay any longer."

"Lord Cao, you're too kind," Xiao Xuan said with a smile. "It's rare to have Lord Kou here as well. Why don't you stay and chat with us?"

"Lord Kou?" Cao Liyong's face turned pale upon hearing this. He said, "I don't understand what the Empress Dowager means."

"Lord Kou, we're sorry to have troubled you," Xiao Xuan said to one of the officials who had come with Cao Liyong.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 112 Peace Talks

Updated: 2008-09-23 16:45:15 Word Count: 2559

Longxu and Han Derang were both taken aback upon hearing this.

"Lord Kou, could the Lord Kou that Mother Empress mentioned be Kou Zhun, the prime minister of the Song Dynasty?" All eyes turned to the composed official behind Cao Liyong.

Xiao Xuan smiled slightly and looked at the official, saying, "I know a man named Zhao Kuangyin, and I also know that he had a remarkable invention. After he seized power from Chai Rong, fearing his generals would whisper amongst themselves, he invented a special kind of official hat. Hehe, it's the swallow-wing hat that Lord Cao is wearing now. I didn't expect Lord Kou to come, but Lord Cao was only accompanied by his subordinates. Why was there someone among his entourage who, despite being very close to Lord Cao, naturally craned his neck to speak to him? I was very puzzled, but then I realized why—it's because of this swallow-wing hat..." Two long wings extended from its head, and if one spoke too closely, the other's official hat would bump into it. Those accustomed to wearing such hats naturally maintained a certain distance when speaking. Therefore, I conclude that you must have served in the same court as Lord Cao. When Lord Cao discussed matters with my son, he would glance at you sideways whenever a thorny issue arose. Lord Cao is a key figure in these peace talks; why would he be so afraid of you? Although I don't know much about the Song Dynasty, I do know of a man named Kou Zhun. It must be that you don't trust Lord Cao, fearing he'll agree to too many conditions from the Khitan, which is why you followed him all this way, my lord. Am I right?”

After Xiaoxuan finished speaking, the official smiled slightly and said, "The Empress Dowager of Khitan is indeed worthy of her reputation; she has excellent judgment."

"Lord Kou, do you know who gave me this pearl on my chest? The person who gave me this pearl is named Zhao Kuangyin."

The Song Dynasty officials were all shocked upon hearing this. Then Kou Zhun said, "Since the Empress Dowager had dealings with our late Emperor, why does she now intend to wage war against our Great Song?"

Xiao Xuan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "I happen to have an injury as well. The person who injured me is called Zhao Guangyi. I also know that this empire should not be ruled by Zhao Heng, but by his uncle's son."

Upon hearing this, Kou Zhun frowned and said, "As subjects, we only know how to serve the court."

With a slight smile, Xiao Xuan asked, "Lord Kou, do you know of the Luoxia Nunnery in Nanjing?"

"I know a little about it."

"When you return, could you please place five peach blossoms on the incense table at the Luoxia Nunnery for me?" Xiaoxuan asked.

Kou Zhun looked at Xiao Xuan, whose temples were now gray, nodded, and said, "It's a small matter. I'll remember it."

"Back then, I met Zhao Kuangyin at Luoxia Nunnery. He once told me that if fate allowed, he would invite me to visit Luoxia Nunnery again. Now, although the nunnery still stands, everything has changed. It's a pity, a lamentable situation. Those five peach blossoms represent me, Xiao Chuo, Zhao Kuangyin, Hua Rui, Yang Ye, and Yang Yanyu. Let's reunite and enjoy Luoxia Nunnery together again." Kou Zhun's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately asked, "Are the five people the Empress Dowager mentioned all her old acquaintances?"

“That’s only natural.” Xiao Xuan smiled at him and said, “I first met my elder brother and Hua Rui at Luoxia Nunnery. My elder brother gave me this precious pearl. Hua Rui gave me this gold hairpin. I will never forget that day. Yang Ye and Yang Yanyu, although I reunited with them on the battlefield where Song and Liao were fighting, we were old friends long ago when they were still Han officials.”

"I see." Kou Zhun lowered his gaze and murmured to himself, then looked at Xiao Xuan and pondered for a moment before saying, "Empress Dowager, may I speak with you in private?"

"The weather outside the tent is just right, and Xiao Chuo was also thinking of inviting Lord Kou to enjoy the scenery together. It's rare that Lord Kou also has this intention," Xiao Xuan replied. After speaking, she and Kou Zhun left the tent and walked slowly outside, while the others followed at a distance behind them.

"Upon hearing what the Empress Dowager said, Kou Zhun knew that the Empress Dowager must have some connection with our Great Song Dynasty. Kou Zhun dares to ask the Empress Dowager, for the sake of the late Emperor, to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to our Great Song Dynasty. Kou Zhun will be eternally grateful to you." Kou Zhun saw that Xiao Xuan had no ill intentions towards the Song envoys, and that the Empress Dowager had unusually refrained from interfering during the peace talks. Now, seeing her bring up the past, she seemed to be a very sentimental person, which is why he made this earnest request.

Xiao Xuan smiled at Kou Zhun, "You truly are a loyal minister, every word you speak is for the Song Dynasty, rare indeed! But Lord Kou, have you considered my feelings? If I grant your request, how can I face returning to Liao? I'm an old man, and my child is the Emperor of Liao. My death wouldn't matter, but my son would be utterly vilified by the people of Liao. I understand your intentions for the Song, but I am a mother, and I must also consider my son's well-being. Furthermore, if the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were obtained through my own efforts, given my extensive connections with you Song Dynasty officials..." Naturally, it will be returned to you. But from the moment I opened my eyes, that land already bore the name of the Liao Dynasty. If I return it to the Song Dynasty, you will be happy, but I will be despised by the Khitan people. Therefore, that land is not up to me. However, Lord Kou, you don't need to be too anxious. Think about it calmly. The land changes with each dynasty. Today it belongs to him, but tomorrow it may belong to someone else. Thousands of years from now, who will know what country will be built on this land, or who will live there? Perhaps it will already be one family, with no distinction between you and me.

Upon hearing this, Kou Zhun sighed deeply, realizing that Empress Dowager Xiao would not return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Song Dynasty. However, he was unaware that Xiao Xuan also had her own reasons for her predicament.

I am not a Khitan, so what right do I have to make decisions for the Khitan people? History will proceed as it will. I am not a god, nor a hero, capable of creating miracles or doing anything earth-shattering. I am just an ordinary person. My original intention in coming here was simply to force Zhao Heng to abdicate and return the throne to the descendants of Zhao Kuangyin. Now, standing on this land, I suddenly feel incredibly foolish and naive. Just as I cannot be the master of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, what right do I have to make decisions for the Song Dynasty? I am merely a superfluous speck of dust in this dynasty, a misplaced trajectory in time and space.

With the peace talks concluded, the Liao troops besieging Chanzhou withdrew one after another, leaving Song territory and embarking on their journey back to Liao. Their faces beamed with joy, for according to the agreement, there would be no more war with Song. A prosperous and peaceful life for the people might no longer be a dream.

Looking back at the receding Chanzhou, Xiao Xuan thought to herself: "Lord Kou, I know you are a loyal and virtuous minister of the Song Dynasty. You have worked tirelessly for the Song Dynasty, and I admire you greatly. Although I cannot fulfill your wishes, it is truly my blessing to meet you in this chaotic world. I wish you a long and healthy life."

Two months later, one morning, a man in his forties appeared at the secluded and old Luoxia Nunnery, holding five peach blossoms in his hand. The nunnery was long since devoid of incense, dust piled up on the tables, and cobwebs were densely woven in the four corners of the room.

Kou Zhun glanced around the dust-covered hall, placed the five peach blossoms he was holding on the Buddhist altar, and said softly, "I have done what you asked me to do. These are the earliest peach blossoms to bloom in the capital city of Dongjing. I also hope that your Liao Kingdom will abide by the treaty and never invade my borders again."

Those who survive in this world are not only those of us who stand beside kings, but also countless others who till the land with hoes, and those who carry children as they search for a way to live. For the sake of those people, let us all reserve a little space in our hearts, so that more people may enjoy a period of prosperity in this world, and lessen the sorrow of war.