Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 892 Empress Xiao of Liao

Liao army camp.

The camp of the 100,000-strong army was filled with white dome tents. The totem patterns had distinct nomadic characteristics, highlighting the majesty and ancient traditions of the Liao Kingdom.

In the central army tent, there was a woman who was only twenty years old. She was dressed in military uniform, had a graceful figure, a beautiful face, and was very delicate. She was the Queen Xiao Chuo of the Liao Dynasty.

After reviewing the memorials, she picked up a martial arts novel - it was "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils". The book tells a fictional story about Xiao Feng, who is from the Liao Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty. The plot is full of ups and downs and fascinating.

"How come this Su Chen has written so many martial arts stories that are so interesting to read?" Xiao Chuo gently turned the pages, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and admiration. "And the book 'The Legend of the White Snake' is even more mind-blowing. The love between a human and a snake is so fascinating."

Xiao Chuo was full of yearning for the Central Plains, and it was all because of these novels that she wanted to meet the man of both literary and martial talents - Jiangzuo Su Lang. She was full of respect and curiosity for Su Chen's talent and legendary experience.

At this time, the guards outside the door reported: "Ministers Han Derang and Yelu Xiu'ge want to see you."

Xiao Chuo's expression changed slightly. These two were the ministers she relied on the most. She nodded and signaled the guards to let them in.

Then, two men walked into the big tent. One was a middle-aged man with a square face and a steady look. His Chinese name was Han Derang, and he also had a Khitan name, Yelu Longyun. He was the Khitan governor of Nanjing.

The other was a young and valiant general with bright eyes and heroic spirit. He was a member of the Khitan royal family and had just been promoted to the position of Datiyinsi, in charge of the political and religious affairs of the Khitan royal family and mediating internal disputes. Now that the new emperor had ascended the throne and entrusted him with an important position, he was determined to serve the new emperor wholeheartedly. This person was Yelu Xiu'ge.

"Greetings, Queen." The two of them saluted in unison, respect evident in their voices.

Xiao Chuo smiled slightly and said, "You two nobles have come together. Is there something important?"

Han Derang said, "Reporting to the Queen, the peace envoys from the Song Dynasty have arrived. They intend to negotiate peace with our Liao Kingdom and cede territory and pay compensation, as long as we can stop attacking the Song Dynasty."

Xiao Chuo raised her eyebrows slightly, with a hint of amusement in her tone: "Oh, is there such a thing? It seems that the Song Dynasty can no longer bear it."

"The Song Dynasty is losing ground against the Wu army. Now our Khitan cavalry is heading south. The Song Dynasty is no longer able to resist. It is only a matter of time before we seek peace!" There was a hint of certainty in Han Derang's voice.

"Bring the messenger in." Xiao Chuo nodded slightly, with a sharp look in her eyes.

"Yes!" Han Derang turned around and told the guards to notify.

Soon, Yang Ximin, the peace envoy of the Song Dynasty, walked into the tent. He was Zhao Pu's trusted aide, and this time Zhao Pu arranged a mission to come to the Liao army camp to negotiate peace.

After Yang Ximin came in, he saw Empress Dowager Xiao sitting in the main seat and was shocked. This woman was young, but she was the queen of a country, holding great power in the Liao Kingdom and having a great reputation.

"Envoy Yang Ximin from the Song Dynasty greets Empress Xiao." Yang Ximin saluted, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Empress Xiao glanced at him, her smile as warm as the spring sun, and asked, "Empress Xiao, what brings you to my Khitan camp? " "To Empress Xiao, I'm here to ask for peace and ask the Liao army to withdraw! The Song and Liao countries can reconcile again and turn hostility into friendship!" There was a hint of pleading in Yang Ximin's voice.

Empress Xiao smiled and said, "At present, the Liao army of 150,000 has already taken the three northern states of the Song Dynasty. We can march straight to the outskirts of Bianjing, unite with the Wu army, destroy the Song Dynasty, and divide half of the country. Why should we negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty?"

After hearing this, Yang Ximin was horrified. If the Liao Dynasty really joined forces with the Wu army, then the Song Dynasty would be close to destruction.

No, we must not let the Liao Dynasty and Wu Kingdom join forces, Yang Ximin thought to himself. This time, he was instructed by the Prime Minister to negotiate a peace mission, otherwise, the Song Dynasty would be in real danger.

Yang Ximin bowed and said, "Empress Xiao, the Song army still has more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in the north, and there are also strong passes blocking the way. It is not easy for the Liao army to move south smoothly. It is unwise to let the Wu army reap the benefits rather than both sides suffer losses. After all, the Wu army is ambitious and wants to unify the world. Even if the Song Dynasty is destroyed, the next target of the Wu army will be the Liao Kingdom. They want to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun and enter the grassland. Don't think that I am exaggerating. The Wu army has advanced firearms that can restrain the Liao army's cavalry, and Su Chen is a master of military tactics. You may not have any chance of winning against him. Therefore, it is the right thing for Liao and Song to cooperate and fight against the Wu army together!"

Han Derang and Yelu Xiu'ge looked at each other and felt that what this person said made sense. If the Wu army really became stronger and stronger, and the Song Dynasty was destroyed in the future, it would also be a threat to the Liao Kingdom.

However, that is a later story. After all, the Liao Kingdom was far away from the Central Plains. Even if the Wu army was strong, it might not invade the grassland. Because the Central Plains were all agricultural civilizations and were not adapted to grassland life, the Han people rarely entered the grassland to build cities and live and farm.

Empress Xiao pondered for a while and said, "What peace terms can the Song Dynasty offer?"

Yang Ximin heard Empress Xiao's tone and thought there might be something interesting going on, so he said, "We can cede land and pay compensation, and give the three states we occupy to the Liao Kingdom. Moreover, Song and Liao will become brotherly states, and the Song Dynasty can pay 50,000 taels of silver to the Liao Kingdom as tribute every year, as well as tea, silk, porcelain and other items. We can also provide some to the Liao Kingdom."

He paused and continued, "Such conditions are real benefits for the Liao Kingdom. Moreover, an alliance with the Song Dynasty can contain the Wu army and make the Liao Kingdom's power in the Central Plains more stable."

Han Derang nodded slightly, his eyes deep. He felt that Yang Ximin's words were worth considering.

Yelu Xiu'ge pondered for a moment, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.

After listening to Yang Ximin's statement, Empress Xiao shook her head slightly, with a hint of displeasure in her tone: "Give me five states of the Liao Dynasty and double the tribute, and I can consider ceasefire and peace talks." Her voice was calm and firm, and she was obviously not satisfied with the conditions proposed by Yang Ximin.

"What, five states?" Yang Ximin was a little surprised. He didn't expect Empress Xiao to have such a big appetite. He thought to himself that these five states were not a small number for the Song Dynasty, and the tribute doubled, which undoubtedly increased the burden on the Song Dynasty.

Empress Xiao smiled slightly and nodded, saying: "Yes, as long as we continue to attack, not to mention five states, even ten states will be a piece of cake. By then, the conditions for peace talks will be greater, and you, the Song Dynasty, will suffer greater losses." Her words revealed a calm attitude, as if she had already made up her mind.

"This..." Yang Ximin hesitated. He knew that he could not make a decision on such an important matter because it would require ceding too much territory in exchange for peace, and he might be criticized when he returned.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I cannot make the decision, but you can write down the conditions proposed by the Queen and send them to the capital to be decided by the Prime Minister and the Emperor. How about waiting for a few days?" There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, but this was the only solution he could think of.

Empress Xiao nodded slightly and said, "Okay, but my Great Liao has limited patience. I'll give you ten days to wait for a reply!" There was a sharp flash in her eyes, and it was obvious that she didn't want to delay too long.

Empress Xiao was originally organizing the army and transporting local supplies, food, and people to the northern grasslands, so she was not in a hurry to continue the war. She brought the troops here for practical reasons, not for the real purpose of destroying the Song Dynasty.