History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 509 Shi Jingtang's Struggle 4
Jia Wei, the attendant, presented a book he had compiled called "Supplementary Records of the Tang Dynasty" (also known as "Supplementary Records of the Tang Dynasty"), which consisted of 65 volumes. It was a collection of unofficial historical materials he had collected from the public, covering the period from Emperor Wuzong of Tang to Emperor Ai of Tang. Shi Jingtang greatly appreciated it, gave it a generous reward, and handed it over to the History Museum for compilation.

With the strong support of Shi Jingtang and the solidarity and cooperation of Zhao Ying, Zhang Zhaoyuan, Lü Qi and others, the Later Jin regime took advantage of the national system and finally published a "History of the Tang Dynasty" after more than four years. Because Ouyang Xiu took the lead in revising the history of the Tang Dynasty in the Song Dynasty, in order to distinguish them, the book written in the Later Jin Dynasty was called "Old Book of Tang" and the book written in the Northern Song Dynasty was called "New Book of Tang". Both history books are listed in the "Twenty-Four Histories".

It is also worth mentioning that the author of the Old Book of Tang is Liu Xu, but the authors who actually contributed the most are Zhang Zhaoyuan, Zhao Ying, Lu Qi, and Zhao Xi.

Compiled the history of the Tang Dynasty, "narrated the annals to outline the emperor's career, and listed the biographies to describe the meritorious officials." It emphasized that our Great Jin was the orthodox of China and maintained the moral principles and ethics of China.

2. “Kneeling” diplomacy

Shi Jingtang ascended the throne with the help of Khitan forces. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he signed the "Three Articles of Selling the Country", which was a loss of sovereignty and humiliation to the country, ceding land and paying compensation, and recognizing the enemy as his father. From that moment on, Shi Jingtang could never stand up again. Although he was the emperor in China and looked like a respected person, in the eyes of the Celestial Empire - Khitan, he was just a watchdog, helping Khitan to watch over the Central Plains. This is the so-called "human-like dog", the face of a traitor.

The Later Jin Dynasty and Khitan agreed to be father-son countries, and Shi Jingtang's status as a "kneeling tribe" was established in the form of law. There is no doubt that the diplomacy of the Later Jin Dynasty during Shi Jingtang's period, especially the diplomacy with Khitan, was extremely humiliating.

1. Khitan Dad

1.1 Hello, murderer

As soon as Shi Jingtang entered Luoyang, Yelu Deguang issued an edict: to build a Jingguan on the Fen River with the bodies of the fallen soldiers of the Later Tang Dynasty.

Almost at the same time, Shi Jingtang also issued an order, ordering Sang Weihan to write an article praising Yelu Deguang.

1.2 Your uncle is still your uncle
Before Li Congke self-immolated, he sent people to kill Yelü Bei, and an old monk collected his body and hastily buried it. After Shi Jingtang entered Luoyang, he issued an edict to posthumously confer the title of "King of Yan" on this uncle who was seven or eight years younger than himself, and sent people to take out the body and properly transport it back to his hometown in Khitan for reburial.

The dead must be sent back, and the living must be sent back even more. The Khitan captives who were previously detained by the Later Tang Dynasty, even the high-ranking captives that Mingzong Li Siyuan did not hesitate to "behead without reporting", were all sent back to their country by Shi Jingtang.

1.3 There are always a few days every month
Shi Jingtang was extremely respectful to his Khitan father. In addition to sending envoys to make tributes during the New Year and other festivals, he also frequently visited and sent off the Khitan father on ordinary days.

In the official records of the Later Jin Dynasty, this matter was not exaggerated, and neutral terms such as "Khitan sent envoys to propose marriage" were often used to create an atmosphere of good neighborliness and friendship.

When we look through the "History of Liao", we will find that the envoys of the Later Jin Dynasty were almost endless. There were always a few days every month when they would send people to deliver gifts and greet.

For example, if we set the timeline to September of the fourth year of Tianfu (939), the "Old History of the Five Dynasties·Book of Jin·Chronicle of Emperor Gaozu" records it as follows: "The Khitan envoy Nemoku came to propose marriage and brought cattle, horses and other items." As to why the Khitan sent a batch of livestock, no answer was given, giving people the illusion that the Khitan people were very friendly to the Later Jin Dynasty.

What was the actual situation? The "History of Liao Dynasty: Chronicle of Emperor Taizong" gives the answer. The reason is that in the first month of this year, the Later Jin Dynasty sent envoys twice within a month. The first envoy was sent to "pay tribute of precious coins", and the second envoy was sent to express gratitude to the Khitan for reducing some taxes. In July, "the Jin Dynasty sent envoys to present rhinoceros belts."

After presenting the rhinoceros belt, the Khitan "sent Delie to present the Jin Dynasty with Ugur horses". While sending the horses, they also put forward a condition that the Later Jin Dynasty could not accept (which was also the main purpose of this visit).

This is why the "Annals of Emperor Gaozu" recorded "giving cattle, horses and other things". After receiving these animals, the "History of Liao" also recorded "Jin sent envoys to pay tribute every year". The Later Jin cut out the beginning and the end, took the words out of context, and did not mention that they had given gifts to others three times; but when others could not save face and returned the gift once, it was written in great detail.

Moreover, the official report of the Later Jin used the word "pin", which means visit, which is relatively neutral and vague. The official report of the Khitan was not so protective of the Later Jin, and used "tribute" and "gift".

Let’s take another example, October of the fifth year of Tianfu (940).

"Old History of the Five Dynasties·Book of Jin·Annals of Emperor Gaozu": "In the tenth month of winter...the Khitan envoy Shili came to propose marriage and presented a hundred horses, jade saddles, fox furs, etc."

"History of Liao Dynasty: Chronicle of Emperor Taizong":
"In the first month, an envoy was sent to accompany Apo to the birthday ceremony;
In March, he sent an envoy to Jin to report his good fortune in Nanjing... Jin sent an envoy to pay homage to him.

In April, envoys were sent to Jin. Jin sent Xuanhui Envoy Yang Duan, Wang Tiao and others to inquire about his daily life; Jin sent envoys to offer tea and medicine; Jin sent envoys to congratulate the Dragon Boat Festival;

In the fifth month, Jin sent envoys to present bows and arrows;

In June, Jin sent an envoy to meet him;

In July, Jin sent an envoy to request the Southern Suburbs Ceremony.
In September, Jin sent envoys to offer famous horses as tribute.
In October, Jin sent an envoy to Gongbu. "

契丹人在1月、3月、4月以及5月访问了一下后晋，而后晋则一共来了9次。其中仅4月份就来了三趟。

Moreover, the Khitans' visit in January was to celebrate Shi Jingtang's birthday, and in March it was because Yelu Deguang was going to visit Nanjing (Youzhou), and they came to inform Shi Jingtang to appease him, "Dad is not going south, don't be afraid." After receiving the news that Yelu Deguang was coming to Youzhou to guide the work, the Later Jin Dynasty quickly sent envoys to Youzhou to meet with him.

In April, Yelu Deguang left Youzhou and returned to Beijing, so he sent an envoy to inform the Later Jin Dynasty. The Later Jin Dynasty also quickly sent people to the Khitan capital to inquire about their daily life.

In other words, the only real visit of Khitan to the Later Jin was in May, when a delegation led by Prince Yelu Tiande paid a friendly visit to the Later Jin.

For example, in the second year of Tianfu (937), the "Old Five Dynasties History·Book of Jin·Annals of Emperor Gaozu" happily recorded that "In June... the Khitan envoy Ilexiba came to propose marriage and brought horses, ginseng, sable skins, running horses, wooden bowls and other items."

Why did the Khitan send these things? Shi Jingtang did not say.

The Khitans helped him say in "History of Liao Dynasty: Chronicle of Emperor Taizong": "In February, Langjun La Ge and Wenbanli, who were captured by the Jin envoys to the Tang Dynasty, returned to the court." These were the high-ranking captives whom the Khitans repeatedly begged the Later Tang Dynasty to release but were repeatedly refused by Li Siyuan.

The Later Jin dynasty paid a favor to the Khitan in February, and sent envoys to pay tribute in March. The Khitan then sent envoys to pay tribute in return, and then Shi Jingtang sent envoys to pay tribute again. In June, the Later Jin dynasty sent envoys again to ask for mercy and return the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. In return, the Later Jin dynasty was willing to double the annual tribute.

Thanks to my old friend "书友20180121110920727" for his monthly ticket support. I will add another chapter today to show my gratitude. Happy holidays!
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