You have truly caused me great suffering!

In the seventh year of Jianwu, on the Lantern Festival.

At his temporary palace in Lingzhou, Chen Shao received envoys from various foreign countries and was homed upon by officials.

Because it was in Lingzhou, many nobles of the fallen kingdoms who had been wiped out and settled in Lingwu also came.

Back then, Li Jiqian established the prototype of Western Xia here, developing it into an independent force. He probably never dreamed that Lingzhou would have such a glorious day.

The snow in front of the palace square had been cleared away, and the Lingwu Army stood on both sides of the road, holding large spears and wearing brocade armor.

Although they are called the Lingwu Army, they have little to do with the previous Lingwu Army recruited here.

The Lingwu Army soldiers truly recruited from Lingwu have already gone to various battlefields to make their mark.

Many of them were granted titles and generalships, the most notable being Wu Lin, the commander of the Lingwu Army.

The envoys from various countries lined up obediently and stood in the positions arranged by the Ministry of Rites.

Today, people do not feel humiliated when they come to the Great Jing for pilgrimage. On the contrary, many small countries feel particularly at ease because the place provides them with order.

West of the Western Regions, along the Silk Road, many of the remnants of the Liao dynasty who had been wiped out hid in the northwest.
Chen Shao sat on a gilded chair on the steps of the palace, wearing an ochre-yellow dragon robe. Although he found it troublesome to wear a crown, his other attire was quite formal.

A low table was placed in front of him, on which were lists of tributes from various countries. Chen Shao flipped through them with great interest.

The most ridiculous one is Goryeo. They seem to have developed a path dependency, offering Goryeo girls as tribute every year in addition to ginseng and paper.

In their view, the royal family of the Central Plains, though they didn't say it, certainly wanted it.

If you just keep sending them, they will take extra care of you.

Both Yu Yingbi of Xijing and Kim Bu-sik of Gaegyeong were like this.

As for the king, Wang Kai, he was still traveling in Jinling. It is said that he had become good friends with Duke Hunde and admired Duke Hunde to the point of worship, and invited him to banquets every day.

Logically speaking, for a foreign ruler to have such close ties with the former emperor is a path to certain death.

Wang Yin also emphasized this point several times. As the official in the entire Great Jing Dynasty who most despised the foolish Duke Zhao Ji, Wang Yin's remarks were somewhat influenced by personal feelings.

After all, they suffered greatly from Emperor Huizong's "Flower and Stone Tribute" back then.

But Chen Shao ignored him. It wasn't that he didn't want to cause trouble for Zhao Ji; rather, he needed Zhao Ji.

He was very successful in the workshop, and several projects couldn't be completed without him.

Without him, the repair and design of the palace, and the layout of the gardens, would have been greatly compromised.

Xu Jin, who was accompanying the group, took on the role of Zhang Xiaochun from the Ministry of Rites, announcing, "Summon the envoys from various countries to come forward and receive the imperial decree—"

The crowd had various expressions as they followed the guards into the hall and knelt down in order.

The leader was still Yeom Kang-yong, an envoy sent by Kim Bu-sik of Goryeo, whose enemy was Lee Ji-eon from Seogyeong.

The fact that Xiao Wulila, the Right Chancellor dispatched by the Western Liao, was able to come in person this time demonstrates the Western Liao's desire to avoid war.

But behind him, in order, were: the Seljuk Empire, the Khwarazmian Empire, the Khotan Empire, and the Black Han Dynasty.
They were all victims of the Western Liao Dynasty, the remnants of the dynasty that had been destroyed by them.

As for Tsukushi, Ise, Iwami, Yamazen, Nakazan, and Sango, these regions, though seemingly vassal states, were actually under the control of Ōkage.

Chen Shao waved his hand slightly, and Chen Chong immediately shouted at the top of his lungs to rise.

"You are all guests, and I am the host. Today is the Lantern Festival, let us not discuss weapons, but only reason."

Chen Shao's gaze swept over the crowd.

There is a lot of hatred between them, but they all hope that Chen Shao can help them.

Either don't fight them, or help them deal with their opponents.

"Since I ascended the throne, seven years have passed. I have pacified the Western Xia, restored the Yan and Yun regions, destroyed the Jin invaders, settled the Western Regions, and pacified the Eastern Sea. Now, the Great Jing's territory extends from the easternmost point to the sea, to the Pamir Mountains in the west, to the northernmost point to the Gobi Desert, and to the southernmost point to the Bohai Sea."

He paused, his gaze falling on Xiao Wulila, who was standing at the very front.

"Prime Minister Xiao, you come from the Western Liao. I remember Yelü Dashi; he was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the Liao Kingdom and also served as a Linya (a military officer). He led the remnants of his army westward for thousands of miles, established a kingdom, and I have always held him in high regard."

"During the Xuanhe era, I served as the military governor of Dingnan Army of the Great Song Dynasty. At that time, Commander Tong Guan led troops to attack Liao. He was defeated by Xi King Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi. Later, the Jurchens moved south, and your lord Yelü Dashi was no match for them. He first surrendered and then rebelled, fleeing away."

"Now that I have avenged you and destroyed the Jin dynasty, why should you continue to live in exile? Why not return to the burial ground of our Khitan ancestors, where you will still retain your title of king?"

Sweat beaded on Xiao Wulila's forehead. The Great Jing Dynasty was also a Central Plains dynasty, so why were they acting differently from the Central Plains rules?

Even if you want to fight, you should find a reason and directly ask for the land.

“My lord Yelü Dashi has always been respectful to Your Majesty, why is he so demanding?”

"How dare you!" Han Shizhong was the first to shout. "Have you not heard that all land under heaven belongs to the emperor?"

Chen Shao waved his hand to signal him to stop threatening, and continued in a gentle tone: "I do not deceive people. In the Western Liao region, there are many grasslands but little fertile land, and the people are mostly Uyghurs, Karluks, and Naimans. It is a skill for Yelü Dashi to be able to control them; if he cannot, they will become a source of chaos."

"With the Khitan's current size, it is not enough to control such a land and population, and trouble will inevitably arise sooner or later."

He leaned slightly forward, his voice not loud, but it carried very clearly.

"I have been quite frank today, and I hope you will listen carefully. You cannot win in a fight. Surrender to me as soon as possible, and I will not treat you unfairly."

"Is Your Majesty determined to bully the weak?" Xiao Wulila shouted.

These remarks made the people of the Seljuk and Khwarazmian countries behind him laugh.

Having lived in the Northwest for so many years, they could speak Mandarin and immediately began to hurl insults at each other.

These guys are really deserving of criticism. They were just peacefully staying in their own country when suddenly Yelü Dashi showed up.

Once they arrive, they will kill people everywhere to establish their authority and seize cities and territories.

How dare you use the phrase "bullying the weak"?

Chen Shao remained silent, watching them surround Xiao Wulila and hurl insults at him.

Seeing that things were about right, Chen Shao said, "If we're talking about bullying the weak, when the Khitans first rose to power, they occupied only a thousand acres of land, living in harmony with the changing seasons and following the water and grass for their livestock. Later, when Emperor Taizong of Tang came to power and the Central Plains became strong, the Khitan leader Kuge led his people to submit to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty established the Songmo Prefecture and bestowed upon them the surname Li."

"When Empress Wu brought disaster to the country and the Central Plains were in turmoil, Li Jinzhong, the leader of the Khitan, disregarded the grace of being granted a surname and the duty between ruler and subject, raised an army to rebel against the Tang Dynasty, proclaimed himself the Supreme Khan, and caused the Yingzhou Rebellion."

"During the Five Dynasties period, taking advantage of the Central Plains' vulnerability, Yelü Deguang attacked Kaifeng and destroyed Jin. He allowed the Khitan cavalry to plunder Zheng, Hua, Cao, Pu and other prefectures within hundreds of miles of Kaifeng and Luoyang. Our Han people, able-bodied men died on the blade, the old and weak were left to die in ditches, and wealth and livestock were almost completely lost. The most prosperous region of the Central Plains was almost turned into a wasteland."

"Just a few years ago, during the Jingkang era of the Song Dynasty, it still hadn't recovered."

"In Hebei, in Dingzhou, Taizhou, Yizhou and other places, the Khitan army killed people on their way south and back north, leaving corpses strewn everywhere and rivers of blood. In Xiangzhou alone, more than 100,000 people were killed, resulting in the near destruction of people and property over a thousand miles."

When they heard Chen Shao bringing up old grievances, the Khitans all turned ashen-faced, because there was no way to deny it.

When you Khitans were powerful, you spent your days raiding and occupying the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun.

Just because the Great Jing is powerful doesn't mean it can't fight you guys.

Chen Shao did not mention the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun because they were ceded by Shi Jingtang voluntarily, which was not in a good position.

This, on the contrary, gives them a reason to refute.

Let's just talk about things from the past.

The balance of power has shifted, and the tide of attack and defense has turned. I'm giving you a chance to surrender. If you don't know what's good for you, then don't blame me for settling all scores, old and new. Xiao Wuli remained silent. The envoys from the small countries around him were still chattering, but he wouldn't listen to a word they said.

He didn't care about the thoughts of these small countries, just as he didn't care about the thoughts of the Great Jing.

The logic of "Destroying you is none of your business" was all too familiar to the Khitan, who came from a nomadic steppe empire where the strong preyed on the weak.

Chen Shao's directness today is actually quite considerate; if he had tried to find some reasons behind the scenes, he could have easily come up with them.

There has never been a time when a reason for war could not be found.

Chen Shao's words greatly excited all the officials of the Great Jing Dynasty present.

Everyone has long wanted to make money again. No, I mean to expand their territory and achieve great things.

Today is the Lantern Festival of the seventh year of Jianwu. On this day, the emperor directly demanded that the Liao Kingdom surrender.

Then war is a foregone conclusion.

It was a major war aimed at the complete conquest of the Liao Kingdom.

Xiao Wuli was so agitated by the noise in the palace and the insults from the envoys of the small country that he felt dizzy.

He even thought at one point that we should just fight!
However, the thought of the gap between the two countries made him feel apprehensive.

The current rulers of the new Liao Dynasty are all former fugitives who fled from the Jin Dynasty and are terrified of the Jurchens' fighting power.

So what kind of opponent will I be facing?

They personally destroyed the Jurchens.

Chen Shao was a kind-hearted man after all. He waved his hand to quiet everyone down, and then said earnestly, "Go back and tell Yelü Dashi that I welcome him to come at any time."

Chen Shao's words carried great weight because he always kept his word, and his words were taken seriously.

If Chen Shao had made a vow like Sima Yi did when he founded the country, then no matter how powerful he is now, his words would be considered nonsense.

No one will trust him.

This is the reward for his consistent insistence on having a legitimate reason for his actions; the stronger he becomes, the more substantial this reward becomes.

It is indeed possible to subdue a small kingdom simply by issuing a proclamation.

As for the Western Liao, Chen Shao still felt that a battle was necessary, as Yelü Dashi was not the kind of person to surrender.

Previously, he only had the ruined capital of Yanjing under his control, and he also had to find ways to deal with the Jurchens.

He now holds a very strong hand; one could even say that the Western Liao is the second strongest nation in the world after the Great Jing.

It's probably impossible to subdue them without a fight.

If he really chooses to submit, Chen Shao will treat him very well, because it can avoid too many casualties.

At this time, the small principalities in Europe and West Asia were unaware that their fates were already tied to this war.

When you were separated from Dajing by Xiliao, the Jing people came to do business.

Once you directly border the border, you will have to face Jing Jun's expansionist ambitions.

The Great Jing Dynasty is now waging wars with the support of civil officials, the anticipation of military generals, the active participation of the common people, and the generous contributions of gentry.
-
The emperor's entourage departed from Lingzhou and headed to the Ili River Valley.

This was an unplanned trip for Chen Shao.

Most of the imperial harem remained in Lingzhou, with only Chun Tao accompanying the concubines.

Because she is in excellent health.

Even after a long journey, Chen Shao didn't see her looking tired at all.

However, she still disliked traveling far, which did not prevent her from being the best-looking of all the imperial concubines.

Chen Shao took her along the way to cheer her up, and was also afraid that she would be even more depressed without him here.

As they were about to set off, Li Shishi made a point of bringing Chun Tao with her and giving her instructions on what to do on the journey.

This included serving Chen Shao Fangfeng pills every day, making hangover soup after he drank alcohol, and prohibiting excessive sexual activity, etc.

Chuntao always lets things go in one ear and out the other.

The reason I, Wu Chuntao, was chosen to accompany you is simply because I'm brainless and don't care about anything.

Whatever Brother Chen wants to do, I'll let him do it. Do you think I'll wear him out in the next few days?
The Ili River Valley is now a bridgehead for the great battle, where a group of heroes gathered.
Although Meng Nuan was nominally the deputy military commissioner and the supreme commander after Zhang Kejian's departure, he was no longer allowed to sit at the head table during meetings in Yili City.

This place is where almost all the high-ranking generals from the Yin and Xia factions, who were among the founding heroes of the campaign, gathered.

Jin Ling, Li Xiaozhong, Qu Duan.
The younger generation includes Yue Fei, Liu Qi, Wang De, and Yang Zaixing.
The strength of the force that led the western expedition has surpassed that of the force that destroyed the Jin dynasty.

The preparation, transportation, and stockpiling of supplies for the western expedition, as well as materials such as armor, weapons, and warhorses, were all more abundant than ever before.

This western expedition was determined to succeed.

From the rise of the Khitan during the Five Dynasties period to the destruction of the Liao by the Jurchens, it was time for the Khitans to settle their blood debts against the Central Plains.

Although this was not the reason for most people's westward expeditions, the historical records will certainly mention this reason.

When future generations read this passage, they will feel incredibly relieved.

Throughout history, there have been too many blood debts that have not been repaid, and too many regrets that will never have a chance to be made up for.

In February, while Chen Shao was on his way, Yelü Dashi sent envoys again to express his desire for peace, wanting to cede territory and pay tribute in exchange for peace.

Chen Shao refused.

When the emperor arrived near Yili, Yelü Dashi had already begun to amass a large army, intending to personally lead the campaign and resist the attack of the Great Jing.

Chen Shao was furious. Seeing that he still refused to surrender, he became even harsher in his words.

Emperor Dajing's proclamation against the Khitan of the Western Liao was circulated among the Khitans and also published in the Dajing Gazette.

It is said that the distinction between the civilized and the barbarian is a universal principle, both ancient and modern; revenge and wiping away shame are the inherent desires of a true ruler.

Since the turmoil of the late Tang Dynasty, the treacherous Shi Jin dynasty seized Youzhou and Jizhou to bribe the Khitan, thus initiating the chaos and turmoil caused by the Khitan.

Those Yelü clans, taking advantage of the many hardships in the Central Plains, indulged in the greed and brutality of jackals and wolves. Wherever their iron cavalry passed, the land was scorched for thousands of miles; when they marched through the fields, human habitation was cut off. The able-bodied men died in the wilderness, while the old and weak were left to rot in ditches.

In Hebei, no village crows at all; in Henan, only the wailing of new ghosts echoes. A century of poisonous influence, a sin that reaches to the heavens!
Although Yelü Deguang fled north, his fierce flames did not die out, and his remaining spirit reignited.

Yelü Dashi abandoned the ancestral temple and fled west, occupying the Western Regions and claiming self-importance. He usurped the authority of Han officials and practiced the tyranny of the Quanrong. He pretended to reside in the Pamir Mountains and usurped the title of Western Liao. In reality, he was a rat scurrying through a burrow, a fox hiding in its hole. How dare he contend with the sun and moon for glory?

I have received the Mandate of Heaven to rule over the Central Plains. I have pacified the eastern coastal regions, subdued Jiaozhou and Guangzhou in the south, recovered the Hehuang region in the west, and driven out the yurts in the north.

Now that the world is unified, only that remnant enemy remains. Therefore, I command my commander to organize the six armies, march out of Yili, and strike at the Pamir Mountains.

Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; within the borders, all people are his subjects. All officials, soldiers, and civilians within the territory of Western Liao are my children. Their plight at falling into the hands of the rebels is indeed pitiful. If they can assess the situation and defect to the king, I will generously reward them, granting them wealth and honor for generations to come, sharing the fate of the nation.

If you remain stubbornly ignorant and try to stop the chariot with your bare hands, then when the heavenly army arrives, everything will be destroyed. Do not say that you were not warned!

[The decree has been issued and is hereby commanded!] (End of Chapter)