The emperor died, the queen married a minister, and ordered his wife to be killed. The Minister complied.
In 982 AD, the Liao Emperor Jingzong Yeluxian unfortunately died of wind and cold at the age of 35, while Empress Xiao, a young widow who was only 29 years old, made an unexpected decision.
She decided to marry a minister, and it was not long after Liao Jingzong's death. She said to the minister in a commanding and threatening tone: "I will marry you, and you will treat my son as if he were your son, but you will go home and kill your wife at once." ”
The minister was very surprised to hear this, but he did not dare to refute it. After a moment's thought, he replied in a loud voice, "Minister, obey the order." "So, who is this minister?
Why did Empress Xiao marry this person? Let's unravel the mystery.
Xiao Yanyan, born in 953 A.D., nicknamed Yanyan, is the third in the family and has two older sisters. His father, Xiao Siwen, was a thoughtful and far-sighted petty official, and although he had no sons, he was full of expectations for his three daughters, and he was raised according to the standards of the queen from an early age.
He not only invited teachers to teach them poetry and songs, and female red weaving, but also personally taught them to lead the troops and set up the formation. Therefore, they not only have the feminine femininity, but also have the mind and spirit of a man, the most outstanding of which is the third daughter Xiao Yanyan.
Siu Siwen once put her three daughters to a special test, asking them to clean different rooms. The eldest daughter and the second daughter were perfunctory and lacked care. However, the third daughter, Xiao Yanyan, has a serious attitude, rigorous and meticulous, and does not let go of even the most inconspicuous corners.
As the saying goes: "If you don't sweep a house, how can you sweep the world?" Xiao Siwen, who was observing from the sidelines, saw Xiao Yanyan's excellent performance, and his heart was full of joy, and he remembered her performance in his heart.
After that, Xiao Siwen took special care of Xiao Yanyan and tried her best to impart knowledge. Watching her daughters grow up day by day, Xiao Siwen was not in a hurry or impatient, and quietly waited for the time to come.
Back then, the emperor of Liao, Mu Zong, Yelu Jing, had a fiery personality and killed people with a knife at every turn. The people around me live a life of fear every day, and they may die at any time.
Xiao Siwen saw this scene and deeply felt that he would die sooner or later. However, no one expected that this day would come so quickly. In 969 AD, Xiao Siwen accompanied Liao Muzong to hunt.
One day, Liao Muzong suddenly wanted to have a drink, but because the chefs had already rested and the ingredients were too late to prepare, the dishes were served a little slower than usual. Liao Mu Zong was furious and ordered the three cooks to be executed.
The surrounding guards had long been unbearable for his behavior, and taking advantage of the opportunity of getting drunk, they attacked him in groups, took revenge, and finally assassinated Liao Muzong.
Xiao Siwen showed surprising calmness after learning the news of Liao Muzong's death. He immediately ordered his subordinates to take a breath, and quickly contacted Liao Muzong's nephew, Yeluxian.
In fact, Siu Siwen and Yeluxian had already established a close connection before. Xiao Siwen was very optimistic about Ye Luxian, and often said to him: "As long as there is a chance, I will definitely help you ascend to the throne." ”
Ye Luxian also trusts Xiao Siwen very much, and usually consults with him about big and small affairs. Liao Muzong's death was a great opportunity for them, and they couldn't afford to miss it.
Due to Xiao Siwen's ventilating report, when the other clansmen did not know the news, Ye Luxian was the first to rush to the scene of the death. With the help of Xiao Siwen, Yeluxian successfully ascended the throne and became Liaojingzong.
After ascending the throne, Yeluxian naturally could not forget Xiao Siwen's help, he not only made Xiao Siwen the prime minister, but also proposed to marry Xiao Siwen's daughter.
Xiao Yanyan was elected to the palace and became the emperor's concubine. Although she was only a concubine when she first entered the palace, her gentleness and knowledge won Yeluxian's deep trust and love.
Just two months later, she was canonized as empress and commanded the harem. She lived up to expectations and gave birth to three sons for Yeluxian, but unfortunately one of them died shortly after birth.
Although Yeluxian was lucky to become emperor, his physical condition was not ideal, he often had headaches and leg pains, and was unable to handle court politics. So, he often asked Queen Xiao Yanyan to deal with problems instead of him.
Although she is a woman, Xiao Yanyan has received a strict education from her father, has a broad vision and profound knowledge, and is comfortable in handling government and politics, without fear of difficulties.
Yeluxian was full of praise for Empress Xiao Yanyan's talent and wisdom, and he even sent an edict to his ministers, encouraging them to seek advice from the empress. Further, Yeluxian allowed the empress to call herself "I" in front of the empress.
This decision made Xiao Yanyan almost have the power of the ** emperor. In September 982, Empress Xiao Yanyan accompanied Liao Jingzong out hunting. However, the temperature in the autumn in the north plummeted, and Jingzong contracted the wind cold, and his physical condition was not very good, so he fell ill.
A few days later, Jingzong died at the age of 35. On his deathbed, he passed the throne to his son Yelu Longxu and pleaded with Empress Xiao Yanyan to fully assist her son.
Jingzong also arranged for two ministers, Yelu Xianzhen and Han Derang. At this time, Yelu Longxu was only 12 years old, and Xiao Yanyan was only 29 years old, but the responsibility of governing the Liao State had already fallen on their shoulders.
What happens next?
Liao Jingzong died, and Liao fell into a crisis of internal and external difficulties. Internally, other clans are eyeing each other, hoping to seize the throne; Externally, the Northern Song Dynasty continued to provoke, and the border wars continued.
Although when Liao Jingzong was alive, Empress Xiao Yanyan was able to use his power to handle government affairs, but now that he has passed away suddenly, Xiao Yanyan is facing great pressure and challenges.
She wept bitterly, feeling helpless and grieving for her early widowhood and her young son.
The hearts of the two ministers who witnessed all this were like knives, and what men were most afraid of was seeing women crying. Han Derang, one of them, immediately stepped forward to comfort the queen for mourning, people cannot be resurrected after death, and we still need to deal with national affairs.
Xiao Yanyan raised her head, looked at Han Derang, glanced at Yelu again, and asked softly: "In the face of internal and external difficulties, our mother and son are weak, and we can only rely on the two ministers who take care of their lives.
What should we do next? Han Derang replied: "First of all, we must ensure the safety of the crown prince, then we must weaken the power of the clan, seize their military power, and prevent them from taking advantage of it, and finally announce the crown prince's accession to the throne." ”
After hearing this, Xiao Yanyan nodded in agreement. At this time, Han Derang was her support.
Under Han Derang's careful planning, the news of Liao Jingzong's death was first blocked, and then all the people around Empress Xiao Yanyan and Crown Prince Yelu Longxu were replaced with trustworthy personnel, and Han Derang personally guarded them.
Then, he asked the queen to issue an edict to summon all the clans to go home to rest and take a vacation, thus robbing them of their military power. At the same time, they are forbidden to visit each other to prevent them from colluding.
To further ensure security, he also arranged for surveillance to be carried out day and night. Later, he asked the queen to bring the daughters and children of the clan into the palace, ostensibly to accompany the queen, but in fact to serve as hostages.
All the preparations are in place. In the end, Empress Xiao Yanyan announced the edict of Liao Jingzong, Yelu Longxu ascended the throne as Liao Shengzong, and Empress Xiao Yanyan became Empress Dowager Xiao and Empress Dowager Chengtian.
Liao Shengzong is only an auxiliary existence, and the real power of Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan is above the emperor. And Liao Shengzong is only 12 years old, how can he play any auxiliary role?
He's just a puppet. After Liao Shengzong ascended the throne, Han Derang's status gradually climbed, rising from the Southern Privy Council all the way to the position of prime minister. In addition, Xiao Yanyan also specially arranged for him to be in charge of the palace guards, so Han Derang could enter and leave the harem freely.
After a long time, all kinds of gossip began to circulate. It was rumored among the people and the court that Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang had a close relationship, ate and lived together, and even spread to neighboring countries.
So, how deep is the relationship between Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang? Did Xiao Yanyan really marry Han Derang?
Xiao Yanyan, a woman with extraordinary bearing and political acumen, carefully arranged for Bo Gu Zhe and Yelu Hugo to be responsible for the protection of the west and south respectively for the sake of the peace of the border.
The two generals lived up to their trust, not only guarding the border, but also vigorously developing agriculture and reducing taxes, so that the people could live and work in peace and contentment. However, in 986 AD, the Northern Song Dynasty launched a large-scale attack on the Liao State, and unexpectedly, Xiao Yanyan, as the empress dowager, personally led the troops into battle.
The morale of the Liao soldiers was high, and they launched a fierce battle with the Northern Song Dynasty, which lasted for many years, and the victory and defeat of the two sides were inseparable. Eventually, it was through the signing of the alliance that the two countries were able to coexist peacefully.
During the signing of the Yuanyuan Alliance, Cao You, the minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, noticed the unusual relationship between Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang. In the process of negotiating reconciliation, Cao Yu found that Han Derang and Empress Dowager Xiao sat side by side like husband and wife, without the etiquette between monarchs and ministers at all.
In fact, Xiao Yanyan's relationship with Han Derang can be traced back to their parents' days. Han Derang's father Han Kuangsi and Xiao Yanyan's father Xiao Siwen have known each other for a long time, and the two are very close to each other and are good friends who talk about everything.
Soon after Xiao Yanyan was born, her father Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi became the sons and daughters. However, what is unexpected is that Xiao Yanyan was sent to the palace by her father Xiao Siwen as an adult.
Xiao Siwen was deeply sorry for regretting his marriage, but fortunately, the Han family understood this. After all, if you can't beat the emperor, who would dare to compete with the emperor for women. After Xiao Yanyan became the empress, perhaps out of apology, perhaps out of trust, or both, she not only vigorously promoted Han Derang, but also praised Han Derang in front of the emperor.
Therefore, Han Derang started as a minister in the east, and in less than ten years, he achieved the position of the southern privy envoy. At the time of Liao Jingzong's death, he was also appointed as one of the ministers to deal with the affairs of his death.
Although there are many folk rumors and discussions, Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang don't care, they believe in the power of love and are not afraid of other people's gossip. In the Liao State at that time, it was normal for widows to remarry.
Xiao Yanyan sat on the dragon chair, she looked at Han Derang, her eyes were full of tenderness. "Han Derang, do you know how much I have always felt for you? "She asked softly.
Han Derang was slightly stunned, he looked at Xiao Yanyan, and his heart was mixed. He always knew that Xiao Yanyan had special feelings for him, but he always thought that it was just a relationship between monarchs and ministers.
Yanyan, I also have special feelings for you, but I already have a wife. "Han Derang said with some embarrassment. After Xiao Yanyan heard this, a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "
I know, but I still hope you'll give me a chance. "She said in a firm tone. Han Derang looked at Xiao Yanyan and hesitated. He knew that this decision would have a huge impact on his wife and family.
However, Xiao Yanyan didn't give him much time to think about it. She stood up and said in a resolute tone"If you don't kill her, I won't marry you. "
Han Derang looked at Xiao Yanyan, and he understood that this decision would change his life. He took a deep breath and said categorically"I do what I do. "
Soon after, the news of the death of Hendjean's wife spread all over the country. It is said that she was poisoned by Xiao Yanyan. Regardless of the truth, the couple's hindrance has been removed, and they can live together in the open.
So, how do you explain this to the ministers? Xiao Yanyan's wisdom is revealed again. She invited all the ministers to come to a grand banquet, at which not only Xiao Yanyan but also Han Derang was present.
Two people sit side by side and look like a family. The atmosphere of the banquet was very festive, and everyone wore red and green clothes to celebrate their happiness.
This passage tells the love story of a husband and wife who, with the help of Han Derang, govern the Liao kingdom to prosperity. After Xiao Yanyan's death, Han Derang also followed, and their love story was perfectly continued both during and after death.
When studying ancient history, we cannot ignore the four important reference materials: "Chengyi Lu", "Imperial Facts Volume", "Liao History: The Biography of the Queen's Concubines", and "Han Derang's Epitaph".