The fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of Yongjing’s reign was the night of Shangyuan Festival.
On this day of national celebration, in addition to the Central Plains, the Khitan Shangjing Linhuang Mansion in the far northeast is also full of festive atmosphere.
Since Yelv Deguang, Khitan has always regarded itself as the Zhengshuo of the Central Plains, and its festivals are naturally the same as those of the Han people.
Both the Khitan people and the Han people put aside everything, relaxed and enjoyed the rare festival. The entire Khitan Kingdom was decorated with lights and brightly lit, just like a city that never sleeps.
Compared with other dynasties, the Khitan's attitude towards the Han people is worth mentioning.
Although the people in Linhuang Mansion can clearly tell the difference between Khitans and Han people in terms of clothing, there is no barrier between them and they are like one family.
Yelvxian was wearing a white mink coat, walking slowly on the street, and said to the guards beside him: "The imperial city is a bit more expensive, but compared to the atmosphere in Seoul, Seoul is more interesting."
Linhuang Mansion is the first capital city built by Khitan. It is majestic and divided into two cities. The two cities are connected in the shape of "sun". The northern city is called the Imperial City, with a circumference of ten miles and a hexagonal shape. It consists of the outer city and the inner city.
It consists of a city. The inner city is the Khitan palace, and the outer city is where the Khitan nobles live.
As for Seoul, as its name suggests, it was specially built to accommodate the Han people.
A Linhuang Mansion fully embodies the Khitan's national policy of "governing the Khitans with national systems and treating the Han people with Han systems."
With the development over the years, there is no difference between Khitan people and Han people in this three-acre area of Linhuang Mansion.
During festivals, Khitan people and Han people would gather in Seoul to celebrate the festival together.
The guard looked at the lively scene around him and added to the atmosphere, his face flushed, and he said: "There are just too many people, so it's not safe."
Yelvxian said nonchalantly: "I'm just a commoner, what's wrong with me?"
The guard smiled a little embarrassedly.
Common people?
Yelvxian is certainly not a commoner.
It can even be said that he is the first heir to the Khitan throne.
Of course, the current Khitan inheritance is a mess. Anyone can consider themselves to be the first in line of succession, including Yelu Dilie who has surrendered to the Central Plains. In terms of bloodline, this is justified.
Yelvxian is the eldest son of the former Khitan Emperor Yelu Ruan.
The former emperor Yelujing loved drinking and staying up late but did not like women. After being the emperor all his life, it is said that he was still a child, so naturally he had no sons.
Yelvxian was raised in Yongxing Palace by Yelujing, which meant that he would be cultivated as his successor.
But now that Yelv Bishe is in power, Yelvxian's position is very embarrassing.
Yelv Bishe was in the prime of life and had children. He was of the orthodox Taizong lineage, so there was no chance that Yelvxian, who was from the Yelvbei lineage, could not get his turn.
The escort was arranged by Yelu Bishen. The person monitoring Yelu Xian naturally heard the hidden meaning of Yelu Xian's words.
Yelvxian looked at the Khitan people on the street, guessing lantern riddles around the flower streets, with a hint of yearning in his eyes.
Lantern riddles were invented by Luo Youdu. Once this novel and interesting game came out, it immediately received a celebrity effect. This game, suitable for all ages, spread all over the country in a short time.
Many celebrities and elegant people participated in it, which greatly improved the quality of lantern riddles and added a lot of depth, making it an elegant event.
Even Khitan was greatly affected. During the Lantern Festival, lanterns tied with riddles were all over the city.
The Khitan people also flocked to him.
In particular, the women of Khitan are more open-minded than those in the Central Plains. They dress up in gorgeous clothes and attract a lot of attention.
In order to make the beauty smile, many men competed to express themselves first, which was extremely lively.
"Ahem!"
Yelvxian's face was pale. During the Huoshendian Rebellion, his parents Liao Shizong and Empress Huaijie Xiao Sage were killed together. He hid in a pile of firewood to escape the disaster.
But he was frightened and his body was weak. The cold air entered his lungs and he couldn't help but cough.
Yelvxian was a friendly person, and it was true that he was one of Yelvbi's escorts. However, he had a good impression of Yelvxian himself, so he handed him some water and said, "Drink some warm water."
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
Yelvxian thanked him, took the hot pot, and drank a full drink: "Come on, let's go to the temple fair. You're not married yet, maybe you can meet the girl you like..."
Yelvxian walked towards the temple fair and looked at the scenery around him. He sighed secretly and thought to himself: "I wonder if I will be able to set foot on this land again in my lifetime."
The biggest feature of temple fairs is the large number of people.
Linhuang Mansion was no exception. With the cooperation of thoughtful people, Yelvxian easily got rid of the guards.
He squeezed through the crowd and quietly entered an inconspicuous house.
As soon as Yelvxian entered the house, he was immediately greeted by people, old and young.
Among them, walking at the front was a young man in Tsing Yi who was under fifteen years old. He shouted in surprise: "Brother! You came so late. I thought something happened to you."
Yelu Xian touched the other person's head, looked at a middle-aged man in his forties, and said, "Uncle Yelu Xian, are you ready?"
The middle-aged man's name was Yelu Pode, he nodded solemnly and said, "You can leave the city at any time. However, the journey to the west this time is bumpy and dangerous. You are weak and if you are unable to hold on, your life will be in danger."
Yelvxian shook his head and said: "If you stay in Shangjing City, you will die sooner or later. It is better to take a risk. It will be a waste of time to go to the Central Plains in your lifetime."
As he spoke, he looked at Yelvbode and said calmly: "I have made up my mind."
Yelu Pode looked at Yelv Xian with a determined look and sighed secretly, things in the world are unpredictable.
In fact, in his heart, Yelvxian was the best candidate for the Khitan throne.
He was benevolent, steady and far-sighted, but the regicide planned by the Han family broke everything.
Yelu Pode was an old man from the Khitan Dynasty. When he was still young, he followed the Khitan Taizu Yelu Abaoji as a guard.
When Yelu Abaoji saw Yelu Pode for the first time, he praised him as "a man with extraordinary character and will definitely be a national treasure."
Yelu Pode also lived up to Yelu Abaoji's expectations. He managed the army soundly and made brilliant military exploits.
However, after Yelu Bishe usurped the throne, the Han people headed by the Han family were re-employed on the civil and administrative side. On the military side, Yelv Xiuge, Yelu Xiezhen and other junior generals were promoted and re-employed. They considered them confidants and harbored feelings for veteran generals like Yelu Pode who were trusted by Yelv Jing.
There is a certain prejudice and I dare not reuse it.
Yelvbode had a upright character, was treated unfairly, and felt depressed.
Hearing Xiao Siwen's daughter holding high the flag of righteousness in Zhangjiakou to avenge her father and recruiting Khitans to join her, thinking about Yelujing's high regard and feeling depressed over the years, she felt a little moved.
But it's one thing to feel your heart, but another matter whether you dare to move or not.
It was Yelvxian who prompted Yelvbode to make up his mind.
Yelu Pode received favor from Yelv Ruan, Shizong of Khitan, and took great care of Yelv Xian.
Yelv Xian saw Yelv Pode's intention and said bluntly: "The Khitan country cannot be saved, but its people can be saved. The only person who can save the Khitan is Xiao Hu Nian'er."