Pingdi Pine Forest is a place name, roughly located in the west of Keshiketeng Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia today.
"Historical History of the Liao Dynasty, Chapter 1 of Taizong" records: "In the eighth year of Tianxian's reign, (Yelü Deguang) hunted in the west and stayed in the pine forest on the plains."
"Twelve years later, I was lucky enough to find a pine forest and a water source."
At that time, the capital of Liao Dynasty was located in the capital of Linhuang Mansion, and the flat pine forest was to its west.
As its name suggests, the land is "flat land and pine forests thousands of miles wide", which is quite astonishing.
Even after hundreds of years of development, Luo Hongxian of the Ming Dynasty recorded in "Shuo Mo Tu": "From the southwest of Qingzhou to Kaiping, the land is full of pine trees, which is called Thousand Miles of Pine Forest."
In the Liao Dynasty, there were thousands of miles of pine forests, and in the Ming Dynasty there were still thousands of miles, which shows how vast it is.
And because the area near the upper source of Huangshui (Xilamulun River) is a plateau moraine desert terrain with many pine forests, it was called "pine desert" in the old country. The Song Desert Governor's Office was once established to house the Khitan semi-arid grasslands and humid grasslands. The forest together constitutes the jurisdiction of Songmo Dudu Mansion.
On the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the fourth year of Qianning, King Xi returned from the pine forest on the plains after going to a place where his spirits were waning.
Several tribes in this area were wavering between the Khitan and Prince Xi's palace, and even vaguely leaned toward the Khitan, which disappointed him.
The weather was a bit gloomy, and the wind blew the waves in the pine forest.
The water splashed loudly, and tiny splashes of water flew up, as if they were crying.
Qu Zhu stopped, strolled to the river, picked up a handful of cold river water, and washed his face.
Water droplets flowed down his pale face, hanging on his eyelashes, beard, and hair tips.
"My ancestors made many mistakes back then, alas!" Qu Zhu sighed.
"After the Turks were defeated by the Tang people, our clan paid tribute to the Tang Dynasty. When Goguryeo was conquered, I, the tribes of the Xi people, sent troops to accompany the expedition and had great military exploits."
"In the 22nd year of Zhenguan, the Governor's Mansion of Raole was established. Five prefectures were established based on the land. Each of the chiefs of the five tribes of the Xi tribe took one state, and the Governor's Mansion of Raole took one state by itself. There were six states in total. Those who could be saved by our ancestors were envoys The military officers of the six states were restrained, the governor of Rao Le, and the Duke of Loufan County were given the Li family. 'The Khitan at that time could not bully us at all."
The eldest son Su Zhi came over and said: "Grandpa (father's meaning), why are you like this? The people of the Tang Dynasty are so cruel. Our people are eagles on the grassland. How can we be used and abused for a long time? General Youzhou of the Tang people regards our people and The Khitan chieftain was a slave, whipped and humiliated at every turn. Every time he sent out troops, he had to levy a large number of troops, resulting in many casualties. During the famine years, instead of providing relief, he continued to impose taxes, levy men and cattle and sheep. What could such a court do with him? ?”
Indeed, from the later years of Taizong to the Gaozong Dynasty, whether it was the use of troops against the Turks or the conquest of Goguryeo, the Xi and Khitan tribes had to send out troops, horses, cattle and sheep. If not more, it would be fine, but wars were too frequent, and the tribesmen Ding suffered heavy casualties and his dissatisfaction continued to accumulate. But at this time, he was too frightened by the military power of the Tang Dynasty to dare to rebel.
During the reign of Empress Wu, the problem of poor management was greatly highlighted. Not to mention the border generals, even the governor, treated Xi and the Khitan chief as their slaves, humiliated them wantonly, and sometimes even whipped them in front of everyone. The Khitan suffered disasters, and the tribes were in turmoil. When they were hungry, the chief went to Yingzhou to ask for relief, but Zhao Wenhui, the governor of Yingzhou, didn't care at all and kicked out the people. This eventually led to the rebellion of Khitan Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong.
"It's time to rebel." Quezhu turned around and said, "As the saying goes, the officials force the people to rebel. In peacetime, they constantly recruit troops for war and pay tribute. However, when disaster strikes, they do not provide relief. This is not treating us as human beings."
"But Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty made a mistake during the Huichang period." Qu Zhu sighed: "The Uighurs were destroyed. We protected the other parties and still used the official seal of the Uighurs. However, the Khitan begged the Tang Dynasty for an official seal and got the 'Seal of the Khitan of the Fengguo'. This is a
Big mistake, I hate you!"
Su Zhi also knew about that past event and was silent after hearing this.
The Uighur Wujie Khan invaded the border area and was defeated by the Zhenwu Army. He suffered heavy losses and fled to the Xiren pasture for a time to avoid the limelight. After hearing this, the Tang court ordered the Xiren to hand over Wujie Khan. The Xiren refused and placed his remnants in the tribe.
.
In the first year of Dazhong reign of Emperor Xuanzong (847), Zhang Zhongwu, the governor of Youzhou, attacked the Xi people. He burned the tents of the chieftains and took away 200,000 people. He also took 300 lower ears, 70,000 sheep and cattle, and 500 chariots of supplies from the governor.
, presented to the capital."
The price is heavy.
Three hundred chiefs of all sizes had their noses cut off, their ears were burned, their tents were burned, their cattle and sheep were robbed, and five hundred carts of their belongings were taken away. It was almost a complete humiliation, and their momentum declined greatly. The Khitan took the opportunity to develop and gain strength.
Later, they came on top and surpassed the six tribes of the Xi tribe.
The Tang Dynasty was powerful. The Zhenwu Army and the Tiande Army combined could defeat 50,000 Uighur cavalry. Youzhou Town could trample the six tribes of the Xi tribe wantonly, not to mention the Khitan who was not as powerful as the Xi tribe at that time. They were so powerful that they wanted to hate them.
If you can't hate yourself, there is no need to seek trouble and seek revenge.
But the Khitan, who was close to Chi Chi, took the opportunity to rise, which plunged the Xi people into a huge disaster.
The Khitans took advantage of the favorable opportunity of the Six Tribes of the Xi Tribe being raided by the Tang Dynasty and suffering heavy losses. King Xi Zheli was deposed and there was internal turmoil. They launched a massive conquest. Bala Khan, who traveled far away, defeated the Six Tribes of the Xi Tribe and captured "half of the Tribe".
This is not over yet, the Khitan's offensive has never stopped. By the time of Yaonan Hendejin Khan, Sala (Yelüyi's father) and Shilu (Yelüyi's uncle) raided the tribes of Xi and Shiwei for four consecutive years.
"Everyone serves them".
The strength of the six tribes of the Xi tribe is getting weaker and weaker. Now they are basically vassals of the Khitan, providing soldiers, food, grass, equipment, and war horses for their campaigns. Yes, the Xi people also farm land, mainly millet.
"Grandpa, how about we find a way to find a backer?" Su Zhi said: "While the tribes are not completely controlled by the Khitan, let's move westward and choose a strong leader to join us. Although the Tang people want to recruit troops, cattle and sheep
But the Khitans also levied grain. The Khitans were harsh and cruel, and the tribes suffered terribly. No matter how cruel the Tang people were, they could only do that."
"Who can I turn to?" Qu Zhu asked, somewhat like he was taking a test.
Obviously, he had had this idea for a long time and it was not just a whim.
"Why don't you send an envoy to contact Jin King Li Keyong?" Su Zhi said: "Li Keyong was born in Shatuo, and many tribes in Daibei obeyed his orders. His military power was also very powerful, and even the town of Youzhou was captured by him.
According to the people over there, the King of Jin can get 150,000 strong soldiers and rule Hebei sooner or later."
The six tribes of the Xi tribe were oppressed by the Khitans, and some of them couldn't bear it for a long time. They were unable to resist, so they fled to the Youzhou Fortress and asked for their protection. I heard that their lives were not bad, and although they had to perform military service, there were really no Khitans
So harsh and cruel.
"Li Keyong does understand the grassland, but there is another person in the west who knows the grassland better." Qu Zhu reminded.
"Could it be Shao Shude, King of Xia of the Tang Dynasty?" Su Zhi smiled and said, "I have heard of this man. He pretended to be the Supreme Khan, which made people laugh."
Qu Zhu frowned and said: "Among the wolves, only the strongest one can always be the wolf king. When the wolf king gets old, there will be new wolves to challenge. Nothing is natural, Supreme Khan
Same thing. Khan is the one who has strong soldiers and horses. Shao Shude is powerful. He calls himself a khan. Who can control him?"
Su Zhi was stunned and asked: "Where is Shao Shudeqiang?"
Qu Zhu's frown deepened and he asked: "What have you been busy with these days? You don't even know that such a big thing happened in Shanbei?"
Su Zhi was a little scared. He had been traveling between several tribes recently and really had no time to inquire about outside affairs.
"There has been a fight over at Ruyuan. The Tatars and Uighurs were defeated and fled in all directions. Those who attacked them were the warriors of King Shao Shude of Xia, with a large number of people. I heard that there were no less than 500,000 people." Quzhu said.
"Five hundred thousand? How is that possible?" Su Zhi was stunned.
"The Tatars may be exaggerating to cover up their incompetence, but they do have more than 100,000 soldiers and horses." Qu Zhu said: "With so many soldiers and horses coming all the way from the west and crossing Li Keyong's territory, he can
Did you send troops to stop it?"
Su Zhi didn't know and could only shake his head.
"This is an ambitious military leader, and his pace of expansion will never stop here." Qu Zhuxiang's son analyzed: "Ruyuan is less than five hundred miles away from the flat pine forest. Jingqi has one man and two horses, but
Five days.”
The plain pine forest is actually not far from Xiren Yazhang.
The Yazhang was located on the north bank of the Huangshui River in Balinzuo Banner, Chifeng City in later generations. There was a stone bridge across the Huangshui River nearby. The Xi people are many skilled craftsmen and are good at making ships, vehicles, bridges, and also farm and smelt iron. The development of that area is still very rapid.
Not bad.
Along the Huangshui River Valley, you can reach the Khitan Yazhang.
It is located in the Kulun Banner area of Tongliao City in later generations, on the south bank of Huangshui River. Going northeast through Khitan Yazhang, you can connect to Shiwei in the north and the Bohai Sea.
Generally speaking, the Xi people occupied the upper reaches of the Huangshui River, and the Khitans occupied the lower reaches of the Huangshui River.
Of course, that was the old Huangli. In recent years, the six tribes of the Xi people have become weaker and weaker, and the eight tribes of the Khitan have become stronger and stronger. Under the eastward and west conquests, Shiwei, Xi and other tribes all surrendered, and the territory of the Xi people is getting bigger and bigger.
Tribes were also moved here and there, and many of them had left the Huangshui River Basin and no longer listened to his orders as King Xi.
Not long ago, Li Keyong attacked Liu Rengong, destroyed the camp and pacified the tribes. There were many Khitan and Xi people in the local area. Now they have fled north, and they have all taken refuge with the eight Khitan tribes and annexed them.
"Since grandpa said so, maybe we can try to contact him?" Su Zhi asked: "Maybe Shao Shude is stronger than Li Keyong, and with his power, we can better get rid of the Khitan's control. King Jin, I don't think he has ambitions in the north.
, even the captured battalions and Ping Erzhou didn’t care much, they would be taken away by the Khitans sooner or later.”
"You can make contact first, but don't make a decision in a hurry." Qu Zhu said: "Li Keyong doesn't care about the camp, so he just wants peace. He doesn't even want Guizhou? Without Guizhou, Youzhou will be exposed to the outside world.
It is very dangerous. There is no doubt that a war will break out between him and Shao Shude sooner or later. Although I am more optimistic about Shao Shude winning, it is not too late to wait and see who wins before making a decision."
"Do we need to send someone to contact him?" Su Zhi asked.
"Of course!" Quzhu said without hesitation: "You go do this in person. Don't make too much noise. Many people in the six tribes of the Xi tribe are unreliable and are all lackeys of the Khitans. You choose some confidants to accompany you and bring your horses with you.
One hundred horses, we will set off at night to Ruyuan."
"Okay, I'll do it right away!" Su Zhi responded immediately.
If Shao Shude or Li Keyong can't help them get rid of Khitan oppression, then I really don't know what to do.