In 926 AD, Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji died, and Empress Shu Luping asked the ministers to be martyred. However, a Hanchen made an astonishing remark in public, and even caused Shu Luping to cut off his wrist on the spot! What did this Hanchen say? Why did he dare to speak so bluntly? Why did Shu Luping make such a move? What kind of power struggle was hidden behind this?
Shu Luping's life experience and the rise of Liao Taizu
Shu Luping, a woman who occupies an important position in the history of the Liao State, has a legendary background. Shu Luping's father was a Uighur and his mother was a Khitan, a combination that created a unique half-breed. Shu Luping's appearance must be different from that of ordinary Khitans, but she was able to marry the future Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji, but it all depended on her mother's identity. It turned out that Shu Luping's mother was Yelu Abaoji's aunt, and in the Khitan clan, such an in-law relationship was very valued.
At the age of 14, Shu Luping married Yelu Abaoji, who was still a tribal nobleman at the time, and became his wife. At that time, marrying at the age of 14 was not too early for a Khitan woman. Shu Luping was a brilliant man who quickly mastered the skills needed to be a noble wife, and showed great talent in helping her husband with tribal affairs.
23 years later, the situation changed abruptly, and Yelu Abaoji became the chief of the Khitan tribe. In that turbulent era, the Khitan people were rising rapidly, they were brave and good at fighting, but in terms of politics and economy, they were far less developed than the Central Plains. Shu Luping was keenly aware that if the Khitan wanted to develop further, they had to learn from the advanced institutions and culture of the Han people.
However, at that time, there was a general sentiment of rejection of the Han people within the Khitan people. Shu Luping knows that if this mentality does not change, it will be difficult for the Khitan people to gain a foothold in the era of competition for dominants. So, she began to persuade Yelu Abaoji to reuse the Han people, and interceded for Han Yanhui when he sent an envoy to the Khitan.
Han Yanhui was a talented Han Chinese, but when he first arrived in the Khitan, he annoyed the Khitan leader because he was unwilling to bow down to Yelu Abaoji. Yelu Abaoji was furious, and even asked Han Yanhui to herd horses. After Shu Luping learned of this, he hurriedly said to Yelu Abaoji: "This person is so arrogant, he must be a talent." If you want to become a true overlord, you must make good use of the wisdom of the Han people and learn their etiquette system. ＂
Under the persuasion of Shu Luping, Yelu Abaoji dispelled his prejudices and began to pay tribute to Corporal Lixian. With the assistance of Han Yanhui, Yelu Abaoji's strength is getting stronger and stronger, and he gradually realizes that if he wants to dominate the world, it is not enough to have the title of "chief", but also need a more resounding name - emperor!
In 916 AD, with the help of Shu Luping, Yelu Abaoji finally completed the transformation from a tribal chief to the founding emperor and established the Great Liao State. As the founding empress of the Liao Kingdom, Shu Luping was revered as the "Empress Yingtian", which is the best recognition of her merits.
Shu Luping's foresight and political ability laid a solid foundation for the establishment and development of the Liao State. Without her advice and advice at the critical moment, it is probably unknown whether Yelu Abaoji can successfully become emperor and whether the Liao State can rise so quickly. Shu Luping can be called an indispensable female politician in the history of Liao.
Yelu Abaoji died, and Shu Luping wanted to set up his second son, Yelu Deguang
In 926 A.D., Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji died, and the whole country mourned. As the founding queen of Liao, Shu Luping faced a difficult choice at this critical moment. According to the inheritance system of the Liao State, Yelu Abaoji's eldest son, Yelu Bei, should inherit the unification. However, Shu Luping favored his second son, Yelu Deguang, hoping to put him on the throne.
Yelubei and Yeludeguang are the two sons born and raised by Shuluping. As the eldest son, Yelubei was raised as a future heir to the throne, and he was a typical literati monarch who was erudite and proficient in poetry, writing, etiquette, and music. However, in Shu Luping's view, Yelubei was too gentle and benevolent, lacking the domineering and decisive power needed to be an emperor.
In contrast, the second son, Jerod, was completely different. He was brave and good at fighting, brave and brave, and won the support of the Khitan generals. In Shu Luping's eyes, only a person like Yelu Deguang can inherit the mantle of Yelu Abaoji and lead the Liao State to a stronger and more prosperous future.
However, Shu Luping's idea was widely opposed by the ministers of the Liao State. Most of these ministers were the old subordinates of Yelu Abaoji, and they insisted on supporting their eldest son, Yelu Bei, as emperor. In their view, only by following the principle of primogeniture can the stability and unity of the Liao State be maintained.
In the face of the opposition of the ministers, the anger in Shu Luping's heart gradually rose. She argues that these ministers did not really support Yelube, but wanted to prop up a puppet emperor so that they could monopolize power. Shu Luping categorically would not allow this to happen.
In order to clear the obstacles, Shu Luping decided to take an extreme method - forcing hundreds of officials to be martyred. At Yelu Abaoji's funeral, Shu Luping gathered the ministers who supported Yelu Bei and said to them: "You were all close associates of the first emperor during your lifetime, and now that the first emperor has died, you should go to Huangquan with the first emperor." ＂
These words, like a thunderclap, exploded among the ministers. Burial is not uncommon among the Khitans, but in most cases, it is voluntary. Like Shu Luping, forcing hundreds of officials to be martyred as a queen is unprecedented.
The ministers looked at each other, and for a moment they didn't know how to respond. Many of them were veterans who followed Yelu Abaoji to fight in the north and south, and they were loyal to the royal family. However, they also know how cruel it is that once they are buried, they will say goodbye to their wives and children forever.
While the ministers were hesitating, Shu Luping had already ordered the guards to prepare the funeral sacrificial vessels and poisoned wine. She glanced at everyone coldly, and there was a fierce murderous aura in her eyes. At that moment, the ministers really realized that Shu Luping was determined to get rid of these dissidents.
For a while, there was a deathly silence in the hall, and everyone was thinking about their own life and death. At this moment, a Han minister named Zhao Siwen stood up, and he wanted to fight for a chance for himself and other ministers.
Hanchen Zhao Siwen responded wittily, and Shu Luping cut off his wrist
At the critical moment when Shu Luping forced the burial of hundreds of officials, a Han minister named Zhao Siwen stepped forward. He was a famous advisor of the Liao State, known for his wisdom and eloquence. In the face of Shu Luping's persecution, Zhao Siwen did not panic like other ministers, but calmly took a step forward and said to Shu Luping: "Your Royal Highness, the minister has something to inquire about. ＂
Although Shu Luping was furious in his heart, he still maintained his apparent calmness and asked coldly, "Lord Zhao, what is the matter with you?"
Zhao Siwen said respectfully: "Her Royal Highness the Queen, the death of the first emperor and the burial of hundreds of officials are our duty. However, the minister thinks that when it comes to intimacy, I am afraid that no one in the world can compare to you, the queen. You are the wife of the first emperor, and you have been with the first emperor for decades, and your love is deep. Now that the first emperor has died, it stands to reason that you should be buried first, so that we can follow. If the queen is here, and we are buried first, wouldn't it be a violation of ethics?"
These words made the ministers present stunned. They never thought that Zhao Siwen would dare to say such a rebellious thing in front of Shu Luping. Shu Luping was even more furious, she pointed at Zhao Siwen, and said in a fierce voice: "Bold! You dare to trespass like this, aren't you afraid that I will cut off your head?"
Zhao Siwen was not afraid at all, he said with a straight face: "Your Royal Highness, what the minister said is not trespassing, but the law of Daliao. When the first emperor was there, he once decreed that the queen was the mother of the world, and her status was respected, and she must lead by example in everything. Now the empress has asked for the burial of hundreds of officials, but you are alone, isn't this contrary to the teachings of the first emperor? If the spirit of the first emperor in the sky knew about it, I am afraid that he would also be unhappy. ＂
When Shu Luping heard this, he trembled with anger. However, what Zhao Siwen said seems to be reasonable, if she insists on going her own way, I am afraid that she will be infamous for being disloyal and unjust.
Just when Shu Luping was in a dilemma, Zhao Siwen said again: "Your Royal Highness, the minister knows that you will make such a decision for the sake of the future of the Liao Kingdom. However, have you ever thought about it, Empress, if you are buried now, who will assist the new monarch? Who will maintain the stability of the Liao State? The minister thinks that the Empress You are the mainstay of the Liao State, and without your assistance, I am afraid that the Liao State will be difficult to sustain. ＂
These words spoke to Shu Luping's heart. Yes, isn't the reason why she wants to support Yelu Deguang for the future of the Liao Kingdom? If she is martyred now, won't all her previous efforts be wasted?
Shu Luping's heart was agitated, and he was speechless for a while. Seeing this, Zhao Siwen said: "Your Royal Highness, if you really can't rest assured, you might as well die for the country to show your loyalty." In this way, it can not only comfort the spirit of the first emperor in the sky, but also will not affect the future of the Liao State. ＂
When Shu Luping heard this, his eyes lit up. Yes, martyrdom, that's the best of both worlds. So, she immediately pulled out her saber, and with a click, she actually cut off one of her wrists! Blood gushed out instantly, but Shu Luping's face did not change, she put the severed hand into a sandalwood box, and ordered the attendants to bury it with Yelu Abaoji.
This move shocked everyone. Zhao Siwen didn't expect that Shu Luping would be so decisive. He hurriedly stepped forward, bandaged Shu Luping's wounds, and said loudly: "Her Royal Highness the Queen sacrificed her life for the country, this kind of loyalty and bravery, the ministers are really beyond the reach of the dust. Now that the queen has been martyred, there is no need to mention the funeral of hundreds of officials, right?"
Shu Luping's face was already pale with pain at this time, but she still insisted: "Since this is the case, then according to what Lord Zhao said, this matter will end here." Go down, all of you, and discuss what is due to be discussed another day. ＂
In this way, under Zhao Siwen's witty response, this thrilling funeral turmoil finally came to an end. Although Shu Luping lost a hand, her authority was consolidated. And Zhao Siwen became the prime minister of Liao and Shu Luping's most trusted assistant.
Shu Luping's historical status and influence
Shu Luping, the founding queen of the Liao State, left a strong mark in the history of the Liao State. She is not only a virtuous helper, but also an excellent politician. In the career of Liao Taizu Yelu Abaoji, Shu Luping has always been his strongest backing. She not only gave birth to children for Yelu Abaoji and managed the family, but also gave him advice and solved problems.
According to historical records, Shu Luping has provided key advice to Yelu Abaoji many times. For example, when Yelu Abaoji was just rising, Shu Luping suggested that he reuse the Han people and use their wisdom and talents to consolidate his rule. This suggestion was undoubtedly a new idea for Yelu Abaoji, who was still the leader of the grassland tribe at that time.
Under the influence of Shu Luping, Yelu Abaoji began to recruit talents and reuse Han people. He successively appointed a number of outstanding Hanchens such as Han Yanhui and Zhao Dejun, which made the political, economic, cultural and other aspects of the Liao State have made great progress. It can be said that without Shu Luping's foresight, there would have been no rapid rise of the Liao State.
Shu Luping not only assisted Yelu Abaoji in establishing the Liao State, but also played a more important role after Yelu Abaoji's death. In the face of the opposition of the ministers, Shu Luping overrode the public opinion and supported Yelu Deguang to succeed to the throne. This decision had a far-reaching impact on the development of Liao.
During his reign, he inherited his father's career and made great efforts to make the territory of the Liao State continue to expand and become stronger and stronger. Under the rule of Yelu Deguang, the Liao State not only conquered many tribes in the north, but also went south to attack the Northern Song Dynasty and captured the sixteen states of Yanyun. This series of military actions established Liao's hegemonic position in East Asia.
And all these achievements are inseparable from Shu Luping's decision-making. If Shu Luping did not have the strength to override public opinion, but obeyed the wishes of the ministers and let Yelubei succeed to the throne, then the history of the Liao State is likely to be rewritten. Because although Jerubes was talented, he lacked military talent and could hardly take on the heavy responsibility of leading his troops into battle.
In the history of the Liao Kingdom, Shu Luping and Xiao Yanyan are the two most famous queens. They both supported their husbands and built powerful empires. However, in the evaluation of history, Shu Luping seems to be slightly inferior.
This is mainly because the era in which Xiao Yanyan lived was the most powerful period of the Liao State. With the assistance of Xiao Yanyan, Yelu Longxu of the Liao Shengzong attacked the Northern Song Dynasty many times, which made a fundamental change in the balance of power between the Song and Liao. The era in which Shu Luping lived was the early days of the establishment of the Liao State, although she also made great contributions, but on the stage of history, she was not as dazzling as Xiao Yanyan.
However, we should not ignore the historical position of Shu Luping because of this. Just like a building, the stronger the foundation, the higher the tower. The foundation laid by Shu Luping is the foundation for the continuous development and growth of the Liao State. Without Shu Luping, there would be no later Xiao Yanyan, and there would be no glory of the Liao Kingdom.
Shu Luping's life is a legend. She was a woman and built a great empire. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, she ushered in a new era. Her story is destined to shine forever in the long river of history.