The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 34 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Hunian performed the Fengu spell for Yansage, wishing for his soul to find peace. Xiao Yanyan arrived to offer comfort, mentioning that His Majesty had granted Yansage the Dianyi ritual and Hunian retained her title as Imperial Concubine, in charge of Guo'an Lian Ordu. Yanyan tried to console Hunian about her lost child and asked her not to be too sad.
Hunian, however, declared she would not have another child and refused to remarry, stating she only wanted to live for herself, having always lived for others. Yanyan sensed Hunian's lingering resentment, even though Hunian admitted Yansage's crimes were unforgivable. Hunian stopped Yanyan from bringing up their father's death, stating that Yansage's wrongs died with him, and she no longer wanted to dwell on them.
Hunian expressed her weariness with Shangjing and her desire to leave, offering to take the Guo'an Lian Ordu to guard the northern borders. Yanyan initially expressed concern about the danger, but Hunian asserted her capability to handle the northern clans and suggested it would be a form of healing for her. When Hunian questioned if Yanyan feared she might establish her own power in the north, Yanyan dismissed the thought. Hunian then thanked Yanyan for her permission.
Han Derang officially requested permission from Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan to return to Youzhou to guard the southern borders. Yelv Xian agreed, seeing it as a major concern resolved, especially since Yansage and his allies were dead, leaving only the potentially disloyal King Ji in the south. However, Yanyan argued that this was the opportune moment to implement new reforms, and without Han Derang, Yelv Xian would lack support. Han Derang countered that reforms should be gradual.
Yelv Xian asked for his counsel on immediate priorities. Han Derang suggested that while Yelv Xian's civil service reforms had been effective, the focus should now shift to developing agriculture, citing the Southern saying "Granary is etiquette." He explained that unlike the Khitans, the numerous Southerners in Youzhou could cultivate land, securing provisions crucial for Liao's military strength and national prosperity. Convinced, Yelv Xian granted permission, acknowledging Youzhou's strategic importance. Han Derang thanked them and departed with Li Si.
Han Derang's mother bade them a fond farewell, advising him to stay true to His Majesty's trust and write home often. Yelv Xian visited Zhimo, who had become significantly thinner, and expressed his concern, reminding Zhimo that he was his only remaining brother and that they relied on each other in their youth.
Zhimo acknowledged Yelv Xian's care but, still grieving Anzhi, declared his intention to serve the Buddhas for the rest of his life, weary of the world's harshness and the ever-changing nature of life. Yelv Xian departed, urging Zhimo to take care of himself. Elsewhere, Gaoliu reiterated his loyalty to Hunian, stating that he was bound by Yansage's will to assist her as long as she did not relinquish control of Guo'an Lian Ordu to the Emperor and Empress.
He noted that no one who tastes power easily lets it go, implying that Guo'an Lian Ordu would ultimately become Hunian's own. Xiao Yanyan stood on the city wall, watching Han Derang leave, feeling a profound emptiness in Shangjing, as if everything had changed overnight. Eleven years later, the "Reborn Ritual," a ceremony held every twelve years to celebrate royal births and pray for well-being, took place.
Yelv Xian, appearing revitalized, acknowledged the blessings of the ritual and credited his ministers for Liao's prosperity. He noted that the successful ritual had solidified perceptions of his good health among all clan elders and royal heirs, ensuring their respect. Xiuge confirmed that preparations for the Spring Hunting (Na Bo) at Black Mountain Palace were complete, with northern clans already en route.
Yelv Xian initially suggested Xiao Yanyan remain in the palace due to her pregnancy while he took their two sons to Black Mountain for training. However, Yanyan insisted on joining, wanting to meet the northern clans and assuring him that Diligu had confirmed her three-month pregnancy was stable enough for travel. She also stated her presence would help manage their spirited children, Wenshunu and Guanyinnü.
Yelv Xian agreed, then ordered his officials to prepare the army to patrol the northeast, in accordance with the ancestral tradition of "migrate camps and hunt" (Sishi Na Bo) to maintain military strength and assert control over the clans. Drunken and enraged, Xiyin returned to his residence, bitter that Yelv Xian, whom he dismissively called a "sick man," was still alive after eleven years and occupied the throne that Xiyin believed was rightfully his.
He fumed about being sidelined, suppressed, and ignored by Yelv Xian. Xiyin further criticized Yelv Xian for favoring Southern officials and adopting Han customs, which he believed had eroded the Khitan spirit and dignity, making Yelv Xian unworthy of the throne. Wuguli attempted to console him, but Xiyin, fixated on a promise he made to his father, remained distraught and inconsolable. At the Spring Hunting banquet, Yelv Xian, for the first time since his enthronement, gathered the northern clan leaders.
He experienced a coughing fit, drawing Xiyin's attention and a pointed question about his health. Xiao Yanyan quickly dismissed Xiyin's concern, affirming that Yelv Xian, having just undergone the Reborn Ritual and blessed by Tengri, was strong and healthy, mirroring the prosperity of the Liao Dynasty. Various clan leaders, including Xiheshuonu of the Xi clan, a representative from Gaoli, Anyuezhi of the Zubu clan, and the King of Bohai, presented their tributes.
After the banquet, as they returned to their camp, Yelv Xian collapsed, prompting Yanyan to summon Diligu. Diligu explained that the arduous journey from Shangjing to Black Mountain had taken a toll on Yelv Xian's already delicate health, which, despite ongoing care, was fundamentally compromised by a missed optimal treatment period. She warned that he would continue to suffer from dizziness and headaches and needed ample rest. Yanyan expressed her concern, noting he should have rested earlier.
Yelv Xian clarified that he had to persevere to assure the various clans of his good health and stabilize the realm. He also revealed he invited Hunian to the Na Bo specifically so the sisters, who hadn't seen each other in years, could reconnect. He then urged Yanyan, who was pregnant with their third child, to prioritize her rest despite her love for horseback archery. Hunian arrived to meet Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan.
Yelv Xian thanked Hunian for her dedication in guarding the northern border for years, noting her infrequent visits to Shangjing and how much Yanyan and the children missed her. Yanyan extended an invitation for Hunian to return to Shangjing with them after the Na Bo and stay for an extended period, which Hunian accepted. Yelv Xian then left them to chat.
In a private conversation, Yanyan observed Hunian's recent weight loss, to which Hunian explained that life in the north, including military training, had made her leaner but stronger. Yanyan playfully complimented Hunian's youthful appearance. Hunian, in turn, teased Yanyan for her persistent "naughtiness," to which Yanyan responded by revealing her third pregnancy, a detail Hunian had missed.
Yanyan then raised the topic of Hunian's marital status, expressing her wish for Hunian to find a reliable partner who could care for her, enabling her return to Shangjing for family reunion. Hunian, however, firmly stated that while others might see the north as a harsh place, for her, it represented "freedom." She cherished her independence and had no desire for a forced marriage, preferring to let her emotional fate unfold naturally.
Yanyan then suggested inviting Wuguli for a reunion of all three sisters. Later, Yelv Xian expressed frustration with his bitter and ineffective medicine, contemplating discontinuing it. Yanyan, though worried, was reassured when he said his burden would lighten once the northern clan leaders departed, whose safe return he had entrusted to Xiuge and Xiezhen. He looked forward to a peaceful night's rest.
In Youzhou, King Ji (Dilie) expressed frustration over the perceived ineffectiveness of the Liu Han army, fearing Taiyuan's imminent fall would jeopardize Youzhou. Han Derang, however, maintained that Taiyuan was a strong fortress capable of holding out for months if its defenders remained united. He warned against impulsive action, pointing out that the South King had elite forces in Zhenzhou capable of launching a surprise attack on Youzhou.
Han Derang emphasized their primary duty was to defend Youzhou and await reinforcements from the Emperor after his northern tour, strictly forbidding any premature moves. Dilie, however, bristled at Han Derang's counsel, accusing him of trying to monopolize military glory. Asserting his authority as King Ji stationed in Nanjing, Dilie dismissed Han Derang’s position as Nanjing Liushou.
He defiantly decided to lead his son, Wage, and an army of 10,000 elite Konghe and Shenwu cavalry to attack Guojinbu at Shilingguan, convinced this preemptive strike would break the siege of Taiyuan and secure military honors for the Khitan nobility, whom he claimed resent Yelv Xian's reliance on Southern officials. Despite his wife Yilan's tearful pleas for their safety, Dilie and Wage immediately departed with their forces.
An urgent message arrived from Liu Han, reporting that the new South King was leading a northern invasion, placing Liu Han in grave danger and prompting a plea for Liao's military assistance. Xiao Yanyan, while acknowledging Liu Han's weakness, stressed their strategic importance in deterring a direct confrontation with the Southern Dynasty. Yelv Xian pointed out that Liu Han bordered Youzhou, which was currently garrisoned by Han Derang with 18,000 elite soldiers and assisted by King Ji.
He expressed concern that sending Youzhou troops as reinforcements could expose the city to a cunning attack from the South King. After deliberation with Yanyan and Xiuge, the imperial couple decided to maintain a defensive posture. Their strategy was to let Liu Han withstand the siege for a period, anticipating that the Southern army, even if it captured Taiyuan and then faced the arduous task of traversing the Taihang Mountains to reach Zhenzhou, would eventually become depleted and vulnerable.
At that critical juncture, Liao forces would then launch a decisive strike to defeat the new South King. Yelv Xian tasked Xiuge with preparing the Pishi elite troops for the southern campaign. Wuguli, perceiving the Southern invasion as an opportunity, urged Xiyin to approach Yelv Xian and request a military command.
Xiyin attempted this, but Yelv Xian, addressing him as King Zhao, gently rebuffed him, emphasizing the perils of warfare and Xiyin's position as the last male descendant of his lineage. Yelv Xian assured Xiyin that Xiuge was already handling the situation and asked him to await positive news alongside him, before feigning illness to conclude their discussion.
Concurrently in Youzhou, a gravely wounded soldier brought dire news: King Ji (Dilie) and Wage were ambushed by Guojinbu at Baima Ridge, suffering significant casualties and were now desperately calling for reinforcements. Before Han Derang could fully grasp the implications, Youzhou itself was suddenly attacked by the Southern army. Han Derang was enraged by Dilie's impulsive and unauthorized sally, which had decimated their elite forces, leaving Youzhou vulnerable.
He realized the Southern invasion was a meticulously planned offensive, not a spontaneous one, and concluded that his earlier dispatch to Yelv Xian requesting reinforcements had likely been intercepted. Facing an enemy that appeared to be committing its entire national strength to capture Youzhou, the crucial "southern portal of Liao," Han Derang, with significantly reduced forces, resolved to defend the city to the last man.
