Han Khan

Chapter 148: Khitan Civil War

"According to the Khitan people's system of holding the Eight Tribes Noble Council and selecting the Khan, once the Khan position was transferred to a family, all adult men in the family would have the opportunity to become the Khan.

In other words, Yelu Abaoji's brothers, uncles and other Khitan nobles were all qualified to become Khitan Khan.

However, since Abaoji became the Khan of Khitan seven years ago, he has admired the customs of the Tang Dynasty and hoped to adopt a lifelong system like the emperor of the Central Plains, and to change the system of electing Khans by nobles of various tribes to a system of hereditary succession by his descendants. When the year of re-election came, he refused to give up the throne.

Under the temptation of the Khanate, Abaoji's brothers, who were Khitan nobles, led a rebellion in order to force him to hold an election.

Now Abaoji is busy suppressing the rebellion of his brothers and relatives, which is why the Khitans have not gone to war with the Jin people in recent years. "

Now, the biggest threat to Yelu Abaoji did not come from the Shatuo people led by Li Cunxu, but from his younger brothers and other members of the Yelu clan, who had become the new Khitan nobles after the collapse of the Yaonian clan.

In the traditional Khitan system, the succession to Khan and the leaders of various tribes was usually carried out between brothers or cousins.

Moreover, custom required the chief to be re-elected every three years, at which time other members of the tribal council or other candidates from his own clan might replace him.

How could Abaoji, who had served as Yilijin of the Dila tribe and led the Khitans in conquests to the east and the west and conquered such a vast territory, be willing to let his career be usurped by others, even by his own brother?

After hearing the news, everyone in the tent showed an expression of disbelief on their faces.

Most of them, who have now become high-ranking officials of the Jin and Han dynasties, were born in Dunhuang and its surrounding areas, or in the Jinshan area in the western part of Mobei. They are Tang people, Uighurs, Khitans and Naimans.

According to their previous traditions, whether it was the traditions derived from the Tang people or the traditions of the Turks, Uighurs and Kyrgyz, the leaders were lifelong. It has never been heard that any Tang emperor or Turkic or Uighur Khan was elected.

Although His Highness has no children yet, who will inherit the position of leader of Jin Han and the throne of emperor in the future is not something they can decide.

To put it more closely, although everyone has become an officer or a regiment leader, their identities are still His Highness's subjects, and they only hold high positions because of His Highness's trust.

All of Jin Han's belongings, including themselves, actually belong to His Highness.

Not to mention the ordinary Jinhan people who were of conquered Naiman, Uighur and Tatar origin.

So when they heard that the Khitans actually had this system of electing khans every three years, they could not help but feel very surprised and astonished.

This news aroused their interest in the Khitans, and several of them began to explore the issue out of curiosity.

Koza said:
"No wonder the Khitans did not go to war with Li Cunxu. They were affected by the civil strife!"

Yang Binghan said with emotion:

"It seems that Yelu Abaoji is also a powerful ruler. He wants to establish a hereditary Khanate in order to unify the entire Khitan.

The Khitans changed their leaders and monarchs so frequently that it was too easy for civil strife to occur. "Lv Shuai, do you think the Khitans will become our Jinhan's rivals on the grassland?" He then looked at Koza.

Koza thought for a while, his expression became serious, and then he answered seriously:

"I think the Khitans, under the leadership of Yelü Abaoji, are very likely to become a strong competitor to our Jin Han on the grassland. The reason is that if Yelü Abaoji can successfully quell those rebellious nobles, the Khitans will be unified under his management and become more united. In addition, he has a large number of Tang farmers and craftsmen working for him.

In contrast, the grassland tribes were scattered and lacked unified command, while the Central Plains region was also in a state of division.

The Khitans came from the grasslands and lived in the area between the grasslands and the Central Plains, which gave them unique advantages.

Therefore, they will definitely become a strong opponent of our Jin Han. By the way, Bu Chule, do you know how many tribes the Khitans have?"

Bu Chule already knew that he was now highly valued by these Jin Han generals, and he was very happy in his heart. Finally, he didn't have to worry about being defeated and becoming a prisoner.

Hearing Koza's question, he replied:
"Master, each of the eight Khitan tribes has about 10,000 tents, and under Abaoji's leadership, the Khitans have been fighting for years, with countless casualties.

However, they conquered a large number of tribes such as the Xi, Wugu and Dilie, as well as the Jurchens east of the Great Xianbei Mountain, and plundered a large number of Tang people from the Central Plains year after year and brought them under their command.

There are now about 100,000 to 200,000 households, and nearly a million people!"

Hearing this, several people in the tent were immediately shocked.

Koza didn't want to encourage others and destroy his own prestige, so he immediately said:
"There are many Khitans, but don't forget how Your Highness led us and often defeated tribes one after another with fewer troops."

After saying this, he raised his head and bowed to the sky, saying:
"Under the protection of Lord Haotian, I, Jin Han, now have no less than six regiments of armored cavalry, totaling 5,000 people, and Your Highness is even protected by warriors bestowed by Haotian.

I firmly believe that we, the Jinhan people, will defeat all enemies under the leadership of the Son of Heaven who is inspired by the God of Heaven!

Now, there are many tribes on the grassland, and they are not under the jurisdiction of each other. The Central Plains is also divided into many countries, like a pile of loose sand. The Khitans are also busy fighting among themselves. This is a good opportunity for me, Jin Han.

We must make a suggestion to the Emperor, and take advantage of the civil strife in the Khitan to conquer and incorporate the Tatar tribes to the east, so as to increase the pastures and subjects of our Jin Han.

According to the revelation from Haotian received by the Son of Heaven, he will lead us to establish the kingdom of God of His Majesty Haotian on earth.

Our Jinhan tribe has already established a firm foothold in Jinshan, and now our influence has even extended to the lush pastures and beautiful scenery at our feet.

Therefore, the day when the Kingdom of God descends will surely come, and we only need to respectfully and humbly obey the instructions of the Son of Heaven, and everything will become better and more fulfilling.

But now, I am wondering whether we should return to Jinshan tomorrow or continue to attack the Tatar tribes. "

Yang Binghan said to the brigade commander with a serious expression: "Brigade commander, we led three regiments of troops and defeated several Tatar tribes along the way.

Now, there are more than 7000 slaves under my command, plus our cavalry, there are more than people. I am afraid it will be difficult to control so many people!

How about we return to camp tomorrow?" His tone revealed a hint of worry and uneasiness.

…………

(End of this chapter)