Chapter 240 Countdown to Unify the World
Throughout East Asian history, Li Cunxu of the Later Tang Dynasty waged numerous wars against the increasingly powerful Khitan in the north. Li Cunxu's military prowess was unrivaled during the Five Dynasties period in East Asia. His ability to maintain stability despite attacks from both the Zhu Liang and Khitan factions was truly remarkable.
What we are going to discuss here is Li Cunxu's second victory over the Khitan, the second of the Battle of Dingzhou. According to the Old History of the Five Dynasties, in this battle Li Cunxu captured Abaoji's son.
The original text is as follows: In the nineteenth year of Tianyou...over ten thousand Khitan cavalrymen suddenly encountered the imperial army and retreated in panic. The emperor divided his army into two groups and pursued them for dozens of miles, capturing Anbajian's son. At the time, the ice on the Sha River was thin, and the bridges were narrow. The enemy scrambled to cross, and many drowned.
Abaoji had four sons: Yelü Bei, Yelü Deguang, and Yelü Lihu; the fourth son was Yelü Yaguli, born to a palace maid. Yelü Bei, Yelü Deguang, and Yelü Lihu are all well-known figures with clear historical records, so it is highly unlikely that they were captured. Therefore, it is undoubtedly Yaguli who was captured. Compared to his three brothers, Yaguli is relatively unknown, with few records about him, which is likely related to his capture.
However, a review of the Liao History reveals a different account of Yaguoli's capture: "Yaliguo, courtesy name Di Nian. Fourth. After returning from the Jin Dynasty, he began to serve as a Tiyin. He was a quiet man, skilled in riding and shooting. In the third year of Tianxian, he rescued Yelusha in Dingzhou, where he was captured by Li Siyuan. He was not released until the establishment of Shi Jin." This raises a question: the Liao History records Yaguoli's capture as occurring in the third year of Tianxian, the reign of Emperor Mingzong of Tang, Li Siyuan. This means Yaguoli's capture did not occur around the 19th year of Tianyou, during the Battle of Dingzhou by Li Cunsi. So, what happened in the third year of Tianxian? That same year, a major battle also took place between the Later Tang and Khitan at Dingzhou. Later Tang Wang Yanqiu commanded the battle, defeating the Khitan. The Liao History records that Tang troops captured Dingzhou, killing Tiela and capturing dozens of others, including Nerilgun and Chala. The emperor, deeply regretting the ill-timed expedition, generously rewarded the families of the officers who died in the battle.
So was Abaoji's son Yaliguo captured in the battle with Li Cunxu in the 19th year of Tianyou or in the war with Emperor Mingzong of Tang in the 3rd year of Tianxian?
Let’s look at the list of Liao army participants in the third year of Tianxian in the History of Liao: “Tie La defeated the Tang general Wang Yanqiu in Dingzhou. The Tang army gathered in large numbers, and Tie La asked for reinforcements. In Xin Chou, he ordered Tiyin Nerligun and Dutong Cha La to go there.” Tie La here is Tu Nei, an old rival of the Later Tang Dynasty. Li Cunxu also fought against him in Dingzhou. The person we need to pay attention to here is Tiyin Nerligun. Who is he?
As an important expedition, leading all the troops south, the Tiyin here must not be an ordinary tribal Tiyin, but the Da Nei Tiyin.
The Grand Chamberlain was a crucial position established by Abaoji, specifically responsible for managing the affairs of the imperial family. This position was held exclusively by members of the royal family. The last Grand Chamberlain during Abaoji's reign was Yelü Anduan (served twice), Abaoji's younger brother. Before him was Yelü Dieli, Abaoji's cousin; all three were prominent members of the imperial family. After Abaoji's death, Yelü Deguang ascended the throne, and the first Grand Chamberlain he appointed was this Tiyin Nerilgun. The Liao History states: "In the second month of the third year of Tianxian... he went to Changluo. In the year Ji Hai, Tiyin Nerilgun entered Bailang." Just months after his entry, Tiyin Nerilgun was captured at the Battle of Dingzhou. So, who was this Tiyin Nerilgun? It remains a mystery!
After Tiyin Nerigun was captured, Yelu Wa took over as Tiyin. "In the sixth year, May, Jichou, during hunting at Duniu Mountain, the chestnut horse that Tiyin Di Nian was riding died, so the mountain was named Liu Mountain. In the eleventh year, November, Dingyou, Tiyin Di Nianwa was ordered to resist. On Renshen, Tiyin Wa and Linya Dilibi came to offer captives." Although the character in Yaguoli is also Di Nian, the Di Nian here shows to be Yelu Wa (grandson of royal family Yelu Shilu). Then the record of Tiyin in Liao History was found in the third year of Huihe - Tiyin Yelu Nerigude was ordered to lead 10,000 cavalry as the vanguard!
Who is this Yelu Nergu? What is his relationship to Yaliguo? And what is his relationship to Nergun?
I think Yelu Nergu is most likely Yaliguo, and also Nergun. In the third year of Huihe, Yaliguo should have returned to Liao from Jin, which is consistent with the record of "returning from Jin and becoming Tiyin". However, the history of Liao records that he became Tiyin only after returning from Jin. In this case, Nergun should not be Yaliguo!
My opinion on this is that Nerrigun was still Yaliguo, but he served as Tiyin for too short a time before being captured, only a few months, so this part of his resume was ignored.
Yelü Nergu, Yaliguo, and Nergun are likely the same person. As Yelü Deguang had just taken office, the Tiyin he appointed must have had a close relationship with him, so Yaliguo was undoubtedly a good choice. Secondly, although the origins of many Tiyin officials in Liao history are unreliable, the origins of the first few Tiyin officials are generally clear, with few unverifiable details. It's unlikely that Yelü Deguang's first Tiyin, Nergun, was unknown, and there must be other clues about him in Liao history, most likely Yaliguo.
Finally, there is another question. In the historical materials of the Central Plains, there is a word "Teligun", and Teligun is interpreted as the Khitan's "Tiyin". For example, it is recorded that "Liao appointed the prince Zongxun as Da Nei Teligun". The Da Nei Teligun here is Da Nei Tiyin. However, I think Nerigun is not Teligun, and they cannot be confused. Nerigun obviously appears as a name in the record, and the record is also very clear "Tiyin Nerigun".
My level is limited, and the above is my very immature research, which is only used to throw out some ideas, hoping to gain more mature opinions and suggestions. If my opinion is true, then Li Cunxu did not capture Abaoji's son in the Battle of Dingzhou, and it was probably during the reign of Emperor Mingzong of Tang that Yaguoli was captured.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!
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