釋氏稽古略 4.239

4.239

Daozong of Liao, Hongji, had his title augmented to Emperor Shengwen Shenwu Quangong Daluo Congren Xiaohui Tianyou. In the second year of the Shouchang era, Fourth Gentleman Xiao Xieli of the Senior Uncle's Tent was skilled in riding and archery, heroic and unrestrained, and constantly maintained dozens of outlaws who accompanied him back and forth hunting across Liao. In the regions between the Eastern and Western Commanderies, he forcibly demanded and procured his provisions and supplies from wealthy people. One day he committed an offense, and the Liao court pursued him with great urgency. He immediately rallied a band of bandits, and in less than ten days gathered more than two thousand men, attacking and capturing several prefectures such as Qian and Xian. Various circuits dispatched troops to pursue and chastise them. He secretly led his followers and fled into the territory of the Wild Jurchen. (The Jurchen people are divided into Wild and Cultivated: those who dwell south of the Hundong River are called Cultivated Jurchen; the place where Aguda dwelt, north of the river, is called Wild Jurchen; they were also subjects of the Liao state.) There he allied with Grand Preceptor Yangge to plot rebellion. When the Liao armies pursued them to the border, they did not dare advance, so they reported all this to the Northern Bureau of Military Affairs. Soon an imperial directive was issued and delivered to Yangge to deal with it on his own. Yangge delayed for several months, decapitated only Xieli, and sent his eldest son Aguda to present the head to Liao. He did not send any of the others, deceitfully saying they had all been executed. Having no alternative, Liao promoted the official titles and ranks of Yangge and his son. From this time on, Yangge and his son internally relied upon their merit toward Liao and secretly harbored treacherous ambitions, annexing neighboring tribes and constantly bribing the powerful and noble with gold, pearls, and fine horses to cultivate good relations (Qidan guo zhi).