Chapter 1009: Landing at Hangzhou

While Li Yu languished in sorrow within his palace in Jinling, the Wuyue king Qian Hongchu, whom he thought of, was also facing a difficult choice. Of course, calling it a difficult choice was merely the result of conflicted feelings—he had long since decided to bow to the times, but with the moment now at hand, his heart could not help but feel uneasy.

Ever since Chancellor Tao Gu had come south bearing the imperial staff and lingered without leaving, Qian Hongchu had sensed what was coming. And now, sure enough, the court's campaign to pacify the south was not merely to have the Wuyue army cooperate from the southeast—more importantly, it was to coordinate with the court's naval forces in landing and strengthening military strength.

After all, judging from past battle results, the Wuyue army alone could not achieve a breakthrough. Though various factors were at play, if the court's great army were to come across the sea, Qian Hongchu could not help but wonder—was the court's pacification of the south meant to pacify his Wuyue as well?

His mood was extraordinarily conflicted, but even so, did Qian Hongchu have any other choice? Did he dare harbor any other thoughts?

At the mouth of the Qiantang River, the tides rose and fell. After entering the ninth month, the magnificent tidal surges were no more, and along both shores of the bay, there was no longer the bustling scene of crowds gathering to watch the great tide.

In Hangzhou Bay, deep autumn had set in. Standing on the dock, gazing at the vast autumn waves, Qian Hongchu sighed once more. Accompanying him were some Wuyue clansmen and civil and military officials, along with over a thousand guards. The scene was solemn and grand, of the highest protocol—but the center around which the crowd gathered did not seem to be Qian Hongchu, but rather the court envoy standing beside him, Tao Gu.

"Why does Your Highness sigh?" Tao Gu, dressed in vermilion and purple, was growing bored. Hearing the sigh, he could not help but ask with a smile.

"Watching the tides rise and fall, I felt a moment of reflection!" Glancing at Tao Gu, Qian Hongchu replied flatly, his tone neither warm nor cold.

Toward Tao Gu, Qian Hongchu in truth felt considerable displeasure. This old fellow liked to trade on his seniority, making demands at every turn and putting on airs. Yet, after all, he was a chancellor of the Great Han and an envoy of the Son of Heaven, bearing the imperial commission—so he had to endure it with some patience.

Sensing the slightly dismissive tone in Qian Hongchu's voice, Tao Gu felt somewhat embarrassed, having been snubbed. Likewise, he did not dare offend the King of Wuyue too greatly, for in the southeastern corner, the state of Wuyue still carried considerable weight.

Borrowing the tiger's might to play the fox, throwing his weight around and asserting his presence—this was merely to satisfy his own vanity. But if it delayed the Son of Heaven's great affairs, Tao Gu did not have the courage for that.

After a moment's thought, a smile spread across Tao Gu's aged face as he said: "I trouble Your Highness to come personally to welcome me. Your Highness's utter devotion to the court shines as bright as the sun and moon. When I return to the capital, I shall surely report this truthfully to Your Majesty!"

That was just the sort of man Tao Gu was—haughty at first, then deferential, somewhat contemptible. One does not strike a smiling face. Sensing Tao Gu's shift in attitude, Qian Hongchu's expression softened somewhat as he replied: "Then I thank Chancellor Tao for his kind words!"

During his time as envoy to Hangzhou, Tao Gu had lived quite comfortably. The task the Emperor had assigned was not truly difficult—though there had been some dispute over welcoming the great army's landing, in the end he dared not refuse. As for the remaining days, Tao Gu had thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and customs of Wuyue.

In the fifteen or sixteen years of Qian Hongchu's rule, the various prefectures under Wuyue's jurisdiction enjoyed political stability, peaceful livelihoods, and economic prosperity—truly a time of good governance. Tao Gu had taken the opportunity to experience it firsthand. Though this old fellow was nearing sixty, his energy and appetite remained excellent—fine food and beautiful women, he refused nothing...

Beside Qian Hongchu stood another elder, in brocade robes and a jade crown, leaning on a walking staff. Though aged, he carried himself with righteousness and extraordinary bearing. This man was named Yuan Dezhao, the chancellor of Wuyue—resourceful and wise, with keen insight into affairs, a paragon of virtue, held in high esteem, and deeply trusted by the Qian clan.

However, at this moment, gazing at Tao Gu, Yuan Dezhao could not help but feel contempt. The Son of Heaven of the Great Han, whose might shook the world, actually employed such a petty man as chancellor. Hmm—because of Tao Gu, Yuan Dezhao's estimation of Emperor Liu in his heart also dropped a few notches...

With scouts riding up to report, there was no need to wait much longer. Gazing into the distance, a fleet appeared on the horizon. Tall ships and great vessels, approaching from far to near, cutting through the waves—this was a massive fleet, fully two hundred or more warships, mostly large combat vessels, the main force of the Great Han navy led by Chief General Guo Tingwei of the Jinghai Army.

After the imperial edict to pacify the south was issued, the naval forces, long prepared and awaiting orders, set out under Guo Tingwei's command from Mizhou Harbor. This great army traveled south by sea, landing at Hangzhou Bay—besides achieving the strategic intent of outflanking from the rear and coordinating with the Jianghuai forces to break Jinling, there was also the purpose of continuing to train the navy's ability to project forces across long sea distances.

Compared to the small-scale trial of crossing the sea to strike the Khitan years ago, this time more troops were deployed, the fleet was larger, the voyage was longer, and the accumulation of experience in ocean navigation was immense.

Of course, the most important purpose lay in the Wuyue question. Once the court's army entered Wuyue territory, how matters developed and how the situation shifted would no longer be within the Qian clan's control.

Dispatching troops to pacify the south meant pacifying the entire south—this was the goal Liu Chengyou had set from the very beginning: leave no loose ends, sweep it all clean in one stroke.

The docking of the warships took half a day. When the court army from the south finished landing, the Wuyue side handled the reception affairs very thoroughly—clean and orderly camps had long been set up, and supplies for rewarding the troops were all arranged, saving Guo Tingwei a great deal of trouble.

Accompanying Guo Tingwei south this time were thirty thousand troops in total, sixty percent of them naval soldiers and sailors, with the rest drawn from other regional forces—truly a combined land and sea operation. Perhaps to dispel the concerns of Wuyue's civil and military officials and reassure them, Guo Tingwei strictly disciplined his officers and men, and did not allow the Han army to enter the city.

Such gestures did carry goodwill, but with tens of thousands of troops arriving from the south, how could their hearts be truly at ease? As night fell, Qian Hongchu hosted a banquet at the Wuyue royal palace to entertain the Han generals from the south. Guo Tingwei, after arranging military affairs and giving instructions to his subordinate commanders, entered the city with only a single escort to attend the banquet.

In the autumn night, the cold wind pierced to the bone. Before the Wuyue royal palace, Tao Gu had arrived early and was waiting. Only when Guo Tingwei rode up on horseback did he descend from his carriage to greet him.

"How could I trouble Chancellor Tao to welcome me?" Toward the chancellor, Guo Tingwei maintained proper humility, observing all the courtesies.

Tao Gu was very pleased with this attitude, smiling as he said: "This pacification of the south will rely on capable generals like General Guo. I am merely an old relic—this is only proper!"

Seeing Tao Gu's courtesy, Guo Tingwei breathed a slight sigh of relief. Looking at the old man, he asked: "Chancellor Tao has been waiting here—is there some instruction you wish to convey?"

"General Guo is indeed quick-witted!" Tao Gu nodded and said: "Does the General know why His Majesty had you lead the army through Hangzhou?"

Hearing this question, Guo Tingwei thought for a moment, then said: "Is it truly intended to seize Wuyue?"

Seeing Guo Tingwei's furrowed brow, Tao Gu chuckled lightly: "What, does General Guo have objections?"

Guo Tingwei hurriedly said: "This humble officer merely feels that the foremost priority at present should be coordinating with the main army on the front to destroy Jiangnan. The matter of Wuyue need not be rushed!"

"General Guo indeed has insight and knows what matters most!" Tao Gu said: "His Majesty shares this view! Your approach is excellent—it has greatly dispelled the concerns of Wuyue's ruler and ministers!"

"What, do they still dare harbor thoughts of opposing the court?" Guo Tingwei's brow rose, his expression slightly surprised.

Tao Gu said in a measured tone: "After all, the Qian clan has stood in Jiangzhe and held their state for decades. To have their prefectures, lands, and people taken away all at once—who wouldn't feel reluctant in their heart? On this point, His Majesty has also said it is understandable."

"What does Chancellor Tao mean?" Guo Tingwei's expression relaxed somewhat as he sought guidance.

Tao Gu, after all, was here as the Son of Heaven's envoy, stationed in Hangzhou to coordinate and respond from the center. Guo Tingwei did not dare underestimate this old man, nor did he dare offend him—he had to listen to his opinions.

"The King of Wuyue is quite sensible to the times. Though his heart is heavy, he would not dare defy Your Majesty or the court!" Tao Gu said calmly: "For this northern campaign against Chang and Run, he will also give his full support—on this point, I do acknowledge him.

This time, the King of Wuyue has assembled twenty thousand land and naval troops to accompany the operations. What the General needs to do is, during the northern campaign, seize the opportunity to take control of the Wuyue forces. By then, once Jinling falls, perhaps the King of Wuyue can return to the capital with me.

Additionally, be sure to restrain the officers and men, enforce strict military discipline, and do not harm the people of Wuyue!"

"Yes!"