Chapter 101: Liu Zhiyuan at Luoyang

The Western Capital, Luoyang.

A towering majestic city, standing tall above the Luo River. Having weathered the baptism of war and endured the onslaught of wind and frost, even as it steadily declines, the historical depth of this thousand-year ancient capital still remains on display.

It was already the end of the fourth month, the tail of early summer. Under the blazing sun, the weather was hot enough to be irritating. Even the locals, accustomed to the climate, were growing impatient—let alone those Hu barbarians from beyond the borders.

Outside the vast city, more than a dozen great camps were set up, their banners varied and mixed. Among them, however, several stood out—black robes, black armor, black banners. These belonged to the Imperial Guard of the new dynasty from Hedong.

West of the Pass was impoverished, but the situation there remained chaotic and tense. Not only was there the "anti-Liao movement," but the armies of the Later Shu were taking advantage of the turmoil in the Central Plains to actively advance, continuously raiding and expanding. It seemed that the ambitions of Shu Emperor Meng Chang were far from small. Not content with seizing the four prefectures of Qin and Feng, before even digesting those gains, he already intended to send troops eastward, invade Jingzhao, and seize Chang'an.

After making a not-too-large detour, Liu Zhiyuan constructed a barely reliable defensive line west of the capital region, then led his army eastward into Yi-Luo at a leisurely pace.

Lately, Emperor Liu Zhiyuan's mood had been exceptionally good. The strategy of advancing into the Central Plains had gone far too smoothly—driving straight in, sweeping all before him, with the resistance he faced in reality far smaller than expected. Along the way, he had basically spent his time accepting surrenders and recruiting defectors, achieving no small breakthroughs on every front.

Over at Huaizhou, after more than a month of siege, Henei City had finally been breached by Shi Hongzhao. The puppet Heyang Military Governor Cui Tingxun ultimately became a loyal minister of the Khitan—or of course, it's possible he wanted to surrender but couldn't. According to reports, he was killed by mutinous soldiers when the city fell.

On Shi Hongzhao's side, the cost paid was not great either. He had apparently calculated the date of Liu Zhiyuan's eastward arrival, and led his forces to rendezvous with him at Luoyang.

Upon hearing that Liu Zhiyuan's imperial carriage was coming, the righteous armies of the He-Luo region also gathered in response, pledging their loyalty and devotion. However, these people's desire to earn a meal was rather more genuine. After the Khitan's plundering, not to mention the common folk, even the soldiers and bandits were going hungry.

Liu Zhiyuan accepted them all, and selected the brave among them to supplement the imperial army—especially those who had previously served in the Shi Jin imperial army, who could be used immediately. Since entering He-Luo from the east, the military strength in Liu Zhiyuan's hands had rapidly swelled and grown, though the distinction between good and bad had become increasingly apparent.

Of course, what delighted Liu Zhiyuan most—even surprised him—was none other than the news of the Battle of Luancheng arriving!

Carefully reading the battle report sent from Zhenzhou, and listening to the envoy's description, Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. After the joy passed, Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but find his second son's boldness and luck almost unbelievable, and he was beside himself over the brilliance of the victory.

Compared to Liu Chengyou's detached force's sharp advance and soaring spirit in Hebei, Liu Zhiyuan's side, sitting idle with a great army, had achievements that looked somewhat inadequate.

Upon hearing that the Liao Emperor had died and the Liao army had been defeated, Liu Zhiyuan's psychological pressure dropped sharply, and his morale rose. He was no longer as conservative as before. In the Luoyang palace city, at the Civilization Hall, he received officials of the Western Capital and began discussing the matter of changing the dynastic name. The shabby signboard of "Jin" had by now lost all its utility—it was time to discard it.

At the same time, many generals in the Imperial Guard, led by Shi Hongzhao, repeatedly petitioned, eager to march east and take Kaifeng. They too had been stimulated by the results of the Battle of Luancheng.

Toward Liu Chengyou, in his great joy, Liu Zhiyuan once again issued an edict, appointing him Military Governor of Chengde, Commissioner for the Pacification of All Armies of Hebei, and Grand Minister of Works, with overall authority over the affairs of all prefectures and circuits in Hebei. The titles were quite resounding, but the actual function was not great. Still, it did genuinely give him the opportunity to intervene in the military and political affairs of the Hebei prefectures. Following that, Liu Chengyou's memorials requesting troop expansion, rewards, and certain official appointments were all approved by Liu Zhiyuan without exception.

At this time, someone suggested that the Second Prince's power was excessive, and obliquely advised Liu Zhiyuan that he should impose some checks. Liu Zhiyuan flew into a rage upon hearing this, suspecting the man of trying to sow discord between father and son, and ordered the speaker executed.

Then, within less than two days, Liu Zhiyuan appointed his eldest son Liu Chengxun as Military Governor of Anguo, Commissioner for the Pacification and Recruitment of the Hebei Prefectures, and Minister over the Masses, leading troops out from Taiyuan to reinforce Liu Chengyou at Zhenzhou, and to escort the captured wealth southward.

Since entering Luoyang, Liu Zhiyuan, keenly feeling the dilapidation of the capital region, had already sensed enormous fiscal pressure. The large quantity of captured wealth was, for the new dynasty, something that could restore a great deal of blood—extremely important. If it hadn't existed, he wouldn't have thought about it; but since it did, Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but keep it in mind.

One must understand that on the Hedong side, in order to support the advance into the Central Plains, the finances were on the verge of collapse. To raise pay, grain, weapons, and clothing, State Finance Commissioner Wang Zhang had pulled out no small amount of his hair. Many harsh exploitative measures had already destabilized the people's hearts.

Within the palace city, Liu Zhiyuan received another Military Governor who had come to pay homage—Wu Xingde, Military Governor of Heyang, whom he had personally appointed. Toward these military governors who had dared to be first in the world to submit when the early situation was still unclear, Liu Zhiyuan showed great favor, personally keeping them to dine with him as a mark of honor.

Wu Xingde was evidently a man who knew how to read the room. He personally led his troops across the river from Mengjin, expressing his wish to escort the Son of Heaven to the Eastern Capital. At the same time, he transported the grain and supplies he had requisitioned in Heyang to present as tribute. Though the quantity was not great, it fully expressed his sincerity.

Liu Zhiyuan was very satisfied with such a clever man, bestowing upon him robes, silks, and fine weapons, with much encouragement. And Wu Xingde was also a man of Bingzhou, so he treated him with even greater intimacy. In this era, Hedong generals truly were everywhere.

"Military discipline still needs to be rectified!" Having personally inspected the military camps around Luoyang, Liu Zhiyuan's dark, ugly face clearly showed dissatisfaction. Though the number of troops had increased, the oversight of military discipline had evidently grown somewhat lax.

"We have not yet entered the Eastern Capital, and there are still many prefectures and circuits across the realm that do not submit. Who knows how many battles remain to be fought. Anything can be relaxed—but the army alone cannot!" Liu Zhiyuan's voice already carried anger as he rebuked.

The officers present all assented meekly. Shi Hongzhao's expression was also somewhat unpleasant. As Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry, the top commander of the new dynasty's imperial army, he naturally bore responsibility when problems emerged from below.

He had a bad temper, and having lost face before Liu Zhiyuan, he naturally harbored a fire in his heart. With a taut face, he assured Liu Zhiyuan: "Rest assured, Your Majesty—this general will certainly rectify this strictly!"

Shi Hongzhao, though eccentric and unruly in temperament, still had a knack for managing troops—especially in the area of military discipline, where he restrained his subordinates with harsh punishments and severe laws. Marching south with his army, his Wujie Army had fully achieved the standard of not harming the people in the slightest.

Back then, among the various Hedong armies, only the Wujie Army under Shi Hongzhao's command could compare in military discipline to the rectified Longqi Army. But because his methods were excessively harsh, most soldiers feared his authority while resenting the man himself.

And judging by his expression, in order to give Liu Zhiyuan an accounting, he was likely about to crack down hard again.