Chapter 1100: The Edict to Advance West

In the original plans of Emperor Liu and the high-ranking officials of the Great Han, the empire would need at least three years to adjust national policy, sort out internal affairs, achieve true unification of north and south, and repair the rifts caused by more than half a century of turmoil.

During this process, domestic matters were the priority; regarding peripheral affairs, they would temporarily hold back and maintain the current situation. As for dispatching troops abroad, that required even greater caution.

However, the development of events often does not bend to human will — in just one year, they had deviated from the originally set course. Of course, situations like this had occurred more than once since Emperor Liu ascended the throne, so adjusting strategy in a timely manner, though it carried some misgivings, could not affect the final decision.

Regarding the launch of the western advance strategy, among the various ministries and high ministers, apart from Dou Yi, basically all were in agreement. Dou Yi's stubbornness lay in his obstinate belief that national policy should not be lightly changed.

Of course, opposition was futile. Throughout the years, when Emperor Liu set his mind on doing something, few could stop him, and in matters of military and state, no one had ever successfully dissuaded him. Moreover, this time he had the support of important ministers such as Wei Renpu, Zhao Kuangyin, and Li Chuyun.

As for launching the western advance now, to speak frankly, it was influenced by the situation in the Western Regions. Emperor Liu naturally hoped that the Liao army would sink into the quagmire of the Western Regions, unable to extricate itself, or even clash with the Kara-Khanid dynasty. But if he merely sat back and watched the outcome, that would be to fall into passivity.

Judging from the war situation so far, the Liao army had already achieved what could be called brilliant victories in the Western Regions. Moreover, according to intelligence relayed by spies and agents in the north, vast amounts of wealth, livestock, and slaves were already being transported eastward, flowing back into Khitan territory. The Liao emperor Yelu Jing had also gone on several western hunts — nominally for inspection and hunting, but in reality to provide backing to the Liao army on its western campaign and to enjoy the fruits of victory.

The most obvious change in Liao over these two years was that the center of governance seemed to be shifting westward, with increased attention and importance placed on the grasslands. This was probably also an effect of the western campaign.

For the Great Han, being unable to influence the situation in the Western Regions was a very uncomfortable thing. Even more concerning was that if Liao ultimately conquered the Western Regions while the Great Han did nothing, and with Hexi still unresolved, then the situation in the Great Han's northwest would not be optimistic.

Never mind that the envoy Pule spoke with such conviction, saying that the Uyghur ruler and ministers were resisting resolutely, that the Uyghurs still had strength, and that the people of Xizhou deeply hated the Khitan — based on their past performance, Emperor Liu had no confidence at all that they could withstand Liao's annexation.

The Ganzhou Uyghurs were an obstruction, and the problems of the Dingnan Army and the Tangut people were also unresolved. If these three parties ultimately colluded together, then the northwest would be at risk of total collapse.

Therefore, with the situation having developed to this point, with the Guiyi Army coming to submit, and with the western advance being what the army desired, Emperor Liu had absolutely no possibility of giving up.

As for the Ganzhou Uyghurs, although the two sides still maintained "friendly exchanges," all signs from every direction pointed to one thing: the honeymoon period between the two countries was over — starting from when the Great Han unified the south.

In the second year of Kaibao (964), at the Great Court Assembly of the first month, just as always, Emperor Liu sat high on the dragon throne, receiving congratulations from all ministers and envoys of various states, as well as memorials and tribute reports from all circuits and prefectures.

After the court was dismissed, Emperor Liu, without even changing out of his ceremonial crown and robes, summoned Wei Renpu, Wang Qiwu, and Zhao Kuangyin to come with him to the Bureau of Military Affairs.

After the ruler and ministers took their seats and tea was served, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and directly signaled to Li Chuyun: "Tell us all how the western advance military arrangements are going!"

"Yes!" Li Chuyun did not stand on ceremony. After years of serving as a high minister in the Bureau of Military Affairs, Li Chuyun had become increasingly at ease. The weakness of his status and seniority had, with the passage of time, ceased to be a shortcoming that people criticized.

Two subordinate clerks pushed the complete map of Hexi into the center of the hall. Pointing at the map, he reported: "Your Majesty, gentlemen! After deliberation in the Bureau of Military Affairs, and considering the situation of the Ganzhou Uyghurs, we believe that to recover Hexi, there is no need to send a large army — dispatching a detached force will suffice.

The preliminary plan is to use the garrison troops of Lan, Liang, and Ling prefectures and various garrisons as the main force, supplemented by conscripting five thousand cavalry from the Tibetans and various Qiang tribes, totaling twenty thousand infantry and cavalry advancing west to attack Ganzhou. Meanwhile, the Guiyi Army's forces will advance east to Suzhou, attacking from both directions in a pincer movement!"

"Twenty thousand infantry and cavalry!" Emperor Liu mused, then asked, "Isn't that too few? The Uyghurs after all have two to three hundred thousand people!"

Throughout the years, Emperor Liu had always preferred to use overwhelming superiority to crush his opponents, which had often proved quite effective. As a result, when he did not commit many troops, he felt somewhat uneasy.

Sensing the emperor's concern, Li Chuyun said: "Although the Ganzhou Uyghurs are numerous, their hearts are not united, and many of their tribes have contact with the imperial court. Moreover, what they rely on are merely the three cities of Shandan, Ganzhou, and Suzhou, with insufficient room for maneuvering. As long as we focus on their vital points and command properly, twenty thousand infantry and cavalry will be more than enough!"

"The Liao army, with just twenty to thirty thousand cavalry, was able to smash the Western Regions like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. Our Great Han's mighty army can certainly succeed in conquering Gansu as well!" Li Chuyun spoke these words brimming with confidence in a calm tone.

"Still, we should send some additional troops from Longyou and the Guannei region to strengthen border prefecture defenses, to be completely safe!" Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then said.

Clearly, Emperor Liu was still somewhat uneasy. To this, Li Chuyun could only bow his head and obey: "Yes!"

"Additionally, to ensure proper coordination between the eastern and western routes, the imperial court should send someone to take over command of the Guiyi Army's forces for unified direction!" Li Chuyun said.

"That goes without saying!" Emperor Liu said in a firm tone: "Since the Guiyi Army has come to submit, the imperial court should indeed send someone to take over. Let the Ministry of Personnel select a batch of civil officials, and the Bureau of Military Affairs select a batch of military officers, to return west together with Cao Wengong to take charge of military and civil affairs!"

"Yes!"

"Who should go to Guasha to reorganize the Guiyi Army?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Chuyun clearly had a plan already prepared: "Yang Tingzhang, Deputy Commissioner of Hexi Military Affairs, can be entrusted with this important task!"

Who was Yang Tingzhang? He was the brother-in-law of Guo Wei, Duke of Xing. Of course, if it were only because of this connection, that would not be enough to entrust him with such an important task. The man was cautious and steady, with the capacity to tolerate others. His command talents might be somewhat lacking, but the imperial court did not need him to lead the Guiyi Army in sweeping through Gansu like a hot knife through butter — all that was needed was a role of containment.

And to win over the Guiyi Army, what was needed was not the kind of general who fought and killed. Therefore, after brief consideration, Emperor Liu said: "Then let Yang Tingzhang be Patrol Inspector of Guasha. Additionally, let Lu Duoxun be Pacification Commissioner of Guasha. The two shall go together to Dunhuang to take up their posts, convey the imperial edict, and integrate the military and civil affairs of the Guiyi Army!"

"Yes!"

The Bureau of Military Affairs maintained its usual style — only responsible for matters and arrangements at the macro level, with not a single word mentioned about specific tactical issues. Those were for the commanding generals to consider; the imperial court was only responsible for the allocation of troops, funds, grain, and weapons.

"Do you gentlemen have anything else to add?" Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu and Zhao Kuangyin.

Wei Renpu thought for a moment, then replied: "Your Majesty, the Xizhou Uyghurs have come seeking aid. I believe we could make use of this matter — preparing for war under the pretext of sending troops to rescue the Western Regions, thereby lowering the vigilance of the Ganzhou Uyghurs, and also sending envoys to negotiate with the Uyghur Khagan about the matter of borrowing passage."

"Excellent!" Emperor Liu's face immediately lit up with joy, feeling this was a good strategy: "Handle it accordingly!"

Zhao Kuangyin also spoke up, reminding: "Your Majesty, when the main army is dispatched, the northwest border defenses will inevitably be affected and develop gaps. We must be careful of the Dingnan Army, to guard against unforeseen circumstances!"

"Better safe than sorry. Transmit orders to the troops of Feng, Yan, and Yanzhou that during the western advance, they must maintain heightened vigilance and strictly guard public order!" Liu Chengyou directly instructed Li Chuyun.

The ruler and ministers then discussed some additional details that the imperial court should pay attention to regarding the western advance. With this, the Great Han's operation to recover the Hexi Corridor was formally decided.

There was no public edict — secret military orders were issued. The supreme commander of the western advance was naturally Guo Rong, Duke of Ying, with the military title of Hexi Pacification Commissioner. Wang Yansheng was deputy commissioner, Wu Tingzuo was Army Supervisor and concurrently Grain Commissioner, assisted by border generals such as Guo Jin, Kang Zaiyu, and Chen Wantong.

On the first day of the first month of the second year of Kaibao, while many had not anticipated it, within the Han palace, Emperor Liu smiled as he hosted a night banquet for all his ministers, as ruler and subjects joyfully welcomed the new year. Meanwhile, on the post road from the Eastern Capital to Liangzhou, official riders galloped at full speed, carrying the edicts for the western advance, transmitting them with all haste.

The northwest situation that had been calm for many years was thus broken. This day had come much earlier than many had expected.