Chapter 1134: The Dispute Over Consolidation

"Yang Ye is a true commander!" After learning the full account of Yang Ye's entry into Xiazhou, Emperor Liu made a simple yet solemn assessment in front of the assembled ministers.

His trust and fondness for Yang Ye were almost undisguised, and the ministers present all understood. Of course, Emperor Liu's words were also a direct response to the earlier criticisms of Yang Ye at court.

Emperor Liu had never been strong in military strategy, but that did not hinder his understanding of warfare, after all, he had considerable experience leading campaigns in person. For this advance on Xiazhou, the court had prepared tens of thousands of troops and laborers along with massive quantities of war materiel—it was like crushing an egg with Mount Tai. As some had said, any experienced general could have leveled that tiny place of Xiazhou. Yet while the outcome might have been the same, the process would not necessarily have matched Yang Ye's.

"Up to the entry into Xiazhou, our officers and men have suffered fewer than two hundred casualties in total—truly without bloodying a blade. The strong fortress of Xiazhou opened its gates and surrendered peacefully. Subduing the enemy without fighting—Yang Ye is truly skilled in war!" Zhao Kuangyin, who was also present, nodded and echoed Emperor Liu's words with praise.

"With Xiazhou taken, the Dingnan Army is settled!" Wei Renpu also broke into a smile and said cheerfully.

Of course, Emperor Liu was also aware that this was not purely a military matter, and the credit could not all be hung on Yang Ye and the soldiers. So he added: "The advance on Xiazhou was truly three parts military, seven parts political. The soldiers worked hard, to be sure, but those officials who shuttled back and forth, dividing the Tangut internally, sapping their will to fight, and dissolving their resistance—their contributions cannot be erased either!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Issue the decree—all those with merit in the recovery of Xiazhou shall be rewarded!" Emperor Liu appeared especially delighted. The recovery of Xiazhou brought him even greater joy than the breaking of Shandan and the taking of Gansu in years past.

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Dou Yi stepped forward. The old man wore a grave expression and, cupping his hands, directly poured cold water on Emperor Liu: "Of the four prefectures of Xia and Sui, only Xiazhou has been recovered so far. Li Guangrui may have surrendered under pressure, but can the Dingnan Army truly submit so easily?

Moreover, there are still numerous Tangut tribesmen who have not been won over. I believe the matter of Xia and Sui has only just begun. To take them without being able to pacify them will bring endless troubles. The court is far from the time for rewarding merit—the task of consolidation is what matters most now..."

Dou Yi's words were loyal and forthright, though his tone was somewhat blunt. Still, none of those present were surprised by his manner—that was just the kind of man he was.

Emperor Liu naturally understood as well. To summarize Dou Yi's words: Your Majesty, don't be too happy too soon!

It was inevitably a bit of a dampener, but he was not muddled on matters of great importance, and his tolerance for Dou Yi was very high. His smile faded, and Liu Chengyou returned to a composed demeanor. He glanced at Dou Yi and replied: "Minister Dou speaks rightly. With such joyous news flying in, I could not contain my delight and got carried away!"

"Your Majesty is wise! I beg forgiveness for my impertinent words!" Seeing Emperor Liu's response, Dou Yi was satisfied. He bowed, then took his seat.

Emperor Liu swept his gaze across the room and asked: "The Tangut have migrated into He and Long for centuries, and the Tuoba Li clan has entrenched themselves in Xia and Sui for nearly a century—deeply rooted, their influence is not to be underestimated. Though they have surrendered now, inwardly they will not submit. How to handle the aftermath, and how to govern Xia, Sui, and the Tangut henceforth—the court must deliberate carefully and act with prudence. What suggestions do you all have?"

"Your Majesty, I believe the foremost task now is to urge the northwest and recover all four prefectures of Xia and Sui, resolve the military situation, and secure the cities. Only once the situation is stabilized should we discuss the matter of consolidation!" As Commissioner of Military Affairs, Li Chuyun spoke directly from the perspective of military governance.

"Mm!" Emperor Liu nodded: "With Xiazhou taken, how could the remaining three prefectures hold out in defiance? We should think ahead to avoid being caught unprepared!"

Of the four prefectures of Xia and Sui, three remained. Youzhou had already been taken by Cui Han, and the remaining two—Yin and Sui—had no basis to resist after Xiazhou's surrender. At Yinzhou, Prefect Li Guangyan was a clever man, and his dealings with the court in recent years had been quite frequent. At Suizhou, Li Yishun had succeeded his elder brother Li Yiquan; his seat was not yet secure, his strength was even weaker, and militarily he posed no concern.

"I have pondered several strategies and beg Your Majesty to hear them!" At this moment, Li Ye rose and bowed.

Looking at his young maternal uncle, now around forty years of age, whose bearing had grown increasingly distinguished and whose performance at court was ever more active, Liu Chengyou waved his sleeve: "Speak!"

"First, following the precedent of Gua and Sha, relocate the Tuoba Li clan and the local magnates of each prefecture inland. Are they not deeply rooted and entangled locally? Move them out of Xia and Sui—like severing a tree's roots or cutting off a stream's source, they will no longer be a concern to the court.

Second, promote the talented officials and men of the local Han remnant population, using them to assist the court in governance, which will help stabilize the situation.

Third, for the various Tangut tribes, register them into the household system, transform their customs, and make them truly subjects of the Great Han. Those who are obedient and close to the court may be granted certain official positions."

Li Ye laid out his three proposals one by one, and the hall quickly fell into silence. Everyone seemed to be pondering his suggestions, including Emperor Liu—though the expressions on their faces all showed some reservation.

"What do you all think?" Liu Chengyou asked.

At the question, it was Wei Renpu again who spoke: "What Minister Li has said is fairly comprehensive in consideration, but it may be too hasty. If we act in haste, I fear complications may arise and unexpected troubles may emerge!"

"If Chancellor Wei has something to say, by all means speak frankly. If there are problems with my strategy, please point them out!" As Wei Renpu finished, Li Ye shot him a sidelong glance and said.

Glancing at Li Ye, who was feigning composure, Wei Renpu maintained his gentle demeanor and said: "The four prefectures of Xia and Sui have not yet fully submitted, and it will take time before the situation stabilizes. To relocate them rashly—if the Tangut magnates refuse to accept it, chaos may ensue. Xia and Sui are not comparable to Gua and Sha after all. The Tangut are fierce in custom and have long occupied their lands—they cannot be spoken of in the same breath, and the measures taken cannot be entirely modeled on that precedent!

The surviving Han families and people of the region share the same roots as the Central Plains—they can indeed be supported, but they must still be carefully vetted, for they have long lived under Tangut rule.

As for registering the Tangut tribes into the household system and transforming their customs, that requires even greater caution. To act too hastily may only provoke the collective wrath of the Tangut..."

Wei Renpu's words clearly did not endorse Li Ye's proposals—he refuted them almost point by point. Li Ye could hardly bear the loss of face and immediately said: "By Chancellor Wei's reasoning, should we simply make no changes to the four prefectures of Xia and Sui? Then naturally no mishaps or accidents would occur. But then why should the court waste so many troops and provisions to subdue the four prefectures?"

As soon as he finished, Dou Yi spoke up, saying directly: "The Minister's words are too extreme! The court pacified Xia and Sui precisely to bring them under governance. It is only that we must not act hastily—we need to proceed gradually, step by step eliminating the influence of the Tuoba Li clan, and there should also be a complete set of resettlement measures for the Tangut tribes..."

Hearing this, Li Ye immediately retorted: "Those are just empty words! What measures? What specific steps? I ask Chancellor Dou to spell them out!"

Struck back by Li Ye, Dou Yi's face flushed with anger, clearly about to retort in kind. Seeing them about to argue again, Emperor Liu lightly tapped the table. The sudden sound drew everyone's attention.

Noticing the Emperor's stern expression, Dou Yi swallowed the words that had risen to his lips—he was not entirely without the ability to read the room.

As for Emperor Liu, he had no interest in listening to their debate at the moment. He said: "After Li Guangrui surrendered, he indicated to Yang Ye that he was willing to hand over the military and civil authority of the Dingnan Army, but hoped to be allowed to remain in place..."

At this, Wei Renpu immediately said: "Impossible! The Tuoba Li clan and their direct kin must be relocated inland!"

Clearly, Wei Renpu also favored relocation—only that the relocation should be targeted. Emperor Liu's own stance was in fact the same. He instructed Li Chuyun: "Send orders to Yang Ye—once the four prefectures are under control, begin the relocation arrangements!"

"Yes!"

"As for where the Tuoba Li clan is to be relocated, the Hall of State Affairs will decide!" Emperor Liu then looked at Wei Renpu: "As for the future governance of the four prefectures of Xia and Sui and the Tangut tribes, the Hall of State Affairs should draft a proposal as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Wei Renpu accepted the order.

"Has there been any news from Guangxi?" Emperor Liu then asked about Pan Mei's movements.

"No latest report has come in yet. Should we send a dispatch in the name of the Bureau of Military Affairs to urge them along?" Li Chuyun requested instructions.

"No need!" Emperor Liu waved his hand in refusal without a moment's thought.