Chapter 1151: The Current State of Liao

"What is the situation at the field headquarters?" Liu Chengyou glanced at Zhang Quhua and asked again.

"Your Majesty, Academician Shi has reported that Wang Zhaoyuan, having completed his mission to Liao, has returned south and, upon imperial summons, has arrived at Yuncheng!" Zhang Quhua replied. "Additionally, as late spring draws to a close, officials from the prefectures of Henan have gathered at Licheng. Administration Commissioner Li has reported that Licheng is fully prepared to receive Your Majesty. Your Majesty has been staying at Liangshan for quite some time now......"

"We have indeed lingered here too long!" Emperor Liu nodded upon hearing this, then looked at the younger Lady Fu, who was still seated beside him in an elegant posture, and asked with a smile: "Have you enjoyed this outing?"

It seemed the younger Lady Fu was not entirely satisfied, but she was not an ungracious woman. She smiled gently and said softly: "We have tarried long enough; we must not delay the journey further, nor hold up matters of state!"

"We depart at dawn tomorrow for the field headquarters, and the imperial procession sets out the day after for Qi Prefecture!" Emperor Liu commanded.

"Yes!"

"Sit down and have some grilled fish!" Pointing at the fish that was already cooked, Emperor Liu instructed Zhang Quhua.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Quhua's face immediately lit up with delight. The fish was an ordinary carp, and grilled, its flavor could hardly be exceptional—but it had been caught by the Emperor himself. How many in this world could enjoy such a treat?

Zhang Quhua certainly had his proud side, but as a scholar-official under imperial authority, to receive such closeness from the Emperor was naturally a great honor.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince Liu Shu had already begun gnawing away, his mouth smeared with oily black......

——————

"By the Emperor's oral decree, Wang Zhaoyuan is summoned to audience!" Before the imperial tent of the field headquarters, Yan Tuo, with a proud expression, looked at Wang Zhaoyuan waiting respectfully and said in a gruff voice.

"Yes!" Wang Zhaoyuan cupped his hands in acknowledgment, straightened his already neat robes and cap, and entered to face the sovereign.

From Baima to Yuncheng, he had traveled day after day. By the time he arrived, Emperor Liu had already gone off to enjoy himself among the mountains and villages. After waiting anxiously for two days, Emperor Liu returned. During his time at the field headquarters, Wang Zhaoyuan could not help but feel tense, for the subordinate officials and guards who had accompanied him north had all been summoned for questioning by Li Chongju, Commissioner of the Wude Office. Such actions could hardly put him at ease.

Fortunately, no sooner had Emperor Liu returned to the field headquarters than he summoned Wang Zhaoyuan to audience, showing no sign of cold-shouldering him, which somewhat comforted his heart.

Entering the tent to pay his respects, Emperor Liu's kind attitude further set Wang Zhaoyuan's mind at ease. Indeed, with the current Son of Heaven's wisdom and keen vision, how could he be swayed by the words of jealous petty men?

"This journey to the Khitan, departing in autumn and returning in early spring, took over half a year. Minister Wang, you have worked hard!" Emperor Liu said warmly, gesturing for Wang Zhaoyuan to sit.

"Your Majesty flatters me. Bearing a mission, I naturally did my utmost, and did not disgrace the might of the Central Kingdom!" Wang Zhaoyuan said.

"Such a long time abroad must have brought extraordinary experiences and rich gains! How fare the military and governance of the Khitan state?" Emperor Liu asked.

As the only powerful neighbor of the Great Han, Emperor Liu was deeply concerned about it—especially after the "Fengshan sacrifices" had stirred his thoughts, he grew ever more eager to take action against Liao.

Indeed, by now, for Emperor Liu, within all the four seas and eight wilds, only Liao could keep his ambition unflagging.

"Your Majesty, during this northern mission, I resided long in their land and secretly observed their governance. I must say, the Khitan remain a formidable foe of the Great Han and must not be taken lightly!" Wang Zhaoyuan hesitated briefly, then probed cautiously.

Speaking such words carried risk. Among the civil and military officials of the Great Han today, few regarded the Khitan with the same dread as in years past. While they could not be said to despise them, words that boosted the enemy's morale and deflated one's own were rarely spoken anymore.

"Mm!" Emperor Liu reacted calmly, gesturing to Wang Zhaoyuan: "Continue!"

"Your Majesty, since the northern campaigns, Liao has rested and recuperated for a full eight years. Now, its political situation is stable, and its people are at peace. Though disturbances exist within its borders, they are but minor ailments—nothing to cause great concern.

In the great Han–Liao war, its imperial guard suffered heavy losses, but these have now been restored. The Left and Right Pishi Armies maintain a standing force of thirty thousand iron cavalry year-round, and its heavy cavalry has also been re-established.

While at Linhuang, I was invited by the Liao sovereign to hunt and review troops. I saw that their army was well-ordered and well-equipped—though not as elite as our Han forces, it can still be called a strong army!

I have heard that in the early days after their defeat in the great Han–Liao war, the Khitan were wracked by internal strife, and the people suffered greatly. When civil and military officials rendered meritorious service, the Liao sovereign had nothing to reward them with. Now, however, he can bestow gold, silver, and horses......"

"It seems eight years have been enough for the Khitan to recover their vitality!" Liu Chengyou said. "The cattle, horses, and wealth of the Western Regions have brought them no small profit!"

"Indeed!" Wang Zhaoyuan nodded. "However, in terms of accumulated troops, horses, grain, and coin, Liao cannot be compared to the Great Han. Where they store one grain, the Great Han can store ten; where they recruit one soldier, the Great Han can summon ten; where they forge one weapon, the Great Han can produce tenfold. Thus, the Khitan's recovery is still of little account to the Great Han! Yet, since their military and governance function smoothly, the court should not underestimate them!"

"Is not the Great Han's advantage precisely this? Your words are well measured!" Seeing that Wang Zhaoyuan remained cautious throughout his speech, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Zhaoyuan cupped his hands and continued: "Last winter, the Shiwei rebelled again. The Liao sovereign sent troops to suppress them, and I accompanied the army to observe. The Shiwei were fierce and brave, unafraid of death, yet they were easily pacified—defeated in just two battles!"

"He lets you hunt with him, review his troops, and accompany his army to suppress rebellions—showing you all the realities of his state's military and governance. This Liao sovereign is quite open and generous!" Emperor Liu said with meaningful emphasis.

Wang Zhaoyuan replied: "I believe the Liao sovereign was displaying his military might to me, intending to intimidate our state!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu said: "Since ancient times, the strong flaunt their power, and the weak offer humble words and lavish gifts. What does the Liao sovereign mean by this?"

"I believe the Liao sovereign knows his national strength cannot match the Great Han, and fears we might scheme against him. Thus he puts on a show of strength to increase our court's wariness!" Wang Zhaoyuan answered.

"Before I returned, the Liao sovereign also prepared generous gifts, entrusting me to present them to Your Majesty!"

"The Liao sovereign gave me gifts too?" Emperor Liu grew interested: "What are they? More cattle, horses, and local products?"

Wang Zhaoyuan said: "Besides fine horses, white jade discs, sable furs, and the like, there is also a golden scepter. It is said the Liao sovereign had skilled artisans from the Western Regions craft it with great expense and care!"

As he spoke, Yan Tuo had already presented it with both hands for Emperor Liu's inspection. Taking it in hand, Emperor Liu found it quite weighty, with exquisite patterns and ornate craftsmanship—at a glance, clearly the work of master artisans.

Stroking the gem atop the scepter, Emperor Liu set it on the table and said with a light laugh: "First he shows his might, then he binds with lavish gifts. This Yelu Jing is quite interesting!"

Wang Zhaoyuan said: "The Liao sovereign asked me to convey to Your Majesty his desire for amity with the Great Han, to be perpetual states bound by marriage and brotherhood......"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu laughed again, saying flatly: "Pity, I have no such intention! As long as Liaodong remains in his hands, there will ultimately be war between Han and Liao!"

Emperor Liu's tone was forceful and confident, his dominance palpable, making it impossible for anyone to look askance. Turning, Liu Chengyou asked again: "I have heard the Liao sovereign delights in hunting and is addicted to killing and drink, often carousing until dawn, with none able to dissuade him. With such behavior, how can his military and governance remain stable?"

Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyuan also sighed with feeling: "Your Majesty, those the Liao sovereign kills are mostly his close attendants and traitorous ministers within the state; he does not trouble officials or commoners. As for governance, a body of civil and military officials manages it. His hunting and drinking do not affect its normal functioning, and all is stable within and without."

Frowning slightly, Emperor Liu said: "I have often wondered—after Yelu Wuzhi and Yelu Talie die, will there still be those in the Khitan state capable of holding the reins? Who holds power in Liao now?"

"The three ministers Xiao Husi, Xiao Haili, and Yelu Xianshi, along with the sovereign's younger brother Yelu Bishe!" Wang Zhaoyuan said.

Emperor Liu pondered for a while, then finally sighed: "I do not worry about their vast territory and strong army—I only fear their internal and external stability and unified military and governance......"