Chapter 119: Gambling-Style Northern Expedition

Liu Chengyou was somewhat puzzled as to where Zhao Yanshou's confidence came from. For his own part, he certainly couldn't be certain of success, even if the situation looked promising. Although the plan was proposed and pushed forward by himself, Liu Chengyou did not hold too high expectations.

This plan was itself an extremely high-risk gamble. If it succeeded, the new dynasty could avoid the fatal threat from the Khitan against the southern court for a long time to come, focus fully on consolidating the realm, developing national strength, and laying the groundwork for a future northern expedition to retake Youji. If it failed, it would still throw Youji into utter chaos, disrupt Yelu Ruan's path to the throne, reduce Youyan's war potential, and make Youyan a burden on Liao in the short term. On this point, Liu Chengyou did have some confidence in Zhao Yanshou.

In short, the Khitan must not be allowed to have it easy. But regardless of success or failure, one thing was certain — the people of Youji would not have good days ahead, perhaps even worse than under Khitan rule.

In fact, things had already been going badly within Khitan territory. Years of continuous military adventurism, the loss of most of the wealth and goods flowing in from the Central Plains and Hebei, severe losses of able-bodied men, and the succession dispute on top of it all — the aftereffects had already erupted. Under such circumstances, even if Liu Chengyou hadn't made this move, as long as the Liu family's realm didn't have internal problems, the Khitan would not dare look southward for several years.

"Since the Prince of Yan is confident, I too gain a few more points of confidence!" Toward Zhao Yanshou, Liu Chengyou continued to display a favorable attitude.

"In the lands of Youyan, the key lies in Ji City; all else is not worth discussing. Although the Khitan ruler has shown sufficient attention to Youzhou, looking at his dispositions, they are riddled with errors and omissions. If it were me, I would certainly concentrate all forces in Youzhou and would never waste troops stationed on the southern line making useless harassing attacks. Even to ensure Youzhou's safety, I would be willing to abandon Tai, Mo, and even Zhuozhou. His earlier strategy of sending troops to plunder and driving the populace south was actually quite good." Zhao Yanshou gestured animatedly as he surveyed the realm. "Zhending is over four hundred li from Youzhou. One only needs to station troops in a fortified city to stand in an invincible position!"

Zhao Yanshou still had considerable say on matters of Youyan. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou cupped his hands and said with seeming sincerity: "Hearing the Prince of Yan's words, my mind is suddenly enlightened."

"The Khitan would never imagine that Your Highness has such boldness, daring to entrust this surrendered minister. If Your Highness led the Hedong army north, you would surely be thwarted beneath the fortified walls. But when I lead the Yan troops northward, it is a return to homeland." Zhao Yanshou spoke without restraint, full of confidence.

A faint cold glint flashed through Liu Chengyou's eyes, yet the lines of his face softened as he quietly listened to Zhao Yanshou's boasting.

"That Yelu Jieli — I know this man well. Cruel and tyrannical, stubborn and vicious. The Khitan ruler left him to guard Youzhou, heh heh..." As he spoke, Zhao Yanshou couldn't help but laugh.

Zhao Yanshou was very confident. Confidence was a good thing — as long as he didn't get beaten badly after going north. As long as Zhao Yanshou could achieve half of what was expected, Liu Chengyou was willing to listen to his arrogance and observe his pride.

Zhao Yanshou was simply too familiar with Youzhou — the roads and rivers, the cities and passes, all etched in his mind. Coupled with the Liao army's defensive dispositions that Liu Chengyou had probed out, an advance plan had been formulated early on.

Atop Puyin's city walls, staring wide-eyed at the Yan troops marching north, dust billowing in their wake, Liu Chengyou knitted his brows, his heart beating rapidly. With the moment of truth at hand, he suddenly felt an impulse to send someone to recall the Yan army. His cheeks flushed involuntarily, and Liu Chengyou actually smiled — but the smile was somewhat pale.

"Your Highness." Wei Renpu couldn't help but call out.

"Master Wei, tell me — what kind of result will Zhao Yanshou achieve this time? Will he betray my trust?" Liu Chengyou asked in a low, distant voice.

Earlier, Liu Chengyou had been projecting confidence and resolute determination, but now that things had reached a point of no return, hesitation leaked through. Once the psychological dam broke, all the misgivings he had been suppressing came flooding up.

Deep down, Liu Chengyou actually placed great importance on this operation. Though it was a risky gamble and he said aloud that winning or losing didn't matter, he truly did not want to lose this bet. Yet this gamble was one he had initiated — once he'd stepped up to the gambling table, he was no longer the one placing the bets. Everything had become uncontrollable, and this feeling of losing control was something Liu Chengyou disliked very much.

Able to roughly understand Liu Chengyou's state of mind at this moment, Wei Renpu did not offer preaching or words of comfort, but instead firmly bolstered his confidence with great seriousness: "Your Highness has already made ample preparations during this period. Whether it succeeds or not, the best outcome and the worst contingency are both within your calculations. There is no need for further concern!"

Feeling the resolute tone of Wei Renpu's words, which clearly had a positive effect, Liu Chengyou's expression visibly returned to normal at a rate one could see with the naked eye, snuffing out the last trace of hesitation in his heart.

"Man proposes, Heaven disposes — one cannot force it!" Nearly word by word, Liu Chengyou uttered this famous saying.

"Return to Zhending!" Liu Chengyou said. "Send orders for He Fujin, Luo Yangui, and Li Yun to strike out — give Zhao Yanshou another measure of support!"

On the fifth day after Yelu Ruan led his army north out of Youyan, the Prince of Yan, Zhao Yanshou, held a rallying ceremony at Puyin and, leading the Yan troops that Liu Chengyou had mixed with no small amount of sand, set out for Youzhou. There was nothing covert about it — on this flat, open land, a great army of infantry and cavalry was too difficult to conceal, so they might as well make a grand show of it.

Upon hearing the news, Yelu Jieli, the commander of the Liao Southern Capital, immediately ordered the garrisons along the route to intercept and block. Yang An of Mozhou and Yelu Cheng of Dingzhou attacked Zhao Yanshou in a pincer from east and west. At this time, Liu Chengyou also dispatched troops from Zhending and Hejian, coordinating with Zhao Yanshou to create the illusion of a three-pronged northern expedition, drawing the Liao army's attention and relieving enormous pressure from Zhao Yanshou.

The lands of Youyan had in fact not seen war for over ten years, but with the return of the Yan troops, the flames of battle once again swept across this territory. At the same time, a wave of "anti-Liao" sentiment also swept through, and the situation was visibly growing turbulent.

The campaign at Youzhou demanded speed, but how fast it could go was beyond anyone's control. The opportunity was there; whether it could be seized was up to Zhao Yanshou himself.

After the summer solstice, the weather continued marching toward high summer. At Zhending, having lingered for quite some days, after consulting with Liu Chengyou, packing and loading the carts, Liu Chengxun prepared to escort the supplies and valuables south to the Eastern Capital.

Before the southern gate, Liu Chengyou saw Liu Chengxun off, exchanging words of mutual care. Over a hundred carts of gold, silver, jade, coin, and silk, plus horses, cattle, sheep, and other livestock — this was only the first batch. Any more would be more than the three thousand soldiers under Liu Chengxun's command could handle.

"Elder Brother, I won't see you off any further — safe travels!" Raising a cup to toast Liu Chengxun, Liu Chengyou said softly.

"Second Brother, see you in the Eastern Capital!" Liu Chengxun revealed that smile of his that made one feel like a spring breeze, then assured Liu Chengyou: "When I reach the Eastern Capital, I will personally report the matter of Youyan to Father!"

"Yang Ye! Take your men and guard the Eldest Prince well!" Liu Chengyou turned his head and instructed Yang Ye, who was waiting at the side.

"Yes!" Yang Ye answered crisply. Acting on Liu Chengyou's orders, he would accompany the convoy with a battalion of cavalry under his command to ensure their safety.

"Be careful on the road..." His voice still very soft, Liu Chengyou said simply.

"Take care!" Liu Chengxun bid farewell with reluctance.

The great procession traveled far, growing ever more distant. This was the second group Liu Chengyou had seen off in these two days. Watching those carts of wealth, Liu Chengyou's thoughts suddenly drifted. Wealth stirs men's hearts, and this world was not lacking in greedy desperadoes. If something happened on the road, wouldn't that be...

Perhaps it was because the sunlight was too scorching. As Liu Chengyou's mind conjured Liu Chengxun's humble, gentle face, he found that his heart couldn't quite turn dark.

His state of mind was off!