Chapter 120: The Northern Expedition Underway

Since the oath-taking at Puyin, Liu Chengyou had focused almost all his efforts on Zhao Yanshou's "Northern Expedition Army." Military reports from three directions came thick and fast—from one report a day at the start to three reports a day now. Liu Chengyou had sent out his most elite scouts to serve as couriers along the relay routes.

Even though he had been mentally prepared in advance, only when it came to actual execution did he realize that the difficulty of the northern expedition to Youzhou was far more severe than imagined. Reality is never as simple as it appears on paper.

From Puyin to Youzhou, a distance of some three hundred li, apart from a few waterways, there were no towering mountains or formidable natural barriers. Zhao Yanshou found it convenient to advance, but the Liao army found it equally convenient to intercept and strike. Moreover, at least two hundred li of that stretch had been cleared by the Liao army, the land vast and sparsely populated to the extreme—little in the way of war resources could be replenished along this route.

The Liao army was clearly not unprepared. The moment they received word, they came to intercept—and not merely with the intention of blocking the advance, but to annihilate Zhao Yanshou's army outright.

Under these circumstances, the flanking support armies Liu Chengyou had dispatched from Qi and Ying prefectures maximized their containment effect, and Zhao Yanshou strove to evade and press forward rapidly, yet he was still blocked by over three thousand Liao troops from Xincheng and Rongcheng along the Southern Yi River—his march halted halfway.

"Your Highness, the latest news from the north—Zhao Yanshou has broken through the Liao army's Yi River defense line!" Rapid footsteps sounded as Guo Rong strode into the hall, reporting to Liu Chengyou, who was discussing military matters with Xiang Xun and Wei Renpu.

"Oh? Bring it here!" Liu Chengyou perked up at once. Without waiting, he rose and took the military report from Guo Rong's hands himself, reading it eagerly.

These past two days, Liu Chengyou had been anxious over the fighting at the front, especially tense about Zhao Yanshou being bottled up at the Southern Yi River. Just moments ago the situation had been deadlocked, so this sudden news of a breakthrough caught Liu Chengyou by surprise. Zhao Yanshou's method of breaking through was nothing extraordinary—feint west, strike east—but it was highly effective. The barbarian troops Yelu Ruan had left to garrison the Southern Capital Circuit were of generally low quality, with what little elite force there was concentrated in Youzhou city, and the commanding generals were incompetent as well. The result was that Zhao Yanshou played them for fools.

"Once past the Yi River, it's up to Zhao Yanshou alone..." Digesting the information, Liu Chengyou set down the report and slowly sat, as if relieved of a burden.

The atmosphere in the hall did not relax because of Zhao Yanshou's breakthrough. Xiang Xun lowered his head, carefully studying a map of the prefectures south of Youzhou—on which only a few cities, rivers, and routes were simply marked—his face taut as he studied the battle situation. Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, he looked up and said in a deep voice: "Once past the Yi River, Zhao Yanshou has no retreat. He has become an isolated force—his situation will only grow more dangerous!"

Liu Chengyou didn't need Xiang Xun's reminder; he could think of it himself. Similar scenarios had been wargamed before.

Xiang Xun made a rough gesture of measurement and said: "The Liao army's reaction is far faster than we imagined. Zhao Yanshou's breakthrough will surely invite even more frenzied interception. There are still nearly two hundred li to go, and upon reaching Youzhou, he must breach a formidable city in short order..."

Speaking of the grim situation in a heavy tone, Xiang Xun couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath, as if feeling that hardship himself.

"It all comes down to Youzhou!" Liu Chengyou pressed on the map, his gaze fixed intently on the position of Ji City: "Further north, when the Yan troops return home, they are no longer an isolated force—they fight on their own soil, in their own homeland. That is their greatest advantage!"

"Let us hope Zhao Yanshou can do as he said—push through to Youzhou and take it!"

Hearing this, Xiang Xun was not optimistic—he was even somewhat doubtful: "In such a perilous situation, can he manage it?"

"We have still underestimated the difficulty of taking Youzhou!" Guo Rong's stern face also showed worry.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou raised a hand toward Wei Renpu, gesturing: "Tell them!"

Understanding the intent, Wei Renpu rose and said to the two men: "Generals, after Zhao Yanshou set out, the Khitan Han minister Zhang Li sent a trusted confidant south with a secret letter, informing us of the true state of Youyan. At present, within Youzhou city there are only some four thousand Khitan cavalry, and the Han populace harbors deep resentment..."

It was only upon receiving Zhang Li's letter again that Liu Chengyou finally believed the man genuinely wished to return to the righteous cause.

At these words, Xiang Xun and Guo Rong's eyes both lit up simultaneously. Then Xiang Xun's gaze sharpened: "Even so, taking a formidable city won't be easy!"

Wei Renpu continued: "His Highness's original intent is that capturing Youzhou would naturally be best. If that proves impossible, Zhao Yanshou can turn to attack Zhuo and Yi, rally the Han populace, and hold Fanyang for defense! At the very worst, he becomes a wedge we've driven into Youyan, a constant threat to Ji City, preparing for the future. The specifics can only be decided by Zhao Yanshou according to circumstances!"

Hearing Wei Renpu's explanation, and thinking it over, the difficulty no longer seemed so great.

To a certain extent, Liu Chengyou even preferred that Zhao Yanshou choose the second path.

"Regardless of how things go with Zhao Yanshou, on the southern front our army will continue to strike out, pinning down the Liao army for him and easing his advance!" Without revealing his private thoughts, Liu Chengyou said gravely: "How goes the fighting at Dingzhou and Mozhou?"

At this mention, Guo Rong immediately reported: "At Dingzhou, Luo Yangui and Li Yun have joined forces and are closing in on Anxi; at Yingzhou, Murong Yanzhao has also led his troops to take Gaoyang, coordinating with He Fu's attack on Renqiu; Han Tong is leading two battalions of cavalry operating around Baosui, supporting both flanks. Though the gains are considerable, casualties across the various units have already exceeded a thousand men."

After hearing this, Liu Chengyou's brows immediately furrowed. The Longqi Army, having absorbed the Jin troops, numbered over ten thousand—strong in men and horses. Adding the remaining Yan troops dispersed for garrison duty and the recruited Chengde stalwarts, the available fighting force exceeded twenty thousand.

But at present, apart from the First and Second Armies that had gone with Zhang Yanwei to intercept Xiao Han (already on their way back), nearly everything else had been mobilized to support Zhao Yanshou.

Clearly wary of Liu Chengyou's army, the forces Yelu Ruan had left to garrison the Southern Capital Circuit were not numerous, but added up they still exceeded twenty thousand. Originally, Liu Chengyou had intended only Zhao Yanshou's army to act—staking everything on that Yan force, as it were. But reality dictated that even his Longqi Army had to commit its full strength...

Gambling really isn't a good thing—it's addictive. Once you've put down your stake, you're locked in, and to see a return, you have no choice but to keep investing.

At this moment, Liu Chengyou had a feeling that he had bound himself to the war chariot he himself had set in motion. Without a result, there was no stopping.

"Still not enough troops!" Liu Chengyou sighed.

Watching the granaries and treasuries—not yet refilled after the summer harvest—drain away at a visible pace, Liu Chengyou felt a headache coming on, a flutter of panic. Right now, he lacked no weapons, no armor, and could even muster considerable numbers of able-bodied farmers on short notice—but what he lacked was grain and cloth.

"The troops at Zhending must not be touched!" Wei Renpu gave him advance warning.

At this stage, only Liu Chengyou's personal guard battalion and Xiang Xun's Third Army remained in Zhending. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "I have no intention of moving the Zhending troops."

Saying this, he pursed his lips somewhat bitterly: "Even if I wanted to, I lack the means!"

Letting out a turbid breath, Liu Chengyou gave his orders: "Transmit orders to all units—continue maintaining pressure on the Liao army on the southern front. But since Zhao Yanshou has already broken through the Southern Yi River, have them hold back somewhat. Apply appropriate pressure, but don't make needless sacrifices."

"Yes!" At this, Wei Renpu picked up his brush and began drafting the orders, polishing the wording.

"After this battle is over, everything north of Chengde and south of Youzhou will likely be battered to pieces..." Liu Chengyou sighed, seeming somewhat reluctant.

"If Youzhou can truly be taken, these costs will all be worth it!" Guo Rong said.

Of course it was worth it—even at several times the cost, it would still be worth it. In fact, the darkest thought Liu Chengyou harbored was precisely to smash the Youyan region to pieces. With the devastation of one corner, he would purchase several years of peace for the northern border of the Liu family's realm, to scheme for the future. But such thoughts would never be revealed, never spoken aloud.

"I wonder how the Khitan ruler will react when he learns of this news?" Liu Chengyou suddenly thought of Yelu Ruan.

"That leaves even less time for Zhao Yanshou!" Xiang Xun said.

The remark seemed abrupt, but Liu Chengyou roughly understood. It wouldn't take much—if Yelu Ruan merely sent a detached force back, Zhao Yanshou's situation would grow even harder. As for whether it would affect Yelu Ruan's progress in marching on Shangjing, the conclusion was that the impact would be minimal.

As they spoke, Tao Gu appeared from the inner hall, bowing with full ceremony before entering, and said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Highness, a report from Dingzhou—Sun Fangjian, the powerful chieftain of Dingzhou, upon learning that Your Highness had sent troops north to conquer Youyan, has led three thousand of his men from Wolf Mountain southward to aid the campaign!"

"Eh..." Liu Chengyou was surprised. Since taking up position in Zhending, Liu Chengyou had investigated all the powers in the surrounding area, and he had heard of this Sun Fangjian—a minor warlord of Dingzhou—but had never taken him seriously, having no clear impression of him.

He looked toward Wei Renpu.

Wei Renpu was erudite with a strong memory. Having served for many years in the Bureau of Military Affairs of the Later Jin—though only a minor clerk—he had been exposed to all sorts of miscellaneous military intelligence. Recalling briefly, he said: "Sun Fangjian was originally a man of valor in Dingzhou. Earlier, finding the frontier tax and corvée burdens oppressive, the people unable to work in peace and buckling under the weight, he gathered the strong and able men of the countryside at Wolf Mountain, built a fortified camp for self-defense, took in refugees, recruited bandits and outlaws, and gradually grew strong."

"When the Khitan repeatedly raided south, he led his men in attacking the Khitan, seizing military supplies, and even ventured north into enemy territory to plunder goods. At the time he submitted to the court, seeking the post of Military Governor. The court scorned him and made him a Patrol Commissioner instead. Sun Fangjian angrily defected to the Khitan. Last year, he even served as a guide for the Khitan's southern invasion."

"Now, however, he sends a declaration of submission and leads troops to aid us. He has likely seen that the state has been reestablished and wants to use the court as his backing. But his fundamental purpose is surely to expand his own strength."

"Another fence-sitter, not to be trusted!" Xiang Xun sneered with contempt.

"With that remark, you've cursed every military governor in the realm!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Xiang Xun: "In this world, which prefectural commander is not like this? Whether Sun Fangjian can be trusted doesn't matter—what matters is whether he can be used!"

Liu Chengyou's words clearly showed his stance. He rose, paced a few steps, and reached a decision: "Draft a letter, send an envoy to tell Sun Fangjian: his righteous service in striking the bandits pleases me greatly. So long as he drives the Khitan out of Dingzhou to the north, I will memorialize the court to appoint him Military Governor of Dingzhou!"

Liu Chengyou said this to Tao Gu. Tao Gu acknowledged and withdrew. As he walked, his peripheral gaze swept over Wei Renpu, who had once again been pulled into military discussions by Liu Chengyou. His beard twitched, and his eyes held a dark look.

He did not compare himself to Guo Rong and Xiang Xun—those were Liu Chengyou's trusted confidants from the start. But Wei Renpu—also a newly surrendered official like himself—in terms of age and seniority, in terms of talent and insight, Tao Gu considered himself superior to Wei Renpu, not to mention in essays and poetry. Why was it that Wei Renpu could participate in confidential military deliberations, coming and going at His Highness's side, inseparable? While he, Tao Gu, seemed to be nothing more than a pen-pusher drafting orders—and even that role was being encroached upon by Wei Renpu...

When it came to military affairs and statecraft, Tao Gu had also read the military classics thoroughly. Why wouldn't Liu Chengyou consult him? Unconsciously, resentment had been building in Tao Gu's heart—jealousy toward Wei Renpu, and some dissatisfaction with Liu Chengyou as well.

Southern Capital Circuit, Zhuozhou, Gu'an County.

What flew atop the city walls was the black-and-red "Yan banner." Having broken through the Liao army's blockade, Zhao Yanshou pressed on without pause, driving the Yan troops forward over a hundred li in rapid march until they reached Gu'an. There were few troops in the city, and it was taken directly.

Setting foot on familiar soil, Zhao Yanshou's heart settled considerably. And breathing in the scent of their homeland, the Yan army's morale remained high and undiminished—for how could the common soldiers at the bottom know the dangers of the situation?

North of Gu'an County town lay the Baigou River, where a great number of boats, small skiffs, and hastily woven bamboo rafts had already been gathered. The upper reaches of the Baigou River connected directly to the Sanggan River, and north of the Sanggan River was Youzhou city—they were planning to take the water route.

At this moment, Zhao Yanshou had left all his cavalry behind to hold off the Liao riders he had been toying with, and left five hundred men to guard Gu'an; the rest, he took with him, lightly equipped, to seize Youzhou city.

There were not enough boats, so they advanced by both water and land.

Standing on the deck, rising and falling with the rhythm of the current, Zhao Yanshou looked northward: "Less than a hundred li of waterway left!"

"Prince of Yan, can we really take Youzhou city?" one of his generals asked in a low voice. They were not ordinary soldiers; even if they could not see the whole picture, they had some sense of danger.

"Haha!" Zhao Yanshou laughed out loud, deliberately raising his voice: "Youzhou is such a great city, and Yelu Jieli guards it with only four thousand men—how can he hold it? What's even more laughable, can cavalry defend a city? Can barbarian troops defend a city? Youzhou city—I was the one who oversaw its repairs back then. No one knows its weaknesses better than I do! As long as we arrive smoothly, Youzhou city is ours!"

Most of what Zhao Yanshou said was bluster. But not everyone was so easily fooled.

"But... we don't have many troops either..."

"We have tens of thousands of men—are you afraid we can't take Youzhou city?" Zhao Yanshou immediately glared.

These words stunned the Yan general into blinking dumbly.

"Inside and outside Youzhou city, there are over a hundred thousand Han civilians." Seeing the man's dull-witted look, Zhao Yanshou explained with some confidence: "I can say with confidence that during my ten years governing Youzhou, I showed the Han people much favor and protection. Once we rouse them, what is there to fear from that paltry number of Khitan troops?"

The general suddenly understood, and soon Zhao Yanshou's words spread, keeping morale at a relatively high level. And Zhao Yanshou's gaze grew ever more resolute—he too had racked his brains, coaxing these soldiers to follow him on this adventure, very earnestly, for this was the third spring of his career.

"Prince of Yan." As he was about to return to the cabin to rest, two other generals cautiously approached Zhao Yanshou.

Seeing that the two looked wrong, Zhao Yanshou frowned and asked: "What is it?"

"Do you truly intend to attack Youzhou and make enemies of the Khitan?" One of them avoided his gaze.

Sensing something amiss, Zhao Yanshou showed no change in expression and said casually: "To be honest with you two, I have some unease in my heart as well."

Hearing this, the other one immediately said: "Prince of Yan, we've already thrown off Liu Chengyou's control. With this great army, why risk life and death to make enemies of the Khitan? Better to do as before..."

Seeing this, Zhao Yanshou immediately stopped them both: "This is not a place for conversation. Go wait for me in the cabin."

Seeing Zhao Yanshou like this, the two seemed to catch his meaning and hurriedly nodded.

After the two withdrew, Zhao Yanshou's face immediately turned cold. He summoned a trusted confidant and instructed in a low voice: "Take a few armored soldiers, deal with those two, throw them into the river, and don't make a sound. Also, take over the soldiers under those two!"

"Yes!"

To say Zhao Yanshou had no treacherous intentions at all would be impossible, but certainly not at this time, not in this manner. The two men's implication was obvious—they intended to surrender. Only such fools and petty men, ignorant louts...

No matter how well one lives under another's roof, nothing beats being one's own master!

Lifting his head to look north, Zhao Yanshou clenched his fists tightly. A sudden inspiration struck him, and he raised his hand and shouted: "Going home!"

Soon, cries of "Going home!" drifted across the Baigou River, full of vigor!

PS: Damn, this is really dragging. I thought this section would be done in a thousand-odd characters, but I ended up writing this much...