Chapter 1225: A Declaration of War

Emperor Liu returned to camp with the wine still on him, but he valued his own safety more—he rode back in a carriage. If you drink, don't ride; if you ride, don't drink...

In that half-drunk, half-sober state, Emperor Liu was in a talkative mood. Leaning against the carriage wall, he looked through the window at Zhao Kuangyin. The last rays of the setting sun fell upon him, further accentuating Zhao Kuangyin's stalwart frame. Only Zhao Kuangyin's expression was somewhat grave, giving one a feeling of discontent.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu chuckled lightly: "Minister Zhao, still vexed by what the Liao sovereign said earlier?"

Hearing the voice, Zhao Kuangyin snapped back to attention. Meeting Emperor Liu's gaze, he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, this minister's personal humiliation is a trifling matter!"

"You need not take it to heart!" Emperor Liu reached out a hand, extending his index finger, and pointed northward, saying: "One day we shall lead the army on a northern expedition, break their state, take their cities, seize their lands—why worry that the Khitan won't remember the fearsome name of your Duke Rong!"

At Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Kuangyin's spirits lifted somewhat. By the sound of it, among the commanders of the northern expedition, there would be a place for him, no? Thus, with a look of righteous fervor, Zhao Kuangyin said with absolute conviction: "Should that day come, this minister will fight to the death!"

"The Great Han lacks no commanders, and Minister Zhao is among the finest. For a war of annihilation, how could I not employ you?" Emperor Liu laughed heartily, his tone carrying clear encouragement.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!" Zhao Kuangyin felt it too, and was rarely moved to excitement.

It had to be said, after stepping down from the position of Minister of War, although he had entered the cabinet and participated in discussions of military and state affairs, he had still stepped down—he held no real power in his hands. The psychological gap between before and after was still noticeable.

Unlike Guo Rong, whose body was failing, the vigorous and healthy Zhao Kuangyin still had some ambitions in his heart. Though he thought he hadn't shown it, how could he hide it from Emperor Liu's eyes? In these years of delegating power, what Emperor Liu had studied most in his spare time was the human heart, and what he observed most was the ways of the world...

Glancing at Emperor Liu, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Your Majesty, what you revealed of your mind at the banquet just now—will it arouse Liao's vigilance and wariness?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu said calmly: "The situation under heaven is clear now. Liao is not lacking in capable ministers. Even if I said nothing, would they relax their vigilance against the Great Han? By openly baring our blade, we can instead achieve a deterrent and oppressive effect. If it provokes them into exhausting their troops and building up their armaments, that will further drain their national strength. At this rate, how long can they hold out?

Given Liao's circumstances, I don't seek to destroy them in one stroke. We'll fight a war of attrition, defeat them with hard power. Let them be vigilant and prepared—what of it?"

Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly understood. Noting Emperor Liu's calm expression, he couldn't help but adopt an admiring posture: "Your Majesty's planning and deliberation fill this minister with admiration!"

To this flattery, Emperor Liu merely smiled.

Of course, this wasn't mere flattery. Under Emperor Liu's leadership, Zhao Kuangyin had participated in several major battles. He had a deep understanding of Emperor Liu's style of fighting enemies—basically overwhelming with momentum, relying on hard power to achieve complete victory.

The great northern expedition of that year was the most direct example. If it was so then, then in the future against Liao, it would surely be even more composed, even more unstoppable—with a posture and tactics that would drive the northern empire to despair, pressing them, forcing them, defeating them, and finally destroying them.

"Since the last great battle, the second great war between Han and Liao has already been brewing. From now on, the Great Han's war preparations must be even more active. And the next time will be a war of annihilation—to the death!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin lost in thought, Emperor Liu spoke again with resounding force.

The voice was not loud, but the bold spirit and resolve it contained made even Zhao Kuangyin's heart surge with emotion, and he couldn't help but look forward to the coming great battle.

Leaning by the window, eyes half-closed, sizing up Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Liu couldn't help but entertain this thought: now, regarding the northern expedition, Zhao Kuangyin held a supportive stance, not lacking in catering to Emperor Liu's will. But if the passes remained unrecovered, if Youyan and Shanyang remained under Liao's control, what would his attitude be then?

Of course, such speculation was merely occasional idle thought. Regardless, on the matter of the northern expedition, Emperor Liu truly did intend to make use of Zhao Kuangyin.

The return journey was short, and soon the imperial carriage merged into the Great Han's military formation. Emperor Liu descended from the carriage with Liu Fang's support.

"You performed quite well just now!" Looking at his fourth son, Emperor Liu broke into a smile.

Receiving his imperial father's approval, Liu Fang raised his head slightly and said softly: "That Liao sovereign wanted to sow discord—utter wishful thinking!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu wore a warm smile. Political acumen might not be so easily cultivated, but after being forced to read so many books over the years, Liu Fang had gained some understanding. Patting his back, Emperor Liu said: "That you can grasp this principle brings your father great comfort!"

"Father, I have a wish that I hope you will grant!" Liu Fang seized the opportunity to say.

"Let's hear it!" Emperor Liu was in a good mood, slightly curious.

Liu Fang said solemnly: "When the northern expedition comes, I want to march with the army—no longer a spectator, but leading troops in battle!"

Looking at Liu Fang's resolute expression, Emperor Liu's smile faded. His serious demeanor made Liu Fang feel somewhat uneasy.

Finally, Emperor Liu burst into hearty laughter, pulled Liu Fang over, and said to him: "What do you think I've been cultivating your learning and military strategy, training your courage, for all these years? I can promise you right now—in the future northern expedition army, there will surely be a division for you! This matter concerns military secrets—you must not leak a word!"

"Yes!"

When Emperor Liu returned, Luo Yangui, Liu Tinghan, and other generals came forward to greet him, all letting out a great sigh of relief. Seeing the performance of this group, Emperor Liu said calmly: "It was merely drinking wine and eating meat, a hearty conversation—no need for tension!"

To this, Luo Yangui, who bore the primary responsibility for guarding the sovereign, remained meticulous: "Only when Your Majesty returns safely can we be at ease!"

Emperor Liu was satisfied with his loyal and upright conduct. He looked back—the Liao army's great host, a sea of bobbing heads, had already begun slowly withdrawing. Thus, Emperor Liu directly ordered: "Withdraw and set up camp!"

"Additionally, you and Liu Tinghan are to select from the troops those soldiers skilled in both archery and horsemanship. Tomorrow, at the joint hunt with the Liao sovereign, perform well and show them the valor of our Han sons!"

"Yes!"

The Han army also withdrew several li, finally moving to camp outside Baishui Town. And the first thing upon settling down was to summon the Wude Office Commissioner Li Chongju and the Commissioner of the Palace City Zhang Dejun.

This time, his tone was not at all urgent, merely calm instructions: "In today's meeting with the Liao sovereign, from what he said, he has quite a deep understanding of me and the Great Han! He even knows something of my harem affairs—what sharp ears and eyes..."

Emperor Liu spoke flatly, but to the two men in charge of intelligence and espionage, this was a warning. In matters of foreign intelligence, the Wude Office clearly bore primary responsibility. Li Chongju immediately stated: "This minister will begin at once—screening and cleaning out the Khitan spies hidden within our borders!"

Zhang Dejun, no longer concerned with competing against Li Chongju, also hastily said: "This humble one will follow up on this matter as well!"

To their statements, Emperor Liu gave no further instructions. His gaze moved back and forth between the two a few times, and finally he raised his hand and waved lightly: "I am weary. Withdraw!"

"This minister (this humble one) takes leave!"

The wine gradually rose to his head. Emperor Liu didn't resist the body's reaction, and with the soft bedding beneath him, he sank into deep sleep. That night, Emperor Liu had a dream. In the dream, hundreds of thousands of Han troops marched north, sweeping across the northern frontier, striking straight at Linhuang Prefecture. Liao collapsed and was destroyed, Yelu Jing died for his country. Perhaps at the exciting parts, he even laughed aloud several times in his dream...

In this meeting with Yelu Jing, Emperor Liu had no intention of negotiating or coordinating anything for the friendly relations between the two states. To him, it was more like a silent declaration of war!