Chapter 1253: The Northern Expedition Is Set

"Minister Wang, it seems we must trouble you for another journey!" Emperor Liu's expression grew increasingly calm as he looked at Wang Zhaoyuan.

Naturally, Wang Zhaoyuan had no reason to hesitate. He bowed with clasped hands, his expression composed and a smile at the corners of his mouth: "Your Majesty, please give your command!"

"The Han and Liao are, after all, bound by marriage. I recall last year when I hunted with the Liao sovereign beyond the frontier—host and guest alike were delighted, as if it were only yesterday. Now he has met with sudden calamity, cruelly slain. I find it quite regrettable. You shall go to Shangjing on behalf of me and the Great Han, and bring my condolences with you!" Emperor Liu spoke these insincere words with a perfectly straight face. Were it not for the smile perpetually lingering at the corners of his mouth, those present might well have taken him seriously.

"Yes! Your servant will set out north shortly!" Wang Zhaoyuan wore an expression of understanding.

Wang Zhaoyuan's journey represented the official stance of the court, carrying with it a measure of concern and sincerity—this could be considered the Great Han court's formal response to the upheaval in Liao. But behind this response, the edge of the blade and the bared fangs were perhaps already being honed.

"Tomorrow the imperial carriage departs, traveling light. I shall return to the capital first, with the Crown Prince and Duke Rong accompanying me. The rest of the field headquarters shall follow behind under the State Uncle's lead!" Emperor Liu instructed Liu Yang and the others.

"Yes!"

From Emperor Liu's tone, everyone could not help but feel a sense of urgency—one born of the great upheaval in Liao, and even more so of Emperor Liu himself.

"Send someone to summon Duke Zhao!" Emperor Liu directed Yan Tuo.

Liu Fang had gone wandering in the city of Chang'an, and it took some time to find him. He hurried over, striding in with long steps, still carrying that spirited bearing. Inside the hall, only Emperor Liu and the Crown Prince, father and son, remained, along with a few palace eunuchs and maids. Emperor Liu was playing chess with Liu Yang—xiangqi, that is. Go he could not play; he had tried to learn, but given Emperor Liu's talents, he had quickly given up. Even at xiangqi, his skill was quite poor.

As for Liu Yang, he held a piece in his hand, hesitating over his move, brows furrowed in consternation, as if deliberating how to let Emperor Liu win without leaving any trace...

With a "clack," he finally made his move—a very ordinary defensive play. Then it was Emperor Liu's turn to hesitate. He saw an opportunity, a chance to checkmate in two moves, but how could he make the intermediate move without revealing his intent?

"Father, Second Brother!" Liu Fang slowed his steps and came forward to pay his respects.

"Fourth Son has arrived. Perfect timing—come help me see how this move should be played?" Emperor Liu beckoned Liu Fang to his side.

Liu Fang leaned in, examined the board, and directly reached out to move the advisor piece forward. Emperor Liu was taken aback. Only after studying carefully did he realize that while he had been focused entirely on attacking, Liu Yang had long since had an opportunity for checkmate in one move...

A hint of embarrassment appeared on his face. He couldn't help but glance at Liu Yang, who responded with a humble smile. Instantly, Emperor Liu lost all interest. He was the type who was bad at the game yet loved to play, disliked being let win, and grew unhappy when he lost.

Of course, Emperor Liu played chess merely for amusement, not to master the art. What he was truly skilled at was playing the great game of "the realm."

"Not bad!" He nodded in praise, then shifted his attention away from the chessboard. Turning around and sitting cross-legged, he looked at Liu Fang standing before him and said: "The Liao sovereign has been assassinated, and the Khitan are in upheaval. The situation is urgent and unclear. Now that our two nations stand side by side, with Liao in turmoil, the Great Han must respond with due gravity. I have already issued the decree—I am returning to the capital first!"

Emperor Liu's words came somewhat abruptly to Liu Fang, but he quickly recovered and asked with clasped hands: "You wish me to accompany you back to the capital?"

"No!" Emperor Liu was nothing if not direct: "You need not return to the capital. Go to Gua and Sha!"

"Go to Shazhou?" Liu Fang expressed surprise.

Without waiting for him to guess the purpose, Emperor Liu continued: "On this western tour, I was unable to traverse the Hexi Corridor and set foot in Gua and Sha. That has always been a regret of mine. You shall go in your father's stead and see the Jade Gate and Yang Pass. Of course, the most important thing is this: should any upheaval occur next, that will be your moment to distinguish yourself. To win glory on the battlefield—have you not longed for this for some time? This time, I am giving you that opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Fang did not react immediately. Instead, he boldly stared at Emperor Liu. Only when he saw that his imperial father was not joking did he kneel on one knee, clasp his fists, and say solemnly: "Your servant accepts the decree!"

This crisp and decisive declaration was precisely what Emperor Liu had always appreciated. Seeing it, a smile returned to his face. He reached out to help Liu Fang up, then turned to Liu Yang and instructed: "Later you shall draft an edict, appointing Duke Zhao as Patrol Inspector of Hexi, to tour the west on my behalf!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang rose to accept the order.

"Go take your leave of your mother first, then make your preparations and be on your way! Also, bring Yang Yanzhao along!" Emperor Liu patted Liu Fang—a light touch, yet carrying expectation and encouragement.

"Yes!"

Liu Fang accepted the order and departed, leaving Emperor Liu and his son with the sight of a tall, resolute back. Only after he had vanished from sight did Emperor Liu say to Liu Yang with feeling: "This sword of Fourth Son's—I have been sharpening it for many years. In the past, I held him back, to temper him, to refine him, lest his edge be too exposed and what is too rigid easily break. Now the sword must leave its scabbard and let the enemy taste its keenness! No matter how sharp, a blade that never tastes blood can hardly forge a mighty army, nor bear great responsibility!"

"Father, Fourth Son is still young after all, and has never truly experienced war!" Liu Yang sighed upon hearing this.

Emperor Liu's expression gradually turned stern as he said: "He is already married and nearly twenty years old—no longer young. He is luckier than I was, having received the finest education since childhood, the best conditions, and having studied under commanders like Pan Mei and Yang Ye, not to mention the tempering of military service. If, with all this, he still cannot achieve something, then it only proves he is not worth molding, and my previous hopes were merely wishful thinking..."

Hearing these words from Emperor Liu, Liu Yang's not-so-straight back immediately stiffened. That heavy, oppressive feeling had returned. If Emperor Liu loved Liu Fang so dearly yet held him to such strict standards, then what of him, the Crown Prince?

Perhaps sensing the fluctuation in Liu Yang's emotions, Emperor Liu cast a curious glance his way and said with a smile: "But I believe Liu Fang will not disappoint me!"

"Yes! Among all the brothers, when it comes to understanding warfare, courage, and decisiveness, no one can surpass Fourth Son!" Liu Yang followed along.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Yang rarely took the initiative to ask: "From your arrangements for Fourth Son, are you preparing to open war against Liao?"

Emperor Liu did not answer directly. He gestured for Liu Yang to sit, and asked with a calm expression: "What do you think?"

Liu Yang replied deferentially: "Your son follows his father's will!"

Emperor Liu shook his head, his very gaze seeming to carry authority: "You are the heir apparent of the Great Han. This matter concerns the nation's strategy and the well-being of its subjects. You should have your own thoughts! If it were you, faced with this situation, what decision would you make?"

For Liu Yang, this seemed to be yet another examination question, one he had to face with all seriousness. Under Emperor Liu's gaze, he pondered for a while before finally speaking: "War concerns life and death and cannot be undertaken rashly. Especially between two great nations like Han and Liao—once war breaks out, it will surely be earth-shaking. Your son believes that with Liao's situation still unclear, we should observe further developments before making a decision!"

Hearing this opinion, Emperor Liu's face showed no displeasure. That Liu Yang could express such a view did not surprise him, for he was by nature cautious and prudent.

"Do you think peace between Han and Liao can last forever?" Emperor Liu asked this question.

Liu Yang was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Hard to say!"

Emperor Liu smiled instead, his calm tone carrying a note of resolve: "As long as I live, there must be a war between our two nations. I will not permit the existence of a unified, stable regime beyond the northern frontier. With such a threat beside my bed, how could I sleep soundly!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yang's expression froze. He furrowed his brow for a long while before finally relaxing and saying: "Since that is so, your son has no objection!"

"Then when do you think is the best time to open hostilities?" Emperor Liu asked again.

This time Liu Yang did not hesitate much and answered directly: "Perhaps the time is now!"

"The Liao emperor, after all, ruled the state for nearly two decades. During his reign, Liao's military and government were stable. To rashly open war would see them united within and without, the whole nation resisting together—the outcome would be hard to predict. But now that he has been assassinated, with no new sovereign decided, the situation will not easily settle—it may even descend into chaos. If war between our two nations is inevitable, then this period of transition between old and new is the perfect opportunity for the Great Han's northern expedition! Ten years earlier, ten years later—there may never be a better chance than this!"

Hearing Liu Yang's words, Emperor Liu finally broke into a smile. He nodded in approval and said: "Very good!"

"I can tell you frankly—in my mind, the northern expedition is already decided. From the moment I learned of Yelu Jing's assassination, my resolve to march north was set, regardless of where Liao's situation heads next, and regardless of who succeeds the throne!" Emperor Liu declared with confident pride: "The reason I am rushing back to the capital is precisely to arrange the northern expedition!"

"On this point, you must keep it in mind!" Emperor Liu's words were nearly a warning to Liu Yang.

"Your son understands!"