Chapter 1254: The New Ruler of Liao

Because of the delays in the first half of the journey, even though they traveled light and fast after passing Chang'an, it was already late February by the time Emperor Liu rushed back to the Western Capital. During this period, however, couriers had been dispatched in succession from Emperor Liu's side, carrying a large number of military orders to the Great Han border armies stationed in the north. In order to save time, these orders bypassed the Hall of State Affairs and the Bureau of Military Affairs, being issued directly by the Emperor himself.

On this matter of response and handling, no one else dared say anything, but Crown Prince Liu Yang, rather unusually, took the initiative to offer counsel to Emperor Liu, pointing out the impropriety in it.

While in Chang'an, father and son had already communicated fully, and Liu Yang knew that Emperor Liu's decision to launch the northern expedition was firmly set and not easily changed, so he had no intention of dissuading him. He merely pointed out that a great undertaking like the northern expedition required the combined strength of the entire nation, mobilizing forces both internal and external, and moreover required the close coordination of the central court ministers to proceed smoothly and bring full strength to bear.

Therefore, bypassing the central government to issue orders directly, while certainly gaining speed, could easily cause some confusion below, and would also deal a blow to the central court ministers...

It had to be said that with the growth of age, experience, ability, and insight, Liu Yang was beginning to form his own views and thoughts on many matters, and was also beginning to dare to offer counsel to Emperor Liu.

Take this matter for example—though it was merely a question of how edicts were transmitted, Emperor Liu had long been accustomed to wielding authority forcefully, and with his heart wholly set on the northern expedition, he would not concern himself with such trifles. Even if the central government learned that the Emperor had bypassed them to issue decrees directly, they would not dare say much. But Liu Yang was able to notice these details and proactively offer counsel—this was growth.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu was not angered, but rather expressed appreciation for Liu Yang. The Crown Prince's performance over these years had naturally always been in Emperor Liu's sight, and his progress had been gradual. But perhaps because his own authority was too overbearing, and the image of a "kind father" could not be convincingly maintained even in pretense, Liu Yang had been quite suppressed, rarely showing independent opinions.

Now, seeing that he had made further progress and dared to present his own thoughts and views, Emperor Liu was naturally pleased in his heart. As heir apparent, one naturally had to align with Emperor Liu's thinking on major policies and follow in his footsteps, but one also had to have one's own ideological understanding and independent judgment—one could not be a puppet, for otherwise, given enough time, one would eventually fade into mediocrity...

Of course, this change was indeed Liu Yang's growth, a kind of psychological maturation as well. Having been engaged in the profession of Crown Prince for over a decade, Liu Yang's experience was constantly enriching. It was like walking a tightrope—one had to pay attention to balance and grasp the right measure, which was also the hardest part.

Under the shadow of Emperor Liu, being too proactive would not do, and being passive was even worse; being too assertive would not do, and being weak was even worse; displaying one's sharpness openly would not do, and being deep and reserved seemed equally inadvisable...

At least up to now, Liu Yang had performed quite well, having reached the point where Emperor Liu could not find fault unless he deliberately went looking for it. Compared to the Emperor, being the Crown Prince was clearly harder!

After adopting Liu Yang's suggestion, Emperor Liu made a timely adjustment, issuing an edict to the Western Capital court—mainly the two institutions of the Hall of State Affairs and the Bureau of Military Affairs—directly informing them of his intent for the northern expedition and ordering them to prepare with full effort. And once war mobilization through the central government began, it would be resolute and thorough, and the possibility of stopping would be further reduced.

On the broad straight road, the field headquarters advanced at a steady pace, with over a thousand Inner Palace guards tightly escorting the imperial carriage. The atmosphere was very solemn—even though Luoyang was already near, everyone still silently maintained their posture of hurrying along.

Bright spring sunlight occasionally slipped through the gaps in the swaying curtains into the carriage. Emperor Liu leaned against a backrest, dozing off. In the season of warm spring and blooming flowers, it was also the season for feeling sleepy.

"Your Majesty, the Commissioner of the Wude Office requests an audience!" As they traveled, Yan Tuo reported from outside, his voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing Emperor Liu.

But Emperor Liu was startled awake upon hearing it nonetheless. He lifted the carriage curtain, noticed Li Chongju riding his horse on the periphery of the imperial entourage, and asked: "Is there new news from the north again?"

Li Chongju nodded, and with extraordinary solemnity, clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, Liao has established a new ruler!"

"So fast!" The remnants of drowsiness dissipated completely. Emperor Liu could not hide his surprise and instructed: "Come aboard and speak!"

With that, he let down the window curtain, and Li Chongju quickly boarded the imperial carriage. Excusing him from his reverent formal bow, Emperor Liu had him sit closer and asked seriously: "Who has succeeded the throne—Yelu Bishe, or Yelu Xian?"

Upon hearing the question, Li Chongju, who was always known for his composure and severity, could not help but show a surprised expression and replied: "It is Yelu Xian! On the fifth day of this month, Prince Qi Yelu Xian, together with Liao's imperial clan, nobles, and ministers, swore a blood oath and succeeded to the throne before the coffin!"

"No one opposed? No internal strife? No chaos broke out?" Emperor Liu asked several questions in succession.

Although he knew what Emperor Liu was hoping for, Li Chongju still shook his head and said: "Yelu Xian seems to have reached a consensus with the upper echelons of Liao. Though there was some struggle, it ultimately did not escalate into civil unrest, and Yelu Xian was able to succeed to the throne smoothly!"

"Hiss..." Emperor Liu could not help but draw in a sharp breath, making no attempt to hide his disappointment. Then his brows knitted deeply and he asked urgently: "Have you found out exactly what happened? Just two days ago, didn't you report that the capital was seething with undercurrents and endless strife? Why has the situation settled down so quickly?"

There was already a hint of anger in Emperor Liu's tone. Li Chongju's head lowered somewhat involuntarily as he replied in a deep voice: "To answer Your Majesty, the key lies with the Great King of the Southern Division of Liao, Yelu Xiezhen. Yelu Xian has obtained this man's support!"

"Yelu Xiezhen..." Emperor Liu's face darkened as he muttered the name.

Li Chongju reported: "Yelu Xiezhen returned to the capital to mourn. That very night, Yelu Xian personally called upon him and waited two hours before the gates of his residence before being granted an audience. What the two discussed could not be ascertained, but afterward, at the court assembly where Liao was to elect a new emperor, Yelu Xiezhen made his position clear and supported Yelu Xian's succession!

Yelu Xiezhen is the most renowned commander in Liao at present. After he declared his stance, the nobles and ministers in Liao's military and political circles who had been wavering also turned to support Yelu Xian!

Among the Han Chinese ministers, Han Kuangsi, Gao Xun, Han Deshu, and others also successively expressed support for Yelu Xian! Coupled with the protection and backing of powerful civil and military ministers such as Yelu Shi and Xiao Siwen, who held real authority, and compelled by the weight of circumstances, Yelu Xian was able to inherit the throne!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's anger subsided somewhat, but he still felt something was off and said: "Can Yelu Jing's brothers agree to this? And what about Yelu Bishe? Did he do nothing at all?"

To this, Li Chongju showed a puzzled expression and sighed: "This is precisely what is baffling! At first, there were quite a few people in the Liao court supporting him, and the Prince of Anping, Yelu Dilie, worked especially hard on his behalf. Yet Yelu Bishe seemed to have no ambition to seek the throne, devoting himself entirely to managing Yelu Jing's funeral arrangements.

Later, when the ministers pushed Yelu Xian forward, he offered no resistance either, but instead took the lead in submitting to the new ruler, and thus the overall situation was settled!"

"Utterly useless!" Hearing such an outcome, Emperor Liu could finally no longer contain himself, and cursed with an attitude of anger at someone's failure to live up to expectations: "What is this Yelu Bishe thinking? Can he watch his father's and brother's legacy be seized by a collateral branch without being moved, without putting up a fight? He just hands over the throne like that? Are his knees so weak?"

Seeing Emperor Liu in such a state of righteous indignation, Li Chongju was somewhat at a loss for words. He kept his head lowered, waiting for the Emperor to finish venting, before saying: "Your Majesty, with a new ruler established in Liao, succeeding under the support of the assembled ministers, the chances of internal chaos during the transition between old and new are likely slim!"

Emperor Liu calmed his mood somewhat and said: "What about their Prince of Taiping? Wasn't he said to be jumping around, exceptionally active?"

"After Yelu Xian succeeded to the throne, he enfeoffed him as Prince of Zhao, as a means of winning him over!"

"And Yelu Dilie?"

"Enfeoffed as Prince of Wei, Director of the Chancellery, Grand Commandant, and Military Governor of the Baoguo Army!" Li Chongju said: "Additionally, many Liao ministers received promotions, titles, and monetary rewards. Yelu Bishe was also promoted to Great King of the Northern Division, assisting in governance..."

"This Yelu Xian has considerable skill and boldness as well!" Finally, Emperor Liu remarked with a sigh: "Not only can he rally people's hearts and gain the support of so many, but he can also be so generous toward his direct competitors for the throne. Truly rare!"