Chapter 1255: Inevitable Dissent

"After Yelu Xian succeeded the throne, what measures has he taken?" After a long, thoughtful silence, Emperor Liu asked.

Li Chongju reported: "Apart from rewarding meritorious officials and nobles, and dispatching envoys to prefectures, counties, border passes, and garrisons to announce the new sovereign's accession, he has not made any major military moves. The Liao court remains as it was."

"The Liao sovereign's first clear edict was to change the era name to Baoning. The assembled ministers presented him the honorific title of Emperor Tianzan, and honored Yelu Jing's empress, Lady Xiao, as Empress Dowager, moving her to Longqing Palace. At the same time, because Liao has repeatedly suffered succession crises, leaving the state unsettled and the people uneasy, the Liao sovereign swore an oath with the imperial clan and senior ministers — to ensure long-term stability, the system of succession by the eldest legitimate son has been formally established!"

Listening to Li Chongju's report, Emperor Liu's grave expression finally relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his face: "You see, this new sovereign of Liao, though young, has very seasoned tactics! Judging by his measures, he deeply understands where the crux of the situation lies, and his intent is to stabilize the court and win over the people. If this man is allowed to firmly secure the throne, perhaps Liao will prove even harder to deal with than it was under Yelu Jing!"

"Your Majesty, this Yelu Xian truly is someone who astonishes with a single cry!" Li Chongju said. "Judging by his conduct before and after his accession, he truly cannot be underestimated!"

"Mm!" Emperor Liu acknowledged, rubbing the jade thumb-ring on his thumb as he sank back into thought.

Seeing this, Li Chongju waited a moment before asking: "Your Majesty, according to reports, the Liao Supreme Capital has tightened its control both inside and outside. The secret agents under the Wude Office have also lost a great number of personnel in this round of frequent probing. The situation there is gradually stabilizing. Regarding the operation to spread rumors and disrupt their situation — should it continue?"

"Continue! Of course we must continue!" Emperor Liu responded immediately. Glancing at Li Chongju, he added in a deep voice: "But this sort of tactic — is it perhaps not of much use against Liao? Are the results doubtful?"

At the question, Li Chongju answered somewhat conservatively: "Your servant will urge his subordinates to do their utmost!"

Emperor Liu nodded, clearly understanding. He waved his hand and sighed: "Rumors can wound, but to kill, they still lack many conditions. As for throwing Liao into chaos, I fear we cannot even hope for that!"

His eyes rolling a few times, Emperor Liu raised a finger: "Over these years, the Wude Office has secretly made contact with quite a number of the tribes within Liao — the Jurchen, the Shiwei, and other barbarian peoples, hasn't it?"

"By Your Majesty's command, contact has been maintained all along!"

"Good. Now they will be of use. Send men bearing the court's edicts of reward and enfeoffment, inform them of the change of the Liao throne, show them the opportunity, and rouse them all to coordinate with the Great Han's operations!" Emperor Liu instructed.

"Yes!"

"You may withdraw. Let me ponder further!" Relaxing fully, Emperor Liu ordered.

"Your servant takes his leave!"

The imperial carriage fell quiet. The warm spring sunlight still tirelessly streamed in, casting shifting light and shadow across his face — clearly, the news from Liao had disappointed him, not even meeting his basic expectations.

Yelu Xian's rise to power had not exceeded Emperor Liu's expectations by much, but the process deeply disappointed him. Clearly, hoping that Liao would suffer another violent, bloody internal upheaval over the succession — one that would win the Great Han a more favorable opportunity for a northern campaign — was impossible.

In the end, it would come down to hard strength!

Though Emperor Liu had never imagined the northern campaign against Liao would proceed and succeed easily, the shift in Liao's situation still made him uneasy — even vigilant.

Though Yelu Xian had not yet implemented any concrete governing measures, his rise still stirred associations in Emperor Liu's mind. He thought of his own accession years ago. Though the situations could not be fully compared, Yelu Xian's conduct made Emperor Liu feel the man resembled himself — and from that, a sense of disgust arose...

"Where are we now?" The imperial procession continued eastward. The slight jostling stirred a sense of urgency in Emperor Liu, and he suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty, we have already passed Yanxi Post Station!" Yan Tuo reported.

"Transmit my order: increase speed. We must reach the Western Capital before sunset!" Emperor Liu's tone brooked no argument.

"Yes!"

In mid-spring, the city of Luoyang basked in gentle winds and bright sunshine, immersed in a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere. The gentry and common folk toiled contentedly — from princes and ministers above to peddlers and porters below, all savored this peaceful age.

Throughout Luoyang, among its many famous scenic sites and ancient relics, crowds of people were out on spring outings. In the Western Capital's markets, a great array of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables was coming to market. Merchants from all directions brought local products and goods from across the realm for the capital's residents to peruse and purchase...

Everyone was busy with their own trades and livelihoods, seemingly with no thought even for the news that the Emperor was returning to the capital. Amid this splendid, prosperous veneer, few realized that a war of vast scale was already brewing.

The imperial city, the Hall of State Affairs.

As the highest authority of the Great Han during Emperor Liu's tour, all state orders were decided and issued from here, and its authority grew ever more weighty. Though the Emperor was absent, the officials on duty dared not show the slightest slack — for Chancellor Zhao Pu was also a formidable figure, busy building his record of achievement, and idleness was strictly forbidden.

Seated upright behind his broad official desk, Zhao Pu, as always, carefully reviewed and approved the memorials submitted by the various ministries and bureaus. Every stroke, every word, exuded the allure of power, enough to make one intoxicated. What he was approving was not merely memorials — it was the realm itself...

By now, at just forty-eight years of age, Zhao Pu could declare that he had reached the pinnacle of his career, fulfilling his aspirations — wielding great power, guiding the realm as chancellor.

Glorious it certainly was. On his birthday last year, though he had deliberately kept a low profile and declined to make a grand affair of it, on the day itself, nobles and officials who heard the news still packed his home in droves, nearly wearing down his threshold.

Gifts piled up across the front courtyard, leaving him somewhat alarmed — until Emperor Liu sent Duke of Qin, Liu Xu, to personally deliver birthday congratulations and lend him support. Only then was he somewhat reassured.

Zhao Pu was a clever man, and so he knew deep in his heart where his position and power came from. Though joyful, though proud, in governance and conduct he always maintained proper measure, working diligently and conscientiously.

"Chancellor Zhao!" Song Qi, the Minister of the Right, entered clutching a stack of memorials, calling out to Zhao Pu, who sat with a solemn, contemplative expression.

Looking up and seeing it was Song Qi, Zhao Pu set down his brush, a cordial smile appearing on his face: "Chancellor Song, please sit!"

Zhao Pu and Song Qi were of the same generation, with many similarities in their circumstances — both had risen from the provinces, both had early ties to regional domains. But sharing the Hall of State Affairs and dividing the chancellor's power, their relationship was lukewarm at best, and they frequently held differing views.

Especially on border affairs — Song Qi had risen in the north and had a far deeper understanding of Liao and the various northern tribes, while Zhao Pu, with his experience in the southwest, also considered himself knowledgeable about border matters. Inevitably, their views clashed.

And with Emperor Liu's edicts arriving, the two chancellors' attitudes toward the northern campaign had diverged once again...

"Minister Pan of the Ministry of War has petitioned for funds to manufacture additional military equipment!" Song Qi said as he sat down, raising the most pressing matter first.

Hearing this, Zhao Pu wore an utterly composed expression and replied: "For the northern campaign's preparations, the manufacture and transport of military equipment and supplies are the most fundamental matters. If the items are clearly itemized and there is no doubt, approval is fine!"

Seeing this, Song Qi sighed and said: "Chancellor Zhao truly believes that rushing into a northern campaign is appropriate?"

In fact, from Song Qi's expression, Zhao Pu already knew what he wanted to say. Thus, he smiled faintly: "The old Liao sovereign was assassinated, and with the transition between old and new, hearts are unsettled and the court is in chaos. This is an opportunity not seen in a decade — how can we let it pass?"

Hearing this, Song Qi could not help shaking his head: "The Khitan have been a state for decades, their foundations run deep — they will not fall into chaos so easily. With the northern situation unclear, a hasty strike, a rushed northern campaign — I do not believe we can easily break them! If we lack caution, I fear it will only bring losses to the Great Han!"

Seeing Song Qi trotting out the same old arguments, Zhao Pu remained composed, looking at him and saying: "I know Chancellor Song spent many years on the border and knows border affairs well. But regarding Liao matters, is His Majesty a stranger to them? Now that such a change has occurred in Liao, if we hesitate and squander this opportunity, regret will come too late!"

"The enemy's situation is unclear, the matter arises in haste, and the odds of victory are doubtful!" Song Qi said. "Now is the spring plowing season. Conscripting vast amounts of labor will surely leave fields abandoned and reduce the harvest. Preparing for a northern campaign within a single month is simply too hasty..."

Song Qi shook his head as he spoke, looking deeply worried. Seeing this, Zhao Pu sat up straighter, looked at him, and said: "Chancellor Song's concern for the state and the people is admirable. However, His Majesty's edict has already arrived — we have no choice but to carry it out faithfully. His Majesty will soon return to the capital, and I think when he does, he will not wish to hear only these words of evasion!"