Chapter 1259: The Question Arises: Who Commands?

"May I ask, Military Commissioner Shi, how many troops do you plan to deploy?"

The question came again from Song Qi. Shi Shouxin glanced at this solemn-looking chancellor, then stepped before the military map and introduced: "The Bureau of Military Affairs' initial plan is for this campaign to advance in three directions.

The eastern route is the main thrust, gathering two hundred thousand troops — one hundred fifty thousand conscripted from the Yan Mountains and Hebei circuits' garrison troops, local forces, and militia, plus fifty thousand infantry and cavalry drawn from the imperial army of the two capitals heading north.

Orders have already been issued; the frontier troops have assembled and readied themselves, and local forces are being conscripted. Within a month, they can gather at Youzhou for reorganization. The imperial army is also preparing — once the edict is given, they can march.

The central route exits through Shanyang, drawing ten thousand cavalry from the Iron Cavalry and Dragon Victor armies to head north, then mobilizing all the horse troops of the Hedong and Shanyang circuits, concentrating thirty thousand cavalry to cross the frontier. However, the central route is only for containment — to split the Liao army's strength, not to engage in pitched battle!

The western route likewise uses cavalry exclusively, centered on the Yulin and Guannei forces, drawing twenty thousand horsemen to exit north from Fengzhou, raiding Liao's western territories — still primarily harassment!

The commanders of the central and western routes must be clearly instructed of their supporting role — they are not to covet merit or press for decisive engagement!"

The plan drawn up by the Bureau of Military Affairs was naturally the product of careful deliberation, especially in troop deployment, where they were thoroughly experienced. In this regard, Emperor Liu would have no objections.

Still, Emperor Liu habitually asked others for their opinions: "Is this deployment satisfactory?"

"Satisfactory!"

"Most satisfactory!"

Cao Bin, who rarely spoke, took the initiative to remind: "With three routes advancing simultaneously, the most critical concern is the supply of provisions and equipment — especially for the eastern route. Once the army pushes into Liaodong, it becomes a thousand-li expedition. With several hundred thousand troops and laborers, consumption will be enormous, and not the slightest error can be permitted!"

"Cao Bin is indeed steady!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled slightly, looking at Zhao Pu, Song Qi, and Pan Mei: "Military supplies and provisions will depend on you!"

"Your servants will naturally devote themselves fully to ensure completeness!" Zhao Pu led the declaration.

Emperor Liu turned to ask Shi Shouxin: "With two hundred thousand troops, is the strength sufficient — can we take Liaodong?"

Seeing that Emperor Liu seemed to have doubts, Shi Shouxin immediately said: "Your servants have calculated carefully. To send two hundred thousand troops on a distant expedition requires an equal number of laborers to accompany the army for supply. The actual number of people mobilized inside and outside the passes will exceed four hundred thousand. If we add more, it will inevitably bring greater difficulties in transporting and supplying military provisions!"

Zhao Kuangyin then pointed out: "The navy should also be utilized!"

Shi Shouxin nodded — the Great Han had not relaxed its naval construction in these years, so how could he have overlooked it? He immediately said: "The thirty thousand marines of Denglai and Mizhou should all head north in full force, assisting the land forces, crossing the sea to strike Liao. The Great Han navy holds an absolute advantage over Liao — advancing by both land and sea can achieve remarkable results!"

"Your Majesty, your servants have considered that land transport of supplies is difficult. Once the army advances into Liaodong and achieves results, securing a foothold, military provisions can be transported by sea route!" Zhao Pu volunteered.

"Excellent!" Emperor Liu nodded with satisfaction: "The navy's advantage in maritime transport must naturally be fully exploited!"

In recent years, with the government's openness and support, the Great Han had seen significant improvements in both shipbuilding and navigation technology — maritime routes had long since matured.

Liao had also invested considerable money and grain in the Bohai Bay, establishing a navy to defend against attack from the sea. However, given the Great Han navy's overwhelming superiority, it was more than enough to crush them, seize control of the bay, and then utilize it — there would be no great difficulty.

"One more route must be added!" Staring at the map for a long while, Emperor Liu gave another instruction.

"Your Majesty, please instruct!" Shi Shouxin clasped his hands.

"The Hexi forces must also be utilized!" Emperor Liu stated his intention: "The troops need not be many — whether crossing the shifting sands to the north or exiting west through Yang Pass, they must make some move!"

Shi Shouxin hesitated briefly, then still reminded: "Your Majesty, this would still be an all-front offensive. With ten thousand li from east to west, mutual coordination would be difficult to achieve, and the northwest is hardly solid — if too many troops are mobilized, leaving it hollow..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu said: "Only a detached force is sent; the primary and secondary remain unchanged, and the strategic objective stays firm — is that acceptable?"

It was clear that Emperor Liu's attitude was resolute. Shi Shouxin pondered briefly, then replied: "In that case, we can draw twenty thousand infantry and cavalry from Helong to strike out!"

According to the Bureau of Military Affairs' plan, destroying Liao was also to be done in stages — east first, then west, with Liaodong as the priority. The central and western regions did not require excessive emphasis, and crossing the frontier was a matter for later. As for Hexi, there was no need either — spreading the front too wide only added pressure on oneself.

Of course, sending a detached force was no great problem — it would set Liao ablaze with beacons on every side, giving the enemy the illusion that the Great Han was launching an all-out offensive.

Emperor Liu, for his part, was also privately calculating: adding it all up, across several fronts, land and naval forces combined, the registered troops numbered some three hundred thousand. Over seventy percent of northern China's armies were involved, inevitably leaving the Great Han's north somewhat hollow.

If auxiliary troops and laborers were counted, the scale was even larger than the northern expedition of years past. However, the situation faced was also different — attacking farther, with longer front lines, more dispersed forces, and greatly increased difficulty of assault. These circumstances still required careful consideration and preparation of various contingency plans.

"One last question remains — how should the commanding generals be arranged?" Coming back to himself, Emperor Liu continued asking.

Shi Shouxin replied: "For Shanyang circuit, Liu Tinghan as commander with Kang Yanze as deputy; for Yulin circuit, Yang Ye as commander with Wang Shenqi as deputy; for Hexi circuit, Wang Yansheng as commander with Guo Jin as deputy; the navy remains under Guo Tingwei's command!"

"Guo Tingwei is advanced in years — can he bear the burden?" Emperor Liu asked.

Shi Shouxin said: "For commanding and dispatching the tens of thousands of marines of the Eastern Sea, for naval warfare and breaking the enemy, among the Great Han's commanders, only Marquis Guo is up to the task! Moreover, Marquis Guo has trained the navy for many years — he alone has experience crossing the sea to strike Liao! Though advanced in years, his health has always been robust — he remains the best candidate to lead the fleet across the sea!"

Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly — he found such words somewhat hard to hear. If the Great Han navy would have problems without a single man, then that itself was a major problem. However, at such a critical juncture, Emperor Liu would not delay great matters over personal suspicions. For the sake of stability, if Guo Tingwei sufficed, then he would be employed!

"And the eastern route army?" Emperor Liu asked again about the main force that Shi Shouxin had not mentioned.

On this, Shi Shouxin said conservatively: "That requires Your Majesty's personal designation!"

On this matter, Shi Shouxin dared not presume to seize authority, nor even venture a suggestion. For it was known that since Emperor Liu's era, never had an army of such scale, with so many elite troops concentrated, been commanded solely by a single general.

This time, Emperor Liu's attitude of not intending to personally campaign was already quite clear, but who the command would fall upon was a matter of delicacy. There were no shortage of qualified candidates, but it still depended on Emperor Liu's thinking.

For Zhao Kuangyin and the others, it was impossible not to be tempted, but they could not show too much eagerness — including Han Tong, whose eyes were practically overflowing with fervor.

Emperor Liu, likely aware of Shi Shouxin's concerns, swept his gaze over the commanders present — Zhao Kuangyin, Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun, Han Tong, Pan Mei. Clearly, the choice would most likely come from among them.

But evidently, Emperor Liu himself was not entirely certain. Even with all manner of safeguards in place, when it truly came time to hand over military authority, his heart could not help but stir with some misgivings.

"Continue advancing all preparations. The other routes' commanders will follow the Bureau's recommendations. As for the eastern route's supreme commander, I shall deliberate further!" Emperor Liu ultimately did not decide directly.

"Yes!"