Chapter 1294: The Liao Emperor's Resolve

"In your view, Han Qing, how should we respond to the enemy to the south?" Suppressing the negative emotions in his heart as best he could, Yelu Xian asked Han Derang.

Han Derang's stance was equally clear, and he said directly: "The territory under the Xi King's administration is the very foundation of the Great Liao—it cannot be lost! With roads blocked and transport difficult, when Wang Yanchao's army comes north and penetrates deep into our territory, after prolonged fighting their momentum will wane, and their supply of provisions and equipment will become even more difficult. In my view, the Han army's offensive is bound to slow, and their attacking power will weaken.

We only need to strengthen the passes and fortifications, and ensure the garrisons at Hezhong and Guihua hold firm, and there will be no cause for concern. However, at this time the Xi lands are unstable and the people are anxious and fearful—we still need to dispatch reinforcements to boost morale and strengthen confidence, so as to solidify our defenses!"

Yelu Xian nodded, pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said sternly: "The Xi King is old and has lost his ambition—he is unfit for his post. I think that while sending troops, we should also send a general, and replace him with a capable minister who will take charge of the overall situation in the Xi lands!"

Clearly, Yelu Xian was still dissatisfied with the Xi King Chouning in his heart. In his view, although the court had conscripted large numbers of Xi soldiers for the battlefields on various fronts, their foundation remained deep. To be beaten by a detached force under Wang Yanchao and forced to cry for help despite holding the advantage of terrain—either the Xi King harbored divided loyalties, or he was simply too old and incompetent.

At Yelu Xian's opinion, Han Derang's brow furrowed slightly, as if he had some objection. In his view, when the state faced crisis, one should still seek harmony among the various tribes within the realm, uniting upper and lower ranks to resist the Han army, and the Xi people were precisely those who should be the focus of unity. Adopting drastic arrangements that showed distrust toward the Xi King would easily cause the Xi people to become alienated.

However, seeing the gloom on Yelu Xian's brow and his cold expression—clearly his mind was made up—Han Derang found it hard to object. He knew well that this young emperor was extremely firm in his decisions.

"How many troops do you think we should send in support?" Yelu Xian asked Han Derang directly.

Han Derang replied: "Focusing on steady defense, supplemented by Xi tribal troops, ten thousand men will suffice!"

Looking at Yelu Xian, Han Derang asked again: "Whom does Your Majesty intend to send south?"

"The Southern Commissioner of Military Affairs, Gao Xun!" Yelu Xian said after a slight hesitation, with certainty.

At this, Han Derang seemed to hesitate again. During this period, because Yelu Xian had been heavily promoting Han Chinese ministers and entrusting them with key military and political affairs, it had already stirred considerable criticism.

If Gao Xun were also sent to take charge of military and political affairs in the Xi lands, there would inevitably be waves of controversy. After all, Gao Xun was different from deeply rooted Han Chinese aristocratic families like the Han family—he had submitted midway, being a distinguished family from the Southern Dynasty who had only pledged allegiance after Yelu Deguang destroyed the Jin. Even after more than twenty years, he could not be compared to those native-born Han Chinese ministers who had long since integrated into Liao—after all, there was a difference between close and distant.

Although he feared it might trigger undesirable consequences, Han Derang did not raise objections—he was, after all, still a Han minister. Therefore, he clasped his hands and said: "Commissioner Gao excels in both civil and military affairs, and has achievements in both governance and military command. With his abilities, he can be entrusted with this duty!"

"Then it's settled!" Yelu Xian, not noticing Han Derang's unusual expression, made the final decision.

This was how Liao was now—the situation growing more dire by the day, and the worse things got, the more problems emerged. Any decision or choice could trigger adverse consequences.

"Gao Xun will go to the Xi King's administration, and the affairs of the Southern Bureau of Military Affairs will be taken up by you, Han Qing!" Yelu Xian looked at Han Derang and said: "This will also allow you to participate in military planning with greater legitimacy!"

"Your Majesty honors me so greatly—I am moved to tears of gratitude!" Hearing this, Han Derang showed no joy on his face, and said: "It's just that my seniority is shallow and my abilities insufficient—I am hardly fit for such a great responsibility. Such a promotion may cause resentment among the people!"

"What time is this for you to be making such needless modest refusals!" Yelu Xian's voice immediately rose a few notches, staring sharply at Han Derang: "What abilities you, Han Zhiyao, possess—you know, and I know! Your Han family produces talent in abundance, and you, Han Derang, are among the very best. At this time of national crisis, when you should be boldly taking on responsibility, what are you still making excuses for!"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust—I shall devote myself utterly to the task!" Facing Yelu Xian's somewhat impassioned words, Han Derang felt a measure of genuine emotion stir within him, and he bowed his head and bent his waist, speaking solemnly.

Yelu Xian said: "The Great Liao does not lack fierce generals and brave warriors—what we lack is strategic talent. Since the Northern Commissioner went to Mobei to take charge of the overall situation, the only great talent by my side capable of coordinating the whole picture is you, Han Derang!"

"Your Majesty flatters me!" Han Derang said.

Because Wang Yansheng and Yang Ye's two Han army detachments had struck Mobei, causing great chaos in Liao's northwest and even spilling over into the east, Yelu Xian had no choice but to send the newly appointed Northern Commissioner of Military Affairs, Yelu Xianshi, west to organize troops to deal with those Han forces that had penetrated deep into Mobei.

"And what of Liu Tinghan's army?" Yelu Xian changed the subject.

At this mention, Han Derang could not help but show a trace of embarrassment on his face. It was he who had originally devised the plan to annihilate Liu Tinghan's army, but because the enemy had an extraordinarily keen sense and had prudently withdrawn, the plan had come to nothing. Although Yelu Xian had not blamed him, Han Derang felt he had lost face.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this Liu Tinghan is truly cunning. Since he came north again in the sixth month, he has grown even more cautious, always skirmishing and probing along the Monan and central desert line against the army of the Southwest Pacification Commissioner—it seems he has completely abandoned any intention of advancing north!" Han Derang said with some frustration.

"Are we just going to sit by and watch him run rampant?" Yelu Xian said coldly.

Han Derang's face turned solemn, and after a slight hesitation, he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, although Liu Tinghan is cunning, thinking that with his back to Monan and his widespread scouts he can advance and retreat at will, our army truly has little means against him.

However, as time goes on, if he immerses himself in this probing and skirmishing, he will inevitably grow complacent! I believe the Great Liao can be bolder—mobilize the troops of the Supreme Capital to march south, strike directly at his main force, and send detachments on a wide flanking maneuver—perhaps we can catch him off guard! However, this must be done swiftly and quickly—we cannot give him any chance to react!"

"Good!" Hearing this strategy, Yelu Xian almost without hesitation said coldly.

With a firm gaze, as if he had found an outlet for his resentment, Yelu Xian declared in a clear voice: "Since the war between Han and Liao began, our army has been on the defensive everywhere and frustrated everywhere. How can purely passive defense remain watertight forever! The bow-drawing warriors of my Great Liao should be used for offense! In the previous northern campaign, we took the initiative to strike at Nankou, and this time the Great King of the Southern Division also dared to counterattack in force at Yaozhou!

On the grasslands, it is still the battlefield where the sons of my Great Liao gallop freely! This time, not only will the full army march south—I will personally lead the campaign!"

At Yelu Xian's declaration, Han Derang could not help but show surprise on his face—he was genuinely astonished. With a trace of approval in his eyes, Han Derang said seriously: "With such ambition, Your Majesty will surely inspire the soldiers and win victory!"

Yelu Xian waved his hand, rose and paced a few steps, then suddenly turned his head to Han Derang and said: "The current development of the war is far too unfavorable to the Great Liao. Although we should stand on defense, blindly retreating and defending will only leave the Great Liao passive and lagging on every front!"

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Han Derang echoed.

Yelu Xian raised his hand and pointed directly south: "The current war is all happening within the borders of my Great Liao, making it too easy for the Han army—almost no burden, no scruples—and too comfortable for the Southern Dynasty! Our contraction of defenses and concentration of forces is not meant to keep the Great Liao in such an inferior position for long—we must counterattack!

With over a hundred thousand troops gathered around the Supreme Capital, we cannot just sit and watch the situation change while wasting provisions and money. My intention is to lead the troops south and carry the flames of war into Han territory. You said before that in this northern campaign, the Han army has sent out all its elite troops, and its northern border defenses are far less solid than before. With such a long Han-Liao border, how could every point be perfectly defended? As long as we go south, we will always find a weakness!

The situation in Liaodong is already as precarious as a stack of eggs—we can no longer persist in conservative defense. We should actively seek change in order to break the deadlock!"

Yelu Xian's resounding views made Han Derang sigh with emotion—the emperor was young, but he possessed considerable boldness and strategy. Had it been Yelu Bishe, he would absolutely not have had such resolve and courage.

At the same time, Han Derang held a certain degree of approval for Yelu Xian's thinking. As the war deepened, the situation had become quite clear—it was developing increasingly in a direction unfavorable to Liao. And purely passive defense without adaptation would indeed only plunge one's own side into endless trouble and difficulty.

But change was not something one could decide by simply slapping one's head—some issues had to be considered. After thinking it over, Han Derang said to Yelu Xian: "What Your Majesty says speaks directly to the hearts of the Great Liao's soldiers. When pressed, one seeks change—the war against Han should also be altered! However, if the southern campaign is to proceed, there must be two preconditions. First, Mobei must not have any more problems—we cannot allow that Han army in the northwest to spread its chaos eastward! Second, the Xi tribal lands must be held—we cannot allow Wang Yanchao's army to advance even one step further north!"

"Only under these preconditions can we march south with ease, and moreover, we should first conclude the campaign against Liu Tinghan's army, then adapt according to how the war develops!"

Yelu Xian took in Han Derang's advice, and after brief consideration, said decisively: "The Han army in the northwest is both a detached force and an isolated one. I believe the Northern Commissioner, commanding the multitudes of Mobei, is sufficient to contain them! As for the Xi King's administration, add another five thousand troops!"

Clearly, Yelu Xian had made up his mind. Under enormous pressure, he could no longer endure it—he wanted change, he wanted to take the initiative, and he no longer wished to remain stifled!