Chapter 1299: Achievements on the Secret Front

"Before the war began, you all swore up and down that the various Hu tribes of the northeast could be used for our purposes—I gave Your Majesty my personal guarantee!" Surging anger churned in Li Chongju's eyes, so fierce that none dared meet his gaze. Staring at the several Wude Office clerks responsible for Liao intelligence, Li Chongju said coldly:

"The Han-Liao war has already been raging for over four months, with more than a dozen battles large and small. Military and civilian casualties on both sides have exceeded a hundred thousand. We've contacted those Hu chieftain tribes, yet they still haven't made any actual move. All those people and resources—where have they been spent? All for nothing?"

Among those feeling the most pressure from Li Chongju's interrogation was Wang Mi, Deputy Commissioner of the Wude Office, for he was the one chiefly responsible for courting and purchasing the allegiance of the northern Hu tribes. Though he was the second-ranking figure of the Wude Office, holding a proper fourth-rank post, before Li Chongju he was more than a head shorter. Not to mention Li Chongju's close relationship with the Emperor—Li Chongju was also one of the Great Han's few dukes, ranking high throughout the entire court. Moreover, Wang Mi himself had been promoted by Li Chongju.

Facing Li Chongju's scrutinizing gaze, Wang Mi steadied his flustered nerves and hurriedly replied: "Your Excellency, please calm your anger. Since the imperial army advanced into Liaodong, the various tribes of the northeast have already begun to respond..."

"I've heard plenty of words like that already! What I want is concrete action that helps the army, not these plausible-sounding verbal promises!" Li Chongju cut him off.

Wang Mi clasped his hands and said: "Through our extensive contacts, the various tribes of the northeast have all agreed to accept the court's pacification and dispatch troops to harass the Liao heartland in response to the imperial army. Among them, the Tulibu Shiwei, the Wanyan Jurchen, and other tribes have already mustered their warriors and can strike at any moment, throwing Liao's northeastern rear into utter chaos..."

"Then have they actually risen up?" Li Chongju seized on the key point, looking at the somewhat uneasy Wang Mi and asking directly: "Do they still have misgivings? Or are they short of weapons, lacking food? Or some other reason?"

Wang Mi hesitated, then said: "The Wanyan chieftain Wanyan Bohai hopes that, after the matter succeeds, the court will grant them Huanglong Prefecture and its surrounding regions. They are willing to remain eternal vassals of the Great Han and campaign against the disobedient on the Great Han's behalf..."

"And then grow strong, rise up, and become a new Khitan—a scourge upon the court?" Li Chongju said coldly, his tone full of contempt. Influenced by Emperor Liu, Li Chongju was deeply wary of these alien peoples: "Quite an appetite they have—still haggling with the court at a time like this! Do they truly think the court has no choice but to use them?"

Seeing the hostility redirected, Wang Mi breathed a sigh of relief, then said: "Since it involves promises of territory and vassalage, the clerks below didn't dare make any decisions on their own!"

"And I can make decisions?" Li Chongju shook his head and sighed: "I'll report this matter to His Majesty. What about the other tribes? Surely they can't all be harboring hidden schemes like the Wanyan tribe!"

Of course, Li Chongju knew that Emperor Liu would absolutely never lightly grant the Wanyan tribe's demands. In fact, he might even develop suspicions because of it—after defeating the Liao army, he might well launch a purge against these northeastern tribes.

"The Eastern Sea Jurchen and the Yemaek people of the south have responded enthusiastically, but these barbarians are mostly uncivilized wild tribes. Previously, we shipped them a batch of weapons and armor by sea, but they mostly engage in petty raids for plunder—hardly able to pose a major threat!" Wang Mi said.

"What about the Balhae people?" Li Chongju asked again. As Liao's great rear base in Northeast Asia, stirring up a Balhae rebellion would yield far better results.

"In the past two months, large-scale unrest has already broken out across the former Balhae lands, all in resistance to Liao's conscription of soldiers from the Eastern Capital. According to the latest intelligence received, Liao has further intensified its exploitation and oppression of the Balhae people—complaints fill the roads and fields. The Khitan have ruled the Balhae for too long, and their control and influence run deep; even now, many still harbor awe and reverence for Khitan rule. However, our people have already made contact with the Balhae nobles of Shuaibin and Huhan—an uprising is imminent!" Wang Mi said.

"If there's still no movement, then leak the information about these Balhae contacts to the Khitan!" Li Chongju instructed coldly. Clearly, under Emperor Liu's pressure, Li Chongju's patience had worn thin—he was determined to stir up something big in the northeast.

"Your Excellency, there is one more matter!" Seeing that Li Chongju had returned to his usual calm demeanor, Wang Mi spoke up on his own initiative.

"Speak!"

"Since autumn began, the Khitan have been making major moves in the Eastern Capital—conscripting soldiers, horses, and corvée labor!" Wang Mi reported: "At first, our clerks thought the Liao army was preparing to counter the imperial army's advance on Liaoyang. But later they discovered that the Liao army seemed to be concentrating its forces further north—troops, civilians, money and grain, weapons, and livestock were all being transferred northward from Liaoyang..."

"Rather than strengthening Liaoyang's defenses, they're transferring resources out of it!" Li Chongju murmured, then speculated: "What is the Liao army trying to do—abandon Liaoyang? Or are they planning something else?"

"Has the field headquarters been notified?" Li Chongju asked in a grave voice.

"All intelligence gathered in the northeast has been delivered to the field headquarters in the shortest possible time, at the fastest possible speed!" Wang Mi hurriedly replied.

"Mm!" Li Chongju acknowledged.

"What's the situation at Liao's Linhuang Prefecture?" Li Chongju asked again.

"During this period, Liao has massed over a hundred thousand troops around their Supreme Capital. After their earlier scheme against Liu Tinghan's army failed, they've made no further moves—they remain entrenched in place, ready to support the eastern and western fronts at any moment. Additionally, with Liao tightening surveillance and control over their internal tribes and sealing off transportation routes, our agents around Linhuang Prefecture are finding their situation increasingly difficult—the difficulty of gathering intelligence has greatly increased..." Wang Mi said.

"No matter how difficult or dangerous, you must find a way to gather intelligence!" Li Chongju instructed somewhat unreasonably: "The Emperor has said that regarding the situation in Liao, the Great Han's ears and eyes cannot be sealed shut. We are those ears and eyes—if we are blinded, what use are we?"

"Yes!" Wang Mi was merely relaying the difficulties of those below to those above; he didn't dare bargain.

"What about Mobei? Any latest news? Still no contact with Yang Ye's and Wang Yansheng's two armies?" Li Chongju's brows furrowed, his expression turning severe.

Wang Mi clasped his hands and said: "Since Yelu Xianshi, the Liao Northern Bureau Commissioner, took up his post, news from Mobei seems to have been completely cut off. However, through scattered rumors, we've learned that the two imperial armies have caused enormous trouble for Liao—otherwise, the Liao Emperor wouldn't have sent Yelu Xianshi, his most trusted minister, to Mobei!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chongju couldn't help but raise a hand to rub his tightly knit brows. After a long moment, he took a deep breath and said in a heavy yet resolute tone: "Continue sending more men—we absolutely must make contact with the imperial armies in Mobei!"

"Yes!" Wang Mi acknowledged. He knew that Li Chongju's concern wasn't just for those two Han armies—more importantly, it was for the two imperial princes who had marched north with the troops.

Earlier it had been manageable—the time was short, and through various channels they'd learned that the two Han cavalry forces from Hexi and Yulin had been making great strides in the northwestern Mobei region, striking down enemies and earning merit. But as time passed and communications were severed, it became impossible not to worry. Especially since both armies were operating as isolated forces with no rear support, fighting in unfamiliar territory—military supplies and provisions were all problems, and they still had to face the numerous Mobei tribes. Every step was fraught with crisis, every direction fraught with danger...

After giving his instructions and arrangements, Li Chongju's weary heart settled somewhat, and he rose to leave. Before he reached the door, a personal attendant hurried over, bowed respectfully to Li Chongju, and reported with a delighted expression: "Your Excellency, the latest news has arrived from Shanyang!"

"What is it?" Li Chongju stared at him.

"It's about Mobei! Several officers and soldiers from the northern expedition have returned, bringing news of the battle situation of the Yulin and Hexi armies, as well as the recent situation in Mobei!" the subordinate reported.

"Truly?" Li Chongju rarely showed such joy on his face.

"Absolutely certain!"

"Where are those officers and soldiers now?" Li Chongju asked.

"The Shanyang authorities have already sent men to escort them to the temporary residence—they are on the way!" the subordinate replied.

"And Lord Zhao and the Prince of Wei? Are they safe?" Li Chongju's face showed concern.

"According to reports, they are still with the army in Mobei!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Chongju let out a great sigh of relief, pacing a few steps, and said: "This wonderful news must be reported to His Majesty immediately!"

With Li Chongju's face brightening, the heavy atmosphere immediately eased, and the subordinates' previously anxious moods relaxed considerably. Several senior officials of the Wude Office, including Wang Mi, looked at the attendant who had made the report with very kind eyes.