Chapter 1305: War Is Ultimately Fought with Logistics

Wuqing Port had not been completed for very long, but there was no doubt that after the realm was unified, it experienced explosive development and became an important terminal point for north-south maritime economic exchange.

By early August, even traveling at a leisurely pace, after nearly forty days on the road, Emperor Liu's imperial procession arrived at this, the Great Han's most important port in the north.

The port sat at the western end of the Bohai Bay, serving as the maritime gateway of the Yan Mountains circuit. After nearly a decade of development, it had grown increasingly prosperous. Merchants and travelers from north and south brought vast quantities of goods and wealth, making it an important platform for exchange among merchants of every state, every region, and every people. The vigorous rise of maritime shipping had driven its prosperity, and the port also radiated its influence across North China and even the Shanyang region and the Northeast.

At present, due to the war, civilian economic exchange had been severely suppressed, but that did not diminish Wuqing Port's bustle. It was now one of the most important bases for the Eastern Route Northern Expedition Army. Especially after the Battle of Jinzhou ended and the Han army advanced fully into Liaodong, completely opening the water transport route, Wuqing Port's importance became even more pronounced.

After entering the seventh month, overland military supply transport gradually decreased until it nearly ceased entirely, and the provisioning of the Liaodong army shifted fully to maritime shipping. To facilitate transshipment, the field headquarters mobilized large numbers of laborers and building materials to hastily construct a port within the Liaodong Bay, since some of the large oceangoing vessels were not suitable for navigating the Liao River.

Wuqing Port, like Denglai at the eastern end of the Bohai Bay, served as a logistics base for the Northern Expedition Army. Military supplies of every kind from the Yan Mountains and Hebei flowed continuously into Wuqing Port, where they were loaded aboard ships and transported to Liaodong to support the war against the Khitan.

Speaking of it, compared to the real swords and spears, the thunderous and spectacular fighting at the front, Emperor Liu had always believed that the coordination and transshipment of logistics supplies was the most difficult part. It was the most tedious, involving people, ships, carts, and horses—if mishandled, it became a complete mess. And supplying a several-hundred-thousand-strong army on a distant campaign—the logistical pressure could well be imagined.

Fortunately, after all these years, the Great Han's transport system was relatively mature. Built on water and land routes, it had also cultivated a large number of capable executive officials, which was what ensured the smooth operation of that enormous transport demand.

Being incapable was not an option either. With the great Northern Expedition underway, everyone from top to bottom was being pushed hard, and anyone who dared to be negligent would lose their head. During the period of Emperor Liu's northern inspection tour, more than twenty cases of corruption, dereliction of duty, and delay had been uncovered within the Eastern Route water-land transport administration, and those responsible had been dealt with according to the severity of their offenses—beheaded, demoted, dismissed, or exiled.

In a project of such a large system, if one wanted to dig, problems could always be found. Of course, Emperor Liu's purpose was not to target these petty corrupt minor officials.

Emperor Liu was very practiced at the trick of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. Seeing that it had achieved its effect, he called a halt and did not expand the scope further. Otherwise, going too far would be as bad as not going far enough, and it might not necessarily have a positive effect on the army's transport and supply.

On the other hand, the stable operation of all this was also thanks to two capable talents—Han Hui at the front and Zhang Mei in the rear. Both were capable ministers of practical action, with solid credentials and rich experience. Zhang Mei in particular, in every logistics assignment and military supply duty, had never had any shortage or oversight. What this demonstrated was outstanding coordination and scheduling ability.

Zhang Mei was already past fifty, and among the many factions at court, he was not particularly conspicuous or showy. He had originally been promoted by the late Duke of Yuguo, Wang Zhang, transferred from a minor local official to the State Finance Commission. After Wang Zhang retired, he received the patronage of Xue Juzheng, Duke of Jiguo. Over nearly twenty years, during the Great Han's campaigns in the west, he had always managed logistics work. Especially during the pacification of Shu, the merits he accumulated had propelled him upward through successive promotions.

He first took charge of financial reform and economic recovery in the Chuanshu region, then was transferred to the State Finance Commission to oversee salt and iron. After the Finance Bureau was established, he became its deputy commissioner—truly a position of high rank and great power.

Although he could not be counted among Emperor Liu's inner circle of confidants, his abilities were fully recognized and affirmed. Zhang Mei himself had flaws in his private conduct, but he did not fail in matters of great principle. Some impeachments or slanders against him were all generously waved aside by Emperor Liu, all because he could faithfully and efficiently complete the tasks assigned by the court and never betrayed the trust placed in him.

Thus, for this Northern Expedition, Emperor Liu once again employed Zhang Mei, giving him full authority over the logistics transport and coordination for the Eastern Route Northern Expedition Army—a clear sign of trust.

As for Han Hui, he belonged to the category of promising young talents favored by Emperor Liu. He was also the son of Han Tong, and at just thirty-seven years old, he had already advanced far ahead of many of his peers in his official career.

A jinshi degree holder, he had experience in the ministries and bureaus, had served in prefectures and counties, participated in the first Northern Expedition with outstanding performance—calm in crisis, resourceful in handling affairs, and earning merit. This time he was again with the Northern Expedition Army, serving directly as the special commissioner responsible for field headquarters supplies. A smooth and broad official road practically gleamed with gold before him.

Just as at Daming Prefecture, upon arriving at Wuqing Port, Han Hui also came personally to accompany Emperor Liu on his inspection. Of course, Han Hui was not there specifically to cater to Emperor Liu, but happened to be in the port arranging and coordinating affairs.

Although the fighting in Liaodong was now in full blaze, the earlier transport and supply had already been fully prepared, enough to sustain through winter. There was no need for him to keep watch at the front every moment, and preparing for the consumption needs of winter operations was now the focus of his work.

At Pier Number One in Wuqing Port, Emperor Liu stood facing the wind, confronting the prosperous and enormous seaport, feeling the urging of the southwest wind, with an indescribable sense of pride and wonder in his heart.

He had experienced the Eastern Sea before, but facing a seaport of such massive scale, complete facilities, and comprehensive functions as Wuqing Port—this was his first time.

Although it was hard to determine exactly which part of the later-era Tianjin Port he was standing on, Emperor Liu still couldn't help muttering under his breath: "Tianjin..."

Gazing at the dozen or so massive three-masted oceangoing vessels moored at the pier, one of which had already begun to weigh anchor, preparing to sail out of port, the gradually rising sails made Emperor Liu feel as though he had already inaugurated the Great Han Empire's age of navigation...

That sense of pride and self-satisfaction at driving the course of history coiled and twisted within his chest, and a smile involuntarily crept to the corners of his mouth.

Han Hui followed close by Emperor Liu's side. The older he grew, the more pronounced his hunchback became. But throughout the Great Han, few people still dared to mock or ridicule his physical defect—power and position were the best cosmetics.

Han Hui naturally could not fathom the surging thoughts and feelings churning in Emperor Liu's heart. Hearing the two characters "Tianjin," he spoke up on his own initiative: "Your Majesty, Wuqing Port is named because it falls under the jurisdiction of Wuqing County. On this matter, there is no shortage of dissenting opinions among the locals. The Yan region's celestial field division places the Yin star at the ford of Ximu, and so some have proposed naming the port Xijin Port. But Your Majesty, whose words carry heaven's mandate, has graced this ford with your presence—the name Tianjin is precisely fitting!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu chuckled and waved his hand: "I have no intention of changing its name. What matters most at present is not the name of this port, but the role it can play!"

"As the supply hub for the Liaodong army, being able to shoulder the transport mission—that is the key!" Emperor Liu said. "I have said more than once that war is fought with national strength, contested with weapons, money, and grain. With several hundred thousand troops in Liaodong, logistics is all the more important. The generals and commanders fight at the front, while you, Han Hui, coordinate and dispatch to replenish military supplies—that too is fighting, overcoming difficulties and surmounting obstacles. Your responsibility is no less than that of the commanders at field headquarters!"

"Your subject understands! And has always kept Your Majesty's teachings in mind, never daring to be negligent!" Han Hui stepped back and bowed solemnly with cupped hands.

Emperor Liu gave him another appraising look. Not yet forty, but he already showed signs of age not much different from the Emperor himself—a clear indication of how he had been rushing about and toiling, body and mind, over these past months.

"I can see the fatigue on your face. You must take care of your health!" Emperor Liu reached out and straightened Han Hui's posture.

At the Emperor's display of closeness, a smile bloomed on Han Hui's face, though his expression remained respectful: "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern!"

"Once the Northern Expedition is concluded, I think you can advance a step further, take on more responsibilities, and go to the localities to serve as a parent-official!" Emperor Liu said.

Hearing this, Han Hui was briefly startled, then immediately expressed his gratitude. Clearly, Emperor Liu was about to promote him again, and given his current position, advancing another step to a chief prefectural post was entirely within expectation.

Even if he spent ten years in the localities, when he returned to court, it might well be time for him to be made chancellor—a promising future! However, noticing the direction of Emperor Liu's gaze, which was toward Liaodong, Han Hui's heart could not help but thump nervously. If it was over there, that assignment would not be so easy to handle...

"These oceangoing ships—how much cargo can they carry?" Emperor Liu's attention turned again to the large vessels moored at Pier Number One.

"To answer Your Majesty, these are new-type oceangoing vessels built in recent years by the Suzhou and Yangzhou shipyards, named the Sea Horse, designed specifically for material transport. Fully loaded, each can carry five thousand dan of grain in a single trip!" Han Hui introduced.

"Five thousand dan... truly enormous!"

Emperor Liu silently calculated—that would be around three to four hundred tons...