Chapter 1318: Military Council

"With these officials filling the ranks, we can barely manage to address the urgent needs of pacifying Liaodong!" Standing before the map of Liaodong, Liu Yang pondered for a moment, then said calmly: "The current arrangements are all being handled under the Liao administrative system!"

"The Khitan court's establishment of prefectures and counties in Liaodong is somewhat unreasonable—the prefectures are too densely packed, with every city or county becoming a prefecture!" Liu Yang pointed at the scattered Liao-established prefectures and counties on the map: "The thirteen large and small cities recovered in Liaodong now constitute thirteen prefectures, but the cities are small and the populations sparse—this is completely unsuitable for the Great Han's local administrative system!"

"Your Highness speaks truly! The attendant officials have already deliberated on this matter and unanimously agree that the recovered lands, towns, and populations must be adjusted according to Han administrative practices, and that the prefectures and counties of Liaodong must be consolidated and merged to reduce the number of officials and prevent bloat!" Murong Defeng said.

"Mm!" Liu Yang showed a hint of satisfaction at this, and instructed: "Then have them deliberate and produce a proposal for consolidation and merger, which I will submit to the court!"

"Additionally, the names of the various prefectures and counties should also be correspondingly redesignated!" Liu Yang added.

The prefecture names established by Liao were indeed somewhat jarring, and moreover, names such as Su, Fu, Ning, Chen, Yao, and Yin duplicated prefectures already existing in the Great Han, so they too had to be changed.

In fact, with just a little understanding, one could discover that Liao seemed to have "relocated" a number of the Great Han's prefecture names from south to north into Liaodong, as if gathering the essence of Huaxia into Liao—this political ambition was plain to see.

However, with the return of the Great Han's royal army, Liaodong would also recover its original appearance, reforming institutions and systems, beginning with the names...

"Liaoyang's position is somewhat too far south—should we consider changing the seat of governance for Liaodong? I think Shenzhou might be more suitable!" Liu Yang suddenly raised another matter, with a slight note of hesitation in his voice.

This was also because the eastern army's field headquarters was now established at Shenzhou, so as to command the various forces nearby and deal with the remnants of the Liao army to the northeast. Liu Yang remained in Liaoyang to oversee military and civil affairs overall—this too was due to geography, even though Shenzhou was only a hundred or so li north of Liaoyang.

"In terms of location, Shenzhou is indeed more centrally positioned, but Liaoyang after all has deeper foundations, and its city management is more complete!" Murong Defeng said.

"Let us discuss this matter another day! Make a note of it—once the war concludes and we return in triumph, it can be brought up for discussion at court!" Liu Yang thought for a moment, feeling that considering this matter was still somewhat premature, and directly gave the order.

"August is about to pass—I wonder when this protracted war will finally come to an end..." Liu Yang sighed with emotion.

Soon, he adjusted his mindset, ordered someone to fetch his outer robe and put it on, then walked out while instructing: "Prepare the carriage—I'm going out to take a look!"

"Where does Your Highness wish to inspect?" Ma Huaiyu asked.

"First, go to the refugee camp outside the city to see if there have been any rectifications, whether it is still as chaotic and disorderly! Then—"

Before Liu Yang could finish speaking, Ma Huaiyu dissuaded him: "Since Your Highness knows the refugee camp is in chaos, it is all the more inappropriate to go there in person. If you wish to understand the situation, there are staff officers and officials who can conduct the inspection on your behalf!"

"You've learned to offer remonstrances too?" Looking at Ma Huaiyu's solemn expression, Liu Yang laughed.

Ma Huaiyu, shedding his usual plain demeanor, stood with his hand on his saber and answered seriously: "This is this humble official's duty!"

"Your Highness, the refugee camp is a mix of dragons and snakes, with Hu and Han intermingled. Though there are many elderly and weak, there is no shortage of hardened men. If Khitan bandits or brigands were to infiltrate among them, it would truly be inappropriate for Your Highness to go in person. What Huaiyu says is true—I beg Your Highness to think twice and not lightly venture into danger!"

Liu Yang's ears were relatively soft, and he was not as stubborn as Emperor Liu. Seeing these two playing off each other, he felt somewhat helpless. After thinking it over, he waved his hand and said: "Enough, I'll yield to you. First go to the granary grounds to inspect the grain supplies and military equipment, then go to the military camp to visit the soldiers who have not yet recovered from their wounds..."

"Yes!"

After adjustments, Liaoyang now hosted up to ninety thousand troops of the Han army, with the eastern-line forces led by Gao Huaide as the main contingent—also the primary force that had breached Liaoyang. Of course, there were also more than twenty thousand civilian laborers from the Shandong Peninsula.

On the first day of the ninth month, the first day of late autumn, the entire city of Liaoyang tensed up, though martial law had never been relaxed since the city fell. But on this day, the atmosphere in the city was noticeably more solemn by several degrees—the guards at the gate towers and government offices, and the officers and soldiers patrolling the streets, all had their spirits and alertness raised by a full notch.

In the hall of the Grand Marshal's headquarters, a full assembly gathered. Apart from Ma Renyu, who was responsible for military defense in the northeast, all ranks of generals and marshals from Crown Prince Liu Yang on down, including Zhao Kuangyin and Gao Huaide, had rushed to Liaoyang. This was the first full assembly of generals and marshals since the fall of Liaoyang.

Among those seated, besides the senior generals of the eastern army, Cao Bin was also present to listen in, seated only below Liu Yang in precedence. Though in terms of status Zhao and Gao ranked above him, Cao Bin was after all the imperial envoy sent by the Son of Heaven to reward the troops.

The pleasantries had already been exchanged; at the formal meeting, they went straight to the main topic. Liu Yang needed to convey the court's policies for pacifying and governing Liaodong, and communicate the areas where continued military cooperation was needed. At present, Liaodong's military and civil affairs were integrated, with the military taking precedence over civil governance.

Zhao Kuangyin, for his part, needed to report on the defensive arrangements of each prefecture, public security conditions, adjustments to military organization, as well as the remnants of the Liao army and the situation in the northeast.

"... Over the past month, Yelu Xiezhen has gathered his defeated and scattered troops at Tongzhou, intending to hold fast behind the walls of Tongyuan City. The exact military strength is still undetermined, but according to intelligence reports from spies, the enemy already commands no fewer than fifty thousand troops!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

"Didn't the Battle of the Liao River inflict heavy losses on the Liao army in Liaodong and exhaust their vitality? How can they have gathered so many troops in just one short month?" Liu Yang frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.

"Your Highness need not worry!" Zhao Kuangyin explained calmly: "Though their military strength has been gathered, the vitality they have lost is not so easily restored.

According to investigation, the Liao army at Tongyuan is composed partly of defeated troops retreating north and fleeing Hu barbarians, partly of reinforcements from the Shangjing circuit to the west, and partly of scattered men and able-bodied conscripts who fled from Huanglongfu in the northeast. Though the numbers are not small, less than half are troops with actual combat capability, and they are short of weapons, grain, and warhorses. Moreover, their morale is low—when they face our army again, their combat power will inevitably fail to hold!"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Liu Yang immediately felt a sense of relief, a restrained smile hanging at the corners of his mouth as he nodded: "So the situation in the northeast is still within our expectations?"

"Perhaps even more optimistic than we had previously anticipated!" Zhao Kuangyin also wore a smile, his beard trembling as he said: "Since the Shiwei and the Wanyan Jurchen rose up in arms, the Liao army has lost cities and tribes in succession, and the prefectures and tribes of the former Bohai lands have also fallen out of control—turmoil everywhere, utter chaos.

With the rear already in chaos, Yelu Xiezhen's intention to hold and defend Tongzhou has completely failed. The various prefectures and tribes of the northeast are not a bulwark for his defense against the Great Han, but have instead become his liability. The Wude Office and the Military Intelligence Office have rendered great merit in stirring up the northeastern tribes—not only disrupting the Liao army's defenses, but also laying the foundation for our army's future advance into the northeast to crush the disobedient.

During the period of our army's rest and reorganization, Yelu Xiezhen, having gathered his forces, has also dispatched several detachments to suppress the rebellions, intending to quell the unrest and stabilize his rear.

However, judging from the intelligence gathered so far, the results are not favorable. First, the Liao army lacks sufficient strength, and there is also the threat of our army to the southwest of the Xiantong region; second, the rebels are numerous and scattered, making them difficult to eradicate completely.

The Jurchen, led by the Wanyan tribe, have already formed a united force and are advancing on Huanglongfu; the Tülübu Shiwei tribe has raised troops to march east, plundering the former Bohai lands, and are currently engaged in battle with the Tieli people; the remaining Bohai prefectures and tribes have either risen in revolt wholesale, or are defending their cities, and some have even begun attacking and annexing one another..."

"Since the northeastern prefectures and tribes are in such chaos, does Duke Rong have a plan to follow up and respond?" Liu Yang's brow had completely relaxed as he pondered briefly and asked.

"I came to Liaoyang precisely to report to Your Highness. I have already directed Ma Renyu to prepare the troops, and military supplies and baggage are also being transported. We await only your order to advance on Xianping!" Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands and requested.

"Duke Rong believes we can move the troops now?" Liu Yang asked.

Zhao Kuangyin: "Since the cessation of hostilities, the soldiers of all units have enjoyed ample rest and reorganization, especially Ma Renyu's forces, which have been replenished with elite combat strength. Though the occupied territories have not been completely pacified, they will hardly be able to hamper our army's advance. The forces assigned to maintain local stability have also been properly deployed.

More importantly, we need to continue applying pressure on Yelu Xiezhen, continue striking him, and force him into a desperate situation..."