Chapter 1320: Eliminating the Threat in Its Infancy

He had privately met with only four generals and ministers, and they happened to split two against two with opposing views, which gave Liu Yang no small headache. Of course, this wasn't simply a matter of summoning a few people; ultimately, consensus would need to be reached on how to proceed. It was just that he, as Crown Prince, also needed to have his own opinion.

Under immense pressure, Liu Yang even wished that Emperor Liu would give a clearer opinion, a more explicit edict—say, directly declaring war—so that he would have nothing to hesitate about.

But as it happened, Emperor Liu had released a hardline stance toward Goryeo and the Liaodong commanders, yet that was where it stopped. When it came to their actual operations, it was up to him and the generals to execute and improvise on the basis of the edict.

Guo Tingwei had made one valid point: Emperor Liu would not hesitate to go to war with Goryeo, but a Han-Goryeo war should only be the last resort when all pretense of cordiality had been torn apart.

Since the execution left him room to choose and space to maneuver, Liu Yang inevitably had some ideas of his own. Perhaps, in the shadow of Emperor Liu's brilliance, Liu Yang's autonomy wasn't so obvious, but as a Crown Prince with real power, how could he—how could he possibly—lack his own convictions?

If he didn't have any, that would mean he wasn't a qualified Crown Prince!

And for Liu Yang, the most agonizing point was that his thinking was similar to Zhao Kuangyin's—he wasn't all that eager to rashly clash with their friendly neighbor to the south while the Han-Liao war had yet to reach a decisive conclusion.

Even if, in recent years, relations between the Han and Goryeo hadn't been particularly harmonious, and Goryeo's intentions this time were quite offensive, it still didn't rise to the level of going to war.

Over the past month or so, Liu Yang's focus had shifted from military to administrative affairs, and he knew all too well what the situation in Liaodong was like. Maintaining so many troops and the pressure the homeland was bearing—even if he didn't have a deep understanding of these matters, he could glean hints from various details. He wasn't some seal-stamping Crown Prince and commander completely cut off from the grassroots.

On the other hand, regarding Goryeo's demands, Liu Yang didn't feel all that gravely offended, nor did he place much value on those few cities and parcels of land in southeastern Liaodong.

The Great Han's territory was vast, spanning ten thousand li, and Liu Yang didn't have a particularly deep territorial complex. Besides, that stretch of mountains and hills in southeastern Liaodong was barren and inhospitable—there was no need to contend with Goryeo over such a trifle.

If they wanted to deal with Goryeo, they could easily choose a more suitable and reasonable time. There was really no need to launch another large-scale war while still locked in fierce combat with Liao...

An irreverent thought crossed his mind: the Emperor was being a bit too hardline, too stubborn, and not entirely rational. Perhaps, because of the existing victories in Liaodong, he was overly optimistic about the situation here and had misjudged the circumstances?

Of course, the difference in opinion was secondary. What truly gave Liu Yang pause was that his own thinking seemed to run contrary to Emperor Liu's will.

This point made Liu Yang especially anxious. After all, he couldn't be certain what the consequences would be if his thoughts and opinions contradicted Emperor Liu's, or how Emperor Liu would view him afterward...

All sorts of thoughts swirled and tangled in his mind, his agitation even showing on his face. After pondering for a long while, Liu Yang finally calmed his churning emotions. Staring at Zhao Kuangyin with a serious expression and a tone that carried a hint of sternness, he asked, "Duke Rong, if it truly came to war with Goryeo, could Liaodong here face enemies on two fronts, with campaigns in the north and south simultaneously?"

Facing Liu Yang, Zhao Kuangyin's heart also sank. The Crown Prince's thinking seemed to be drifting toward Gao Huaide and Guo Tingwei. Frowning, he thought for a moment, growing more cautious, then cupped his hands and answered formally: "In terms of military strength alone, it's sufficient. The main army in southern Liao can be used for the Goryeo direction.

However, this isn't a matter of having more or fewer troops. Goryeo is not a state that can be swiftly destroyed; its strategic advantages make it even harder to attack than Liaodong. If war breaks out, with a prolonged campaign and heavy attrition, should we fall into the quagmire of a war with Goryeo, the excellent situation in Liaodong may well be impossible to maintain—indeed, whether the fruits of the northern campaign can even be consolidated would be called into question..."

"Duke Rong! Would it really come to that?" Liu Yang was not a man without judgment, and hearing Zhao Kuangyin speak thus, his tone carried a hint of doubt.

To this, Zhao Kuangyin replied calmly: "In all matters, one must consider the worst when making plans!"

"Your Highness, I believe Duke Rong's concerns are truly excessive!" Perhaps sensing the shift in the Crown Prince's tone, Guo Tingwei perked up, his old whiskers trembling as he said: "What is there to fear in fighting Goryeo? On land, the mountains of southeastern Liaodong are enough to hold the enemy. Never mind seventy thousand Goryeo troops—even two hundred thousand, what of it? Can our Great Han army not hold our city passes?

At sea, leave it entirely to our Eastern Sea Fleet. As long as we smash Goryeo's navy, we can land freely and sweep across their western border. Since the Great Han fleet could sail across the sea to strike Liao, heading south to attack Goryeo is hardly difficult!"

"Marquis Hai'an! Don't underestimate the Goryeo army!" Seeing the arrogance on Guo Tingwei's rough-hewn face, a shadow of displeasure crept across Zhao Kuangyin's brow. In a cold voice: "In the sea battle at Suzhou Harbor, the Liao army had tied its own hands, which was why we achieved complete victory. The Goryeo navy may not be like the Liao's. We cannot gamble the excellent situation in Liaodong on this. If the fleet suffers a loss, the consequences would be more than we can bear!"

At this, Guo Tingwei also turned exceptionally serious: "Duke Rong, naval warfare is inherently more unpredictable in terms of safety than land combat. Every time our fleet's men put to sea, aren't they risking capsizing?

But I have confidence in the Great Han fleet. Our warships are stronger, our weapons more refined, and our soldiers are better trained with richer experience in naval combat—the Goryeo navy, cobbled together as it is, simply cannot compare!

I also have confidence that I can lead the fleet to victory in battle!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's expression grow increasingly displeased, his face seeming to be shrouded in a layer of dark clouds, Guo Tingwei couldn't help but mutter inwardly. A difference of opinion was one thing, but he really couldn't afford to offend Duke Rong outright—he didn't have Gao Huaide's backing.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Guo Tingwei hastily turned to Liu Yang: "Your Highness, when I lead troops into battle, once I board a ship and set sail, I will never underestimate any opponent. As for the Goryeo navy, it is precisely because I take them seriously that I recommend striking first.

Now that Liao's feeble navy has long since been annihilated, who is Goryeo building its fleet against? Only the Great Han! The only threat the Goryeo military can pose to the Great Han is that navy of theirs!"

"Marquis Hai'an, aren't you confident you can smash the Goryeo navy?" Zhao Kuangyin said flatly.

Meeting Zhao Kuangyin's gaze, Guo Tingwei thought to himself: this Duke Rong is a fine hand at commanding on land, but when it comes to naval warfare, to the navy, he still has no deep understanding or insight.

And indeed, that was the case—after all, the Great Han faced too little threat at sea, having almost no rivals. Moreover, this eastern route of the northern expeditionary army, attacking from east and west by sea and land respectively, had been carried out according to Emperor Liu's strategy. Zhao Kuangyin was merely an executor. To say he placed great importance on the navy or fully acknowledged their contributions—that wasn't really so. Especially with the episode of the defeat at Yaozhou as an aside, the breakthrough into Liaodong and the current achievements had come mainly from the western line's breakthrough at Jinzhou.

Guo Tingwei cupped his hands and said to Liu Yang: "Your Highness, in a head-on confrontation, the Goryeo navy is naturally nothing to speak of. However, what if the enemy chooses to avoid battle? What if the Goryeo navy resorts to raiding our sea lanes and attacking the supply transport ships of the Liaodong army?

At present, the supplies supporting the Liaodong campaign come mainly by sea transport. If the sea transport suffers a loss, what the consequences would be, Your Highness and all you lords should well understand.

Though the Great Han fleet is powerful, it cannot cover the entire sea area and all shipping lanes..."

When Guo Tingwei said this, not only Liu Yang but even the cold-faced Zhao Kuangyin turned grave. Seeing that his words had drawn their attention, Guo Tingwei made his recommendation: "Therefore, I suggest that while Goryeo hesitates, we send the Eastern Sea Fleet south, and while their navy is still concentrated, destroy it! As long as we eliminate the Goryeo navy, then no matter how the situation develops afterward, it will remain under our control."

"The threat Goryeo poses to our army has already sprouted—we should eliminate it in the bud, lest it grow into a disaster!" Guo Tingwei declared with weight.

After Guo Tingwei finished speaking, he shifted into a more relaxed sitting posture and said no more, leaving them to weigh the pros and cons. Liu Yang lowered his head slightly, pondered for a long time, then looked up at the three men—Zhao, Gao, and Cao: "What do you all think?"

Gao Huaide immediately voiced his stance: "Your Highness, I believe what General Guo said is not without reason!"

His gaze fell on Zhao Kuangyin, who sat as still as a sculpture. Upon being asked, Zhao sighed and turned his head to look at Guo Tingwei: "Marquis Hai'an, can you guarantee that you will smash the Goryeo navy in one stroke and completely destroy them?"

Clearly, Zhao Kuangyin had also compromised.