Chapter 1343: The Northern Expedition's Finale 3

In mid-October of the eighth year of Kaibao, after more than a year, Emperor Liu once again came to Baishui Lake beyond the northern frontier—something even he had not anticipated. Over the years, though he had traveled frequently on inspection tours, his footsteps spanning east, west, north, and south—truly a model of diligence—for the vast Great Han Empire, most places, once visited, might not see him again for several years or even a decade or more.

Thus, for this lake beyond the northern frontier, to receive the Emperor's presence twice within a little over a year, it might well become a "blessed land" in the future.

Of course, it was already a precious place in its own right. Baishui Lake was the largest freshwater lake in Monan, with lush water and grass, thriving fishing and herding—truly a land of natural abundance on the steppe.

However, compared to last year, upon returning to Baishui Lake, what Emperor Liu saw was naturally a different scene. The wind was bleak, the waters cold, the reeds withered and dead; the lake no longer hosted flocks of waterfowl, nor were there fishing boats on the surface—the whole area was desolate and forlorn.

This was not only due to the climate and season, but also because of the devastation wrought by this Han–Liao war. When two great empires of East Asia collided fiercely, those who suffered the deepest wounds were the pasturelands, towns, and farming and herding folk along the Han–Liao border.

The Liao army had broken through the passes and swept south in force, plundering extensively and inflicting great harm on Shanyang of the Great Han. But the duration was not terribly long, and the Han army's counterattack was forceful enough, so the final destruction remained limited.

At least most of the populace was preserved. Apart from the two county towns that were breached and the people who failed to escape and perished, most of those who were taken into the walled cities or who hid in the deep mountains were kept safe.

Outside of the military, the population loss in Shanyang was actually less than ten thousand. As long as the people remained, there was still hope—they could return to their fields and homes and rebuild. Of course, for the Shanyang Circuit, which was vast and sparsely populated, every person's value far exceeded that of the interior prefectures and counties, so a loss of ten thousand people could hardly be called insignificant.

And compared to Shanyang Circuit, what truly suffered the ravages of war was this vast expanse beyond the northern frontier and Monan. The basin grassland centered on Baishui Lake had disputed ownership to begin with—a leftover problem from the First Northern Expedition. This precious land: Liao was unwilling to relinquish it, and the Great Han also wanted to use it to connect with the steppe and guard the frontier.

Thus, for over a decade, both sides had each managed it. Ten years of gathering and building, as the largest window of exchange between Han and Liao in the past, its development naturally enjoyed unique advantages. The Han and Liao governments, Hu and Han herders, and merchants from all directions jointly fostered its prosperity. Even by the beginning of the eighth year of Kaibao, the combined population of Han and Liao tribesmen living in this region numbered nearly two hundred thousand.

However, once the Han army marched north and the war began, all that prosperity scattered like smoke and clouds. From the moment Liu Tinghan first led Han cavalry northward, for a full half year, the armies of both sides were like two plows, repeatedly turning over this land. The tribal people who had originally lived on this grassland either fled or died in the chaos of war.

At first, when the Han army advanced, the Liao army dared not press deep south, and this did protect a batch of Han people south of the lake. But when Yelu Xian led the main army south, that was the final round of destruction—burning, killing, looting, leaving not a blade of grass behind.

When the war ended, all that remained was desolation on every side and ruin everywhere one looked. The heavens and earth seemed all the more vast and lonely for it, and the howling north wind seemed to tell of boundless sorrow.

Baishui Town, the largest town that Han officials and people had painstakingly built on this land, naturally did not escape. When Emperor Liu met with Yelu Jing last year, he had even stayed in the town. Now, only a pile of rubble and ruins remained.

After walking a circuit through the ruins of Baishui Town with his attendants, by the time he left, his boots and robes were covered in dust. In the end, Emperor Liu could only heave a soft sigh: "What a pity!"

Seeing Emperor Liu in low spirits, Chancellor Li Ye, who had come from Youzhou to accompany the Emperor, could not help but speak up: "Your Majesty, now that we have soundly defeated the Liao army, Monan will soon all belong to the Great Han. Though one town is destroyed, given time, the Great Han can surely build another town, even ten towns!"

"It took ten years to raise one town, yet it takes but a single morning to destroy it!" Emperor Liu voiced his lament that destruction is easy while construction is hard, then looked at Li Ye: "Starting from scratch, rebuilding is no easy task. Most important of all, we need a capable minister to lead the officials and people! Li Chuyun is gravely ill and can no longer bear the burden. I see that Uncle seems interested—why not take on this duty and shoulder the task of rebuilding Shanyang and Monan?"

At these words, Li Ye's shrewd face immediately took on a bitter expression. He had only been speaking to console Emperor Liu. Why would a perfectly good chancellor, the number two man in the Hall of State Affairs, give that up to come suffer in this northern frontier?

One should know that in Li Ye's official career, the most desolate and remote place he had ever served was Yuanzhou within the passes. If it had been in his early years, that would be one thing—but now? At Li Ye's current position and status, he had already achieved fame and success. Why would he need to come to Shanyang to accumulate credentials?

Moreover, the Empress Dowager was already gone. If he were to be sent down to Shanyang, never mind how well he did or how much hardship he would endure—how much effort would it take to ever return to the court again?

Therefore, he did not need to rack his brains to make a choice. His eyes rolled twice, and Li Ye had something to say. Cupping his hands with a flattering smile: "Your Majesty, for rebuilding and restoration, for gathering the people and bringing peace, there are countless men in court more skilled than your servant. I believe that if a senior minister is to be dispatched from court, Chancellor Song is the most suitable candidate. His talent for governance and managing the people is known to all. He was the first governor of Shanyang and is familiar with local affairs.

Back then, Shanyang was in ruins with everything waiting to be done, yet within a few years, results were already visible. Now, to govern Shanyang again, he would surely be even more adept. Other than Chancellor Song, I cannot think of anyone more fitting!"

After delivering these words, Li Ye wanted to silently give himself a thumbs-up. At the center of power, he had Zhao Pu above him—a man enjoying the Emperor's deep favor and handling affairs with vigor—pressing down on him, and below him a host of ministry officials and courtiers who outwardly submitted but inwardly resented him. That old stubborn Song Qi was forever causing him trouble.

If he could seize this opportunity to push Song Qi out of court, that would not only resolve the present awkwardness but also allow him to re-establish his authority as Imperial Uncle Li and Chancellor Li, just like in the old days when he was Minister of Justice, manufacturing cases against corrupt officials and lawless nobles.

"What does Your Majesty think?" He looked up, observing Emperor Liu's reaction, but caught a hint of amusement in the Emperor's eyes, which only deepened Li Ye's embarrassment.

"Song Qi is indeed suitable!" Emperor Liu said with a slight smile, not continuing the discussion further.

Of course, Emperor Liu truly had no intention of sending Li Ye to Shanyang. For no other reason than that Li Ye was not cut out for it. Letting him do some maintenance work on the foundation laid by predecessors might be acceptable, but work requiring hardiness, frugality, and bearing heavy burdens—pioneering and construction work—he could not do. Moreover, Shanyang was true frontier land, requiring not only the ability to govern, pacify the people, and manage finances, but also familiarity with military affairs, defense, and ethnic matters.

As for that hint of amusement in his eyes, it was precisely because Emperor Liu saw through Li Ye's intentions. The friction between him and Song Qi—Emperor Liu was well aware of it.

This chancellor Li Ye—as for ability, there was nothing particularly outstanding about him. What little shrewdness he had was mostly spent on power struggles, showing off, and throwing his weight around. But he was a relative of the imperial family, and more importantly, he knew very well how to please the Emperor, knew whose side to follow. With Emperor Liu having delegated power to the Hall of State Affairs, Li Ye was an important piece Emperor Liu had placed there.

"Have the results and losses been tallied?" Walking toward the camp by the shore of Baishui Lake, Emperor Liu asked Academician Zhang Yong.

At this time, along the shore of Baishui Lake stretched a vast chain of camps, where all the various units that had participated in the Battle of Shanyang had gathered to rest and regroup—a truly spectacular sight.

"According to reports from each army, verified by the officers, in this battle our forces broke more than fifty thousand Liao troops, beheaded over twenty thousand, captured more than thirteen thousand prisoners, seized nearly twenty thousand war horses, with other livestock and goods still uncounted, plus tens of thousands of weapons and implements.

Due to the hard fighting during the pursuit, our own casualties were also considerable. Counting the dead, missing, and lightly and seriously wounded, all armies combined totaled twenty-one thousand three hundred fifty. Among them, the forces of Tian Zhongjin, who pursued northward, and Kang Bao'yi, who blocked the enemy, suffered the heaviest losses. General Tian Zhongjin suffered seven wounds and only just awakened from unconsciousness..."

Compared to the heavy losses of the Liao army, the Han army's casualties were still within acceptable bounds. After all, in this battle, the Han army did not have an absolute advantage—they had merely seized a certain initiative, and the Liao army had also given them opportunities, with much bloody fighting throughout.

"Every war, every victory, is soaked in the blood of the Great Han's soldiers!" Emperor Liu remarked nonetheless. But compared to the past, he said it with increasingly less sincerity—his expression showed little emotion as he spoke.

"The treatment of the wounded and all the aftermath matters must be handled properly!" Emperor Liu instructed.