Chapter 1344: The End of the Northern Expedition 4

"In the Qianyou northern expedition, the Great Han took the Yan Mountains and established territory south of the mountains, keeping the Khitan from daring to look south of the Great Wall; in this Kaibao northern expedition, from east to west, victory after victory was proclaimed, and in the battle at Shanyang, the Liao army once again fled north in panic. From now on, the Hu barbarians will no longer dare to ride south of the Yin Mountains to graze their horses!

South of the Yin Mountains, within and beyond the Great Wall, will be thoroughly transformed into the territory of our Great Han, and the peoples of all tribes will become vassals of the Great Han, fully naturalized, becoming subjects of Your Majesty — only then will the name Shanyang truly match its reality!" Zhang Yong's emotions were somewhat stirred, and his words were not lacking in praise and reverence for Emperor Liu.

The Great Han Empire of today, in terms of territorial extent and population, though still not matching the peak of the Great Tang, clearly surpassed the early Tang. The Zhenguan Golden Age that Emperor Liu had once championed was long since no longer the goal, and in recent years it had rarely been mentioned.

The mighty spirit of Han and Tang had already been restored, with a realm of ten thousand li at his command. And in terms of control over subordinate territories, to speak frankly, it surpassed the Great Tang as well; as for military strength, it comprehensively outshone previous dynasties.

As the architect of this series of brilliant achievements, Emperor Liu deserved every praise, and the reverence and flattery of his subordinates were only fitting.

Though inwardly pleased, perhaps to display the unique breadth of vision and magnanimity befitting an emperor, Emperor Liu appeared somewhat indifferent, and what his demeanor revealed instead was melancholy, as if he regretted the price paid for building such a great empire. He calmly observed: "Over twenty years of campaigning north and south, though there have been accomplishments, I increasingly feel as if I am treading on thin ice. You have often advised me that when a state grows too great, fondness for war will surely bring ruin!

Now, having conquered such vast territories, with achievements rarely seen in ancient or modern times, I nonetheless feel ever more the loneliness of the heights! Conquering a realm is hard, but guarding it is harder still. How to protect, how to govern, how to develop such a vast empire — that is the true test ahead for me and for the officials and soldiers of the Great Han!"

"What Your Majesty has said is thought-provoking and truly words to benefit the world. All the civil and military officials should diligently study and comprehend it, and govern according to the sage's instructions!" Li Ye launched into flattery mode.

However, Li Ye's sycophancy still lacked much technical sophistication, and Emperor Liu merely smiled slightly. Of course, if Emperor Liu could be as good as his word, maintaining a clear head as he claimed, that would naturally be a good thing for the Great Han Empire.

But that was indeed difficult. Speaking was easy, but doing was not merely a matter of lips touching lips. People all have a tendency toward laziness, and even Emperor Liu himself could not say when his own indolence might fully erupt.

"Your Majesty, I believe that once we return in triumph to the capital, preparations for the Fengshan sacrifices can begin!" Li Ye said with a beaming smile, respectfully addressing Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty is a sage descended to earth, a lord of destiny, of supreme virtue and merit. Now that the great undertaking is complete, it is fitting to gather the will of all the people under heaven, ascend the summit of Mount Tai, erect an altar to sacrifice to Heaven, and inscribe achievements on steles to display your majesty's might and virtue..."

As soon as Li Ye said this, it immediately drew assent from the several officials beside him. Of course, this also struck a chord with Emperor Liu, scratching the itch in his heart.

A few years earlier, officials and commoners alike had petitioned for the Fengshan sacrifices, with great fervor, but Emperor Liu had hesitated repeatedly and finally issued an edict to stop it, citing that the golden goblet still had flaws, that the rivers and mountains had not been fully recovered, and that the realm had not yet been pacified. But Emperor Liu had indeed been tempted.

Entering the Kaibao era, Emperor Liu had set himself two great goals. The first was to destroy the Liao, and after this Kaibao northern expedition, decisive results had been achieved.

The second was to forge a Kaibao golden age, and after seven or eight years of management and accumulation, it was beginning to take shape. Golden ages also came in varieties — there was Emperor Wu of Han's military might, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's Tianbao splendor — but what Emperor Liu wanted to achieve was the simultaneous flourishing of both civil and martial.

And for the realization of these two goals, when the final verdict was rendered, nothing summarized it better than the grand ceremony of the Fengshan sacrifices. Therefore, when Li Ye and the others brought it up again, Emperor Liu felt his heart itch once more.

However, though thoughts rose and fell in his mind, on the surface Emperor Liu remained very restrained, saying softly: "The northern expedition has reached this point, and the army and people are weary. The soldiers need rest, the people need stability. What the Great Han needs now is to recuperate and recover, not to hold elaborate Fengshan ceremonies at great expense. There is no hurry for this matter — I have plenty of time..."

Though he said this, anyone could hear that Emperor Liu was moved — at least he had not refused outright as he had before; it was only a matter of time. Li Ye, meanwhile, began to scheme. After returning to the capital, he would find a group of like-minded academicians and learned scholars to devote more attention to the Fengshan sacrifices.

Actual commencement would take time, but research and preparation on details such as the ceremony's procedures and rites could begin early. Best of all would be to secure the position of Minister of Fengshan Rites — this was a grand ceremony that occurred only once every few hundred years, exceedingly precious. The emperor was naturally the protagonist, but under the radiance of the Son of Heaven, whose name would ring louder in the annals of history depended on how much effort one put in...

However sharp-eyed Emperor Liu was, he could not fully see through the human heart. How could he have imagined that his maternal uncle's thoughts had already drifted so far?

"Transmit the edict: reward the three armies! Also, assemble the meritorious soldiers — I will personally host a banquet for them, to repay their contributions!" Returning to the imperial camp, Emperor Liu directly gave his orders.

"Yes!" Li Ye received the order and went to arrange the celebration banquet.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Jiuyuan has come south from Yunzhong and requests an audience!" Before he could even properly enjoy the warmth of the imperial tent, Yan Tuo came to report.

At this, Emperor Liu responded with great joy and enthusiasm, immediately ordering him to be received. Seeing the weather-beaten old general, Emperor Liu wore a kindly smile, and condescending to lower himself, personally helped him up, firmly grasping his hand, and said with emotion: "Old General, there is no need for such ceremony! Taking on hardship without complaint, answering the call in times of crisis — men like you are the pillars of the state!"

Receiving such a torrent of praise from Emperor Liu at first meeting, Li Wanchao, honored as he was, hurriedly demurred: "Your Majesty overpraises me! I went north to Yunzhong without loosing a single arrow or slaying a single enemy; I truly dare not claim merit. The great victory over the Liao army was the result of the soldiers fighting desperately and risking their lives. I am merely a pedantic old man, an old soldier who guarded the walls — I have no merit to report..."

"The Old General is too modest!" Emperor Liu laughed heartily, pulling him to take a seat, and said: "Without the Old General's command and strategy, how could there have been a counterattack plan? Without the Old General's steadfast defense of the city, how could Tian Kang's army have pursued the Liao forces without any worry to the rear! Your merit is beyond doubt, and there is no need to decline!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Li Wanchao's heart naturally warmed. Looking at the smiling Emperor Liu, he cupped his hands and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, your old minister is advanced in years. With this failing body, I have no ambition for further achievements, nor do I seek rewards. To be able to contribute what little strength I have for the Great Han is enough to console my remaining years!"

Seeing his earnest manner, Emperor Liu seemed quite moved as well, and said with feeling: "The Old General's words come from the heart — I am deeply touched!"

Finally releasing his grip on Li Wanchao's hand, Emperor Liu said gently: "The Old General has arrived at just the right time. I have just ordered rewards for the entire army and a banquet for meritorious officers. Surely, without the Old General at the table, it could not be perfect?"

Hearing this, Li Wanchao also replied with a smile: "Your old minister's stomach happens to be empty — it seems I have arrived just in time for a grand feast!"

"A grand feast it is not — the conditions are crude, and we can only offer plenty of wine and meat!" Emperor Liu said with no airs at all: "When we return in triumph to the capital, the Old General should return to the capital with me. Once there, in the great hall, fine delicacies will be available in abundance!"

"Then your minister thanks Your Majesty in advance!"

"Your Majesty, I hear that Tian Chongjin was seriously wounded?" After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Li Wanchao took the initiative to ask.

"Rest assured, he has already been treated and is recuperating in camp!"

"He is a man of military talent. The merit for breaking the Liao in this campaign lies first with Tian Chongjin's desperate pursuit, and second with Kang Baoyi's death-defying interception — neither was easy!" Li Wanchao said with emotion, while also petitioning for merit on Tian Chongjin's behalf: "The counterattack strategy also came from Tian Chongjin!"

It was clear that Li Wanchao greatly admired this man. Emperor Liu smiled: "I know all of this!"

After a moment's thought, he said: "Old General, if you do not find it too tiring, shall we go visit our great meritorious general?"

Since Li Wanchao had spoken up for Tian Chongjin, Emperor Liu was happy to grant him even more face. Naturally, Li Wanchao was delighted at this.

That night, at the Han camp at Baishuiluo, Emperor Liu lavishly rewarded the soldiers, and all three armies rejoiced, the festivities lasting until nightfall.