Chapter 1346: New Shanyang

With Emperor Liu's arrival, the three men's congenial conversation came to an abrupt halt as they rose together to greet him. Emperor Liu appeared to be in good spirits, with an obvious smile curling at the corners of his mouth, and his attitude toward the three ministers was markedly warm. He flicked his dragon robe aside as he sat down, then gestured with his hand: "No need for formalities—sit, let's talk!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Minister Tian, you led from the front this time, fighting battle after battle—truly arduous work. How has your injury been healing these past days? And your rest?" Emperor Liu looked at Tian Renlang with a smile, his words brimming with familiarity.

"Many thanks for Your Majesty's concern!" Tian Renlang wore a look of honor, a simple, honest smile on his face as he replied respectfully: "They were but minor aches and pains; the flesh has already healed, and my energy and strength have fully recovered!"

Tian Renlang was a clever man, and this showed on the battlefield—he understood strategy and was not the sort of fierce general who charged headlong into battle, but rather a command-type warrior. To say he led from the front was, of course, a compliment, but the battle results he had achieved were by no means few.

"Good that you've recovered!" Emperor Liu's lips spread wide as he stated his stance to him directly: "The court is precisely at a time when it needs men of ability, and it is precisely generals of your loyalty and valor that are needed to serve!"

This was nearly an outright declaration from Emperor Liu. Tian Renlang responded with equal quick-wittedness, immediately rising with a solemn expression and bowing gravely: "If Your Majesty does not deem me too base, I am willing to render my humble service to the utmost of my ability!"

"Haha!" Seeing him catch on, Emperor Liu couldn't help but chuckle, saying bluntly: "After the main army withdraws, the northern frontier still needs reorganization and defense. I have consulted with my ministers and decided to appoint you, Minister Tian, as Chief General of Shanyang, with overall charge of Shanyang's military affairs and the defense of the northern frontier beyond the border!"

Hearing this sudden news, Tian Renlang could hardly conceal his astonishment. He had known he would be promoted, but had never expected it to come in one fell swoop—this was more than a three-rank jump. To be both Chief General of Shanyang and commander of the northern frontier defenses—this carried far more weight than the local military command of a prefecture in the interior.

The look of delighted surprise was hard to hide, but Tian Renlang still strove to suppress his excitement and said cautiously: "Your Majesty's heavy favor in promoting me moves me to tears of gratitude, yet my qualifications are shallow. To be elevated to such a high post in one stroke—I fear my virtue and ability may not match the position, and it may be hard to command the respect of others!"

"Such humility and prudence only further proves that my choice of personnel is sound!" Seeing this, Emperor Liu waved his hand calmly and said directly: "You need have no concerns. In terms of seniority, with over twenty years of military service, is that still shallow? A great general who has walked out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood—be a bit more decisive, and show the bold spirit of leading your men out to strike, beheading enemy generals and seizing their banners!"

He paused, then fixed his gaze on Tian Renlang: "However, if you truly feel unequal to the task, I will not force you!"

With the Emperor having said this much, how could Tian Renlang continue to dither? His verbal modesty was merely going through the motions. Thus, all hesitation vanished from his face as he knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and replied: "This general will devote himself wholeheartedly and will not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!"

"That's the way!" Emperor Liu said cheerfully, rising and walking over to the map of Shanyang and Monan hanging in the hall. He traced a large area south of the Yin Mountains with his hand and said: "After you assume office, besides arranging frontier defenses, suppressing unrest, and assisting the Shanyang circuit administration in maintaining public order, there is one more matter: thoroughly purge for me the vast region south of the Yin Mountains—all the tribes great and small, those who comply shall prosper, those who resist shall perish!

The problems left behind by the Qianyou northern expedition must be resolutely and thoroughly resolved this time. I want the Monan region to become a true and exclusive horse pasture of the Great Han. I want the land south of the Yin Mountains to be entirely Han territory—no longer an empty phrase.

Furthermore, this campaign saw heavy losses of cavalry and great consumption of horses of all kinds. The court will subsequently establish a horse administration in Monan and train cavalry—this matter should also be coordinated."

After considering for a moment, he pointed to the location of White Water Lake and said: "I have decided to build a city at White Water Lake to consolidate our rule—this matter is also in your hands!"

"Yes!" With the Emperor personally issuing instructions, Tian Renlang listened with a serious expression, silently committing it all to memory, and replied crisply.

"Do you find the task heavy? Any difficulties?" Emperor Liu looked at Tian Renlang.

"This general will do his utmost and guarantee completion of the mission!" Tian Renlang replied, but after mulling it over, he still made a request: "Your Majesty, to fulfill your decree, the court's support in materials and manpower will be needed!"

Seeing Tian Renlang state with solemn candor that he "guaranteed completion of the mission," it gave Emperor Liu an inexplicable sense of familiarity and closeness. Hearing his request, he became even more magnanimous, patting him on the shoulder and saying: "Rest assured—even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. The support that should come will not be short by even a bit! To stabilize Shanyang, civil and military must work in concert, and military and administrative efforts must combine—these are mutually reinforcing matters!"

"I will bear Your Majesty's instructions in mind!" Tian Renlang declared.

Nodding, Emperor Liu then turned to Shi Xizai, and without pleasantries, said directly: "Ningji, I won't waste words. I summoned you from Hedong because I intend for you to temporarily preside over the overall situation in Shanyang!

Though this Shanyang campaign was won cleanly and decisively, the devastation wrought by the Liao army's ravaging was severe indeed—from officials to commoners, all suffered heavy losses, little better off than before.

Shanyang lies in ruin and urgently needs reconstruction. The choice of the man to govern it is especially important. I have deliberated long but have not yet reached a decision—further consideration is still needed. However, the reconstruction work of Shanyang and the various pacification matters cannot be delayed. Therefore, before a candidate is decided, you shall concurrently serve as Administration Commissioner of Shanyang and preside over its governance!"

At this, Shi Xizai could hardly hide his surprise. After a moment's deliberation, he replied: "If Your Majesty has a charge for me, your servant naturally has no objection—I will only fulfill my duties diligently! However, if I am to hold two posts concurrently, it seems somewhat improper and may invite criticism. Moreover, during this northern expedition, Hedong mobilized its officials and people to the fullest to supply the great army, and affairs at all levels have been equally burdensome. I fear my abilities are insufficient and my energy limited—I may find it hard to attend to both circuits."

Hearing Shi Xizai's words, Emperor Liu's brows furrowed slightly. In his view, there was nothing wrong with this arrangement—when it came to urgently addressing Shanyang's needs, Shi Xizai was the most suitable man. As for his holding two circuits concurrently, Emperor Liu would never suspect him of having too much power or anything of the sort.

However, since Shi Xizai had raised it himself, Emperor Liu had to give it more thought. After all, Hedong was originally a major circuit, and the new Shanyang circuit governed even broader territory with more complex affairs. If he truly had to manage it all—even just presiding over the overall situation—the burden on him would be too heavy.

"What you say also makes sense!" After pondering for a moment, Emperor Liu looked up at Shi Xizai and said: "How about this—this winter, you remain temporarily in Yunzhong to handle governance. Once the winter passes, I will send someone to take over, and you can return to Hedong! As for Hedong's governance, the Administration Commission can handle it on its own—and this can also serve to test the mettle of Hedong's officials!"

"Yes!" Seeing Emperor Liu consider it this way, Shi Xizai no longer refused.

Though no longer a close minister, he remembered Emperor Liu's temperament well and knew what matters and what situations brooked no refusal. And in the two years since leaving Emperor Liu's side to serve in Hedong, his awe of Emperor Liu had not diminished—it had only grown, perhaps a change brought by distance.

"The northern expedition can be considered concluded! I depart for the capital tomorrow. The military and administrative affairs of Shanyang are now entirely entrusted to you two ministers!" Having finished his instructions, Emperor Liu heaved a heavy sigh and looked at Shi Xizai and Tian Renlang with solemn gravity.

"I shall bend every effort, and die before I rest!" Shi Xizai cupped his fists and said earnestly.

"Haha, we have just won a great victory and the Hu barbarians have fled north—no need for such solemn tragedy!" Emperor Liu laughed twice, then said with feeling: "One day, when I tour Shanyang again, I hope to see a new look to the place!"