Chapter 1356: Old General Ma Worthy of Heavy Responsibility

"Liaodong must be recovered and consolidated—there's no doubt about that. It requires collective effort and court support, but more importantly, the Liaodong administration must take initiative. This heavy burden falls on your shoulders, Governor Song!" Before concluding the meeting, Liu Yang said to Song Xiong with a solemn expression, offering the sheep's milk in his bowl as a substitute for wine in a toast.

Song Xiong was equally earnest, draining the warm milk in one gulp before replying: "The court has seen fit to employ me despite my advanced age. I shall surely lead the Liaodong officials in unity of purpose to build Liaodong together, and live up to the trust placed in me by Your Majesty and Your Highness!"

Liu Yang expressed great appreciation for Song Xiong's declaration, yet felt a slight peculiarity within. He had many similar scenes in his mind, though those had all been cases of ministers facing Emperor Liu. For him, this was the first time.

Song Xiong withdrew, fully satisfied. Liu Yang picked up his memorial once more and studied it carefully before storing it in a chest. The chest was not large, but it was highly conspicuous—inside were important documents and his summaries and memorials concerning Liaodong.

Without a moment's rest, Ma Huaiyu came again to report that Ma Renyu had arrived as summoned. The palace eunuch once more cleared away and replaced the teacups, so that the Crown Prince could receive his guest.

In the great tide of the northern expedition that had just passed, a great many figures had emerged from the Han army—veterans of a hundred battles, seasoned generals of the field, and outstanding talents of the military.

For instance, the two Tians of Shanyang who galloped beyond the northern frontier, Wang Yanchao who was as steady as an old dog, and rising stars such as Hou Yanguang and Li Jilong. But if one were to speak of the most outstanding performance, the one whose merits and toils most convinced all, it had to be Ma Renyu.

Liaodong was the main battlefield of this northern expedition, and on this main battlefield, Ma Renyu's performance could be said to have run through the entire campaign. From spearheading the eastward advance to the fierce battle at Jinzhou, from sweeping through Liaodong to the great battle at the Liao River, and then north to take Tongzhou, Ma Renyu was an indispensable figure throughout.

And through this series of battles, Ma Renyu displayed his capable style and outstanding command abilities—proactive, brave in battle, and resolute in overcoming difficulties.

In this process, he advanced from a vanguard general to a commander, winning the trust of the Crown Prince and the field headquarters' generals, and living up to Emperor Liu's years of cultivation and expectation. Though the northern expedition had not yet been assessed for merits and rewards, Ma Renyu was not far from achieving fame and success.

And this time, after the main army withdrew south, the responsibility for Liaodong's defense, after much deliberation, was ultimately given to Ma Renyu. About to leave Liaodong, Ma Renyu was the most important civil or military officer Liu Yang had summoned.

For Ma Renyu, this was also the fruit of many years of arduous cultivation. He had been striving in the military since his youth. Though he had not lacked Guo Rong's promotion and Emperor Liu's cultivation along the way, it had still taken a full twenty-two years before he became a commander in his own right.

Twenty-two years had passed—the young General Ma of old could now be called Old General Ma. Ma Renyu had reached middle age, approaching forty. Of course, from the perspective of the Great Han as a whole, the thirty-seven-year-old Patrol Inspector Ma was still in the prime of his vigor, a pillar of the state.

In the study, looking at Ma Renyu, who carried himself with capable bearing and a bold air, Liu Yang's lips curled into a slight smile, his demeanor growing ever more genial: "Please sit, General Ma!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Ma Renyu was still in his military attire. He did not stand on ceremony, sitting upright with a solemn expression and crisp, clean movements, quietly awaiting the Crown Prince's words.

Liu Yang turned around, took two items from the desk—a document and a golden seal—and walked before Ma Renyu. Seeing this, Ma Renyu immediately rose, puzzled inwardly, but his demeanor instinctively became more reserved.

"Take a look first, General!" Liu Yang handed him the document, quite casually.

Ma Renyu took it, and with only a brief glance, his expression shifted. He looked at Liu Yang: "Your Highness, this..."

"General Ma, after the main army withdraws, the management of the garrison troops and the safety of Liaodong are entrusted to you!" Liu Yang said with a light laugh.

"Ma Renyu, receive your orders!" With that, Liu Yang's expression turned stern, and he announced in a clear voice.

Hearing this, Ma Renyu immediately knelt, holding the document with both hands. Liu Yang then recited formally: "By imperial decree, Ma Renyu is appointed Patrol Inspector of Liaodong, with overall command of all military affairs in Liaodong!"

The words were few, but their weight was immense—this placed the defense of Liaodong and an army of sixty thousand squarely in Ma Renyu's hands. Setting everything else aside, at present, among frontier generals, the one who could hold command over sixty thousand troops was likely only here in Liaodong, and only this one general, Ma Renyu.

Though circumstances had dictated it, this showed the height of his position and the weight of his authority. By now, temporary appointments such as Pacification Commissioner, Comfort Commissioner, and Patrol Inspector, once established, invariably meant high rank and great power—and Ma Renyu understood this well.

Seeing Ma Renyu's solemn expression, Liu Yang picked up the golden seal and placed it in his hands, saying to him: "General Ma, your appointment as Patrol Inspector was personally chosen by His Majesty. His Majesty said that Ma Renyu is loyal and brave, upright in character, magnanimous in bearing, and has served the state for twenty-two years with diligence and never a word of complaint. Now that he has been tempered and tested, he can bear heavy responsibility and serve as a model for generals!"

Ma Renyu accepted the golden seal—a square commander's seal that now seemed to weigh a thousand jun. Hearing Liu Yang's words, this man of iron could not help but grow tearful, his eyes reddening as he replied: "Your subordinate thanks Your Majesty!"

"Rise, General, please rise quickly!" Liu Yang helped Ma Renyu up.

The two sat down, and once Ma Renyu's agitation had somewhat subsided, Liu Yang spoke: "For the recovery of Liaodong, you deserve the foremost credit, General!"

"Your Highness, your subordinate truly does not deserve such praise! Had it not been for Your Highness's command, Duke Rong's direction, the soldiers of the three armies fighting with all their might, and the court's full support, how could today have come to pass? Though your subordinate has some small merit, it is truly not worth mentioning!" Ma Renyu said modestly.

Hearing this, Liu Yang said: "Upright and true, just as expected of you, General!"

Looking at him, Liu Yang began his instructions: "Liaodong has always been land of China, ancestral territory of the Central Plains. Though it has long been sunk under barbarian hands, it remains an inseparable part of the Great Han. With the recovery of Liaodong, the golden vessel is complete without flaw!

These mountains and rivers, these cities and lands, were all won by our soldiers through a hundred battles, their blood staining the sands of the field. The war of recovery was arduous, but defense is even more crucial.

The northeast is still unsettled—the various tribes harbor divided loyalties, and the remnants of the Liao army linger on. The situation is hardly optimistic! I just conferred with Governor Song, striving for the rapid restoration of Liaodong and its return to Han rule. This requires a stable and secure environment.

And that is what you must accomplish, General! Repel the Khitan to the north, hold back Goryeo to the south—this task is no easy one!"

Hearing Liu Yang's words, Ma Renyu's resolute face grew even more steadfast. He made no grand boasts, swore no oaths, but simply clasped his hands and said solemnly: "Your subordinate shall exert every effort and not betray the trust placed in me!"

"You have long been seasoned on the battlefield, General, and have guarded the frontier passes for over a decade. You are surely equal to this task. His Majesty's judgment cannot be wrong!" Liu Yang said with a light smile.

In truth, Ma Renyu had not seen Emperor Liu for many years. In the decade-plus he had been stationed at the Yan Mountains, he had only returned to the capital twice for duty. That so much time had passed and Emperor Liu still remembered him, still trusted and promoted him thus—he was deeply moved.

"The day after tomorrow, I shall set out. I have specially ordered a banquet prepared—a farewell feast. The generals of the field headquarters and the officers remaining for garrison duty will all be invited. At that time, I shall also announce your appointment, as a celebration for your new post!" Liu Yang said to Ma Renyu with a beaming smile.

At this, Ma Renyu's face showed gratitude as he bowed: "Thank you, Your Highness!"