Chapter 1362: Liao's Collapse Is Within Sight

"This Dong Zunhui, what a reckless fellow he is—where is the bearing of a great dynasty general? Utterly improper! Those tens of thousands of men and beasts he left behind, their filth and waste—to Liao, that must be the ultimate humiliation!" Emperor Liu handed the military report to Zhao Kuangyin, laughing as he scolded.

Judging by his beaming expression, it was clear that Emperor Liu was genuinely amused, not truly reproaching Dong Zunhui. Zhao Kuangyin skimmed through it quickly and couldn't help but chuckle, saying: "General Dong is still so open and unrestrained, unbothered by trivialities. I believe he was provoked by the Liao army's cowardly turtle tactics of avoiding battle!"

"With this one act, this old acquaintance of yours is likely to leave his name in history—the annals of the Great Han will surely record this curious tale of his!" Emperor Liu laughed, quite delighted.

Speaking of it, whether it was Dong Zunhui or Wang Yanchao, in the early years before Zhao Kuangyin rose to prominence, when he wandered the Central Plains, he had some dealings with both of them—and those were not particularly pleasant experiences.

However, over these years, Emperor Liu had heard that Zhao Kuangyin maintained considerable contact with the two of them. Perhaps it was because Zhao Kuangyin's status had risen, or perhaps because he was magnanimous enough to let bygones be bygones. But regardless, Zhao Kuangyin truly had a certain charm in how he conducted himself, which made Emperor Liu take a second look at him.

"All in all, Dong Zunhui's performance was quite good!" Turning his mind back to this military report, Emperor Liu remarked: "Decisive in the moment, not reckless, knowing when to advance and retreat—this is a seasoned general of the Great Han!"

Dong Zunhui was also from a military family, having grown up in the army since childhood. Within the Great Han's forces, he was not the kind of commander who drew everyone's attention, but rather a backbone general. With over twenty years of military career, he had extremely rich experience leading troops and seasoned command in battle. Perhaps he lacked the ability to turn the tide when all was lost, but he could always get things done.

"Your Majesty speaks truly! Though he failed to breach the Liao capital or capture its nobles and ministers, to return with his entire army intact and abundant spoils is already a rare achievement!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

"Failing to breach the Liao capital is certainly regrettable, but it does no great harm!" Emperor Liu said, a hint of amusement at the corners of his mouth: "With this incident, Liao's situation is bound to go from bad to worse, too deeply entrenched to recover. Since the Liao sovereign has already returned, I wonder—how will he clean up this mess?"

Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment, then said in a relaxed tone: "After the successive blows since the northern expedition, it can be said that the domestic situation in Liao has utterly collapsed. Their tax-producing lands are all lost, their population diminished by more than half, their tribes severely devastated, and their military strength is barely worth mentioning.

And now with the bitter winter, even in ordinary years it is hard to get through easily—let alone under such dire circumstances as these. I suspect that even if they survive this winter, when spring comes next year, Liao's domestic situation will not be stable.

Even if the Liao sovereign wishes to quietly recuperate and rebuild, it will be extraordinarily difficult. The loss of Liaodong is painful to be sure, but the Xi submitting to the Great Han is an irreparable heavy blow. Combined with the massive casualties among the Khitan's own troops and tribes, their vital energy has been further drained.

The various peoples beyond the northern frontier are not of the same origin as the Khitan. In the past they were cowed by Khitan might and submitted in obedience. Now that the Khitan have suffered severe decline in strength and influence under the Great Han's blows, how could they continue to bow their heads and obey as before?

Even more than that, whether the Khitan tribes can settle down after the war is itself a question. The Khitan's rule beyond the northern frontier is bound to see upheaval, and the Liao sovereign's position may well be in peril..."

"Zhao Qing, you seem quite optimistic about Liao's situation!" Emperor Liu grinned.

The worse Liao's situation, the more joyous it naturally was for the Great Han. His smile fading, Emperor Liu turned more serious: "If what you say holds, could Liao even collapse without a fight?"

"I am merely making a slight inference based on the existing circumstances!" Zhao Kuangyin thought for a moment, then remained conservative: "However, the Khitan have stood beyond the northern frontier, dominating beyond the borders for over fifty years. This time their foundations have been severely wounded—perhaps like the centipede that, though dead, does not stiffen. Liao still has some elites surviving; perhaps they can unite their efforts and weather the difficult times together?"

"Not unless I turn a blind eye, not unless the Great Han sits by and does nothing!" Emperor Liu said flatly.

Indeed, if the Great Han did not continue to entangle and interfere, then no matter how dire Liao's situation, relying on their accumulated foundations, relying on the Liao sovereign and that batch of highly capable civil and military officials, they might not be unable to gradually piece things back together. Even if they could hardly restore their former glory, they would not completely collapse either.

But with the Great Han—that behemoth—eyeing them covetously, Liao simply could not have a stable external environment.

In fact, from the Kaibao northern expedition until now, although Liao had not been completely crushed, the situation had already been set, and the future course of developments could be traced.

The collision between the two great empires of Han and Liao was all-encompassing, and the final result was that Liao—that grassland empire which had once stood shoulder to shoulder with the Great Han in dominance—sank into decline and fell into the abyss of ruin.

Zhao Kuangyin's assessment also had its basis. Although the Khitan had dominated for over fifty years, and Liao was deeply Sinicized with a power structure far more advanced than in history, it was still in essence a nomadic dynasty rooted in grassland tribes. The stability of its regime was not strong. In the past when it was powerful, it was naturally at its zenith with all tribes submitting. But once struck and its prestige lost, the slide would be rapid—and this time, what it suffered was a nearly catastrophic blow.

"What a pity!" With a smile at the corners of his mouth, Emperor Liu sighed with feeling: "Since Abaoji's rise, the Khitan's five-generation legacy now sinks into ruin!"

"Your Majesty surveys past and present with peerless vision, bestowing grace upon the four seas, might reaching all directions. A petty Khitan, even if it could claim temporary dominance, could never contend with our Central Dynasty of China!" Zhao Kuangyin flattered.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Kuangyin with a scrutinizing gaze, a bit of mischievous amusement in his heart. Such words coming from this man's mouth always felt strange—his mind couldn't help but conjure the image of that era of "Great Song," when it was a dynasty everyone could bully.

"Liao is about to decline, but this northern expedition of the Great Han—the price paid was no light matter either! To be honest with you, Zhao Qing, during this period, as I reviewed the costs of the northern expedition—so many soldiers fallen, such severe losses of money and grain, and witnessing the hardship of the northern people—I cannot help but feel some regret over launching this northern expedition!" Emperor Liu sighed.

Emperor Liu was clearly not speaking from the heart. What kind of man was he? How could he possibly regret it? Even if he truly did regret it, he would never say so.

Zhao Kuangyin was still quite attuned to His Majesty's feelings, saying: "The price is certainly heavy, but compared to the gains, it is still acceptable. The Great Han stands firm in the Central Plains, and within all four borders, Liao is the only enemy. To use this opportunity to eliminate the northern threat and consolidate our territory—no loss is too great. Moreover, with Khitan standing alongside the Great Han, if Your Majesty does not eradicate them, are you going to leave it to later generations?"

Hearing these words, Emperor Liu laughed heartily. All along, Zhao Kuangyin had tended toward conservatism in his views on many matters—take the northern expedition, for instance, which he had not necessarily supported. Now, with the situation changed and the skies over the Great Han suddenly clear, he could say these things without the slightest awkwardness.

"With this, the northern expedition is truly concluded!" Emperor Liu said softly: "It's time to let the officials and people of the Great Han rest and recuperate for a while!"

With these words, Emperor Liu also set the direction for the Great Han's military and governance going forward. Laying down arms and stopping warfare was impossible—Han and Liao remained in a state of war, and the north held great potential for turbulent upheaval, which Emperor Liu could not ignore. But letting the people rest would be the keynote.

After all these years, no matter how stubborn and suspicious he was, no matter how often he acted willfully, at critical moments Emperor Liu had always maintained his rationality.

"Zhang Yong!" Emperor Liu called out.

"Your servant is here!" Outside the carriage door, Zhang Yong's body bent lower as he responded.

"Draft an edict: commend Dong Zunhui's army, and have the Yan Mountains circuit government prepare ample wine and food to go reward them! Additionally, appoint Dong Zunhui as Patrol Inspector of the Northern Yan Mountains Circuit, stationed at Dading City, with overall responsibility for Xi territory defense and keeping the Xi tribes in check! Appoint Li Hanqiong as Chief Commander of the Yan Mountains Circuit, and transfer Wang Yanchao to the Western Capital for further assignment!" Emperor Liu thought for a moment, then instructed.

"Yes!"

Having given the orders, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Kuangyin and said: "Wang Yanchao has held the frontier for over a decade, and this time leading troops north, he has fought hard as well. A general like that—it's time to let him return to the capital and enjoy some comfort!"

Zhao Kuangyin immediately said: "Your Majesty's care and concern—your servant is deeply moved!"