Chapter 1371: Westward Again

"How is the situation in Liaodong?" Emperor Liu looked toward Shi Shouxin.

Before Emperor Liu, Shi Shouxin was never quite at ease, and upon the question, he dared not be remiss, answering with constraint: "Before withdrawing from Liao, the deployments made by the Crown Prince and the two lords Rong and An were extremely thorough. Ma Renyu is a seasoned general; with him in command, all can be secured—the court need not worry!"

As he spoke, Cao Bin presented a copy of the latest military deployment maps of Liaodong for Emperor Liu's perusal, saying: "The Bureau of Military Affairs has also deliberated, and is unanimously of the view that the current situation in Liaodong is stable, with no gaps in troop dispositions. Even if changes occur, they will be minor adjustments requiring no excessive action!"

Emperor Liu nodded, and while leafing through the military deployments of the various cities in Liaodong, asked: "Liaodong has only recently been taken and lies in a remote quarter—are there any difficulties in military supply?"

Cao Bin replied: "Last year, the court transported a large quantity of military supplies to Liaodong by both sea and land routes. Before the withdrawal, the stores of various materials were sufficient to supply the local garrison for nearly a year. Thus, logistical support is assured, and no further court allocation is needed in the short term."

Emperor Liu was satisfied. Supporting an army of sixty to seventy thousand and supporting an army of four hundred thousand were entirely different concepts, and the logistical pressure was worlds apart. This was also a visible change after the withdrawal—at least on the Liaodong front, a large burden of supply had been lifted. As for the restoration of civil affairs in Liaodong, it was not urgent and could proceed at a slow, steady pace.

"Has the list of officer promotions and transfers been drawn up?" Emperor Liu asked again.

"I was just about to submit it for Your Majesty's review!" Shi Shouxin took out a memorial and presented it: "Please, Your Majesty, peruse it!"

Toward this, Emperor Liu was clearly more attentive, reading it carefully for quite some time before raising his head, still in a contemplative state. After the northern expedition, the entire court and the entire realm had undergone a great readjustment—official promotions and personnel transfers were frequent, and the reassignment of military commanders, both internal and external, was of paramount importance.

Since Emperor Liu had taken the reins of government, the imperial army of the Great Han had undergone numerous adjustments of varying scale, but over the past decade or so, it had become considerably more stable. Whether it was the marshals of the three offices, the principal officers of the various armies, or the ordinary soldiers, apart from routine rotations and replacements, there had been no major changes.

Over time, some rigidity was inevitable. Using this northern expedition as an opportunity to make further adjustments and inject new vitality into the imperial army—that was Emperor Liu's thinking. Leaving a portion of the imperial army to garrison Liaodong, and selecting elite troops from the regional forces to fill the vacancies, were all considerations along these lines.

The list Shi Shouxin now presented, besides the transfers of regional military officers, was chiefly aimed at adjustments to the imperial army's commanders. Border generals such as Wang Yanchao, Tian Zhongjin, Li Hanqiong, and Cao Han were all being transferred into the capital to serve as senior commanders of the imperial army, while the original imperial army commanders were being sent out to the regions or border forces—almost a complete blood transfusion.

It was precisely for this reason that Emperor Liu had to give extra consideration to the personnel. His silence made Shi Shouxin hesitate; after a moment of deliberation, he finally asked: "If Your Majesty has any doubts, I humbly await your instruction!"

Upon the question, Emperor Liu did not put on an air of mystery, but directly stated his thinking: "Wang Yanchao may serve as Chief Commander of the Palace Command, An Shouzhong as Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard, Zhao Yanjin as Chief Commander of Patrol Inspection. Tian Zhongjin, Li Hanqiong, Cao Han, Kang Yanze, and others may serve as Chief Generals of the various armies. Xiang Xun, Han Tong, Wang Quanbin, and the other original commanders shall be sent out to the regions. As for the young men like Li Jilong, Guo Yi, Hou Yanguang, and Chai Zongyi, let them gain more experience in the localities! Draw up another list according to this intent!"

"Yes!" With clear directives from Emperor Liu, matters became simple. Shi Shouxin acknowledged, but then suddenly recalling something, could not help but remind: "Your Majesty, is Li Jilong also to be sent out?"

"Hm?" Emperor Liu did not react at first, but noticing the peculiar look in Shi Shouxin's eyes, he understood, and said with a light laugh: "The same!"

As he spoke, his tone also became relaxed: "News travels fast! However, even if he has married a princess and become an Imperial Son-in-law, that does not mean he should enjoy a life of ease in the capital!"

"I must also congratulate Your Majesty on gaining such an excellent son-in-law!" Since Emperor Liu did not mind, Shi Shouxin naturally would not say more, and at the same time offered his congratulations.

Emperor Liu waved his hand: "The specific transfer arrangements should first be settled and finalized into a definitive plan, then promulgated and implemented after the Lantern Festival!"

"Yes!"

"How is the progress on the Western Regions matter?" Emperor Liu's expression gradually turned grave, and his voice sank several degrees.

Upon the question, Shi Shouxin also became more cautious. He naturally knew the reason—the western advance had already been decreed before Emperor Liu returned to the capital.

Although, for the Great Han, the present moment was not suitable for reopening hostilities, especially a war in the distant Western Regions, the Bureau of Military Affairs had still arranged things efficiently. No one dared to openly oppose this matter.

Therefore, Shi Shouxin answered without hesitation, cupping his hands: "To answer Your Majesty, in mid-December of last year, the Bureau of Military Affairs issued the western advance order. Tuoba Sizhong and Cui Han are leading fifteen thousand infantry west to reinforce Gaochang. Hexi, Longyou, and Guannei will supply military provisions. The army is expected to set out this spring!

According to Guo Jin's previous reports on the war situation in the Western Regions, once reinforcements arrive, they may first advance north, sweep away the remnants of the Liao army at Luntai and Beiting, and open communications with the tribes east of the Jinshan Mountains..."

"What is the situation with the Kara-Khanid army now?" Emperor Liu frowned slightly.

Shi Shouxin said: "At present, the Western Regions remain in a three-way stalemate. However, since autumn of last year, there have been signs of the Kara-Khanids and the Liao army joining forces against the Great Han, with considerable coordination in their military operations!

The Great Han's foundation in the Western Regions is weak, Guo Jin's forces are insufficient, and the Uyghur vassals cannot be relied upon—hence the grim situation. But once reinforcements arrive and rear support flows in continuously, we can sustain a counteroffensive and take full control of the overall situation in the Western Regions!"

Emperor Liu nodded, then fixed his gaze on Shi Shouxin and said solemnly: "Remember, I am sending troops west to restart the western advance strategy, to completely recover the Western Regions, and to make the might of the Great Han resound across the western frontier. The Western Regions have been lost for far too long. As descendants, we must follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and set foot in the Western Regions once more!

This—this is the most important thing. The western military strategy must also revolve around this point. Inform the western expeditionary army to focus on breaking the enemy and recovering the Western Regions, and not to be distracted by other matters!"

Emperor Liu spoke these words with a look of deep emotion, but the more he spoke thus, the more it made others sense something unusual. Muttering inwardly, Shi Shouxin still reported: "I shall respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree. I will send out a written directive!"

"Last year's storm in the Western Regions was so lively—did the kingdom of Khotan make not the slightest move?" Emperor Liu recalled a matter.

Shi Shouxin shook his head: "Khotan is a small state with few troops. When the Liao army came south that year, although they were repelled, Khotan also suffered considerable losses. Now, they dare not rashly get involved, and have been closing their borders and watching the situation from the sidelines!"

Emperor Liu had some understanding of the geography of the Western Regions, and said: "If the Khotan army could march north, it should pose a tremendous threat to the Kara-Khanid forces!"

Shi Shouxin nodded, affirming: "If the Khotan army could pin down the Kara-Khanid enemy from the rear and coordinate with the Great Han's operations, then Guo Jin's forces would be able to face the enemy with far greater ease!"

"Send an envoy!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately instructed: "Dispatch a special envoy to contact the sovereign of Khotan, invite him to raise his troops, and tell him that following the Great Han is his only path to the future. As long as they are willing to send troops, the Great Han will surely reward them handsomely—I will not begrudge even the title of prince!

Furthermore, we may as well speak plainly with them: the Great Han's western advance is not to annex their territory. Let them not harbor groundless suspicions. The Great Han's territory is vast, spanning ten thousand li—I have no interest in their little patch of land.

As long as they stand with the Great Han in heart and mind, I am also willing to forge an eternal alliance with them!"