Chapter 1386: If Emperor Liu does not die, how can the world know peace?

The interpreter came to report that Chancellor Zhao Pu was waiting outside the hall for an audience. Emperor Liu immediately ordered him to be summoned.

"Your subject Zhao Pu pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health!"

Zhao Pu's bearing was as distinguished as ever—tall and straight, with steady steps, he entered with his head held high. Apart from bowing in reverence when he paid his respects, he maintained the full dignity of a chancellor throughout. At least on the surface, one could see no pressure at all, as if the rumors, disturbances, and attacks of recent days had not affected him in the slightest.

"Rise, Minister Zhao! Someone, bring a seat!" Emperor Liu said with a slight smile, gesturing with his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Pu showed no sign of discomfort either. Yan Tuo personally fetched a chair, and Zhao Pu lifted his robe slightly and sat down with composure.

Looking at Zhao Pu, Emperor Liu said in a joking tone: "Minister Zhao is a true chancellor. With all that gold, silver, rare treasures, pearls, and beautiful women—did none of it move your heart at all?"

Zhao Pu had been silently preparing how to present his memorial when he heard this sudden remark. Caught off guard for a moment, he met Emperor Liu's smiling gaze, understood something, and instinctively glanced at Zhang Dejun, who was quietly waiting to the side.

Reacting quickly, Zhao Pu lowered his head slightly and clasped his hands: "That Xu Xi bore a mission and was urgently seeking peace—panicked and grasping at straws, he found his way to my residence. I hope Your Majesty will forgive the impropriety!"

"I rather think this Xu Xi is quite clever! At least he knew who to seek out. Had he gone to the wrong person, no matter how much wealth he spent or how beautiful the women he offered, it would have been like drawing water with a bamboo basket!" Emperor Liu said leisurely: "In the Great Han, is there anything Minister Zhao cannot accomplish?"

Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, even Zhao Pu could not help but feel a tremor in his heart. Somewhat awkwardly, he said: "Your Majesty's words truly fill me with trepidation. I dare not presume to accept such praise!"

Would Zhao Pu feel trepidation? Emperor Liu clearly did not believe it—nor, of course, did he care. Setting aside the pleasantries, his expression turned more serious. He picked up the teacup offered by the palace eunuch, lightly inhaled its fragrance, and asked with some deliberation: "Xu Xi—I have kept him waiting for some time now. But matters must eventually be resolved. Regarding Goryeo, what considerations does the Hall of State Affairs have?"

At this moment, what Zhao Pu most wanted was to discuss official business with Emperor Liu, so he quickly adjusted himself and said: "I was just about to report to Your Majesty. After our deliberations, we are unanimous in the view that the King of Goryeo has already bowed his head in submission, seeking peace with sincerity from a thousand li away. We may grant it—to end the hostilities between the two nations, restore former amity, and also demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence to all within and beyond the seas..."

"Enough!" Emperor Liu waved his hand: "Spare me these official platitudes. Speak of practical matters!"

Since Emperor Liu wanted to hear practical things, Zhao Pu spoke more practically: "Your Majesty, forgive my frankness. Since the founding of the Great Han, Goryeo has always maintained good relations with us. The two nations are separated by a strip of water, with deep and long-standing ties.

In recent years, although there have been frictions between the two countries, the outbreak of war was truly an accident. Even now, within Goryeo, there are still many who are friendly toward the Great Han.

Your Majesty once vigorously supported Goryeo, seeking only to draw it in as an ally against Liao together. But things turned out contrary to wishes, and disputes arose instead—a pity. The root cause of Goryeo's troubles lies with its king, Wang Zhao, who was arrogant and self-important. Now Goryeo has learned its lesson, and Wang Zhao has repented, sending envoys to restore peace, cease hostilities, and renew friendship. This benefits both nations!

Furthermore, since the Kaibao era began, the court has struck out on all fronts, launching repeated campaigns. By last year's northern expedition, we had nearly reached our limits—national strength greatly depleted, finances nearly exhausted.

Your Majesty is deeply aware of this peril and has already changed course, implementing new policies to nurture the people. The Great Han truly needs to contract its battle lines and eliminate external conflicts to reassure the hearts of the realm's subjects.

An envoy mission has already departed for the Western Regions seeking reconciliation. Since Your Majesty is willing to pursue peace with the Kara-Khanids, why not also give Goryeo a chance..."

Clearly, in Zhao Pu's speech, matters of historical ties and the peoples of both nations were not the real focus—the most important thing was the Great Han's own condition. On this point, Zhao Pu, as the one steering the central government, was equally well aware, with a thoroughly penetrating understanding.

Emperor Liu, upon hearing this, thought for a moment and said: "I have heard that the Eastern Sea Navy reaped considerable gains in Goryeo, adding no small amount of extra revenue to the court, did they not?"

"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness—it is a drop in the bucket!" Zhao Pu spoke openly, answering calmly: "Deploying the navy entails enormous expenses, requiring the court to allocate substantial manpower, money, and grain in support.

Although great quantities of war booty were taken from Goryeo, this cannot be sustained. Relying solely on plunder yields short-term profit but brings no lasting benefit. Moreover, Goryeo has gradually developed countermeasures against maritime raids—relocating coastal populations, mustering troops, and preparing for war. By now, there is nothing left to plunder along Goryeo's coasts.

If we persist, we could certainly continue to strike at Goryeo, but there would be no further advantage for the Great Han. If we drag this out, I fear only that resentment will deepen, turning the two nations into irreconcilable mortal enemies, leaving endless calamity for the future."

Hearing Zhao Pu say this, Emperor Liu abruptly interjected: "What if we simply annihilate Goryeo outright?"

Zhao Pu was momentarily struck speechless, then a trace of anxiety could not help but appear on his face. But noticing Emperor Liu's calm expression, he composed himself and said: "If that were the case, it would run counter to the Great Han's current national policy! With the Great Han's strength, destroying a corner-state like Goryeo might not be difficult. But consider how many troops, how much manpower, how much money and grain would need to be invested—a distant expedition across the sea to Goryeo, fighting in foreign lands, would be no less difficult than the war in Liaodong.

Moreover, Goryeo is no barbaric wasteland. Taking its territory might not be hard, but winning its people's hearts is no easy matter. Would an imperial campaign not instead provoke them to unite in shared indignation? One slight misstep and it becomes a quagmire—once mired in it, hard to extricate oneself.

My considerations are shallow; I only hope Your Majesty will decide with prudence!"

Having said this, Zhao Pu sat quietly, awaiting the imperial decree. Of course, Zhao Pu knew full well in his heart that Emperor Liu would not make the decision to conquer and destroy Goryeo—even if he had such thoughts, it would not be now.

His mind turning, Emperor Liu's gaze rested directly on Zhao Pu. This chancellor—calm, rational, seeing through problems with great clarity, articulating the gains and losses with precision, always basing his proposals and decisions on practical realities—this was likely why Emperor Liu found him so convenient to use.

"Enough!" After a long moment, Emperor Liu finally relented, instructing: "Minister Zhao, I suspect you have long had this proposal in mind! Very well—you shall personally negotiate with this Xu Xi. I will not meet him. This matter is entirely in your hands!"

"Your subject obeys!" Zhao Pu rose to respond, then bowed again: "Regarding the peace talks, I request Your Majesty's guidance!"

After some consideration, Emperor Liu said: "I have no particular demands. Discuss the specific terms with your colleagues. Oh, and have the Crown Prince participate as well—these foreign negotiations are something he should be more involved in!"

"Yes!" Zhao Pu acknowledged.

Though he had agreed to let Goryeo off the hook, Emperor Liu still felt somewhat unsatisfied inside. His eyes rolled around a few times, and he raised a finger: "At present, the situation within Goryeo is quite difficult, is it not?"

"Refugees everywhere, chaos in people's hearts, political turmoil!" Zhao Pu said: "One could say the kingdom is buffeted by wind and rain—this is precisely why the King of Goryeo is so eager to sue for peace!"

"Wang Zhao's past forceful reforms offended quite a few people, did they not? Even now, within Goryeo, there are still many who oppose him!" Emperor Liu's voice was cold and low.

Hearing this, Zhao Pu's mind stirred slightly, and he could not help but sigh inwardly—it seemed the Emperor was still unwilling to let this matter go, clearly still harboring considerations. But since his primary objective had been achieved, Zhao Pu echoed: "As Your Majesty says, this is unavoidable! May I ask what instructions Your Majesty has?"

"Good!" Emperor Liu's smile carried a hint of treachery: "You just said yourself that the chief culprit in Goryeo's troubles lies with Wang Zhao. I am willing to negotiate peace and grant his subjects tranquility, but how can I let this chief culprit remain perched upon the throne?"

"Goryeo must have a new king!" Emperor Liu's tone gradually turned cold and hard.

At this, Zhao Pu could not help but feel a headache coming on. He did not think Emperor Liu's proposal was fanciful—it was merely a reluctance to stir up more complications that made him resistant.

However, facing Emperor Liu, he truly could not easily raise further objections. After considering for a moment, he clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, Goryeo's current chaos is truly external troubles causing internal strife. Once word spreads back to their kingdom that the court is willing to negotiate peace, and the navy ceases its raids, the situation there will certainly reverse.

Moreover, Wang Zhao has ruled for a long time with deep roots. Within Goryeo, no one has the strength to challenge his position. To replace their sovereign and shift his seat would be no easy task!"

"That is not my concern!" Emperor Liu was forceful, almost overbearing: "I can issue an edict to cease raids and plunder. But if internal contradictions arise on their own—rebellion, usurpation, or even whether Wang Zhao can hold onto his throne—I care not. I want only one thing: to throw their kingdom into chaos!"

Hearing Emperor Liu speak these words so calmly, Zhao Pu, who had seen much of the world, could not help but feel a chill sweep through his heart. To be marked by Emperor Liu was truly an unfortunate thing.

"Your Majesty, this matter still requires careful deliberation and planning—it needs the coordination of the Ministry of War, military intelligence, and even the navy!" Zhao Pu reminded.

"There is no hurry in this matter; it can be pursued slowly!" Having apparently noticed Zhao Pu's "headache," Emperor Liu smiled, putting on an air of great patience.

"The Khotan envoy has arrived in the capital—how is the reception going?" Emperor Liu raised another matter.

Zhao Pu responded with a slight sardonic smile: "Your Majesty, I have already received him together with the eldest prince. Khotan has the mentality of a small state entirely—cautious and cunning. The envoy indicated that Khotan is willing to obey the Great Han's command and cooperate with the imperial army's operations in the Western Regions. But one can discern their true intent—they will only go so far as cooperating in joint operations. If the imperial army does not march west, they will not rashly antagonize or even go to war with the Kara-Khanids!"

"Understandable! Small states have their own ways of survival!" Emperor Liu assumed a magnanimous posture: "I will receive him later. You may pass word to him—tell him that I am willing to bestow the lands of Karasahr and Kucha upon Khotan! As long as Khotan can drive the Kara-Khanids back west of the mountains, all the towns, lands, pastures, and waterways of those two regions shall be theirs!"

"Your Majesty, this..." Seeing Emperor Liu spring yet another surprise, Zhao Pu did not even have time to weigh the pros and cons for the state. Hesitating briefly, he finally said with a wry smile: "If so, I fear the peace negotiations with the Kara-Khanids may encounter fresh complications!"

"Even if we must contract and cease hostilities, the Great Han must hold the initiative!" Emperor Liu said flatly: "Toss out a bone, and if it makes two dogs fight over it, is that not more advantageous for the Great Han? If their kingdom falls into internal strife and mutual warfare, does that not make it easier for the Great Han to enjoy peace and prosperity?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Pu offered his flattery with some helplessness.