Chapter 1398: Border Affairs

"Your Majesty, Commissioner Cao requests an audience!" The palace eunuch's report interrupted the conversation between Emperor Liu and the Crown Prince.

"Could there be some change in military intelligence?" Liu Yang's gaze also turned outward, asking with doubt. Generally speaking, anything requiring Cao Bin, the Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, to personally seek an audience and present in person was no small matter.

"Summon him!" There was no ripple on Emperor Liu's face, only a slight raise of his hand.

Soon, Cao Bin entered the hall, strode forward, bowed with clasped hands, as composed as ever—every move measured, every gesture precise, as if his emotions could never change.

Looking at Cao Bin, Emperor Liu wasted no words and asked directly: "What has happened, that you would come in person, Minister Cao?"

Cao Bin answered calmly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, a war report from the Western Regions!"

"Oh!" Emperor Liu sat up at once, exchanged a glance with Liu Yang, and said: "Speak!"

Cao Bin: "Guo Jin memorializes that the imperial army in the Western Regions has decisively broken the enemy. At Luntai and Beiting, Han banners are planted everywhere. More than four thousand remnant Khitan bandits have been utterly defeated, and Yelu Dilie, the Prince of Anping of Liao, has been captured alive by our forces!"

"Excellent!" Upon hearing the report, Emperor Liu's face immediately broke into a broad smile, which he quickly restrained, still not forgetting to ask with concern: "What of Yang Ye and the others, and the expeditionary army?"

"The two marshals, Yang and Wang, led the expeditionary troops south across the desert, seized Beiting by surprise, then advanced west and joined forces with Guo Jin's army at Luntai! Two thousand soldiers have all received proper care. Yang Ye and the other officers are safe and sound—only the old General Wang, unable to bear the strain, has seen his illness relapse somewhat!" Cao Bin said.

"It was no easy feat!" Emperor Liu sighed softly. Still, upon receiving this news, his mood was quite good, and he immediately instructed: "The soldiers in the northwest struck hard at the enemy, expanded our territory, and rendered outstanding service—they deserve commendation. Have the Bureau of Military Affairs draft the citation and announce it to the realm to honor their merit. All those who rendered distinguished service—record their names and submit the list; the Ministry of War shall bestow rewards!"

"Yes!" Cao Bin responded calmly.

The slight rise in emotion quickly subsided. Emperor Liu looked at Cao Bin's still-composed face and could not help joking: "This is clearly a report of victory and good news, yet with such an expression and such a reaction from you, Minister Cao—had you not spoken, I would have thought you had received some dire tidings!"

Cao Bin was momentarily at a loss for words, then noticed the amusement in Emperor Liu's eyes. Realizing the jest, a slight ripple finally appeared on his face, and he bowed with clasped hands: "Upon receiving this report of victory, your servant's heart is equally joyful!"

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and continued: "The soldiers of the northwest fought a distant campaign, which was no small hardship. Have Guo Jin select five hundred soldiers to come to the capital for an audience!

Furthermore, the expeditionary soldiers rode light out of Mobei, braved life and death, endured great hardship, and returned through trials and tribulations—they need even more consolation. Summon them all to the capital; I will personally reward and comfort them!

Wang Yansheng, Yang Ye, Guo Jin, Wang Shenqi, and the other commanders have all labored mightily and rendered great merit—order them all to return to the capital! Liu Fang and the brothers Liu Min as well. The Bureau of Military Affairs shall draft the orders and dispatch them with all speed!"

"Yes!" Cao Bin immediately acknowledged.

"With this report in hand, the Western Regions campaign has come to a temporary conclusion. Matters of aftermath and military deployment—the Bureau of Military Affairs should begin working on these and roll out the arrangements promptly!" Emperor Liu then instructed Cao Bin: "My intent is simply this: in the short term ahead, the northwest must be kept stable. Unless absolutely necessary, do not initiate hostilities; governance and stability take priority.

The Western Regions are remote, thousands of li away. Taking them was easy; holding them will require far more effort. Military garrisons must take into account the court's capacity to bear the burden. On the premise of maintaining public order and defense, reduce the burden as much as possible. How many troops to leave behind—the Bureau of Military Affairs should plan this carefully!"

"As commanded!" Cao Bin acknowledged.

"Send someone to meet the returning soldiers on the road, to show them the concern of me and the court!" Emperor Liu then instructed Liu Yang.

"Yes!" Liu Yang's lips carried a smile.

"As for the governance of the Yizhou and Gaochang regions, the court should also produce a plan! Over the past decade or so, the Western Regions in Liao's hands were a quagmire, mired in endless struggle. Now that the Great Han holds them, even with heaven's favor and popular support, we must take warning from that! I do not wish to see the Western Regions in a state of turmoil and instability. How to assimilate their people and bring about public order—this must be pondered carefully and considered thoroughly!" Emperor Liu looked at Liu Yang: "Keep an eye on this matter as well. Listen more to the opinions of officials in the northwest who are familiar with local customs and conditions!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang's expression turned solemn, gaining a measure of gravity.

"The Western Regions matter is temporarily settled—that scratches one itch for the court!" Emperor Liu lay back down, and in a relaxed posture, said softly: "Next, the Great Han can focus on restoring national strength and concentrate its efforts on dealing with Liao!"

Though spoken lightly, Emperor Liu's tone was exceptionally sharp. Even though Liao had already been battered miserably in the Kaibao northern expedition, Emperor Liu still had no intention of letting the matter rest—this had never changed.

At the very least, the Liao sovereign still styled himself Emperor and still stood in Shangjing. Though Mobei was in turmoil, the Khitan remained the most powerful force on the steppe, and the Liao sovereign remained the common lord of Mobei. Until the Khitan's power was beaten back to its original form, Emperor Liu would not stop.

"How goes the situation in the north? Any new gains?" Emperor Liu asked Cao Bin.

At the question, Cao Bin spoke slowly: "In these past months, Liao's subject territories have been in ceaseless chaos. Rebellions among the various Mobei tribes have risen one after another. According to intelligence, over the past winter, Liao's tribes suffered snow disasters, with heavy losses of people and livestock. Liao is finding it extraordinarily difficult to maintain its rule.

Since the start of spring, Dong Zunhui and Tian Renlang have separately advanced north from the Yan Mountains and Shanyang to raid and harass. Though their hauls were not abundant, they have intensified Liao's turmoil.

Dong Zunhui in particular once watered his horses in the Huang River, threatening Liao's Shangjing. However, Liao has heavy troops stationed around the Linhuang region, so he dared not press forward rashly. But as long as we keep up the harassment and deny them peace, we can wear them down.

There are also military reports from Shanyang: over the past two months and more, over ten thousand Mobei tribesmen have fled south to submit to the Great Han. Liao is also in a period of scarcity, with famine running rampant..."

Emperor Liu was very attentive to Liao's situation. Hearing Cao Bin's account, he was not surprised—in the expectations of him and his civil and military ministers, this was normal. If Liao could quickly stabilize and weather the crisis, that would be cheating.

Indeed, a smile even crept unbidden to the corner of Emperor Liu's mouth. When his enemy was trapped and suffering, he was perfectly entitled to gloat.

"What of Liaodong?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Cao Bin said: "Ma Renyu commands twenty thousand troops stationed at Tongzhou, maintaining a constant deterrent against the remnants of the Liao army! Synthesizing the various reports, Liao has now essentially lost all of the northeast. The old Bohai lands have all revolted; the officials and generals Liao appointed have all been driven out or killed. The Shiwei and Jurchen tribes each hold their own territories, raising banners of independence.

Liao now has only Yelu Xiezhen, leading remnant forces in a stubborn defense of Huanglong Prefecture and its surrounding areas, holding on with difficulty. Few troops, few generals, short of provisions—their situation grows daily more dire, and their power has already waned.

It is only a pity that the northeastern tribes are of divided hearts, each harboring their own schemes, each holding their own cities and mountain strongholds, rife with contradictions and ceaseless strife, unable to unite their strength. To eliminate the Liao army at Huanglong Prefecture, in the end, it will have to be the Han army that does it.

Ma Renyu has long since memorialized that he will choose his moment to advance north with his troops and completely annihilate this remnant bandit force, to safeguard Liaodong!"

"Good!" Emperor Liu said nothing more—a single dry word, yet it fully displayed his will!