Chapter 1431: The Khitan Lose All of the Northeast

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the capital!"

Before Chuigong Hall, Crown Prince Liu Yang, Chancellor Zhao Pu, and several key military and political ministers stood respectfully at the side of the imperial road, bowing in salute!

"Rise! All of you, rise!" A smile beamed across his face as the autumn breeze brushed past. Emperor Liu was clearly in excellent spirits, his manner warm and gracious.

"How has Your Majesty's rest been? Has everything been to your satisfaction?" Liu Yang asked with a smile, his tone gentle and concerned.

"Very good. Taking in the sights of our Great Han has refreshed both body and mind!" Emperor Liu said, looking at the assembled ministers. "However, while I was out enjoying the mountains and rivers at leisure, all of you were toiling away in the capital managing state affairs with such diligence. I must say, I feel rather embarrassed!"

"He who holds office must fulfill its duties. Having received Your Majesty's trust and being taken into your confidence, we can only strive to do our utmost and not disappoint your expectations. Were we to hold office without doing anything, we would not only betray Your Majesty's trust, but our own hearts would find no peace!" Zhao Pu said.

"Haha! Among all the ministers at court, Zhao Qing's devotion to the nation and the people is something every official should learn from. Entrusting the affairs of state to you puts my mind completely at ease!" Emperor Liu said, looking at Zhao Pu with a cheerful smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately assumed an expression of honor, bowing slightly and clasping his hands: "Your Majesty flatters me. I am ashamed and truly unworthy of such praise!"

"Zhao Qing need not be modest!" Emperor Liu said. "Before returning to the palace, I took a turn around the capital. The city is prosperous, bustling with noise and life, giving one a sense of peace and harmony throughout the realm. These are all fruits of your diligent governance!"

"Don't just stand there—let's continue inside the hall!" After exchanging pleasantries, Emperor Liu beckoned the group toward Chuigong Hall, saying: "No need to prepare a welcome banquet for me. It's getting late—I'll have someone prepare some food and wine, and we can talk while we eat!"

"Yes!"

Surrounded like stars around the moon, they entered the hall and took their seats. Palace eunuchs served tea, and the rich aroma gradually filled the spacious hall, soon transforming the gathering into a high-level tea party.

Setting down his teacup, Emperor Liu looked up at Cao Bin, the Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs who in practice managed military affairs, and said: "Before I even reached the capital, I received news of the victory in Liaodong! I've already read the report of triumph. Cao, tell me more about the current situation in the northeast."

"Yes!" Cao Bin rose, reflexively straightening his expression and voice.

"Sit down and speak!" Emperor Liu said with a light laugh, feeling both gratified and helpless at Cao Bin's incorrigible habit.

Hearing this, Cao Bin returned to his seat and reported calmly: "According to subsequent military dispatches, Huanglong Prefecture has been completely recovered. The Liao army entrenched there was swept away by Ma Renyu in one stroke, with 3,299 prisoners taken. The Liao commander-in-chief Yelu Xiezhen was finally captured by our cavalry search parties, but in the end he took his own life by cutting his throat—we failed to take him alive.

Separately, the Liao generals Yelu Xiuge and Xiao Talin escaped with over a thousand remnants of their forces, vanishing into the mountains and forests. Our pursuit could not catch up. Ma Renyu judges that this remnant force will return to the Liao capital!

At present, Ma Renyu is personally stationed at Huanglong Prefecture, resting and reorganizing the troops, awaiting the next move!"

Emperor Liu could not help but nod, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth: "Ma Renyu increasingly bears the bearing of a great general. This battle achieved nearly complete success—the Khitan have lost all of the northeast. The court ought to commend him!"

"Yes!" Cao Bin acknowledged.

"Ma Renyu has three additional matters to request instructions on!" Pausing briefly, Cao Bin continued: "First, should the head of the stubborn enemy Yelu Xiezhen be sent to the Western Capital, or displayed along the borders to demonstrate our military might and intimidate the various barbarian tribes?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu felt a wave of regret, his tone full of pity: "Yelu Xiezhen could be considered a famous general and loyal minister of his generation. Though he was an enemy commander and previously inflicted great losses on our army, on the battlefield each serves his own master. I genuinely admired his talent and strategic acumen.

Now that he has died for the Khitan, the dead are gone—there is no need to further disgrace his corpse. The military might of the Great Han need not be demonstrated through such means. Let him keep his body intact and grant him some dignity!

Reply to Ma Renyu: have Yelu Xiezhen encoffined and buried with honor, erect a stele with an inscription, and let him rest in the soil of the northeast!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty's decision is most excellent!" Hearing Emperor Liu's disposition, Zhao Pu was the first to chime in from the side: "This not only grants Yelu Xiezhen dignity, but also demonstrates Your Majesty's magnanimity and benevolence, and serves as a memorial to the bloody struggles of our Great Han soldiers. If we treat even our enemies thus, word will spread, and Your Majesty's prestige and virtue will surely reach the four seas and eight directions. Why worry that the various tribes will not come from afar to submit to the Han?"

Hearing Zhao Pu's words, Emperor Liu felt a sweetness in his heart and could not help but laugh. This Zhao Pu—a simple act of grace had been transformed by his tongue into a move that achieved multiple objectives at once.

As for Zhao Pu, his expression remained perfectly composed. As a chancellor, he felt not the slightest shame at flattery and sycophancy. This thickness of skin and depth of self-possession could be said to be cultivated to perfection—few at court could match him.

Cao Bin continued: "Second, after Huanglong Prefecture was recovered, the chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, Wanyan Bohai, petitioned, hoping the court would fulfill its promise and allow him to take over Huanglong Prefecture. Ma Renyu did not dare decide on his own and requests the court's ruling. How should this be resolved?"

"Does such a matter even need to be submitted to the court for decision?" Shi Shouxin stated his position on the spot: "The cities and lands our Great Han soldiers won through desperate battle—how can they be handed over to these savages and barbarians? This petty Wanyan Bohai is surely indulging in wishful thinking!"

"That's not how one should put it!" Wang Qiwu shook his head: "Last year, when the northern expedition was in full swing and the situation was unclear, Your Majesty promised Huanglong Prefecture as their territory and bestowed upon them the title of Commander-in-Chief. Only then did the Wanyan tribe dare to turn against the Khitan and raise troops in the north, diverting considerable Liao army strength. In matters concerning the Liao, their forces ultimately rendered meritorious service to the Great Han. Now they respectfully request the fulfillment of that promise. If the court directly refuses, it may damage the nation's honor. Breaking one's word is not the act of a great power!"

"Indeed, that's not how one should put it!" Hearing Wang Qiwu's words, Shi Shouxin shot him a sidelong glance and retorted: "The Wanyan tribe did render service, but when they moved their entire tribe south to attack an empty Huanglong Prefecture, they ended up abandoning their arms and armor, suffering a disastrous defeat.

If he had taken Huanglong Prefecture himself, that would be one thing. But as it stands, Huanglong Prefecture was taken by our imperial army, at great cost of men and time. If we were to hand it over to others, I fear the soldiers' morale would not accept it. Chancellor Wang manages affairs at the center and does not know the hardships of the soldiers. To speak so lightly and grandiloquently of giving away the nation's territory—I truly cannot agree!"

Shi Shouxin's words carried no small measure of sarcasm, and Wang Qiwu was a man who valued his dignity. How could he endure this? He immediately retorted with anger: "Commissioner Shi overstates the matter! When did I ever say we should give away territory? I merely worry about the nation's honor. Do you wish to make Your Majesty break his promise and lose face?"

"All I know is that selling off the nation's territory and besmirching the achievements of our soldiers—that is what truly damages the nation's honor and the emperor's prestige!" Shi Shouxin immediately shot back.

"Commissioner Shi's words take things out of context!"

"Does Chancellor Wang's remark not insult the dignity of the state?"

These two—one the finance minister, one the military commissioner—actually started arguing right in front of Emperor Liu, each raising his voice louder than the other, astonishing everyone present. Emperor Liu was equally surprised, watching the pair with mild curiosity, privately wondering when these two had developed such enmity that they would clash so fiercely before him.

It was Crown Prince Liu Yang who spoke up, offering some gentle persuasion, which finally calmed things down. Moreover, both men suddenly seemed to realize where they were, turning to Emperor Liu to find him examining them with an amused expression. Their demeanor immediately sobered, restoring the bearing of senior ministers.

"Have the two Qing finished arguing?" Emperor Liu asked with a light laugh.

Hearing this, both were startled. Wang Qiwu immediately said: "Your servant lost his composure!"

"Your servant lost his decorum!" Shi Shouxin made a similar response.

His gaze swept over the two of them twice, and Emperor Liu said: "Both of you are pillars of the state, both considering what is best for the Great Han. Holding differing views is not inherently wrong. However, you are colleagues—you should rein in your tempers somewhat!"

"Yes!" With Emperor Liu's word, the two subsided completely, their attitudes returning to normal.

Withdrawing his gaze, Emperor Liu instructed: "Wang Qing's words have merit. My promise last year was no empty talk. The Son of Heaven's word is golden—I have no desire to be seen as breaking my word and mocked by the barbarians. Shi Qing also speaks correctly. If I were to give Huanglong Prefecture to the Wanyan tribe, at the very least the soldiers of the northeast would not accept it."

"As it stands now, my momentary generosity back then has landed us in this awkward situation. With such a dilemma, how should it be resolved?"

Faced with Emperor Liu's question, the hall fell silent for a time. The Great Han's senior ministers seemed to have simultaneously fallen into difficulty. They had to consider Emperor Liu's face, yet could not allow territory to be lost. It truly seemed hard to handle.

The air was quiet for a long while. It was Zhao Pu who finally spoke, clasping his hands toward Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty's words carry the authority of heaven. Having spoken, there is certainly no reason to break the promise. I believe that if the Wanyan tribe demands land, we might as well agree to it!"

Hearing this, Shi Shouxin immediately stirred restlessly, but seeing that Emperor Liu did not refute it, he held himself back and did not flare up as he had before.

Emperor Liu, for his part, knew Zhao Pu well enough to understand he had more to say, so he did not respond, merely continuing to listen. Sure enough, Zhao Pu did not resort to mystification and continued: "However, the land of Huanglong Prefecture is a strategic key point in the northeast and cannot be granted to others. Moreover, it was won through the soldiers' hard fighting, and we cannot wound military morale. Therefore, I suggest that instead, we select another location outside Huanglong Prefecture to bestow upon them!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu pondered briefly, a smile blooming on his aged face as he asked: "In Zhao Qing's view, what location would be suitable to grant instead?"

Zhao Pu had clearly already formulated a plan and did not hold back, answering immediately: "I believe we should grant the Tieli region north of the Huntong River to the Wanyan tribe. Though not as prosperous as Huanglong Prefecture, it has the advantage of being vast. Following the precedent of before, let them take it themselves. If they can take and hold it, the court will recognize it. If their strength proves insufficient, they cannot blame the court.

I have considered that Wanyan Bohai is not a man without sense. He likely understands that demanding Huanglong Prefecture from the court is no easy matter and merely wants a justification. The court can give him one.

Additionally, we can support his tribe with some money, grain, and weapons to set their minds at ease. In this way, Your Majesty's face is not harmed, and the Wanyan tribe receives real benefits—both sides are satisfied.

This is my humble consideration. I request Your Majesty's judgment!"

When Zhao Pu finished, everyone seemed lost in thought, unable to help casting sidelong glances at him. The ministers present were all men of considerable insight and could vaguely sense that this proposal was workable. Even Shi Shouxin no longer insisted on his position of not giving away territory, sitting quietly in his place.

Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu and smiled slightly: "Zhao Qing truly has quick wit—you've resolved a dilemma for me!"