Chapter 1432: Support the Wanyan Tribe?

"A few small tricks, hardly worth mentioning!" Zhao Pu said modestly.

"Being able to share Your Majesty's burdens is great wisdom!" Emperor Liu said with a light laugh, turning his head to look at the great map of the Han realm that hung in the hall year-round, his gaze settling directly on the northeastern corner.

"Go, find me the detailed maps of the northeast—I want to see them!" Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo.

"Yes!"

Yan Tuo acknowledged and departed. In Chuigong Hall, there were many books, many maps, and many memorials—it served as a small archive, available at any time for Emperor Liu's consultation. Yan Tuo was highly efficient and quickly found the maps, respectfully helping Emperor Liu spread them out on the imperial desk.

Of course, the so-called detailed maps of the northeast were still relatively crude—not due to the cartographic skill, but because of the massive loss of information. Due to practical limitations, it was simply impossible to conduct on-site surveys and measurements like in the core territories of the Great Han.

Much of the geographic information had been compiled from historical records and the maps seized by the Han army from Liaoyang, and only then was a rough picture sketched out. Even so, for the present moment, the northeastern geographic maps held by the court were still the most advanced and complete available.

Emperor Liu lowered his head to study the detailed map of the northeastern terrain, on which the forces in the vast region north and east of Huanglong Prefecture were marked with relative clarity. After pondering for a moment, Emperor Liu asked: "Minister Zhao, this proposal of yours has another purpose behind it, doesn't it?"

The chaos in the northeast, as an aftermath of the Han–Liao war, had been churning for nearly a year now. Up to this point, although it had not yet subsided and looked like a tangled mess, there were in fact threads to follow.

Beyond Huanglong Prefecture, the tribal forces were numerous and complex, and could basically be divided into four categories: the various Shiwei tribes, the various Jurchen tribes, Liao's rebel ministers, and those still-uncivilized barbarian tribes.

These tribal forces, large and small, after a full year of mutual attacks and annexation, had already basically formed their own spheres of influence.

The Jurchen had the widest distribution. Strictly speaking, the Wanyan tribe could not be considered a particularly powerful tribe among them, but its cohesion was relatively strong. Most importantly, it had been quick to seize the opportunity—it was among the earliest northeastern tribes to submit to the court, and had even received rewards and titles from Emperor Liu. Compared to other forces, it had gained a first-mover advantage.

And although the Wanyan tribe had also developed and expanded somewhat during this great reshuffling of northeastern forces, due to the disastrous defeat at Huanglong Prefecture last year and the subsequent heavy losses suffered at the hands of the Liao army, its actual strength had declined considerably.

Moreover, to its northwest lay the territory of the Tulübu Shiwei tribe, and the two tribes had no shortage of conflicts. Therefore, the Wanyan tribe's current situation was not too favorable. The Wanyan Jurchen, occupying part of the Huntong River basin, were in fact surrounded by powerful enemies—besides the Shiwei, neighboring tribes such as the Dalugu had also developed conflicts with them over the subsequent scrambling for territory and population.

Even so, when Ma Renyu led troops north to capture Huanglong Prefecture this time, Wanyan Bohai also selected two thousand strong warriors from his tribe to march south and assist in the attack. It was a complete display of a loyal subject of the Great Han. If there had been a different emperor, he might have been moved to tears by these Wanyan Jurchen.

Facing Emperor Liu's question, Zhao Pu smiled and, as was his habit, first offered a flattering remark: "Your Majesty is wise and discerning as a torch—this minister's little schemes were seen through at once!"

Then he said calmly: "Your Majesty, this minister has some understanding of the current distribution of tribal forces in the northeast. Several hundred li north of the Wanyan tribe lies the former territory of the Khitan's Tieli tribe. Now that the Shiwei are expanding eastward, even the Tieli king's city has fallen into their hands. If the court bestows the region north of the Huntong River upon the Wanyan and lets them take it themselves, this can both fulfill Your Majesty's promise, and if the Wanyan tribe moves north, the court can thereby somewhat check the Shiwei's expansion!"

"Not a bad idea!" Emperor Liu nodded, but did not show too much excitement, and expressed some doubt: "However, this intention is too obvious. Given the cunning Wanyan Bohai has displayed before, he may well see through it. Would he follow Minister Zhao's plan and contend with the Shiwei for food? After all, at present, the Shiwei are strong and the Wanyan are weak—would he be so unwise as to fight the strong with the weak?"

Facing Emperor Liu's slight challenge, Zhao Pu was not surprised. His expression unchanged, he spoke plainly: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because Wanyan Bohai possesses considerable cunning that he harbors wild ambitions and desires expansion. Otherwise, he would not have been so eager to submit to the court and raise troops to rebel against Liao. This time, his proactive request for the Huanglong Prefecture territory also sufficiently proves this man's ambition.

If the court bestows the Tieli lands upon him, even if this man remains calm and wise and is not tempted, with this favor before him, he will surely keep it in his heart—after all, it is land enfeoffed by the court.

Perhaps constrained by his limited strength, he can restrain himself for a time—but how could he restrain himself for a lifetime? Beyond Huanglong Prefecture, though bitter and cold, for these tribes that have hunted and roamed here for generations, it is a land of wealth and treasure. How could he not be tempted?

The Tieli lands are like a dog bone thrown out by the court, certain to draw the Shiwei and Jurchen tribes into conflict! When two dogs fight over food, the court can rest easy! Even if they don't fight, the court can push from the side!"

"Minister Zhao intends to employ an open scheme!" Emperor Liu remarked with a sigh.

Taking a sip of tea, Zhao Pu continued: "Compared to the Shiwei, the Wanyan tribe may be somewhat weaker in strength, but precisely because of this, Wanyan Bohai will be even more dependent on the court. Only by leaning on the court can they establish themselves, develop, and grow in the Huntong River basin!"

"You mean for the court to support the Wanyan tribe, thereby balancing the northeastern situation?" Listening to Zhao Pu's confident exposition, Emperor Liu's brows involuntarily furrowed, as if he had some misgivings.

Zhao Pu noticed this as well, and clasped his hands: "To answer Your Majesty, in this minister's observation, among all the northeastern tribes, the Wanyan tribe is the most suitable to support and the most capable of being used by the court.

Beyond Huanglong Prefecture, the territory is too vast, the terrain remote and poor, and the tribal situation complex. For the court to fully govern and pacify it is nearly impossible—we can only use a policy of loose control to bring the various tribes into submission.

But if we wish to keep them peaceful for long, we must adopt certain balancing measures among the northeastern tribes. Since the Shiwei are great, they naturally must be suppressed. To avoid burdening the court, cultivating some tribes that are close to and loyal to the court is also a viable method!"

After Zhao Pu finished speaking, he lowered his hands, adopting an appearance of utter composure—eyes watching his nose, nose watching his heart—not nervous at all, calmly awaiting Emperor Liu's decision. The others also remained silent. Emperor Liu subconsciously stroked his beard, thinking seriously for a long while, and finally asked: "What if the Wanyan tribe grows powerful through this? Compared to other tribes, a force that receives the court's support is more likely to achieve a breakthrough in development.

When they are obedient, they may be the court's loyal subjects. But if they suddenly harbor different intentions, their ambitions grow, and they turn against the court—then how great a price will the court have to pay to eliminate an enemy it raised with its own hands?"

Before Zhao Pu could respond to this question, Shi Shouxin spoke up, calmly and forcefully: "If the Shiwei grow strong, then we suppress the Shiwei. If the Wanyan tribe grows strong, the court can naturally strike them down the same way. If they dare to turn against the court, they will pay the price of tribal extermination! The court can support one Wanyan tribe, and naturally it can also support other tribes!"

As he spoke, Shi Shouxin even gave Emperor Liu a slightly surprised look, as if puzzled that someone as wise as Emperor Liu could not have thought of this point.

Emperor Liu's taut face finally relaxed, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly with a hint of a wry smile. His misgivings came almost from instinct—after all, these were Jurchen, these were Wanyan—how could his heart not harbor some hesitation?

However, thinking carefully, what did the Wanyan Jurchen matter? This was the era of the Great Han. If the Great Han was strong, then all was well. But if the Great Han itself had problems, then even without the Wanyan Jurchen, other forces and other enemies would rise up.

After thinking it over, Emperor Liu wore an expression of having made up his mind, and looked toward Zhao Pu: "Handle this matter according to Minister Zhao's arrangement! Have Ma Renyu allocate a portion of grain, funds, and military equipment from Liaodong and gift them to Wanyan Bohai, as a token of my gratitude.

As for the rest, let's see how things develop and discuss it later. The northeast certainly needs a balanced situation, but it must not drain too much of the court's energy! Also, have this Wanyan Bohai come to the capital—isn't he loyal to the court? Minister Zhao also said the Wanyan tribe can be used—then let me meet him first and see if he dares to come!"

"Yes!"

Clearly, Emperor Liu still harbored misgivings in his heart about supporting the Wanyan tribe.