Chapter 152: Twenty-Five Days, Enter Yedu

On Liu Chengyou's side, after the assembly disbanded, he had Guo Rong lead him on an inspection tour of the Han camp, looking left and right as he listened to Guo Rong's introductions.

After wandering for a full shichen, they finally completed a circuit of the southern camp. Standing on a walkway built at a height of two zhang at the front of the camp wall, looking down from above, he pointed at the seemingly endless tents behind him and sighed: "This camp is really... big!"

"Since our army arrived at the walls of Yedu, the thing we've done most is setting up camp and building fortifications. It took over a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians two months of combined effort to achieve this result." Guo Rong said.

The camp behind them was vast in layout, with interconnected fortifications, solemn and imposing, like a fierce beast staring hungrily at Yuancheng. Liu Chengyou said: "No matter how Lord Gao fights, this camp has been built quite well."

Guo Rong couldn't quite grasp whether Liu Chengyou's words were teasing or something else, so he echoed: "Commander-in-Chief Gao is advanced in years and steady in judgment, a general of this era. There are few who could surpass him in the art of commanding troops."

"But—"

"But what?" Liu Chengyou glanced at Guo Rong.

"With Commander-in-Chief Gao's tactics—weakening the enemy's morale and exhausting their supplies—Yedu can naturally be taken with minimal casualties." Guo Rong sighed and said: "However, this places an enormous burden on the court. In the two months of prolonged fighting, the money and grain consumed are incalculable, and the destruction wrought upon the prefectures and counties is even more severe. Too many able-bodied men have been conscripted, and taxes have been levied too heavily, to the point that during the autumn harvest season, many in Hebei have died of cold and hunger. Wei-Bo has suffered the worst. Your Highness must have noticed on your way here—the people's livelihoods are in ruin, hearts are restless, and bandits are springing up everywhere. It's hardly any better than when the Khitan invaded."

"If the realm were at peace, the nation strong, and the treasuries full, doing things this way would be acceptable." Guo Rong continued: "But given the current situation of the Great Han, a slow war won't do. We must decide this quickly."

"I know all this too!" The atmosphere had grown heavy from Guo Rong's words. Liu Chengyou tilted his head up, letting the cold autumn wind hit his face, gazing at the towering city walls of Yedu, and clenched his fist as he said: "His Majesty observed the situation below the walls, feared there might be unforeseen changes, and so came personally on campaign to take the city and bind the traitor—to return peace to the Great Han and tranquility to the people!"

Hearing this, the solemnity on Guo Rong's face dissipated considerably. He looked at Liu Chengyou: "If His Majesty had heeded Your Highness's advice from the start and personally led the elite army here, the battle for Yedu wouldn't have dragged on until now!"

Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow and lifted his hand to stop him: "Say no more of such words!"

"Yes!" Guo Rong also realized he had spoken too freely.

"I hear that Yan army in the city has caused great trouble for our forces?" Pointing at the southern part of Yedu, Liu Chengyou naturally changed the subject.

"That Yan army in the city was left behind by the Khitan when they withdrew north. Only about two thousand men, but their fighting strength is formidable. Their Commander is named Zhang Lian. In the previous assault on the city, we nearly succeeded but failed in the end—besides the weather not cooperating, it was this man who led his men to drive our scaling troops back down!" Guo Rong explained.

"Formidable fighting strength?" Liu Chengyou adopted a pondering posture, thought for a moment, then pointed north and asked: "Compared to the Yan army at the Battle of Luancheng, how do they measure up?"

"They're more than a notch stronger. This Yan army has especially firm fighting will!" Guo Rong gave his answer.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression showed no sign of concern. He mused for a while, as if asking himself: "The rebels' situation grows more desperate by the day. Surely these Yan troops wouldn't be willing to be buried alongside Du Chongwei..."

Guo Rong immediately caught the implication in Liu Chengyou's words and asked: "Does Your Highness intend to sow discord?"

"The Son of Heaven has come in person. From now on, we must take Yedu in one battle—no further delay will be permitted!" Liu Chengyou raised his index finger, his expression severe: "This matter can be worked on! Among the imperial army, there are some Yan people who were incorporated into our ranks!"

"We'll need to establish contact with the Yan troops in the city first." Guo Rong said.

Liu Chengyou looked at him: "Then this task is yours!"

Guo Rong readily accepted the assignment Liu Chengyou had given him.

Gently resting his hand on the railing, Liu Chengyou suddenly pointed at the two young men waiting below and asked curiously: "I noticed those two earlier—quite valiant-looking, with a sharp edge about them. Who are they?"

Guo Rong followed Liu Chengyou's gaze, then chuckled and replied: "These two are named Ma Renyu and Pan Mei. They came to enlist when I was recruiting troops after arriving at Chanzhou. Ma Renyu has astonishing physical strength and is brave and skilled at archery. Pan Mei is intelligent, principled, and has exceptional insight. Both are promising young talents, and I've kept them by my side to nurture. Back when we rescued Murong... Governor Murong at Lujia Inn, it was thanks to these two fighting desperately to protect us."

Hearing these two names, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but take a few more looks at the two young men below, then turned back to Guo Rong with a peculiar gaze. This left Guo Rong puzzled, and he asked: "Your Highness, is there a problem?"

"Hearing you say that, I'm like a hunter spotting prey—I'm tempted to take them for my own use." Liu Chengyou said lightly.

Hearing this, Guo Rong was somewhat surprised. He looked at Liu Chengyou, trying to discern whether he was serious.

But Liu Chengyou quickly withdrew his gaze and waved his hand: "Since they are talents, you should nurture them well. If one day they become great generals serving the nation, that would be a fine tale."

"Yes!"

Having been exposed to the cold wind for too long, he felt his nose getting damp. He reached up and wiped it directly, then called for a return to the tent. As for inspecting the camps at the other four gates, he had no heart for it at the moment.

On the way back to the tent, he ran into Gao Xingzhou. Liu Chengyou stepped forward to greet him: "Lord Gao!"

"I dare not accept that!" Liu Chengyou was very courteous, but Gao Xingzhou was even more so: "This humble officer pays respects to His Highness the Prince of Zhou!"

"No need for ceremony, Lord!" Liu Chengyou extended his hand in a gesture of raising him up.

Taking in Gao Xingzhou's appearance—he truly was old now, with graying hair and beard, a face full of aged weariness, and fatigue that couldn't be hidden from his expression. Moved by the sight, Liu Chengyou clasped his hands toward him: "For the Lord to toil so tirelessly for the nation fills me with the deepest admiration!"

"Your Highness's magnanimity also earns this officer's respect!"

Caught off guard by his words—this old lord certainly had a smooth tongue for flattery—Liu Chengyou was momentarily stunned. In that daze, he saw Gao Xingzhou solemnly bow to him: "At the court assembly previously, I thank Your Highness for speaking up on my behalf!"

Liu Chengyou snapped back to reality and waved his hand grandly: "The Lord need not do this. I merely spoke a fair word out of public duty—nothing more!"

No matter how Liu Chengyou framed it, it was clear that Gao Xingzhou had taken this debt of gratitude to heart.

That very night, several dozen people lowered themselves down from the walls of Yuancheng on ropes and surrendered to the Han camp, causing a commotion both above and below the walls. At the same time, while some were coming out, others were secretly going in...

The next day, just as dawn broke, Liu Zhiyuan convened all the senior generals of the army in the imperial tent for a military council before the emperor. Counting the troops that had accompanied the emperor, there were nearly a hundred thousand imperial army soldiers, plus the local forces assisting in the campaign—close to a hundred officers filled the spacious imperial tent to the brim.

After the customary greetings and salutations, the generals noticed that Liu Zhiyuan hadn't spoken but was instead looking at Murong Yanchao. Immediately, everyone's attention was drawn there as well.

Murong Yanchao stood frozen in place. Under the weight of all those gazes, his dark, pockmarked face shifted through various expressions. He took a deep breath, then suddenly walked before Gao Xingzhou and knelt down without hesitation: "Commander-in-Chief Gao, this officer was previously out of line and spoke recklessly. Here and now, I offer you my apologies!"

Having said this, he shut his eyes tight and lowered his head.

The officers in the tent were all surprised by this scene. As the party concerned, Gao Xingzhou was also taken aback. He instinctively glanced at the seated Liu Zhiyuan, then moved without delay to help Murong Yanchao up: "General, please rise. You mustn't do this—this old man doesn't deserve it!"

Old and shrewd, Gao Xingzhou naturally knew this was Liu Zhiyuan's doing—otherwise, given Murong Yanchao's temperament, how could he possibly humble himself and apologize like this? Since the emperor was giving him such face, Gao Xingzhou certainly wouldn't hold himself aloof. No matter what he thought inwardly, he had to put on a proper show on the surface.

After this small interlude passed, Liu Zhiyuan finally began the military council. No wasted words—he went straight to the point: how to take Yedu.

The generals were still divided into two opinions.

One was led by Gao Xingzhou. In his view, Yedu was already at the end of its strength, on the verge of collapse. The Son of Heaven's personal arrival had dealt a severe blow to their morale and will. The soldiers lowering themselves down the walls to flee last night was clear proof. They only needed to wait a few more days, and the enemy could be defeated without battle.

The other was still led by Murong Yanchao, and it was far simpler and more direct: attack! And this time, far more people supported it. With a hundred thousand troops facing a lone, desperate city, there was no need to remain timid. Besides, if they delayed any longer, winter would be upon them!

The two sides still argued, though the intensity of the dispute was not as fierce as before.

"What day is it today?" Liu Zhiyuan asked Su Fengji, who was accompanying the emperor in camp.

Su Fengji answered immediately: "The twentieth day of the ninth month!"

"Within twenty-five days, I will enter Yedu!" Liu Zhiyuan's words settled the matter. Giving only five days' time, his stance was already clear—he favored the attack.

Liu Chengyou naturally participated in the military council, but from start to finish, he remained silent and offered no opinion.