Chapter 1563: All Subdued in the Northeast

The defeat of the Shiwei army was clearly only the beginning; how to truly turn his newly expanded thousand-li territory into Han land was the more difficult matter.

In fact, the court's purpose in launching this punitive campaign against the Shiwei was quite pure — simply to eliminate this regime that refused to submit and had caused major disruption to the stability of the Northeast.

As for territorial demands, there was not much desire. After all, the Great Han Empire was already vast enough; ten years ago, Emperor Liu had already been troubled by the massive administrative expenditures caused by overly large territory.

Therefore, this newly seized thousand-li domain brought little joy to the court; it was merely incidental gain from the campaign against the Shiwei.

Moreover, this thousand-li domain had little value that could stir the court's interest — too remote, too far, too poor. Its resources could be replaced by too many other places across the Great Han's vast territory that were easier to develop.

But for the officers and men of Liaodong, it was not seen that way. Compared to practical benefits, expanding territory and earning titles and fiefs was precisely what they devoted themselves to pursuing.

Yet it stopped there. For Liu Xu, there was an additional consideration: what the court was unwilling to expend great effort on, he would do — establishing the Great Han's rule over this unfamiliar, cold land, digesting the newly seized territory, and incorporating it into the court's governance system. This was clearly also a challenge and a merit.

Thus, after the Battle of the Na River concluded and the Shiwei regime collapsed, Liu Xu began to consider how to govern the region. This truly vexed him — establishing effective rule over this land was indeed somewhat difficult.

In fact, even by the thirteenth year of Kaibao, the central court still had no clear conclusion regarding the development of the Northeast. The Northeast's resources were obviously abundant — land, minerals, flora and fauna — but it simply lacked the foundation for large-scale development, and development costs were equally high compared to other places.

A single harsh climate alone was enough to make people balk. Of course, the most important factor was the lack of population — without people, even holding a mountain of treasure was futile. And there was no place along the court's borders that did not lack people, especially Han people.

Up to now, the only region the court had truly resolved to support was Liaodong, an area with foundation and heritage — but compared to the vast Northeast, Liaodong seemed somewhat small.

Moreover, before Liaodong had even developed, how could the court have spare energy to attend to the entire Northeast region? The purpose of advancing deep into the Northeast was only to destroy the unsubmissive, out of military defense considerations and Liaodong's strategic security.

After the Battle of the Na River, some within the court had already proposed that since the unsubmissive Shiwei had been destroyed, there was no need for the court to continue exhausting the people and treasury with further expansion — it would suffice for the various barbarian peoples of the Northeast to express submission to the court.

Undoubtedly, this was also the most trouble-saving approach. The court could save face, and on the Great Han's vast maps, these lands could be marked as Han territory.

But if deep occupation were to be carried out, it would inevitably provoke much unnecessary trouble and greatly increase administrative and military expenditures. The difficulty of this had already been proven in the Great Han's southwest and northwest. A mere ethnic problem alone was enough to give one a headache.

However, Emperor Liu did not heed those concerns and worries in the court. After destroying the Shiwei, he still approved the joint memorial of Liu Xu and Ma Renyu requesting continued advance into the Northeast.

Emperor Liu's reasoning was also simple: setting aside other matters for now, first sweep through the Northeast and make the nominal claim real. As for afterward, look at it with a developmental perspective and leave the headaches for later. One could not simply refuse to act because establishing rule was difficult — that would only leave the calamity for the future.

Thus, in the summer of the thirteenth year of Kaibao, the rested Han army turned its spearhead eastward, advancing deep into the former lands of Bohai. This process was easier than the campaign against the Shiwei.

The forces deployed were not many — only ten thousand Han infantry and cavalry plus three thousand auxiliary troops. The route followed the Yazi River valley eastward, and the entire process was barely more difficult than an armed parade.

Marching east along the Yazi River valley, the tribal city-state powers of Yueliji, Pennuli, Yuelidu, Aolimi, and others all begged to surrender. There were those who chose to resist, but after contact they hastily fled, distancing themselves from the Han army — there was simply no fighting to be had.

At every place they arrived, Ma Renyu left troops to garrison. What caused the Han army difficulty and losses was mostly various accidental damage from the harsh transportation and climate conditions.

As for Ma Renyu, the commander-in-chief, his main task was receiving the local tribes and chieftains, accepting their submission on behalf of the court, and proclaiming the court's sovereignty over this vast land.

By late May, this eastern expeditionary army personally commanded by Ma Renyu had already advanced over 1,300 li, pushing to the Pouali tribe (Boli). After an extremely low-intensity battle, they successfully occupied it, and only then did they halt their advance.

The reason Emperor Liu had appointed Tian Qinzuo as Patrol Inspector of Haidong was precisely on this basis — to have him suppress rebels along the route and pacify the region. Even during Ma Renyu's advance, along his march route and the Yazi River valley, large numbers of indigenous barbarians repeatedly harassed and attacked the garrisoned Han troops, plundering Han army supplies.

Clearly, advancing was easy, and establishing nominal rule was not difficult either. What was difficult were the various troubles that accompanied this advance.

While Ma Renyu led his army along the Yazi River, on the southern front, Hou Renju likewise commanded a detached force. His advance went even more smoothly — apart from two clashes with the Pulumaoduo Jurchen, he encountered little resistance and ultimately succeeded in occupying Shuaibin Prefecture, facing the great sea directly.

With this, the Great Han's military operation advancing into the Northeast came to a temporary close.

And with the unfolding of this Han army advance, the Great Han's rule over the vast Northeast region opened a new chapter, and the situation in the Northeast entered a new phase. Whether it was beneficial or harmful would have to be verified by history, but the Great Han had once again expanded its territory by two thousand li — whatever the actual situation, on the surface it looked splendid.

Guangzheng Hall, as the seat of the Hall of State Affairs, also had a fixed desk for Crown Prince Liu Yang. After being announced, Chancellor Zhao Pu entered with steady steps.

"Your Highness!"

"Chancellor Zhao, no need for ceremony! Please sit!" Toward Zhao Pu, Liu Yang showed sufficient respect, personally rising and instructing the palace eunuchs to serve tea.

Two years had passed, and Zhao Pu was still as before — his face showed little sign of aging. Power was perhaps the best beauty treatment.

Compared to two years ago, perhaps the greatest change in Liu Yang was that his beard had grown denser, and he had become more reserved — every move confident and composed, with growing dignity.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Pu personally presented a memorial and explained: "The Hall of State Affairs has received a memorial from His Highness the Prince of Qin. The memorial states that now that the Northeast has just been pacified and the upper and lower orders are unsettled, measures need to be taken to implement laws and regulations to achieve order and security..."

Liu Yang's brow furrowed slightly as he took it and read. Liu Xu's memorial was not long, but its meaning was expressed very clearly and its attitude was very definite. Clearly, being in the Northeast, Liu Xu hoped the court would thoroughly digest the land, assimilate the tribes, promote Han institutions, and establish firm and effective rule locally.

Moreover, Liu Xu had proposed a set of governance plans. The core philosophy was to combine suppression and pacification, and the specific measures were to establish towns in key locations throughout the Northeast, set up administrative districts, recruit and pacify indigenous tribal people, register households, and implement thorough civilizing governance...

The goals were clear, the blueprint grand, the prospects beautiful, and specific methods had been proposed — it was just that the difficulty of implementation was too great. Liu Yang thought for a moment, then turned his head to look at Zhao Pu, whose expression was calm and carefree: "I wonder what Chancellor Zhao's opinion is on this?"

Upon being asked, Zhao Pu did not hide anything and said calmly: "His Highness the Prince of Qin's proposal is feasible, but implementing it will not be so easy.

This newly added territory of several thousand li has difficult roads, poor transportation, and mixed barbarian peoples. For the court to establish effective rule and fully assimilate all the barbarian peoples is truly no easy task.

Up to now, the mere establishment of numerous garrison forts in various places has already required considerable investment. If towns were to be established as well, the required manpower, wealth, and materials would be even greater.

After construction is completed, maintaining peace and keeping them operational would require large numbers of officials and soldiers for defense — this is absolutely not comparable to setting up garrison forts and arranging guard posts.

Even so, recruiting and assimilating the barbarians is equally difficult. The reason barbarians are barbarians is their savagery — they know no etiquette and understand no rules. Imposing Han law on them would only yield half the results with twice the effort.

Moreover, at present the imperial army has swept through the Northeast and the various tribes have submitted — first cowed by the Great Han's military might, and second because the court still preserves the basic governing authority of their chieftains and nobles.

Even so, harassment of the Great Han's garrison forts and strongholds has never ceased. If His Highness the Prince of Qin's ideas were to be implemented, I fear it would stir up even greater unrest.

The Northeast has just been newly taken, after all — it cannot compare to the northwest or Monan..."

In fact, even along the northwest and central-north borders, during the past two years of implementing the "eliminate tribes, assimilate peoples" process, there had been much resistance and countless escapes — let alone the Northeast.

"By Chancellor Zhao's meaning, you do not approve of this policy?" Liu Yang asked.

To this, Zhao Pu was silent for a moment, then said: "The situation in the Northeast is complex. His Highness the Prince of Qin's plan is too grand and too comprehensive. This old minister believes we should proceed slowly — haste must not be made!"

Of course, in Zhao Pu's heart, the more important reason was: how much benefit could it bring the court? Clearly, judging by the current situation, let alone benefit — if Liu Xu's policy were implemented, it would only add burden to the court.

For the Northeast, developing Liaodong alone was already enough for the court...

Hearing this, Liu Yang could not help but fall into thought, a hint of hesitation showing on his face. After pondering for a long while, he said: "The gentlemen of the Hall of State Affairs have all read it, I take it? What are their views?"

Zhao Pu: "There is much debate, and no unified opinion yet!"

After thinking it over, Liu Yang said: "Then summon the officials and discuss this matter again!"

"Yes!"

Liu Yang softly murmured another line: "His Majesty often says the Northeast is a great treasure house, enough for the nation to enjoy without end — it simply has not yet been developed..."

Hearing this, Zhao Pu also said: "If it is to be fully utilized, the investment required from the court would also be enormous..."

Liu Yang naturally understood Zhao Pu's meaning perfectly well. He shook his head and said: "Let us discuss it first!"

"Your Highness, there is one more matter that might interest you!" Zhao Pu added.

"Chancellor Zhao, please speak!" The moment Zhao Pu opened his mouth, Liu Yang had already shown interest.

Zhao Pu: "The Bureau of Military Affairs has received a military report from Liaodong. Commandery Duke of Fufeng, Ma Huaiyu, leading five hundred soldiers north along the Yazi River, has already occupied Nurgan City, reached the Northern Sea, and carved a stone inscription before returning!"