Chapter 1566: A Hundred-Year Plan

"How is the discussion on that memorial Liu Xu submitted going?" Emperor Liu asked, changing the subject.

Upon hearing the question, Liu Yang couldn't help but glance at Emperor Liu, as if trying to read his attitude from his expression—unfortunately, the result was still disappointing.

After a moment's consideration, Liu Yang replied: "Regarding Eldest Brother's request, the ministers at court have already held two rounds of discussion. There is considerable disagreement, but most lean toward rejection."

"And the reason?" Emperor Liu asked, as if he didn't quite understand.

Liu Yang: "The ministers believe that the northeast is remote and backward, bitter cold and disaster-prone, with barbarian tribes living in mixed settlements and complex local conditions. Moreover, the territory is vast—to completely occupy and govern it as Eldest Brother described would be far too difficult.

Furthermore, over these years, to administer Liaodong, the court has already poured in enormous sums of money and grain, and only now has it barely achieved self-sufficiency. The tens of thousands of troops stationed in Liaodong also require no small annual expenditure for military supplies.

If we were to go further and undertake deep development of the northeast, the investment required would be incalculable and difficult to sustain. The northeast is but one corner, yet the Great Han's borders extend far beyond a mere northeast. In recent years, the annual military expenditures for frontier defense have already placed a tremendous burden on the court's finances.

Therefore, most believe that after the various Shiwei tribes have exhausted themselves through internal strife, and following this campaign by the imperial army, the situation in the northeast has already stabilized. So long as we apply a policy of conciliation, the tribes will all quiet down, and the security of Liaodong can already be guaranteed..."

"Is a moment's peace to be counted as stability?" Emperor Liu retorted before Liu Yang could finish, a sharp edge already showing in his words: "Are they also considering reducing the garrison in the northeast to save on military expenditures?"

Liu Yang fell silent. From his reaction, Emperor Liu knew he had guessed correctly. In fact, it wasn't just Liaodong—proposals to cut military spending on frontier garrisons had long been raised at court, especially during the years of fiscal hardship.

The Great Han's territory was now too vast. This ten-thousand-li realm meant ten thousand li of frontier defenses. From east to west, south to north, the various frontier garrison troops combined had long exceeded three hundred thousand men. These were all regular troops of the court—even in peacetime, maintaining basic training and operations was an enormous expense.

And this didn't even include the subsidies and support for the local militia and volunteer forces that bore certain garrison duties in various regions. Yet a mere Liaodong alone had long maintained nearly sixty thousand troops year-round—even if over ten thousand of those belonged to the imperial army on rotation, it still seemed far too many.

But after this campaign in the northeast, which had expanded the territory by two thousand li, those tens of thousands of troops suddenly seemed insufficient to guarantee control over the newly conquered lands—at least in the short term.

Thus, those who proposed reducing the northeastern garrison may not have truly meant it—they were probably afraid that the result would be not a reduction but an increase.

Under such circumstances, for Liu Xu to propose a "deep development of the northeast" plan with no visible limit to its costs, and expect support from those ministers, was naturally difficult. At least in the eyes of fiscal officials like Wang Zhe and Shen Yilun, it was untimely.

Facing Liu Yang's silence, Emperor Liu couldn't help but lose his temper: "Cut military spending, weaken frontier defenses—are some people trying to make the Great Han cripple itself? Without those soldiers holding the line and guarding the borders, where would the peace and prosperity of the Central Plains come from?

They can see the waste of money but cannot see the importance of territory and national defense? Have they grown so accustomed to peaceful days that they truly believe the realm is without trouble, the four seas are tranquil, and they can let the horses graze and put the weapons away?"

Seeing Emperor Liu's merciless rebuke, laced with criticism and sarcasm, Liu Yang immediately spoke to soothe him: "Please calm your anger, Father. The ministers' considerations are based on the court's actual circumstances. This time, they were merely expressing their views on the matter of the northeast."

Looking at Liu Yang, Emperor Liu asked: "You said most hold a negative opinion—who are the few who hold a positive one?"

At this question, Liu Yang fell silent again. Clearly, there probably were no genuine supporters at all. In fact, if this matter hadn't been raised by the Prince of Qin, Liu Xu, the ministers might not have even bothered with it, let alone organized special deliberations. Had it been proposed by Liaodong civil and military officials like Song Xiong or Ma Renyu, it would likely have been rejected outright without causing even a ripple in the court.

"What are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing the question, Liu Yang, though he had already given it consideration, still thought seriously for a moment before replying calmly: "I believe it would be best to adopt a compromise approach.

Eldest Brother's idea is somewhat overly ambitious—spreading out on all fronts would be enormously costly and truly not worth it. But the territory must be secured, and Liaodong must be stabilized.

Chancellor Zhao's opinion is mature and statesmanlike—the governance of the northeast cannot be accomplished overnight and should be pursued gradually. Therefore, I believe that for now, the priority should be suppressing bandits, consolidating security, and maintaining peace in the region.

Building on the existing cities in the northeast, we should establish garrison forts and strongholds along the rivers, at major passes, and in habitable areas, to ensure the court's influence and control over the key regions.

At the same time, the court could formulate specific policies for the northeast, attracting merchants and settlers to reclaim and cultivate the land, promoting the development of agriculture and commerce among the people. The northeast may be desolate, but it is not a land of eternal winter or barren wasteland. The soil there is suitable for farming, and timber, furs, medicinal herbs, and livestock products are all exploitable resources—highly enticing to merchants and travelers. So long as the court clears up public security, prevents harassment by the barbarian tribes active in the mountains and plains, and guarantees the safety of trade routes...

After managing things this way for some years, when the time is ripe, we can proceed with deeper civilizing governance! This method is slow, but it advances steadily. In twenty or thirty years, the northeast may well take on a new look!"

"It seems you have truly put your mind to this!" After hearing Liu Yang's exposition, Emperor Liu's gaze carried a hint of surprise, and his tone was not lacking in appreciation: "This is the attitude of someone who gets things done! What I want to hear is how to do it, not whether to do it!

Do I not understand the ministers' concerns and considerations? But if we don't do things because they're difficult, and give up because the cost is high, then what's the point of the Great Han's ten-thousand-li territory? If we cut it all away, we'd save all the administrative and military expenses!"

If Emperor Liu's radical remarks were to spread, the chancellors and senior ministers at court would surely be thrown into anxiety again. Fortunately, this was merely a conversation between father and son.

"Father flatters me!" Liu Yang smiled and replied softly: "The considerations of the court's elders are not without reason. There are precedents—for remote regions, adopting a loose-rein policy of letting things be is indeed much more convenient for the court. Such thinking cannot be called wrong.

I merely feel that if we do so, we would simply be following the old path of past dynasties. As Father said, we might gain a moment's peace, but twenty or thirty years later, when those barbarian tribes have recovered, grown, and strengthened, what will the court do then?

The Shiwei royal regime has been destroyed, but the Shiwei people remain. Even if the Shiwei are suppressed, in the vast northeast there are still the Jurchen tribes.

If the court leaves them alone, and in the future another force rises up—one that, like the Shiwei, refuses to accept civilizing rule and challenges the court's authority—then the court would have no choice but to return to the old path of dispatching troops to suppress rebellion. Thus the cycle repeats, and the situation is not fundamentally changed.

The recent behavior of the Wanyan Jurchen is worthy of vigilance—it's only that their strength was insufficient and they failed. If the Wanyan Jurchen had risen and replaced the Shiwei, who could guarantee they wouldn't betray the Great Han and oppose the court? The fickleness of barbarians is the most obvious lesson of history.

I was recently reading history and came across the story of Eastern Wu subduing the Shanyue. The prosperity of the southeast today had its foundations laid from that time onward. The northeast and the southeast may differ, but when it comes to suppressing and assimilating barbarian tribes, there are common principles—the court could well emulate that example.

Perhaps even devoting our entire lives, we ministers may not achieve what the southeast has become. But even laying a foundation for future generations would be worth attempting.

And a hundred years from now, if we can open up a new southeast for the Great Han, that would be a tremendous honor and merit..."

When Liu Yang spoke these words with such sincerity and earnestness, Emperor Liu was stunned. Looking up at the Crown Prince with his solemn expression, a feeling called gratification filled his heart.

"Sit!" Hitching up his robe, Emperor Liu sat on the bench by the waterside pavilion and gestured for Liu Yang to come to his side.

The imperial grandson Liu Wenhuan, listening to his grandfather and father's conversation, was also growing drowsy. Sitting on Emperor Liu's foot, hugging his shin, he was on the verge of sleep.

Looking at Liu Yang, Emperor Liu pointed to his own heart and said: "What you've said is extremely insightful—it truly speaks to my heart! Do I not know the difficulties of developing the northeast? If we only cared about the present, the Central Plains, Hebei, Hedong, Jiannan, the two Hu, the two Huai, the southeast, and the two Guang would be enough for the Great Han to enjoy stability for a hundred years!

But what about a hundred years from now? One must be prepared for danger in times of peace, and consider both distant plans and near concerns! The ministers worry about their positions and their offices, unwilling to take risks or stir up trouble, preferring stability and safety.

But a ruler cannot be like that—he must stand at a higher vantage point and plan for the long term! As you said, even laying a foundation for future generations is a merit. If we don't take the lead in these matters, can we expect future emperors to break through the barriers and innovate?

I am very pleased—not for any other reason, but because among the masses of people and the myriad subjects, I have found a kindred spirit, a fellow traveler..."

In all his years of growing up, this was probably the first time Liu Yang had received such recognition from Emperor Liu. Therefore, facing Emperor Liu's gentle gaze and listening to those words of praise, Liu Yang felt a warmth in his heart. Slightly red-faced, he clasped his hands and said: "I am deeply honored!"

"In that case, how should the court respond to Eldest Brother's proposal?" Liu Yang asked, striking while the iron was hot.

Emperor Liu replied almost without hesitation: "No need to have Zhao Pu and the others deliberate further—in this situation, they won't come up with anything anyway, just a waste of effort!

Here's what: you take the lead yourself and draft a set of regulations according to your thinking. Besides the basic strategies you mentioned, work out the structure for an Andong Protectorate. From now on, governance beyond Liaodong will be the responsibility of the Andong Protectorate.

The court will allocate annual funding support—draft a reasonable amount, and the imperial treasury will also contribute a portion. Additionally, besides encouraging civilian merchants to go north, we should also call upon the Great Han's nobles and meritorious families to go develop the northern frontier for me.

They're willing to endure hardship and risk breaking the law to go to Qinlong to fell giant timber for profit. The northeast is a bit farther, but with such a vast treasure land and so much wealth, I refuse to believe they won't be tempted!"

Liu Yang listened to Emperor Liu's instructions, diligently recording and digesting them, and replied with great seriousness: "Yes!"

With this conversation between father and son, the Great Han court's grand plan for the northeast—covering the next twenty to thirty years, even a hundred—was thus settled.