Chapter 1684: The Method of Curing the Root

"Regarding the war in the Western Regions, essential support must not be lacking, especially military supplies—these must be guaranteed in place. As for everything else, we'll adapt according to how the situation develops!" Emperor Liu gave brief instructions on the Western Regions campaign.

He said little, but his attitude was clear. Yet judging from his tone, the progress of the Western Regions campaign still failed to fully satisfy him. The hardness of that tough bone, the Kara-Khanids, had also somewhat exceeded Emperor Liu's expectations, so he made no further stubborn or aggressive unrealistic directives.

"As for the Yulin rebellion, send another edict to Wang Shen. Once, twice—but never a third time. A single Li Jiqian, hunted for over half a year, and the rebel leader still roams free! If he feels his abilities are insufficient, then let him yield his post while there's still time!" Emperor Liu said coldly.

Though he said everything was to be left to the Crown Prince to manage, in every matter, every affair, Emperor Liu unconsciously gave directives, voiced his opinions, and emphasized his will. To his son, each of these directives was a restraint—a sign of unwillingness to let go of power.

"Yes!" Liu Yang, long accustomed to this, silently recorded Emperor Liu's instructions and responded with composure.

And from Emperor Liu's words, he also detected a hint of something unusual. Regarding Wang Shen's ineffective suppression and failure to eradicate the scourge Li Jiqian, Emperor Liu's displeasure had clearly deepened.

Connecting this with the rumors he had heard about Wang Shen's conduct in his Yulin post, Liu Yang couldn't help but feel additional hidden worries.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Yang said, "Father, the other day Fourth Brother submitted a memorial, requesting to go to Yulin to suppress the rebels!"

Hearing this news, Emperor Liu's expression finally shifted somewhat, showing renewed interest. A gentle smile appeared at the corners of his mouth: "It seems Liu Fang can no longer sit still either! What do you think?"

Liu Yang answered without hesitation: "Fourth Brother is well-versed in military affairs and enjoys considerable prestige. Among the imperial clan, none surpass him in commanding troops and deploying generals. If Fourth Brother could be sent to Yulin to take charge of the suppression, he would surely pacify the region and restore peace and order for the people!"

To this, Emperor Liu nodded along, yet verbally rejected it: "A mere Li Jiqian, who has just suffered a fresh defeat—does he warrant a Prince personally taking the field? Why use a cleaver to kill a chicken? Tell Liu Fang his mission is to hold the northwest, not to fixate on a single Yulin!"

Since Emperor Liu had spoken thus, Liu Yang had no room to argue, even though he privately believed Liu Fang could quickly quell the unrest.

Though Wang Shen came from a distinguished family, a descendant of meritorious officials, and had read some military texts, his past record had always centered on maintaining public order. He had never fought any hard battles, nor did he have any notable achievements to show. Thus, many believed his failure to fully eradicate Li Jiqian was due to insufficient ability—Liu Yang held this view as well.

Tilting his head slightly, Emperor Liu's gaze fell upon Liu Yang. Seeing his hesitant expression, he asked, "You seem to have some concerns?"

Liu Yang snapped back to attention, lowered his head, and said softly: "Since Father believes there's no need to use a cleaver to kill a chicken, then let Wang Shen continue his efforts for now, in hopes of achieving success.

However, regardless, the previous campaign in Yulin Circuit did yield results—inflicting heavy losses on the rebel army, capturing several thousand prisoners, and even destroying Li Jiqian's lair. Even if the full objective wasn't achieved and commendation may be inappropriate, there should still be some reward. If we only drive them with harsh orders, might it not breed unforeseen trouble?"

Hearing Liu Yang say this, Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow and said leisurely: "You are quite benevolent—speaking up for Wang Shen, are you?"

Liu Yang said in a deep voice: "I am merely discussing the matter on its merits!"

Emperor Liu smiled, pondered for a moment, sighed, and said: "This matter—I was too hasty and didn't consider it thoroughly. For the officers and soldiers who rendered merit in suppressing the rebels at Yulin, have the Ministry of War record their achievements and bestow rewards, so they may continue with renewed vigor. As for Wang Shen, we'll see how he performs from here!"

"Yes, I shall see to it shortly!" Seeing that Emperor Liu had accepted his suggestion, Liu Yang was slightly pleased and quickly responded.

"When Li Jiqian first rebelled last year, the rebels numbered barely over a thousand, and even counting the convicts he had coerced, they didn't reach two thousand. Yet in just over half a year, we've captured several thousand rebels! The more we suppress, the more rebels there are?" Emperor Liu's tone returned to coldness.

At this mention, Liu Yang also seemed somewhat troubled, and reported: "Since the beginning of spring, Li Jiqian has been launching raids everywhere, stirring up hearts and minds, and coercing a number of Tangut tribesmen to join him. Many families have also left their clans to follow him. This time, when the imperial army launched a surprise attack on Dijin Marsh, those captured were precisely the Tangut tribesmen who had followed him!"

"What were the Yulin government and army doing?" Emperor Liu's face immediately turned stern: "Martial law and control—is this the effect they achieve? Declaring martial law without enforcing it strictly, managing without truly controlling—what use is it? Are they fooling the court?

Go, send someone to investigate—see if there are any who have been negligent or derelict in duty, any who have not exerted their full effort! Surely there must be some—otherwise, how could the rebels have run rampant for so long!"

"Please calm your anger, Father!" Seeing anger rising on Emperor Liu's face, his breathing even becoming unsteady, Liu Yang hurriedly urged.

After a brief pause, Liu Yang spoke steadily: "Father, regarding Li Jiqian's rebellion, I have been thinking it over repeatedly these past days and have listened to many court officials' suggestions. We believe that Li Jiqian's rebellion lies not in Li Jiqian himself, but in the Tangut. Without the Tangut gathering in support, there would be no repeated rebellion from Li Jiqian.

At present, with the unrest in Yulin and the Tangut becoming disaffected, if the Tangut are not pacified, the harm of Li Jiqian cannot be eliminated. The Tangut are to Li Jiqian as a source is to a stream, as roots are to a tree. Previously, the court's suppression targeted Li Jiqian's rebel army directly, but now it seems we have been grasping at branches while neglecting the roots.

To eradicate the rebel Li, we should start with the Tangut. If we can sever the connection between the Tangut people and the rebel Li, preventing him from obtaining Tangut manpower, horses, grain, and money, then even if he struggles and causes harm, he would be like a fish out of water—merely waiting to die!"

After finishing these words, Liu Yang lowered his head and inclined his body, quietly awaiting Emperor Liu's assessment. Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, then looked at him with considerable surprise and said with emotion: "That you possess such insight brings me great comfort. You have not disappointed my expectations—you have indeed put considerable thought into this.

What you have said is truly the method of curing the root. Without the Tangut gathering to stir up trouble, Li Jiqian would be nothing. This man precisely recognized this point and thus dared to rebel—he merely wishes to use the Tangut as his support."

"Thank you for the praise, Father. But this is the wisdom of the assembled ministers, not my own insight. I merely found it sound and adopted it!" Liu Yang said.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu asked with great interest: "Which officials hold this view?"

Liu Yang said softly: "Chancellor Zhao, Chancellor Song (Song Qi), and also Vice Minister of Works Zhang Qixian!"

"Zhang Qixian!" Paying no attention to the two chancellors, Emperor Liu's focus fell on Zhang Qixian. He chuckled: "This man is a capable official. Why is he serving as Vice Minister of Works? He could go to Yulin Circuit as Administration Commissioner!"

Liu Yang was momentarily stunned by this, unsure whether Emperor Liu was joking or truly meant it. He cautiously reminded: "Zhang Qixian was transferred to the capital from his post in Jiangning Prefecture less than a year ago."

"Then let it rest for now!" Emperor Liu waved his hand, saying with complete indifference.

After a moment's deliberation, he set aside his languid posture, raised his eyes, and stared fixedly at Liu Yang: "The direction of your considerations is correct. But how do we sever the connection between the Tangut people and the rebel Li?

Martial law and control seem difficult to achieve the desired effect, hard to prevent Tangut tribesmen from being swayed and gathering in rebellion. How to implement this root-curing strategy—that is the most critical point!"

"Father speaks truly—you've hit the nail on the head!" Liu Yang offered a small flattery.

Just as he was about to offer further counsel, he heard Emperor Liu's voice turn cold and deep: "If there were no Tangut people—drain the pond, dry up the source, boil away the very root of the rebel Li's rebellion—then why worry about his uprising?"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, even with Liu Yang's current depth of composure, he couldn't help but show surprise on his face.

The meaning revealed in Emperor Liu's words was rather chilling. Liu Yang instinctively believed that Emperor Liu intended to exterminate all the Tangut people.

The reason he had offered this counsel to Emperor Liu was merely to combine grace with severity—to pacify the Tangut while eliminating their will to resist, thereby eradicating the rebel Li at the root.

However, though the goal was the same, the considerations regarding methods were vastly different. Although Emperor Liu had not spoken explicitly, since he had raised it, he must harbor that intention. And from Liu Yang's understanding of Emperor Liu, he was truly capable of doing it.

Noticing Liu Yang's unease, Emperor Liu smiled slightly: "What, worried about those Tangut people?"

Liu Yang shook his head: "Rebels naturally should be killed and eradicated. But the Tangut number in the hundreds of thousands..."

Before he could finish, Emperor Liu said flatly: "If several hundred thousand Tangut all became rebels, how should the court respond? Should we compromise?"

Liu Yang said: "The situation is far from being that grave!"

Emperor Liu: "If we let Li Jiqian run rampant for a while longer, that may no longer be certain!"

With that, Emperor Liu slowly sank back into his reclining chair and said unhurriedly: "Since matters can still be remedied, let us first see how the situation develops!"

Clearly, at this moment, Emperor Liu still held a sliver of patience toward the Yulin rebellion. However, if even that last sliver of patience were ground away, the consequences would be severe and terrifying.

And the reason Liu Yang reacted so swiftly, quickly grasping Emperor Liu's implied meaning, was that someone had already expressed similar views to him beforehand.

In the discussion of the root-curing strategy, one more person had offered counsel to Liu Yang—his Consort Xiao.

Though it was merely casual conversation, Liu Yang discovered that his consort's insight was in no way inferior to those ministers managing state affairs. Regarding resolving the Tangut rebellion, Xiao Yanyan had also said: if the Tangut did not exist, how could there be rebellion?

Of course, Liu Yang kept this matter concealed, treating it as private words between husband and consort—for if it were to spread, it would not be a good thing!