Chapter 1753: It's Finally Over

Under the palace eaves, along the corridor, Crown Prince Liu Yang walked with steady steps. Before he even reached the palace gate, Emperor Liu's voice drifted over: "Lower, a bit lower, right there, harder—that feels wonderful. Your little hands are so clever, truly excellent."

Liu Yang could not help but stop, a trace of oddity surfacing on his calm face. But he quickly recovered his composure and resumed walking. Reaching the palace gate, he glanced inside briefly, then bowed with a respectful salute: "Father!"

Emperor Liu was sprawled languidly across the imperial desk, his face full of comfortable contentment. A palace maid with bright eyes and white teeth knelt behind him, her slender hands moving gently and carefully over his back, her pretty face flushed, a fine sheen of sweat on her brow.

Hearing Liu Yang's voice, Emperor Liu opened his eyes, revealing a drowsy expression. Looking at Liu Yang, he said habitually: "Sit!"

However, he quickly realized that before the palace hall, there seemed to be nowhere to sit. The sun had shifted westward, and the area before Chongzheng Hall had grown much dimmer, shrouded in shadow. Emperor Liu raised a hand, and the palace maid behind him immediately stopped her movements.

Pushing himself up from the imperial desk, Emperor Liu asked Liu Yang: "These past two days, I've received visitors before the hall without even letting anyone through the door—am I making a spectacle of myself?"

"How could that be?" Liu Yang naturally would not speak the truth, but he followed with a truthful statement: "How would your subjects dare to criticize Your Majesty!"

"If you take the large cases back into the hall and block them at the door, I fear I truly would become a laughingstock before the realm, with people thinking I have some peculiar hobby." Emperor Liu rose and stretched, then gave an order to the palace attendant beside him.

Turning his head, he beckoned to Liu Yang and said: "Walk with me a while!"

"Yes!"

Avoiding the sunlight and enjoying the warm summer breeze, father and son strolled leisurely along the imperial road. Still feeling somewhat warm, Emperor Liu could not resist removing his thin outer robe. Since Yan Tuo was absent, Liu Yang personally received it.

"You've been quite busy lately, haven't you?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Yang: "With the ministers lending their full support, though there are many matters, they are well-ordered. I find myself feeling increasingly at ease!"

"That is the proper way!" Emperor Liu revealed a slight smile and said: "I approve of diligent governance, but in the past you were too diligent, handling everything personally—that is too tiring, and you suffer for it. You already know well how to govern and handle affairs, and you've found a method suited to yourself. What you must do from now on is to command people.

Originally, I had you study how to observe and recognize people, and the purpose was for you to learn, on that foundation, how to employ people! Hold authority in your grasp, delegate to capable men, and use the worthy of the realm—then the state can be governed!"

"Your son will earnestly remember Father's teachings!" Liu Yang said seriously.

"How is the matter of Yulin wrapping up?" Emperor Liu nodded and asked.

Upon the question, Liu Yang reported calmly: "Fourth Brother has reported that the last batch of troops has already withdrawn, each returning to its garrison post. The defense arrangements for Yulin have been made. Fourth Brother recommends Commandery Duke Zhe Yuqing of Dai lead ten thousand troops to hold Xiazhou and continue suppressing the region. Fourth Brother and the meritorious officials of the pacification will return to court to report before autumn."

"So it's finally over?" Emperor Liu was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, but his tone carried a hint of doubt.

Liu Yang also sighed and said: "According to reports from all sides, Yulin at present is desolate, corpses strewn everywhere, devastation on all sides. The population has not even one-tenth of what it was. Who knows how long it will take to recover to its former state—or perhaps it may sink forever."

"But a piece of rotten flesh on the body of the Great Han has been completely excised. The blood shed may be much, but the man is healthier, is he not?" Emperor Liu said at once, looking at Liu Yang with a somewhat stern tone.

"Father speaks truly!" Liu Yang was not flustered either, nodding calmly, then continued: "Regarding the post-war rehabilitation of Yulin, there is still debate at court. However, most court officials now lean toward abolishing the Yulin Circuit and merging and streamlining the existing prefectures and counties. After all, with Yulin in its current state, it can hardly sustain a circuit establishment!"

"What do you think?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Yang stated his view directly: "I also agree—to reorganize the Yulin region thoroughly to facilitate subsequent recovery and governance. According to Zhang Qixian's report, after the pacification, the entire territory of Yulin has fewer than thirty thousand Han residents, and most are the elderly and weak.

Moreover, the greater part of the Tangut is gone, and with the further relocations to come, it can be said that the Tangut threat in Yulin has been fundamentally resolved. However, the various local mixed barbarians have now come to the fore under these circumstances. The court must strengthen governance, lest the Tangut calamity repeat itself!"

"Zhang Qixian is a talent! Far-sighted, hitting the mark with every word!" Emperor Liu asked: "Does he, as Yulin's Administration Commissioner, have any proposals?"

Liu Yang said: "Zhang Qixian proposes, on the one hand, to continue relocating Han people to Yulin to replenish the population, and on the other, to conduct a thorough household registration of the local mixed barbarians, converting them into Han subjects, no longer allowing them freedom! Given the current situation in Yulin, this can be fully achieved. Even if those chieftains and leaders are unwilling, at this time, they have no courage to resist!"

"Acceptable!" Emperor Liu nodded: "I said long ago—apart from the Tangut, don't let any other mixed barbarians spring up. Seize this opportunity to turn Yulin into solid territory!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang said: "I believe that for Yulin at present, retaining the six prefectures of Xia, Ling, Yan, Yin, Feng, and Sheng is sufficient; all other prefectures and counties should be abolished. The original officials may be assessed for their competence and retained. As for filling the population, one could start with the salt ponds, using them to attract outside Han merchants and settlers!

The green and white salt of the northwest is famed throughout the realm. With this profit at hand, and with court support, even if progress is slow, recovery will come gradually. At present, there remains one issue—how to rank the reorganized Yulin: should it be included under a new administrative region, or restored as before, directly merged into Guannei?"

"Merging it back into Guannei is out of the question—no need for such back-and-forth!" Emperor Liu thought for a moment and said: "In this way, establish a Patrol Circuit with the six prefectures of Yulin, at the secondary circuit level, and make Zhang Qixian the Patrol Commissioner, presiding over the governance and livelihood of the six prefectures. Zhang Qixian is a capable man who has accomplished much over these years. This man can be your future chancellor—you should make good use of him. For now, let him gain more experience in the localities, lay a solid foundation, and it will also make it easier for you to promote him later!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang gave a solemn bow.

"By the way, Huaiyu has been in Andong for over ten years now, hasn't he?" Emperor Liu suddenly thought of something and asked.

At the mention of this, a trace of tenderness appeared on Liu Yang's face as he sighed: "Indeed, ten years have passed in the blink of an eye!"

"Is Andong so wonderful?" Emperor Liu scolded with a smile: "All these years, and that boy hasn't thought to come back and visit. I do miss him. Recall him to the capital—he has trained in Andong long enough; he can be entrusted with great responsibility now!"

"Yes!" Naturally, Liu Yang had no reason to refuse this.

By now, among his subordinates, Liu Yang had only three men he truly trusted with his heart: Li Fang, Murong Defeng, and Ma Huaiyu. Even Murong Defeng had returned to the capital after his training in Shanyang. Keeping Ma Huaiyu in Andong any longer stirred some reluctance in Liu Yang's heart.

"How much did the pacification of Yulin cost?" Emperor Liu nodded and asked again.

"According to the preliminary statistics of the Finance Commission, from the formal dispatch of troops to suppress the rebellion last winter, total expenditures exceeded twenty-three million strings of cash, with grain and fodder losses exceeding five million three hundred thousand dan, of which over sixty percent was consumed in transit. If various post-war rehabilitation expenses are added, the figure will grow even larger."

"That much!" Emperor Liu was somewhat astonished: "In other words, a minor rebellion in Yulin cost the court thirty percent of a year's tax revenue to suppress!"

For a brief moment, Emperor Liu even thought this was a northern expedition. Seeing Emperor Liu's doubtful expression, Liu Yang said: "In recent years, the value of the Great Han's bronze coins has been depreciating. Additionally, this pacification campaign incurred far too many non-combat losses, along with considerable waste, plus various extra expenditures—stacked together, they amount to a tremendous cost."

"So war truly is fought with money and grain!" Emperor Liu mused, then instructed: "From now on, let us rest and recover well!"

At the same time, he could not help muttering inwardly: They all say the state is visibly wealthy and strong, and it is indeed true that the Great Han has abundant people and a rich state—so why does it feel like the richer one gets, the less one can afford to fight? Back then, during the two northern expeditions, mobilizing several hundred thousand troops and millions of laborers at a drop could be sustained. Yet now, pacifying a mere Yulin gave Emperor Liu a feeling of heartache.

"By the way, a report arrived today from Anxi. Sixth Brother memorialized that he has been resting and reorganizing in the Western Regions for nearly a year, with troops, money, and grain sufficient. He plans to launch another campaign this autumn, continuing the attack on the Kara-Khanids!" Liu Yang's expression turned serious as he reported another matter.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu's interest was piqued: "Liu Min is making a move again?"

His brows carried a hint of excitement, but seeing Liu Yang's solemn expression, Emperor Liu restrained his smile and asked: "What is your opinion?"

Liu Yang sighed and said: "Sixth Brother says that over this past year, the Kara-Khanids have harassed us ceaselessly, still unwilling to accept their defeat over the Han lands of the Tianshan. At the same time, they are conscripting troops and arming themselves in their heartland, restless and ready to stir."

"Sixth Brother believes we need to strike proactively, using offense as defense. I think that no one understands the enemy's situation better than Sixth Brother and his men. Since they have made this judgment, we should support them.

Fortunately, after nearly a year of military farming and recuperation, the strength Anxi can mobilize has greatly increased, and the court's burden has correspondingly decreased. Fighting one battle should not be a problem."

Regarding Liu Yang's attitude, Emperor Liu's face remained impassive, but inwardly he was deeply satisfied. Nodding, he said: "Truly my own blood—never returning until the Kara-Khanids are broken!"

"Tell Liu Min to go ahead and do it boldly. But he must be wary of Khotan—that little state is slippery and requires vigilance!"

"Sixth Brother intends to have the Kingdom of Khotan also dispatch troops to march with the army, weakening its internal strength, to avoid any mishap."