Chapter 1797: Father-Son Night Talk

Liu Min's return still caused a certain stir both inside and outside the Han palace. Although many already knew the news, whether one had arrived in person or not made for very different feelings and reactions.

Among Emperor Liu's many grown sons, aside from the Duke of Qi, Liu Yun, who was still abroad on a diplomatic mission and had not yet returned, virtually all the rest had come back to the capital. Even the thirteenth prince, Liu Ye, who had been granted the title Duke of Liang for suppressing the rebellion at Yulin, had returned early.

And over these past months, the court's discussions regarding the Anxi matter had still not concluded, with disputes continuing unabated. However, with Prince Wei, Liu Min, returning in person, many realized that the months of debate would finally reach a resolution — it all depended on how Liu Min's talk with Emperor Liu went. After all, no matter how heatedly the ministers below debated, the one who could truly render a final verdict was Emperor Liu.

But before that, as the center of everyone's attention, Liu Min still had a series of social obligations to fulfill. After offering sacrifices to Empress Fu, he poured out his heart to the Prince of Wei's Dowager Consort, who had rushed over weeping with joy, and afterward there were visits from his many brothers as well as close nobles and senior ministers.

This went on until evening, when Emperor Liu summoned him again, asking Liu Min to accompany him at dinner. It had to be said that Emperor Liu frequently invited meritorious nobles and high ministers to dine alone with him, drinking and chatting, but with his own sons, such occasions were truly rare.

But likewise, eating was not the purpose; the key lay in the process. Father and son drank and chatted in Chuigong Hall — though of course, it was mainly Liu Min speaking while Emperor Liu listened. Regarding all the major and minor matters since the western campaign began, Liu Min personally delivered a comprehensive report to Emperor Liu of what he had prepared.

Liu Min was not normally a talkative man, sometimes even appearing somewhat dull, but when it came to recounting the deeds of the western campaign, he spoke in an endless stream, his words remarkably fluent.

He only stopped after finishing his account of the series of arrangements he had made for Anxi following the recovery of Suyab, and then looked at Emperor Liu with both expectation and trepidation, awaiting his sacred instruction.

Emperor Liu did not speak for a moment, but smiled lightly and reached out, saying: "You've talked so much — you must be thirsty. Have some wine to moisten your throat!"

"Yes!" Liu Min acknowledged, and directly picked up the wine jar on the table and began gulping it down, with a thoroughly bold and unrestrained air.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu smiled faintly, though he himself honestly took small sips from his cup. When a slight flush of intoxication appeared on his face, Emperor Liu finally spoke with feeling: "During your western campaign, though I was ten thousand li away, I watched over it constantly. The campaign lasted two years, and it was not easy or smooth — you even encountered difficulties at one point, with the danger of defeat and loss of troops. Casualties were considerable, and tens of thousands of households in the Great Han have donned mourning white, with wailing everywhere."

"Your subject's command was ineffective — I feel deeply ashamed!" At this mention, Liu Min also emerged from that state of high-spirited pride, solemnly clasping his hands in salute, looking genuinely mortified.

Emperor Liu waved his hand and sighed: "This cannot be blamed on you. For you to command the field headquarters and reach today's position is already commendable. A campaign thousands of li away is inherently difficult, and the lengthy logistics and supply lines are enough to drive one to despair. It was I who originally underestimated the Kara-Khanids — who could have thought that this remote little state would prove so troublesome, resisting so fiercely. Underestimating the enemy and insufficient strategic planning — to have achieved such a result, you have already done excellently!"

"When Father speaks thus, your son feels even more unworthy!" Liu Min also sighed.

Then Liu Min's expression turned resolute: "However, through this western campaign and our clashes with the Kara-Khanids, your son is now convinced of the correctness of the western expedition. The Kara-Khanid state is no ordinary one — it unifies politics and religion, possesses no small organizational capacity, and its military construction is outstanding. As a small and humble state, within twenty-odd years it has successively resisted both the Khitan and the Great Han — that is by no means something an ordinary power could accomplish.

If it could restrain its expansionist ambitions somewhat and focus on development, accumulating strength for another ten years, it would certainly become a great threat to the Great Han's western frontier. Especially their state religion, Islam, which is extremely aggressive — for the sake of proselytizing, expansion is their inevitable choice.

After recovering Suyab, we learned from some upper-class nobles of the Kara-Khanids that they had always served as Islam's bridgehead for eastward expansion, and that the Kara-Khanids' growth and strengthening over the past thirty-odd years had greatly benefited from Islam's assistance.

During the western campaign, we more than once faced assaults from those Islamic believers from the Western world — frenzied, barbaric, and utterly fearless of death."

At this point, Liu Min's face also showed a look of dread. Seeing this, Emperor Liu chuckled lightly: "So this is the reason you implemented the policy of eliminating the religion in Anxi?"

"Yes!" Liu Min nodded affirmatively: "If we do not eliminate them, we cannot achieve control over the newly occupied lands. Their ideological control over the local believers is too strong — if we do not use severe measures, the troubles will be endless. As for those believers, if their thinking does not change, then we eliminate them physically!"

"You did very well in this matter!" Emperor Liu also gave an affirming judgment, saying coldly: "These theocratic powers, these religious authorities — ambitious and lawless, they try to meddle in secular affairs and control imperial power. They are truly the source of chaos and must be suppressed and eliminated. Farther places we cannot manage, but beneath the black banner of the Great Han, on the lands we control, their arrogance will absolutely not be permitted!"

"Yes!" Liu Min acknowledged again. On this matter, he could be considered a disciple of Emperor Liu, though the factors he considered were not limited to this alone.

"The western campaign has now lasted two years. Though it cannot be called perfect, the Kara-Khanids have essentially been destroyed as a state, with most of their territory captured, leaving only small scattered forces struggling to survive. The court is basically satisfied. However, I hear you still want to continue fighting westward — tell me your plans for the future!"

Upon this question, Liu Min did not answer immediately. He lowered his head and carefully calculated for a while before responding solemnly: "Father, your son has always believed that expanding territory is only the first step — how to hold it and establish governance is the more important matter.

And through contact and confrontation with these western powers like the Kara-Khanids, your son believes that even if we lay down our arms, those believers of the Islamic world will not necessarily be content. If I do not attack them, they may well come to invade us!

Therefore, your son would rather launch the attack first — while eliminating the remnants of the Kara-Khanids, we also push the battle line westward, far away from the Great Han! However, before that, we still need to implement the Great Han's institutions, policies, and laws throughout Anxi, consolidate them, and only then plan further advances!"

Glancing at Emperor Liu, Liu Min continued: "The support your son previously requested from the court was precisely for this matter. Without the court's backing, relying solely on Anxi's own strength would truly be insufficient!

Moreover, today's Anxi is vast in territory — stretching more than two thousand li from east to west, with the Tianshan Mountains separating north and south, making transportation and communication inconvenient. Therefore, your son suggests dividing Anxi in two, using Kucha as the boundary!"

Hearing this suggestion, Emperor Liu looked at Liu Min with slight surprise, and seeing his thoroughly serious expression, laughed: "This won't stop the mouths of the court officials! Your request is truly opening a lion's mouth!"

A trace of embarrassment flashed across his face, and Liu Min said humbly: "Father, Anxi is not a remote and barren land — it has much rich and fertile territory. Once developed, it can fully become a solid bulwark for the Great Han's northwest, and will not forever depend on the court's lavish support."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Emperor Liu's eyes. Staring fixedly at Liu Min, he said: "Do you not know that some court officials' concerns lie precisely in this? Anxi, after all, is too far from the Great Han's heartland!"

Emperor Liu had more than once issued such blunt interrogations to his sons, but this was Liu Min's first time facing such a situation. He was clearly stunned for a moment before he reacted.

Without the slightest hesitation, he rose and prostrated himself before Emperor Liu: "Your subject has absolutely no intention of betraying the court!"

Seeing this, Emperor Liu's face was utterly composed, and he said calmly: "I naturally believe you — otherwise, I would not have entrusted you with such a great responsibility and supported your western campaign! Moreover, if I do not trust my own son, am I to trust the words of those outsiders instead?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Even Liu Min, with his strong psychological constitution, could not help breaking out in cold sweat upon hearing these words. The rumors were indeed true — the current Emperor Liu was beyond easy description.

"Rise!" Emperor Liu waved his hand, a trace of weathered weariness appearing on his aged face, and said: "Your request has been discussed at court for some time, and I have also pondered it at length. I can agree to it!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Min hurriedly expressed his gratitude upon hearing this.

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me!"