Chapter 1798: Emperor Liu's Support

Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, a complex look in his eyes, then said: "Anxi is vast with sparse population; establishing it as a single circuit was originally meant to lighten the administrative burden. However, since you've raised the matter, if it should be split, then split it — that will also strengthen the local government's management and control capabilities.

As for the officials and clerks you requested, I've already informed the Ministry of Personnel. Lü Duan is a capable man and is already reviewing and selecting candidates. However, the numbers aren't that large — they can only fill half; the rest you'll have to solve yourself.

Of course, you've ceded the lands east of Kucha to the court; the remaining territory is nothing more than Shule in the south and Suyab in the north, which makes it convenient for you to reorganize and govern, and to promote Han assimilation.

As for population, this has always been a major difficulty in the Great Han's frontier expansion. Relocating civilians to solidify the borders cannot, as a matter of grand policy, be coercive — otherwise problems are bound to arise sooner or later. The lesson of Yulin is already profound enough.

However, the South Seas are distant and dangerous, and Andong is remote and bitterly cold. Compared with those two, Anxi can be considered blessed by heaven. If those first two could be carved out, there's no reason Anxi can't succeed. Over the past thousand years, the Silk Road has been a golden road — even those foreign tribes and alien states could grow strong through it. Are the subjects of the Great Han inferior to them?

As for how to govern, how to attract the common people and draw in population, I give you full authority. But how far you can go — that still depends on you!"

"During these years in Anxi, your son has conducted extensive surveys and believes that while the region is vast, it is by no means barren wasteland. There are many places with favorable terrain, climate, and environment — otherwise it would not have nurtured a thousand years of Western Regions civilization.

It has simply lacked long-term, sustained, and meticulous management, leaving it intermittently connected to the Central Plains and repeatedly invaded by Hu barbarians. But as long as there is sufficient population and maintained communication with the Central Plains, with that foundation, it is certain to develop," Liu Min said, his expression quite confident.

Emperor Liu nodded and said: "The Western Regions is a good place — this I know, and I have never doubted it. Many ministers at court are also well aware of it. But some practical difficulties are not so easily resolved; they have even troubled China for a thousand years.

That you have the ambition to open up new frontiers fills my heart with great joy. To speak in high-sounding terms, what you represent is not merely my Liu family's realm, but the Chinese civilization itself. Its historical significance and value are perhaps something even you yourself cannot fully comprehend.

Back then, your elder brother toiled with single-minded devotion for Andong, recruiting population, racking his brains and exhausting his energy. The policy support I gave Andong back then, I now give equally to Anxi.

However, whether you can attract population from the Central Plains depends on your own methods. Additionally, across the four northwestern circuits, you may recruit both Han and barbarian commoners, using every means at your disposal — enticing them with benefits or moving them with emotion. But there remains that one principle: no coercion!"

"Yes!" Liu Min replied solemnly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"I haven't finished speaking!" Unconsciously, Emperor Liu had again begun speaking to Liu Min in his capacity as emperor, his tone and expression filled with gravity: "Toward the people, the court does not compel — let alone the army! Your proposal to have the Western Expedition forces settle locally is certainly a stopgap measure, but the court cannot use administrative orders to force the soldiers; their willingness must be considered. And as for the morale of the troops — you are the commander yourself; I trust I need not elaborate.

Therefore, I can replenish your troop numbers, but not according to your wishes! Quite a few soldiers have already been fighting in the Western Regions for two years — that's long enough, and hard enough. They can be gradually withdrawn, with the Bureau of Military Affairs arranging replacements.

Of course, if any soldiers voluntarily choose to stay, we will heed their wishes and grant them additional favor by approving their requests. On this matter, this is the greatest support I can give you. Anything more — no discussion, and you need not say another word!"

Liu Min thought for a moment, then nodded: "Yes!"

"Among your Western Expedition commanders, there are no small number of the Great Han's elite and backbone talents. I placed them in the Western Expedition army precisely for more training and tempering — not to give them all to you!" Emperor Liu mused, then added: "People like Yang Yanzhao and Guo Yi should also be transferred back and assigned new important duties!"

Everything else was fine, but hearing this, Liu Min's face immediately showed reluctance, and he stammered: "This, this—"

"This what?" Seeing his expression, Emperor Liu immediately shot him a glare: "You can't bear to part with them? Let me tell you, this matter is likewise not up for discussion!"

Seeing Liu Min's pained expression, Emperor Liu's tone softened somewhat: "I'll replenish your troops, and I won't short you on commanders either. I'll transfer Li Jilong and Yang Yanlang to you. Besides, your next phase is mainly about recuperation and building foundations — that's enough time for you to integrate!"

"Yes!" Hearing this, Liu Min's brow finally relaxed.

Li Jilong and Yang Yanlang were also elite talents among the sons of the meritorious nobility. Having them replace Yang Yanzhao and Guo Yi — this exchange didn't seem like a loss.

"Also, your thirteenth brother recently petitioned me, hoping to serve at the front as well. That lad gained considerable experience in the Yulin pacification, but he still needs to grow!" Emperor Liu continued: "Fighting tigers requires brothers; going to battle requires father and son. Send him to Anxi, and you take good care of him!"

"Since Thirteenth Brother has such aspirations, your subject will naturally do his utmost to support him!" A slight smile appeared at the corner of Liu Min's mouth, and his eyes showed a look of appreciation.

"Additionally, when you return to Anxi, bring the Prince of Wei's Dowager with you!" After a moment's deliberation, Emperor Liu added: "Your elder sister-in-law raised you from childhood, pouring all her heart into you. Left alone in the capital, she cannot find joy; instead she has fallen ill from longing — it's been too hard on her.

In the future, you'll likely find it difficult to return to the capital even once. Taking her with you will allow you to attend to her at all times and fulfill your filial duty. Besides, your wife is pregnant — your elder sister-in-law would probably be glad to personally look after her."

"Your Majesty!" From Emperor Liu's arrangements, Liu Min finally sensed something out of the ordinary and couldn't help calling out.

Emperor Liu raised his hand to stop him, and said solemnly: "Anxi — I am entrusting it to you!"

Hearing this, Liu Min rose and bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Come, continue drinking with me. It's been many years since we, father and son, sat together drinking and talking freely like this!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

Noticing Emperor Liu's aged and weary expression, Liu Min suppressed his own craving for wine and urged: "You should drink less — take care of your health!"

"It's nothing!" Emperor Liu shook his head: "Such an opportunity is rare; I must seek some pleasure!"

Father and son clinked their cups. After drinking, Emperor Liu asked again: "Do you know how much money and grain the court has expended over these two years of the Western Expedition?"

"I just heard Fourth Brother mention it — roughly over ten million strings of cash," Liu Min said with his head lowered.

"Indeed!" Emperor Liu sighed: "In war, what ultimately matters is money and grain — national strength. These two years, one Yulin rebellion and one Western Expedition against the Qarakhanids — the court's expenditures have been considerable. The Finance Commission has been complaining to me for quite some time now!

Therefore, even if you still wish to continue the Western Expedition, the court doesn't have much left to offer. I would have to issue an edict to stop you!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Liu Min looked somewhat embarrassed and said: "Earlier, your subject was rash!"

Emperor Liu smiled, took another sip of wine, and stood up. As the alcohol surged, his figure swayed slightly. Seeing this, Liu Min hastily steadied him. Emperor Liu pointed outward with his hand and said: "Come, come with me to a place!"

Under the night sky, on the Luo River, lanterns were scattered and colorful lights densely arranged — these were preparations for the Jiaqing Festival. Near a dock close to the imperial city, two enormous multi-decked ships were moored.

Of course, in terms of sheer scale, they could not compare to the treasure ships, but in terms of construction cost, the difference was also vast. These were the "Dragon Boat" and "Phoenix Palace" that the Court of the Imperial Treasury had spent enormous sums to build for Emperor Liu and Empress Fu back then.

These two ships were probably Emperor Liu's most extravagant indulgence in personal enjoyment. Yet, apart from the southern inspection tour back then, they were essentially never used on ordinary days — while the annual maintenance costs were by no means small.

"If I remember correctly, this ship cost two million strings of cash to build back then, didn't it?" Gazing at the Dragon Boat and Phoenix Palace on the water, Emperor Liu said.

Asked this, Yan Tuo showed hesitation on his face and found it difficult to answer for a moment. Noticing his unusual expression, Emperor Liu looked puzzled: "What, is there a problem?"

Under Emperor Liu's pressing gaze, Yan Tuo still answered hesitantly: "To report to His Majesty, the Dragon Boat's construction cost approximately five million strings!"

Yan Tuo had still given a conservative answer; in fact, it was even more. Of course, if it were merely the construction cost, it naturally wouldn't require that much — but when the ship timber, craftsmanship, and those lavish decorations were all combined, the value multiplied exponentially.

It could be said that in the process of unifying the realm, the rare treasures and precious objects collected by the separatist regimes of Chuanshu, Jiangnan, Liangzhe, and the Two Guangs were all reflected in the Dragon Boat and Phoenix Palace. They truly glittered with pearls and gems — pry anything off those ships, and it would be enough to make a commoner's family wealthy for a lifetime.

Hearing Yan Tuo's answer, Emperor Liu was suddenly enlightened, and for the first time in a long while, an awkward expression appeared on his aged face. After a brief deliberation, he sighed deeply to Liu Min: "When your mother was still alive, she once admonished me on this very matter. I did take her words to heart, and thus made a promise never to build another dragon boat!"

"But now it seems, this still isn't enough!" Raising his thin hand to point at the two ships, Emperor Liu said in a resolute tone: "I intend to dismantle these two ships, sell off all the gold, jade, and rare treasures on them, and use the proceeds to fund the development of the Western Regions!"

Hearing this, Liu Min was utterly astonished. He stood frozen for a long while before cupping his hands and urging: "Your Majesty, this cannot be done!"

"Why not!" Emperor Liu clasped his hands behind his back and said forcefully: "These things are a hundred harms and not a single benefit to the state and the people. If we don't deal with them, are we to keep them so that future generations can come and denounce and condemn me?"