Chapter 190: Arrange in Advance

"Utter nonsense! Everything I have was bestowed by the late Emperor—what does it have to do with that Li family? If they feel wronged, why don't they go complain to His Majesty, instead of spreading rumors about me in the streets?" Hearing this, without needing further explanation, Su Fengji understood exactly what was going on.

There was another layer of history between Su Fengji and Li Song. When Liu Zhiyuan first entered the capital and rewarded his meritorious officials, he had bestowed Li Song's residence upon Su Fengji.

Su Fengji was a clever one—he not only took Li Song's residence in the Eastern Capital, but also seized his Western Capital mansion along with various other properties. Moreover, within Li Song's household, he unearthed a considerable amount of wealth and precious artifacts that Li Song had buried on the premises before departing north with the Khitan.

After Li Song returned south to the Eastern Capital, he naturally dared not demand restitution from Su Fengji, who held the reins of power at the center and enjoyed imperial favor. Instead, he even personally called on Su Fengji to present the deed to both residences. Unexpectedly, this backfired and only provoked Su Fengji's displeasure. In Su Fengji's view, Li Song was reminding him of the matter of seizing the man's property.

Now, hearing Li Cheng repeat the Li family's grievances, Su Fengji grew even more dissatisfied, nursing a secret desire for revenge.

It was already late in the second month of spring; the weather was gradually warming, and the Central Plains had once again been covered in a layer of green. Though not yet lush, it was nonetheless a breath of hope.

Since the conclusion of the Fengxiang campaign, the Great Han had finally settled down—the regional garrisons were quiet, and civil unrest was rare. The great victory over the Shu army had been spreading its influence quietly; such things as popular sentiment and morale always make their presence felt without your noticing.

On the whole, the Great Han's food shortage remained unresolved, especially since the Southern Tang had cut off trade between the two states—the Eastern Capital was especially short of grain. But with all things reviving, it was still better than winter, when there was nothing to be found. Additionally, Liu Chengyou's several edicts to reassure the people and the dissemination of his active policies had given the common folk some hope.

In the markets of the Eastern Capital these days, there was no shortage of talk praising His Majesty's diligence and frugality. If the common people's lives were bitter, their resentment was directed at ostentatious noble houses like Su Fengji's, where extravagance was the norm.

The Son of Heaven was young, but he bore the mark of a wise ruler; it was those ministers who were incompetent and contemptible.

What set Liu Chengyou somewhat at ease was that, unlike before, there was no unending stream of bad news. In the court, aside from ministers like Su Fengji, Liu Xin, and Shi Hongzhao who had "backbone," the trend of extravagance had actually been curbed to a considerable degree—after all, it was the Emperor's own advocacy.

Moreover, although the Khitan had been restive earlier, they had ultimately held themselves in check, allowing Liu Chengyou and Youzhou to breathe a sigh of relief. Word had it that a noble rebellion had broken out within Khitan territory. As for the separatist powers to the south, after watching the Later Shu get thoroughly beaten, they had gone quiet.

Gradually, the various military governors had also been sending to the Eastern Capital the portion of last autumn's tax revenue that was due to be turned over. Though each was poor and the amounts were not large, together they added up to a considerable sum. Moreover, it was a signal.

Liu Chong, the Military Governor of Hedong and the Emperor's imperial uncle, contributed the most. Hedong had after all enjoyed several years of stability; when Liu Zhiyuan had entered the Central Plains the previous year, though the prefectural treasuries had been drained and the various prefectures of Hedong had bled themselves dry, with large numbers of soldiers and civilians flowing outward, the region had remained under orderly governance.

"Your Majesty, this is the Bureau of Military Affairs' draft proposal for rewarding the meritorious officers and men of the various armies in the campaign against Shu." In Chuigong Hall, Guo Wei and Wei Renpu came to audience together, presenting the document to Liu Chengyou: "We beg Your Majesty to review it."

After it was presented, Liu Chengyou unfolded it, scanned it briefly, then set it down. Without much hesitation, he picked up his brush and wrote his endorsement. The most important part—the commendations for commanders like Wang Jun—had already been issued previously; this was merely a supplementary follow-up.

"The western frontier is now secure. Fengxiang can be handed over to Wang Jun to gradually pacify and settle; the imperial army can be recalled!" Liu Chengyou said.

Wang Jun had been directly promoted to Military Governor of Fengxiang, and from Liu Chengyou's words, it seemed he intended to recall the imperial army that had gone on the western expedition.

Hearing this, Guo Wei was slightly surprised. He glanced at Liu Chengyou, but seeing that his expression was calm, he raised his hand in acknowledgment: "Yes!"

However, Liu Chengyou clearly had other ideas. Looking at Guo and Wei, he sought their opinions: "I intend to have this western expeditionary imperial army stationed at Tong Pass! What do the two of you think?"

Guo Wei and Wei Renpu were both taken aback, but neither was an ordinary man. Thinking of Tong Pass's geographical position, they seemed to understand something. The two exchanged a glance, and it was Wei Renpu who spoke: "Tong Pass commands the throat of Guanzhong, Henan, and Hezhong—a strategic chokepoint. Sending troops to garrison it against unforeseen contingencies—I believe it is acceptable and have no objections."

Guo Wei also nodded.

Against what unforeseen contingencies—Guo Wei and Wei Renpu both had some inkling. Recently, though Li Shouzhen had been much better behaved, news from Hezhong still drifted into the Eastern Capital in abundance. Combined with their daily discussions of governance and military affairs, they could detect it from Liu Chengyou's pointed remarks.

Moreover, a glance at the map revealed that Tong Pass was barely fifty li from Hezhong Prefecture in a straight line. Should anything happen, one could cross the Yellow River northward and drive straight to Puzhou. To describe it as "arriving by morning if you leave at dusk" might even be an understatement.

"How many men remain in the western expeditionary imperial army?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"According to the latest report: two hundred sixty-seven cavalry dead, one hundred twenty-six wounded; eight hundred seventy-seven infantry dead, one thousand three hundred forty-one wounded; and seventy-eight men from both cavalry and infantry missing in action. Of the remaining troops, aside from those too severely wounded to fight, there are still over three thousand two hundred able to take the field..." Wei Renpu recited the figures as if counting family treasures.

"Over three thousand cavalry and infantry—more than enough!" Liu Chengyou, already accustomed to Wei Renpu's prodigious memory, said directly, then could not resist adding: "Oh, and the compensation for the dead, wounded, and disabled must be generous, delivered to each household!"

"Yes!"

"Whom does Your Majesty intend to command the garrison at Tong Pass?" Guo Wei asked.

"What about Yang Ye?" Liu Chengyou answered without hesitation.

Seeing this, the two knew exactly how to respond. Guo Wei said: "Yang Ye is young, but he possesses both wisdom and courage. The Fengxiang campaign demonstrated his skill in the use of troops. To entrust him with command and a great responsibility—I believe it is fitting!"

"I concur!"

"Then it's settled. Establish the Tong'an Army at Tong Pass, with Yang Ye as Army Commander and concurrently Militia Commissioner of Tong Pass! All military supplies shall be provided by the Western Capital, Shanzhou, Tongzhou, Huazhou, and also Hezhong!" Liu Chengyou summoned Fan Zhi and instructed: "When drafting the order, add a line—tell Yang Ye to keep a close watch on Fengling Ford for me!"

"Yes!"

Fengling Ford was the key crossing where the Yellow River, flowing south, turned east; crossing north from there, one could press directly upon Puzhou. Who Liu Chengyou was targeting was almost blatantly obvious—and he was even having Li Shouzhen coordinate grain supplies.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Wei Renpu hesitated slightly before asking: "Your Majesty, will such an arrangement provoke Hezhong?"

"Provoke? Certainly!" Liu Chengyou flicked his hand, his sleeve sweeping up, and said coldly: "I have tolerated his autonomy, tolerated his arrogance. But this time, I am making the move—let's see how he responds!"

"I want to see whether Li Shouzhen dares to rebel!" Liu Chengyou's voice echoed through the hall—the feeling of pent-up frustration finally bursting forth.

In fact, in Liu Chengyou's plan, once the time was ripe, Li Shouzhen would have no choice but to rebel.

"Where is Zhao Kuangzan now?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.

"According to the earlier report from Governor Zhao of Shanzhou, he has already passed Shi Hao Town. Estimating his pace, he should have reached the Western Capital by now!" Guo Wei reported.

After the Fengxiang campaign concluded, Zhao Kuangzan had a "mission" to fulfill—he intended to head north, and along the way, lead his troops to escort several hundred Shu prisoners eastward to present as captives.

"Too slow!" Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then said: "Send word to Zhao Kuangzan to come to the capital with all speed. Have someone else escort the prisoners!"

"Yes!"

Noticing the puzzled looks from Guo Wei and Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou sighed and mentioned the secret report he had received: "A letter came from Youzhou—the Prince of Yan's illness has worsened!"

Guo and Wei understood immediately.

"Lord Bai has assumed office in Jingzhao, hasn't he?"

"He has already taken over the Yongxing Army!"

"He's seventy years old now—a hard burden for an old minister..."