Chapter 1907: The South Seas Strategy

Carefully observing Emperor Liu and seeing his calm reaction, Guo Liangping continued: "Your subject has two more considerations. First, regarding the hundreds of thousands of Great Han merchants and commoners who have ventured across the seas—those who went out in recent years are all daring, tenacious people who fight and gamble. Whether in trade, cultivation, or mining, they travel in groups, band together for warmth, and expand by force of arms. They have spontaneously organized basic military training and maintained it consistently. Their diligence and training results in some cases far surpass the militia training in the interior."

"No matter what status these people held at home, or what frictions occurred among them, abroad they have only one identity—subjects of the Great Han. Previously, although the court encouraged and supported overseas expansion, it never organized them or fully mobilized their strength. If they could be effectively organized and utilized, that would be hundreds of thousands of soldiers."

"At present, the towns and fortresses established by Han people in the South Seas are mostly built along the coast and overly scattered. They have enough to defend themselves but not enough to expand. In fact, many places have suffered enormous losses under constant harassment by the natives and have been forced to abandon their positions."

"Already, many merchants and commoners in the South Seas have raised their voices, hoping to establish military-administrative institutions like Liangping Island, linking the various towns and outposts into a connected whole that can effectively support and protect Han people taking root there."

"If Your Majesty wishes to enfeoff territories in the South Seas, these overseas Han people are the most important support and the most reliable strength. If you wish to establish vassal states, they should be built around the already-established towns, fortresses, and outposts—this is the work of laying a solid foundation."

Guo Liangping spoke with eloquence and at great length, as if trying to prove to Emperor Liu that he was different from those officials who merely flattered their superior—that he had in-depth understanding and had given careful thought.

Seeing that Emperor Liu was listening attentively with an expression of gaining insight, Guo Liangping grew more confident and continued: "There is another point—the contradictions among the barbarian natives of the South Seas themselves can be greatly exploited."

"Take Srivijaya, for example. Though it has a considerable history, its political and military construction is extremely crude, and it has not formed a strong centralized court. Its territories are vast, but it does not exercise effective control and governance over its regions as the Great Han does. Numerous tribal barbarians are scattered throughout."

"And whether it is the navy or the powerful merchants and commoners, they all have exchanges and dealings with many native tribes—some tribes even serve us."

"Your subject believes that using barbarians to control barbarians would be an effective way to reduce obstacles and losses for the Great Han's vassal states. At present, on the island of Java, the kingdom of Shepo is rising, and its king, Muluocha, intends to unify the entire island. Although he is friendly toward our Han people and continuously sends envoys to seek support, the Han people on the island cannot help but worry. Therefore, whether for the sake of establishing vassal states or for the safety and well-being of Great Han merchants and commoners, the court must decisively take measures. Java must never be allowed to unify—even if only nominally!"

As he spoke, Guo Liangping shot a glance at Emperor Liu as if seeking affirmation, then quickly added: "Furthermore, having lived in the South Seas for many years, I have surveyed various regions. Besides understanding geography and military matters, I have also observed local customs and ways of life."

"In my view, the South Seas are warm, humid, and hot, with uniquely favorable conditions for farming, herding, fishing, and hunting, and enormous output in every category. But the native barbarians do not know how to cherish these blessings. They do not need to labor diligently like our Han people, nor do they need intensive cultivation to sustain their livelihoods. Therefore, besides being ignorant and backward, they are also lax and lazy. Though some have fierce customs, they lack firm and resolute will."

"Many native tribes are isolated from the world, have little contact with outsiders, and feel no loyalty or identification with those barbarian kingdoms. Therefore, the stubborn resistance Your Majesty fears from Srivijaya, Java, and other states is unlikely to occur. One only needs to defeat their armies, destroy their states, dismantle their institutions, and supplement this with strategies of division and pacification—success is assured!"

Having said this, Guo Liangping stopped. He felt he had said enough; if even this failed to win Emperor Liu's approval, then saying more would be useless.

And Emperor Liu was clearly persuaded by Guo Liangping—or rather, he only needed a plausible justification and some feasible suggestions. Whether it was Liu Chenghsun earlier or Guo Liangping now, their words truly carried persuasive power, for they had personally been there, seen and heard with their own eyes, and been tested by practice.

As for the others, they could oppose, but why should Emperor Liu accept their views wholesale? To persuade Emperor Liu, one would at least need to visit the South Seas and investigate before speaking—something most ministers could hardly accomplish.

Emperor Liu fell silent, and the longer the silence, the deeper his thinking,

and the more resolute his intention regarding enfeoffment in the South Seas became.

After a long while, Emperor Liu raised his eyes. He first let out a long sigh, then said slowly: "If we are to succeed in the South Seas, the use of arms is unavoidable. Though I hold great hopes for my princes, war is a great matter of state and must not be taken lightly. I intend to send you back to the South Seas to oversee the campaign of conquest. What is your opinion?"

Hearing these words, Guo Liangping was both excited and overjoyed. This was exactly the opportunity he needed—an opportunity to spread his wings and realize his ambitions. His days at the Bureau of Military Affairs had been too stifling, too suffocating. What could compare to striking out across the seas and galloping across the ocean?

Suppressing the surging emotions within him with great effort, Guo Liangping straightened his back, clasped his fists heavily, and declared with resounding conviction: "I shall devote myself utterly to this task, until death!"

Seeing this, Emperor Liu nodded, pondered for a moment, and asked: "By your estimation, how long would it take to pacify the barbarian states and establish vassal territories?"

Though Guo Liangping had spoken confidently and fluently, on this question his mind was clear-headed, and his demeanor inevitably showed some hesitation. Emperor Liu keenly noticed this hesitation. His eyes narrowed, his expression turned slightly cold, and he said: "What—does this question trouble you?"

Guo Liangping was startled, his eyelids twitching involuntarily, but he still answered with due caution: "Your subject believes that with ten years of effort, success can be achieved!"

"Ten years!" Emperor Liu's voice suddenly rose, echoing through the great hall and making Guo Liangping's heart tremble: "I am nearly sixty years old! Do you think I can afford to wait ten years?"

Beneath all that calm and composed exterior lay Emperor Liu's stubborn, arrogant, and impatient heart, and this rebuke precisely reflected some of his feelings.

For Guo Liangping, facing this "true" side of Emperor Liu directly, the pressure within him could well be imagined. At this moment, he suddenly realized that the South Seas assignment might not be as easy and carefree as he had imagined.

With no time to think further, Emperor Liu's aggressive gaze forced Guo Liangping to find a way to deal with the immediate pressure. After only a moment's thought, he said: "I beg for one hundred thousand troops, both naval and land—three years should suffice!"

"One ten, and one hundred thousand—are you deliberately mocking me, Guo Liangping?" Emperor Liu could no longer contain his anger and immediately rebuked: "The Anxi campaign dragged on for so many years, cost so many lives, and faced such difficult enemies—yet the troops deployed numbered less than fifty thousand. For mere overseas barbarian states, you want a hundred thousand troops? If such a great army must be raised, what use are you?"

Emperor Liu's pressure was overwhelming, and Guo Liangping's heart pounded with anxiety. But at this moment, his subconscious compelled him to hold his ground. Facing Emperor Liu's furious gaze, he bowed his head, clasped his hands, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, war is a matter of life and death. Your subject dares not be careless!"

He's using my own words to block me! Emperor Liu thought to himself. But seeing Guo Liangping's insistence, Emperor Liu actually gained more confidence in him—after all, what he wanted was not a "pacify Liao in three years" goal.

With this thought, Emperor Liu gradually calmed down again. After reflecting for a moment, he said solemnly: "I shall issue an edict directing the Bureau of Military Affairs to comprehensively evaluate and plan your proposal, and to draft a South Seas campaign plan. You are the proposer of the South Seas strategy, and you shall also be its executor. The plan shall be based primarily on your opinions!"

Hearing this edict, Guo Liangping's eyes lit up. He immediately clasped his fists and answered in a clear voice: "Yes!"

Setting everything else aside, at least the current outcome was favorable to Guo Liangping—he could finally vent the frustration in his chest.

"You may withdraw!"

"Your subject takes his leave!"

After Guo Liangping left, Emperor Liu's expression quickly darkened. Listening to his words and observing his demeanor, Emperor Liu could not help but begin to harbor some doubts about Guo Liangping.