Chapter 1947: The Interview

"Did you see your Sixth Uncle? Is he in good health?" Liu Yang asked.

Regarding Liu Wenhuan's journey to the west, Emperor Liu had already asked about it, and Liu Yang was equally concerned. It was important that Liu Wenhuan recounted it in person. Back then, sending Liu Wenhuan—who had never experienced real affairs—to escort supplies, whatever Emperor Liu's exact reasoning had been, on Liu Yang's side, there was indeed an intention to test him. Now that he had returned and was being questioned in the hall, this could be considered an "interview."

Liu Wenhuan, for his part, didn't think that far ahead. He answered whatever was asked, saying: "No! Your son's party only reached Suyab. The military supplies were handed over to the Anxi Protectorate, received from Governor Xiang. Sixth Uncle was still in Talas at the time, personally overseeing the defense and suppressing the newly seized towns and lands. After staying in Suyab for half a month, your son returned to the capital!"

"Since you had already reached Suyab, why not travel a few hundred li further to Talas to see your Sixth Uncle? Given the current trajectory of the state, we may not have another chance to see him for years, or even a decade or more..." Liu Yang looked at Liu Wenhuan and said softly.

Hearing this, Liu Wenhuan's face showed hesitation. He answered in a low voice: "Your son had originally planned to lead his personal guards west to Talas to pay respects to Sixth Uncle, but was dissuaded by Zhao Defang and Murong Yongren, who said the areas west of Talas were not yet pacified, with bandits running rampant and many rebels still resisting the Great Han. Governor Xiang also firmly opposed your son's westward journey, so in the end, your son was unable to go and meet Sixth Uncle in person."

Hearing Liu Wenhuan say this, Liu Yang was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Your Sixth Uncle is my full brother, your grandfather's beloved son, and a Prince of the Great Han. No matter how dangerous those places like Talas are, no matter how fierce the resistance, they have already been seized by the Great Han, with our Great Han banners planted there. Your Sixth Uncle does not fear danger, and neither do the many battle-hardened soldiers.

The ministers advised against it because of your status, worried for your safety—one could even say it was their duty. It wasn't as if you were being sent to fight the enemy. Going on behalf of your grandfather to visit your Sixth Uncle, even just bringing a few words back from your Sixth Uncle to your grandfather, would have been good..."

At these words, Liu Wenhuan's expression changed involuntarily. He realized that he seemed to have made a mistake, and how serious that mistake was—he was not in a position to assess at this moment.

Liu Wenhuan suddenly recalled that at Chuigong Hall, his imperial grandfather had also asked about Sixth Uncle, and he had given the same answer then. His imperial grandfather had always shown him a kindly face, and it was hard to fathom his unfathomable thoughts, but his father was clearly somewhat disappointed.

Liu Wenhuan's mind was still reeling, but fortunately Liu Yang did not continue to dwell on the matter. Instead, he changed the subject and asked: "What is the situation in Suyab now? What does it look like?"

This question was not difficult to answer—one only needed to describe what one had seen, heard, and thought—yet at the same time it was difficult, difficult because one didn't know what Liu Yang cared more about, or what he wanted to hear.

Therefore, Liu Wenhuan did not speak rashly. After thinking carefully for a moment, he cupped his hands, wore a contemplative expression, and spoke slowly: "Over these years, what your son has heard most about is Anxi, Andong, and the South Seas. Suyab was previously only recorded in the history books. Sixth Uncle, through his martial prowess, recovered it, and your son had always been full of curiosity and longing for it.

However, having now personally visited Suyab, your son is somewhat disappointed. Setting aside the two capitals, and without comparing it to the prefectural seats, even among the prefectural cities your son passed through on the westward journey, few are ones that Suyab could surpass—and yet Suyab was formerly the capital of the Kara-Khanids."

Liu Wenhuan's words were filled with pride in the Great Han, and at the same time a strong contempt for Suyab. Liu Yang clearly sensed this disdain, though his expression showed nothing unusual—he merely cast an extra glance at him.

Seeing that Liu Yang was listening attentively, Liu Wenhuan grew more confident. Organizing his words, he spoke at length: "Suyab is a stone city. Its defenses are passably sturdy, but it can only accommodate a small population of soldiers and civilians. Likely due to the war, it remains desolate to this day, and your son did not witness the prosperity described in books. As of now, Suyab's primary role remains supplying provisions to the western expeditionary army.

The city and its outskirts hold only tens of thousands of residents, half of them Hu barbarians. The whole city is filled with mixed Hu tongues. Conflicts between Han and Hu occur frequently, though the Hu who dare to cause trouble have all been severely punished.

To encourage and protect the migrating Han populace, Sixth Uncle established harsh penalties locally to restrain the Hu residents. Every town has notices posted, stating that any Hu who dares to violate Han property may be killed without penalty!

Sixth Uncle governs the region through harsh laws and severe punishments. In chaotic times, martial codes work—this approach shows results quickly—but it leaves many troubles behind, provoking intense Han–Hu conflict. The local Hu people harbor deep hostility toward our Great Han soldiers and settlers..."

The more Liu Yang listened, the more his brows furrowed. Finally unable to hold back, he interrupted him, carefully observing Liu Wenhuan twice, then raising a finger: "Did you come up with these observations yourself?"

At the question, Liu Wenhuan said cautiously: "Your son's knowledge is shallow. These were points raised by Zhao Defang and Murong Yongren when they discussed Anxi governance. Your son found them reasonable, and so remembered them!"

Liu Yang was somewhat assuaged. He made a gesture and said: "Continue."

"Yes!" Liu Wenhuan bowed again and spoke composedly: "Zhao Defang believes that Sixth Uncle's governance in Anxi errs on the side of harshness and cruelty. Though it may show remarkable results, it cannot be sustained. If this continues, it may breed disaster.

The local Hu people are not all those who refuse to submit to imperial civilization; there are also those who are loyal to the court. The Protectorate should distinguish between them, extend grace and offer amnesty, civilize them through kingly virtue, and make them one with the Chinese, in pursuit of lasting peace."

Hearing this argument, Liu Yang's expression turned somewhat grave, even tinged with bitterness. His gaze slowly circled twice before he said: "Do you also agree with this view?"

Liu Wenhuan nearly blurted something out, but seeing his father's somewhat "constipated" expression, he couldn't help but think for a moment and answer evasively: "Murong Yongren holds the opposite view from Zhao Defang. He greatly admires the Protectorate's tough policies and firmly supports them. He believes that if the Great Han wishes to establish firm rule in Anxi, it cannot be achieved overnight. The current priority should be suppressing the local Hu people and resisting the Samanid counterattack.

For lasting peace and stability, those who refuse to submit to imperial civilization should face harsh laws and severe penalties. Rather than expending effort to win over those stubborn Hu, it would be better to shift the goal of education and assimilation toward the next generation of children.

Additionally, relocating households and commoners from the Great Han's interior to populate the local area is also a policy that should be upheld over the long term..."

Hearing this, Liu Yang's expression shifted slightly. After thinking it over, he let out a breath and asked Liu Wenhuan: "Between these two men's views, whose do you agree with?"

Liu Wenhuan clearly sensed Liu Yang's intent to test him. He appeared very cautious, pondered for a good while, then said: "Both have their merits. Your son believes that if the two could be combined, there might be gratifying results!"

Receiving such an answer, Liu Yang shot him a reproachful look: "Slippery!"

Liu Wenhuan gave an embarrassed smile, but Liu Yang had no intention of letting him off. He continued: "What you've said are all other people's ideas. What about your own? What are your views on Suyab and the military and civil affairs of Anxi?"

Unbeknownst to himself, Liu Yang hadn't noticed that his questions had drifted somewhat off course—leaning heavier, leaning more serious.

Liu Wenhuan also thought it over carefully before speaking: "On matters of military and state, your son dare not speak rashly. But this westward journey was a profound experience. To supply the Anxi army's campaigns, the Great Han has paid too heavy a price. Setting aside the casualties of soldiers, the mere transport of supplies consumes resources and labor far beyond imagination.

While in Gaochang Circuit, your son encountered a Hexi transport convoy tasked with moving three thousand shi of military grain. Your son spoke with the prefectural commandant leading the team. According to him, to guarantee that three thousand shi of grain reached the front lines, they needed to prepare at least twenty thousand shi upon departure—the rest was all lost along the transport route.

Your son could tell that the officials and people of Hexi have grown weary of the endless Anxi campaigns and the court's 'four expeditions.' Hexi is already exhausted. Your son believes that if Hexi is like this, so too is the court. The prolonged warfare in Anxi has become a tremendous burden. The court should cut its losses in a timely manner and extricate itself—otherwise, if this continues, what is harmed is ultimately the interests of the court and the people..."