Chapter 1960: Southward!

"You've been acting as military governor for some time now, so you should have gained some insights. What are your plans for the future development of Andong?" Liu Xu asked Liu Wenyuan in his usual gentle tone.

Ever since they set out from Luoyang on the return journey, conversations between Liu Xu and his son had become a kind of examination — discussing governance, policies for pacifying the people, civil and military strategy, with instruction accompanying each question. Liu Xu, for his part, was both tirelessly patient and eagerly hoping that Liu Wenyuan would mature and grow as quickly as possible.

By now, Liu Wenyuan had grown accustomed to this. Facing his father's question, he lowered his head in thought for a moment before saying, "Your son intends to develop the southeastern region — especially Meituo Prefecture!"

"Oh?" A glimmer of brightness flashed through Liu Xu's dim eyes. "Why? Tell me your reasoning!"

Liu Wenyuan spoke with confidence: "From the time we advanced into the northeast, drove out the Khitan, and pacified the region, Andong has always developed along the rivers — from the Na River to the Yazi River and the Black Water, Andong's towns, lands, and people are all scattered across these thousands of li of river basins."

"However, the entire population of Andong, even adding the various Hu barbarian tribes and counting those mountain forest savages, may not reach two million. Never mind the upper reaches or the Black Water where the lower rivers converge — even the Yazi River basin alone couldn't be filled even if the population doubled. So why waste time, effort, and money developing a remote place like Meituo Prefecture?

"Furthermore, from officials to soldiers to commoners, everyone in Andong is accustomed to livelihood and development along the rivers. Even if we were to expand, why not go up the Black Water instead? In the past, the Protectorate Government also built several garrison forts in the upper reaches of the Black Water, stationing troops and settlers there — at least there's some foundation to build on. Developing it would also let us guard against the unruly Shiwei beyond the mountains — killing two birds with one stone..." Liu Xu said pointedly, seemingly not supporting Liu Wenyuan's idea.

However, Liu Wenyuan had clearly given this careful consideration already. He clasped his hands and said, "What Father says is true, but what your son has been thinking about is where Andong's future path truly lies!

Andong is inherently a bitter cold land, and the further north one goes, the more remote and colder it becomes. Your son has also crossed the mountain ridges and entered the northern territories — though I only glimpsed its surface, I saw its poverty and desolation.

The Shiwei of the northern regions are weak in strength and crude in weapons, yet why do they repeatedly invade our borders? The root cause is that their living environment is too harsh — they have no choice but to press west and south in search of survival.

If we go north, what good is taking more land? It's all barren wasteland — poor and useless, merely draining official reserves and manpower, with soldiers suffering through garrison duty and officials and people unwilling to develop it. Such a policy that goes against the will and sentiment of Andong's people is truly unadvisable.

As for the fiefdom of Andong, Grandfather once said its purpose was twofold: first, to guard the frontier and forever secure the Great Han; second, to relieve the court of the burden of supply. Now Andong, after Father's more than ten years of painstaking management, has achieved stability. Though there are Shiwei disturbances without and barbarian unrest within, these are merely minor ailments.

Since the court has cut off its previous support and we must be self-sufficient in grain and pay, we need to carefully assess Andong's situation. Naturally, everything must prioritize Andong, revolving around its prosperity and growth."

"What does all this have to do with the southeastern region?" Hearing Liu Wenyuan lay out his thoughts, a hint of color returned to Liu Xu's pale face as he asked in a low voice.

At this question, Liu Wenyuan paused entirely. Seeing that Liu Xu, though weak, was staring at him with burning eyes, he took a deep breath and said, "There's no future in the north, so naturally we must look south. Under Father's governance, Andong has made great strides and achieved outstanding results in every aspect — one could call it prosperous. Yet every time your son visits the Western Capital, every time I think of the Eastern Capital..."

At this point, Liu Wenyuan's eyes grew especially bright. "Suihua naturally has no right to compare with the two capitals, but Liaoyang lies right beside us like a neighbor's bed — surely we can catch up to some degree..."

"You still haven't gotten to Meituo Prefecture! Going south — are you perhaps plotting to seize Liaodong?" Liu Xu suddenly said coldly.

Facing his father's sudden change in tone, Liu Wenyuan showed not the slightest panic. In a calm and unhurried manner, he said solemnly, "Your son would not dare! And precisely because I dare not, I turned my thoughts to Meituo Prefecture. Your son believes that given Andong's geographical advantages, no matter how we develop, there are limits — and we can never escape the court's influence.

Support from the court has been cut off, but exchange with the common people must never be abandoned. Andong's grain, livestock, furs, medicinal herbs, and timber may already be self-sufficient, but if we wish to strengthen the state and enrich the people, we must guarantee connections with the officials and people of the Great Han's prefectures — especially Liaodong and the lands north and south of the Yan Mountains.

During my campaign to pacify the barbarians in Meituo Prefecture, I surveyed the area and found it to be a true treasure land — especially Lake Meituo, which spans several hundred li in circumference with abundant fish. The land around the lake, though uncultivated, is rich in fertility. Relying on Lake Meituo, Andong can open up another granary!"

Hearing Liu Wenyuan get to this point, Liu Xu finally nodded. Seeing this, Liu Wenyuan gained more confidence and continued: "South of Meituo Prefecture lies Shuaibin Prefecture, and Shuaibin Prefecture holds Andong's only seaport that is both suitably located and usable for civilian purposes!

Father once said that maritime transport has great potential. Overland trade may have no obstacles, but it is time-consuming and laborious. With a sea route as supplement, we can further strengthen the exchange and communication between Andong and the Great Han's common people.

Father insisted on building the official road from Suihua to Shuaibin Prefecture while in Luoyang — wasn't that precisely because you recognized the value of the seaport? Grandfather often said that wherever roads are built, development follows. Once the Suihua-Shuaibin official road is complete, the time for developing Meituo Prefecture will naturally follow closely..."

When Liu Wenyuan finished, Liu Xu was silent for a long while. He raised his hand to prop up the blanket, his fingers trembling slightly: "I've inspected Meituo Prefecture myself as well. That lake of several hundred li — I may not have seen it all, but I walked half of it.

It truly is a pearl inlaid by heaven into Andong's lands. If effectively developed, given time, it could indeed become a land of fish and rice. But the surroundings are all wilderness and forest — setting aside the difficulty of reclamation, what about the manpower and resources for it?

I already find the manpower cost of road-building excessive — how much more for such a vast lake as Meituo? The people's strength must not be overused..."

"Your son has thought about this too!" Liu Wenyuan discussed with Liu Xu: "In my estimation, I plan to continue recruiting population from the Great Han's prefectures. In recent years, disasters have struck frequently across the Great Han. Relying on Father's reputation for virtue and the name Andong has accumulated in the past, we should be able to attract a number of commoners. At the same time, we can raid and capture the surrounding barbarian peoples to fill the labor shortage!"

"A tired old tune!" Liu Xu said flatly. "Not enough!"

"There is one more idea I've been mulling over, but I'm still hesitant — I was just about to ask Father for guidance!" Liu Wenyuan showed some hesitation on his face, but still honestly laid out his plan: "Your son intends to recruit hands from the two nations of Goryeo and Japan..."

Hearing Liu Wenyuan propose such a method, Liu Xu's spirits lifted, and his eyes narrowed: "How did you come up with such an idea?"

Liu Wenyuan said: "First, many of Andong's merchants do business in those two nations — they have the connections and channels to recruit people from them. Second, given Andong's manpower shortage, we're already making use of the various barbarian tribes and even those savages who still eat raw meat and drink blood. The farmers of Goryeo and Japan are obedient and submissive, and can be directly put to work in farming, fishing, and herding..."

After Liu Wenyuan finished explaining, Liu Xu thought it over seriously but made no evaluation. He simply stared straight at his son, his gaze clear yet still carrying an unfathomable depth.

After a long while, Liu Xu coughed softly twice before speaking in a feeble voice: "Go ahead with your plans. My time is running short, and I cannot protect you all for much longer. As for Andong's future — it will have to depend on you yourself..."