Chapter 229: Prince Yan Dies of Illness

As Zhao Yanshou had said, the officers present were all the backbone of the Yan army—the very foundation upon which the army was built. If anything happened to these men, the Yan army would surely fall into chaos. Arresting them all was out of the question, nor did Zhao Yanshou have any intention of sweeping up all his senior officers in one net. That would be tantamount to throwing his own ranks into disarray, running counter to his original purpose of stabilizing the situation in Youzhou.

After all, Zhao Yanshou's goal was merely to eliminate the imminent hidden dangers, deal with those rebellious elements, and incidentally pave the way for Zhao Kuangzan's rise to power.

Therefore, he only made a targeted capture of a few chickens in front of a crowd of monkeys, and the Deputy Chief Commander of the Lulong Army's yamen, Zhang Yan, along with that pale-faced senior officer, both fell into the "chicken" category.

Such an operation was extremely dangerous—any slight mishandling could easily trigger an even greater calamity. But given the current situation in Youzhou, where the army and the people's hearts urgently needed rectification, coupled with Zhao Yanshou's illness, decisive action was required—a swift sword cutting through tangled hemp, with no room for hesitation or delay. If Zhao Yanshou did not handle matters himself and left them for Zhao Kuangzan to deal with alone, Youzhou would very likely plunge directly into collapse.

Fortunately, although the Zhao father-and-son plan was sudden, their preparations were thorough and their actions decisive—everything remained under control. The chickens were taken, successfully cowing the monkeys present, and Zhao Yanshou then invited them into the hall for a heart-to-heart conversation to set their minds at ease.

Immediately following this came a major reshuffling of the Yan army's command structure. Officers loyal to the Zhao family and the "pro-Southern faction" were promoted and swiftly occupied important positions throughout Youzhou's various armies. As for the "pro-Northern faction," they were either transferred, demoted, dismissed, or imprisoned—and inevitably, some lost their heads. Concurrently, a purge of "Khitan spies" within the army was carried out.

In an era like this, coups and military mutinies were commonplace, nothing out of the ordinary—and if no one died and no blood was spilled, then it was an incomplete mutiny. If the chickens were not killed, how could the monkeys be warned? Several mid-to-senior Yan army commanders led by Zhang Yan were beheaded to awe the ranks, charged with "colluding with the Khitan, misleading the army's morale, and plotting rebellion."

Of course, although military mutinies were the norm, harsh measures and decisive actions were always only the first step. How to handle the aftermath, stabilize the situation, and win back the people's hearts was what truly mattered—all eyes among the military, civil officials, and common folk were watching.

Killing could intimidate people, but it could hardly win them over. If the handling was improper, subordinates overthrowing superiors was not out of the question. The Zhao father and son clearly understood this principle well.

After dealing with Zhang Yan and the others, Zhao Yanshou, dragging his ailing body, personally inspected the troops, received the soldiers, and soothed the morale of the ranks. Meanwhile, Zhao Kuangzan personally oversaw the distribution of the families of Zhang Yan and the others' property, land, and tenant farmers across the three prefectures of Lulong to the remaining commanders. The prefecture's treasuries were emptied of money and silk to reward the soldiers, and meat and wine were distributed to feast the entire army.

Profit has always moved men's hearts, and buying loyalty with wealth was the most direct and effective means. The cost was considerable—Youzhou's already modest treasury was drained—but it was worth it.

This major reshuffling of the army by the Zhao father and son caused the Yan army's combat effectiveness to plummet sharply in the short term, for commanders are the heart of the soldiers. However, in the long run, the benefits naturally outweighed the drawbacks.

Rescuing the Yan army from the brink of disintegration, settling the scattered hearts of the people, and stabilizing the turbulent situation—the most tangible result was that the messy grievances and rumors within the army dissipated completely.

At the same time, the "pro-Northern faction" was suppressed, bringing the entire army's understanding back into "high unity"—resisting the Liao and defending their homes remained the theme. Most importantly, with the army firmly in hand, the Zhao father and son's rule over Youzhou was temporarily secured, and they now had even greater capital to demonstrate their value to Liu Chengyou.

Of course, although the subsequent conciliatory measures won over most hearts, the disaffected inevitably huddled together even more tightly, becoming a hidden danger. But this hidden danger was no longer worth a major campaign—merely guarding against it would suffice.

The Great Heat arrived, and Prince Yan Zhao Yanshou's condition deteriorated sharply—he fainted once again. Zhao Kuangzan set aside his military and civil affairs and hurried back to the residence.

"The reshuffling of key military and civil posts in Zhuo and Yi prefectures is complete, all filled with trusted subordinates." In the rear hall of the Prince Yan's residence, sitting by the bedside, he said to Zhao Yanshou, both reporting and offering comfort: "The various army officers are also fulfilling their duties diligently, training is gradually underway, morale is stabilizing, and combat strength will slowly recover. The passes guarding Youzhou have all been garrisoned by elite yabing troops. Additionally, the civil and military officials of Youzhou hold much land in the surrounding areas—I intend to organize labor, contribute money and grain, and use the passes as anchors to help them build fortified manors extensively, to protect their fields and the people, and resist the raids of the barbarian cavalry..."

After several days of turmoil, Zhao Yanshou's body had completely collapsed. He could not even sit up, appearing at death's door, barely holding on by a thread of breath—weak as a wisp of silk.

He had clearly taken in Zhao Kuangzan's words. A trace of comfort surfaced on his withered face as he rasped weakly: "Your father could only protect you up to this point, shielding you from some fierce waves and bearing some ill repute. Now the military and civil authority of Youzhou rests entirely in your hands, free for you to wield. But remember—given Youzhou's situation, no matter when, the most important thing is to stabilize the people's hearts, especially the army's morale."

"Your son understands."

In a feeble voice, speaking with extreme slowness, Zhao Yanshou continued his instructions: "You are still young, naturally inclined to favor the vigorous and bold, and you should have a group of trusted ministers to guard you. However, that Zhao Siwan—I observe he is quite fierce and violent. Used well, he can be a sharp blade, but you must guard against him cutting your hand. The Ghost-Face Battalion is formidable and daring in battle—they can serve as an iron army, but you must consolidate authority and keep them firmly in hand. Never let them act on their own!"

Hearing this suddenly, Zhao Kuangzan was somewhat surprised, his eyelids trembling slightly. He had his own considerations and plans regarding Zhao Siwan and the Ghost-Face Battalion. But facing his aged father's earnest admonition, he responded without a moment's hesitation, obediently: "Your son understands—I will be careful."

With Zhao Yanshou's illness at its terminal stage, on the verge of death, it seemed to have unleashed all his remaining strength—his mind was exceptionally clear.

Pausing briefly, he continued: "As for Youzhou's situation, you should submit a memorial to the Eastern Capital, reporting to the court to demonstrate loyalty. Additionally, you may request that an official be sent north to serve as army supervisor!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan frowned and hesitated: "Would that not be inviting restraint upon ourselves?"

"Youzhou cannot do without the support of the Great Han court. We must let the court rest easy, let the Son of Heaven rest easy. Otherwise, how could grain and weapons continue to be shipped north?" Zhao Yanshou explained.

Zhao Kuangzan pondered for a while before finally nodding in agreement: "Your son will remember."

This round of admonitions seemed to have consumed nearly all of Zhao Yanshou's strength. His face grew even more ashen, his gaze becoming distant, and he said to Zhao Kuangzan: "Go now. From this day forward, the great burden of Youzhou and the honor and disgrace of the Zhao clan rest solely upon your shoulders!"

"Yes!" Hearing his father's words, though Zhao Kuangzan's heart ached with sorrow, his resolve was firm. He knelt before the bedside and solemnly performed a great bow.

After giving instructions to the household and entrusting Zhao Kuangzan to their care, he departed.

On the ren'yin day (the twenty-fifth) of the sixth month of the first year of Qianyou, Prince Yan Zhao Yanshou died of illness in Youzhou. In the end, he could not survive the summer, but he passed peacefully, with his wife and children and the civil and military officials of Youzhou seeing him off—a good death compared to the miserable end he met in a foreign land in the original history.

The situation in Youzhou was transmitted to the Eastern Capital at the fastest possible speed, landing on the desk of the Son of Heaven, Liu Chengyou.

In fact, several days earlier, all the military and political upheavals that had occurred in Youzhou had already been reported south to Kaifeng one after another. Within Youzhou, among the Yan army, there were not only the "pro-Southern faction"—the court's informants were also numerous.

Previously, the secret agents deployed by Liu Chengyou had been formally placed under the Bureau of Military Affairs, establishing a Military Intelligence Office—a spy agency distinct from the Wude Office, dedicated to intelligence gathering on foreign militaries.

The Zhao father and son's actions were ostensibly carried out under the banner of "rectifying lawlessness," but after analysis by Liu Chengyou and the several key ministers of the Bureau of Military Affairs such as Guo and Wei, they naturally saw through its essence of eliminating dissidents and centralizing power. However, Liu Chengyou was pleased to see it happen—previously, the strong "anti-Han" sentiment within the Yan army had been a deep concern for him.

Now, after this rectification by the Zhao father and son, the situation had taken a turn. What Liu Chengyou and the court wanted was precisely a stable Youzhou military-political bloc to serve the function of resisting the Liao. As for the Zhao family growing too powerful, he did not consider it a threat—as mentioned before, Youzhou had its own limitations, especially after this reorganization by the Zhao father and son. As long as Liu Chengyou did not make trouble himself, there would be no major problems.

Of course, maintaining the relationship between the two sides required careful handling. Conflicts were inevitably unavoidable—if he supported the north unconditionally, there would be dissent within the court, fearing the tiger raised would become a menace. Youzhou might also, at the slightest stir from the court, harbor divided loyalties and grow uneasy.

Due to its special circumstances, Youzhou's relationship with the court differed from the normal central-local, court-military province dynamic. Liu Chengyou would need to keep a clear head, especially after Zhao Kuangzan took power.

In Liu Chengyou's impression, Zhao Kuangzan, though clever, was young and sharp-edged—and precisely because of that sharpness, the manner of communication and exchange with Youzhou would also need to change.

However, judging from the attitude of Zhao Kuangzan's memorial, he was still quite "submissive" and "loyal" to the court.

"Heaven is merciless, granting no further years—the passing of Prince Yan leaves the Great Han short of a pillar of the northern frontier!" In Guangzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou summoned the various chancellors and the assembled officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs, sighed with emotion, then instructed Fan Zhi, who was attending at his side: "Have the Hanlin Academy write a eulogy to honor him."

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, Prince Yan has passed, and Youzhou's military and civil authority now rests entirely in the hands of his son Zhao Kuangzan. At this moment, the northern frontier situation is bound to be unsettled. If the Khitan seize the opportunity to invade while hearts are unsteady, disaster may follow. The court should make its position known immediately to stabilize the situation in Youzhou!" Guo Wei stepped forward and seriously advised Liu Chengyou.

"Minister Guo's words are reasonable!" Liu Chengyou nodded. He had clearly already considered this in his mind, and looking at Yang Bin and the other ministers, he instructed: "Issue the edict—appoint Zhao Kuangzan as Military Governor of Lulong, Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Field Headquarters, Grand Commandant, Chief Minister, and heir to the title of Prince Yan."

"Have Zhang Yanwei of Chengde and Wang Jing of Henghai coordinate a portion of grain and pay to support Youzhou. Additionally, all troops stationed along the southern Yi River shall be placed on alert to guard against the unexpected. Ensure that the transfer of military and civil authority in Youzhou proceeds smoothly!"

In Zhao Kuangzan's memorial, the plea for support was quite obvious. To set his mind at ease, the court had to show some gesture one way or another. This was also the first formal exchange between the two sides after Zhao Kuangzan took over military and civil authority—they hoped for a good beginning.

"As commanded!"