Chapter 238: The Court's Response

A timely rain was enough to steady people's hearts. The news that followed from all directions was also heartening—especially in Hebei, where the drought had been severe, autumn rains fell abundantly. Dry ditches and channels across the land slowly filled, and parched fields of millet and rice drank deeply of the moisture.

Because of the drought, many of Hebei's field seedlings had been damaged, but thanks to this rain, the losses were greatly reduced—one could say it directly averted the dire situation of a renewed famine.

"Rain after a long drought is certainly a good thing. But this rain has continued for days, unbroken and ceaseless—I fear it may turn into flooding. An edict should be issued to all circuits and prefectures, warning them to remain vigilant against water disasters. Especially the prefectures and counties along the Yellow River—the defense of the dikes and the sites of past breaches require particular caution." In the hall, hearing the incessant patter of rain outside, Liu Chengyou addressed his assembled ministers in a tone of admonition.

"Yes!"

"We ministers were merely rejoicing at the heaven-sent rain, and are truly ashamed. But Your Majesty, with thorough deliberation, has already perceived the hidden concerns behind it and taken precautions before trouble arises—truly admirable." Feng Dao, seated to the side, bowed slightly and flattered, though there was a measure of sincerity in his tone of approval.

In the hall, civil and military officials were all present: Wang Zhang, Guo Wei, Shang Hongqian, Li Hongxin, Feng Dao, Wei Renpu, and the invited Governor of Kaifeng, Hou Yi, plus Fan Zhi.

These men basically encompassed the most important offices of the Great Han court—the Secretariat-Chancellery, the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Imperial Guard Command, the State Finance Commission, and the Kaifeng Prefecture—and were the backbone of governance. Only eight people in total, gathered together, clearly signified that major matters were to be discussed. And the most unexpected thing was that at such an important meeting, Yang Bin, long the head of the civil officials, was not in attendance.

Others might have been slow to react, but a wily old fox like Feng Dao had already caught the unusual political signal.

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou's expression slightly sobered, and he announced flatly: "I have summoned you all here to discuss but one matter. Li Shouzhen in Hezhong has burning ambitions of rebellion; insurrection is imminent. The court must begin preparing its response."

News of Li Shouzhen's movements had flown in like the wind, arriving from multiple sources upon Liu Chengyou's imperial desk. Reports came from the Military Intelligence Bureau under the Bureau of Military Affairs, the spies of the Wude Office, Liu Chengyou's own shadow agents, the reports of garrisons stationed nearby, and those within Hezhong secretly pledging allegiance to the court.

What slightly surprised Liu Chengyou was that Gao Conghui had immediately sold out Li Shouzhen, sending his correspondence to the Eastern Capital. It seemed Gao Conghui was truly ill—otherwise, given the old scoundrel's usual nature, even if he didn't stir up trouble in the south, he wouldn't have laid Li Shouzhen's communications bare before the court.

Li Shouzhen believed he had seen through Liu Chengyou's and the court's thoughts and plans, that he had all their movements in full view, confident and assured of his schemes. But he could never have imagined that his every move was completely exposed before Liu Chengyou, with nothing omitted.

"Your Majesty, Li Shouzhen, credulous of sorcerers' wild words, harbors treacherous intentions in secret, knows not the Mandate of Heaven, knows not the awe of imperial authority, and recklessly plots to raise troops in rebellion against the court—this is truly smashing an egg against a rock, seeking his own destruction." Feng Dao rose first, expressing stern condemnation and contempt for Li Shouzhen.

Hot on his heels was Hou Yi. The old general, somewhat agitated, said: "Li Shouzhen has always been base and ignorant. Though a veteran commander, he is unskilled in military affairs, and his career on the battlefield has nothing worthy of praise. In Hezhong, he claims to gather heroes and unite hearts, but they are but a motley rabble—how many would truly die for him? Your Majesty and the court have long been prepared; how could such men succeed?"

Liu Chengyou nodded and gestured toward Guo Wei: "Commissioner Guo, brief everyone on the situation in Hezhong!"

"Yes." Guo Wei rose, completed his bow, then turned to address the assembled ministers: "According to the investigation of the Military Intelligence Bureau, since autumn began, Li Shouzhen has gathered over twenty thousand Pu soldiers in Hedong City, drilling day and night. This summer, Hezhong Prefecture had a bountiful harvest, and Li Shouzhen levied heavy taxes upon the people, so that the gentry and commoners of Hezhong all harbor resentment. Investigation shows that Li Shouzhen has stockpiled nearly one hundred thousand dan of grain, both new and old, in the prefectural granaries—enough to supply the soldiers and civilians of Hedong City for a full year."

"Recently, he has repeatedly summoned his subordinate civil and military officers for secret meetings of treachery, speaking arrogantly without any restraint, intending to undertake extraordinary deeds."

"Furthermore, over these past months, Li Shouzhen has sent envoys to contact Xue Huairang of Tongzhou and Hou Zhang of Huazhou, agreeing to rebel together. He has also secretly plotted to ally northward with Xiazhou and the Khitan, and southward with the Meng Shu and the false Tang, seeking to rise on multiple fronts against the Great Han. His viper's heart and towering ambition are already stirring to action."

After hearing Guo Wei's words, the assembled ministers fell silent at once, all wearing solemn expressions.

"What, are you all frightened by Li Shouzhen?" Scanning the room, Liu Chengyou asked lightly.

"Your Majesty, if it were only the single corner of Hezhong, there would be nothing to fear. With the court's strength, it could naturally be pacified. But if three rebels join forces and four enemies come together, the court's response would be stretched thin." It was Shang Hongqian who replied, his expression somewhat grave, as if envisioning a situation of enemies on all sides.

"What does Minister Wei think?" Liu Chengyou asked Wei Renpu, whose expression remained calm.

Called upon, Wei Renpu rose, made a bow, and spoke slowly: "Your Majesty, honored ministers. The rebellion in Hezhong appears fierce, but it is in truth a castle in the air. Tongzhou is pinched from the west by Bin and Yao Prefectures; Huazhou lies caught between Jingzhao and Tong Pass—if these two dare to plot rebellion, they will suffer the court's annihilating strike at the very first moment."

"As for Xue Huairang and Hou Zhang, they govern without good policies, extorting wealth and goods, long despised by the people. They are duckweed without roots—what is there to fear? Moreover, though these two have been seduced by Li Shouzhen, are their hearts truly one with his? The court need only dispatch troops to punish them, and faced with military might, they may well not resist alongside Li Shouzhen. What is called 'three rebels joining forces' is in truth only Hezhong alone."

"As for the four external enemies—in the Western Shu, the Shu sovereign Meng Chang is purging old ministers, and the court is unstable. The Battle of Jifeng Mountain has already cowed the Shu army, and with the treaty previously signed with our dynasty, they would never dare to move troops rashly. The false Tang sovereign Li Jing has always been weak and indecisive, and the Tang army, if on the Jianghuai rivers, could still rely on its navy to show off its might—but if it dares to cross the Huai, how could our Central Plains tiger troops fear their feeble ranks?"

As he spoke, Wei Renpu asked Shang Hongqian: "What does Commander-in-Chief Shang think?"

Shang Hongqian, who had been listening intently, answered without hesitation: "If the Tang army dares to march north, the imperial army's sons will make sure not one of them returns!"

"As for Li Yiyin of Xiazhou, he is of the Tangut people, fierce and cunning. If he sees no tangible benefit, how could he truly respond to Li Shouzhen? More likely, he will sit back and watch the court suppress the rebellion, then move with the tide. The only thing worth worrying about is the Khitan north of the ridges—but should the barbarian cavalry invade south, the Youzhou defense line can hold them off for a time."

"Therefore, if Li Shouzhen raises his rebellion, at least in the initial phase, the only direct threat the court faces is the single corner of Hezhong!"

After hearing Wei Renpu's analysis, the brows of the assembled ministers relaxed considerably. Thinking it over carefully, the situation indeed did not seem so dire after all.

"Minister Wei's words accord deeply with my heart!" Liu Chengyou rose, paced back and forth before the assembly twice, then stated his view coldly and solemnly: "The rebel Li has long harbored treacherous ambitions in secret; these actions of his are hardly surprising. From the moment I knew of his disloyal heart, I have kept my eyes fixed on Hezhong, watching him like a clown capering on stage. Previously, due to the state of the nation, I turned a blind eye. But now, thanks to your assistance, the court is stable, the army's morale is settled, and the grain shortage has eased somewhat. Toward such traitors, I can no longer show any tolerance whatsoever."

"I have decided: dispatch a great army to pacify this rebel and eliminate this internal threat!"

"We await Your Majesty's command!" The assembled civil and military officials answered in unison.

"Minister Shang, Minister Guo—the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Imperial Guard Command shall begin selecting troops for the pacification campaign."

"Yes!"

"Minister Wang—the State Finance Commission shall first allocate grain and military equipment sufficient for fifty thousand cavalry and infantry for half a year!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhang silently calculated for a moment, a look of difficulty crossing his face. But meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, he gritted his teeth and accepted: "Yes."

"Minister Hou—from today onward, together with the Patrol Inspectorate, strengthen control over the Eastern Capital!"

"Yes." Hou Yi hurriedly straightened his old back.

"Transmit the edict to all armies on the northern frontier—raise their alert status!"

Of course, there was one more arrangement not announced in court. It was for the Wude Office: to thoroughly root out the Pu army spies within the Eastern Capital.

After the meeting dispersed, Liu Chengyou retrieved the letters Li Shouzhen had previously exchanged with the Shu army and with Hou Yi, along with the one Gao Conghui had submitted—three in total—and ordered them sent to Hezhong.

Following that, he issued an edict: Li Shouzhen, Military Governor of Hezhong, was to be transferred to garrison Jinzhou.

Liu Chengyou's intent was clear—even if Li Shouzhen rebelled, he would have to do so at Liu Chengyou's pleasure.