Chapter 243: Arrangements Before Leaving the Capital

After settling the matter of the imperial campaign late into the night, they spent further time discussing the details of the march. An imperial campaign differed from dispatching a great general to lead troops against rebels—first and foremost, the army to be deployed needed adjustment, with the addition of the Inner Palace Guard. As for the formidable Konghe Army, Liu Chengyou had no intention of bringing it this time, intending instead to use it to guard the imperial city. At the same time, the accompanying officers would also be redeployed accordingly.

It was not until dawn, when the lamps and candles were nearly spent, that the court discussion finally concluded. Even so, the ministers were not permitted to rest—they needed to quickly throw themselves into the preparations for the campaign, with the State Finance Commission, the Bureau of Military Affairs, and the Imperial Guard Command bearing the heaviest burdens.

The campaign was set to depart on the fifteenth, giving Liu Chengyou only a day and a night to make adjustments. The schedule was extremely tight—even though a great deal of preparation against the rebels had already been done in advance, there was no pause in the bustle.

As the sky was just beginning to lighten, Liu Chengyou, who had been taking a brief rest in Chuigong Hall, was awakened on time by the palace eunuchs. By now, the eunuchs attending him dared not make the slightest deduction from his orders, nor would they presume to be clever and, out of consideration for His Majesty's fatigue, let him sleep a while longer.

After a simple wash and dress, Liu Chengyou went straight to Renming Hall to pay respects to Lady Li—if he was to lead the campaign in person, he had to inform the Empress Dowager.

Lady Li had already risen. After briefly looking in on her imperial grandson Liu Nongge, she learned that His Majesty had come. During this period, Lady Li's heart had been almost entirely invested in this grandson, fearing that some mishap might befall him.

Beside the food table, Liu Chengyou sat at the lower side, as always, helping himself to the meal. However, the atmosphere, compared to before, had lost some of its warmth and taken on a solemn gravity.

Personally peeling an egg for Liu Chengyou, Lady Li sighed softly: "Erlang, I know that persuasion will not stop you. But you must think it through clearly—look before you leap."

Hearing Lady Li's words, it was evident she too did not wish Liu Chengyou to take the field in person. Last year, when he had donned armor and gone out from Hedong, enduring the perils of war, it had already caused her great worry. Now, Liu Chengyou was the Emperor, master of the state, bearing the weight of the realm upon his shoulders.

However, Lady Li also understood Liu Chengyou's temperament, knowing that once his plans were set, he could not be dissuaded. Therefore, she simply offered a reminder.

"Mother, rest assured. Regarding the matter of Hezhong, I have planned for it over a long time, with much deliberation in the temple. The court's preparations for contingencies are also thorough. Every move Li Shouzhen makes is within my sight..." Facing Lady Li's reasonableness, Liu Chengyou also offered gentle words of comfort.

Hearing this, the doubt in Lady Li's dignified demeanor dissipated considerably, and she nodded. Thinking of how Liu Chengyou had always acted only after careful planning, her heart eased somewhat.

"The Eastern Capital is the heart of the Central Plains, where the foundation of the state lies. If the Eastern Capital is stable, then the realm is at peace. Before you leave the capital, the court must make proper arrangements!" After a moment's thought, Lady Li reminded him.

"Mother's instruction is correct. As for how to arrange things, I have already deliberated in my heart!" Liu Chengyou's attitude was humble, a glint flashing in his eyes as he raised his hands in salute and said solemnly to Lady Li: "However, if the Eastern Capital is to be kept stable, we will need the Empress Dowager to step forward and steady the people's hearts!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's request, Lady Li's phoenix brows knitted slightly, and she instinctively raised a hand to refuse: "I am but a woman of the deep palace; matters of the outer court are not for me to meddle in!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said instead: "Among the ministers, there is much friction and discord. Mother's reputation for virtue is known throughout the realm, and all look up to you. In the Eastern Capital, only Mother can keep the ministers in check. For the peace of the court and the stability of the rivers and mountains, I must ask Mother to bear this burden for a time!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou speak thus, Lady Li finally nodded and sighed: "Then I shall keep watch for you for a while, until you return with your army!"

Lady Li was truly a very clever woman. On ordinary days she barely touched Liu Chengyou's "sensitive spots," and this time too, it was only after confirming that Liu Chengyou had no other intentions that she agreed.

Last year, when Liu Zhiyuan led the campaign in person, Prince Wei Liu Chengxun had overseen the state. Now it fell to Liu Chengyou, and there was no other way—he could only turn to the Empress Dowager. Throughout the entire Eastern Capital, the only one who could hold the scene steady and enjoy Liu Chengyou's trust was this mother of his.

As for the fact that this would cause the power of the maternal clan and consort relatives to rise considerably—for the Great Han as it stood, this was but a minor concern. Compared with the stability of the capital and the state, it counted for little.

After withdrawing from Lady Li's presence, Liu Chengyou received good news from the front: Yang Ye had defeated the Pu army at Fengling Ford, and at the same time, Zhao Hui had already led three thousand Shaanxi troops westward to provide support. With the front line secure, Liu Chengyou's side could proceed with greater assurance.

Forcing himself to stay alert, Liu Chengyou visited in turn the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Imperial Guard Command, inquiring into the adjustments of the army to be dispatched. When the great army marched forth and the imperial carriage set out, it was not that the infantry and cavalry all departed together. The Bureau of Military Affairs was not inefficient—the earlier deployments and preparations were not mere talk. The Xiaodi Army, with its two wings and six commands totaling over ten thousand men, had already set out westward under the leadership of Chief Commander Zhou Hui, serving as the vanguard.

Additionally, according to plan, the Xingjie Army and the Scattered Command, two forces, would depart two hours later, escorting a portion of grain and equipment in their wake. It was not until the next day that Liu Chengyou would lead the Husheng cavalry along with the Longqi and Inner Palace Guard as the central army.

Fifty thousand infantry and cavalry—this was solid, with no water added. As such, after the great army left the capital, the imperial army remaining within and around Kaifeng numbered only a little over forty thousand, and their combat effectiveness was somewhat inferior.

As a national capital with no natural defenses to rely upon, this was already a state of emptiness. And this portion of troops, besides consolidating the Eastern Capital, also had to be ready at any time to respond to the potential threat of the Tang army from the south. However, if the Tang army were to march out and reach the Eastern Capital, that was essentially impossible...

On the watchtower of the imperial city gate, Liu Chengyou leaned against the railing, which had been cleaned exceptionally well, and gazed south over the walls of the Eastern Capital. Though he could not take in the full view, he could vaguely imagine the current scenery of the capital. Early autumn was a beautiful season—the season of harvest—when a great many new goods of clothing and food came to market. The commercial atmosphere of the Eastern Capital seemed always to be rich.

Lately, the atmosphere in the city had been the most peaceful it had been in half a year, the main reason being that grain prices had fallen. However, with the rebellion in Hezhong, grain prices would rise again, and controls within the city would have to be tightened once more.

"This western campaign—not bringing you along must leave some regret in your heart, no?" Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at Xiang Xun, who stood ramrod straight beside him, and asked.

As a trusted confidant, Xiang Xun maintained reverence in Liu Chengyou's presence without being overly tense. Hearing the question, he said with ease: "To be unable to accompany Your Majesty in suppressing the rebellion is indeed a pity, but to be able to guard the imperial city for Your Majesty—your servant also feels honored!"

Xiang Xun was already a highly mature talent, without the hotheadedness of youth. His mindset was very composed, and he had excellent foresight.

For this western campaign, Liu Chengyou's old subordinates such as Sun Li, Ma Quanyi, Han Tong, and Li Chongju all accompanied the army into battle—only Xiang Xun was kept by Liu Chengyou in the Eastern Capital. While still serving as Commissioner of the Palace City, Liu Chengyou also promoted him to Chief Commander of the Konghe Army! Xiang Xun, of course, understood exactly why Liu Chengyou had left him in the Eastern Capital.

"The Konghe Army is the most elite of the imperial army in the Eastern Capital, and I place it in your hands. The Empress Dowager, the Inner Palace, the imperial city, and all the offices—all are entrusted to your protection!" Liu Chengyou was very satisfied with Xiang Xun's attitude and entrusted him with this solemn charge.

Seeing this, Xiang Xun stepped back a pace, clasped his hands, and replied gravely: "Your subordinate will not fail Your Majesty's great trust."

"As for you, Xiang Xingmin, I naturally have faith!"

On the Eastern Capital side, Shang Hongqian had been kept by Liu Chengyou, continuing to command the imperial army and take charge of Kaifeng's military affairs. In the two-plus months he had served as commander of the imperial forces, Liu Chengyou was very satisfied with his work.

As for his two maternal uncles, Li Hongxin and Li Hongwei—one served as deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, the other as commander of the cavalry—they still held military power to serve as a counterbalance, with Lady Li above them to keep pressure on. The other maternal uncle, Li Hongjian, was summoned to accompany the army.

There was also Patrol Inspector Gai Wan of the capital, who led the patrol office's troops and, together with the Kaifeng administration, jointly maintained public order in the Eastern Capital.

Among the chancellors, Yang Bin and Feng Dao would accompany the imperial carriage. Feng Dao went with the army to be available for consultation. Bringing Yang Bin along was not a sign of favor—if he were left in the capital, Liu Chengyou feared he would stir up trouble. During the campaign, Liu Chengyou did not want any unexpected disturbance in the Eastern Capital.

The remaining chancellors would handle state affairs and stabilize the rear. Wang Zhang and Guo Wei, with Wang Zhang taking the lead, would coordinate all matters in the rear and provide support to the western campaign army.

In short, in his arrangements for the Eastern Capital, Liu Chengyou strove for a balance.

The single day and night of preparation time pressed the civil and military ministers hard, and for Liu Chengyou himself, likewise, pushing through and checking on all matters was exhausting enough.

In the evening, Liu Chengyou summoned Commissioner of the Wude Office Li Shaoyou before him, gave him secret instructions, and then went to the Empress's quarters to spend the night.

Hampered by extreme fatigue, he failed to successfully fire off a farewell shot.