Chapter 270: The Effects Are Already Showing

Liu Chengyou, on his way back with the army, had only just received word of that slightly ridiculous and ironic situation unfolding in the Southern Tang. His sole comment, delivered with a tone of contempt: "At least they know their place."

In Liu Chengyou's view, the Southern Tang's approach was a textbook case of having the thief's heart but not the thief's courage—hesitant, dragging their feet, even worse than Jingnan. When Gao Laizi wanted to take advantage, he generally struck first and talked later, at most admitting defeat and begging for mercy after the fact.

Of course, Liu Chengyou was not clear on the Southern Tang's domestic conditions and court struggles, but judging solely from what they had displayed, the Southern Tang was nothing to fear. Moreover, their wealth and prosperity made Liu Chengyou drool with envy. When discussing with close ministers like Fan Zhi, he even said outright that if the false Tang dared to march north, he would personally lead troops south.

Given the Great Han court's strained financial situation and the country's overall poverty, relying solely on internal development—spending several years reforming abuses and tilling the fields to produce—would hardly bring improvement. Steady development could never match the speed of outright seizure, especially when a fat morsel was right at one's lips.

Likely due to his tone, Fan Zhi and the others took Liu Chengyou's words as mere venting, unaware that with Li Shouzhen barely pacified, Liu Chengyou had already set his sights on the Southern Tang. Surveying the surroundings, only Huainan offered any profit—and great profit at that.

Of course, given the Great Han's current state, it was truly inadvisable to mobilize large forces again, especially to initiate a national war. First, suppressing Li Shouzhen's rebellion had nearly exhausted the court's accumulated wealth and grain of the past year, leaving the granaries empty. Second, the Khitan's constant harassment in the north kept the borderlands unsettled. Third, the reform of internal abuses had only just begun and still needed deepening. Fourth, the imperial army still required training and reorganization.

On the first day of the ninth month, the triumphant army passed through the Western Capital and halted there.

Shi Hongzhao led the officials of the Western Capital's branch office and various meritorious subjects ten li outside the city to welcome him. Liu Chengyou descended from his imperial carriage to receive them, spoke a few brief words of encouragement, then dismissed the assembled ministers. Entering the Purple Micro Palace, he held only a small banquet, exchanging a few pleasantries with Shi Hongzhao and the others.

"The stubborn rebels at Hezhong dared to offend the Son of Heaven's majesty. Your Majesty, with divine martial bearing, personally led the great army and extinguished the traitors in little more than a month before returning. When the officials of Luoyang heard of this, all rejoiced and gazed westward, stirred with excitement, cheering endlessly for Your Majesty and the might of the Great Han army!" Meeting Shi Hongzhao again, the man seemed to have completely shed his former arrogance and wildness, actually singing praises to Liu Chengyou.

Hearing such refined words emerge from Shi Hongzhao's mouth, Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised, figuring the man must have had someone prepare a script for him in advance. Still, at Shi Hongzhao's attitude, Liu Chengyou was both astonished and understanding, even feeling a faint secret delight in his heart.

"Minister Shi is a fierce warrior of the battlefield, brave and stalwart, but hearing these literary words from you is also quite refreshing." Liu Chengyou offered a word of praise.

Shi Hongzhao actually looked somewhat embarrassed, saying: "In my spare time from official duties lately, I have been learning characters and studying letters from my guests. As it turns out, I find it quite enjoyable."

"Reading enlightens the mind, teaches loyalty and righteousness, and instills propriety. All the soldiers of the Great Han should learn from Minister Shi!" Liu Chengyou nodded, his tone plain but full of approval.

Shi Hongzhao was briefly stunned at these words, but soon burst into loud laughter right there in the court, his voice booming as he stroked his coarse beard. Showing not a trace of modesty, he said bluntly: "I would gladly serve as an example for all under heaven!"

The arrogant expression once again showed plainly on Shi Hongzhao's face. Seeing his behavior, Liu Chengyou was not overly surprised, finding it rather normal. People are not so easily changed; Shi Hongzhao's soldierly habits ran deep. Presumably, he only restrained himself somewhat in front of Liu Chengyou.

"In this western campaign, there were two great contributions: first, the accompanying soldiers fought with dedication and courage on the front lines; second, the officials of the Eastern Capital gathered grain and equipment, supplying the front so that nothing was lacking—this was steady planning from the rear. Luoyang held the key position for supply transport, controlling the throat of the grain route for the pacification army. Minister Shi, by holding the center and keeping things stable, ensured the front lines had no worries—this too is a great merit, and deserves reward!" With a slight sigh, Liu Chengyou spoke solemnly to Shi Hongzhao, his intent to reward and win over the man quite evident.

Shi Hongzhao's mouth split into a wide grin, his beard trembling, as he replied with a laugh in a tone of certainty: "I dare not claim merit."

Also present at the banquet, Yang Bin watched the scene of "harmony" between sovereign and minister, Liu Chengyou and Shi Hongzhao. His indifferent gaze lingered on Shi Hongzhao for a moment, his cheek twitched slightly, and the corner of his mouth curled into a faint sneer of disdain.

In his view, Shi Hongzhao's tactic of currying favor and drawing close to the Son of Heaven was far too clumsy—and too naive. The rift between them had already deepened. In Yang Bin's eyes, Liu Chengyou was a man of cold gratitude and scant kindness; no matter how submissive one became, reckoning would come eventually. Setting aside everything else, one only needed to look at the fates of Xue Huairang and Hou Zhang—neither of whom had raised the banner of rebellion like Li Shouzhen...

Due to the fatigue of travel, the brief court banquet quickly concluded. Having received Liu Chengyou's praise, Shi Hongzhao departed satisfied.

Once the hall fell quiet, Liu Chengyou's thoughts began to churn again. Reflecting on Shi Hongzhao's performance just now, he could not help but sigh softly: "Shi Hongzhao—a man of mere courage, arrogant and overbearing, headstrong and hard to control. Yet this time he managed to produce such elegant words before me and actively ingratiate himself. It truly exceeds my expectations."

The hour was still early, and Fan Zhi remained in attendance before the emperor. Hearing Liu Chengyou's sigh, his expression relaxed as he volunteered: "What I see is that Your Majesty's authority overshadows all under heaven, and hearts are awed into submission. Even a wild military man like Duke of Zheng Guo bows his head in obedience!"

For some time now, Fan Zhi had begun proactively offering his views before Liu Chengyou. In the past, this man worked diligently but was somewhat reserved in his personal bearing.

At his words, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "Authority overshadowing all under heaven? I am not so optimistic!"

But Fan Zhi was very optimistic, clasping his hands in salute: "Your Majesty swept away Li Shouzhen with the force of thunder, enough to awe all under heaven and suppress any disloyal thoughts among the military governors. The battle at Luancheng and the battle at Hezhong have fully displayed Your Majesty's heroic brilliance and grand strategy, enough to command the court and extend the dynasty's fortunes. Within the vast realm, no one dares to slight Your Majesty."

Faced with this flattering speech from Fan Zhi, Liu Chengyou, though his face did not redden, felt a heavy weight of emotion in his heart.

Seeing that Liu Chengyou's brow still showed signs of brooding, Fan Zhi could not help but bow and say: "Everything I say is based on fact. Duke of Zheng Guo's performance just now is proof enough."

"One Shi Hongzhao of today is not enough!" Liu Chengyou murmured.

Quickly composing himself, he instructed Fan Zhi: "Go ask whether any new memorials have arrived from the Eastern Capital, especially regarding the war situation in Hebei."

"Yes!"

Fan Zhi soon returned, looking somewhat grave, and reported a piece of war news. A report from Zhang Yanwei of Chengde stated that Khitan cavalry had invaded the two prefectures of Zhao and Ji, plundering the populace heavily. Liu Chengyou's mood immediately soured.

The Great Han's northern defense line was in fact still the one Liu Chengyou had arranged in central Hebei last year. It had many gaps and had never been reinforced. There was no shortage of capable generals—He Fujin, Murong Yanzhao, Li Yun, Luo Yangui, and others—but constrained by objective circumstances and with the court's focus elsewhere, they basically had to rely on the northern prefectural armies themselves. When the Khitan were intent solely on plundering, the Han army truly had little effective recourse against them.

In response, after some consideration, Liu Chengyou issued no specific tactical commands, only ordering Fan Zhi to draft an edict telling the Hebei generals to inflict as much damage as possible on the invading Khitan forces and drive them off. Beyond that, nothing more for now.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Li, Censor of the Western Capital branch office, requests an audience." Having received the report from the protocol officer, the palace eunuch Zhang Dejun entered to announce.

A Censor—a sesame-seed-sized petty official—daring to request an audience with the emperor. Liu Chengyou's interest was piqued, and he ordered the man brought in.

Soon, a green-robed official entered with quick, small steps, immediately prostrating himself and performing a most respectful grand bow.

When Liu Chengyou questioned him, he spoke up directly in a clear voice: "I report to Your Majesty: I wish to impeach the Western Capital's Acting Military Governor, Duke of Zheng Guo, Shi Hongzhao!"