Chapter 29: Volunteering for Duty

What Liu Chengyou said, at first listen, seemed to make a fair amount of sense, and Liu Zhiyuan subconsciously nodded along. But he quickly realized something was off, and frowned:

"I naturally know the importance of Luzhou, but at present, Lucheng is still in the hands of Han officials. As for that Geng Chongmei, he likely cannot reach Luzhou in a short time, let alone control the military and civil affairs of the entire prefecture to choke us off. I have already sent envoys to urge him to submit, and have yet to receive a reply. If we send troops to seize it now, I fear it will invite criticism."

As soon as Liu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Liu Chengyou immediately picked up: "Not to seize it, but to assist the soldiers and people of Luzhou in resisting the threat of the Khitan. I have already sent people to inquire about the situation in Luzhou. After Military Governor Zhang Cong'en went to Bianliang, Luzhou has also been plagued by tax-collecting envoys ravaging the area, and the soldiers and people suffer greatly. If Father sends troops, it is to rescue the suffering and settle the crisis—how can that be called invasion or seizure?"

Liu Chengyou's expression was wooden, his tone steady, but his words clearly carried cunning: "As for your envoy, I do not believe that a few words from him can make the entire prefecture surrender. A necessary show of military force is still advisable."

"Moreover, Zhang Cong'en personally went to Bianliang to submit to the Khitan, so the subordinates he left behind in Luzhou now nominally belong to the Khitan. If they do not submit to the new dynasty, and we send troops to take the prefecture, it is also a campaign against the Khitan, eliminating their 'accomplices'..."

At this point, Liu Chengyou's meaning had been made very clear.

Liu Zhiyuan calmly studied him, his thoughts drifting, and said slowly: "You propose taking Luzhou—do you wish to personally lead the army south?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's eyes widened slightly, as if somewhat surprised. Facing Liu Zhiyuan's scrutiny, he rose and bowed deeply: "Your son's little thoughts cannot escape Father's keen eyes."

This answer counted as an admission, and a formal request for the command.

Liu Zhiyuan, however, showed some hesitation. Although his second son's performance over this long period had been outstanding enough, it still was not sufficient to set his mind at ease. After thinking it over, he said with some reluctance: "The dangers of the battlefield are beyond what you can imagine. You have never had experience leading troops in battle, let alone independently commanding an army to advance against the enemy and take a city!"

Liu Zhiyuan's words made good sense—this was precisely what Liu Chengyou lacked. No matter how much he spoke, it was only armchair strategy. However, Liu Zhiyuan's words clearly leaned toward accepting Liu Chengyou's suggestion and moving troops to take Luzhou.

Liu Chengyou had long pondered this matter deeply in his heart. He looked at Liu Zhiyuan, his calm voice carrying confidence: "Luzhou, at this time, is in political chaos and its people are weary—what difficulty is there in taking it? Though your son is unworthy, I have confidence. As for commanding troops in the field, dispatching a senior general will suffice..."

After Liu Chengyou finished speaking, he quietly waited for Liu Zhiyuan's response, looking very composed.

Liu Zhiyuan stared at Liu Chengyou for a long while, then let out a light breath and asked casually: "How many troops do you need?"

Though his expression was calm, Liu Chengyou had actually been observing Liu Zhiyuan's expression all along, watching his eyes. His body relaxed, and he answered softly: "The Longqi Army alone will suffice."

"Can you take Luzhou with only the Longqi Army?" Liu Zhiyuan's brows furrowed slightly, probably feeling that Liu Chengyou was a bit overconfident: "Though you are usually sparing with words, I have always known you to be proud and ambitious. But do not underestimate the people of this world!"

Liu Chengyou straightened his back again, as if correcting his attitude, and said seriously: "Your son will heed Father's teachings!"

After studying Liu Chengyou a few more times, Liu Zhiyuan pondered for a while before speaking slowly: "Taking Luzhou first is not unacceptable..."

"You may withdraw."

"Your servant takes his leave!"

Liu Chengyou respectfully withdrew. Once out of the hall, his somber expression reappeared on his face, as if all his sharpness had been sheathed—none of the flair he had shown before Liu Zhiyuan, speaking boldly and pointing at the realm, remained.

He walked slowly, his steps steady, his dark pupils filled with confidence. Though Liu Zhiyuan had not directly approved, Liu Chengyou knew he had already agreed.

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On the eighteenth day, following the scheduled departure time, Liu Zhiyuan personally led the army and once again advanced eastward. This time, Liu Zhiyuan brought the entire Xingjie Army and the absorbed Tuyuhun troops. Everything went smoothly, with no unexpected incidents.

At the same time, Shi Hongzhao also led more than five thousand men from the ten battalions of the Left Wing of the Wu Section in a rapid march north to attack Daizhou.

The Longqi Army camp under the sun looked quite lively.

Before the camp gate, a huge recruitment placard was very conspicuous, with a long line forming beneath it—there was no shortage of applicants. Beside it, military clerks patiently inquired about the identities of the sturdy men who came to enlist, while recording with their brushes.

On the open ground beside the camp walls, it was even more lively. The camp's officers orderly examined and screened the men who had come to join the army.

Since Liu Zhiyuan had proclaimed himself emperor, the various groups of people coming to Jinyang had noticeably increased. All the armies in Jinyang had, to varying degrees, recruited and expanded, and the Longqi Army was no exception.

On the watchtower by the camp palisade, Liu Chengyou leaned against the rough wooden railing, quietly watching the recruitment scene before him. His attention was fixed on that young officer—Yang Ye.

Liu Chengyou had granted him the position of Captain, and rather than directly assigning him to fill a vacancy in one of the Longqi Army's battalions, he used the recruitment opportunity to let him select his own men and fill out his subordinates.

Liu Chengyou noticed that Yang Ye did not select soldiers like the other senior officers, who mostly picked those who looked fierce and powerful. Instead, he focused on those with honest, simple faces and clean backgrounds. In fact, with just a slight turn of thought, Liu Chengyou understood his reasoning. "Yang Wudi" clearly used his head.

Zhang Yanwei and Ma Quanyi stood beside Liu Chengyou, looking spirited and elated, joy showing in their brows.

"Your Highness!" Seeing Liu Chengyou lost in thought over the recruitment scene, Zhang Yanwei could not help but speak up: "You seem to value that Yang Ye greatly, even letting him pick his own men. The other brothers are quite envious."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze from Yang Ye and said flatly: "I like him!"

With that said, ignoring Zhang Yanwei, Liu Chengyou looked at Ma Quanyi: "How is the recruitment going?"

"Reporting to Your Highness!" Ma Quanyi still appeared capable and efficient, answering succinctly: "As of today, our army has recruited more than eight hundred men. After screening, they are all elite and sturdy fellows. With only a little training, they can form a proper force. In particular, two outstanding individuals have appeared—both are promising talents!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou suddenly became interested: "Tell me about them."

In truth, with so many men joining the army, Liu Chengyou secretly hoped to pick up a few talents. He knew Ma Quanyi well—if it were not certain, he would not easily say such things.

"One is named Han Tong, a native of Taiyuan. He has prior military experience, a burly build, and is quite fierce in battle. He once served as a cavalry squad leader due to merit, and is especially skilled at mounted combat. On horseback, I fear I would not be his match!"

Hearing this introduction, Liu Chengyou's eyes lit up. This Han Tong was a name recorded in history, and not a small one at that—he was the only senior imperial army general of the Later Zhou whom Zhao Kuangyin killed after the Chenqiao mutiny.

"The other is named Xiang Xun, a native of Huaizhou. He is bold and generous, unconstrained by trivialities, and quite chivalrous. I have spoken with him—this man has considerable talent in his belly. His journey to Taiyuan to join the army is also an interesting tale. On the way, some bandits saw that he was unusually imposing and took him for a rich man's son. They followed him, intending to rob him, but he keenly detected them. When passing through Shihui Pass, he killed the donkey he was riding, sold its meat for wine, and feasted the local heroes, telling them the reason. The local heroes were all impressed by him, and many sent men to escort him north, allowing him to travel safely without the bandits daring to trouble him..."