Chapter 32: Luzhou Shaken

Drawing a slight breath, Liu Chengyou raised his eyes to Guo Rong, who stood at attention at the side with a grave expression.

Clad in military armor, Guo Rong's heroic bearing was impossible to conceal. Some men lack striking looks and powerful physiques, appearing unremarkable at first glance, but once you work alongside them, you are certain to discover their extraordinary qualities.

"Be seated, both of you!" Seeing Zhang Yanwei and Guo Rong still standing, Liu Chengyou gestured with his hand.

After a moment of deliberation, his calm gaze settling on Guo Rong, Liu Chengyou asked: "Patrol Inspector Guo, now that you have entered the Longqi Army, how do you find it?"

At the question, Guo Rong clasped his hands and replied: "It lives up to its reputation. From what this humble officer has observed, the Longqi Army is truly a formidable force of Hedong, a mighty host under heaven!"

Liu Chengyou directly shook his head: "A mighty host under heaven—I fear that is still far off!"

Guo Rong could not help but glance at Liu Chengyou in surprise. He had offered a cautious compliment, but Liu Chengyou clearly did not set much store by it.

Pressing his palms together, pondering for a few moments, Liu Chengyou spoke: "From what you have observed, are there any problems in the army that need rectifying to improve combat effectiveness?"

His brow furrowing slightly, Guo Rong glanced at Liu Chengyou's calm face, and after a moment's hesitation, said: "This humble officer has only just entered the camp and is not yet familiar with everything. I dare not speak recklessly."

"That is a prudent statement." Liu Chengyou's expression was very composed: "Then... Patrol Inspector Guo, you must walk about the army more!"

"Yes!"

After conversing with Guo Rong for a while, Liu Chengyou's attention shifted to Xiang Xun standing at the side. His gaze seemed to carry something, tinged with a trace of hesitation, and he said nothing.

"Does Your Highness have any instructions?" Xiang Xun, being quick-witted, took the initiative to ask.

"Mm... I have a task for you. Take a few capable soldiers and head south to Luzhou ahead of the army to scout out the situation there!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

Hearing the order, Xiang Xun's spirits stirred slightly as he looked at Liu Chengyou: "Does Your Highness intend to take Luzhou?"

"Luzhou is the key pass for advancing south from Hedong. With your eyesight and experience, could you not have guessed that?" Liu Chengyou cast a sidelong glance at Guo Rong, then looked at Xiang Xun with a calm expression: "What you must do is infiltrate Luzhou, especially Shangdang City, and ascertain everything—its city defenses, troop dispositions, all conditions. This mission carries no small risk. Penetrating deep into enemy territory is fraught with peril on every side..."

"This subordinate is willing to go!" Xiang Xun resolutely volunteered.

"You came north not long ago, and now you must hurry south again. Do not begrudge the toil of travel!" Liu Chengyou offered a word of encouragement.

A faint look of resolve hung on Xiang Xun's face as he raised his hands in reply: "I would not dare!"

"General Zhang, select a few capable and prudent men from my personal guards and assign them to Xiang Xun!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou casually raised his hand and gestured to Zhang Yanwei.

"Yes!"

As he led Xiang Xun out of the tent, Zhang Yanwei could not help but cast a sidelong, appraising look at Xiang Xun, muttering inwardly. It seemed this man, too, was one favored by His Highness. As his thoughts turned, a smile spread across Zhang Yanwei's rough-hewn face, and with an expression full of goodwill he spoke: "Brother Xiang, please follow me..."

Only Liu Chengyou and Guo Rong remained in the tent now—Liu Chengyou seated, Guo Rong standing. Both were men of few words, and the silence grew somewhat awkward. They were not yet well acquainted, and Liu Chengyou had no intention of "opening his heart" to him. This was not yet the time for talk of ideals and grand undertakings...

"Your Highness, if there is nothing else, this humble officer will take his leave!" It was Guo Rong who took the initiative, bowing his head as he spoke.

Liu Chengyou had originally intended to discuss the matter of Luzhou with him, but on reflection, he decided against it. With a perfectly natural demeanor, he waved his hand: "You may go!"

After Guo Rong withdrew, Liu Chengyou raised a hand to rub his eyes. He bowed his head in thought, no one knowing what he was mulling over, but that stern face of his was extraordinarily calm—calm to an almost excessive degree.

As the rooster crowed and the entire city of Jinyang was still shrouded in the gloom before dawn, Liu Chengyou, already in full military attire, entered the Taiyuan Palace to take his leave of his mother, Lady Li.

"Ah, this child of mine. Matters of war can be settled by the generals and soldiers—why must you, a mere youth, go to the front yourself? The dangers of the battlefield do not yield to your will. You are making your mother worry..." Looking at Liu Chengyou kneeling before her, she rarely chattered on, a hint of reproach on her dignified face, yet the worry in her eyes could not be concealed.

Liu Chengyou kept his head lowered and said: "When it comes to facing the enemy in battle, the army's officers and men will surely strive with valor. Your son stands amid thousands of troops, protected by fierce warriors—what is there to fear?"

Looking at Liu Chengyou, who responded with such composure, Lady Li sighed: "I know you have always had your own opinions and will not go along with others. Since His Majesty has issued the decree, I cannot very well stop you. As your mother, all I can do is remain in the palace and pray for you and the soldiers!"

"Thank you, Mother!" At these words, Liu Chengyou kowtowed once: "The army is about to march and break camp. Your son must hurry back to the ranks. I take my leave here!"

"Let me see Second Brother off!" Liu Chengxun, who was also nearby, spoke up on his own initiative.

A party of several dozen riders, taking advantage of the hazy mist, hurried out of the city and galloped ten li before reining in their horses. By the grassy roadside, the two brothers faced each other holding their saddles. Liu Chengxun spoke with earnest sincerity: "Second Brother, this elder brother will see you off no farther. War is perilous—take every care! I wish you success in breaking the enemy and capturing their cities, sweeping all before you!"

At this moment, Liu Chengxun's handsome face was filled with concern. Meeting his elder brother's gaze, which carried hope and expectation, Liu Chengyou's eyes flickered slightly as he replied softly: "Attending to Mother and greeting her morning and evening—I shall leave that to you, Elder Brother!"

"Do not worry, Second Brother!"

Liu Chengyou led his personal guards, spurring his horse away at speed, and soon vanished into the faint morning mist. By the roadside, Liu Chengxun still gripped the reins with both hands, watching Liu Chengyou's gradually blurring figure, his brows lightly furrowing.

"Your Highness, the Second Prince has already gone far!" After standing and gazing for a long while, a palace eunuch at the side could not help but speak up to remind him.

At the sound, Liu Chengxun let out a heavy breath, withdrew the somewhat "complicated" expression from his face, revealed a warm smile like polished jade, and turned his horse's head: "Let us return..."

By the time the sky was faintly bright, the entire Longqi Army—nearly four thousand men—after their morning meal, marched south directly toward Luzhou under Liu Chengyou's command.

Luzhou, known in ancient times as Shangdang, sits atop the spine of the realm, its terrain high and perilous. The importance of its geography need not be belabored—in short, it was extremely important, and had always been a place contested by military strategists.

In fact, Luzhou was not far from Taiyuan Prefecture—only separated by a single Liao Prefecture—and could well be considered right at one's bedside. If the enemy held it, they could immediately pose a tremendous threat to Hedong. This was precisely why, when Liu Chengyou proposed seizing it, Liu Zhiyuan approved without the slightest hesitation.

Before Yelu Deguang appointed Geng Chongmei, the military governor of Luzhou (the Zhaoyi Circuit) had been one Zhang Cong'en. A relative of the Later Jin imperial house, he was nonetheless cowed by Khitan power and inclined toward submission. Last month, this man had sent envoys to Jinyang, inviting Liu Zhiyuan to go to Bianliang together to pay homage at court, and had received an affirmative reply from Liu Zhiyuan, who said: "My lord, go on ahead; I shall follow after."

Thereafter, Zhang Cong'en personally set off for Bianliang. Subsequently, he was detained in Daliang, and by now had even lost his position as military governor.

At present, those managing affairs in Luzhou were still several subordinates of Zhang Cong'en, appointed by him before his departure. Chief among them was Acting Military Governor Zhao Xingqian, assisted by Patrol Inspector Wang Shou'en and Administrative Assistant Gao Fang.

Liao Prefecture was originally a subsidiary prefecture under Hedong's administration, so Liu Chengyou's army passed through unhindered, marching straight into Luzhou's borders until they reached Siting Town, where they reined in and halted.

Siting Town was less than a hundred li from Shangdang City, the prefectural seat.

News that Hedong had sent troops south spread throughout Luzhou in an instant, and began to radiate outward to the surrounding prefectures and counties.

Luzhou was shaken!