Chapter 391: Differing Views

Wei Renpu, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, Wang Qiwu, and Tao Gu—these five could be considered the core members of the imperial faction at court. Among the idle lesser officials at court, the elegant title of the "Five Talents" had already spread. In fact, each of these five had his own function, and all were trusted by Liu Chengyou as close confidants.

Originally, Liu Chengyou had only intended to discuss the matter of the Ma Chu with these five, but feeling that this might be somewhat improper, he simply summoned more people. Feng Dao came from the Hall of State Affairs; Shang Hongqian and Murong Yanzhao came from the Palace Command; Gao Xingzhou and Han Tong came from the Imperial Guard Command; and Zheng Renhui came from the Bureau of Military Affairs.

Zheng Renhui, holding the office of Chief Recipient of Petitions in the Bureau of Military Affairs, represented Commissioner of Military Affairs Guo Wei, who had departed north on a winter inspection tour of the border at Liu Chengyou's command.

Night had already fallen, and the assembled civil and military officials had all been summoned in haste. Those on duty at court fared somewhat better; the rest had to rush over from their residences.

"Summoning you all in such haste, I have disturbed and inconvenienced you—please do not take offense!" The hall blazed with lamplight, the bright flames somewhat dazzling. Liu Chengyou opened with a relaxed tone.

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely!" Seeing the Emperor so courteous, Feng Dao immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, "When Your Majesty summons us, even from ten thousand li away we would come swiftly. And since weighty matters are to be discussed, how could we dare to be remiss!"

The old fox Feng Dao's flattery was always pleasing. Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, waved his hand, and said to the seated civil and military officials, "The hour is already late, and I imagine you have not yet eaten. I have ordered an evening meal prepared. Tonight, we sovereign and ministers shall discuss matters while dining—do not stand on ceremony, make yourselves at ease!"

This easygoing, unceremonious manner improved the atmosphere between sovereign and ministers. The assembled officials chorused, "We thank Your Majesty!"

The food bestowed in the hall was not deliberately reduced—it was fairly abundant, not delicacies of the rarest kind, but the flavor was not poor either.

"Minister Wei, please brief the assembled ministers on the affairs of Hunan!" Liu Chengyou said to Wei Renpu while holding a bowl of porridge and lowering his spoon.

Wei Renpu acknowledged the order and rose. The others instinctively turned their gazes toward him and set down the bowls and chopsticks they had picked up. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou spoke again, reiterating that the ministers need not stand on ceremony and should eat while listening. Though somewhat deliberate, the harmonious atmosphere between sovereign and ministers was nonetheless cultivated.

Wei Renpu's eloquence had always been quick; in less than a quarter of an hour, he had laid out clearly the situation of the internal strife between the Ma brothers of Hunan.

"Commissioner Wei's explanation has been very clear. King Ma Xiguang of Chu has repeatedly begged for aid from me. The Great Han is his suzerain state, and with disorder in the Ma Chu, we ultimately cannot stand by with folded arms. Now that we have a little surplus strength, what do you all think our dynasty should do in response?" Liu Chengyou looked around the circle and asked.

"This Ma Xiguang is far too useless. Sitting on the troops, money, and grain of over a dozen prefectures in Hunan, he actually let the paltry Ma Xi'e, with just one prefecture's territory, rebel and attack right up to the city walls!" Shang Hongqian spoke first, his disdain undisguised.

Liu Chengyou also gave a slight smile, looking rather rueful: "I am curious as well. I knew this man was weak and timid, but I did not expect him to be so weak and timid that he is about to lose his army and his state!"

Wei Renpu also seemed somewhat speechless and puzzled, and his expression even showed a rare hint of contempt:

"According to reports from Hunan, Ma Xi'e has no more than a thousand horses and fewer than ten thousand soldiers. As for the troops and generals under Ma Xiguang—even if not a hundred thousand, he still has fifty or sixty thousand usable soldiers. Yet in just three years of fraternal strife, he has already sunk to the point of defeat and ruin. The man is truly too pedantic—he cannot recognize talent, and he cannot judge those he employs. He has been weak toward Ma Xi'e and repeatedly indulgent."

"Ma Xi'e's full brother Ma Xichong has colluded with him from within and without, his rebellious traces blatant. Ma Xiguang not only refuses to heed loyal counsel and eliminate him to end the calamity, but instead employs him to command troops in defending the city against the enemy. And now Ma Xiguang has shut himself up in his princely residence, seeking shamans and worshipping the Dao, praying for the enemy troops to retreat on their own!"

"With such a mediocre lord, how could he not be defeated!" Gao Xingzhou, who had served as a commander in the capital for half a year, made no attempt to conceal his contempt: "Facing such a benighted master, Ma Xi'e still took three years of stalemate before reaching Changsha. From this it can be seen that Ma Xi'e is also an incompetent fellow. That Ma Yin could be considered a hero of his time, yet his descendants are so unworthy—even nine springs beneath the earth, how could he rest peacefully!"

After these words, the assembled civil and military officials, more or less, all voiced their disdain.

"Enough. We sovereign and ministers are gathered here—there is no need to discuss how worthless the Ma brothers are!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand, leaned slightly forward, his tiger eyes commanding, and said with a solemn expression, "The Ma clan's internal strife is not a matter confined to Hunan alone. It concerns the entire southern realm—Jingnan, the Southern Tang, the false Liu, and even the Meng Shu have all stirred at the news. By now, I am unwilling and unable to sit on the other shore and watch the flames."

"Your Majesty, the lands of Hunan are vast, situated in the heart of the southern realm, with abundant fish and grain. The Ma brothers cannot hold them—this is Heaven's gift of a fine opportunity for the Great Han to seize them. I believe Your Majesty should accept the King of Chu's invitation, dispatch an elite force southward, and take the opportunity to bring the prefectures of Hunan back under the court's control!" Tao Gu immediately stepped forward and offered his suggestion.

As his words fell, Han Tong directly stepped out of the ranks to volunteer, looking eager to render meritorious service: "If Your Majesty so desires, I am willing to lead an army on campaign!"

After the two had finished speaking, before Liu Chengyou could ask further questions, Wang Pu—currently acting as Minister of Works—immediately rose, his attitude clear and resolute in opposition: "Your Majesty, the considerations of Tao and Han are ill-advised. This move absolutely must not be taken!"

"Why not!" Wang Pu's opposition was somewhat blunt, almost slapping faces in public, and Tao Gu was greatly displeased.

"For the past two years, what Your Majesty has devoted your efforts to has all been the southern campaign against Jianghuai. How can we lightly change course because of the disorder in Hunan and delay the great enterprise?" Wang Pu said.

"Hmph!" Tao Gu shot a glance at Wang Pu and said lightly, "Grand military strategy should adapt to the times. Now that the situation has changed, it is perfectly fine for Your Majesty to adjust his strategy in a timely manner. Moreover, Hunan's troops are weak and its people exhausted. Sending one force as a secondary army—how much impact could that have on Your Majesty's campaign against Huainan?"

"Drafting Official Tao's words are mistaken!" Wang Pu immediately retorted, his expression agitated: "In military affairs, there are no small matters. The court does not have the strength to wage war on two fronts! Hunan is vast in territory, more than a thousand li from the Eastern Capital. Sending troops south is truly a long-distance expedition that exhausts the army. Moreover, the soldiers of the north are unaccustomed to the climate and waters of the south. To advance rashly would likely bring harm rather than benefit!"

"Furthermore, between Hunan and the Great Han lies Jingnan. If we send too few troops, success will be hard to achieve; if we send too many, Jingnan will surely grow suspicious and wary. In the Ma clan's disorder, the Great Han is not the only one watching to see who wins and who loses. The Southern Tang borders it, and the false Liu lurks watching to the south. If the Great Han moves first, I fear it would give those two the opportunity to profit. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to be cautious!"

The civil and military officials in Chongzheng Hall quickly split into three factions: Tao Gu and Han Tong advocated advancing, Wang Pu and Wang Qiwu advocated holding back, and the rest stood in the middle. As for Feng Dao, he once again played tai chi—Drafting Official Tao and General Han's aspirations were commendable, and what Minister Wang said also had merit. In short, he had no intention of participating in the divisions within the imperial faction...

Liu Chengyou, meanwhile, considered the matter seriously. To be honest, if he could take Hunan in a single battle by seizing the opportunity of the Ma clan's internal strife, he was somewhat tempted. But weighing the overall situation and considering strategic strength, he could only restrain his ambition and impulse.

Never mind that the Ma brothers were "pecking at each other like chickens" fiercely in Hunan—if one thought carefully, if the Great Han did not move, it could face north and defend, adapting to circumstances. If the Great Han did move, it would very likely sink into a quagmire.

After a long while, Liu Chengyou gently stroked the imperial desk, his calm tone releasing a resolute will: "I will not pull chestnuts from the fire, lest I lose the chicken while trying to steal the egg! All the ministers present are my arms and legs, those to whom I can entrust my heart. Let me reiterate once more: the Great Han's strategic direction henceforth remains Huainan—it cannot be changed!"

"Yes!"