Chapter 393: Schemes and Stratagems

The court discussion settled, Liu Chengyou could now issue orders at his leisure.

"Ma Xiguang's envoy is still in the Eastern Capital, is he not?" Liu Chengyou asked Feng Dao.

Feng Dao nodded: "The Chu envoy remains at the Court of State Ceremonies awaiting summons, and has not yet returned south!"

At this moment, Fan Zhi, who had barely spoken, opened his mouth, his expression as cold and hard as ever: "The Chu envoy seems inclined to take up long residence in the Eastern Capital. I suspect he fears the King of Chu cannot hold his state, and wishes to seek refuge under the Great Han to escape disaster!"

"To pursue advantage and avoid harm is only human nature. Given the situation in Hunan now, Ma Xiguang's defeat is imminent. This Chu envoy has some foresight—who exactly is he?" Liu Chengyou showed a flicker of interest.

Wang Qiwu rose at the opportune moment to enlighten Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, the Chu envoy is named Shi Wende. He holds the post of Vice Bureau Director of the Water Bureau in Chu, and is one of the Eighteen Academicians of the Celestial Strategy established by Ma Xifan. I have conversed with him before—this man is ugly of countenance but worthy and capable. He is a talent!"

"To earn the regard of you, Wang Qiwu, he must be no ordinary man!" Liu Chengyou nodded, pondered briefly, then commanded: "Appoint Shi Wende as Pacification Commissioner of Lizhou. Have him return to Hunan at once and tell Ma Xiguang that We grant his request—We shall send troops to garrison Lizhou to relieve his worries. Furthermore, publicize this matter among the gentry and commoners of Hunan!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou then looked to Tao Gu: "Record this!"

Upon the order, Tao Gu immediately straightened up, spread open his register, and raised his brush in readiness. The other ministers likewise perked up, listening quietly for the emperor's commands.

"Edict: An Shenqi, Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit, shall detach two thousand troops from Xiangzhou and march south to garrison Lizhou. Hmm... I hear the Duke of Qi is deeply fond of his subordinate officers, so I shall not take what another cherishes—the garrison commander for Lizhou shall be selected and dispatched by the court." Liu Chengyou tapped his fingers, reminding: "Mind the wording carefully. Once the edict is completed, send it to Xiangzhou immediately!"

"Yes!"

The Son of Heaven seized every opportunity to suppress the power of the military governors—dividing their troops was stripping their authority, and it killed two birds with one stone. Feng Dao mused briefly below, secretly sighing that the emperor was growing ever harder to serve. This feeling grew stronger by the day for the old fox.

Liu Chengyou then signaled to Feng Dao: "Send someone to Jiangling to discuss the matter of passage with the King of Nanping. Inform him as well that the matter of Ma Chu need not trouble him further!"

"Your minister understands!" Feng Dao collected his thoughts and replied.

Previously, Gao Baorong, King of Nanping, had submitted a memorial to the Eastern Capital, stating that Ma Xi'e had invited Jingnan troops south to jointly scheme against Hunan. Gao Baorong, hesitant and afraid to act on his own, had written to request the Han Son of Heaven's decision. In Liu Chengyou's view, this Gao Baorong had the ambition but not the courage—since that was the case, he would give him a clear answer.

"Furthermore, the troops garrisoning Lizhou will be isolated abroad, making grain supply inconvenient. During their period of station, the costs of provisions and pay shall be borne by Jingnan as well!" Liu Chengyou added another line.

At these words, all present exchanged glances—Liu Chengyou was clearly intent on squeezing every advantage. The troops need not come from the Eastern Capital, the supplies need not be provided by the Eastern Capital, and the generals would be appointed by the central government. All the court truly needed to contribute was some paperwork and running about...

"Your Majesty, this may well provoke resentment in the King of Nanping!" Feng Dao muttered.

After all, Liu Chengyou's intent was indeed somewhat bullying by force, riding on power to oppress the weak—so toward Gao Baorong of Jingnan, and so toward An Shenqi of Xiangzhou!

Sensing his concern, Wang Pu rose to smooth things over for Liu Chengyou, saying: "In your minister's view, Your Majesty's move may well stir resentment in the Gao clan, but at the same time, it can dispel their suspicions. The troops sent south are not increased in number, and their lifeline of grain rests in Jingnan's hands—they need not be feared. Otherwise, even if the court made no major moves, they could hardly be assured the court would not scheme against Jingnan!"

Though Liu Chengyou in truth had not considered things as "deeply" as Wang Pu supposed, hearing his analysis, he could not help but praise Wang Pu with a "you truly understand my heart."

"Your Majesty's deliberations are thorough—this old minister bows in admiration!" For Feng Dao, nothing mattered more than flattering and praising the Son of Heaven. In any case, the great decision was already made.

"Is there a candidate to lead the troops?" Liu Chengyou turned to the question of the garrison commander: "Lizhou sits at the crossroads of three southern regions, a land of four-front warfare. Moreover, the situation in Hunan is complex and chaotic—we need a battle-hardened general who understands strategy and can act with steadiness to take charge!"

Liu Chengyou's requirements made the assembled ministers hesitate to rashly recommend anyone. It was true that the Great Han had a thousand battle-tested generals, but it was equally true that most were brave warriors and fierce men. For garrisoning Lizhou, mere bravery alone would not do. Of course, there were no shortage of steady and composed generals—one could rattle off Guo Wei, Guo Congyi, Liu Ci, and others at will—but if any of these military heavyweights were sent to garrison a bridgehead fortress, even if Liu Chengyou issued the order, they might not actually obey...

After some deliberation, it was Wang Qiwu who spoke up, recommending a man to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, Cao Yin, senior officer of the First Army of the Left Wing of the Husheng Army, is of deep and steady character, humble and courteous. He has served in the military for many years with rich combat experience—he can be entrusted with the task!"

As one of the four major armies under the Hujie Army (the infantry designation of the Imperial Guard Command), the command of the First Army of the Left Wing of the Husheng Army counted as a mid-to-senior rank generalship. Liu Chengyou had some impression of this man.

"Hmm?" An image of the man flashed through his mind, but a peculiar glint passed through his eyes—a glint that seemed to firm up Liu Chengyou's decision: "I know this man—he is indeed a steady general. So be it. Promote him to Defense Commissioner of Lizhou, and have him hurry south to Xiangzhou to take command of the troops and proceed to Lizhou!"

As it concerned troop movements, Liu Chengyou directly gave the order to Wei Renpu, Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs.

He then looked to the others, warning solemnly: "The relevant departments of the court must do their utmost to cooperate with Xiangzhou, Jingnan, and Hunan, and implement matters swiftly to ensure the Xiang troops garrison Lizhou without delay, lest mishaps arise! Ma Xiguang's side cannot hold out much longer, I imagine—this time, the court's actions must be swift!"

"Yes!"

"But Your Majesty, if our army has not yet arrived and Ma Xiguang has already fallen, what should we do?" Wei Renpu took the opportunity to seek advance instructions from Liu Chengyou.

"We've expended troops and resources—We can hardly just turn around and go home, can We?" Liu Chengyou said in a light tone, full of bandit logic: "Since We have answered the King of Chu's request, Lizhou is now a prefecture under the Great Han's jurisdiction. Stationing troops there is a normal military deployment of our court. Would Ma Chu dare raise objections?"

"Moreover, if Ma Xiguang falls, would Ma Xi'e dare to offend Our majesty? Who can say—perhaps Ma Xi'e will even send people bearing food and drink northward to feast the imperial army!"

"Yes!" Wei Renpu nodded and bowed, saying no more. With the emperor's clear authorization, he could make arrangements and preparations in advance.

This court discussion concerned nothing more than the "King of Chu's request for aid," yet from beginning to end, the sovereign and ministers of the Northern Han considered and planned only for the Great Han's interests and strategy, without sparing a single thought for the interests and feelings of Hunan's gentry and commoners. In this chaotic age, such was the tragedy of small powers—and all the more so when they refused to strive for themselves...

As for Liu Chengyou, he actually rather savored this feeling of scheming over the realm—great power in hand, the world within his grasp.

"The matter of Hunan is thus settled!" Liu Chengyou made his summary, then raised the final agenda item: "Now then, for the false Tang, who should be sent as envoy to persuade them to 'divide Chu'?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Tao Gu eagerly stepped forward, making a grand bow: "Your minister volunteers to go!"

Judging by his demeanor, he was excited beyond restraint—though whether it was for the glory of the mission, the display of national might, or nostalgia for the flower boats and beauties on the Qinhuai River, one could not say...

In fact, having prior experience as envoy to the Southern Tang and having completed the mission admirably, Tao Gu was a fitting choice to visit the Southern Tang again. The other option was Wang Qiwu.

Liu Chengyou glanced at Wang Qiwu, who also seemed stirred—civil officials by and large harbored a heart for diplomatic maneuvering.

His eyes rolled twice, and Liu Chengyou looked at Tao Gu: "Then we shall trouble Minister Tao to make the journey once more! Since the two states established friendly relations, a year and a half has passed. The great markets have opened, trade flows freely, the border grows increasingly prosperous, and the lives of the people on both sides of the Huai have grown ever more settled—all this is the enlightened achievement of the Tang sovereign, and We are deeply grateful. You shall go to Jinling on Our behalf, pay a visit, sing the Tang sovereign's praises, and convey Our thanks and respect..."

Liu Chengyou's high-sounding words, so tactful they were nearly naked, left Tao Gu blinking in bewilderment. The assembled ministers could not help but glance sideways—the Son of Heaven's face was growing thicker by the day. Yet there was nothing surprising about it; after all, they all played politics—it was basic craft.

"Your minister accepts the charge and shall not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!" Joy practically radiated from Tao Gu's voice.