Chapter 394: The Planning of Military Operations Begins From This Moment

The court assembly concluded, and the ministers dispersed—those without pressing duties returned to their residences, while those with responsibilities hurried to their offices to handle matters through the night. The situation in Hunan remained unsettled, and the Emperor's decisions needed to be implemented swiftly; there was no room for delay.

The palace eunuchs carefully cleaned up the mess in Chongzheng Hall, not daring to make much noise. A faint smell of oil and meat still lingered in the hall, so Liu Chengyou simply beckoned Tao Gu and Wang Qiwu, who had remained behind, to accompany him on a stroll outside the hall.

Beyond the palace in deep winter, it was exceptionally cold, and the surroundings were pitch-black as ink. Though many palace lanterns hung about, they could hardly overcome the darkness. What met the eye was the feeble, flickering glow beneath the lamp shades, casting a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.

Still, taking a leisurely stroll, he pondered a few matters, and after the cold night wind blew for a while, his mind grew clearer, as if much of the murkiness within his breast had been purified.

"Minister Tao, do you know why I kept you in the palace?" Pausing, Liu Chengyou leaned his body casually against the bluestone railing at the edge of the square before the hall, casting a sidelong glance at Tao Gu.

Tao Gu was taken aback by the question, his shrewd eyes darting about for a moment. He bowed slightly and said with deference: "I am to be sent as envoy to the false Tang. Whatever instruction Your Majesty may have, your servant humbly awaits your sacred command!"

"Conversing with you, Tao Xiushi, is like basking in a spring breeze!" Liu Chengyou reached out to greet the winter wind, chuckling lightly.

The words seemed to praise Tao Gu's quick wit, but on reflection, there was something slightly off about them.

Tilting his head slightly upward, facing south, Liu Chengyou said: "The lands east of the river are a gathering place of culture and talent, with pleasant scenery. There are also the songs and dances of Qinhuai, and the soft accents of Wu—enough to make one lose oneself, to be intoxicated by it all. I imagine the memories would linger endlessly..."

Perhaps because his conscience was uneasy, and the undertone in the Son of Heaven's words was so obvious, Tao Gu's old face flushed. He instinctively glanced at Wang Qiwu, who was also waiting nearby, then lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty may rest assured. This time I go to Tang, I will devote my heart and strength, and will not be distracted by external temptations, so as to persuade the Tang sovereign and not fail my mission!"

"Minister Tao misunderstands!" Seeing Tao Gu somewhat tense, Liu Chengyou chuckled, his pupils reflecting the firelight and shining especially bright in the darkness: "Fine wine and beautiful women, light songs and graceful dances—who doesn't love such things? If Minister Tao enjoys them, so do I. It is but human nature; do not take it to heart..."

At these words, Tao Gu grew even more nervous, lowering his head slightly with a look of shame.

Seeing the frantic struggle on Tao Gu's face, Liu Chengyou's tone remained relaxed as he raised a finger: "Minister Tao, on this trip you need only persuade Li Jing. I care only about the result, not the process. I hear the false Tang's sovereign and ministers are fond of feasting, grand talk, and indulging in pleasure. If you can achieve your goal, then songs and dances, pipes and flutes, lingering and forgetting to return—none of that is worth mentioning..."

"Your Majesty jests!" Tao Gu gave an awkward smile.

Waving his hand at him, Liu Chengyou said: "The matter of Ma Chu is merely a casual move on my part. Whether it succeeds or fails is of no great consequence, but if it can produce even a fraction of an effect, it will reduce the resistance for our future campaign against Huainan by that same fraction. Now the year is in deep winter, and state affairs are urgent—we cannot wait for better weather. I must trouble you, Minister, to prepare the official documents tonight, return home to pack, and head south tomorrow..."

"As commanded!" Hearing this, Tao Gu breathed a sigh of relief and bowed solemnly.

"No need to take your leave of me tomorrow!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Yes! Your servant takes his leave!"

Tao Gu bowed again and withdrew. With Liu Chengyou's permission, he stepped back a few paces, turned, and walked away, treading on the cold stone tiles with hurried steps, as if fleeing.

Watching his retreating figure, Liu Chengyou remarked with feeling: "This Tao Xiushi—his private conduct may be somewhat lacking, but he is still someone who can be put to good use."

Wang Qiwu, still standing nearby, did not find it appropriate to chime in on this remark.

Liu Chengyou looked at him and smiled slightly: "Qiwu, do you also wish to go to the false Tang?"

Wang Qiwu made a bow and replied: "The scenery of Jinling, the sovereign and ministers of the false Tang—I already witnessed them on my previous mission to Tang. Though I cannot go this time and feel a slight regret, it is only that I cannot personally go to share Your Majesty's burdens and troubles."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but marvel—how did these ministers always manage to speak so pleasingly...

"I am not unaware that Qiwu's heart stirs. But as I just said to Tao Gu, the arrangements in Lizhou are of no great consequence. And whether Tao Gu can persuade Li Jing or not, whether the plan to ally with Tang and divide Chu can proceed or not—none of it is critical. Success would certainly be cause for joy, but if it fails, could I possibly abandon the great enterprise of attacking Huainan?"

Liu Chengyou straightened his body, his sleeves moving with his gestures, radiating authority: "To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. To obtain Huainan, we must rely on the valor of our Great Han soldiers, the quality of our armor and weapons—we must rely on war!"

Hearing these heartfelt words from the Son of Heaven, Wang Qiwu, whose bearing was always as composed as fine jade, could not help but show a look of admiration. He bowed and said: "Your Majesty's vision towers above all, seeing ten thousand li with perfect clarity!"

"No need to flatter me!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, appearing not to appreciate the compliment: "Such words of praise coming from your mouth, Wang Qiwu—I am not accustomed to them."

Wang Qiwu was taken aback.

Giving him no time to dwell on it, Liu Chengyou asked: "Since passing the imperial examination in the first year of Qianyou, you have been by my side for over two years now. Do you have any inclination to take up a post in the provinces?"

Recovering his composure, Wang Qiwu's mind worked quickly, and he immediately asked: "Does Your Majesty intend to send your servant out to the localities?"

"What do you think?"

Wang Qiwu's expression showed no change: "I await Your Majesty's assignment!"

Satisfied with this man's attitude, Liu Chengyou pointed south and said: "I intend to appoint you as Grain and Supplies Commissioner for Northern Huainan, to go to Suzhou, construct granaries and storehouses, and transport grain and military equipment. In the future, when the great army campaigns against Huainan, it must pass through Suzhou. You are to cooperate with Zhao Kuangyin and turn Suzhou into a supply depot for our army."

"As commanded!" Wang Qiwu said with enthusiasm: "Your Majesty has indeed planned ahead. Sending General Zhao to Suzhou earlier—I imagine this was already your intention!"

"The campaign against Huainan, the annexation of the lands north of the river—this strategy has already begun since Wang Pu first proposed it. And the preparations for war must also commence now! The planning of military operations begins from this moment!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou speak thus, Wang Qiwu suddenly felt the weight of pressure, as if a mission as heavy as a mountain rested on his back. He bowed with solemnity.

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou touched his nose—it was slightly damp. The cold wind outside the hall truly was not suitable for prolonged exposure.

Beckoning for them to head back inside, Liu Chengyou asked as he walked: "That Cao Yin you recommended—if I remember correctly, he was one of Guo Wei's retainers, was he not?"

Wang Qiwu's steps paused for a moment, then quickly caught up. He tilted his head slightly and said carefully to Liu Chengyou: "This man joined the army at a young age, drifted through various posts before serving the Grand Ancestor, and came under Chancellor Guo's command. But no matter his past, he is now Your Majesty's retainer."

"No need to overthink it!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou said flatly: "Among the imperial army of the two commands, seasoned generals like Cao Yin are not few. Placing such men in the localities is also a fine choice to make use of their abilities."

Recalling Zheng Renhui's performance in Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou added: "That Zheng Renhui—he is usually unknown and unremarkable, but from what I observed in the hall just now, he is a man of hidden strategic talent!"

Wang Qiwu nodded, speaking from the heart: "Lord Zheng is upright and cautious, approachable and amiable, with an excellent reputation at court. He is truly a talent of national caliber!"

"Commissioner Guo's eye is truly fine—those he has promoted all possess some special skill, talents worth promoting!"

Faced with this remark, Wang Qiwu did not dare to chime in casually.

Suddenly, Liu Chengyou added another line: "You, Wang Qiwu, also have an eye for people. It has been so long now—whenever courtiers inside or outside are mentioned, you always seem able to offer some assessment or another..."