Chapter 422: Response

Wei Renpu was as calm as a machine devoid of any emotion, thoroughly extinguishing the faint hope in Liu Chengyou's heart: "The terrain of Hebei is flat and open, with no natural defenses to rely on—this is an indisputable fact and our army's greatest disadvantage. Though Your Majesty has established a defensive line along the Southern Yi River, adjusting it several times, dispatching additional troops and veteran generals, and constructing fortifications, it remains a makeshift arrangement at best. How much defensive effectiveness it can truly offer against Khitan cavalry is hardly a cause for optimism."

"This time, the barbarian invaders have only used small bands of horsemen, striking continuously and repeatedly in all directions, forcing our northern border troops to raise alarms everywhere, endlessly harassed, suffering beyond measure."

"Your Majesty is also versed in military affairs. If the Khitan were to launch a full-scale invasion southward, and the court lacks a major force to counter the threat and give them pause, once they break through the northern defenses, what devastation would they wreak upon the prefectures of Hebei? And if Your Majesty were to commit the main army to strike Huainan, given the false Tang's strength, it would hardly be easily taken—that is a land of protracted warfare."

"Should the campaign go poorly and drag on, the consequences would be unimaginable. If the Khitan threaten from behind, the false Tang would become even harder to subdue, their will to resist surely emboldened. More terrifying still, if the Khitan army drives straight in, heading toward the Eastern Capital..."

Wei Renpu's words thoroughly dispelled Liu Chengyou's notion of a "two-front war."

His emotions fully cooled, weighing gains and losses, his expression slowly knitting together, Liu Chengyou could not help but angrily say: "Three years of scheming, painstaking planning, and in the end, we still have to act according to the Khitan's whims?"

The Son of Heaven's tone carried barely suppressed indignation and frustration, and the several ministers in the hall instinctively lowered their heads.

Whether willing to admit it or not, the facts were indeed as he said. Campaigning south was not like sending Zhe Congruan to fight the Wild Chicken tribe and such miscellaneous barbarians—it required mobilizing the greater part of the court's strength. As long as the Northern Han lacked the capability for a two-front war, it would forever be constrained by others. Moreover, even with such capability, the situation of being caught between two enemies was something to be strenuously avoided.

"This old man thinks the two Ministers are being overly cautious!" Seeing the atmosphere grow too oppressive, Gao Xingzhou spoke up at this moment, casting glances at Wei Renpu and Wang Pu: "Though the Khitan threat is serious, it has not yet reached the point of crushing our dynasty's spirit. The northern situation has only just begun to show signs—whether the Khitan will launch a major invasion remains unknown. To speculate, hesitate, and waver here in the Chongzheng Hall, recklessly discussing changes to the court's grand strategy—such frightened birds, how do they have the face to plan state and military affairs in the imperial hall?"

Gao Xingzhou's words were like a thunderclap that awakened the deaf, quite rousing, though somewhat lacking in respect for Wei and Wang's faces. Wei Renpu merely revealed a bitter smile upon hearing this, while Wang Pu's face flashed with urgency and defiance, and he was about to speak when Liu Chengyou raised his hand to stop him.

"Ministers Wei and Wang—to consider defeat before victory, to consider weakness before strength, this is mature counsel for the state! Matters of army and state should naturally be guided by circumstances and change with the times!" Liu Chengyou had now fully composed himself, saying to his father-in-law: "However, what the Prince of Linqing says is not without reason. The Khitan's movements remain to be observed. No matter how they move, we must not be thrown into chaos!"

"We should also begin to move!" Pacing back and forth before the map, Liu Chengyou said directly: "Have the Military Intelligence Bureau send men to investigate the Khitan—dispatch many capable agents, spend heavily, spare no cost. Transmit orders to all border garrisons to strengthen vigilance. All commands and garrison forces along the frontier, including the Yan army, shall keep close watch on the Khitan's every move."

He then said to Zhang Dejun, who was waiting on the other side: "Go, fetch the two Military Commissioners for me, and be quick!"

"Yes!" Hearing the tone of the Son of Heaven, Zhang Dejun's backside tightened and he hurried off at a swift pace.

"The Khitan raids have already caused major destruction along the border, with refugees rising in great numbers. In light of this, how should the court respond—do you have any further suggestions?" His gaze fixed tightly on the central-northern Hebei region, Liu Chengyou asked in a deep voice.

Gao Xingzhou cupped his hands and suggested: "Your Majesty, though the various commands established by the court along the northern border are under the overall coordination of Commander-in-Chief He Fujin, each command in reality operates independently, with dispersed forces and poor coordination. Your Majesty might issue another edict to clarify the chain of command and the hierarchy of ranks, so that military orders flow smoothly. Also, have the various armies strengthen coordination and communication, provide timely warnings, and if the enemy attacks, fight jointly—while also granting the armies the autonomy to seize opportunities and take the initiative to strike out!"

As Gao Xingzhou's words fell, Liu Chengyou immediately turned his head to look at him. Beneath his father-in-law's turban, white sideburns were visible, and his face, besides showing age, was calm, meeting the Emperor's gaze with complete composure.

Slightly furrowing his brow, Liu Chengyou pondered inwardly—he understood Gao Xingzhou's meaning. It was just that the authority hadn't even been fully gathered yet, and now it was time to start releasing it again? But Gao Xingzhou's suggestion was not without merit. Border affairs were complex, military intelligence changed at any moment—Liu Chengyou could not simply hand the generals a defense map or a battle formation chart and then have them fight according to it.

"Can He Fujin be trusted?" Liu Chengyou silently asked himself: "Ma Quanyi, Luo Yangui, Li Yun..."

Liu Chengyou was by nature a decisive man, and without hesitating long, he said directly: "Then we shall follow the Prince of Linqing's words. Issue proclamations to all garrison commanders and command officers: Commander-in-Chief He Fujin shall have unified command. Military orders are as immovable as mountains—no dawdling or delay. I grant them military autonomy, but with one clear directive: when the barbarian horsemen come raiding, holding the passes is primary, sorties are secondary."

"Additionally..." In almost an instant, Liu Chengyou added a patch to this decision: "Appoint Li Gu, Surveillance Commissioner of the Chengde Army and Administrator of Hengzhou Prefecture, as Fiscal Commissioner of Hebei for Water and Land. Henceforth, all grain, pay, clothing, medicine, military equipment, and the like needed by the border garrisons and passes shall be uniformly allocated and supplied by him."

"Yes!"

Gao Xingzhou's suggestion had borne fruit, and Murong Yanzhao also took the initiative to speak: "Your Majesty, your subject can only think of a crude method. In recent years, the court has built fortresses and stationed garrison troops in Hebei to resist the barbarian horsemen. But relying solely on the court's strength is insufficient. Your subject suggests that, following the example of the chaotic Southern and Northern Dynasties, the great clans and heroes of the Central Plains could extensively construct fortified manors, building walls for self-defense—farming in peacetime, defending the fortifications in times of chaos."

"Your Majesty, the strategy proposed by General Murong is feasible." Wei Renpu expressed his approval: "In this way, we can both minimize the damage the barbarian horsemen's southern raids inflict upon the people of Hebei, and coordinate with the court's troops to launch counterattacks!"

For some reason, upon hearing these two men's suggestions, a scene immediately surfaced in Liu Chengyou's mind: fortified manors and walled estates, forming villages and gardens, where the court's governance could hardly penetrate...

However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. At this moment, for Liu Chengyou, seizing the immediate benefit was clearly more important than future drawbacks. Without much hesitation, he agreed.

"For the people of Youyan and the border regions who wish to migrate south, the court should do its utmost to assist their relocation and settle them in the prefectures and counties!" Wei Renpu suggested.

"..."

The four civil and military officials quickly put forward a series of countermeasures for the current situation. But no matter which one, they all appeared passive—yet there was no helping it, circumstances did not permit otherwise.

"This feeling of being constrained by others is truly awful!" Liu Chengyou cursed inwardly.

"Your Majesty, should we have Yang Ye of Daizhou and Lord Zhe of Fuzhou lead their troops out to strike, as a probing counterattack?" Murong Yanzhao proposed.

Liu Chengyou directly rejected it: "No! Their strength is insufficient. Now is not the time to face the Khitan head-on. Without the resolve to achieve victory and the determination to seize territory, why waste money, grain, and soldiers!"

Withdrawing his gaze from the map, Liu Chengyou looked around and said solemnly: "The matter of the Khitan invading south is still mere speculation, with no firm conclusion. Before the situation undergoes a major shift, the court's campaign remains focused on Huainan. Preparations shall continue in an orderly manner and proceed without delay!"

"Yes!"

Saying this, Liu Chengyou could not help but find some bitter comfort: "In this way, we can further deceive the false Tang's ruler and ministers!"