Chapter 437: A Rare Hesitation

Wherever the Son of Heaven's gaze fell, there the assembled ministers turned, yet no one felt surprised. After all this time, everyone had noticed that Liu Chengyou's regard and trust for Wei Renpu far exceeded that for others. Among the civil and military officials, if one were to speak of who held the greatest influence over the Son of Heaven, none could compare to this Minister Wei, who had only recently been made chancellor.

With many gazes converging upon him, Wei Renpu's expression remained calm. He rose and bowed to Liu Chengyou before speaking slowly: "Your Majesty, as Commissioner Zheng has said, attacking Tang or campaigning against the Khitan — the one is for near profit, the other for long-term strategy. Attacking Tang is for near profit. With the court's three years of preparation, coupled with schemes laid across the southern states, the Tang army is easy to overcome, and Huainan may be taken lightly. Campaigning against the Khitan is for long-term strategy. Heaven has granted a fine opportunity; if one battle achieves success, the benefit extends to all under Heaven, and it would at once overturn the passive situation in which, since the Shi Jin, our Central Plains' northern border defenses have been completely controlled by the barbarian invaders."

Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu, awaiting what came next. He knew that Wei Renpu was not a man without conviction; his words carried their own insight. But this was not the time for fence-sitting.

"However!" Wei Renpu paused slightly, as if organizing his words, then continued: "There is one point that must be considered. Since this spring, because of the Khitan's movements, all of our dynasty's war preparations have revolved around how to resist the Khitan, how to rely on cities and fortresses across the vast region south of the Yan Mountains and in Hebei to fight, hold, and exhaust the enemy — holding firm in defense, weakening their morale, and then launching counterattacks."

"As for advancing troops north of Youzhou, approaching Tan and Ji, recovering the Yan Mountains, and breaching cities and seizing passes — the court has made no prior preparations whatsoever. The Liao army along the border has already adopted a defensive posture. If we wish to campaign, it is not merely a matter of dispatching troops. The front line would shift north by at least two hundred li, and the pressure of transporting grain and supplies would greatly increase. With the front line stretched long, if the barbarian cavalry strikes hard at our supply routes, they are certain to achieve twice the result with half the effort. If Youzhou were to serve as the base — then, forgive me for speaking bluntly, given Youzhou's current condition, it is insufficient to serve as a stable base for advance."

"Moreover, the lands of Tan and Ji are now heavily garrisoned by Khitan troops. The new ruler has led his forces eastward. Based on previous reports, one can roughly estimate that the Liao army still numbers no fewer than a hundred thousand. Even if our soldiers are brave and do not shirk death, do they possess the certainty of victory to break through defenses and seize cities? Even if they could, the price to be paid is difficult to predict!"

"There is another matter. According to the scouts' reports, during the march, rebellion suddenly erupted, and the emperor and empress were slain. Within a single day and night, a new ruler was established, and measures were issued on all fronts. The new Khitan emperor has advanced east to Tanzhou. I venture to guess that he seeks to seize the armies of the southern Liao region to secure his position and status — all of which are sound moves to stabilize the situation."

"If the new Khitan emperor is not a ruler of Your Majesty's brilliant decisiveness, then he has able and loyal generals and ministers to aid him. The Khitan have fallen into chaos, but to what degree that chaos extends remains an unknown mystery. Knowing oneself but not the enemy — one victory, one defeat. Under such circumstances, our great army marching north might achieve some effect, but it would be difficult to fully accomplish its aims, and provoking fierce resistance is not impossible either."

"A northern campaign at this time would be like the year Your Majesty resolved to commission the former Yan king Zhao Yanshou to campaign north against Youzhou — a great gamble. Your Majesty won that bet, and so in these years, the pressure on our northern border defenses has greatly lessened. But if it had failed—"

Pausing, Wei Renpu continued: "What I have said is but one minister's concern. If the court can quickly adjust, make preparations, overcome all difficulties, and settle the great situation of the realm in a single battle, then a northern campaign would not be impermissible. But the pros and cons therein require Your Majesty's comprehensive consideration!"

After hearing Wei Renpu's analysis, Liu Chengyou was silent for a moment, then raised his head to look at Shang Hongqian and the other generals who strongly advocated war: "Hearing Chancellor Wei's words — the Khitan has a hundred thousand heavy troops, and our two hundred thousand-strong army advances a thousand li north. Do you all have the confidence to break the enemy and seize the passes?"

Shang Hongqian was no longer so confident. He had only been speaking casually anyway; it was not as if command of the army would fall to him. Wang Yin and Du Hanhui also fell silent. They wanted to fight, dared to fight, but at this moment, having them declare certain victory in battle was difficult.

It was Han Tong who, eyes wide as brass bells, spoke up loudly: "Your servant is but a single cavalryman, raised up by Your Majesty. I know nothing of the great strategies of the state, only that I would die to repay my sovereign's grace. Wherever Your Majesty's edict points, your servant has no other words — I will surely lead the iron cavalry, bathed in blood, slaying enemies until death!"

"You are simple and direct!" Liu Chengyou raised a finger and pointed at Han Tong, chuckling lightly.

Tao Gu was minded to speak again, but saw Liu Chengyou take a deep breath, assuming an air of decision.

The assembled ministers assumed postures of awaiting the sage instruction, only to hear the Emperor hold his breath for a while, then say: "You may all withdraw, each to his duties, and manage military and civil affairs well. As for the matter of the southern campaign or northern expedition, allow me to think it over further!"

"Yes!"

"Chancellor Wei, stay a moment!" Not long after leaving the hall, Wang Pu caught up from behind and called out to Wei Renpu.

"Lord Wang!" Wei Renpu returned the greeting with humility.

Walking together with Wei Renpu toward the Hall of State Affairs at Guangzheng Hall, Wang Pu could not help but say: "His Majesty has always been a decisively bold ruler. Since I entered court service, in all the moment-to-moment decisions I have witnessed, I have never seen His Majesty hesitate like this."

As he walked, Wang Pu waved his hands in small gestures, appearing somewhat agitated: "The court sending a great army north was originally a measure for contingency and defense. Now the great situation has changed, and the advantage lies with us. Following the momentum south, lightly taking Huainan, we would seize all the fertile lands and populations north of the Yangtze. Huainan alone has at least three hundred thousand households. Add the benefits of fish, salt, and grain — such great profit, like taking something from one's own pocket. Why exhaust the nation's strength to recklessly contend with the Khitan?"

Listening quietly to Wang Pu's words, Wei Renpu also let out a gentle sigh. Gazing toward the north, he murmured: "Striking the barbarian invaders in the north, fully recovering the rivers and mountains, driving the enemy back a thousand li — what a temptation this is for a sovereign with great ambitions like His Majesty. With your insight, Lord Wang, do you not know this? In these past years, though he has constantly planned the southern campaign, His Majesty has not had a single day without gazing north. The Great Wall and the Yan Mountains, fallen into Khitan hands, have always been a thorn in His Majesty's heart. If it is not pulled out, he cannot eat or sleep in peace."

As he spoke, he glanced at Wang Pu: "Were it not for the Khitan menace, your southern campaign strategy would hardly have been so beset with twists and hindrances."

Hearing this, Wang Pu spoke with certainty: "Precisely because of this — the Khitan's internal chaos is Heaven's granted opportunity to our dynasty. How could we let it pass!"

As he spoke, Wang Pu grew somewhat anxious: "No, I must go see His Majesty again and press my views forcefully. I cannot let men like Tao Gu influence him. The Khitan still has heavy troops in the south. A northern campaign now, fighting and killing with them, would gain little and lose much, only wasting our dynasty's strength. Even if we retake the passes and fortifications, how many troops, how much money and grain would it cost to hold them? And how to deal with the Yan army — has anyone thought that through..."

Wang Pu turned to leave at once. Seeing this, Wei Renpu hurriedly grabbed him, shook his head at him, and counseled: "We have already offered our remonstrance. As for the pros and cons therein, with His Majesty's wisdom, he can think it through clearly. The northern advance does indeed have a chance of success, but whether to campaign north depends on how great His Majesty's resolve is, and whether he can bear all possible risks and consequences."

"Since ancient times, civil officials die for remonstrance, and military officials die for remonstrance. This decision concerns the fate of the dynasty, the great situation of the realm, and even the rise and fall of the next several decades — all resting on a single thought of His Majesty. As a high minister of the court, having eaten the sovereign's salary, I must fulfill my duty. I still must go see His Majesty!" Wang Pu's expression was grave, somewhat stubborn.

But Wei Renpu held him fast and said in a low voice: "His Majesty is a sovereign of grand strategy. He can distinguish what is urgent from what is not, what is weighty from what is light. Let him think it over properly!"

"This..." Exchanging a glance with Wei Renpu, Wang Pu finally let out a long sigh.

Seeing this, Wei Renpu added in a low voice: "His Majesty is a sage and decisive ruler. How could he act entirely at the whim of us ministers? Moreover, Lord Wang — have you not noticed why the Longqi Army, which had already set out, turned straight back to the capital?"

"Hiss—" Wang Pu calmed down, thoughtful: "What does Chancellor Wei mean?"

"If he were merely hesitating, His Majesty could simply issue an order for the army to encamp in place and await orders!"

In truth, Wei Renpu had one more piece of news he did not share: Liu Chengyou had already issued an edict ordering the two armies that had gone north to halt their advance.

Wang Pu temporarily set aside his intention to see Liu Chengyou, bowed to Wei Renpu, turned, and strode quickly toward his office. Behind him, watching Wang Pu's somewhat impatient back, Wei Renpu felt a little helpless. This Lord Wang's talent and vision were matchless in the world, but his temperament was overly rigid. It was only because Wei Renpu's own disposition and cultivation were excellent that he could tolerate him and maintain good relations. At present, those in court who looked askance at Wang Pu were far too many...

As for Liu Chengyou, after the discussion was dismissed, he did not remain in Chongzheng Hall — staying there was too stifling. He had always been a decisive man, but on this matter, he had to admit that he had hesitated, wavered, and found it hard to choose.

Wandering about the palace, Liu Chengyou went directly to Kunming Hall, where the Empress resided, greatly surprising the elder Lady Fu. The younger Lady Fu, the Consort of Virtue, was also there, and the two sisters hurriedly received him.

Two young women — one dignified and graceful, the other youthful and radiant. Unfortunately, though the sisters were gathered together, Liu Chengyou had no amorous interest at the moment.

"Why has Your Majesty come?" The two sisters together welcomed Liu Chengyou into the inner chambers and ordered the maids to serve fruits and tea. The elder Lady Fu could not help asking.

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou said: "Dealing with matters of state and military day after day — I am sick of it, weary of it, tired of it. I want to sleep!"

This was likely the first time they had seen Liu Chengyou behave this way. The two Ladies Fu exchanged a glance, both somewhat taken aback.