Chapter 461: The Imperial Carriage Arrives at Wokou

"Taking Zhongli is certainly a pleasant surprise, but if you think Huainan is now within easy reach, that's not so simple! The false Tang has suffered heavy blows, but still has strength to spare. Huainan is a key source of tax revenue for Han, and half the realm for Tang—they won't give it up easily! Moreover, the coming ice and snow is a barrier blocking our advance!" Liu Chengyou was not so optimistic, keeping a clear head.

Hearing the Emperor say this, Wang Zhu looked admiring and said sincerely: "Your Majesty is victorious without arrogance, seeing the strategic situation as clearly as fire. With such a sovereign, how can the Huai bandits prevail against you? Taking all of Huainan, and even crossing the Yangtze to destroy Tang, is only a matter of time!"

"Let us hope it is as you say!" Liu Chengyou said, looking at Wang Zhu.

On the whole, Liu Chengyou was quite satisfied with this bookish close minister—no scheming, a pure heart, and literary talent. Apart from a fondness for drink and a slight pedantry, he had no major faults. More importantly, the man was very loyal and held deep reverence for imperial authority.

"Go, bring me the map of Huainan!" After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou ordered.

Soon, Wang Zhu and Zhang Dejun together brought out the Huainan military operations map for Liu Chengyou. Looking at the two men, Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "You two have worked hard along the way—go down and rest!"

"This servant will remain on standby, so as to be at His Majesty's disposal!" Zhang Dejun requested.

"No need!"

The sky was growing dark. Over a dozen oil lamps stood left and right in the imperial tent, with a thick candle by the desk, casting a bright glow. Liu Chengyou sat alone, quietly studying the map, lost in thought.

After about half an hour, he heard the voice of An Shouzhong, who was on duty outside: "Paying respects to the lady!"

Looking up, the tent curtain was lifted, and the young Lady Zhe entered, personally carrying food that had been tested for safety. She came straight to the imperial presence, and as she moved to bow, Liu Chengyou stopped her.

"Your Majesty, please eat something first!" Lady Zhe set the meal on the desk and said to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou glanced at it—a plate of golden-brown roasted meat, a dish of bamboo shoots, a bowl of soup, and a bowl of porridge.

Taking Lady Zhe's hand and having her sit beside him, he clutched his stomach and said gently: "I hadn't felt anything before, but catching this aroma, I suddenly feel hungry. Mm... how fragrant! This is mutton, isn't it..."

After a few bites, Liu Chengyou praised it highly.

"As long as Your Majesty likes it!" The young Lady Zhe's jade-like eyes curved in a smile: "I roasted it myself. Back in Fuzhou, when I accompanied my grandfather and father on hunting trips, whatever game we caught, I was the one who roasted it for them!"

"My Worthy Consort has such skill? I'd never heard of it!" Liu Chengyou laughed heartily.

Watching Liu Chengyou's expression, Lady Zhe asked: "Does Your Majesty not think I am engaging in a base occupation? As an imperial consort, if the censors at court hear of it..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou interrupted her, saying calmly: "Outer ministers have the right to speak, but whether I listen is up to me. 'A gentleman stays far from the kitchen'—that is the pedantic view of scholars, not worth minding. Moreover, for the common people through the ages, what they seek from life is nothing more than food and clothing. You personally cook—doing the great matter of eating—who would dare criticize..."

Seeing Liu Chengyou even produce reasoning, Lady Zhe was clearly pleased, and felt all the more delighted at her lord's understanding nature.

"Bringing you along on this campaign, I've brought along a cook—excellent!" Liu Chengyou teased: "In the future, when there's leisure for hunting, I'll also taste your skill with game you've shot yourself!"

"Yes!"

After chatting a while with Lady Zhe, with food in his belly his strength returned, but drowsiness surged up.

Having someone clear away the leftovers, Liu Chengyou took out the map again to study it, and did not have Lady Zhe withdraw. Seeing this, the Lady of Beauty leaned her head over and said curiously: "I hear the camp is buzzing—another victory at the front?"

"Guo Rong led the army and took Zhongli, the prefectural seat of Haozhou!" Liu Chengyou said.

Nodding, Lady Zhe said: "I've heard this Governor Guo is a rare talent, a capable official of the court. Indeed, achieving such a great merit—no wonder Your Majesty holds him in such high regard!"

"Guo Rong's name has reached the inner palace?" Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at Lady Zhe, asking somewhat abruptly.

Startled by the question, Lady Zhe's smile faded slightly. She sighed and said with a hint of caution: "Your Majesty should know that even deep palace walls cannot completely cut off news of the world. I, in the deep palace, merely hear things occasionally..."

Seeing Lady Zhe's cautious manner, Liu Chengyou gently took her hand and comforted her: "Where has your mind wandered? I meant nothing by it!"

Saying this, Liu Chengyou had her sit even closer, and traced his finger across the map: "We've been campaigning for a month now. Though we've entered Huainan, our army's area of operation is still not large. These three great victories, repeatedly wounding the Tang army, have greatly weakened their forces and strength—the various prefectures of Huainan are ours for the taking."

"Yet in this past month, though the results have been rich, before this, south of the Huai River, Shouchun had not fallen, and Hao and Si still garrisoned along the Huai. In Huainan, we have no solid foothold. The main army camped in Huainan need not fear Tang attacks, but it is still a hidden concern."

"Now that Zhongli has been taken by Guo Rong, our army can advance south at leisure and take control of Haozhou. With Haozhou as a base, eastward we can take Sizhou and Chuzhou, bringing the entire Huai River under our control, maximally eliminating the threat of the Tang navy and securing our supply routes. Southward, we can attack Chuzhou, advance to the Yangtze, manage Yangzhou, intimidate Jinling, and throw the false Tang into terror!"

"Even the western line need not be fully constrained by Shouchun—even if the Tang army defends to the death, we can freely divide our forces and campaign in eastern Huainan. One point opens, many points open! With Haozhou taken, the Huainan situation is unlocked, and our army's position is excellent!"

"From Zhao Kuangyin and Guo Rong's accounts, Guo Tingwei, who originally garrisoned Haozhou, is a capable general, not easy to deal with. To have broken through this defense line, He Yanxi has indeed rendered a great service to our dynasty. I would like to meet this man and reward him. Haha..."

Lady Zhe stood by, watching Liu Chengyou's spirited, eloquent manner, her clear eyes sparkling with admiration, a smile at the corners of her lips.

In late October, Huainan was already very cold. Though not yet bone-piercing, the raging winter wind was still uncomfortable. By comparison, the Han army at Wokou was somewhat more comfortable—several camp walls, land and water connected, supplies in abundance. After Zhongli was taken, there was almost no threat from the Huainan army.

A sturdy floating bridge, strictly supervised by Zhao Kuangyin, now spanned the Huai River, connecting north and south, becoming another stable logistics route for the Northern Han army. Large quantities of military supplies had been transferred from Suzhou to Wokou and stockpiled there.

Before the Han army's camp, Zhao Kuangyin and Dang Jin stood in the howling north wind, faces and noses blown red, seemingly waiting for someone.

Sneezing, Dang Jin wiped his nose and said to Zhao Kuangyin: "In such cold weather, why must Brother Zhao wait like this? It's only a Patrol Inspector of Xuzhou—anyone seeing this would think we're awaiting the imperial carriage!"

The grumbling stopped as Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned his head and snapped at Dang Jin: "Shut up!"

Zhao Kuangyin was rarely so stern, startling Dang Jin. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath and said in an admonishing tone: "Brother Dang, you must not speak carelessly! Are such jokes to be made lightly? You must know that disaster comes from the mouth—if these words spread and are seized upon by those with ulterior motives, trouble will surely follow!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin speak seriously, Dang Jin's expression turned grave, and he nodded with clasped fists: "Yes!"

"But Brother Zhao, you place too much importance on that Guo Rong! He relies merely on his background and his connection to His Majesty. If we hadn't badly mauled the Haozhou enemy at Wokou, how could he have had the chance to seize Zhongli by taking advantage of their weakness and claim the merit? If you were given independent command with authority over a campaign, you would surely build even greater achievements..." Dang Jin voiced what was truly on his mind.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Such words must not be spoken outside. I have heard of this Governor Guo as well—if his reputation is true, he is a fine talent of the state. Moreover, given the current Son of Heaven's ability to judge and employ men, could someone merely favored by fortune be entrusted with such a high position and given authority over a whole region?"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin say this, Dang Jin was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Brother Zhao, I'm not usually one to talk much, but in my heart, I feel wronged on your behalf!"

Zhao Kuangyin merely smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and gazed into the distance. A column of riders had come into view: "They're here!"

As for the "injustice" Dang Jin spoke of, it was the court's response to the great victory at Wokou. Apart from the lower-ranking commanders and soldiers, among the three main generals, the naval commander was directly promoted to Right Wing Chief Commander of the Jingjiang Army—normal enough given the shortage of naval talent. Dang Jin advanced two steps to become Military Commander of Suzhou's troops. The key issue was Zhao Kuangyin—the court had made no gesture toward him at all.

Dang Jin was somewhat displeased about this, after all they had fought in bloody battle and risked death. As for Zhao Kuangyin, though he harbored doubts inwardly, he did not show them. However, through his father Zhao Hongyin's connections in the imperial army, he had roughly picked up some wind—the problem likely lay with Wang Jun...

And upon understanding this, Zhao Kuangyin became even calmer—neither arrogant nor impatient, quietly biding his time. In Zhao Kuangyin's view, even if Wang Jun was obstructing him, as long as the Emperor saw his ability and achievements, that would be enough—sooner or later, his chance to rise would come.

"Is that Governor Guo approaching?" The riders drew near, and Zhao Kuangyin stepped forward, calling out in a clear voice.

With the sound of reining in, Guo Rong halted his horse. Looking down from above at the heroic, stalwart, keen-eyed Zhao Kuangyin, he dismounted, clasped his fists, and said calmly with an appraising gaze: "You are Zhao Kuangyin, Militia Commissioner of Suzhou, I take it? Truly as reputation has it—a standout among men!"

"Governor Guo flatters me—I dare not accept such praise!" Zhao Kuangyin said modestly.

This was the first time Guo and Zhao had communicated face to face. The two sized each other up—Zhao Kuangyin exuding heroic spirit, while Guo Rong, though ordinary in build and appearance, carried a noble bearing. Both felt the other was no ordinary man. Some people, one look, and you take a liking to them.

They had hardly any prior acquaintance, so idle reminiscing was out of the question.

After a brief familiarization, Zhao Kuangyin personally led Guo Rong into the camp.

"When will the imperial carriage arrive?" Guo Rong asked.

"Should be tomorrow!"

The Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou had already issued orders—the imperial carriage would visit Wokou, and Guo Rong was to come west to meet His Majesty.