Chapter 496: Receiving the Surrendered and Accepting the Defected

After finishing his instructions to He Jingzhu, Liu Chengyou suddenly thought of more and turned to order: "Li Fang, you have fine literary talent! Draft an 'Appeal to the Scholars and People of Huainan' for me, setting forth the Great Han's good governance and describing my intentions. Send the proclamation to all prefectures of Huainan—whoever is willing to submit to the Great Han shall have his life spared, his property protected, and suffer no harm!"

"Yes!" When it came to wielding the brush, Li Fang was eager and hurried forward to accept the order. His eyes were clear, darting about with animation, as if he were already conceiving how to compose the piece.

Tao Gu, however, showed a slight change of expression at Liu Chengyou's instruction. In literary talent, how was he, Academician Tao, inferior to anyone? And yet this opportunity to make a name with the brush had gone to a junior like Li Fang.

At this moment, Liu Chengyou naturally had no mind to concern himself with Tao Gu's little ripple of emotion. After a brief deliberation, he continued issuing commands: "Transmit to all prefectures of Huainan: in every prefecture and town occupied by the Great Han army, the Tang laws are entirely abolished, their administration is dissolved, and all military and civil affairs shall be conducted according to Han regulations!

As for prefectures and counties not yet taken, any that voluntarily submit to the Great Han may retain their official posts. Additionally, issue an edict to the Eastern Capital, directing the chancellors in residence to select worthy talents from among the meritorious nobles of the two capitals, the remaining officials of the Censorate, the academicians of the Three Halls, and the jinshi graduates of the various examinations, to be prepared for deployment to Huainan!"

"Yes!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's instructions, the civil and military officials present could not help but be stirred by emotion—the Son of Heaven was clearly beginning to implement the absorption of Huainan as Han territory and the conversion of Huainan's people into Han subjects. And was not their great army marching south, bleeding and fighting, precisely for this goal, to build this achievement? More subtly, there was a growing, imperceptible sense of belonging to and pride in the Great Han.

To follow an enlightened lord, to found a dynasty, to expand the realm—this is what a true man ought to do!

Pausing, he then looked to the commanders of the imperial army and said: "Generals, return to your camps, tally your losses and gains, verify military merits, and comfort the soldiers. Bring out all the meat and wine—tonight we feast the three armies, to reward the officers and men for their toil in battle. Let the soldiers eat and drink their fill, and I shall personally go to the various armies to celebrate their achievements!

Thereafter, we rest two days in Shouchun, reorganize the troops, replenish arms—I intend to sweep through all of Huainan!"

"Yes!" The assembled officers answered in unison, exceptionally loud. Most of them were quite energized—on the march, military discipline was strictly enforced, and what warrior did not relish a celebration with meat and wine?

Having been under pressure for so long, Liu Chengyou was also inclined to let the soldiers and laborers of the Huainan campaign relax a bit.

After the council dispersed, Liu Chengyou, still full of energy, took a turn around the governor's headquarters. The surroundings were rather plain, without extravagant amusements. In the leisure following victory, he ordered someone to bring the household registers and maps of Shouzhou for his perusal. Before two quarters of an hour had passed, Zhang Dejun came to report that Xu Xiang and other Tang army officers were requesting an audience!

In the hall of the governor's headquarters, Liu Chengyou sat with legs spread wide in a dominating posture, receiving the obeisances of the surrendered Tang generals. He sat high above, majestic and imposing. After all, they were surrendered generals—Liu Chengyou could treat them generously to repay their merit in submitting, but there must be a distinction between them and the Great Han's imperial army.

Toward the imperial army, Liu Chengyou showed five parts majesty and five parts favor. Toward these surrendered generals, he bought them with favor and salary, and awed them with majesty—and the majesty outweighed the favor.

The Tang generals who had voluntarily submitted to the Northern Han this time were not few in number, with Xu Xiang at their head—altogether a dozen or so officers of various ranks. For a moment, Liu Chengyou said nothing, merely surveying these men with a calm gaze.

Liu Chengyou had always presented himself with stern majesty. In recent years, though his "poker face" affliction had somewhat improved, when he cooled his expression it was still rather intimidating. For these surrendered generals, the impression was even deeper. Kneeling in the hall, their hearts were anxious; the surroundings were very quiet, chillingly so. They instinctively felt that the Han emperor's gaze was somewhat dangerous, and one by one, they subconsciously lowered their heads.

"Rise, all of you!"

Finally, Liu Chengyou spoke, and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief, carefully rising to their feet.

"Which one of you is Xu Xiang?" Liu Chengyou deliberately averted his gaze, asking casually.

Xu Xiang, standing at the front, immediately bowed respectfully upon hearing the question: "This humble general is he, Your Majesty!"

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Liu Chengyou's mouth, and his tone carried no particular emotion as he said: "The Divine Guard Army was the imperial guard of the puppet Tang, standing guard over Jinling. As its Chief Commander, you must have enjoyed the trust of the puppet Tang court. Why then did you offer up the city and surrender? Is that not a suspicion of betraying your lord and country?"

As Liu Chengyou's words fell, Xu Xiang, already anxious, grew even more tense—the Han Son of Heaven's words were somewhat unkind. He immediately replied: "This humble general is dull-witted, but I have long known that the might of Heaven cannot be resisted, and I dare not contend with it. As early as in Jinling, I knew that the puppet Tang's lord was benighted and its ministers arrogant, the court administration decayed, loyalty and treachery indistinguishable, rewards and punishments unjust. A realm carved out by separatist rule could never be a match for the great dynasty of the Central Plains. Moreover, with Your Majesty's brilliance and grand strategy, the Li clan is by no means your equal! Therefore, knowing the times and understanding what is fitting, I have submitted to Your Majesty, willing to serve as an ox or horse, to be driven by Your Majesty and the court. I beg Your Majesty to accept me!"

The generals of the puppet Tang were indeed somewhat different—just for this string of flattery from Xu Xiang, few among the Great Han's commanders could have produced such words.

Smiling faintly, Liu Chengyou looked at the young officer beside Xu Xiang—also the messenger who had descended the city wall by rope the night before to express their sincerity—and said: "Your name is Zhang Yi?"

Suddenly addressed, the young officer of the Divine Guard, who finally had a name, bowed and answered: "It is!"

"Tell me," Liu Chengyou said, looking at this still rather young junior officer, "why did you submit to the Great Han?"

The night before, this man had descended the wall by rope to convey Xu Xiang's intention to surrender, and had been received by Liu Chengyou. At the time, he had left a fairly deep impression on Liu Chengyou—his appearance was ordinary, but his gaze was sharp, and in facing his questions he had responded appropriately, with clear and well-organized speech, and he had evidently received some education.

Now, hearing Liu Chengyou's question, this Zhang Yi did not rush to answer but turned his mind for a moment before replying respectfully: "Forgive this humble officer for speaking plainly. All men cherish their lives. The great army has besieged the city for many days, provisions within are scarce, and the city is about to fall. When the nest overturns, no egg remains unbroken—how could we not seek a path to survival?

Moreover, a bird chooses its tree, a minister chooses his lord. Your Majesty is the enlightened ruler of this age, and worthy ministers and good generals vie to serve you. We, seeing the opportunity, have submitted—also to seek a future for ourselves.

And given the state of the puppet Tang court, even if we fought to the death and died for the country, I fear the Li clan would hardly take our deaths to heart—it would hardly be worth it..."

Having heard Zhang Yi's words, Liu Chengyou raised a finger and said calmly: "Though these words are utilitarian, they are not without truth. I like honest men!"

Liu Chengyou's assessment left Xu Xiang below somewhat embarrassed. Fine sweat formed in his palms, but he dared not make any large movement to wipe it away, merely glancing sidelong at this subordinate who had followed him for many years.

His gaze swept once more over the assembled Tang officers, and Liu Chengyou's expression gradually warmed, his tone much lighter as he waved his hand: "In employing men, I have always been all-embracing as the sea receives a hundred rivers, without confining myself to one mold. Though you are surrendered generals, so long as you are single-minded in your submission and serve the state, there is no reason I would not accept you. At this time, the state is precisely in need of talent, and the great strategy of the southern campaign is in full swing. From now on, all matters concerning Tang military and civil affairs will make use of you!"

Hearing these words from the Han emperor, Xu Xiang and the others finally breathed a great sigh of relief, joy rising to their faces as they hastily prostrated themselves: "We thank Your Majesty for accepting us! We swear to serve with utmost loyalty unto death!"

As for these conventional pleasantries, Liu Chengyou heard them and let them pass, not taking them too seriously—but this kind of declaration was precisely what he wanted.

"How many men remain in the Divine Guard Army?" Liu Chengyou asked Xu Xiang.

"After the casualties of successive battles, there are now fewer than two thousand!" Xu Xiang answered honestly.

After deliberating for a moment, Liu Chengyou said: "After I destroyed the Xu and Chen armies, I established a new army from the surrendered soldiers and people of Huainan, named the Huaide Army, which as yet has no Army Commander. Merge the remaining troops of the Divine Guard into the Huaide Army, and you shall be its Chief Commander! The other officers shall each be given military posts!"

He then looked at Zhang Yi: "I see that your talent and insight are stored within you—they should be put to use for me. You shall serve as Chief Inspector of the Huaide Army!"

"We thank Your Majesty!" Hearing the appointments and rewards, the group hurriedly expressed their gratitude.

Xu Xiang, however, while giving thanks, revealed a trace of melancholy on his face. Liu Chengyou noticed it and asked him about it.

Only then did Xu Xiang heave a sigh and speak a few words from his heart: "Most of this humble general and the officers and men under my command are natives of Jiangdong and Jiangxi, and our families are still in Tang territory. In submitting to the Great Han and serving Your Majesty, we do so with heartfelt willingness. But I fear that in doing so, we may incur the wrath of the Tang court and bring calamity upon our families!"

At his words, several of the surrendered generals in the hall changed expression, especially Zhang Yi. Liu Chengyou's eyebrows also rose slightly as he regarded Xu Xiang with interest, saying slowly: "Men are not grass or trees—who can be without feeling? Only one who cherishes his family can cherish his lord. In this life, one should have things to revere, things to be wary of, things to be attached to..."