Chapter 525: To See the General Off

"Director Zhang, is His Majesty in?" Although Zhang Dejun was almost always by Liu Chengyou's side, Xiang Xun still confirmed with him before the Chongzheng Hall.

Glancing at Xiang Xun twice, among the many generals of the Great Han, Xiang Xun was one of the few who looked at him squarely. Smiling slightly, Zhang Dejun said, "General, please wait a moment; allow me to enter the hall and announce you!"

"Much obliged!" Xiang Xun gave a slight cupped-fist salute.

"Xingmin need not stand on ceremony; sit first, and let me finish handling this memorial!" Inside the hall, looking at Xiang Xun who had been led in by Zhang Dejun, Liu Chengyou only raised his eyes and instructed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sitting quietly and waiting, only after Liu Chengyou set down his brush and finished reviewing, and raised his head, did Xiang Xun rise and say, "Your Majesty is diligent in governance, the same day after day for years on end—truly a blessing for the Great Han and a blessing for the people. Your subject admires this!"

Smiling, making no comment on the flattery, Liu Chengyou said, "I would rather that the realm be at peace, with no military or governmental affairs, and that I could sit on the dragon throne with folded hands and do nothing!"

Toward these insincere words of the Son of Heaven, Xiang Xun tactfully only listened halfway, saying, "Your Majesty, striving to govern well, will surely unify the realm and open a new era of peace, to create a golden age!"

Liu Chengyou's mouth curved slightly, saying, "The military report from Fengxiang says the Shu army has added twenty thousand troops; the pressure along the Chencang line is very great!"

Xiang Xun's brows knitted, saying, "Is the Shu army so ignorant of how to advance and retreat?"

Liu Chengyou's reaction was rather calm: "Perhaps the Shu army feels that our dynasty, having just gone through the great Huainan campaign, has suffered enormous consumption of military strength, finances, and manpower, and wants to take advantage while our new strength has not yet been renewed to seek some gains!

Meng Chang spent fifteen years before finally eliminating the old generals and powerful ministers and personally grasping the military and political power of the Later Shu. Though he has gradually become indulgent in pleasure, he still retains some ambition, wanting to campaign north and recover the Central Plains—that is hardly surprising.

The father and son of the Meng clan have ruled Shu for over twenty years, suffering little warfare; the abundance they have accumulated can be fully imagined. They are a great enemy on our dynasty's southwestern border!"

"Whenever the state faces difficulty, one must think of good generals!" Saying this, even Liu Chengyou's self-reference became formal, and he said to Xiang Xun, "I am sending you west precisely to deal with the Shu crisis!"

"Your Majesty, your subject has come to the palace this time precisely to take his leave of Your Majesty!" Xiang Xun cupped his fists: "For the westward-advancing army, your subject has already finished selecting the men—two thousand soldiers, all veterans with merit from the Huainan campaign, worthy of battle. If in Guanzhong, they would be enough to cut across the Wei River. Your subject has already investigated the Wei River's hydrology; the warships we ride can range freely upon it!"

Looking at Xiang Xun in full armor, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Half a year on the Huainan campaign, toiling on the waters—that was hard work to begin with. This time returning to the capital, without much rest, you must again lead your men west. You have worked hard!"

"To serve the state, how dare I speak of hardship!" Xiang Xun's expression did not change, but his tone was resolute.

"Xingmin's heroic spirit reaches the clouds!"

Facing the emperor's praise, Xiang Xun took it calmly. However, soon a trace of hesitation appeared on his face: "Your Majesty!"

"You harbor doubts about my arrangement to send you west?" Liu Chengyou asked Xiang Xun in a certain tone.

Xiang Xun nodded: "The Shu army advances north with force, invading our territory within the passes with a menacing momentum. The court has not mobilized on a large scale in response; the imperial army has not moved a single soldier, and only your subject leads a partial force of the navy west to provide aid. Your subject has confidence in stopping the Shu troops south of the Wei River, but if we wish to drive them back, relying only on the provincial and garrison troops of Guanzhong, I fear our strength will be insufficient!"

"Here in the Eastern Capital, your gaze has already cast itself a thousand li away, considering the overall situation. That Xingmin can think of this shows you are worthy of the bearing of a famous general!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun, his eyes full of appreciation.

Having said this, Liu Chengyou briefly explained Guo Wei's "plan to exhaust Shu," and only then did Xiang Xun understand. Liu Chengyou raised the memorial in his hand and said, "Originally, I was worried that if the Shu army fought long without taking the city, they would harbor thoughts of retreat. Now that reinforcements have come, although it makes Fengxiang more dangerous, it will also make the Shu army camp in place even longer! When it comes to attrition, the defender always consumes less than the attacker. Though I am unwilling to see the western frontier suffer prolonged warfare, I am also willing to exhaust the Shu army in a war of attrition!"

"Your subject understands!" Xiang Xun said.

"Do you truly understand?" Liu Chengyou's sudden question left Xiang Xun momentarily speechless.

"Does Your Majesty have other instructions?" Meeting the Son of Heaven's gaze, Xiang Xun unconsciously perked up.

Liu Chengyou raised one hand, speaking slowly, with special emphasis, saying, "If I merely wanted to send the navy west to control the Wei River, I could choose any general—even surrendered generals like Guo Tingwei or Zhang Yanqing! Have you considered why I specifically chose you, Xiang Xingmin, to lead?"

Xiang Xun cupped his fists: "Forgive your subject's dullness; please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

"Once you reach Fengxiang, familiarize yourself with the various armies along the Chencang line, understand the military situation, discern the enemy's condition, and reconnoiter the four prefectures of Qinfeng and even Hanzhong!" Liu Chengyou clasped his hands behind his back, issuing instructions to Xiang Xun one by one, and with each item, Xiang Xun's expression grew one degree more serious.

"I know your talents do not lie on the water! I am sending you to Fengxiang not to command the navy!" Liu Chengyou stared into Xiang Xun's eyes and said, "As long as Chencang is held, the Shu army will retreat sooner or later, and the four prefectures of Qinfeng—I will take them back sooner or later as well! When that time comes, you, Xiang Xun, will be the supreme commander of the western campaign!"

Liu Chengyou's words, like a thunderbolt, split open the mist that had been swirling in Xiang Xun's mind. Without hesitation, Xiang Xun knelt to the ground and, with resolute determination, bowed and said, "Your subject accepts the order! I will not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

Liu Chengyou rose, walked to Xiang Xun's side, bent down and reached out to help him up, then walked out of the hall with him. As they walked, Liu Chengyou said in a low voice, "Xingmin, it has been six years since we first knew each other, has it not!"

"Your subject was originally a common man from Henei, confident in my own strategies, and went north to seek refuge in Jinyang, and was ultimately accepted by Your Majesty!" A look of reminiscence also appeared on Xiang Xun's face.

"Six years have passed in the blink of an eye. Through these years, you have served diligently before and behind my horse, working in both military and governmental affairs, conscientious and never complaining—I have seen all of this. That is why I am willing to entrust the heavy responsibility of a trusted confidant to you!" Liu Chengyou said with emotion:

"The realm has been in ruin for too long; people's hearts are lost and disordered, and the bonds between ruler and minister, father and son, the ethical norms and principles, are held in contempt by men. This is also what I am determined to reform and rebuild! The friendship between you and me, ruler and minister, over these six years, is extremely precious. You should cherish it, and I, too, will cherish it!"

Hearing the Son of Heaven's emotional words and seeing his slightly pensive profile, Xiang Xun's reverence surged within him. He gave a respectful bow and said solemnly, "Yes!"

"I have let my feelings run away with me again!" His expression changing at once, Liu Chengyou chuckled, patted his shoulder, and lowering his voice slightly, said, "The various military commands in Guanzhong have always been areas where the central government's control is weak. Though I have made repeated adjustments over the years, the fundamental situation has not changed.

The Zhangyi Army, the Jingnan Army, the Shunyi Army, the Baoda Army—especially the Zhangyi Army. Shi Kuangyi had the merit of advocating for the founding back then, and since the establishment of the dynasty, he has rarely acted improperly. However, since the time of the Shi Jin, he has garrisoned the four prefectures of Jingyuan for twelve years!"

"Twelve years!" Liu Chengyou looked into Xiang Xun's eyes: "Do you know what this represents?"

Xiang Xun's expression had already turned grave. Only at this moment did he truly realize that the emperor's goal in sending him to Guanzhong was not only external but also internal.

"It is not that I am overly suspicious!" Liu Chengyou said in a calm tone, unhurriedly: "It is simply that for the sake of the state's institutions, for the sake of stability in the western frontier, changes must be made and old malpractices removed. Of course, I also do not wish to damage the friendship between Lord Shi and the court!"

"As for Zhao Hui of Fengxiang, one of the three military governors who first rose in righteousness, he has always been obedient and submissive to the court, having gone through several hundred battles great and small. With his ability and seniority, he is naturally fit for the post of the western front." Liu Chengyou continued: "However, after all, he is already past sixty. Not everyone can become a Lian Po. I am also unwilling to overwork an old minister, and the Great Han does not need another He Jingzhu—that would be too great a pity..."

"Xingmin!" Liu Chengyou's eyes blazed as he looked at Xiang Xun: "I might as well speak plainly with you—the court intends to weaken the power of the military governors and take back the troops of the Military Governor. On this journey to the southwest, repelling Shu is the first priority, but you must be prepared at all times to take over the various armies within the passes and carry out reductions and reorganization! If the time is not yet ripe, so be it; but once the time comes, the military authority of the entire southwest, and even Guanzhong, I will place in your hands!"

It is unknown what feelings Xiang Xun had upon hearing the Son of Heaven's words, but what showed on his face was a stern, cold gaze of a tiger's eyes, a face full of solemnity, the expression of a scholar willing to die for one who knows him.

He bowed again! This time, Liu Chengyou did not help him up.

"Bring the wine!" Liu Chengyou ordered.

Zhang Dejun, who had long been prepared, personally carried a tray and stepped forward.

Taking a cup each with Xiang Xun, Liu Chengyou wore a slight smile on his lips: "This journey is heavy with responsibility and long in distance. I will keep it simple and see you off here before the hall—let us drink this cup together!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the two drank their cups dry, Xiang Xun respectfully withdrew. Liu Chengyou stood before the hall, hands clasped behind his back, his robe moving with his gestures, exuding authority without anger. With calm eyes, he watched Xiang Xun's gradually receding figure.

The choice of the general to send to Guanzhong was, in truth, the result of Liu Chengyou's deep deliberation. Xiang Xun was the only general who possessed both the ability and his trust.

Of course, this trust also had its measure. He wondered what kind of bearing Xiang Xun would show when he eventually took command of the Guanzhong garrison armies. This thought suddenly arose in Liu Chengyou's mind, and a smile that revealed neither joy nor sorrow slowly spread across his lips.

Suddenly a strong gust of wind swept past, stirring the hems of robes, fluttering in the air......