Chapter 603: Frontier Inspection Report

"By imperial decree from the inner court, ceremonial gifts and robes are to be sent to Linzhou. Grant Yang Ye three months' leave to return home for mourning, and promote Yanzhou Commander Wang Shenqi to Deputy Commander of the Dingxiang Army, temporarily overseeing military affairs! Additionally, after the mourning period ends, transfer Yang Xin's son Yang Chongxun to the Eastern Capital for duty!"

Zhao Kuangyin had returned to court for an audience. Entering the hall, he heard the Son of Heaven's instructions and felt slightly surprised. It turned out that Yang Xin, father of Dingxiang Army Commander Yang Ye, had died, and the Emperor attached great importance to it, hence this favor.

Upon learning this, Zhao Kuangyin could not help but remark with emotion: "Your Majesty's grace toward General Yang is so heavy that it is both admirable and enviable!"

"I regard Yang Ye as a trusted aide and a pillar of the frontier defenses. When his family has matters, it is only right that I extend consolation—this is proper duty!" Liu Chengyou said upon hearing this, looking at Zhao Kuangyin: "Yuanlang is also my confidant, a great general of the court, a pillar of the Great Han!"

Zhao Kuangyin immediately bowed humbly: "Your Majesty's grace is deep and trust is heavy; your subject feels ashamed and unworthy, and can only repay with utmost sincerity and loyalty!"

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou bade Zhao Kuangyin rise from ceremony and take a seat. He looked him over—having just returned from the frontier inspection, he was covered in dust from the journey. Ordering tea to be served, Liu Chengyou said: "Yuanlang's western inspection this time lasted two months, covering several thousand li. You have worked hard!"

"Toiling for the state, how dare I speak of hardship!" Zhao Kuangyin replied.

"What were the gains of this trip?" Liu Chengyou asked. "How are the southwestern armies?"

Zhao Kuangyin took a sip of tea, organized his thoughts, and answered: "Army Supervisor Xiang truly lives up to being a paragon of generalship—strict in governing troops, and commanding obedience from the ranks. The thirty thousand infantry and cavalry in the southwest are well-drilled and never lax! Your subject inspected the three armies; their bearing was orderly, discipline strict—they are fit for great use! Commandery Duke of Bohai also possesses the talent of a commander. With Xiang and Wang both in place, the court need not worry about the southwest.

At present, Fengxiang and Chencang have accumulated over fifty thousand dan of grain and flour, and a hundred thousand sets of weapons, armor, and banners. All officers and soldiers have completed their re-equipment. Our dynasty in the southwest can be said to have strong troops and sturdy horses. Comforting and encouraging the officers and men among them lifts morale—from generals down to the common soldiers, all are joyful and spirited, eager for battle, ready to render merit for the state. The moment the court's decree arrives, we can dispatch troops to attack Shu!"

Seeing the Emperor listening attentively as usual, Zhao Kuangyin paused briefly, then continued: "The several dozen officers who accompanied me have all been placed in the army as senior officers, and Army Supervisor Xiang has arranged everything properly.

When your subject left Fengxiang, under the court's orders, Army Supervisor Xiang had already divided the troops to prepare for rotating farming and garrison duty. If there is no fighting in spring and summer, we should gain several tens of thousands of dan of grain to supplement the needs of the Shu campaign..."

"I knew well that with Xiang Xingmin's ability, he would not disappoint me!" Liu Chengyou said. "How about the Shu army?"

"May I request Your Majesty to step before the map?"

Beside Chongzheng Hall hung more than a dozen maps of various sizes, including a southwestern map covering the four prefectures of Qinfeng. It had been newly surveyed and drawn by Hanlin scholars who collected charts, gazetteers, and intelligence. Cities, passes, mountains, rivers, and roads all appeared upon it, clear and distinct.

Using the southwestern map, Zhao Kuangyin reported to Liu Chengyou: "As of now, the Shu army stationed in Qinfeng numbers nearly forty thousand. Han Baozhen leads fifteen thousand troops deployed along the Wei River, garrisoned at the three cities of Longcheng, Chengji, and Qingshui. Li Tinggui personally commands the remaining main force, stationed separately at Liangquan and Guzhen, occupying all the dangerous passes of the Sanguan Road's valleys and ravines. He has also sent a detached force to garrison Tianshui, linking north and south. All these are forts and stockades built along key routes to prepare against our campaign! The Shu sovereign has newly sent Shu generals Gao Yandao and Lü Yanke north to assist Li Tinggui."

Liu Chengyou's gaze rested on the map, following Zhao Kuangyin's finger as it moved. He crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and said: "The Shu army's deployment like this—setting up segmented defenses to guard against us—intends to cover everything, but in reality, it is insufficient everywhere!"

"Your Majesty's keen eye hits the mark precisely! The Shu army holding Qinfeng can easily send troops to attack Guanzhong; conversely, if our army wishes to take it, we can also strike straight into their territory!" Zhao Kuangyin nodded, offering a compliment, then said: "Your subject discussed military strategy with Army Supervisor Xiang. His preliminary campaign plan may be presented to Your Majesty!"

"Once troops are dispatched, Army Supervisor Xiang intends to advance in two columns. One is a detached force, following the Wei River along the Longyou highway westward to attack Qinzhou—this is a feint, supplemented by troops from Jing and Wei making demonstrative moves to the north, seeking an opportunity to seize Tianshui and cut the connection between Qin and Feng.

Army Supervisor Xiang himself will lead the main force out of Sanguan, following the route the Shu army took northward, heading south to attack Fengzhou. Advancing step by step, building fortifications as he goes, he will use Liangquan as bait to lure the Shu army into sending reinforcements, then concentrate his forces to crush them!"

"Xiang Xun intends to set the decisive battlefield at Liangquan?" Liu Chengyou stroked his chin.

"Exactly!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "The Sanguan Road is the main thoroughfare connecting Guanzhong and Hanzhong, but it has its perils. Beyond Liangquan, further south, lies the summit of the mountain road—the terrain is especially treacherous, with strange peaks and steep ridges, dangers at every turn, especially the Qingni Ridge section. Therefore, it is better to concentrate our attack in the north!"

Liu Chengyou nodded slightly, but could not help voicing doubt: "Before reaching Liangquan, the road is also full of obstacles. Breaking through won't be easy either!"

Zhao Kuangyin then said: "True! Though there are many obstacles, how could the Shu army set up defenses at every step without flaw? Moreover, in matters of war, terrain is certainly important, but one must also consider command, the fighting strength of officers and men, and logistical supply—adapting to time and place!

As long as we break their northern defenses and reach Liangquan, the Shu army's defensive line along the Fengzhou front will inevitably collapse. Then taking Qingni, Guzhen, and the Jinniu perilous road, and driving straight down to Jie and Cheng, will be easy."

"However—" At this point, Zhao Kuangyin hesitated as if about to speak but stopping.

"Speak frankly, no need to hold back!" Liu Chengyou said.

Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands toward Liu Chengyou: "Army Supervisor Xiang entrusted your subject to convey this to Your Majesty: at the beginning of the Qinfeng campaign, progress will certainly be slow, consuming much time and wasting money and grain. He hopes the court can be patient..."

Liu Chengyou was briefly taken aback upon hearing this, then glanced at Zhao Kuangyin and laughed freely: "Xiang Xun's concerns are indeed far-reaching—he is worried about the court! I dispatch the great army to attack Shu to fulfill the state's grand strategy. My resolve is unshakable—how could it waver? Though this may be overthinking, it shows how thorough his thinking is. On my part, this adds another measure of confidence!"

"It seems I should write a letter to let Xiang Xun focus solely on southwestern military affairs without worries in the rear!" Liu Chengyou murmured.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Kuangyin's expression relaxed slightly as he praised.

Reseating himself, Liu Chengyou then asked about the northwestern border defense situation, and Zhao Kuangyin recounted in detail everything he had seen and heard.

"It seems Wang Yansheng is indeed doing well in Yanzhou!" Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's account of his inspection of the Dingbian Army, Liu Chengyou's lips curled into a slight smile, showing satisfaction.

Zhao Kuangyin also seemed to hold Wang Yansheng in high regard, saying: "General Wang's temperament may be somewhat erratic and unruly, but he is straightforward and bold, quite heroic in spirit—he can serve as a frontier general. Though he is prone to impulsive valor, he is not purely rigid. From what your subject observed, the barbarians around all fear his might and restrain their actions, not daring to provoke him."

Incidentally, Zhao Kuangyin brought up Wang Yansheng's request for more troops. Liu Chengyou also expressed agreement with Zhao Kuangyin's placating response, saying: "What I seek now is only peace in the northwest, maintaining balance and stability in the situation. I do not wish to stir up new waves!"

"Your subject understands!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "The Dingnan Army's subordinates often maintain over ten thousand infantry and cavalry. If they temporarily rally Tangut followers, they could double that. At this time, the court indeed should not press too hard—we should extend conciliation. Once the court frees up its hands, it can settle the matter at leisure!"

"How is Shi Hongzhao's situation?"

"To answer Your Majesty, Duke of Zheng is brave and skilled in battle, undiminished from his prime. He governs troops well and handles affairs according to law. With him guarding Lingzhou, the border is at peace!" Zhao Kuangyin weighed his words carefully, then still said: "However, Duke Shi's use of law is harsh, his treatment of subordinates overly strict, his executions excessive, and his indulgence in pleasure unbridled—these are hidden dangers!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was not particularly surprised. He only sighed lightly: "It seems that whether in the capital, in Luoyang, or on the frontier, his temperament and methods have not changed much. Still, garrisoning Shuofang suits him!"

"Your Majesty speaks truly!"

"I heard that on your way back to the capital, you passed through Yanzhou and investigated it?"

Meeting the Son of Heaven's gaze, Zhao Kuangyin clearly understood what Liu Chengyou was asking about and immediately replied: "Your subject heard of the upheaval in Yanzhou and changed course to investigate. From top to bottom, Yanzhou is indeed controlled by the Lady Gao, with very tight control! That Gao Shaoji has some ability, but he is merely of middling talent, and by nature sinister and miserly. His ability to control the situation comes from the Lady Gao's decades of accumulated influence there. The people of Yanzhou are quite impoverished, and the soldiers of Yanzhou are quite weak..."

"So you're saying Yanzhou is not a concern?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Not a concern!" Zhao Kuangyin affirmed.

"What if Yanzhou and Xiazhou set aside their old grievances, turn enemies into friends, and collude with each other to seek mutual survival?" Liu Chengyou suddenly said.

Zhao Kuangyin hesitated somewhat: "Between the two, there are years of accumulated grievances—they should not be easily resolved!"

"But I cannot help but worry!" Liu Chengyou sighed slowly.

Saying this, Zhao Kuangyin also briefly told Liu Chengyou about the Puchuan Horse Ranch and Su Fengji's matter, and presented the two horses that Su Fengji had gifted.

As for Su Fengji, Liu Chengyou had nearly forgotten about him. Suddenly hearing Zhao Kuangyin bring him up, he naturally felt a different stirring in his heart. After pondering for a long while, he sighed deeply and said: "When Su Fengji presents three thousand war horses, I decree that his descendants be pardoned!"

Time always has a way of erasing hatred. So many years had passed that Liu Chengyou no longer felt such disgust toward Su Fengji. He had even forgotten the emotions he once held toward him. He only vaguely remembered that it seemed to be for "killing the chicken to warn the monkey," to establish imperial authority.

Considering that Su Fengji was a founding minister, had served Gaozu with merit, and had already atoned for his crimes, suffering those hardships in Yuanzhou—moved by a thought of benevolence, Liu Chengyou gave the Su family a chance at "release," which also served to display his virtue as Emperor...