Chapter 617: The Death of He Fujin

In the Han palace, early in the morning, Liu Chengyou, waking from a night of drinking, tidied himself up slightly, and the first thing he did was go to Yaohua Hall to see Noble Consort Gao and the Second Princess who had just been born. As soon as he left the hall, he received a report that He Fujin, Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Front, had already entered the palace and was awaiting an audience.

Returning to Chongzheng Hall, he found the old marshal standing respectfully outside the hall, his strength faint, barely able to support his aged and gaunt frame. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou hurriedly excused him from formal salutations and instructed Zhang Dejun: "Quick, help Lord He into the hall!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Entering the hall and taking a seat, looking at the utterly aged He Fujin, whose sickly appearance seemed worsened after a night of feasting, Liu Chengyou could not help but sigh: "This is My oversight. With Lord He so gravely ill, I ought to have visited you at your residence!"

He Fujin replied humbly: "Your Majesty's concern moves this old servant beyond words!"

Seeing him gravely ill and struggling to hold himself together, Liu Chengyou did not mince words and spoke directly: "I summoned Lord He to consult you on adjustments to the northern defense arrangements. Lord He has commanded troops in the north for many years—truly a bulwark of the realm—and is familiar with military affairs. I hope you will not hesitate to offer your counsel."

"May I ask how Your Majesty intends to make adjustments?" He Fujin asked in a weak, fading voice.

Liu Chengyou narrated in a composed tone: "To be frank with Lord He. Over these years, the Bureau of Military Affairs has reorganized and pruned the realm's armies, implementing the rotation garrison system, and it has now been set on the right track. Only the northern army, I have not touched greatly—for no other reason than that the realm is not yet pacified, and the northern barbarians still unlawfully occupy the mountains and rivers of the Great Han.

If I were to rotate the various northern armies, it would lead to estrangement between generals and troops, making it difficult to guarantee combat effectiveness. Lord He, commanding in the north, should also know that the Hebei border troops serve a great purpose for Me—not merely to build that one defense line that is hardly impregnable..."

Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, a glimmer of understanding appeared in He Fujin's somewhat clouded eyes. After a moment's thought, he said candidly: "Your Majesty previously entrusted this old servant with full confidence, granting him complete authority over military affairs and defense, with the power to adjust border defenses and act as circumstances required. Now that Han and Liao have been at peace for over three years and there is little trouble at the border, it is time for this old servant to return the heavy authority in his hands to the court..."

"No! Lord He misunderstands—that is not what I mean! I have always trusted those I employ without suspicion. Had I not trusted Lord He, I would never have granted you such authority in the first place!" Liu Chengyou waved his hands repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, this old servant is utterly decrepit, with one foot in the grave. I hope you will forgive me for speaking from the bottom of my heart!" He Fujin said with a serene expression: "This old servant has served through the Tang and the Jin, and now the Great Han, spending a lifetime in the military. What the court fears is nothing more than the excessive power of military men—arrogant soldiers and unruly generals causing havoc. Looking at the rise and fall of the three dynasties, they indeed suffered greatly from this scourge.

However, the Great Han of today far surpasses the Liang, Tang, and Jin dynasties. The strength of the central government is far beyond what any single corner of the realm or any single army can contend with. Moreover, as for the current northern army, all its grain, fodder, and weaponry are controlled by the court. However sharp the war blade, the hilt rests in Your Majesty's hands.

And Your Majesty, aspiring to accomplish a great enterprise, will one day send troops north on a punitive campaign. When that time comes, you will need the soldiers to fight and die for you. And the soldiers have received much grace from Your Majesty. With Your Majesty's current prestige and power, there is no need to bind your own hands and feet over minor concerns..."

Hearing He Fujin's earnest declaration, a faint smile slowly crept onto Liu Chengyou's lips as he studied He Fujin and said: "These words have been pent up in your heart for a long time, haven't they? I wonder—is this Lord He's own opinion, or do the officers in the army all share this view?"

He Fujin: "It is merely this old servant's humble personal opinion!"

Seeing the Emperor lost in thought, He Fujin continued: "If Your Majesty wishes to reorganize the northern army, you may adjust the generals commanding the troops. However, the various route armies are all elite forces trained over many years, well-disciplined..."

"How should the generals be adjusted?" Liu Chengyou interrupted him.

He Fujin coughed heavily several times before responding: "Your Majesty has seen with his own eyes this old servant's illness—hovering between life and death, no longer fit for great responsibility. I humbly beg Your Majesty to select another commander to lead the northern troops!"

Looking at He Fujin, Liu Chengyou suddenly understood. No wonder today He Fujin was so bold, speaking without reservation, pouring out his true feelings. He had indeed long since considered retiring. In fact, when Liu Chengyou summoned him back to the capital, it was not without this thought in mind. Setting everything else aside, with his illness alone, he was no longer suitable to command the northern border army.

Liu Chengyou did not respond immediately, seemingly weighing the matter. And He Fujin, after a flicker of hesitation on his face, added: "Among the Army Commanders of Hebei, Ma Quanyi and Luo Yangui are both talented generals who command troops well and have won the hearts of their men. Only Li Yun of the Baoding Army—I beg Your Majesty to transfer him away!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully: "I hear that Lord He and Li Yun have never been on good terms!"

He Fujin's expression turned somewhat more serious as he faced the Emperor's scrutiny and replied: "True enough! But I offer this counsel not out of personal grievance. Li Yun is arrogant by nature, thinks highly of himself, and has never been content with the post of an Army Commander. Yet as I observe him, this man may have some merit in training troops, but he cannot command the loyalty of others. He has a rough soldier's courage but lacks the makings of a marshal. If left in the north for long, with his temperament and ambition, trouble will sooner or later arise—detrimental to military morale, and even affecting Your Majesty's grand plans!"

"I understand Lord He's intentions!" Liu Chengyou let out a light breath and waved his hand at He Fujin: "Your counsel requires further consideration on My part. Withdraw for now and take good care of your health!"

"Yes! This servant takes his leave!"

"Zhang Dejun, send My imperial carriage to escort Lord He out of the palace!" With a flicker in his eyes, Liu Chengyou gave the order, once again the benevolent and gracious sovereign who favored his generals and ministers.

"This servant would not dare! I beg Your Majesty to withdraw the order!" He Fujin was startled and hurriedly declined.

"Lord He has come all the way to the capital to pay respects despite your illness. Let Me escort you this short distance to show My appreciation—no need to refuse!" Liu Chengyou said magnanimously, his face full of smiles.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Taking a deep breath, He Fujin prostrated himself, moved despite himself.

"Zhang Dejun, help Lord He out!"

"Yes!"

After He Fujin withdrew, Liu Chengyou fell into deep thought. He Fujin's words made him somewhat wary. Over these years, the imperial army had undergone multiple rounds of reorganization and was now firmly in his grasp.

But as for the regional armies—after several large-scale training and reorganization efforts, what their actual effectiveness was, what the military situation truly was—these now gave him cause for doubt. Especially the two border routes: one in Hebei, one in the southwest. The southwest was not yet a concern; the campaign against Shu was imminent, and that was where the court's focus lay.

As for the northern line—over six years now, nearly fifty thousand troops—the weight was too heavy. Liu Chengyou was reluctant to act rashly, but to set his own mind at ease, he had no choice but to act. The idea of a northern inspection tour began to take root and sprout in Liu Chengyou's mind once again.

In the third month of spring, with gentle breezes and bright sunshine, outside the walls of Kaifeng, grass grew and orioles flew. In the open fields and deep groves, many sightseers had appeared, out for spring outings to enjoy the scenery.

And in these days, Liu Chengyou brought the Hebei border generals who had come to the capital out hunting, feasting and drinking, to build rapport.

On the way back from the hunt, an urgent report arrived: "Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief He has passed away from illness!"

"What!" Liu Chengyou's face stiffened, his brows knitting together: "Did the imperial physicians not say that these past two days, his condition had been improving?"

The northern generals nearby all heard the report, their expressions varied but all showing grief. Only Li Yun's eyes lit up, barely able to suppress his smile.

Liu Chengyou cast a single sweeping glance around, then without further ado, spurred his horse: "Back to the city!"

"Was there anything suspicious about He Fujin's death?" After returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou directly summoned Li Chongju and asked sternly.

"To answer Your Majesty—it was indeed death by illness!" Li Chongju replied.

"What did the imperial physicians say!" Liu Chengyou pressed.

"Commander-in-Chief He spent his life in the saddle and bore many hidden wounds. In his old age they flared up one after another. Years of guarding the border and overwork turned into illness, long since reaching the point of no return. This trip back to the capital, with the fatigue of the journey, worsened his condition further. Last night, he suddenly developed a high fever and passed away." Li Chongju said.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but close his eyes, a look of remorse on his face: "Then is it not still I who harmed Lord He!"

"Your Majesty, Lord He's illness was beyond the saving power of medicine. The imperial physicians also said that even with the best care, it would only prolong his life a little—he would not have lasted the year. Your Majesty need not blame yourself!" Li Chongju explained.

He Fujin's death was sudden and had nothing to do with Liu Chengyou. There was no reason for him to target such a critically ill old general. But his sudden death from illness still caught Liu Chengyou somewhat off guard.

The key problem was that he had died at the worst possible time...

The northern generals had come to the capital to offer birthday congratulations, and within a few days, the commander-in-chief of the army was dead. Even if it was death by illness, it was bound to invite suspicion and speculation. Especially given that Liu Chengyou had relieved all the Military Governors and Defense Commissioners who came to the capital of their posts.

Just from the reactions of those Army Commanders, one could tell what kind of impact He Fujin's death would have.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Liu Chengyou quickly composed himself and gave the order: "Issue the edict—suspend court for three days, and have all civil and military officials go to offer condolences to Lord He!"

Since matters had come to this, Liu Chengyou could only try to minimize the impact. And for Liu Chengyou, a more pressing question now lay before him: with He Fujin dead, who would succeed him?