Chapter 653: Dispatching Envoys Westward, the Battle Situation in Hanzhong

Lu Duoxun's brows clearly carried a look of expectation, while Liu Chengyou said slowly: "I have a task for you. Let me say upfront, it is no easy assignment—it could even be described as arduous, exhausting, and dangerous. I wonder if you are willing to take it on!"

Lu Duoxun was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes as he probed: "May I ask Your Majesty, does this concern Longyou and Hexi?"

A clever man reacts quickly. A trace of amusement showed in Liu Chengyou's eyes as he said unhurriedly: "You mentioned it yourself just now—for over a century, the Central Plains have been in decline and chaos, so that thousands of li of territory in the northwest fell into the hands of foreign peoples, Han civilization receded, and the majesty of the Celestial Court was no more.

Now, as lord of all under heaven, I am committed to restoring our rivers and mountains. As you said, one day we shall raise the host and march west, retake Hexi, and reopen the route to the Western Regions.

At present, though I devote myself to pacifying the realm and ushering in an age of prosperity, I must still plan for the long term. The lands of Hexi have been severed from the Central Plains for a long time now. What the situation there is like today comes mostly from the accounts of merchants and envoys traveling eastward, yet the true state of affairs remains altogether murky and indistinct!"

Having said all this, Liu Chengyou fixed his gaze on Lu Duoxun and revealed his intention: "This time, Zhebu Jianshi has come to the capital, requesting that the court dispatch envoys to govern the region. I have agreed, and I intend to send some officials to assist him.

Since you have devoted yourself to studying the affairs of Hexi and have gained considerable insight, I wish to send you westward to personally survey the situation in Longyou and Hexi—their tribes, horses and cattle, cities, roads, mountains and rivers—nothing too small to escape your notice, and report it all back.

In addition, as my envoy, you shall comfort the various peoples of Hexi and the surviving Han subjects, and spread the renown of the Great Han!"

"The journey is thousands of li, the burden heavy and the road long, with safety uncertain. Whether you go or not, I will not force you..." Liu Chengyou paused, then added.

Having finished speaking, he picked up the book he had set down and resumed reading, quietly awaiting Lu Duoxun's decision.

As for Lu Duoxun, he was clearly in a state of inner conflict. In truth, when the Emperor had spoken thus, how much room for choice was truly left to a minister?

To be sure, it had been stated upfront that Lu Duoxun could refuse, and Liu Chengyou would not hold it against him. But if he did, he reckoned he would continue to languish in the Zhaowen Hall. Perhaps he might transfer among the Three Halls, but his prospects would surely be bleak. Or he could accumulate seniority and be posted out as a County Magistrate or Administrative Assistant—but that would be his lot for life.

And that, clearly, was not what the young and ambitious Lu Duoxun wanted. He had only to run it through his mind once for his resolve to become clear. The only thing that gave Lu Duoxun pause was the risk of the westward mission—as Liu Chengyou had said, it was a hard assignment, one that even carried danger to life and limb...

His gaze wavered, his heart struggled, but in the end Lu Duoxun did not agonize overlong—to keep the Emperor waiting too long would be a breach of ministerial propriety. Seeing that Liu Chengyou's attention seemed fixed on the book, Lu Duoxun drew a deep breath, clasped his hands, and answered: "Your servant is willing to journey west, to exalt our nation's might and not fail the mission. Even if the path is strewn with thorns, I shall tread it!"

"Good!" Seeing his solemn resolve, Liu Chengyou gave a faint smile, his bearing calm throughout. He raised a hand and said: "Go home and make your preparations!"

"Your Majesty, your servant is alone in the world, with no ties to hold me back—I can depart at any time!" Lu Duoxun immediately petitioned, his attitude eager.

Liu Chengyou nodded slightly, but said: "The road ahead is long and the passes distant. When Zhang Qian journeyed west, he still had over a hundred men accompanying him. How could I let you travel alone? We must select some hands to assist you. Zhebu Jianshi will soon return to Liangzhou—use this time to find some companions who know the way, and I shall make other arrangements!"

"Yes!"

Returning from the Zhaowen Hall, Liu Chengyou remained preoccupied with the affairs of Hexi. The maps were unclear, and his mind's eye was even foggier. No matter how much he pondered, he could only sigh at his powerlessness.

Returning to Hexi was still beyond reach for the Great Han at present. But making advance preparations, reconnaissance, and infiltration—that was still possible.

"The Guiyi Army..." Leaning lightly against the edge of the imperial desk, Liu Chengyou toyed with the imperial brush in his hand.

In recent years, the Guiyi Army had come to the Eastern Capital several times, offering tribute of local products—but these were only contacts of little substance. The court still lacked the strength to exert influence over the lands of Shazhou and Guazhou.

After much deliberation, Liu Chengyou finally resolved in secret to find a way to strengthen ties with the Guiyi Army. Yet the distance spanned thousands of li, with various barbarian peoples blocking the way—how could it be so easy?

"Shi Hongzhao." Liu Chengyou suddenly thought of Shi Hongzhao at Lingzhou.

"Send an edict—have the Duke of Zheng return to the capital to report on his duties!" Liu Chengyou summoned an attendant of the Chongzheng Hall and gave the order.

Come to think of it, Shi Hongzhao had been stationed at Lingzhou, guarding the northwestern frontier for the Great Han, for quite a few years now. It was time to recall him and renew their bond. And truth be told, after all these years, Liu Chengyou actually felt a faint, inexplicable longing for that once-arrogant commander of the imperial guard...

On the day of the winter solstice, the entire Eastern Capital celebrated. Scholars and commoners alike rejoiced, donning new clothes and eating dumplings.

In the palace, Liu Chengyou held a family banquet. Three generations, old and young, men and women, gathered together—a full and lively company.

The weather was bitterly cold. Beneath the pitch-black night sky, snowflakes drifted, falling on eaves and ground with a soft rustling sound. Wearing a brocade jacket sewn by the Empress's own hands, he strolled between the palace halls, having drunk some wine and feeling slightly tipsy. Gazing at the snowy scene of the palace grounds, Liu Chengyou was momentarily lost in thought, as if entranced, as if intoxicated.

A few snowflakes struck his face, their chill seeping in and sobering him somewhat. Liu Chengyou suddenly recalled the fighting in Hanzhong. It had been a month since Xiang Xun's army arrived at West County, and according to frontline dispatches, the Shu army was holding fast and the position had not yet fallen. Of course, the most important reason was the weather—a winter rain lasting ten days had greatly impeded the Han army's progress.

Because of the winter campaigning, stalled before a strong city, with unfavorable weather, the newly taken prefectures and counties unstable, the people unsettled, and the grain supply line stretched over two hundred li longer, making transport ever more difficult—inevitably, some ministers in court again advised that the army had been in the field too long, wasting money and grain, and urged Liu Chengyou to order a withdrawal.

"Advancing in winter—after all, it is going against the season!" Hands clasped behind his back, face raised, Liu Chengyou breathed out a plume of white vapor and sighed softly.

It was already midwinter, the climate bitterly cold. In truth, Liu Chengyou had already conceived the intention to withdraw. On Xiang Xun's side, no progress had been made. He had already reached a decision: let Xiang Xun pull back to Xingzhou, rest for the winter, and resume the offensive in the spring of next year.

This time, the situation could hardly be blamed on Xiang Xun. It had been assumed that Li Tinggui's ragtag force of defeated soldiers and raw recruits could not possibly hold. Troops, money and grain, and laborers had all been prepared—but that rain had been fatal.

Thinking of withdrawing, what Liu Chengyou resented most was giving the Shu army more time to prepare and adjust. The Shu army had suffered a great defeat, and Hanzhong's defenses were thin. The Great Han had advanced on the momentum of victory, intending to take it in one stroke and lay the foundation for a southward push into Shu proper.

But by next spring, Liu Chengyou feared only that the Shu army would have recovered some strength and thrown it into the defense of Hanzhong...