Chapter 654: A Blessing from Heaven

On the winter night, Chongzheng Hall lay in stillness, its architecture solemn and imposing, the broad and thick plaque gleaming with a cold, austere light that seemed to radiate the might of imperial authority. Unlike its usual blaze of lamps, only faint candlelight seeped out from within; strolling over had become a habit.

Through the window curtain of the side hall, a figure could still be seen. Entering with a hint of curiosity, he found Zhao Pu behind the desk, organizing some official documents. Noticing the movement, Zhao Pu looked up, saw Liu Chengyou, and hurriedly rose: "Your Majesty!"

"Today is the winter solstice; I granted you all a day of rest, and everyone has gone home. Why haven't you returned to your residence to spend time with your family?" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, lifted his robe, and sat down leisurely, asking.

"It is still early, and these memorials need to be organized for Your Majesty's perusal. Though Your Majesty has shown grace, I must not be negligent, lest Your Majesty encounter confusion or errors when reviewing them!" Zhao Pu said. "I have already informed my family; I will return later!"

Looking at Zhao Pu, Liu Chengyou felt a strange stirring in his heart. Whether or not there was an element of posturing, Zhao Pu's conduct was commendable. Exhaling a breath of wine, Liu Chengyou said: "Zhao Yan is cautious by nature; though thorough in his work, he is always constrained and his health is poor. The affairs of Chongzheng Hall are complex and numerous. From now on, as you serve by my side, you should share some of the burden for him!"

Zhao Pu was sharp-eyed and clear-minded. Hearing these words, it was evident that more responsibility was to be placed on his shoulders. A hint of joy rose in his heart, and he bowed deeply: "Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!"

Though he had not served at Chongzheng Hall for long, he had already familiarized himself with everyone there. Of the dozen or so Chongzheng attendants, none but Zhao Yan were worthy of his regard, and he had long harbored thoughts of replacing him. However, Zhao Yan's greatest weakness was his poor health, afflicted with illness year-round.

In truth, Zhao Pu was confident in his own abilities and did not think highly of a mere Zhao Yan. It was only because the Emperor trusted him, and his father was Zhao Shangjiao, the Commissioner of the Pacification Commission, that he remained humble and deferential, diligent in his work, and low-key while awaiting his opportunity.

Moreover, over this period, Zhao Pu had carefully studied the matter. The Academicians of Chongzheng Hall dealt with all major military and political affairs—low in rank but heavy in power. The Son of Heaven clearly intended to use Chongzheng Hall to counterbalance the Hall of State Affairs. Judging by the current situation, as time went on, their power would only grow greater, for they stood closer to the Son of Heaven.

Zhao Pu had weighed the matter himself. The chancellors currently in court were mostly in their prime years. Unless some drastic upheaval occurred, his rise to that position would be exceedingly difficult—at the very least, he would have to endure for eight or ten years.

Therefore, he had directly set his sights on the position of Academician of Chongzheng Hall—a post relatively easier to obtain, given its proximity. And now, from the Son of Heaven's words, that intention was clearly revealed. Though there were signs of intoxication, how easily could an Emperor truly be drunk?

Seeing the joy at the corners of Zhao Pu's brows and his solemn bow, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and laughed: "Here it is just the two of us, sovereign and minister. No need for such formality—sit!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at the stack of organized memorials, Liu Chengyou directly asked the seated Zhao Pu: "Any matters of importance?"

"Imperial Son-in-law Governor Song has submitted a memorial stating that the standoff at Xixian has reached a stalemate, with the troops long wearied. He requests that Your Majesty issue an edict for Commander-in-Chief Xiang to withdraw the army!" Zhao Pu said.

After seizing Qinfeng, Liu Chengyou had established the new Qinfeng Circuit based on the four prefectures, incorporating unrecovered territories such as Hanzhong, Minzhou, and Taozhou into it. Regardless of anything else, on paper and on the map, the territory was claimed first. His brother-in-law Song Yanwo was appointed Administration Commissioner, stationed at Qinfeng.

Hearing Zhao Pu's words, Liu Chengyou sighed and said: "I have been considering this matter. What is your opinion?"

Zhao Pu answered without hesitation: "At present, both court officials and those outside all advocate this proposal, and it indeed warrants careful consideration. Governor Song, being in Qinfeng, has a better understanding of the military situation at the front. His recommendation deserves to be heeded.

His memorial states that along the Sanguan Road, rain and snow have continued without cease, the supply lines are nearly severed, and it is difficult to transport and replenish grain and equipment from Guanzhong. The prefectures of Feng, Cheng, Jie, and Xing have only recently been taken; their treasuries are nearly exhausted and cannot sustain further support."

"So you also recommend withdrawing the army!" Liu Chengyou glanced at Zhao Pu.

Zhao Pu said: "Indeed! I have heard that during Your Majesty's southern campaign, due to the winter season, the troops were stationed before the walls of Shouchun for several months. The cold of Qinfeng is even more severe than that of Huainan, and with the treacherous supply routes and a smaller force than during the southern campaign, given the current situation at Xixian, if we remain long stalled before a strong city, I fear the Shu defenders may seize the opportunity..."

Liu Chengyou waved his hand to interrupt him, sighed, and instructed: "Enough. Have the Bureau of Military Affairs issue the order to withdraw!"

"I only regret that after this winter, the Shu army will be given a chance to catch its breath! This will create even greater obstacles to seizing Hanzhong!"

A calm, confident smile hung on Zhao Pu's face as he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty need not worry overmuch. Consider this—the Meng Shu's elite troops have been utterly lost at Qinfeng. Even the difficulty of the old road could not stop the might of our Great Han. Now that Xingzhou has fallen and Xingyuan Prefecture is in sight, how could the Shu army possibly resist? Moreover, our troops also need to rest and regroup!"

"Additionally, to supply the front lines, the prefectures of Cheng and Jie have been subjected to frequent conscription, causing popular resentment to boil over in the counties. Several popular disturbances have broken out. Though swiftly suppressed, they warrant vigilance—the people need to be pacified!"

As the sovereign and minister conversed, Zhang Dejun walked in, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty, Li Chuyun, Recipient of Edicts at the Bureau of Military Affairs, requests an audience. He appears to have urgent matters."

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised, his brows furrowing: "At this hour... Summon him!"

"Yes!"

Soon, Li Chuyun hurried in, holding a memorial in his hand. Dispensing with formalities, Liu Chengyou directly asked: "Are you on duty at the Bureau of Military Affairs tonight? You came in haste—speak. Has the military situation changed?"

"Your Majesty, a military report from Xixian—the western city has fallen!" A hint of joy showed on Li Chuyun's face.

"What!" Liu Chengyou's spirits lifted, and he nearly leaped up. Stepping forward, he snatched the report from Li Chuyun's hands and opened it, reading rapidly.

From the Emperor's somewhat undignified reaction, one could see his deep concern for the front-line situation. For Liu Chengyou, this military report was truly a blessing from heaven.

According to Xiang Xun's successive reports, he had led his troops to press close to the city and set up camp, constructed siege equipment, stockpiled grain and fodder, and gathered over ten thousand able-bodied laborers. However, for months on end, rain and snow had hindered any assault on the city. Attempted attacks had also ended in failure, and the matter had dragged on until now.

In this latest report from Xiang Xun, four days prior, the wind and rain had suddenly ceased, the snow had cleared, the sun had come out, and the weather had turned fair. Seizing this opportunity, Xiang Xun ordered his elite troops and laborers to sally forth together, holding nothing back, and assault the city with all their might.

The Shu troops in the city were not of high fighting quality to begin with. The Han army, stalled before the walls by the weather, had actually grown complacent. When the Han army suddenly launched its assault, going all out from the very first strike, the defenders were caught off guard. Though under Li Tinggui's supervision they resisted desperately, after three consecutive hours of fierce assault by the Han army, they ultimately could not hold.

The cost of breaching the city was considerable—of the over ten thousand laborers, nearly four thousand were killed or wounded (of whom over three hundred were executed by the supervision camp Xiang Xun had hastily organized), while the Han army's regular troops also suffered over a thousand casualties, including five battalion commanders and three company commanders. Unwilling to let the month of hardship go to waste, Xiang Xun displayed his ruthless style of command to the fullest, utterly disregarding casualties. With the Shu army's low morale, how could they withstand it?

The defenders within Xixian also suffered heavy losses. According to the report, over eight thousand enemies were killed, with most of the remainder surrendering. Only scattered bands of defeated troops managed to flee toward Nanzheng.

"Heaven favors the Han army, Heaven favors Your Majesty!" After learning of the results, Zhao Pu said to Liu Chengyou with some excitement.

Liu Chengyou could not help but break into a delighted smile: "I had just been about to order a withdrawal when this report of victory arrived. It seems Xiang Xun was also unwilling to see his previous efforts go to waste! Judging from the battle report, it was a bloody battle indeed!"

Li Chuyun, standing nearby, chuckled lightly: "Amusingly, that Shu general Li Tinggui had repaired Xixian to be as solid as iron, and before the battle he boasted that he would live or die with the city. When the city fell, he tried to draw his sword and slit his own throat, but in the end could not bring himself to do it. He carved a bloody mark on his neck, cast aside his sword, and surrendered..."

"Haha!" Liu Chengyou could not help but laugh: "This man is indeed amusing. Could it be he was afraid of pain?"

"Most certainly!" Zhao Pu echoed, a note of mockery in his tone.

His expression sobering, Liu Chengyou resumed a serious demeanor and said: "Transmit my edict to Xiang Xun—the campaign in Hanzhong is entrusted entirely to him. Now that Xixian has fallen, Hanzhong will be hard to hold. Whether to continue advancing on Nanzheng shall be his decision at his own discretion!"

At this order, Zhao Pu and Li Chuyun instinctively exchanged a glance. The Emperor's trust in Xiang Xun was somewhat astonishing.

"Yes!"

"And one more thing!" Turning around, Liu Chengyou looked at the two and smiled: "With this report, a weight has been lifted from my heart. I'm going to get a good night's sleep. As for you two, I give you an order as well—return to your residences and rest well!"