Chapter 658: The Surrendered General

"Negotiating peace is indeed a good suggestion!" Noticing the confidence and cunning in Zhao Pu's eyes, Liu Chengyou also smiled: "However, since ancient times, it is often the defeated who beg for peace. Now that our dynasty has swept through Qinfeng, taken all of Hanzhong, and our troops are pointed directly at the two rivers, if we take the initiative to propose peace, it would only give the Shu state some unrealistic hopes!"

"Between the two states, the balance of victory and defeat, strength and weakness, has already reached this point—there is no possibility of reversal. Moreover, by sending an envoy, we can also dispel their delusions!" Zhao Pu said calmly.

"In that case, we need someone of outstanding courage, eloquent speech, quick wit, and the ability to promote the majesty of our Great Han!" As Liu Chengyou spoke, his shrewd eyes fixed on Zhao Pu.

"Your subject requests permission to go to Shu, and will not fail the mission!" Seeing this, Zhao Pu raised his sleeves and bowed deeply: "Your subject also intends to personally observe Shu's military governance and popular sentiment. The previous plan to throw Shu into chaos was submitted by your subject, and I also wish to see its effects..."

Seeing his declaration, Liu Chengyou was clearly very satisfied, and raised a finger: "You are thoughtful. Then go on my behalf and the court's to Chengdu for a visit. I originally had the intention to halt military operations, and am not in a hurry to destroy Shu. On that basis, you may negotiate with confidence. I grant you full authority. As for calling yourself a vassal or paying tribute, I will not insist—but if you can negotiate some money and grain, it can somewhat offset our expenses in the Shu campaign.

As for probing their true strength, that secret mission—I will instruct the Wude Office and military intelligence subordinates in Shu to fully cooperate with you!"

"As you command!" Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately showed excitement, his bright eyes revealing ambition, already pondering how to achieve merit in Shu.

He rose again and stood beneath the great map of the Han dynasty in the hall. This map was newly made, with the four prefectures of Qinfeng clearly marked upon it. However, it now seemed outdated again—but this time, Liu Chengyou was not in a hurry to replace it.

The two rivers, Jinghu—Liu Chengyou's gaze shifted between the two regions. Wherever his gaze rested was essentially the direction of future strategy. And Liu Chengyou had already been staring for some time at Jingnan, at that small but important region marked with the name of the Gao clan.

His thoughts drifting back, Liu Chengyou suddenly turned his head, looked at Zhang Dejun, and instructed: "Go, send someone to summon that He Chongjian to the palace!"

"Yes!"

He Chongjian was originally the Military Governor of Xiongwu under the Shi Jin. In the twelfth year of Tianfu (947), he surrendered Shu with Qinfeng. In the fifth year of Qianyou (952), after military defeat, he returned to the Han. Two years ago, he was escorted to the Eastern Capital along with some prisoners. Liu Chengyou met him once, then sent him off to reside within Kaifeng city.

However, after all, he was a senior general, so he was not humiliated—though of course, he was not given excessive courtesy either. Over these two-plus years, He Chongjian had been lying low in Kaifeng, selling off some of the jade and jewels he carried with him, and purchasing a small courtyard in the outer city.

For a surrendered general, He Chongjian's days were not comfortable. Living in Kaifeng was not easy; he had to undergo inspections at all times, had no source of income, and with only outflows and no inflows, he gradually fell into financial straits.

There was even a period when he was extorted by street ruffians. By now, his splendid brocade robes had been replaced with ordinary hemp clothing, and he no longer wore any ornaments. If not for the occasional assistance from a few of his old subordinates who had been incorporated into the Huaide Army, he would have long since been unable to hold on.

However, as the Huaide Army was drawn out and incorporated into the southwestern army for operations, He Chongjian's survival in Kaifeng became even harder. Now, he only had a middle-aged widow he had married shortly after arriving to keep him company. To have fallen to such a state and still have one person who would not abandon him—that was a blessing within misfortune.

Watching the household grow increasingly strapped, to the point where even materials for winter clothing and warmth could hardly be afforded, and instead having to rely on a woman's hard labor for support—for He Chongjian, this was deeply wounding to his pride.

In the evening, the winter wind grew ever more bitingly cold. The shabby little door was slowly pushed open, and a woman walked in, clutching something against her chest, wrapped tightly.

"Husband!" The woman called out softly.

Hearing the voice, He Chongjian opened the door and welcomed her inside. The room was equally cold and gloomy, only with less wind. The woman pulled out an oil-paper bundle from her bosom and said to He Chongjian: "Wait a moment—I bought a few flatbreads, and I'll go cook some porridge..."

He Chongjian had taken this woman as his wife. Her appearance was very ordinary—compared to his former wives and concubines, she was even plainer—but her diligence, simplicity, and resilience were deeply moving. She was also an unfortunate woman: her husband had died in the chaos of war, and of her two sons, one died on the Huainan battlefield and the other of illness. She and He Chongjian were like two lonely, lost souls who had fatefully come together.

A faint stench emanated from her—the smell of filth. Since Kaifeng had been newly rebuilt, there were higher requirements for urban sanitation. And this woman engaged in a base occupation, hauling night soil out of the city every morning and evening...

Looking at the woman with disheveled hair, a coarse voice, and a face full of exhaustion, He Chongjian let out a long sigh, then said in a low, dejected tone: "Everyone has abandoned me—why must you continue to stay by my side?"

When he first arrived in the Eastern Capital, He Chongjian still had some personal attendants following him. But as time passed, loyalty could hardly withstand hunger, and one by one they left to make a living. Those who remembered old ties would occasionally offer some assistance; the heartless ones cut off all contact. Of course, there were those even more miserable than He Chongjian.

In fact, if not for this woman managing everything inside and out, with the meager resources He Chongjian had after surrendering, how could he have held on until now?

Hearing his words at this moment, the woman asked in return: "Husband, are you trying to drive me away again?"

Meeting those eyes that held bitterness and hardship, and noticing the frostbite and cracking on her hands that could not be hidden, He Chongjian could not help but show a trace of sadness. He sighed deeply: "Sell this courtyard!"

Hearing this, the woman said very seriously: "Then we will have no place to shelter from wind and rain!"

She had clearly refused. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, and He Chongjian finally said again: "Never mind—later, I'll go with you!"

At last, a look of relief appeared on the woman's face, and she showed him a slight smile: "Good!"

"Who would have thought that I, He Chongjian, once glorious for a time, guarding a region as a commander, would in my old age sink to making a living this way..." He Chongjian said in a low voice.

When the government messenger came to summon him, the old couple was huddled together for warmth, eating their evening meal. Learning that it was the Emperor who had summoned him, He Chongjian was overjoyed. Paying no heed to much else, he hastily tidied his disheveled appearance, changed into a set of barely presentable clothes, said a word of instruction, and followed the official to the government office, where he joined the palace eunuch to enter the palace for an audience.

The sudden summons made He Chongjian realize something. Although he did not know the Han emperor's purpose, he had already made up his mind—if there was an opportunity, he would definitely seize it.

When he again paid homage to the Han emperor, He Chongjian's face was full of deference as he prostrated himself in full obeisance.

Looking at He Chongjian in his coarse hemp clothes, with poverty that could not be concealed from his bearing, Liu Chengyou did not offer tea but instead gave him wine, having roughly learned of his recent circumstances—that he had been suffering from the cold for some time.

He Chongjian had clearly not drunk wine in a long time. After giving thanks, he poured for himself and drank, downing several cups in succession, and his aged face quickly reddened somewhat. Only when he noticed the emperor's gaze did he realize his lapse, and said humbly: "Your subject has lost composure—please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"No matter!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly and waved his hand, asking: "Lord He has spent these two-plus years in the Eastern Capital—what are your thoughts?"

"The Eastern Capital is prosperous, but hard for the common man to live in!" He Chongjian's aged eyes were full of complex emotion: "I regret my original choice all the more!"

"Could it be that I have not shown you favor, and Lord He regrets surrendering to the Great Han?" Liu Chengyou said with amusement.

Hearing this, He Chongjian's face immediately showed tension, and he shook his head repeatedly: "What I regret is that when the Khitan invaded the Central Plains back then, I chose to surrender to Shu rather than wait out the time and await the Great Han. Even more, I regret serving as a pawn for the Shu state and opposing the Great Han!"

He Chongjian's expression of regret did not seem feigned, and his emotions were genuine. Liu Chengyou could not help but smile, looking at him: "Now you are equally a subject of the Great Han—it is not too late!"

"Yes!" He Chongjian appeared humble and respectful.

"Lord He must be curious about the reason I suddenly summoned you!"

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty."

"Why not take a guess."

After a moment's deliberation, He Chongjian ventured: "I have heard that the Great Han is campaigning against Shu and has won another great victory at the front—is it related to this?"

"It seems Lord He, though dwelling in a humble abode, is not cut off from the world!" Nodding with some satisfaction, Liu Chengyou directly admitted: "Correct! The Great Han has now fully taken Xingyuan Prefecture!"

"Your family and descendants are all in Nanzheng city. Meng Chang did not implicate them because of your surrender. After the city fell, your son even actively helped the main army maintain public order..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely.

Hearing this, He Chongjian immediately showed a flash of excitement.

Meeting his somewhat excited gaze, Liu Chengyou said very directly: "In this great battle, we captured quite a number of Shu soldiers. I intend to select the strong and able among them for use. Lord He spent many years in the Shu army and is familiar with their military conditions—would you be willing to serve the Great Han, training troops and horses, to one day attack the two rivers?"

"I will repay with my life!" Without the slightest hesitation, He Chongjian rose and prostrated himself.

At this moment, He Chongjian was as desperate as one who had fallen into an abyss, desperately longing to change his circumstances. Liu Chengyou offered him hope—there was simply no choice to make.