Chapter 661: The Strategy for Advancing Troops

When Liu Chengyou asked about military arrangements, he posed the question to both Murong Yanzhao and Guo Rong. However, Murong Yanzhao shook his head with great composure, saying: "The deployment of troops is Your Majesty's command alone, the duty of the Bureau of Military Affairs. We generals need only await orders."

Murong Yanzhao spoke unhurriedly, his attention focused on tending the roasted meat. Liu Chengyou was momentarily taken aback, then observed his expression before a look of realization dawned, a smile curving at the corners of his mouth as he turned to Guo Rong: "Our Palace Commander says troop movements are your responsibility. Let's hear it then—if we move troops in early spring, which armies do you plan to deploy?"

Guo Rong, now in high spirits, did not hesitate. Sipping his wine, he spoke at length: "From the imperial army of the Eastern Capital: the full Xiaodi Army, the Left Wing of the Husheng Army, the Left Wing of the Fengguo Army, the Left Wing of the Tieqi Army, plus a portion of local troops from Xiang, An, Cai, and Deng. That comes to thirty thousand infantry and cavalry. If we successfully take Jiangling, we can seize their naval and land forces, then draw on Jingnan's treasury, grain, and manpower. With this military strength, we can sweep through Hunan, no matter how the situation develops!"

Feeling Guo Rong's confidence, Liu Chengyou was satisfied once more, saying: "It seems Minister Guo has a well-laid plan!"

"If Your Majesty resolves to move troops, victory is assured!" Guo Rong raised his cup in invitation.

"Under what pretext do we send the army?" Liu Chengyou gestured toward Murong Yanzhao, then clinked cups with Guo Rong and asked him.

Though they could simply dispatch troops directly, for the sake of appearances and righteousness, it was better not to be so overbearing and brutal. Guo Rong had clearly given this thought as well, saying: "We need only send someone to contact Zhang Wenbiao! The moment Hunan moves troops, it gives the court the excuse to act!"

"Have you considered how the Tang army will react? That Liu Renshan at Ezhou is extremely tough!" Liu Chengyou said.

"From what we've observed, Liu Renshan, though talented at commanding troops, excels at defense rather than offense. Moreover, he's constrained by the small court at Jinling—how would he dare act rashly?" Guo Rong said.

Liu Chengyou's lips curled slightly: "Those currently wielding power in Jinling are the Jiangbei literati led by Han Xizai. They may not remain indifferent!"

But Guo Rong shook his head with certainty: "Since our dynasty took the Jiangbei region, the Southern Tang's national strength has steadily declined. Though Han Xizai and others have proposed reforms, the loss of Huainan's influence cannot be reversed. On top of that, the annual tribute is a tremendous burden on their finances.

Because of the reforms, they've also offended a great many powerful families, magnates, and merchants in the two Jiang regions. Your Majesty should be well aware of the current situation in Jinling's court. Furthermore, given our court's influence over Li Jing and his ministers, they'd count themselves fortunate just to maintain their precarious peace—how would they dare oppose us?"

What Guo Rong said was of course reasonable. The Huainan campaign had cost them all of Jiangbei—a bitter memory, to be sure—but two years had been enough to ease the pain. In the Tang palace, Li Jing still composed poetry and verse, living in drunken oblivion, his lavish lifestyle largely unaffected. The ambition to strive forward under the humiliation of vassalage had been nearly worn away.

Moreover, because the Jiangbei faction held power, and with his Crown Prince Li Hongji and his cohort being somewhat too radical—endlessly clamoring to recover Jiangbei and march on the Central Plains—Li Jing had brought Feng Yansi back to counterbalance them. Feng Yansi led his group in attacking the results of Han Xizai's reforms, and factional strife resumed.

On the other hand, there were also Tang ministers whose bodies were in the Tang camp but whose hearts were with the Han. They maintained considerable contact with the Central Plains, led chiefly by Zhong Mo, and between the two sides, they could play the role of troublemakers.

Back when Liu Chengyou had released him to return to Jinling, Zhong Mo's background had sparked considerable debate in the Southern Tang court. It was only through his silver tongue and deep acting ability, combined with the Eastern Capital's efforts to spread his "reputation for loyalty," that Li Jing chose to trust Zhong Mo. And out of regard for the hardships Zhong Mo had endured when taken to the Eastern Capital and his unyielding integrity, Li Jing promoted him to Vice Director of the Chancellery, and by spring of this year, made him a chancellor.

Therefore, with Jinling so hamstrung by internal rivalries, Liu Renshan at Ezhou would find it far from easy to accomplish anything.

Guo Rong continued speaking, confidence always evident in his bearing: "Furthermore, even if Liu Renshan dared to move troops, with our dynasty prepared, Ezhou's strength alone could hardly cause significant damage. And without the Tang court's approval, how would Liu Renshan dare act on his own? He must consider the consequences.

In fact, I would rather hope Liu Renshan does dispatch troops on his own. Then the court can send envoys to rebuke and condemn him, intensifying the internal contradictions of the Tang court. If we could provoke Li Jing into killing Liu Renshan, that would be even more gratifying for our dynasty..."

Winter had not yet passed, troops had not yet been dispatched, and the situation was still unsettled—yet Guo Rong already looked as though everything had been arranged with perfect clarity.

While the sovereign and minister chatted merrily, Murong Yanzhao ate merrily by the side. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but say: "My Palace Commander, don't just busy yourself with eating and drinking. What do you think of Commissioner Guo's strategy? The Xiaodi Army and the Tieqi Army are both under the Palace Command's jurisdiction—you ought to offer some opinion!"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Murong Yanzhao finally set down the mutton and wine cup in his hands, wiped the grease from his lips, stroked his beard, and said with a light laugh: "What Your Majesty and Chancellor Guo have considered is already most thorough. If I were to add anything, it would only be to take into account the puppet court in Lingnan and the Shu army in Badong. However, these two are truly not worth worrying about. Also, the barbarian tribes within Hunan are a force to be reckoned with!"

"Heh heh!" Clearly, though Murong Yanzhao's mouth had been busy eating and drinking, he had been listening all along. Liu Chengyou raised his cup, took a small sip, and said slowly: "Then now, one important question remains—who will command the troops!"

Hearing this, Guo Rong smiled slightly: "Your Majesty summoned Palace Commander Murong to the palace—surely this was the purpose!"

Looking at Murong Yanzhao, Liu Chengyou's eyes gleamed as he asked: "Since the southern campaign, you've been in the Eastern Capital for over two years now. Are you willing to lead the army south?"

"When Your Majesty commands, I dare not refuse!" Murong Yanzhao was most decisive, cupping his hands with a solemn expression.

In truth, when Liu Chengyou had broached the subject of Jinghu, he had already prepared himself in his heart to lead the army into battle.

"Tell me, do you have a plan of advance?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Concentrate troops at Yingzhou, advance swiftly with light equipment, drive straight for Jiangling, force Gao Baorong to surrender, seize his army, take his grain, then cross the river to advance into Hunan and sweep away the likes of Zhou and Zhang..." Murong Yanzhao said with extraordinary ease.

"That's it?" Liu Chengyou said.

Murong Yanzhao said: "The situation in the south is uncertain. I can only outline the general strategy for the campaign. For greater detail, we'll have to adjust according to the time and circumstances once troops are dispatched!"

"Good!" Liu Chengyou showed an approving reaction, clapping his hands once: "I will entrust military matters to you. You should think it over carefully!"

"Yes!"

"Come!" Liu Chengyou raised his cup again, inviting both of them: "Let us drink a toast together, as a celebration of this strategy for advance we've deliberated!"

After drinking deeply, Liu Chengyou looked toward Guo Rong again and said softly: "This year Hunan suffers a great famine. If we move troops in spring next year, the local people will surely suffer hardship!"

Guo Rong replied calmly: "Your Majesty's compassion for the people is admirable. Perhaps we could choose to advance at the turn of spring and summer—that way, we won't delay the spring plowing, and we can also take the summer harvest on site!"

"Good!" Liu Chengyou broke into a smile.

"However!" Guo Rong's tone shifted as he toyed with the wine cup in his hand: "The fighting has just ended this winter, and next year we open a new campaign. Even if the scale is modest, it's still a thousand-li expedition. Will the chancellors agree?"

Hearing Guo Rong say this, Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow, glanced at him, a trace of concern surfacing on his face. But after a moment's deliberation, he said: "Then it will be up to Minister Guo to persuade them. The chancellors are no mediocre men—when it concerns the great strategy of national unification, I imagine they will understand!"