Chapter 689: Jingnan Secured

Sun Guangxian solemnly expressed his gratitude and took his leave. Watching his retreating figure—back straight, posture upright—Liu Chengyou felt that his spine seemed somewhat bent. However, Liu Chengyou would not despise him for this; precisely because there were men of such pragmatism, his progress toward unifying the realm would be all the smoother.

Unyielding integrity is certainly a fine quality, but it is best directed toward the Great Han and toward him, the Son of Heaven. Otherwise, such men are merely obstinate elements, becoming obstacles to his completion of the realm's unification.

Noticing Liu Chengyou's gaze, and perhaps thinking he had some concern, Zhao Pu took the initiative to speak: "Sun Guangxian served Gao Conghui and his son for many years, and is the most important civil official of Jingnan, well-versed in all affairs. Now that he is so deferential to the court, the three prefectures of Jingnan may be secured and peacefully returned to governance. Your Majesty need not worry!"

"Jingnan is hardly a cause for concern. In any case, with the main army stationed there, and with Murong Yanzhao and Guo Wei present, no one else can stir up any waves!" Liu Chengyou replied with a confident expression.

After a brief moment of thought, he shifted his seat, turned his head toward Zhao Pu, and asked: "Do you think the Gao clan is worth my apprehension?"

To this question, Zhao Pu shook his head very affirmatively and said with a slight smile: "The Gao clan has stood in Jingnan for decades, yet they have neither earned a praiseworthy reputation nor bestowed kindness upon the people. The gentry and commoners of Jingnan will certainly not hold them in remembrance. As for the Gao clan itself—numerous in members, mixed in quality—once they migrate north, having lost their foundation and their privileges, I fear they will not be without complaints!"

"As for the line of Gao Baorong, the Prince of Nanping, Your Majesty may well emulate the story of buying a horse's bones with a thousand gold pieces and treat them generously. These are mediocre and timid men, truly harmless to the court. After Jinghu, to the south there remain the Later Shu, the Southern Tang, Wuyue, the false Liu, and even the Qingyuan Army in Minnan. With the Gao clan as an example set before them, when Your Majesty takes up arms in the future, it may somewhat diminish their will to resist!"

"Correct!" Liu Chengyou's mouth curled up slightly: "However, among the southern states' powers, many of their rulers are quite incompetent. They may certainly be treated generously, but by comparison, it is their subordinate civil and military officials who are more worth winning over!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Pu said: "This Sun Guangxian is the horse's bone that Your Majesty has placed before the eyes of the southern officials!"

"With the Gao clan having surrendered, only Zhou Xingfeng remains in this southern campaign. But while Jingnan was taken smoothly, Hunan is a hard bone to crack!" Liu Chengyou rose and walked to a map of the southern campaign's military situation hanging in the hall, his tone turning somewhat grave.

Following at his side and slightly behind, Zhao Pu said: "The court's teeth and claws are sharp now; no matter how hard the bone, it cannot withstand the main army's gnawing. Zhou Xingfeng does not recognize the mandate of Heaven and recklessly resists—merely deathbed struggles! Moreover, all his actions fall within Your Majesty's and the ministers' expectations; his defeat and ruin are foreseeable!"

"Originally, Commander-in-Chief Murong intended to take Jingnan within a month. Yet now, in barely half a month, we have already taken all its territory and seized its army. With progress so smooth, this also saves time for the main army's attack on Hunan!"

"However, Zhou Xingfeng is now staking everything on a single throw. This madman must not be underestimated! If we regard him as we did the Gao clan and grow lax and careless, I fear he may seize the opportunity!" Liu Chengyou could not help but feel some apprehension.

This had always been Liu Chengyou's disposition—excessively cautious, striking with full force even when hunting a rabbit with a lion's might. He did not fear being overly careful, only the unexpected.

"Here—draft an edict in my voice, send it to the southern field headquarters, and make known to all officers and soldiers that in the Hunan campaign, there must be no arrogance, impatience, underestimation of the enemy, or reckless advance!" Liu Chengyou raised a finger and gave the instruction.

"Also send an edict to Murong Yanzhao, telling him that I entrust the overall situation of Jinghu entirely to him. I do not demand a single decisive victory—only that he take it with composure!"

"Yes!"

Over a thousand li away, Liu Chengyou had no intention of remotely commanding tactics; he only exerted influence on these equally important "minor details." At the same time, he kept the generals at the front alert—that although he, the Emperor, was in the rear, he was constantly watching the war's progress.

"Has there been any latest battle report from Liyang?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Zhao Pu shook his head and said: "Not yet. However, according to the military report forwarded by the Bureau of Military Affairs, Commander-in-Chief Murong has already sent a detached force across the river to occupy Gong'an, ready to support Liyang at any time. Since both Your Majesty and Chancellor Guo favor Army Commander Pan, he should not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"After all, Liyang does not have many troops!" Liu Chengyou frowned slightly: "I only hope Pan Mei can hold it!"

Liyang was of little consequence to the court, but it posed a great threat to Langzhou. Liu Chengyou did not care about a mere city like Liyang; what worried him was Pan Mei's safety. Losing Liyang was no great matter, but if he lost Pan Mei—the beloved general he valued so highly—that would be unfortunate. However, if Pan Mei had no meritorious deeds that were presentable and convincing to all, Liu Chengyou could hardly employ him in a major role. Thus, Liu Chengyou's state of mind was somewhat contradictory.

"Enough! I need not indulge in such useless worry!" Raising his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, Liu Chengyou let out a breath and said to Zhao Pu: "The first batch of officials selected by the Ministry of Personnel for transfer to Jingnan—go and look them over for me, assess their abilities!"

Hearing this, Zhao Pu's face showed an unusual gleam for the first time. This was allowing Chongzheng Hall to directly intervene in the affairs of the Hall of State Affairs—could it mean something?

Zhao Pu's mind had always been quick, and he subconsciously reminded: "The selection and transfer of officials is the Ministry of Personnel's affair. Doing this may well incur Chancellor Li's displeasure!"

Li Tao, as the chief chancellor, though he managed all affairs in general, had his "foundation" in the Ministry of Personnel, just as Fan Zhi presided over penal matters.

Hearing this, this time it was Liu Chengyou's turn to dispel Zhao Pu's concerns. He said with a calm, faint smile: "No matter. Jingnan has just been taken; this batch of officials concerns the governance of the three prefectures in the future and the well-being of nearly a million people. You are merely going on my behalf to inquire, to show the court's regard!"

"Yes!" Since the Emperor had spoken thus, Zhao Pu naturally accepted.

His mind continued to race. This assignment was not a difficult one, but it represented the Emperor, and also represented the political force of Chongzheng Hall—and what might that mean...

"Zhang Ji has been with you for some time now—what do you think of this man?" Liu Chengyou abruptly asked Zhao Pu.

Seeming to know that the Emperor had some liking for that third-place graduate, Zhao Pu, whatever he thought inwardly, spoke favorably: "He is quite talented in letters, far surpassing me. Clever and quick-witted, with proper nurturing he can be greatly employed!"

"Are there no shortcomings?" Liu Chengyou seemed uninterested in Zhang Ji's strengths.

After considering briefly, Zhao Pu said: "His age is still young, after all—inevitably somewhat hot-blooded and impetuous."

"Very well, go attend to your own affairs!"

"Yes!"

Before Liu Chengyou, Zhao Pu likewise behaved very carefully, though his care lay in catering to the Emperor while displaying his own abilities, hoping to climb higher and realize his political ambitions. The longer the contact, the deeper Liu Chengyou's impression of this, but as for Zhao Pu—at the present stage, Liu Chengyou truly found him handy to use.

In Jiangling city, the banners atop the walls had already changed. City walls, government offices, military camps, and granaries were all adorned with brand-new banners of the Great Han, and the city had become Murong Yanzhao's new headquarters. All key locations in the city were firmly occupied by the Xiaodi Army that had entered, while clerks and secretaries of the field headquarters began auditing Jiangling's treasury and storehouses—all of which could be directly used for military purposes.

The original Jiangling garrison troops had all been moved outside the city walls, with no room for negotiation, and over a hundred officers had been drawn directly from the various Han army units and inserted among them to strengthen control.

However, for the common people of Jiangling, it was a great relief. The Northern Han's tens of thousands of troops had come south with overwhelming momentum, throwing officials and people alike into terror. Fortunately, no war had broken out—Gao Baorong had decisively surrendered in accordance with his heart, and the Great Han smoothly took over the city.

Moreover, the Han army's discipline was strict, the city suffered no ravages of war, and within just a few days the city's blockade had been lifted, allowing the people to come and go freely. For this measure alone, the people's hearts were entirely at ease.

The original Nanping Prince's residence had suffered no disturbance whatsoever, still occupied peacefully by Gao Baorong's family, with their guards retained—only additional troops were stationed on the perimeter for protection, awaiting the court's disposition.

As for Murong Yanzhao, he had taken over the Jiangling prefectural office as the field headquarters. Now, Murong Yanzhao once again convened the field headquarters' generals to discuss military matters. The situation in Jingnan was gradually stabilizing, the fighting in Hunan growing more urgent—it was time to commence the next phase of the advance.