Chapter 714: The Direction of Strategy

"Minister Guo, now that Jinghu has fallen, though the unrest has yet to fully subside, that is only a matter of time. What do you think should be the Great Han's next target?" Liu Chengyou asked after a moment of deliberation.

Because of the Lingnan matter, he intended to engage in a somewhat deeper discussion with Guo Rong regarding the Great Han's strategic direction.

Hearing this, Guo Rong remained perfectly calm and said, "Jinghu is the pivot of the realm's safety. Now that it has come under the court's control, we may take our time in choosing what to seize next."

Lifting his eyelids, Guo Rong asked in return, "Does Your Majesty intend to strike Lingnan first?"

According to the original strategic plan, after the court secured Jinghu, it was to raise two armies to attack Shu. Next in priority was the Southern Tang. But because of the Lingnan matter, Liu Chengyou could not help but turn his gaze toward the Southern Han.

Liu Chengyou's expression was relaxed as he replied, "I won't hide it from you—this thought merely sprang up on a whim!"

After saying this, he walked to the map and said, "What I am considering is this: if we take Lingnan first, then when we move our armies in the future to pacify the Southern Tang and take Wuyue, we can raise three armies to strike them, leaving them no room to evade! As for the Meng Shu, with its natural mountain and river defenses, we leave it for last!"

After hearing the Emperor's considerations, Guo Rong did not directly raise objections but instead asked in return, "Has Your Majesty considered the problems of troop movements and grain and weapon transport in between? If we take Lingnan first, then destroy the southeast, and then turn to pacify Shu, the distances spanned would be several thousand li..."

"Enough! I was merely stirred by Lingnan and failed to think it through!" Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou said with a wry smile, his eyes fixed sharply on the map as he casually asked, "What do you think—should we go from west to east, or from east to west?"

This was the question of whether to destroy Shu first or Tang first.

Guo Rong said, "Your Majesty, Xiang Xun is stationed at Hanzhong, just waiting to march south to Chengdu!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou took a deep breath and said, "It seems that in the short term, we must still consolidate Jingnan, sit back and watch the realm, and seek opportunities for advancement!"

In fact, Guo Rong's attitude was already quite clear: the next strategic objective remained the destruction of Shu, after which they would sweep from west to east through Lingnan and the southeast. This was also the route Zhao Kuangyin had historically taken to pacify the south—a route tested by history—and Guo Rong and the others had devised their plans accordingly, based on the concrete circumstances.

As for Liu Chengyou's alternative idea, it was merely a passing fancy. The state's grand strategy, settled by the collective wisdom of the court, was not something to be changed on a whim.

That said, speaking of the Great Han's grand strategy, if one followed the original plan laid out at the founding of the dynasty, after taking all of the north of the Yangtze, the next step would have been to turn the armies north to attack the Khitan.

But after several years, Liu Chengyou had still chosen to pacify the south first—for no other reason than that the risk was low and the returns high. Attacking Liao to the north was not impossible; with the Great Han's current national strength, it could sustain a major war. But the uncertainty was too great. Having been Emperor for so long, he was no longer willing to gamble—especially not with the nation's fate.

In the official history, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou could not resist launching a northern campaign, mainly because Hebei was constantly harassed by the Khitan and he sought to eliminate the threat at his back. But the current Great Han, compared to the Later Zhou, was stronger by more than a small margin, and its external environment was far better as well.

First, there was no threat from the "Northern Han." Second, Youzhou was already under their control—the fruits of Shizong of the Later Zhou's northern campaign had long since been claimed by the Great Han. From Hedong to Hebei, the court had constructed a fairly solid defensive line. With Youzhou as a nail in Hebei, the threat to the hinterland from the Khitan was relatively less severe.

Under such circumstances, Liu Chengyou would not risk a full-scale war with the Khitan to launch a northern campaign. Of course, if the Khitan kept stirring up trouble in the north—aggressive like Yelu Ruan of old, constantly seeking to push south—then Liu Chengyou would also have the courage and resolve to fight a decisive battle with them first.

But the reality was that the current Khitan Emperor in power was Yelu Jing. Over these past three or four years, although border frictions between the Han and Liao states were unavoidable, overall, exchanges between the peoples had remained fairly stable, even growing more frequent year by year.

Though Yelu Jing liked drinking, liked sleeping, and liked hunting, he actually had some skill in consolidating imperial power. After ascending the throne following the Huoshen Dian Rebellion, though he seemed harmless, over the years he had quelled several internal rebellions and eliminated and suppressed many dissidents—especially nobles and ministers of the "Shizong" faction.

When the Great Han campaigned against the Southern Tang, Yelu Jing was busy with four things: consolidating his throne, drinking, sleeping, and hunting. When the Great Han attacked the Later Shu, Yelu Jing was busy with three things: drinking, sleeping, and hunting. Now that the Great Han was pacifying Jinghu, Yelu Jing was still busy with his usual three...

Thinking of all this, how could Liu Chengyou bear to disturb Yelu Jing? All things considered, after leveling the various states, eliminating the separatist regimes, unifying the realm, and integrating all regional forces, then marching north to contend with Liao and restore the old rivers and mountains—this was the most stable and appropriate choice.

Casting aside the stray thoughts in his mind, his gaze shifted westward, and Liu Chengyou asked, "Why wasn't the navy mentioned just now?"

At the question, Guo Rong said, "The Bureau of Military Affairs' initial plan is to use the Jingnan navy as a foundation, incorporate the surrendered Hunan naval soldiers, and recruit additional troops to build and train a Jiangnan navy, in preparation for the campaigns against Shu and Tang. The establishment is 12,000 men, with a standing strength of 5,000!"

After a slight hesitation, Guo Rong continued, "At present, the only concern is the selection of the commander for the Jiangling navy. The Great Han has never lacked talent for infantry or cavalry warfare, but for naval warfare, usable commanders are scarce!"

"Is there no one capable in the Jingnan navy?" Liu Chengyou's brows furrowed slightly.

Guo Rong said, "Wei Lin, the commander of their navy, can serve as deputy, but it would not be appropriate for him to take the lead. As for the others, there may be talent among them, but it has yet to be discovered, and it would not be wise to promote them rashly!"

"What considerations does the Bureau of Military Affairs have on this?" Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong.

"Either transfer someone from the Mizhou navy, or use Zhang Yanqing, the Prefectural Administrator of Chuzhou!" Guo Rong said.

Liu Chengyou: "Zhang Yanqing?"

"This man was originally the Defense Commissioner of Haizhou under the Southern Tang, and submitted to us after the peace treaty between the two states. When I was managing Huaidong in those years, I witnessed this man's abilities—though his reputation is not widespread, he is no less capable than Guo Tingwei. His appointment to Chuzhou was also on the recommendation of Wang Pu!" Guo Rong explained.

"I have some impression of him. In these years at Chuzhou, his achievements have been outstanding. According to Wang Pu's reports, he contributed greatly to the Hongze project!" Liu Chengyou said with sudden recognition, looking at Guo Rong. "For Minister Guo to recommend him so strongly, I suspect your heart is set on this Zhang Yanqing!"

"I dare not hide anything from Your Majesty! I do indeed favor this man!" Guo Rong admitted directly.

Zhang Yanqing had originally been a minister of Tang. Having him establish, command, and train the Jiangling navy, with Jinghu generals assisting him, should pose no problem. As for his personal abilities—being held in high regard by both Guo Rong and Wang Pu at the same time—he could not be lacking.

Therefore, without further hesitation, Liu Chengyou gave his opinion on the spot: "Issue the appointment order. Let Zhang Yanqing be the Chief Commander of the Jinghu Navy, with the honorary title of Qingche Duwei. Wei Lin serves as his deputy, with the honorary title of Shangqi Duwei!"

"Yes!"

"As for the Jinghu Chief Command—how is it to be arranged? Who will head it?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

On this matter, Guo Rong seemed reluctant to offer much opinion—after all, he could not arrange everything perfectly in advance... After considering for a moment, Guo Rong said, "The Chief Commander of the Xiaodi Army seems interested in taking the post."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately frowned and said directly, "No need to consider him! I know his abilities—he is not sufficient to take charge of the Jinghu Command!"

Guo Rong fell silent. Sensing that Guo Rong was likely trying to avoid suspicion, Liu Chengyou thought it over himself for a moment, then said, "Then let Du Hanhui, the Chief Commander of the Husheng Army, take charge of the Jinghu Command!"

Guo Rong nodded: "Yes!"

In terms of seniority, merit, and ability, Du Hanhui was indeed qualified.

"After the reorganization, how should the defenses be arranged?"

"Li Yun will garrison and pacify the five prefectures of western Hunan, Pan Mei will be stationed at Quan and Yong, and Cao Bin will hold Dao and Chen! With these three generals, supplemented in the future by Qin Zaixiong, we can ensure safety without worry!" Guo Rong said after thinking it over.

Liu Chengyou considered for a moment, then glanced at Guo Rong with a smile: "You've already thought ahead to the officers who will attack Lingnan in the future!"

Liu Chengyou's remark carried a teasing tone, seemingly said without much thought, but when it reached Guo Rong's ears, it gave him a slight start. He responded softly, "Does Your Majesty already have someone in mind?"

"Can Minister Guo not guess?" Liu Chengyou looked at him with a smile.

"Forgive my dullness!" Guo Rong clasped his hands and bowed.

Meeting his gaze for a moment, Liu Chengyou smiled again.