Chapter 749: Waqiao Pass

Shun'an Army, Guiyi County, situated on the south bank of the Yi River, was originally a county under Zhuozhou. During the Shi Jin period, it fell to the Khitan. In the early years of the Han, taking advantage of Zhao Yanshou's successful northern expedition to Youzhou, He Fujin led troops to recover it. Later, when Liu Chengyou reorganized the northern border defenses, Guiyi County became the seat of Shun'an Army, and its pass gained considerable renown—known as Waqiao Pass.

The original purpose of establishing Waqiao Pass was to resist the Khitan threat. Of course, how much effect it actually achieved remained debatable. After all, when Yelu Deguang had marched south in those days, he had crossed over with relative ease. At present, its reputation was not yet illustrious, nor was it a formidable stronghold or perilous defile.

The fame of the Three Passes of Hebei only gradually spread during the Northern Song's defense against the Khitan. For the current Great Han, given its excellent position as a thoroughfare, the pass was still maintained, reinforced, and repaired, with defenses established at the strategic points.

The Army Commander of Shun'an Army was Luo Yangui. As a general who had thrown in his lot with Liu Chengyou early on, he had been stationed in the north since the founding of the state. It had been two years since he had been transferred to Waqiao Pass. Though he had no great military exploits, his position and prestige within the army were steadily rising.

Because the state's strategic focus was in the south, the Han army stationed in the north could basically only train and garrison, with no opportunity to earn merit. Over the years, many frontier generals harbored varying degrees of resentment in their hearts.

Liu Chengyou was very attentive to these generals' feelings and understood them well. Hence, his attention to border generals like Luo Yangui never diminished. Though they lacked substantive battle merits, their ranks were continuously raised, their stipends increased on schedule, and during festivals and holidays, rewards and gifts from the Son of Heaven and the court were never lacking. From time to time, he also dispatched generals and marshals from the court to patrol the northern border, inspect military conditions, and pay attention to the soldiers' morale. Last year, Palace Commander Murong Yanzhao had been ordered to conduct such an inspection.

Up to the present, among Liu Chengyou's several imperial tours, the ones with the greatest fanfare and the longest distance were all northern inspection tours. This showed how much importance he placed on northern military affairs.

On the first day of the fourth month in the ninth year of Qianyou, the sun shone brightly, the sky was clear with sparse clouds, and on the south bank of the Yi River, fifteen hundred imposing armored soldiers stood arrayed. The officers and men were neatly turned out, mighty and valiant, each having changed into newly issued summer uniforms.

The banners differed—these armored soldiers were not all garrison troops of Shun'an Army, but elite men selected from the five northern armies and the Commander-in-Chief's own headquarters. Having heard that the Son of Heaven was touring the north, the assembled generals had deliberated and, under the arrangements of Commander-in-Chief An Shenqi, each selected their finest troops to come—both to welcome the imperial carriage and to stand inspection.

After all, the Emperor rarely came north, and everyone wanted to put on a good showing. Of course, this matter had been reported to the field headquarters in advance and received the Son of Heaven's approval; otherwise, the mere crime of unauthorized troop movement would be difficult to bear. Especially during the sensitive period of the imperial arrival—even if An Shenqi was honored as Commandery Prince of Chenliu.

Before the formation, several dozen Han generals from the northern front stood in strict waiting. Among them, besides Commander-in-Chief An Shenqi, were the five army commanders: Luo Yangui of Shun'an Army, Ma Quanyi of Yongqing Army, Dong Zunhui of Baoding Army, Han Lingkun of Xiong'an Army, and Guo Jin of Xin'an Army. These were the core commanders of the Great Han's northern defenses.

The monsoon wind, carrying the dampness of sea and river, blew past. Banners fluttered, ropes swayed, and the assembled officers and men had already waited a long while—yet none showed any impatience. Each and every one remained standing at solemn attention, like sculptures.

Whatever their inner thoughts, at least on the surface they maintained composure and patience. Even An Shenqi, who was nearly sixty, stood silently at the front—how could anyone else dare complain?

Only when the sun had climbed higher, after the assembled men had waited nearly two hours, did several riders with small flags on their backs come galloping in. Reining up before the formation, they leapt down nimbly and bowed, reporting: "Report to the Commander-in-Chief, the imperial carriage has arrived five li away!"

At these words, everyone's spirits lifted. An Shenqi, with his gray beard and white whiskers, immediately waved his hand and ordered: "Perk up, everyone—prepare to welcome the imperial carriage. Show His Majesty the most imposing bearing of our northern army. If anyone makes a mistake, this commander need not say more, need he!"

"Yes!"

After another wait of roughly two quarters of an hour, as the imperial procession came into view, the carriage slowly approached from the north. On the south bank of the Yi River, drums and horns sounded in unison. The mighty northern soldiers warmly welcomed the imperial carriage, paying homage with military salutes.

Feeling the imposing aura of the northern army, the imperial guards escorting the carriage unconsciously straightened their chests and faced them with solemn concentration, as if wanting to compete. After all, were they not also elites of the Great Han?

When the imperial carriage reached the front of the formation, Liu Chengyou slowly stepped out of the vehicle, standing on the carriage rail, his gaze falling upon the officers and men welcoming him. This was the second time he had emerged from the carriage to receive homage since his northern tour began.

"Your subject An Shenqi, Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Front, leading the officers and men of the northern armies, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's inspection!" An Shenqi took the lead, bowing deeply with a straight posture.

Sweeping his gaze across the assembly, the feeling of a thousand troops bowing their heads was truly intoxicating. Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "Officers and men, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Please, Your Majesty, review the three armies!" An Shenqi said from the front, his bearing spirited.

"Granted!"

An Shenqi immediately made a gesture, and the military formation behind him raised swords and spears in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, shouting "Long live" like a mountain roar. Though the number was not large, and they stood on the open banks of the Yi River, the sudden eruption was still sufficiently shocking—comparable to ten thousand troops.

"Please, Your Majesty, cross the river and enter the pass!" An Shenqi requested.

Turning back into the carriage, Liu Chengyou gave Zhang Dejun a meaningful glance. Zhang Dejun announced in a loud voice: "His Majesty has decreed—Commander An, please board the carriage for conversation!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" An Shenqi responded with due reverence, yet his face remained impassive. At his age and station, he was not one to be easily moved like ordinary men. Of course, facing the Son of Heaven's favor and respect, he performed the proper ministerial decorum perfectly—his manner proper and reverent.

"This humble general requests to hold the reins and steady the carriage for Your Majesty!" After An Shenqi boarded the imperial carriage, Luo Yangui stepped forward and respectfully petitioned.

"Granted!"

Receiving permission, Luo Yangui's face immediately lit up with joy, and he hurried forward to attend the imperial carriage. His expression, his movements—he did not resemble a general who had guarded the frontier for years, but rather a fawning sycophant.

Seeing his performance, the remaining army commanders all showed varying degrees of contempt. Of course, more than contempt, there was regret and envy—none of them had thought this fellow would seize the opportunity first.

Luo Yangui had always been shrewd, with sharp eyes and quick judgment. From the very beginning—when the realm was still unsettled, the Central Plains had no master, and the Khitan's power was at its height—Luo Yangui had seized military horses and defected to Liu Chengyou. This alone showed his extraordinary nature.

Under the guidance of Luo Yangui and the driver, the imperial carriage slowly began to move, heading toward the floating bridge over the Yi River. Outside the carriage, the close escort remained, along with the undiminished cries of "Long live."

Amidst the stars surrounding the moon, Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze and looked at An Shenqi, smiling warmly: "An Qing, you have selected the finest soldiers of the northern frontier and brought them all here!"

"There are even more soldiers, equally elite, who wished to welcome Your Majesty—they simply were not chosen!" An Shenqi replied.

"A pity—I cannot receive each army one by one. It rather disappoints the sentiments of all those officers and men!" Liu Chengyou sighed.

"When the soldiers who welcomed Your Majesty return to their posts, they will convey Your Majesty's grace, authority, and concern to the others!" An Shenqi's political awareness was evidently very high.