Chapter 751: Liu Chengyou's Decision

After crossing the Yi River and entering Waqiao Pass, he descended from the imperial carriage and stood before the military headquarters. Surveying the layout, he could see that as a fortress where the military dominated and civilians supplemented, the bearing of the government office was distinctly different—even the characters on the plaque exuded an air of iron-blooded severity and killing intent.

Standing steadily on the square-cut bluestone pavement, Liu Chengyou glanced at Luo Yangui, who stood straight-backed and erect, and said, "I've troubled you, a great general of the northern front, to attend to my carriage and serve as my outrider. You have my thanks!"

"Your Majesty resides in the imperial court, a thousand li away, and I was unable to serve you there. Now that I can attend Your Majesty in person, to render even the humble service of a dog or horse is this general's honor!" Luo Yangui said thus.

"That you have such a heart brings me great comfort!" Liu Chengyou said.

"The headquarters has been prepared. Please, Your Majesty, move inside!" Luo Yangui said with a cupped-fist salute.

Behind them, the Empress, the Noble Consort, and their sons followed along, attended by palace servants, the whole family standing together in orderly array. After taking only two steps, Liu Chengyou suddenly turned and called out: "An Shouzhong!"

"Here! What does Your Majesty command?" An Shouzhong stepped forward—fair-skinned, handsome, and imposing, clad in black armor.

Now twenty-five years old, An Shouzhong, thanks to his merits in the great Huainan campaign and his years of service guarding the palace, had become Chief Commander of the Right Wing of the Longqi Army. On this occasion, he had been specially named by Liu Chengyou to accompany the imperial entourage northward. Of course, Liu Chengyou had done so also out of consideration for An Shenqi, giving father and son a chance to reunite—after all, An Shenqi was advanced in years, and this was his only son.

Pointing at the imperial carriage parked behind him, Liu Chengyou instructed: "Take a squad of men, drive this carriage north along the official road, and welcome the Prince of Yan. When you receive him, let him ride the imperial carriage south. Tell him that I await him within the pass!"

"Yes!" An Shouzhong accepted the order without hesitation.

Meanwhile, the northern commanders who overheard this decree were somewhat surprised, feeling that the Son of Heaven was treating that Zhao Kuangzan with excessive favor, even sending the imperial carriage to greet him and letting him ride in it.

As for An Shenqi, his brow furrowed involuntarily. He could not quite fathom the intent behind the Emperor's move—was it to show favor and lull Zhao Kuangzan into complacency for easier handling, or had he decided to continue the policy of appeasement and take no action?

His scrutinizing gaze carefully swept across the Son of Heaven's countenance, seeing only a calm expression, with even a trace of a smile discernible on his face. Liu Chengyou, meanwhile, strode with unhurried steps into the headquarters, surrounded by a host of attendants like stars encircling the moon.

In the rear hall, Liu Chengyou sat upright at the desk, sipping tea mouthful by mouthful, while Empress Fu stood beside him, personally brewing the tea.

Seeing his expression, Empress Fu poured tea for him with graceful movements and could not help but ask softly: "Erlang, you have something on your mind?"

"You saw through me." Liu Chengyou looked up at his beautiful empress.

The elder Lady Fu's jade lips curved into a lovely arc as she said: "Your demeanor is far too obvious. In all these years of marriage, you've rarely been in such a state. Have you encountered some difficulty or a matter you cannot decide?"

Knowing each other's depths thoroughly, the couple shared almost no secrets between them, especially when Liu Chengyou made no effort to conceal anything.

Gazing at Empress Fu's beautiful and dignified jade countenance, Liu Chengyou shook his head and said: "It's not exactly a matter that's hard to decide. I've already weighed the pros and cons clearly. It's just that there's a faint sense of oppression lingering in my heart."

"Is it related to the military situation in the north?" the elder Lady Fu asked.

Liu Chengyou nodded but showed no intention of revealing the details. Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu did not press further. She never forced matters Liu Chengyou was unwilling to discuss, nor did she ask more than necessary.

After a moment's thought, the elder Lady Fu drew close, personally lifting the teacup for Liu Chengyou, and said with a smile: "I may not understand military affairs, but I can see that the northern soldiers are valiant and formidable, and the generals are most respectful toward you. With such loyal generals and brave warriors protecting you, guarding the state and securing the borders, I believe there is no difficulty that Erlang cannot overcome!"

"That is true enough!" Liu Chengyou acknowledged Empress Fu's words with equanimity.

In fact, in this short span of time, Liu Chengyou had already thought it through clearly. Regarding Youyan and Zhao Kuangzan, he would take no action for the time being. The reason was simple: before pacifying the southern states and completing the "South First" strategy, what he needed was stability.

The current situation in the north, maintaining a balanced and stable state of affairs, was not easily achieved. With an established course already set, it would truly be inadvisable to stir up turmoil.

One must understand—this northern inspection tour of his, besides examining civil governance and the people's livelihood, was precisely for reassuring the morale of the army, strengthening defenses, and ensuring the stability of the northern border. Under such a premise, how could he choose to deliberately stir up trouble and shatter that balance?

To be sure, Liu Chengyou had been somewhat tempted by An Shenqi's suggestion. However, matters must be weighed by urgency and importance. Before the nation's overall strategy, the Youyan question became secondary—something requiring concession, to be set aside for later.

The existence of the Yan army was a challenge to the court's authority, a latent malady—the longer it persisted, the more it might become a chronic ailment. Yet it also had its limitations; its growth in strength had a ceiling, and breaking free from the court's influence would be very difficult.

In the future, once there was no longer any concern to the south, turning northward to resolve the Youyan problem would be done with greater confidence and leverage.

Of course, the decision was easy to make. What left Liu Chengyou feeling oppressed was that sense of being "constrained by others." The Liu Chengyou of today was no longer the young Son of Heaven of those years—no longer needing to tread as if on thin ice, cautious in every matter. Acts of forbearance and retreat had grown few in recent years.

As time passed and his years increased, the possessiveness and desire for control in Liu Chengyou's character had steadily strengthened, and his style of handling affairs had grown increasingly assertive.

Regarding the Youyan question, only if Zhao Kuangzan voluntarily returned the governance and offered up his army would Liu Chengyou's heart feel fully at ease. As for anything else—anything requiring the court to employ its own measures—none would be the "perfect" resolution. Nevertheless, as a mature political animal, Liu Chengyou could understand whatever choice Zhao Kuangzan might make and however he might react. But understanding was one thing; what he truly felt in his heart was another matter entirely.

At the same time, Liu Chengyou could not help but ponder why An Shenqi had taken the initiative to raise the matter of resolving Youyan. After careful consideration, it could only be explained by the principle: when in a position, one attends to its duties.

Everyone has their own interests and aspirations. In recent years, the Great Han had frequently wielded its arms in the south with brilliant results, and a large number of officers had distinguished themselves, building meritorious achievements and bringing glory to their families.

How could the northern soldiers and officers not have their own thoughts on this? And An Shenqi, as the top commander of the northern army, naturally needed to make some kind of statement. On the other hand, his predecessor, He Fujin, had earned merit for maintaining order, expanding territory, and constructing defensive lines. If An Shenqi came north without any achievements of his own, he might well end up merely serving a few years in the position of Commander-in-Chief before stepping down.

If nothing happened in the north in the coming years, then everything from now on would have nothing to do with him. As for a northern campaign against the Khitan, given his age, he would not be able to participate; and even if he could, whether the Emperor would employ him was another question.

If the Youyan problem could be resolved during his tenure, it would also be an opportunity for An Shenqi to elevate his family's standing within the Great Han.

Likewise, if An Shenqi had been assigned by Liu Chengyou to the south to take charge of a regional command, he surely would not have cared about the Youzhou question at all—he probably would not even have mentioned it.