Chapter 778: Setting Aside the Design on Shu for Now

Receiving the order, Xiang Xun hurriedly rose to his feet. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou immediately raised his hand to signal: "No need to rise, just sit and speak!"

Turning his gaze to the others, Liu Chengyou's face was piled with smiles: "All of you seated here—I may know some of you, but I imagine I've heard of most of you by reputation. You are all loyal ministers and brave generals of the Great Han, and I have always kept you in mind. Coming to Chang'an today, you are all my honored guests—please, do not stand on ceremony!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiang Xun led the others in a respectful reply.

Regardless of how much genuine feeling lay behind the Son of Heaven's words, after he said them, the atmosphere did indeed relax considerably—especially for those who knew Liu Chengyou.

Xiang Xun then began introducing them to Liu Chengyou, his tone light, pointing to a dashing middle-aged general and saying: "This is Wang Renshan, Chief Commander of the Nanzheng troops, responsible for the garrison affairs of Hanzhong!"

Wang Renshan rose and bowed. Liu Chengyou gestured for him to sit, saying with a smile: "Over these past few years, I have repeatedly heard of General Wang's great name. In the fifth year of Qianyou, you held Sanguan alone with your army, unbreakable; at Donghe Village you brought reinforcements to break the enemy, routing the Shu army. In the seventh year of Qianyou, during the great Qinfeng campaign, your vanguard smashed the eight stockades at Huangniu. Your fame is widespread! When Lord Liu (Liu Ci) recommended worthy talents to me, he mentioned you—and indeed you have not fallen short of that reputation. A true fine general!"

Hearing the Son of Heaven enumerate his achievements one by one and praise him so highly, Wang Renshan was both surprised and delighted, grinning as he replied: "Your Majesty overpraises me—this humble general is unworthy of such praise!"

Xiang Xun then pointed to another gaunt-faced general beside Wang Renshan, saying: "This is Li Yan, Chief Commander of the Huaide Army!"

"I have heard of General Li's bearing as well—over twenty years in the army, rising from the ranks, with a strong will and a resolute style. You resisted the Khitan, pacified the Tangut rebellions, and accumulated many merits. Since the founding of the state, you have suppressed bandits and put down revolts, guarding the western frontier without ever flagging. Lord Yao (Yao Yuanfu) has praised you highly before me, saying you are steady and upright, a comrade-in-arms to whom one can entrust one's back on the battlefield..." Liu Chengyou's smile did not fade as he offered the compliments.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!" This was also Li Yan's first audience with the sovereign, and a smile could not help but appear on his gaunt face—though somewhat restrained, still not fully relaxed, yet the joy in his heart could be glimpsed from his expression.

"..."

Essentially, for every person Xiang Xun introduced, Liu Chengyou could find something glowing to say—pleasant words that brought joy, with their records and achievements all known to the imperial heart. Even for those he was unfamiliar with, he offered gentle encouragement. By the time the introductions were done, the distance between the Son of Heaven and the southwestern border generals had unknowingly narrowed considerably.

"This is Han Jixun, Deputy Commander of the Huaide Army!" Xiang Xun said, pointing to an old general whose body was tense.

Liu Chengyou's gaze fell upon this surrendered general of the Later Shu. Han Jixun had clearly been waiting for this moment, and rose immediately to say: "This humble general, Han Jixun, pays respects to Your Majesty. Previously, I did not recognize the will of Heaven, did not know the might of Heaven, and actually led troops to resist the heavenly army. Thinking of it now, I am covered in shame, with no place to hide my remorse. Since returning to the Han, relying on Your Majesty and the court's willingness to overlook past grievances, I was entrusted with military affairs but never entered the capital to pay homage before Your Majesty. Now, to see the imperial countenance and hear the sacred voice is truly the fortune of three lifetimes..."

Compared to the other Han generals' openness and ease, Han Jixun was more nervous and more concerned. However, Liu Chengyou could understand—after all, he was a surrendered general who had previously led troops to resist the Shu-conquering army, even though the battle at Huangniu Stockade had been what made Wang Renshan and Li Yan's reputations.

Observing his state, Liu Chengyou did not treat him differently, maintaining his affable attitude as he comforted him: "General Han, no need to be nervous. What's past is past. Since you have returned to the Han, you are naturally a general and minister of the Great Han. I will treat all equally—you need not carry any burden in your heart!"

Upon hearing this, Han Jixun immediately appeared deeply moved, his voice choked with emotion as he prostrated himself at length: "With such magnanimity from Your Majesty, this humble general can only repay you with utmost gratitude, swearing to die in service of Heaven's grace! When the day comes to conquer Shu, this humble general requests to serve as vanguard!"

"Haha!" At his oath, Liu Chengyou laughed heartily and said to Xiang Xun: "Xingmin, this General Han's ambition is commendable—what do you think?"

Xiang Xun glanced at Han Jixun, then replied respectfully to Liu Chengyou: "That still requires Your Majesty to appoint the general!"

Withdrawing his gaze, Liu Chengyou said to Han Jixun: "General Han, rise! That you have such a heart to protect the state and serve with loyalty brings me great comfort!"

Meanwhile, Xiang Xun's introductions continued: "As for Army Supervisor Gao, Han Chongyun, Murong Chengtai, Ma Renyu, and the other generals, Your Majesty already knows them..."

Nodding, Liu Chengyou looked toward Murong Chengtai: "Chengtai, when I demoted you to the southwest and you suffered its hardships—do you still harbor any resentment?"

"This humble general would not dare!" Murong Chengtai said, a bit embarrassed, "I have loved martial arts since childhood; to serve in the army, build merit, and repay the state is something I gladly embrace. Compared to being in the Eastern Capital, flying kites and riding horses with nothing to do, tempering myself in the army better fulfills my aspirations!"

"It seems four years in the army have indeed helped you grow! Your father was quite delighted when he heard of your deeds in the service!" Liu Chengyou said to Xiang Xun: "Xingmin, you've trained him well!"

Saying this, he looked at Ma Renyu, his smile growing even broader: "Young General Ma's fame has long since thundered in my ears..."

"..."

Simply receiving and familiarizing himself with the southwestern border generals took a full shichen. After the talks concluded, Liu Chengyou invited all the generals to the prince's mansion hall for a banquet. The mansion had already prepared a lavish spread of food and wine—quite an occasion—with the accompanying consorts, princes, civil and military officials, as well as qualified Guanzhong officials, all in attendance.

After the banquet ended, Liu Chengyou's appetite for conversation remained strong. He did not summon any consort to attend him, but instead called for Xiang Xun for a private discussion between sovereign and minister.

"I know you rushed east to Chang'an over many days of hard travel, and you ought to have a good night's rest. But my heart is preoccupied with the southwestern military situation and the matter of conquering Shu—I can hardly contain myself. Xingmin, don't blame me for not being considerate of your hardships..." The two sat facing each other, drinking clear tea to sober up, as Liu Chengyou spoke to Xiang Xun in a relaxed tone.

"Before I came east, I also prepared some intelligence on the southwestern military situation, intending to report to Your Majesty!" Since the Emperor had said so, Xiang Xun naturally had to play along and respond.

From his bosom, he produced a military map and spread it before Liu Chengyou. Referring to the map, Xiang Xun explained: "Your Majesty, since the conquest of Shu two years ago, when we took all of Qinfeng and Hanzhong, including the subsequently reorganized surrendered Shu troops, the entire southwestern army now totals over forty-two thousand men—five thousand cavalry and over thirty-seven thousand various infantry.

They are garrisoned across Hanzhong, Fengzhou, Chengjie, Fengxiang, and Qinlong. Per the peace agreement between Han and Shu, Nanzheng has five thousand troops, Chengjie and Fengzhou ten thousand, and the rest are in Qinlong and Fengxiang.

At the same time, following the court's decrees, military farming has been implemented in Qinlong, Jingwei, Fengxiang, and Hanzhong—half farming, half garrisoning. Nearly seven hundred thousand mu of land have now been reclaimed..."

"With Xingmin here, the southwest is secure, and I can rest easy!" Liu Chengyou said with feeling as he silently listened to Xiang Xun's report.

"Wang Jing did not come this time—how are things on his end?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Lord Wang has spent these two years guarding Qinzhou, responsible for the western expansion and defense, commanding thirty battalions. In two years, Lord Wang has sent troops westward, with military forts built as far west as the old Didao, gathering Han civilians, suppressing and pacifying the Tibetans, expanding the territory by fully three hundred li!" Xiang Xun said, an excited gleam appearing between his brows.

For an ambitious man like him, expanding the frontiers and reclaiming the old rivers and mountains was where his aspirations lay—what he yearned for, and the enterprise most likely to leave one's name in history, celebrated by posterity.

Although the Great Han had not yet launched a major western campaign under the banner of recovering Helong, the various frontier garrison forces in the west were all quietly expanding territory and strengthening their gains. As far as Shi Hongzhao's garrison at Lingzhou and Wang Yansheng's defense at Yanzhou, all had been extending their influence into the old lands of the Great Tang over these years, building forts and raising banners.

And in the south, after recovering Qinzhou and gaining a base for westward advance, it was Wang Jing's side that had made the most rapid and aggressive progress.

"Wang Jing's side needs to be reined in a bit!" Liu Chengyou said.

"In recent years, Lord Wang has been focused on consolidating the newly recovered territories. Additionally, the court needs to dispatch officials to re-establish local government and construct institutions, so that these lands truly become territory under the Great Han's rule!" Xiang Xun said.

Liu Chengyou considered for a moment, then said: "Given the current situation in the southwest, though the troops are numerous, to consolidate border defenses, the forces in Qinlong and Jingwei cannot be moved much. If we wish to conquer Shu, the troops truly available for deployment are probably not many!"

"I have calculated—while maintaining stability in the border prefectures, we can field thirty thousand cavalry and infantry to march south!" Xiang Xun said with certainty.

"If the northern route uses just these thirty thousand cavalry and infantry you speak of, will that be sufficient?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Xiang Xun thought for a moment, then said: "If supplemented with a certain number of civilian laborers, it would barely suffice!"

"Even you say 'barely'—then in the future I will still need to dispatch the imperial army..." Liu Chengyou laughed.

With a slight sigh, Liu Chengyou said with some seriousness: "Xingmin, the timing for conquering Shu needs to be pushed back!"

"Because of the Guanzhong rebellion?" Xiang Xun probed.

"That is only one of the reasons! Over these past few months, I made a great circuit through the north, inspecting governance, military conditions, and the people's livelihood. I gained much and was deeply moved. I truly should give the Great Han's government, army, and people more time to rest and recover!" Liu Chengyou explained.

Hearing this, Xiang Xun said: "This minister understands!"

Suddenly, Liu Chengyou turned his head to look directly at Xiang Xun: "I will give you one more year—conserve strength, sharpen your troops, and when we conquer Shu next year, we will break it in one stroke!"

Xiang Xun's body trembled slightly, and he clasped his fists solemnly: "This minister is willing to sign a military pledge!"

"I trust you!" Breaking into a smile, Liu Chengyou patted his shoulder and said: "Alright, you're tired, and I'm drunk. I won't keep you—go to the guest house and rest well. Stay in Chang'an for a few more days this time; it's a rare opportunity for us, sovereign and minister, to catch up on old times..."

"This minister takes his leave!"