Chapter 80: Recall the Second Son?

"Issue an edict: appoint Gao Yunquan as Military Governor of Yanzhou, with the added rank of Acting Grand Guardian!"

"Gao Yanxun is to be appointed Prefect of Danzhou!"

"Issue orders to Zhe Congruan to take overall command of Fu and Lin Prefectures, to skillfully guard against the Khitan of Feng and Shuo, and additionally, to be wary of those Tangut people of the Dingnan Army!"

"The Three Heroes of Shanzhou are all loyal and righteous men who have rendered great service to the court, and they deserve reward. Appoint Zhao Hui as Military Governor of Shanzhou, with the added rank of Acting Grand Commandant; appoint Hou Zhang as Military Governor of Huazhou, with the added rank of Acting Grand Tutor; appoint Wang Yan as Deputy Chief Commander of the Shanzhou infantry and cavalry, and Military Governor of Jinzhou, with the added rank of Acting Grand Tutor..."

"Wu Xingde, hmm... appoint him Military Governor of Heyang, with the added rank of Acting Grand Commandant, serving as Commander-in-Chief of the vanguard infantry and cavalry, to coordinate the attack on the Yellow River and Luo region!"

"As for Shi Hongzhao's side, send someone to tell him that he has full authority to handle deployments and make decisions on the spot. In the fifth month, I will rendezvous with him at the Western Capital (Luoyang)!"

A string of orders issued from Liu Zhiyuan's mouth, his thinking clearly well-organized, though most were measures of buying loyalty and appeasement. But as he finished speaking, a wave of fatigue surged into his heart.

Lately, he had been in this state almost every day.

"Hmm..." After a moment of deliberation, Liu Zhiyuan gave further instructions: "Send orders to Guo Congyi and Zhu Fengqian, telling them to lead the Baoning Army south and open the route to Shanzhou!"

"Yes!"

The two Sus acknowledged and continued writing without pause, drafting Liu Zhiyuan's instructions into edicts, polishing the wording while keeping up a good pace—quite a test of one's abilities. Only after several edicts were drafted, mutually reviewed, and stamped with Liu Zhiyuan's seal did the two finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Even so, they could not help but carefully flex their wrists.

Liu Zhiyuan: "Send them out as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty!" A figure flashed before the tent, and Guo Wei walked in respectfully.

"Wenzhong has come!" Liu Zhiyuan looked at Guo Wei, noticed an urgent-marked military report in his hand, and asked: "What news from the front?"

Guo Wei had been appointed by Liu Zhiyuan as Acting Commissioner of Military Affairs and Acting Minister over the Masses, accompanying the army south to handle all important military matters. Upon the question, he stepped forward two paces, holding the report, and said: "It is a report from the Second Prince."

Guo Wei's voice was somewhat somber, his expression grave.

Hearing that it was news from Liu Chengyou, Liu Zhiyuan perked up at once—he cared greatly for this increasingly outstanding son. But seeing Guo Wei's expression, doubts inevitably arose in his heart. He had a palace eunuch present the report while asking: "How is the Second Son? How goes the situation in Hebei? Where have the Khitan armies withdrawn to?"

Though for Liu Zhiyuan the southern advance strategy was the main event, he dared not relax his vigilance over Hebei in the slightest.

Though Yelu Deguang had withdrawn north, that did not mean he had completely given up ruling the southern lands. Not to mention Hebei—even in the Central Plains, which had been largely abandoned, the Liao imperial uncle Xiao Han still managed military and civil affairs, seeking to cause trouble for Liu Zhiyuan.

The Khitan, already holding the strategic advantage of Youyan and looking down from the heights toward the south, posed a threat and exerted control over Hebei that was by no means ordinary. With heavy troops stationed there, there was no way they would abandon the prefectures of Hebei.

And even after Liu Zhiyuan recovered the two capitals, he would still need to send troops north to subdue and recapture those prefectures at all costs. Otherwise, even if he held the Central Plains, surrounded by enemies on all sides, he would sooner or later be destroyed by the Liao.

Even setting aside the above factors, merely the son Liu Chengyou and that elite Longqi Army were worth Liu Zhiyuan's attention.

In fact, at present, though the situation was steadily improving, the outlook for the new dynasty in Hedong was not exactly optimistic—one could even describe the road ahead as difficult. Taking the Central Plains might not be too hard, but what came after?

The Khitan to the north remained, for the realm of the Central Plains, a colossal threat capable of toppling the state. This was also why, amid the general tide of resistance against the Khitan, many people still harbored expectations of them.

Thus, Liu Zhiyuan's pressure at this moment was very great.

Of course, all of this hinged on the life and death of Yelu Deguang! For now, apart from Liu Chengyou, no one would specifically contemplate what dramatic turns the world situation would take if Yelu Deguang suddenly died.

"The Prince reports that Yelu Deguang's army has already passed Cizhou and continues to withdraw north, showing no intention of lingering. The Prince leads the Longqi Army, following at their heels. Xiangzhou..." Guo Wei explained briefly.

Liu Zhiyuan looked at the military report, his expression darkening, his face heavy with gravity, and said angrily: "The Khitan are truly ruthless, treating our people like dogs and swine!"

Seeing Liu Zhiyuan's expression, the two Sus exchanged glances, both puzzled, and instinctively looked at Guo Wei. Taking a deep breath, Liu Zhiyuan ordered the report passed around to the two men, while he sat there with a grim face.

Su Fengji read it, his brows lifting slightly, as if somewhat surprised. As for Su Yugui, one look made his body tremble, his face turning pale as he exclaimed in shock: "The Khitan dare to massacre a city—do they not fear heaven's punishment?"

Seeing Su Yugui's old-fashioned foolishness, Guo Wei shook his head faintly: "The Khitan invaded the south and killed countless people—why would they care about the lives of our Han people, and why would they fear any heavenly punishment!"

Seeing the two condemning the Khitan's atrocities, Su Fengji, however, smiled at this moment.

Su Fengji's voice was very abrupt, and Liu Zhiyuan could not help but look up at this favored minister: "Why do you laugh?"

"Since the chaos at the end of the Tang, in these decades, the dead from warfare number in the tens of millions. Why be so mournful over some casualties in Anyang? Your Majesty, in taking the Central Plains, founding a dynasty, and eliminating rival claimants, you too must kill people..." Su Fengji said.

"How can casualties on the battlefield be compared to the evil act of massacring a city?" Su Yugui, the old pedant, was angry for the first time, glaring at Su Fengji.

Seeing this, Su Fengji cast him a contemptuous glance: "Killing is killing—what difference is there?"

"Enough!" Liu Zhiyuan suddenly spoke up, cutting off the two, and rebuked Su Fengji: "Such talk must not be repeated!"

"Yes!" Toward Liu Zhiyuan, Su Fengji dared not act arrogantly, bowing with clasped hands in acknowledgment.

But seeing Liu Zhiyuan's displeased expression, he proactively stepped forward and suggested: "Your Majesty, the massacre at Anyang—what the Khitan have done is an act that angers heaven and enrages the people. Your Majesty might send a special envoy to loudly publicize these evil deeds. This will surely stir the anger of the people, rally them behind Your Majesty's call, and unite in driving out the barbarian invaders..."

From Su Fengji's performance, he clearly did not care much about the tragedy at Anyang, but rather thought about how to exploit it. Guo Wei, standing nearby, frowned deeply at these words and looked hard at Su Fengji's slightly bowed back. Though this man was a scholar, his heart was truly hard.

Liu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment, then waved a hand at Su Fengji: "Leave this matter to you, Minister Su!"

"Yes!" At this, a hint of smug smile returned to Su Fengji's lips.

Rising, he steadied his somewhat sore lower back, Liu Zhiyuan paced a few steps in the imperial tent, deep in thought for a long while. None of the men in the tent dared disturb him.

After a long time, Liu Zhiyuan raised his head and asked in a hesitant tone: "The Khitan's power in Hebei is too great—with only the Second Son and the Longqi Army, it will be difficult to achieve much there. The Second Son is young after all, and the Liao sovereign has countless troops at his side. I fear something might happen to him. I wish to recall the Second Son—what do you all think?"