Chapter 82: Going It Alone

"Surrender? At this time?" Liu Chengyou's lips curled slightly. He gestured to Zhang Yanwei and the others with his fingers and ordered: "Our soldiers fought to exhaustion. Since the enemy knows when to yield, it saves our army further losses. Go handle it—take full control of Fuyang City and eliminate any possibility of unexpected incidents!"

"Also..." After a pause, Liu Chengyou added: "The situation in the city is somewhat strange. Investigate it thoroughly!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou was indeed somewhat puzzled. During the fierce battle between the Longqi Army and the Khitan, the reaction of the defending troops in Fuyang City had been far too strange. Even if Gao Tangying had few soldiers, there was no reason to remain completely motionless, cowering in the city from start to finish.

The result proved it was not a feigned surrender. The defenders in Fuyang City surrendered without reservation, discarding their weapons and armor, with no unusual movements whatsoever. However, the one leading the mass surrender was not Defense Commissioner Gao Tangying, but a deputy general named Wang Jihong. As for Gao Tangying, his head had already been severed.

After entering the county seat, Liu Chengyou toured the various camps and comforted the soldiers before receiving this man in the main hall. He looked like a rough fellow, quite ordinary in appearance, but gave off a low-key impression. A cautious faint smile hung on his face, and his attitude before Liu Chengyou was extremely humble.

Liu Chengyou felt neither like nor dislike toward the man, but since he had voluntarily submitted and surrendered the city, Liu Chengyou still offered kind words of comfort and expressed appreciation. After nearly two months of campaigning, he had gained a fairly clear understanding of how to rapidly seize and stabilize the realm—nothing more than four words: "recruit the surrendered, accept the defected."

"Tell me, what's the story with this Wang Jihong? Who is he?" After calmly dismissing the man, Liu Chengyou asked directly.

The two exchanged a glance, and it was Xiang Xun who rose and reported to Liu Chengyou: "Wang Jihong was a bandit in his youth, then was arrested by officials and conscripted as a soldier—so he counts as coming from military ranks. Last year, he served in the imperial army as Commander of the Fengguo Command. After the Khitan entered Bian, he surrendered with the rest and was taken under Gao Tangying's banner."

Xiang Xun's efficiency was very high—in a short time he had already investigated Wang Jihong and the situation in Fuyang thoroughly: "According to what I've learned through inquiry, Gao Tangying treated Wang Jihong quite generously—honoring his mother as his own mother, cherishing his son as his own son, going to great lengths to win him over, relying on him as a close relative, providing him money and troops, without the slightest suspicion."

"Today, while our army was locked in fierce battle with Yelu Jieli, Gao Tangying had intended to lead his troops out of the city to assist, but was dissuaded by Wang Jihong. After our army's victory, that man allied with several command-level officers, killed Gao Tangying, and surrendered the entire city!"

After hearing Xiang Xun's account, Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow slightly and said flatly: "As you say, Gao Tangying treated Wang Jihong so well—what this man did is nothing short of ingratitude!"

Hearing this, Xiang Xun nodded, obvious contempt showing in his eyes: "Just now, I questioned him about this very matter!"

"How did he answer?" Liu Chengyou grew somewhat interested.

His tone full of disdain, Xiang Xun said: "He said he is but a petty man—if he did not seize advantage when it arose and read the times to seek wealth and rank and preserve his life, he feared he would never achieve his ambitions in this lifetime. For a man to speak such words, he has not a shred of gratitude or shame!"

"This man—though his moral character is beneath contempt, what he says and does contains no falsehood!" Liu Chengyou commented calmly, unlike Xiang Xun whose contempt was written all over his face.

"A true petty man!" Guo Rong chimed in with agreement at this point.

"Indeed a petty man!" Liu Chengyou nodded, then sighed: "Wang Jihong is an enemy to the Gao family, yet to me, to the state, and to the army, he has ultimately rendered merit..."

At Liu Chengyou's words, everyone in the hall fell silent, especially Guo Rong and Xiang Xun—both seemed lost in thought. Clearly, Liu Chengyou's mindset had become extraordinarily composed, and his view of matters was now very clear.

He thought back to his experience facing Wang Shou'en at Shangdang that day. After hearing Xiang Xun's account, Liu Chengyou absolutely held Wang Jihong in contempt, yet he had no intention of reacting based on his personal likes or dislikes.

A voice seemed to echo in his mind: If even a man like Wang Jihong can be tolerated and treated well, rewarded according to his merit—then who in all the realm cannot be treated generously?

Wang Jihong's matter was, after all, just a minor episode—mentioned briefly, curiosity satisfied, and that was that.

That night, Guo Rong and Xiang Xun came to pay their respects together.

"Your Highness!" With obvious hesitation, Guo Rong called out in a deliberating tone.

Noticing Guo Rong's demeanor, Liu Chengyou waved his hand directly: "Speak your mind plainly!"

Seeing this, Guo Rong did not put on airs. He drew a light breath, clasped his hands, and said: "I believe that Yelu Deguang's return north to the Khitan is already a settled matter. For our army to continue pursuing him is truly unnecessary—we would gain nothing, and the risk is extremely high."

"The battle at Fuyang, though we took a risk and won a great victory over the Khitan, owed much to the Liao generals' carelessness and slow response. After this battle, I fear we will not find such an opportunity again. If we keep following, our army's rear will have no support—I fear we will fall into danger!"

By the time he finished his counsel, Guo Rong had essentially expressed his thoughts and concerns. Liu Chengyou glanced at him and asked: "What is your view, then?"

Guo Rong clearly had his answer prepared and replied directly: "In the Central Plains, with Your Majesty personally leading the main army south, restoring the two capitals is only a matter of time. Rather, it is the prefectures of Hebei where Khitan power remains strong!"

"At this moment, Your Highness need not fixate on Yelu Deguang, who is destined to withdraw back to Khitan. You should shift the direction of your campaign—attack the prefectures and counties, unite the old officials, officers, and loyal volunteers of the Hebei circuits, and strike the Khitan together. Prepare for the day when the Central Plains' army comes north, to thoroughly expel Khitan forces, secure Hebei, and lay the groundwork..."

After hearing Guo Rong's counsel, Liu Chengyou said nothing, glancing toward Xiang Xun: "What do you think?"

By now, these two had essentially become Liu Chengyou's trusted staff advisors. He consulted them on all major matters, and they dared to speak boldly.

Seeing Liu Chengyou asking him, Xiang Xun's gaze flickered between him and Guo Rong, then he calmly clasped his hands and replied: "I believe General Guo's words are reasonable. Though our army's fighting strength is formidable, our numbers are ultimately insufficient—it would be hard to pose any major threat to Yelu Deguang's hundred-thousand-plus cavalry and infantry. Conversely, if we entangle with him for too long and invite his retaliation, that would be truly dangerous!"

"In my view, after Yelu Jieli returns in defeat, the Liao army's vigilance toward us will rise to the highest level. Now is the time to change our approach..."

Clearly, Xiang Xun held the same opinion as Guo Rong.

His gaze swept over the two of them a couple of times, Liu Chengyou fell silent, lowered his head in thought for a while, and let out a faint sigh. Liu Chengyou naturally understood that the two men's advice made sense. With the Longqi Army's strength, chasing down Yelu Deguang's returning northern army was indeed somewhat overreaching.

Under the current circumstances, the most suitable course was to unite various forces, expand the new dynasty's influence, and grow stronger while jointly striking the Khitan.

Liu Chengyou knew this in his heart, but...

Seeing Liu Chengyou in this pensive state, Guo Rong and Xiang Xun were surprised. Based on their impression and understanding of Liu Chengyou, he should not be acting like this.

After mulling it over for quite a while, Liu Chengyou finally spoke, his gaze clear and his tone resolute: "Yelu Deguang wants to withdraw and return to his homeland—I shall naturally 'escort him courteously' out of our territory!"

"Your Highness!" Hearing this, Guo Rong was taken aback and immediately clasped his hands, about to counsel further.

But Liu Chengyou gave him no chance, saying with decisive bluntness: "My mind is made up! Transmit the order: Han Tong and Luo Yangui are to track and probe the Khitan army's movements closely. I will lead the troops and continue northward!"

Liu Chengyou's stubbornness left Guo and Xiang greatly bewildered, and somewhat exasperated. Liu Chengyou had always been one to heed others' words—why was he acting like this now?

Liu Chengyou, naturally, had no way to explain himself to them. He could only quietly wait in anticipation.

Sometimes, he was very steady. But other times, he was willing to brave extraordinary risks!