Chapter 852: Chancellor Li Takes Command

"As for the comparison of military strength between the two sides, Commissioner Chai has already fully described it — it is like comparing dragons and tigers to cats and dogs, and I need not add more. I previously spoke with that Zhong Mo, and when discussing your sovereign, Your Majesty's civil and martial prowess far surpasses the luxury-indulging Li Jing, just as the brightness of the bright moon outshines a cold star. When the sovereign prevails, the state must prevail.

Moreover, with the palace coup in the twelfth month of last year, the Crown Prince was deposed, the chancellor dismissed, politics thrown into turmoil, the court and country unsettled, and factional strife resurgent. Since the Great Han took Huainan, Jiangnan's national strength has lost more than half of its former amount. Although Han Xizai's reforms improved tax revenues, they were insufficient to make up for the losses north of the river, and because they encroached on the interests of the meritorious nobles and officials, internal contradictions have multiplied. The Feng brothers now hold power and have again altered and abolished those policies. The drastic shifts in state policy have made the upper and lower ranks discordant, and peace is hard to come by.

Therefore, I believe that even if Jinling still maintains an army of over a hundred thousand, when the imperial army marches south, it can be crushed flat!"

"Does Minister Li believe that the time is right to attack Tang?" Liu Chengyou's eyes lit up as he asked.

There always seems to be a "but" to everything. Facing this question from the Son of Heaven, Li Gu replied calmly: "I believe that as matters have developed to this point, so long as the heavenly army marches south, with Jiangnan's national strength, it cannot possibly resist — defeat and ruin are its only outcome. Therefore, as Commissioner Chai said, there is no need for haste. It would not hurt to allow another year or so to prepare for crossing the river, and then destroy it in one stroke!"

Hearing his advice, Liu Chengyou smiled faintly. In his clear eyes, the shadows of tigers and wolves seemed faintly to leap.

Li Gu then continued: "I observe that Han Xizai's reforms have many commendable points. Although they offended the powerful nobles of Jiangnan, they already did their utmost to protect the common folk. The Feng Yansi brothers are not the same. Now that the two Fengs hold power, in order to maintain the army and pay tribute, they will surely levy heavy taxes and miscellaneous levies on the people of Jiangnan. Why doesn't Your Majesty temporarily restrain your impatience and observe the changes? This way, you can both give the court time to deploy troops and accumulate grain, and also collect another installment of annual tribute, which can be used directly for the expenses of the southern campaign!"

"Haha!" Liu Chengyou finally laughed and said: "Do not worry, my two ministers. Am I an impatient man? Having waited all these years, how could I begrudge this year or so?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Completely immune to routine flattery, Liu Chengyou's expression returned to seriousness as he said earnestly: "Regardless, crossing the river to pacify the south must be placed on the court's agenda. Whether it is half a year or a year from now, preparations for the southern campaign must begin!"

"Yes!"

"What do my two ministers consider the foremost priority in pacifying the south?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Guo Rong thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and answered: "Who will be the commander?"

Liu Chengyou broke into a smile: "Who will be the commander?"

Watching the Emperor's expression, Guo Rong said: "The Great Han has many generals and marshals; those capable of bearing this great responsibility are not few. I wonder whom Your Majesty has in mind?"

Hearing the question, Liu Chengyou had no intention of playing riddles. He directly fixed his gaze on Li Gu and asked with a smile: "How is your health, Minister?"

The meaning of the Emperor's question was already quite clear, but Li Gu said with slight hesitation: "Your Majesty, your minister is already nearly sixty!"

"Have you forgotten, Minister, that I once promised you command of an army to campaign south? Though many years have passed, I have kept it firmly in mind. The pact you made with Han Xizai back then can now be fulfilled — it will be passed down as a fine tale!" Liu Chengyou said in a resolute tone.

Looking at the Emperor, then at Li Gu, Guo Rong's face also broke into a smile: "Chancellor Li is accomplished in both civil and martial arts, resourceful and decisive — worthy of being commander-in-chief. If Your Majesty employs him, success is certain!"

"I have also heard something of the story of the 'Pact of Zhengyang' from back then!" Guo Rong said with evident interest, addressing Li Gu: "You said that if the Central Plains entrusted you with the chancellorship, going south of the river would be like taking something from a bag. Now you are chancellor of the Great Han, and His Majesty has entrusted you with the post of commander — exactly as you said. What reservations could you possibly still have?"

"Commissioner Chai speaks well!" Liu Chengyou said with a beaming smile: "I too believe that employing Chancellor Li as commander is the first step toward conquering Jiangnan!"

Seeing the Emperor and Guo Rong speak thus, a look of deep emotion appeared on Li Gu's stern, resolute face. He rose and bowed: "If Your Majesty does not consider your minister too old, I am willing, for Your Majesty, to destroy Jiangnan, take its lands and people, capture its sovereign and ministers, and present them at the Eastern Capital!"

Clearly, Li Gu was quite tempted by the prospect of commanding the campaign against Tang. The current Li Gu already held high position and great power in the Great Han, with considerable renown — but if he could lead an army to conquer Jiangnan, that would help elevate his place in history and leave his name in the annals. Moreover, only by truly leading an army to destroy a state would his "Pact of Zhengyang" with Han Xizai become a true tale of renown.

"If Minister Li leads the army south, how do you plan to employ your forces?" Liu Chengyou asked Li Gu with even greater interest.

Li Gu replied: "I believe that once Your Majesty issues the edict to raise troops, we can field five routes of forces!"

"Oh? Which five routes? Let me hear them!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Gu.

Li Gu stated calmly: "The first route departs from Yueyang to attack Ezhou, cutting off their upstream forces; the second route departs from Changsha to attack Yuanzhou, threatening Hongzhou and pinning down their Jiangxi forces; the third route orders the Qingyuan Army's Liu Congxiao to lead troops north to attack the old Min partisans — the Jiangnan army has no shortage of former Min officers and men, and this can be used to sow chaos in their ranks; the fourth route has Wuyue send troops north to attack Chang and Run, threatening Jinling's flank; the fifth route concentrates the main army to advance through Lu, Chu, and Yang in the lower reaches, seeking an opportunity to cross the river and strike directly at Jinling!"

"Your strategy covers every aspect!" Liu Chengyou said, his expression appearing quite satisfied.

Li Gu then said: "Though called five routes, the key lies only in the advance through the lower reaches! Wuyue and the Qingyuan Army would not dare defy the court's edicts, but getting them to exert full effort will not be easy. Attacking Jiangxi from Yuanzhou is hampered by geography, making advance difficult. As for the Yueyang force, it will certainly be blocked at Ezhou — Liu Renshan is a rare famous general of Jiangnan. Were it not for this man, the court could directly send forces from the middle reaches downstream along the river. And to advance through the lower reaches, one must understand the hydrological conditions and find suitable crossing points!"

Hearing Li Gu's words, Liu Chengyou laughed heartily. Looking at this old minister, he praised: "From the way you speak, Minister Li, this strategy does not sound like something thought up on the spot — I suspect you have been pondering it for some time!"

Hearing this question, Li Gu did not conceal it, smiling modestly: "Since Chuanshu has fallen, this old minister guessed that Your Majesty would set your sights on pacifying the south, so I did a bit of pondering — nothing more than armchair strategy!"

"No need for such modesty, Chancellor!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and said seriously to Li Gu: "Hearing your words, I can rest assured in entrusting the entirety of the pacification of the south to you!"

"Bearing this heavy responsibility, your minister will surely devote his utmost effort to repay Your Majesty's grace!" Li Gu did not stand on ceremony, standing straight and bowing.

"No need for formalities! Sit!" Liu Chengyou gestured, then after a moment of thought, asked again: "Regarding preparations for pacifying the south, what ideas do you have?"

After thinking, Li Gu said: "The troops should not be moved on a large scale for now; they can be secretly transferred in batches. As for provisions, the two circuits of Huainan, after six years of nurturing and governance, should be able to supply the main army."

Guo Rong said: "Your Majesty could issue an edict summoning Li Jing north to the Eastern Capital for an audience. He will certainly not dare come, and this can later serve as a pretext for launching the campaign!"

Li Gu added: "Your Majesty, I believe that if we are to campaign south, we must also strengthen defenses against the Khitan to ensure stability in the north!"

"Has Minister Li perceived some problem? Is there trouble in the north?" Liu Chengyou asked alertly, his mind quick.

Li Gu explained: "I have probed the Liao envoy Xiao Husi, and can basically ascertain that Liao's wariness toward our dynasty has greatly increased. Though Han and Liao have sheathed their swords for several years, it is only a ceasefire agreement. Liao is constrained by internal pacification, while Han is devoted to unification — a great war is inevitable in the future.

The Khitan are not lacking in farsighted men, who can surely see the threat to the north once the Central Plains are unified. After the pacification of Shu, Xiao Husi's visit carried an intent to probe.

As for the southern campaign, Northern Liao may not again sit by and do nothing as it did with Jinghu and Chuanshu. Therefore, regardless of how the Khitan react in the future, if our dynasty wishes to pacify Jiangnan, we must make proper preparations for northern defense, to guard against the unexpected!"

"Minister Li speaks truly!" Liu Chengyou rose and paced a few steps, then said with emotion: "The matter of Jiangnan is not a great concern; the Khitan in the north are the true great enemy! This is also precisely why I am eager to sweep the south clean. The longer we delay, the easier it becomes for unforeseen circumstances to arise!"

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou turned his head and instructed Li Gu: "From now on, Minister, devote all your energy to the affairs of pacifying the south! Three days from now, in the name of Patrol Inspector of the Two Huai, proceed to take up your post in Yangzhou, and I will personally see you off!"

"Yes!"

Mentioning Huainan reminded Liu Chengyou of another man: Wang Pu. By now, Wang Pu had been governing in Yangzhou for a full six years, toiling with heart and mind, never slacking — his hair had turned quite white from the strain. Thinking of this, Liu Chengyou felt considerable pity for him.

If Li Gu left, the Hall of State Affairs would lose another administrator. It would be fitting to transfer Wang Pu back to the Eastern Capital — this was a man of chancellor caliber. Moreover, good ministers deserved consideration.

"Commissioner Chai, Zhang Yongde has served before the throne and in the imperial army for many years. In the recent pacification of Shu, he fully displayed the bearing of a great general and the talent for garrison command! For pacifying the south, I also intend to employ him — sending him to Huai East to serve as Chief Commander, coordinating with Chancellor Li's operations. What do you think?" Liu Chengyou raised his head and asked Guo Rong.

Zhang Yongde was Guo Wei's son-in-law and also had a close relationship with Guo Rong. Hearing that the Emperor intended to give him great use, Guo Rong could not help but ponder inwardly. However, there was not much room for deliberation, and he merely replied cautiously: "Is he not too young?"

One should know that Zhang Yongde was only thirty years old this year.

"It is settled then. As for Chen Sirang, the Chief Commander of Huai East, he will be assigned elsewhere!" Liu Chengyou instructed, then with a shift of expression added: "The various circuit commands of the Great Han have no shortage of men who have served in the same post for many years — it is time to make some adjustments as well......"

"Yes!"