Chapter 866: The Decision!

Yelu Jing's tone was inevitably mocking. Some details of the Huainan campaign's course and outcome had still reached beyond the Great Wall. To the monarch and ministers of Liao, having more troops than the Han army and enjoying naval superiority, yet losing over a hundred thousand men in half a year and ending up ceding half the realm to sue for peace—being looked down upon was only natural.

Yelu Wuzhi then said: "Your Majesty, I believe that no matter how weak and feeble Jiangnan may be, if the Han army wishes to completely pacify it, no fewer than a hundred thousand troops will be needed to cross the river southward. Consider—if a hundred thousand Han troops were diverted north to deal with the Great Liao, what a tremendous trouble that would be for our dynasty! So long as Jiangnan can pin down a hundred thousand troops of the Southern Dynasty, it will have already served its purpose for us!"

Hearing Yelu Wuzhi say this, Yelu Jing said: "As you say, for Han to attack Jiangnan would require a hundred thousand troops. But if the Great Liao makes its move, the Han ruler would temporarily shelve the southern campaign and throw his full strength north against our army—weak in the south, strong in the north, leaving only a secondary force to hold the southern defenses. With the Southern Tang's strength, could it send troops north to pin down the Han state for us? Even if it did, how could the Southern Tang pin down a hundred thousand Han troops? In the end, it would still be an all-out war between the Great Liao and Han..."

Hearing the apprehension in the Liao Emperor's words, Yelu Wuzhi said with great firmness: "Your Majesty, if war between Liao and Han breaks out, we must naturally commit our full strength, staking the entire nation on the contest—there is absolutely no possibility of holding back!"

Yelu Jing nodded, taking this as approval of his view, and asked gravely: "All of you present are senior ministers who have administered military and civil affairs for the Great Liao for many years and are familiar with the state of the nation. In your view, is this the moment for an all-out war with the Southern Dynasty?"

To this question, all fell silent, momentarily unsure how to respond. The Liao state of today had grown rather wealthy; a nation maturing toward full development inevitably harbored reservations, and major decisions were no longer made rashly on a whim.

At this moment, a very young nobleman among those present stood up and said: "Your Majesty, all the gentlemen say the Southern Dynasty is powerful—but simply because it is powerful, must we fear it? Our Great Liao, from the founding by the Ancestor to the establishment of the state by Taizong, has been invincible wherever it went, with all directions in awe. Was not the Southern Dynasty also a place where we roamed freely and took what we wished? How is it that today we are full of reservations and hesitation? Since the Southern Dynasty is bound to be a great enemy, why not simply treat it as an enemy? Is our Great Liao weak? Do the warriors of the Great Liao no longer dare to raise their blades and slay the enemy?"

This young nobleman was not yet twenty years old, named Yelu Dilie, the fourth younger brother of Yelu Jing. Hearing his impassioned and stirring speech, which was not without its rousing effect, Yelu Jing smiled: "Basujin's courage is commendable! It is I who am weighed down with worries, no longer sharp!"

Having said this, Yelu Jing sank into deep thought, and the ministers dared not disturb him. After a long while, Yelu Jing straightened himself and said in a solemn and earnest tone: "Looking at the thousand-year history of the Southern Dynasty, whenever the Central Plains fell into internal chaos, that was the time for the north to rise and dominate. It is the same today—the Li Tang collapsed, heroes carved up the realm, and our Ancestor Emperor and Taizong Emperor led the Khitan men to rise, overawing all directions, contending southward, and laying the foundation of hegemony.

But since ancient times, no matter how strong the steppe became, has there ever been a precedent of successfully resisting a unified Central Plains dynasty and ultimately winning? From the Xiongnu to the Turks, which of them did not flourish for a time, only to decline and fall in confrontation with the Central Plains, replaced by others?"

Yelu Jing spoke in a very rational tone, calmly: "If the Central Plains is not in chaos, then the Great Liao truly has no possibility of sweeping south to swallow the realm—especially when the ruler on the throne is a monarch of great talent and bold vision. Now, the Han dynasty in the south is moving toward unification. If we resist with the whole nation, with the Great Liao's strength, can we defeat the Han? Even if we could defeat it, could we destroy it?

In my view, once a great war begins, the Han can afford to lose three battles, five battles, or even more—but our Great Liao cannot. If the two nations do not undergo some unforeseen upheaval, then in an all-out confrontation, the best outcome for the Great Liao would perhaps be mutual ruin.

And if our national strength is greatly depleted, the Great Liao will inevitably fall into crisis once more! All of you are men of insight in the Great Liao—surely you can all understand my meaning!"

Hearing this speech from Yelu Jing, the several ministers present could not help but sink into thought. Yelu Wuzhi raised his head, noticed the gravity in the Liao Emperor's expression, stood up, took a deep breath, and said: "Your Majesty's foresight and analysis are sound; I bow in admiration. But precisely because of this, the Great Liao should actively take the initiative and strike at the Southern Dynasty. As Your Majesty has said, there is bound to be a war between Liao and Han—not for momentary hegemony, but for a hundred years of national fortune, with absolutely no room for maneuver!"

"The Great Liao has rested its troops and nurtured the people for many years, and national strength has gradually recovered. Were it not for the pressure of circumstances, we ministers would also be willing to nurture the people for another eight or ten years. But though we may wish to wait, the situation under heaven does not wait for us!" Xiao Haili also stood up and offered his view: "Sooner or later we must deal with the Southern Dynasty. Rather than wait until it has fully taken Jiangnan and turns its full strength against the Great Liao, it is better to strike now, hinder its unification, and drain its national strength. In this way, the Great Liao can always maintain this advantage!"

"The Great King of the Southern Division has handled southern affairs for many years and should be even more familiar with Han matters—what do you have to say?" Yelu Jing then looked toward Yelu Talie.

Yelu Talie's stance was also very clear: "Your Majesty, originally I regarded Han as a great enemy, yet I did not recommend hasty military action. But the Great King of the Northern Division speaks well—if we are to fight for national fortune, we should act decisively. Whatever the Southern Dynasty wishes to accomplish, our dynasty must obstruct it.

Moreover, rather than wait for it to pacify Jiangnan and then come attack us, it is better for us to take the initiative and strike first, bringing the war into Han territory. Furthermore, the Han army has been campaigning for years—their military, people, and finances must be exhausted. They can be attacked!"

"All of you are of one mind. It seems war between Liao and Han is unavoidable!" Yelu Jing suddenly stood up, swept his gaze around, his face wearing an expression of complete relief, and said with a light laugh.

Raising his hand, Yelu Jing's tone was calm yet laced with determination, as if making a final resolution: "Then let us discuss—how shall we move our troops?"

"Your Majesty, the Great Liao has not engaged in large-scale warfare for many years, but the Han army has. I believe that if we are to wage war against Han, we should make more thorough preparations before marching south." Yelu Wuzhi said.

Clearly, one such as Yelu Wuzhi, though hostile to the Great Han and advocating war, still maintained his rationality and did not wish to act with undue haste.

Yelu Talie then said: "I believe the Great Liao can secretly prepare for war, and perhaps when the Southern Dynasty moves its troops into Jiangnan, we can suddenly strike, plunging it into the predicament of fighting on two fronts!"

Yelu Jing nodded in approval of both suggestions.

But at this moment, Xiao Husi spoke up: "Your Majesty, I still have an important matter to report!"

"Speak!" Yelu Jing glanced at him.

Xiao Husi looked around, showing a hesitant expression. Seeing this, Yelu Jing immediately said: "Everyone present is a senior minister assisting the Great Liao's government—there is nothing that cannot be said. Speak frankly, no need for hesitation!"

"To answer Your Majesty, when I was returning north, I passed through Changping, and the Yan general Zhao Siwan took the initiative to contact me. I went secretly to meet with him!" Xiao Husi said.

The moment these words fell, both ruler and ministers' eyes lit up. Yelu Jing's spirits lifted somewhat: "Zhao Siwan, the foremost great general under the Prince of Yan? Tell us—what exactly happened?"

Xiao Husi immediately reported in full detail the content of his conversation with Zhao Siwan about allying with Liao and plotting great matters together. With such an affair on the table, the minds of the Liao monarch and ministers could not help but race.

"What do you all think of Zhao Siwan's request?"

It was Yelu Wuzhi again, his old eyes rarely showing a hint of excitement, who said: "Your Majesty, it seems the Yan army is also riddled with internal contradictions! If we can truly make use of Zhao Siwan to break the Yan army and seize Youzhou, that would be a great fortune for the Great Liao!

Youzhou and the Yan army are an extremely important part of the Han dynasty's northern defenses. When the Great Liao's iron cavalry rides south, it will inevitably be checked by this stronghold. If we can retake it, then in the future war against Han, the Great Liao will surely hold the initiative, even commanding the terrain advantage—nearly invincible!"

Yelu Talie followed up: "I believe the war against Han is not about annihilating it in one stroke, but about killing its soldiers and people, plundering its wealth, destroying its production, and exhausting its national strength. And Youzhou should be one of our army's must-take objectives.

If Youzhou is in our hands, the Great Liao can fully command the defense of the Yan Mountains; if Youzhou is in enemy hands, the Han army can establish a foothold there and contend northward against the Great Liao. If Han and Yan remain of one mind, it will be extremely difficult for our dynasty to take it.

If we can use a single turncoat general to throw the Yan army into internal chaos and give our army the opportunity to take Youzhou, we absolutely must not miss it!"

Yelu Jing clearly had some understanding of Youzhou's importance as well. He turned his head to fix his gaze on Xiao Husi and instructed: "Since Zhao Siwan has contacted the Northern Bureau of Military Affairs, you shall be responsible for maintaining contact with him. Agree to all his demands—you must firm up his resolve. A man of such ambition is heaven's gift to the Great Liao!"

"Yes!" Even as he accepted the order, Xiao Husi revealed a trace of hesitation.

Seeing this, Yelu Jing asked: "What concerns you?"

Xiao Husi clasped his hands and responded in a cautious manner: "Your Majesty, I observe that this man Zhao Siwan is ambitious, devoid of loyalty or righteousness, arrogant and overbearing—his actions may not be discreet. I worry that if this matter drags on too long, problems may arise on Zhao Siwan's end..."

Xiao Husi's words immediately drew attention. Yelu Jing looked at him: "You mean to suggest we move troops now?"

"If it is only to seize Youzhou, I believe it may be worth a try!" Xiao Husi replied.

Hearing this, Yelu Jing pondered for a moment, looked at the ministers, then turned his gaze to Xiao Husi, and said coolly: "In that case, let us try! Rest for one night, then I would trouble you to secretly go to Tanzhou, contact Zhao Siwan, and take full charge of this matter. At the same time, I will have Xiao Siwen fully cooperate with you!"

"Yes!" Entrusted with such an important mission, Xiao Husi immediately acknowledged.

When it truly came time to make the decision, Yelu Jing no longer seemed inclined to listen to further advice.

After considering for a while, Yelu Jing again looked toward Yelu Talie: "The Han have a saying in their military arts about 'feinting east while striking west.' Before matters in Youzhou arise, perhaps we could make some moves in the west?"

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Yelu Talie asked.

"I recall you once told me that the Han general Yang Ye at Yanmen is a trusted confidant of the Han Emperor, a formidable warrior, commanding many elite troops. I intend to send a division south—both to draw the attention of Han and Yan, and to test the fighting strength of the Han army. Everyone says the Han army has grown powerful—I want to see for myself just how powerful!" Yelu Jing said, a bright gleam bursting from his eyes.