Chapter 892: Pacifying Hearts and Minds

Youzhou City had already become a massive military base. The internal and external armies participating in the northern expedition, auxiliary troops, and civilian laborers were mostly concentrated here. Inside and outside Youzhou City, 190,000 troops of the Han-Yan allied forces were already stationed. Adding the 80,000 who had followed Liu Chengyou's imperial carriage north, there were nearly 270,000 men.

An army of 300,000 on such a scale was enough to make heaven and earth change color. Internal and external defenses, trenches and linked camps, stretched for a full sixty li. Besides the numbers of men, there were also vast quantities of supplies. With such a scale of soldiers and civilians, the daily consumption of men and horses was enormous. Ever since the Liao army's harassment strategy had been snuffed out and their defenses contracted northward, large amounts of grain, weapons, fodder, and clothing had been transported to Youzhou without cease. On the canals, as long as the weather was good, boats and ships never stopped.

Of course, the arrival of the Han army also signified that Youzhou City had completely fallen under the control of the Great Han. In fact, after An Shenqi led his forces north, the primary task he undertook was not fighting the Liao army, but smoothly completing the takeover of Youzhou City and forging it into a true forward base for the main army.

Although there had been sufficient communication in the early stages, actually implementing it still required care, after all, the feelings of the Yan army and Yan people had to be considered. Fortunately, during the dozens of days of fighting against the Liao army earlier, the two sides had fought shoulder to shoulder, with the Han army committing fully against the enemy. Some feelings of closeness had developed between the two sides, and the barriers had been somewhat dissolved.

Of course, to say that the Han-Yan allied forces were of one heart and mind, loving each other like kin, was impossible. Among so many Han troops, there were inevitably proud soldiers and fierce generals, arrogant and overbearing men who looked down on the Yan army — such people were plentiful. In response to this situation, the commanders could only try their best to counsel restraint. However, if anyone went too far, Guo Rong, as Army Supervisor, would deal with them without mercy.

Guo Rong was a man with a strong sense of the bigger picture. He knew deeply in his heart that this northern expedition's bitter struggle against the Liao army was a major challenge, but to focus on it without distraction, pacifying the officials, soldiers, and people of Youyan was the top priority. Otherwise, if the Yan army were unstable, it would ultimately create hidden dangers.

As for the former point — why Ma Quanyi and the other Han troops who had gone north earlier would spare no cost in casualties and go all out to rescue the Yan army and Yan people — it was precisely with this consideration in mind, under the direction of the senior commanders. And over this period of time, the results had been excellent.

Amid the welcome of the masses, the imperial carriage slowly proceeded toward the prefectural city. The Son of Heaven personally stood on the carriage shaft, accepting the cheers of the soldiers, waving in greeting for a full two quarters of an hour. Such an action made the guards beside him extremely nervous. Liu Chengyou's choice carried risk — if some traitor took the opportunity to loose a hidden arrow or something, even with tight protection, his safety might not be guaranteed.

Of course, although the Emperor's display seemed somewhat reckless, it showed great courage, and the effect it achieved was quite sensational.

"Yuanfu, it's been two years since we last met, hasn't it?" Before entering the city, Liu Chengyou had the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, personally board the imperial carriage to speak with him, and even his form of address had changed.

Zhao Kuangzan sat carefully in a proper posture, looking flattered and overwhelmed. It was his first time riding in the imperial carriage. Two years earlier, when Liu Chengyou had made his northern inspection tour, he had sent An Shouzhong to drive the imperial carriage to welcome him, but that time Zhao Kuangzan had wisely declined to ride. Now he was even more deferential. Yet within this deference was also a hint of relief and relaxation.

"A full two years!" Zhao Kuangzan replied with a smile at the corner of his mouth: "Your Majesty is still so radiant with spirit and majestic in bearing, it makes this minister's heart submit in admiration!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately let out two loud laughs. It wasn't that he was fooled by the flattery, but that he was satisfied with Zhao Kuangzan's attitude.

Seeing his expression sober somewhat, Liu Chengyou said: "Yuanfu has held Youzhou for many years and knows the enemy's situation deeply. For this campaign against Liao, I will still rely on your assistance to defeat the Khitan and recover our passes and mountains!"

Seeing the Emperor speak so seriously, Zhao Kuangzan also behaved with great solemnity, cupping his hands in response: "This minister will surely go all out! To be frank with Your Majesty, I have long wished to strike north against the Khitan and wash away past humiliations, but was constrained by insufficient strength and lacking Your Majesty's decree. This time, the Liao army provoked first, and Your Majesty, roused to heroic passion, graciously issued the edict. All men of ambition are boiling with hot blood, eager to fight and kill the enemy to repay the state!"

Liu Chengyou couldn't help but nod, saying: "That you have such aspirations, I am deeply gratified. This time is the moment to fulfill your ambitions!"

Saying this, Liu Chengyou then asked with concern: "I have heard that during the seventh and eighth months, Liao cavalry ran rampant, and the soldiers and people of Youyan suffered no small casualties — many perished, did they not?"

Hearing Liu Chengyou bring this up, Zhao Kuangzan couldn't help but sigh softly, responding: "This time, the Liao army's methods were exceptionally ruthless. They devoted themselves to killing, destroying fields and homes. Wherever their light cavalry passed, it became scorched earth. Clearly, the Liao army wanted to use this method to break down Youzhou, disrupt public order, and thereby drain our army's energy.

Fortunately, soldiers and people united as one, holding fast to cities and forts, resisting with all their might. With the full rescue efforts of the Hebei border troops as well, we managed to suppress the Liao army's arrogance. Even so, my subordinate forces suffered over 4,000 casualties in the successive battles.

But those who suffered even heavier losses were the common people of the various prefectures. Those slain under Liao blades exceeded ten thousand; those whose homes were destroyed numbered several thousand households; and those whose fields were ruined were beyond counting. Much wheat and beans, not yet harvested, had already been burned. And there were not a few commoners who, in order to rush the harvest, were killed by the Liao army!"

When Zhao Kuangzan spoke of these matters, his tone was somewhat low. He had always been known for his leniency and kindness, and he loved the people. That the common folk under his governance had suffered such a catastrophe naturally made him sorrowful.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou also sighed in response: "The people of Youyan have truly suffered! Once the northern expedition succeeds, we must compensate them well!"

"With Your Majesty possessing such benevolent compassion, why worry that the people will not be moved to gratitude and turn their hearts to you!" Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan said: "Because of the Khitan's tyranny and wanton slaughter, it has also stirred the people's will to resist. All the Han people of Yan gnash their teeth in hatred, supporting the Great Han's northern expedition against Liao!"

Liu Chengyou nodded, but did not speak further. Instead, he fell into contemplation, gaining a deeper understanding of war and the rise and fall of nations in his heart.

The suffering of the Youyan people caused by the northern expedition war was perhaps only the beginning. And since personally leading the campaign, everything Liu Chengyou had seen along the way — the price the court had paid to support the northern expedition, the sacrifices offered by the soldiers and people of the Great Han — had given rise to no small sense of crisis in his heart. That was: how long could the people of the Great Han endure mobilization at this level? And how many times could they bear it?

Perhaps he should re-examine his understanding of achievements. Otherwise, if he immersed himself in them without self-reflection, he feared that one day he might become a monarch who craved greatness and achievements. That would not be a good thing for the state and its people.

Liu Chengyou's brooding was interrupted by the cheers within Youzhou City. He started awake abruptly, looked at Zhao Kuangzan sitting quietly to the side, and laughed: "I was momentarily distracted. I hope you will forgive me!"

"Your Majesty is too kind! What Your Majesty contemplates must be matters of state and military affairs. For the sake of the Great Han, you truly exhaust your every thought — this minister admires it immensely!" Zhao Kuangzan added another flattering remark.

Liu Chengyou shook his head, but couldn't help gazing out beyond the imperial carriage. The scholars and commoners of Youzhou gathered densely on both sides of the road. In the shops and houses, many people poked their heads out, watching the imperial carriage pass with wonder. The whole scene was one of surging crowds and unceasing cheers.

Seeing this sight, Liu Chengyou asked with slight curiosity: "These scholars and commoners — who arranged them?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan gently shook his head and responded: "With battle imminent and heavy troops massed, a killing aura pervades the entire city. How could we force the people to fill the scene? These scholars and commoners must have come of their own accord upon learning that the imperial carriage was visiting, to welcome Your Majesty."

"I have such prestige among the Yan people?" Liu Chengyou's brow arched slightly.

Zhao Kuangzan said: "Your Majesty is a sage ruler and enlightened sovereign rarely seen in a century. For many years, the Yan people have also received much of your grace — how could they not be grateful!"

Liu Chengyou smiled immediately but made no further comment. He still had self-awareness. In his view, these Youzhou scholars and commoners who had gathered in crowds, with onlookers packed like walls, were mostly curious about him. How many years had it been since a Son of Heaven from the Central Plains had visited Youzhou City? Those people probably looked at him much as one would view a rare beast or exotic treasure.

Although he had repeatedly emphasized that everything regarding his lodging should be kept simple, Zhao Kuangzan still vacated his Prince of Yan mansion entirely, moving out all his family, guards, and official staff to make room for Liu Chengyou to stay. Since the other party had gone to such lengths, Liu Chengyou could hardly find fault — he accepted gladly.

In the main hall of the prince's mansion, upon arriving in the north, Liu Chengyou first received the civil and military officials of Youyan, accompanied by many commanders. Gao Fang needed no introduction — an old acquaintance of the Emperor, a capable minister entrusted with key northern affairs, with whom contact had never been broken over the years.

As for the rest, Zhao Kuangzan introduced them personally.

"Your Majesty, these are Senior Administrator Song Qi and Administrative Assistant Song Xiong — both are outstanding talents of Youyan. Government affairs, civil matters, laws and statutes, and canonical texts all rely heavily on these two!"

"Your ministers Song Qi (Song Xiong) pay respects to Your Majesty!" The two together bowed to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou naturally assumed a posture of humility and sincerity, raising his hand to signal them to rise, and said with a light smile: "The fame of the 'Two Songs' of Yan and Ji — I have heard of it even in the Eastern Capital. Truly rare and outstanding talents. Youzhou's clean and orderly governance over these years indeed owes much to their merit!"

Next came Zhang Zangying, Gao Yanhui, and other senior Yan army generals. Toward them, Liu Chengyou maintained an entirely amiable countenance, praising them greatly and acknowledging their achievements. Thereafter, he formally stated, in a candid tone, comforting and encouraging them, while also reminding them that the Yan army and Yan people were all soldiers and subjects of the Great Han. In this campaign against Liao, rewards for merit and punishments for fault would be applied equally to all.

Moreover, regarding the Yan army's structure, he would not wield the knife for now — allowing it to maintain its original form, with officers' ranks and treatment unchanged, merely incorporated into the Han army's order of battle, still commanded by the Prince of Yan. However, military supplies and logistics would henceforth be uniformly provided by the Great Han.

As for the civil official system, it could almost seamlessly integrate under the court's governance, requiring no major changes. People like Song Qi were also very proactive in attitude, wanting to take advantage of this opportunity to perform well. After all, over these ten-plus years, Youyan had been their territory. Although they had jointly resisted the Khitan, the court's massive push north — a mighty dragon crossing the river, arriving with overwhelming force — inevitably stirred some unease in their hearts.

And Liu Chengyou's measures greatly pacified the hearts of the civil and military officials of Youyan. They expressed great satisfaction with the Han Emperor's attitude.