Chapter 914: The Next Strategic Step

Liu Chengyou did not express any deep opinions on the answers of his three sons, but only said with a light smile: "You must understand that the soldiers outside are fighting in blood for the long-term peace and stability of the state and for the consolidation of the Great Han's foundation. They are all meritorious officials and must be treated with courtesy and always shown consideration!"

"Yes!" The majesty of the imperial father was deeply ingrained in their hearts. No matter what he said, the three princes all responded obediently.

Looking at the fourth son, Liu Chengyou beckoned him over, called him to his side, pinched his little face reddened by the wind, and said: "Joining the army and going on campaign is not something accomplished by words alone. The hardships involved cannot be known without personally experiencing them. You want to be a Grand General—you still have a long way to go. Do you understand?"

Liu Fang nodded, then shook his head, looking bewildered. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou laughed: "This great battle is something rarely seen in decades, and for young children like you, it is even more rare. Since you are in the army, you should experience it well."

"Yes!"

Among all his sons, the fourth one's military talent was visible to the naked eye. Not only in temperament and ambition—on ordinary days he delighted in military books and strategy, loved hearing about ancient and modern battle examples, and had great interest and enthusiasm for military warfare. He was slow at learning other things, but in martial matters he often grasped things at a single point. The maps in Liu Chengyou's imperial hall, especially the military maps, he would always study with great relish...

Therefore, toward this fourth son, Liu Chengyou indeed had a particular fondness.

"You have worked hard along the way. Rest yourselves. Zhang Dejun, serve them bowls of ginger soup!" Liu Chengyou ordered, then pointed at Liu Fang: "The weather is turning cold—who told you to wear so little? Where is the padded jacket your grandmother gave you?"

Among the three brothers, Liu Fang was dressed the most thinly. Upon being asked, he gave an embarrassed smile and replied: "When I came to the front, I was afraid of getting it dirty, so I put it away!"

At his answer, Liu Chengyou patted his head: "Wear it. If you don't put cold-proof clothing on your body, how can it show its use! If you are filial to your grandmother, then make good use of her gift and take care of your health!"

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Chenliu, Imperial Uncle Gao, Commissioner Chai, and Commander Zhao request an audience!" While the three sons were drinking the hot ginger soup, Zhang Dejun came to report.

"Father has matters of state and military to discuss—we sons will take our leave!" Liu Xu rose and said obediently.

Glancing at the two of them, Liu Chengyou had originally intended to let them stay and listen as well, but after a brief moment of thought, he set the idea aside and said: "Go down and rest well!"

"Your servants pay respects to Your Majesty!" The four commander-level Han generals entered and paid their respects.

"No need for ceremony! Take your seats!" Liu Chengyou's manner was affable as he gestured, and he still bestowed a bowl of ginger soup upon each one. Looking at An Shenqi, he asked: "How is the Prince of Chenliu's health?"

An Shenqi still looked somewhat weak. Clearly, the depletion caused by excessive exertion and strain on his spirit was not so easily remedied, and his hair, which had already turned white, could never turn black again.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern!" An Shenqi replied: "Your servant is old and decrepit. After this campaign, my energy truly cannot hold out. I beg Your Majesty to show pity—on the day of triumphant return, allow this old servant to lay down his armor and retire to the countryside!"

This was roughly An Shenqi's cleverness—retreating while at the height of success, and through this battle, he could also stir some pity in the emperor's heart. Sure enough, at his words, Liu Chengyou comforted him warmly: "You have devoted yourself utterly to the state, toiling with great merit. Your body should be properly nurtured—do not speak further of retirement! If we lost a pillar of the state like you, it would be a loss to both Us and the court!"

"How dare this old servant accept such words from Your Majesty!" An Shenqi stroked his graying beard and demurred.

After exchanging pleasantries with An Shenqi, Liu Chengyou looked around at the four important ministers present and spoke directly: "After the Battle of Nankou, the war situation has undergone a decisive turn. As for how the great northern expedition should proceed and the next operational guidelines, I have some considerations in mind, but I still need to hear your opinions!"

Facing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, An Shenqi said: "After this battle, both the Han and Liao sides have suffered heavy casualties. Our army needs time to rest and reorganize, and so does the Liao army. However, the comparison of national strength and the balance of power is perfectly clear.

With the Great Han's foundation, replenishing troops, weapons, and provisions can quickly restore the field headquarters' strength. In contrast, the Khitan are not the same—the losses at the Battle of Nankou have broken their bones and tendons; it is absolutely not something that can be made up in a short time.

This old servant believes we may temporarily suspend hostilities—giving time to train the troops and let the soldiers recover. At the same time, we can pressure the Liao army with our overall superiority. If we merely outlast them, we can exhaust the Khitan!"

An Shenqi's suggestion emphasized stability, pressing with superior force, and it was also the counsel of an experienced statesman. If the war continued this way, the Liao army would find it very hard to hold on.

Of course, there was no such thing as absolute advantage or disadvantage. The Khitan were, after all, not an ordinary nomadic dynasty. Treating them with the old views of nomadic peoples would also bring losses. If the Liao army gritted its teeth and held on in a war of attrition, they would suffer, but the price the Great Han paid would by no means be small.

To support the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Youyan, the Great Han had already exhausted half the state's resources. The national treasury and official reserves were being consumed without end, and the daily expenditure was an enormous sum.

Financial pressure was one aspect; the consumption of manpower was even greater. Five hundred thousand soldiers and civilians at the front, and over a million people mobilized in the rear. War harms the people and the farmers, and the farmers are the foundation of the state. If the war dragged on until next year's spring plowing and was still not concluded, the losses then—even the Great Han would have to consider whether it could bear them.

Of course, there were still several months until next spring's plowing, which seemed quite sufficient, but one had to consider the impact of the harsh midwinter climate on operations.

However, no matter how one looked at it, if it came to dragging things out, the Great Han's confidence was ultimately much greater.

After An Shenqi finished speaking, Guo Rong calmly laid out his considerations, directly pointing out that if the war dragged on too long, the price the Great Han would pay would be too great.

Then he said: "The army must rest and reorganize—that is necessary. However, I cannot agree to dragging things out indefinitely. We cannot guarantee that we will definitely exhaust the Khitan. If half a year later the war is still not concluded, the farming season has arrived, and the troops are weary and the army exhausted—do we continue fighting, or do we choose to withdraw?"

"Therefore, I believe that pressing the enemy with superior force is an approach that can be taken, but we cannot remain fixed on it. We should adopt a more aggressive strategy. Now, Li Chongjin has firmly controlled Jinshan, and the defeated Liao troops are camped at Huailai. I suggest that, before the harsh winter arrives, we first take the prefectures of Gui, Wu, Xin, and Wei!"

Guo Rong maintained his consistent style—he loved to seize the initiative and keep the situation in his own hands, his entire person radiating an enterprising and vigorous fighting spirit.

Guo Rong's emotions were highly passionate and his words extremely infectious. Toward his counsel, Liu Chengyou was clearly giving thought as well. One practical reality Liu Chengyou had to admit was that this northern expedition was the most lavishly supplied war since the founding of the Great Han, but the price paid was also enough to make his heart ache.

Without easily expressing his stance, Liu Chengyou looked toward Zhao Kuangyin. Facing the Son of Heaven's gaze, Zhao Kuangyin appeared very calm, cupping his hands and saying: "Your Majesty, after the Battle of Nankou, I have pondered deeply and gained some insights. The Liao army originally took a defensive posture, but then turned defense into offense, dispatching a great force of two hundred thousand, intending to annihilate the Prince of Chenliu's army. I believe this was because the Liao army knew that, with their national strength, they could not sustain a prolonged struggle against the Great Han, and so they sought to break the deadlock by striking at one of our armies.

I believe we need not be eager for battle. With our army's current strength, with Ruzhou already taken, it would not be difficult to advance out of the passes and strike the Liao army hard while riding on victory. Recovering the prefectures of Gui, Wu, Xin, and Wei in one stroke is equally within reach!

However, my concern is that after the heavy blow at Nankou, the Liao army will likely not dare to engage our army in direct confrontation and attrition again. The prefectures of Gui and Wu have cramped terrain, truly unsuitable for cavalry operations. If the remaining hundred-plus thousand Liao troops are allowed to withdraw to the Yunshuo region, that would be tantamount to letting them escape the mountain cage and unleashing their cavalry's combat capability.

If we can delay the Liao army here, we can both stretch their supply lines and drain their national strength. By the time spring comes next year, they will be exhausted in troops and horses. Striking then would have a devastating, irresistible effect.

At the same time, I believe we should strengthen the forces in Hedong. When the time comes, two armies attacking the Liao from both directions—the advantage will be ours."

Zhao Kuangyin's considerations were fairly comprehensive and gave Liu Chengyou a clearer line of thinking.

"Cangyong, what are your views?" Liu Chengyou asked Gao Huaide.

Compared to Chai and Zhao, Gao Huaide's answer was much simpler: "I believe the priority now is rest and reorganization. As for the specifics of employing troops, we should see how the Liao army reacts and then adapt accordingly!"

"Cangyong speaks well!" Glancing at Gao Huaide, Liu Chengyou sighed: "Indeed, the art of war lies in adapting to circumstances and responding flexibly! We must also see how our opponent reacts!"

"Do you think the Liao army will voluntarily abandon the prefectures west of the mountains?" Liu Chengyou suddenly said.

At this, the several men looked at each other but could not give a definite answer.

"If that is the case, then we can only choose to advance swiftly with the momentum!" Liu Chengyou sighed: "As Minister Zhao said, no matter what, the strength of Hedong should be reinforced!"

In fact, after the Battle of Nankou, the first-stage objective of the Han army's northern expedition had already been achieved. The threat at one's elbow had been essentially eliminated, and driving the Liao forces completely out of southern Yan was only a matter of time.

The next stage's objective should be placed on fully recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. To this end, the Han army's force disposition should also undergo a comprehensive adjustment. Among these, the greatest adjustment should be in the Hedong troops—the original containing force should now be used as the main force for the campaign against Liao.