Chapter 921: A Two-Front Offensive, Four Columns Advance

Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised by Guo Rong's intercession. From his words, there was actually an intent to defend and mediate for Fan Zhi. Calming down a bit, he couldn't help looking at him and saying: "Minister Chai, if I remember correctly, when you were at court, you and Fan Zhi often clashed over differing political views. Why are you speaking up for him now?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Rong replied calmly: "As Your Majesty says, your minister and Lord Fan merely disagree on policy. As for his character and talents, I hold him in great respect. I fully support continuing the northern campaign and also oppose Lord Fan's conservatism."

"Although Lord Fan is somewhat rigid and stubborn, I believe everything he says comes from a public-minded heart, for the sake of the state and its people. This northern expedition has indeed drained the court's resources, and the elder ministers at court have their worries—they are merely anticipating calamity before it strikes..."

Guo Rong's words made Liu Chengyou look at him with newfound respect. All along at court, Fan Zhi and Guo Rong had been locked in endless disputes, clashing repeatedly over governing philosophy—they were practically political enemies. Yet now, when Liu Chengyou was angrily rebuking Fan Zhi, Guo Rong could speak up for him with such fairness. This breadth of mind and magnanimity was truly extraordinary.

Withdrawing his gaze and fully composing himself, Liu Chengyou finally spoke: "Do I not know the hardships of this northern expedition, the price paid by the court, the sacrifices of the army and the people? Yet it is precisely in times of difficulty that we must unite as one, overcome all obstacles together, and complete the great cause of the northern campaign. At such a moment, how can we shrink from hardship, give up halfway, and let all our achievements come to naught?"

"Your Majesty, why not send a letter to the ministers in the Eastern Capital to reassure their hearts?" At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin, who had been largely silent, offered a suggestion.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou considered briefly, then immediately spread open a piece of silk, picked up his brush and wrote swiftly. After affixing his seal, he summoned Zhang Dejun and gave his orders—the letter was to be sent by six-hundred-li express relay to the Eastern Capital.

Of course, Fan Zhi only represented one voice. There were opponents, but naturally there were also supporters—ministers like Wei Renpu and Wang Pu were staunch advocates of the northern expedition. And as the "steward" appointed by Liu Chengyou for the northern expedition army, the provisioning and transport of all military supplies continued to be organized and shipped.

Liu Chengyou took no pleasure in this, however. What he worried about was that the ministers at court, caught up in the disputes between the two factions, might delay important matters. After all, State Finance Commissioner Xue Juzheng also belonged to the conservative camp, and in the great matter of the northern expedition, the financial link of the State Finance Commission could not afford any problems.

Therefore, in his reply, Liu Chengyou's wording was calm and rational, showing no trace of anger. Instead, in a most solemn tone, he offered Fan Zhi an explanation, making clear his determination to continue the northern campaign, and expressing his hope that Fan Zhi would set an example for the other ministers, harmonize with his colleagues, reassure the people, and support him wholeheartedly—without entertaining other concerns...

This reply of Liu Chengyou's was already granting Fan Zhi considerable face. If he still failed to appreciate it, then Liu Chengyou could hardly be blamed for no longer considering their sovereign-minister bond. At the same time, Liu Chengyou ordered Zhang Ji to draft an edict to be sent to the Eastern Capital, informing all the ministers.

Because of the disturbance caused by Fan Zhi and others, Liu Chengyou had to admit that being far from the Eastern Capital did indeed weaken his grip on the state. After all, "the mountains are high and the emperor is far away"—had he been in the Eastern Capital, he could basically guarantee such problems would not arise; even if such voices appeared, they would be swiftly suppressed.

Of course, leading the campaign in person was a necessity, and he could bear this slight "instability" of power. Still, Liu Chengyou was already considering the question of leaving the capital for future campaigns after this northern expedition.

Having dealt with the storm that blew in from the Eastern Capital, Liu Chengyou's thoughts quickly turned to the great matter of war. Looking at the assembled generals, he directly addressed Guo Rong: "Minister Chai, brief the generals on the arrangements for the spring offensive!"

"Yes!"

This was an imperial military council. Murong Yanzhao, who had been commanding troops at Huailai, was also ordered back to Youzhou to participate in the discussion. Guo Rong rose and said: "After a winter of suspended hostilities, our northern expedition army has enjoyed ample rest and reorganization. The wounded have returned to camp, provisions and equipment have been replenished, and morale has gradually recovered. Therefore, launching a new round of offensives against the Liao army is an absolute necessity!"

Saying this, Guo Rong stepped before the map and, comparing the military situation maps of both Han and Liao, declared solemnly: "According to intelligence from multiple sources, the Liao army still has approximately two hundred thousand troops concentrated in the Yun, Wu, Xin, and Wei regions. The last of Liao's elite forces are gathered there. If we can annihilate or severely cripple them, the Khitan will never recover. Not only can we take the opportunity to recover our lost territories, but the threat along the Great Han's northern border will also be thoroughly resolved—no longer a thorn in our side!"

Pausing briefly to gauge the generals' reactions, Guo Rong continued: "Although the Liao army is hardy against cold, this winter, lacking what they needed to survive the season and facing supply difficulties, their situation has become extremely dire after the long winter standoff. To replenish their military supplies, they have plundered extensively within their own territory. The people of Yun and Shuo have died in great numbers from cold and hunger. With army morale wavering and popular resentment boiling over, whether in military or civilian terms, this is an excellent opportunity for our army to attack!"

"After deliberation between Your Majesty and the field headquarters, this operation will proceed in three columns. The first column, commanded by Commander-in-Chief of the Forward Camp Murong Yanzhao, will advance west with one hundred twenty thousand troops, attack Wende, take Huai'an, then turn southwest from Huai'an to pressure Yunzhou. The second column, commanded by Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Zhao Kuangyin, will lead fifty thousand troops out through the Feihu Pass to take Weizhou, then turn west toward Yunzhou. The third column, led by the Prince of Wei with one hundred thousand troops, will advance north from Yingzhou to directly threaten Yunzhou."

"These three columns total two hundred seventy thousand men. Adopting a strategy of coordinated advance, we need only apply steady pressure—though the Liao army's numbers remain substantial, they will find it utterly impossible to withstand the might of the Great Han. The attack is set for the eighteenth of this month. If all goes smoothly, within one month the three columns will converge beneath the walls of Yunzhou and proclaim victory for the northern expedition!"

After Guo Rong finished, Liu Chengyou also stood up and said gravely: "I will not say much—just one principle and two objectives. The principle for this advance: steady and sure. The objectives of this operation: first, to fully recover Yanyun and drive Liao's forces north of the Great Wall; second, to annihilate or severely cripple the Liao army at Yunzhou!"

Steady and sure was Liu Chengyou's consistent style of warfare. Although he did not restrict his generals from adapting to circumstances and acting flexibly in specific execution, the overall operational doctrine remained unchanged. This might lack some improvisation, but it greatly reduced risk. Moreover, with several hundred thousand troops in battle, it was indeed inadvisable to advocate any flashy "micro-management."

As he spoke, he swept his gaze around the room. Liu Chengyou's voice rose somewhat, and his eyes blazed with an eagle-like sharpness that made it hard for others to meet his gaze: "Wasn't there some talk among the officers recently that after last year's fierce fighting, the court had not yet rewarded merit? Go back and tell the soldiers below that when this battle is won and the great deed accomplished, I will personally confer their honors upon them!"

"Yes!" The assembled generals' spirits immediately lifted. Clearly, regarding the "merit-claiming" issue during the rest period, the Emperor was both making a promise and issuing a reminder—they naturally dared not take it lightly.

"Brother Ma, why do you look so glum?" After the council dispersed and the generals filed out, Luo Yangui couldn't help noticing Ma Quanyi, whose face was practically written with dejection.

Among the Hebei border generals, Luo Yangui and Ma Quanyi had always enjoyed a good relationship due to their early years of friendship. Hearing the question, Ma Quanyi said: "A great battle is about to begin, yet there's nothing for my eastern route army! If His Majesty has no use for me, why summon me all the way to Youzhou? And when I return to Luanzhou, how am I to explain this to my soldiers?"

Having said this, Ma Quanyi immediately turned around: "Brother Luo, go on ahead—I'm going back to seek an audience with His Majesty!"

Ma Quanyi's request to see the Emperor naturally gained him smooth audience. Toward this trusted general, Liu Chengyou was of course most gracious. He had him sit down and personally poured him a cup of hot tea, saying: "It has indeed been a long time since you and I spoke at length. How is your injury?"

Faced with the Son of Heaven's concern, the petty grievance in Ma Quanyi's heart immediately dissipated. He replied: "Nothing serious—it's almost fully healed!"

"You are no longer merely a commander of one army, but a route commander. You should be more careful when marching and fighting. Leading from the front is a noble quality, but as for charging in with a blade—do less of that from now on!" Liu Chengyou reminded him.

"Your minister understands!" Ma Quanyi nodded.

"Now then, what did you seek me for?" Liu Chengyou asked.

To this, Ma Quanyi did not beat around the bush. He rose and clasped his hands in salute: "Your Majesty, your subordinate requests permission to launch a fourth column of attack!"

Looking at him, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile: "I knew it—you could never sit still!"

Yet even as he said this, Liu Chengyou's expression turned somewhat grave, clearly hesitant. Ma Quanyi's target was, of course, the Luanping region to the east.

Previously, Ma Quanyi had been ordered to lead a detached force eastward. In five battles, he had won four and lost one, capturing Luanzhou and taking the counties of Zunhua, Yifeng, Lulong, and Anxi. However, these victories had all been achieved when the Liao army was newly defeated and Gao Mohan had been killed. Later, as Liao reinforcements from the Liaodong region arrived, their defensive line stabilized. Under the command of Yelu Wansi, the Liao army, with their backs to Yu Pass, held Yingzhou and defended the last bit of territory Liao still possessed within the passes.

Liu Chengyou had hesitated over whether to let Ma Quanyi launch an attack simultaneously in this spring offensive, worried that he could not attend to everything at once. However, noticing Ma Quanyi's eager gaze, he pondered for a moment and asked: "Are you confident you can break through Yingzhou and Yu Pass?"

Reading between the lines, Ma Quanyi's spirits immediately soared. He reported: "Your Majesty, although the Liao troops at Yingzhou and Yu Pass number over forty thousand, they are a motley assembly of various tribes. Apart from a small portion of elite Khitan warriors, the rest are not strong in combat capability."

"Moreover, after a winter of attrition with roads cut off, their military supplies have suffered severe disruption. More importantly, your minister has learned that the Liao commander Yelu Wansi is at odds with that Gao Xun and has transferred him away from the Yingzhou front. Therefore, your minister believes we can attack!"

Previously, the "one loss" in Ma Quanyi's four-wins-one-loss record had come from a counterattack orchestrated by the Han-born minister Gao Xun, which cost the Han army nearly four thousand men and dashed Ma Quanyi's attempt to break through Yingzhou in one stroke.

Hearing this analysis, which clearly showed thorough preparation, Liu Chengyou considered for a while longer, then asked: "The troops in the Luanping region number only a little over forty thousand now, correct?"

Ma Quanyi nodded: "Exactly so!"

"I will give you an additional thirty thousand troops to manage the eastern route!" Liu Chengyou stared at Ma Quanyi and said directly: "I do not require you to necessarily break the Liao army or seize Yingzhou and Yu Pass. But you must guarantee that you will pin the eastern Liao forces in place before the passes and keep them from affecting the battle situation in Yun and Shuo!"

"Yes!" Ma Quanyi immediately acknowledged. Yet hearing the Emperor's tone, he secretly resolved in his heart to break Yingzhou and Yu Pass and drive the Liao army completely beyond the passes.

And so, for the spring offensive, the Han army dispatched a total of four columns, mobilizing as many as three hundred forty thousand troops—still going all out, bearing the conviction of certain victory, and carrying the momentum of thunder.