Chapter 947: Military Affairs

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Chanzhou and the Duke of Bozhou have arrived and are requesting an audience outside the tent!" Inside the imperial tent, Liu Chengyou remained bent over the imperial desk, reviewing urgent memorials from the Eastern Capital. During the height of battle, he had no mind for other matters, but now that the war was winding down, he immediately turned his attention back to domestic affairs.

Liu Chengyou had great confidence in the abilities of the chancellors in the Eastern Capital. As a group of capable ministers who had dominated the court for over a decade, they had no trouble controlling the situation across the realm. Moreover, with the entire nation about to shift off its wartime footing—ceasing hostilities and recuperating—the court would find matters far more manageable.

It was now late spring, and Liu Chengyou estimated that the ministers in the Eastern Capital would breathe a great sigh of relief—even break into song and dance—upon receiving word that the northern expedition had succeeded and the imperial army was returning in triumph.

"Your subjects Guo Rong (Zhao Kuangyin) pay respects to Your Majesty!" The two entered and bowed in salute.

"No need for formality! Sit!" Liu Chengyou set down his vermilion brush, looked up at the two men, flexed his finger joints, and said with a light laugh.

"What instructions does Your Majesty have?" Guo Rong asked.

"Where have Shi Shouxin and Guo Chongwei's forces reached?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"According to the latest reports, they have already passed Changcheng Pass. Estimating their pace, they should return to Yunzhong today!" Guo Rong said.

Liu Chengyou instructed: "Have the camp make preparations. They fought continuously beyond the frontier, campaigning across several hundred li—they've had a hard time of it. Give them proper reward and hospitality!"

"Yes!"

"How are the arrangements for the withdrawal proceeding?"

"The vanguard is fully prepared and can depart at any time, under the command of Commander-in-Chief Gao. At the same time, the conscripted laborers from Hedong will be released!" Guo Rong reported.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Begin the formal withdrawal tomorrow!"

The moment these words left his mouth, Liu Chengyou himself felt an involuntary easing in his heart. Clearly, throughout the northern expedition, he had appeared confident and composed on the surface, but the pressure he bore inwardly had been anything but light.

"The Hebei troops and civilians will go in the second batch, heading east through Juyong Pass to Youzhou first, under the command of Murong Yanzhao!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes! Your subjects will discuss and arrange it shortly!"

"I summoned you two because I have two matters to arrange, but I cannot make up my mind on them. Give me your counsel!" Looking at the two men, Liu Chengyou said softly.

"Your Majesty, please speak!" Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin both perked up at these words.

Liu Chengyou said: "Here at Shanyang, with the border defenses being adjusted, most of the army commander posts have been filled, but one coordinating overseer is still lacking. I have been deliberating without resolution—do either of you have candidates to recommend?"

"Your Majesty, Shanyang is newly acquired territory with complex circumstances, facing the Khitan directly. It requires a seasoned general with both wisdom and courage!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

"Then tell me—who can bear this heavy responsibility?" Liu Chengyou looked at him.

Zhao Kuangyin raised his eyes, deliberated briefly, and said: "Yang Ye has long garrisoned Yanmen, has rich experience commanding troops, is familiar with local customs, and understands the Liao army. He is the most suitable candidate!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "Yang Ye's abilities are certainly sufficient, but he is still too young after all. I fear he cannot yet bear responsibility for an entire front!"

These words from Liu Chengyou were insincere. Emperor Liu had never been one to judge by age, background, or seniority. At bottom, he had other plans for Yang Ye.

With his recommendation rejected, Zhao Kuangyin continued: "Wang Shenqi, Army Commander of the Feihu Army, has likewise long garrisoned the frontier and is well-versed in military affairs. When I dispatched troops to Weizhou, I observed that he was steady and strategic—the makings of a great general. He can be entrusted with heavy responsibility!"

Glancing at Zhao Kuangyin, Liu Chengyou recalled—if his memory served—that this Wang Shenqi was one of the "Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society." In his early years, he had risen from the imperial army, promoted as a promising young talent, then transferred to the frontier, where he had long served alongside Yang Ye, with little connection to Zhao Kuangyin. Now it seemed the two had reconnected. Was this what they called historical inertia?

The stray thought was quickly dismissed. Liu Chengyou still shook his head: "Wang Shenqi should be transferred into the imperial army for service!"

With two candidates rejected in succession, Zhao Kuangyin fell silent. Those he had proposed were all vigorous young men in the military—Yang Ye had just passed thirty, and Wang Shenqi was only thirty-four. He couldn't help wondering: could it be that the Emperor still favored seasoned old generals?

Guo Rong also spoke up: "Why not have the Duke of Dai command the military affairs?"

The Duke of Dai was Zhe Deyi. In terms of status, seniority, and ability, he was indeed qualified. However, Liu Chengyou was still direct: "The Duke of Dai has long been stationed at Baode Prefecture, braving wind and rain to guard the frontier for the nation. I previously promised Lady Zhe that I would summon him to the capital for appointment!"

These words from Liu Chengyou were somewhat insincere. He trusted the obedience and loyalty of the Zhe clan, but for the sake of the nation, one could not act on sentiment alone. The Zhe family's influence in the Fuzhou and Linzhou region ran too deep, and with over a decade of their consort-clan status amplifying their prestige, their power had grown even greater. As they said, what reaches its peak must decline—applying some slight restraint was also for the Zhe family's own good. That was roughly how Liu Chengyou reasoned.

With several candidates in a row rejected by Liu Chengyou, Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin had to admit that this was indeed a difficult choice, and for a moment neither dared to speak rashly. However, the Great Han was hardly lacking in capable generals. After pondering for a while, Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands to Liu Chengyou and offered a name: Wang Yanchao.

The reasons he gave were also substantial: the man had shown composure from youth, served in many posts with a rich résumé, held the position of Chief Commander of Hedong for many years, managed his subordinates well, and enjoyed considerable support among the troops. For the new Shanyang military establishment, whose primary focus was pacification and troop welfare, he was a fine choice.

After brief consideration, Liu Chengyou agreed. However, the look he cast at Zhao Kuangyin could not help but carry surprise. The early anecdote between Zhao Kuangyin and Wang Yanchao was fairly well known. That Zhao Kuangyin would proactively recommend Wang Yanchao showed that his magnanimity was indeed out of the ordinary.

"Then let Wang Yanchao be transferred to the post of Commander-in-Chief of Shanyang, with overall command of all forces!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

"Also, the establishment and structuring of the Shanyang and Yannan Chief Command Offices must begin as well. Though these are newly incorporated territories, they should be treated the same as the rest of the court—the necessary institutions cannot be lacking. However, adjustments should also be made according to actual circumstances!" Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong: "This matter will be presided over by you, Chai!"

"In addition, the personnel assignments for this round of adjustments and newly established forces must be expedited. Everything must be properly arranged before I set out on the journey south. Also, among these men, those who rendered meritorious service in the northern expedition should be rewarded immediately to reassure them!" Liu Chengyou further instructed.

"Yes!"

After finishing, he paused, hesitated for a moment, then added: "Regarding the defense of Shanyang, do you have anything further to add?"

At the question, Zhao Kuangyin clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, with Youzhou and Yunzhou fully recovered, the Great Han's defensive disadvantage in the north has been completely reversed, and Yunzhong is a formidable stronghold to rely upon. However, relying solely on this position still leaves us passive. Your subject believes that while Liao is badly wounded, its military strength greatly diminished, its power contracting northward, and unable to look south, we should push the defensive line further outward."

"Tell me specifically—what kind of measures do you have in mind?" Liu Chengyou stared at Zhao Kuangyin with bright eyes.

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin knew he had likely struck the Emperor's fancy. He rose, gestured at the map, and said crisply: "No need to mobilize a great army. Simply dispatch one great general with a crack force to march west and recover the former Shengzhou and Fengzhou regions. Given Liao's current situation, it will be hard-pressed to stop us.

If we can take Fengzhou and Shengzhou, not only will we recover territory lost since the Tang, but our defense against Liao can rely on the Yellow River to maneuver against them, and in doing so continue to suppress the Liao army's power.

Moreover, we can coordinate with Duke Zheng of Hexi. The entire Hetao region would then lie within the Great Han's territory, adding a place for pasturage. At the same time, the Dingnan Army of Xia and Sui would be further placed under the court's influence and control!"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin speak thus, Liu Chengyou broke into a delighted smile. Clearly, his suggestion struck a deep chord with him. Seizing Fengzhou and Shengzhou was something Liu Chengyou had been contemplating for a long time.