Chapter 949: Before Returning to the Capital

"Quick, prepare several bowls of hangover tea!" Inside the felt tent, Noble Consort Gao's phoenix brows were tightly knit as she gave orders to the attending palace women, her tone somewhat displeased.

"Yes!"

Entering the tent were the three imperial princes. Liu Xi wore a thoroughly drunken expression, with Liu Xu and Liu Fang supporting him on either side. Liu Xu was elegant and composed, Liu Fang's small face was flushed red—both were still sober. Only Liu Xi was dead to the world, mumbling something under his breath.

"Help the Third Prince onto the couch!" Noble Consort Gao instructed, then said to Liu Xu and Liu Fang: "Did you two drink as well? Sit for a moment and have some hangover tea together!"

"Yes!" The two princes obediently sat to one side, watching Noble Consort Gao tend to Liu Xi.

"What happened?" Noble Consort Gao asked.

Liu Xu rose and replied: "Generals Guo Chongwei and Shi Shouxin returned to camp, and Father held a banquet to welcome them, ordering us three brothers to attend the feast. Third Brother got carried away and drank a few extra cups..."

"Absurd!" Hearing this, Noble Consort Gao immediately scolded: "And His Majesty too—how could he let you boys drink yourselves senseless!"

Liu Xu and Liu Fang both instinctively lowered their heads, murmuring in silence. Seeing this, she cast a glance over the two brothers and sighed softly: "You are still young. When it comes to wine, you must exercise even greater restraint!"

"Yes!"

After a wait, the hangover tea was brought in. Once all three brothers had drunk it, Liu Xu took the initiative to say: "Noble Consort Mother, Third Brother has been delivered safely. Liu Xu will take his leave and return to his tent now!"

Liu Fang nodded along beside him. Seeing this, Noble Consort Gao waved her hand: "Go on, then! It's already dark—mind your step!"

Watching the two brothers' retreating figures, Noble Consort Gao turned back to look at her own son. He had regained consciousness, though his eyes were still bleary with drink, and irritation welled up in her at once.

She tugged gently at his ear, and Liu Xi took the opportunity to sit up: "Mother, easy!"

"At such a young age, you've started drinking heavily. Your father was hosting his generals—what business did you have joining in? And getting this drunk?"

"Liu Xu isn't drunk, and Liu Fang isn't drunk either. Only you are. Do you still remember who you are?"

"......"

Facing his mother's scolding, Liu Xi stared blankly, blinked his eyes, then lay back down. The drunkenness seemed to surge up again as he mumbled: "The wine is rising to my head now, and my mind is a complete haze. If Mother wishes to discipline me, better to wait until I've sobered up, and then I'll bow my head and accept the punishment..."

With that, he seemed to actually fall asleep. Seeing his performance, Noble Consort Gao felt somewhat helpless.

On Liu Chengyou's side, the banquet was still ongoing, though fine wines, dishes, fruits, and pastries were no longer the theme. Liu Chengyou was listening to their accounts of the campaign beyond the frontier. The specific circumstances could not be fully conveyed through a few memorials and military reports—they required the testimony of those who had been there.

"It seems that Yelu Xian is quite a figure after all!" Liu Chengyou took a small sip of wine and said lightly.

Shi Shouxin responded: "Your Majesty, his ability to command on the battlefield and lead troops in battle may not be exceptional, but he is cunning by nature, knows well what is advantageous and disadvantageous, can adapt to changing circumstances, and acts decisively. Your subjects have crossed swords with him many times. Though we have made gains, we have never been able to achieve complete victory. He is indeed a troublesome opponent!"

"To earn such praise from General Shi, he must truly be extraordinary!" Liu Chengyou's expression turned somewhat more serious. He said to Li Wanchao beside him: "Old General, you must be careful of this man. Since the Liao sovereign has placed him in command of all southern military affairs, he will very likely be your opponent when you march west. I fear he won't let you succeed easily!"

"Yes!" Li Wanchao looked very solemn. Turning to the two generals Shi and Guo, he said: "Regarding the situation with that Yelu Xian, I hope the two generals will not hesitate to enlighten me after the banquet!"

"Of course! The old General is too courteous!" Shi Shouxin did not presume to be overbearing.

The appointment of Li Wanchao as Chief Commander of Jiuyuan was already known to most of the senior commanders.

As for Guo Chongwei, seeing Liu Chengyou and Shi Shouxin place too much fear and praise on the Liao general, he said in a calm, matter-of-fact tone: "Your Majesty, there is no need to think too highly of that Yelu Xian. No matter how cunning he is, in the end he is merely a defeated general. This time, if we had sent more troops beyond the frontier, we would never have let him slip away time and again!"

Looking at Guo Chongwei, Liu Chengyou smiled. This man was also a seasoned veteran of the army, an old retainer of Hedong, who had rendered meritorious service in the founding of the Great Han.

Because his native place was Jincheng County in Yingzhou, when Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures in the early years, he had resolutely fled south, unwilling to serve as an official under the Khitan. This northern expedition was, for him, also a recovery of his homeland, and so he threw himself into it with great vigor.

In fact, for the position of Commander-in-Chief of Shanyang, Guo Chongwei had sufficient seniority and ability. Liu Chengyou had originally considered him, but because in earlier years he had been too close with Guo Wei, there was some wariness in his heart.

Therefore, Liu Chengyou ultimately decided to make him Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Shanyang, concurrently holding the newly established post of Army Commander of Ningyuan. Of course, his noble rank was also raised one level, to County Duke of Jincheng, with the additional honor of founding the state.

On the spot, Liu Chengyou announced this matter, and all the generals and commanders present offered their congratulations to Guo Chongwei. Though holding a deputy post carried some blemish, Guo Chongwei still rose to give thanks, his taciturn expression seeming to open up. At the same time, Wang Yanchao was still in Henan, and until he assumed his post, military affairs in Datong and the surrounding areas were temporarily under Guo Chongwei's charge.

"From your combat experiences beyond the frontier, after suffering repeated defeats, the Liao army has changed its tactics. They no longer seek to clash head-on with the Great Han in open battle, but instead employ tactics of surprise attack, retreat, maneuver, division, and annihilation, fully exploiting the advantages of their cavalry. This situation demands our attention!" Returning to the topic, Liu Chengyou said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Shi Shouxin wiped his mouth and replied: "Your Majesty speaks truly. This is also the limitation of our infantry and cavalry sorties—it is difficult to achieve complete victory. And this was only on the southern slopes of the Yin Mountains, where the terrain was restrictive. If our army were to march into the great desert, where the grasslands stretch endlessly, and the Liao army still employed such guerrilla tactics, they would be even harder to deal with!"

"Since the problem has been identified, how do we solve it?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Only by sending more cavalry—countering cavalry with cavalry, countering raiders with swift riders!" Guo Chongwei said: "Your Majesty, in this northern expedition, the Great Han's cavalry, whether imperial army or frontier riders, has suffered heavy casualties and enormous losses, and urgently needs replenishment and reorganization. Before and after this campaign, our army captured large numbers of horses. With the full recovery of Youyun, the source of warhorses is now guaranteed compared to before. In future battles between Han and Liao, the role of cavalry will become even more important. Therefore, your subject believes we should strengthen the construction of cavalry forces!"

"What are your views on what General Guo has said?" Liu Chengyou looked at the others.

Guo Rong nodded in approval and said: "If we merely stand on the defensive, with the Great Han's current military strength, we are fully capable of repelling the Liao army. If we wish to attack, to sweep away Liao and clear the grasslands, then indeed we must place great importance on the recovery and development of our cavalry."

Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment, then spoke with slight hesitation to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, your subject believes that the Khitan state of Liao is ultimately not like an ordinary grassland regime. It is a country deeply sinicized, forged through the fusion of Hu and Han. It cannot simply be regarded as Hu barbarians. Therefore, in terms of warfare, it also has vital points that can be seized upon!"

Liu Chengyou said: "You're not referring to their supreme capital, Linhuang Prefecture, are you!"

"Your Majesty is truly gifted with extraordinary insight—one word and it's clear!" Zhao Kuangyin revealed a smile.

Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said calmly: "If the opportunity arises in the future, we should indeed dispatch a great general with a crack force to strike straight at Linhuang!"

A banquet meant for rewarding the troops ultimately ended amid the sovereign and his ministers' discussion of military affairs. Before the feast dispersed, Liu Chengyou looked around and said: "It has been five days since we breached Yunzhong. We have lingered long enough—the army should return. I have decided that on the eighth day of the third month, the imperial carriage will depart for the capital, traveling through Youzhou and Hebei back to the Eastern Capital!"

"Guo Qing, before the carriage departs, take over the defenses of Datong. Wherever things are not in place, implement them as quickly as possible. If there are any difficulties, take advantage of my presence here and I'll resolve them all for you!" Liu Chengyou then looked to Guo Chongwei and gave his instructions, adding a jest: "You've just returned from the campaign, and already I burden you with toil—don't think I don't care for my subjects!"

Guo Chongwei hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you flatter me!"

The banquet ended, and Liu Chengyou kept Guo Rong behind alone, asking him to accompany him on a walk.

"Your Majesty, why are you so weighed down with concerns?" Guo Rong asked.

With his hands clasped behind his back, enjoying the night breeze that had already turned considerably more pleasant, Liu Chengyou said: "During wartime, it was like bearing the weight of Mount Tai. Now that the fighting is over, all sorts of affairs come flooding in one after another—the trivialities are even more numerous than before..."

After this lament, Liu Chengyou said: "It's getting late, so I won't waste words. This northern expedition lasted eight months, and the officers and men from top to bottom have earned many merits. How to reward their service, how to bestow honors, how to adjust military posts and arrange assignments—this is a major undertaking, not easy to handle! You are the Commissioner of Military Affairs; you should help me deliberate on this!"

Hearing this, a hint of contemplation emerged in Guo Rong's shrewd eyes. Soon, he asked: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

"What do you think of the two generals Shi Shouxin and Yang Ye?"

"Both are brave and resourceful—men of commanding talent!" Guo Rong said with sudden understanding.

"What posts should be used to reward the two of them?"

After pondering for a moment, Guo Rong said: "Shi Shouxin could be Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Infantry, and Yang Ye could be Chief Inspector of the Palace Command!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but hesitate: "They're only just past thirty. To promote them so abruptly to such high positions—will the hearts of the people accept it?"

Guo Rong said calmly: "The abilities, seniority, and achievements of Generals Shi and Yang have all been tested. Few in the entire army can match them. Who would dare to raise objections? Moreover, Your Majesty has always appointed people according to their talents. Why the hesitation now?"

Perhaps Liu Chengyou himself had not noticed that, as he grew older, he had begun to prefer employing older, more experienced civil and military officials. After all, when Zhao Kuangyin had been Chief Inspector of the Palace Command, he had only been twenty-six or twenty-seven, and at that time Liu Chengyou had felt no hesitation at all.