Chapter 964: Zhang and Quan Offer Their Territory

In front of the Han palace, a young man waited patiently, though from his pacing movements, his heart was not at ease, glancing toward the palace gates from time to time. Only when a figure emerged from within the gates did his face turn from worry to joy at first sight.

This young man was Liu Shaoji, the adopted son of Liu Congxiao, Military Governor of the Pinghai Army, holding the office of Commander of the Pinghai Army's Military Court. Last year, he had represented Quan and Zhang prefectures in presenting tribute at court, earning Liu Chengyou's appreciation and the honorary title of Grand Master of the Palace.

The one exiting the palace was, of course, Liu Congxiao, who had just finished his audience with the Emperor. The young man hurried forward to greet him: "Father!"

Liu Shaoji was to Liu Congxiao both an adopted son and a nephew. He was the son of Liu Congxiao's younger brother, Liu Congyuan, and had been taken as heir because Liu Congxiao had no sons of his own. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Liu Shaoji would be the successor of the Liu clan.

"Wasn't there an arrangement? Why wait here?" Looking at Liu Shaoji, Liu Congxiao asked.

Liu Shaoji replied: "Your son's heart was anxious, so I waited here!"

Seeing his nervous demeanor, Liu Congxiao's face showed an air of ease, saying: "I went to have an audience with the Son of Heaven and presented generous gifts—what is there to worry about?"

Noting his father's expression, his heart settled somewhat, and Liu Shaoji immediately asked: "May I ask how things went?"

Liu Shaoji naturally knew well the purpose of Liu Congxiao's audience—that is, to surrender his territory, intending to offer the land and people of Quan and Zhang prefectures under Liu clan control to the court, henceforth coming under the governance of the Great Han.

The father and son walked and talked, Liu Congxiao saying: "The Son of Heaven did not directly consent, but told me to return to my lodgings first and await his reply!"

Hearing this, Liu Shaoji was somewhat taken aback, a bit surprised: "Could it be that the Son of Heaven has no interest in Quan and Zhang prefectures?"

"How could he not be interested? The current Son of Heaven is a ruler of great ambition who must accomplish the great unification. When I voluntarily offer up my territory, how could he not be pleased?" Liu Congxiao said.

"Then why did he not accept it?" Liu Shaoji did not understand.

Looking at his adopted son, Liu Congxiao sighed inwardly—in the end, he was still too young—while saying aloud: "It's not that he won't accept; it's just that he needs to consider it further! This is also where the Son of Heaven's wisdom and composure lie. The Quan and Zhang region is small, surrounded by three other powers, and never borders the territory under the court's jurisdiction! If he accepted directly, it would likely stir up changes in the southern situation. For a court that has just endured great warfare, adding complications is the last thing it wants!"

Hearing this explanation, Liu Shaoji seemed lost in thought, then raised a question: "If that's the case, then why does Father insist on offering the territory?"

This, perhaps, was political wisdom. Liu Congxiao was not sparing in instructing the younger generation, saying: "The great trend of the realm has long been with the Han. After the major victory in the northern campaign against the Khitan, the situation of unification has become irreversible. Even if there are setbacks along the way, they cannot affect the overall picture.

Since ancient times, when the north has been unified, how could Jiangnan ever survive alone? The Eastern Wu could not resist the Western Jin, and the Southern Chen could not withstand the Sui of the Yang clan—how much less could the fragmented states of Jiangnan today contend with the Great Han court, which holds Chuanshu above and commands Jinghu in the middle?

As for Quan and Zhang—a mere speck of land—sooner or later they will be absorbed by the court. How could there still be any extravagant hope of maintaining separatist rule? Since it is inevitable, it is better to act sooner than later! Whether the court accepts or not, at least let the Son of Heaven understand the sincerity of our Liu clan!"

Liu Congxiao's words showed remarkable insight and a fairly thorough understanding of affairs. It was also thanks to the many books he had read during the years of ruling Quan and Zhang after the fall of the Min kingdom. As for all this, Liu Shaoji found it hard to fully grasp at once.

After leaving the imperial city and boarding the carriage, Liu Shaoji could not help but speak up: "Father, have you truly decided to offer the territory?"

Hearing the odd note in his words, Liu Congxiao sat upright and looked at him: "What, can't bear to part with it?"

"Quan and Zhang are, after all, the foundation you built through wind and rain, and through painstaking management brought to its current peace and prosperity. To offer it to the court like this..." Liu Shaoji's tone was complicated.

Hearing this, Liu Congxiao first smiled, then gradually turned serious, saying: "Our Liu clan's bloodline is thin; in the future, the only ones who can carry on the family enterprise are you brothers. Quan and Zhang prefectures can serve as capital for advancement, a means to glorify the family name and prosper the clan. But if you regard them as private property and harbor improper delusions, disaster will surely follow in the future.

There is one saying you must remember well: regardless of whether the court accepts this time or not, you must remain respectful and submissive to the court. Then, by virtue of the merit of offering territory, the court will also treat our Liu clan generously, preserving our family's continued prosperity."

Seeing Liu Congxiao speak so seriously, Liu Shaoji dared not be negligent, immediately cupping his hands in response: "Your son will surely remember!"

His expression relaxing once more, Liu Congxiao chuckled lightly: "The strength of the Wuyue kingdom is far greater than that of the Min kingdom back then. Even when Jianghuai was at its peak, it was difficult to destroy them. Yet since the time of Qian Liu, no matter how the Central Plains changed dynasties, they have always remained respectfully submissive, serving with care. Under the current King of Wuyue, this has become even more thorough.

Do you know why? It is because the Qian clan understands that once the trend toward unification is established, relying on Wuyue alone, they could never resist the great current. To go against the flow would ultimately bring the danger of destruction! If in the future the imperial army marches south to pacify Jiangnan, how could Wuyue resist?

Quan and Zhang may be small, but if our Liu clan is the first to offer territory and submit to the court, the significance of this is by no means ordinary!"

As he said this, a cunning color actually appeared on Liu Congxiao's aged face. The corner of his mouth curled up slightly as he said with relish: "Right now, I am curious—once news of the territory offering spreads, what sort of reaction will Wuyue have?"

In the original course of history, although there was also the matter of Zhang and Quan offering their territory, that was nearly twenty years later, and by then the Southern Han and Southern Tang had already fallen in succession, leaving only Zhang-Quan and Wuyue as the two remaining scraps of the realm, serving merely to build Zhao Guangyi's prestige.

However, in Liu Chengyou's era, the threads of time had deviated. Over more than a decade, the grand historical picture had been completely upended, the pace of unification accelerated, and a great victory in the northern campaign had shaken all the powers of the realm. Liu Congxiao's proactive willingness was hardly surprising.

Meanwhile, within the imperial palace, Emperor Liu of the Han was also considering this matter. As for his attitude—he felt both gratified and vexed. Gratified that Liu Congxiao had such awareness; vexed, as with the affairs of Tang and Yue, what he wanted now was stability and calm, no stirring of waves—ideally, a peaceful realm with no troubles in any direction.

Yet the reality was that waves kept arising. On Liu Congxiao's side, even if his intentions were good, his offering was truly ill-timed.

What Liu Congxiao could see, Liu Chengyou naturally understood as well. Just as he had said, accepting the two prefectures was easy—but that was, after all, an enclave. To fully take over the military and civil administration of the two prefectures in a short time and convert them into Han territory for governance was not something that could be done with words alone. At the same time, the reactions of the Southern Tang, Southern Yue, and Wuyue had to be considered, even if their reactions were not of great importance.

In earlier years, the Great Han had also possessed an enclave—Li Prefecture—but at that time it had Jingnan at its back, not far from the Great Han. The situation of Quan and Zhang was different; that was flying far away indeed.

On the other hand, thinking from a more calculating perspective, Quan and Zhang were but a tiny speck of land. Even if they did not offer it, would the Great Han have any difficulty taking it in the future? If accepted wholesale, one would have to consider the feelings of those with vested interests—how could that be more thorough than simply applying military force?

Still, Liu Chengyou did genuinely approve of Liu Congxiao's clever, time-conscious performance, and it was worthy of commendation.

As for whether to accept or not, after consulting with the summoned Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou decided to maintain the status quo for now. Summoning a palace eunuch, Liu Chengyou instructed: "There are still some local products I brought back, aren't there? Pass the order—select a few items and bestow them upon Liu Congxiao, Military Governor of the Pinghai Army!"

After considering for a while longer, Liu Chengyou said to Wei Renpu: "Minister Wei, although Quan and Zhang prefectures will not be accepted for now, the court may dispatch a few capable officials to travel south with Liu Congxiao to take up posts, first familiarizing themselves with local customs and governance! You may make some arrangements for this matter!"

"Yes!" Wei Renpu acknowledged, then said hesitantly: "Your Majesty, the dispatch of officials is not within my jurisdiction!"

"Oh!" Liu Chengyou's expression remained unchanged, saying: "Then have it conveyed on your behalf, and let the Ministry of Personnel make the arrangements!"

"Yes!" Wei Renpu frowned slightly, his expression somewhat grave.

After Wei Renpu withdrew, Liu Chengyou was still mulling over the matter, a hint of a smile curling at the corners of his mouth: "If news of Zhang and Quan offering their territory spreads, I wonder what Qian Hongchu, Li Yiyin, and Gao Shaoji in the capital will think!"