Chapter 320: Northern Expedition, Dark Clouds

False Song, Eastern Capital Bian Liang.

Inside the Hall of Great Celebration in the Imperial City, the atmosphere was solemn and deadly.

Civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides, silent as grave; all eyes were fixed on the imperial steps above, on Zhao Kuangyin, clad in a reddish-yellow dragon robe and with a solemn countenance.

He held in his hand an urgent military report from the northern border.

His fingertips turned slightly white from the pressure.

"All officials," Zhao Kuangyin's voice was low, yet it carried a metallic resonance, echoing in the hall: "The false ruler of Northern Han, Liu Jun, has recently been training troops and repeatedly provoking our borders, his designs on the heartland of Zhongyuan unabated! What do you think we should do?"

No sooner had his words fallen than several armored generals from the military ranks stepped forward eagerly.

Leading them, his voice boomed like a great bell:

"Your Majesty! Northern Han, this petty state, relies on the Khitan and repeatedly becomes a border menace! These upstarts bearing false titles deserve to be crushed by heavenly troops!"

"Our newly founded Great Song must establish prestige in all directions! We officials request to go to war, willing to lead the Royal Army on a northern expedition against False Han, to raise our nation's might and secure the state altars!"

These generals were all former brothers of the righteous society or close confidants of Zhao Kuangyin; they deeply understood the emperor's intent to use troops in the north, and clearly saw that this northern campaign, both publicly and privately, was inevitable.

From a public standpoint, conquering the mirror-image Northern Han that has not yet submitted is a crucial link in advancing the "Historical Process," a necessary "node" to be completed, which would greatly aid the "Supreme" behind them in restoring its power.

Privately, the emperor harbors a bone-deep hatred for False Chen and for Chen Wen. Although the northern campaign targets the mirror-image Northern Han, success would both proclaim the Great Song's legitimacy and create a strategic deterrent against False Chen, which controls the true lands of Northern Han.

However, among the civil officials' ranks, a voice of opposition immediately rose.

An elderly official with white hair and beard stepped forward trembling, bowing and saying:

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

"The state is newly established, with a hundred undertakings awaiting initiation; the treasury is still empty, and the people's livelihood is fraught with hardship."

"To launch a large-scale military campaign now, to undertake a northern expedition against False Han, would be ill-timed."

"Should the war drag on, draining our strength, False Chen beyond the light curtain might seize the chance to invade westward, or the Khitan might intervene from the south, putting our Great Song in peril!"

"We implore Your Majesty to reconsider, to halt hostilities, to let the people rest, and to wait until our national strength is ample before planning the northern expedition—there will be no delay."

Upon these words, many civil officials voiced their assent, especially those officials who had long harbored resistance to continual warfare.

"Lord Wang's words are absolutely correct!"

"Your Majesty, weapons are instruments of violence; a sage resorts to them only when unavoidable!"

"The urgent task is to cultivate internal governance, to strengthen the foundations and nurture the basics…"

The hall instantly erupted in a clamor of debate.

The generals advocated war, impassioned and fervent;

the civil officials advocated peace, citing classics and precedents;

each side held fast to its own view, refusing to yield.

On the imperial steps above, Zhao Kuangyin listened to the debate below with a blank expression, yet his eyes held a deep chill.

How could he not know that the northern expedition at this time carries great risk?

False Chen beyond the light curtain lurks nearby, eyes gleaming like a tiger's;

the Khitan's attitude is unclear, hard to predict;

domestically, we have indeed not yet reached the point of elite troops and ample provisions.

But!

In his mind surfaced the face of Chen Wen, whose visage filled him with bone-deep hatred; the humiliation of his imprisonment in Chan Prefecture; and the stern command from the "Supreme" that the "node" must be fulfilled.

Hatred and mission, like two venomous snakes, gnawed at his innards, allowing him no moment of peace.

He needed this victory!

The Great Song needed this victory!

"The Supreme" needed this victory even more to restore its strength!

Only by succeeding in the northern expedition and seizing this mirror-image Northern Han could he prove he walks the "correct" historical path, gain stronger support, and possess greater means to avenge himself upon False Chen, which controls the true lands of Northern Han.

"Enough!"

Zhao Kuangyin slammed his fist on the armrest of the throne; his voice was not loud, yet it bore an undeniable authority and killing intent, instantly overwhelming all debate.

The hall fell into sudden dead silence.

All civil and military officials fell silent as cicadas in winter, lowering their heads, daring not to utter another word.

They could feel the almost tangible aura of anger and resolve emanating from the emperor's person.

Zhao Kuangyin slowly rose, his gaze sweeping over the officials below like a hawk, and he spoke each word deliberately:

"The false lord of Northern Han, who usurps the title of sovereign, is a grave malady in the heart of Zhongyuan, an outpost of the Khitan!"

"How can one allow another to snore beside the bed?!"

"If False Han is not destroyed, the northern borders will not be pacified; my heart will not be at ease, and the Great Song will not know peace!"

"My resolve is fixed—"

"We shall launch a northern expedition against False Han at an appointed day!"

His voice was decisive and irrevocable, carrying the resolve of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats.

"Your Majesty is sage!" The loyal generals led by Murong Yanzhao, et al., immediately responded in unison, their voices shaking the rafters.

The civil officials who had advocated peace glanced at each other, and in the end could only bow helplessly, daring not to urge further.

"We officials… obey the edict."

Zhao Kuangyin looked at the finally unified opinion below and let out a cold snort.

"Privy Council and Three Military Commands, immediately devise the northern expedition plan, mobilize the elite of the Forbidden Army, and procure provisions and armaments!"

"Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works, give full cooperation; any delay will be severely punished!"

"I, the emperor, will personally lead the campaign!"

"We officials receive the edict!" All officials responded solemnly.

After court, Zhao Kuangyin did not rest, but went straight to the northwestern corner of Huangcheng's "Divine Machinery Workshop".

The Workshop Director, Lord Hu, had long been waiting anxiously at the gate; upon seeing the imperial carriage, he immediately prostrated himself on the ground.

Subject kowtows to Your Majesty!

Zhao Kuangyin didn't even glance at him, strode into the workshop, and went straight to the testing ground.

How is the new batch of arrow clusters?

Hu Duzao hurriedly rose, quick-stepped to keep up, and squeezed out a smile uglier than crying.

Your Majesty, after... after continual improvements, stability has slightly increased, and the yield has reached... reached twenty percent.

He carefully held up a tray bearing over ten arrows gleaming with a dark blue light.

But... but the strain on the bowstring and bow remains great, and the backlash risk still exists.

Zhao Kuangyin picked up an arrow, feeling its familiar chill and spiritual shock, his brows slightly furrowed.

Only these?

The time is too short; the artisans have been working day and night, and several have fallen ill... Hu Duzao's voice trembled with sobs.

Zhao Kuangyin fell silent for a moment, then tossed the arrow back onto the tray.

Pack all of these into boxes and send them to the front.

The Northern Expeditionary Army needs them.

I don't care what methods you use; during the Northern Expedition, I want to see more arrow clusters sent up!

If you delay the matter... Zhao Kuangyin glanced coldly at Hu Duzao.

Hu Duzao trembled all over, nearly collapsing to the ground, and stammered:

I... I understand! I will find a way! I will find a way!

Leaving the Divine Machinery Workshop, Zhao Kuangyin climbed the palace wall and gazed northward.

There lay the direction of the mirror-image Northern Han. And on the other side of the Light Curtain, the corresponding place was the true Northern Han old land controlled by False Chen.

"Chen Wen..." he whispered the name, as if wanting to grind it between his teeth.

Just watch over there.

Watch me, how in this mirrored world I will take back everything that rightfully belongs to me!

After I pacify False Han and unify the northern frontier, the next... will be you!

This is only the beginning!

Under the gloomy sky, the war machine of False Song began to rumble into operation.

Countless supplies and armaments were levied from all over, gathering toward the northern border.

The elite imperial guard units also began to set out in succession.

A thick cloud of Northern Expedition war hung over the border between False Song and the mirror-image Northern Han.

At the same time, it faintly extended toward the other side of the Light Curtain, the true Great Chen Northern Line.

The news was soon relayed by spies planted within False Song's territory.

And border scouts' observations were compiled into urgent military intelligence, sent to Bian Liang and placed on Chen Wen's imperial desk.

False Song's Northern Expedition... has it finally begun?

Chen Wen gazed at the intelligence, his eyes deep.

Zhao Kuangyin, this first step of yours is taken without the slightest hesitation.