Chapter 1484: Courage and Risk

1484. Chapter 1484: Courage and Risk

"I thank His Majesty!" A flush of red swept across Zhou Pu's face; he had finally made up his mind.

Just moments ago, watching Zhao Song passionately and vehemently insist on his second plan, willing to brave extraordinary danger for the nation, Zhou Pu's own heart had begun to stir. Zhao Song was already an earl and still dared to take such risks — what reason did he, a young man who had rolled through the waves at sea for years, have to fear risk any longer?

Life and death, wealth and rank — all rested on this one gamble... How many such gambles does a man get in a lifetime?

After serving as a minor official at court for a few years, Zhou Pu had gained a fair understanding of the court's structure. The dynasty was newly founded and had not yet begun civil examinations, so the officials at court and in the provinces were mostly from the former Xu-Huai region. Their circle was exceedingly narrow, and they occupied the primary positions at court.

His superior Kong Zhang, though holding high rank and authority and thinking highly of him, was after all only in a marginalized department, with even less claim to any real factional power. What was more disheartening was that the core figures of the dominant Xu-Huai clique were all very young — the Chancellor, Finance Minister, Works Minister, Commerce Minister, and the other cabinet ministers of Xu-Huai origin were now only in their thirties or forties. Who knew how many more years they and their trusted followers would occupy the key posts? If he remained obscure, even if he endured the grind, his life's achievements could only ever amount to that.

So if he wanted to rise rapidly to prominence, he had to be willing to take risks — just like the Earl of Xingyang was doing.

And in a flash of inspiration, he had found his own opportunity to take a risk.

"Your Majesty, in this humble subject's foolish opinion, both of the Earl of Xingyang's plans strike precisely at the vital points of the Japanese shogunate. It is clear that the Earl of Xingyang put his heart into formulating these battle plans. Moreover, that the Earl of Xingyang is willing to personally brave danger and strike directly at the throat of the Edo shogunate shows he truly possesses both courage and strategy. To have such a commander is truly a blessing for the realm!" He first flattered Zhao Song, then voiced the idea that had just flashed through his mind. "However, in this subject's view, it is precisely because both plans are so excellent that forcibly choosing between them would be a real pity..."

"You mean we could use both?" The Chancellor looked at him with some puzzlement. "But... dividing our forces weakens them. That would likely be unwise, wouldn't it? Are you certain we could still win if we split the army?"

In the Chancellor's view, committing the entire army to the second plan alone was already risky enough. If they further divided their forces to strike at Kyoto, it would be far too dangerous.

Hearing the Chancellor's doubts, Zhou Pu immediately explained his thinking. "The Chancellor is quite right — dividing the forces weakens them. Our army has only dispatched one brigade for this campaign, so our troop strength is already extremely tight. Advancing along two separate routes would likely increase the risk, so this subject also believes dividing the forces is inadvisable."

On one hand he said neither plan should be abandoned, and on the other he said it was best not to divide the forces. Anywhere else, everyone would have thought he was joking, but everyone here knew that no one dared to jest before His Majesty, so they simply waited quietly for Zhou Pu to give his opinion.

"This subject believes that in attacking Japan, our first step is beyond question: we first seize Kyushu. Then, using Kyushu as a base, the Earl of Xingyang can execute his plan to strike directly at Edo's throat according to his own design, while this subject will carry out the plan to lead men north from Kyushu to Kyoto!"

"Didn't you just say not to divide the forces?" The Chancellor grew increasingly puzzled. "And besides, you've never led troops in battle. Could you even command an army?"

"The Chancellor is correct. This subject does not recommend dividing the forces, and this subject has never led troops. So, what this subject means is..." Zhou Pu paused briefly, gathering the necessary momentum and courage for himself. "To take command of the troops of the local powerful clans in Kyushu who support our dynasty and march north, all the while flying the banner of our dynasty coming to the rescue of the Japanese imperial court, recruiting powerful clans who support us, advancing northward all the way until we occupy Kyoto, and then holding the Japanese court hostage to issue orders to their entire country!"

"Ah..." Just as he had anticipated, when he finished speaking, the assembled ministers were equally stunned, looking at one another before breaking into hushed whispers.

Seeing his words produce such an effect, Zhou Pu suddenly felt a surge of excitement and gratification in his heart. He knew he had successfully etched his image into the minds of these high officials, and even... into the minds of His Majesty and the Crown Prince.

"The young man has drive — good!" A moment later, Marshal Shi Manqiang looked toward Zhou Pu, half in appreciation and half in doubt. "However... can those powerful clans in Japan be relied upon? Will they truly serve our purposes just for our dynasty's slogan of suppressing rebels? And... even if these clans heed our proposal and muster their forces, without sufficient training, without commanders and officers who can command universal respect, and each harboring their own schemes, they would be nothing more than a disorderly mob. Could they really fight all the way to Kyoto? The risk seems rather great."

Marshal Shi's doubts were perfectly reasonable, and they immediately drew agreement from several people.

Yet at this moment, Zhou Pu was not afraid. These marshals and high officials — originally he had not even been qualified to speak with them. Now he could jointly deliberate on matters of national importance. Such an opportunity came perhaps once in several lifetimes; how could he let it slip by?

What was more... His Majesty was watching too.

"The Marshal is right. These powerful clans will not follow us for a mere slogan, and they would be nothing more than a disorderly mob..." Zhou Pu struggled to suppress the excitement in his heart, striving to make his words sound as calm as possible. "However, it is precisely because they are selfish and self-interested that they can be made to serve our purposes. They have been suppressed by the shogunate for so many years, watching as their wealth and resources are steadily encroached upon day by day. The fear and resentment in their hearts have long since accumulated to the breaking point; they merely lack the opportunity to take revenge and vent their hatred. Our army, on the other hand, is an ever-victorious heavenly force, bringing with it the awe-inspiring might of the Great Han. We need only display a little of our strength and prestige before them, and their morale will surely be overawed by us. Then, instead, they will be impatient to rise up in revolt and join our dynasty's campaign to rescue the Japanese imperial court and restore the rightful line, using this to exact revenge upon the shogunate and, in passing, pursue their own interests!

At the same time, although they are a disorderly mob, the shogunate's troops are not strong either. As far as I know, just as the Earl of Xingyang stated earlier, after decades of national seclusion, the shogunate has long pursued peace and cultivated civil arts while neglecting military preparations. Their armaments have long since grown lax, and their officers and soldiers are weak in combat strength. In the Kansai region, this situation is even more severe. Because the shogunate's vital heartland lies in Edo and the Kanto region, the troops stationed in Kansai are not numerous, and they rely mainly on the various feudal lords ruling their separate domains to maintain control. When the time comes, although the clans that attach themselves to us will be a disorderly mob, those resisting us will likewise be nothing more than a disorderly mob. We need only use a very small number of our heavenly troops to make a show of force and lead this coalition of powerful clans to crush the pro-shogunate feudal lords. Then marching into Kyoto and holding the Japanese court hostage will be as easy as turning over one's hand! Once we can hold the Japanese court hostage, the benefits are simply too many; we must not abandon this."

"You mean not to divide the forces, but only to give you a small number of Great Han soldiers for making a show of force and delivering the decisive blow? Then you can lead these powerful clans straight to Kyoto? And the clan coalition would also be under the command of Han soldiers, correct? That is indeed an approach..." Marshal Shi Manqiang grasped Zhou Pu's meaning. "There is some sense in it, but... but the risk is still enormous."

"This humble official admits that risk certainly exists. How could there be no risk on the battlefield?" Zhou Pu, imitating Zhao Song's earlier manner, answered with his head held just as high. "In handling assignments for His Majesty, this humble official could even cast aside his own life — how could he still fear a little risk! In this operation, the best outcome is that everything goes smoothly and we lead the clan coalition into Kyoto; the worst outcome is nothing more than this humble official losing his life, which would do no harm to the Earl of Xingyang's operations in Kanto. In fact... because we would also be tying down a portion of the shogunate's forces in Kansai, it would even be of some benefit to the Earl of Xingyang! Therefore, Marshal, no matter what, our army can gain from this operation. Even if this humble official loses his life, it matters not!"

The resolute determination he displayed, and the courage to not care even if he lost his life so long as it benefited the court, once again moved the assembled ministers to awe. Even the Crown Prince could not help but cast a few extra glances at this tall, sturdily built yet refined-looking young minor official.

And though His Majesty remained outwardly unmoved, inwardly he was secretly delighted.

The performance of Zhao Song and Zhou Pu at the meeting today had indeed exceeded his expectations. He had not imagined that these two would be bolder than the other.

Whatever their true inner motives might be, to possess such courage and insight was a blessing for the Great Han.

Civil officials and military officers who did not fear death — no matter how ambitious they were, he dared to use them, because he was willing to lavish the wealth and rank in his hands upon them as reward.

"Interesting. Today, each of you is bolder than the last..." After a moment of silence, His Majesty once again revealed a smile.

Then, he turned his gaze back to Zhao Song. "Zhao Song, what is your assessment of Zhou Pu's proposal?"

Zhao Song lowered his gaze slightly.

He had just heard in this young official's tone an intense yearning, and the momentum of one willing to risk his life to rise above the rest — and he did not wish to block this young man's path. In the final analysis, this operation would not greatly affect his own plan, and as Zhou Pu had said, it could also create a diversionary effect on the shogunate, preventing it from concentrating its forces against their main army.

"Official Zhou's such heartfelt devotion to serving the country truly moves Zhao Song deeply. Zhao Song is willing to join forces with him, to swiftly crush the shogunate and return in triumph!"

Under Zhou Pu's grateful gaze, he voiced his opinion and expressed support for Zhou Pu.

At this, the other attending ministers ceased their discussions. They all looked toward His Majesty, indicating they had no further opinions to add and awaited His Majesty's decision.

His Majesty was still pondering.

"Zhou Pu, in your early years you accompanied your father as a maritime merchant and visited Japan many times, correct?"