Chapter 109 "Why did Xiao Yu have to pour cold water on my plans?"...
On the seventh day of the first month of the tenth year of Xianping, Emperor Xianping personally led 150,000 imperial guards from the capital and 50,000 troops from Jingzhou northward to Zhuojun. In addition, 20,000 infantrymen from southern Shanxi and 30,000 infantrymen from Qingzhou set off for Zhuojun in two separate routes, east and west. Furthermore, 80,000 naval troops were gathered on the sea off Penglai in Qingzhou, waiting in place.
As the only civil official accompanying the emperor, Xiao Yu's carriage was arranged by Emperor Xianping to be placed behind the imperial carriage, so that Emperor Xianping could summon him at any time to discuss war matters or simply to keep him company.
The emperor was attended by several eunuchs, but Xiao Yu, as he always did when he went on long journeys, only took Qingchuan with him.
On the day of departure, Emperor Xianping, dressed in dragon-patterned armor, rode a tall steed and walked imposingly in the middle of the army. General Li Wei, General Liang Bizheng, Commander of the Imperial Guard Zhao Yi, and Xiao Yu accompanied him. Among them, only Xiao Yu wore a dark purple robe, the official robe of a second-rank Minister of Revenue.
At the beginning of the first lunar month, it's freezing cold even without wind, let alone when a northwest wind blows in your face, it's absolutely bone-chilling.
When Emperor Xianping was a prince, he rarely left the capital for official business. After becoming emperor, he was even spared the cold and hardship of waiting outside the main hall for the morning court. He lived a life of luxury for nearly ten years. If Emperor Xianping was full of ambition when he first set off with his army, then after being blown by the cold wind for more than ten miles, his hands holding the reins and his face, which was not covered by his golden helmet, were frozen stiff.
While they were talking, Emperor Xianping looked around and noticed that the three military generals, Li Wei, Liang Bizheng, and Zhao Yi, always had firm gazes and dignified expressions, and looked very brave. Emperor Xianping was very pleased, but he was even more unwilling to admit that he could not endure hardship. With a feeling of sympathy, he looked at Xiao Yu and saw that this handsome minister, who was seven years younger than him, was also riding on horseback with his head held high and chest out. He would occasionally look up at the blue sky and seemed to be enjoying himself.
Emperor Xianping: "..."
After walking another two miles, Emperor Xianping ordered three military officers to inspect the army, while he rode alone alongside Xiao Yu. Naturally, the emperor was always protected by the Imperial Guards. Xiao Lin's five Imperial Guards were scattered in all directions, and no matter which direction the enemy appeared from, they would have to get past them first.
"I've long heard that Yuanzhi is afraid of the cold and hardship. This time, I've asked you to accompany me. Do you have any complaints?" Emperor Xianping teased Xiao Yu, who was a horse's length behind him, with a smile.
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "I not only fear the cold and hardship, but also the heat and dust. However, when it is my turn to serve the court and Your Majesty, I am happy to endure these hardships. I am grateful to Your Majesty for being able to accompany you on this great Northern Expedition."
Emperor Xianping nodded, glanced ahead, and said, "You said before that these past few years haven't been the best time for the Great Zhou to launch a northern expedition. Today, I insist on launching a northern expedition. What do you think my chances of winning are?"
Xiao Yu: "The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, and I cannot predict the odds of victory for either side. However, I know that the emperor, ministers, generals, and soldiers of our Great Zhou are united in purpose and determined to overcome any obstacle. As long as we can ensure the timely delivery of supplies, the small state of Yin will surely be unable to withstand our attack."
Emperor Xianping was pleased to hear this and patted Xiao Yu on the shoulder with a smile: "Good, with the emperor and his minister of one mind, we will surely be able to conquer Liaozhou this time!"
In a good mood, Emperor Xianping stayed on horseback for half a day before starting his journey by carriage in the afternoon.
Since the Emperor didn't need him to accompany him, Xiao Yu could sit in the carriage to avoid the cold. He was indeed not afraid of hardship, but as a civil official, Xiao Yu wouldn't rush to endure any hardship that he wasn't required to suffer.
Due to the severe cold and short days, the army could only travel 60 to 70 li (approximately 30-35 kilometers) per day. After nearly a month, they finally arrived at the Jicheng camp on the third day of the second lunar month.
Twenty thousand infantrymen from Jinzhou and thirty thousand infantrymen from Qingzhou also arrived, joining the fifty thousand troops from Jizhou who were also participating in the campaign against Yin, making a total army of three hundred thousand.
Emperor Xianping ordered the army to rest in Jicheng for ten days before setting off to march northeast towards Liaozhou.
On the fifth day of the second month, Chen Ruliang, the envoy sent to the Donghu royal court, returned weary from his journey. He presented Emperor Xianping with a letter from the Donghu Khan bearing the royal seal, stating that the Donghu had offended Emperor Xianping last year due to the instigation of the Yin Emperor. He said that the Donghu would not send troops to assist the Yin Emperor this time when the Great Zhou attacked the Yin Emperor, as compensation to the Great Zhou.
When two countries are at odds, the verbal promises of emperors and khans are of paramount importance, and the official letters of credence bearing their seals are irrefutable proof. No emperor or khan who values their reputation or face would break their promise.
Emperor Xianping had not held much hope for Chen Ruliang's trip, but now that he had received the letter from the Khan of the Eastern Hu, he was overjoyed. He offered Chen Ruliang a seat next to him and began to inquire about his situation in detail.
Chen Ruliang laughed and said, "Actually, it is Heaven's will to help Your Majesty achieve the great cause of unification. When I arrived at the Donghu royal court, I heard that Khan Tuoba Ying's wife, who was the daughter of the Yin Emperor who was married to him in a political alliance, died from a cold. Seeing that Tuoba Ying did not show any grief, I felt even more confident. So I told him about Your Majesty's wisdom in seeing through the Yin Emperor's instigation and Your Majesty's benevolence towards the Donghu. Tuoba Ying was only thirty years old and was very loyal. He took the initiative to propose that he would not interfere when Your Majesty attacked Yin this time."
Jizhou General Li Chongdao said: "The old Khan was greedy and liked the tribute that the Yin Emperor sent to the Donghu every year. This new Khan is determined to unify the grasslands and wants to concentrate his efforts on annexing the Xihu. Therefore, his decision to abandon the Yin Kingdom is indeed credible."
The four kingdoms of Da Zhou, Yin, Dong Hu, and Xi Hu sent spies to other kingdoms to gather information. The information from Yin and Dong Hu was first sent to Li Chong and the governor of Ji Province, and then important intelligence that was worth reporting to the emperor was sent to the capital.
Emperor Xianping said sarcastically, “Yin Fu was indeed a man who could withstand the two northern expeditions of the late emperor. However, he defended Liaozhou by groveling to the Donghu, which disgraced the Han emperors. I really don’t know why the people of Liaozhou are so loyal to such a spineless emperor.”
Chen Ruliang sighed, “The common people are short-sighted, only thinking about their immediate needs for food and clothing. Emperor Yin can win them over with a few small benefits. Once Your Majesty conquers Liaozhou, you only need to reduce the land tax of the Liaozhou people for a year to win their hearts.”
While they were chatting animatedly, Xiao Yu simply sat in his seat, leisurely sipping his tea.
Such ignoring was tantamount to contempt and disdain. Emperor Xianping frowned and asked Xiao Yu, "What, Yuanzhi, do you not agree with my assessment of Yin Fu?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu put down his teacup and said calmly, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Although Emperor Yin has managed to defend Liaozhou, his collusion with the Hu people is indeed despicable. However, I cannot agree with Lord Chen's criticism that the people of Liaozhou are short-sighted and easily bribed."
Emperor Xianping's expression softened.
Chen Ruliang humbly replied, "Then I would like to ask Lord Xiao for guidance on why the people of Liaozhou are willing to be blindly loyal to Emperor Yin."
Xiao Yu: "Lord Chen should know that more than three hundred years ago, all ten provinces of the world belonged to Yin. At that time, the people of Liaozhou were the people of Yin. Later, Yin gradually declined and its territory shrank, but Liaozhou remained Yin territory until finally, Yin only had Liaozhou left. In other words, for the past three hundred years, the people of Liaozhou have been the people of Yin for generations. Their loyalty to Yin far surpasses the loyalty of the people of the nine provinces to our Great Zhou. Such people will stop at nothing as long as the ruler does not abandon or betray them, and as long as their country can be preserved. How can such sincere loyalty be considered blind loyalty?"
Chen Ruliang was speechless.
Emperor Xianping then recalled Xiao Yu's advice to wait until the current Yin Emperor died before launching the northern expedition, precisely because the Yin Emperor was extremely popular with the people.
But what good is it that Emperor Yin has the support of the people? In the past, the people of the Nine Provinces also had their own rulers to be loyal to, and in the end, they still lived peacefully as citizens of the Great Zhou.
The unarmed people will eventually submit to the imperial army.
"The Yin Kingdom is nearing its end, yet they are willing to sacrifice their lives for a king who sells out his country for personal gain. They truly deserve the title of fools," Emperor Xianping said calmly, defending Chen Ruliang.
Chen Ruliang lowered his eyes and nodded to the emperor, showing no arrogance as if he had someone backing him up.
Xiao Yu wasn't foolish enough to continue refuting Emperor Xianping. As soon as Emperor Xianping looked away, he continued to serve tea, appearing completely at ease and showing no embarrassment or disappointment at being neglected by the emperor.
Emperor Xianping: "..."
While soaking his feet at night, Emperor Xianping said to Eunuch Xue, who was kneeling to wash his feet, "Haven't I treated Xiao Yu well enough? I'm about to go and fight the Yin Kingdom. Why does he still speak up for the people of Liaozhou at this critical juncture and have to pour cold water on my plans?"
Xiao Yu praised the people of Liaozhou as being loyal and devoted, making him appear like a tyrant and bully as he prepared to attack Liaozhou!
Eunuch Xue's heart trembled; he had no desire to get involved in this dispute between the emperor and his subject.
"This is probably because His Majesty treats Lord Xiao so well and is so humble, which is why Lord Xiao dares to speak freely in front of His Majesty."
Emperor Xianping snorted heavily. He was indeed very lenient with Xiao Yu, but if his leniency only resulted in Xiao Yu throwing cold water on his attitude, Emperor Xianping could hardly guarantee that he would continue to be lenient.
In mid-February, as the weather warmed up slightly, after a period of rest, Emperor Xianping personally led an army of 300,000 men, along with 80,000 naval troops from Penglai in Qingzhou, and set off simultaneously. On the land front, Li Chong, Li Wei, and Liang Bizheng divided their forces into three routes, attacking cities and seizing territories from northern, central, and southern Liaozhou respectively. Finally, the three routes converged in the middle reaches of the Liao River, which runs through Liaozhou from north to south, and crossed the river together. Across the river, more than 150 li away, lay Shencheng, the capital of the Yin Kingdom.
The 80,000-strong navy will cross the sea and reach Wushi County in the south of Liaozhou. After capturing the county, they will march north by land and finally wait for the main force to be deployed in Xiangping County, south of Shencheng.
After the late emperor's two northern expeditions, Liaozhou can now muster a maximum of 100,000 troops. Emperor Xianping's two armies total 380,000. As long as the food supply is sufficient, conquering the capital of Yin is only a matter of time. In order to ensure the supply line, Emperor Xianping conscripted 200,000 laborers in Jizhou to be responsible for continuously sending food from the Jicheng dock to Liaozhou.
The three land armies were conquering cities and territories ahead, while Emperor Xianping led 5,000 imperial guards cavalry and 10,000 infantrymen at a distance behind. Since Emperor Xianping had promised Xiao Yu that he would not interfere with the generals' troop deployments, he had indeed given the generals the power to make decisions. However, Emperor Xianping issued an edict ordering that the generals and soldiers of all armies must not trample on the fields of Liaozhou or plunder the Liaozhou people inside and outside the city while marching. All Liaozhou soldiers who surrendered voluntarily were not to be executed. This was precisely to promote the benevolence of the Great Zhou emperor and to try to reduce the hatred of the Liaozhou people towards the Great Zhou army.
The same thing happened when the late emperor went south to conquer Wu. Emperor Xianping's actions truly demonstrate that he was a wise ruler.
Meanwhile, the Yin state, knowing it could not withstand Emperor Xianping's 300,000-strong army, essentially abandoned resistance west of the Liao River and concentrated its forces on the east bank, waiting to use the river's natural barrier to prevent the Zhou army from crossing.
Thus, in mid-April, when the three armies gathered on the west bank of the Liao River to rest, Emperor Xianping's imperial carriage also entered Yixian County, which was only a hundred miles away from the army.
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Author's note: Here it comes! This chapter, which focuses on figuring out the marching route, was written slowly. I should be able to guarantee a second update around 10 PM tonight.
100 little red envelopes, see you tonight!
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