Chapter 29: Triumphant News from Youzhou

“The matter of the Wuwan is concluded, but Gongyu, you must still write a battle report to the court and petition for official titles for our brothers. That’s a promise I made to you all. We can't have you remain mere captains and risk losing face outside,” Liu Yao said playfully.

“Thank you, my lord!” everyone replied in unison.

“But, my lord, should we not also send some spoils of war to the capital? It would be a powerful declaration of your strength to the world, and surely more talented men would come to seek your patronage,” Ju Shou suggested after some thought.

Liu Yao considered this for a moment and replied, “Then send my royal father five thousand of our finest Ferghana horses, eight thousand taels of gold, and thirty thousand head of cattle and sheep. As for the precious treasures seized from the Wuwan, send those as well.” Though Emperor Liu Hong was not quite as Liu Yao remembered him from past lives, his greed and fondness for treasures had not changed.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Gao Shun, I will not go to Luoyang myself this time. You shall represent me, delivering the battle report and the spoils,” Liu Yao decided, knowing there were still many unresolved matters in Youzhou.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Now, let us discuss the future development of Youzhou. What are your thoughts?” Liu Yao asked.

“My lord, old Zhang here feels that our forces in Youzhou are far too few. The Wuwan can send more men than our whole army with little effort. How can this stand?” Zhang Fei was the first to speak up.

This time, Tian Feng did not scold him for his bluntness—instead, he nodded in agreement. “Zhang Fei is right, my lord. Our army in Youzhou is indeed too small, as was clear in this campaign against the Wuwan. We are sufficient for defense, but lack the strength to take the initiative. If you wish to restore the Han dynasty, you cannot remain confined to this northern corner. I, too, propose we expand our forces.”

“But, my lord, we have not received an imperial edict. Expanding the army without orders could be seen as treason, even for you as the eldest prince,” Huang Zhong said hesitantly. Having served as a captain in Jingzhou, he understood military protocol well. Unauthorized troop expansion could be construed as rebellion.

Liu Yao shook his head. “Fear not. When I came to Youzhou, my father entrusted me with full authority—and with the Red Cloud Sword in my hand, none can find grounds to impeach me.”

At this, Huang Zhong fell silent.

Liu Yao turned to Ju Shou. “Gongyu, how many new troops should we recruit?”

Ju Shou pondered for a moment. “My lord, Youzhou’s taxation rate is one in fifteen, among the lowest in the Han Empire, and the province is not wealthy. The population is also sparse. I suggest we conscript sixty thousand men this time.”

“So, that would make a total of a hundred thousand?” Liu Yao murmured. “No, though a hundred thousand soldiers would be impressive, it’s still not enough. I want Youzhou to command at least one hundred fifty thousand troops.”

Ju Shou immediately grew anxious. “My lord, that is impossible! Youzhou lacks both the wealth and the people to support so many soldiers.”

“It matters not,” Liu Yao said, waving off his concern. “If the population is lacking, then we must actively absorb refugees—after all, people are the foundation of all things. As for money and provisions, I have the support of my Huoyun Trading Company, and will petition my father under my own name to exempt Youzhou from taxes for ten years. Will that suffice?”

Ju Shou made a quick calculation. “If Youzhou is freed from its annual tribute, then not just one hundred fifty thousand, but even two hundred thousand or two hundred fifty thousand troops would be easily sustained.”

“Good. Now, how should we divide the forces?” Liu Yao asked.

Ju Shou shook his head. “I am well-versed in civil affairs, but for military matters, we should consult Yuanhao.”

Liu Yao turned his attention to Tian Feng.

“My lord, I believe cavalry rules supreme in the Central Plains. With our recent acquisition of so many horses, we can form twenty-three battalions—sixty-nine thousand light cavalrymen. The remaining twenty-seven battalions—eighty-one thousand men—will be infantry. Lastly, outside the regular establishment, there will be General Gao Shun’s elite thousand-strong ‘Fierce Vanguard,’ and your own three-thousand-strong personal guard.”

Liu Yao considered this. “Very well. Proceed as Yuanhao advises. Begin recruiting across the province, and offer higher pay than elsewhere. But the age range must be between eighteen and thirty. I want the most elite soldiers, not parasites looking for an easy life.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With the affairs of Youzhou settled, the company continued their drinking late into the night, until all were inebriated and the gathering dissolved.

The next day, Liu Yao dispatched Gao Shun and his Fierce Vanguard to escort the tribute and spoils to Luoyang.

Luoyang—Liu Yao had been absent from the capital for over half a year, but little had changed there. Emperor Liu Hong, in these days, continued to disguise himself as the avaricious and fatuous monarch, subtly guiding the petty squabbles between eunuchs and the noble clans.

On this day, a lone rider, weary and dust-stained, appeared on Luoyang’s bustling thoroughfare. “Urgent report from Youzhou!” he cried. The crowd parted, annoyed at the messenger’s haste, though the scene reminded many of the urgent report half a year earlier. Whispers spread—had the Wuwan invaded again, or was it another defeat for Youzhou? In their minds, such were the only possibilities for news from the north.

The messenger’s report and the tribute list were quickly delivered to Liu Hong by a minor court attendant.

Liu Hong held the report for a long while before opening it. He turned to Zhang Rang. “Father Rang, do you think this is good news or bad from my son?”

“That… His Highness, the eldest prince, is a genius beyond compare. I believe it must be a victory report,” Zhang Rang replied, though not without uncertainty.

Liu Hong closed the report once more, sighed, and handed it to Zhang Rang. “Father Rang, you read it aloud for me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhang Rang took the report, scanned it, and his face lit up with joy.

Seeing Zhang Rang’s expression, Liu Hong knew the news was good and snatched the report back for a closer look.

“Good! Excellent! Wonderful! Truly worthy to be my son!” Liu Hong could not contain his excitement. For years, the Han had suffered at the hands of the Wuwan, unable to retaliate. Now, with Liu Yao’s great victory, not only had he vented his own frustration, but he had also gained great prestige. “Father Rang, transmit my command—assemble all officials for court at once!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, all the officials of the Han dynasty were gathered, and Liu Hong sat in splendor above them.

Looking down and seeing all present, Liu Hong addressed them. “My beloved ministers, urgent news from Youzhou— a great victory over the Wuwan! Who among you would read the report to your peers?”

The officials were startled. None had expected the little-known eldest prince to defeat the Wuwan, who had troubled the Han for decades. They glanced at one another, but none dared step forward.

Liu Hong looked at these so-called pillars of the realm and smirked in disdain. He fixed his gaze on Yuan Feng. “Minister Yuan, did you not previously doubt my son’s ability and oppose his appointment as Governor of Youzhou? Why not let you read the report aloud for all?”

With that, he handed the report to Zhang Rang to deliver to Yuan Feng.

This was a public humiliation, plain and simple. Yuan Feng’s face flushed red with shame at Liu Hong’s words. But the imperial command could not be refused, so he reluctantly accepted the report. As he read, his face froze in astonishment.

Seeing Yuan Feng’s expression, Liu Hong’s mood soared. “Minister Yuan, why don’t you read it out?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Struggling to contain his embarrassment, Yuan Feng began to read aloud.