Han Daochang, Feng Liao, and others accompanied Yang Zhitang, Yang Fan, and their party, quickly reaching Dongguan Fort by boat. Han Qian, leading Guo Rong, Gao Shao, Feng Yi, Han Chengmeng, Qiao Weiyan, and others, already awaited them at the wharf.

By mid-third month, the weather had warmed. The Huai River ice had melted over half a month ago, and Chao Lake’s surroundings had experienced several consecutive gentle spring rains, causing stream, river, and lake water levels to rise considerably.

Han Qian wore only a thin padded jacket beneath his armor—quite casual, without specially changing into the purple official robes of War Ministry Vice Minister and Marquis Qianyang. His frame stood upright, hands clasped behind his back as he stood upon the wooden pile wharf. His lips bore dense short whiskers he’d had no time to shave these past days, his temples slightly disheveled, his cheeks lean yet resolute. Wearing a kerchief and gauze cap, though not extraordinarily handsome and distinguished, he nevertheless possessed considerable imposing and steadfast bearing.

During the later stages of the feudatory reduction campaigns and the later period of the Jinling Incident at Fanchang City, Yang Zhitang had met Han Qian face to face. In the blink of an eye, nearly two years had thus passed.

Recalling how many people harbored deep suspicions toward him then, yet ultimately still relied upon him to turn the tide, Yang Zhitang couldn’t help feeling profoundly moved.

Initially, when the water forces’ main strength was annihilated at Hongze Lake and the Right Divine Martial Army nearly completely destroyed at Zhongli City, court ministers had mostly hoped Xuzhou’s water camps could merely restrict the River Fleet’s warships from entering the Yangtze waterway, maintaining communications between the capital region and Jiangbei’s Jingxiang and Shuhuang prefectures without severance—none had dared imagine Han Qian could establish a firm foothold at Tangyi.

At least Li Zhigao hadn’t considered this possibility; otherwise, he wouldn’t have abandoned Liyang, Dongguan, and other fortifications before year’s end, hastily retreating westward.

That newly organized Tangyi troops possessed such formidable combat strength, and that Han Qian would completely disregard casualties and sacrifices to consecutively launch three medium-to-large scale engagements along both Chu River banks—this far exceeded all court officials’ imaginations.

Former Strategic Planning Office Director Xu Jing had been transferred to Shuzhou, serving under Li Zhigao’s command as Chief Scout Officer, yet the Privy Council’s Strategic Planning Office still operated normally.

After the Empress Dowager’s return to court, the Jinyun Bureau was dissolved, its managing eunuchs returning to the palace. However, the spies responsible for monitoring prefectures and counties and secretly observing officials were distributed for employment between the Strategic Planning Office and the Justice Ministry—consequently, the Strategic Planning Office’s capabilities were even further strengthened.

Regardless how dire circumstances became, beyond the early portion of intelligence forces annihilated alongside Xu Jing, the Strategic Planning Office subsequently still strove to maintain routine reconnaissance and observation of north bank conditions.

During the Liyang engagement, Tangyi troops and Shouzhou army forces engaged in days of intense combat on both flanks of Mount Fucha and both sides of Mount Rusu. The severity of both sides’ casualties made clear to numerous court princes and ministers that Tangyi troops had fought thoroughly bloody battles.

In comparison, when Liang cavalry entered Huaidong, primarily conducting raids while Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan implemented scorched earth tactics across over a hundred large and small battles, beyond civilians plundered and coerced northward, accumulated officer and soldier casualties totaled merely two to three thousand.

Li Zhigao’s western flank operations restraining Chaozhou garrison forces produced somewhat heavier casualties, yet still could not remotely compare with Tangyi troops’ losses.

One must recognize that Huaidong possessed nearly one hundred twenty thousand troops, while Li Zhigao commanded Huaixi Imperial Guards numbering nearly sixty thousand—scales far exceeding Han Qian’s newly organized Tangyi troops on the north bank.

Previously, court officials influenced by rumors and the new policies promoted by Han Qian and his father Han Daoxun harbored extremely deep suspicions and wariness toward Han Qian. But by now, at least some people’s attitudes had shifted.

Indeed—would a truly ambitious schemer not preserve strength at such a time to compete for power and advantage?

How many would, when circumstances were so dire, commit their direct lineage elite to risk and bloody combat, allowing primary competitors to reap benefits effortlessly?

Through these intense battles, newly organized Tangyi troops accumulated casualties actually exceeding thirteen to fourteen thousand. Yet after enduring such devastating losses, Tangyi troops’ morale remarkably hadn’t collapsed—they still sealed the Shouzhou army outside. This completely exceeded everyone’s imagination.

During the Jingxiang campaigns, the previously obscure Han Qian, possessing absolutely no foundation whatsoever, instigating Yang Yuanpu to defend Xichuan could still be characterized as skillfully employing risky strategies, favoring unorthodox approaches to pursue extraordinary achievements.

During the feudatory reduction campaigns too, Han Qian and his father Han Daoxun first gained tremendous advantages in Xuzhou.

Even during the Jinling Incident period, one could claim Han Qian employed risky stratagems to pursue great fame.

However, Han Qian now possessed established foundations and sufficient leverage to observe tigers fighting from the mountain.

Were Yang Zhitang standing in Han Qian’s position, with such excellent opportunity yet simultaneously facing such deep court suspicions, he could easily ignore the Jianghuai deteriorating situation, directly deploying forces from Xuzhou to expand peripherally, connecting Xu, Chen, Si, and Ye prefectures into a unified territory.

Even if the court petitioned Xuzhou, Yang Zhitang thought that were he Han Qian, he would seize the opportunity to explicitly demand command over Great Chu’s water forces, pushing Imperial Guard forces and Right Dragon Martial Army troops to the north bank to resist enemy military might.

Yet Han Qian not only refrained from expanding Xuzhou’s territory outward but led direct lineage elite forces westward, positioning himself directly before enemy military might, enduring extremely devastating casualties to carve out defensive depth for Great Chu on the Yangtze’s north bank.

At this point, who could still claim Han Qian harbored ulterior motives?

Yang Zhitang’s vigilance against human nature ran extremely deep, yet even now he could find no grounds for suspecting Han Qian.

Thinking thus, Yang Zhitang recalled Li Pu’s son Li Chong’s flight back to Shuzhou spreading baseless rumors—he couldn’t help sighing inwardly at such cowardice reaching stupidity.

Setting aside whether these rumors had any foundation or reasonableness, even if Han Qian hadn’t led troops into the north bank to fight bloody battles against the enemy regardless of casualties, merely based on the court’s current dependence upon Xuzhou water camps, whoever spread such rumors—wasn’t this thrusting one’s own head toward the executioner’s blade?

This river crossing journey, Yang Zhitang and his son Yang Fan felt perfectly safe bringing merely over a hundred escorts and close attendants to meet Han Qian at Dongguan Fort.

Yang Zhitang departed from Caishi at dawn. Crossing the river plus slow boat travel up Yuxi River meant it was already noon.

Han Qian had prepared a simple feast, first welcoming Yang Zhitang, Yang Fan, and Right Dragon Martial Army’s principal commanders who had crossed the river to participate in north bank battles into the modest command tent for dining. Afterward, they discussed north bank defense line construction and subsequent plans for advancing military operations northward along Puyang River to encircle Chuzhou City.

Yang Zhitang didn’t believe he could offer Han Qian more advice regarding military command and operations. His visit served three purposes.

First, as public duty—crossing the river representing Emperor Yanyou and the Empress Dowager to reward Tangyi troops and commanders for meritorious courage defending the north bank.

Second, discussing the water forces remnants’ disposition—this too could be considered public duty.

Beyond the issue of water forces officers and soldiers belonging to military household systems, as a court retaining ambition, given such heavy dependence upon Yangtze waterways, abandoning efforts to rebuild water forces directly subordinate to the Privy Council would be unconscionable. The water forces remnants’ disposition would directly determine reconstruction progress.

Naturally, regarding how water forces should be rebuilt, Han Qian must possess a voice—Yang Zhitang needed to negotiate with him first.

The third involved Yang Zhitang’s private interest.

Yang Zhitang desired to directly surpass Zhou Bingwu in assuming the Privy Councilor position.

Currently, both Shen Yang and even Emperor Yanyou supported this, given Yang Zhitang represented imperial clan forces—his wielding greater actual authority at court would benefit consolidating imperial power.

Yang Zhitang didn’t expect Li Zhigao’s side to support him, but immediately following the Liyang engagement, Han Qian and the Han family’s support would carry weight absolutely no lighter than Li Zhigao and Shuzhou commanders combined…

Yang Zhitang had previously arranged for portions of Right Dragon Martial Army officers and soldiers to cross the river for reinforcement operations—somewhat a gesture of goodwill. Crossing the river now meant collecting the return Han Qian ought to provide him.

Otherwise, merely rewarding the three armies and discussing water forces remnants’ disposition should have meant the sole surviving Privy Vice Councilor and former Yongjia Defense Commissioner Zhou Bingwu crossing the river to meet Han Qian—not requiring this arduous journey himself.

After the noon feast, Han Qian accompanied Yang Zhitang inspecting Dongguan Fort’s expansion, river channel dredging, the major water camp fortification construction north of Mount Rusu, polder dike construction, and other matters, progressively discussing various issues throughout this process.

If Han Qian merely implemented volunteer recruitment systems limited to Tangyi without involving other prefectures and counties, under current circumstances he might face no resistance. However, after Tangyi absorbed one hundred thousand refugees and endured brutal early combat attrition, adult able-bodied men had declined below twenty thousand—currently, the majority were already incorporated into military ranks. Tangyi could be said to have no soldiers available for recruitment, let alone subsequent development of manufacturing workshops, military farming and land reclamation, or mineral extraction.

For Han Qian to recruit soldiers and attract population from other prefectures and counties—this issue grew complex.

Han Daoming alone at court appeared somewhat isolated and weak, let alone that even if court ministers grudgingly made concessions under current circumstances, when prefectures and counties specifically implemented policies, who knew what magnitude of resistance would be encountered?

Yang Zhitang having need of him—this couldn’t be better. Only thus could he openly and legitimately present his requirements.

Compared to securing Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son’s support, opening channels for refugees and bondservants to cross the river for recruitment, the water forces remnants’ two thousand officers and soldiers counted as nothing in Han Qian’s eyes—negotiable bargaining chips.

After all, with Xuzhou water camps and Chishan Association foundations, training a batch of mature, qualified naval officers and soldiers posed no great difficulty.

Having successfully captured Liyang, they had effectively sealed the River Fleet warships’ access to Yangtze waterways—no possibility of large-scale naval engagements erupting in the short term.

Most water forces officers and soldiers wishing to cross back—Han Qian wouldn’t obstruct them. However, a small portion of water forces officers and soldiers, primarily former subordinates from the Dragon Sparrow Army and Left Guangde Army previously disbanded and incorporated into the Left Fifth Fang Army, wished to remain at Tangyi. Han Qian hoped the Privy Council and War Ministry could accommodate this, agreeing to relocate these people’s families from several garrison military districts.

Yang Zhitang, learning this portion numbered merely over two hundred, immediately agreed without hesitation.

After all, given Han Qian’s achievements in once again turning the tide, rewarding him with over two hundred households of personal troops would provoke no criticism.

Han Qian’s agreement to transfer the water forces remnants carried another important reason: Emperor Liang Zhu Yu’s intent to construct shipyards and major naval camps at Haizhou for launching seaborne raids on Jianghuai coastal regions had been preliminarily confirmed through examination of vessel types currently under trial construction.

He couldn’t spare attention eastward for the next two to three years, while the court must immediately rebuild a water force at Runzhou or more eastern riverside regions to possibly rapidly form certain defensive capabilities along Jianghuai coasts.

That previous confidential memorial—Han Qian had originally intended Guo Rong to carry it to meet Li Zhigao, yet was delayed by Li Chong spreading rumors. Over one and a half months had now passed. Han Qian had Xi Ren retrieve this confidential memorial and handed it to Yang Zhitang for examination, saying:

“Early in the second month, I learned Emperor Liang Zhu Yu was establishing shipyards and major naval camps at Haizhou. Suspecting his intent to emulate Spring and Autumn period Wu naval forces’ precedent of launching seaborne raids on Qi and Lu territories, I wished to submit this memorial petitioning His Majesty and court ministers to remain vigilant regarding potential threats to Jianghuai over the coming two to three years. Yet Li Chong fled back and widely spread rumors of my colluding with Liang forces and deliberately watching the water forces’ destruction. At the time, I was so angry I grew confused, single-mindedly determined to first capture Liyang to prove my innocence—consequently forgetting this matter.”

Yang Zhitang carefully examined the confidential memorial. Han Qian’s detailed analysis within the memorial regarding Liang forces’ strategic intentions on the eastern front left him profoundly alarmed. He said, “Upon my return, I shall present this memorial to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, summoning ministers to discuss countermeasures.”

“Forget my memorial…” Han Qian retrieved the confidential memorial and casually tossed it into the brazier.

Witnessing Han Qian’s action, accompanying Han Daochang, Guo Rong, Feng Liao, and others initially startled internally, then immediately understood what Han Qian intended.

Yang Zhitang watched the confidential memorial already burning in the brazier, his thoughts still immersed in contemplating Liang forces’ schemes. Puzzled, he asked, “Lord Han, what is your meaning?”

“Your Highness, knowing this matter, can directly discuss countermeasures with His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and ministers. Dragging me into it might create unnecessary complications. What I can accomplish is also limited—after all, rivers and seas differ. Warships constructed in Xuzhou may not necessarily withstand near-sea wind and waves. Returning the water forces remnants to Jinling represents my utmost effort…” Han Qian said.

“Please speak plainly, Lord Han.” Yang Zhitang paused briefly in contemplation. He vaguely guessed Han Qian’s intent, yet with no others present in the hall, he still wished Han Qian to speak frankly with windows open.

“If Your Highness doesn’t fear Han Qian harboring ulterior motives, then Han Qian shall speak a few bold words more.”

Han Qian set down his teacup.

“Even if the court can currently raise some funds and provisions, they must fully support north bank defense line construction. Even from Tangyi’s perspective, I don’t wish the court to immediately and massively organize new water forces. Moreover, even hastily organizing a water force and attempting near-sea engagements with Liang forces presents tremendous difficulty—very possibly resulting in repeated defeats. I believe the initially prudent strategy should avoid seaborne combat as much as possible, instead forming mixed units of naval forces, infantry camps, and small cavalry contingents, fighting in coordination with coastal city defenses, preventing Liang naval forces’ raids from penetrating inland through internal river networks for sabotage. First ensuring this point, rendering Liang raids futile and ineffective—or at least incapable of major effect—then after three to five years when water forces possess adequate warships and officers and soldiers familiarize themselves with near-sea conditions, only then considering venturing to sea to drive enemy forces back north of the Huai waters would represent the completely secure strategy. When Your Highness garrisoned Hongzhou controlling Poyang Lake waters, you commanded subordinates knowledgeable in naval warfare. Han Qian believes the court should relocate Right Dragon Martial Army to Runzhou, establishing under Right Dragon Martial Army a new Metropolitan Water Camp force specifically responsible for defending riverside regions east of Runzhou and Jianghuai coastal areas—this might comprehensively address all concerns…”

Yang Zhitang nodded slightly in contemplation.

Han Qian burning the confidential memorial indicated he and the Han family would no longer proactively voice opinions on this matter. With the father and son memorializing to reveal imminent seaborne threats while simultaneously they retrieved water forces remnants from Han Qian’s hands, he indeed could legitimately request newly organized small-scale naval forces temporarily placed under Right Dragon Martial Army’s banner, with Right Dragon Martial Army comprehensively overseeing subsequent riverside and coastal defenses east of Runzhou.

Beyond Right Dragon Martial Army seizing opportunities to expand troop scales and defense zones, most critically, the three riverside prefectures east of Runzhou saw aristocratic clans devastated during the Jinling Incident by Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan. With Huang Hua, Wu Zun, and others leading aristocratic clan forces actually concentrated primarily in Lake and Xiu prefectures southeast and south of Lake Tai—Right Dragon Martial Army’s relocation there actually represented an excellent opportunity to exploit the vacuum.

Naturally, Yang Zhitang didn’t impulsively reveal delight.

First, Li Pu’s precedent compelled him to contemplate more deeply whether hidden “painstaking intentions” lurked behind Han Qian’s remarkably accommodating “suggestions.”

Additionally, Han Qian cooperating so thoroughly couldn’t possibly lack his own demands.

Only after hearing Han Qian’s conditions could he internally weigh and calculate properly.

Yang Fan, not much older than Han Qian yet equally mature and prudent, sat shoulder to shoulder with his father Yang Zhitang, quietly observing Han Qian and accompanying Han Daochang and Feng Liao’s facial expressions, also refraining from hastily revealing internal inclinations.

Observing Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son’s extreme caution, Han Qian smiled inwardly.

His arrangements truly harbored no ill will toward Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son.

Primarily, Lu Qingxia wielding the Empress Dowager to command all under heaven alongside Li Zhigao’s Huaixi Imperial Guards possessed excessively powerful strength throughout Jianghuai’s core regions.

In the foreseeable few years, the seemingly mighty Huaidong would grow increasingly constrained and impoverished under Liang forces’ raids.

Not only at court—wishing to select allies in Jianghuai core regions to restrain Lu Qingxia and Li Zhigao’s faction from continuing expansion, Han Qian’s choices were actually quite limited.

Han Qian’s comprehensive implementation of new policies at Tangyi, plus attracting dispossessed refugees and even escaped bondservants from Jiangnan prefectures to Jiangbei, fundamentally opposed aristocratic clan interests.

Even if individual enlightened, open-minded figures like Huang Hua existed, both sides actually lacked cooperative foundations.

Regardless whether Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son harbored deeper ambitions, superficially they currently represented imperial clan interests.

Actually, since Qin and Han dynasties, before truly large-scale commoner official selection systems formed, imperial power embodied imperial clan interests. Though necessarily relying upon aristocratic clans to rule all under heaven, they simultaneously acutely felt aristocratic clans’ restrictions and impediments upon imperial authority.

Returning to new policies themselves, Emperor Tianyou years ago wasn’t unwilling to implement them, wasn’t unwilling to weaken and strike aristocratic clan power. Reality remained that resistance proved too great—no one dared easily provoke public outrage, hence refraining from implementation.

For imperial clans, “all under heaven belongs to the sovereign, all shores’ subjects are royal subjects”—they were naturally this land’s rulers, requiring no written contracts to enslave people. Even with enfeoffed territories and revenue lands, they still experienced conflicts with local powerful families over land and population…

Han Qian assisting Right Dragon Martial Army’s relocation to Runzhou, helping Yang Fan control riverside and coastal defense lines east of Runzhou, simultaneously supporting Yang Zhitang’s assumption of Privy Councilor position—only thus could he possibly, with Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son’s support, attract dispossessed poor citizens and escaped bondservants from these regions in continuous streams into Tangyi.

As Liang forces raided coastal regions, they would inevitably drive portions of coastal county residents fleeing toward interior heartlands—particularly when newly organized water forces remained relatively weak. Blockades, sea bans, and inland relocations represented inevitable choices.

These people could all relocate to Tangyi.

At least for the coming several years, his interests aligned quite consistently with Yang Zhitang and Yang Fan father and son…