Liu Huanle felt that Liu Yi had read himself into stupidity. In this day and age, he still talked about righteousness! The Sima family swore oaths to heaven with their front foot and could break their promises with their back foot. They hadn’t even signed a peace treaty, just made a verbal agreement that could still be negotiated—why couldn’t they go back on their word?
In his anger, he poured out all the schemes he’d thought up on the road. “The peace talks were just discussed between me and Ji Yuan. His Majesty and the court ministers haven’t agreed yet. The ministers can oppose it. Then we’ll shorten the period of non-aggression to within half a year and have Zhao Hanzhang compensate us with some grain and treasures. If she agrees, the matter will be settled. If she doesn’t agree, we can take advantage of the situation and send troops. Seventh Prince, you are a prince of our Xiongnu Han Kingdom. You should consider the interests of the Xiongnu, not be bewitched by that Zhao Hanzhang!”
Liu Yi said, “I haven’t been bewitched by her. I’m seriously considering our Han Kingdom. Grand Tutor, since Father proclaimed himself emperor, there have been continuous wars year after year. The common people are suffering unbearably. If we don’t ease up a bit, I’m afraid before we conquer the outside, our interior will collapse first.”
During his days at the Zhao family army camp, Zhao Hanzhang had brought Liu Yi to meet many Xiongnu and Jie Hu people, all prisoners Zhao Hanzhang had captured from the battlefield. They were elite and formidable, forming a rather fierce cavalry unit within the Zhao family army.
Liu Yi had secretly asked them—some even had relatives in the Han Kingdom. He asked if they wanted to return to the Han Kingdom, saying he could request their release from Zhao Hanzhang.
Most firmly refused him. A small portion hesitated, but after hesitating also refused, instead asking him to release their family members so they could bring them to Yuzhou.
The fundamental reason was that the Xiongnu had been fighting continuous wars, and the common people were living very hard lives. Even the Xiongnu people felt the burden was too heavy to bear, let alone other Hu tribes and Han people.
Liu Yi felt they couldn’t continue like this. “Father, let the common people rest and recuperate. Since we’ve already agreed on two years, then let there be no military campaigns during these two years. First prepare grain and provisions—how about that?”
Liu Yuan nodded to him. “My son is benevolent and kind. I will discuss this matter with the various ministers. You’ve returned but haven’t yet gone to see your mother. Go see her quickly and put her mind at ease.”
Seeing Liu Yuan’s gentle expression, Liu Yi felt relieved and agreed before withdrawing, running off first to find Empress Dowager Shan.
Only after Liu Yi left did Liu Yuan speak to Liu Huanle. “There’s no rush regarding the peace talks. Grand Tutor, why don’t you think about whether we can recapture the lost territories from Zhao Hanzhang’s hands, or take Luoyang, if we send troops now?”
Liu Huanle lowered his eyes in thought, and after a long while said, “If we mobilize the entire nation’s military forces, we should be able to.”
Zhao Hanzhang now had abundant military strength, but their Han Kingdom was not lacking either. However, if Gou Xi and Liu Kun also took advantage to send troops, then it might not work out.
Liu Huanle pressed his lips together. “Gou Xi is cunning. I’m afraid he’ll wait until we and Zhao Hanzhang are both badly damaged before sending troops to Jizhou and Bingzhou. The Zhao family army’s morale is currently high. It’s indeed not appropriate to clash head-on, unless…”
Liu Yuan said leisurely, “Unless Shi Lei is willing to serve as the vanguard and test this hard nut to crack first. Then when we send troops to take it, it will be easier, and we’ll have the strength to deal with Gou Xi. As for Liu Kun, he’s constrained by Wang Jun. Though he has the will, he lacks the ability, so he’s not to be feared.”
Liu Huanle said, “But Liu Kun is on good terms with the Tuoba Xianbei. They’re sworn brothers. If he brings the Xianbei south…”
Liu Yuan frowned. “We must guard against that.”
He looked at Liu Huanle. “So does the minister think it’s still appropriate to send troops now?”
Liu Huanle felt his heart sink and asked, “So should we just go along with Zhao Hanzhang’s wishes and sign the peace treaty?”
“Of course we can’t just go along with her like this,” Liu Yuan said. “We’re just temporarily not sending troops. That doesn’t mean we have to sign a peace treaty with her. Let’s drag it out.”
He sneered coldly. “As long as we don’t establish a peace treaty for a single day, Zhao Hanzhang’s army will be held here for that day. A hundred thousand troops—the daily consumption of grain and provisions is considerable. Little Seven is also right—we indeed need time to gather grain and provisions. Half a year should be enough, right?”
Liu Huanle’s eyes widened. He couldn’t help but lower his voice. “Your Majesty’s meaning is?”
Liu Yuan said quietly, “Emperor Wu passed the throne to such a fool. The Jin world should have perished during Emperor Hui’s time. Our Great Han has been established for four years now. It’s time to change the world.”
Liu Huanle immediately became refreshed, his eyes shining as he looked at Liu Yuan and replied, “Yes!”
If they must send troops, it should be to destroy the Jin Kingdom, not to have small skirmishes with Zhao Hanzhang fighting over a few counties.
To destroy the Jin Kingdom, they must attack Yuncheng, kill the Jin Emperor or capture him. Only when he’s captured and brought before Liu Yuan to acknowledge the Han Kingdom, or when he dies at Liu Yuan’s hands, will the subjects and people of this world acknowledge that the Xiongnu Han Kingdom is a legitimate state.
Then Zhao Hanzhang could no longer address him as Grand Commander and mock him for being a Jin subject.
Liu Yuan clenched his fist. When that time came, who would be sovereign and who would be subject would be for him to decide!
Liu Cong, who was secretly mobilizing troops wanting to attack Beigong Chun, immediately stopped what he was doing when he heard that Liu Yi had returned to Pingyang.
He calmly entered the palace to see the emperor.
Liu Yuan was very indifferent toward Liu Cong. He asked, “Where is your Left Army now?”
Liu Cong said, “Your son is worried that Shi Lei cannot stop Beigong Chun, so I sent the Left Army to be on guard, to prevent Beigong Chun from providing support when Zhao Hanzhang attacks Pingyang City.”
Liu Yuan frowned slightly. “Although Shi Lei is arrogant, he has talent and is fairly loyal to me. If Beigong Chun really dares to send troops to Pingyang, he won’t fail to intercept him. There’s no need to waste military strength on such matters.”
Liu Cong bowed his head in acceptance, indicating he would immediately withdraw the troops.
Only then did Liu Yuan say, “Little Seven has returned, but the counties of Hedong Jun and Fengyi Jun are not enough for us to wage a major war with Zhao Hanzhang. Spring plowing is approaching. First send the soldiers back for spring plowing.”
Liu Cong thought: How many soldiers in the army actually need to do spring plowing?
The Left and Right Xiongnu divisions had even enclosed good farmland to use as pastures. Those who needed to do spring plowing were Zhao Hanzhang’s troops, not theirs, right?
Liu Cong’s mind turned, and he asked, “Father Emperor, has the peace treaty been decided?”
Liu Yuan said meaningfully, “There’s still much to negotiate. No rush.”
Liu Cong asked, “Then Zhao Hanzhang’s army…”
Liu Yuan said, “This requires you all to handle it. You must keep Zhao Hanzhang’s army tied up here. Zhao Hanzhang sent troops to occupy Sizhou, and Gou Xi is already displeased. With a little instigation, there’s no guarantee he won’t make a move on Yuzhou. Moreover, Gou Xi is a harsh person. His subordinate generals have long been dissatisfied with him, and the Jin Emperor cannot restrain him. If we offer substantial benefits, we should be able to get people to defect.”
If they couldn’t, then it would be Liu Cong and the others’ problem.
Liu Cong felt a cold, indifferent gaze fall upon him. His spine went cold, and he immediately said, “Your son will send someone with gold, silver, and jewels to Yuncheng at once.”
Liu Yuan was slightly satisfied. “You may withdraw.”
“Yes.”
Only after Liu Cong withdrew did Liu Yuan go to the rear palace to see Empress Dowager Shan and Liu Yi.
Liu Yi was afraid that his father still wanted to send troops, so he hurried to sit beside him wanting to reason with him. Liu Yuan just patted his head. “Don’t worry. I also don’t want to fight with Zhao Hanzhang at this time and cheaply benefit others.”
Liu Yi didn’t understand. “Who would we benefit?”
“There are many—Gou Xi, Wang Jun, and possibly the Tuoba Xianbei.” Liu Yuan didn’t want to discuss these military and state affairs with him. He smiled and asked, “What did you do during these days in the Zhao family army camp? Were you really not bullied?”
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