Han Shizu

Chapter 1099 Order to move westward
In the original plan of Emperor Liu and the top Han officials, the empire would spend at least three years to adjust its national policies, sort out its internal affairs, realize the true unification of the north and the south, and repair the rift caused by more than half a century.

In this process, domestic affairs are the key points, and peripheral affairs should be held back for the time being, and the current situation should be maintained. As for the use of troops abroad, one should be more cautious.

However, the development of things often does not depend on people's will. In just one year, they deviate from the originally established route.Of course, similar situations have happened more than once since Emperor Liu came to the throne. Therefore, although there are some scruples about adjusting the strategy in time, it cannot affect the final decision.

Regarding the launch of the westward strategy, all the ministers and ministers except Dou Yi basically agreed. Dou Yi is a bit stubborn because she stubbornly believes that the national policy should not be changed lightly.

Of course, the objection is void.For a long time, when Emperor Liu made up his mind to do something, few people could stop him. In terms of military and state affairs, no one has ever succeeded in dissuading him.What's more, this time, we got the support of Wei Renpu, Zhao Kuangyin, Li Chuyun and other important officials.

Regarding the current start of the westward march, it is not shy to say that it is affected by the situation in the Western Regions.Of course, Emperor Liu hoped that the Liao army could fall into the quagmire of the Western Regions, unable to extricate themselves, and even confront the Black Khan Dynasty.

Judging from the previous battle situation, the Liao army has already achieved brilliant results in the Western Regions, and, through some secret operations in the north and news from spies, a large amount of wealth, livestock, and slaves have been transferred eastward and sent back to Khitan domestic.The Liao Emperor Yelvjing also hunted west several times. In name, he patrolled and hunted, but in fact he supported the Liao army who was marching west and enjoyed the fruits of victory.

The most obvious change in the past two years in the Liao Kingdom is that the center of gravity of the rule seems to have moved westward, and the attention and emphasis on the grassland has been strengthened. This is probably also the impact of the Western Expedition.

For the big man, it is very uncomfortable not to be able to affect the situation in the Western Regions.What is even more worrying is that if the Liao Kingdom finally conquered the Western Regions and the Han Dynasty did nothing, the situation in the northwest of the Han Dynasty would not be optimistic if Hexi was still unresolved.

Regardless of the conclusive words of the envoy Pu Le, who said that the Uighur monarchs and ministers resolutely resisted, the Uighurs still had strength, and the people of Xizhou hated the Khitan people deeply, but judging from their previous performance, Emperor Liu had no confidence at all that they could resist the annexation by the Liao army. confidence.

The Ganzhou Uighurs are an obstacle, and the issue between the Dingnan Army and the party members has not been resolved. If these three parties finally collude together, there will be a risk of corruption in the Northwest.

Therefore, the situation has developed to the present point, and the rebel army is coming to attach, and the westward advance is the army's aspiration, and Emperor Liu has no possibility of giving up.

As for the Uighurs in Ganzhou, although the two sides still maintain "friendly exchanges", signs from various aspects show that the honeymoon period between the two countries has passed, starting with the unification of the south by the Han Dynasty.

In the second year of Kaibao (964), the first month of the dynasty was the same as before. Emperor Liu sat in the Dragon Court, receiving court congratulations from ministers and envoys from various countries, and memorials from various states.

After the disintegration of the dynasty, Emperor Liu called Wei Renpu, Wang Pu, and Zhao Kuangyin to the Privy Council without even changing his mianfu.

After the monarchs and ministers were seated and the tea was served, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and directly signaled to Li Chuyun: "Let's talk to you about the military arrangements for the westward march!"

"Yes!" Li Chuyun was also polite. After many years of working as a clerk, Li Chuyun became more and more comfortable, and his weak identity and qualifications, with time, no longer became his shortcoming that was criticized by others.

Two subordinate officials pushed the whole map of Hexi to the hall, compared it with the map, and reported: "Your Majesty, gentlemen! After discussing with the Privy Council and considering the situation of the Uighurs in Ganzhou, they thought that there was no need to send large soldiers to recover Hexi. Just one teacher.

The preliminary plan is to focus on the three prefectures of Lan, Liang, and Ling and the towns and soldiers, and then recruit [-] horsemen from Tubo and Qiang to march westward with a combined [-] paces to attack Ganzhou, and then march eastward with the rebel army to Su State, east and west, attacking from both sides! "

"300,000 cavalry!" Emperor Liu pondered, and asked, "Is the army weak? After all, the Uighurs have [-] troops!"

For a long time, Emperor Liu liked to use the general force to oppress the army, and it was often quite effective, so that when there were not many troops to be mobilized, it was a bit unsteady.

Sensing the emperor's concern, Li Chuyun said: "Although there are many Uighurs in Ganzhou, their hearts are not in harmony. Most of their tribes have contacts with the imperial court. And the people they rely on are only the three cities of Zendan, Ganzhou, and Suzhou. There is not enough space for detours, as long as you focus on the vital points and command well, [-] paces are enough!"

"With [-] to [-] cavalry, the Liao army can break through the Western Regions like an autumn wind sweeping through fallen leaves. Our great Han army can also successfully conquer Gansu!" Li Chuyun spoke confidently in a calm tone.

"It's better to send more soldiers from Longyou and Guannei to strengthen the defense of the frontier states, so as to be complete!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.

Obviously, Emperor Liu was still a little uneasy.In this regard, Li Chuyun could only bow his head and obey: "Yes!"

"In addition, in order to ensure the proper coordination of troops from the East and West, the imperial court should send someone to take over the soldiers and horses of the Guiyi Army and unify their command!" Li Chuyun said.

"This is natural!" Emperor Liu said with certainty: "Since the Guiyi Army has come to attach, the imperial court should also send people to accept it. In this way, the Ministry of Officials will select a group of officials, and the Privy Council will select a group of officers to return west with Cao Yuangong and take over. Military affairs!"

"Yes!"

"Who will go to Guasha and reorganize into the volunteer army!" Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Chuyun obviously had a plan in mind, and said: "Yang Tingzhang, deputy envoy of Hexi soldiers and horses, can be entrusted with a heavy responsibility!"

Who is Yang Tingzhang, the brother-in-law of Xing Guogong Guo Wei, of course, if it is only because of this relationship, he is not enough to entrust him with a heavy responsibility, he is cautious and stable, and he is tolerant.Commanding generals may be lacking, but the imperial court does not need him to lead the Guiyi army to sweep Gansu like a smashing bamboo, what it wants is just a diversionary effect.

And to subdue the Guiyi army, what is needed is not the kind of general who fights and kills.Therefore, after a little consideration, Emperor Liu said: "Then Yang Tingzhang will be the inspector of Guasha, and Lu Duoxun will be the appeasement envoy of Guasha. !"

"Yes!"

The Privy Council is still in the previous style, only responsible for the affairs and arrangements in the general direction, without saying a word, when it comes to specific tactical issues, all these need to be considered by the generals in charge of the army, and the imperial court is only responsible for soldiers, money, food, ordnance deployment.

"What do you have to add?" Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu and Zhao Kuangyin.

Wei Renpu thought for a while, and replied: "Your Majesty, the Xizhou Uyghurs came to ask for help. I think you can take advantage of this matter to prepare for the war in the name of sending troops to the Western Regions for rescue, lower the vigilance of the Ganzhou Uyghurs, and send envoys to discuss with the Uyghur Khan. Road matters."

"Okay!" Emperor Liu immediately smiled, thinking that this strategy is good: "Do it like this!"

Zhao Kuangyin also opened his mouth and reminded: "Your Majesty, if there is a large army, then the frontier affairs in the northwest will inevitably be affected, and loopholes will arise. You should also be careful to secure the troops to prevent accidents!"

"Be prepared, pass on the soldiers and horses of Feng, Yan, and Yanzhou. During the westward march, you must be vigilant and strictly observe law and order!" Liu Chengyou directly asked Li Chuyun.

Several monarchs and ministers discussed some details that the imperial court should pay attention to in the westward advance affairs. After this, the Dahan's recovery of the Hexi Corridor was formally decided.

There is no explicit edict, and the secret military order issued, the commander of the westward march is naturally the British Gong Chai Rong, the military post is Hexi recruitment envoy, Wang Yansheng is the deputy envoy, Wu Tingzuo is the capital supervisor and grain envoy, supplemented by Guo Jin and Kang Zaiyu , Chen Wantong and other side generals.

On the first day of the first month of the second year of Kaibao, under the circumstances that many people did not expect, in the Han Palace, Emperor Liu smiled and held a banquet for his officials. When the monarchs and ministers celebrated the New Year, on the post road from Tokyo to Liangzhou, official horses galloped, Carrying the edict of westward advance, it was conveyed quickly.

The situation in the Northwest, which had been calm for many years, was thus broken. This day came much earlier than many people expected.

(End of this chapter)