Han Shizu

Chapter 1178 Anxiety in the Political Hall

Xijing, Imperial City, Zhengshitang.

After moving to Luoyang, after more than three months of adjustments and transitions, the court has finally stabilized completely, and various tasks have been carried out, and the military and state affairs are managed in an orderly manner.

Although the location has been changed, the Zhengshitang is still the highest authority in the Han Dynasty. Since the beginning of autumn, the biggest and most important things facing the imperial court are only two things.

The first is the disaster situation in Shaanxi, Huai, Jin, and Jiangzhou. In recent years, all kinds of famines have never stopped in various parts of the Han Dynasty. Last year, there was a rain in the Central Plains, and a drought occurred in a different place in a few years.Obviously, it is difficult to prevent natural disasters in a peaceful and prosperous age, but in terms of disaster relief and relief, the entire court has sufficient experience and a complete set of relief procedures, just follow the regulations.

In addition, in Shanxi and Shaanxi areas, the frequency of disasters has been very high in recent years. Before that, many officials were severely punished because of poor relief or improper handling, and even took advantage of the opportunity to make profits.

Therefore, this time, in the first year when the imperial court moved westward to Luoyang, the bureaucrats in the disaster-stricken areas worked very hard, whether it was for their own fame and fortune, or for the people of Li people, they were dedicated to their duties.

As a result, although the drought affected several states, it did not cause a large-scale famine. This is not only due to the strength of the officials, but also due to the completeness of the charity warehouse, which can regulate the relief in time.The local censors, inspectors, and officials sent by the imperial court to make inspections reported similar calibers. After the disaster was brought under control, the Zhengshitang specially rewarded several officials who were effective in disaster relief.

The second thing is naturally the crusade against Dali.After all, it was the largest military mobilization by the imperial court in the first year of the treasure. On the surface, it was almost comparable to that in Pingnan.

Regarding the Southern Expedition, the imperial court naturally did not have a unified opinion, even with the decision of Emperor Liu and the management of Zhao Pu, the new prime minister.

There was a lot of criticism from the upper and lower levels, and it was due to Dali's humiliating friendship. After all, people paid tribute with heavy gifts to show their sincerity, but the big man turned his face when he turned around, and invaded aggressively.

Of course, the main reason is that most people feel that it is not worthwhile for the imperial court to invest so much money and food in order to start such a war of annihilation in the southwest.Many people use the analogy of the war between the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao in the last years of Tianbao, and even many poems using ancient times to refer to the present have been created.
Judging from Emperor Liu's deeds in these years, he is very happy, and he has made a lot of progress. These labels can also be affixed to him.However, no matter how many underground discussions there were, it could not change the fact that the imperial army marched south. Fighting in the front and supporting in the rear, all work was carried out in an orderly manner.

Public opinion, to Emperor Liu, was insignificant and basically ignored.After all, there are fewer and fewer officials who dare to remonstrate directly, and some people who express their opinions through poems can only wait for future generations to interpret them.

In contrast, there was only one person who was most affected and felt more pressured, Zhao Pu.He paid homage to the Prime Minister, but not everyone was convinced, but he was the most supportive of Emperor Liu's Southern Expedition, and was mainly responsible for assisting the prince in handling the affairs behind the Southern Expedition.

Naturally, it attracted a lot of envious and jealous eyes.If the Southern Expedition is successful, that's all. If there is anything wrong, or if it returns without success, with heavy losses, or even a complete defeat, then the public opinion in the court will really explode.

Under normal circumstances, no one would dare to target the emperor, turn over old accounts of the emperor's decision, and blame him as an afterthought, but it is different with Zhao Pu.

Zhao Pu is a mature and extremely shrewd politician, and he can see clearly his own situation, so he feels the pressure deeply.If Nanzheng really fails, the court needs a person responsible for taking the blame, he is the most suitable candidate, then he is also very likely to become a prime minister who will be dismissed within a year
Of course, with such a crisis, it also represents an opportunity.If the matter of the Southern Expedition is completed and successful, then he will stand firm in the court and his position as prime minister will be completely consolidated.

Zhao Pu also weighed the pros and cons, the worst would be to go home and be unemployed for a year or two, and there will definitely be a chance of recovery.Such a choice is not difficult for Zhao Pu.

Entering Luoyang in September, the weather is already very cold, and everyone's clothes are also thickened.In the political affairs hall, it was Zhao Pu who was on duty today, working on the desk, burying his head in writing the official documents played by the superiors of various ministries.

A map was hung on the side, one tall and one short, one strong and one small, two figures stood in front, they were Prince Liu Yang and Duke Rong Zhao Kuangyin.

The natural map of Dali is hanging. From the map, it is a huge territory.Of course, this map is too rough compared to the map of the Daozhou states of the Han Dynasty that has been repaired and made over the years and has become more refined.

Even the border cannot be confirmed. On it, there are only a few roads marked, as well as the main cities, mountains, and water in Dali.Not to mention that like Dahan Tutu, a supporting Daozhou Atlas has also been specially compiled, which can be read at any time to view the introduction.And the route taken by Wang Quanbin's West Route Army cannot be reflected on the map at all.

"It's been another five days, and I haven't received any battle reports from the South!" After staring at the map for a long time and thinking for a long time, Liu Yang finally spoke.

Zhao Kuangyin, who was standing beside him, heard the words, and said calmly: "It's far from here in the southwest, the mountains are high and the roads are long, the roads are rugged, and it's inconvenient to travel. Even if the military report is urgent, it will take about [-] days for the smoothest situation. Come to think of it, the latest The battle report is on the way!"

As for Liu Yang, it's not that he doesn't know about this situation, it's just that he is concerned and anxious.After pondering for a while, he sighed: "I don't know how it's progressing, whether Wang Renshan has won the Nongdong and advanced into the enemy's capital!"

Although in terms of tactics, the imperial court gave the frontline generals great autonomy, but Wang Quanbin still reported to the imperial court and explained how to act.The follow-up battle situation was also reported regularly through the military station.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin said: "The terrain is very limited. If the Dali army sticks to it, even if our army has excellent weapons, it will take a certain amount of effort to break through. However, the Eastern Route Army is well prepared, and Wang Renshan is also a good general. Or, as long as the supply of military supplies is ensured, the rear is safe, and with sufficient personnel strength, the Dali army should be unable to resist the frontal attack and defense!"

Zhao Kuangyin's words meant comfort.However, regarding the southwestern battlefield thousands of miles away, the imperial court's control is naturally not strong, so it is inevitable to worry.

On the conquest of Dali, Zhao Kuangyin sided with some civil servants, and he opposed it.However, during this period of time, he still tried his best to assist Liu Yang, focusing on analyzing the Southwest War, and handing over the affairs that the Ministry of War should handle to his deputy, Murong Chengtai.He, Minister of the Ministry of War, is now more like the prince's staff officer
"Compared with the progress in the direction of Nongdong, I am still more worried about the safety of Wang Quanbin, the West Route Army!" Zhao Kuangyin said seriously.

"Yes!" Liu Yang answered, "After all, it's been such a long time, and there's no news, 5000 more than [-] sergeants, if so."

"Wang Quanbin is too risky!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

In this regard, Liu Yang couldn't help asking questions: "Mr. Rong, I just remember that when Wang Shi Ping Shu, the army on the North Road also dispatched partial divisions, took the mountain path to bypass the defense of the Shu army's stronghold, attacked directly behind, and attacked from both sides, in order to achieve a big defeat. Now General Wang is also adopting this kind of tactics, you don't seem to be optimistic about it?"

"Your Highness, the strategies of the two are similar, but the situation is very different!" Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Wang Quanbin's road is longer and more dangerous, and the loss of the march is bound to be huge, and if he gets lost in it, the army will be completely destroyed. Moreover, even if he successfully crosses the dangers and breaks into Dali, whether he can reach the city of Yangjubaa is also unpredictable. Wang Quanbin wants to destroy the city and destroy the country in one fell swoop. It is admirable, but it is too risky to leave no way out."

"According to Mr. Rong, isn't the West Route Army very dangerous?" Liu Yang frowned.

Zhao Kuangyin was silent for a while, and said in a relieved tone again: "This dangerous road has already been embarked, and there is no possibility of turning back. Now, we can only wish Wang Quanbin and the soldiers of the West Route Army to succeed!"

Zhao Kuangyin's words made Liu Yang frown even tighter.Seeing this, he let go and said: "However, if it can be successful, the effect that can be achieved by surprise is bound to be significant. Even if you only enter the northwest of Dali and cannot directly raid the enemy's capital, you can also form a two-pronged attack. With the cooperation of the eastern and western armies, the advantage of the war is still in the hands of our army!"

Probably Zhao Kuangyin's previous words had too much influence on Liu Yang, and these enlightening words could not relieve his worries.

(End of this chapter)