Han Shizu

Chapter 1256 Emperor Liu's brain is still awake
Privy Council, military engine room.

On the huge map, the military situation in the north of the Great Han Dynasty is clearly outlined. Emperor Liu and his civil and military officials are all present, listening to the privy envoy Shi Shouxin explain the strategy of the Northern Expedition.

Emperor Liu leaned slightly on a dragon chair, his face expressionless, but his eyes were fixed on the map.Standing or standing around, Liu Yang, Liu Chengxun, Liu Xu, Zhao Pu, Song Qi, Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun, Zhao Kuangyin, Han Tong, Pan Mei, Cao Bin and others also had serious expressions and concentrated their attention.

"Your Majesty, the Lord of Great Britain seeks to see you!" Zhang Yong, a privy envoy and direct bachelor, came to report.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu was slightly surprised, sat upright, and ordered: "Go and welcome Duke Ying in!"

"Slow!" After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu said again: "I will go in person!"

The ministers present were somewhat surprised by this, not only because of Emperor Liu's rare demotion, but also because the British Gong Chai Rong has gradually faded out of the court and intends to retire. I live in a mansion to recuperate from illness, and I rarely go in and out.

Obviously, the Northern Expedition shocked the government and the public, even Chai Yingying, who was sick at home, was shocked.

In front of the main hall, Chai Rong stood in a hunched posture. Although he tried his best to straighten his back, he always gave people a feeling of weakness.The British Duke, who was majestic and heroic back then, is also so late.

As soon as Emperor Liu came out of the hall, he saw Chai Rong's figure, and his steps obviously stopped.Chai Rong has just reached the juncture of 50 years old. This age is not considered very old. However, his gray hair stained his temples, his face is sickly, and his body is also extremely weak.

"I see Your Majesty!" Seeing Emperor Liu, Chai Rong immediately wanted to salute.

Emperor Liu quickly walked down the stairs, and firmly supported him: "Hurry up and forgive me!"

"Your servant, how Nengde, dare not accept the gift of your majesty's downgrading!" Chai Rong's voice was full of old age.

"Don't say such things!" Emperor Liu said with some concern: "Knowing that you are not in good health, he specially ordered no one to disturb you. If you are sick, you can rest and recuperate. Why do you need to enter the palace yourself?"

Although Chai Rong was not feeling well, his ambition was still high. A smile appeared on his pale face, and he replied: "Thank you for your concern! Although I am old and ill, but the Northern Expedition is going on a big scale, even if I can no longer ride horses and fight on the battlefield, I can't wait for you!" Willing to make some plans for His Majesty! The Northern Expedition to Khitan, sweeping outside the Great Wall, is also my wish!"

"Okay!" Emperor Liu laughed a few times. In the whole court, the person who fits Emperor Liu's temperament the most was Chai Rong. He took his hand and walked into the Privy Council. Monarchs and ministers, strategize, watch the great men and athletes, and make great achievements in the Northern Expedition!"

"Yes!" Chai Rong respectfully got rid of Emperor Liu and saluted solemnly.

It can also be heard from Emperor Liu's words that he has no plans to conquer the Northern Expedition himself.

Seeing that Chai Rong was trembling, Emperor Liu frowned, waved to Yantuo, and ordered: "Order the Shangjin Bureau to make a dragon-headed crutch and give it to Duke Ying to help him walk!"

"Your Majesty, I dare not be a minister!" Hearing this, old Chai Rong said seriously with a little surprise on his face.

Emperor Liu smiled gently: "I say you deserve it, not to mention anything else, it's just a crutch!"

Entering the hall hand in hand with Chai Rong, Emperor Liu said softly: "I didn't know until I returned to Beijing that Duke Yu was also ill. You are not only important ministers of the big man, but also my good teachers and helpful friends. The big man has not yet reached its peak. There is a brighter future, you have to take good care of yourself, and accompany me to see the day when Siyi surrenders to He Qinghaiyan, and accompany me to witness the glory of the great man!"

"I firmly believe that that day is not far away. If you can witness it with your own eyes, you will have no regrets in this life!" Chai Rong said.

"How old is your Shiro Zongxun?" Emperor Liu asked.

"Return to Your Majesty, it's almost eighteen!" Chai Rong replied.

Emperor Liu said: "There is a girl in my family who has just grown up and is about the same age. Do you still remember the agreement back then? I have not forgotten, you, take him into the palace some other day, and show the empress."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chai Rong hurriedly said.

The ministers who came out with Emperor Liu couldn't help showing emotion and envy when they saw the British prince who was personally supported by the emperor and had an intimate conversation.

Back in the military computer room, Emperor Liu asked Chai Rong to sit down, then took a short stool himself, and signaled Shi Shouxin: "Continue!"

"Yes!" After answering the order, Shi Shouxin's face was full of seriousness, and then he continued to explain:
"The border between Han and Liao stretches for thousands of miles, which is too long. The ministers thought that if the Northern Expedition were to be launched in an all-round way, if they wanted to defeat and wipe out the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop, even with the current national and military strength of the Great Han, it would be difficult for them to accomplish all of it!

Therefore, the ministers and others suggest that if you send troops, you don’t have to seek completeness, but you should put more emphasis on it. Instead of seeking a quick battle, you should give full play to the advantages of the big Han in terms of national strength, military strength, and manpower, and fight steadily and gradually break it.”

Hearing what he said, Han Tong couldn't help but raise an objection: "The Liao Kingdom has thousands of miles of grassland and boundless wilderness. If we follow the words of Prime Minister Shi Shu and advance steadily, how long will it take to fight after leaving the fortress? If the Liao army avoids If we do not fight and adopt delaying tactics, our army will not be able to fight, so how can we not waste our national strength, and if there is a slight difference, the army will be trapped in danger?"

With the current strength of the big man, the strength of the situation between the two countries, the generals also have a number in their hearts, and they also have confidence. In a head-to-head confrontation, the big man does not say that he will crush the Liao army, but he will definitely have the upper hand.However, the most worrying thing about fighting outside the Great Wall is that the logistics line is stretched, the transportation of food and grass is not good, and the Liao army avoids fighting.

To Han Tong's question, Shi Shouxin smiled lightly and replied, "The key to this Northern Expedition is not going out to fight!"

Glancing at Emperor Liu, Shi Shouxin said calmly: "The territory of the Liao Kingdom is vast, but it has several places that must be guarded! One is Linhuang Mansion in Beijing, and the other is Liaoyang Mansion in Tokyo.

Shangjing is far away in the northern part of the Great Wall, and the mountains are high and the roads are far away, so it is inconvenient to go on an expedition rashly. But Liaoyang is not the case. It is the capital of Liaodong and the Bohai Sea, and it is also the foundation for the development and growth of the Liao Kingdom for several years. Here is my hometown of China.

Therefore, the ministers thought that if the soldiers marched eastward, captured Liaodong, captured Liaoyang, and then used this as a basis to continue to attack the northeast, it would be a major blow to the Liao Kingdom.

If you attack the places you must defend, you will not be afraid to avoid the battle. For our army, it will be more calm to attack the city and pull out the stronghold."

Hearing what he said, Emperor Liu smiled slightly, and looked at Chai Rong: "What do Ying Gong think about this strategy?"

Chai Rong listened carefully and thought carefully. After hearing the question, he nodded and said: "It is really too difficult to swallow the Liao Kingdom in one go. It is a good strategy to attack the target and defend it! Choose Liaodong, I think there is no problem!"

"What do you think?" Emperor Liu looked at the others again.

They are all generals who are used to fighting and have rich battlefield experience. Gao Huaide and Zhao Kuangyin even participated in the war against Liaodong. Therefore, they also expressed their support for the concept of the main battle in Liaodong.

Song Qi stood up and pointed out: "Your Majesty, Liaodong is also remote, separated by Guanshan Mountain, and the Liao Kingdom has been in operation for a long time and has a deep foundation. If you use a strong city to resist, it is still not easy to win! , Your Majesty, please give more consideration!"

Although Song Qi held a conservative attitude towards the Northern Expedition, after some frank exchanges between Emperor Liu and him, a consensus was reached.Otherwise, he would not be allowed to participate in this military meeting.

However, his thoughts and words are still so concerned about gains and losses, which really annoys Emperor Liu.Looking at his serious face, Emperor Liu couldn't help but said helplessly: "Song Qi, you are comparing me to Emperor Sui Yang!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Hearing this, Song Qi's face changed, and she felt that her words were wrong, so she hurriedly apologized.

"That's all!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said, "I know that you are dedicated to the country, and you are so mature, but I am not Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, and I am not so grandiose, so I don't use reality. There have been victories and losses in the conquest of Liaodong in the past dynasties. , but the big man can make full preparations, and I will not repeat the mistakes of Emperor Sui Yang!"

"Yes!" Song Qi answered with her head buried.

Emperor Liu naturally approved of the strategy for the Northern Expedition drawn up by the Privy Council. The key is to have a focus.Swallowing the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop and sweeping the northern borders, Emperor Liu naturally thought about it, but he also knew in his heart that it was unrealistic.

Therefore, a large-scale Northern Expedition is possible, but it is not necessary to attack across the board. Emperor Liu never regarded war as a trifling matter. If there is a big battle between Han and Liao, Emperor Liu will also choose the goal and method with the highest winning rate of the Han Dynasty.

To destroy Liao, one has to take it step by step. First remove its head and tail, and Liaodong is its head. It is much safer to concentrate its strength, behead its head, and then divide its body. It is much safer to kill it calmly.

After so many years of in-depth understanding, Emperor Liu is very clear about how important the Northeast region is to the Liao Kingdom.

To destroy Liaodong is to break its foundation, and it is also the beginning of the collapse of the Khitan Liao Empire. Emperor Liu has a very clear understanding of this.

In a war, especially an all-out war between the two empires, how could Emperor Liu act recklessly, with a clear goal and a clear distinction between priorities and priorities, he can clearly handle it!
(End of this chapter)