Han Shizu

Chapter 1260 Departure with Cheers
According to the deployment of troops by the Privy Council, for this Northern Expedition, the Imperial Army of the Two Capitals will send nearly [-] soldiers, especially the horse infantry under the jurisdiction of the Dianqian Division and the Guard Division.

Half of the forbidden troops around Tokyo have been dispatched, and the Xijing side is even more prominent. The cavalry, Longjie, Longxi, Xiaodi, Guardian, and Fengguo troops are all in the dispatch sequence, as are the forbidden troops in Heluo. Moved northward in an organized manner.

However, the soldiers who set off directly from Luoyang City in Xijing only had [-] steps to ride.The hundreds of thousands of troops for the Northern Expedition did not gather together and set off together, but were mobilized in batches to go to their respective destinations, and Youzhou was the largest gathering point.

In Xijing, in addition to the expedition ceremony in front of the Qianyuan Hall, there was also a city exit ceremony. The soldiers who were ordered to go to the Northern Expedition had to start from the main gate of the imperial city, cross the river bridge, walk along the Luoyang Tianjie, and go out through the south gate. Go north again.

The number of people who went out was not too many, but it caused quite a stir. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, this was the first time that there was such a ceremonial parade.

On both sides of the Paradise Street, there were also hundreds of thousands of Luoyang scholars and civilians onlookers. There was a crowd of spectators and voices of people, but they all consciously stayed outside the cordon.

Among the scholars and civilians, there were those who saw off their children, some who encouraged the soldiers, and some who simply watched the excitement. They were not deliberately organized, but they were very powerful.

Looking at the flying flags, the armor is bright, the light reflected from the spear is sharp and eye-catching, and the neat military appearance shows a powerful temperament.Although the Imperial Army of the Han Dynasty has been in peace for many years, the self-confidence cultivated by the long-term victory since the founding of the People's Republic of China has always existed, and the work of building the army has never been relaxed. It is the powerful army that looks down on the world.

Amidst the cheers and prestige of the crowd, the soldiers who went out couldn't help puffing up their chests, and their steps became more sonorous and powerful.The feedback from the people of Luoyang was even more enthusiastic. They seemed to have regained the long-dormant self-confidence and enthusiasm that belonged to the residents of the ancient capital. The pioneering spirit and pride of Dahan Erlang also burst out in this atmosphere.

Among the onlookers, there are also all kinds of people, from all over the world, officials, scholars, farmers, businessmen.Of course, it also includes business travelers of various ethnic groups living in Xijing. Many of them have lived in Dahan for a long time, and they have seen a lot of surprising things. However, the scene of this expedition, the mighty and strong soldiers, the enthusiastic people, They were still shocked by what they had witnessed. While admiring the prosperity of the great man, they were even more awed and yearned for it.

During the process of the great Han Dynasty's prosperity, Emperor Liu has been silently building a sense of identity between the officials and the common people for the court and the country through years of propaganda by Director Xuanwei. More than 20 years later, initial results have been achieved.

Apart from the Han people, the same goes for all the ethnic minorities. Among the cheering crowd on both sides of Tianjie Street, there are Tubo, Miao, Yao, Yi, Dangxiang, Uyghur, Jurchen, even Goryeo, Fusang, and even those who wear turbans. msl
Just like what Zhao Kuangyin said before, among the soldiers of the Northern Expedition, young men were the main ones. After so many years, the soldiers of the Han Dynasty have also been replaced. Talent abounds, too.Among the aristocrats who opened treasures and conferred titles, basically all their children served in the Northern Expedition Army.

The Yellow River ferries to the north of Luoyang are, of course, the most important ones, Mengjin and Xiaopingjin. Both are ancient ferries with a long history, and they are also important transportation routes. Under the development of the Xijing government, they have become more and more active in recent years, especially after the imperial court moved westward.

And this time the army went north, except for the [-] forbidden cavalry that had already been transferred to Shanyang in batches, the rest of the soldiers were all planning to go north by boat through the Yellow River and the canal.Although it is more difficult for many landlubbers to travel by boat, it is still much more convenient and quicker than marching on land.

With the opening of the government and the advancement of shipbuilding technology, Dahan's shipping has naturally ushered in a vigorous development, especially under the background of North-South intercommunication after reunification.

Sea transportation and maritime trade have gradually become more and more prominent. Several mature routes have been opened up in the south, and Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Fuzhou and other places are the source. The fleets of the Han people have reached as far as the Indian Ocean to communicate with the three countries of Afghanistan. On the other hand, the influence of Dahan has also been significantly enhanced in the gradually intensive and prosperous economic exchange activities.

However, the most rapid development belongs to inland waterway shipping, with thousands of miles of canals as the main trunk, supplemented by the north-south water system, and the folk boats and boats are especially frequent. Millions of people.Not to mention the north-south water transportation, between the east and the west, through the transformation and expansion of Shimen, the goods from the south of the Yangtze River can be imported into the customs more smoothly.

And when these water transportation conditions are used in war, the energy that erupts is also huge.In order to transport this batch of soldiers and military supplies, Zhang Mei was in charge of the water and land transfer of the large army supply, so that Zhang Mei easily raised more than 300 large and small ships, most of which were civilian ships, including hundreds of passenger ships for the comfort of the soldiers.
In addition to burdening the country and the people, the war had an obvious stimulating effect on the industry and commerce of the Han Dynasty, especially the handicrafts related to shipping and military supplies.This point was already manifested after the edict of the Northern Expedition was issued.

The next day, Emperor Liu didn't stay in the palace, and set off early to leave Mang Mountain in the north. He wanted to watch them embark on the journey of the Northern Expedition with his own eyes.

Emperor Liu did not come to the ferry, but climbed to the top of Mang Mountain and looked at the ferry.After moving westward to Luoyang, Emperor Liu has climbed Mang Mountain several times, standing on the peaks, with a panoramic view of Heluo, but never once like this time, with complicated emotions and surging emotions.

The sun is getting higher and higher, hanging in the east, the golden light is reflected on the peaks of Mang Mountain, and the sunlight is getting brighter. It is a beautiful weather.On the ferry in Mengjin, there was a lot of excitement and shouting, all the preparations had already been done, and the soldiers who had rested all night followed the arrangement and boarded the ship in an orderly manner. Although they were busy, they were not chaotic. The army is always the most disciplined , the most efficient organization.

Under the evening wind in spring, Emperor Liu felt very comfortable, even after standing for a long time, he did not feel tired.

"Your Majesty, half of the ships have already set sail, and the rest can be shipped at noon at the latest!" Zhang Yong, who was favored by Emperor Liu and transferred to the Cabinet Bachelor, received the news and came to report.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu asked, "Where is Zhang Mei?"

Zhang Yongdao: "Mr. Zhang is at the ferry, personally arrange the transfer!"

Nodding her head, Zhang Mei has always been impeccable in this regard, and she has rich experience in feeding the army, which is why Emperor Liu asked him to take charge of this matter.

Looking to the north, although his field of vision is limitless, he seems to be able to see that on the great river, hundreds of boats are vying for the current, and the boats loaded with soldiers, armaments, food and grass are sailing eastward through the waves under the control of the boatmen.
Emperor Liu's gaze also became deeper, and he finally moved north. His surging mood tended to calm down, but he couldn't help feeling empty in his heart. After calming down, doubts began to emerge again.

The Northern Expedition started vigorously, but what about the victory or defeat?Can it be launched smoothly?Can the strategic goals be achieved?How will the Liao Congress respond?Will it be as disgraced as Emperor Sui Yang's side?

Hundreds of thousands of troops, can there be problems in overall planning and dispatching?Can Liu Yang, the prince, play the role he should play well?Will Zhao Kuangyin and Gao Huaide betray his trust?
After thinking too much, Emperor Liu couldn't help but wonder, if Liu Yang took advantage of this Northern Expedition to establish his prestige, with hundreds of thousands of troops in hand, would he, would he dare?
Apart from a few ministers and the brothers Liu Xu and Liu Xi, the one accompanying him was Liu Jia, the most beloved princess.At this time, seeing that Emperor Liu was in a trance, he couldn't help asking: "Father, are you tired from standing?"

Hearing the sound, he turned his head and looked at the eldest daughter, who grew to his chin, was full of youth, but became more and more like a big sister, Emperor Liu's eyes flickered, and he said with a smile: "Li Jilong, Guo Yi, Zhao Dezhao are all in the Northern Expedition Army. I went there to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield, you haven’t told Dad who you’ve got your eye on, and when they triumph, just…”

As soon as Emperor Liu's words came out, Liu Jia blushed. Previously, the children of Gongqing had all entered the palace one after another, not only for the empress to see, but also for the princess to choose.

As for Liu Jia, although she said no, she turned her eyes to the north, and there was still obvious expectation in her clear eyes. The girl was already pregnant with spring before she knew it.

"Let's talk when we come back!" Liu Jia murmured.

Listening to his words and watching his attitude, that beautiful and shy face made Emperor Liu feel a little apprehensive
(End of this chapter)