Han Shizu

Chapter 1368 Driving to the Privy Council

Although it was during the festival, the Privy Council, as usual, was in a solemn atmosphere. As the highest military authority of the Han Dynasty, it has always been like this. Strict discipline is the first creed. It goes back a little longer. Then began to follow down.

In the military engine room, there was a little tea fragrance in the air, adding a bit of softness to the serious and tense atmosphere.Cao Bin sat behind the desk, with a serious face, and buried himself in reading the official documents submitted by various places, and issued military orders, his movements also appeared to be rigid.

On the guest seat, Privy Envoy Shi Shouxin sat in a relatively natural posture, holding a teacup, sipping tea slowly, taking a sip from time to time.Although he prefers to drink alcohol, after staying in the position of a senior official for so many years, the tea has gradually tasted a little bit, or in other words, what he tastes is not the tea ceremony, but the official way.

"A Northern Expedition almost mobilized the whole country. There was no single state in the northern provinces that did not send out soldiers, and there was not a single state that did not provide military service. To be able to experience such a huge war, as a general, is enough comfort for life!" Shi Shouxin was there feeling emotional , It's also a pity, it's a pity that I can't go into battle in person, but sit in the capital and do some behind-the-scenes work.

Of course, it was the frontline soldiers who worked hard during the war, and the meritorious personnel who enjoyed the glory after the war, and they had to devote most of their energy to many trivial matters in the aftermath.

Listening to his words, Cao Bin's face seemed to be unchanged, and he replied calmly: "The Liao Kingdom has been defeated. Even if there are remnants and chaos, it will not be a serious problem. From now on, the great Han Dynasty will not be afraid to mobilize again. A war of this magnitude!"

"One more time?" Shi Shouxin shook his head immediately, and said with a wry smile: "The prime minister of the Zhengshitang, the ministers of various departments, they will try their best to dissuade you. Guohua will drive northward, and I am afraid that during the Northern Expedition, the situation in Tokyo is not well understood. , At that time, the husbands were restless, worrying day and night, always paying attention to the military newspaper ahead, fearing that the war would be unfavorable, and continuing to delay.”

Up to now, Shi Shouxin can talk about the past in a relaxed tone: "The imperial court has already paid a huge price for this Northern Expedition. There is a fear of exhaustion of people's strength and financial collapse!"

"Maybe it's not as serious as the prime ministers thought, but it's true that we can't fight for a long time, especially if it's such a big campaign that lasts for a long time! I came back from Youzhou, and I haven't stayed in other states for a long time, so I don't know much about the situation, but The subordinates of Yanshan Road consume a lot of people's resources, basically every family has servants!" Cao Bin raised his head and sighed softly:
"If it hadn't been for His Majesty to stop the war in time, and if there had been the full support of the imperial court, countless military supplies would have been transferred northward, and the Yanshan Road would have been the first to fall into a critical situation! As for Shanyang, needless to say, the Liao army broke through the pass and went south. The flames of war are sweeping around the clouds"

"There is no king's court in Monan, and we are talking about the present moment!" Hearing Cao Bin's emotion, Shi Shouxin turned his head, his tiger eyes were bright, and he said firmly: "From now on, we can keep the barbarians at the north of Yinshan Mountain!"

"In a short period of time, this is true, but if you want long-term stability, I'm afraid it's not that simple! Right now, the Liao Kingdom has collapsed but is not in chaos. If it survives the difficulties, once it regains its strength, there will be endless troubles! Besides, the border of the Han Dynasty has moved to the north. Hundreds of miles, pushed to the front line of Yinshan Mountain, including Monan, but it also means that the frontier defense of the Han Dynasty will also encounter tests that have never been experienced before." Speaking of this, Cao Bin's brows were tightly knitted, and his face looked a little bitter .

"Then we should chase after him fiercely and wipe him out completely. The Khitan has suffered such heavy losses. How can it be so easy to recover their vitality!" Shi Shouxin's words were obviously more aggressive.

Cao Bin shook his head: "This Northern Expedition, no matter whether it is going out of the fortress or eastward into Liaodong, is extremely difficult. It is far from comparable to Qianyou's Northern Expedition. Next, if you want to continue to attack the Liao Kingdom, it must be an expedition. In a foreign land, the difficulty is even greater.

Previously, no matter whether it was the Mobei expedition or the surprise attack on Shangjing, it was all because of a surprise. Such a miraculous effect is something that can be encountered but not sought after. It is difficult for the Khitan people to take advantage of this loss.

Therefore, if you want to continue the Northern Expedition and attack Khitan, the problems you will face will not be easy.Saibei is too big, even with the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, it is difficult to occupy it all.

Liu Tinghan's situation before and after the Battle of Monan also showed that on the grassland, once he chose to avoid the war and guerrilla, it was too rare to do his best.As for the Liao army, I am afraid that they will not easily confront the big man head-on again.

Between Han and Liao, there have been grievances for more than [-] years. Up to now, it has become a blood feud, which is difficult to resolve. If the Liao Kingdom cannot be destroyed, I can see that there will be endless troubles, and the northern border will not be peaceful! "

"Guohua, you are too cautious and worried!" Facing Cao Bin's worrying speech, Shi Shouxin couldn't help shaking his head, and said, "Khitan thinks that I have been severely wounded and hurt. Even if he is dead but not stiff, is it still more difficult to deal with than before the war?"

After Shi Shouxin said it, Cao Bin was obviously stunned, blinked his eyes slowly, and then smiled wryly: "I should be stuck in it, and only consider the problems and difficulties that the big man may face in the new situation!"

Heaving a sigh of relief, Cao Bin sighed with worry again: "However, even if the Liao Kingdom collapsed, the Khitan and Yi tribes and border defense issues still had to be dealt with carefully. Since ancient times, the Saibei tribes have been like weeds. Endless, withered and prosperous, even if Khitan declines, there will be new forces rising, as long as we rely on the desert, we will always be able to cause trouble! We still need to think about long-term peace and stability, otherwise the Great Han will always be a threat outside the Northern Territory.”

In this regard, Shi Shouxin became more calm, waved his hands and said: "Guohua, as long as the big Han is strong and prosperous, it will be difficult for me to let his family prosper and perish. When we are in charge of military affairs, we only need to consider border defense for 30 years." Policy, after 30 years, we may have already passed away, and our descendants will deal with the situation according to the situation. Even, like you and me, it is enough to arrange the border defense affairs properly in the privy office!"

Shi Shouxin obviously wanted to be more open-minded. Seeing Shi Shouxin leisurely drinking tea, Cao Bin was finally happy, and said: "When it comes to knowledge, I am not as good as the Prime Minister!"

"Guohua is too modest!" Shi Shouxin said seriously: "You have a long-term vision and worry about the country and the people. What you said just now, maybe you should present it to Your Majesty in detail!"

Cao Bin nodded, with a little tiredness on his face, he got up and left the table, took some official documents, and handed them to Shi Shouxin: "These deployment orders need to be approved by the Prime Minister!"

Just as Shi Shouxin was about to take it, a nervous "Your Majesty" voice came from outside.Both of them were startled, when they raised their eyes, Emperor Liu had already stepped inside, and hurriedly greeted them together.

Emperor Liu looked around the room expressionlessly, and his eyes fell on Shi Shouxin who put down the teacup and Cao Bin who was holding the official document in his hand. After a little silence, a smile appeared on his face: "What are you talking about? "

Seeing this, both Shi and Cao subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, and Cao Bin said: "Return to Your Majesty, there are several Beiguan military orders that need to be issued!"

"Your Majesty inspected and inspected, and did not meet in person, please forgive the crime of negligence!" Shi Shouxin stepped forward to welcome Emperor Liu to his seat.

"You don't need to be so restrained!" Emperor Liu looked at Shi Shouxin's steaming teacup with a pleasant face, and said, "I heard that the members of the Privy Council are still on duty during the festival, so I'm here to ask for a cup of tea!"

"Please, Your Majesty!" Shi Shouxin hurriedly ordered: "Come here, serve tea!"

Although the most scrupulous thing was Emperor Liu's sudden attack, on Shi Shouxin's face, he still looked honored, as if he was listening respectfully to the hadith.

Emperor Liu took over several military orders from Cao Bin, which were aimed at the deployment of soldiers in the Shanyang garrison and the construction of the garrison fortress. Focus on the overall situation and adjust.

"After this battle, it can be said that the entire northern border military defense system of the Han Dynasty needs to be rebuilt, and the Privy Council needs to consider it comprehensively. The task is very heavy!" Emperor Liu said looking at the two.

"Your Majesty, the military transfers of the Privy Council during this period are all centered around this matter! During the Northern Expedition, the military and political affairs of the entire north were disrupted and needed to be restructured!" Shi Shouxin replied.

Emperor Liu nodded, and asked, "What is the situation of the returned soldiers from the Northern Expedition?"

Cao Bin replied: "According to reports from various places, except for the soldiers who stayed in Liaodong, Dadingfu and Shanyangguan, most of the local soldiers and horses have returned to Daozhou!"

"How is the situation of the Forbidden Army?" Emperor Liu still cared more about the core military forces like the Forbidden Army.

"The rotation matters have been arranged!" Cao Bin replied, and he found a memorial and submitted it to Emperor Liu: "The Privy Council has already discussed the results of the discussion on the replenishment of the forbidden army. Elite soldiers, entering the capital for garrison value, can also balance the northern and southern military registrations!"

Emperor Liu took a look and said, "Yes!"

(End of this chapter)