Han Shizu

Chapter 440 Resolution to the South Expedition
After returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou did not return to the Chongzheng Hall, but went directly to the Privy Council, and together with the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, Zheng Renhui, and Zhu Chengzhi and assistant officials, sorted out military affairs.The Privy Council has always been the military and political center of the Han Dynasty, and after sending out troops, its weight is even heavier. All military and political orders related to the Central Plains and Hebei are based on this.

News about Khitan's military situation came from the north one after another, the border guards, the military spies, each reported according to the situation.With the increase of information, Liu Chengyou also has a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Yandi thousands of miles away.

The Khitan army was fully shrunk, and there were few Liao cavalry in the fifty miles around Youzhou, and there were no traces around the Han army's defense line in Yannan.Yelujing, the new Khitan emperor, received pilgrimage in Miyun, Tanzhou, and formally ascended the throne. His civil and military honor was titled Emperor Tianshun.

Zhao Kuangzan sent his commander, Zhao Siwan, to lead Qingqi to go north to test, but they passed Huairou and approached Miyun, only to be intercepted by Khitan cavalry.After a fight, Hu Qi was very crazy this time, and he was entangled for more than ten li.According to Zhao Kuangzan's report, although nearly two hundred were captured, he also lost hundreds of horses.You know, the cavalry under Zhao Siwan's command is the strongest in the Yan army.

Although it is only a small part, it can be seen from it that the will of the Liao army does not seem to be completely dispelled.This strengthened Liu Chengyou's determination to go south.

That night, Liu Chengyou's spirit was always in a state of excitement. He took the time to go to the third division and went around. By the way, he called Fan Zhi, who was still in the Zhengshitang, to study the issue of money and grain together. War is to fight for money and food, and to fight for national strength. This concept has long been in Liu Chengyou's mind. Rooted in.At this time, the privy secretaries and the Ministry of War are not the only ones who forget to eat and sleep.

When Liu Chengyou returned to the Privy Council, he unexpectedly found that Guo Wei was dressed in purple and had returned to the government. Wei Renpu was also called to listen carefully and inquire about the details of military affairs.
Liu Chengyou Liu Chengyou was very grateful for the food and clothing of his officials. He praised them from the heart, even if they prepared supper and drinks for them, they also joined the discussion together. The monarchs and ministers directly outlined the The specific matters of the Southern Expedition will come.In the middle of the night, I couldn't stand it any longer, so the officials were asked to go to rest, and Liu Chengyou only took a nap in the privy room.

In the early morning, when the sky was still hazy, Liu Chengyou returned to the government hall, washed briefly, ate, put on the dragon robe, and immediately called all the officials to the Guangzheng hall.

It was still the dry man yesterday, but when the civil and military personnel rushed to the court room one after another, they found that Guo Wei, who hadn't shown up in the temple for a long time, was already present.Many people showed surprise on their faces, and the civil servants suddenly realized after being surprised, they went forward to salute and congratulate them, like Shang Hongqian, Wang Yin, Du Hanhui, they happily talked about the past with Guo Wei in the court room.

After more than half a year of hiding, Guo Wei's reputation in the court did not seem to be weakened too much. This is the difference between people.

Guo Shumi is popular, and His Majesty should take precautions against it.This statement was made by Wang Jingchong, the deputy envoy of martial arts, and then, Liu Chengyou confessed to him very plainly, asking him to take precautions for himself
In the Guangzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou, crowned with emerald green robes, went straight to the throne. After accepting the pilgrimage, he pointed to Guo Wei and explained: "Private Guo has recuperated for half a year, and now he has recovered, and he is in charge of the military affairs of the Privy Council again!"

After saying that, he looked around, with a solemn expression, and said loudly: "Collecting the opinions of all groups, and considering the situation in the north and the south, I have made a decision. I will abandon the north and turn to the south. I will attack the puppet Tang Dynasty and take all the land in the north of the river!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" It was Wang Pu who stood up and shouted first, and he was agitated.His expression was exhausted, his eyes were red, obviously he didn't sleep well, but his expression was full of excitement.

"Don't be too busy singing praises!" After a short pause, Liu Chengyou lowered his voice, showing contempt for all directions: "I said beforehand, giving up the opportunity of the Northern Expedition is a very difficult decision for me to make. However, the plan has been decided, Zhu Qing Let's work together, strategize, discuss Huainan, and drink horses to the Yangtze River!"

"Obey!" Hearing the words, all civil and military personnel immediately responded in unison.

With a certain strategy, Liu Chengyou immediately discussed the specific matters of the Southern Expedition with his ministers.The strategic shift cannot be implemented with a slap on the head by Liu Chengyou and an edict.From top to bottom, it involves all aspects, all ministries of the court.Fortunately, the current Han court is in a state of war, and various divisions have been operating around fighting against the Khitan for a while.

After discussion, there were several orders, which were agreed upon in the hall and issued immediately.

First, Zhao Kuangzan, the King of Yan, and He Fujin were ordered to deploy He Fujin in the North Jidao battalion, continue to strengthen the defense against the Liao Dynasty, and closely monitor the movements of the Tan and Ji Khitan troops.

Second, the Forbidden Army and Garrison Army on the front line of the Yellow River will return to the original defense, and the rest of the states will temporarily suspend mobilization.Under the command of Wang Jun and Murong Yanzhao, the Xiaodi Army, the Guardian Army, the Fengguo Army, and the guard Long Jiema Army who went north first turned around and headed south.Go to the nearest prefectures and counties, collect boats, recruit civilian ships, transport troops by water, and go to Suzhou to gather.The entire Jingjiang army was also mobilized to the south.

The third is to stop the transfer of grain, fodder and ordnance to Hebei. The supplies that have already been delivered are unloaded into storage, and those on the way are also diverted and transported south.The food and equipment raised by Tokyo will be transported south along the canal.

Fourth, the two capitals and the towns of Zhuzhou in Henan Province will each have quotas, and [-] civilians will be recruited to prepare for the needs of the army.The Han army on the Huai River needs to investigate the enemy's situation, increase its security, and make preparations for the central forbidden army to go south.

Fifth, on the other side of Hunan, Cao Yin, the defense envoy of Lizhou, had to join forces with Wang Kui of Langzhou, Zhou Xingfeng and others to create some conflicts and incidents, involving the Tang army.Of course, this is concealment.

Sixth, send envoys to Nanping and Wuyue to conspire with each other.

Seventh, the military and political command system for the Southern Expedition was established, and the Huainan Road camp was deployed. After discussion and consideration, Wang Jun, the deputy commander of the guards, and Murong Yanzhao were selected as the camp capital Yuhou.Wang Pu, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, is the land and water transfer envoy of Huainan Road, responsible for the logistics supply of the army.The chancellors sit in Tokyo and are responsible for raising all kinds of supplies. Among them, Wei Renpu serves as a part-time inspector of the capital; Guo Wei, as a privy envoy, handles military orders across the country; The old man worked too long, moved him
On the whole, these military and political orders are still conservative, and they retain the basis for fighting the Khitan at any time in Hebei.It has to be conservative, and the Khitan's heavy troops still on the front line of Yanshan are also worthy of this vigilance.The strength of early warning in the north has to be adjusted according to the situation of Khitan.

This is also the reason why Liu Chengyou also announced his personal expedition to Huainan, but Wang Jun and Murong Yanzhao were temporarily leading the army on the front line.Until it is fully confirmed that the threat from the north is lifted, Yoo Seung-woo still intends to sit in Tokyo.

Under the will of the Son of Heaven, Zhongshu Menxia, ​​the Third Division, and the Privy Council were like clockwork machines, speeding up on the war channel, and a series of military and political orders were passed from north to south.After making up his mind, Liu Chengyou relaxed and began to devote himself to the Huainan strategy.

Not long after, a report was received about the deployment of He Fujin from the Northern Hebei Capital. The Khitan Emperor sent envoys to the court, and he had already sent soldiers to escort him to Beijing.

On the afternoon of the same day, the Liao envoy arrived in Beijing and was summoned into the palace by Liu Chengyou.Liu Chengyou had a hunch that what the Liao envoy brought was definitely good news.

Since the establishment of the Northern Han Dynasty in Tianfu 12 years, in the past five years, the hatred between the Northern Han Dynasty and the Khitan has been as deep as the sea, and they have attacked each other. On the border, it may be peaceful for one year, and Liu Chengyou's attitude towards the outside world is also the same. Hard, hard to the end.After several years, this was the first time that there were envoys, and it was the Khitan who sent envoys on their own initiative.

In the hall of Chongzheng, accompanied by Wei Renpu and Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou received the envoy, Xiao Husi, the envoy of Zuo Hakka Province of Liao Dynasty.

Xiao Husi was originally Zhongcheng, the censor of the Liao Dynasty.Yelvjing came to the throne, and because of his talent, he moved to be the envoy of Zuoke Province and went to Tokyo.

This is a middle-aged man, with thick hair on his face, clear outline, and a pair of eyes that seem to be full of spirit. After entering the palace, he looked around, and faced the scrutiny of the emperors and ministers of the Northern Han Dynasty, he was as calm as the wind.

In the hall, he bowed and saluted with a loud voice: "Foreign minister Xiao Husi, by the order of Emperor Daliao Tianshun, send greetings to Emperor Dahan!"

From his attitude, he can see his arrogance. I don't know if it is the arrogance that Khitan has cultivated towards the Central Plains dynasty over the past ten years, or it is deliberately done so that he does not want to fall into its prestige.

"Exemption!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, pretending to be ignorant and asked, "Emperor Tianshun? If I remember correctly, your Lord of Khitan is not honored as Tianlu? When did you change it so suddenly?"

　Regarding the Northern Expedition and the Southern Expedition, even if you don’t talk about the analysis of the situation in the book, as far as the author writes, he will choose the Southern Expedition.After all, so much has been paved the way for the Huainan strategy before, and the outline is the same, and it will not be changed easily.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)