Han Shizu

Chapter 714 Strategic Direction

"Guo Qing, now that Jinghu Lake has fallen, although the chaos still persists, it will be a matter of time. What do you think the next goal of the big man should be?" Liu Chengyou asked after pondering for a while.

Because of the Lingnan incident, he planned to have a little in-depth discussion with Guo Rong on the strategic direction of Dahan next.

Hearing this, Guo Rong looked calm and said: "Jinghu Lake is a safe place in the world. Now that it is under the control of the imperial court, you can take it calmly."

Lifting his eyelids, Guo Rong asked back: "Does Your Majesty intend to attack Lingnan first?"

According to the original strategic plan, after the imperial court acquired Jinghu, two armies would attack Shu.Next, take the Southern Tang Dynasty.However, because of the Lingnan incident, Liu Chengyou couldn't help turning his attention to the Southern Han Dynasty.

Liu Chengyou's expression was relaxed, and he replied: "I won't hide it from you, it's just a sudden thought!"

Having said that, walking to the map, Liu Chengyou said: "What I'm considering is that if we take Lingnan first, and then send troops in the next day, pacify the Southern Tang Dynasty, and take Wuyue, then we can launch three armies to attack it, so that it can't be avoided. ! As for Meng Shu, there are dangers in the mountains and rivers, so let’s save it for the last!”

After listening to the emperor's consideration, Guo Rong did not directly object, but asked instead: "Has your majesty ever considered the issue of mobilizing troops and horses and transporting food and equipment during this period? If you take Lingnan first, then destroy southeast, and then turn to Pingshu , spanning thousands of miles"

"That's all! I was also seduced by Lingnan, and I didn't think carefully at the moment!" Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou smiled wryly, staring at the map with eyes, and said casually: "Do you think it is from west to east or from east to west?" west?"

This is the question of destroying Shu, or destroying Tang first.

Guo Rong said: "Your Majesty, Xiang Xun is stationed in Hanzhong, but he is waiting to go south to Chengdu!"

Listening to his words, Liu Chengyou took a deep breath and said: "It seems that in a short time, we still have to stabilize Jingnan, sit and watch the world, and seek for progress!"

In fact, Guo Rong's attitude is already obvious. The next strategic goal is still to destroy Shu, and then sweep south of Lingnan and southeast from west to east.This is also Zhao Kuangyin's route to pacify the South in history. It has been tested by history. Guo Rong and others planned this, and it also came according to the specific situation.

The reason why Liu Chengyou came up with another idea was just because of his whim.The imperial court and the group have worked together to formulate the national strategy, and it is not necessary to change it.

However, speaking of the Great Han's world strategy, if it was planned at the beginning of the founding of the country, after taking all of Jiangbei, it should be sent to the north to attack Khitan.

But after a few years, Liu Chengyou still chose to pacify the south first, without him, with low risk and high return.It is not impossible to attack the Liao Kingdom in the north. With the current national strength of the Han Dynasty, it can support a big battle. However, the uncertainty is too great. The emperor has been in power for a long time, and he is not willing to gamble anymore, especially the national fortune.

In the official history, Zhou Shizong would not be able to resist the Northern Expedition. The problem is that Hebei was invaded by the Khitan in order to eliminate the back trouble.But today's big man, compared with Hou Zhou, is not a little stronger in national strength, and the external environment is much better.

First, there is no problem of "Northern Han", and second, Youzhou is subordinate. The achievements of Zhou Shizong's Northern Expedition belonged to the Han Dynasty.From Hedong to Hebei, the imperial court has built a relatively solid line of defense. Hebei has the nail of Youzhou, and the hinterland is relatively less threatened by Khitan.

Under such circumstances, Liu Chengyou would not carry out the Northern Expedition at the risk of an all-out war with Khitan.Of course, if the Khitan had been making troubles in the north, aggressive like Yeluruan back then, and had been looking for a way to go south, then Liu Chengyou also had the courage and determination to fight a decisive battle with him first.

However, the reality is that the current Khitan emperor in power is Yelujing.In the past three or four years, although there were still unavoidable frictions on the border between Han and Liao, on the whole, non-governmental exchanges were fairly stable, and even became more frequent every year.

Although Yelvjing likes to drink, sleep, and hunt, she actually has some skills in stabilizing the imperial power.After the Huoshendian Rebellion, he ascended to the throne of God. Although humans and animals were harmless, after a few years, he also quelled several internal rebellions and ruled out many dissidents, especially the nobles and ministers of the "Sejong" line.

When the Great Han conquered the Southern Tang Dynasty, Yelvjing was busy with four things: consolidating the throne, drinking, sleeping, and hunting.After the great Han invaded Shu, Yelujing was busy with three things: drinking, sleeping, and hunting.Now that the Great Han is leveling Jinghu Lake, Yelujing is still the third oldest.
Thinking of these, how could Liu Chengyou have the heart to bother Yelujing?After all, it is the safest and most appropriate choice to flatten the kingdoms, eliminate separatist regimes, unify the world, integrate the strengths of all parties, and then go north to compete with the Liao Kingdom and restore the old rivers and mountains.

Putting aside some distracting thoughts in his mind, and looking westward, Liu Chengyou asked: "Didn't you mention the navy?"

Asked about it, Guo Rong said: "The Privy Council's initial plan was based on the Jingnan navy, blending the surrendered Hunan sailors, and then recruiting soldiers to build and train the Jiangnan navy in preparation for the conquest of Shu and the Pingtang. The number of troops is 12000. , 5000 standing troops!"

Hesitating for a while, Guo Rong continued: "At present, the only thing to worry about is the candidate for the commander of the Jiangling Navy. There is no shortage of talents in foot combat and horse warfare in the Han Dynasty, but only in water warfare, available generals are scarce!"

"Is there anyone available in the Jingnan Navy?" Liu Chengyou frowned slightly.

Guo Rong said: "Wei Lin, the commander of the navy, can be the deputy, but it's inconvenient. As for other people, they may have talents, but they haven't discovered them yet, so it's not good to promote them rashly!"

"What are the considerations of the Privy Council?" Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong.

"Either transferred from the Mizhou Navy, or Zhang Yanqing, the governor of Chuzhou!" Guo Rong said.

Liu Chengyou: "Zhang Yanqing?"

"This person was originally the defense envoy of Haizhou in the Southern Tang Dynasty, and he surrendered after the peace talks between the two countries. When I was in Huaidong, I saw this person's talent. Although he was not well-known, he was no less than Guo Tingwei. He was appointed to Chuzhou and was also influenced by Wang Pu. Recommended!" Guo Rong explained.

"I have the impression that in the past few years in Chuzhou, his political achievements have been outstanding. According to Wang Pu's report, he is powerful in the Hongze project!" Liu Chengyou suddenly looked at Guo Rong: "Guo Qing recommends it so much, I'm afraid he prefers this in his heart." Let's go, Zhang Yanqing!"

"Don't dare to hide it from Your Majesty! I really like this person!" Guo Rong admitted directly.

Zhang Yanqing was originally a Tang official, so it shouldn't be a problem for him to establish, command, and train the Jiangling navy, and then be assisted by generals from Jinghu.As for his personal talent, it is not bad to be valued by Guo Rong and Wang Pu at the same time.

Therefore, without any further hesitation, Liu Chengyou gave his opinion on the spot: "Let's lower the transfer order, let Zhang Yanqing be the commander of the Jinghu Navy, and add the title of Captain of Qingche. Wei Lin will be the deputy, and add the title of Captain of Riding!" "

"Yes!"

"How did the Jinghu Commander arrange it? Who is in charge?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

In this regard, Guo Rong seemed unwilling to express his opinion. After all, he could not arrange everything properly in advance. Guo Rong said: "The commander of the Xiaodi Army seems to intend to take up the post."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately frowned, and said directly: "Don't think about him! I know he is capable, but he is not good enough to be the governor of Jinghu Lake!"

Guo Rong stopped talking, probably because he sensed Guo Rong's intention to avoid suspicion. Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while, and said, "Then use Du Hanhui, the commander of the Holy Army Capital, to take charge of Jinghu Capital Division!"

Guo Rong nodded: "Yes!"

In terms of seniority, merit, and ability, Du Hanhui is indeed qualified.

"After reorganization, how to arm?"

"Li Jun is in charge of the five prefectures in western Hunan, Pan Mei is in Quan and Yong, Cao Bin is in charge of Dao and Chen! With these three generals, Qin Zaixiong will be supplemented in the future, and we will be safe!" Guo Rong said after thinking for a while.

Liu Chengyou thought about it, but glanced at Guo Rong and said with a smile: "You are the general who will attack Lingnan in the future, you have already considered it!"

Liu Chengyou laughed teasingly, which seemed to be an unintentional remark, but Guo Rong's ears made him slightly alert, and he responded softly: "Could it be that your majesty already has someone he likes?"

"Could it be that Guo Qing can't figure it out?" Liu Chengyou looked at him with a smile.

"Forgive me for being stupid!" Guo Rong cupped his hands and bowed.

Instead of looking at each other, Liu Chengyou smiled again.

(End of this chapter)