Han Shizu

Chapter 920 Offensive on both sides, advancing troops from four directions

Liu Chengyou was a little surprised by Chai Rong's persuasion. From his words, there was an intention to defend Fan Zhi. He calmed down a little, and looked at him and said, "Chai Qing, if I remember correctly, you are in court. When you were in middle school, you and Fan Zhi had disputes because of political disagreements, why are you speaking for him now?"

Upon hearing this, Chai Rong replied calmly: "As your Majesty said, the minister and Duke Fan just disagree on politics, and I respect him very much for his conduct and virtue. I wholeheartedly support the continuation of the Northern Expedition, and I also oppose Duke Fan." Conservative.

Although Fan Gong is pedantic, but I believe that what he said is out of the public heart and for the people of the state. During the Northern Expedition, the court has indeed exhausted its efforts. The veterans in the court are worried and worry about disasters First."

Chai Rong's words made Liu Chengyou look at him with admiration. For a long time, in the court, Fan Zhi and Guo Rong had constant disputes and conflicts in the concept of governing the country. They were almost political enemies.This time, when Liu Chengyou scolded Fan Zhi angrily, he was able to speak for him as fairly as possible. This kind of broad-mindedness is indeed extraordinary.

Looking back and calming down completely, Liu Chengyou just said: "The hardships since the Northern Expedition, the price of the court, and the sacrifices of the soldiers and civilians, how can I not know? However, it is precisely when the difficulties are difficult that we should work together to overcome the dangers and complete the Northern Expedition." Great cause. At such a moment, how can you shrink back in fear of difficulties, give up halfway, and waste all your previous efforts?"

"Your Majesty, why don't you write a letter to the officials in Tokyo to appease their hearts!" At this time, Zhao Kuangyin, who hadn't said much, suggested.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while, and immediately spread out a piece of silk cloth, picked up a pen and wrote quickly, after finishing printing, he called Zhang Dejun and ordered him to fly six hundred miles to Tokyo.

Of course, Fan Zhi only represented a part of the voice. There were opponents, but there were also supporters. Ministers like Wei Renpu and Wang Pu were staunch Northern Expeditionists.As the "steward" of the Northern Expedition army appointed by Liu Chengyou, all military supplies are still being prepared and transferred.

Liu Chengyou was not happy because of this. What he worried about was that the ministers of the court and the central government missed important events because of the dispute between the two factions. You must know that Xue Juzheng, the envoy of the third department, also belonged to the conservative faction, and the major event of the Northern Expedition was in the third department of finance. , is not a problem.

Therefore, in the reply letter, Liu Chengyou's words were calm and rational, and he did not show any anger. Instead, he explained to Fan Zhi in a very solemn tone, expressing his determination to continue the Northern Expedition. Quality can set an example for all ministers, cooperate with officials, reassure people's hearts, fully support him, and don't worry about others
Liu Chengyou's reply to the letter was considered to have given Fan Zhi a lot of face. If he is still not savvy, then he can't be blamed for not thinking of the relationship between the monarch and his ministers.At the same time, Liu Chengyou ordered Zhang Ji to draft an imperial edict and send it to Tokyo to inform the officials.

Because of the turmoil caused by Fan Zhi and other ministers, Liu Chengyou also had to admit that he stayed away from Tokyo, and his control over the country had indeed declined.After all, Emperor Shan Gao was far away. If he was in Tokyo, he could basically guarantee that this kind of problem would not occur. Even if there was such a voice, it would be quickly suppressed.

Of course, the Royal Conquest is a must, and he can also bear the "instability" of this little power.However, Liu Chengyou is already considering the issue of Biejing's personal conquest after the Northern Expedition.

After dealing with the turmoil from Tokyo, Liu Chengyou's thoughts quickly turned to the major military affairs. Looking at the generals present, he directly asked Chai Rong: "Chai Qing can inform the generals about the arrangement for the spring attack!"

"Yes!"

This was a military meeting before the imperial court, and Murong Yanzhao, who was in charge of commanding the army in Huailai, was also ordered to return to Youzhou to participate in the discussion.Chai Rong got up and said: "After a winter's strike, our Northern Expeditionary Army got a very sufficient rest. The wounded soldiers returned to camp, the food and equipment were replenished, and the morale gradually recovered. Therefore, we launched a new round of attack on the Liao Army. , is inevitable!"

Then, Chai Rong stood in front of the map, compared the military situation maps of the Han and Liao, and said in a serious voice: "According to various reports, the Liao army still has about 200,000 troops assembled and deployed in the Yun, Wu, Xin, and Wei regions. , most of the last elite of the Liao army are gathered here. If they can be wiped out or severely damaged, then the Khitan will be devastated. Not only can we take the opportunity to recover the old land, but the northern frontier troubles of the Han Dynasty will also be completely improved. !"

Pausing for a while, paying attention to the reactions of the generals, Chai Rong continued: "Although the Liao army is resistant to cold, since this winter, due to the lack of winter supplies and difficulties in supplies, the situation of the Liao army has become very serious after the entire severe winter confrontation. Embarrassment. To supplement the military supplies, and within the territory under its jurisdiction, they searched wantonly. The people of Yunshuo died of cold and hunger. The morale of the army fluctuated and the people complained. Great opportunity to launch an attack!"

"After discussions between His Majesty and the battalion, this battle will be divided into three routes. The first route, the former battalion will deploy Commander Murong Yanzhao, march westward with 120,000 troops, attack Wende, take Huai'an, and then divert through Huai'an In the southwest, oppress Yunzhou; in the second route, the imperial battalion deployed Zhao Kuangyin, led [-] troops, went out of Feihu Road, captured Weizhou, and then turned west to Yunzhou; in the third route, King Wei led [-] troops , from Yingzhou to the north, directly threatening Yunzhou.

The three-way army, totaling 27 troops, adopted a strategy of advancing side by side. They only needed to gradually suppress them. Although the Liao army was still strong, it was difficult to resist the might of the Han.The time to launch the attack is set on the [-]th of this month. If it goes well, one month later, the three armies will join forces at the city of Yunzhou and declare the victory of the Northern Expedition! "

After Chai Rong finished speaking, Liu Chengyou also stood up and said solemnly: "I won't say much, but I will mention one principle and two goals. The principle of this time's march is to fight steadily; The forces rush to the north of the Great Wall, and the second is to wipe out or severely damage the Yunzhou Liao army!"

Steady and steady is Liu Chengyou's consistent combat style. Although in terms of specific execution, the generals are not restricted to adapt to local conditions and move randomly, but the general combat policy has not changed.In this way, although there are fewer flexibility, the risk is also greatly reduced. Moreover, it is indeed inappropriate to advocate some surprising "micro-manipulation" when hundreds of thousands of troops are fighting.

As he said that, he also looked around, Liu Chengyou's voice became higher, and his eyes glowed with eagle-like sharpness, which made people dare not look directly at him: "Some time ago, there was no reaction from the generals. Last year, the court did not reward you for the long battle. Did you succeed? Go back and tell the soldiers below that when the battle is over and the success is complete, I will reward them personally!"

"Yes!" The generals immediately raised their spirits. Obviously, the emperor was not only promising but also reminding them of the question of "asking for credit" during the previous rest, so they naturally dare not be careless.

"Brother Ma, why are you so unhappy?" After the discussion was over, all the generals came out, and Luo Yanyu couldn't help looking at Ma Quanyi, whose face was almost full of depression.

Among the generals in Hebei, because of their friendship in the early years, the relationship between Luo Yanyu and Ma Quanyi has always been good.At this time, upon hearing Qi's question, Ma Quanyi said: "The great battle is about to start, but there is nothing wrong with our Eastern Route Army! If Your Majesty doesn't use me, why call me to Youzhou? When I return to Luanzhou, how will I explain to the soldiers under my command? ?”

As he said that, Ma Quanyi immediately turned around: "Brother Luo, let's go first, I'm going back to see His Majesty!"

Ma Quanyi wanted to see the emperor, so he naturally met the emperor smoothly. Of course, Liu Chengyou treated this confidant general very preferentially, let him sit down, poured a cup of hot tea himself, and said: "It is true that you and I have not talked in depth for a long time. . How is the injury?"

Faced with the emperor's concern, Ma Quanyi immediately dissipated the little emotions in his heart, and replied: "There is no serious problem, everything is almost fine!"

"Now you are not just a general of an army, but a commander all the way. You should pay attention to marching and fighting. Leading the way is a valuable quality, but you should do less fighting with swords in the future!" Liu Chengyou reminded.

"I understand!" Ma Quanyi nodded.

"Tell me, why are you looking for me?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Regarding this, Ma Quanyi didn't make any detours, stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please send out the fourth attacking army at the end!"

Looking at him, Liu Chengyou couldn't help laughing: "I knew it, you can't sit still!"

However, having said that, Liu Chengyou's expression was slightly solemn, obviously hesitating.Ma Quanyi asked to attack the target, of course the Luanping area to the east.

Prior to this, Ma Quanyi was ordered to lead a partial division and attack eastward. He fought five battles, won four and lost one, and took Luanzhou. Zunhua, Yifeng, Lulong, and Anxi counties were all taken.However, this was all achieved when the Liao army was newly defeated and Gao Mohan was killed.Later, with the arrival of reinforcements from the Liao Army in the Liaodong area, the line of defense was stabilized. Under the command of Yelu Wansi, the Liao Army stood behind Yuguan and defended Yingying Prefecture, and still held on to the last point of the Liao Army in the pass. .

For this spring offensive, Liu Chengyou hesitated whether to let Ma Quanyi launch the attack at the same time, and it was difficult for him to fully address his concerns.However, paying attention to Dao Ma Quanyi's earnest eyes, he pondered for a while and asked, "Are you confident in breaking through Yingzhou and Yuguan?"

Obedient and listening, Ma Quanyi immediately refreshed, and said: "Your Majesty, although there are more than [-] Liao troops in Yingzhou and Yuguan, they are formed from the fusion of various tribes. Except for a few elite Khitan tribes, the rest Soldiers and horses are not very powerful."

"Moreover, after a winter of consumption, the roads were blocked, and its military supplies suffered a serious blow. More importantly, Chen Tan found out that the Liao army commander Yelu Wansi had a quarrel with Gao Xun, so he was transferred from the camp. In front of the state army, so, I think, you can attack!"

Previously, Ma Quanyi's "one loss" among the four victories and one loss was a counterattack under the plan of Hanchen Gao Xun, which caused the Han army to lose nearly [-] soldiers, and also made Ma Quanyi's attempt to defeat Yingzhou in one fell swoop. .

Hearing his analysis, it was obvious that he had made sufficient preparations, and after thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou asked: "There are only more than 40,000 soldiers and horses in the Luanping area!"

Ma Quanyi nodded: "Exactly!"

"I'll give you [-] more soldiers and horses, and I'll go east with you!" Liu Chengyou stared at Ma Quanyi, and said directly: "I don't ask you to defeat the Liao army and capture Yingzhou and Yuguan, but you must promise that, I want to crucify the Liao army on the east route before the pass, and don't let them affect the battle situation in Yunshuo!"

"Yes!" Ma Quanyi replied immediately, but hearing the emperor's tone, he secretly felt ruthless in his heart, and decided to break through Yingzhou and Yu Pass, and drive the Liao army out of the pass.

In this way, in the spring attack, the Han army will send out four armies, mobilizing 34 soldiers and motors.

(End of this chapter)