National Beauty

After the wedding of King Gong, at the end of April, Emperor Xuande suddenly negotiated with his courtiers in the early dynasty that he wanted to expedite Liao to the north and retake the Fourteenth State of Youyun that once belonged to the Central Plains.

His Royal Highness ministers of civil and military affairs were all taken aback. This time, the shock was more victorious than when Emperor Xuande proposed to attack the Jin Dynasty. After all, Jin was just a small country north of the Great Zhou, like a small pigeon egg, but the Liao country to the north was It's a big rock, and the vast grasslands of Liao are crowded with horses, and the cavalry is invincible. Can the Great Zhou beat others?

Emperor Xuande didn't even think of destroying the Liao Kingdom at once, he just wanted to **** Youyun Fourteen Prefectures first. Before the Jin Dynasty, Emperor Xuande had no confidence in the Northern Expedition of Liao, but Han Da, Guo Xiao and other generals killed 30,000 Liao soldiers in a battle, which proved that the Zhou soldiers did not lose to the Liao, and Emperor Xuande had the confidence. .

"The officials said, can the Liao country be attacked?" Sitting on the dragon chair, Emperor Xuande looked at the courtiers underneath and asked, especially the rank of military officers.

The ministers were headed by the prime minister, and the military attache was the privy envoy. However, the privy envoy Cao Yu kept his eyes on his nose and remained silent.

Behind Cao Yu, the commander in front of the palace, Guo Boyan, was also silent.

Emperor Xuande frowned. At this moment, behind Guo Boyan, the former Sidu Yuhou Cheng Han, who was ranked second only to him, suddenly stepped out and said loudly: "The emperor Shengming, my soldiers from Great Zhou have just captured the Kingdom of Jin, morale Zhengsheng, at this time the northern expedition of Liao, will be like breaking bamboo, regaining the land of secluded clouds in one fell swoop."

As soon as he said, most of the military officers agreed.

Emperor Xuande touched his beard and turned to the civil minister with a smile.

Prime Minister Xu Wei lowered his head. He didn't agree with the last expedition to Jin. Although Emperor Xuande fought a victory, this time the Northern Expedition to Liao is very important. He still doesn't support it, but Xu Wei has already seen it through. The emperor is arbitrary and authoritarian. Once he decides something, he can no longer listen to the persuasion of others. Since he said that the emperor would not listen, why should he talk about the emperor again?

The prime minister did not speak, and most of the civil servants followed their heads down. King Rui, the second prince, looked back and went out and said: "Father, the wise king, the Liao State sent troops to support Jin and suffered a terrible defeat, but he did not send troops again. He must be afraid of the might of the great Zhou army. , The morale of the enemy is sluggish, and our army's morale is greatly boosted. It is an excellent time to dispatch troops."

Emperor Xuande nodded.

Fan Ping, a member of Zhongshushe, also echoed: "What the King Rui said is exactly what the king said.

"It's a good one to get something." Guo Boyan stood on the spot, turned his head, and smiled to Fan Ping: "The iron cavalry of the Liao country can reach a dozen infantrymen in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Master Fan said that it is so simple to cut Liao. There is a good strategy for defeating the enemy, and that is the case, can you tell me and wait for a listen?"

Fan Ping just saw through the thoughts of Emperor Xuande and came out to say something to please the emperor. Now Guo Boyan asked about the tactics, and he froze there immediately, his white face turned red and green for a while. When Guo Boyan saw it, he handed Fan Ping a military commander with contempt. Then he stepped out and said, "The emperor, the book business is simple, but the battlefield is ever-changing. If you don't have a certain victory, you must not send troops easily. The emperor takes the long view."

Yes, Da Zhou fought a victory. The soldiers are happy, but they are happy that they can be rewarded by the court. Now the emperor has not rewarded the three armies, but wants the three armies to continue to attack the powerful enemy Liao. The soldiers will only Complain, how can you have the momentum to resist the enemy? As the confidant of Emperor Xuande, Guo Boyan knew what Emperor Xuande wanted to hear most now, but he couldn't just watch the emperor make a mistake.

The smile on the corner of Emperor Xuande's mouth disappeared, and if someone turned out to oppose him, he would not be as unhappy as he is now, but who is Guo Boyan? Guo Boyan pulled it out with one hand, how could he be against him?

"Since I have decided to expedite the Northern Expedition, I have a certainty of victory, Aiqing doesn't need to worry too much." Emperor Xuande said calmly.

When Guo Boyan heard this, he quietly returned to his place. He has done his duty as a loyal minister, and besides, he is dull.

The military attaches supported him, and the civil servants were all dumb, but not speaking was a tacit consent. In short, his calculation of the Northern Expedition was approved by the civil and military ministers. Emperor Xuande smiled and said, "Since you all agree, then..."

"Father, if you send troops, you will lose in this battle."

A clear voice suddenly came, and the words were sharp, like a sudden thunder in the midsummer night, deafening. All civil and military officials all raised their heads, wanting to see which prince was so bold and dare to say that the emperor would be defeated, and then they saw the third prince Zhao Heng standing in the hall, looking up at the emperor on the dragon chair, his back slender and tall. , It looks like a green pine on the top of Huangshan Mountain that is not afraid of wind and frost.

Everyone was shocked, and after disbelief, they thought about each other.

King Chu frowned and looked at his own younger brother. He didn’t understand why the younger brother who had never asked about political affairs said such ugly words as soon as he opened his mouth. In his opinion, this time his father decided that the Northern Expedition would be wiser, and his younger brother opened his mouth and cursed his father to defeat the battle. What should I do if my father is angry and punished my brother? King Chu was anxious and worried, coughing, winking at his brother frequently.

King Rui was expressionless, but his heart was full of joy. The third child and the eldest brother are one. Now the third child is offended by the emperor. Once the emperor punishes the emperor, the eldest brother will certainly come out to intercede. Can the emperor not be angry at that time? Although a small discomfort won't change anything, Rui Wang felt very happy to see the third child asking for trouble.

As soon as the two princes were worried and gloating, the privy envoy Cao Yu, the commander Guo Boyan, the prime minister Xu Wei, and the deputy chief Lu Xun, etc., looked at the prince Shou who was always alone like a god. I am curious what Shou Wang Ye will say next.

"Shou Wang, why did you say this?"

A good mood was completely ruined by a "must lose" by his own son. Emperor Xuande's face sank, and he asked solemnly. At the same time he was angry, there was a hint of intolerance in his heart. The third child stammered, if he could, Emperor Xuande didn't want his son to insult himself, but in this situation, he had to ask again.

Zhao Heng looked at his father and said slowly and firmly: "There are four reasons. One is that the reward has not been issued and the soldiers are dissatisfied."

Guo Boyan nodded. Even if the two battles are fought in a row, the rewards of the previous defeating Jin should be sent out first, and the soldiers will be more willing to serve the court when they get the benefits. To put it awkwardly, the people ask the cows to farm the land, and after plowing a piece of land, they have to feed them well. The cows are honest, and one less feed can make do with it. Soldiers are all human, and the people are good, and they are not willing to work if they are not good. , He just forced to go, and he didn't fight with all his heart. The battlefield is no better than plowing the fields. An oversight is a miserable bet.

"Secondly, the long distance travels and the soldiers are tired."

The privy made Cao Yu nod slightly. The soldiers had been fighting for four months in the Northern Expedition to the Liao Kingdom and had to climb over a Taihang Mountain. They were in urgent need of rest.

"Thirdly, it's not easy to fight in the heat."

Prime Minister Xu Wei applauded, the two countries send troops, the right time, the right place and the people must be considered, and the soldiers are not willing to fight if they are not rewarded. This is a loss of human harmony. Liao's occupation of the mountains is easy to defend and difficult to attack. This is no geographical advantage. The scorching heat of midsummer is the lack of time.

"Fourth..."

"Enough!" Emperor Xuande suddenly shouted, staring at the stuttering son below: "Youyun fourteen prefectures are the land of my Central Plains, like children to parents. Everyone in Dazhou hopes that the court will regain lost ground as soon as possible, Youyun The people of Lebanon suffered from the suffering of the war, and their heart is like an arrow. It is the people's desire to cut the Liao Dynasty. When the fourteen states of Youyun are returned to my Central Plains, I will reward the three armies. The King of Shou has only learned from others. With this hesitation, it is better for me Write an essay about the Northern Expedition of Liao."

Hesitating...

The ministers took a breath. No one knew that King Shou had a mouth problem, so he did not dare to talk openly, but the emperor severely tore open the scars that King Shou had never healed in front of the civil and military faces of Manchu. King Shou opposed the attack on Liao, but the emperor asked King Shou to write a statement about the attack on Liao, which was tantamount to sprinkling a handful of salt on the wound.

The younger brother first offended the father and then was reprimanded by the father. The king of Chu could not blame the father, but he couldn't bear the humiliation of his younger brother. He clenched a pair of iron fists unknowingly, and even the former gloat Rui Wang showed sympathy and left. Go forward and pull his poorly stupid third child. Before the King Rui approached, Zhao Heng turned around and returned to the rank of civil servants.

The emperor’s own sons were all scolded, and all the civil and military officials knew that the emperor’s heart was determined, and no one dared to speak out against it.

After the dispersal of the dynasty, Emperor Xuande called Cao Yu, Guo Boyan and others to Chongzheng Hall to discuss the strategy of the Liao war.

Zhao Heng walked out with the civil servants who were temporarily ignored by Emperor Xuande.

"Today the prince said, every word is Zhuji, and the minister is ashamed." Prime Minister Xu Wei deliberately walked very slowly, and the other courtiers had gone far, so he followed Zhao Heng, using what only two of them could hear. Voice said. Shouwang's worries were also his concerns, but he did not have the courage and bosom of Shouwang, and he dared to stand against the emperor for the court.

He lowered his head slightly and looked at King Shou's robes in front of him, and then saw King Shou leave without any hurry, and did not respond to his praise. Xu Wei slowly straightened his body and looked at King Shou who was already far away. He shook his head insignificantly. He was jealous of the talent. If King Shou had no ailments, it would be...

It is a pity that there is no if, Xu Wei sighed, and went to Zhongshu Province.

As the red sun fell, Zhao Heng returned to the Palace of Shou Wang, without changing his clothes, and went straight to the study. Father Fu has been with the prince. Although he did not go to the court, he heard from others that the prince was swept up by the emperor in public. Knowing that the master was now in anger, he did not dare to say a word, and was holding his breath. Waiting outside the study.

In the backyard, Song Jianing heard that the prince had gone to the study, and guessed that there was a major event, so he continued to sit under the crabapple tree to enjoy the coolness, waiting for the prince to come over to eat when he was busy, but waited until night fell, and there was no movement in the front yard. Song Jianing suddenly became uneasy. Even if the prince was busy, he would send someone to inform her.

Song Jianing sent Liu Xi to see. Liu Xi came from the Palace of Shou Wang and was familiar with the eunuchs in the front yard.

Liu Xi went, but the front yard was empty and silent. Only the guard Zongze was guarding in front of the study. Seeing Liu Xi, Zong Ze made a gesture from a distance. Liu Xi's heart was stunned, and he hurriedly went to report to the princess, and said in a low voice: "The princess has a meal first. The princess has something to do tonight, so he probably won't come over."

Zong Ze’s gesture was that the prince was angry, and Liu Xi remembered clearly that the last time the prince was angry, he was still fighting with the naughty Fourth Highness when he was a child, because the fourth highness deliberately followed him in stammering and speaking, the young King was angry. Yes, shut yourself in the room and haven't been out for a whole month.