"Do you know my intention of transferring you north to Shanyang?" Looking up to the north, his eyes gradually deepened, Emperor Liu suddenly asked Li Chuyun in a low voice.
Following Emperor Liu's gaze, he could only see the vast wilderness to the north of Yunzhong City and the acropolis that protected the city. But Li Chuyun knew clearly that the emperor's gaze had already crossed the undulating Great Wall dozens of miles away and was directed towards the vast expanse.
of desert grasslands.
"It's to prepare for the Khitan war!" Li Chuyun confirmed.
When he was still serving as Privy Council, Emperor Liu discussed Khitan affairs with Li Chuyun several times. Li Chuyun was certainly aware of his ambitions and plans for the north.
Since Emperor Liu asked, he naturally would not deny it and said with certainty: "Today, looking around, the only major problem left in the Han Dynasty is the Khitan and Liao Kingdom in the north, and the rest are not worthy of justice. For decades, the Khitan took advantage of the Central Plains
During the civil strife, they repeatedly invaded the south, invaded our land, plundered our people, and wreaked violence. All people with lofty ideals in the Central Plains hated it with gnashing of teeth.
Twenty years ago, in the battle of Luancheng, I led eight thousand soldiers, risking their lives to fight, inflicting heavy damage on them, destroying their arrogance, and showing the glory of our Han family; ten years ago, I led the Northern Expedition and severely attacked the Khitan,
Recovering Guanshan in one fell swoop, approaching the fortress with troops, breaking the heavy shackles that bound the northern frontier of the Han Dynasty; now that the world is unified, things are going south, and the country is getting stronger, the only last step is to go north in a big way, destroy the country, and create a better future for future generations.
, solve this disaster and create a peaceful and prosperous age unique to the Han Dynasty. You and I, our monarchs, ministers and soldiers, can also leave our names in history..."
Li Chuyun has always had great ambitions. Hearing Emperor Liu's words, he was naturally excited and immediately said: "I will follow your majesty to the death and make great achievements in destroying Liao!"
"The goal is this. I am determined to do the Northern Expedition, but the Liao Dynasty is not a country that will be destroyed. To implement it, we must make careful preparations and perfect the temple plan!" Emperor Liu said this: "During the Northern Expedition, a division must come out from Shanyang.
Ten years ago, you arranged logistics for the army. In the future, I still want to use you to support the army, and Shanyang is the rear of the advance. I use Song Qi to restore development, and with you, I will go north!"
"Yes!" Li Chuyun replied seriously.
Seeing Emperor Liu holding on to the city wall vigorously and seeming a little excited, Li Chuyun couldn't help but ask: "I wonder when will your Majesty decide to send troops?"
"This not only depends on the preparations of the Han Dynasty, but also depends on the Khitan. We have to be careful in the battle to destroy the country!" Emperor Liu sighed with emotion.
For the Northern Expedition, the Han Dynasty court has actually been preparing for many years in various aspects. Now, as long as it is determined to mobilize troops, with the current execution ability of the empire, it can still quickly enter the implementation stage.
However, when it comes to national war, it cannot be so casual. The Han Dynasty was temporarily restrained by the huge consumption of the Southwest War. The more important reason is that the Liao Kingdom is in good condition. It is not that easy to build a grassland empire with a stable political power.
That's an obvious difficulty.
Of course, Emperor Liu is not afraid of difficulties. At worst, he will fight for national strength and consumption, which is what Emperor Liu is good at. But if you can reduce losses and have the opportunity to do big things at a small cost, there is no need to be too reckless.
After hesitating for a while, Emperor Liu felt a little uncomfortable, probably because the cold wind had been blowing for a long time. He said to Li Chuyun: "Let's go, take me to see your official office!"
"I will lead the way for Your Majesty!" Li Chuyun responded immediately, but he couldn't help coughing twice.
Listening to his suppressed cough and noticing his thin figure and facial expression, Emperor Liu frowned and warned: "You should take care of yourself!"
"Please save me!" It was probably the emperor's concern that warmed his heart. Li Chuyun's face showed a little polish and he responded: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have some old ailments, but nothing serious!"
Listening to his words, Emperor Liu had some doubts in his eyes. He didn't know how long Li Chuyun lived in the original history, but his current state reminded Emperor Liu of a person, Murong Yanzhao.
There is no problem at all when it comes to describing Li Chuyun as "sick from overwork". He wanted to let Li Chuyun retire and recuperate, but in the end he did not say that. It was not that he could not find a replacement for Li Chuyun, but that he was afraid that he would not be able to replace him.
Will be happy, just like Li Gu who was ill and commanded Pingnan, he will not retreat lightly before his achievements are accomplished.
"Have a rest overnight. Tomorrow you will patrol the Great Wall border north, so you can go with us!" Emperor Liu turned to Li Chuyun and said.
"yes!"
...
The autumn season is high in August, and the mountains and grasslands in the northern part of the Great Wall are also covered with a layer of yellow. The cool breeze rustles, and the grass and trees are drifting. Emperor Liu also visited the Jiaoshankou Great Wall.
This place was the main passage for the Liao army in Yunzhou to evacuate. It was also the route taken by Shi Yanchao and Yang Ye in pursuit of the army. When you come here, you can't help but have some recollections.
Back then, before Emperor Liu returned south, he built a defense line based on the Great Wall. On the Yunzhong side, the Fengyi Army was set up, and two veteran generals, Wang Yanchao and Guo Chongwei, were left to guard it.
Later, as the situation in the north became calmer, the military system in northern Xinjiang was reorganized and improved several times. From west to east, from Fengzhou Tiande Army, Shengzhou Baoning Army, Shuozhou Ningyuan Army, and then to Yunzhong Fengyi Army,
These four armies formed the current defense line of Shanyang against the Khitan.
Among them, the most important one is naturally the Fengyi Army. It has the most elite soldiers and the largest number of soldiers, with a total of 15,000 soldiers. It basically takes care of the entire Yunzhong and the 300-mile Great Wall defense line in the north.
"The sky is blue, the fields are vast, and the grass is blown by the wind and you can see the cattle and sheep!" Under the beacon tower, Emperor Liu looked north at the wilderness and couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity that the scene in the poem can't be seen today."
"How many garrison troops are there in Jiaoshan Town?" Emperor Liu asked Liu Tinghan, who was accompanying him in Shanyang City.
During the time Emperor Liu came to the north, Liu Tinghan had been training his soldiers and preparing them for review at any time. As a capable general, he had been taking up his post in the north for a short period of time, and he was also familiar with the conditions of the armies and garrison under his command.
After hearing the question, he answered without thinking: "Your Majesty, there are three hundred garrison soldiers in this town, including two hundred infantry and one hundred cavalry!"
"Looking at the report, in the early years, there were repeated invasions and occupations in the northern part of the Great Wall. Where is the actual territory under control now?" Emperor Liu asked again.
Liu Tinghan pointed to the north and said: "From then on, Baishui Lake, seventy miles to the north, is a large lake in the north of Saibei. There are now two hundred horsemen stationed to maintain public order, and many Hu people gather to trade!"
"Two hundred people, enough to hold on?" Emperor Liu asked.
Liu Tinghan said: "Ordinary tribesmen and Hu people do not dare to invade. The troops stationed in Baishuiluo are only used as outposts for surveillance and early warning. The only ones that can pose a threat are the Khitan troops. If the Khitans attack, even if there are few troops,
It’s useless. And it’s not worthwhile to keep too many troops stationed for a long time. It’s better to put some sentries, which is more flexible and convenient!”
Nodding slightly, Emperor Liu breathed a long sigh of relief, looked at the vast mountains and fields in front of him, and said: "Autumn is high and the horses are fat, which is always the time for the Hu people to mobilize their troops. Now, I am here, but I don't know where the Lord of Liao is?"
Perhaps because of "heart to heart", half an hour after Emperor Liu ascended the Great Wall, Fengyi Army envoy Yao Jineng came to report and brought a rather surprising news. Yelv Jing, the Lord of the Liao Dynasty, was hunting in Luo, Yangcheng.
Yangchengluo is more than four hundred miles northeast of Yunzhong. After hearing the news, Emperor Liu became interested and immediately called Wang Zhaoyuan, who was accompanying him, and ordered: "You are on my behalf as an envoy to the Lord of Liao's palace.
It was said that I came to the frontier from the north, and happened to hear that he was hunting in the south. I was delighted to see him hunting, so I invited him to hunt with me, and asked him if he dared to come..."
Emperor Liu was very interested in meeting Yelujing.