Wei Renpu, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, Wang Pu, and Tao Gu, these five people can be regarded as the core members of the imperial party above the imperial court. From the mouths of boring ministers in the imperial court, they have been nicknamed the "Five Heroes". In fact, these five people all have their own functions, and they are all relied on by Liu Chengyou as his confidants.
Originally, Liu Chengyou only planned to discuss the Ma Chu matter with these five people, but he felt that it was a bit inappropriate, so he simply called a few more people. Feng Dao came from the political hall, Shang Hongqian, and Murong Yanzhao came to the palace. , the Guards Department is Gao Xingzhou and Han Tong, and the Privy Council is Zheng Renjie.
Zheng Renjie, both official and resident in the Privy Council, was under the decree. He represented Guo Wei, the Privy Council envoy. Guo Wei was ordered by Liu Chengyou to go north to inspect border affairs in the winter.
Night had fallen, and all the civil and military officials were summoned in a hurry. Those who were on duty at court were better off, and the others had to rush from the palace.
"In a hurry, I summoned all the ministers to make a fuss, but don't be offended!" The hall was brightly lit, and the bright fire beams were a bit dazzling. Liu Chengyou started in a relaxed tone.
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"Your Majesty is serious!" Seeing that the emperor was so polite, Feng Dao immediately stepped forward and said respectfully: "Your Majesty has summoned you, even if you are thousands of miles away, your ministers will come as soon as possible. Besides, we need to discuss things together, how can we neglect it!"
Old Fox Feng's welcome always makes people happy. Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, waved his hand, and said to Wen and Wu who were sitting down: "It's already late, and you haven't eaten even if you think about it. I've ordered people to prepare dinner. Tonight our monarchs and ministers Let’s discuss it while eating, don’t be constrained by etiquette, just be casual!”
He looked easy-going and informal, which made the atmosphere between the monarch and his ministers better. All the ministers sang in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The food provided in the palace was not deliberately reduced. It was quite abundant, not considered delicacies, and the taste was not bad.
"Wei Qing, please inform all the ministers about the events in Hunan!" Liu Chengyou ordered Wei Renpu while holding a bowl of porridge and pouring the spoon.
Wei Renpu stood up in response to the order, and everyone else glanced at him subconsciously and put down the bowls and chopsticks in their hands. Upon seeing this, Liu Chengyou spoke again and emphasized again that the ministers should not be restrained and eat and listen. Although it was deliberate, but This harmonious atmosphere between the king and his ministers was finally created.
Wei Renpu's eloquence was always quick. In less than a moment, he explained the civil strife situation of the Ma brothers in Hunan.
"Privilege Wei's explanation is very clear. The King of Chu, Ma Xiguang, has also asked me for help many times. The Han Dynasty is the country of his sect leader. There is chaos in Ma Chu. After all, we cannot stand idly by and watch. We have little spare power. What do you think our court should do? Liu Chengyou looked around and asked.
"This Ma Xiguang is too useless. He has the troops, money and food of more than ten states in Hunan, but he allows a mere Ma Xi'e to counterattack the city with the land of one state!" Shang Hongqian was the first to speak, with satisfied disdain.
Liu Chengyou also sighed slightly and looked quite emotional: "I am also curious. I knew this person was cowardly, but I didn't expect that he would be so cowardly that he would be defeated and the country would be destroyed!"
Wei Renpu seemed a little speechless and confused, and his expression showed a rare expression of contempt:
"According to Hunan News, Ma Xihe has only a thousand horses and less than ten thousand soldiers. Ma Xiguang has not to mention one hundred thousand soldiers and generals, but still has fifty or sixty thousand usable troops. Now the brothers have been fighting for only three years, but they have been reduced to In a state of ruin, he is too pedantic, does not understand people well, and does not care about people. He has a weak attitude towards Ma Xi'e and repeatedly condones him."
"Ma Xi'e's younger brother, Ma Xichong, colluded with him both internally and externally, and his rebellion was rampant. Instead of listening to loyal advice and eliminating the trouble, Ma Xiguang used his troops to defend the city against the enemy. And Ma Xiguang is now guarding the palace, seeking witchcraft and praying. , pray that the soldiers will retreat!"
"How can such a mediocre lord be invincible!" Gao Xingzhou, who had been in Beijing for half a year as a military commander, did not hide his contempt at all: "Faced with such an ignorant lord, Ma Xihe actually struggled for three years before he could win. Changsha, it can be seen that this Ma Xi'e is also an incompetent person. I think that Ma Yin was considered a hero for a while, but his descendants are so unworthy, how can they sleep peacefully under the nine springs!"
After speaking, all the civil and military officials attending the meeting expressed their disdain more or less.
"Okay, since we, the monarchs and ministers, are here, there is no need to talk about how unbearable the Ma family brothers are!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand, moved forward slightly, his tiger eyes were frightening, and said solemnly: "The Ma family's civil strife is not unique to Hunan. This matter concerns the entire Southern Kingdom, Jingnan, Southern Tang, Puppet Liu and even Meng Shu. They all took action after hearing the news. As of now, I am neither willing nor able to watch the fire from the other side anymore!"
"Your Majesty, the land of Hunan is vast. It is located in the southern country. There is a lot of food and fish. The Ma brothers cannot defend it. This is a great opportunity for the Han Dynasty to seize it. I think that your Majesty can respond to the invitation of the King of Chu and send an elite army. Go south and take the opportunity to bring the Hunan states under the control of the imperial court!" Tao Gu immediately stood up and made suggestions.
After he finished speaking, Han Tong directly went out to ask for orders, looking eager to make achievements: "If your Majesty is willing, I am willing to lead the army to go to war!"
After the two men finished speaking, without waiting for Liu Chengyou to ask another question, Wang Pu, who was in charge of the Ministry of Industry and Industry at that time, immediately stood up and expressed his opposition clearly and resolutely: "Your Majesty, Tao and Han have not considered it properly, and this move is absolutely unacceptable! "
"Why not!" Wang Pu's objection was a bit rude and almost slapped him in the face in public, which made Tao Gu very unhappy.
"In the past two years, all your Majesty has been doing is to conquer the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers in the south. How can he easily change his tune and slow down his great cause because of the chaos in Hunan?" Wang Pu said.
"Hmph!" Tao Gu glanced at Wang Pu and said in an understated tone: "Military and political strategies should be adapted to the times. Now the situation has changed. Your Majesty's strategy should be adjusted in time. Why not? Furthermore, Hunan's soldiers are weak and the people are tired. How much influence will it have on Your Majesty's expedition to Huaihe River if you support your army and horses as a partial army?"
"What Tao She said is wrong!" Wang Pu immediately retorted with excitement: "Military wars are no small matter, and the imperial court does not have the strength to use troops on both sides! Hunan has a vast territory and is more than a thousand miles away from Tokyo. It is really a waste of troops to send troops south. Expedition, and the northern officers and soldiers are not accustomed to the soil and water of the south, and if they rush into the army rashly, they are afraid that they will suffer the disadvantages instead of reaping the benefits!"
"Moreover, there is Jingnan between Hunan and the Han Dynasty. If you mobilize less troops, it will be difficult to achieve success; if you mobilize more troops, Jingnan will be suspicious. The Ma family's rebellion is not limited to the Han Dynasty. Those who sit back and watch the success or failure are not just the Han Dynasty. , the Southern Tang Dynasty is adjacent to it, and the puppet Liu Dynasty is lurking in the south. If the Han Dynasty makes the first move, I am afraid that it will give these two the opportunity to profit. Therefore, I hope your Majesty will be cautious!"
The civil and military forces in Chongzheng Hall were quickly divided into three factions. Tao Gu, Han Tong led the advance, Wang Pu and Wang Pu retreated, and the remaining people were in the middle. Feng Dao, Tao Sheren and General Han also fought in Tai Chi. His ambition is commendable, and what Wang Shangshu said is reasonable. In short, he has no intention of participating in the differences within the imperial party...
Liu Chengyou thought about it seriously. To be honest, if he could take advantage of the Ma family's civil strife and conquer Hunan in one battle, he would be a little tempted. However, considering the situation and strategic strength, he could only restrain his ambition and impulse.
Although the Ma brothers are very powerful in "pecking at each other" in Hunan, but if you think about it carefully, if the big man doesn't move, he can defend it from the north and move according to the situation. If the big man moves, he is very likely to fall into Quagmire.
For a long time, Liu Chengyou caressed the imperial case gently, and his calm tone revealed his firm will: "I will not do anything to steal chestnuts from the fire, so as not to steal the chicken but lose the rice! All the ministers here are my thighs and arms, and can be trusted by my confidants. I emphasize once again that the Han’s next strategic direction is still Huainan and cannot be changed!”
