"Guo Qing, the Jinghu Lake has now descended. Although the chaos has not stopped, it will be a matter of time. Where do you think the Han's next goal should be?" Liu Chengyou pondered for a while and asked.
Because of the Lingnan incident, he planned to have a slightly in-depth discussion with Guo Rong on the Han Dynasty's next strategic direction.
After hearing this, Guo Rong looked calm and said: "Jinghu, a safe place in the world, is now under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, so you can take it easily."
Raising his eyelids, Guo Rong asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to attack Lingnan first?"
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According to the original strategic plan, after the imperial court obtained Jinghu, it would mobilize troops from two groups to attack Shu. Next, it would take the Southern Tang Dynasty. However, because of the Lingnan incident, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but turn his attention to the Southern Han Dynasty.
Liu Chengyou's expression was relaxed, and he responded: "I won't hide it from you, it's just a sudden thought!"
After saying that, he walked to the map and said, "What I'm considering is that if we capture Lingnan first, and then launch an army to pacify the Southern Tang Dynasty, and capture Wu and Yue, then we can launch a three-pronged army to attack it, so that it can't be avoided." !As for Meng Shu, there are dangers in the mountains and rivers, so we will save them for the last time!"
After hearing the emperor's considerations, Guo Rong did not object directly, but asked instead: "Has your Majesty ever considered the mobilization of troops and horses, and the transfer of food and equipment during this period? If we take Lingnan first, then destroy the southeast, and then turn to pacify Shu. , which spans thousands of miles..."
"That's all! I was also attracted by Lingnan, and I didn't think carefully at the moment!" Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou smiled bitterly, staring at the map intently, and said casually: "Do you think, should we go from west to east or from east to west? west?"
This is the question of whether to destroy Shu or Tang first.
Guo Rong said: "Your Majesty, Xiang Xun is stationed in Hanzhong, but he is just waiting to go south to Chengdu!"
After listening to his words, Liu Chengyou took a deep breath and said: "It seems that in a short period of time, we still have to stabilize Jingnan, sit back and observe the world, and look for ways to make progress!"
In fact, Guo Rong's attitude is already very obvious. The next strategic goal is still to destroy Shu, and then sweep across Lingnan and Southeast from west to east. This is also the route used by Zhao Kuangyin to pacify the south in history. After historical testing, Guo Rong Rong and others planned this based on the specific situation.
The reason why Liu Chengyou came up with another idea was just out of curiosity. The whole government and everyone in the imperial court worked together to make plans for the country, and there was nothing that said it should be changed.
However, when it comes to the Han Dynasty's strategy for the world, if it is planned at the beginning of the founding of the country, after taking all Jiangbei, it is time to send troops to the north to attack Khitan.
But after a few years, Liu Chengyou still chose to pacify the south first. There was no other way. The risk was low and the returns were high. It was not impossible to attack the Liao Kingdom in the north. With the current national strength of the Han Dynasty, it could support a war. However, there was uncertainty. Too big. After being emperor for a long time, he is no longer willing to gamble, especially on the fate of the country.
According to official history, Zhou Shizonghui couldn't help but launch the Northern Expedition. The problem was that Hebei was invaded by the Khitan in an attempt to eliminate the back trouble. But today's Han Dynasty, compared with the later Zhou Dynasty, has a much stronger national power and a much better external environment. many.
First, there is no danger of "Northern Han", and second, Youzhou is subordinate. The results of Zhou Shizong's Northern Expedition have long been owned by the Han Dynasty. From Hedong to Hebei, the imperial court has built a fairly stable line of defense. Hebei has the nail of Youzhou. The threat to the hinterland from the Khitans was relatively less severe.
Under such circumstances, Liu Chengyou would not risk a full-scale war with the Khitan to carry out the Northern Expedition. Of course, if the Khitan had been making trouble in the north and was as aggressive as Yelu Ruan at the time, and had been looking for a way to go south, then Liu Chengyou also had the courage and determination to fight with him first.
However, the reality is that the Khitan emperor who is now in power is Yelu Jing. In the past three or four years, although frictions on the border between Han and Liao were still unavoidable, overall, non-governmental exchanges were relatively stable, and even improved year by year. Frequently a year.
Although Yelujing likes to drink, sleep, and hunt, he is still somewhat skillful in consolidating the imperial power. He ascended the throne after the Huoshendian Rebellion. Although he was harmless to humans and animals, he also calmed down several internal affairs in the past few years. The rebellion eliminated many dissidents, especially the nobles and ministers of the "Sejong" line.
When the Han Dynasty conquered the Southern Tang Dynasty, Yelujing was busy with four things: consolidating the throne, drinking, sleeping, and hunting. When the Han Dynasty conquered Hou Shu, Yelujing was busy with three things: drinking, sleeping, and hunting. Now that the Han Dynasty has conquered Jinghu Lake, Yelujing has returned Considered the third child...
Thinking of these, how could Liu Chengyou have the heart to disturb Yelujing? After all, after all, he has to flatten the countries, eliminate the 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. This is the final step. A safe and appropriate choice.
Putting aside some distracting thoughts in his mind and looking westward, Liu Chengyou asked: "You didn't mention the Navy just now?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Rong said: "The Privy Council initially planned to use the Jingnan Navy as the base, combine the surrendered Hunan Navy, and then recruit soldiers to build and train the Jiangnan Navy to prepare for the conquest of Shu and the pacification of the Tang Dynasty. There are 12,000 soldiers. , 5,000 standing troops!”
After a moment's hesitation, Guo Rong continued: "Currently, the only thing to worry about is the candidate for the general of the Jiangling Navy. The Han Dynasty has no shortage of talents for infantry and horse warfare, but for water warfare, available generals are scarce!"
"There is no one available in the Jingnan Navy?" Liu Chengyou frowned slightly.
Guo Rongdao: "The naval commander Wei Lin can be his deputy, but not his chief. As for the others, they may have talents, but they haven't been discovered yet, so it's not easy to promote them rashly!"
"What are the Privy Council's considerations?" Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong.
"Maybe he will be transferred from Mizhou Navy, or he will be appointed as the governor of Chuzhou, Zhang Yanqing!" Guo Rong said.
Liu Chengyou: "Zhang Yanqing?"
"This man was originally the defense envoy of Haizhou in the Southern Tang Dynasty. He surrendered after the peace talks between the two countries. When I visited Huaidong, I saw this man's talents. Although his reputation is not obvious, he is no less than Guo Tingwei. When he was appointed to Chuzhou, he 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 very capable of the Hongze Project!" Liu Chengyou suddenly looked at Guo Rong: "Guo Qing recommended this so much, I'm afraid he prefers this one more in his heart. Zhang Yanqing!"
"I dare not hide anything from Your Majesty! I am indeed leaning toward this person!" Guo Rong admitted directly.
Zhang Yanqing originally belonged to the Tang Dynasty, so there should be no problem for him to establish, command and train the Jiangling Navy, and then supplement it with generals from Jinghu. As for his personal talents, it would not be a problem if he could be valued by Guo Rong and Wang Pu at the same time. Difference.
Therefore, without further hesitation, Liu Chengyou gave his opinion on the spot: "Let's lower the order. Let Zhang Yanqing be the commander of the Jinghu Navy, with the title of captain of light vehicles. Let Wei Lin serve as his deputy, and be given the title of captain of cavalry!" "
"yes!"
"How did the Jinghu Capital Command Department arrange it? Who is in charge?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
In this regard, Guo Rong seemed unwilling to express any more opinions. After all, he could not arrange everything properly in advance... After thinking about it, Guo Rong said: "The commander of Xiaodi Army made He seems to be interested in taking up the post.”
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately frowned and said directly: "There is no need to consider him! I know that he is capable, but he is not enough to serve as the capital of Jinghu!"
Guo Rong stopped talking, probably aware of Guo Rong's intention to avoid suspicion. Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while and said: "Then let Du Hanhui, the commander of the Protecting Holy Army, take charge of Jinghu Dusi!"
Guo Rong nodded: "Yes!"
In terms of qualifications, merit, and ability, Du Hanhui is indeed qualified.
"After reorganization, how to set up defenses?"
"Li Jun is in charge of the five states in western Hunan, Pan Mei is in Quan, Yong, and Cao Bin is in charge of Chen! With these three generals, and Qin Zaixiong will assist him in the future, we will be safe!" Guo Rong thought for a while and said.
Liu Chengyou thought about it, then glanced at Guo Rong and said with a smile: "You have already thought about the generals who will attack Lingnan in the future!"
Liu Chengyou's words were teasing and seemed to be unintentional, but when they reached Guo Rong's ears, he was slightly alert and responded softly: "Does your Majesty already have someone you like?"
"Could it be that Guo Qing couldn't guess it?" Liu Chengyou looked at him with a smile.
"Excuse me for being stupid!" Guo Rong bowed his hands.
Instead of looking at each other, Liu Chengyou smiled again.