"Your Majesty, we are less than ten miles away from Liaoyang. Should the three armies speed up?"
Ma Xianglin, the commander-in-chief of the Chinese Army, asked.
"allow."
As the capital of the Liaodong region and the most important city in the Liaoning-Shenyang defense line, Liaoyang is the end point of Zhu Youxiao's trip.
The news of the emperor's personal expedition has been widely spread among the people along the way.
Li Songping, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong and Xiong Tingbi, the manager of Liaodong, received the news early.
The generals of each battalion and the commanders of the guard posts, including the left-behind officials, have also gathered in Liaoyang, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
Because they did not go far out of the city to meet the emperor, they had to go outside the city before the generals and officials of Liaodong could see the emperor.
When the Chinese army's banner appeared in front of everyone, Zhu Youxiao, who was not far away and was wearing a unique silver armor, naturally caught everyone's attention.
Seeing that the young emperor was riding a war horse instead of a carriage, and was wearing armor and carrying a sword, the rumors that His Majesty was extremely martial were completely confirmed.
This also made everyone feel relieved a little bit.
The emperor has no room for disgrace in his eyes. This has long been recognized by the whole world. Especially last year, he directly sent people to the army to capture the old generals of the Li family and severely punished the important generals, but this made many of them feel cold in the back.
A Liao general felt uneasy and couldn't help but stepped forward and asked in a low voice:
"Taitai, Your Majesty came here in person, but he doesn't trust us?"
Xiong Tingbi frowned, glared at him fiercely and said:
"Shut up. Your Majesty has his own holy decision for the conquest. Is it not for me to speculate?"
"Just listen to the orders with peace of mind and prepare to go to war."
"yes."
Although Xiong Tingbi didn't get angry, he secretly cursed the idiot in his heart.
Can you ask this in such a situation?
And standing next to you is Li Songping, the emperor's close military general. If you are impeached, everything will turn into trouble.
In just a moment, the emperor was almost there.
As the highest military officer, Xiong Tingbi stood at the forefront and shouted:
"I, Xiong Tingbi, who is responsible for the Liaodong administration, led the generals and officials of the Liaoshen army to welcome the Holy Master."
Zhu Youxiao drove his horse forward and saw a sturdy man who looked more like a military general than a civil official. He was wearing the official uniform of the Minister of War, kneeling on the ground.
Although he has succeeded to the throne for more than two years, Xiong Tingbi has always been the most important minister.
But this was also the first time he met Xiong Tingbi, and indeed he was not much different from the image he had in his mind.
After a brief glance, he said:
"Everyone, please calm down. This is not the Emperor's Palace, so there is no need for so many complicated etiquettes. Military salutes will suffice."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
For Xiong Tingbi, Zhu Youxiao still respected him more. Although he was also a member of the Kuomintang, he at least had the courage to tell the truth, and he was really talented and did practical things.
Otherwise, Zhu Youxiao would not be able to stand up to him.
When they met for the first time, Zhu Youxiao didn't put on any airs and praised without hesitation:
"The current situation in Liaodong, the preservation of Liao and Shen, and the fact that our Ming Dynasty still takes the initiative, are all due to Xiong Qing. The person the emperor has chosen is indeed not a mediocre person."
Xiong Tingbi was a little surprised by the emperor's praise, but he couldn't take all the credit, so he explained:
"Your Majesty Miao Zan, this is not the result of one person. Without the unity of the whole army, even if I have the ability of Sun Wu and Han Xin, I will not be able to achieve anything."
Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but smile slightly after hearing this:
"This is true, but I still know a little about what the former Liaodong Army generals were like."
After saying this, the Liaodong general became nervous again.
Zhu Youxiao also noticed it, and then said:
"But everything changes. After the rectification, it will naturally be different from the past."
"If Xiong Qing hadn't withstood this internal and external pressure, and used the morale of our army as a result of the consecutive defeats in the past, I'm afraid that Liaoyang would have been taken over by the wild boar skin."
"Nowadays, the Liao army is connected from top to bottom and is of the same mind. Instead, it has repeatedly defeated the Jiannu. I also know it."
After hearing these words, the nervous feeling of the Liaodong generals slowly dissipated.
Then Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi again and said:
"In the past, when the emperor was here, Xiong Qing wrote a special memorial, saying that it was necessary to have 180,000 soldiers and 90,000 horses before he could think about the conquest and suppression of the slaves."
"Now I personally lead the troops to Liao. I have neither 180,000 troops nor 90,000 horses. According to Xiong Qing, is it possible that my trip will be successful?"
Hearing the emperor's question, Xiong Tingbi was a little surprised for a moment, but after only a few breaths, he bowed and replied:
"Your Majesty is proficient in the arts, literature, and martial arts, and is well versed in military affairs. In addition, this personal expedition by the imperial commander has greatly boosted the morale of our army. According to my humble opinion, it will naturally be possible."
Zhu Youxiao didn't take Xiong Tingbi's flattering remarks to heart.
He replied with a half-smile.
"As far as I know, Xiong Qing doesn't seem to be a flatterer. Why don't you dare to express your true feelings in front of me?"
The emperor exposed it directly, but Xiong Tingbi did not feel embarrassed. Under the gaze of everyone, he calmly replied:
"Your Majesty clearly knows that although I am exaggerating, I truly believe that I am very confident that I can win this battle."
"Then we'll wait until we get to your office. I'll listen to your detailed explanation."
Then he stopped talking about military and political matters and greeted his other confidant general, Li Songping, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, as usual.
Under the guidance of Li Songping and Xiong Tingbi, Zhu Youxiao officially entered Liaoyang City and headed towards the Imperial Government Office.
The people in the city naturally knew the news that the emperor was coming, so many people had already been waiting on both sides of the main road, just to see the sky.
Xiong Tingbi was also a little surprised that the emperor did not have a carriage or chariot.
Afraid of an accident, he quickly ordered his generals and soldiers to be on guard.
It didn't take long before we arrived at the real hub of Liaodong.
Although Xiong Tingbi has been training troops in Shenyang for the past year, the Liaoyang Economic and Strategy Office was the highest local organ of the imperial court.
This will also be his temporary residence.
When he just entered the city, Yang Huan had already led the Yulin Army and Jinyi Guards to control everything around the government office.
The Yulin Army's 40,000 troops, except for the 10,000 cavalry, have all settled in the military camp in the city, and under the leadership of two generals, Qin Bangping and Chen Guang, have taken over all city gates and core areas.
After Zhu Youxiao entered the government office, he had no intention of taking a rest. Instead, he summoned everyone and started the appetizers before the main topic.
First, he verbally praised the civil servants and military officers gathered here. Regardless of whether they were born in Liao Dynasty or transferred from the pass, they were all treated equally.
He has done a lot of homework for this purpose, in order to make them feel that they are valued and to bring them closer to each other.
After all, although they are monarchs and ministers, they have never met each other, and the so-called friendship is nonsense. It is only maintained by fame, promotion and wealth.