Since the Han and Liao sides negotiated peace again, the Han Dynasty has been busy mobilizing troops and transporting grain and grass. The Liao Kingdom has not relaxed either and is also proceeding at the same time. In fact, the Liao Kingdom has been preparing for war for two years, and in
During the implementation process, it was not only for the Western Expedition, but also took the opportunity to integrate the tribal forces in the northwest Liaoning region.
For a long time, since the core area of Liao rule was in the eastern region, although the northern and northwest tribes surrendered and submitted to the rule, the Liao court's control over these areas was actually very weak. Especially, during the previous Han Dynasty
During the Liao War, the Liao Kingdom suffered heavy losses. Civil strife continued in the country, and its national strength was greatly damaged.
The law of the jungle is the most basic principle of survival and interaction on the grassland. When the center of the Liao Kingdom was strong, they accepted the rule and paid taxes and tributes. They were willing to submit. However, once there were signs of decline, the surrendered wolves and dogs would not hesitate to show their horns.
Teeth, bite it back.
Of course, as far as the Liao Kingdom is concerned, it has not reached that point. However, in the past few years, when Yelujing was busy fighting rebellions and calming down the people, the tribes in the northwest did have a centrifugal tendency. In addition, there was a Taiping
King Yeluyi went to Sage, where he received his followers and had hidden ambitions.
In view of this, it is understandable that Yelujing went on several expeditions to the west and strengthened the military strength in the northwest region of Liaoning. Moreover, he seemed to be very patient and did everything step by step. In order to appease his younger brother Yelujing, Yelujing took the initiative to
He also specifically promised him that he would be the commander-in-chief and lead the army in the Western Expedition. After conquering the Western Region, he would only need half of the goods, and then the Western Region and the Jinshan area would be officially sealed to him.
Yelu Sage believed Yelv Jing's promise and cooperated with the recruitment of troops. By the autumn of the fifteenth year of Qianyou, preparations for the Liao Kingdom's western expedition were basically completed.
Twenty thousand soldiers were recruited, plus 5,000 people sent from Shangjing, as well as the garrison troops from the northwest region, totaling more than 30,000 cavalry, and they were trained intensively in Zhaozhou, east of Yanran Mountain.
Later, before taking the oath to go to war, Yelu Sage was suddenly captured and escorted back to Linhuang Mansion. For the sake of the internal stability of the Liao Kingdom, Yelu Jing broke his promise. Later, amid Yelv Sage's scolding, Liao
Yelu Xiezhen, a rising star in the royal family of the country, was worshiped as the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition, and led the army to the Western Expedition in the name of the Northwest Route Recruitment Envoy.
In terms of the time to mobilize troops, the Liao army had to wait until Emperor Liu issued an edict to Pingnan, and the troops mobilized were mainly from the northwest. Beggar-thy-neighbor and using war to divert domestic conflicts is a tried and tested method. Moreover, Yu Yelu
For Jing, it was a low-risk matter. If he won, he would plunder the Western Regions, enhance his military power, boost his national strength, and consolidate his rule. Even if he failed, it would not have much impact on the rule of central and eastern Liao, but would weaken the northwest.
The strength of various tribes. However, in the area that is the core of the rule, it still retains a certain strength, which is enough to prepare for unexpected events.
Due to the distance and the blockade, it was already the end of September when the news of the Liao army's westward advance reached Lingzhou. When it reached Kaifeng, Pingnan's army was already on the southern battlefield, attacking the city and setting up a stronghold.
The festival was victorious.
As for the westward advance of the Liao army, although Liu Chengyou was concerned about it, he was actually looking forward to it. After so long, no useful news came about its progress. When thinking of this, Emperor Liu saw the Uighurs occupying the Gansu area.
I feel it's very eye-catching...
The entire imperial court was already excited about the imminent unification of the world, but Emperor Liu couldn't help but think about it. The West Sea has not yet been settled, and the Hexi River has not been restored. How can we talk about unification?
"If the Liao army invades the Western Region, it will inevitably cause turmoil, cut off communication between the east and west, and block trade routes. The situation must be reflected!" After thinking for a long time, Liu Chengyou ordered: "In the name of the Privy Council, write a letter to Chai Rong. Feng, let him pay close attention!"
"yes!"
"Zhao Qing, you have visited the northwest and are familiar with northwest affairs. Now that the Liao army has really launched its expedition, tell me, what impact will the Liao army's western expedition have on the Han Dynasty? How much of a threat will it pose to the northwest border?" Liu Chengyou Feeling worried, I asked Zhao Kuangyin.
Similar topics had been discussed by Liu Chengyou and his ministers before. When they were brought up again, Zhao Kuangyin's views became clearer, saying: "Your Majesty, I don't think you need to worry too much. The Western Region is three thousand miles away from our border, and the rebel army is in the middle. , even if the Uighurs were defeated by them, it would be extremely difficult for them to threaten the Han border from west to east.
Furthermore, the Khitan's ruling area, mainly Shangjing and Tokyo, is too remote. The east and west sides are thousands of miles apart. How can they invade the south together? Now that the Dahanguan Mountains are solid, even if it can cause some trouble, it is nothing more than scabies. disease.
In addition, with the current situation in the northwest, Tubo was torn apart and all the tribes in Longxi surrendered. The only ones who can really be patients are the Dingjun Army and the party members, who are now also tightly controlled by the imperial court. The imperial court has been operating in the northwest region for more than ten years. Annihilate the people, support the Rong, strengthen the army, and have enough strength to maintain its stability.
Therefore, even if the Han Dynasty’s northwestern frontier defense was far from flawless, it would not be easy for the Liao Kingdom to make a major breakthrough from the northwest if the imperial court was prepared!”
"Are Zhao Qing's words just to reassure me?" Liu Chengyou asked Zhao Kuangyin with a relieved smile after hearing his comments.
"I'm just answering according to the situation!" After hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyin cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, when the south is pacified, the land and the people are exhausted, and the land is rich in finance and taxation, then with the great national power and military strength of the Han Dynasty, the northern Guguan Mountains , controlling Heshuo in the west, how can the Khitan really threaten the Han Dynasty even though the Khitan is so big? In contrast, it is the Khitan who need to worry more about their safety. How can China be strong and allow Beidi to run rampant? The Xiongnu of Han Dynasty, the Sui and Tang Dynasties The Turks are a lesson to them!"
There was a strong sense of self-confidence in Zhao Kuangyin's words. Liu Chengyou was surprised when he heard this. After thinking about it, his eyes glowed with emotion and he said with emotion: "What Zhao Qing said is very reasonable! It’s time for me to change my inherent ideas. After so many years of making the country rich and powerful, and peace with the countries in the south, and the mountains in the north, I should have enough confidence to deal with any challenges!"
...
Liu Chengyou left the Privy Council in a happy mood and went straight to Guangzheng Hall. He had received instructions in advance. A group of Zhongshu ministers, headed by Prime Minister Wei Renpu, were already waiting.
After entering the palace and taking a seat, he looked around. As usual, Emperor Liu said without any nonsense: "I have just come from the Privy Council. Jiangnan and Jiangxi areas have been completely occupied. During the Lingnan War, only a few barbarian states in Guangxi have not yet been recovered. It can be said that the war in Jiangnan and Lingnan has completely entered the final and consolidation stage.
The military task has almost been completed. Next, it depends on the princes how to appease and fully integrate them under the rule of the imperial court! There are more than 60 state armies in Jiangnan and Lingnan, large and small, almost a Sichuan army. Shu, the territory is narrow and long, and the people's sentiments are more complicated than Sichuan and Shu. It is a big challenge to achieve security!"
After Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Wei Renpu, as the Prime Minister, took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I and other officials have drafted several rough treatment strategies based on the situation in Jiangnan and Lingnan. Please take a look at it!"
After signaling, Sun Yanjun hurriedly stepped forward to take it and presented it to Emperor Liu. In fact, after going through the conquests of Jingnan, Hunan, and Sichuan and Shu, the imperial court was already very experienced in how to accept states and counties and stabilize the people and govern their affairs. Okay. Since there are precedents to follow, it is not particularly difficult to do it. As long as the macro is controlled well and the specific implementation stage is implemented, the execution ability of the current big Han bureaucracy is still worthy of trust.
As for Wei Renpu's proposal, there is indeed nothing new in it. For example, retaining old officials, transferring officials from the north to the south, promoting the Han system, promulgating Han laws, abolishing miscellaneous taxes, etc. are all things that have experience and can be followed. The Sichuan-Shu region The original policy now only needs to be transferred and slightly changed. Of course, each place has its own particularities, but the general direction is the same.
Therefore, Liu Chengyou directly agreed with Wei Renpu's proposal: "It can be promulgated according to this!"
"yes!"
Of course, when Liu Chengyou summoned the important ministers to come, he did not just follow this process. He straightened his body and said lightly: "I heard that there are many nobles and local tyrants in the south of the Yangtze River. I intend to select tycoons to enrich the states!"