"How can the offensive and defensive momentum, the way of life and death, be determined by your personal wishes?" After listening to Pule's words, Li Chuyun said rudely: "As you said, with the strength of Gaochang's capital, it is difficult for the Khitan soldiers to lead the army.
, lost their troops, lost their land, abandoned their country and fled, and now only have a mere six Kucha city, how can they be so confident and sustain it for a long time? In my opinion, it is not yet known whether Kucha city can be protected at the moment. Maybe you, the Uighur monarch and his ministers
, has been captured by the Khitans!"
Li Chuyun's words were not polite, and even contained a little contempt. His strong posture made Pu Le feel a little uncomfortable. This was completely different from the feeling Emperor Liu gave him. The emperor was aloof and out of reach, and Li Chuyun's attack
Sex is stronger.
Facing the gazes of the Han monarchs, Pule forcibly stabilized his mind, pondered for a while, and then said: "What the foreign minister said is not a personal delusion. There are four reasons in total!"
"Oh! Tell me!" Emperor Liu was a little interested.
Bowing with his hands in hand, Pu Le said slowly: "First, the Khitans marched westward brazenly and attacked our country. Although they relied on conspiracy to attack our country, occupy our city, and kill our soldiers and civilians, the kings and ministers of our country all regard them as enemies.
Determined to resist resolutely, never compromise, and willing to fight to the last soldier;
Second, the Khitan people came from afar and fought fiercely in the territory for more than a year. Although they achieved some results, the long-term battle made their troops tired and their front and rear troops also suffered a lot of damage. Their military strength will only become weaker and weaker as the battle continues.
, may not last longer;
Third, although Gaochang City was destroyed, the Kucha area still retains a lot of strength. Although Kucha City is not as good as Gaochang Guanggu, it can still be defended, and the army, horses and food can still be held on. And the Luntai area in the northwest still exists.
There are tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, these are the strength for counterattack;
Fourth, since the Khitan invaded, they have killed lives, plundered property, and committed heinous crimes. When the soldiers and civilians in the country heard about it, they were all outraged. There are millions of tribesmen in our country, and the Khan has also sent envoys to encourage the tribesmen and soldiers in towns and cities to fight against the Khitans.
Although the army is strong in combat, it only has 30,000 to 20,000 troops. It will only become smaller and smaller as we fight, and one day we will be able to drive them away!"
Pule kept talking, counting the advantages of the Xizhou Uighurs in protracted warfare one by one. He became more and more confident as he talked, outlining a development situation of the Western Regions Anti-Japanese War, and pointed out that the final winner would be the Uighurs.
However, how could the rulers of the Han Dynasty be easily confused by these appearances? Li Chuyun asked calmly: "The Tathagata said that although the situation in the Western Regions is worrying, it is not yet in danger. If you are confident in the strategy of defending against the enemy, why bother to surround yourself with enemies?"
If you ask for help, why do you need the Han Dynasty to send troops to rescue you from afar?"
One sentence made Pule speechless, and he didn't know how to answer for a while. Looking back on what he said, he had the urge to slap himself twice. It was obviously an answer to a question about confidence and perseverance, so why did he just say it so easily?
It turned into expelling the Khitans.
Pule's face couldn't help but feel a little hot when his boasted cowhide was poked in front of him. Seeing that he was speechless, Emperor Liu smiled slightly, looked at him and said, "I think you are quite knowledgeable and eloquent.
Along the way, he has gone through many hardships and dangers, but he has never forgotten his mission. He is a talented person. It is a pity to stay in Xizhou, but are you willing to serve as an official in the imperial court and serve the Han Dynasty?"
Faced with Emperor Liu's sudden solicitation, Pule couldn't react for a moment. He was stunned for a while, with excitement on his rather heroic face, and said: "The great Han is the dynasty of the Middle Earth, and your Majesty is also the celestial dynasty.
Khan, I have received your majesty's love. This is a blessing I have earned over the years. I should be loyal to you. However, my hometown has been invaded and my family and compatriots have been ravaged. Every time I think about this, my heart is broken and I can't hold myself together. If I have to do it because of the Han Dynasty's heavenly troops marching westward.
, to save the country, I am willing to die in retribution!"
With these words, Pu Le actually showed some sincere feelings. Emperor Liu nodded gently, and then said: "Xizhou is thousands of miles away. Even if I intervene intentionally, I am powerless and beyond the reach of my whip.
Your request is related to the military and national strategy, so you need to be cautious. It should be discussed by the imperial court and everyone's opinions should be listened to. I cannot make a decision alone. In this way, you will stay in Tokyo for the time being, and I will discuss it with you after the imperial court comes to a conclusion.
An answer!"
Although Emperor Liu's words were a bit perfunctory, they still gave this person face. After hearing this, Pu Le didn't dare to insist on the invitation anymore, so he immediately bowed down and said yes.
After the servants retreated, the Liu family father and son, Zhao and Li were the only ones left in the palace. After sorting out what he had just learned, Liu Chengyou looked around the three of them and his eyes fell on the prince Liu Yang: "Erlang, from Xizhou.
You have heard about the situation, what do you think about the Liao army's western expedition?"
Even though he is still young, after years of training, Liu Yang has become more and more calm now. He behaves well and everyone knows that he is like a king. When he was called to accompany the driver, he sat upright and listened, although he did not say a word.
, but there was no hint of irritation on his face, and he was quietly being a handsome man. Of course, this kind of patience had already begun to be tempered since he was in charge of the country during Emperor Liu's Northern Expedition.
In terms of astuteness, perhaps Liu Yang was not as good as Liu Fang, Liu Xu, Liu Xi and even the fifth prince Liu Yun, and he was even a little bit behind-the-scenes. But what satisfied Emperor Liu was the prudent thinking and action behind his character.
It was the same at this time. When faced with Emperor Liu's question, Liu Yang did not answer directly. Instead, he thought seriously for a while and then said, "I am a little confused. The Liao army only marched westward with 30,000 to 20,000 troops and traversed Jinshan.
Crossing the quicksand can be described as a laborious expedition. The Uighurs had millions of people and a city to support them. Why did they have to resist so hard, and in less than a year, most of the country was lost? If the Khitan army is said to be strong, I don't believe it.
At this point, and everyone knows that the Khitan’s western expedition did not send many elite soldiers..."
Regarding Liu Yang's question, Emperor Liu showed satisfaction. He liked to see his successor be able to think like this, even if he couldn't figure it out.
With a slight smile, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Kuangyin and said: "Zhao Qing, you were the general of the Northern Expedition back then. You fought against the Khitans. Could you possibly clear up the prince's doubts?"
In this regard, Zhao Kuangyin was naturally happy to express his opinion, and he raised his hands and said in a relaxed tone: "Your Majesty, Your Highness. I believe that the war situation in the Western Region has progressed to the current point only due to two reasons.
First, although the Liao army went on an expedition, it was well prepared and sent the right people. Guan Yelu Xiezhen used troops, combined the right and the strange, had a clear purpose, and used its strengths to avoid weaknesses;
Secondly, the Uighurs were slow to react, and the Liao army marched westward. They had already given warnings but were careless and careless. When the battle came, they made repeated moves and tied themselves up, unable to give full play to their advantages. Instead, they were restrained by the Liao army, leaving them empty-handed. Tens of thousands of people, unable to make good use of them, are in this dangerous situation."
"Do you understand?" Liu Chengyou asked Liu Yang.
Liu Yang frowned slightly, thought again, then raised his brows and saluted Zhao Kuangyin: "Thank you, Lord Rong, for your teaching!"
Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly said: "Your Highness, you are welcome!"
After heaving a sigh of relief, Emperor Liu asked the three of them again: "How should we deal with the incident in the Western Regions?"
Let Liu Yang speak first. Liu Yang thought for a while and tentatively expressed his opinion: "I believe that, as your Majesty said, the Western Region is too far away from the Han Dynasty, and there is the Hexi Corridor in between. The issue of the surrender of the Yijun Army has not yet been resolved. , Ganzhou Uighurs are blocked on the way again, sending troops to rescue is not advisable!"
Looking at Zhao Kuangyin again, Zhao Kuangyin nodded and agreed with Liu Yang's words: "What His Royal Highness the Prince said is true. After all, the affairs of the Western Regions are not a place that the Han Dynasty can take care of at the moment. Regardless of whether the Xizhou Uighurs can hold it or not, there is no need for the Han Dynasty to be here. This is a waste of money and food!"
Li Chuyun's attitude became more clear, and he asked Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, because the Khitan is raging in the Western Regions, its influence has already spread to Hexi. We should take this opportunity to solve the Ganzhou Uighurs in one fell swoop. Once the Hexi problem is solved, we will face the problem again." In the affairs of the northwest, the Han Dynasty can advance and attack, retreat and defend, and take the initiative!"
"Do you think it's time to move westward?"
"The current situation is such that we should make a decision!" Li Chuyun replied affirmatively.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, Emperor Liu sat up straight and said calmly: "It seems that it's time to consider heading west!"
In fact, Emperor Liu had already made up his mind from the moment he received Chai Rong's memorial.