"What do you think?" Faced with Liu Yang's question, Emperor Liu's reaction was worth recalling. His deep eyes fell on Liu Yang with a smile on his lips.
Then he added: "What's your opinion on Dali matters? What's your opinion?"
Seeing that Emperor Liu was questioning him again, Liu Yang was obviously much more alert this time. He responded directly without thinking, "I think what Mr. Zhao said is reasonable and well-founded and can be adopted!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately laughed and said: "What Zhao Pu said has a pros and cons, two opinions, which one do you hold?"
Looking at the prince's eyes, the sense of scrutiny became stronger. Emperor Liu's son may be slow in everything, but if you really think that he is mediocre and stupid, then the mediocre person must be himself.
Over the years, Liu Yang has been a well-behaved and conscientious prince. He rarely makes surprising remarks. He always thinks twice before he speaks or does something when something happens. Although he makes mistakes, he never makes any big mistakes. Moreover, many of his ideas are timely and appropriate.
It's feasible. As Emperor Liu's carefully cultivated successor, and with so many years of training combining theory and practice, his quality is obviously not much different.
At this time, Emperor Liu wanted a clear opinion. Liu Yang concentrated his attention, pondered for a while, and said: "Mr. Zhao's understanding of the situation in the southwest is probably rare in the court. Since he feels that the crusade against Dali is worthwhile,
The odds of winning are not as difficult as it appears on the surface, so there is no harm in sending troops!"
"This is still Zhao Pu's opinion. What I'm asking is your opinion. Do you agree to send troops?" Emperor Liu asked a bit repetitively.
Liu Yang was silent, raised his head, looked at Emperor Liu calmly for a while, and said calmly: "I don't dare to hide it, I do have doubts! I also aspire to expand the territory and achieve great fame, but it's just the few things that Mr. Zhao proposed.
This concern is quite reasonable!”
"But!" Silently observing Emperor Liu's expression, Liu Yang continued: "If we want to drain the population in the future, I'm afraid Dali is not attractive enough. It is a remote mountainous area, alien races are rampant, and the Han people are disgusted. It is not even as good as Annan, at least.
The Jiaozhi Plain still enjoys the benefits of rivers and seas..."
Emperor Liu was also very satisfied with his understanding of Liu Yang, and was not unhappy because of his conservativeness and doubts. Because this was also a sign of maturity, and Emperor Liu himself had no scruples.
It took a year to defeat Annan, which was torn apart. The Han army that marched south has not yet withdrawn. How much time will it take to face Dali, which has been a country for a long time, has a more complicated ethnic situation, and has worse road traffic?
Time, how much food was consumed, and the cost of success or failure were all things Emperor Liu had been thinking about. Emperor Liu would not think that the Han army was truly invincible, invincible, and invincible.
After looking at Liu Yang, Emperor Liu finally said: "I won't hide it from you. My main consideration in attacking Dali is to fulfill a long-cherished wish!"
Liu Yang was surprised, and Emperor Liu continued: "Furthermore, Wang Quanbin has been in charge of Southwest for ten years. I promised him back then, and the emperor never breaks his promise! He is a veteran in his sixties, just like him.
As mentioned in the memorial, if you delay it any longer, you will really be powerless!
Now, Duan Sicong, the leader of Dali, is ill and the government is unstable. It is indeed a good opportunity as Wang Quanbin said. Otherwise, why do you think they came here in a hurry to strengthen friendly communication? "
Yes, in the sixth year since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the contact activities between the imperial court and Dali were still very frequent. Duan Sicong, the leader of Dali, sent his clan north to offer generous gifts in the hope of improving trade between the two countries. In Wang Quanbin's latest southern expedition memorial, it was also
Clearly pointed out Duan Sicong's physical problems.
No matter what, Duan Sicong was a monarch who had been in power for sixteen years, and he played a huge role in the stability and balance of his country's political situation. Once Duan Sicong had a problem, and the big Han was provoking it, good opportunities would appear.
Emperor Liu was a little surprised about Wang Quanbin, and he was surprised that he could endure it for so long. He mobilized troops four times in Kaibao year, but he was not responsible for each time. However, the longer he endured, the more confident Emperor Liu was in Wang Quanbin.
"Isn't it too much of a joke to focus on personal interests in military and national affairs?" Regarding Emperor Liu's remarks, Liu Yang raised a question, which could even be said to be a question.
Emperor Liu smiled, suddenly changed the subject, and said, "What do you think of Zhao Pu's opinion?"
Liu Yang was almost confused by Emperor Liu's question, but he still said with a slight hesitation: "Didn't Duke Zhao agree to send troops?"
"Really?" Emperor Liu's smile became even stronger.
Seeing Emperor Liu's reaction, Liu Yang finally realized it and couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Is it possible that Duke Zhao does not agree with sending troops to Dali?"
"The poor mountains and rivers, the barbaric land, what a difference we get, it's just a waste of money and food for the army!" Emperor Liu said lightly: "Zhao Pu is a very shrewd man, and he can also settle accounts. How could he really agree with the large-scale southern expedition?"
"In that case, why did he agree in the bamboo hut?" Liu Yang asked immediately.
"I said, Zhao Pu is a shrewd man. He has already seen that I have the ambition to conquer Dali in the south!" Emperor Liu said calmly.
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Yang suddenly understood. Then he was surprised and sighed, and said: "I never thought that Zhao Pu was actually trying to cater to your ideas?"
Liu Yang frowned: "It's such a major military and national matter, but I can't speak outright and express my opinions vigorously. If the expedition is unfavorable and the national strength is depleted, who will be held responsible!"
Emperor Liu was still calm: "Didn't Zhao Pu clearly explain the difficulties and hidden dangers of conquering Dali?"
Liu Yang opened his mouth and finally smiled bitterly.
Emperor Liu continued: "Furthermore, if I decide to launch troops, who can stop me? Instead of wasting my useless words, I should focus on how to attack Dali!"
Of course, there is another layer of consideration involved. This time when Zhao Pu takes office as a new official, he will have to burn some fire. The conquest of Dali is an opportunity. Although it seems difficult, if it is successful, the impact will be huge.
Bigger.
Moreover, this is not just a gamble. Zhao Pu also has a clear understanding of the situation in the southwest, and he is also confident in Wang Quanbin's southern expedition. Zhao Pu does not blindly cater to the emperor and ignores the overall military and political situation.
If you take a step back, even if you fail, you will be taking the blame for Emperor Liu. After so many years, who can have such an opportunity? If so, it is unknown whether it is a blessing or a curse.
The twists and turns involved are obviously not something Liu Yang can understand today. This journey and the dialogue between father and son have greatly refreshed Liu Yang's outlook on life, and it is obvious that Liu Yang has not yet come to his senses.
"I said, Zhao Pu is a wonderful man. From now on, you can learn from him when discussing matters in the same palace, and see the difference between him and Wei Renpu!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly.
"Yes!" Liu Yang responded.
Taking a deep breath, Emperor Liu became serious again and ordered: "I have made up my mind to conquer Dali. I will issue an order to send troops to the southwest as soon as I return to the palace! Please take part in this military expedition. Please pay more attention. As a monarch,
You don’t have to be able to lead troops in war and command on the spot, but you must understand what war is like and what you are fighting!”
"yes!"
In the summer and June of the sixth year of Kaibao, Emperor Liu officially issued an edict, appointing Wang Quanbin as the southwestern envoy to recruit, and leading an army of 40,000 troops from Sichuan and Sichuan to Hunan to send troops to Dali. Wang Renfan served as the deputy envoy to recruit, with two
The veteran general led the troops, and Xue Juzheng was responsible for the transportation of money and grain.
Lu Huaizhong was also ordered to lead troops to march from Guangnan West Road as a response. This march can be regarded as the largest in the Kaibao Year. The main battle army and the chieftain troops who accompanied the soldiers and civilians in various levies totaled more than 100,000.
.
This does not include the civilians recruited for logistics transportation, which also numbered in the tens of thousands. Therefore, the attack on Dali doubled to 300,000 people, which is not an exaggeration.
At the same time, Zhao Pu also unexpectedly regained his love and returned to the court. Since he was recommended by Liu Ci and became an official in the court, after working hard for fifteen years, Zhao Pu finally realized his political ambition.
The official position given to Zhao Pu was just as Liu Yang said, Shangshu Zuocheng, Tongping Zhangshi. Because of his experience in the southwest, he was mainly responsible for Dali affairs.