According to the force allocation of the Privy Council, the Forbidden Army of the two capitals will send nearly 70,000 soldiers for this Northern Expedition, especially the infantry troops under the jurisdiction of the Palace Front Division and the Guard Division.
Half of the imperial troops around Tokyo have been deployed, and the bulk of them are here in Xijing. Tieqi, Longjie, Longqi, Xiaodi, Husheng, and the Fengguo army are all included in the deployment sequence, as are the imperial troops at Heluo Pass.
Moved to the north in an organized area.
However, there were only 20,000 soldiers who set off directly from Luoyang City in Xijing. The hundreds of thousands of troops for the Northern Expedition were not assembled and then set off together, but were mobilized in batches to go to their respective destinations, and Youzhou
is the largest gathering point.
In Xijing, in addition to the expedition ceremony in front of the Qianyuan Palace, there was also a city exit ceremony. The soldiers who were ordered to conduct the Northern Expedition all set out from the main gate of the imperial city, crossed the river bridge, walked along Luoyang Tianjie, and exited through the south gate.
Go north again.
The number of people who went out for the expedition was not large, but it caused quite a stir. This was the first time since the founding of the Han Dynasty that there was such a ceremonial expedition parade.
On both sides of Tianjie, there were hundreds of thousands of Luoyang citizens watching. There was a huge crowd of spectators and a huge crowd, but they all consciously stayed outside the cordon.
Among the soldiers and civilians, there were some who saw off their children, some who encouraged the soldiers, and some who were just watching the excitement. There was no deliberate organization, but the momentum was huge.
Looking at the banner, the armor is bright, the light reflected from the spear is sharp and eye-catching, and the neat military appearance shows a strong temperament. Although the Han's Forbidden Army has been at peace for many years, the self-confidence cultivated by the long-term victories since the founding of the People's Republic of China has always been
existence, coupled with the fact that the construction work of the army has never been relaxed. When the heroes put on their armor and stepped on their swords, they were still the powerful army that looked down upon the world.
Amidst the cheers and cheers of the crowd, the soldiers who went on the expedition could not help but puff up their chests and move with more sonorous and powerful steps. The feedback from the people of Luoyang was also more enthusiastic. They seemed to have found the long-lost feeling of the ancient capital residents.
The self-confidence and enthusiasm, the pioneering and enterprising spirit and pride of the big man also burst out in this atmosphere.
Among the onlookers, there are also all kinds of people, from all over the world, officials, scholars, farmers, industrialists, and merchants. Of course, they also include businessmen and expatriates of all ethnic groups living in Xijing. Many of them have lived in the Han Dynasty for a long time, and they have seen a lot of surprising things.
However, the scenes of this expedition, the mighty and strong soldiers, and the enthusiastic and excited people still shocked them. While they admired the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, they also felt more awe and yearning.
In the process of the Han Dynasty becoming prosperous, Emperor Liu, through Secretary Xuanwei's propaganda for many years, has been silently building the people's sense of identity with the court and the country. After more than 20 years, it has begun to bear fruit.
In addition to the Han people, the same applies to all ethnic minorities. Among the people cheering and shouting on both sides of Tianjie, there are many Tubo, Miao, Yao, Yi, Dangxiang, Uighur, Jurchen, even Goryeo, Fusang, and even those wearing turbans.
msl......
As Zhao Kuangyin said before, most of the soldiers in the Northern Expedition were young and handsome. After so many years, the Han soldiers have been replaced by new generations. There are rising stars one after another. The young and strong faction has completely replaced the veterans.
Talents are also abundant among them. Most of the nobles who were granted the title of Kaibao have their children serving in the Northern Expedition.
Among the Yellow River ferries north of Luoyang, the most important are Mengjin and Xiaopingjin. They are both ancient ferries with a long history and important transportation thoroughfares. Thanks to the development of the Xijing government, they have become increasingly dynamic in recent years, especially after the imperial court moved westward.
As for the army going north this time, except for the 10,000 forbidden cavalry who have been transferred to Shanyang in batches, the remaining soldiers are all planning to go northward by boat, taking the Yellow River and the canal. Although for many landlubbers, it is more convenient to take a boat. It's hard work, but it's still much more convenient and faster than marching on land.
With the opening up of the government and the advancement of shipbuilding technology, Han Dynasty's shipping naturally ushered in vigorous development, especially under the background of interoperability between the north and the south after reunification.
Maritime transportation and maritime trade have gradually become more and more impressive. Several mature routes have been opened in the south. Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Fuzhou and other places are the source. The Han folk fleets have reached as far as the Indian Ocean, communicating with the Asan countries. The influence of the Han Dynasty has also been significantly improved in the increasingly intensive and prosperous economic exchange activities.
However, the most rapidly developing one is inland river shipping. With thousands of miles of canals as the backbone, supplemented by the north and south water systems, private boat traffic is particularly frequent. The whole country directly relies on river transport for boatmen, river trackers, and watermen. Millions of people. Not to mention the north-south water transportation, between the east and the west, through the transformation and expansion of Shimen, goods from the south of the Yangtze River can be imported into the customs more smoothly.
And when these water transportation conditions were used in war, the energy they unleashed was also huge. In order to transport this group of soldiers and military supplies, Zhang Mei was responsible for the water and land transfer of this large army supply, allowing Zhang Mei to easily raise more than 300 large and small ships. , most of them are civilian ships, including hundreds of passenger ships used to make soldiers more comfortable...
In addition to the burden it brought to the country and the people, the war also had a significant stimulating effect on the industry and commerce of the Han Dynasty, especially shipping and military supplies-related handicrafts. This was already reflected after the Northern Expedition was issued. .
The next day, Emperor Liu did not stay in the palace. He set out early and left Mang Mountain in the north. He wanted to watch them board the ship and embark on the Northern Expedition.
Emperor Liu did not come to the ferry, but climbed to the top of Mang Mountain and looked at the ferry. After moving west to Luoyang, Emperor Liu had climbed Mang Mountain several times. Standing on the peaks, he had a panoramic view of the Heluo River and Luo River, but never like this time. , with complex emotions and surging hearts.
The sun is getting higher and higher, hanging in the east, and the golden light shines on the peaks of Mang Mountain. The sun is getting brighter and brighter. It is a beautiful weather. The ferry at Mengjin is bustling with people shouting. All preparations have been done long ago. The soldiers who spent the night obeyed the arrangements and boarded the ship in an orderly manner. Although they were busy, they were not chaotic. The army is always the most disciplined and efficient organization.
Emperor Liu felt very comfortable under the spring evening breeze, and he did not feel tired even after standing for a long time.
"Your Majesty, half of the ships have already set sail, and the rest will be sailing at noon at the latest!" Zhang Yong, who was favored by Emperor Liu and transferred to the cabinet bachelor, received the news and came to report it.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu asked: "Where is Zhang Mei?"
Zhang Yong said: "Zhang Shijun is at the ferry, personally arranging the transfer!"
Nodding, Zhang Mei has always been impeccable in this regard, and has rich experience in feeding the army. This is why Emperor Liu put him in charge of this matter.
Looking to the north, although his field of vision had an end, he seemed to be able to see hundreds of boats vying for water on the river. Boats loaded with soldiers, ordnance, and food were heading eastward through the waves under the control of the boatmen...
Emperor Liu's eyes also became deeper, and he finally moved northward. His surging mood calmed down, but he couldn't help but feel empty in his heart. After calming down, doubts began to appear again.
The Northern Expedition started with great vigor, but what about the victory or defeat? Can it be carried out smoothly? Can the strategic goals be achieved? How will the Liao Dynasty respond? Will it end in disgrace like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty?
With hundreds of thousands of troops, can there be any problems with the overall planning? Can the prince Liu Yang play the role he should play? Will Zhao Kuangyin and Gao Huaide betray his trust?
Thinking too much, Emperor Liu even couldn't help but wonder whether Liu Yang would dare to use this Northern Expedition to establish his prestige and have hundreds of thousands of troops at his disposal...
In addition to several ministers and Liu Xu, Liu Xi's brothers, Liu Jia, the most beloved princess, was accompanying him. At this time, seeing that Emperor Liu was in a daze, he couldn't help but ask: "Dad, where are you standing?"
Are you tired?"
Hearing the sound, he turned around and looked at his eldest daughter, who was as tall as his chin, full of youth, but more and more like a big sister. Emperor Liu's eyes flashed and he said with a smile: "Li Jilong, Guo Yi, and Zhao Dezhao are all in the Northern Expeditionary Army. This time
You went there to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield. You haven’t told dad yet who you have fallen in love with. When they return home in triumph, you will..."
As soon as Emperor Liu's words came out, Liu Jia blushed. Before that, all the ministers' children entered the palace one after another, not only to show the queen, but also to choose for the princess.
As for Liu Jia, although she said no, she looked towards the north, and there was still obvious expectation in her clear eyes. Before the girl knew it, she was already pregnant.
"Let's talk about it when we get back!" Liu Jia murmured.
Listening to his words and looking at his expression, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel a little disgusted by his beautiful and shy face...