In mid-March of the fourth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty led the elite troops of two divisions and a group of Fengchen sergeants on a hunting trip to Dunqiu. Later, his concubine accompanied him. Two commanders of the Fengchen camp went there, including Wang Yansheng, and they competed with each other with swords. , Shi Yanchao, a warrior on horseback, competed with Wang Yansheng, known as "Wang Jian'er", and naturally fell at a disadvantage without any surprise.
After three days of spring hunting, they returned home with a full load. The noble concubine Gao and the Xian concubine Zhe also rode horses and held bows to shoot. Zhe defeated them and got five pheasants and two hares.
Liu Chengyou also came out, galloping on his horse, with hunting dogs chasing him in front, and knights surrounding him. The emperor bent his bow and shot, killing a deer with one shot. All the troops watched and the mountains shouted long live.
Of course, what makes Liu Chengyou most happy is that in the subsequent battle drills between the armies, several young officers emerged who performed well. Although they were low-level officers at the battalion and team levels, it was obvious that except for Pan Mei, who had long been in the eyes of the emperor, In addition to Ma Renyu, there were also Shi Shouxin, Han Chongyun, Han Lingkun, Dang Jin and others.
Especially Shi Shouxin, Liu Chengyou looked at him several times, but he couldn't help it. This person's "famousness" was no less than that of Pan Mei. For a time, Liu Chengyou was a hero in the world, and he had the pleasure of being with me. After returning to Beijing, , Liu Chengyou ordered the Privy Council to reward these people and register them in the Ministry of War.
After a full three months, the Privy Council and the Ministry of War have completed their analysis, responsibilities and powers have been clarified, and the national military and political orders are back on track. Of course, there are still some areas where the boundaries are blurred, such as military status, transfers and replacements. The purpose of supervision is to restrict and supervise each other.
In the Chongzheng Hall, Wei Renpu, Wang Pu, Gao Xingzhou, Murong Yanzhao and several important civil and military officials were ordered to gather together. Looking at their arrangement, you can know that the emperor is discussing the army.
While looking at several important ministers and ordering tea and soup to be served, Liu Chengyou looked around and said directly: "Youyan, Dingzhou, Cangzhou, Yingzhou, Daizhou and other states have reported one after another that the Khitan invaded our borders and plundered us. Scholars and people, the states in the north are extremely disturbed by them, and I am deeply troubled by them!"
Wei Renpu, who was standing by, added: "It has been more than three years since the Battle of Luancheng. Based on detailed investigation reports and observations from various border prefectures, counties and merchants, it can be seen from all sources that the Khitan has become stronger during this period." Recovered a lot.”
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"In the past two years, due to the severe loss of vitality and several setbacks at the gates of Youzhou City, there was no large-scale invasion of the invaders. However, from the autumn of last year to the spring, the Khitan cavalry went south and invaded our Han territory. The size of the cavalry has exceeded 70 The remaining times, this spring alone, there have been more than thirty times, and the fortresses in the north can be said to be full of smoke."
"Moreover, this time, the number of barbarian cavalry, ranging from hundreds of cavalry to less than a thousand cavalry, specializes in killing and plundering the people and disrupting our production. The officers and soldiers attack, fighting when it is advantageous, and retreating when it is unfavorable. They even give up seizing property and never entangle them. The battle was very flexible. King Zhao Kuangzan of Yan and He Fujin of Hebei both sent troops to attack, but little was gained."
Murong Yanzhao, who had been guarding Hebei for two years, heard the news and couldn't help being angry: "The Hu bandits are so rampant, I wish I could follow Wei Huo and drive north to the grasslands!"
Of course, this can only be said. The dangers of Yanshan and the Great Wall are still in the hands of the enemy, and the cavalry is insufficient. There is nothing to do. Even if you attack reluctantly and have nothing to rely on behind, you will only die. That's right. To put it bluntly, the Khitan people, who have recovered their strength, can shit and pee on the head of a big man without any scruples.
Although he knew this reality in his heart, Murong Yanzhao's ambition still deserves encouragement and praise: "General Murong, his ambition is commendable and his spirit is commendable!"
"It seems a little unusual that the Khitans are so anxious to harass the border and their tactics are so cunning!" Gao Xingzhou, the father-in-law, said with his eyebrows twisted and his beard stroked.
Looking at the old commander, Wei Renpu said: "What King Linqing said is true. The southernmost Khitan cavalry actually went deep into the river. Although the commander-in-chief sent troops to hunt and kill him, he is still arrogant! I'm afraid there are other Khitan people. Planned."
After Wei Renpu finished speaking, everyone present looked solemn. Liu Chengyou stood up and stopped at the map hanging on the side of the hall. Every time he looked at the missing pieces of the Han territory, he felt very displeased.
Others also stepped forward. This time the Khitan invaded the border area, the scale of their troops seemed small, but the area affected was very wide, stretching thousands of miles from east to west.
"Do you think this is a sign of the Khitan's large-scale invasion of the south?" Suddenly, Liu Chengyou turned around and asked.
"Your Majesty!" After saying this, Wang Pu stood up, with a grimace on his face, and solemnly said to Liu Chengyou: "I'm afraid, our court has to prepare for the worst!"
"What do you think?" Liu Chengyou took a breath and looked at his chief conspirator, Wei Renpu.
Wei Renpu's expression was serious, he thought about it carefully, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty's guess, combined with the situation in Khitan in recent years, is very likely!"
Without waiting for Liu Chengyou to ask, Wei Renpu explained: "The Khitan is a serious problem for our dynasty. Although there has been no major war in recent years, we never dare to be careless. The Military Intelligence Department under the Privy Council has also invested a lot of effort to explore its domestic situation."
"The former Khitan leader died at the hands of His Majesty. The Khitan leader Yelu Ruan led his troops northward four years ago to fight for the throne. Empress Youshu Lu and her uncle Li Hu were in Zuzhou, which offended a large number of Khitan nobles. After succeeding to the throne, Wei Jia The various tribes cut off their people in order to strengthen their own tribes. They rewarded their trusted ministers greatly, appointed ministers who had died from the Han Dynasty in the north, and despised the Khitan nobles. All these measures made the Khitan master lose his clan and his noble heart. From the first year of Qianyou to Qianlong In the second year of You, Yelu Tiande, Xiao Han and other clans successively plotted rebellions and coups, which proved that the Khitan was not stable internally."
"Although the Khitan Lord Yelu Ruan has a reputation of benevolence, he is very ambitious and has the intention of invading the south. When he lost Youzhou, after a little reorganization, he sent Yelu An Tuan to lead the army south to serve as the king of Yan Zhao Yanshou led the army and the people. We must fight to the death to give up."
"Thinking of the domestic situation in the Khitan, I boldly guessed that if the Khitan leader sends his troops to the south, firstly, he can act as a beggar-thy-neighbor and suppress the dissatisfied nobles and tribes in the country; secondly, he can take the opportunity to control the armies; thirdly, he can avenge the defeat; fourthly, If we try to recapture Youyan and even the land of Hebei, if we don't do it well, we will take away the wealth and people, and if we don't do it, we will destroy the production of the provinces in Hebei."
After listening to Wei Renpu's explanation, the hall was extremely quiet, and the atmosphere was a little depressing for a while.
After paying attention to the map for a long time, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "Although what Wei Qing said is just speculation, the analysis is well-organized and based on the situation, I dare not be cautious. I would rather believe that it exists than that it does not exist. Everyone, if the Khitan really makes a big move How to deal with going south?"
As soon as this question came out, Wang Pu's expression changed again and again, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, if the Khitan really launches a large-scale invasion to the south, then our strategy of attacking Huainan will have to be adjusted or even postponed!"
It can be seen that Wang Pujin made a very difficult decision with his words. Among the officials, the one who cares most about the Southern Expedition is none other than Wang Pu. After all, this is the "pacification policy" he proposed as soon as he came out of the mountain. , and it took a lot of effort to prepare, adjust, and optimize along the way.
Liu Chengyou looked at him in surprise and immediately shook his head: "No! The Southern Expedition strategy has been prepared for such a long time and the court has invested a huge amount of money. How can it be changed so easily?"
"Don't say it's just a guess and a sign now!" Liu Chengyou had a hard look on his face, raised his hand and flicked his sleeves, and said domineeringly: "It's true that the Khitan invaded the south in a big way. I worked hard to achieve this, the imperial court worked together, the army and the people reduced their clothes and food, and the Han Dynasty accumulated three years of With the power and energy it unleashes, can’t it still resist the Khitan and take Huainan!”
Hearing Liu Chengyou's glance, warriors like Gao Xingzhou and Murong Yanzhao were all affected and became emotional. Wang Pu was also in a daze, but he quickly adjusted and handed over to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, I proposed at that time that 'first go south and then go south' The North's strategy has something to say, and we need to wait for good opportunities. In addition to the changes in the South and the completion of our offensive preparations, we have to take into account the threat of the Khitan in the North. In fact, the threat from the North is the first to bear the brunt!"
"If the Khitan intends to invade the south, it must not be a good opportunity. Otherwise, if the northern invaders attack from the south, and the war in the south is not going well, Huainan cannot suddenly fall. The Han Dynasty will never have the strength to fight on two sides!"
Even Wang Pu, a man who worked hard for the "Huainan Strategy", said this. Liu Chengyou's somewhat heated mind forcibly calmed down. After thinking about it, he unexpectedly saluted Wang Pu: "I am lucky to have such a good minister. It’s a lucky man!”
"Your Majesty, I can't bear this!" Wang Pu was surprised and quickly returned the greeting, bending even lower.
After standing up, Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu and asked solemnly: "If the Khitan invades south, is it feasible for our army to take a defensive position in Hebei and attack south to north of Jiang to achieve a quick victory?"
Facing Liu Chengyou's serious gaze, Wei Renpu also thought calmly for a long time, and then gave an affirmative answer: "With all due respect, no! The military is a major event for the country, and there is no room for neglect and risk!"