In Shouchun, the Northern Han Dynasty's army marched towards the Huaihe River and set up camp.
In the stove, the charcoal fire was burning brightly. Liu Chengyou was warming the fire with one hand and holding the secret report from Jinling in the other hand. He read it carefully, with some interest gradually appearing on his calm face. The martial arts envoy Li Shaoyou and the Zhongshu Sheren Tao Gu and Murong Yanzhao stood by quietly.
"This Song Qiqiu is worthy of the name of the first counselor in the Southern Kingdom. He really has some insight and strategy!" After a long time, Liu Chengyou passed the letter to several people and said with emotion: "If the pseudo-Tang Dynasty could really implement its strategy and implement it to deal with the situation, Our army, then I will really have a headache!"
The secret report in Liu Chengyou's hand came from Jinling and was the details of the discussions between the emperors and ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty. For the Southern Expedition, Liu Chengyou's preparations were basically thorough in all aspects, including the spying of information. Several envoys came and went, plus daily dispatches, martial ethics, and military intelligence. The two divisions deployed nearly a hundred agents to Jinling and the Huainan states to specialize in bribery and spy on their military and political affairs.
The monarchs and ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty would never have thought that their discussion in the Golden Palace would end with all the contents discussed being presented in front of Liu Chengyou.
Several people looked at it, and none of them looked solemn. Murong Yanzhao said to Liu Chengyou: "This Song Qiqiu's strategy is to maximize strengths and avoid weaknesses, and it is certainly aimed at our army. But the development of the war situation should not be based on his considerations. How can our army do what they want! Moreover, now that Guo Jinglue has captured Chu, the lower reaches of the Huai River are all in my hands. The states in Huainan are available for me to descend calmly. No matter how unparalleled his strategy is, he can only struggle to the death. It’s just a delay in the progress of our army’s attack, and it won’t hinder the overall situation!”
Murong Yanzhao's opinion was hit the nail on the head. Nodding in agreement, Liu Chengyou said: "We must again order Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin to guard Shanyang to consolidate the results of the battle and avoid being taken advantage of by Yao Feng's army in Gaoyou!"
In fact, the capture of Chuzhou was a shock to the Southern Tang Dynasty, and it was also a surprise to Liu Chengyou. Originally, Liu Chengyou and Guo Rong's expectation was only to make further progress after the spring of next year.
Unexpectedly, Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin joined forces, went against the grain, took advantage of the winter, attacked Shanyang for two hundred miles, and suddenly became clear. The situation in Huainan, which was supposed to be in a stalemate, suddenly became clear. .As Murong Yanzhao said, the Huainan states can be taken with ease.
"However, the war potential of the Puppet Tang Dynasty is still considerable. Even with the loss of troops and horses, in a short period of time, a hundred thousand troops can be mobilized to resist our army! Such strength is really enviable!" Liu Chengyou said: "Today, Give it to me, if you don’t take it, you may be punished by God!”
"The pseudo-Tang Kong has many people, but their combat power is low, so why should they be afraid?" Tao Gu stood up and said.
Liu Chengyou nodded gently and said to himself: "We have to think about how to eat the 100,000 people of the Puppet Tang Dynasty! If they damage them again, they will have no means to stop my army!"
Facing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Murong Yanzhao said: "I have two suggestions! One is that we discussed before that we should implement a strategy of siege and reinforcements, using Shouchun as a bait to continue to lure the puppet Tang army to the north for reinforcements. However, in the Battle of Xiacai In the future, the Tang army will definitely no longer be so unprepared and will be more careful. Moreover, now that the two states of Hao and Chu have fallen into our dynasty, Sizhou is also a favorite. The Tang army may not dare to continue to invest large forces and come to Shouchun for support. !”
"It makes sense!" Liu Chengyou agreed with Murong Yanzhao's consideration and asked again: "What about the other one?"
"Concentrate our strength to conquer Shouzhou and Sizhou first, clear the obstacles in our rear, and enable our army to go south and deep into the areas along the river without any worries!" Murong Yanzhao walked to the map, pointed his finger at Luzhou, and said seriously: "Hefei! I Troops marched into Hefei and threatened the areas along the river. The Puppet Tang Dynasty would never remain indifferent. They would then use Hefei as a bait to lure reinforcements!"
After a pause, Murong Yanzhao said: "However, if this happens, our army's battle line will be greatly lengthened, the pressure of supplies will increase, and the danger of the Huainan navy will be placed in front of our army again!"
"This is not a big problem!" After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou said in a confident tone: "Huainan is difficult to attack, only the Huai River is the defense! Since the Huai River was lost in the Pseudo-Tang Dynasty, the huge land north of the Yangtze River and Huainan cannot be conquered. Is my big Han cavalry all over the place?"
"I admire your Majesty's arrogance!" Murong Yanzhao said with a slight smile.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel happy when he heard Murong Yanzhao's compliments.
He picked up the Jinling secret report again, looked at it, and raised his eyebrows. Liu Chengyou ordered Li Fang who was waiting in the palace: "Li Fang, prepare an edict and send it to Song Yanwo of the Yongxing Army, Zhao Hui of the Fengxiang Army, and Shi Kuangyi of the Zhangyi Army. Let them be on strict guard against the Shu army! Remember in the year of the prosperity of the country, they marched in winter, so they had to be on guard!"
"Yes!" Li Fang responded and immediately got busy.
Seeing this, Tao Gu asked: "Your Majesty, the trouble-making army and the Khitan side should also be on guard!"
"Haha!" Liu Chengyou laughed coldly: "I made arrangements before I left the capital. I have tolerated Xiazhou's little actions over the years for a long time. Now we have to see if Li Yiyin dares to take the opportunity to cause trouble this time. !”
"The Khitan side, are you going to send envoys to contact us again in order to stabilize the enemy?" Tao Gu asked again.
Liu Chengyou became even calmer and said: "What happens to the Khitan? It is not under our control. We can only do our best and strengthen our defenses! The peace talks could not last more than a month, so we took the initiative to send envoys, which seems guilty!"
"The general trend of the world depends on your majesty's mind. If you have success! How can the great Han Dynasty fail to achieve it!" Hearing this, Tao Gu immediately praised with a smile on his face.
Ignoring Tao Gu's "licking", Liu Chengyou said in a cold tone: "However, the pseudo-Tang Dynasty wants to cause trouble behind our back, how can I make it easy for them! Send an order to Hunan to let Li and Lang's troops delay the withdrawal of the Tang army. , tell Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng that I don’t need them to fight to the death with the Tang army, but only to entangle and harass! Also, if they capture the pseudo-Tangzhou County, I will reward them all!"
"Your Majesty, the people of Zhou will definitely be driven by interests and be used by Your Majesty!"
"Continue to contact Gao Baorong and Qian Hongchu and ask them to send troops to attack the Tang Dynasty! Especially Qian Hongchu, as my in-law, Wu Yue should also contribute!"
"yes!"
"Wude Si has done a good job this time. This information is very valuable!" After saying this, Liu Chengyou tilted his head and praised Li Shaoyou, affirming Wude Si's work.
Li Shaoyou's face suddenly brightened with joy, and the beard on his lips twitched. For a long time, he had not been praised by the emperor's cousin. For such a big event as the Southern Expedition, it was Li Shaoyou who defeated Wang Jingchong and won the companionship. Opportunities to join the expedition.
After spending several years at ease in Tokyo, he took charge of the Wude Division and experienced a high position and great power. This was rare for Li Shaoyou, and he was motivated again. He felt that he could no longer rest on his laurels, and Liu Chengyou also gave him With this opportunity, since the beginning of the expedition, the spying on Jianghuai news has been in place in time. Liu Chengyou is still satisfied with this.
"Your Majesty, the second son of Li Jing, the pseudo-lord of the Tang Dynasty, died of a sudden illness. Li Jing was so sad that he even fainted. He had ordered his younger brother Li Jingsui to supervise the country, and assisted the military and administration with Song Qiqiu, Feng Yansi and others. He lived in the Tang Palace and took care of the queen. Something happened!" Li Shaoyou said again, his tone full of gloating.
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but be a little surprised when he heard the news, and then muttered: "When the country is rising and falling, and the country is ups and downs, this Li Jing actually avoids national affairs for personal reasons. Such an opponent is really joyful!"
Tao Gu said: "I think the pseudo-Tang leader is not a tyrannical king, but he has a cowardly nature. His behavior is certainly shocking, but there is no need to be too surprised!"
Judging from Tao Gu's appearance, he despised Li Jing very much.
"Your Majesty, there is something else that needs attention!" Li Shaoyou said again: "Li Jingsui, the younger brother of the puppet emperor of the Tang Dynasty, has a calm personality and has no desire to fight for power. Although he supervises the country, he is not very good at governing the country! The military and political power are all handled by Song Qiqiu and other ministers. ....." Li Shaoyou added.
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Liu Chengyou was keenly aware of the problem and looked slightly confused: "If this is true, Qiqiu of the Song Dynasty is in charge of the affairs of the puppet Tang Dynasty and takes military and political orders, then it will be an obstacle to our army's offensive!"
"Do you, your two envoys to Jinling, know anything about Song Qiqiu?" Liu Chengyou looked at Tao Gu.
Tao Gu shook his head honestly, but after thinking about it, a sinister smile appeared on his old face: "Your Majesty, I have never met Qi Qiu of the Song Dynasty, but in Jinling, I also learned that this gentleman was famous in the Puppet Tang Dynasty. He is quite tall and powerful. He was the leader of a party in the Puppet Tang Dynasty! During the political dispute a few years ago, Li Jing was banished to Hongzhou for an excuse!"
"This time, if we had not mobilized troops in Huainan, Song Qiqiu would not have been summoned back to Jinling..."
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou's eyes lit up, a similar smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashed, he pointed at Li Shaoyou and said: "The Pseudo-Tang Dynasty has acquired this minister of the Ding Kingdom, a talent that is as high as the sky, how can I not congratulate you! Go! , sent people to Jinling to publicize the Duke of Song and build up momentum for him. Without the Duke of Song, how could the fake Tang Dynasty exist? I am not afraid of others in the southern expedition, but I only care about the Duke of Song. I wish I could work with him!"