"The official, the Duke of Chan and the Duke of Bo are here, asking for an audience outside the tent!" Inside the imperial tent, Liu Chengyou was still crouching over the imperial case, commanding some important memorials from Tokyo. When the war was fierce, he didn't care about him, and the battle continued. At the end, he immediately returned his mind to the country.
Liu Chengyou fully recognized the abilities of the Tokyo Prime Ministers. As a group of ministers who had dominated the government for more than ten years, they had no problem in controlling the situation in the country. What's more, the entire country will come down from the wartime track. , it would be much easier for the imperial court to stop fighting and rest.
Now that it has entered late spring, Liu Chengyou estimates that the ministers in Tokyo will be relieved and even sing and dance when they receive the news of the success of the Northern Expedition and the triumphal return of Wang Shi.
"Your Majesty, Chai Rong (Zhao Kuangyin) comes to see you!" Chai and Zhao entered and bowed in salute.
"No need to be formal! Sit down!" Liu Chengyou put down his ink pen, looked up at the two of them, relaxed his knuckles, and chuckled.
"What is your Majesty's order?" Chai Rong asked.
"Where are Shi Shouxin and Guo Chongwei's troops?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"According to the previous report, we have passed the entrance of the Great Wall. We estimate that we will be back in the clouds today!" Chai Rong said.
Liu Chengyou ordered: "Let the camp prepare. When they go out of the fortress, they also fight continuously. They have to fight for hundreds of miles. It is quite hard. It is a good reward!"
"yes!"
"What are the arrangements for the withdrawal of troops?"
"The former army is fully prepared and can set off at any time. It will be led by Commander-in-Chief Gaodu and at the same time return the civilians recruited in Hedong!" Chai Rong reported.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Let's officially withdraw our troops starting tomorrow!"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Chengyou himself couldn't help but feel relieved. Obviously, since the Northern Expedition, he had been confident and calm on the surface, but the pressure he had endured in his heart was not small at all.
"Hebei soldiers and civilians will be placed in the second batch. They will march eastward through Juyongguan and arrive at Youzhou first. They will be led by Murong Yanzhao!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"Yes! I will discuss the arrangements later!"
"I've called you two here to make two arrangements. I can't make up my mind at the moment, so please let me know the details!" Looking at the two of them, Liu Chengyou said softly.
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Upon hearing this, Chai and Zhao cheered up.
Liu Chengyou said: "Here in Shanyang, the border preparations are being adjusted. There are many appointments for military envoys, but there is a lack of a coordinator. I am undecided. Is there anyone you can recommend to the second minister?"
"Your Majesty, the situation in Shanyang's new land is complicated. Facing the Khitan directly requires a veteran general who is both wise and brave!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
"Then tell me, who can take on this important task?" Liu Chengyou looked at him.
Zhao Kuangyin also raised his eyes, did not hesitate, and said: "Yang Ye has been in Yanmen for a long time. He has rich experience in commanding the army, is familiar with the local customs, and understands the Liao army. He is the most suitable candidate!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "Yang Ye is naturally capable, but after all, he is too young, so he may not be able to take up any relevant responsibilities!"
Liu Chengyou didn't mean what he said. He, Emperor Liu, was never a person who valued age, origin, and qualifications. In the final analysis, he had other ideas about Yang Ye.
After being denied the suggestion, Zhao Kuangyin said again: "Wang Shenqi, the envoy of the Feihu Army, has also been guarding the border for a long time and is well-trained in military affairs. When I sent troops to Weizhou, I saw that he was thick and strategic. He is a talented general and can be entrusted with important tasks!"
I glanced at Zhao Kuangyin. If I remember correctly, this Wang Shenqi was one of the "Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society". In his early years, he served in the Forbidden Army and was promoted as a young hero. Later he was transferred to the border and has been partnering with Yang Ye and Zhao Kuangyin. There was no communication. Now it seems that the two are connected again. Is this the so-called historical inertia?
Occasional distracting thoughts were quickly dismissed, Liu Chengyou still shook his head: "Wang Shenqi should be transferred to the Forbidden Army!"
After being denied two candidates in succession, Zhao Kuangyin did not say anything. The candidates he mentioned were all young men in the army. Yang Yefang stood up, and Wang Shenqi was only thirty-four years old. He couldn't help but wonder, could the emperor still prefer veterans?
Chai Rong also spoke: "How about taking charge of the military affairs on behalf of the Duke?"
Acting as the Duke of the country is an act of virtue. In terms of identity, qualifications, and ability, it is indeed possible. However, Liu Chengyou still simply said: "Acting on behalf of the Lord, I have been stationed in Baode Mansion for a long time, weathering the wind and rain, and guarding the border for the country. I have promised to be the Duke of the country." Concubine, call her to serve in the capital!"
Liu Chengyou's words were somewhat untrue. He believed in the obedience and loyalty of the Zhe family, but for the sake of the country, one cannot act based on emotion alone. The influence of the Zhe family in the Yuanfu and Lin areas was too deep, and in the past ten years, the Zhe family has The identity of a relative helped to increase the momentum, making it even more powerful. As the saying goes, the greatest prosperity must eventually decline, so suppressing it a little is also for the good of the family. This is probably what Liu Chengyou thinks.
Several consecutive candidates were rejected by Liu Chengyou. Chai and Zhao had to admit that it was indeed difficult to choose, and it was difficult to answer the call rashly for a while. However, the big man had no shortage of available generals. Zhao Kuangyin, who had been thinking about it for a while, gave it up. Tell Liu Chengyou a name: Wang Yanchao.
The reasons given are also very sufficient. He is a young man who is calm, has served in many positions, and has a rich resume. He has served as the commander of the Hedong capital for many years. He is well-mannered and has good military morale. He is a good choice for the new Shanyang military, which mainly focuses on comforting the army. Candidate.
After thinking about this for a while, Liu Chengyou agreed. However, when he looked at Zhao Kuangyin, he was inevitably surprised. The anecdote between Zhao Kuangyin and Wang Yanchao in their early years is also famous. Being able to recommend Wang Yanchao on his own initiative shows that Zhao Kuangyin's magnanimity is indeed true. Unusual.
"Then Wang Yanchao will be transferred to Shanyang Capital for deployment and governor of the army!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
"Also, regarding the establishment of the command structure of the Shanyang and Yannan capitals, we have to start. Although it is a new place, it must have the same system as the imperial court. However, it should also be based on the actual situation. , some adjustments have been made!" Liu Chengyou looked at Chai Rong: "Chai Qing will be in charge of this matter!"
"In addition, this time of adjustments and additions to the armies, the deployment of personnel needs to be accelerated. Before I set off to return south, arrangements must be made properly. In addition, among these people, those who have made meritorious services in the Northern Expedition will be rewarded immediately to reassure them!" Liu Chengyou ordered again.
"yes!"
After finishing speaking, he paused, Liu Chengyou hesitated, and then said: "Do you have anything to add about Shanyang's defense?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyin cupped his hands and responded: "Your Majesty, after regaining Youyun, the defensive disadvantage in the north of the Han Dynasty has been completely reversed, and Yunzhong is a strong city that can be relied on. However, relying only on this place, it is still passive. I think that we can take advantage of the Liao Kingdom When we are severely damaged, our military strength is greatly damaged, our forces are shrinking to the north, and we are unable to look south, we will continue to push the defense line outward."
"Can you tell me more specifically, what kind of measure?" Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Kuangyin with bright eyes.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin knew clearly that he should be betting on the Holy Heart. He stood up, compared with the map, and said neatly: "There is no need to send out a large number of troops. We only need to send a large general and divide a strong force to advance westward to Yuan Shengzhou and Fengzhou. The region was recovered. Given the current situation of the Liao Kingdom, it would be difficult to stop it.
If we can capture the two prefectures of Feng and Sheng, we can not only regain the old territory of the Tang Dynasty, but also defend the Liao Dynasty. We can rely on the Yellow River to deal with it and continue to suppress the power of the Liao army.
Moreover, by colluding with Duke Zheng of Hexi Province, the entire Hetao area will be added as a pastoral place within the territory of the Han Dynasty. At the same time, Xia Sui's disaster-defeating army will also be further placed under the influence and control of the imperial court!"
Hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Liu Chengyou showed a cheerful smile. Obviously, his suggestion was in line with his wishes. Liu Chengyou had been thinking about seizing the Feng Sheng land for a long time.