Emperor Zhou sat behind the imperial court and wrote memorials.
There are more and more memorials these days, and most of them are sent from the border.
As expected, Grassland was so ambitious that it finally declared war on their Zhou Kingdom.
Zhou Guoguo's master walked in from outside the royal study and said: "Old minister, I'm here to see your majesty."
Emperor Zhou was reviewing the memorials without raising his head, and said: "The Imperial Master is here, take a seat, come, watch, and serve tea!"
The Imperial Preceptor walked to a seat, and as soon as he sat down, he said: "Your Majesty, the State of Chu has also declared war on the grassland. The old minister has just received the information from the State of Chu, as well as a revolt against the rebels, saying that he is going to conquer Bu Bu on behalf of the Central Plains.
The country of ministers and the clan of alienated people.”
Emperor Zhou laughed when he heard what the Imperial Preceptor said: "I have long thought that the Chu State would declare war on the grassland. The wise king, a warlike man, would not let go of this opportunity to crusade against the unfaithful country and the unjust tribe on behalf of the Central Plains. Chu
The state is quite clever, but the Chu state cannot take advantage of it alone. Later, the Hanlin Academy will be ordered to draw up an edict, and the Zhou state will also issue a revolt. Although it is one step behind the Chu state, it may not be impossible to catch up. "
At least we can't lag behind the Chu State based on righteousness.
The Imperial Preceptor continued, "But no matter how you say it, our Zhou State will owe Chu State a favor this time. With Chu State's intervention, a large part of the grassland army that is fighting against our Zhou State's border troops will definitely be diverted to deal with it."
Enemies of Chu, our chance will come when the time comes."
Emperor Zhou nodded and said, "That's true, but if the favor can be repaid later, how is the war at the border?"
The Imperial Preceptor opened his mouth and said, "The momentum of the grassland is very strong. It is indeed the Wanyan tribe that has finally unified the grassland after many years of fighting. It should not be underestimated. In terms of combat power, our Zhou army is probably slightly inferior. However, because of Your Majesty's
We have started mobilizing troops and forming formations a long time ago, and the grassland will not be able to take advantage of our Zhou Kingdom."
Emperor Zhou opened his mouth and said: "After all, the field combat ability of the grassland is still inferior to that of our country of Zhou. If we had not arranged our troops in advance, it is really possible that the grassland could have invaded the pass this time."
The national advisor nodded and said: "Yes, the army on the grassland is probably as good as the Chu State back then. Moreover, they have no shortage of horses on the grassland, and all the people are in the army. They are even more powerful in terms of speed and ferocity."
Chu State is one percent."
As for why Zhou Guoshi said it was the Chu State back then and not the current state?
Because although the Chu State had a strong fighting force at that time, it still arranged its troops in a satisfactory manner and fought with real swords and guns.
What now?
The current state of Chu relies on its own advantage of firearms. When it is launched, it is like thunder rolling from the sky. People are frightened when they hear it, and their horses are frightened when they hear it. What can the grassland people use to fight?
Especially when they fought with Chu State last year, after Chu State called out the formation, they didn't care whether Zhou State should fight or not, and a round of thunder came up.
It greatly damaged the morale of their Zhou state.
Fortunately, they are working overtime on the development of firearms in Zhou State, and I believe they will bear fruit soon.
After hearing the words of the imperial master, Emperor Zhou pondered for a moment and said: "Instruct the military department to send the soldiers at the border to retreat into the middle of the pass and defend in danger. The grassland people's field combat ability is indeed good, but I don't know what their siege ability is."
When the Imperial Preceptor heard what Emperor Zhou said, he couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, now that our army has only fought against the grassland for a few rounds, it will be detrimental to the morale of our army to retreat into Guanzhong. Moreover, such a retreat will also make the grassland more vulnerable."
As their arrogance becomes more and more arrogant, won't they become even more powerful by then? Why does your majesty gain the ambition of others and destroy your own prestige?"
Emperor Zhou said: "It's not that I don't understand this truth, but today's temporary retreat is also for tomorrow's victory."
"Now that the Chu State has declared war on the grasslands, their troops will definitely go out to fight on the grasslands. They have the advantage of firearms, and they will be unstoppable by then, and the Wanyan tribe's army will have to return to their hometown to support them."
"Wanyan's army returns to support. Once we retreat, the grassland will definitely feel that our Zhou army is weak and incompetent. Wanyan Khan will feel more confident in deploying more troops to deal with the Chu state, and our Zhou state will also be preserved to the greatest extent.
If we have enough strength, if we attack again at this time, we will definitely be able to defeat the few grassland troops at the border, and perhaps form an encirclement with the Chu State."
"It can even be solved once and for all, which has been a serious problem in the grassland for thousands of years."
The Imperial Master of the State of Zhou said, "It's not that I don't understand your Majesty's words, but your Majesty should also know that our Zhou army just suffered a defeat at the hands of the Chu State last year. It was a time when morale was low. As your Majesty is in a high position, you can naturally see the situation clearly and calmly."
We must choose a response strategy, but the border officers and soldiers do not understand this truth. If we retreat again and again, our Zhou army may never recover."
The morale of the army is a key condition that determines whether the army can win. The morale of an army is limited, and it is extremely difficult to replenish it.
If the morale of the army is exhausted and negative emotions spread, even if most of the grassland troops retreat, it will be difficult for the Zhou Kingdom to win.
Something even more dangerous will happen, that is, mutiny...
Emperor Zhou said: "What the Imperial Master said is true, but I have ignored the feelings of the soldiers. How about this, I go to the border in person to lead the expedition, and bring enough pay, silver, food and grass to stabilize the morale of the army."
After hearing the words of Emperor Zhou, the Imperial Master shook his head and said: "As the saying goes, a son of a thousand pieces of gold cannot sit down in the hall, let alone Your Majesty, who has a body of ten thousand gold. After all, the border battlefield is still too dangerous, so why not let the old minister go and walk on your Majesty's behalf?
One trip.”
When Emperor Zhou heard this, he stood up and said: "The Imperial Guard has been fighting for the country for decades, and it is the reassurance of our Zhou army. I can rest assured that the Imperial Guard will go there in person, so I will have the Imperial Guard this time."
"
Master Zhou Guo said: "Yes."
Having fought for the country for decades, he was the reassurance of the Zhou army and had a high prestige in the army.
He was supposed to lead troops and generals and be the commander-in-chief of a country!
Although he now occupies a position above ten thousand people below the national preceptor, he is sitting high in the temple.
But in fact, he was promoted openly and secretly, and he lost the right to command the army from then on.
Your Majesty is still too suspicious after all.
When he came to the throne, he was worshiped as the national advisor, but only to take away his power to command the army. Now he suppressed the Yang family and threw the Yang family, a century-old family, into the army.
It seemed like he was given a chance, but in fact, it made the Yang family disappear completely among the ranks of civil servants.
In the end, it is better to keep power in your own hands.
It's just... living like this, almost enslaved by power, isn't your Majesty tired?
Imperial Master Zhou finally sighed, cupped his hands and said, "In this case, I will retire."
Emperor Zhou nodded and said, "Master, please go slowly."
After that, he buried the whole person again in the vast sea of memorials, day after day, year after year...