Facing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Yang Yan said solemnly: "The founding of the Han Dynasty is still short, and your Majesty has only succeeded to the throne for half a year. The country is at peace in the beginning, and people's hearts are easy to shake. Li's rebellion against the west will definitely affect the hearts of the young people. In this critical autumn, Your Majesty should not move lightly, just sit and guard Tokyo and order the general to quell it!"
"Mr. Yang also knows that people's hearts can easily be shaken. If I go there in person, I want to quickly settle it with the power of thunder. Otherwise, if the thieves are allowed to run rampant and I hide in the deep palace, how can I stabilize the people of the world?" Liu Chengyou stared at Yang Yan, his eyes Without blinking, he retorted.
"Is it possible for your majesty to quickly fix the river? Isn't there anyone in the Han Dynasty?" Yang Bing asked back.
"Last year, Du Chongwei rebelled against the capital of Ye. The imperial army conquered the city and marched for a long time, which lowered morale and cost money and food. When the late emperor came to visit, he conquered the city in three days!" Liu Chengyou cited the example of defeating Du Chongwei last year.
"How does your majesty's ability compare with that of the late emperor?" Yang Bin said bluntly.
Yang Bin's words were a bit heart-wrenching. In the court, Liu Chengyou's answer was inappropriate.
With his eyebrows slightly raised, Liu Chengyou didn't hide his anger, glared at Yang Bin, and asked in a cold voice: "Is Mr. Yang bullying my young age and looking down on me?"
Facing the emperor's authority, Yang Fang's expression remained unchanged and he acted coldly. He lowered his head and clasped his fists: "I don't dare."
"The hundreds of thousands of Khitan troops in Luancheng were defeated by me. Li Shouzhen's army was only 20,000, and the ground was no more than a corner of the river. I killed them like slaughtering chicken ears!" Liu Chengyou mentioned his courage.
"If you've already killed a chicken, why do you need to kill the world's sword? Your Majesty, please come in person?" After a slight pause, Yang Bin said, but there was still no sign of submission in his tone.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou stared at Yang Bin with an even colder gaze. Yang Bin did not shy away and looked directly at Liu Chengyou. Given his attitude, even if he was loyal and honest, how could Liu Chengyou tolerate him.
The atmosphere in the palace was a little tense. The emperor and his ministers were facing each other for a while. Liu Chengyou suddenly curled up his lips, his expression slowly relaxed, and he leaned back slightly and asked the others: "What do you think of the personal conquest proposal?"
Liu Chengyou acted suddenly, but Yang Bin couldn't relax. He looked away and looked at other ministers.
Feng Dao stood up, hunched over, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, do you want to see the results of the army to the west's counterinsurgency first, and then make any decision?"
Feng Daojin's words were somewhat conservative, but the implication was that he still disagreed with Liu Chengyou's personal expedition, but he didn't directly confront Liu Chengyou like Yang Bin did. This is also in line with Feng Dao's consistent style. Soldiers are a matter of life and death, and the emperor's personal conquest is more related to the fate of the country. It is not worth taking risks for a "grass bandit". It is safer to stay in Tokyo and strategize.
Subsequently, the ministers Wang Zhang, Su Yugui, Dou Zhengu, Li Tao, and Zhao Ying expressed their opinions one after another, and they all disagreed with the personal conquest. The reasons given are similar to those given by Yang Fang. Seeing this, Yang Bin was surprised and a little relieved. Obviously, he was right. Otherwise, why would all the ministers in the dynasty be "of the same mind" with him?
Like Zhongshu's assistant Li Tao, when Du Chongwei rebelled last year, he strongly advocated Liu Zhiyuan's personal expedition to quell the rebellion. Now it is Liu Chengyou who has a completely opposite attitude. Liu Chengyou asked about this, and Li Tao first confessed, and then said frankly: The late emperor was the founder of the country, with far-reaching majesty and virtue, and based on the merit of saving lives, he was enough to suppress the world at that time. Moreover, the battle in Yedu urgently needed to be broken with force, but it is completely different now...
Only half of the words were said, and it was Li Tao who was trying to save face for Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou was a little surprised when he saw the opposition in the court. According to his expectation, with his increasing control over the court in the past half year, there might be opposition, but it would never be this level.
Facts have proved that he is still somewhat optimistic. The Western Expedition was no better than the previous Western Tour. In matters such as this, these civil servants, old and new, were inevitably conservative.
Rational analysis shows that there is nothing wrong with the concerns of the ministers. It is the so-called old age to seek for the country. If there is a rebellion in the country, send troops to attack, suppress the violence and put an end to the rebellion. If the general is defeated, there is still room for maneuver. But the emperor's personal conquest left no room for anything, and the risks involved were too great, especially in the current situation of the Han Dynasty. Although it has been barely calm for a few months, if there is any movement, there will be an undercurrent.
However, as others said, behind a safe choice, the price paid is not necessarily small, and there are also risks behind it.
The most direct question is who should be the commander, who should hand over the tens of thousands of elite guards and horse infantry, so that Liu Chengyou can rest assured. The answer is, no one. Shang Hongqian was the commander-in-chief of the guards in Tokyo, commanding hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops, but after all, he was in the capital, right under his nose.
The so-called general will not accept the king's orders. In this era, with tens of thousands of elites hanging outside and in the hands of others, the risk is really too great. It is safest only to hold the power of general in one's hands and to have the emperor as the supreme commander.
At the same time, it would probably take a lot of effort to appoint a general to coordinate with the armies to attack the rebels. They are all veteran generals and heroes, and they control Fangzhen. With the arrogance of generals in this era, why should they listen to you? Once the war drags on, Li Shouzhen's "allies" may actually jump out and bite the big man.
Besides, if Liu Chengyou went on a personal expedition, how could he be Li Shouzhen's bastard? Eliminating internal troubles is the goal, and establishing power to frighten the world is also the goal. At the very least, Liu Chengyou didn't want to see a scene like this where a suggestion immediately aroused opposition.
"Officials, what the prime ministers said makes sense." Uncle Li Hongxin stood up, cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to lead the troops to quell the rebels in the river on behalf of the officials and the court."
"Your Majesty, Dushuai Li is the uncle of the country. He has commanded the army for many years and can lead the army to fight against thieves." Someone immediately agreed. Liu Chengyou saw that it was Feng Dao. This old man probably thinks that compared to others, Liu Chengyou should be able to trust his uncle.
But Liu Chengyou frowned obviously at Li Hongxin's initiative. For this uncle, it is not a matter of trust, but a matter of ability.
In summary, Liu Chengyou cannot trust people with strong abilities, and he dare not trust them for the time being. How dare you attack those with weak abilities against a large army? Therefore, only if Liu Chengyou personally takes charge of the army can there be no doubts. However, these words cannot be said on the table.
"Your Majesty!" Observing Liu Chengyou's predicament, Fan Zhi came forward and said with a serious face: "The Han Dynasty has a blood feud with the Khitan in the north, a feud with the Tang Dynasty in the south, a disloyal party in the northwest, and it is difficult to determine the intention of Western Shu. It can be said that there are enemies on all sides. The rebellion in the river , must be eliminated as soon as possible, otherwise it is bound to be defeated. If you want to defeat it quickly, you must coordinate the armies with those who can hope to make the generals work together to attack the rebels. The Imperial Army and Guanyou have many long-standing generals and meritorious officials. Among them, who can surpass the might of the Emperor and subdue all the generals? Last year, the generals in Yedu were in discord. It must not be repeated. Your Majesty, please judge it with all the officials!"
When Fan Zhi said this, he also used the previous events as an example, and he left no room for it. Who dares to propose a candidate who can surpass the emperor? Who dares to stand up?
Looking at Fan Zhi with a satisfied look, Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Wei, who had never expressed his opinion: "What do you think, Minister Guo?"
Guo Wei's expression was a little complicated. He was quite determined to unite the army to suppress the rebellion. However, seeing this posture, even if the whole court opposes it, it is estimated that it will be difficult to stop the emperor's intention. Moreover, after a thorough analysis of the situation, the emperor's personal expedition is a good choice, and the risk is not as great as it seems on the surface. After all, the response preparations have been fully prepared. Moreover, the emperor is not ignorant of the military. He has experience in leading battles and has also won an epic victory...
"If your Majesty can personally conquer the rebels in the river, they will be captured easily!" Guo Wei reported directly in a firm tone.
Wei Renpu also came out to express his support for Liu Chengyou: "Li Shouzhen relied on nothing more than the support of the heroes in the river and the situation where the Han Dynasty was surrounded by enemies on all sides when he rebelled. However, the imperial court responded appropriately and your majesty went on a personal expedition, which was exactly what he wanted to do with the force of thunder. With luck, it can also deter enemy countries and disloyal subjects!"
Immediately afterwards, Shang Hongqian also agreed, saying simply: "I am willing to accompany your Majesty on the expedition."
With the support of these people, Liu Chengyou made a show of determination. He stood up, and under the strange eyes of everyone, he sternly ordered: "No more words, sirs. I have decided to fight in person, and the army will set off on the 15th." Go west!"
"Yes!" Seeing this, even if they still held objections in their hearts, the officials could only bow their heads and obey orders. After all, not everyone is as cool as Yang Bin.
"Pass an edict to deprive Li Shouzhen of all his titles, and send Bai Wenke, Zhao Hui, Wang Yan, Song Yanwo and Yao Yuanfu to send troops to conquer, and use Yongxing Jiedushi Bai Wenke to deploy the southwest camp capital!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand and gave orders. : "In addition, Zhi Linghua and Tongzhou are responsible for supplying troops and food. I tell Duke Bai, if there is any patrol, you can do it cheaply!"
If Li Shouzhen was a chicken, Hou Zhang and Xue Huairang were two chickens, and they had no intention of appeasing them.
He looked outside again and saw that the sky was still dark. Liu Chengyou ordered people to prepare breakfast in advance, and then said: "I still have to worry about it. Please work hard again and discuss the matter of the expedition."
