Late autumn was already deep, and the autumn frost was getting colder. With the cool breeze, Wang Pu and Wang Pu walked together in the corridors of the palace, following the summoned eunuchs. As the best among the new Jinshi, the emperor was the only one who treated him differently. The two of them could be regarded as "proud in the autumn wind" and were temporarily placed in the Bachelor's College without any rank.
"Brother Wen Bo thinks that your Majesty summoned the two of us for what purpose?" Wang Pu lowered his voice and asked Wang Pu who was walking hand in hand.
Wang Pu had a spring breeze on his face, a refined look, and his demeanor seemed to be integrated into his walking posture. Because they were Jinshi in the same subject, even though they were sixteen or seventeen years apart in age, they were still of the same generation and had a good relationship. Regarding Wang Pu, Wang Pu also maintained a humble attitude towards his seniors.
"The king's heart is unpredictable, how can we guess it?" Wang Pu's voice was full of vigor.
Seeing that Wang Pu was still calm and composed, Wang Pu couldn't help but shook his head slightly and then became calm.
"Both officers, please wait here for the announcement."
When they arrived at the Chui Gong Hall, they were stopped outside the hall. The two behaved without any inappropriate behavior and remained respectful.
"Your Majesty, Wang Pu, is here to see you!"
"No courtesy!" Liu Chengyou, who had his head buried, barely even had time to raise his head. He just stretched out his hand and gestured to the two of them: "Sit down first."
In the hall, Liu Chengyou was lecturing on the memorials presented from the Political Affairs Hall. The two kings came in response to the imperial edict, which just allowed him to relax a little. Putting down his imperial pen and ordering someone to send the latest memorial approved by Zhu to Zhongshu for disposal, Liu Chengyou then turned his attention to the two of them.
The two people were still standing with their bodies slightly bowed. However, I also quietly looked at the young emperor behind the case. Although I had seen him in Guangzheng Hall before, the feeling of being high and close at that time was always very different. Diligent performance can always make up for the lack of age, making people feel at ease and respected.
"Sit, don't be restrained!" Seeing that the two of them were still sitting, Liu Chengyou pointed to the seat in front of the emperor and ordered.
Then he sat down, maintained courtesy, said nothing, and waited for the emperor to lecture.
Liu Chengyou looked at the two kings for a few times. Wang Pu was naturally majestic and calm. As long as he didn't feel jealous, he would not hate him. In comparison, Wang Pu looks mature and serious, not just because of his age. Sitting there, he has a feeling of being as still as a mountain, but he has talents and talents in his chest, giving people a sense of solidity.
"Although I am only over a hundred happy about this achievement, I am even more happy about the two monarchs!" After examining them for a while, Liu Chengyou opened his mouth and expressed his high praise for both of them.
"Your Majesty, you are so complimentary! I am so ashamed of myself!" Even though they were arrogant about their talents, they still showed humility in the face of the emperor's praise.
With an extremely kind attitude, Liu Chengyou asked in a pleasant manner: "Have you ever gotten used to it these days in the Hanlin Academy?"
Wang Pu replied: "Both the Bachelor's and Hanlin academies are graceful and beautiful, and all the talents are gathered together. When the two ministers are admitted to the hospital, they are like frogs at the bottom of a well. When they first enter the world, they are respectful and dare not neglect..."
"This is really too modest!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou chuckled and said: "You are the great talents that I have personally selected. Mr. Wenbo is even more top-ranked, so there is no need for this!"
After a brief exchange of greetings with the two, Liu Chengyou took out the policy papers written by the two of them during the palace examination from the imperial desk, raised it slightly in his hand, and said to the two of them: "I have recently read the "Pingbian Policy" written by the two of you. I have read it more than once. What I have learned in my mind is quite consistent with my previous plan, but I still have some doubts. I have called you two here today to clear up my doubts!"
Liu Chengyou's attitude was already that of a polite and virtuous corporal, and his regard for Wang Pu and Wang Pu was beyond words. In response, the two men quickly stood up and responded: "Your Majesty, please give me your instructions."
"I have summarized my short summary by starting with the south and then the north, first with the easy and then with the difficult. This idea can be reflected in the strategies and articles of the two of you!" Liu Chengyou said directly: "However, both Mr. Wenbo and Qi Wu have something to say. Huainan and then look north. Since you want things easier first and then things are difficult, why not completely defeat the southern kingdoms and then attack the Khitan in the north? The fighting power of the southern kingdoms is always weaker than the Khitans!"
Liu Chengyou's summary made Wang Pu and Wang Pu nod subconsciously, and they both felt that the emperor could understand his meaning.
After looking at each other, Wang Pu spoke.
"Sit down and talk!" Liu Chengyou always showed his respect for talents.
"Your Majesty, with the current situation of the Han Dynasty, the north is invincible, so we can only temporarily avoid the Khitan's attack, and guard the Huqi in Youji. If we want to use troops abroad, we will return to the four territories, and only the Huainan region can be used."
"Since ancient times, Huainan has been a fertile land with millions of households. Yang and Wu used it to separate themselves. The Pseudo-Tang Dynasty occupied it, always watching the Central Plains and invading Xu Huai. Although the southern army was not strong in combat, it was able to attack the capital of the Central Plains. , still poses a huge threat, like a sword hanging over its head."
"Therefore, by seizing Huainan, we can not only seize the population, land, and wealth of Huainan, but also solve the internal troubles of our dynasty and consolidate the Central Plains. At the same time, we can also send troops to the north to command the river and prepare for the future invasion of Jiangnan!"
After hearing what Wang Pu said personally, Liu Chengyou also nodded. However, Liu Chengyou could analyze these problems himself, so he still looked at him.
Wang Pu stopped at the right moment and gave Wang Pu the opportunity to express himself. The two of them had obviously exchanged their opinions on "Pingbian Ce" and gained something from it.
I saw Wang Pu arching his hands and answering the words: "Your Majesty, since the young emperor of the former Jin Dynasty, the Central Plains has been in chaos many times, and the Hu invaders went south, and the mountains and rivers were broken. Fortunately, the great ancestor saved the world and established the Han Dynasty. Until now, your Majesty has destroyed the river. When he rebels and returns, the world will have a moment of peace."
"The Northern Army is strong, but our country's national strength is really insufficient and the people are in poverty. It will be difficult to recover within ten years or more."
"As for the Puppet Tang Dynasty, since its ancestors established themselves on behalf of Wu, they have been able to occupy the semi-nurtured land of Jianghuai and Taiyang, and have been working hard for more than ten years. The people are prosperous, the country is prosperous, the hearts of the people are loyal to them, and they have tens of thousands of troops. In the previous period, they were able to send troops to pacify Fujian. It’s gaining momentum!”
"With the military strength of the Han Dynasty, if we send troops southward, it will not be easy to capture Huainan, let alone cross the river and destroy it."
Wang Pu's meaning is very clear, that is, the Han Dynasty has strong soldiers, but has no money or food. It is not easy to send troops south to take advantage, but it is even harder to destroy the Southern Tang Dynasty. These strong soldiers probably have quotation marks. Liu Chengyou, who had an extremely deep understanding of the Han Dynasty's treasury, was of course deeply touched when he heard about it.
Seeing that the emperor was thinking deeply, Wang Pu stood by and added: "Even if your Majesty wants to send troops south to capture Huainan, you must be fully prepared, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve full success in a short period of time."
"Tell me about it!" Liu Chengyou looked at him.
When expressing his strategy, Wang Pu seemed to be very excited: "Firstly, the Han Dynasty has not been brought under control, and it takes time to get rid of bad governance, support the people's livelihood, and restore national strength; secondly, we should rectify the administration of officials, strengthen the imperial army, and make the military and political affairs more stable." Stable; thirdly, we should train our naval forces. In the land of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, there are rivers and canals, and there are canals that depend on each other. The Southern Army is more accustomed to water warfare. If there is no naval division to support it, if it rushes southward, it will be frustrated!"
"It will take three years for these three to be effective. Even so, Your Majesty should still be prepared for a bloody battle with the Tang army. The Puppet Tang Dynasty is still strong, and the Tang army's combat power is still there. In the land of Huainan, half of the Puppet Tang Dynasty will definitely not be easily give up."
"Even so, the Han Dynasty still needs to consider the reactions of other countries, especially the preparations for the northern border..."
After listening to Wang Pu's eloquent remarks, Liu Chengyou came back to his senses and said in a relaxed tone: "Listening to what you two said, you expected that I would send troops to take Huainan?"
