Faced with Liu Chengyou's somewhat careless questions, Wang Pu and Wang Pu did not respond directly, but just waited cautiously, but a look of determination could clearly be seen on their faces.
Without waiting for his reply, Liu Chengyou looked thoughtful again and said to himself: "Apart from Huainan, is there really no place to mobilize troops?"
Of course, Liu Chengyou had been farming for several years. If he really wanted to start a war, there were still several directions. Needless to say, the first is to attack Huainan; the second is to attack Meng and Shu from the west, and at least recapture the four states of Qinfengjie; the third is, of course, the Northern Expedition to attack Khitan.
However, anyone with a little knowledge of these three directions and three strategies can clearly distinguish their pros and cons.
"To seize Huainan, why do you two suggest that I conquer the Khitans in the north?" Liu Chengyou asked solemnly as he regained his energy.
Faced with this question, Wang Pusurong said directly: "Khitan people! Since the founding of the country, the Han Dynasty has forged a deadly feud with the Khitan people. From all over the world, only the Khitan who unified the grassland is the greatest enemy of our dynasty. Enemy. Although our dynasty has captured the sixteen states of Youji, including You, Zhuo, Ying, and Mo, and has also restored Yi and Ding, the danger of Guanshan is still in the hands of the enemy, and the Khitan can move south at any time."
"Once we mobilize our troops, the Khitans will definitely not sit idly by. Last year, the late emperor pinged the capital of Ye, and this year, your majesty pinged the river. The Khitans responded. This year, they even sent troops south to harass. Therefore, the powerful enemy is spying from the north. No matter what the big man does, he is like a thorn on his back, unable to exert his full strength and conquer all his efforts."
"My old ministers and others suggest that if we can successfully seize Huainan and conquer the south of the Yangtze River, we should take advantage of the trend and march northward to recover the dangers of the army capital and Yanshan Mountain and consolidate the northern border defense. Then head southward and flatten all the countries!"
At the end of the sentence, Wang Pu couldn't help but be excited. After all, it was very rare to be able to express his thoughts in front of the emperor. What was even more rare was that the emperor listened carefully.
Liu Chengyou thought about it very seriously, chewing on what the two kings said for a long time, and sighed: "As the two ministers said, seizing the Huaihe River requires efforts to fight against the Tang Dynasty, and the Khitan people will also have to send troops to the north, and they will be attacked on both sides. What a situation!”
When mentioning this, Wang Pu also looked solemn and responded: "If the current situation develops, it will be inevitable. Therefore, if your Majesty wants to take Huainan, you still need to wait for a good opportunity!"
"Where did this good opportunity come from?" Liu Chengyou asked immediately.
Wang Pu cupped his hands and replied: "Good opportunities are uncertain, but it is necessary to maintain the livelihood of the people, save money, train soldiers, and repair armor and weapons. By then, even if the enemy is strong in the north, will it be able to curb your majesty's intention to go south?"
In the official history, Guo Rong, Shizong of Zhou Dynasty, accepted Wang Pu's strategy and was able to fight vigorously and conquer the south and north, which shocked China. First, it had the foundation laid by Guo Wei and Guangshun; second, the monarch's power was established and strong after the First World War in Gaoping. Military and political affairs were able to fully display their talents; however, what is equally important is that the Khitan in the north has stretched its crotch.
Yelu Ruan, Shizong of the Liao Dynasty, had been in power for four years, but died in a mutiny. The successor, Muzong Yelujing, was the famous "Sleeping King". Under his nearly twenty-year rule, the Khitan state was in ruins, with political chaos and constant internal rebellions. Since he abolished martial arts, the development of Khitan has completely stagnated or even regressed. Guo Rong captured Huainan and later decided to expedition to Youyan in the north. This may be due to the decline of Khitan's national affairs.
The development of history is often accompanied by chance and inevitability. It is inspired by the British Lord and always according to the right time, location, and people. It seems as if it is really loved by God.
In fact, if it weren't for the Khitan people's own problems, it would have been even more difficult for Guo Rong to conquer Huainan and recover Qinfeng. Even if Zhao Kuangyin had the foundation laid by Guo Rong, it would never be that easy to implement the strategy of "first south, then north" and flatten the separatist forces in the south. The Northern Han Dynasty did not have much of a buffering effect between the Song Dynasty and the Khitan. After all, Hebei in the Central Plains faced a direct threat from the Northern Dynasty, which came from Youyan who was in danger.
Nowadays, Yelu Ruan is in power in the Liao Kingdom. Although there have been some twists and turns due to the issue of the throne, his position has gradually stabilized and the national strength is also recovering. During the Pinghe Zhong rebellion, Yelu An Tuan was ordered to invade south, which is proved.
Therefore, in the Qianyou Dynasty of Liu Chengyou, the strategy of "first south and then north" was also proposed, and the Khitan was also taken into consideration, but Wang Pu took the threat of the evil neighbor in the north more seriously. When thinking about strategy, it was certainly impossible for Wang and Pu to consider the prerequisites for "dramatic changes" in the Khitan side.
The hall became quiet, and he rubbed his chin habitually, thought for a while, and said, "Is three years enough?"
Knowing what he meant, Wang Pu said to Liu Chengyou very solemnly: "In my opinion, it will take at least three years for the Han Dynasty to stop fighting and concentrate on development before it can have the strength to fight!"
"Even if it takes three years, can we resist the Khitan in the north and conquer Jiangbei in the south?" Liu Chengyou asked again, his tone seemed a little unconfident.
Both of them were silent. Wang Pu raised his head and said with excitement: "It is difficult to face enemies on both sides, but if your majesty wants to conquer the world, it will be a road full of obstacles and obstacles. Your majesty only needs to make careful calculations and do a good job in the north. The success or failure of preparations to resist the Khitan and attack the puppet Tang Dynasty in the south still depends on the future!"
Liu Chengyou smiled softly: "Then three years! I can afford to wait!"
"Your Majesty is wise, powerful, rich, and patient with his hard work, and his great achievements will surely be accomplished!" Wang Pu, somewhat unexpectedly, expressed compliments to Liu Chengyou.
Talents like Wang Pu and Wang Pu had far-reaching knowledge. They not only passed the imperial examination in order to become officials, but also were willing to express their strategies and demonstrate their talents in front of the emperor. Of course, they watched Liu Chengyou with a cold eye and saw that Liu Chengyou was achieving great things. Otherwise, how could it be so easy to dig out one's heart and lungs?
Wang Pu proposed three years, and Liu Chengyou also intended three years of preparation time. It is a bit of a coincidence that, if nothing else happens, three years later, it will be the year when Khitan's national revolution happened. Of course, neither of them knows yet. What Liu Chengyou considered here was to send his troops south while defending the Khitan in the north.
"Today's high-level discussion, please don't tell others or leak the news!" Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou turned to the two of them with a cold face.
Liu Chengyou released his majesty, and the two people immediately responded solemnly. Of course they had that consciousness. This is not an issue of the "Border Peace Policy" on the surface, but actually involves the future national strategy of the Han Dynasty. Looking at the emperor's performance, he has almost made up his mind.
"After a good talk with you two, my doubts have been cleared up. You two ministers should be regarded as great talents in the country!" With his heart settled, Liu Chengyou slowly regained his peace and expressed high praise for the two kings.
Of course, the two of them were polite to each other.
Liu Chengyou thought about it for a moment and said to the two of them: "The second minister has the talent to manage the world, but he has just entered the court. I can't rush into appointing him to an important position."
Listening to Liu Chengyou's words, he wanted to make a clear arrangement for the two of them. When it came to himself, he couldn't help but straighten his back. After entering the temple, you should seek power and position so that you can have the opportunity to display your talents and realize your ambitions. There is nothing embarrassing about this, but the appearance of the two people is normal.
"I intend for the two ministers to observe the government under the Hanlin Academy, to serve as ordinary people, to prepare additional posts, to serve the emperor, to read and lecture, and to draft imperial edicts. In addition, to assist the Hanlin Academy to carry out the edict and standard, and compile the "Han Xing Tong" "!"
"I accept the order! Thank you, Your Majesty!" The two people stood up at the same time and thanked each other.
Fan Zhi was previously ordered to take the lead in compiling the "Xingtong", but he was responsible for the position of knowing and making imperial edicts and was always on hand to make plans. He had many mundane tasks, which led to the slow progress of the criminal law compilation. Therefore, Liu Chengyou moved his official position and shifted the focus of his work.
Liu Chengyou was very kind to the two kings in appointing them. Not only did he set up the post of Shujishi for them, but he also participated in the compilation of "Xingtong". Even if he appointed one or two names, this honor was too much. .
