In the evening, it gets dark especially quickly, and the boundless twilight is like a giant beast, opening its bloody mouth and swallowing up the not-so-bright light between heaven and earth.
It was obviously a bit cold and made people feel uncomfortable. The servants serving in the palace were adding charcoal fire in an orderly manner.
Liu Chengyou couldn't stand the turbid and stagnant air, so he ordered the doors and windows to be opened for ventilation. The cold wind that surged in from outside immediately suppressed the temperature that had just risen in the hall.
Standing at the window, enjoying the cool breeze, Zhang Dejun diligently took a fur robe and said, "Guan family, it's cold, don't catch a cold."
Liu Chengyou was not trying to be brave. He took it and put it on his body. He only paused for a few breaths before turning back to the palace, warming himself by the fire, and casually greeting Wang Pu who was in front of his majesty: "Qi Wu, what do you have to do with the Dingnan Army?" What do you think? Mr. Zhe is very wary of this party force!"
Wang Pu had been waiting by the side until now. Although he did not speak, he could hear the conversation between the two. When he heard the question, he clasped his hands and said, "I don't know much about the Dingnan Army, so I dare not make any rash comments. However, what Mr. Zhe said is not alarmist talk!"
Liu Chengyou was very satisfied with Wang Pu's rigorous attitude. It was no wonder that he had historical talent. Wang Pu was favored by Jia Wei, who was compiling history in the history museum. Recently, he was often asked to assist in the compilation of "Records of Emperor Gaozu". Liu Chengyou did not stop this kind of display of his talents, but encouraged him.
"Your Majesty, as Zhe Gong said, the Dingnan Army has been growing in strength for decades since Li Sigong. It has occupied the Hetao area, occupied several states in Xia Sui, and has tens of thousands of troops. Especially the Tuoba Li clan, they have The control of the Dangxiang tribes is also strengthening."
Under Liu Chengyou's gaze, Wang Pu simply expressed his opinion: "In my opinion, the growth of the Difficulty Army is not conducive to the stability of the northwest border of the Han Dynasty. However, based on the current situation of our dynasty, for There is really no way to restrain the Dingnan army. Dingnan Jiedu Li Yiyin has been in charge of Xia Sui for fourteen years. If his ambitions are hard to suppress, he can raise his flag at any time to cause chaos and break away from the rule of the Han Dynasty."
"This is exactly what I am in serious trouble with. After all, Xiazhou is not another vassal town under the rule of the Han Dynasty. When I leveled the river, Li Yiyin led Xiazhou's troops to move!" Liu Chengyou's hand was still on the charcoal fire, and the fire burned him His hands were flushed red, and the warmth could not dispel his worries at all: "If I hadn't quickly leveled the river and shocked the group, Guan You might have experienced a drastic change in Tuo!"
Hearing this, Wang Pu was a little surprised: "According to what I heard, wasn't there a conflict between the Dingnan Army and the Yanzhou Army at that time?"
Liu Chengyou gave Wang Pu a look full of meaning: "With Wang Qing's aura and vision, how can he not see through this superficial appearance?"
Wang Pu couldn't help but show a humble smile.
With a faint smile, Wang Pu carefully glanced at Liu Chengyou's side face, hesitated slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, with Xiazhou's strength, compared with the big man, it is not worth mentioning, but if it is true, On the contrary, the imperial court was unable to control it. The more important thing for the Han Dynasty now was to end the war and implement government to support the people. Even if the country went through this difficult period, the imperial court's focus should be on fighting against the Khitan and pacifying the other countries... ..”
Observing the emperor's expression, I saw that he was still listening, but kept his expression calm. He took a deep breath and said in an admonishing tone: "Your Majesty has a penetrating gaze and a far-sighted view. However, the solution to difficult problems is actually far away." Worrying is not the most important thing at the moment!"
"Are you afraid that I can't distinguish priorities?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"That's not what I meant." Wang Pu said quickly.
"Those who do not plan for the overall situation cannot plan for a region!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand towards him and said, "It is about meeting Mr. Zhe, and the topic has caught up. How can I change the established strategic national policy lightly?"
"Your Majesty is wise."
"In your opinion, how should I deal with this army that is determined to be in trouble?" Liu Chengyou sat back at the imperial desk and asked leisurely: "I clearly remember that when the Uighurs paid tribute, they also took the tribute horses! To the big Han How could they ever take the imperial court seriously?"
"Your Majesty should appease him carefully, increase his official position, and promote his title to ensure peace in the western frontier!" Wang Pu said solemnly, his expression seemed particularly solemn when he said these words.
Liu Chengyou said: "I have already done these!"
Wang Pu's voice was very low: "Your Majesty, if necessary, Li Yiyin has not yet been crowned king..."
His calm eyes suddenly became sharp, and Liu Chengyou stared at Wang Pu: "Your proposal is really big!"
Wang Pu also reported very solemnly: "I just feel that if we want to achieve stability in the northwest, we will not be stingy for a little fame!"
But Liu Chengyou said seriously: "I'm just afraid that he will turn fiction into reality!"
Looking at Liu Chengyou's behavior, you can tell that he seems a little sensitive about the matter of being crowned king. Of course, that's all. When push came to shove, he could temporarily grant the entire Hetao and even the Hexi Corridor to Li Yiyin, not to mention the throne.
Speaking of which, everyone is scolding Emperor Shi Jingtang'er for ceding territory and betraying the country. However, if he can stabilize the country in his subsequent actions, attack the Khitan in the north, and regain Yanyun, I am afraid it will be another inspirational story of "sleeping on fuel and tasting courage" that will be sung through the ages. However, Shi Jingtang failed and left behind a curse that was destined to be infamy for thousands of years.
"The feud between Gao Yunquan and Xiazhou became more and more serious, and they used weapons several times. The imperial court supported Yanzhou and fought against it to suppress the party members. How about it?" Liu Chengyou asked Wang Pu on a whim.
The emotion in Liu Chengyou's eyes almost turned into reality. Seeing this, Wang Pu replied seriously without thinking: "Your Majesty, if the court takes too many actions, it will only make Xiazhou suspicious and alienate from the court. If he accepts the Khitan To win over, to favor the northern captives, to cause trouble on both sides..."
"After all, I have to be threatened?" Liu Chengyou was slightly angry. After all, Liu Chengyou still has a lot of ideas in his heart.
Wang Pu was silent. After pondering for a while, he responded cautiously: "From my perspective, as for the situation in the northwest, just listen and observe."
"Let it go?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"If the conflict between Xiazhou and Yanzhou intensifies to the point of war, the imperial court should intervene to mediate!" Wang Pu said.
"Don't mention it!" Liu Chengyou rolled down his sleeves.
Facing the emperor who was different from usual and full of energy, Wang Pu was inevitably a little surprised. Just as he was thinking about how to persuade the young emperor, he heard that Liu Chengyou was silent for a while, and then he couldn't help but say: "If you can lead Xiazhou to make enemies with the Khitan, and use its power to deal with the Khitan, I may feel at ease! "
Mentioning this, Wang Pu's eyes lit up slightly, and the monarch and his ministers immediately entered into an in-depth discussion on this aspect, but they could not come up with a reason. In the final analysis, the Han Dynasty lacked national strength and did not have much leverage.
It was getting late, so Liu Chengyou, to show his kindness, left Wang Pu to have dinner with him. After that, he let him go and gave Wang Pu a new task.
Give Wang Pu the "Eighty-one Chapters of Zhixuan" given by Chen Tuan and ask him to translate it.
