The east verandah of Chongzheng Hall is a regular court room, decorated in the same style as the entire palace, simple and plain, with only a few banquet tables for the courtiers who usually come to the palace to rest and wait.
At present, apart from the two palace attendants, there are only two generals, Yang Ye and Wang Shenqi. The two of them sat opposite each other, and there were wine, meat and vegetables on the table, three meat and two vegetables, four dishes and one soup. The two of them were also very hungry and devoured their food. Wang Shenqi was a little restrained at first, but seeing Yang Yeru in the army, he let go.
The smells of wine and food were intertwined, and there was only a mess on the table. The two clinked another glass and drank it down in one gulp. In this midwinter, drinking fine wine is a kind of enjoyment for generals like them who guard the northern border.
The expression on Wang Shenqi's face was not as cheerful as Yang Ye's, and the rosiness seemed to be suppressed. He was not good at drinking, but this was the royal wine, and the emperor personally rewarded it, so he had to eat some. It's a pity that the royal wine in the palace, the distiller's yeast, has been improved, and its potency is far beyond his imagination.
"Brother Zhong Bao, you still need to practice your drinking ability!" Looking at Wang Shenqi's expression, Yang Ye said with a smile.
Wang Shenqi smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The general knows that I can never drink. The joy of fine wine is destined to be missed by the general!"
"If you can't drink, then there's no need to force it, it's enough!" came a penetrating voice.
Looking up, he saw that the person strolling in, dressed in a dragon robe, was none other than the Emperor Liu Chengyou. Yang and Wang hurriedly stood up to salute, but Liu Chengyou stretched out his hand to stop him: "No need to be polite, sit down!"
Arriving in front of the food table, Zhang Dejun personally took out a dish, lifted up the feet of his robe, sat down, swept the mess on the table, and said with a chuckle: "Is it enough to eat?"
"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. The two of you have already satisfied your hunger!" Yang Ye said.
Under the instruction, Zhang Dejun held the wine flask and filled three more glasses. Liu Chengyou raised his glass and invited them: "I'll drink as much as you like!"
After speaking, drink up. Although the emperor's words were polite, Yang Ye and Wang Shenqi showed no hesitation and were equally bored.
Feeling the spicy taste flowing down his throat, Liu Chengyou finally asked calmly: "How have you learned after two years of guarding the border?"
Facing the emperor's question, Yang Ye seemed to be quite emotional. After thinking about it, he faced the emperor's gaze and said very proudly: "I am occupying Yanmen. If the Khitans invade from the south, they can stop a hundred thousand troops!"
Looking at his heroic demeanor, Liu Chengyou did not feel that he was ashamed of his arrogant words. Instead, he gently touched his palm and said, "General, I should encourage you if you have such confidence!"
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Yang Ye felt arrogant. He smiled and explained, "I am not just arrogant when I say this. Yanmen has been an important gate in the world since ancient times. The city wall is indestructible. It is located high on the ridge, surrounded by dangerous mountains, and the road is rugged and steep... ....”
It took a long time for Yang Ye to describe the surrounding environment of Yanmen Pass, the favorable terrain, city defense layout, troop distribution, food and equipment reserves, defense strategies, contingency measures, etc. one by one. Yang Ye is not a talkative person on weekdays, but when it comes to duties, he talks endlessly.
Although there was not much expression on Liu Chengyou's face, he still listened very seriously. He compared and measured what he knew and gained a deeper understanding of the situation at Yanmen Pass.
"You don't need many soldiers and horses, there is enough food and equipment, and Yanmen ministers can guard it!" Yang Ye emphasized again.
Liu Chengyou digested what Yang Ye said, but he sighed: "There are nine fortresses in the world, and Yanmen is the first. It's a pity that I have never seen the high, dangerous and narrow Xiongguan Pass!"
After saying this, his attitude became gentler, and he cast his approving eyes on Yang Ye: "I was still worried that you were young and energetic, and had arrogant ambitions. Now that I hear you say that Yanmen's appearance is better than that of the imperial guards, you are so precious to me, and I deeply appreciate you. I am overly concerned! "
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Yang Yezheng couldn't help but show a little embarrassment on his face. love literature network
"What you said is all about imperial preparations. Have you ever thought about going out to the north to attack?" Liu Chengyou suddenly changed his temperament. He spoke very fast and with great authority, he forced himself towards Yang Ye.
Feeling a little uncomfortable, facing the emperor's oppressive gaze, Yang Ye gradually became serious. After thinking seriously for a long time, he cautiously said: "Your Majesty, with all due respect, within three to five years, there will not be a good opportunity to go north to Yanmen." !”
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou's reaction was even more interesting than when Yang Ye talked about Yanmen's defense: "What do you think?"
"First, the national power is limited; second, the military strength is insufficient; third, knowing yourself but not knowing the enemy, the Khitan is not a country that can be destroyed!" Yang Ye said: "The east of the river is surrounded by dangerous mountains and rivers, and the city is fortified. It is so strong that it is difficult to break through. With the imperial court and Hedong relying on it, I can take it. However, if you leave the fortress, the grassland is vast and you have nothing to rely on. Even if you can seize the land in the clouds, I cannot stand for a long time. "
"Besides..." As he spoke, Yang Ye showed a hint of hesitation: "Your Majesty has said before that the Han Dynasty's strategic direction——"
Liu Chengyou interrupted with a wave of his hand, glanced at Wang Shenqi who was waiting calmly on the side, and said to Yang Ye: "You have indeed made progress! In the past, Yang Ye was focused on uniting the army and training troops, and did not think about this much!"
"Your Majesty's ministers are responsible for their duties alone. They are always worried and walking on thin ice, lest they betray His Majesty's trust. This is why we have to think more about everything!" Yang Ye clasped his hands.
"How many soldiers are there in Daizhou now?" Liu Chengyou asked, changing the subject.
The answer was still so quick and affirmative: "After two years of garrison rotation and recruitment training, the prefecture and city regiments have trained troops and garrison soldiers in various towns and forts, totaling 3,500 people, including 1,500 soldiers in the third battalion of the horse army and 2 soldiers in the fourth battalion of the infantry. Thousand soldiers."
"Wang Shenqi is the commander of the first battalion of the Ma Army!" Yang Ye did not forget to support his comrades in front of the emperor.
"It must be very difficult to support these many soldiers and horses with the power of the people of Daizhou!"
Yang Ye replied: "Daizhou is poor and has few people. Fortunately, the imperial court supports us and supplies grain and fodder with Hedong!"
"There has never been a shortage of money and food from Hedong!" Liu Chengyou frowned.
Yang Ye didn't seem to know how to reply to this question. He hesitated a little, gritted his teeth, and said: "In the past half year, the money and food provided by Jinyang has only been 60% of the previous year!"
"Haha..." Liu Chengyou smiled slightly and sighed softly, seeming to be depressed in his thoughts.
After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou's eyes were as shrewd as usual. He looked at Yang Ye with a meaningful expression on his face: "After returning to the throne, you should know that when preparing for the north, don't forget the south. When guarding against the outside world, you must take care of the inside!"
Yang Ye raised his head in shock, with a little doubt on his face. Just as he was about to ask, Liu Chengyou didn't intend to give him a chance and waved his hand: "Okay, I'm tired!"
With some hesitation and confusion in their hearts, they left the palace with Wang Shenqi, constantly thinking about Liu Chengyou's last instructions and thinking about their intentions.
"General!" Wang Shenqi's voice interrupted him in front of the Imperial City Palace.
Yang Ye tilted his head, calmed his mind, and ordered: "Zhong Bao, you haven't been home for some years, right? I'll give you half a month's leave to go home to visit your relatives!"
"Thank you General!"
Taking a deep breath of the cold air under the imperial city gate, Yang Ye summoned his troops and headed to Feng Mansion. Just in time, you can ask Feng Dao to consult and analyze the emperor's intentions.
