After the personal expedition edict was officially issued, the Northern Han court, the court, the army and the palace became tense again. Liu Chengyou chose to set off on the 18th, which already gave him nearly ten days of leeway, not only to prepare more fully, but also to wait and see the situation.
The remaining Imperial Army in Tokyo, the right wing of the Iron Cavalry Army, the Xingjie Army, and the Wujie Army still need to defend the capital and its surroundings, especially the Hua and Chan areas, while the Imperial Army and the Inner Palace directly guard the imperial city. Following Liu Chengyou southward were Fengchen Camp, the left wing of the Iron Cavalry Army, the entire Longqi Army, and a navy army of more than 3,000 people gathered from the states adjacent to the water in the north.
The army of the imperial camp consisted of more than 20,000 infantry, cavalry and water troops, plus thousands of auxiliary soldiers and accompanying soldiers and civilians, as well as a large amount of ordnance and supplies, it was also a considerable force.
During the period of preparation for departure, Liu Chengyou received good news. The Lingqing patrol envoy in the northwest reported Zhe Congruan that the Pheasant tribe surrendered and surrendered to the Han with more than 30,000 members of the tribe.
Since the winter of last year, Zhe Laolinggong was ordered to go out to attack the rebellious pheasants, cattle-killing and other miscellaneous people in Hexi. The Ox-killing Clan were more clever and honestly surrendered after Zhe Congruan's first raid, while the Pheasant Clan was not the same and wanted to wrestle with the big man.
From the beginning to the end, the Northern Han Dynasty did not urge Zhe Cong Ruan and allowed him to coordinate the battle. Later at the beginning of the year, Shi Hongzhao went to Lingzhou to recruit warriors, rectify the troops, and Zhe Cong Ruan's army, north and south. On both sides, they beat up the miscellaneous people in the northwest.
Zhe Congruan was a famous and veteran general with rich experience in border affairs, while Shi Hongzhao was a ruthless man with a very murderous nature. Faced with the conquest of these two, the Zalu tribe who soon became rebellious could not withstand it. Especially the Pheasant Clan, which is the largest and most powerful group, is a key target.
In fact, as early as before autumn, under the attack of Generals Zhe and Shi, the Pheasants tribe could no longer withstand the attack. However, they were dragged by the Han army until this winter before they accepted their surrender.
In the course of nearly a year of attacks, the Han army targeted the Zahu in the northwest, killing and capturing more than 10,000 horsemen, 50,000 cattle and sheep, and tens of thousands of horses. Basically, the situation of "plentiful cattle and sheep" in Hexi Zahu no longer exists, and it will be difficult to recover within a few years.
According to reports from Ruan Jun, Zhe Cong, there was a group of 4,000 war horses on their way east. This was a huge fortune, which made Liu Chengyou extremely happy. In the past two years, the imperial court has reopened horse administration in the northwest, but due to financial and vassal constraints, it has not achieved significant results.
In response to the side report in the northwest, Liu Chengyou quickly approved it.
Previously, Liu Chengyou, the cattle-killing clan who had surrendered earlier, established Anhua County in Qingzhou. This time, the method of dealing with the killing of the Niu tribe was to move the surrendered Pheasant tribe to Weizhou and set up Weihua County, with its leader and leader as an official. As for other miscellaneous barbarians, another naturalized county was established in Lingzhou. At the same time, all ethnic groups were ordered to select the best and strongest men to serve as cavalry for the Han Dynasty.
Basically, Liu Chengyou was willing to accept the Zahu who were willing to surrender. It just so happened that he was also stuck at the critical time of the Huainan War.
The northwest can be pacified and the situation is stable, which is definitely a good thing for the Han Dynasty. As for the towns in Guanyou, they could also save the money and grain from the support, either transport it eastward, or use it to deal with unforeseen changes, such as Hou Shu. Qin Feng has formed four states, but it is still in the hands of Shu. The Shu army can use it to invade the pass at any time.
Although the great victory at Jifeng Mountain in the first year of Qianyu hurt the Shu army, after three or four years, the pain of that time has probably been forgotten long ago, and the wounds have become scarred.
I still remember that the reason why Meng Chang, the lord of Shu, accepted the proposal of the Han Dynasty Peace Conference was that he was defeated on the front line and also because Meng Chang had spent more than ten years hiding his power and biding his time. He finally eliminated all the veterans and arrogant generals who founded the country, and completely took control of the power of Later Shu.
Over the past few years, the power of Shu has become increasingly stable, and Meng Chang's throne has become more consolidated. Although Meng Chang had begun to indulge in government affairs and pleasure in the harem, the national power of Shu was still strong. It may not be impossible to send troops northward, especially when the Han army vigorously attacks the Southern Tang Dynasty.
In addition, Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, appointed a new privy envoy, Wang Zhaoyuan. And this Wang Privy Envoy was Meng Chang's companion. He was intelligent and knowledgeable about military affairs, and was highly favored by Emperor Shu. After becoming the privy envoy, he already boasted that Zhuge Wuhou had the ambition to conquer the Central Plains in the north. He could not tell when he would actually lead the Shu army north from Qishan...
As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, this overall vision has indeed been tempered.
Therefore, even if he focused on the southeast, Liu Chengyou did not ignore the enemies in the southwest and northwest. Even Liu Chengyou did not ignore the Li family of the Dingnan Army, because the party members, in recent years, have surrendered on the surface, but in fact they have made some small moves every year. For example, the pheasant and cow-killing rebellions also have the shadow of the Li family behind them.
Therefore, Liu Chengyou not long ago issued an edict to commend Gao Yunquan, the governor of Yanzhou. Although I found some excuses that sounded false, in fact the root cause was that the Yanzhou Gao family was at odds with the Dingnan Army. The disputes between the two parties had come to the court several times in the years when Liu Chengyou was in power. .
At the same time, Liu Chengyou sent an envoy to pay a visit to his father-in-law Zhe Deku in Fuzhou and brought some gifts for him and his wife Zhe.
The good news from the northwest was a good thing for the Han Emperor and the Northern Han Dynasty. Liu Chengyou ordered people to copy it and report it to the front lines in Tokyo and Huainan to encourage the courtiers, soldiers and civilians.
That night, Liu Chengyou went to bed in the Qiuhua Palace of the Concubine Xian. In the couch:
Luosha half covers the jade girl,
The winter wind cannot stand the spring begonias.
The snow* is flying and playing with the waves,
Riding lightly into a dream is a king.
A little later, Liu Chengyou woke up from his sleep and huddled in the quilt. His body felt delicate and warm, a faint fragrance lingered on the tip of his nose, and only two palace lanterns around him gave off a little dim light.
"Your Majesty, are you awake?" Miss Zhe asked softly.
Turning her head slightly, she saw that Mrs. Zhe's pupils seemed to be so bright even in the dark night. Liu Chengyou asked: "How long have I been asleep?"
The young lady's face felt a little cold, she shrank into the quilt and replied: "It only takes about half an hour for the official to fall asleep!"
"It seems that I am really tired!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh.
You know, in the past, after finishing work, Liu Chengyou always had to do some comforting work and chat. It was nothing like this night, when he lay down and fell asleep without realizing it...
"The country is at a critical moment. The army is out and the officials are working hard!" The young woman's martial arts hands gently caressed Liu Chengyou's chest, seeming to soothe him physically and mentally.
He breathed a sigh of relief, and Liu Chengyou suddenly said: "I will personally conquer Huainan, and you will accompany me in front of me!"
"Do you really mean what the official said?" After hearing this, Madam Zhe became a little excited and sat up directly.
Miao eyes blinked and looked down at Liu Chengyou, ignoring the trembling spring light on his body...
Obviously, the young lady Xian Fei is still very interested in accompanying her on the expedition.
"You have nothing to say!" Liu Chengyou looked at his concubine with clear eyes, paying special attention to the beauty.
"The weather is so cold!" Liu Chengyou said teasingly, pointing to the brocade quilt that was pushed away by the folded lady.
Seeing this, Madam Zhe took the quilt and retracted into Liu Chengyou's arms. There was an obvious coldness in her skin.
The concubines of the Han Palace, including Empress Dafu, were dissatisfied with the good concubine Zhe's arrival. After hearing the news, they all took the initiative to ask for Liu Chengyou's orders and offered to accompany him in front of the camp. Liu Chengyou was kind to comfort him at first, but later he got annoyed and simply said: This is for a war, not for an outing, so why are there so many people there?
After saying this, it is peace.
However, before departure, the emperor's younger brother Liu Chengxun, King of Huaiyang, also entered the palace to ask for an audience. A handsome young man with a calm and heroic demeanor.
With his hands behind his back, he looked up and down at Liu Chengxun, who was walking with him. Liu Chengyou said with emotion: "I still remember that a few years ago, you were a young boy, naughty and playful, but now you are pure, modest, educated and sensible! "
Faced with Liu Chengyou's compliment, Liu Chengxun seemed a little embarrassed and couldn't help scratching his head: "Second brother, this is the first time you praise me."
"Huh?" Liu Chengyou himself was surprised: "Really?"
Liu Chengxun nodded. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile. He rarely smiled in front of his younger brother.
Turning to look at Liu Chengxun, Liu Chengyou asked in a calm voice: "You came to the palace to see me because you heard about my personal conquest. Can't you sit still?"
"I can't hide it from my second brother. I want to ask you for a job and serve the country!" Liu Chengxun said directly, not hiding his thoughts at all.
"I want you to be newlyweds, so that you and your wife can stay close to each other for a while without disturbing the worldly affairs." Liu Chengyou said: "Since you have this intention, and the country is at a critical juncture, and you are willing to do something for the big man, I will How could you refuse!"
Liu Chengxun was delighted when he heard this and said, "Thank you, second brother, for your trust!"
Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said: "Go to Guanzhong, I will appoint you as the governor of Jingzhao!"
After hearing this appointment, Liu Chengxun thought about it for a while, seeming to be thinking about the purpose of the emperor's appointment.
Liu Chengyou warned him: "I am deploying troops in the southeast, but now that the Han Dynasty has a restless patient, I only consider the southwest and northwest."
Hearing what the emperor said, Liu Chengxun was still very smart and immediately said excitedly: "Second brother is afraid that Meng Shu and the Dangxiang people will take the opportunity to cause trouble, and wants me to guard Guanzhong to guard against their invasion?"
"You have a big heart!" Liu Chengyou shook his head and said softly: "I have made arrangements for Guanzhong. Letting you go to Guanzhong is to give you the opportunity to learn and practice. Brother-in-law (Song Yanwo, the military governor of Yongxing Army) ) has been guarding Chang'an for many years, and his character and talent have always been trusted by me. You should learn more from him!"
"yes!"
