When the emperor was driving to Huainan, Wei Renpu suddenly mentioned this matter that was already certain. Although it seemed abrupt, it was certainly not without purpose. Just through the sealed memorial and Liu Chengyou's narration, one can feel Wang Jun's domineering and arrogant character in Huainan.
Without Cai Dajie, the problem would not be big. However, with this great victory that affects the entire Huainan war situation, if Wang Jun is not cooled down, there may be problems. Wang Jun did have the talent to lead the army, but it was not to the point where he had to be the leader. It was just that during the period before launching the army, after all considerations, he was the most suitable.
Wang Jun's character and style were not a problem before, but after this great victory, the court had to worry that such a great victory would boost his arrogance. After all, arrogant soldiers will always be defeated. Under such circumstances, Liu Chengyou felt uneasy after leaving the main force of the imperial court in Wang Jun's hands.
This was not a deliberate suspicion of the frontline generals by the emperor and the court, but just some concerns. Changing the commander on the spot will not happen, but the control of the frontline troops will have to be carried out. At this time, only the emperor's personal presence could suppress Wang Jun without realizing it, and naturally take back the command.
On the other hand, the emperor's personal expedition was something that was decided early on, and the date was set, so it was not sudden. Furthermore, for today's Han Dynasty and the emperor, the emperor Liu Chengyou should be the first to annex Huainan and expand the territory.
"Since the preparations for the personal expedition have been completed, there should be no further discussion. A great victory over Cai is not enough for the puppet Tang Dynasty. I went against the will of heaven and attacked Huainan, just because I did not intend to give them a chance to breathe!" Liu Chengyou said in an indifferent but firm tone. said.
After saying that, he was silent for a while. Liu Chengyou raised his eyes and looked at Guo Wei, with a hint of anger on his face: "Another matter, news came back from the front camp in Huainan that Li Chongjin and Wang Yansheng killed nearly three thousand prisoners on the edge of the Feishui River. The Huainan soldiers and civilians were all killed! They two were so courageous!"
Even though the killing of prisoners was forbidden to be discussed in the army and efforts were made to cover it up, it had not spread yet. However, it was impossible to prevent the news from leaking, and it was impossible to hide it from Liu Chengyou's eyes and ears.
Liu Chengyou briefly described the situation to the two of them, including Murong Yanzhao's aftermath and Wang Jun's attitude.
When Guo Wei heard the news, he couldn't help but be angry and directly suggested to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, Li and Wang should be detained immediately and put in prison for questioning!"
Sure enough, when it comes to his nephew, "Guo Que'er" seems to be very cruel and has no intention of protecting him at all. Of course, Guo Wei's remarks are more like a statement.
Although Wei Renpu was a little bit sad, he always maintained a calm look, shook his head and said: "According to the military report in Huainan, the Tang army was defeated in this battle. Li and Wang led their men to kill the enemy bravely and made great achievements. They protected the Holy Army before and after it." The damage is not small..."
In a rare move, Guo Wei interrupted Wei Renpu and interjected sternly: "Gong is merit, and fault is fault. They cannot be offset. In the past few years, your Majesty has been rectifying the Imperial Army and strengthening military discipline. Merits must be rewarded, and faults must be punished!"
"Then in what name will the punishment be reduced?" Wei Renpu said calmly: "If it is to kill prisoners, the matter will inevitably spread on a large scale, which will be detrimental to the reputation of our army. If in other names, the punishment is to be imposed on the newly-made meritorious officials, It will be difficult to convince the public by taking responsibility for the crime, and it may damage the morale of the army!"
Hearing what Wei Renpu said, Guo Wei shut up at the right time, and then looked at Liu Chengyou, as if His Majesty the Emperor had made the decision. Well, the conversation between the two has almost analyzed the situation.
"We will suppress this matter for the time being, and we will deal with it after the war is over!" Liu Chengyou sighed and said, "However, this case must not be made! Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains has been in chaos, and heroes have joined forces to attack each other. Dingkou dropped sharply.”
"Since I succeeded to the throne, although I have worked hard to develop our national strength, it has been difficult to explode due to the limitation of population. If I want to take Huainan, in addition to land and cities, the most important thing is the people. With more than two million people, if I can If you take all of it and digest it for a while, how much food and troops can be provided to our country in the future, how much will it improve our country's national strength!"
"Three thousand captives, if transformed well, are three thousand soldiers. Even if they are not transformed well, they are three thousand peasants and three thousand coolies! They killed them so easily just to vent their murderous desire!"
Liu Chengyou's speech was unusually emotional. It was obvious that he was really angry. Of course, instead of focusing on humanitarian points such as "killing prisoners is ominous" and "harming the peace of the world", more consideration is given to population, national strength, and more straightforwardly, interests...
Guo Wei and Wei Renpu did not answer rashly, but waited for the emperor to finish venting.
Without letting the two wait for too long, Liu Chengyou quickly calmed down and said seriously: "This matter has also reminded me that the armies need to be restrained, especially the restraint of military discipline!"
"In addition, the Privy Council should issue a decree to inform the Huainan armies that it is strictly prohibited to torture and kill prisoners and plunder the people! Violators will be severely punished!"
"Yes!" Guo Wei responded.
Liu Chengyou nodded with satisfaction, and his expression returned to his usual Gujing Bubo. Speaking of Liu Chengyou, he can be regarded as a man who fought hard on the battlefield. He has seen many dead people, and there are countless killings and deaths directly caused by him. His heart has long been as cold as stone.
Even though Liu Chengyou was extremely angry about this matter, what really made him angry was the concealment of the Huainan Front Camp's "killing of prisoners" matter, without even mentioning it...Jiujiu Bookstore
"When it comes to the population issue, there is one thing we have to take into consideration!" Liu Chengyou's mind turned quickly, and he used this matter to discuss it with Guo Wei and Wei Renpu: "Now that the war has just begun, our troops are heading towards the Huai River. On the front line. When the war expands in the future and affects the entire Jiangbei and Huainan, then the people of Huainan will inevitably have to flee across the Yangtze River due to the war, but they will have to guard against it!"
Speaking of this, Guo Wei immediately praised the emperor for his foresight and long-term vision. In response to this, Wei Renpu gave some suggestions:
First, it is natural to strengthen the military discipline of the Han army and refrain from disturbing the people in the occupied prefectures and counties. This is the basis.
Both sent people to promote the policies of the Han Dynasty. Although the Southern Tang Dynasty was rich, all kinds of taxes were much heavier than those in the Northern Han Dynasty. The people at the bottom had no easy life at all.
The third is to bribe officials, generals and local clans in Huainan.
Fourth, attack the coast of the Yangtze River as soon as possible, send troops to guard the ferry, patrol with soldiers, and more importantly, end the war as quickly as possible, seize Huainan as the territory, and stabilize the situation.
After discussing the frontline matters with Guo Wei and Wei Renpu, they were released and returned to the Yamen.
Liu Chengyou himself took out several more secret reports and read them with a cold face.
Above it are reports directed at Wang Jun.
For example, Wang Jun loves to enjoy himself, his handsome tent is extravagant, his jewelry is lavish, and his ceremonial decorations are suspected of exceeding the standards;
For example, when Wang Jun was in the army, he showed great pomp and arrogance. He kept his word and drove the generals as if they were cattle and horses.
For example, Wang Jun spoke loudly and criticized the emperor and the court for not fully delegating power to him.
For example, when Wang Jun promoted private individuals, in the military merit book, he was more close to his old subordinates but less fair.
For example, Wang Jun enriched his personal pockets and seized gold, jade and beautiful ornaments, good horses and swords in front of the army, and kept them in his private account.
For example, on the second day of the great victory at Xia Cai, Wang Jun rewarded the sergeants in the name of the deployment of the previous battalion. The three armies were so happy that some people shouted long live them.
...
These piles, piece by piece, accumulated, all prove that Wang Jun has drifted away. Although Liu Chengyou was confident enough to overwhelm Wang Jun, and after the imperial army he had organized many times, he was confident in his control, and there was no shortage of various back-up arrangements, no one expected Wang Jun...
However, we should always be cautious in everything. What if something happens on the front line?
Now shrewd, calm, and confident, he has evolved into a qualified monarch. The suspicion in Liu Chengyou's heart has spread and grown, gradually swallowing up his heart...
On the 16th, Liu Chengyou changed the title of Emperor Yong's younger brother Liu Chengxun to King Yong, giving him the post of Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture. He personally saw him off with the Empress Dowager Li.
When King Yong went to Guanzhong, Liu Chengyou not only promoted his tutor to the judge of Jingzhao Mansion, but also assigned him several assistant officers from the Imperial Court and the Hanlin Academy, and also selected 300 soldiers from the Imperial Army as guards.
It can be said that Liu Chengyou put away his suspicion towards this emperor's younger brother, and paid special attention to him.
On the 17th, Liu Chengyou held a family banquet in the palace and told the queen and concubines to entrust the affairs of the harem and Tokyo to the queen mother. No matter when the time comes, the only one Liu Chengyou can lean on is Queen Mother Li.
On the 18th, Liu Chengyou swore an oath of loyalty at the south gate of Tokyo. After explaining to the ministers and generals who stayed in Tokyo, he set off southward!
