"It is a surprise to capture Zhongli, but if we say that Huainan will be easily accessible next, it will not be that easy! The Puppet Tang Dynasty suffered heavy losses, but there is still some strength left. Huainan was a financial and taxation powerhouse in the Han Dynasty, and half of the country in the Tang Dynasty. It will not be easy Give up! Moreover, the coming ice and snow will be a obstacle to our military advancement!" Liu Chengyou was not so optimistic and kept his head clear.
Hearing what the emperor said, Wang Zhu looked impressed and said sincerely: "Your Majesty wins without being arrogant, and has a clear understanding of the strategic situation. How can the Huai thieves defeat him like this? Your Majesty can only conquer the Huai area, or even cross the river to destroy the Tang Dynasty." It’s a matter of time!”
"I hope it's as you said!" Liu Chengyou said looking at Wang Zhu.
Generally speaking, Liu Chengyou is very satisfied with this scholar-minded close minister. He has no palace, a pure heart, and literary talents. Apart from some alcoholism and a slight pedantry, he has no major problems. More importantly, this man was very loyal and respected the imperial power.
"Go, bring me the map of Huainan!" After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou ordered.
Soon, Wang Zhu and Zhang Dejun turned out the Huainan military combat map to Liu Chengyou. Looking at the two of them, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "You two have worked hard on this journey, go down and rest!"
"Young ones should wait, so that they can be dispatched by the officials!" Zhang Dejun asked for instructions.
"No!"
The sky was getting dark, and there were more than ten oil lamps standing on the left and right sides of the imperial tent, and there was a thick candle beside the table, which illuminated the room brightly. Liu Chengyou quietly studied the map alone, lost in thought.
After about half an hour, I heard the voice of An Shouzhong who was on duty outside: "See you, ma'am!"
Looking up, the curtain was opened, and I saw Miss Zhe personally carrying some tried and tested safe food, walking in, and going directly to the imperial court. Seeing that she was about to salute, Liu Chengyou stopped her.
"Guardian, let's eat something first!" Lady Zhe put the meal on the table and said to Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou took a look at it twice: a plate of browned barbecue, a plate of bamboo shoots, a bowl of soup, and a bowl of porridge.
Taking Madam Zhe's hand and letting her sit next to her, holding her stomach, Liu Chengyou said gently: "I didn't think it was anything at first, but when I smelled this fragrance, I felt hungry in my belly. Mmm...it smells so good! This is mutton..."
After tasting a few mouthfuls, Liu Chengyou praised it.
"It's good if the officials like it!" Miss Zhe said with a crooked eye, "I baked this myself. When I was still in Fuzhou, I accompanied my grandfather and father on hunting trips. Any prey I caught was roasted by me. They eat it!”
"My virtuous concubine, does she have such skills? I've never heard of it!" Liu Chengyou smiled heartily.
Paying attention to Liu Chengyou's expression, Lady Zhe asked: "Don't the officials think that I have a lowly career? As an imperial concubine, the imperial censors in the court heard about it..."
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou interrupted her and said calmly: "Foreign ministers have the right to make suggestions, but it's up to me whether they listen or not. A gentleman is far away in the kitchen, and a scholar's prejudiced opinions don't matter. Furthermore, for many years, as far as the common people are concerned, What the years ask for is nothing more than food and clothing. You can personally cook and do the important thing of eating, who dares to criticize..."
Seeing that Liu Chengyou was speaking the truth, Lady Zhe was obviously in a happy mood, and she was even more pleased with her husband's reasonableness.
"I brought you with me on this trip, and I also brought a cook with me, which is great!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile: "When I have time to hunt in the future, I will try your skills in shooting prey myself!"
"yes!"
After chatting with Lady Zhe for a while, I had food in my belly and my strength suddenly recovered, but I felt sleepy.
While others were cleaning up the leftovers, Liu Chengyou took out the map and studied it without letting Lady Zhe retreat. Seeing this, the beauty poked her head and said curiously: "I heard rumors in the camp that another battle was won on the front line?"
"Guo Rong led his army and captured Zhongli, the capital of Haozhou!" Liu Chengyou said.
Nodding her head, Madam Zhe said: "I heard that Ambassador Guo is a rare talent and a great official in the imperial court. Sure enough, with such great achievements, no wonder the officials think so highly of him!"
"Has the name Guo Rong been introduced into the harem?" Liu Chengyou turned his head and looked at Lady Zhe, asking a little abruptly.
When she suddenly heard this question, Madam Zhe smiled slightly, sighed, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, you should know that the high walls of the deep palace can't keep out the world's news. I am in the deep palace, and I only listen to people's words... ..”
Seeing Madam Zhe's careful look, Liu Chengyou gently held her hand and comforted her: "What are you thinking about? I have no other intentions!"
As he said that, Liu Chengyou simply asked her to sit closer to him, and pointed on the map with his finger: "It has been a month since we launched the army. Although we have entered Huainan, the scope of our army's activities is still not large. This is the third major victory. , successively defeated the Tang army, greatly weakening its troops and strength, and the Huainan states can be conquered by me."
"However, although the results of the battle have been fruitful this month, the Huaihe River has been overcast and the Shouchun has not yet fallen. Hao and Si relied on the Huaihe to garrison, but there was no solid foothold in Huainan. The army was stationed in Huainan , although the attack by the Tang army is not considered, it is still a hidden danger."
"Now that Zhongli has been captured by Guo Rong, our army can calmly go south and control Haozhou. Based on Haozhou, we can go east to Sizhou, take Chuzhou, control all the Huaihe River, and eliminate the Tang army's navy to the greatest extent Threat, protect our supply channel. To the south, we can attack Chuzhou, march to the Yangtze River, pass through Yangzhou, intimidate Jinling, and terrify the puppet Tang Dynasty!"
"Even on the western front, it is not completely controlled by Shouchun. Even if the Tang army insists on defending, I can calmly divide the troops and attack Huaidong. It can be said that if you open a little, open more! Once Haozhou is conquered, the situation in Huainan will be opened up. I The military situation is excellent!"
"I heard from Zhao Kuangyin and Guo Rong that Guo Tingwei, who was originally stationed in Haozhou, was a talented general and was not easy to deal with. If he could break through this line of defense, He Yanxi would indeed have made a great contribution to our court. I would like to meet this man and reward him. Fan. Haha..."
Lady Zhe stayed aside, looking at Liu Chengyou's energetic and eloquent appearance, with his clear eyes shining and a smile on his lips.
...
It is already very cold in Huainan at the end of October. Although it is not bone-chilling, it is always uncomfortable under the raging winter wind. In comparison, the Han army in Wukou was slightly more comfortable. Several camp walls were connected by water and land, and there was no shortage of supplies in the camp. After Zhongli was captured, there was almost no threat from the Huainan army.
A solid floating beam, under the strict supervision of Zhao Kuangyin, has been suspended over the Huaihe River, connecting the north and the south, becoming another stable logistics channel for the Northern Han army. A large amount of military supplies have been transferred from Suzhou to Wukou and are stocked here.
In front of the Han army stronghold, Zhao Kuangyin and Dang Jin stood in the blowing north wind, their faces and noses flushed, as if they were waiting for someone.
After sneezing, Dang Jin wiped his nose and said to Zhao Kuangyin: "It's such a cold day, why is Brother Zhao waiting like this? He's just an inspection envoy from Xuzhou. When others saw it, they thought he was waiting for you!"
When the muttering stopped, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned his head and yelled at Dang Jin: "Shut up!"
It was rare for Zhao Kuangyin to be so stern and he startled Dang Jin. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath and said in an admonishing tone: "Brother Dang, don't talk without restraint! Such jokes can be made casually Did you say that? You must know that disaster comes from the mouth. If this word spreads and someone with an intention takes advantage of it, there will inevitably be trouble!"
Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin was serious, Dang Jin looked more serious, nodded and clasped his fists: "Yes!"
"However, Brother Zhao attaches too much importance to Guo Rong! However, relying on the relationship between his birth and His Majesty, if we had not severely damaged the Haozhou enemy at the mouth of the vortex, there would be no chance for him to take advantage of Zhongli's meritorious service. If If you are allowed to lead an army to fight alone, and given the power of management, you will definitely be able to achieve greater achievements..." Dang Jin revealed his true thoughts.
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "These words should not be spoken to outsiders. I have also heard about this Ambassador Guo. If his reputation is true, he should be a talented person in the country. Besides, knowing and employing people with the skills of today's emperor is just a matter of course. How could I be entrusted with such a high position and be given such authority by luck?"
After hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Dang Jin was silent for a while and sighed: "Brother Zhao, I'm not a talkative person, but I feel sorry for you in my heart!"
Zhao Kuangyin smiled, patted his shoulder, and looked into the distance. A cavalry team had already come into view: "Here they come!"
As for the "unjustness" mentioned by Dang Jin, it was the imperial court's reaction to the victory at Wukou. In addition to the commanding officers below, the three main generals, the navy commander, were directly promoted to the commander of the right wing of the Jingjiang Army. This was normal given the lack of talents in the navy. The party advanced two steps forward and became the commander of the troops and horses in Suzhou. The key was Zhao Kuangyin, but the court did not show any sign.
Dang Jin was a little unhappy about this. After all, he was fighting bloody battles and risking his life. Zhao Kuangyin, on the other hand, had doubts in his heart, but did not show it. However, through his father Zhao Hongyin's relationship in the Forbidden Army, he probably got some information, and the problem should be Wang Jun...
After understanding this, Zhao Kuangyin became calmer, neither arrogant nor impatient, waiting for the opportunity. In Zhao Kuangyin's view, even if Wang Jun obstructed him, as long as the emperor saw his abilities and achievements, it was enough. Sooner or later, he would have a chance to rise.
"Is this Mr. Guo here?" Zhao Kuangyin approached the knight from far away and asked loudly.
Accompanied by the call to rein in his horse, Guo Rong stopped his horse and looked down at Zhao Kuangyin, who was tall and powerful and had a bright gaze. He dismounted from his horse, cupped his hands, and said calmly to him with a scrutinizing gaze: "You are Zhao Kuangyin, the training envoy of the Suzhou regiment, right?" , As expected, he is truly worthy of his reputation, a hero among men!"
"Guo Shijun is so flattering that I really don't deserve it!" Zhao Kuangyin said humbly.
This was the first time that Guo and Zhao had face-to-face communication. The two looked at each other. Zhao Kuangyin showed his heroic spirit, while Guo Rong had a mediocre figure and appearance, but his noble temperament. They all feel that the other person is a very human being, and some people feel good about them just by taking one look at them.
There was almost no friendship before, and it was unrealistic to have any small talk.
After getting acquainted with each other briefly, Zhao Kuangyin personally led Guo Rong into the camp.
"When will the imperial chariot arrive?" Guo Rong asked.
"It will be tomorrow!"
The emperor Liu Chengyou has ordered that the imperial driver should come to see him at the mouth of the vortex and bring Guo Rongxi with him.
