"Zhang Shaojian, is your Majesty here?" Although Zhang Dejun was basically inseparable from Liu Chengyou, Xiang Xun still checked with him in front of the Chongzheng Palace.
Glancing at Xiang Xun, he found that among the many generals of the Han Dynasty, Xiang Xun was one of the few who looked at him seriously. Smiling slightly, Zhang Dejun said: "General, please wait a moment, please come into the hall to report!"
"Thank you!" Xiang Xun slightly arched his hands.
"There is no need to be polite, Xingmin. Sit down first and wait until I finish processing this memorial!" In the hall, looking at Xiang Xun being introduced by Zhang Dejun, Liu Chengyou only raised his eyes and ordered.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Sitting quietly and waiting until Liu Chengyou finished writing and reviewing, he raised his head, Xiang Xunfang stood up and said: "Your Majesty has been diligent in his work for several years. He is really a blessing to the great man and a blessing to the people. I admire you!"
Liu Chengyou smiled, complimented him without making any comments, and said: "I would like to think that the world is peaceful, the military and government are fine, I bow my hands and sit in the Dragon Court!"
Regarding the emperor's insincere words, Xiang Xun only half-listened to it and said: "Your Majesty, if you work hard to govern, you will surely unify the world, create peace, and create a prosperous age!"
Liu Chengyou curled his lips and said: "The military report from Fengxiang said that the Shu army has increased its troops by 20,000. The pressure on the front line of Chencang is great!"
Xiang Xun frowned and said, "The Shu army doesn't know how to advance or retreat?"
Liu Chengyou's reaction was calm: "Perhaps the Shu army is aware of our dynasty. After the Huainan War, the military, wealth and people's strength have been greatly consumed, and they want to take advantage of my lack of new strength to gain some advantages!"
It took Meng Chang fifteen years to cut off the old generals and ministers and personally take charge of the military and political power of Shu. Although he gradually indulged in pleasure, he still had an ambition to expedition to the north and conquer the Central Plains. It is not surprising.
The Meng family and his son have been in charge of Shu for more than 20 years. They have rarely encountered military disasters and accumulated a lot of resources. It is completely conceivable that they are our formidable enemies in the southwest! "
"Whenever there is a national crisis, you must think of a good general!" Liu Chengyou said, he got up formally and rushed to teach: "I sent you west just to deal with the disaster in Shu!"
"Your Majesty, I am entering the palace now to say goodbye to Your Majesty!" Xiang Xun bowed his hand: "I have finished selecting the army for the westward march. The two thousand soldiers are all men who have made meritorious service in the Huaihe River. They are worthy of a battle. If In Guanzhong, it is enough to cross the Wei River. I have checked the hydrology of the Wei River, and the warships I ride on can cross it!"
Seeing that Xiang Xun was wearing military armor, Liu Chengyou nodded: "I have been on the Huaihe River for half a year, running on the water, and I have been doing hard work. This time I returned to Beijing, I didn't get much rest, and I had to lead the group to the west again. Thank you for your hard work!"
"How dare you say it's hard to serve the country!" Xiang Xun's expression did not change, but his tone was firm.
"Xingmin is so arrogant!"
Faced with the emperor's praise, Xiang Xun was calm. However, a trace of hesitation soon appeared on his face: "Your Majesty!"
"Do you have any doubts about my arrangement for you to march westward?" Liu Chengyou asked Xiang Xun in a positive tone.
Xiang Xun nodded: "The Shu army marched northward with great force and invaded our pass. The imperial court did not respond in a big way, and the imperial army did not move. Only the navy of the commander-in-chief and a partial division moved westward to aid. I am confident that I can stop the Shu army from coming. Weinan, if we want to retreat, we may not be able to rely solely on the state and town troops in Guanzhong!"
"Being in Tokyo, looking thousands of miles away, Xingmin can take the overall situation into consideration, and he is worthy of being a famous general!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun with admiration in his eyes.
After that, Liu Chengyou briefly told Guo Wei's "Tire Shu Plan", and Xiang Xun suddenly understood. Liu Chengyou raised the report in his hand and said: "Originally, I was worried that the Shu army would not be able to fight for a long time and would want to retreat. Now that reinforcements are coming, although Fengxiang is more dangerous, it can make the Shu army hold off for a longer time. Come on! In terms of consumption, the defender will always be smaller than the attacker. Although I don’t want to expose the Western Frontier to the flames of war, I am also willing to accompany the Shu army to spend it!"
"I understand!" Xiang Xun said.
"Do you really understand?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked, making Xiang Xun hesitate.
"Your Majesty, do you have any other orders?" Facing the emperor's gaze, Xiang Xun cheered up unconsciously.
Liu Chengyou pointed with one hand and spoke slowly and uniquely, saying: "If we only use the navy to advance westward and control the Wei River, I can choose any general, even if it is a surrendered general like Guo Tingwei or Zhang Yanqing! Have you ever thought about it? Why do I want to order your general from the Star People?"
Xiang Xun handed over his hand and said: "I'm sorry for my stupidity, please make it clear!"
"When we arrive in Fengxiang, we will familiarize ourselves with the armies in Chencang, understand the military situation, gain insight into the enemy's situation, and explore the four states of Qin, Feng, and even Hanzhong!" Liu Chengyou put his hands behind his back and explained to Xun one by one. Every time he said something, Xiang Xun's expression became serious. point.
"I know your talents are not in the water! I asked you to go to Fengxiang, not to command the navy!" Liu Chengyou stared at Xiang Xun's eyes and said: "As long as Chencang is defended, the Shu army will retreat sooner or later, and Qin Feng Sooner or later, I will take back the four states! By then, you, Xiang Xun, will be the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition!"
Liu Chengyou's words were like a thunderbolt, splitting open the fog lingering in Xiang Xun's mind. Without thinking, Xiang Xun knelt on the ground and worshiped categorically: "I obey your orders! I will live up to your majesty's expectations!"
Liu Chengyou stood up, walked to Xiang Xun, reached down and helped him up, and walked out of the palace with him. As he walked, Liu Chengyou said softly: "Xingmin, you and I have been together for six years, right?"
"I am a man from Hanoi who was proud of his strategy. He went north to Jinyang and was finally accepted by your majesty!" Xiang Xun also showed the look of memory on his face.
"Six years have passed. Over the past six years, I have worked hard both inside and outside the military and political affairs. I have worked diligently and never complained. I have seen it all. Therefore, I am also willing to entrust my heart and soul to you!" Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion:
"The world has been in ruins for a long time, and people's hearts are in disarray. The ethics of emperors and ministers, father and son, have always been underestimated by others. This is what I am determined to improve and reshape! The six-year friendship between you and me, emperor and minister, is very rare. You should cherish it, and I will too. cherish!"
Hearing the emperor's emotion and seeing his slightly silent side cheeks, Xiang Xun felt a surge of awe in his heart. He bowed respectfully and solemnly said: "Yes!"
"I've forgotten my feelings again!" Liu Chengyou suddenly changed his face, laughed, patted his shoulder, lowered his voice slightly, and said: "Many towns in Guanzhong have always been areas where central control is weak. Although I have made adjustments many times over the years, But the fundamental situation remains unchanged.
Zhangyi Army, Jingnan Army, Shunyi Army, Baoda Army, especially Zhangyi Army, Shi Kuangyi had initiated the initiative back then, and since the founding of the country, he has rarely behaved inappropriately. However, since Shi Jin, he has guarded the four states of Jingyuan for twelve years! "
"Twelve years!" Liu Chengyou looked into Xiang Xun's eyes: "Do you know what this means?"
Xiang Xun's expression became solemn. Only then did he truly realize that the emperor's goal in sending him to Guanzhong was not only external, but also internal.
"I'm not paranoid!" Liu Chengyou said in a calm tone: "It's just for the sake of the national system and the stability of the Western Frontier. We have to make some changes to eliminate the old shortcomings. Of course, we don't want to ruin Gong Shi. That friendship with the imperial court!”
"As for Fengxiang Zhao Hui, he has always been respectful and submissive to the imperial court. With his ability and qualifications, he can naturally be appointed to the west." Liu Chengyou added, "However, after all, he is already over sixty years old. Not everyone can become an honest man. I don’t want to overwork my old ministers, and the big man doesn’t need He Jingzhu. That would be a pity..."
"Xingmin!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun with bright eyes: "I might as well make it clear to you that the imperial court wants to reduce the power of Fangzhen and collect the soldiers of Jiedu. Now it is going to the southwest. Controlling Shu is the first priority, but you have to do it at any time Be prepared to take over all the armies in the Guan, eliminate them and reorganize them! If the time comes, when the time comes, I will leave the entire southwest and even the military power in Guanzhong into your hands!"
I don't know how Xiang Xun felt after hearing the emperor's words, but what he showed on his face was a cold-eyed look, a solemn face, and the expression of a scholar who would die for his bosom friend.
Goodbye! This time, Liu Chengyou did not lift him up.
"Serve the wine!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
Zhang Dejun, who had been prepared for a long time, came forward with a tray in his hand.
Xiang Xun each held a cup, and Liu Chengyou said with a smile: "There is a long way to go, so I am more casual and will practice it for you in front of the palace. Let's drink this cup together!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After they finished drinking, they retreated to Xun Gong. Liu Chengyou stood in front of the palace, with his hands on his back and his robe following his hands, showing his dignity without anger. He looked calmly at Xiang Xun's retreating back.
The choice of generals sent to Guanzhong was actually the result of Liu Chengyou's careful consideration. Xiang Xun was the only general who had that ability and gained his trust.
Of course, this trust also has a standard. I don't know what Xiang Xun will be like when he takes over the Guanzhong Town Army. This thought suddenly occurred to Liu Chengyou, and a smile that could not tell the joy or sorrow slowly opened at the corner of his mouth.
Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew by, blowing my clothes and fluttering...
