"Because of this, compared to Wang Kui, Pan Shusi and others, Zhou Xingfeng is a little more difficult to deal with!" Guo Rong continued: "Wang Kui and others are vulgar husbands who once became rich and powerful. , and got carried away. In comparison, Zhou Xingfeng was born in poverty, but he was obviously more scheming, had a resolute character, and knew the rules and laws!"
"Occupy Changsha, govern Tanzhou, capture Hengzhou, plunder Yuanzhou, recruit exiles, appease arrogant generals, and make every move in a steady and steady manner. I am sure that if they are allowed to occupy Langzhou again, they will definitely start to eliminate it. The southern military generals will unify the military and political affairs of Hunan! And the arrogant generals who occupy the southern states will definitely not be captured without mercy. Things in Hunan are going to change!"
"When I was still in Huainan, I heard about Wang Kui's defeat. At that time, I realized that Hunan would be troubled, and I guessed that Zhou Xingfeng would be the final winner! The changes in the situation in Hunan now are not surprising!" Liu Chengyou said:
"Zhou Xingfeng does have some abilities and means. He sees the opportunity and takes advantage of the situation. He is a good person. It's a pity that in Hunan, it is just a small effort and it is difficult to achieve something big!"
"Your Majesty is right!" Zhe Cong responded: "Although Hunan has a vast territory, due to years of war, the population has dropped sharply and is almost in ruins. Even if Zhou Xingfeng rises, he can only clean up the mess and cannot compete with the big powers. Moreover, Zhou Xingfeng was a murderer and did not know how to care for the people. When he heard that he was sentenced to prison, the people committed crimes, regardless of the size of the offense or the severity of the crime. They were all executed. Therefore, although the superiors and subordinates were frightened, it was difficult to win over the people..."
Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while, then said with a sad expression: "Since Ma Yin, there have been endless political chaos and constant wars. The people of Hunan have suffered a lot. Even now, they are still in dire straits. I am the leader of the world. Lord, the common people in Hunan are also my people. Even though they are thousands of miles away, they feel the same suffering. Their hearts are as sharp as a knife, and they wish they could save themselves from the disaster!"
Hearing the emperor uttering such high-sounding words, Zhe Cong Ruan and Guo Rong couldn't help but have a look of strangeness on their faces. Zhe Congruan asked: "Your Majesty, are you willing to send troops to Hunan?"
"We have this consideration!" Liu Chengyou skillfully restrained his expression of sorrow, and there was no trace on his face. He nodded calmly: "I want to hear your opinions."
Guo Rong said directly: "With all due respect, the time is not yet ripe!"
Facing Liu Chengyou's eyes, Guo Rong expressed his thoughts: "First, the war in the southwest has not yet ended. He hastily mobilized troops and worked thousands of miles, which is too heavy a burden on the court; second, the Jingnan Gao family is straddling the front, as if it is a stuck in the throat; third, First, Hunan’s military strength is weak, but the territory is vast, so it is easy to defeat, and difficult to appease and deal with the aftermath, so the court still needs to be fully prepared; fourth, the puppet government in Lingnan must not be ignored, lest it take advantage of the opportunity!"
After a pause, Guo Rong continued: "Hunan is now like a shallow water with fish and shrimps competing for food. Even if we raise a big fish with spines, there is no need to worry about it. Sooner or later, we will provide meat for the big man!"
"Guo Qing's metaphor is very vivid!" Liu Chengyou raised his finger and said.
"However, the imperial court should not let the Hunan warlords indulge in private attacks. Otherwise, where would the dignity of the imperial court be?"
Liu Chengyou's words obviously meant that he was not distracted. The previous time Pan Shusi killed Wang Kui, the result was not that he agreed to his request and acquiesced to his rule over Langzhou. In fact, from the bottom of his heart, Liu Chengyou was not in a hurry to go south to capture Hunan, but he would not be happy if he did not have a hand in it.
"Your Majesty, didn't Zhou Xingfeng do it under the guise of suppressing the crimes of the people and eradicating traitors and quelling chaos for the country? The imperial court can issue an edict to allow it. Then transfer that Wenbiao to the north to succeed him as the military commander of the Wuping Army. Let's see how Zhou Xingfeng If we meet, we should not obey!" Guo Rong suggested: "Looking at Zhang Wenbiao, he is not a good person. If it succeeds, there will inevitably be a fight between Zhou and Zhang. No matter what, the imperial court has Lizhou as a nail in Jingzhou. Hu, if I want to find an excuse to use troops in the future, I just have to let the Holy Will go."
"By the way, we can use a false strategy to destroy the Guo family and take care of the Gao family in southern Jingnan!" Zhe Congruan added: "Take all the Jinghu Lake and control the belly of the world. With a little reorganization, we can enter Meng Shu from the west. In the south we can destroy the puppet dynasty, in the east we can go straight down to Tang and Wu, and within a few years the world can be settled!"
"After hearing what you said, I can't wait to take Jinghu into my pocket!" Liu Chengyou chuckled, and then ordered: "Let's handle the matter in Hunan according to Guo Qing's suggestion!"
"Hunan is in dilapidated condition. Let Zhou Xingfeng clean up the mess for me first, so that we can welcome the heavenly army one day!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Your Majesty's arrogance is admirable!" These words were actually said by Guo Rong, and Liu Chengyou couldn't help but cast a slightly surprised look.
After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh: "The only thing we can worry about is letting murderous warriors like Zhou Xingfeng take charge of the government. How can the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Hunan be left in peace?"
After sighing with emotion, he asked again: "What's the progress on Fengxiang's side?"
Zhe stood up from Ruan, took out the map, and answered according to the map: "As the imperial court increased its troops and the food and equipment were transferred into place, the defense line of Chencang, led by Duke Zhao, has been completely stabilized. Xiang Xun entered the pass, gathered the boats, and crossed Cut off the Wei River, support the rear, and defend the capital.
Li Tinggui suspected that his troops were out of Xiegu, so he secretly sent Shu general Sun Hanshao to the Qinling Mountains, from Ziwu Valley, to launch a surprise attack on Chang'an. Song Yanwo, the military governor of the Yongxing Army, noticed it and led his army to attack it. The Shu army was frightened and fled!
Han Baozhen, who was on the way to Qinzhou, intended to bypass Longzhou and go south to attack Sanguan, threatening Chencang's rear, but he was also rejected by Shi Shixiang! "
"The towns are fighting hard, the soldiers are using their lives, and the southwest will be safe!" Liu Chengyou said: "As a result, the Shu army will be in a dilemma!"
Guo Rong nodded and analyzed: "Today, the main force of the Shu army is nearly 30,000 people, commanded by Li Tinggui. They are stationed on the front line of Chencang Mountain. They have been defeated by the strong city. They have lost their vigor and are unable to make any progress. They have reached a dilemma. They left Ziwu Valley to attack Chang'an. All these dangerous strategies have been used, and there is no difficulty in making progress on the Longzhou front line. It can be seen that the Guizhou donkey skills are poor. For the Shu army, it has become a dilemma. It has been months since it mobilized troops, and it has already entered summer. The weather is getting hotter and it is expected that it will be difficult to hold on. It won’t be long before we withdraw our troops!”
Liu Chengyou obviously agreed with Guo Rong's analysis. He stared at the military map outlining the frontline situation, pondered for a while, and said directly: "We can order Zhao Hui and Xiang Xun to be prepared. If the Shu army withdraws, they will act according to the opportunity. Fight! We have been recuperating for so long. Now that it is here, we cannot let it retreat calmly!"
"Privy Council, issue an order immediately!" Guo Rong had a smile in his eyes. It was obvious that the emperor's decision was to his liking.
"In addition, tell Zhao Hui that he doesn't have to worry about the military supplies. I will order Yan Jinqing to make all-out efforts to replenish the army!" Liu Chengyou said.
"yes!"
In March, while sending Xiang Xun to Guanzhong, Liu Chengyou transferred Yan Jinqing, the former military supervisor, to Guanzhong. Because of his diligence and self-denial, he was promoted to the Southwest Transport Envoy, specializing in the military supply of Fengxiang armies.
When the emperor has an edict, he must prepare it on the spot. It's called Southwest, but in fact the entire Guanzhong Fang Town is within the scope of financing and directly involved in finance. The same method was used to reduce vassal states, one approach at a time. Hedong used military, legal, and political power, while Guanzhong focused on collecting financial power first.
While the three of them were talking, Pan Mei walked in, holding an official document in her hand as a gift. After returning to the court, he was transferred to the Privy Council for his achievements in conquering the Huaihe River, and was in charge of the generals, border defense, and national trust affairs in the north. Being favored by the emperor, this was obviously a prelude to great use, and many envied him.
"What's the matter?" Zhe Congruan asked.
Pan Meidao said: "The establishment of the military system on the east side of the river has been made official. Please review it with your Majesty and the Prime Minister!"
Zhe took it from Ruan personally and reported it to Liu Chengyou. At the same time, he explained to him: "After the review of the Privy Council and the situation on the border east of the Hedong River, the ministers and others proposed to set up a Dingxiang army in Yanmen Mansion with a strength of three thousand troops, with Yang Ye as the army. The Ninghua Army was established in Kelan Prefecture, with a troop strength of 3,000, with Li Wanchao as the military envoy; the Baoning Army was established in Baode Prefecture, with a troop strength of 4,000, with Zhe De Ke as the military envoy. With these three armies, ten thousand soldiers were enough to protect the army. Imperial preparation!"
Guo Rong added: "In addition to the soldiers and horses from the states east of Hedong, in addition to the ones sent to Tokyo, the remaining ten thousand troops were placed under the command of the Hedong capital and stationed in various prefectures! The rest were ordered to return to their hometowns, either as gangsters or as rural soldiers. , combine farmers and farmers to protect the place!"
In fact, after the court's reorganization, only a few of the many armies in Hedong were actually disbanded. However, the levels became clearer and the court's control was greatly strengthened.
"Follow the order and issue it!" Liu Chengyou already knew this, and after a little inspection, he ordered.
"Let Zhe Shijun, Li Wanchao, and Yang Ye return to Beijing to report on their duties!" After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou said again.
After saying that, he glanced at Zhe Congruan and said softly: "Zhe Shijun is the father-in-law of the country. Speaking of it, I have not seen a woman for so many years. I have been guarding the border for many years and have been through the cold. It is really not easy. The good concubine is in the palace. It has also been mentioned many times that I feel sorry for my father, so I should reunite the family to express family ties..."
