"After the battle of Donghe Village two years ago, His Majesty adopted the strategy of exhausting Shu, marching troops to the border, reorganizing the army and using military force to induce Meng Shu's laboring troops to mobilize in large numbers, and money, grain, and ordnance came over the mountains. Fengzhou fought fiercely before and after, before and after our court The cost is not small, it is twice as much as that of Meng and Shu. Now we can defeat it in one battle and completely achieve the original goal!" Paying attention to the interest in the emperor's eyes, Zhao Pu organized his words a little and said slowly:
"Mencius and Shu used to be closed in the middle of Sichuan, avoiding external interference, and repairing internal affairs. They were self-sufficient and the people were safe. Now, the Ming Dynasty has been born, and the Han Dynasty has risen in the Central Plains. Once the gates of the country are opened, it will be difficult to maintain the security of the past. Why are you talking nonsense? Shu's intention is to take measures to aggravate its domestic military and political chaos and promote people's disunity after its stability and balance are broken.
If we send troops southward at that time, we will have a good reputation and save the people from fire and water. After Shu is destroyed, it will be easier to govern Shu and implement some good governance. This way, it will be easier to win over the people of Shu..."
"First disrupt Shu, then destroy Shu, and then rule Shu!" Liu Chengyou tilted his head, looked at the gentle and upright Zhao Pu with amusement, and said, "Such a scheme is not upright and upright!"
Zhao Pu's expression did not change, he cupped his hands and said: "It's your plan and it's beneficial to the country, so why bother using means?"
"Haha..." Liu Chengyou couldn't help laughing, showing his good mood, and said: "How to mess with Shu?"
Hearing the emperor's question, Zhao Pu perked up slightly. It was obvious that Liu Chengyou was tempted. After thinking about it for a while, he spoke slowly: "Your Majesty, as I said before, Shu can be at peace by isolating the Central Plains and closing the country. Today, the Han Dynasty is using force and has been defeated in succession. As far as Shu is concerned, if external troubles are coming, there will be trouble within it. swing.
I would like to draw up some strategies to disrupt Shu. First, continue to march troops on the border, forcing Mencius and Shu to waste national power, recruit soldiers and horses, build weapons, and strengthen military equipment; second, there are many corrupt and despicable courtiers in Shu, who can be bribed with large sums of money and used by our court to implement policies of chaos and chaos; Thirdly, Shuzhou county officials can choose their treacherous people and bribe and control them to defeat their government and harm their people; fourthly, they can make Shu work carefully, spread rumors widely and confuse its people; fifthly, the system of Shu Many coins are made of iron, so you can make iron coins privately and circulate them in Sichuan and Shu, and collect their bronze wares..."
"Zhao Pu, every one of your strategies consumes the national power of Shu, disrupts its politics, and harms its people. I shudder when I hear it!" Turning to look at Zhao Pu, Liu Chengyou sighed: "If someone uses this to deal with me, a big man , I’m afraid it’s impossible to guard against it!”
Zhao Pu was slightly stunned, paying attention to the emperor's indifferent gaze, and couldn't help but feel horrified, feeling that he had gone too far and used too much poison. The rich mental activities actually caused a little cold sweat to break out on Zhao Pu's forehead.
"Your Majesty, the policy I am advancing is based on the national conditions of Sichuan and Shu. There have been signs of political chaos in Shu for a long time, and my original intention is just to add fuel to the flames. If his emperor is wise and his ministers are wise, even if they exhaust their ingenuity, they will be powerless and shaken. At all, I can only suggest that Your Majesty break through the barrier with strong troops..."
"You don't have to be nervous!" After listening to his explanation, Liu Chengyou relaxed and waved his hands and said, "I just feel it! I also believe that the strategies you propose will be effective!"
After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou said to Zhao Pu: "How about this, since this proposal is dedicated to you, you will take the lead in executing it?"
"I obey!" Zhao Pu responded almost without thinking, with a little excitement finally added to his brows.
Zhao Pu originally had his own ideas and suggestions on matters such as reducing vassal states, withdrawing troops, and centralizing power. However, the embarrassing thing is that Liu Chengyou has already done these things and is in the final stage.
Therefore, since entering the court and serving the imperial court, Zhao Pu has been thinking about where to start making strategies, displaying his talents and establishing meritorious deeds. The internal situation is temporarily stable, and Liu Chengyou has been doing a good job, correcting omissions and making corrections when encountering problems. After thinking about it, he could only make achievements in the external affairs of the south, and the country was in the process of conquering Shu. How to plan the Shu Kingdom became a matter that Zhao Pu thought hard about.
"You can consider how to start, but when it will be implemented, we still need to see how the Qin Feng War will end!" Liu Chengyou raised his head slightly and said leisurely: "Wait for the battle report from the front!"
"Your Majesty, I believe that it can be carried out no matter what the war situation is." Zhao Pu responded confidently: "It can even be used not only for Meng and Shu, but also for other separatist countries in the south!"
"It seems that Zhao Qing is not only focusing on Sichuan and Sichuan, but also looking at the whole world. The situation is very ambitious!" Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Pu and praised him, his eyes full of approval.
In this regard, Zhao Pu was naturally modest.
His eyes turned to Qin Feng's map again, his eyes gradually deepened, and he said softly to Zhang Dejun: "Go ahead, the four states of Qin Feng have been owned by the Han Dynasty, and the map can be updated according to their city roads!"
"yes!"
"If I follow your advice and postpone the destruction of Shu, how will I implement my strategy in this year and a half?" After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou asked Zhao Pu.
Facing the emperor's inquiry, Zhao Pu didn't seem to waste much thought, and said calmly and calmly: "I think your majesty may be able to take over Jinghu!"
"Has the time come?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows.
"Recover Qin Feng, the time has come!" Zhao Pu answered simply.
From the beginning, the basic goal of this expedition to Shu was to recapture the four states of Qin and Feng, to resolve the Han's geographical disadvantage in the southwest, to consolidate the border, and to weaken the strength of Later Shu. As a result, after months of hard work, the goal was exceeded, and now it was time for Liu Chengyou to make choices and decisions again.
As for Jinghu Lake, the heart of the world, Liu Chengyou has also coveted it for a long time and has longed for it. Because he knew the importance of seizing it. After descending to Jinghu Lake, he cut off the Yangtze River, went west to destroy Hou Shu, went south to quell the puppet Liu, and went east to conquer the Southern Tang Dynasty. That was the real tiger in the Central Plains, peeping at the world.
"The land of Jingnan is small and the people are small, so it is not difficult to defeat it! However, although the Gao family is frugal, they are still respectful to the court, especially Gao Baorong. Since he came to the throne, the annual tribute and gifts have never been reduced, and there has been no disobedience to the imperial edicts. How can I bear to seize its land?" Although Liu Chengyou's face was calm, his words and tone were full of hypocrisy and insincerity.
Zhao Pu smiled slightly and said: "Although the Gao family is respectful, it is just because the Han Dynasty is strong and majestic in the north, and it is filial to protect itself. Moreover, the land of Jingnan is your majesty's land, and the people of Jingnan are your majesty's people. I will pay for it temporarily." It has been in the hands of the Gao family for many years, and now it is taken back, which is the will of heaven and man.
In addition, although the Gao family is peaceful, the Zhou family is at odds with the imperial court and has different ambitions. If your Majesty is concerned about the reputation of being a military commander, you can start from Hunan..."
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but look at Zhao Pu again, sighed with emotion, and said, "Zhao Pu, why do you always speak to my heart when you give advice and suggestions?"
Zhao Pu did not dare to answer this question carelessly. He lowered his head and said carefully, "I usually think hard. I am fortunate enough to serve the emperor, counsel in military affairs, and receive many teachings from your majesty. Therefore, my strategies contain many of your majesty's strategies." ..."
Liu Chengyou smiled again, nodded and said: "There are not many civil and military people in the entire dynasty who can discuss ancient and modern times with me, and talk freely about the world. You, Zhao Pu, are one of them!"
"Your Majesty, thank you!"
This Zhao Pu is really a talent.
"Your Majesty, Kunming Palace has come to report that the saint is about to give birth!" At this time, the chamberlain hurriedly came to report.
When Liu Chengyou heard this, he went straight to Kunming Hall without any pause. After ten months of pregnancy, Empress Fu will finally give birth again. By the time Liu Chengyou arrived, Kunming Hall was already a familiar tense and busy scene.
However, he had already experienced a lot, and since Dafu was the second child, Liu Chengyou was calm and waited outside, while talking to the Queen Mother who arrived first.
"I heard that there was a victory on the front line?" It was rare that Li paid attention to military affairs.
Regarding Queen Mother Li, Liu Chengyou was basically assured that she would not interfere in politics. When he asked about it, he showed his face and said: "That's right, we won the battle!"
Mrs. Li nodded gently, with a smile on her kind face, and said: "There is a great victory ahead, the queen has given birth to another child, double happiness. God bless you!"
"Mom is right!" Liu Chengyou responded casually: "Maybe it's time for me to go to the suburbs again..."
