On a winter night, the Chongzheng Hall is quiet. The palace is solemn and solemn, and the plaques are wide and thick, shining with an awe-inspiring light, all seeming to reveal the intimidation of the imperial power. Unlike the usual bright lights, there are only a few faint candlelights peeking out from inside. It has become a habit to stroll there.
Through the window of the side hall, a figure could still be seen. He entered with a little curiosity and found that Zhao Pu was sorting out some official documents behind the desk. Noticing the movement, he raised his eyes and saw Liu Chengyou, and quickly stood up: "Your Majesty!"
"Today is the winter solstice. I and you are taking a break from bathing. Everyone has returned home. Why don't you go back home to spend time with your family?" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, sat down leisurely with his robe in hand, and asked.
"It's still early, and these memorials need to be sorted out for His Majesty's inspection. Although Your Majesty is gracious, you should not neglect it, lest Your Majesty make mistakes when he is reviewing it!" Zhao Pu said: "I have already informed my family. It's late. Go back!"
Looking at Zhao Pu, Liu Chengyou's heart was filled with strange emotions. Regardless of whether he was suspected of showing off, Zhao Pu's performance was also rare. Breathing out the breath of alcohol, Liu Chengyou said: "Zhao Yao is cautious by nature. Although he does things carefully, he is always tied up and his body is not good. The affairs of Chongzheng Palace are complicated. From now on, when you are with me, you should share some of the burden for him!"
Zhao Pu was bright-eyed. Hearing what he said, it was obvious that he was going to put more burdens on himself. He felt a little happy and couldn't help but bow down: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"
Although he had been serving in Chongzheng Hall for a short time, he was already familiar with him. Except for Zhao Yao, he ignored all the dozen or so Chongzheng Langs and had long thought of replacing them. However, Zhao Yao's biggest flaw is that he is in poor health and suffers from illnesses all year round.
In fact, Zhao Pu was proud of his talent, and he didn't think highly of Zhao Huo, who was just a mere person. It was just that the emperor trusted him, and his father was the minister of Xuanwei, Zhao, who turned him over, so he was humble and humble, worked diligently, and kept a low profile, waiting for opportunities.
Moreover, after this period of time, Zhao Pu carefully studied it and found that the bachelors of Chongzheng Palace were all exposed to military and political affairs. They were of low status but powerful. The emperor obviously meant to use Chongzheng Palace to check and balance the political affairs hall. Judging from the current situation, as time goes by, the power will only be heavier in the future, because he is closer to the emperor.
Zhao Pu himself has weighed that most of the prime ministers in power today are in their prime. If there are no drastic changes, it will be extremely difficult for him to ascend to the throne, and it will take ten or eight years to get started.
Therefore, he directly set his target on the Bachelor of Chongzheng Palace. This position is relatively easy to win, after all, it is close to the water. But now, the emperor's words clearly reveal that meaning. Although he is drunk, how can the emperor get drunk so easily?
Seeing Zhao Pu's brows with a hint of joy and seeing him bowing solemnly, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but wave his hands and said with a smile: "We, the monarch and the minister, are the only two here, don't be so restrained, sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Looking at the stack of compiled memorials, Liu Chengyou directly asked Zhao Pu who was sitting down: "What's important?"
"Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty Envoy, reported to you that the West County is still at a stalemate and we have been working hard for a long time. Please send an edict to your Majesty to arrange for the withdrawal of troops from Xiangdu!" Zhao Pu said.
After capturing Qinfeng, Liu Chengyou established a new Qinfeng Road based on the four prefectures, including Hanzhong, Minzhou, Taozhou and other unrecovered areas. No matter what, in terms of name and map, the territory was occupied first. With his brother-in-law Song Yanwo as the chief envoy, he was in charge of Qin Feng.
Listening to Zhao Pu's words at this time, Liu Chengyou sighed and said: "I am considering this matter, what do you think?"
Zhao Pu said without thinking: "Now that ministers at home and abroad have reported this proposal, we should really think carefully about it. The envoy of the Song Dynasty is in Qinfeng, and he needs to be more familiar with and understand the military situation ahead. His suggestions are worth listening to.
He said from the memorial that the rain and snow on the Sanguan Road are now non-stop, and the grain roads are often cut off, making it difficult to transport and replenish the grain equipment in Guanzhong. The Feng, Cheng, Jie, and Xing prefectures were newly established, and the treasury was almost exhausted and it was difficult to support them. "
"It seems that you also suggested withdrawing the troops!" Liu Chengyou glanced at Zhao Pu.
Zhao Pu said: "Exactly! I heard that during the southern expedition, your Majesty stationed troops under Shouchun City for several months due to winter. The cold in Qinfeng was even worse than in Huainan, and the food roads were difficult and dangerous, so the military strength was not as good as during the southern expedition. The current situation in Xi County is that if the city is defeated for a long time, the Shu army defenders may take advantage of it..."
Waving his hand to interrupt him, and sighing, Liu Chengyou ordered: "That's all, let the Privy Council issue an order to withdraw the troops!"
"It's just a pity that after this winter, it will give the Shu army a chance to breathe! It will cause greater obstacles to the capture of Hanzhong!"
Zhao Pu had a calm and confident smile on his face, and he cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about it. Just imagine, all the best soldiers of Meng and Shu were lost to Qin Feng. The old way is so difficult that they cannot stop the advance of our Han army. Now Xingzhou Already down, Xingyuan Mansion is in sight, how can the Shu army stop it? Besides, our army also needs to rest and regroup!"
"In addition, in order to support the frontline operations, the Cheng and Tie states were mobilized frequently, which caused resentment among the people in the states and counties. There were several civil unrests. Although they were quickly extinguished, they are worthy of vigilance and the people need to be appeased!"
While the monarch and his ministers were talking, Zhang Dejun came in, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the Privy Council has requested to see Li Chuyun. It seems there is something urgent."
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou was a little surprised and frowned: "It's so late... Xuan!"
"yes!"
Soon, Li Chuyun hurried in, holding a memorial letter in his hand. Without him having to salute, he asked directly: "Are you taking charge of the Privy Council tonight? Come here in a hurry. Tell me, has the military situation changed?"
"Your Majesty, the military report from Xixian County is that Xicheng has been destroyed!" Li Chuyun said with a bit of joy on his face.
"What!" Liu Chengyou became energetic and almost jumped up. He stepped forward and grabbed it from Li Chuyun's hand, opened it and started reading quickly.
From the emperor's somewhat rude behavior, it can be seen that he was concerned about the military situation on the front line. For Liu Chengyou, this military report was a blessing from heaven.
According to the reports before and after Xiang Xun, he led his army to force the city into the stronghold, built siege equipment, hoarded grain and fodder, and gathered tens of thousands of men. However, for the past several months, it has been hampered by rain and snow, making it difficult to attack the city. Although attempts to attack the city ended in failure, the attack has been postponed to this day.
As for Xiang Xun's report, four days ago, the wind and rain suddenly stopped, the snow fell, the sun rose, and the weather was clear. Seizing this opportunity, Xiang Xun ordered that elite soldiers and civilians come out to attack the city without sparing any effort.
The Shu army in the city did not have high combat power. Due to the weather conditions, the Han army was blocked below the city and was paralyzed. The Han army suddenly attacked the city and attacked with all their strength. They were also caught off guard. Although they tried hard to resist under the supervision of Li Tinggui, they were attacked by the Han army for three consecutive hours and were unable to stop it.
The cost of destroying the city was not low. Tens of thousands of civilians suffered nearly 4,000 casualties (of which more than 300 were killed by Xiang Xun's temporarily deployed supervising battalion). The Han army's soldiers also suffered more than 1,000 casualties. There are five battalion generals and three lieutenant generals. In order to live up to the sufferings of the past month, Xiang Xun fully demonstrated his ruthlessness in using troops, regardless of casualties. The Shu army was not strong in will, so how could they stop it.
The defenders in the west county city also suffered many casualties. According to reports, more than 8,000 enemies were killed, and most of the remaining surrendered. Only scattered defeated soldiers escaped to Nanzheng.
"God bless the Han army, God bless your majesty!" After learning about the results of the battle, Zhao Pu was a little excited and said to Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but show a cheerful smile: "I just prepared and ordered the troops to retreat, and the good news will come. It seems that Xiang Xun is not willing to waste all his previous efforts! Judging from the battle report, it was a bloody battle!"
Li Chuyun, who was standing by, chuckled and said, "What's interesting is that the Shu general Li Tinggui repaired Xi County to an impregnable level. Before the war, he also set his sights on coexisting with the city. After the city was broken, he wanted to draw his sword and kill himself, but he never dared to do so. , made a bloody mark, abandoned his sword and surrendered..."
"Haha!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but laugh, and said, "This person is indeed interesting. Is he afraid of pain?"
"Definitely!" Zhao Pu agreed, with a hint of joking in his tone.
With a slightly restrained expression, Liu Chengyou regained his seriousness and said: "I will entrust him with the imperial edict and the war in Hanzhong. Now that Xixian has been defeated and Hanzhong is guarding the south, it is up to him to make a decision on the fly whether to continue the march to Nanzheng!"
Under this order, Zhao Pu and Li Chuyun glanced at each other subconsciously. The emperor's trust in Xiang Xun was a bit surprising.
"yes!"
"And!" Turning around, looking at the two of them, Liu Chengyou smiled and said, "This is my retribution. I'm going to take a break from my worries and have a good sleep. As for you, I also give you an order to go back home and have a good rest!" "
