After receiving the order, Xiang Xun quickly stood up. Seeing his condition, Liu Chengyou immediately stretched out his hand to signal: "You don't have to get up, just sit down and talk!"
Looking at the others again, Liu Chengyou had a smile on his face: "I may not know all of you here, but thinking about it, I have heard of you to some extent. You are all loyal ministers and brave generals of the Han Dynasty. I have always thought about you. It is also me who came to Chang'an today. The distinguished guests in your seats don’t have to be restrained!”
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiang Xun took the lead and said respectfully.
No matter how much emotion the emperor said came from the heart, after what he said, the atmosphere did relax a lot, especially for people who knew Liu Chengyou.
On Xiang Xun's side, he began to introduce to Liu Chengyou. He spoke in a brisk tone, pointed at a middle-aged general with a handsome appearance, and said, "This is Wang Renfan, the commander of the Nanzheng Military and Horse Capital, who is responsible for the garrison in Hanzhong!"
Wang Rengan stood up and saluted, Liu Chengyou stretched out his hand to signal, and said with a smile: "In the past few years, I have heard the name of General Wang many times. In the five years of Qianyou's reign, he defended Sanguan alone and could not be rushed. Donghe Village mobilized troops to defeat the enemy and defeated the Shu army. . In the seventh year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, Qin and Feng fought in a great battle, and the vanguard defeated the eight strongholds of scalpers. You are well-known. When Duke Liu (Liu Ci) recommended talents to me, he mentioned you. You have lived up to your reputation, you are a really good general!"
Hearing the emperor's detailed account of his achievements and his high praise, Wang Rengan was overjoyed and overjoyed. He grinned and said, "Your Majesty is ridiculously complimenting you, and I will not be able to live up to it!"
Xiang Xun pointed to another general with a thin face next to Wang Rengan and said, "This is Li Yan, the commander of Huaide Army!"
"I have also heard of General Li's demeanor. He has served in the army for more than 20 years. He has inspired his troops, has a strong will, and a tough style. He has resisted the Khitans and quelled the rebellion of the party. He has made numerous achievements. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, he has suppressed bandits and put down rebellions, prepared Defend the western frontier and never get tired. In front of me, Yao Gong (Yao Yuanfu) praised you more and spoke highly of you, saying that you are honest and upright, and that on the battlefield, your comrades can support each other with their lives... .." Liu Chengyou praised with a smile on his face.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty!" Li Yan also met the king for the first time, and he couldn't help but smile on his clear face. He was just a little reserved and still a little bit reluctant to let go, but his joy could be seen in his expression.
"..."
Basically, every time Xiang Xun introduced someone to him, Liu Chengyou could say nice things that made people happy, and their achievements were all in the emperor's heart. Even if you are unfamiliar with someone, give them some gentle encouragement. After some introduction, the relationship between the emperor and the southwest generals became much closer without realizing it.
"This is Han Jixun, the deputy envoy of Huaide Army!" Xiang Xun pointed at a veteran who was tense and said.
Liu Chengyou set his sights on this general who had surrendered from Shu. Han Jixun had obviously been waiting for a long time. He stood up and said, "General Han Jixun, please see your majesty. The former general, who does not know the numbers and the power of heaven, actually led his army to fight against the heavenly soldiers. Thinking I am so ashamed and regretful. Since returning to the Han Dynasty, His Majesty Lai and the imperial court have ignored the past grievances and made military appointments. He has never gone to Beijing to pay homage to His Majesty. Now I can see the beauty of the sky and hear the holy voice. It is truly a blessing for three lifetimes. ..."
Compared with the magnanimous nature of other Han generals, Han Jixun was more nervous and more concerned. However, Liu Chengyou could understand it. After all, he had led his army to resist the army that conquered Shu. Although the battle at Huangniuzhai made Wang Renfan and Li Yan's reputation.
Observing his condition, Liu Chengyou did not treat him differently, his attitude remained friendly, and he said comfortingly: "General Han, don't be nervous. I don't care about the past. Since you have returned to the Han Dynasty and you are a general of the Han Dynasty, I will treat everyone equally. You don't have to feel burdened!" "
Hearing this, Han Jixun suddenly looked like he was crying with gratitude. His words were choked with sobs and he prostrated himself: "Your Majesty is so ambitious. The last general can only tie a grass ring around his head and swear to die to repay God's kindness! One day, I will attack Shu. Please be the pioneer!"
"Haha!" Liu Chengyou smiled heartily at his oath, and said to Xiang Xun, "Xingmin, General Han deserves a commendation for his ambition. What do you think?"
Xiang Xun glanced at Han Jixun and respectfully replied to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty still needs to give orders!"
Looking away, Liu Chengyou said to Han Jixun: "General Han, please be free! I am very pleased that you can be so loyal to the country!"
Here, Xiang Xun's introduction continues: "As for generals such as Gao Dujian, Han Chongyun, Murong Chengtai, Ma Renyu, etc., your Majesty has already known them..."
Nodding, Liu Chengyou looked at Murong Chengtai: "Chengtai, I demoted you to the southwest and suffered so much, but do you still have resentment?"
"I don't dare!" When asked, Murong Chengtai was a little embarrassed and said: "I have been fond of martial arts since I was a child. I am really happy to join the army and build a country to repay my merits. Compared with being in Tokyo, flying around and doing nothing, It’s better to hone your skills in the military and fulfill your ambition!”
"It seems that you have indeed grown up after four years in the army! Your father was very happy when he heard about your deeds in the army!" Liu Chengyou said to Xiang Xun, "Xingmin, you have trained me well!"
As he said that, he looked at Ma Renyu again, his smile growing brighter: "General Pony Ma's reputation is astonishing to me..."
"..."
It took an hour just to meet and get acquainted with the southwest generals. After the meeting, Liu Chengyou greeted the generals and went to the palace hall to hold a banquet. A sumptuous banquet of wine and food has been prepared at the palace, which can be regarded as a grand event. The concubines, princes, civil and military officials and qualified officials from Guanzhong are all present.
After the banquet, Liu Chengyou was still in a lively conversation. Instead of calling his concubines to sleep with him, he called Shang Xiangxun to have a secret talk with the emperor and his ministers.
"I know that you have been traveling in a hurry for many days to come east to Chang'an. It has been a hard journey. I should have given you a good night's rest. However, in my heart, I am worried about the military affairs in the southwest and the conquest of Shu, and I can't help it. Star people, please don't No wonder I'm not considerate..." The emperor and his ministers were sitting across from each other, drinking sobering tea, Liu Chengyou said to him in a relaxed tone.
"Before I came to the east, I also prepared some military information in the southwest and wanted to report it to Your Majesty!" The emperor had said so, so of course Xiang Xun had to support him and respond.
He took out a military map from his pocket, spread it out in front of Liu Chengyou, compared it with the map, and explained to him: "Your Majesty, since the attack on Shu the year before last, after taking Qinfeng and Hanzhong, including the subsequent reorganization of Shu, Including the soldiers, the entire southwest army now totals more than 42,000 people, including 5,000 horse troops and more than 37,000 infantry troops.
They are divided into Hanzhong, Fengzhou, Chengjie, Fengxiang and Qinlong. Among them, according to the Han-Shu peace agreement, 5,000 troops were stationed in Nanzheng, Chengjie and 10,000 in Fengzhou. The rest were all in Qinlong and Fengxiang.
At the same time, in accordance with the orders of the imperial court, military settlements were implemented in Qinlong, Jingwei, Fengxiang, and Hanzhong areas, part-farming and part-garrisoning, and now nearly 700,000 acres of land have been cultivated..."
"With the Star People here, Southwest will be safe, and I can rest assured!" Liu Chengyou said with emotion as he listened silently to Xiang Xun's introduction.
"Wang Jing hasn't arrived yet, how is the situation over there?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"For the past two years, the prince has been guarding Qinzhou, responsible for the development and garrison of the west, and had thirty battalions under his command. In the past two years, the prince has sent troops to the west, and the military fort has been built to the ancient Didao in the west. He has gathered the Han people, suppressed the Tibetans, and expanded Three hundred miles away!" Xiang Xun said, with a look of excitement between his brows.
For a person with lofty ideals like him, opening up new territories and reclaiming old rivers and mountains is his ambition and longing, and it is also the easiest cause to leave a name in history and be praised by future generations.
Although the Han Dynasty has not yet made a large-scale westward advance and raised the banner of regaining Helong, the border garrison troops in the west are quietly expanding their territory and strengthening their expansion. As far away as Lingzhou, where Shi Hongzhao was responsible, and Yanzhou, where Wang Yansheng was garrisoned, they have been expanding their influence to the old Tang Dynasty in recent years, building forts and raising flags.
In the south, after regaining Qinzhou, there was a base for westward expansion, and it was Wang Jing's side that made the most rapid progress.
"Wang Jing's side still needs to be collected!" Liu Chengyou said.
"In recent years, Wang Gongzheng has been committed to consolidating the newly restored land. In addition, the court still needs to send officials, reset the government, and build systems to make it truly a land under the rule of the Han Dynasty!" Xiang Xun said.
Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while and said: "Based on the current situation in the southwest, although there are many troops, in order to consolidate the border defense, the troops and horses of Qinlong and Jingwei cannot move too much. If we want to attack Shu, the only troops and horses that can really be used are Don’t worry too much!”
"I have planned that while maintaining the stability of the border state, we can start riding 30,000 yuan southward!" Xiang Xun said with certainty.
"On the northern road, the thirty thousand cavalry you say are sufficient?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Xiang Xun thought for a while and said: "If it is supplemented by a certain number of civilians, it will be enough!"
"You said you were reluctant. I will still need to mobilize the imperial army in the future..." Liu Chengyou smiled.
With a slight sigh, Liu Chengyou said with a slightly serious tone: "Xingmin, we need to postpone the time to conquer Shu!"
"Because of the chaos in Guanzhong?" Xiang Xun asked tentatively.
"This is just one of the reasons! In the past few months, I have traveled a lot in the north to observe the government, military situation, and people's livelihood. I have learned a lot and have deep feelings. I really should give more to the Han government, the army, and the people. Some rest time!" Liu Chengyou explained.
After hearing this, Xiang Xun said: "I understand!"
Suddenly, Liu Chengyou turned his head and looked directly at Xiang Xun: "I will give you one more year to recharge your batteries and strengthen your troops. Next year, we will attack Shu and defeat it in one fell swoop!"
Xiang Xun's body trembled slightly, he clasped his fists and said solemnly: "I would like to issue a military order!"
"I believe you!" With a smile, Liu Chengyou patted his shoulder and said, "Okay, you're tired and I'm drunk, so I won't keep you here. Go to the hotel to have a good rest. This time, stay longer in Chang'an. In a few days, we, monarch and minister, have a rare opportunity to talk about our old friendship..."
"I resign!"
