On the ninth day of September in the eleventh year of Qianyou, following the tail end of early September, it took about twenty days to advance by land and water. After several twists and turns, Youzhou was in sight. When setting off from Tokyo, the imperial camp had only 30,000 people. Going north, by the time they passed Gu'an County, the number had swelled to 80,000.
Among them, in addition to the 20,000 Hebei Prefecture soldiers who An Shenqi stayed in Yongqing waiting for his command, there were tens of thousands of brave civilians from the countryside and the transferred military supplies. It has entered September, and winter is not far away. Winter clothes, winter shoes, and materials to keep out the cold are being produced at the rear, and the court is preparing for transportation.
In fact, during this Northern Expedition, the Han Dynasty had made plans for a long-term war, which was reflected in the preparation of various military supplies.
After crossing the Juma River, Liu Chengyou left his boat and landed ashore. All the boats were used to transfer baggage, and also to ground the soldiers who were tired of being on the boat, adjust their military appearance, and refresh themselves.
The imperial commander is naturally between the stars and the moon. Further north, it is the direct collision area between the Han and Liao Dynasties. There is nothing more important than the safety of the emperor. Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin, who is the commander of the capital, is also more and more important. It's getting stricter.
Inside the spacious Luan Jia, there are stacked memorials. In addition to a few important matters from Tokyo, they are reports on the combat situation with the Liao army during this period, the results of the armies, and some situations of the Yan army and Yan people.
"Ma Quanyi lived up to my expectations!" With a calm face, the corners of Liu Chengyou's mouth raised slightly.
In the dozens of days of fighting against the Liao Dynasty, a large number of heroes emerged from the Han army, among which Ma Quanyi was the one who achieved the greatest results. Of course, Liu Chengyou pays attention to him because this is his old friend. Although he has said that he is commanding operations and taboos about distance and distance, Liu Chengyou also tries to be fair in the overall situation.
However, if there is no direct lineage, maintaining superiority and inferiority, and how to control the army, as long as rewards and punishments are clear, then other people will only be envious because of the emperor's favor, and even take the initiative to get closer and show positive performance. In fact, there are many people in the Han army who want to be the next Ma Quanyi, Yang Ye, and Pan Mei.
However, Liu Chengyou paid attention to Ma Quanyi not only because of his military exploits, but also because he attacked eastward and proposed the idea of aggressively advancing Liaodong. After 30 years of operation, Bohai, Liaodong and Bohai have long become the depth and granary of the Liao Kingdom. The Bohai Sea is also known as the prosperous country in the east of the sea. If the war spreads to Liaodong or even recovers it, the blow to the Liao Kingdom will be unforgettable.
However, the idea is a good idea, but it is not so easy to realize it.
First, the understanding of the old land of Liaodong and Bohai is very insufficient. It has been separated from the Central Plains for so long. It is even more difficult to find out what the situation is now. The cities, roads, and people's sentiments are all vague, and even a lot of information is obtained through some We only know this from ancient books and historical records.
Of the two, in the east, the Liao army is not weak. According to its military registration system, it is normal for it to be forced to a certain extent and recruit young people to participate in the war. In fact, as the Han army marched northward on a large scale, Yelujing was already mobilizing heavily in the Khitan, and all the Khitan tribes in the north and south had received conscription orders.
The third one, the Luanping Camp area, may be able to win, but opening up the narrow corridor in western Liaoning is also a problem. Attacking Liaodong from Yuguan is also a thousand-mile expedition. If we attack the old land of Bohai Sea, the final journey will be even longer. Times. There are too few soldiers to attack, but there are too many soldiers. Logistics and supplies are a big problem on such a long road. Although there is a saying that the enemy is defeated by food, it is not a cure-all for all diseases.
As for attacking Liaodong by sea, it is only an idea. Whether it can be realized depends on the Jingjiang Army Commander Guo Tingwei and his navy. Is it really easy to transport troops across the sea and just use lip service?
Over the years, Guo Tingwei trained naval forces in Laizhou and Mizhou, drew nautical charts, understood hydrological conditions, and planned safe routes, but his focus was actually on the south. For the north, although there were considerations, there was really no too detailed planning. Of course, it was also to avoid arousing the fear of the Liao State and making it aware of the Han army's plans, so that the size of the Han army's navy in Laizhou Bay was maintained. They are very small, and most of them are in Michigan in the south.
Moreover, the navy successfully landed across the Bohai Bay. It is not easy to make achievements under the conditions where the enemy situation is not clear. Therefore, Liu Chengyou's military edict to Guo Tingwei clearly instructed him that it was advisable to adapt to the situation and not to force it, even if it was to accumulate experience in the future.
In fact, as long as the navy can play a certain role in harassing Liaodong, Liu Chengyou will be satisfied.
"Your Majesty, the Commander-in-Chief of Zhao has sent someone to report that the front is approaching Wanping. King Chenliu, King Yan, the generals of the camp, and the civil and military forces of Youzhou are ready to welcome him!" While Liu Chengyou was thinking, Zhang Dejun, who was accompanying him, was outside Luanjia. General knowledge.
Yes, the chamberlain was replaced by Zhang Dejun again. Sun Yanxi fell ill on the way, but the emperor could not live without a chamberlain who was convenient to him, so he sent an order back to Tokyo and asked Zhang Dejun to serve in front of the camp. Zhang Dejun is also very positive about this.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou's thoughts immediately drifted back, his spirits lifted slightly, and he immediately said: "I know! Just inform Zhao Kuangyin and proceed as normal!"
"yes!"
"Your Majesty!" At this time, Zhang Ji, who had the honor to sit in the imperial carriage and draft the edict for Liu Chengyou, spoke.
"Huh? Is it ready?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Zhang nodded and respectfully showed him the unfinished edict, which was "Edict to Encourage the Soldiers to Encourage and Advance to Attack the Khitan". Liu Chengyou looked at it, but shook his head and said: "The rhetoric is too gorgeous, too pretentious, and the meaning is too profound. If you give it to some generals, they may not understand it, let alone ordinary soldiers!"
"Rewriting, in addition to boosting morale and stimulating pride, must also be vulgar and easy to understand. The more vulgar the better!" Looking at Zhang Jie's somewhat embarrassed expression, Liu Chengyou smiled: "Let you, a great talent, write a vulgar article. Doesn’t this article make things difficult for you and insult your gentleness?”
Hearing this, Zhang Jie dared to nod his head and said immediately: "Your Majesty is serious! I am pedantic. Since it is written to the soldiers of the Northern Expedition, if the soldiers can't understand it, even if the beautiful article loses its original meaning, what's the point? use?"
Looking at Zhang Ji, Liu Chengyou was quite satisfied with his awareness. In fact, if Liu Chengyou had literary talent, he would have chosen to write this edict himself. In recent years, Liu Chengyou personally drafted a lot of edicts, but most of them were administrative orders, dry, and some even lacked fluent language. Secretly, he lost a lot of face.
Facts have proved that the emperor needs a few good pens, especially a person who can correctly understand his own meaning and use smooth and flowing vocabulary to record and convey it. Such a person is also quite rare.
Over the years, Liu Chengyou has also experienced many people, including Tao Gu, Wang Pu, Wang Zhu, Li Fang, Zhao Huo, and Zhao Pu. The one who loved Liu Chengyou the most was Zhao Huo. Unfortunately, he died young. Later, it was Zhao Pu, and then Zhao Pu. In Chengdu, as for Zhang Ji, he is barely qualified, but has some flaws in his character and is not broad-minded enough.
Zhang Jie did not redraft the edict, but saluted again and called: "Your Majesty!"
"What, do you have something to say?" Liu Chengyou looked at him with curiosity.
Zhang Jie solemnly said: "Your Majesty, when you arrive in Youzhou, please stay in the fortified city to supervise the troops. Don't venture north again!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows and said, "Are you also taking care of my behavior?"
This time, from the decision to personally conquer to the march north, Liu Chengyou was constantly advised. For some officials who wanted stability, it was best for him to stay in Daming Mansion and show his intention to personally conquer. Even if you go north or stay in Sanguan, going to Youzhou or even going to the front line is indeed risky...
"I don't dare!" Zhang Jie was not in the habit of inviting favors directly, so he hurriedly explained: "It's just a war between two countries. Hundreds of thousands of troops are fighting. The battle is fierce and dangerous. Your Majesty is concerned with the safety of the world, so you must not be careless!"
"You also said that I am in the army, why should I worry about the unexpected? As for danger, since I raised my army in Hedong, have I ever experienced less danger? Is it a complete plan to retreat to the city?" Liu Chengyou stared at it. Zhang Jie refuted it and suddenly said: "You are a scholar, so it is understandable that you are afraid of going to the battlefield!"
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Zhang Ji immediately became unhappy and said excitedly: "Although I am a Confucian scholar who cannot kill the enemy with a sword, I still have the passion to serve the country. If I are on the battlefield in the future, I will definitely stand in front of His Majesty!"
Zhang Jie couldn't help but be excited and argue. If he acknowledged or even acquiesced to the emperor's words, his impression would be greatly reduced. It could affect his official career and his personal interests were involved. Zhang Jie was still very smart.
Sure enough, Liu Chengyou smiled after hearing his statement.
"Your Majesty, I have recently heard that..."
Seeing that he was hesitant, Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "Speak directly if you have something to say. Now that we have started, why bother hiding it in front of me!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jie also spoke: "There are rumors from the outside world that King Chenliu was deployed in the camp of the Northern Expedition, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, and his son is the Imperial Banzhi, guarding His Majesty's safety..."
"You talk a lot today!" Liu Chengyou said in reply.
Zhang Ji immediately spoke up and asked, "I'm too talkative. Please forgive me!"
This time, Zhao Kuangyin deployed for the imperial camp, and An Shouzhong was the general of the Suwei. If you have any doubts about the father and son, it is not a problem, especially An Shouzhong, who has been working for Liu Chengyou since he was 18 years old. After 8 or 9 years, the relationship has become deeper. Of course, the emperor never talks about feelings easily...
In Wanping, headed by An Shenqi and Zhao Kuangzan, tens of thousands of people stood at attention to greet them. It is not an exaggeration to describe them as good generals as a cloud and soldiers as a forest. Although Liu Chengyou has been advocating reducing and simplifying various processes, deep down in his heart, he still enjoys the feeling of being admired and surrendered. Such scenes are enough to satisfy his vanity.
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
Before Luan Jia could stop, the shouts of long live had already erupted and gradually spread to the surrounding areas. The two hundred thousand soldiers temporarily stationed inside and outside Youzhou City also heard the shouts, including the soldiers and people in the city, who all joined in the fun. Hundreds of thousands of people shouted two words in unison, and the momentum created shook the sky and reached into the sky.
Amid the cries of the crowd, Liu Chengyou walked out of Luan Jia and stood in front of the charioteer. He looked up and saw, in addition to the overwhelming waiting team, the majestic city to the north.
In more than ten years, this is the first time he has been in this situation. Youzhou, the city that had haunted him countless times, finally got a glimpse of its appearance today.
