Another spring rain has passed, and the breeze is slightly cold, blowing through the mountains, ravines and valleys. Along the route of Murong Yanzhao's advance, a team of about 20,000 people marched northwest along Yanshan Mountain and the water flow.
Within the central army, dragon flags were flying, and powerful cavalry were cruising on both sides. Small groups of men and horses were constantly running in front and back, sometimes sprinting and sometimes advancing slowly. The land was still wet and the road was slightly muddy, which inevitably affected the speed of the march.
This was naturally the Han Emperor's camp. Today, it is mid-February, and the Han-Liao War, which lasted for seven months, has come to an end. The Liao Emperor has fled north, and the Liao Kingdom has shrunk in strength to avoid the Han army.
Of the sixteen states of Yanyun, only Yunzhou has not yet been completely pacified. King Yelu Talie of Liaonan Academy led a lone army to hold on in Yunzhong City, with a trace of unrealistic illusions remaining.
After Murong Yanzhao won the victory at Duanyunling and arranged the defense of the Great Wall, he then marched westward to Yunzhou with his own anti-war troops. It was not until February 6 that the three Han armies combined with twenty-five troops finally met at the foot of Yunzhong City, ten days ahead of schedule. This was also the impact of the change in military situation caused by the retreat of the Liao army. .
On February 8, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty decided to set off for Yunzhou, hence the trip. The ministers, whether in Beijing or accompanying him, were still looking forward to the emperor's return to Beijing. Therefore, they all discouraged him from Yunzhou and his entourage, including the King of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan.
The reason is also very simple. The newly occupied land is not yet stable and may go wrong. Furthermore, the emperor is far away from the Great Wall, and even further away from Beijing. Of course, persuasion cannot help.
Liu Chengyou was able to sympathize and understand the concerns of his ministers. However, as far as Liu Chengyou was concerned, it would be a pity if he only used Youzhou as the end point of his Northern Expedition. Youyun, Youyun, Youyun has been returned to the Han Dynasty, so Yunzhou should also leave his footprints, then this journey to the Northern Expedition will be perfect.
At the same time, Liu Chengyou also secretly made up his mind that if nothing unexpected happened, this would be his last personal expedition. Therefore, he must go to Yunzhou, a key strategic target, in person.
Zhao Kuangyin led the army to the front line, and the imperial camp was deployed and led by Gao Huaide. At the same time, Han Lingkun, who had recovered from his injury, was appointed as the capital of Yuhou. Before and after the battle at Nankou, Han Lingkun performed well and almost died from injuries.
As for Youzhou, Zhao Kuangzan and An Shenqi Quan stayed behind. That's right, the two left-behinds were temporary leaders, and King Yan had the good sense to ask himself to be An Shenqi's deputy. In his words, how could the younger generation take King An as his deputy. Zhao Kuangzan's political consciousness and respectful attitude made the Han Emperor even more satisfied.
Inside the car, Liu Chengyou was reading a book in his hand. Because the road was bumpy and shaking, it seemed a little strenuous. After a while, his eyes felt a little sore.
The carriage was filled with a fragrant fragrance, which smelled like Concubine Gao's body. It was not strong, but very pleasant. The two concubines accompanying him, Concubine Guo Ning, stayed in Youzhou because she was pregnant. It is not easy to say that it has been more than three years since Concubine Guo entered the palace and she is pregnant now.
He noticed Liu Chengyou rubbing his eyes, leaned over, confiscated the book in his hand, took out the cup, poured a bowl of warm milk wine, and presented it to him with both hands: "Guan, take a rest! "
Liu Chengyou was not polite. He took two sips, smacked his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. He looked at the charming Concubine Gao and said, "The milk wine on the grassland is sour and spicy. It really has a unique taste!"
Concubine Gao smiled brightly: "The official has mentioned before that I specially found someone to brew it. The taste needs some improvement. If the official likes it, you can drink more!"
Liu Chengyou shook his head and picked up the book again. Seeing this, Concubine Gao immediately held her hand and said, "Officials should take more care of their eyes!"
Seeing the resolute expression on Concubine Gao's beautiful eyebrows, Liu Chengyou felt helpless, leaned back and said, "It's a long road, you have to let me find something to do, otherwise, wouldn't it be boring?"
"Then you need to rest properly!" Concubine Gao said, "Your eyes are so tired these days!"
"That's all, I'll listen to you!" Liu Chengyou put his hand on the imperial concubine's waist, preparing to move.
Concubine Gao helped him put the book away and asked curiously: "The official has read this book "Zhenguan Politicians" more than ten times and still can't put it down?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou sighed softly: "When Yan Yun returned, the separatist forces in the south of the Yangtze River were wiped out. It was a matter of counter-control. How to bring peace to the people and govern the world was a top priority. The rule of Zhenguan was a model for emperors to govern the country. Although times have changed, there are some lessons that can be learned from it, and I gain insights every time I read it..."
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Concubine Gao looked at him with a little distress in her beautiful eyes. It was not easy for him to be the emperor. The Northern Expedition has already exhausted all the energy, and the war is not over yet, and I have begun to worry about the future, taking one step forward and looking forward to three steps. During this period, from Tokyo to Youzhou, all kinds of heavy practical matters were carried out in front of and behind the army. All kinds of pressure were forced on him...
"Why are you looking at me with such an expression?" Seeing that the imperial concubine did not react as she should, Liu Chengyou withdrew his restless hand.
Concubine Gao sighed: "Officials should take care of themselves!"
"Do I look weak?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows.
Concubine Gao smiled: "Officials are naturally strong and energetic, but no matter how majestic and majestic the body is, it also needs rest. Since the Northern Expedition, I have been worried about military affairs and state affairs. Even in the cold winter, I have never had any leisure time. Compared with being in Beijing , more tedious, if things go on like this..."
"Okay!" He patted her hand: "The great cause of the Northern Expedition is not far away. After returning to Beijing, I will have plenty of time to rest!"
In the Luanjia, after flirting with the beautiful imperial concubine, Liu Chengyou returned to his normal state and asked outside: "Zhang Dejun, where are you?"
After some questioning, he came to report: "The officials have passed Duanyun Ridge and are about to turn around. The former army is reinforcing the pontoon bridge and preparing to cross the Yanghe River!"
"Let's go down for a walk!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou became interested.
In mid-spring, everything is light green, the wild grasses are full of life, and the trees also add a touch of green. You can feel the moisture clearly in the air. After walking for a while, your feet were stained with a lot of mud, but it didn't hinder your happy mood.
Although the battlefield in Duanyunling has been cleaned up and all the corpses have been burned, the traces of the war cannot be eliminated in a short time. While Liu Chengyou was admiring the spring scenery, Zhang Dejun came to report: "Guan family, there is news from the Liao Kingdom again!"
Suddenly Liu Chengyou's elegance was interrupted, and when he took a look at the secret report, his expression quickly returned to numbness. Regarding the news of the Liao rebellion, it was not until after the Battle of Duanyunling that Liu Chengyou received it, and the wording was unclear. He knew that there was rebellion, but the specific situation was not clear. Thousands of miles away, in the rear of the Liao Kingdom, gathering intelligence, transmitting and handing over information was never that easy.
However, although the specific details are unclear, it can be judged from the reaction of the Liao army's northern retreat that the situation must be serious. Therefore, Liu Chengyou later issued several urging orders, asking the Han Dynasty's spies hiding in the Liao Kingdom to find out at all costs.
Although the Han Dynasty's intelligence network in the Liao Kingdom has made some achievements, it is actually very weak. In the past, it could only be achieved through business travelers and envoys, plus buying some tribesmen. Compared with other separatist forces, it could be achieved through these means. Intelligence building is much more difficult.
"Have you rested enough?" Liu Chengyou tilted his head and asked Concubine Gao.
Seeing that the emperor became serious, the imperial concubine nodded. Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "Send the order, cross the river as soon as possible, speed up, and go to Yunzhou!"
The secret report received by Liu Chengyou gave a clearer description of the civil strife in Liao. There was civil strife in Shangjing, clan rebellion, and rebellion among the four Khitan tribes. At the same time, it also included the movements of Yelv Jing, the Lord of Liao, after the retreat to the north.
Over there, the six tribes of the Xi tribe who were nomadic in Raole and Songmo were also in turmoil. Therefore, in addition to leading the army back to Beijing with the northern privy envoy Xiao Husi, Yelujing went to the Xi tribe to suppress the rebellion.
The civil strife in the Liao Kingdom has a tendency to worsen, and is more serious than Yelujing expected. In this way, the Han army can attack Yunzhou with peace of mind.
