"Officials, Duke Chan and Duke Bo are here, asking for an audience outside the tent!" Inside the imperial tent, Liu Chengyou was still hunched over the imperial case, directing some important memorials from Tokyo. When the war was fierce, he had no other thoughts. As soon as the war ended, he immediately returned his mind to his country.
Liu Chengyou highly recognized the abilities of the ministers in Tokyo. As a minister who had dominated the court for more than ten years, he had no problem controlling the situation across the country. What's more, the entire country will come down from the wartime track, stop fighting, and recuperate, which will be much easier for the court.
Now that it is late spring, Liu Chengyou estimates that the ministers in Tokyo will be relieved and even sing and dance when they receive the news of the success of the Northern Expedition and the triumphal return of Wang Shi.
"Your Majesty, Chai Rong (Zhao Kuangyin) comes to see you!" Chai and Zhao entered and bowed in salute.
"No need to be formal! Sit down!" Liu Chengyou put down his ink pen, looked up at the two of them, relaxed his knuckles, and chuckled.
"What is your Majesty's order?" Chai Rong asked.
"Where are Shi Shouxin and Guo Chongwei's troops?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"According to the previous report, we have passed the entrance of the Great Wall. Estimating the distance, we will return to the clouds today!" Chai Rong said.
Liu Chengyou ordered: "Let the camp prepare. When you go out of the fortress, you will also fight continuously. You have to fight for hundreds of miles. It is quite hard. What a reward!"
"yes!"
"What are the arrangements for the withdrawal of troops?"
"The former army is fully prepared and can set off at any time. It will be led by Commander-in-Chief Gaodu and at the same time, the civilians recruited in Hedong will be released!" Chai Rong reported.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Let's officially withdraw our troops starting tomorrow!"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Chengyou himself couldn't help but feel relieved. Obviously, since the Northern Expedition, he seemed confident and calm on the surface, but the pressure he was under inside was not small at all.
"Hebei soldiers and civilians will be placed in the second batch. They will march eastward through Juyongguan and arrive at Youzhou first. They will be led by Murong Yanzhao!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"Yes! I will discuss the arrangements later!"
"I've called you two here to make two arrangements. I can't make up my mind at the moment. Please give me the details!" Looking at the two of them, Liu Chengyou said softly.
"Your Majesty, please speak!" Upon hearing this, Chai and Zhao cheered up.
Liu Chengyou said: "Here in Shanyang, the border preparations are being adjusted. There are many appointments for military envoys, but there is a lack of a coordinator. I am undecided. Is there anyone you can recommend to the second minister?"
"Your Majesty, the situation in Shanyang's new land is complicated. Facing the Khitan directly requires a veteran general who is both wise and brave!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
"Then tell me, who can take on this important task?" Liu Chengyou looked at him.
Zhao Kuangyin also raised his eyes, did not hesitate, and said: "Yang Ye has been in Yanmen for a long time. He has rich experience in commanding the army, is familiar with the local customs, and understands the Liao army. He is the most suitable candidate!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "Yang Ye is naturally capable, but after all, he is too young, so I am afraid he will not be able to take up any relevant responsibilities!"
Liu Chengyou didn't mean what he said. He, Emperor Liu, was never a person who valued age, origin, and qualifications. After all, he had other ideas about Yang Ye.
After being denied the suggestion, Zhao Kuangyin said again: "Wang Shenqi, the envoy of the Flying Fox Army, has also been guarding the border for a long time and is well-trained in military affairs. When I sent troops to Weizhou, I saw that he was thick and strategic. He is a talented general and can be entrusted with important tasks!"
Glancing at Zhao Kuangyin, if I remember correctly, this Wang Shenqi was one of the "Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society". In his early years, he served in the Forbidden Army and was promoted as a young hero. Later, he was transferred to the border gate, where he always worked with Yang Ye and had little interaction with Zhao Kuangyin. Now it seems that the two are connected again. Is this the so-called historical inertia?
Occasional distracting thoughts were quickly dismissed, Liu Chengyou still shook his head: "Wang Shenqi should be transferred to the Forbidden Army!"
Two candidates were rejected one after another. Zhao Kuangyin did not say anything. The candidates he mentioned were all young men in the army. Yang Yefang passed by and Wang Shenqi was only thirty-four years old. He couldn't help but wonder, could it be that the emperor still preferred veterans?
Chai Rong also spoke: "Why don't you take charge of the military affairs on behalf of the Duke?"
Acting as the Duke of the country is a matter of virtue, and it can indeed be done in terms of identity, qualifications, and ability. However, Liu Chengyou still simply said: "On behalf of the Duke, I have been stationed in Baode Mansion for a long time, weathering the wind and rain, guarding the border for the country. I have promised to take the concubine and call her to serve in Beijing!"
Liu Chengyou's words were somewhat untrue. He believed in the obedience and loyalty of the Zhe family, but for the sake of the country, one could not act based on emotion alone. The Zhe family's influence in the Yuanfu and Lin areas is too deep, and with the fact that they have been relatives for more than ten years, it has become even more powerful. As the saying goes, everything that flourishes must decline, so suppressing it a little is for the good of the family. This is probably what Liu Chengyou thinks.
Several candidates in a row were rejected by Liu Chengyou. Chai and Zhao had to admit that it was indeed difficult to choose, and it was difficult to answer the call rashly for a while. However, the big man has no shortage of available generals. After thinking about it for a while, Zhao Kuangyin handed Liu Chengyou a name: Wang Yanchao.
The reasons given are also very sufficient. He is a young man who is calm, has served in many positions, and has a rich resume. He has served as the commander of the Hedong capital for many years. He is well-mannered and has good military morale. He is a good choice for the new Shanyang military, which mainly focuses on comforting the army. Candidate.
After a little consideration, Liu Chengyou agreed. However, when he looked at Zhao Kuangyin, he was inevitably surprised. The anecdote between Zhao Kuangyin and Wang Yanchao in their early years is also famous. Being able to recommend Wang Yanchao proactively shows that Zhao Kuangyin's magnanimity is indeed extraordinary.
"Then Wang Yanchao will be transferred to Shanyang Capital for deployment and governor of all armies!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
"Also, work has to be done on the establishment of the command bureaus in Shanyang and Yannan. Although it is a newly admitted place, it must have the necessary systems to work with the imperial court. However, it should also be based on the actual situation. , some adjustments have been made!" Liu Chengyou looked at Chai Rong: "Chai Qing will be in charge of this matter!"
"In addition, the personnel deployment for this adjustment and addition of armies needs to be speeded up. Before I set off and return south, arrangements must be made properly. In addition, among these people, those who have made meritorious services in the Northern Expedition will be rewarded immediately to reassure them!" Liu Chengyou ordered again.
"yes!"
After finishing speaking, he paused, Liu Chengyou hesitated, and then said: "Do you have anything to add about Shanyang's defense?"
Upon hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyin cupped his hands and responded: "Your Majesty, after the restoration of Youyun, the defensive disadvantage in the north of the Han Dynasty has been completely reversed, and Yunzhong can be relied on as a strong city. However, relying only on this place, it is still passive. I think that we can take advantage of the Liao Kingdom When we are severely damaged, our military strength is greatly damaged, our forces are shrinking to the north, and we are unable to look south, we will continue to push the defense line outward."
"Can you tell me specifically, what kind of measure?" Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Kuangyin with bright eyes.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin knew clearly that he should be betting on the Holy Heart. He stood up, compared with the map, and said neatly: "There is no need to send out a large number of troops. We only need to send a large general and divide a strong force to move westward to Yuan Shengzhou and Fengzhou. The region was recovered. With the current situation of the Liao Kingdom, it would be difficult to stop it.
If we can capture Feng and Sheng Prefectures, we can not only regain the old territory of the Tang Dynasty, but also defend the Liao Dynasty. We can rely on the Yellow River to deal with it and continue to suppress the Liao army.
Moreover, by colluding with Duke Zheng of Hexi Province, the entire Hetao area could be added to the territory of the Han Dynasty as a pastoral place. At the same time, Xia Sui's troubleshooting army will be further placed under the influence and control of the imperial court! "
Hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Liu Chengyou showed a cheerful smile. Obviously, his suggestion was in line with his wishes. Liu Chengyou had been thinking for a long time about seizing the rich and beautiful land.
