Because Yunzhong was destroyed by the army, not a single house in the city remained, so the Han army was still stationed in the camp outside the city. Li Wancao of the Ninghua Army was stationed in the southwest of Beiying.
Li Wancao was a general of the Later Jin Dynasty in his early years. He served as the commander of Su Rui and was stationed in Luzhou. In the twelfth year of Tianfu (947), Liu Chengyou led his army out of Taiyuan and attacked Luzhou, serving as a vanguard for the Dingding Central Plains in Hedong.
At that time, Li Wanchao, Wang Shou'en and Gao Fang surrendered together, allowing Liu Chengyou to easily capture Luzhou, which laid the foundation for later defeating Geng Chong's American troops and marching eastward from Taihang to sweep Hebei. At that time, Li, Wang and Gao were known as the "Three Heroes of Luzhou", and it was Liu Chengyou who was the first to call them out.
However, these three heroes, Wang Shouen, were violently killed not long after because of their greed and domineering. The remaining two people, Gao Fang was in charge of Youzhou and Li Wanchao was the military commander, and they were both put in important positions.
In fact, the process of the founding of the Han Dynasty was also a process for Liu Chengyou to enhance his prestige, accumulate a team, and cultivate party members. During this process, Luzhou provided him with many talents. In addition to Gao Fang and Li Wanchao, Li Chongju, the military moral envoy, was also discovered and promoted by Liu Chengyou in Luzhou.
As for Li Wanchao, during the years when the Han Dynasty was founded, he was not very vigorous. He also participated in several battles with the army, but he had no great martial arts achievements. What he represents is the experience of a large part of the Han army veterans, plain and simple. As for Li Wanchao, in every town, the people are stable and the territory is peaceful. This is his role.
And, luckier than most people, Liu Chengyou can still think of him from time to time. This Northern Expedition was probably the most enjoyable battle that Li Wanchao fought in the past ten years, and his achievement was also the most significant in many years. He was the first to break through Yunzhong.
After three days of celebration, the army returned to its previous order, and the entire company and battalion entered a busy state, preparing for withdrawal. This is not the case with Li Wanchao's department. He is replenishing the number of soldiers in order to fill the number. Because they were beaten too hard, the Ninghua Army he led suffered nearly 30% casualties.
"General, the camp directly replenished us to 5,000 men, thousands of cavalry, and 3,000 horses. This is too generous to our army! The Dingxiang army has been reduced, and the army here has Among them, I'm afraid we are the most powerful!" In the military camp, Li Wanchao led a group of people to inspect the brand-new Ninghua Army, followed by Bu Qu, who said excitedly with a smile on his face.
"Do you know why this is?" Li Wanchao seemed to be in a good mood and asked in a tone of examination.
"I don't know the end of the general!" The answer was simple: "Could it be that the general has been sent?"
"Not yet! However, when the Northern Army adjusts and reorganizes, our Ninghua Army is the fastest. Although there is no order yet, it is conceivable that it will be useful!" Li Wanchao said.
"Is there still going to be a war?"
"It depends on the emperor and the court!" Li Wanchao said: "Let's go and see the horses again! After so many years, I have never been so rich. Remember, we must strengthen the equestrian training of our soldiers!"
"yes!"
Just as Li Wanchao had predicted, taking the lead in replenishing the Ninghua Army, they were all well-equipped soldiers and horses, so it would naturally be of great use. After meeting Chai and Zhao, the emperor's summons came. Not daring to neglect, Li Wanchao packed up his things and hurriedly rode towards the imperial camp.
"His Majesty!"
"Old general, please take a seat!" Liu Chengyou seemed very enthusiastic towards Li Wanchao, asked him to take a seat, and poured him water himself.
"Your Majesty, how dare you, general?"
"Old General, there is no need to be restrained. You and I have been friends for a long time. The clothes are not as good as new, and the people are not as old as before. There is no need to restrain yourself from some common courtesy!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile.
Seeing this, Li Wanchao also relaxed a little, met the emperor's gaze, and said humbly: "Who are you, the general? How dare you discuss old issues with your majesty in order to seek undue favor!"
Obviously, the veteran's consciousness is still very high, and Liu Chengyou is even more satisfied with this. Looking at him, he asked: "In this Northern Expedition, you and your Ninghua Army fought hard to the end, and they have made great contributions. I am thinking about how to reward you. What are your ideas?"
Hearing this, Li Wanchao couldn't help but murmur in his heart, it was his turn to consider rewards based on merit. After thinking for a while, he said: "Your Majesty, the imperial court has its own system for awarding merit and merit, and Your Majesty has always rewarded according to merit without any bias!"
He shook his head and looked at Li Wanchao seriously, as if he was hesitant to speak. Seeing this, Li Wanchao said in a timely manner: "Your Majesty has always been kind to the general. If you have any assignments, you can speak out and don't dare to say goodbye even if you die!"
"The old general is really a national warrior!" Liu Chengyou touched his palm and expressed his thoughts: "The Northern Expedition was a great victory. The Khitan severely damaged Beidun. Its internal chaos caused its power to shrink northward. For our dynasty, this is really a good opportunity to advance northward. However, Due to the conditions of the Han Dynasty, it is impossible to launch a large-scale military campaign. Therefore, I intend to send a partial army to expand the territory, occupy key passes, and also widen the depth to improve the defense of Shanyang!"
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Li Wanchao immediately responded: "Your Majesty wants to use the Ninghua Army?"
Liu Chengyou nodded and admitted.
"Your Majesty's orders are as follows!" Li Wanchao was also very straightforward.
Blinking his eyes, Liu Chengyou became a little more interested and said, "Do you know where I want to go?"
Li Wanchao is also a veteran who is familiar with military affairs. He has served in the northern garrison for many years and has some basic understanding of the situation in the north. After thinking for a while, he analyzed: "Generals Shi and Guo have been recalled by Your Majesty, so they must not be in the north. Looking at the surrounding situation, only the Hetao area is the place to go!"
"General, are you willing to go?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"But I have a destiny, so I have no choice but to do so!" Li Wanchao said affirmatively.
Liu Chengyou said in a tone of emotion: "I originally thought that the general was already old, and it was not easy to guard the northern border for a long time and keep running around. Now, when I should have stopped, I still have to attack the general. I really can't bear it. Go west. Hundreds of miles away, I’m even more afraid of the military’s morale!”
"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry!" Li Wanchao said: "The camp is replenished with troops and horses. They are all frontier troops. They belong to Hedong. They have rested and reorganized, and their morale has been restored. As for the last general, although he is over fifty years old, he can win your Majesty and Thank you for the opportunity to make great achievements, so why talk about hard work?"
The polite words ended here, Liu Chengyou regained his seriousness and began to give Li Wanchao advice: "The geography of the Hetao is so important that I don't need to talk about it. With the current situation of the Liao Kingdom, it is not difficult to obtain it, but what is difficult is how to defend it. . This is not just a military issue, but how to defend against the enemy externally and secure the various tribes internally, especially the party members in the south. I hope the general can handle these properly!"
"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered forever!" Li Wanchao responded.
"Okay!" Liu Chengyou said: "I will issue an order later. I regard you as the commander of the Nine Plains Capital, ranking at the fourth rank. The goal of the westward march should not be disclosed for the time being, and you can rest in the clouds for a while. After the army evacuates, you can go out again!"
"In this way, it can also confuse the Liao army, relax its vigilance, and have the effect of a surprise attack!" Li Wanchao said.
Of course, Liu Chengyou didn't think that much. Instead, he continued: "In this integration of the border army, I have directly paid Privy Chai the credit for the officers and soldiers who guard the border, and the same goes for the Ninghua Army. At the same time, all the officers and soldiers from Jiuyuan who followed you west will be paid in due course." As a reward, all garrison positions from now on will be upgraded to one more level!
From now on, the imperial court will immigrate to Yunshuo. If their families are willing to move, in addition to military merit and land allocation, they will be given ten acres more! For those who are unwilling to migrate, they can be allowed to visit relatives in turn when the situation in the Hetao stabilizes! "
Hearing the emperor's assurance, Li Wanchao smiled happily, bowed his hands and said, "If this is possible, why don't the soldiers be enthusiastic about it!"
Liu Chengyou sighed: "Soldiers have dedicated themselves to the country. Naturally, I have to be more considerate and considerate, otherwise I will feel uneasy!"
After saying that, he said to Li Wanchao: "It's really unbearable for the old general to live in a remote place in the northern region."
Li Wanchao laughed, looked at Liu Chengyou, and said very seriously: "Your Majesty, I have a request at the end of the day, and I hope you will be kind!"
"Let's talk!"
Li Wanchao said: "Now that I am fifty and five years old, I can guard Jiuyuan for the imperial court for five years, resist the Khitan in the north, and pacify Dangxiang in the south to prevent chaos. In five years, when I am sixty years old, I hope to retire and return home!" "
For some reason, Liu Chengyou suddenly felt moved after hearing what Li Wanchao said.
