After coming back to his senses, he looked at Murong Yanzhao and said in a concerned tone: "The Han Dynasty has entered the critical moment of unification. Recently, state affairs have been complicated and heavy. I have to rely on capable ministers like you, who are both civil and military, to share the burden for me! "
After becoming a general and becoming a prime minister, Murong Yanzhao's political quality also improved to a certain level. Of course, he knew that the emperor was expressing his recognition and appreciation for his official work. He was calm in his heart, but he still spoke modestly: "Your Majesty said something serious. This is my duty and my duty. Furthermore, to be able to participate in such a grand event, assist the Holy Lord, refresh the world, and create a new world , it is also a supreme honor for me!”
"Well said!" Liu Chengyou had always admired Murong Yanzhao's awakening. He stood up and said, "It's time for us, the emperor and our ministers, to work together to complete this great cause of unifying the world!"
"I am willing to obey His Majesty!" Murong Yanzhao cupped his hands, looking very calm, and his tone was particularly firm.
Noticing Murong Yanzhao's slightly haggard appearance, Liu Chengyou stepped forward, brushed his back, and said emotionally: "I heard that you have been feeling increasingly unwell lately. Besides working diligently on official duties, you should also pay attention to your body and rest! You are a member of the Han army. The flag must not fall down!”
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Murong Yanzhao's expression changed. This evaluation was too high. Even though it was in private, it was too high for him to bear.
His tone became older, and his expression became calm. Murong Yanzhao said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty praises you, but I don't dare to accept it! Fortunately, your Majesty's kindness gave me the opportunity to show my martial arts. The world was unified again. Originally, it was my generation." People can only hope for their ambitions. Now that they have succeeded, they are excited. Over the years of fighting in the south and north, I have been exhausted mentally and physically. When the achievements are completed, I want to let my horse go to Nanshan, disarm and return to the fields, and enjoy my old age..."
Just some words of concern actually caused Murong Yanzhao to react like this. Liu Chengyou was really surprised when he expressed his heartfelt feelings. Sensing the retreat in Murong Yanzhao's words, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and realized that the problem lay in his own words, which were a little forgetful.
Today's Emperor Liu, the generals of the Han Dynasty respect and fear him. If other generals listen to his words, they will just smile and laugh. But this is Murong Yanzhao, and it is inevitable to think a little more.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou let out a few hearty laughs and said: "You are not yet fifty, so why talk so lightly about your age? The northern part of the Great Wall has not been leveled, and the river west has not been restored. There are still many places that need generals. It is too early to say anything. Okay, Let’s not go too far, right now, we should concentrate on Pingnan affairs!”
"Yes!" Seeing the emperor say this, Murong Yanzhao also bowed and responded.
"Let's go to the Privy Council together!" Liu Chengyou invited.
…
In the Privy Council, everyone was busy and everything was in order. Both Li Chuyun and Zhao Kuangyin were rare military and political talents in the Han Dynasty. Under the management of these two, there could be no chaos.
Especially Zhao Kuangyin, although he has always shown a heroic attitude, he is usually very heroic and magnanimous, but in reality he is also a ruthless person, who will punish those who commit offenses and investigate any chaos, and his methods are very powerful.
In the hall, Liu Chengyou was sitting, looking at Li and Zhao, and asked: "How are you preparing? How is the mobilization of troops and horses going?"
In this regard, Li Chuyun said: "Back to Your Majesty, among the forbidden troops, the Xiaodi Army plans to set off from Tokyo in ten days and go south to Jiangling. The Longjie, Longqi, and Fengguo armies plan to set off for Yangzhou in early August.
As for the local troops and horses, Hunan's armies have already concentrated in Guizhou and Lianzhou, and the Pingqian army has also been transferred to the south. The troops and horses from eastern Sichuan have already left Sichuan. The remaining departments will also be mobilized according to the previous plan. As for the civilian husbands, they can only wait until the autumn harvest is over and then be recruited by the government.
I think it would be better to set the date for dispatching troops in mid-September! "
Originally, there were plans to launch troops in mid-autumn, when farming was busy, which could greatly affect the harvest in the south of the Yangtze River and reduce the fighting spirit of the army and the people. However, due to the disaster in the north, the Han Dynasty court also needed to take into account the public sentiment and public opinion. This year, when food production is reduced, it is better not to forcibly delay the farming season.
On the other hand, the states in the south of the Yangtze River have been regarded as something in the pocket by Liu Chengyou and the imperial court. Although war is inevitable, Liu Chengyou still hopes to minimize the damage to this rich land in the south of the Yangtze River.
Therefore, the delay is the delay, and we can still take care of the war in southern Guangdong. Although Pingnan was planned and executed as a whole this time, in fact, Jiangnan and Lingnan fought independently.
"Is there any new news in Jiangnan and Guangdong?" Liu Chengyou asked again.
This time it was Zhao Kuangyin who reported: "Fang received a report from Cao Bin that the leader of the Jiangnan Kingdom has newly replaced the guard general of Ezhou?"
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou became interested: "Then veteran Lu Jiang was withdrawn?"
Previously, after Liu Renfan's death, the important area of Ezhou needed capable generals to guard it. However, it is too difficult for the Jiangnan army to choose a suitable person. Lin Renzhao is completely unable to take care of many aspects.
However, anyone with a little bit of intelligence can see the dangers in Ezhou. Compared with Jianghuai, it is the place where you really face the imperial army. The danger is unpredictable and no one wants to go there.
It was not until he was recommended by his veteran Chen Qiao that Li Yu appointed the veteran Lu Jiang as the governor of Ezhou. This Lu Jiang can be regarded as a veteran who has been throughout the troubled times of the late Tang Dynasty. He has a certain degree of prestige and ability. However, he is now seventy-two years old. Yes, older than Lian Po...
It is precisely for this reason that because he was too old and feared that he would be unable to cope with the military pressure of the Han Dynasty, Li Yu listened to Zhong Mo's suggestion and recalled him, and chose another young and powerful person to take charge. The chosen one was named Huangfu Jixun. .
"Huangfu Jixun?" Liu Chengyou muttered.
"He is Huangfu Hui's son!" Zhao Kuangyin explained, the one who was captured alive on the Huaidong battlefield.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou also recalled that this man had shown off the demeanor of a famous general in front of him. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised and he said: "Back then, although Huangfu Hui was defeated and captured, he still had some ability to lead the army. Talent, how about his son?"
Zhao Kuangyin simply said: "It's hard to get a promotion after my father's death. I have no military achievements and only my family background!"
The meaning of these words was already obvious. Liu Chengyou said, "There is no one left in the Jiangnan Army!"
"Your Majesty, there is another Lin Renzhao!" Zhao Kuangyin reminded.
"Can Lin Renzhao protect the Yangtze River?" Liu Chengyou said calmly.
"Definitely not!" Zhao Kuangyin affirmed.
"However!" Liu Chengyou said again: "Since Li Yu can replace the Ezhou garrison, wouldn't it be better if Lin Renzhao can also be replaced to reduce trouble for the army?"
Noticing Liu Chengyou's expression, he was obviously thinking about some conspiracy.
"There are no other movements by the Jiangnan army?"
Li Chuyun replied: "Except for the Jinling Navy, which strengthened patrols, there were no other changes. However, that was just Lin Renzhao's arrangement. This person was indeed very wary of the imperial court.
As for Nanyue, as usual, there is no movement! "
In fact, as the imperial court prepares for war, it would be unrealistic if there is no response in the Jiangnan region. However, both Jiangnan and Southern Guangdong seemed to be very weak, and the monarchs of the two countries didn't seem to care much.
Of course, even if you care, you can't come up with any specific and powerful measures to deal with it. Most "drunk people" don't care and just live their lives.
Among the few people who were awake, most of them remained silent and waited for Master Wang to go south to unify.
There are even fewer people who still have some feelings for the two countries and are loyal to them. They try their best to appeal, but they are very powerless. The general trend is like this, no need to call for help!
"We must pay more attention to these armies and make timely adjustments!" Liu Chengyou ordered Li and Zhao, ending his trip to the Privy Council with these words.
In July of the fifteenth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty, thinking that the Empress Dowager Li was celebrating her birthday, once again sent an invitation to Li Yu, the leader of the Jiangnan Kingdom, to come to Beijing. However, he was declined again and only received a generous gift. This time, Emperor Liu seemed to be Extremely angry, the court denounced the Jinling envoy.
On August 10, there were rumors in Beijing that Jiangnan and Nanyue were colluding with each other and intending to betray the imperial court. The emperor became angry again and repeatedly talked about Jiangnan affairs in front of the courtiers. He was extremely angry.
On August 23, Li Gu, the envoy patrolling the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, sent a memorial, asking for peace in the south of the Yangtze River and staying in China without sending any troops.
In September, hundreds of people from Guangdong traveled thousands of miles to Beijing and were personally received by the emperor. From their mouths, Liu Chengyou learned about the stupidity and cruelty of Liu Yuan, the ruler of Southern Guangdong, and the suffering of the people living in Lingnan. He was deeply indignant and angrily denounced the ruler of Southern Guangdong for being unethical. He bluntly stated that he would send troops to conquer and save millions of people in Lingnan from hanging on their heads.
On September 11th, the Han Emperor officially issued an edict, appointing Li Gu, Duke of Ruyin County, as the general marshal of Pingnan and deploying all the troops in Jianghuai, commanding an army of 300,000 people to march south, and continue to take solid steps towards unifying the world.
