When Li Yu was devastated in the Jinling Palace, Qian Hongchu, the King of Wuyue whom he was thinking about, was also facing a difficult choice. Of course, the decision was difficult, but it was just ambivalence. He had already made a decision to understand the current affairs. It's just that when things come to an end, I can't help but feel uneasy.
Qian Hongchu had already had a premonition after he came south from Tao Guchijie, the prime minister, and stayed there for a long time. Now, as expected, the imperial court's plan to level the South was not only to have the Wu and Yue armies cooperate from the southeast, but more importantly, to cooperate with the imperial navy's landing to strengthen its military strength.
After all, judging from the results of previous battles, the Wu and Yue armies alone cannot achieve a breakthrough. Although there are various factors involved, if the imperial army is allowed to come from the sea, Qian Hongchu will have to go there. On the other hand, I think the imperial court Pingnan is planning to pacify Wu Yue as well?
The mood is extremely contradictory, but if this is really the case, Qian Hongchu has other options, and does he dare to have other ideas?
At the mouth of the Qiantang River, the sea tides rise and fall. After entering September, the spectacular swells of the sea have disappeared. On both sides of the bay, there are no lively scenes of thousands of people gathering to watch the tides.
In Hangzhou Bay, late autumn was already deep. Standing on the pier, looking at the majestic autumn waves, Qian Hongchu sighed again. Along with Qian Hongchu, there are also some Wuyue clan and civil and military officials, plus more than a thousand guards. The scene is solemn and solemn, with high standards. However, the center of the crowd does not seem to be Qian Hongchu, but standing there. The imperial envoy beside him, Tao Gu.
"Why is the king sighing?" Tao Gu, who was dressed in purple, was bored and asked with a smile when he heard the voice.
"I'm just watching the ebb and flow of the tide and getting emotional!" Glancing at Tao Gu, Qian Hongchu responded calmly, his tone neither salty nor light.
Qian Hongchu was actually very unhappy with Tao Gu. This old man liked to rely on his elders and act like he was old, and he manipulated everything and put on airs. However, after all, he is a minister of the Han Dynasty and an envoy of the emperor. He has the emperor's mandate, so he has to be patient.
Sensing Qian Hongchu's slightly repulsive tone, Tao Gu was also a little embarrassed and frustrated. Similarly, Tao Gu did not dare to offend the King of Wuyue too much. After all, the Wuyue Kingdom still held considerable weight in the southeast corner.
He pretended to be powerful, to show off his prestige and enhance his sense of existence, just to satisfy his own vanity, but if it delayed the emperor's important events, Tao Gu would not have the courage.
After thinking about it, a smile appeared on Mr. Tao Gu's face and he said: "King Lao has come to greet you in person. Your Majesty is very loyal to the court. You can tell the sun and the moon. When I return to the court, I will definitely report the truth to your majesty!"
Tao Gu was such a person, he was arrogant at first and respectful at the back, which was a bit disgusting. Reaching out to avoid hitting the smiling man, Qian Hongchu felt Tao Gu's change, his expression softened a little, and he responded: "Thank you very much, Tao Gong for your kind words!"
During Tao Gu's mission to Hangzhou as an envoy, his life was very prosperous. The mission sent by the emperor was actually not difficult. Although there was some controversy over the landing of the army, he did not dare to refuse it after all. The remaining days allowed Tao Gu to enjoy the scenery of Wuyue.
During the fifteen or six years of Qian Hongchu's rule, the states under Wu Yue's jurisdiction enjoyed political stability, people's livelihood was peaceful, and the economy was prosperous, which can be called a state of governance. Tao Gu also took the opportunity to have a look. Even though this old man was nearly sixty years old, he still had good energy and appetite. He was willing to accept delicious food and beauties...
Beside Qian Hongchu, there is an old man, dressed in rich clothes and holding a cane in his hand. Although he is old, he is upright and has an extraordinary appearance. This man's name was Yuan Dezhao, and he was the prime minister of the Wuyue Kingdom. He was resourceful, saw the situation clearly, and was a moral model. He had high prestige and was deeply trusted by the Qian family.
However, looking at Tao Gu at this moment, Yuan Dezhao couldn't help but feel contempt in his heart. The emperor of Han Dynasty, who was so powerful in the world, actually used such a villain as his prime minister. Well, because of Tao Gu, Yuan Dezhao's inner evaluation of Emperor Liu couldn't help but lower a bit...
Following the observing soldiers, they rode their horses to report. They didn't wait too long. Looking around, a fleet of ships appeared on the horizon. Tall ships and giant ships came from far and near, breaking through the waves. This was a huge fleet, with more than two hundred warships, basically large warships. The main force of the Han navy was led by Guo Tingwei, the commander of the Jing Navy. .
After the Pingnan edict was issued, the navy, which had long been ready to go, set off from Mizhou Port under the leadership of Guo Tingwei. This time the army moved south by sea and landed at Hangzhou Bay. In addition to realizing the strategic intention of outflanking the enemy from behind and cooperating with the Jianghuai army to defeat Jinling, it also had the intention of continuing to train the navy's ability to deploy troops by sea.
Compared with the small test of attacking the Liao Dynasty from the sea, this time more troops were used, the warships were larger, and the sailing distance was farther. The accumulation of experience in sea navigation was also huge.
Of course, the most important purpose lies in the Wu Yue issue. Once the imperial army entered Wuyue territory, how things would develop and how the situation would change was beyond Qian's control.
To send troops to pacify the south, what needs to be pacified is the entire south. This is the goal Liu Chengyou set from the beginning. He will not leave any tail behind and sweep it all away at once.
It took half a day's work for the warship to dock. The landing of the imperial troops from the south was completed. Wu Yue did a good job in welcoming the army. A clean and tidy camp had been set up long ago, and the reward materials were all arranged properly. Province Guo Tingwei learned many things.
This time, there were a total of 30,000 troops following Guo Tingwei south, 60% of which were naval troops and sailors, and the rest were other local troops, which can be described as a combination of water and land. Perhaps in order to dispel the concerns of the Wu and Yue civil and military forces and appease their hearts, Guo Tingwei strictly restrained his officers and soldiers and did not allow Han troops to enter the city.
Such a move was indeed of goodwill, but with tens of thousands of troops coming south, how could they feel at ease. At night, Qian Hongchu held a banquet in the Wuyue Palace to entertain the Han generals from the south. As for Guo Tingwei, he arranged military affairs and gave explanations to his generals before leading a group of guards into the city for the banquet.
In the autumn night, the cool breeze penetrated the bones. In front of the Wuyue Palace, Tao Gu arrived early and waited. It wasn't until Guo Tingwei came on horseback that he got off the car and said hello.
"Why bother Mr. Tao to welcome me?" Regarding the prime minister, Guo Tingwei still showed humility and courtesy.
Tao Gu was very satisfied with his attitude and said with a smile: "This time Pingnan, we have to rely on generals like General Guo who are good at fighting. I am just an old man, so I should do it!"
Seeing Tao Gu's politeness, Guo Tingwei breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the old man and asked, "Ms. Tao is waiting here. Do you have anything to say?"
"General Guo is really smart!" Tao Gu nodded and said, "General, do you know that your Majesty asked you to lead the army through Hangzhou for what purpose?"
After hearing his question, Guo Tingwei thought for a moment and said, "Do you really want to seize Wu Yue?"
Seeing Guo Tingwei frowning, Tao Gu chuckled and said, "Why, does General Guo have any objections?"
Guo Tingwei hurriedly said: "The general just feels that the first priority right now is to cooperate with the frontal army to destroy Jiangnan. The matter of Wu and Yue is not urgent!"
"General Guo is really knowledgeable and knows the importance!" Tao Gu said: "Your Majesty means the same thing! The general's approach is very good, and it greatly dispels the concerns of the Wu and Yue ministers!"
"Why, they still dare to oppose the imperial court?" Guo Tingwei frowned, his expression slightly surprised.
Tao Gu said quietly: "After all, the Qian family is based in Jiangsu and Zhejiang and has conquered the country for decades. If they want to confiscate their states, counties, land, and people, no one will be willing to part with it. Your Majesty has also said this. , that’s understandable!”
"What does Tao Xianggong mean?" Guo Tingwei asked with his expression softening.
Tao Gu, as an envoy of the emperor, stayed in Hangzhou to provide communication and support. Guo Tingwei did not dare to look down upon or offend this old man, and he also wanted to listen to his opinions.
"The King of Wuyue is very aware of current affairs. Even though he is worried about it, he dare not disobey His Majesty and the court!" Tao Gu said calmly: "This time he goes north to attack Chang Run, he will do his best to support it. In this regard, I am still sure.
This time, the King of Wuyue gathered 20,000 navy and army troops to join the battle. What the general needs to do is to seize the opportunity to control the Wuyue army while fighting north. By then, when Jinling is destroyed, maybe the King of Wuyue can follow me into the army. Beijing.
In addition, the officers and soldiers are extremely restrained, military discipline is strictly enforced, and the people of Wuyue are not allowed to be violated! "
"yes!"
