Since the Han and Liao sides negotiated peace again, the Han Dynasty has been busy mobilizing troops and horses and transporting grain and grass. The Liao Kingdom has not relaxed either and is also doing so at the same time. From a practical point of view, the Liao Kingdom has been preparing for the war for two years, and during the implementation process, it was not only for the Western Expedition, but also took the opportunity to integrate the tribal forces in the northwestern Liaoning region.
For a long time, since the core area of Liao's rule was in the eastern region, although the northern and northwest tribes surrendered and submitted to the rule, the Liao court's control over these areas was actually very weak. In particular, in the previous Han-Liao war, the Liao Kingdom suffered heavy losses, and the country suffered from civil strife and its national strength was greatly damaged.
The law of the jungle is the most basic principle of survival and interaction on the grassland. When the center of the Liao Kingdom was strong, they accepted the rule, paid taxes and tribute, and surrendered willingly. However, once there are signs of decline, the surrendered wolfdog will not hesitate to show its fangs and bite back.
Of course, as far as the Liao Kingdom is concerned, it has not reached that point. However, in the past few years, while Yelujing was busy fighting rebellions and calming down the people, the tribes in the northwest did tend to become centrifugal. In addition, there was a Taiping King named Yelu Sage, who took in his tribe there and had hidden ambitions.
In view of this, it is understandable that Yelujing made several expeditions to the west and strengthened the military strength in the northwestern Liaoning region. Moreover, he seemed to be very patient, doing everything step by step. In order to appease his younger brother Yelv Sage, Yelv Jing also specifically promised him that he would be the commander-in-chief and lead the army in the Western Expedition. After conquering the Western Regions, he would only need half of the wealth, and then officially seal the Western Regions and Jinshan area to him.
Yelu Sage believed Yelv Jing's promise and cooperated in recruiting soldiers. By the autumn of the fifteenth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, preparations for the Liao Kingdom's western expedition were basically complete. Twenty thousand soldiers were recruited from Dadan, Shiwei, Naiman and other tribes, plus 5,000 people sent from Shangjing, and The garrison troops in the northwest region, totaling more than 30,000 cavalry, are training intensively in Zhaozhou, east of Yanran Mountain.
Later, before swearing to fight, Yelu Sage was suddenly captured and escorted back to Linhuang Mansion. For the sake of the internal stability of the Liao Kingdom, Yelv Jing broke his promise. Later, amid Yelv Sage's complaints, Yelv Xiezhen, a rising star in the Liao royal family, was worshiped as the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition, in the name of recruiting envoys along the northwest route. , led the army to the west.
In terms of the time to mobilize troops, the Liao army had to wait before Emperor Liu issued an edict to Pingnan, and the troops mobilized were mainly from the northwest. Beggar-thy-neighbor and using war to divert domestic conflicts is a tried and tested method. Moreover, for Yelujing, it was a low-risk matter. If he won, he would plunder the Western Regions, promote his military might, boost his national strength, and consolidate his rule. Even if he failed, it would not have much impact on the rule of central and eastern Liao. On the contrary, it weakened the strength of the tribes in the northwest. And in the area that is the core of the rule, it still retains a certain degree of strength, which is enough to prepare for unexpected events.
Due to the distance and the blockade, it was already the end of September when the news of the Liao army's westward advance reached Lingzhou. When it reached Kaifeng, Pingnan's army was already on the southern battlefield, attacking the city and setting up a stronghold. Festival is victorious.
As for the westward advance of the Liao army, although Liu Chengyou was concerned about it, he was actually looking forward to it. After such a long time, no useful news came about its progress. When thinking of this, Emperor Liu felt it was particularly annoying when he saw the Uighurs occupying the Gansu area...
Everyone in the imperial court was already excited that the world was about to be unified, but Emperor Liu couldn't help but think about it. The West Sea has not yet been settled, and the Hexi River has not been restored. How can we talk about unification?
"If the Liao army invades the Western Region, it will inevitably cause turmoil, cut off communication between the east and west, and block trade routes. The situation must be reflected!" After thinking for a long time, Liu Chengyou ordered: "In the name of the Privy Council, write a letter to Chai Rong. Feng, let him pay close attention!"
"yes!"
"Zhao Qing, you have visited the northwest and are familiar with northwest affairs. Now that the Liao army has really launched its expedition, tell me, what impact will the Liao army's western expedition have on the Han Dynasty? How much of a threat will it pose to the northwest border?" Liu Chengyou Feeling worried, he asked Zhao Kuangyin.
Similar topics had been discussed by Liu Chengyou and his ministers before. When they were brought up again, Zhao Kuangyin's views became clearer and he said: "Your Majesty, I don't think you need to worry too much. The Western Region is three thousand miles away from our border, and the rebel army is in the middle. , Uighurs, even if they were defeated by them, it would be extremely difficult for them to threaten the Han border from west to east.
Furthermore, the Khitan's area of control, mainly Shangjing and Tokyo, is too remote. Thousands of miles separate the east and west sides. How can they invade the south together? Now that the Dahanguan Mountains are solid, even if it can cause some trouble, it is nothing more than scabies. disease.
In addition, due to the current situation in the northwest, Tubo was torn apart and all the tribes in Longxi were surrendered. Only the Dangjun Army and Party members were the only ones who could really be the patients, and they were now also firmly controlled by the imperial court. The imperial court has been operating in the northwest region for more than ten years. It has stabilized the people, supported the Rong, and strengthened the army. It has sufficient strength to maintain its stability.
Therefore, even if the Han Dynasty's northwest frontier defense was far from flawless, it would not be easy for the Liao Kingdom to make a major breakthrough from the northwest if the imperial court was prepared! "
"Is Zhao Qing's words trying to reassure me?" After listening to his comments, Liu Chengyou showed a relieved smile and asked Zhao Kuangyin.
"I'm just answering according to the situation!" After hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyin cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, when the south is pacified, the land and people are exhausted, and a land with abundant finance and taxation is obtained, then with the great national power and military strength of the Han Dynasty, Beigu Guanshan , controlling Heshuo in the west, how can the Khitan really threaten the Han Dynasty even though the Khitan is so big? In contrast, it is the Khitan who need to worry more about their safety. How can China be so strong that it allows Beidi to run rampant? The Huns of the Han Dynasty, the Sui and Tang Dynasties The Turks are a lesson to them!"
There was a strong sense of confidence in Zhao Kuangyin's words. When Liu Chengyou heard this, he felt a sense of surprise. After thinking about it for a while, his eyes shone brightly and he said with emotion: "What Qing Zhao said is very reasonable! I should have changed my inherent ideas long ago. After so many years, the country has become rich." With strong troops, the countries in the south and Guanshan in the north should be confident enough to face any challenge!"
...
Liu Chengyou left the Privy Council in a happy mood and went straight to Guangzheng Hall. He had received instructions in advance. A group of Zhongshu ministers, headed by Prime Minister Wei Renpu, were already waiting.
After entering the palace and taking a seat, he looked around. As usual, Emperor Liu said without any nonsense: "I just came from the Privy Council. The Jiangnan and Jiangxi areas have been completely occupied. During the Lingnan War, only a few barbarian states in Guangxi have not yet been recovered. It can be said that the war in Jiangnan and Lingnan has completely entered the final and consolidation stage.
The military mission has almost been completed. Next, it depends on the princes how to appease him and make him fully come under the rule of the imperial court! There are more than 60 state armies in Jiangnan and Lingnan. They are almost like Sichuan and Shu. Moreover, the territory is long and narrow, and the people's sentiments are more complicated than those in Sichuan and Shu. It is a big challenge to achieve security! "
After Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Wei Renpu, as the Prime Minister, took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I and other officials have drafted several rough strategies to deal with the situation in Jiangnan and Lingnan. Please take a look at it!"
After signaling, Sun Yanjun hurriedly stepped forward to take it and bowed to present it to Emperor Liu. In fact, after conquering Jingnan, Hunan, and Sichuan and Shu, the imperial court was already very experienced in how to accept states and counties and stabilize the people and govern their affairs. Since there are precedents to follow, it is not particularly difficult to do it. As long as the macro is controlled well and the specific implementation stage is implemented, the execution ability of the current big Han bureaucracy is still worthy of trust.
As for Wei Renpu's plan, there is indeed nothing new in it. For example, retaining old officials, transferring officials from the north to the south, promoting the Han system, promulgating Han laws, abolishing miscellaneous taxes, etc. are all things that can be followed by experience. The original policies of the Sichuan-Sichuan region now only need to be transferred over and slightly changed. Of course, each place has its own particularities, but the general direction is the same.
Therefore, Liu Chengyou directly expressed his approval of the provisions proposed by Wei Renpu: "It can be promulgated according to this!"
"yes!"
Of course, when Liu Chengyou summoned the important ministers, he did not just follow this process. He straightened his body and said lightly: "I heard that there are many nobles and local tyrants in Jiangnan. I intend to select the tyrants to enrich the states!"
