In the original plan of Emperor Liu and the senior Han officials, the empire would have to spend at least three years adjusting its national policies, sorting out its internal affairs, achieving true unification of the north and the south, and repairing the rifts caused over half a century.
In this process, domestic affairs are the focus. Regarding peripheral affairs, we should hold back for the time being and maintain the current situation. As for the use of foreign troops, we should be even more cautious.
However, the development of things often does not depend on human will. In just one year, it deviated from the original planned route. Of course, similar situations have happened more than once since Emperor Liu ascended the throne. Therefore, although there are some scruples in adjusting the strategy in a timely manner, it cannot affect the final decision.
With the exception of Dou Yi, most of the ministers and ministers agreed with the strategy of launching the westward expansion. Dou Yi was somewhat stubborn in that he stubbornly believed that national policy should not be changed lightly.
Of course, the objection is invalid. All along, when Emperor Liu made up his mind to do something, few people could stop him. In terms of military and national affairs, no one had ever successfully dissuaded him. What's more, this time, he received the support of Wei Renpu, Zhao Kuangyin, Li Chuyun and other important ministers.
Regarding the current push to the west, it is no secret that it was affected by the situation in the Western Regions. Emperor Liu certainly hoped that the Liao army would be trapped in the quagmire of the Western Regions, unable to extricate itself, and even confront the Black Khan dynasty. However, if he sat back and watched success or failure, he would be trapped in passivity.
Judging from the previous battles, the Liao army has achieved brilliant results in the Western Regions, and through some detailed operations in the north and news from spies, a large amount of wealth, livestock, and slaves have been transferred eastward and returned to the Khitan domestic. Emperor Yelujing of the Liao Dynasty also went on several expeditions to the west. In name, he was patrolling and hunting, but in fact, he was supporting the Liao army in the western expedition and enjoying the fruits of victory.
The most obvious change in the Liao Kingdom in the past two years is that the center of gravity of rule seems to be moving westward, with increased attention and emphasis on the grasslands. This is probably also the impact of the Western Expedition.
For the Han Dynasty, it was very uncomfortable to be unable to influence the situation in the Western Region. What's even more worrying is that if the Liao Kingdom finally conquers the Western Regions, but the Han Dynasty does nothing, and Hexi remains unresolved, the situation in the northwest of the Han Dynasty will not be optimistic.
Regardless of the conclusive words of the envoy Pule, who said that the Uighur monarchs and ministers were determined to resist, the Uighurs still had strength, and the people of Xizhou deeply hated the Khitans, but judging from their previous performance, Emperor Liu had no confidence in their ability to withstand the Liao army's annexation. confidence.
The Uighurs in Ganzhou are an obstacle, and the problem between the Disaster Reconnaissance Army and the Party members has not been resolved. If these three parties eventually get together, there is a risk of corruption in the northwest.
Therefore, the situation has developed to the current point, with the Guiyi army coming to attack, and the westward march being the military's aspiration, Emperor Liu has no chance of giving up.
As for the Ganzhou Uighurs, although the two sides still maintain "friendly exchanges," signs from all aspects show that the honeymoon period between the two countries has passed, starting from the unification of the south by the Han Dynasty.
In the second year of Kaibao (964), the first month of the dynasty was the same as before. Emperor Liu sat in the Dragon Court, accepting congratulations from ministers and envoys from various countries, as well as reports from various states.
After the disbandment of the dynasty, Emperor Liu did not even change his crown uniform, so he summoned Wei Renpu, Wang Pu, and Zhao Kuangyin to the Privy Council.
The monarchs and ministers sat down, and after serving tea, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and signaled directly to Li Chuyun: "Let me tell you how to arrange the military arrangements for the westward march!"
"Yes!" Li Chuyun was not polite. After many years of serving as prime minister, Li Chuyun has become more and more comfortable. His weak status and qualifications have no longer become his criticized shortcomings over time.
Two subordinate officials pushed the entire map of Hexi into the hall, compared it with the map, and reported: "Your Majesty, gentlemen! After discussion in the Privy Council and considering the situation of the Uighurs in Ganzhou, we thought that to recover Hexi, there was no need to send large troops. Just move away from the teacher.
It was initially planned to focus on the three prefectures of Lanzhou, Liang, and Ling as well as the garrison soldiers, and then recruit 5,000 Tibetan and Qiang cavalry, and a total of 20,000 cavalry to march westward and capture Ganzhou, and then use the rebel troops to march eastward to Suzhou , the east and west move forward, attacking from both sides! "
"Twenty thousand infantry and cavalry!" Emperor Liu pondered and asked, "Is the army weak? After all, there are two to three hundred thousand Uighurs!"
Emperor Liu had always used troops to suppress the situation, and it was often quite effective, so that he didn't use troops much anymore, but it was a bit unreliable.
Feeling the emperor's concerns, Li Chuyun said: "Although there are many Uighurs in Ganzhou, they are not united. Many of their tribes have contacts with the imperial court. And the people they rely on are only Jiedan, Ganzhou and Suzhou. There is not enough room for detours, so as long as we focus on the key points and command well, 20,000 paces of cavalry will be enough!"
"The Liao army with 20,000 to 30,000 horsemen can defeat the Western Regions like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves. Our Han army can also successfully conquer Gansu!" Li Chuyun said confidently in a calm tone.
"It is better to send more troops and horses from Longyou and Guan Nei to strengthen the defense of the border states to complete the strategy!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.
Obviously, Emperor Liu was still a little uneasy. In response, Li Chuyun could only bow his head and obey: "Yes!"
"In addition, in order to ensure that the east and west troops and horses cooperate properly, the imperial court should send people to take over the troops and command the Guiyi Army under unified command!" Li Chuyun said.
"This is natural!" Emperor Liu said with certainty: "Since the Guiyi Army has come to attach itself, the court should also send people to accept it. In this way, the Ministry of Personnel will select a group of officials, and the Privy Council will select a group of officers to return to the west together with Cao Yuangong to take over. Military government!”
"yes!"
"Who will go to Guasha and reorganize into the rebel army?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Li Chuyun obviously had something in mind and said: "Hexi Deputy Military Envoy Yang Tingzhang can be entrusted with an important task!"
Who is Yang Tingzhang? He is the brother-in-law of Guo Wei, Duke of Xing. Of course, just because of this relationship, it is not enough to entrust him with important tasks. He is cautious, steady and tolerant. Perhaps the commanding generals may be lacking, but the imperial court does not need him to lead the Guiyi army to sweep across Gansu. What it wants is just a containment effect.
And what the Guiyi Army needs is not the kind of generals who can fight and kill. Therefore, after a moment's consideration, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Then Yang Tingzhang will be appointed as the inspection envoy of Guasha, and Lu Duoxun will be appointed as the pacification envoy of Guasha. They will go to Dunhuang to take up their posts together, convey the decree, and integrate the military and political affairs of the rebel army. !”
"yes!"
The Privy Council is still the same as before. It is only responsible for general affairs and arrangements. It does not mention specific tactical issues. These need to be considered by the generals who command the army. As for the imperial court, it is only responsible for troops, money, food, and ordnance. of deployment.
"Do you have anything else to add?" Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu and Zhao Kuangyin.
Wei Renpu thought for a while and responded: "Your Majesty, the Uighurs from Xizhou have come to ask for help. I think I can take advantage of this matter to prepare for war in the name of sending troops to the Western Regions for rescue, lower the vigilance of the Uighurs from Ganzhou, and send envoys to discuss with the Uighur Khan. Tao matters."
"Okay!" Emperor Liu immediately beamed and thought this was a good idea: "Do it this way!"
Zhao Kuangyin also spoke and reminded: "Your Majesty, if the army is about to launch, then the border defense affairs in the northwest will inevitably be affected and loopholes will occur. We must be careful with the troops to prevent unexpected events!"
"Be prepared for any danger. We must control the troops and horses of Feng, Yan, and Yanzhou. During the westward march, we must be more vigilant and strictly observe law and order!" Liu Chengyou said directly to Li Chuyun.
The monarch and his ministers also discussed some details that the court should pay attention to in the westward march. After this, the Han Dynasty's action to regain the Hexi Corridor was officially decided.
There was no clear edict, but a confidential military order was issued. The commander of the westward march was the British Gong Chai Rong. His military position was Hexi Recruitment Envoy. Wang Yan was promoted to deputy envoy. Wu Tingzuo was the governor and grain envoy, assisted by Guo Jin and Kang. Zaiyu, Chen Wantong and other generals.
On the first day of the first lunar month of the second year of Kaibao, many people did not expect that in the Han Palace, Emperor Liu held a night banquet with his ministers with a smile. When the emperor and his ministers celebrated the New Year, official cavalry galloped on the post road from Tokyo to Liangzhou, Carrying the imperial edict to advance westward, it was quickly conveyed.
The situation in the northwest that had been peaceful for many years was broken. This day came much earlier than many people expected.
