"What's the situation at the camp?" Liu Chengyou asked again after looking up at Zhang Quhua.
"Your Majesty, Shi Da Shi has reported that Wang Zhaoyuan returned from Liaonan and came to see you with an imperial edict. He has arrived in Yuncheng!" Zhang Quhua replied: "In addition, at the end of late spring, Henan Prefecture officials gathered in Licheng to take charge of the government. I have sent Mr. Li to report that Licheng has made preparations to welcome him, and he has been stationed in Liangshan for quite some time..."
"You've been wasting a lot of time here!" After hearing this, Emperor Liu nodded, looked at Xiao Fu who was still sitting next to him in an elegant manner, and asked with a smile: "Did you enjoy your trip to the fullest?"
From the looks of it, Xiao Fu was obviously dissatisfied, but she was not an ignorant woman. She smiled softly and said softly: "I've been staying for a long time, so I can't delay my trip, let alone national affairs!"
"Let's go back to the camp tomorrow morning, and the imperial driver will set off for Qizhou the day after tomorrow!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"yes!"
"You also sit down and eat some grilled fish!" Emperor Liu ordered Zhang Quhua, pointing to the fresh fish that was already grilled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Quhua immediately beamed with joy. The fish was an ordinary carp, and it wouldn't taste much better when grilled. However, it was caught by the emperor himself, and how many people in this world can enjoy it.
Although Zhang Quhua was arrogant, as a scholar-official under the monarchy system, he was naturally very honored to be so close to the emperor.
On the side, the Ninth Prince Liu Shu had already started chewing, and his mouth was covered in oil...
——————
"His Majesty has decreed that King Xuan Zhaoyuan has an audience!" In front of the imperial tent, Yan Tuo said with a proud face, looking at Wang Zhaoyuan who was waiting here, and said in a rough voice.
"Yes!" Wang Zhaoyuan accepted the order, straightened his neat clothes, and went inside to meet the king.
From Baima to Yuncheng, we drove for several days. When we arrived, Emperor Liu went down to the mountains, rivers and villages to enjoy himself. After waiting for two days, Emperor Liu finally returned. During this period of camp, Wang Zhaoyuan was inevitably a little nervous because the officials and guards accompanying him as envoy to the north were all called for questioning by Li Chongju, the military envoy. He really couldn't take such an action calmly.
Fortunately, as soon as Emperor Liu returned to camp, he called him to see him, without any intention of being indifferent, which comforted his heart a little.
When they entered the tent to pay homage, Emperor Liu's kind attitude gave Wang Zhaoyuan further reassurance. Also, with the heroic vision of today's emperor, how can he be deceived by the words of those jealous villains.
"I'm going to Khitan here, and I've been back since autumn was like spring. It took more than half a year. Thank you for your hard work, Wang Qing!" Emperor Liu said gently as Wang Zhaoyuan sat down.
"Your Majesty has made a serious statement. You have a mission and you should do your best to avoid falling into the power of the Chinese dynasty!" Wang Zhaoyuan said.
"After such a long time, you must have experienced a lot and gained a lot! How is the military and administration in the Khitan Kingdom?" Emperor Liu asked.
Emperor Liu was very concerned about the only powerful neighbor around the Han Dynasty, especially after being tempted by "Feng Chan" last time, he became more and more interested in taking action against the Liao Kingdom.
Speaking of which, as far as Emperor Liu is concerned, only the Liao Kingdom can make him persevere in his ambitions.
"Your Majesty, this time as the Northern Envoy, I have been staying in his country for a long time and have secretly observed its governance. I have to say that the Khitan is still a powerful enemy of the Han Dynasty and should not be underestimated!" Wang Zhaoyuan hesitated and cautiously tested.
To say this is to take risks. Today's civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty are no longer as afraid of the Khitan as they were in the past. Although it cannot be said to be contemptuous, few people say such words to make others' ambitions destroy their own prestige. .
"Yes!" Emperor Liu responded calmly and signaled to Wang Zhaoyuan: "Continue!"
"Your Majesty, since the Northern Expedition, the Liao Kingdom has been resting for eight full years. Now, its political situation is stable and people's livelihood is peaceful. Although there is no lack of turmoil in the four borders, it is a scabies disease and there is no need to worry about it.
In the Han-Liao War, the imperial army suffered heavy damage, but it has now been restored. The left and right Pishi troops maintain 30,000 cavalry all year round, and their heavy cavalry has also been re-established.
When I was in Linhuang Mansion, I was invited by the Lord of Liao to go on a military parade. I saw that his army was well-organized and well-equipped. Although it was not as refined as our Han army, it was still a strong army!
I heard that at the beginning of the defeat of the Han-Liao war, the Khitan was in constant civil strife and the people were in great hardship. Despite their meritorious service in civil and military affairs, the Lord of Liao had nothing to reward them. Now, you can also be rewarded with gold, silver, and horses..."
"It seems that eight years are enough for the Khitans to regain their strength!" Liu Chengyou said: "The cattle and horses in the Western Regions have made them very profitable!"
"Indeed!" Wang Zhaoyuan nodded: "However, when it comes to the accumulation of soldiers, horses, money and food, the Liao Kingdom cannot be compared with the Han Dynasty. If they accumulate a millet, the Han Dynasty can gather ten; if they recruit one soldier, the Han Dynasty can recruit ten; if they build one weapon , the Han Dynasty is also ten times more powerful. Therefore, the recovery of the Khitan is still not enough for the Han Dynasty! However, its military and political situation is running well, and the court cannot underestimate it!"
"Isn't this the advantage of a strong man? Your words are to the point!" Seeing that Wang Zhaoyuan was always careful when talking, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Zhaoyuan raised his hand and continued: "Last winter, Shiwei rebelled again. The Lord of Liao sent troops to attack him, and I followed him to watch the battle. The people of Shiwei are brave and not afraid of death, but they are still easy for him. To pacify it, it will be defeated in two battles!”
"I let you hunt with me, read with you, and fight with the army to suppress the rebellion, which fully demonstrates the reality of the country's military and political affairs. This Lord of Liao is actually calm and generous!" Emperor Liu said meaningfully.
Wang Zhaoyuan replied: "I think that the Lord of Liao is using the army to threaten me and wants to frighten our country!"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu said: "Since ancient times, the strong have dominated others with their power, while the weak have been humble and polite. What does the Lord of Liao mean?"
"I think that the Lord of Liao knows that his country is not strong enough to fight against the Han Dynasty, and is afraid of my plot, so he shows strength and increases the fear of our court!" Wang Zhaoyuan replied.
"Before I return to the capital, the Lord of Liao also prepared generous gifts and asked me to present them to His Majesty!"
"Did the Lord of Liao return gifts to me?" Emperor Liu became interested: "What are they? Are they some local products of cattle and horses?"
Wang Zhaoyuan said: "In addition to fine horses, white jade, mink fur and other items, there is also a golden scepter. It is said that it was crafted carefully by the master of the Liao Dynasty and the craftsmen of the Western Regions, spending a lot of money!"
While speaking, Yantuo offered it with both hands for Emperor Liu to inspect. I took it with my hand. It was quite heavy, with exquisite texture and gorgeous shape. At a glance, it was obvious that it was made by a skilled craftsman.
Stroking the gem on the top of the scepter, Emperor Liu placed it on the case and said with a chuckle: "First show her authority, and then combine it with generous gifts. This Yelujing is also interesting!"
Wang Zhaoyuan said: "The Lord of Liao asked his ministers to report to Your Majesty, saying that he wants to be friends with the Han Dynasty and live forever in a country of marriage and brothers..."
"Haha!" Emperor Liu smiled again and said calmly: "Unfortunately, I have no such intention! As long as Liaodong is in his hands, there will eventually be a battle between Han and Liao!"
Emperor Liu's tone was strong and confident, and he was so domineering that no one dared to look away. In the blink of an eye, Liu Chengyou asked again: "I heard that the Lord of Liao was fond of hunting and was addicted to killing and drinking. He often stayed up all night and couldn't stop trying to persuade him. How can the military and government be stable with such behavior?"
Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyuan also expressed some emotion: "Your Majesty, most of the people killed by the Lord of Liao were close servants and traitors in the country, so they did not disturb the officials and the people. As for the state affairs, there are a group of civil and military administrators, hunting and drinking, which does not affect its normal operation. , internal and external stability.”
He frowned slightly and said, "Every time I think about it, after the death of Yelu Wuzhi and Yelu Talie, there are still people in the Khitan who can serve the country? Who are the people in power in the Liao Kingdom now?"
"The three ministers Xiao Husi, Xiao Haili, Yelu Xianshi and the emperor's younger brother Yelu Bi will take photos!" Wang Zhaoyuan said.
Emperor Liu pondered for a while, and then he finally sighed: "I don't worry about the country's territory and military strength, but I worry about its internal and external stability and the unification of its military and government..."
