Privy Council, military engine room.
On the huge map, the military situation in the north of the Han Dynasty was clearly outlined. Emperor Liu and the important civil and military ministers were present, listening to the privy envoy Shi Shouxin explaining the strategy of the Northern Expedition.
Emperor Liu was leaning slightly on a dragon chair, his face expressionless, just looking straight at the map. All around, Liu Yang, Liu Chengxun, Liu Xu, Zhao Pu, Song Qi, Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun, Zhao Kuangyin, Han Tong, Pan Mei, Cao Bin and others were standing or standing, all with serious expressions and concentration.
"Your Majesty, the British Lord wants to see you!" Zhang Yong, a scholar from the Privy Council, came to report.
Hearing this, Emperor Liu was slightly surprised, sat upright, and ordered: "Go and welcome the Young Master in!"
"Slow down!" After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu said again: "I will go there myself!"
At this point, the ministers present were somewhat surprised, not only because of Emperor Liu's rare demotion to welcome him in person, but also because the British Duke Chai Rong has gradually faded out of the court and has the intention of retiring. In the past year, more and more people have He lives in a mansion to recuperate from illness, with few outings.
Obviously, the Northern Expedition shocked the government and the public, and even Duke Chai Yingying, who was ill at home, was shocked.
In front of the main hall, Chai Rong stood in a rickety posture. Although he tried hard to straighten his waist, he always gave people a feeling of weakness. The British prince, who was so majestic and heroic back then, is now so late.
As soon as Emperor Liu left the hall, he saw Chai Rong's figure, and there was an obvious pause in his steps. Chai Rong is now in his fifties, which is not too old at this age. However, his hair is white and his temples are stained, his face is sickly, and his body is extremely weak.
"I see your Majesty!" Chai Rong immediately wanted to salute Emperor Liu when he saw him.
Emperor Liu quickly walked down the stairs and supported him vigorously: "Quickly excuse me!"
"How can I be so virtuous that I dare not accept your Majesty's gift of lowering my rank?" Chai Rong's voice was filled with age.
"Stop saying that!" Emperor Liu said with some concern: "I knew you were not in good health, so I didn't order anyone to bother you. If you are sick, just rest and recuperate. Why go to the palace in person..."
Although Chai Rong was not feeling well, his ambition was still high. A smile appeared on his pale face and he replied: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! Although I am old and suffering from illnesses, the Northern Expedition is a big one. Even if I can no longer carry weapons and horses to fight on the battlefield, I can still do it." I am willing to make some plans for Your Majesty! It is also my wish to conquer the Khitan in the north and conquer the Great Wall!"
"Okay!" Emperor Liu laughed several times. Among all the people in the court, the person who best suited Emperor Liu's temperament had to be Chai Rong. He took his hand and walked to the Privy Council. When Emperor Liu arrived: "Let you and I Your Majesty and your ministers, plan your strategies and watch the great men of the Han Dynasty make great achievements in the Northern Expedition!"
"Yes!" Chai Rong respectfully got rid of Emperor Liu and bowed solemnly.
It can also be heard from Emperor Liu's words that he has no plans to conduct the Northern Expedition himself.
Seeing that Chai Rong was a little shaky, Emperor Liu frowned, waved to Yan Tuo, and ordered: "Tell Shang Jin Bureau to make a dragon-headed crutch and give it to the British Duke to help him walk!"
"Your Majesty, I don't dare to be a minister!" Hearing this, Mr. Chai Rong said seriously with a little surprise on his face.
Emperor Liu smiled gently: "I say you deserve it. Don't mention anything else, it's just a crutch!"
Entering the hall hand in hand with Chai Rong, Emperor Liu said softly: "When I returned to the capital, I learned that Duke Yu was also ill. You are not only important ministers of the Han Dynasty, but also my good teachers and friends. The Han Dynasty has not yet reached its strongest period. There will be a brighter future, so you should take care of yourself and accompany me to see the day when the barbarians surrender to He Qing Haiyan, and accompany me to witness the glory of the Han Dynasty!"
"I firmly believe that day is not far away. If I can witness it with my own eyes, I will have no regrets in this life!" Chai Rong said.
"How old is your Shiro Zongxun?" Emperor Liu asked.
"Your Majesty, I'm almost eighteen!" Chai Rong responded.
Emperor Liu said: "I have a young daughter in my family who is about the same age. Do you still remember the agreement we made back then? I have not forgotten it. You, take him into the palace someday and show him to the queen..."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chai Rong said quickly.
The ministers who accompanied Emperor Liu out could not help but express emotion and envy when they saw the British prince being supported by the emperor himself and having a close conversation.
Returning to the military machine room, Emperor Liu asked Chai Rong to sit down, then he took a short stool and motioned to Shi Shouxin: "Continue!"
"Yes!" After answering the order, Shi Shouxin's face was full of seriousness, and then he continued to explain:
"The border between Han and Liao stretches for thousands of miles, which is too long. I believe that if this Northern Expedition were to launch a full-scale attack, it would be impossible to defeat and eliminate the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop, even with the current national and military strength of the Han Dynasty!
Therefore, I suggest that if you send out troops, you don't need to be too big and too comprehensive, but you should be more focused. Instead of seeking a quick victory, you should give full play to the advantages of the Han Dynasty in national power, military power, and manpower, attack steadily, and gradually defeat it... "
After listening to what he said, Han Tong couldn't help but raised an objection: "The Liao Kingdom has thousands of miles of grassland and endless wilderness. If we follow the words of Prime Minister Shi and advance steadily, then after leaving the fortress, how long and what month will we fight? What if the Liao army avoids it? If we do not fight and adopt delaying tactics, our army will not be able to fight. How can we not waste our national strength in vain, and if there is a slight mistake, the army will be put in danger?"
With the current strength of the Han Dynasty, the generals also have an idea of the strength and weakness of the two countries, and they are confident. In a head-on confrontation, the Han Dynasty will not only crush the Liao army, but it will definitely have the advantage. However, the most worrying thing about fighting outside the Great Wall is that the logistics line is stretched, the transportation of grain and grass is unfavorable, and the Liao army avoids fighting.
Regarding Han Tong's question, Shi Shouxin smiled lightly and responded: "The key to this Northern Expedition is not to fight outside the fortress!"
After looking at Emperor Liu, Shi Shouxin said calmly: "No matter how vast the territory of the Liao Kingdom is, it has several places that must be defended! One is Linhuang Mansion in Beijing, and the other is Liaoyang Mansion in Tokyo.
Shangjing is far to the north of the Great Wall, with high mountains and long roads, making it inconvenient for a rash expedition. However, Liaoyang is not the case. It is the capital of Liaodong and the Bohai Sea. It is also the foundation of the Liao Kingdom's development and growth over the past few years. It has a relatively large population and most of the money, grain, and taxes are spent. This place is my hometown in China.
Therefore, I believe that if the army marches eastward, captures Liaodong, seizes Liaoyang, and then uses this as a basis to continue to attack the northeast, it will be a major blow to the Liao Kingdom.
If we attack the places they must defend, we will not be afraid of them avoiding battle. For our army, we can also attack cities and strongholds more calmly..."
After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu smiled slightly and looked at Chai Rong: "What do you think of this strategy?"
Chai Rong listened carefully and thought seriously. After hearing the question, he nodded and said: "It is indeed too difficult to conquer the Liao Kingdom in one battle. If you attack it, you must defend it. This is a good strategy! Put the attack target I think there is no problem in choosing Liaodong!"
"What do you think?" Emperor Liu looked at the others again.
They were all generals who were accustomed to fighting and had rich battlefield experience. Gao Huaide and Zhao Kuangyin had participated in the war against Liao. Therefore, they also expressed support for the idea of mainly fighting in Liaodong.
Song Qi stood up and pointed out: "Your Majesty, Liaodong is also remote and separated by mountains. Moreover, the Liao Kingdom has been in operation for a long time and has a deep foundation. If the strong city resists, it will still be difficult to obtain it! Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty marched to the east and Yin Jian was ahead. , Your Majesty, please give me more review!”
Although Song Qi held a conservative attitude toward the Northern Expedition, Emperor Liu reached a consensus after a frank exchange with him. Otherwise, he would not be allowed to participate in this military meeting.
However, his thoughts and words were still so concerned with gains and losses, which really annoyed Emperor Liu. Looking at his serious face, Emperor Liu couldn't help but said: "Song Qi, you are comparing me to Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty!"
"I made a mistake! Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Hearing this, Song Qi's expression changed, and she realized that what she said was inappropriate, so she hurriedly apologized.
"That's all!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said: "I know that you are devoted to the country and you are mature. However, I am not Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, and I am not so happy with great achievements and not based on reality. In the conquests of Liaodong in the past dynasties, there were victories and losses. , but the big man can make full preparations, and I will not make the same mistake as Emperor Yang of Sui!"
"Yes!" Song Qi replied with her head buried in her chest.
Emperor Liu naturally approved of the Northern Expedition strategy drawn up by the Privy Council. The key was that it had key points. Of course Emperor Liu wanted to swallow the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop and sweep across northern Xinjiang, but he also knew in his heart that this was unrealistic.
Therefore, it is possible to launch a large-scale Northern Expedition, but it is not necessary to attack on all fronts. Emperor Liu never regarded war as a child's play. If there was a big war between Han and Liao, Emperor Liu would also choose the goal and method with the highest victory rate for the Han Dynasty.
To destroy Liao, we have to do it step by step, first remove its head and tail, and Liaodong is its head. It is much safer to concentrate our strength, behead it, then divide its body, and kill it calmly.
After so many years of in-depth understanding, Emperor Liu knew very well how important the Northeast region was to the Liao Kingdom. This was also the basis for its sinicization and maintaining the current Hu-Han division.
Destroying Liaodong would mean cutting off its foundation, and it would also be the beginning of the collapse of the Khitan Liao Empire. Emperor Liu had a very clear understanding of this.
In a war, especially a full-scale war between two empires, how could Emperor Liu mess around? He had clear goals and priorities, and he could handle it clearly!
