Cao Bin had no choice but to be a bad guy, basically ruining the family banquet prepared by Emperor Liu for Liu Yang and Liu Xu. He did not return to the banquet. Later, the two brothers Liu Yang were summoned one after another, and Emperor Liu was no longer the head of the family. , the family dinner was naturally boring and quickly dispersed.
Nominally, citing the urgent military situation and border emergency, Emperor Liu once again issued a hush-hush order regarding the matter in Mobei, threatening those who knew about it almost viciously.
Emperor Liu still didn't want the queen and the concubine to know about this matter until there was no result. It would only make them more worried and sad, and it would also be a hindrance for him. At the moment, he really didn't have more energy to comfort them. A mother who may have lost her child.
Of course, deep down, I still regret sending the two brothers Liu Fang and Liu Min to the battlefield to practice, but I just won't show it.
In the early morning, before daybreak, while walking in the garden, there were already servants braving the autumn cold, diligently cleaning the fallen leaves that had drifted overnight. The sound of "rustling" was very ear-splitting.
In the greenhouse, Emperor Liu's cold seemed to have worsened a bit. Coupled with a sleepless night, his condition was extremely poor. The bags under his eyes were deep and his face no longer looked healthy.
However, he did not stay in bed. Instead, he called brothers Liu Yang and Liu Xu to have breakfast together. It's very light, porridge and vegetables, except for the pancakes, there's not much oiliness. However, the father and son ate quite deliciously. The imperial chef's superb skills allowed him to make some variations of even the simplest ingredients, so the taste would not be bad.
The sound of chewing finally stopped, and seeing Emperor Liu starting to wipe his mouth, the Liu Yang brothers also put down their chopsticks and tidied up their appearance. Brothers Liang, they obviously didn't sleep well last night, and there's no need to elaborate on the reason.
"Originally, I still intended to let you stay for two more days, but the current state of affairs is urgent, and I can't care about personal affairs!" Looking up at the two brothers, Emperor Liu said: "This breakfast is just for you two. Practice it!”
Liu Yang stood up, followed by Liu Xu, and they all bowed: "State affairs come first, please give me your orders!"
Naturally, arrangements should be made for Liu Yang first. Emperor Liu said directly: "You can return to Liaodong to make comprehensive preparations for the withdrawal of troops. Make preparations and coordinate in place! Select 30,000 elites and evacuate to Yanshan for rest first!"
"Yes!" Of course Liu Yang understood Emperor Liu's plan. This was also to mobilize troops to deal with the Liao army going south to attack the border. Even if they may not be able to catch up with the emergency, they should strengthen their mobile strength and make more adequate preparations.
"If I am committed to withdrawing the troops, I am afraid that I will be unable to handle the civil affairs and relief affairs in Liaodong. I hope the imperial court can send an important minister to coordinate the government affairs in Liaodong and preside over the follow-up comfort matters!" Liu Yang took the initiative to suggest.
Emperor Liu also knew this. It was already rare for Liu Yang to be able to achieve what he was doing now. If he were to add another burden, it would be too much. Although there are some talented staff around him, there are none who can coordinate the affairs. After all, they lack experience.
"Do you have a favorite candidate?" Emperor Liu asked.
Liu Yang thought for a while and said: "At the moment in Liaodong, only the camp transfer envoy Han Hui can be expected to be enough. However, he is in charge of the military transfer affairs and it seems that it is not easy to transfer him!"
"Han Hui can't do it!" Sure enough, Emperor Liu refused directly: "It's easy to find a Liaodong chief officer, but it's difficult to find someone who can replace Han Hui and ensure the stable operation of military material deployment!"
After thinking about it, Emperor Liu said directly: "Take Song Xiong with you. The civil affairs of Liaodong can be handed over to him!"
"yes!"
Song Xiong was a famous minister known as the "Second Song Dynasty" together with Prime Minister Song Qi. They were both core members of the original Yanjun system. Zhao Kuangzan, King of Dongping, was an effective minister.
After the imperial court took over Youyan, although a large number of the original Yan army's civil and military forces were split, they were basically properly placed, and talents like the Second Song Dynasty were reused.
Song Qi's political achievements after taking office in Shanyang skyrocketed, she was promoted to the central government, and she became the prime minister. This almost broke Emperor Liu's prejudice and suspicion against the deep-rooted "Yan clan".
Although Song Xiong's official career was not as open and broad as Song Qi's, he had always been a local official and played a great role in assisting the imperial court in taking over and digesting Yanshan Prefecture and County.
Nowadays, he is still the important inspector of Yanshan. With this transfer, the chief official who stepped in has finally passed.
Although Liaodong is remote and broken, and the war is still ongoing, this is the place where achievements can be made. Song Qi's resume and achievements are the best goals.
Even if he couldn't be favored by Emperor Liu like Song Qi, become a prime minister, be transferred to the capital, and serve as the chief of the department, there was still a chance. But the premise is that you have to do well and achieve results.
"Compared with advancing, we need to be more careful when withdrawing troops. We must be cautious and pay special attention to the morale of the soldiers." Emperor Liu continued to explain to Liu Yang: "In the war that is still going on, we must not relax or slack off. If we are not careful, we may be It will cause disastrous consequences! Zhao Kuangyin should handle this matter properly!"
"Yes!" Upon hearing this, Liu Yang's young face suddenly showed a serious expression, and the strings in his heart seemed to tighten suddenly.
"You pack up and go directly to Wang Yanchao's army. You will be responsible for liaison with Xi Ren and instigating rebellion!" Emperor Liu turned to Liu Xu and confessed: "Cao Bin also suggested that I recall Wang Yanchao's army to strengthen Yanshan's defense. Rushing to help Shanyang, I vetoed it!
The Liao army's frontline is already within breath's reach. I still will not choose to respond passively. No matter how the situation in Shanyang develops or whether it will worsen, I must seek to take the initiative to break the situation.
If King Xi Ning has any request, if you think it is appropriate, you can grant it on his behalf! If I can really incite the Xi people to rebel and use them to my advantage, then let Wang Yanchao lead the army northward, and then penetrate directly into the heart of the Liao army and threaten to go to Beijing.
Yelvxian dares to go south and kowtow, then let him feel the price he needs to pay! "
Emperor Liu's words were still so confident and strong, but of course there was also a sense of indignation after being offended. However, what brought Liu Xu was heavy pressure.
Although he also wanted to establish meritorious deeds, Emperor Liu also gave him this opportunity, but it would not be easy to achieve it, especially to instigate the Xi people to betray the Khitan. The weighing of interests and the appropriate grasp of the same young people For Liu Xu, it was also a big challenge.
But since Emperor Liu issued the order, Liu Xu didn't want to show his timidity. With a solemn expression, he cupped his hands and said, "Yes!"
However, Emperor Liu also knew that it was still a bit awkward to let Liu Xu handle the matter completely. In this situation, testing his son was secondary. The first thing was the war situation.
Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu said again: "I will send Wang Zhaoyuan to you to go north with you. He is familiar with the affairs of the Khitan and the Xi clan and can be used for your consultation!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Xu felt a little relieved on his brows. Of course he also knew Wang Zhaoyuan.
The "little Zhuge" back then has now completely transformed into an expert in foreign affairs of the Han Dynasty, especially in affairs with the Liao Dynasty. After more than ten years of accumulation, he is even more expert in Khitan affairs. He has represented the imperial court on several missions to the Liao Kingdom. Once, this year, I went to Beijing to express my condolences to Yelujing on behalf of Emperor Liu.
Ability in other aspects may still be discussed. It is still within the scope of his ability to ask Wang Zhaoyuan to accompany Liu Xu on a trip to mobilize Xi Ren. Although Wang Zhaoyuan is old, his thinking is not slow at all and his tongue is still sharp.
"After bidding farewell to the queen, you can go!" After finishing what he had to say, Emperor Liu bowed his hands without any pretense.
"Yes!" The two responded.
Before leaving, Liu Yang hesitated for a moment, looked at Emperor Liu's tired face, and said in a deep tone: "Dad, fourth brother and sixth brother, you should not worry too much. They are loved by you and God, and they will definitely survive the disaster. Turn into good luck and come back safely!"
The Liu Yang brothers were naturally among the insiders.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu didn't feel lonely or worried on his face. He just said a little stubbornly: "You don't need to comfort me. It's not just my two sons who have fallen, but there are so many soldiers! I'm not worried right now." At this time, how to resolve the current military situation is the top priority! You should also concentrate on your errands!"
"Yes!" Hearing what Emperor Liu said, the Liu Yang brothers couldn't persuade them any more.
As the Liu Yang brothers left Youzhou again and went to their respective posts, and as urgent military and political orders were issued, the entire north became turbulent again. However, this time, the focus of the struggle between Han and Liao shifted to The first line of Shanyang Road.
Although Emperor Liu had already begun preparations to end the war, before the end, a series of fierce and cruel battles broke out again.
On the Liaodong side, Ma Renyu went north and launched a fierce attack on Yelu Xiezhen's Tongzhou defense line, without giving him more time to breathe. With Zhao Kuangyin's continuous increase in troops, the attack was fully launched.
As for the Liao army in the northern part of the Great Wall, just as Cao Bin had worried, Yelvxian did not touch the defenses at Yehuling, leaving an army behind as a deterrent, and then led the army westward to sweep away the Han army in Monan. The front points directly into the clouds.
The beacon fire north of the Great Wall quickly spread to the pass, and the emergency in Shanyang came faster and more violently than Emperor Liu and his ministers predicted. In the process, a large number of Han soldiers and civilians also continued to come to Yunzhong to support them. The Liao army was scrambling for time.
It's hard to say whether it was good news or bad news. The relationship between the Han Dynasty and Goryeo was completely broken. The Goryeo army crossed the Yalu River and came to Yuancheng and launched an attack.
But Guo Tingwei finally lived up to his promise and succeeded in blocking the Koryo navy at Shaocheng Port. The navy assembled by Koryo to intimidate the Han Dynasty was almost destroyed under the powerful attack of the Donghai Navy, leaving only a few ships. The boat escapes.
From this point of view, at least the threat from the sea is gone, and the vast ocean is still a transshipment channel that big men can use with confidence.
However, the war with Goryeo will inevitably involve a large number of Han troops. When competing with the Liao Kingdom, they still need to devote their energy to taking care of this close neighbor.
As the battle between Han and Liao began along the Great Wall, the war situation between the two sides once again entered a new stage.
