"Liaodong must be restored and consolidated. There is no doubt that it requires collective efforts and the support of the court. But more importantly, the Liaodong government must make a difference. This heavy responsibility needs to be shouldered by Song Gong!" Before the meeting ended, Liu Yang said to Song Xiong solemnly, and offered a bowl of goat's milk instead of wine in honor of him.
Song Xiong was also very serious. He drank down the hot milk in the bowl and responded: "If the imperial court does not prioritize ministers because they are old, they will definitely lead the Liaodong staff to work together to build Liaodong and live up to the entrustment of His Majesty and His Highness!"
Liu Yang expressed great appreciation for Song Xiong's statement, but at the same time he felt a little strange in his heart. He had many pictures of similar scenes in his mind, but they were all the situations when some ministers faced Emperor Liu. To him, this It's the first time.
Song Xiong resigned and left with satisfaction. Liu Yang picked up his memorial and studied it carefully before putting it into a box. The box is not big, but it is very conspicuous. Inside are some important official documents and some summaries of his stay in Liaodong.
Without resting for a moment, Ma Huaiyu came to report again, and Ma Renyu was ordered to see him. So the waiter once again packed up and changed the lamps so that the prince could entertain guests.
In the recent wave of the Northern Expedition, a large number of trendsetters emerged from all over the Han army, including brave warriors, veterans on the battlefield, and leaders in the army.
For example, Wang Yanchao, who galloped through Shanyang Ertian in Saibei, was as steady as an old dog, and rising stars such as Hou Yanguang, Li Jilong, etc., but to say that the one with the most outstanding performance and the most convincing credit for his hard work has to be Ma Renyu.
Liaodong is the main battlefield of this Northern Expedition, and on this main battlefield, Ma Renyu's performance can be said to be consistent throughout. From the vanguard marching eastward to the fierce battle in Jinzhou, from sweeping across Liaodong to the Battle of Liaohe River, and then taking Tongzhou in the north, Ma Renyu played an indispensable role.
And Ma Renyu also showed his strong style and excellent commanding ability in this series of battles. He was proactive, brave and brave, and overcame difficulties.
In this process, he also progressed from a pioneer general to a commander-in-chief, winning the trust of the prince and the camp generals, and living up to Emperor Liu's years of training and expectations. Although the Northern Expedition has not yet been reviewed and rewarded, Ma Renyu is not far away from achieving success and fame.
But this time, after the army withdrew southward, the person in charge of the Liaodong garrison finally chose Ma Renyu after many considerations. About to leave Liaodong, Ma Renyu was also the most important civil and military officer summoned by Liu Yang.
For Ma Renyu, this was also years of hard work before he achieved the right results. He has been working hard in the army since he was a teenager. Although there was no lack of promotion by Chai Rong in the process, and training by Emperor Liu, it took a full twenty-two years before he became the commander-in-chief.
Twenty-two years later, the old General Ma is now called General Ma, and Ma Renyu has reached middle age and is approaching his forties. Of course, from the perspective of the Han Dynasty as a whole, the thirty-seven-year-old Inspector Ma is still in the prime of life and is the central pillar of the country.
In the study room, looking at Ma Renyu who was capable and heroic, Liu Yang raised a slight smile on his lips and his attitude became gentler: "General Ma, please sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Ma Renyu, still wearing his military uniform, was not polite. He sat down upright, with a solemn expression and neat movements, waiting for the prince to speak.
Liu Yang turned around, took two things from the desk, a document and a gold seal, and walked to Ma Renyu. Seeing this, Ma Renyu stood up immediately, confused in his heart, but subconsciously cautious.
"General, take a look first!" Liu Yang handed him the document and was very accommodating.
Ma Renyu took it and glanced at it for a moment, his expression was moved, and he looked at Liu Yang: "Your Highness, this..."
"General Ma, after the army evacuates, the management of the garrison and the safety of Liaodong will be entrusted to you!" Liu Yang chuckled.
"Ma Renyu listens to the order!" As he spoke, Liu Yang looked solemn and said loudly.
Upon hearing this, Ma Renyu immediately knelt down and held the document in both hands. Liu Yang said solemnly: "Under the control, Ma Renyu will be appointed as the inspection envoy in Liaodong to take charge of the military forces in Liaodong!"
There were not many words, but they carried a heavy weight. This was considered to be the handover of Liaodong's defense and 60,000 troops to Ma Renyu's hands. Not to mention anything else, as far as the moment is concerned, among the frontier generals, the only general in Liaodong who can command an army of 60,000 is Ma Renyu.
Although the situation dictates this, it shows his high status and great power. Nowadays, temporary dispatches such as governor envoys, pacification envoys, and inspection envoys, once established, often mean high and powerful positions, and Ma Renyu also understands this.
Seeing the solemn look on Ma Renyu's face, Liu Yang held up the gold seal again, handed it to him, and said to him: "General Ma, you, the inspector, were ordered by His Majesty himself. Your Majesty said, Ma Ren Yu is loyal and brave, upright and magnanimous. He has served the country for twenty-two years and has never complained. Now he has experienced it and can shoulder heavy responsibilities, becoming a model for a general!"
Ma Renyu took the golden seal, and the square and handsome seal seemed to be of great weight at this moment. Hearing Liu Yang's words again, the iron-clad man couldn't help but burst into tears at this moment, and replied with red eyes: "General, thank you, Your Majesty!"
"General, no courtesy, please get up quickly!" Liu Yang helped Ma Renyu up.
The two sat down, and after Ma Renyu's excitement subsided, Liu Yang said: "The general should be the first to recover Liaodong!"
"Your Highness, I really don't dare to be the last general! If it weren't for the commander-in-chief of His Highness, the command of Rong Gong, the soldiers of the three armies, and the full support of the imperial court, how could we be where we are now? Although the last general has little merit, it is insignificant!" Ma Renyu said modestly.
After hearing what he said, Liu Yang said: "The general is correcting the situation, as expected!"
Looking at him, Liu Yang began to give instructions: "Liaodong has always been the land of China, the homeland of China. Although it has fallen into the hands of the barbarians for many years, it is still an inseparable part of the Han Dynasty. If Liaodong is recovered, Jin'ou will be complete!
These mountains, rivers, cities and lands are all obtained by the soldiers on the snow-stained battlefield and through hundreds of battles. The battle to recapture was difficult, but defense was even more important.
Today, the Northeast is still unsettled, various ethnic groups are disloyal, and the remnants of the Liao army are lingering on. Therefore, the situation is not optimistic! I have just discussed with the envoy of the Song Dynasty to strive for the rapid recovery of Liaodong and its return to Han rule. This requires a stable and stable environment.
And this is what the general needs to do! Defeating Khitan in the north and rejecting Goryeo in the south, this task is not easy! "
After listening to Liu Yang's words, Ma Renyu's resolute face was very firm. He also spoke louder and made an oath. He just handed over his hand and solemnly said: "The general will do his best and live up to his trust!"
"The general has been on the battlefield for a long time and has guarded Guanshan for more than ten years. He must be worthy of his duties. Your Majesty's vision is unmistakable!" Liu Yang chuckled.
Speaking of which, Ma Renyu had not seen Emperor Liu for many years. In the ten years he was stationed in Yanshan, he only returned to Beijing twice to guard duty. After such a long time, Emperor Liu still cared about him and still trusted him so much. He was very touched.
"The day after tomorrow, I am about to leave. I have specially ordered a banquet to be prepared. It is regarded as a farewell banquet. The generals in the camp and the generals staying in the garrison will be invited to the banquet. At that time, I will also announce my appointment and congratulate the general on his assumption of office. !" Liu Yang said to Ma Renyu with a smile.
In response, Ma Renyu showed gratitude and bowed: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
