"This is both wine and meat, how can it not stain the pure place of Buddhism?" In the evening, Emperor Liu said jokingly in the Zen courtyard, looking at the meat and vegetable meals on the table.
Yantuo was waiting at the side and bowed in response: "If the official family eats here, it is a blessing. Why should we take into account the precepts of a mere temple?"
"You are too overbearing when you say this!" Emperor Liu smiled like a spring breeze and said with a smile: "Don't you think that when you go to the countryside, do as the Romans do? The lunch at noon is quite delicious!"
Yantuo couldn't tell whether Emperor Liu was happy or angry in his words. The emperor was interested in talking, so he echoed: "If the official follows the custom, then he will be rewarded with a huge face! However, I also heard that this There are also carnivores in Buddhist temples!”
"Oh?" Emperor Liu smiled slightly and said, "That's right! They have warrior monks, who need to keep fit and exercise. Simply eating vegetarian food is not enough!"
Emperor Liu moved his chopsticks very naturally, picked up a piece of meat, tasted it, and praised: "The venison is good, tender and refreshing, and full of flavor!"
"This deer was hunted by the guards in the mountains and carefully cooked by the imperial chef!" Yan Tuo replied.
"Look, this is a violation of the law of killing! I came to this temple, accompanied by swords and soldiers, full of evil spirits. I don't know how much of the Buddha's light and merit can be eliminated in the temple?" Emperor Liu joked, but he kept picking up another piece of meat with his chopsticks. He also sipped the wine happily.
The setting sun was shining slantingly, the evening breeze was blowing slowly, and the courtyard was full of trees. Emperor Liu was enjoying the delicious food and wine, feeling quite comfortable.
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Yong came to see him, holding a memorial in his hand.
"Zi Yong, come and sit down!" Emperor Liu stretched out his hand and pointed to the opposite side: "I am drinking alone in the wind and feel lonely. You are just in time to have two glasses of wine with me!"
Seeing that Emperor Liu was in a good mood, Zhang Yong did not show any pretense and declined. He respectfully thanked him and sat down. He placed the memorial in his hand on the stone table while Yantuo called for others to add cups and plates.
Although Emperor Liu was not a good drinker, he inevitably developed the habit of drinking over the years, but he often only drank lightly and only for entertainment. After all, he still needed to take care of his health.
As a close minister who was accompanying the emperor, Zhang Yong drank with Emperor Liu more than once or twice. He was very accustomed to it. Of course, he always maintained his demeanor to avoid losing his etiquette in front of the emperor. Therefore, both the emperor and his ministers were very restrained.
"What's the matter?" After a few glasses of wine, Emperor Liu's eyes fell on the memorial brought by Zhang Yong and asked.
"A report came from Luoyang, saying that Xiao Siwen, the privy envoy of southern Liaoning, went south to serve as the capital. Prime Minister Zhao asked for instructions, how to receive him?" Zhang Yong replied eloquently.
Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately became interested. When it comes to what matters he is most concerned about at the moment, Liao affairs are definitely at the forefront. He will show concern for all matters involving Liao. This is also the reason why Emperor Liu will visit Songshan. Zhao Pu will still The reason for sending someone to report the matter.
"After more than half a year, it is rare that the Khitan comes to envoy on its own initiative. This is unbearable and they are coming to beg for peace?" Emperor Liu said playfully.
During the greater part of the ninth year of Kaibao, no matter how peaceful the country was, how the wars on all fronts were suppressed, and how the imperial court sought to recuperate, it still maintained an offensive posture and never gave up on Liao affairs.
On the Shanyang front line, under Tian Renlang's deployment, Han cavalry frequently marched northward, invading and plundering. Although no big gains were made, the pressure on the Liao Kingdom was significant.
The Liao Kingdom also suffered the backlash of the Northern Expedition, and it was much more severe than that of the Han Dynasty. Countless tribes were separated from each other and resisted the rebels. After surviving the harsh winter, the situation in Mobei not only did not improve, but actually deteriorated. A situation that continues to worsen.
Gu Chu also had a tough attitude toward the Mobei tribes who resisted, and Yelv Xian, the Lord of Liao, suppressed them all. However, with the size of Mobei and the large number of ethnic groups, the Khitan, which suffered heavy losses in the Han-Liao War, could not be pacified as easily as before.
Therefore, during these six months, fighting and chaos continued in the desert. Although the strength controlled by Liao Ting still has an advantage compared to those centrifugal tribes, it has lost its absolute suppression ability.
With the help of Yelu Xianshi and other civil and military generals, the Liao Kingdom achieved some results in quelling the rebellion, but the overall situation was still worrying. Even the Khitan army was unable to conduct sustained military operations due to supply problems such as food, grass, ordnance.
The situation of many tribes under the rule of the Liao Kingdom, including the Khitan tribes, was equally bad, and their basic survival and livelihood were facing problems. If there is a relatively stable environment for him to recuperate, he may be able to recover over time, but this is extremely difficult.
The Han will not give this opportunity, and the tribes of Liao will not give this chance. The Han army does not need to go deep, and only needs to maintain a posture of Chenbing, which can contain a lot of Khitan's energy.
As for the rebellious tribes in Mobei, when faced with the attack by the Khitan army, even if they failed, they still had the option of moving south and joining the Han. With this escape route, they would feel more comfortable rebelling.
For the Liao Kingdom, the most dangerous people were always the Han people, not the rebellious tribes. Today, the once glorious Liao Dynasty is on the verge of collapse and is in a state of turmoil. It seems that it is not far away from falling apart.
In fact, even the Khitan people had a lot of resentment. Yelu Xian, the leader of the Liao Dynasty, was like sitting on a stove, being roasted by the fire every day and under great pressure.
The Han army is like tourists watching a show. When the heat is not enough, they add more firewood and oil. Over at Dading Prefecture, Dong Zunjiao was in charge of military affairs and led the Han-Xi coalition forces to the north several times, approaching Huangshui.
Even though no decisive victory was achieved, the Khitans were shocked. This also made Linhuang Mansion in Liaojing always face the threat of the Han army. Even the capital is no longer safe. It is conceivable that the country is in turmoil and people's hearts are in chaos. In fact, among the tribes that came south to join the Han, there were many Khitans.
In contrast, the Xi tribesmen, led by King Xi Cunning, who had surrendered to the Han early, were much luckier. In the past winter, life was equally difficult, but with the support of the strong men, we were able to survive the white disaster smoothly without suffering too heavy losses.
Even if he had to recruit soldiers to cooperate with the Han army's military operations, he could still maintain an independent situation in the chaotic Liao Kingdom.
Speaking of the Xi clan, we have to mention that King Xi Cunning has been staying in Luoyang since he came south with him. Emperor Liu didn't mention it, so he didn't take the initiative to invite him back. After all, King Xi was sensible. As for other Xiren nobles, most of them lingered in Xijing, and the court treated them well.
At the same time, the imperial court was also proceeding with the digestion, annexation, and restructuring of the Xi tribe's territory, and the establishment of Yanshan North Road was also on the agenda. Under the governance of the Liao Kingdom, Xi Di already had some foundations, and the Han Dynasty took over and deepened it. In a few years, the large area in the north of Yanshan will officially become the Daozhou prefecture and county of the Han Empire.
Compared with the Han troops on the front lines in Shanyang and Yanshan who did not attack and maintained pressure, Liaodong was the only place where actual combat operations were carried out.
After the Beginning of Xia, Ma Renyu sent his troops north to attack Huanglong Mansion. After nearly a year of turmoil, the situation in the entire Northeast region has become clear. Within Liaodong, peace has gradually returned, but outside Liaodong, chaos remains.
The vast area of northeastern China that was originally under the rule of the Liao Dynasty was basically lost, leaving only Huanglong Mansion, which was maintained by Yelu Xiezhen, but it was only struggling to support it.
After the beginning of spring, Ma Renyu suppressed the situation for several months. When the Liaodong regime recovered a little and the Liao army's situation became increasingly dire, he requested an order to send troops.
As for Ma Renyu's request, the imperial court decisively surrendered and obeyed his request. Even if the Liao army that was left in Huanglong Mansion was not stuck in its throat, it was not pleasing to the eye and was bound to be pulled out.
Facing the strong march of the Han army northward, the Liao army in Huanglong Mansion did not have much to do. They had long been reduced to a lonely army, and the Liao court was too busy to take care of itself, let alone support them. Yelu Xiezhen once again commanded the troops. In this case, he was unable to save the day and quickly fell into a tight siege. Ma Renyu was even more steady and steady. He laid siege to the city for nearly two months and was not impatient. The fall of Huanglong Mansion was also Just a matter of time.
