In the study of Jinxiang Palace, Zuo You knelt on the ground and held up a scroll with both hands. The eunuch Wang Zhong on duty walked up and carefully took it away and placed it on the table in front of Guo Shao.
Zuo Shaoqing stood up. Guo Shao glanced at him, then stretched out his hand and slowly unfolded the map on the table.
A drawing with even and fine lines gradually appeared in front of him. Guo Shao's eyes lit up and he first saw the word Youzhou written next to a circle. When the drawing was fully unfolded, the title "Map of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun" was written from right to left on the top, and the names of the painters on the right were also written, Wang Pu, Zuo You, and Zan Jurun.
There is even a scale marked on the lower right. Because Guo Shao always drew maps in this way, the people around him followed the emperor's habit and learned to make maps in this way.
This map is better than what Guo Shao drew himself. Whether it is consulting topographic records or painting skills, the civil officials are better than Guo Shao. Guo Shao almost forgot about Zuo You's existence for a moment, and carefully appreciated every line on the drawing. His rough fingers with short nails stroked along the road on the map, and his eyes became extra focused.
Youzhou Sixteen Prefectures, this lost territory for decades, a place name that has always appeared in history, is right in front of him. Guo Shao seemed to see the expansion of his territory from the map. An inexplicable ambition in his heart was ignited by this exquisite thing.
It is not only a piece of land, but also the prestige of an emperor and the cornerstone of the country's defense line.
Guo Shao raised his head and asked: Why did you offer the picture
Zuo You bowed cautiously and said: Your Majesty may be of use to you. We, your subjects, will help you share your worries.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment, glanced at the name on the right side of the picture, turned around and said to Wang Zhong: Send someone to convey the order, summon Wang Pu, Wei Renpu, and Zan Jurun to meet.
Wang Zhong bowed and said: "I will obey your order and do it immediately."
Zuo You bowed and withdrew, waiting outside.
While Guo Shao was waiting, he paced in front of the window for a long time, then sat back on the chair and looked through the files on it. Some records of various aspects of the Liao Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty emperor was Yelu Jing, but Guo Shao didn't know much about him. Yelu Jing lived in Shangjing, thousands of miles away, and was originally a very distant person. According to what the Privy Council collected, Yelu Jing had a bad reputation, was cruel, drunk and sleepy, and the current internal turmoil in the Liao Dynasty was also caused by the incompetent emperor.
However, Guo Shao did not care about Yelu Jing's reputation, he only cared about what he did and the past of Liao. Guo Shao felt that the current situation of Liao was not the responsibility of the Liao leader, but was indeed caused by past grudges.
If Yelu Jing could establish great achievements and prestige, his situation would not be impossible to change.
For a moment, Guo Shao felt that his situation was somewhat similar to that of this enemy. No matter how Guo Shao and his supporters excused themselves, they had changed the nature of their usurpation of the throne. They had to either take precautions or re-establish their position with great achievements and power, otherwise his power would not be so stable.
He now understood that the emperors were not so reassured. Even if they kept preaching the divine right of kings, loyalty, filial piety, respect for the elderly, etc., they were always afraid of being pulled down from the throne.
If he was anxious to prevent the internal checks and balances of the generals, it would inevitably weaken the military power. At this time, the country's gates were open, and the road from Hebei to the Central Plains was flat. If he was threatened for a long time, the emperor would not be too at ease; sitting in this position, how could he not be responsible for the world
Guo Shao looked at the scene outside the window for a long time. The flat brick floor and the magnificent buildings looked very solemn.
At this time, Wang Pu and others had been brought into the study. They were originally working in the imperial city. The four of them bowed together. Guo Shao came to his senses, asked them to stand up, and then allowed them to sit down and dismissed the attendants.
Guo Shao asked directly: Do you think that with the current strength of the Great Zhou, is it possible to defeat the Liao Kingdom
He did not say to capture the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, because that piece of land was equally important to the Liao Kingdom; attacking Youzhou would be equivalent to declaring an all-out war with the Liao Kingdom, which was basically the consensus of the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Several people looked at Wang Pu, and Wang Pu said seriously: It is hard to say whether we can defeat the main force of the Liao army.
Guo Shao said: "What Envoy Wang meant is that we should not start a war.
Because in a war where the chances of winning are slim, the best option is not to fight; if there is a choice. This is the principle of using troops in ancient and modern times. War is originally for the purpose of achieving a certain goal.
However, Wang Pu said: The intention of the court is only to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, not to compete with the Liao army. The old minister has repeatedly deduced that as long as the city of Youzhou can be quickly captured, the chances of winning are very high.
Wei Renpu bowed and said: "I have discussed strategies with Envoy Wang, and one strategy is feasible: first advance to Youzhou at a lightning speed; if we can capture the city as soon as possible, once the Liao army's reinforcements arrive, the Zhou army will have a large number of elite infantry relying on Youzhou City, and we can fight a decisive battle. It is difficult for the Liao army to defeat the main force of the Great Zhou head-on, let alone recapture Youzhou City. As long as this situation is achieved, the Great Zhou will have a way to occupy Youzhou. The key lies in whether we are sure to capture Youzhou City.
Wei Renpu pondered and said: Youzhou is a majestic city, which has been easy to defend and difficult to attack since ancient times. But Your Majesty can take Jinyang in half a month.
Zan Jurun looked respectful: "Your Majesty has led the army to attack and has never been defeated. The Great Zhou army is well-equipped with armor and weapons, but now it is different from the past; the Liao Kingdom has been riding on the head of the Central Plains for many years, and it is time for our country to compete with them."
Do you all think the time has come for the Northern Expedition? Guo Shao asked cautiously.
Wang Pu said: "Raiding Youzhou is a tricky method. I agree to try this strategy. It is just as the deputy envoy of Wei said. It is because your majesty has captured many powerful cities. If I consider this important matter, after the war with Liao, it is a battle of national strength. The Great Zhou can use its strong national strength and population to consume Liao. When big countries go to war, of course both sides will suffer losses."
He bowed and said: Your Majesty asked about the timing. I think the time has come, but it has not yet come.
Guo Shao looked at Wang Pu calmly and asked casually: What do you mean
Wang Pudao: At this time, the Great Zhou had annexed various countries, its national strength had greatly increased, and it had almost no worries in the rear; while the Liao Dynasty's government was dark and its civil strife had not yet ended, which was a favorable time for the Great Zhou to go to war.
I also said that the time has not come because I am worried about the variables after the war. As I considered, the war with Liao may be a long-term war of attrition. At this time, the Great Zhou has stabilized a little. If there is no progress, the national strength will be consumed a lot, and the situation may not be good. However, if we can really win the war quickly, it would be best.
Guo Shao said: Now the Great Zhou is on the offensive, we can fight when we want and stop when we want. If the Liao army dared to attack, the Liao army would have had a better chance when the previous emperor withdrew his troops from the Northern Expedition and the court was in turmoil.
Wei Renpu praised: The Great Zhou was founded on military power and has never been afraid of war. Your Majesty is a wise ruler who succeeded the late emperor. The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were lost in the Later Jin Dynasty. It is time for your Majesty to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to the dynasty that established the country in the Central Plains of China.