The memorial from the grassland and desert reached the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where fallen flowers, pavilions and green willows were everywhere.
Standing beside the imperial desk were several cabinet assistants and the Privy Council's chief and deputy envoys. Everyone had already read the memorial and was waiting for Guo Shao to take a closer look at it.
He raised his head and said: We have traveled the Silk Road in the west for thousands of years, and we knew almost nothing about the vast seas of the East China Sea and the South China Sea a few years ago. But I think the western trade route is more difficult to travel than the vast sea.
The Privy Councilor Wang Pu spoke up and echoed: People are more dangerous than all the wild thorns.
After hearing this, Guo Shao looked at Wang Pu with great interest: "Envoy Wang is absolutely right. There are few pirates on the sea now, but Hexi is full of thieves who are ready to make moves."
The emperor and his ministers were talking about trade routes, but everyone present understood that the reason they were so concerned about this memorial was because of the news about Li Yiyin.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and said to Wang Pu: Arrange personnel from the Military Department to find out the news that Zhe Dejian said.
Wang Pu bowed and said: “I obey your order.”
Guo Shao stood up and stood in front of the map on the wall, with his back to the ministers, and was silent for a long time.
At this time, the voice of Wei Renpu, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, said: "Yesterday, a silver carriage passed through Xuande Gate. I opened the boxes and saw boxes of shining silver coins. Now the inner treasury is not short of cash. I think that only sending troops to attack can truly solve the problem of the northwest."
The civil servants successively seconded the motion.
Guo Shao said nothing, because the northwestern tribes seemed to be uniting together to try to fight against the Daxu court. This was something that neither the king nor his ministers in Dongjing could accept. The court had conquered Xiazhou and worked hard to build the western border, and it must not give up at this time.
Guo Shao couldn't find any reason to give up, as he now had money and soldiers.
The deputy envoy of Wei advocated sending troops. What strategy did Guo Shaodao have
Wei Renpu turned his head to look at Wang Pu, clasped his fists and said to his superior: “We have discussed and decided to conquer the northwest first. Our goal is to recover Ganzhou, Liangzhou and other places, open up the road to the Western Regions, and make all tribes completely give up the idea of being enemies of the Daxu court.”
At the same time, during the war in the west, a fortress was built on the Liaoxi Corridor in the east in preparation for retaking the road stronghold of Yingzhou. Going to war with the Liao army would require a large number of war horses and cavalry. If there were fortresses, the shortage of cavalry could be made up.
After hearing this, Guo Shao turned around and praised: This is a very good strategy. Building a fort in western Liaoning can also attract the attention of the Liao Kingdom and reduce the pressure on the northwest battlefield. You all know that as long as we use troops, there will always be Khitans and mud.
Everyone laughed after hearing this.
Wang Pudao: Your Majesty, please understand. The Ministry of War reports that the Liao Kingdom has begun to increase its troops in the northeast.
Guo Shao stood up straight and looked around. His heart was full of fighting spirit again. Everything was back to the best state. The dynasty he founded did not have the Yanshan defense line at the beginning. The enemy army threatened Hebei at any time from Youzhou. After several wars, the security of the north was guaranteed. After this war, he believed that the situation had improved and his kingdom would be more stable.
Guo Shao asked, who will be the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition
No one recommended it immediately, but when people heard this, they understood the emperor's attitude towards the Western Expedition.
Early in the morning in Tokyo, the sky was just getting light and the streets were still shrouded in white fog. Some shops had already opened and merchants were taking down wooden boards to make doors.
At this time, in an alley, a young scholar was thrown from the back door directly onto the street, and he groaned as he fell. A sturdy man spat at the man lying on the ground.
A thin old man with mostly white beard and temples got off the carriage and put a handful of money in the hand of the sturdy man.
The burly man picked up a white round coin with curiosity, took a closer look, and praised: The characters on it are very clear.
Silver. One yuan is worth 200 coins, and all big banks and government officials recognize it. The old man said calmly, "Can I take him away?"
The burly man counted them and nodded.
The old man personally helped the pale-faced and disheveled young scholar to get on the carriage. A moment later, the carriage left the alley.
The old man looked at the frustrated young scholar and said: Mr. Li, you didn't bring up Mr. Li's name to scare them in the brothel.
The young scholar was Li Liangshi, the cousin of the founding Duke Li Chuyun. He glared and said: "I am not that stupid. Even if I tell you, Mr. Zhong, do you think those people who are full of money will believe it?"
The old man Zhong Li nodded and said: It may not be so easy to ruin the reputation of the Duke.
Li Liangshi immediately clasped his fists and bowed in a very formal manner and said: Thank you Mr. Zhong for saving me again.
Zhong Li said indifferently: No need to thank me, you have to pay back the money.
Li Liangshi frowned and said: I just wanted to win it back and return it to Mr. Zhong, but I didn't expect
Zhong Li said: There is no need to rush. I don’t need money for the time being.
After hearing this, Li Liangshi muttered: "Mr. Zhong is so old and has no children, what is the use of so much money? Since he has money, why does he have to work hard outside? If I were like Mr. Zhong, I would live in a brothel every day and enjoy myself, hehe."
Zhong Li smiled and said: If Brother Li were as old as I am, I'm afraid he would no longer be interested in the brothels.
It's really boring. Li Liangshi sighed, and then he said with interest, "I finally recommended Mr. Zhong last time, and it was Mr. Zhong who asked me to do it. Unexpectedly, you rejected Mr. Li's invitation. You are really patient."
Zhong Li smiled and said: A scholar must always have some noble character, and Lord Li is also happy to be courteous to others.
Zhong Li sent Li Liangshi home and went straight to the residence of the Duke of Kaiguo. He was originally a retainer and also lived in the mansion.
In the afternoon, Li Chuyun's entourage returned from the main gate, and Zhong Li immediately went to the study to pay their respects.
Li Chuyun placed his sword and helmet on the table. He was still wearing his martial arts uniform and armor, and was sitting at the table drinking tea. Seeing Zhong Li at the door, he invited him in and served him another cup of tea.
Li Chuyun glanced at Zhong Li and said, "The emperor once said that war is the shortcut to solving all problems, and it turned out to be true."
Zhong Li bowed and listened.
Li Chuyun stroked his beard. There are all kinds of people in the northwest. It's a mess. But as long as a strong force sweeps through, all the messy forces will be wiped out.
Zhong Li clasped his fists and said: Congratulations, Lord Li. If you can make a contribution to the emperor this time, Han Dengyan will not dare to speak so loudly in front of Lord Li.
Li Chuyun said calmly: The emperor has not yet decided who will be the commander-in-chief.
Zhong Li said calmly: “If the emperor does not lead the army in person, using Lord Li is the best choice. Among the military generals, only your status can subdue Shi Yanchao; and with Shi Yanchao on the battlefield, everything will be much simpler.”
After hearing this, Li Chuyun looked at Zhong Li with appreciation: Mr. Zhong is a rare talent. It was not easy for Li Yun to have Mr. Zhong back then, but he did such a bad job.
Zhong Li bowed and said: I am just a scholar, old and weak. Even if I have a plan, the superiors have to be willing to listen.
Yes, the decision-making power lies with the owner, Li Chuyun said calmly.
He had a big beard, but the pair of eyes on his red face were exceptionally bright: Mr. Zhong is very knowledgeable. As expected, once a war breaks out, many civil servants will take charge.
Zhong Li smiled and said: Military force has brought tremendous benefits. In just one year, the silver brought from Dongdao has solved many headaches for the ministers in the court, and everyone has also benefited from it.
As soon as the guns and cannons sounded, silver and other valuables were shipped in. The other countries were shocked. The court of Daxu was very proud and could easily make all the parties submit. Not only the soldiers, but also the civil officials would be attracted by such easy benefits. Why would you refuse
Li Chuyun said solemnly: The dynasty is stable.
The tribes in the northwest are ready to make a move. The imperial court will never allow an uncontrollable force to form again on the border. Otherwise, they will become a hidden danger, or at least force us to increase troops and defenses in the west and increase military spending.
Therefore, the best way is to break them up and open up trade routes, obtain more war horses, and prepare for a battle against the Liao Kingdom.
Zhong Li pondered and said: Is it necessary for the government to go to war with Liao again
Li Chuyun glanced at Zhong Li. Mr. Zhong was good at strategy, but he didn't seem to be good at general strategy. Our dynasty defeated the Liao army in Youzhou and recovered Youyun Prefectures, but never took the initiative to attack the Liao Kingdom.
Zhong Li nodded and said: I understand. This is why Liao State unscrupulously helped the enemies of Daxu.
Li Chuyun paced in the study room with his hands behind his back and said, "You are right. The Liao Kingdom has been suppressed by our dynasty, but the offensive and defensive situation remains the same. We are still in a defensive situation, but the difference is that with Yanshan and the Great Wall, it is easier to defend; it is more difficult for the Liao Kingdom to go south."
But diplomatic relations are like war, and defense alone is not enough. My proposal in the court is to deploy the Daxu military forces outside the Great Wall, so that they can take the initiative to punish the Liao Kingdom. In this way, the Liao people will have to think twice before doing anything; everything can be discussed, and true peace can come.
Zhong Li said: If we punish the Liao people from time to time, talents like Li Gong will be of great use.
Li Chuyun remained calm but did not refute. Although he had been stripped of his military power and enjoyed wealth and splendor, he did not want to retire at all. Having spent his entire life in the military, he was still willing to be of use from time to time.
He stroked his beard and looked around to talk about other things: To reverse the situation in Liao, Yingzhou is the first step, but attacking Yingzhou is not a siege, it is mainly to attack the reinforcements, so the strength of the cavalry is very important; so we must open up the Hexi Western Region trade route to ensure the fastest source of war horses.
After hearing this, Zhong Li clapped his hands and praised: "Mr. Li is truly a pillar of the court."
Li Chuyun said in a deep voice: If we work for the benefit of the country, it will benefit all of us.
He looked out the window at the rich courtyard and was in a good mood. A powerful and prosperous dynasty, a country as solid as a rock. As a duke and a relative of the emperor, he could not only make the Li family prosperous and rich, but also leave a name in history. What else could he ask for