In mid-to-late November, news from the Beiguan front line was sent back to Chang'an.
It happened to be the last court meeting at that time. The ministers knew it well. The timing of sending this news was a coincidence. It happened to coincide with the court meeting. I am afraid it was His Majesty's deliberate arrangement...
The ministers listened to the front row.
"Recently, Beiguan has won a great victory. The champion Hou Chu sent troops from Chang'an and attacked the enemy thousands of miles away, breaking through the right Beiping County. The rebels were unable to advance forward or retreat, and were caught in a dilemma.
The next day, the champion defeated the enemy by 6,000 people. He then attacked the western and eastern counties of Liaoning to explore the strength of the enemy.
Then he sent his troops to take back Yuyang and went up to the valley to build Guancheng together.
A few days ago, the champion Hou Zheng's troops left Liaoxi and joined our Han frontier army at the right time. The troops were abundant. The champion Hou Ling's army encircled three and left one, leaving only the north of Liaoxi County, without forming an encirclement.
One day later, sergeants from the city opened the city gate to welcome our army into the city. The rebels fled northward in panic. The champion Hou Fu raised three thousand troops, but failed to pursue them. They entered the grassland, and that night, they suddenly attacked Wuhuan, north of the grassland.
The Green Mountain Division under his command defeated more than 2,600 soldiers at night.
The leader of the Green Mountain Tribe, Heluo Houjian, was captured alive, and more than 3,200 people in the tribe were captured.
The next day, Huo Hou once again sent troops to attack Wuhuanzuo Qianyang tribe, defeating more than 2,900 enemies...
This is the news from the day before yesterday... Please listen to the Holy Spirit."
The chamberlain read it out in front of the palace, and all the ministers heard it.
After hearing the news, all the ministers thought: The champion is not fighting the rebels. He has turned his troops to attack Wuhuan and other troops on the northeastern front. The change is most natural... Wuhuan at this time
The tribes were shocked, fearing that they had been disrupted by the champion.
"My lords, I think the war news from the border said that he deserves the title of "great military exploits". Do you have any objection?"
Seeing that the ministers bowed their heads and no one had any objections, the emperor smiled and announced his withdrawal.
He arranged to read out the battle situation in Beiguan at the court meeting, just to let the ministers know that fighting in Beiguan had begun, and the battles were victorious. It was useless to stop it, and all ministries needed to cooperate with each other.
The news reached Dong Zhongshu’s ears at noon that day.
"The champion sent troops from Beiguan... and also attacked the Wuhuan tribes?" Dong Zhongshu frowned.
The clerk Bai Yu sent back to deliver the news nodded and said:
"Yes, the news sent back from Beiguan said that the champion Hou's troops were so sharp that none of the northern border barbarians were his enemies, and he won consecutive battles. Some border barbarians heard his name and moved north, not daring to fight.
The champion Hou Zhenmao is also a hero, and he promotes the power of my great man."
Even the little official was a little excited, his face full of joy.
Dong Zhongshu glanced at the clerk, but he cried bitterly in his heart. The champion prince went to the border to suppress the rebellion, but by the way he led the war to the grassland and never came back. What should we do?
It depends on what Champion Hou wants. If he is allowed to continue fighting, can he wipe out all the foreign invaders along the Northeast?
"I want to go to the palace."
Dong Zhongshu made some preparations and soon entered the palace again to ask for an audience with Emperor Liu Che.
Study.
Dong Zhongshu, led by his chamberlain, bowed in and said with a salute: "I have seen your Majesty."
"What's the matter, Mrs. Dong?"
"I do have something to ask of Your Majesty.
Can your Majesty issue an order to transfer Lang Zhongling from the border back to Chang'an?"
Liu Che looked away from the memorial in his hand and looked at Dong Zhongshu.
Just as Master Dong was about to speak, Liu Che pulled out three memorials from the low seat and pushed them over the air: "Master, take a look at these memorials first."
Dong Zhongshu bowed his head, picked up a volume, and unfolded it.
The content of the volume is that three months ago, Huo Qubing attacked the Xiongnu for the second time, defeated the Xiongnu royal court troops, swept through the royal court's ministries, and the losses in that battle, as well as the gains from the capture of each tribe.
According to statistics after the war by the Da Nong Order, the gains from the victory were higher than the battle losses.
Because it was the Xiongnu royal tribe that was defeated, the income gained was quite a lot, and there was still a surplus after the defeat, which was used to replenish the national treasury.
"After attacking the Xiongnu, Lang Zhongling led his troops back. The captured baggage stretched for miles, including horses, cattle, sheep, prisoners, various types of leather, animal horns, treasures and other items.
This is what Qubing said, if you can keep winning, you will get richer as you fight."
Dong Zhongshu remained silent and silently picked up the second memorial.
What is written in this volume is that during Huo Qubing’s wedding, he went out of Xiguan to attack the Qiang people. It is also the post-war statistics of losses and captures.
"The doctor ordered to attack the Qiang people. Not much was captured, but fewer troops were sent. He only led 200 forbidden troops, and the losses were almost negligible."
The emperor kept writing on a memorial scroll, speaking in a distracted manner.
Dong Zhongshu picked up the third bamboo slip.
"This volume is about Lang Zhongling's attack on the front line of Yuyang."
"The relevant comparison between battle losses and capture gains has not yet been finalized, but the defeated rebels were well-armed and had thousands of battle armors. The gains from capture are still much higher than the battle losses."
"Lang Zhongling has recently had several battles with the Xiongnu, Western Qiang, and Huainan rebels. He has swept through all the enemies and has made a surplus.
Master, do you still want to oppose me and Lang Zhongling’s ambition to open up new territories?”
The emperor's tone gradually became harsher, and he stated that opening up new territories was the common aspiration of himself and Huo Qubing, and his meaning was very clear.
Every time there is a war, there is a surplus. No wonder the Da Nong Order has no objection to war recently... Dong Zhongshu's thoughts are up and down.
He took a deep breath, took out the dossier he had prepared before coming, took it out of his sleeve, and presented it to the emperor:
"Your Majesty, please take a look.
This is the income and expenditure of our treasury in recent years. The cost of raising troops, combat costs, and training costs are all among the top five.
In addition, there is also chaos in the currency system, chaos in the minting of money by counties and states, private ownership of salt and iron, and consumption such as loss of balance.
Every piece is shocking.
If Your Majesty does not make adjustments and establish a new inspection system, the virtuous and upright people will be upright and the treasury will be empty, and our country will become increasingly weak!"
The emperor frowned slightly as he flipped through the brief book in front of him.
Isn't he unaware of these situations? However, when governing a country, some matters touch upon so many interest groups that even the emperor cannot make a decision in one word. It will take time to make improvements.
"The veteran is not opposed to the war blindly, but is worried about these things and wants to discuss with His Majesty to postpone the use of troops.
Give me a few years of buffering in the middle of the court to manage everything, and then I will try to use troops." Dong Zhongshu said.
The emperor said: "Then I also want to ask Master, good generals have been hard to find in ancient times, and generals such as great generals and champions who have never been born are even rarer.
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I got it, I feel so happy, Master, can you possibly understand it?
Having good generals but not using them is like having a good opportunity but not seizing it.
I have been adjusting the state affairs, but now that the Xiongnu have suffered a new defeat, it is the time to expand their territory and sweep across the barbarians. If you miss the opportunity, it will be too late to regret it.
Regarding the relevant war, I, the general, and the lieutenant general have deduced it many times, and they all feel that to endure the temporary hardship, even if I am scrimping on food and clothing, I still have to fight. If I have to fight, I will not allow the barbarians to raise their heads. Master, do you think so?"
Dong Zhongshu sighed: "The champion has won every battle, and I have seen it too.
The Xiongnu and other tribes are so ambitious that they will come again as long as they have a little respite. Kou Bianchen also knows it.
I have daily reflections. What the champion said is not unreasonable, so let’s fight.”
Huh?
The emperor was startled. In the first half, you seemed to be trying to convince me by presenting facts and reasoning, but in the second half, you suddenly took a turn for the worse and agreed to fight?
Why does it spin so fast?
Dong Zhongshu: "The old minister hesitated several times and wanted to use his strength to stop the war, but these days I thought about it again and again, let's just fight.
However, I believe that a strict supervision system must be set up to prevent excessive military expenditure and all money being used for war."
The emperor vaguely understood what Dong Zhongshu meant.
Although this old master turned a corner, he did not turn completely.
He plans to change his approach.
With Huo Qubing's victorious military record and the emperor's strong support, he couldn't stop him even if he wanted to.
If we continue to obstruct him, the relationship with the emperor and Huo Qubing will become increasingly rigid, which will only make things worse and nothing can be done.
So Master Dong was going to change his routine and discuss it.
The so-called join if you can't beat it, that's what it means.
Of course, the main reason is that after several months of observation, Huo Qubing's continuous victories increased Dong Zhongshu's confidence in fighting and made him change his original intention.
The strong-willed Master Dong was ready to become a wallflower and move closer to the emperor and Huo Qubing.
In a powerful group, there cannot be all those who charge forward. There must be people who can remind and brake at critical moments.
The emperor himself also likes a group of ministers who can coordinate civil and military affairs and restrain each other.
Liu Che's thoughts changed slightly and he said: "If Master is ready to become an official again, I can allow Master to be the prime minister or the censor."
Dong Zhongshu: "Your Majesty can appoint me as the head of the Imperial Academy. I can offer wine in the contemporary academy. If my wishes are fulfilled, I can also make suggestions for Your Majesty."
The head of Taixue is equivalent to the president of a national university in the Han Dynasty and a leading figure in contemporary culture.
In a sense, it is equivalent to the head of the staff group behind the emperor, participating in discussions on the direction of national policies and correcting the emperor's direction of governing the country.
This position is very suitable for Dong Zhongshu. He has a detached status and does not form direct competition with the various factions in the DPRK, which is conducive to making troubles.
"For the champion, I am also convinced. I am seventeen years old...oh, now I am eighteen. I am the only one who can fight for supremacy on the battlefield and win many battles. Throughout history, I am the only one.
Your Majesty, could you please recall Huo Hou to Chang'an first? Winter is about to come and it will be difficult to continue using troops.
When Marquis Huo returns to Chang'an, can I discuss all matters together?" Dong Zhongshu turned the topic back to his original request.
The emperor thought that he had recovered from his illness yesterday. He had sent out troops one after another to defeat many tribes in Wuhuan and captured the enemy leaders. The base of the secret forces had been found. It was east of Fuyu and had to go out of Liaoxi County.
Continue deeper into the Northeast.
If you want to completely remove it, you can wipe out the Wuhuan tribes at the same time. Qubing's secret book also said that there are signs of Xiongnu activities in this area... Regarding related matters, it is indeed necessary to summon Qubing back to Chang'an.
Only after discussion can we fully promote it.
In late November, Huo Qubing received the emperor's edict, so he made some arrangements and returned to Chang'an from Beiguan under the protection of his own army.
In the afternoon of late November, Weiyang Palace, study room.
"I have met Your Majesty." Huo Qubing bowed and saluted.
"No need to be polite, sit down."
The emperor looked up and down, with a look of joy on his face: "Master Dong and others haven't come yet, but I happen to have something to talk to you about alone. You come with me."
Huo Qubing was a little surprised. Why do you need to go to a special place to talk about something?
Immediately follow the emperor and get up.
Liu Che waved his hand and the stars moved.
The two of them came to the depths of Weiyang Palace, outside an independent palace.
The entrance hall of this palace is shrouded in rich purple energy, and the huge door that is three feet high looks like two pieces of purple jade, brilliant and gorgeous.
On the huge purple jade door, there are countless symbols carved on it.
Huo Qubing glanced around. This was another completely sealed secret courtyard in the palace.
He has been in and out of the palace for many years, but this is the first time he knows that Weiyang Palace has such a place.
The emperor personally stepped forward and pushed the door with one hand.
There were red and purple patterns on the door, which met in Liu Che's hands, and finally opened on both sides with a heavy sound.
Suddenly, the national destiny of Weiyang Palace was filled with purple energy, shining brightly in the sky.