In the third year of Xiande's reign, November 23rd.
This year's winter came earlier than in previous years.
Luo Youdu visited Bianjing and Kaifeng again after a year.
As the national fortunes of the Great Zhou Dynasty flourished, the prosperity of Bianjing also changed with each passing day.
Luo Youdu looked at the familiar and unfamiliar scenery around him and felt quite proud in his heart. He also had his share of the credit for this.
Luo Youdu did not return directly to his hometown, but rode towards the imperial city.
When they arrived at the gate of the city, Luo Youdu said to Zhang Qiong and others: "You have been away from home for almost a year, so go back. When I leave, just go to the Imperial Camp Division and ask Chang Side to escort me back home."
As his status became higher and higher, Luo Youdu also began to pay attention to his own safety.
Not to mention that there are fierce generals like Zhang Qiong and Chang Side as guards, but there are less than two digits of personal guards who will never go out.
He didn't want to die before he left the battlefield because of his carelessness.
Someone as powerful as Sun Ce, the little bully, would fall victim to carelessness, let alone him?
Luo Youdu came all the way to Da Nei and was about to let the guards report.
The soldiers guarding the palace said respectfully: "The capital commander, the officials have sent an oral message in advance, saying that if the capital commander arrives, he can enter directly and go to Yanhe Hall on his own."
Luo Youdu bowed in return and stepped inside.
All the guards in Ouchi watched him go away without knowing it.
Luo Youdu came to Yanhe Hall by a familiar route.
As he was walking up the steps, Guo Rong came up from the top with a big smile.
"My great hero is back!"
Guo Rong did not give Luo Youdu time to salute, and pulled him towards the palace. As he walked, he said: "In informal occasions, you and I, monarchs and ministers, do not need to be polite. Mr. Wenbo and I have been waiting for you for a long time."
He continued: "Li Jing, Zhou Xingfeng scared you so much that you couldn't sleep well. Haha, after you captured Jiangling, Li Jing abdicated and gave up the throne to his son Li Hongji. Huh, I'll just do it
Reply, let him handle the state affairs properly and don't think nonsense. How could Li Hongji let him take the throne because he was young and capable? Zhou Xingfeng also had people send him big gifts and tribute. Haha, with Jiangling in hand, they were all at ease.
few."
In the whole world, only Guo Rong, Wang Pu, and Luo Youdu understood the significance of Jiangling's victory.
Wang Pu's "Pingbian Policy" goes from south to north, first easy and then difficult.
However, after Luo Youdu's improvements, it has become an advantage to consolidate the mountains and rivers, recuperate and wait for the changes in the north.
They took the four states of Qin, Cheng, Jie, and Feng to consolidate the western defense line and restrict the expansion of Western Shu.
The purpose of capturing Huainan was to seize the wealth of Jiangnan and defeat the power of the Southern Tang Dynasty.
To the west of Jiangling, it can control Western Shu, to the east it can control the natural chasm of the Yangtze River, and to the south it can also intimidate Wuping and the Southern Han Dynasty.
In this way, although the southern lands were not officially included in the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, they were able to maintain peace with each other and live in peace and harmony.
Even if the Khitans were beguiled by someone who had no foresight, how could a huge city like Jiangling be easily captured?
Luo Youdu was dragged into the palace by the excited Guo Rong.
"Mr. Wenbo!"
Luo Youdu bowed slightly to Wang Pu. Seeing that Wang Pu's face turned slightly pale, he said with concern: "Mr. Wen Bo, please pay attention to your health. Only with good health can you serve your Majesty better."
A hint of worry flashed in Guo Rong's eyes, and he agreed: "Youdu is right. I really worked hard for Uncle Wen during my personal expedition to Huainan. Now that Youdu is back, you can rest assured and don't continue to work hard."
Already."
Wang Pu smiled and said: "I obey your orders!" He also bowed to Luo Youdu to express his feelings.
Guo Rong walked to the main seat and said: "Two gentlemen, please take your seats. The three of us, the monarch and the ministers, will just talk about the next move."
The future of a country is always in the hands of a few people.
The internal affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty were mainly determined by Guo Rong, Fan Zhi, and Wang Pu, but the military strategy of the Great Zhou Dynasty was always decided by Guo Rong, Wang Pu, and Luo Youdu.
From the initial capture of the four prefectures of Qin, Cheng, Jie, and Feng, to the subsequent capture of Huainan, and even the capture of Jiangling, they were all executed in accordance with the strategic policy formulated by the three of them.
Now that Luo Youdu's goal of improving Wang Pu's "Pingbian Policy" has been half achieved, the next steps need to be re-planned.
Reasonable strategic direction is greater than all tactics.
The earlier you set your goals, the easier it will be for your development.
Wang Pu wanted to go to the right.
Luo Youdu took Wang Pu's arm and pulled him to the chair on the left to sit down.
Then he walked to the right and took his seat.
In terms of his current achievements, Luo Youdu has already surpassed Wang Pu.
But in this informal setting, favor is more important than meritorious status.
Wang Pu is a minister of Guo Rongqian's residence. They have gone through many ups and downs, so the relationship is naturally closer.
Luo Youdu treated it with the attitude of a junior, which is more suitable for the current environment.
Wang Pu was already ill and could only let it go.
Guo Rong was extremely happy when he saw this.
Guo Rong handed the stack of manuscripts in his hand to Luo Youdu and said: "This is the current situation of Khitan compiled by Mr. Wenbo. You can read it first and then discuss it after reading it."
Luo Youdu stepped forward to take the manuscript and read it carefully.
There were slight deviations between the Khitan situation and his memory, but generally there was no change.
The main reason was that two consecutive Khitan emperors failed to open the treasures Yelv Deguang brought to them.
Yelu Deguang took over the Central Plains and served as the Emperor of the Central Plains for half a year.
When he withdrew from the Central Plains, he looted all the books, officials, craftsmen, wealth, etc. from the Central Plains and brought them back to Beijing.
This cultural treasure belonging to China has fallen into the hands of the Khitan.
However, after Yelu Deguang's death, his successor Yelv Ruan was a drunkard and a lover of hunting. In his later years, he even hired traitors and promoted rewards and killings, which led to the neglect of government affairs and political corruption. In the end, he was killed by Yelvcha in his dream.
The current Khitan emperor is called Yelu Jing. He is also a drunkard. He often drinks alcohol and likes to stay up late. He often goes to bed at dawn and wakes up at noon. Therefore, he ignores government affairs for a long time. The Chinese call him the "Sleeping King".
The key is that this guy is not pretty and doesn't know what to do with himself.
As in history, under the rule of such a monarch, the political situation of Khitan was turbulent, with internal instability and disunity. Ministers often rebelled or fled south to the Central Plains.
Among them, important Khitan officials and nobles such as Xiao Meigu, Yelulou Guo, Linya Yelu Dilie, and Yeluwan caused the most trouble.
In history, it was not until Yelujing was killed by his attendants because he was too cruel.
Yelvxian, Emperor Jingzong of Liao Dynasty, came to the throne.
It was the only wise king of Khitan who opened the treasure, used Chinese culture to rule the people of the country, and pushed Khitan to its peak.
Luo Youdu pondered in his mind that the Khitan should not be attacked after Yelvxian came to the throne.
However, in his memory, Yelujing had a tough life. Although there were constant rebellions around him, every rebellion was put down by him.
As long as they don't repeat the mistakes of the Song Dynasty and spend more than ten years pacifying the Southern Tang, Southern Han and Western Shu, there is still plenty of time left for them.
Luo Youdu said: "In the battle of Huainan, our army suffered a heavy loss. I believe that if you forget to fight, you will be in danger, and if you are eager to fight, you will die. We need to give the people and soldiers time to recuperate. Now the initiative is in my hands, and we can wait for changes in the north."
Guo Rong nodded and said: "Sure enough, wise men all agree, and Mr. Wen Bo also said the same. I have no objection. These years of continuous war have indeed hurt the country. It needs to calm down and develop well. But the goal must be achieved first.
Make a decision and be fully prepared.”
"There are two differences now. Who will change? One of me and Mr. Wenbo intends to attack Liu Han first, and the other intends to go north directly to regain the land of Youyan. Sir, don't care about anyone's suggestion, just tell me your opinion, and start with Northern Han
, it’s better to go to Youyan first.”
Luo Youdu looked at Guo Rong, who looked expectant, and Wang Pu, who looked calm, and suddenly felt as if his wife and mother were both going into the water, and who would be saved first?
After careful consideration, Luo Youdu felt that the proposal to attack the Northern Han Dynasty was probably put forward by Guo Rong.
Guo Rong was impatient. Although later generations praised the victory and ignored the defeat, he regarded the Battle of Gaoping as a hearty victory and the siege of Taiyuan after Guo Rong ascended the throne as a victory.
But it’s really not a win.
At least this is what Luo Youdu thinks. The Battle of Gaoping was a tragic victory for the Zhou Dynasty, and the subsequent siege of Taiyuan failed. Shi Yanchao died in battle due to his bravery, and was forced to withdraw his troops. It was a failure no matter what.
Guo Rong himself also knew that the talk of victory was just for the sake of face and overall morale.
It is reasonable for Guo Rong to want to avenge the Northern Han Dynasty.
Luo Youdu smiled and said: "I choose to fight the Khitan directly."
Sure enough, Guo Rong looked a little depressed.
Luo Youdu said: "There are two unavoidable problems in fighting Liu Han and Khitan. Liu Han's Taiyuan and Khitan's Youzhou. Your Majesty should have a deep understanding of the difficulty of Shouzhou. Taiyuan and Youzhou are two
Compared with Shouzhou, this huge city will be more difficult, not easier."
Guo Rong's expression was solemn. This chewing on Shouzhou had broken his good teeth.
The key is that Shouzhou was not defeated in the end. After they ran out of ammunition and food, they wiped out the Southern Tang reinforcements, causing Shouzhou to lose all hope. Then Liu Renzhan died of illness in grief and anger, and they forced Shouzhou to surrender.
Luo Youdu continued: "The soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty are brave and brave. If they defend Taiyuan, it will be a life-and-death battle for the survival of the country. There is no surrender, and the Khitan and the Northern Han Dynasty have a close relationship, a father-son relationship, and they will definitely not sit idly by.
There are strong troops inside to defend and reinforcements from outside to continuously support us. The outcome is difficult to determine."
He remembered that in history, Zhao Kuangyin attacked the Northern Han Dynasty many times but was defeated because he could not capture Taiyuan and Liao reinforcements continued one after another.
Zhao Kuangyin's military level is still acceptable. He has been unable to defeat him several times in a row, which only shows that it is really difficult to defeat him.
"The attack on Youzhou is different. The Northern Han Dynasty's soldiers are weak, so they may not dare to support them. Even if they support the Khitan, we are not afraid. They can be wiped out in the field, so that we can attack Taiyuan in the future."
"As for the Khitan, Youzhou is the most critical military town among the sixteen states of Yanyun. They will definitely come to rescue. But they will never fight us at all costs. Defending Liaodong and defending the capital are their escape routes."
"Therefore, I think it is best to go directly north to the land of Youyan and retrieve the northern gateway first."
Guo Rong accepted his fate and said with a smile: "Since both gentlemen think that taking Youzhou first is the best strategy, it has been decided!"