When the emperor arrived in Huainan, Wei Renpu suddenly mentioned this matter that was already certain. Although it seemed abrupt, it was certainly not without purpose. Just through the secret memorial and Liu Chengyou's narration, one can feel Wang Jun's domineering and arrogant attitude in Huainan.
Without Cai Cai's victory, the problem would not be big. However, with such a great victory that would affect the entire Huainan war situation, if Wang Jun was not cooled down, there might be problems. Wang Jun did have the talent to lead the army, but he was not the only one who could do it. It's just that during the period before launching the army, after considering all aspects, he was the most suitable.
Wang Jun's character and style were not a problem before, but after this great victory, the court had to worry that such a great victory would boost his arrogance. After all, arrogant soldiers will always be defeated. Under such circumstances, , Liu Chengyou felt uneasy after leaving the main force of the imperial court in Wang Jun's hands.
This is not a deliberate suspicion between the emperor and the court about the frontline generals, but just some concerns. It is not necessary to change the commanders on the battlefield, but the control of the frontline army has to be carried out. At this time, only the emperor is here in person to be able to Without realizing it, Wang Jun was suppressed and took back the command naturally.
On the other hand, the emperor's personal expedition was something that was decided long ago. The date was set and it was not sudden. Furthermore, for today's Han Dynasty and the emperor, the emperor should be the first to annex Huainan and expand the territory. Liu Chengyou.
"Since the preparations for the personal expedition have been completed, there should be no further discussion. A great victory over Cai is not enough for the puppet Tang Dynasty. I went against the will of heaven and attacked Huainan, just because I did not intend to give them a chance to breathe!" Liu Chengyou said in an indifferent but firm tone. said.
After saying that, he was silent for a while. Liu Chengyou raised his eyes and looked at Guo Wei, with a hint of anger on his face: "Another matter, news came back from the front camp in Huainan that Li Chongjin and Wang Yansheng were killing prisoners on the edge of Feishui River. Nearly three thousand people were unarmed. The Huainan soldiers and civilians were all killed! How brave these two were!"
Even though the killing of prisoners was forbidden to be discussed in the army and efforts were made to cover it up, it had not spread yet. However, it was impossible not to leak the news, and it was impossible to hide it from Liu Chengyou's eyes and ears.
Liu Chengyou briefly described the situation to the two of them, including Murong Yanzhao's aftermath and Wang Jun's attitude.
When Guo Wei heard the news, he couldn't help but be angry and directly suggested to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, Li and Wang should be detained immediately and put in prison for questioning!"
Sure enough, when it comes to his nephew, "Guo Que'er" seems to be quite cruel and has no intention of protecting him at all. Of course, Guo Wei's words are more like a statement.
Although Wei Renpu was a little bit sad, he always maintained a calm look, shook his head and said: "According to the military report from Huainan, this battle greatly defeated the Tang army. Li and Wang led their men to kill the enemy bravely and made great achievements. Protecting the Holy Army before and after The damage is not small..."
In a rare move, Guo Wei interrupted Wei Renpu and interjected sternly: "Gong is merit, fault is fault, and cannot be offset. In the past few years, your Majesty has rectified the Imperial Army and strengthened military discipline. You have always been rewarded for your merits and punished for your faults!"
"Then in what name will the punishment be imposed?" Wei Renpu still said calmly: "If it is to kill prisoners, the matter will definitely spread on a large scale, which will be detrimental to the reputation of our army. If in other names, the punishment is to be imposed on the newly-made meritorious officials, It will be difficult to convince the public by taking responsibility for the crime, and it may damage the morale of the army!"
After hearing what Wei Renpu said, Guo Wei stopped at the right time, and then looked at Liu Chengyou, as if His Majesty the Emperor had made the decision. Well, the conversation between the two had almost analyzed the situation.
"We will suppress this matter for now and deal with it after the war is over!" Liu Chengyou sighed and said: "However, this case must not be opened! Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains has been in chaos, and the heroes have joined together to attack each other. In the midst of this, we, China, Dingkou has dropped sharply.”
"Since I succeeded to the throne, although I have worked hard to develop our national strength, it has been difficult to explode due to the limitation of population. If I want to take Huainan, in addition to the land and the city, the most important thing is the people. With more than two million people, if I can If you take all of it and digest it for a while, how much food and troops can be provided to our country in the future, how much will it improve our country's national strength!"
"Three thousand captives, if they are well transformed, they are three thousand soldiers; if not, they are three thousand peasants and three thousand coolies! They killed them so easily just to vent their murderous desire!"
Liu Chengyou's speech was unusually emotional. It was obvious that he was really angry. Of course, he did not focus on humanitarian issues such as "killing prisoners is unlucky" and "harming the peace of heaven". He was more concerned with population. , in terms of national strength, to be more straightforward, interests...
Guo Wei and Wei Renpu did not answer the conversation rashly, but waited for the emperor to finish venting his anger.
Without letting the two wait for too long, Liu Chengyou quickly calmed down and said seriously: "This matter has also reminded me that the military needs to be restrained, especially military discipline!"
"In addition, the Privy Council should issue a decree and inform the Huainan armies that it is strictly forbidden to kill prisoners and plunder the people! Violators will be severely punished!"
"Yes!" Guo Wei responded.
Liu Chengyou nodded with satisfaction, and his expression returned to his usual Gujing Bubo. Speaking of Liu Chengyou, he could be regarded as a man who fought hard on the battlefield. He had seen many dead people, and the killings and deaths directly caused by him were countless. , my heart has long been trained to be as cold as stone.
Even though Liu Chengyou was extremely angry about this matter, what really made him angry was the concealment of the Huainan Front Camp's "killing of prisoners" matter, without even mentioning it...
"When it comes to the population issue, there is one thing we have to take into consideration!" Liu Chengyou's mind turned quickly, and he used this matter to discuss it with Guo Wei and Wei Renpu: "Now that the war has just begun, our troops are heading towards the Huai River. On the front line. When the war expands in the future and affects the entire north of the Yangtze River and Huainan, the people of Huainan will inevitably have to flee across the Yangtze River due to the war, but they have to guard against it!"
Speaking of this, Guo Wei immediately praised the emperor for his foresight and long-term vision. In response to this, Wei Renpu gave some suggestions:
First, it is natural to strengthen the military discipline of the Han army and refrain from disturbing the people in the occupied prefectures and counties. This is the basis.
Both sent people to promote the policies of the Han Dynasty. Although the Southern Tang Dynasty was rich, all kinds of taxes were much heavier than those in the Northern Han Dynasty. The people at the bottom had no easy life at all.
The third is to bribe officials, generals and local clans in Huainan.
Fourth, attack the coast of the Yangtze River as soon as possible, send troops to guard the ferry, patrol with soldiers, and more importantly, end the war as quickly as possible, seize Huainan as the territory, and stabilize the situation.
After discussing the frontline matters with Guo Wei and Wei Renpu, they were released and returned to the Yamen.
Liu Chengyou himself took out several more secret reports and read them with a cold face.
Above it are reports directed at Wang Jun.
For example, Wang Jun likes to enjoy himself, his handsome tent is luxurious, his jewelry is lavish, and his ceremonial decoration is suspected of exceeding the standards;
For example, when Wang Jun was in the army, he showed great pomp and arrogance, and commanded the generals as if they were working with cattle and horses.
For example, Wang Jun spoke loudly and criticized the emperor and the court for not fully delegating power to him.
For example, when Wang Jun promoted private individuals, in the military merit book, he was more close to his old subordinates but less fair.
For example, Wang Jun enriched his own pocket and seized gold, jade and beautiful ornaments, good horses and swords in front of the army, and kept them in his private account.
For example, on the second day of the great victory at Xia Cai, Wang Jun rewarded the sergeants in the name of the deployment of the previous battalion. The three armies were so happy that some people even shouted long live them.
...
These piles, piece by piece, accumulated, all prove that Wang Jun has drifted. Although Liu Chengyou has enough confidence to subdue Wang Jun, and after many times of rectification by him, he also has the confidence to control the imperial army. There is no shortage of hand arrangements, and Wang Jun has no one to look forward to...
However, we should always be cautious in everything. What if something happens on the front line?
Now shrewd, calm, and confident, he has evolved into a qualified monarch. The suspicion in Liu Chengyou's heart has spread and grown, gradually swallowing up his heart...
On the 16th, Liu Chengyou changed the title of Emperor Yong's younger brother Liu Chengxun to King Yong, giving him the post of Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture, and personally saw him off with the Empress Dowager Li.
When King Yong went to Guanzhong, Liu Chengyou not only promoted his tutor to the position of judge of Jingzhao Mansion, but also assigned him several assistant officers from the imperial court and the Hanlin Academy, and also selected 300 soldiers from the imperial army as guards.
It can be said that Liu Chengyou put away his suspicion towards this emperor's younger brother and paid special attention to him.
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On the 17th, Liu Chengyou held a family banquet in the palace and told the queen and concubines to entrust the affairs of the harem and Tokyo to the queen mother. No matter when, the only person Liu Chengyou could rely on was the queen mother Li.
On the 18th, Liu Chengyou swore an oath of loyalty at the south gate of Tokyo. After explaining to the ministers and generals who stayed in Tokyo, he set off southward!