Another spring rain has passed, and the breeze is slightly cold, blowing through the high mountains and ravines. Along the route of Murong Yanzhao's march, a team of about 20,000 people marched northwestward along Yanshan Mountain and along the water flow.
Within the central army, dragon flags were flying, and powerful cavalry were cruising on both sides. Small groups of men and horses were constantly running in front and back, sometimes sprinting and sometimes slowing down. The land was still wet and the road was slightly muddy, so the speed of the march was inevitably affected.
This is naturally the Han Emperor's camp. Now, it is mid-February, and the Han-Liao War, which lasted for seven months, has come to an end. The Liao Emperor fled north, and the Liao Kingdom's strength shrank significantly to avoid the Han army.
Of the sixteen states of Yanyun, only Yunzhou has not yet been completely pacified. King Yelu Talie of Liaonan Yuan led a lone army to hold on in Yunzhong City, with a trace of unrealistic illusions remaining.
After Murong Yanzhao won the great victory at Duanyunling and arranged the defenses along the Great Wall, he marched westward with anti-anti-war troops and marched towards Yunzhou. By February 6th, the three Han armies combined to 25 people.
They finally joined forces at the foot of Yunzhong City, a full ten days ahead of schedule. This was also the impact of the change in military situation caused by the retreat of the Liao army.
On February 8th, Han Emperor Liu Chengyou decided to set off for Yunzhou, so he made this trip. The ministers, whether in Beijing or accompanying him, were still looking forward to the emperor's return to Beijing. Therefore, for him, Yunzhou
The entire group, including the King of Yan Zhao Kuangzan, expressed dissuasion.
The reason is also very simple. The newly occupied land is not yet stable, and there is a risk of things going wrong. Moreover, the emperor is far away from the Great Wall, and even further away from the capital. Of course, persuasion cannot stop it.
Liu Chengyou was able to sympathize and understand the concerns of his ministers. However, as far as Liu Chengyou was concerned, it would be a pity if he only used Youzhou as the end point of his Northern Expedition. Youyun, Youyun, You have returned to Han rule.
Then Yunzhou should also leave his footprints, then this journey to the Northern Expedition will be perfect.
At the same time, Liu Chengyou also secretly made up his mind that if nothing unexpected happened, this would be his last personal expedition. Therefore, for the key strategic goal of Yunzhou, he was determined to go there in person.
Zhao Kuangyin led the army to the front line, and the imperial camp was deployed and led by Gao Huaide. At the same time, Han Lingkun, who had recovered from his injury, was appointed as the capital of Yuhou. Before and after the battle at Nankou, Han Lingkun performed well and almost died from his injuries.
As for Youzhou, Zhao Kuangzan and An Shenqi Quan were left as deputy commanders. Yes, the two left-behind officers were temporary governors. Moreover, King Yan had the good sense to ask himself to be An Shenqi's deputy. In his words, how could the juniors
Being able to take King An as his deputy, Zhao Kuangzan's political awareness and respectful attitude made the Han Emperor even more satisfied.
Inside the car, Liu Chengyou was reading a book in his hand. Because the road was bumpy and shaking, it seemed a little strenuous. After a while, his eyes felt a little sore.
The carriage was filled with a fragrant fragrance, which was that of Concubine Gao. It was not strong, but very pleasant. The two concubines accompanying the carriage, Concubine Guo Ning, stayed in Youzhou because they were pregnant. To say that Concubine Guo entered
It’s been more than three years since I got pregnant, and it’s not easy to get pregnant now.
He noticed Liu Chengyou rubbing his eyes, leaned over, confiscated the book in his hand, took out the cup, poured a bowl of warm milk wine, and presented it to him with both hands: "Official, take a rest!
"
Liu Chengyou was not polite. He took two sips, smacked his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. Looking at the charming Concubine Gao, he said: "The milk wine on the grassland is sour and spicy, and it really has a unique taste!"
Concubine Gao smiled sweetly: "The official has mentioned before that I specially found someone to brew it. The taste needs some improvement. If the official likes it, you can drink more!"
Liu Chengyou shook his head and picked up the book again. Seeing this, Concubine Gao immediately held it down: "Officials should take more care of their own eyes!"
Seeing the resolute expression on Concubine Gao's delicate eyebrows, Liu Chengyou felt helpless. He leaned back and said, "It's a long road, so you have to let me find something to do. Otherwise, wouldn't it be boring?"
"Then you should rest properly!" Concubine Gao said, "Your eyes are so tired these days!"
"That's all, I'll listen to you!" Liu Chengyou put his hand on the imperial concubine's waist, preparing to move.
Concubine Gao helped him put the book away and asked curiously: "The official has read this book "Zhenguan Politicians" more than ten times and still can't put it down?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou sighed softly: "When Yan Yun returned, the separatist forces in the south of the Yangtze River were wiped out. It was a matter of counter-control. How to bring peace to the people and govern the world was a top priority. The rule of Zhenguan was a model for emperors to govern the country. Although times have changed, there are still some lessons to be learned from it, and I also gain insights every time I read it..."
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Concubine Gao looked at him with a little distress in her beautiful eyes. It was not easy for him to be the emperor. The Northern Expedition was already exhausting her energy and the war was not over yet, so she began to worry about the future. , Take one step, look three steps, during this period, from Tokyo to Youzhou, before and after the army, all kinds of heavy practical work and all kinds of pressure were forced on him...
"Why are you looking at me with such an expression?" Seeing that the imperial concubine did not react as she should, Liu Chengyou withdrew his restless hand.
Concubine Gao sighed: "Officials should take care of themselves!"
"Do I look weak?" Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows.
Concubine Gao smiled: "Officials are naturally strong and energetic, but no matter how majestic or majestic their bodies are, they still need rest. Since the Northern Expedition, I have been worried about both military affairs and state affairs. Even in the cold winter, I have never had any leisure time. Compared with being in Beijing, , it will become more cumbersome in the long run..."
"Okay!" He patted her hand and said, "The great cause of the Northern Expedition is not far away. After returning to Beijing, I will have plenty of time to rest!"
In the carriage, after flirting with the beautiful imperial concubine, Liu Chengyou returned to his normal state and asked outside: "Zhang Dejun, where are you?"
After some questioning, he came to report: "Guanjia, we have passed Duanyunling and are about to turn around. The former army is reinforcing the pontoon bridge and preparing to cross the Yanghe River!"
"Let's go down and take a walk!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou became interested.
In mid-spring, everything is light green, the wild grasses are full of life, and the trees are also adding a touch of green. You can clearly feel the humidity in the air. After walking for a while, your feet are stained with a lot of soil, but it does not hinder your happy mood.
Although the battlefield in Duanyunling had been cleaned up and all the corpses were burned, the traces of the war could not be eliminated in a short time. While Liu Chengyou was enjoying the spring scenery, Zhang Dejun came to report: "Guan, there is news from the Liao Kingdom again. !”
Suddenly Liu Chengyou was interrupted, and after receiving the secret report, his expression quickly returned to numbness. It was not until after the Battle of Duanyunling that Liu Chengyou received the news about the Liao rebellion. , but the specific situation is not clear. Thousands of miles away, in the rear of the Liao Kingdom, it is not so easy to gather intelligence, transmit and hand over information.
However, although the specific details are unclear, it can be judged from the reaction of the Liao army's northward withdrawal that the situation must be serious. Therefore, Liu Chengyou later issued several urging orders, asking the Han Dynasty's spies hiding in the Liao Kingdom to investigate at all costs clear.
Although the Han Dynasty's intelligence network in the Liao Kingdom has made some achievements, it is actually very weak. In the past, it could only be achieved through business travel, envoys' understanding and placement, and by bribery of some tribesmen. Compared with other separatist forces, Intelligence construction is much more difficult.
"Have you rested enough?" Liu Chengyou tilted his head and asked Concubine Gao.
Seeing that the emperor became serious, the imperial concubine nodded. Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "Send the order, cross the river as soon as possible, speed up, and go to Yunzhou!"
The secret report received by Liu Chengyou gave a clearer description of the civil strife in the Liao Dynasty. The civil strife in Shangjing, the rebellion of the clan, the rebellion of the four tribes in Khitan, and the movements of Yelv Jing, the leader of the Liao Dynasty, after the retreat to the north.
Over there, the six tribes of the Xi tribe who were nomadic in the Raole and Songmo areas were also in turmoil. Therefore, Yelujing, in addition to leading the army back to Beijing with Xiao Husi, the northern privy envoy, went to the Xi tribe to suppress the rebellion.
The civil strife in the Liao Kingdom has a tendency to worsen, and is more serious than Yelujing expected. In this way, the Han army can attack Yunzhou with peace of mind.