Regarding Chen Leng's encirclement and suppression of Du Fuwei, Wan He also discussed with Li Jing. However, Li Jing did not think highly of Chen Leng. In his opinion, Du Fuwei looked rough but was actually very cunning. Chen Although Leng can be regarded as a veteran, his use of troops is too rigid and does not know how to adapt. Even in Li Jing's opinion, Chen Leng's previous victories were all caused by Du Fuwei deliberately setting up traps. This trick is somewhat similar. Before, Wagang Village lured the counter-rebellion army, and finally it was like setting up an ambush at Dahai Temple.
Although Wan He didn't understand Li Jing's analysis, he had no doubts about it. So Wan He was also not optimistic about Chen Leng. Of course, he wouldn't say this in front of Yang Tong and Yuan Wendu, Duan Da He just smiled faintly and said: "Your Highness is not ignorant of my abilities. Just don't let me show my shame."
Seeing that Wan He was unwilling to say anything, Yang Tong also smiled and no longer forced it. As for Yuan Wendu, Duan Da and others, they showed puzzled expressions. They have been working in other places in these years and have heard of Wan He. The achievements in the past two years, whether it was the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo or the Battle of Yanmen Pass, all showed Wan He's superb command level and combat capabilities. He is still so humble now. But since even Yang Tong didn't say anything, they naturally I won't talk too much.
After everyone exchanged greetings, Yang Tong asked Wan He: "Dong Liang came to see me this time. Is there something wrong?"
Wan He nodded. He glanced at Yuan Wendu, Duan Da and others. He hesitated for a moment. But thinking about it, there was nothing to hide. When he said: "I came to see His Highness this time. There is really something. It's an emergency. I want to ask your highness for a favor. I want to ask your highness to give me the command of ten thousand imperial guards."
Wan He's words were spoken lightly, but to other people's ears, they were like a thunderbolt from the blue. Wan He actually opened his mouth and asked Yang Tong for the command of the 10,000 Yulin Army. How is this possible? Yuan Wendu and Duan Da and others looked at Wan He with wide eyes. They never expected that Wan He would suddenly say such mindless words. I really don't understand how he climbed to the position of an important minister in the court. As for Yang Tong at this moment He also didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't expect that Wan He would actually say such a thing. If there were only two of them, it wouldn't matter. He had long been used to Wan He's failure. But now Yuan Wendu and Duan Da are here. This was a bit difficult to handle. After hesitating for a moment, Yang Tong glanced at Yuan Wendu and Duan Da. He smiled dryly and said to Wan He: "Ten thousand Imperial Guards. This. This is a bit troublesome. Liang Guogong wants these ten thousand Imperial Guards. What's the use?"
Trouble. It’s impossible. After listening to Yang Tong’s words, Yuan Wendu, Duan Da and others were going crazy. They had long heard that the relationship between Yang Tong and Wan He was good, but they wouldn’t take it for granted. Let's make a joke about such a major military and national event. The emperor has only ordered the king of Yue to supervise the country for a few days. He will distribute 10,000 imperial guards to foreign ministers. You know, there are only 20,000 imperial guards left in Luoyang.
But Wan He didn't notice the crazy expressions of Yuan Wendu and others at all. Instead, he frowned and said seriously: "Your Highness, this is it. I discovered a few days ago that Henan is now Banditry is so rampant that it has reached a point where we cannot ignore it. Food and grass are an important condition for restricting banditry. Without food and grass, the bandits will not last long no matter how rampant they are. Therefore, the first step is to eliminate the bandits. We must cut off the bandits’ source of food and fodder.”
Yuan Wendu and others thought Wan He was crazy at first. But now after hearing Wan He's analysis, they also think it makes sense. Yuan Wendu and Duan Da are actually relatively talented people. Otherwise, it would be wrong. Wan He's explanation would not be specially transferred by Yang Guang to assist Yang Dong. To them, it was quite reasonable. Although they still didn't understand what Wan He's reason for wanting 10,000 imperial guards had to do with this. But at least he won't be as shocked as he was at the beginning. Yang Tong had the same idea. He nodded first, and then said with doubts on his face: "Liang Guogong, your words make sense. But this is different from the fact that you want 10,000 imperial guardsmen. What does it matter?"
Wan He soothed his brows and then said: "Looking at the entire Henan, the largest granary is undoubtedly the Luokou Granary. The Luokou Granary stores too much food. If thieves get the food in the Luokou Granary, it will definitely happen. There will be endless troubles. The bandits from Wagangzhai counterattacked and attacked Luokou Granary, which proved that they were already eyeing the food in Luokou Granary. So, I decided to take 10,000 imperial troops to evacuate all the food in Luokou Granary. "
Yang Tong and others nodded when they first heard Wan He talking about Luokou Cang. After all, the food in Luokou Cang was indeed a big fat meat in the eyes of bandits. However, they thought that Wan He wanted this. Wan Yulin's army was preparing to garrison Luokou Cang. But when Wan He finished speaking, everyone, including Yang Tong, widened their eyes and looked at Wan He in disbelief.
Empty the grain from the Luokou warehouse. What kind of joke is this? The grain from the Luokou warehouse has been collected by the imperial court from all over the world over the years. Without the emperor's decree, no one dares or can tamper with it. Now that the emperor is far away in Jiangdu, it is naturally impossible to issue an imperial edict to Wan He. And Wan He, without an edict, actually wants to empty the Luokou warehouse. This, this is too courageous.
Immediately, Yuan Wendu didn't care about so much. He stood up and shouted loudly: "No. Absolutely not. The food in Luokou warehouse is related to the foundation of the imperial court. How can it be used casually? Your Highness, Liang Guogong's words are really great. It’s inappropriate. I absolutely cannot agree to it.”
Yuan Wendu suddenly spoke. And he directly rejected Wan He's opinion. Wan He was also shocked. He immediately looked at the fat, middle-aged civil servant with a strange look on his face and said: "Yuan He Sir, it is precisely because the grain in Luokou Warehouse is related to the foundation of the imperial court that I suggest that all the grain in Luokou Warehouse be moved to Luoyang. Wouldn't this be a better way to protect these grains?"
"Liang Guogong." Yuan Wendu looked at Wan He seriously at this moment. He no longer cared about the hypocritical politeness. He shouted in a deep voice: "This Luokou warehouse was specially built by the Holy One to store these grains and grass. Its city defense It can be said that it is not inferior to Dongdu. It is even better. Transport the grain and grass from Luokou warehouse and then send it to Dongdu. There is no need at all. If Luokou warehouse is in danger, more troops and horses can be sent to assist. That's it. Instead, transport the grain and grass out of the Luokou warehouse. On the way, it is easy to be attacked by bandits. If the grain and grass are lost, the foundation of the imperial court will be shaken. Liang Guogong, by then, you will be the Sui Dynasty. sinner."
Originally, Wan He had always been smiling and looking harmless. But he didn't expect that Yuan Wendu didn't give himself any face. In the end, he put such a big label on his head. Wan He's temper No matter how good he is, he has no shame. His face darkened and he shouted: "Master Yuan, since you don't know anything about military affairs, then you should stop talking nonsense. Although the city defense of Luokou Cang is good, the scale of the entire Luokou Cang is... It is too small. Even if there are more troops on defense, the narrow city head cannot give full play to the strength of the defenders. If the bandits surround Luokou Cang, they will slowly wear down the defenders of Luokou Cang. The defenders will undoubtedly be defeated. When the time comes, all the food in the Luokou warehouse will be owned by the bandits."
Naturally, this was not what Wan He could think of. But before he came, Wan He specifically asked Qin Qiong for advice. Qin Qiong was a general who had twice participated in the battle to aid the siege of Luokou Cang. As for the shortcomings of Luokou Cang's defense, Of course, he knows it very well. And this is the biggest flaw in Luokoucang's defense.
It is true that Yuan Wendu did not know much about military affairs. Yuan Wendu's specialty was government affairs. He knew nothing about marching and fighting. However, although Yuan Wendu was silenced by the argument, there was Duan Da next to him. Duan Dana was a veteran who had been fighting for more than ten years. He heard Wan He's words. Although he nodded frequently, he still did not agree with Wan He's statement. He said: "My lord, although what you said makes some sense, but this The risk of transporting the grain out of Luokou warehouse is too great. If you encounter bandits on the road, even if the escort of the grain and grass has more than 10,000 imperial guardsmen, it will still be very dangerous if you are targeted by bandits. On the contrary, if the bandits besiege Luokou Cang as the Duke of Guo said, they will definitely not be able to capture Luokou Cang in a short time. When the time comes, the Holy Spirit will not sit idly by and will definitely send a large army. Rescue. When the army arrives, the bandits will retreat without a fight. Why risk taking out the food?"
Wan He glanced at Duan Da in surprise. Duan Da had some military acumen. However, two future famous generals, Li Jing and Qin Qiong, had analyzed this idea before. Neither of them agreed with this idea. Wan He He opened his mouth and retorted: "What General Duan said has some truth. But General Duan must not forget that the supply of grain and grass in the entire Henan region now all depends on Luokou Granary. If the thieves surround Luokou Granary, .That means that the entire army in Henan is in a crisis of no food. As for the army dispatched by the Holy Spirit, it comes and goes. It is absolutely impossible to arrive in less than two months. In these two months, then But many things will happen. For example, thieves will take the opportunity to attack the surrounding cities of Luokou Cang."
When Wan He said the last word, Duan Da's expression suddenly changed. He has always led troops locally. Of course he knew the importance of Luokou Cang in Henan. Especially the several cities around Luokou Cang. That was completely It relies on the supply of grain and grass from Luokou Granary. If the supply of grain and grass from Luokou Granary is cut off, then these cities will have no food and grass. If the bandits attack, they will not be able to hold on for long. As Wan He said, the emperor will dispatch a large army. After getting the intelligence, we should issue an imperial edict and wait for the reinforcements to arrive. It will take at least two months. If various cities in Henan are captured, it will be even more difficult for the reinforcements to reach Luokoucang.