Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan

Xu Changzhi, Liang Da and others did not ask why Guo Hao was appointed as the pioneer.

In fact, they can also make a rough guess.

First of all, since Guo Hao became the commander of the navy, he has not participated in any major battles.

During the National War, Guo Hao raised money and contributed in the Jiangnan area, but he did not get any credit.

Anyone else would not feel better.

Secondly, Guo Hao is now the commander-in-chief of the southern camp. In this Northern Expedition, all major battalions are involved, so the south cannot be left alone.

Therefore, Wei Yuan thought about it and decided to use Guo Hao.

When everyone was heading to Huanzhou, Wei Yuan spoke to Xu Changzhi again: "Originally, Guo Hao was asked to serve as the left vanguard and attack Yuzhou with you."

"But considering that Guo Hao has been in Jiangnan for so long and has been a local emperor for so long, I am afraid that he will not obey the discipline, so I just let him follow me."

During the Northern Expedition next year, Wei Yuan will be the commander on the right to attack Yunzhou, and Xu Changzhi will be the commander on the left.

But in fact, both armies must be controlled by Wei Yuan.

Xu Changzhi nodded, there is no need to argue about this kind of matter.

"Not long ago, I proposed to the imperial court that the system of prefectures and counties should be abolished and replaced by a provincial system. After Wang Anshi has solved the problem of land annexation in the south of the Yangtze River, we should start this matter."

Wei Yuan suddenly talked about the affairs of the imperial court, which surprised Xu Changzhi.

"What does this matter have to do with us?"

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "The figures from our Daizhou are not only military generals, but also several civil servants and counselors."

"When the provincial system is implemented, they will be sent to various provinces to accumulate qualifications."

The most indispensable thing in Daizhou is generals.

But it is not enough to have famous generals alone; civil servants are also needed to match them.

In this way, the nobles and generals of Daizhou Group can go further.

Although Wei Yuan only wanted to regain the Sixteenth State of Yanyun, it did not mean that he had not prepared for the future.

Wei Yuan was not unaware of what Wang Anshi and Fan Chunren said outside the imperial city.

As Wang Anshi said, the emperor is young and simple-minded now, but the emperor will grow up one day.

By then, will the relationship between Wei Yuan and the emperor still be the same as it is now?

This is an unknown number, but Wei Yuan doesn't dare to bet.

The situation in Huanzhou is quite different from that in Yingzhou and Shuozhou.

As some people from the North came over, it felt like integrating into Datong.

Although the war has ended several years ago, no real peace has been achieved between the countries.

Therefore, trade with foreigners is still not allowed in the three states.

At the very least, it can't be accessed now.

Originally, some factions advocating reform raised this issue with Zhao Xi. It could be appropriate to allow foreigners to trade in a certain month or season.

At first, Wei Yuan did not reject the matter.

As a result, there was an influx of spies. From then on, Wei Yuan basically made the final decision on all matters in the Three States.

"There are about 60,000 defenders in the three states combined. The Liao Kingdom has many cavalry and is not good at attacking cities. As long as we occupy one city and focus on defense, even if the Liao Kingdom has the power to reach the sky, it will be difficult to advance half of it. inch of land.”

Liang Da was talking to Wei Yuan.

The latter said in a deep voice: "Liang Da, you have to change your mind. This is no longer the time for us to defend. Now we have already changed from offense to defense."

In fact, there are still many generals or civil servants in the Great Zhou Dynasty. They can't believe that the offense and defense have changed so much.

The main reason is that since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, there has not been a true battle in which a city can be conquered and a great victory can be achieved by fighting outside the border.

Wei Yuan stayed in Sanzhou for more than half a month. He originally wanted to personally deploy the campaign plan for the coming year.

However, Zhao Xi urgently ordered him to return to Beijing.

The reason is that Dong Fe, the current leader of Tubo, has arrived.

Huanzhou camp.

Wei Yuan smiled at Xu Changzhi and said, "Before I came to Yanmen, I sent someone to inform him about the Northern Expedition next year. I didn't expect him to move so quickly."

The latter said: "Does Your Majesty know about your contact with the Lord of Tibet?"

Wei Yuan nodded and said: "As I mentioned, Chang Zhi, I would like to trouble you to continue to stay in Sanzhou and keep an eye on the developments of Liao Kingdom."

"I will return to Beijing immediately, and then transfer Guo Hao to the north to replace you."

"By the way, I haven't had time to say congratulations to you in the past few days, you are going to be a father."

Xu Changzhi's wife, Princess Che, has been found to be pregnant.

About two months ago.

Xu Changzhi smiled and said: "It doesn't matter whether I go back to Kyoto or not at this time. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to accompany my wife to give birth during the Northern Expedition next year."

Wei Yuan responded: "Don't worry, the battle in the coming year will be very long. I should be able to squeeze out time for you to return to Beijing."

Xu Changzhi said: "I am afraid that as the commander-in-chief of the left wing next year, I will suddenly leave the army and return to the capital, right?"

Wei Yuan patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's talk about it next year."

In early October of the third year of Kaiwu, Wei Yuan returned to the capital.

On the same day, Zhao Xi summoned officials from six ministers and above to discuss the Northern Expedition in the coming year.

Originally, not many people knew about the Northern Expedition next year, and everyone felt that it was still a thing of the past.

However, as the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry raised money and grain, manufactured armor, weapons, and large siege equipment, many people sensed that the war was about to begin.

In the Xuanzheng Palace.

Because of the Jiangnan land annexation, Wang Anshi, who had not slept well for several nights, braced himself up and asked Wei Yuan:

"Can next year's war be postponed a little longer?"

Wei Yuan knew his difficulty.

The situation in Jiangnan has not been resolved yet, and another wave of taxes will be levied for the war. I am afraid that the aristocratic families in Jiangnan will find ways to oppose the court.

After all, there is a saying that there are policies from above and countermeasures from below.

Wang Anshi mainly suppresses land annexation by investigating tax-evading land and sorting out land taxes, but it cannot solve the problem.

He is very anxious now.

Some officials from Jiangnan have to impeach Wang Anshi every day.

If Zhao Xi had not withstood the pressure, I am afraid that Wang Anshi would have to be demoted and leave Beijing.

However, Wang Anshi has difficulties, and Wei Yuan also has difficulties.

If there is no northern expedition next year, the actions of the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Works will sooner or later be noticed by the Liao Kingdom.

How can we achieve an unexpected effect?

Besides, since Yelu Xinxian came to power, he has either been recruiting soldiers or training soldiers.

He is so actively preparing for war, obviously he has something to plan.

Last year and this year, the Great Zhou has maintained close contact with Wanyan Wugunai.

If there is no northern expedition next year, I am afraid that the Liao Kingdom will put pressure on the Jurchens.

At that time, the national policy of allowing the Jurchens to grow and threaten the Liao Kingdom will have problems.

However, these are all things that are on the surface, and Wang Anshi cannot be unaware of them. Therefore, Wei Yuan changed his angle and said to Wang Anshi earnestly:

"Since the first year of Kaiwu, various measures such as military reform, civil reform, land reform, and political reform have been implemented together. To put it bluntly, it is to take advantage of the end of the national war and the majesty of the government, so it is so impatient."

"But after so many years of reforms, and so many reform heroes, have the people's lives become better?"

"In fact, everyone knows that not only has it not improved, but it has become worse."

"Now the contradictions in my Great Zhou are intensifying. At this time, if we don't fight a battle to alleviate the consequences and disadvantages brought about by various reform measures in my Great Zhou, can Wang Xianggong's reform policy continue to be implemented?"

This question stumped Wang Anshi.

Wei Yuan was telling the truth.

However, once a war breaks out, will the people in the south of the Yangtze River, who are already full of resentment, be able to bear the additional taxes?

Logically speaking, Wang Anshi's reforms are for the people at the bottom, and to allow the interests of the middle and upper classes to be shared by the people below.

But why is it that the more people's livelihood is changed, the more difficult it is?

That is because the more the court exploits the gentry class, the more the gentry class will exploit ordinary people, and over time, they will fall into a vicious circle.

Now, it depends on who will collapse first.

And the people will not resent the gentry class, they will only resent Wang Anshi.

At present, Wang Anshi is undoubtedly carrying a bad name, but now that things have come to this, he has no choice and no way out.

Seeing that Wang Anshi stopped talking, Wei Yuan turned to look at Dong Zhan who was sitting beside him and bowed:

"Next year's Northern Expedition, my Great Zhou will have no time to take care of Xixia. I hope Tubo can fight a few large-scale battles in Xixia."

Does the Great Zhou really have no time to take care of Xixia?

Actually not.

After all, the main force of this expedition is the northern and eastern camps.

Wei Yuan did not move a single soldier of the 200,000 troops in the western camp.

Why did he make such an arrangement?

The reason is very simple. He knows Dong Zhan very well.

Nowadays, all countries are implementing military reforms or expanding military strategies.

Tubo is no exception.

What does Dong Zhan want to do?

It has to be prevented.

Since Tubo wants to rely on the economy of the Great Zhou to maintain domestic prosperity, it must pay a little price when necessary.