Warrior in Turbulent Han Dynasty

The Southern Tang envoy came to seek peace in the name of the lord Li Jing. The conditions were: Li Jing removed the title of emperor and changed his name to the lord of the Southern Tang Dynasty; ceded six states of Shouzhou (already lost), Haozhou, Sizhou, Chuzhou, Guangzhou, and Haizhou, paid millions of gold and silk every year, and begged the Zhou Dynasty to stop the army. But Chai Rong rejected the envoy's conditions without hesitation, and asked for the entire territory of Jiangbei; and unequivocally threatened that if the Southern Tang Kingdom did not comply, they would cross the river south, directly destroy the Southern Tang Kingdom, and use their treasury to reward the soldiers.

Chai Rong first rejected the peace proposal, and then summoned several civil and military officials to discuss military plans.

Guo Shao was fortunate to participate in the negotiation of this important military and state affairs, which had never happened before... Before that, he could only obey the orders of Shangfeng, and he didn't know what the superiors wanted to do except rely on guesswork. But now I finally have the opportunity to personally participate in such a big event. However, Guo Shao didn't say a word during the whole process, just listening to what they wanted to do.

The first thing I know is an important news... Han Tong set off from Tokyo, brought hundreds of warships that had been built and trained before the war, and were advancing towards the Huai River.

... During the discussion, many people spoke and expressed their opinions.

However, the words of the privy envoy Wei Renpu are the most direct: "This is the second time for the Southern Tang Kingdom to seek peace. There is the first time, the second time, and there will be the third time! First, make a big noise and ask Nandu to destroy the Southern Tang Kingdom, so as to force them to seek peace for the third time; secondly, prepare to expand the land on both wings at the same time..."

Guo Shao probably understood the strategy from Wei Renpu's words: the imperial court actually only wanted the Jiangbei land, one to enhance its own war potential, and the other to cut off the possibility of Southern Tang looking for opportunities to attack; but it was not in a hurry to attack and destroy Southern Tang.

Apart from controlling the Huaihe River, the most important purpose of the warship navy brought by Han Tong is to intimidate|intimidate the Southern Tang Kingdom.

This is simply fraud! It turns out that countries will also play this game... If this kind of military aircraft is leaked and the Southern Tang Kingdom has confidence, it will naturally not be so afraid of the Zhou Dynasty's fraud. Guo Shao realized that Chai Rong had regarded himself as someone of his own who could be trusted to a certain extent.

Wei Renpu moved a rough map hanging on a wooden frame to the first place, and Guo Shao saw the map clearly at a close distance this time. Maps are very different from the ancients' drawing methods. The biggest difference is that circles and lines are used to outline important towns, roads, and water systems. It feels that Wei Renpu has borrowed the drawing method of Qin Feng's drawings that Guo Shao contributed last year. No wonder Wei Renpu's eyes seem to be pleasing to the eye.

"The Privy Council has agreed on a policy that can take into account the two strategies of 'forced surrender' and 'land expansion'. Han Tong's navy has entered the Huai River near Shouzhou from the Ying River, and can start from Shouzhou and go down the Huai River.

"If there is progress in general, our Zhou army will show signs of seizing the great river and crossing the south. The ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty must panic and fear that he will lose Jinling (the capital of Jiangning, now Nanjing)... This is a forced surrender." Yungang). Once obtained, the occupied land will be connected into one piece, and it can be further bordered with Wuyue Kingdom... This is 'land expansion'. It is also a strategy to get the best of both worlds."

Some generals were confused when they heard this, and were stunned by the bluff, and their expressions looked like they would not understand at all for a while. Guo Shao found that he knew better than many generals in this regard, and he knew exactly what Wei Renpu wanted to do... This was really the first time Guo Shao participated in formulating such a grand strategy.

If Wei Renpu could put it simply, it would be nothing more than scaring others while encroaching on Jianghuai territory. It's just that we inspected some water and land terrains and chose the road. The war route is a zigzag line, starting from Shouzhou, advancing eastward in a straight line; then turning the direction and going south to the Yangtze River.

Chai Rong thought it was good, and the idea when he first entered Huainan was to break through the middle and expand the two wings. The first big step has been achieved because of the breakthrough of Shouzhou, and this time the strategy is to enter the second stage: to expand the results of the battle and force the surrender.

He said: "You can attack in two ways. When the troops of Hantong and Shouzhou attack eastward, the troops of the Dianqian Division can attack Xiong and Tai, and at the same time remove the obstacles that prevent the warships from going south after arriving in Chuzhou."

Chai Rong said again: "It is reported that there are 50,000 to 60,000 defenders in Haozhou, and there are hundreds of warships of the Southern Tang Navy between Haozhou and Si. There must be a big battle from Shouzhou to the east. Who will preside over the land and water troops in the north?"

All civil and military officials looked at two people: Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin.

Zhang Yongde is silent, the Iron Cavalry Army is now near Yangzhou, and part of the Crane Control Army is in Qingliu Pass (both in the southern area)... Besides, the emperor seemed to have slipped his mouth before saying that the "Dianqian Division" army should attack Xiong and Tai. Zhang Yongde has just been promoted to the front of the palace, and he is the supreme commander of the two main forces in the front of the palace, so he has no reason to control the operations of the guards.

Li Chongjin's face was a bit ugly, and he didn't speak, and looked at Guo Shao who was sitting behind with casual eyes. This guy seems to be still brooding over the public humiliation last time.

However, Guo Shao had just been promoted to the commander of the Infantry Division, and his status and prestige were not enough to command the armies. It was impossible for him to be appointed to such a large strategic battle.

Chai Rong said: "I want to conquer Haozhou myself. Li Dushi, your successor Huainan will deploy. After meeting Han Tong, make preparations and restrain the troops from entering Haozhou!"

Li Chongjin clasped his fists and said, "The last general is in command."

Chai Rong turned his head to look at Guo Shao: "You and Zhao Chao led the tiger army to the left and right, and took the lead to advance eastward; directly obey my orders."

Guo Shao hurriedly said: "The last general has ordered to go back to Shouzhou immediately."

Chai Rong said: "The Shouzhou government moved to Xiacai, let Li Gu judge the Shouzhou government affairs."

...

Guo Shao left Yangzhou first with Jingniang, Yang and a group of soldiers, and rushed north to Shouzhou. Instead of returning to the garrison near Shouzhou, he went to Xiacai to settle Jingniang and others. Because Li Gu presided over the Shouzhou affairs in Xiacai, and here was the rear, so Guo Shao was not in a hurry to let Jingniang and Yang's return to Beijing.

Unexpectedly, at this time, the second brother Yang Biao came to Xiacai town. It is said that people from Fu Yanqing's family went to Shouzhou to find Guo Shao, and Yang Biao took them to Xiacai. Guo Shao hurriedly asked someone to come in and meet him.

Three people came, but the other two led the horses and talked to the soldiers in the yard, obviously followers. Only a middle-aged man walked towards the door of the living room with a smile on his face.

This person is a literati, not only wearing a towel robe, but also very different from a martial artist in his feet. He stepped forward and made a very solemn bow: "I'm Xia Tanliang, I was ordered to visit General Guo. I'm a member of Hebei Wei Wang's family, a teacher, haha... Please forgive me if you disturb me."

"Mr. Qin, please sit inside." Guo Shao said with a smile on his face, "It's a great honor for Guo to meet the people of Wei Wang's family."

Tan Liang claims to belong to Fu Yanqing's family... Guo Shao doesn't know the truth, he has met Fu Yanqing, but the people around him don't know each other. But just listen to what this person said, you can probably guess whether it is true or not, and most likely it will not be false; whoever has nothing to do to meet a general of the Zhou army under the guise of Fu Yanqing, and the Fu family cannot interfere in Huainan's military affairs.

The two didn't know each other at all, didn't understand each other, and had no common topics, but after they were seated in the living room, they actually sang and chatted a lot of nonsense. This literati speaks in a twist and turn, not as straightforward as a general.

"Congratulations to General Guo for the victory in Shouzhou. This battle is really famous all over the world. General Guo will definitely become another famous general in our Zhou Dynasty."

Guo Shaodao: "Wherever it is, it all depends on the leadership of the officials."

After talking for a long time, Tan Liangcai took out a letter from his sleeve pocket and handed it over: "King Wei is here mainly to send invitations. King Wei knew General Guo during the Battle of Jinyang last year, but at that time the military affairs were complicated and he didn't have much to say to General Guo. It was a pity in his life. I hope that after the Huainan War is over, General Guo will be honored to see him at King Wei's Mansion in Hebei. King Wei wants to talk about the past with General Guo again."

Guo Shao didn't pay much attention to it, he just took a look in front of him, and there was actually Fu Yanqing's burnt lacquer seal on the seal of the envelope, and then he opened it to look. It took me a while to read the contents of the letter.

Tan Liang asked again: "General Guo served in the army in Prince Wei's residence before?"

Guo Shao smiled: "A few years ago, he was a guard in Prince Wei's mansion."

Tan Liang sighed: "In a few years, you can become a great weapon. General Guo is really a man of promise... I would like to ask, where is General Guo's ancestral home? Where are his parents?"

Guo Shao let out a sigh and said, "When I was young, my family lived in the countryside of Yanzhou. They were originally a wealthy family. At that time, there was a severe drought in my hometown and locust plagues. There was chaos for hundreds of miles, and thieves swarmed, and many people and fellow villagers went out to flee famine. Guo's family was robbed by mountain bandits. My father led the crowd to resist and was killed. My mother-in-law left early. I escaped to Yanzhou City alone. "

He didn't lie, what he said was what he remembered.

Qin Liang sighed after hearing this, and then said a few words of sympathy. Guo Shao didn't need sympathy, because he hardly felt anything when he said these things, as if he was telling someone else's story.

"General Guo is not what he used to be. Has he ever been engaged to any family?" Tan Liang asked tentatively.

Guo Shao frowned slightly, didn't the queen not let me marry a wife, didn't she tell you? Guo Shao had no choice but to say affirmatively: "My parents are not here, no one is in charge, and I haven't married a wife yet."

There was a smile on the corner of Tan Liang's mouth, he nodded and said: "A man should serve the country first, then get married, it's not too late. Don't worry... I wonder if General Guo understands what I mean?"

Guo Shao hurriedly nodded and said, "I understand..."

Qin Liang was very happy when he heard this, and reminded in a low voice with good intentions: "The Huainan battle is not over yet... General Guo doesn't need to rush to make meritorious deeds, the best policy is to seek stability."

The two chatted happily immediately, without saying a word, they just hit it off after flirting with each other. Guo Shaosui stayed at Qin Liang's residence for the night, and asked someone to prepare food and drinks for him to accompany him for a meal. Then he hurriedly found Zuo You and asked him to write a reply letter thanking King Wei for his invitation, and copied it.