Han Shizu

As winter entered, the new wind carried the chill from the north and continued to move southward. Emperor Liu Yang once again put on the mink fur jacket that had been mended for more than 20 years.

In the Chui Gong Hall, Privy Councilor Cao Bin and the Minister of War issued an edict to see Deming. The three monarchs and ministers discussed the matter of overseas confederation.

The matter discussed was inseparable from assistance matters, and was obviously related to the military. Specifically, Linyi King Liu Shu sent a report to the court, hoping that the court could allocate a batch of ordnance and horses to defend against enemy invaders.

This can also be regarded as the follow-up to the Peninsular War. Although Zhenla made peace with the imperial court, the disputes with Linyi and Linhai did not stop. On the contrary, they became more intense after Zhenla had calmed down a little.

Compared with the loss of troops and land in the north, Linyi State, which occupied the Hezhou area, was the threat on the side of the bed, like a knife in the throat.

Therefore, after obtaining a strike with the Han Central Committee and confirming the large-scale withdrawal of the Han army, a large number of Chenla soldiers began to go south. In addition to the central army dispatched from the capital "Angkor", it also included a large number of soldiers who suffered heavy losses in the Han army's harassment. Nobles, tribal private armies and Chenla civilians.

It has to be said that after such a war with the Han Empire, while the Chenla Kingdom was severely beaten, the Khmer people, as the main body of the ruling, also awakened to a certain degree of national consciousness (let’s call it national consciousness).

In fact, from the struggle between Chenla and Linyi, to the active attack on Annan, the great Han Dynasty, this was an almost instinctive reaction when the indigenous countries of the peninsula faced a crisis.

Today's scene may have been doomed as early as thirty years ago, when the merchants and people of the Han Dynasty set sail southward and the naval fleet attacked across the sea. When the Nanyang countries that were closely connected with Chenla were wiped out by the Han one by one, the crisis and shadow of national subjugation completely fell on Chenla.

Although they are regarded as barbarians by the Central Empire, the Khmer people who have lived on the peninsula are also a mature civilization with their own beliefs and a national management system. They cannot be restrained.

Unconsciously, Chenla no longer regarded the Central Empire as a celestial kingdom. On the contrary, it was a greedy and cruel savage beast that needed to be guarded and defended.

As a result, there were more conflicts with Lin Yi State, and the number of expulsions and killings of Han merchants and people increased, so much so that a war that directly challenged the Han imperial system took place. There is a hint of sadness. In the face of absolute strength, the Khmer people failed, but at least they struggled.

After discovering that the Central Empire was not easy to bully, the Zhenla Kingdom had to give in and consider some practical issues. In the second half of the sixth year of Yongxi, the biggest reality for the Zhenla Kingdom was how to resist or even counterattack the invasion of Linyi and Linhai, the two "tiger and wolf kingdoms".

When Zhenla State organized a counterattack and a large number of soldiers and civilians moved south, the pressure on Linyi State increased sharply. In battle, the Han army and the people are not afraid. In a head-on confrontation, with excellent equipment, organization and command, not only one against ten, but one against five is always confident.

However, the Chenla people also gained experience and lessons during the long-term struggle. They no longer recklessly confronted the Han army, but gave full play to their advantages, local combat and population advantages.

These two points are precisely the shortcomings of the Linyi Kingdom nowadays. As the commander-in-chief of the army, Liu Gong led his army to attack three times, and they all repelled and defeated the invading enemies, and achieved the result of defeating more than 20,000 enemies. However, judging from the battle situation, Look, the Chenla people continued to move south, recaptured many towns, strongholds, and land, and even drove the Han people out of the Tonle Sap River Basin.

In the final analysis, it was during the Peninsular War that Lin Yiguo took too many steps, ate too much, and endured. Their human strength is really not enough to resist the Khmer counterattack on the basis of defending the country and suppressing the rebels.

However, we must resist, but we must pay attention to methods and strategies. After some thought, General Liu Gong proposed a set of imperial preparedness measures, the core of which was eight words: based on defense, dispatch to attack.

Liu Gong believes that if we fight for manpower, even if we immigrate another 200,000 people from the country, we may not be able to defeat the Zhenla Kingdom, and it cannot be done in a short time.

The soldiers and civilians of Chenla continued to harass the garrison, killed Han immigrants, and provoked ethnic rebellions within the country, which hit Linyi State's seven inches. After all, it was difficult to say how high their control over the country was.

Therefore, based on the problems exposed in the counterattack against Zhenla Kingdom in the past few months, Liu Gong put forward his defensive strategy. That is to establish several fortresses in the lower reaches of the Mekong River in Bashan, Banan, Chaling, and Xinshi to defend against the harassing attacks of the Chenla Army, protect immigrants, and suppress tribes. On this basis, we can form cavalry, improve mobility, and dispatch capable forces. Continuously go north to counterattack and harass the Zhenla Kingdom.

In this way, not only can a certain population and materials be captured through robbery, but also the rhythm of the Chenla people can be disrupted. In short, it is necessary to take the initiative in defense. Passive defense can only be limited to one left and right, based on war, and burn the flames of war to the enemy's country. Only in this way can we protect the environment and the people and resume production.

To achieve these two points in a short time, it is inseparable from the support of the imperial court. First, ensure a solid defense system. Lin Yiguo first thought of artillery, and secondly, formed a highly mobile attack force. The lack of horses on the peninsula, naturally I am also thinking of importing it from my home country.

As a result, an aggrieved and emotional request for help was finally submitted to the Luoyang Palace and placed on the desk of Emperor Liu Yang.

Regarding this matter, Liu Yang has not expressed his position for the time being, but wants to hear the opinions of Cao Bin and Xiang Deming. As a result, Xiang Deming had limited support and Cao Bin cautiously opposed it.

Xiang Deming has been in Anxi for ten years and is well aware of the hardships of pioneering, and Lin Yi's request is not excessive. Artillery, as the country's sharp weapon, can provide considerable assistance in both offense and defense.

Cao Bin's opposition was based on the Central Empire's caution in terms of security. After all, artillery is a powerful weapon for the country. If it is too armed for feudal countries, even though it comes from the same source, it may be difficult to control it if it causes trouble in the future.

Xiang Deming believed that the imperial court had provided more than 200 artillery pieces to the three countries of Anxi and more than ten cannons from Anton. It would be unfair for the Nanyang feudal states to refuse them if they asked for them.

Cao Bin felt that at this time and that time, Anxi's artillery was experimental in nature. When the Western Expedition was launched, the late emperor had not yet sealed the country. The original arrangements are not suitable for today, and both artillery and war horses are valuable. Providing them in large quantities will inevitably damage the national strength and consume people's wealth. This is contrary to the original intention of the feudal state to reduce the burden, and is not in line with Yongxi's policy. Zheng Yun Yun.

Xiang Deming obviously disagreed with Cao Bin's statement, and pointed out directly that the feudal state of the Han Dynasty did not mean that it completely severed ties with other countries. The feelings connected by blood also need to be maintained, and some investment is also necessary, not simply pay.

At least, as the Han commerce is becoming increasingly prosperous, especially as overseas trade is growing, and the court's tax revenue is increasing year by year, without the feudal state resolutely defending the Han and protecting the business development of the Han family, how can the court obtain all kinds of benefits from it? benefit.

Obviously, as a typical "pioneering talent" in the middle and late Kaibao era, Xiang Deming's knowledge and vision were completely opened up. He may not be able to foresee the future like Emperor Shizu, and he has never been to Nanyang, but he has experienced pioneering Having suffered from the epidemic, at least his thinking and understanding were not limited in terms of feudalism and foreign affairs, and his suggestions and decisions were more practical and flexible.

In response to Cao Bin's doubts, Xiang Deming put forward another opinion, that is, the Han Dynasty's more mature and more powerful second-generation artillery has been installed in all major armies and in checkpoints and fortresses. If you want to seal the country, The existing first-generation artillery can be assigned to the feudal state. Even if it has some flaws, it can still be used.

There is no room for dissatisfaction with the feudal state. At the same time, a certain fee can be charged to the feudal state, thereby promoting the replacement of Han artillery. Xiang Deming even suggested that if the court did not provide it, all countries would find ways to develop it on their own. The technology of artillery is difficult to say, but you can always gain something by studying hard. What's more, there are many ways to get some support from the country. Unless the Han Dynasty closes the country to them, it can only slow down the speed. Therefore, when it comes to advanced weapons such as artillery and gunpowder, there is not much need to set up obstacles for feudal countries.

Xiang Deming's suggestion obviously opened up a new idea for Liu Yang, and the more he thought about it, the more wonderful it became. So, after careful consideration, Liu Yang made the decision.

One hundred "Type I" artillery pieces were drawn from the arsenal and the army, equipped with ammunition, to support Lin Yi State. The ammunition was given as a gift, but 500 guan was charged for each gun. The transportation was arranged by the Privy Council and formulated in the naval training plan. On a long voyage, I took the cannon with me.

As for the war horses Liu Shu asked for, it would be easier to solve. Horse buying and selling is not prohibited in the Han Dynasty. Lin Yiguo also spends money to buy them. However, the government organizes the collection and sale of horses. The quantity can be guaranteed and the price will be more favorable. . Liu Yang planned to hand over this errand to Kou Zhun again, asking him to raise horses nearby on Annan Road and resell them to Lin Yiguo. The climate there is probably more suitable for Southern Horses.

In contrast, Liu Shu's proposal for gunpowder technical assistance was worthy of hesitation. However, after thinking about it, Liu Yang decided to have the Ministry of War send craftsmen and technical talents to Linyi to help Liu Shu build a gunpowder factory. Come.

And Lin Yiguo's request for military technology assistance can be regarded as a set example for other countries. Later, when other countries heard about this incident, they all followed suit and approached the court. In this regard, the court's attitude was that if Nanyang was enfeoffed, it would be arranged according to Linyi's affairs. There would be no problem. Even if there were some twists and turns in the Anxi Three Kingdoms, Finally agreed.

Only in the Andong Kingdom, the court only provided limited support, deploying a few cannons, but not more. The reason is also very simple. The Andong Kingdom has a few foreign invaders and no big enemies. What does it need to have such a powerful military force? With its current strength, it is enough to defend the country and protect the people.

Of course, the fundamental reason is that in the eyes of many military and political ministers, if the Andong Kingdom is too powerful, the threat will not be to the Hu people in the north, but to the Liaodong Road and the Han Dynasty.

And the court treated him differently again. While King Anton was injured, the dissatisfied and unwilling resentment continued to accumulate.

"Your Majesty, I am begging for the bones. I am leaving the court to retire and return to the countryside. I sincerely ask for your permission!" In the last month of the sixth year of Yongxi reign, when everyone was looking forward to the end of winter and the coming of spring and the recovery of all things, Privy Councilor Cao Bin He met with Emperor Liu Yang and made such a request.

Upon hearing this invitation, Liu Yang was stunned for a moment, put down the ink pen in his hand, raised his eyes and stared at Cao Bin, with a look of displeasure on his face, and said: "If Mr. Cao resigns because he has not accepted the advice regarding Lin Yi, I will definitely not allow it!"

"Your Majesty has misunderstood!" After hearing what he said, Cao Bin immediately prostrated himself and explained in a sincere tone: "I am old and sick, so I am really embarrassed to hold the position of prime minister. I really don't dare to arrogantly occupy the temple anymore. , a vegetarian meal in corpse position.

Moreover, there are now many talented people in the DPRK, and there are countless people who are young and powerful and can take up their posts. I am old and aged due to the winter heat. If I stay here any longer, I will only feel ashamed."

When he said this, Cao Bin couldn't help but cough a few times, as if he wanted to prove that his body was really weak.

After listening to his plea, Liu Yang's expression softened a bit, and then he looked at Cao Bin carefully. The veteran in front of me is already 68 years old. He is nearly years old, with a head of white hair and a face full of vicissitudes of life.

Therefore, after silently judging Cao Bin's petition, Liu Yang was reluctant and relieved, and procrastinated to agree to his retirement. To show his respect, Liu Yang also named him Taiwei.

Cao Bin retired to retire, which had a significant impact on the situation of the Han Dynasty. In addition to the retirement of one of the veteran ministers, more importantly, the important position of Privy Council was vacated.

In the superstructure of the Han Dynasty's power, any vacancy in any position would attract countless vultures to covet and compete for it, let alone the privy envoy, which was an important position to control the country's military affairs.

Of course, as in the past, the competition for the position of Privy Councilor this time is still dominated by a group of military officials and nobles. For decades, the Privy Councilors of the Han Dynasty have always made their fortune in the military, and they basically come from the noble group.

This time's result is no exception, and the only surprising thing may be that after considering various candidates, Liu Yang chose Gao Qiong, a 63-year-old veteran, to succeed the Privy Councilor. You know, Gao Qiong is a real person. of the common people.

Back then, when Gao Qiong was promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of War, there was already a lot of discussion. However, it was decided by Emperor Shizu at that time, and no one dared to refute it. Gao Qiong's qualifications were sufficient, but in the eyes of many people, the Minister of the Ministry of War was the one. limit.

But no one could have imagined that more than ten years later, Gao Qiong would be appointed as Privy Councilor at such an advanced age. This was an eye-opener and made the nobles who actively strived for it very dissatisfied.

However, it is no longer the first year of Yongxi's reign. Even if they are dissatisfied, apart from complaining, there are really not many people who dare to explode. Today, they are also the emperor who has the power of life and death over them.

There is another point that must be mentioned behind Gao Qiong's taking over as Privy Councilor. That is, in the past few years, the army of the Han Dynasty was still dominated by meritorious veterans, but at the same time, a large number of "civilian generals" were also constantly being promoted, especially starting from Liu Yang After vigorously rectifying military style and discipline, promotion efforts were intensified.

Gao Qiong is exactly the pinnacle that a "civilian general" can reach, which is of great significance.

At the same time that Gao Qiong took office as the Privy Council envoy, an important personnel change also occurred in the Privy Council, that is, Guo Liangping, Marquis of Zhiyuan, was transferred to Beijing as the Deputy Privy Envoy, second only to Gao Qiong as the "First Deputy Privy Envoy" .

This is the second time that Guo Liangping has served as deputy privy envoy, but what is different from the previous time is that this time Guo Liangping is more confident and more fierce. He returns with great honors and has accomplished the task of destroying the country. The triumph of Shizu's enfeoffment plan.

At the same time, this time, the navy's status is also different. Therefore, after Guo Liangping returned to the court for the second time, no one in the court dared to attack him with his qualifications, meritorious service, etc. Guo Liangping also deserved his title.

Of course, there is another reason behind Guo Liangping's transfer, that is, after nearly thirty years of hard work, Guo Liangping and even the Guo family's strength and influence in the Nanyang Navy and Nanyang region have somewhat expanded. , especially after leading the army to attack the Srivijaya Kingdom, it has reached the point of destroying the regional balance.

Therefore, he must move his position. In the future, the Guo family's influence in the navy and Nanyang will continue to be exerted, but Guo Liangping himself will never have the opportunity to return to Nanyang.

As for Guo Liangping's promotion, the people who are happiest are the naval admirals and those distinguished naval officers.

The transfer of positions from Gao Qiong to Guo Liangping also reveals some subtle changes that occurred within the Han army at least during the Yongxi era. Of course, this change also occurred from top to bottom.