"Your Majesty, how does this need to change?" The palace marshal Shang Hongqian stood up and said directly: "Since the Khitan people have encountered such a great change and are in chaos without a fight, it is a good opportunity for our army to forge ahead. The left and right armies have been mobilized, the grain is lost to the north, just at the right time, the northern expedition to the Khitan, taking advantage of its alternation of the old and the new, in one fell swoop to recapture the Youyun Prefectures, the danger of Yanshan, the soldiers out of the fortress, the achievement of immortal achievements! ”

Since Shi Hongzhao, Shang Hongqian has been in the position of commander of the forbidden army for three years, and he basically acts as a mascot on weekdays and does not participate in the strategic decision-making of the imperial court. But at this kind of enlarged military and political meeting, Liu Chengyou still asked him to attend and gave him the right to speak.

But when his words fell, Wang Pu, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, immediately stood up and said with some excitement: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that Shang Dianshuai can't discuss it." At this time, the Khitan will not have the power to look south, this is a good opportunity for the heavens, I immediately transferred the division to the south, turned to attack the pseudo-Tang Dynasty, seized Huainan in one fell swoop, collected the land in the north of the river, and then tried to look north! ”

"Wang Shangshu's words are wrong!" At this time, Wang Yin, the commander of the Xingjie army, also stood up and spoke: "Now that the Tokyo forbidden army is going north, the Hebei army and horses have been assembled, and the northern garrison is also ready for battle. Under such circumstances, no matter how much combat direction is vainly changed, how much food, how much time, and how much physical combat power will be consumed? ”

"Rather than this, why don't you take advantage of the situation to go north to the end and recapture my northern border in one fell swoop!"

The generals in the palace, in addition to Wang Yin, also commanded Du Hanhui, who was a brave general, and also echoed at this time and supported the northward advance.

The Iron Cavalry commanded Han Tong, and when he saw this, he spoke and supported the battle against Liao. In the eyes of this general, it is rare to have such a good opportunity to attack Liao, and it must not be missed.

Seeing that the military ministers were full of excitement, Fan Zhen couldn't help but get up and support Wang Pu: "The generals have thought about the situation too simply, and now the situation of the Khitan is still unknown, and it is still unknown to be investigated, how can it be easy to talk about war!" ”

Shang Hongqian couldn't hear this, and looked at Fan Qian, and his tone was very impulsive: "Is Fan Xianggong questioning that the commander is not familiar with military strategy?" Now hundreds of thousands of troops, heading to Hebei, aren't they for war? His Majesty, the imperial court, and all the soldiers are ready to fight the Khitans. The Khitan soldiers are weak, our army is strong, how can we not fight? ”

I have never found that Shang Hongqian is so eloquent. Seeing that the dispute was a little intense, for fear of hurting the harmony, Feng Dao came out to play a round: "The generals have the heart to dare to fight, and the will to resist the enemy is a blessing for the country." However, the matter of the war is related to the national economy and the people's livelihood, and it is necessary to be cautious. The old minister thinks that if he can not fight, he will not fight, so why not sit back and watch the changes, wait for the situation to be settled, and find a safe strategy......"

Okay, Old Minister Feng simply suggested not to fight, of course, Liu Chengyou didn't hear this advice.

At this time, Wang Pu bowed down and said earnestly: "Your Majesty, the princes, and the national policy that the Han Dynasty previously adhered to was originally 'first the south and then the north', to be leveled by the countries, and then to gather the strength of the whole country to resist the Khitan in the north." I have been saving for three years, originally to attack the puppet Tang Dynasty, take the land of Huainan, and then go north to the south. If it weren't for the Khitan invasion in the south, the army would have already been slightly in Jiangbei, and how could it be prepared for the war in Hebei. ”

"The army went north, which was originally a contingency move, but now the Khitan is in chaos, and the northern troubles have disappeared. Otherwise, wouldn't His Majesty's previous efforts against the southern kingdom be in vain? ”

"Now, the Tang army has seized the Chu land, the surface is prosperous, the righteous ambition is arrogant, and it is really stuck in the quagmire without knowing it. If you don't take advantage of the distraction, it will not be easy to find such a good opportunity in the future. Moreover, Your Majesty is now discussing the north and the south, and it is difficult to hide the opportunity. Against our dynasty, the pseudo-Tang Dynasty will also be on guard, and it will be difficult to find the opportunity to raid and the effect of surprise soldiers! ”

Wang Pu's remarks made Liu Chengyou and even the ministers fall into thought. But at this time, Tao Gu, a scholar from Zhongshu, suddenly spoke: "Wang Shangshu's so-called 'south first and then north' strategy was originally to take care of the strength of the Khitan and it was difficult to deal with, so he wanted to take the easy first and then attack the difficulty, first level the weak and then control the strong." ”

"But now!" Tao Gu glanced at Wang Pu, and the corners of his mouth raised an arc that made him uncomfortable: "The Khitan people are in civil strife, and they will send a good fighter plane to the eyes of the Han Dynasty, will they give up just in sight." Why don't you take advantage of the situation to go north, recapture the danger of Yanshan in one fell swoop, block the Khitans from the pass, and then Xu Tu south. 'First the north and then the south', is it not feasible to control the strong enemy and then calmly flatten the weak? Could it be that the Han must be limited to the so-called strategy of 'first the south and then the north'? ”

Tao Gu's words were already a little heartbroken, and even Liu Chengyou didn't frown. Tao Gu's words, it sounds, there is indeed some truth. Strategic decision-making is only a basic policy, which can be adjusted at any time and guided according to the situation, which is the work of a wise man.

And Shang Hongqian couldn't help but clapped his palms: "Taoshe people, this is what Ben Shuai said in his heart!" What is first south and then north, where it is easy to fight, where it is convenient, where to fight! ”

Think about it carefully, if you can really take advantage of the situation to go north, recover the entire territory of Youyan Prefecture, and re-establish a solid northern defense line. So, not only for his status and prestige, but also for his status, is it not a good thing, after containing the threat from the north, calmly leveling the southern countries, and less worries?

If there is a possibility of reversing the overall strategic situation, why not try it?

The Khitan army of 100,000 mutinied on the way to the south, the emperor was killed, and the new lord succeeded to the throne. Such a good opportunity is probably difficult to encounter once in a hundred years. Wouldn't it be a pity if you missed it?

All kinds of thoughts flashed in his mind, and I have to say that Liu Chengyou was really a little moved at this time.

Moreover, Wang Shangshu's strategy of first south and then north, the ultimate goal is still to concentrate on dealing with the powerful Khitan in the north. Why bother to go far and abandon the north to the south? ”

The more Tao Gu said, the more confident his expression became, obviously targeting Wang Pu. And there is a very important reason for his performance, he is jealous of Wang Pu.

A backward person, because he put forward a so-called "first south and then north" strategy, in the next three years, the entire court inside and outside the whole circle. Originally, Tao Gu also supported it, but every time he saw Wang Pu in front of the palace and in the palace, pointing out the country and scolding Fang Xuan, he was envious.

A few days ago, the Son of Heaven wanted to increase and expand the ministers, and the ministers pushed the court, Tao Gu originally planned to fight, but he lost the election without any suspense. self-proclaimed predecessors, but has been repeatedly surpassed by backwards, and Wang Pu, who has won the favor of the Son of Heaven because of his "inch-power", is about to overwhelm himself, where can this mentality be balanced.

Therefore, take this opportunity to express your strategy, if you succeed, then there must be the name of Tao Gu in the credit book, and the Qing Shi Dan book will also be completed. Moreover, he did not say casually, the situation in the north is like this, and military opportunities are within reach. And with Tao Gu's understanding of the Son of Heaven, the pride and ambition to subdue the rivers and mountains have long been surging in his heart, and he is very likely to agree, and Liu Chengyou's reaction also gave him confidence.

"The Taoshe people are wrong in this way!" Wang Pu was refuted by Tao Gu's words, and his face was already a little ugly, but in front of the emperor, he tried his best to suppress his emotions and said in a deep voice: "The Khitan is not easy to fight with, and it is really unwise to start a strategic decisive battle with it. The puppet Tang Dynasty is a weak country, the lord is faint, and the border of Jiangbei borders me for 2,000 miles, and it can be cut down everywhere. ”

"There are more than a dozen states in Huainan, millions of people, don't fight, expand the country, enhance the national strength, why take the risk to gnaw the hard bones of the north? If the war is unfavorable, not to mention the achievements of the past few years, it will greatly delay the pace of His Majesty's efforts to level the countries and dominate the world. And now Fang Town is still densely spread all over the world, once the war does not go well, it is difficult to prevent unforeseen disasters! ”

"Your Majesty!" Wang Puchao bowed to Liu Chengyou and said: "Don't try to be quick for a while, and miss the overall situation!" ”

"Huh!" Tao Gu couldn't help but chuckle and said: "Hearing the Khitan invasion of the south, it was you Wang Shangshu who took the lead in suggesting that Your Majesty stop the southern expedition!" ”

"The Khitan is in turmoil, at this time, at that time!" Wang Pu stared at Tao Gu and was not polite.

Tao Gu immediately replied: "Since you know this time and that time, why should you be stubborn about the view of the southern expedition? ”

"Enough!" Listening to the heated arguments of the two ministers, Liu Chengyou finally took the royal case, although the force was not large, but the controversy in the palace came to an abrupt end.

After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou looked at Zheng Renyu: "Zheng Qing is in charge of privy counsel, familiar with military aircraft, and has a reputation for good judgment, what do you think?" ”

In the face of the Son of Heaven's training, Zheng Renzhi was a little surprised, after all, he had always been in the Privy Council, more like an executor, a tool man, and the Son of Heaven could consult him a little about the country.

But at this time, when he heard the question, he looked at Tao Gu and Wang Pu's two ministers, and replied: "The words of Tao and Wang Ergong are all reasonable, and each has its own merits. The pros and cons have been fully described, how to decide, please let Your Majesty decide! ”

This is asked, and it is almost the same as not asking. Liu Chengyou retracted his gaze and looked at Wei Renpu, who had not yet expressed his opinion.