At the court meeting of the Hanyuan Hall in Chang'an, the resolution of the Han Empire to send troops to conquer the Western Regions was officially decided. With the great victory of the first war against the Xiongnu four years ago, this time, even with the threat of the Hun cavalry, it was no longer as fearful as before.

The huge wealth of those countries in the Western Regions was not well known to the imperial court in the past. However, with the increase in the number of Han Dynasty missions and private merchant activities in recent years, more and more people have realized that there are countless treasures waiting to be developed and acquired.

The huge lure of profit and the combat strength of the Han Dynasty army made many people optimistic about this western expedition, and in order to obtain unexpected benefits in it, many forces began to operate in secret.

It was under such circumstances that after the resolution of the Western Expedition was passed, when selecting the generals and troops of the Western Expedition in armor, many variables arose, so that a wonderful showdown would be set off in a few days.

Although many ministers in the court have witnessed the newly named elite cavalry on Changle Plateau, they must have a great chance of winning if they serve as the main force of the Western Expedition. But at this moment, when huge interests are involved, many people have to change their minds and begin to speak out in support of certain forces that want to profit from it. Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and this sentence applies not only to the rivers and lakes, but also to the court.

In addition to these forces with different goals, there are also many people in the Han army who are eager to try. Fame but take it right away! But any man in the army, who doesn't want to rely on his bow and horse strategy to expand the territory and make great achievements, and then add officials to the knighthood and leave a name in history!

Therefore, when Emperor Liu Che said that the army he preferred to the west was the Red Fire Army that he personally gave the title, it was unexpectedly opposed by a large part of the courtiers.

Although there are many reasons for opposition, all in all, it is a matter of great importance, and it is a bit too hasty to send such an army, which has been punished with a major demerit, as the main force of the westward expedition. What's more, I heard that the commander of this cavalry is a bit too young. How can such a soldier take on such a heavy responsibility? Once there is a mistake, the setback is small, and the process of the Western Expedition is delayed, it will be too late to regret it.

Not only did the ministers of the DPRK and China have these many opposing voices, but there are also many unconvinced voices in the Han army, and even among the officers and men of the Black Eagle Army who were once comrades, there are also people who are eager to earn this opportunity and make greater contributions.

What made the emperor hesitate a little was that the Empress Dowager and Mrs. Li of the Jade Palace mentioned several times that he began to have some other considerations, which inevitably made his original determination shaken a little.

In fact, if you put aside your personal selfishness, there is still some truth in what they say. For the sake of the emperor's own authority and the absolute security of the imperial power, the power of Jianzhang Palace can no longer be allowed to develop too much, whether it is in the palace or in the court, there should be forces that can compete with it.

The so-called way of being a king, in addition to the supreme authority of the Qiangang dictatorship, should also know how to support different forces in the court and court, so that they can constantly fight each other, and the emperor will sit down and play the role of the referee. Only in this way can the imperial power remain stable, and the courtiers will reduce many of their disobedience.

With Wei Qing and the Black Eagle Army as foreign aid in the Jianzhang Palace, the wings are already hard enough. And if you want to choose a force that can compete with it in Weiyang Palace, it seems that it is indeed necessary now. This meaning from the Queen Mother made Emperor Liu Che think about it for a long time.

And Li Wanyu of Shuyu Palace even saw the opportunity to reveal her meaning several times, wanting to let her brother Li Xuanji, who served as a general in the Northern Army Battalion, lead the troops to make meritorious achievements, and rely on her own ability to win supreme glory for the family.

The meaning of her words did not need to be said, the emperor would naturally understand.

The little prince born to him by Li Wanyu is also more than four years old. This is a very scheming woman, even if she does not think about her own future, she will make arrangements for her son's future.

Whether her son will be crowned king in the future or have greater extravagant hopes, a strong family backing is indispensable. Although the emperors of all dynasties have made rules that strictly prohibit relatives outside the harem from interfering in politics, the rules are dead and people are alive. In the intricate and extremely brutal struggle for imperial power, it is impossible to do without strong kinship support. This kind of thing, whether it is the harem of the previous dynasty or the current dynasty, has happened many living examples.

The emperor has always been very fond of this stunning beauty. Li Wanyu's beauty is stunning in the harem. Even when Empress Wei Zifu was at her peak, it seemed that she was slightly inferior to her now.

The so-called love house and Wu, because of Li Wanyu's favor, the Li brothers Li Xuanji and Li Yannian, who are both literate and martial, have also been reused by the emperor. Li Yannian was very popular with the emperor, so there is no need to say more. Since the last time the Northern Army Battalion was seized by the emperor to carry out a thorough rectification, Li Xuanji, who was in the prime of life, had been named the chief general of the Northern Army Battalion, commanding nearly 50,000 troops stationed in the north of Chang'an City, as a barrier to protect the northern city, and its degree of trust can be seen.

Emperor Liu Che couldn't stand this pillow wind, and finally agreed to let Li Xuanji lead part of his northern army battalion soldiers and horses to participate in the western expedition after a drink. But for this beauty's request to the emperor to worship her brother as the general of Zhengxi, the emperor never nodded.

The Li brothers do have some skills, but if they compare with Yuan Zhao and his disciples, the emperor will naturally be able to distinguish who is higher and who is lower. Military affairs are not a child's play, not to mention, he has already planned to hand over this matter to Yuan Zhao for overall planning. And Yuan Zhao's intention is to use the Red Fire Army as the main force, and he has made a clear request.

However, without affecting the overall situation, the courtiers fought each other within the connivance of the emperor, and although this situation did not manifest itself explicitly, sometimes this was the need of the imperial power.

So, a few days later, the emperor sent Dongfang Shuo to Changle Plateau in the name of visiting Yuan Zhao's injuries and told him about his decision.

Dongfang Shuo first went public and then private, and after first conveying the emperor's commission, he took a closer look at Yuan Zhao's face, and saw that he had been very ruddy in the past few days because of his cultivation, and he couldn't help but put his mind at ease. The greeting was over, and he sighed softly.

"The plan of the western expedition was originally proposed by Yuanhou first, and so many preparations have been made in the early stage, and the next step is to raise troops to attack, and it is expected that it will only be a matter of course. If you were standing in the court, naturally these messy things would not have happened, and Your Majesty would not have done anything more. Alas! It's not a good time for you to get hurt. ”

Yuan Zhao just smiled slightly, noncommittal to his words. While beckoning him to tea, I listened to him explain in detail the eagerness of various forces in the court and court for the westward expedition. After finishing speaking, Dongfang Shuo shook his head again and again. Although he watched from the sidelines and did not say a word about the matter in front of the emperor, he was obviously very disdainful of those groups who only saw the huge interests behind it.

"In this way, Your Majesty has decided to select the main general of the Western Expedition from among all the officers and soldiers of the Great Han Army?"

Yuan Zhao frowned slightly, he was very slanderous about Emperor Liu Che's approach, but he didn't express it, he just asked lightly. Dongfang Shuo is extremely smart, and he has been friends with him for many years, so he naturally knows what he thinks in his heart. nodded, then added.

"It is said that many ministers in the DPRK and China hope that the main general of this western expedition is that Li Xuanji! Moreover, there are also rumors about this matter in the palace. ”

"Huh! It doesn't matter who wants to be the leader. If Your Majesty bothered Mr. Dongfang this time to ask for my opinion, then my meaning is very simple, for the sake of fairness, please ask Your Majesty to send a decree, and in three days, compete in the military field of the colonel at the south gate of Chang'an! Officers and men of the three armed forces can participate in the meeting, and those who are able to overcome the crowd on the spot can go to the altar to pay respects to the generals. ”

Dongfang Shuo stopped the teacup in his hand and raised his head in some surprise, how could such a military matter be solved in such a rash way? However, when he saw a smile flashing in Yuan Zhao's eyes, he suddenly brightened up again. I can't help but secretly admire, the wisdom of Yuan Zhao is really beyond the reach of people! The more complex the problems in the world, the less you need to bother with your brains, mess up, and cut quickly!

"Good! After I go back, I will definitely tell Your Majesty what Yuanhou said in its original form. Hehe! With the bravery of the hussar captain who rode alone to break through the army, it is expected that no one in the entire army can win, right? In the past few years, you have not been in the court, and Man Qian still thinks that her wisdom is growing, and she is a little complacent. When I saw it today, Yuanhou was even more clever! Admire, admire! ”

Yuan Zhao also laughed a little proudly. Will the disciples who have been taught by their own hands still have no faith? For Huo Quzhi, this not only will not cause her any trouble, but it is the best time for her to show her invincible edge in the army. He has already made up his mind, and he will personally talk to her later, so that she can show her best condition, win the commander in front of the army, and worship the general! Truly set up the banner of the Red Fire Army.

After talking about business, Dongfang Shuo put his mind at ease. Talking freely with Yuan Zhao about all the new things on Changle Plateau, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in my heart. Yuan Zhao knew what he liked, and ordered Li Ling, who was beside him, to go to Chang'an University to bring a paper version of the complete book of "Zhuzi Integration" as a gift to Dongfang Shuo. Sure enough, this knowledgeable man was overjoyed, and he caressed this set of extremely precious paper books that had just appeared in the world with his hand, and his heart was amazed and liked.

"Yuanhou, regardless of the rest, just this piece of paper and this set of printed words are enough to shine for thousands of years and be passed on to future generations! For you, I really admire the five-body throw! ”

Yuan Zhao nodded and smiled, and did not deny his great contribution to the early appearance of papermaking and printing. Facing Dongfang Shuo, a figure known as a wise man, he unabashedly said the most ambitious ideal in his heart.

"Naturally, the impact of these two technologies is enormous...... I hope that one day books and words will not only appear in the academies. They should be widespread throughout the world, in the hands of everyone, from three-year-olds to octogenarians, who can read and write, and know etiquette...... In such a step-by-step, the prosperity can be expected ......! ”

Dongfang Shuo was already dumbfounded when he heard it, and after a long time, he bowed deeply and was convinced.

"If so, the world is lucky! Shuo is not talented, and he is willing to follow the tail wing of Yuanhou for the rest of his life, and he will do his best to ...... this matter! ”