Emperor Su Zheng stabilized his emotions for a moment, looked at the ministers and said slowly: "Su Erhu, the thief chief of the Far Eastern Rong Tribe, despises the prestige of the Great Yan State. Kill my people, behead my generals, the crime is not punishable. I ordered the destruction of his national letter and sent troops to fight against him. In addition, the displaced people in Jizhou were requisitioned to build a border wall in case of accidents. Tuoba Honglie is loyal to the country and can be an example. With the first rank of Jin Jue, he was named the general of the auxiliary country, and the quasi-eldest son was the lord. Sima Yan's ineffective rescue caused Dayan to lose his teacher and humiliate the country, remembering his hard work in the Far East, and allowing him to make meritorious contributions. He was demoted to the first rank and fined for three years. What do you have any doubts? ”

Huang Pusong, the secretary of the military department, opened his mouth and said, "Your Majesty. Sima Yan is not at fault, and His Majesty cannot punish him. Moreover, there is now only one commander left in the Far East garrison, Sima Yan, and the morale of the whole army is low when the commander is punished. The minister asked His Majesty to select a capable general to lead the army to quell the rebellion in the Far East, and the minister suggested that the Duke of Qin be appointed as the commander and transfer the northern army into the Far East. With the backing of the Northern Army, chaos in the Far East is just around the corner. ”

"The ministers seconded the proposal." Most of the generals echoed Huangpu Song in unison.

Emperor Su Zheng frowned, what he was most unhappy about was to enable Yan Chengyu and mobilize the Zhenbei Army. In that way, the military power that was not allowed to be held will return to the hands of the Yan family.

"We'll talk about it later, let's talk about where it's appropriate to build the side wall."

When the ministers heard this, they said in their hearts, isn't this putting the cart before the horse? It doesn't matter if the wall over there is repaired or not, the most important thing now is to send troops to assess the Far East. Ignoring this, it is really impossible to distinguish the priorities of repairing the border wall first.

"Your Majesty. I, Dayan, have never built a border wall since the founding of the country. I don't know what this wall is for. According to the minister's opinion, even if the border wall is to be repaired, there is no need to rush for a while, and the main thing now is how to quell the rebellion in the Far East. The minister thought that it was imperative which army to dispatch and who would lead the army, and asked His Majesty to make a clear decision. Chen Jiuling, the head of the household department, raised objections.

"The ministers seconded the proposal." This time, there are more ministers who echo it.

"Colleagues, you don't have to be like this, the reason why Your Majesty first discussed the construction of the border wall. There must be His Majesty's reasoning. The current situation in the Far East has been decided, and even sending troops there now will be no help. His Majesty once told the official that he planned in his heart, and His Majesty's plan was to reorganize the army from now on, stick to the line of Hongshi Mountain, and block the barbarians from moving south. An echelon defense line should be established with Urakan as the center, and the barbarian living force should be consumed one by one. Meanwhile. The Great Yan Naval Division was sent to blockade the sea surface of the Far East and prohibit all kinds of materials from flowing into the Far East. After a long time, the Far Eastern ministries will inevitably lose their combat strength due to lack of materials, and people's hearts will fluctuate. At this time, we will implement the strategy of co-opting and dividing each other, aggravate the contradictions among various departments, and make them chaotic without a fight. At this time, we can rely on the cities of the Far East that are still in our hands as the base point, and we will be able to unite with the outside and attack from all sides, and gradually quell the rebellion in the Far East. ”

The ministers couldn't help but nod their heads when they heard this. In fact, this plan is the strategy that Niu Tianci said in the Yan Wangfu. Later, Long Xingrong told Emperor Su Zheng about this policy, and Emperor Su Zheng asked Li Ke and others to discuss, and they all believed that this policy was the most stable in the current situation. It's just that when it comes to it, it involves which army to send to defend Urakan and who to send as the commander, so it has not been announced. Now that Emperor Suzheng is being forced by his ministers, Li Ke has no choice but to say this.

"It's a brilliant plan. However, the commander-in-chief of the garrison defending the Urakan line had a heavy responsibility, both to defend against enemy attacks and to maintain the supply of the garrison in the Far East. It is also necessary to coordinate the coordination between the two armies. If you are not handsome, you can't be appointed, and your majesty is asked to use the Duke of Qin as the commander. Huangpu Song suggested.

"Your Majesty, please use the Duke of Qin as the commander."

Emperor Su Zheng furrowed his brows and did not speak. As soon as Li Ke saw it, he immediately said: "Colleagues, Ke has a suggestion for colleagues. For today's plan, he had to transfer the Zhenbei Army to defend Urakan, but the commander was temporarily appointed by Sima Yan, and His Majesty's punishment of General Sima was cancelled. After His Majesty decides on the choice of the commander, General Sima and the new commander can be handed over. Sima Yan was temporarily responsible for the construction of the Urakan defensive line, and the local garrison and local people built it at the discretion of the official. Meanwhile. Requisitioning displaced people to build a border wall, what do your colleagues think? ”

Li Ke's suggestion was tantamount to a delaying tactic, and he agreed to transfer the northern army to defend Urakan to prevent the ministers from mentioning Yan Chengyu again. Let Sima Yan temporarily act as the coach to block everyone's mouth, and once again proposed to build a side wall to divert everyone's attention. As a result, the minister who proposed to use Yan Chengyu had nothing to say for the time being.

"Then please ask Li Xiang. Where is the best place to build a side wall? Chen Jiuling asked.

"With Your Majesty's intentions, the side wall starts from Liaozhou Yanbo Port in the east to Jinzhou Datong Customs in the west, with a total of 100,000 miles. Of course, there are some lots that don't have to be built. It is only necessary to connect the wall of the original border state pass with the side wall. In this way, the total length of the project is about 53,000 miles. ”

Hey, the ministers were in an uproar. It's such a big project, I'm afraid it will take about ten years to complete. Moreover, how much grain and how much people's power will be spent on this big project, I am afraid that it will not be enough to use all the displaced people in Jizhou. And what is the use of repairing this side wall, the ministers can't understand it for a while.

"Li Xiang, the lower officials have something unclear and ask Li Xiang to solve their doubts. As Li Xiang said, once this side wall was built, it would separate the Central Plains of Dayan from the entire Pingrong grassland and Liaodong Prefecture. Shouldn't the side wall be built in the border area? Why is it built in the hinterland of Dayan, and who is this side wall to defend against? Huangpu Song asked.

"Lord Huangpu asked well, this side wall is used as the second strategic line of defense of Dayan. As we all know, Dayan has a vast territory, and the roads extend in all directions, and there are many key passes. If you want to take care of everything, you must send a large number of troops to defend it. In this way, the burden on the imperial court was increased, and it was inevitable to take care of one or the other, which was the reason why the barbarian cavalry went to the Central Plains to cause trouble before. After the construction of the border wall, the roads leading to the Central Plains in the border areas were concentrated in these places, which was convenient for garrison defense and more convenient for local management. More importantly, the size of the garrison was reduced, so that the money and food saved could replenish the frontier garrison and enhance the strength of the frontier garrison. If the Red Stone Mountain Urakan is the first strategic line of defense of my Dayan, then this side wall is naturally the second line of defense. With these two lines of defense, our Dayan can calmly deal with the crisis in the Far East and ensure the stability of the Central Plains, which is a great thing for the present and for the future. His Majesty the Emperor was far-sighted and admired. ”

As soon as Li Ke slapped his ass, his group immediately shouted: "Your Majesty Shengming." ”

Huangpu Song and the others were talking about His Majesty Shengming, but they always felt that something was wrong in their hearts. But for a while, I couldn't say it. In fact, not only Huangpu Song didn't know what was going on, but even the generals didn't understand what was good about this so-called second line of defense. knew that he could give birth to garrisons in various places, and the remaining money and food could replenish the border army. They pondered it carefully and felt that this seemed to be the truth. The generals are all experienced in warfare, and there have been times when several lines of defense have been laid out during the war. But that's because the ground is on the offensive and our army is on the defensive. In this case, several lines of defense are laid out one after another. It is very necessary to deplete the enemy's forces one by one. Thinking of this, the generals all felt that what Li Ke said was very reasonable, and he was worthy of being a talented prime minister. It seems that this minister is not only good at nepotism, but also knows a little about military strategy. It's just that this method is a bit stupid, and it doesn't conform to the generals' style of the Dayan army's indomitable and brave progress.

"That's a mistake."

A bell-like voice entered the main hall. I saw an old man with a bright crown and a white beard walking in tremblingly on crutches.

"The old country is fine." The ministers hurriedly saluted, and Emperor Suzheng also stood up from the dragon chair and waved at the old man again and again.

"The old minister is not at home, what is the important matter of coming to see me?" Emperor Su Zheng asked the old man with a smile.

The old man is the former Minister of Qi Guo Zhao Zhen, since Zhao Zhen handed over the phase to Li Ke. He never participated in the political affairs of the DPRK and China again, and he was at home to care for the elderly. Today, Zhao Zhen went to court because he knew about the changes in the Far East, and he was so angry that he dressed neatly to meet Emperor Suzheng.

"Your Majesty, the great changes in the Far East are really a national disaster. Where does Lao Chen still have the heart to stay at home. Li Ke, when the old man handed over the phase to you, he said that the land of Dayan will not give up an inch of land. Half of the Far East is now in the hands of the enemy. How do you explain to the old man! ”

"Grace, please calm your anger. Li Ke did not ignore the Far East, but the situation is like that now. Had to be a little flexible. Enxiang also knew that a plague had caused a huge loss of Dayan's national strength, and various expenses were stretched to the limit. At this time, the dispatch of troops to the Far East was of no avail, and the excessive number of troops was very costly. In addition, our army has suffered a new defeat, the people's hearts are in turmoil, and morale is low. It's not time to send troops at this time. ”

"Big mistake. Although General Tuoba was martyred in the First World War of Wembutan in the Far East, his bravery inspired the military and inspired future generations. 30,000 soldiers fought bloodily and forgot their lives, and the Narong Department must have suffered heavy losses. Even if the Far East is temporarily outnumbered. However, the Rong Department is busy cleaning up the newly occupied land, and it must be difficult to take care of everything. can make Sima Yan break into pieces, send troops across the river, and attack and harass the Rong Department. Accumulate small victories into big victories, contain the Rong Army, and create opportunities for our army to increase troops in the Far East and quell the rebellion. There is a precedent for this tactic. What General Ling, the flying general of Wolf City, can do with two thousand iron cavalry, can't you do it? ”

"The strategy you just mentioned is very good, it can be described as comprehensive, although it takes a long time, but it can have the effect of cutting the grass and eradicating the roots, once and for all. That's good, but you're still too conservative. You only know to prevent the Rong army from going south, but you never thought that this strategy seems to be mainly on defense, but in fact, it is based on offense instead of defense, supplemented by defense? Where is your perseverance and courage back then? Could it be that being in a high position has forgotten the original intention of serving the country and the people? ”

Zhao Zhen's fingers Li Ke's long beard fluttered, his eyes widened angrily, and he looked like he hated iron but not steel.

"And your so-called second line of defense, it just doesn't make sense. My Great Yan has established the country with force, and our Yan army has always been indomitable and brave and diligent. It is precisely because of this strong offensive spirit that I have created the glory of my Dayan. But your side wall seems to be blocking the threat of a potential enemy, but you don't know it. This side wall also blocked Dayan's vision and Dayan's enterprising heart. What we advocate is attacking, attacking, attacking. Only our enemies are pitifully hiding behind the city walls and shivering, do you want our invincible lion of Dayan to become a poor worm who will not fight without the fortress? ”

Zhao Zhensheng shook the court, and every word was like gold and iron, shocking. The generals puffed up their chests with excitement, and even those Wenchen unconsciously straightened their waists and looked at Zhao Zhen with reverence.

What Eun Xiang said is reasonable, but Li Ke also has unspeakable secrets. Today's Dayan's strength is not as prosperous as before, and it urgently needs to recuperate. ”

"Then in your opinion, just let those ghosts ride on Dayan's neck and pull them up, do whatever they want?"

"Enxiang, it's not too late for the so-called gentleman to take revenge for three years. As long as I am given some time, when the national strength is restored, the shame of the Far East will be avenged today. ”

"How long? A year? Two years? So how long do you say? It seems that you don't have a bottom in your heart. As the minister of state, he has no strategic vision, so he is indecisive, which is really a mistake for the country! Misguided country! Misguided country! ”

Zhao Zhen poked the ground with his cane, and the sound shook the hall to buzz.

"Enxiang, sage cloud: although the country is big, the warlike will die. Enxiang also taught him not to bully his friends with Dayan Guowei. Eun Xiang, was your original statement wrong? ”

"You, you, are not enough to conspire. Your Majesty. The old minister only asked His Majesty, why didn't the Heavenly Wolf Protectorate send troops when Sima Yan asked for help? ”

"The Heavenly Wolf Protectorate was attacked by unknown figures, and all the generals and colonels under the Great Guardian of the Heavenly Wolf were assassinated, so they failed to send troops."

"Then why didn't Ning Yuan's guards send troops?"

"Well, after I take back the military power of the Northern Legion, I can't mobilize more than 100 troops without a will."

"Your Majesty, you have bound the tiger's claws and sealed the tiger's fangs. Your Majesty, it's not too late to make amends. The old minister asked His Majesty to reactivate Yan Shuai, return the military power of the Northern Army, and let Yan Shuai lead the army to pacify the Far East. Your Majesty, the Far East seems to be insignificant, but in fact it affects the national fortunes of Dayan, and Your Majesty must pay attention to it. The old minister knelt down and begged His Majesty to activate Yan Shuai. ”

"Cheng and others kneel and beg Your Majesty to activate Yan Shuai."

More than a dozen generals and ministers knelt behind Zhao Zhen and asked Emperor Su Zheng to reactivate Yan Chengyu in unison.

Emperor Su Zheng's face turned red, his hands trembled slightly, and he clenched his teeth. He stayed for a moment before he said, "Gao Ping, send the old minister back to his house on behalf of me." When Qi Guogong is old, there is no need for Qi Guogong to work on state affairs. As for the matter of the Northern Army, we will discuss it later. Li Ke asked for permission to withdraw from the dynasty. ”

Emperor Su Zheng shook the sleeves of his robe and turned around and left Taihe Palace. Gao Ping stepped forward to help Zhao Zhen, Zhao Zhen trembled all over, and old tears were rampant. He called out the names of every civil and military official present one by one, and his voice was terrible, and every word was bloody. Wen Toast, Chen Jiuling, Huangpu Song and others fell to their knees crying.

When Zhao Zhen walked to the door of Dadian, he suddenly turned around and looked at Li Ke and said in a fierce voice: "Li Ke, the sage did say that although the country is big, it will die if it is warlike. But the sage also said that although the world is peaceful, forgetting the war will be dangerous. Li Ke, the old man is looking at you with wide eyes, if Dayan is in trouble because of you, the old man vows not to give up with you!! ”

Li Ke could only bow to the ground at this time, and he didn't even dare to raise his head. (To be continued.) )