In the first month, Luoyang was surrounded by a scene of war and chaos, and all kinds of soldiers and horses withdrew from the north of the Yellow River, some of them were disbanded on the spot, and more of them went in the direction of Jiangdu. Although the war between the imperial court and the Southern Dynasties has not yet been made public, there have been many rumors among the people, and it seems that the war has reached the point of breaking out.

As the commander of the two roads of the expedition to the north, Lin Zhan and Su Tingxia have not yet returned to Luoyang, and there are many discussions about these two people, and the ministers of the DPRK and China generally believe that Han Jian will use Lin Zhan more heavily and give up the use of Su Tingxia, just like Su Tingxia was given leisure after entering Guanzhong, Su Tingxia's card seems to have been used by Han Jian.

According to the established itinerary, Su Tingxia's first army should arrive in Luoyang on the seventeenth day of the first month, but Su Tingxia seems to have deliberately delayed until the twentieth day of the first month, and the soldiers and horses were stationed north of the Yellow River, waiting for further rewards from the imperial court. The officials and people in Luoyang City are still quite afraid of Su Tingxia's soldiers and horses, after all, Su Tingxia's troops have a history of looting, and now the main force of his soldiers and horses has been transferred to the front line of the Yellow River, and the surrounding areas of Luoyang are also in danger of being looted.

In the middle of the first month, Han Jian sent two edicts to Su Tingxia's army, wanting Su Tingxia to go to Luoyang alone to listen to the seal, but Su Tingxia delayed on the grounds that the army could not be without a commander, and Su Tingxia's department was stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River, and until the first month passed, it was still not the Yellow River south, but other people and horses had crossed the river.

The situation in Luoyang suddenly became tense.

At the beginning of February, half of the more than 200,000 soldiers and horses in the north had crossed the Yellow River, and Lin Zhan, as the commander, was still guarding the first line of Beiguan, with about 60,000 soldiers and horses defending, and the rest of the soldiers and horses were stationed in the counties around Beichuan. Of the more than 100,000 soldiers and horses still stationed in the north, most of them have been replaced by northern soldiers, and no more than 30,000 Jiangdu soldiers and horses are still stationed in the north, which is also the main force of the Chinese army under Lin Zhan's department.

Su Tingxia's main force of the Chinese army was not many, about 20,000 people. However, it was the elite of all the soldiers and horses of the Wei Dynasty, because Su Tingxia's troops were slow to move, which also brought some changes to the situation in Luoyang.

For Han Jian, Su Tingxia's soldiers and horses didn't care much. Even if Su Tingxia were to rebel against the imperial court, his main force of 20,000 Chinese troops would not be able to pose an actual threat to Luoyang. If you are someone else or have the support of the DPRK and China, Su Tingxia is simply just a general. Whether it was the old system of the Wei Dynasty or the Jiangdu system, they did not regard him as their own people, with only 20,000 elite soldiers and no internal response of the civil and political system, it is difficult to knock on the defense line of Luoyang.

In the imperial court, preparations for the southern expedition had been raised, and by the beginning of February, the matter of Sima as the right minister and the defense of the north of the Qi Dynasty had also reached Luoyang, and the news still had a great impact on Han Jian's authority, and many people were worried that Han Jian would be because of his relationship with Sima Jian. and suspend the use of troops against Yugoslavia. Although there are private discussions in the court, this discussion does not dare to appear on the surface, after all, Han Jian's imperial power is completely based on military prestige, and no one dares to touch Han Jian's scales.

On the sixth day of the first month of February, Han Jian convened ministers in Ye'an Pavilion to discuss the preparations for the requisition of grain and grass in the south. Because of the use of troops for several consecutive years, the national strength of the Wei Dynasty has been greatly inferior to before, even if all parts of the Wei Dynasty are considered to be smooth. However, due to the scourge of war, there was not much harvest, and the consequence of the large-scale use of troops was the emptiness of grain depots in various places. For the courtiers, they all hoped that Han Jian could suspend the use of troops and wait for a few years to recuperate before raising troops to the south.

“…… In a few days, I will recruit and transfer the soldiers and horses in Guanzhong back to Jiangdu to garrison, and the soldiers and horses of Yuzhou and Jiangdu will be coordinated, and everything will be taken care of by the two princesses of the county. ”

to the end of the proceedings. Han Jiancai roughly talked about military affairs. Only then did the minister know that Han Jian was ready to let Han Cui's and Han Zhao's clan in Guanzhong make strategic arrangements as the vanguard commanders of the troops against the south, although Han Cui's and Han Zhao's were only women's generations, but they were also the nominal commanders of Jiangdu's soldiers and horses. Han Zhao's assistant, going back and forth between Luoyang and the Western Capital can be regarded as a good arrangement. Han Jian's reuse of Han Cui's and Han Zhao's family cannot be completely regarded as cronyism.

Ning Yuan asked: "Your Majesty requisitioned and transferred soldiers and horses in Guanzhong, I don't know who is in charge of Guanzhong's defense?" ”

Han Jian said: "Zuo Duwei Sima Xia'an, I think he is doing things safely, so let him take responsibility." ”

Ning Yuan, as the minister of Lingshutai, had major personnel arrangements in the court, and even if he was not in charge, he needed to draft a decree from Shangshutai to complete the declaration. Xia An, who Han Jian wanted to appoint as the commander of military affairs in Guanzhong, was not a person from the Jiangdu system, but an out-and-out general of the Luoyang faction, and belonged to the Shaozhuang faction.

In the previous battle with Xianbei, Xia An, as the commander of Luoyang's recruits, led 3,000 soldiers and horses to the north to cooperate with Lin Zhan's defense of the western front. In order to repair the relationship between Han Jian and Yang Rui and the ministers of the old faction of the Wei Dynasty, the best way is to use more ministers of the old faction in military affairs.

Ning Yuan's face was a little cautious, and he asked: "Your Majesty, there are forty or fifty thousand soldiers and horses in the defense of Guanzhong, and Sima ...... However, he is a general, and Cheyenne does not have much experience in leading troops, is it inappropriate to use him to take on this role? ”

"Oh?" Han Jian looked at Ning Yuan, "Could it be that Ning Taishi has other better candidates?" ”

Ning Yuan didn't answer, and Han Jian also knew Ning Yuan's thoughts very well in his heart. Although Xia An is a general of the old faction of the Wei Dynasty, he is not in the same boat as Ning Yuan, but Xia An's father and brother, who are very close to the previous Lin Ke, after the fall of Lin Ke, the ministers of the old faction of the Wei Dynasty basically attached themselves to him, but there are still many families and ministers who choose to protect themselves. Ning Yuan very much hoped that he could install his people in military affairs other than government affairs to ensure his position in the Shangshutai, but Han Jian didn't give him such an opportunity.

Han Jian said: "Since there is no better candidate for Ning Taishi, then take Xia An to the Western Capital to take charge of Guanzhong Defense." As for the military affairs of Xiliang, it was handed over to Li Yuan, the general of the infantry horse. Today's events are now gone, so let's all go back first. ”

The ministers saluted and took their leave.

Han Jian still stayed in Ye'an Pavilion, and after becoming the emperor, he was responsible for all government and military affairs, and he was not at ease with Ning Yuan, the minister of Lingshang Shutai, so he would re-approve the manuscripts and articles submitted if he was not very satisfied.

When everything was almost dealt with, Han Jian put aside the government affairs for the time being, and asked people to summon the generals who had just returned to Luoyang from the north to report to the palace for an audience. After Han Jian ascended the throne. There were many generals he had never met as an emperor.

The main purpose of meeting civil officials is to discuss government affairs, while meeting military generals is more of a formality. When the generals are leading the troops, there are many things that do not need to be discussed unless they encounter actual warfare.

There were not many generals summoned by Han Jian this time, there were more than a dozen. They are all middle-level generals in the north, not including Xia An, who has just been entrusted with important tasks by Han Jian. These generals are also mainly the generals of the Luoyang faction, and after these people return to Luoyang, Han Jian is ready to send them to Yuzhou to cooperate with Han Cui and Han Zhao to rectify the military affairs of Yuzhou, and also to prepare for the upcoming southward movement.

"I don't need you to miss the emperor's grace, but I want to think about my personal future. You and other military posts are promoted, and after you go to the locality, you must not disturb the people, and you must not interfere in local government affairs. If it is violated, I will not forgive. ”

All the generals were commanded.

Han Jian said: "You have just returned to Luoyang, and you still have housework to settle down, but you will leave for the south in five days." By the end of February, they will arrive, and each of you will do its own duty, and you will go south with your own men and horses, and in terms of establishment, everything will be arranged by local garrisons and horses. After arriving in Yuzhou, we will make another arrangement. ”

After arranging for these people to go south, it was actually a kind of urging of Han Cui's and Han Zhao's family. In fact, as early as more than ten days ago, Han Jian had already sent the edict to Guanzhong to recruit Han Cui's and Han Zhao's south. The time when Han Jian prepared to use troops to the south was in mid-April, when the spring sowing capital had ended, and there was a certain amount of time to recruit the men and horses of Jiangdu, which had the least impact on farming, and once the troops were raised to the south. Under the clear wilderness of the southern wall, it had a great impact on the agriculture of the Southern Dynasties.

What Han Jian hoped for was to win the first battle, but if he couldn't, he would also break down some of the military defense lines of the Southern Dynasties, further weakening the national strength of the Southern Dynasties. As for the direction of the use of troops. Han Jian originally planned to march from the east road, that is, from the front line of Yangzhou, but after Sima Yi was appointed by Xiao Zhan as the commander-in-chief of the Jiangbei military, Han Jian did not want to meet this old friend on the battlefield as soon as possible.

This also has an advantage, that is, the Jiangjiang region is now basically under the control of Zhu Tongjing, the king of Linjiang, Han Jian attacked Zhu Tongjing first, and the court of the Southern Dynasty will definitely not do its best to send reinforcements to help, but wants Zhu Tongjing to fight with the Northern Dynasty to lose both. In this way, the main soldiers and horses of the Southern Dynasty can also be ordered to avoid the battle, which is of strategic significance to the war.

After Han Jian arranged the military affairs, he went back directly to the inner garden of the palace, and he wanted to have some discussions with Yang Rui. Because Han Jian was ready to go south this time, he would also drive the expedition in person, and it was pointed out that he wanted Yang Rui to "accompany him", so Han Jian did not hide anything from Yang Rui about going south.

But even if Han Jian has tried his best to repair his relationship with Yang Rui, Yang Rui's attitude towards him has not returned to the point of loving each other, and there has always been a gap between the two.

When Han Jian arrived at Yang Rui's dormitory and roughly explained the arrangements for raising troops to the south, Yang Rui's eyes moved from his daughter to Han Jian's face.

"Do you think that if you attack King Jiang first, the emperor of the Southern Dynasty will sit idly by? It can be known that the emperor of the Southern Dynasty is just a puppet, she wants to protect the country, and also to establish her prestige, in such a situation, there will be more urging for King Hui to use soldiers, at that time, I am afraid that even the soldiers and horses of Yangzhou headquarters will be recruited to Jiangzuo, and the situation you don't want to see at that time will be presented one by one. ”

Han Jian smiled and said, "Then Rui'er, how did you know that the King of Linjiang would lead the emperor of the Southern Dynasty?" ”

Yang Rui glanced at Han Jian and said, "What do you mean by this?" ”

"Rui'er, you must be treating others with yourself, as the emperor at the beginning, you always have to use the power of each family to maneuver and use your strength. In this way, Luoyang has been stable for more than ten years. But this female emperor of the Southern Dynasty has a different idea from you, Rui'er, you prefer to seek peace and secretly wait for a good opportunity, while she is more radical, and you have a different view of the family and country. ”

Yang Rui said: "You seem to know her better." ”

"Maybe." Han Jian sighed lightly, for Xiao Zhan, Han Jian also had some different emotions in his heart, after all, Xiao Zhan had been hostage in the Northern Dynasty, and it was Han Jian who sent her south to go back to succeed to the throne.

Yang Rui snorted coldly and said: "I'm afraid that when the time comes, all the soldiers and horses will gather in Jiangzuo, and this battle will end in Jiangzuo. ”

Han Jian smiled and didn't say anything. It's not that he hasn't considered what Yang Rui said, everything is difficult at the beginning. Although in terms of military strength, the Northern Dynasty has been fighting in the south and the north in recent years, and the combat power is stronger, but many things cannot be compared with the strength on paper, the Southern Dynasty has been peaceful for a long time, and it is also better than the north in terms of people's livelihood, plus Zhu Tongjing and Xiao Zhan are not mediocre, even if King Hui is mediocre, there are not a few generals available under him, and Sima takes advantage of this uncertain factor in it, this battle starts from the war, and there is only a chance of winning at most six or seven percent.

If the war goes well, it is fine, but if there is trouble, then the soldiers and horses of the Northern Dynasty may also fall into collapse. Nowadays, among the soldiers and horses of the Northern Dynasties, the soldiers and horses of Jiangdu are the main force, with about 70,000 or 80,000 soldiers and horses, and the remaining more than 100,000 or 200,000 soldiers and horses are more of the soldiers and horses of the South Wangfu, the North Wangfu and the West Wangfu.

The current stability in the North is also likely to collapse because of a defeat. Moreover, it was Han Jian's personal expedition, and in history, the emperor who drove the imperial expedition was either successful or disgraced, and it was difficult to protect himself.

Han Jian said: "Since it can't be preserved, then it won't be preserved." In this battle, I hope that the war between the north and the south can end as soon as possible, regardless of who wins in the end, even if the southern dynasty wins the power and let him occupy all of my Jiangbei, will not let the people be unified and the four seas will be stable? ”

Yang Rui looked at Han Jian with a very strange look, as if he had heard something very ridiculous and incomprehensible. According to what Han Jian said, it seems that this battle is taking the initiative to send him to death, and he wants to give up Jiangbei.

"Are you willing?" Yang Rui just asked in the end.

"What if you are reluctant? Even Rui'er, you are willing to hand over the Jiangshan Sheji to me, so I might as well be a favor and give the country to the emperor of the Southern Dynasty again. It's a big deal that you and I go to the mountains and forests or flee overseas, anyway, we have achieved the people of China, so isn't it better? ”

Yang Rui shook his head with a look of disbelief, and had to say as if scolding: "Unreasonable." (To be continued......)