As winter approaches, Wu Feng's study career is coming to an end, and Wu Feng's relationship with Mo Lun, Su Minshun, and Gu Ji is also closer.

This year is not a good year for the empire, except for the Yanjing area, Wuhu County, Jiangnan County, the rest of the empire crop harvest is very bad, the Yi people in the eastern sea in the second half of the year several large-scale invasion of the empire east coastal rich area, to the coastal Jiangnan County, Donghai County several provinces caused huge economic losses, and seriously affected the empire's maritime trade, the empire's strong image is a big blow. The Luope people in the northwest drove straight into the northwest again, sweeping through the northwest region of the empire, five of the six prefectures in the northwest county were looted, among which Qingyang, Guide, and Bonan were almost taken captive, and the empire's military strength in this region was almost blank, bandits and horse thieves took the opportunity to spread everywhere, and the situation was chaotic, and the three prefectures of Qingyang, Guide, and Bonan had actually fallen into a state of no political axe.

Some of the surrounding people who had ambitions for this area also had a wait-and-see attitude, and did not dare to step in, after all, they had to weigh their own weight, whether they could confront the wild and fierce and fierce Luobei Iron Cavalry that visited almost every year, and whether they could get the support of the central government of the empire was still unknown, otherwise stealing chickens would not be a counterproduct, so the major forces around them had adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Peasant slave revolts broke out in Kansai and Yanyun counties, but fortunately they were controlled in time and did not cause a major incident.

Several times back in the barracks, Wu Feng and the pseudonym Xiao Tang talked about the current situation of the empire, and they all believed that the empire had reached a very difficult situation, and the surrounding countries must also be aware of this, the slightest wind and grass will cause great turmoil in the situation, if there is an opportunity, you should seize the opportunity, jump out of the circle of Yanjing, and go to a place far from the center of the empire to develop. At the same time, Wu Feng also asked Gu Quito to collect information on other regions outside of Yanjing, especially in the northwest region of the empire, in preparation for the future.

After obtaining the hearts of Guan Yingying and Hua Yumei, with the support of the second daughter, Wu Feng launched a fierce emotional offensive against Angel, Angel's emotional fortress was quickly breached, but due to the influence of family forces, he did not dare to make it public, and the relationship with Wu Feng did not dare to break through the last line of defense, after all, Angel's glamorous reputation is famous in the upper class society of Yanjing, and how many princes and nobles have pursued it unsuccessfully, if it is found that the heart of the little-known Wu Feng has been captured, it will definitely cause an uproar, and it will definitely have a negative impact on Wu Feng, so the two of them are dating underground。 And Wu Feng is also quite satisfied with the current situation, except for some regrets that he did not share the joy of fish and water with Angel, but Wu Feng thinks that Angel is a flower in Yanjing's high society, and there are many suitors.

The learning career ended quickly, Wu Feng was very satisfied with the learning effect, although it didn't take much effort to really study, but he met a few friends, and he also had three confidants, and he should be content. Mu Lige and Sha Lang benefited a lot, not only to get an opportunity to systematically learn military strategy and tactics knowledge, but also to get the opportunity to exchange experience with other colleagues, Wu Feng also chose some military books to give to the two during the study period, to cherish the opportunity, study hard, both of them successfully completed the study task.

Back in the barracks, after inspecting the training of the troops, Wu Feng summoned Xiao Tang, Liang Chongxin, Cui Wenxiu, Lu Man held a small meeting, although the scale of the meeting was small, but it played a very important role in the later history of the empire, because at this meeting, after introducing the current situation of the empire, Wu Feng proposed to his henchmen for the first time to jump out of the center of the empire, looking for opportunities, get rid of the shackles, in order to achieve greater development, and he also solemnly introduced the alias Xiao Tang to the other three people present.

Xiao Tang further elaborated and analyzed the current situation of the empire and the surrounding situation of the empire combined with the information he had, and after listening to the words of the two, the three people present, Liang, Cui, and Lu, were shocked, and couldn't help but boil their blood, thinking back to the treatment they received in the emperor's [***] team, they were already a little dissatisfied with the current empire, and they had already made up their minds to be loyal to the unfathomable young man in front of them, but they still had many questions.

Liang Chongxin first raised the question in his heart: "My lord, we belong to the city guard system, I am afraid it is difficult to have the opportunity to garrison outside Yanjing, at most there will be a few military operations in a short period of time like last year." ”

Cui and Lu also showed a look of deep understanding, while Wu Feng smiled confidently. "You don't have to worry about this, I just put forward a preliminary idea, not to implement it immediately, not to mention that I estimate that the empire will use troops against the Luope people on the northwest border this year, the empire originally had this intention last year, but due to the peasant slave rebellion in the north the year before last delayed the preparations, so I estimate that the empire's military action this year is imperative, because the erosion of the situation in the northwest has seriously affected all aspects of the empire, and the interruption of land trade in the north has almost tripled the price of goods from the western continent and the central continent after they are transported to the empire than before, and the empire's goods are seriously overstocked, and many merchants are bankrupt, and the military aggression of the Luope people is undoubtedly a slap in the face to the dignity of the empire, and many surrounding countries are also ready to move, and the common people are also complaining, thinking that the current imperial court is incompetent, so the empire urgently needs a war victory to improve the current unfavorable situation, and when the time comes, maybe we will have a chance. At present, the most urgent task is to strengthen the full training of the troops, Chongxin and Wenxiu, you must step up, and Lu Man, you must prepare all the logistical materials, including weapons, war horses, grain and grass, clothing, medicine, and so on, as soon as possible, and you must not take it lightly. ”

The three of them all stood up and obeyed, and Wu Feng told the three of them not to spread the word about this matter for the time being.

"The Luope people are a branch of nomadic people, since ancient times and several other nomadic tribes have been living together in the Tengger steppe in the north of the continent, it began to grow in strength at the beginning of the sixth century of the continental calendar, and has repeatedly fought with several other nomads on the steppe for the hegemony of the steppe, after entering the middle of the seventh century, its strength has further strengthened, in the eastern part of the steppe has defeated the Gyur people, the Numidians, The Tubu and Mote people, who dominate the Eastern Tengger Steppe, confront the Chidi people, the overlords of the Western Tengger Steppe, and constantly wage wars of aggression against the surrounding Tang River Empire, the Western Empire, the Western Regions, the Indean Kingdom, and the Hansen Alliance until the empire is established. —From "The Biography of the Imperial Peoples"

The time has entered July 691 in the continental calendar, and the emperor's [***] team has gradually turned into a state of readiness, especially the second army of the northern military region and the third army of the western military region have stepped up training, and the city guard corps has also entered a state of alert, and various military supplies have also been continuously replenished in place, all for the upcoming war with the Luope people. In the Yueyue Hall of the Yanjing Imperial Palace, Emperor Situ Mingyue's face was solemn, and he was listening attentively to the report of the person in charge of the Intelligence Department of the General Administration of Military Affairs.

"The Tengger grassland, where the Luope people are located, has encountered a drought again this year, and many herdsmen's livestock are thirsty to death, it seems that they will definitely have to wage war against the outside world if they want to survive this year, according to our intelligence, their great chief Wadeya's general Besan has begun to mobilize for the early war, mainly against the Indean Kingdom and the Hansen Alliance in their southwest, it is estimated that the general Tu Da of Zhengdong will also immediately enter the war mobilization, and the target must be us, because the five countries of the Western Regions have already paid them grain and forage and livestock according to their requirements, and the Mote peopleThe Tubu have reached an agreement with them that the Motts and the Tubu will jointly launch an attack on the Sithro Empire, so their target is only us. ”

"What do you think of this war?" Situ Mingyue was a little irritable, after all, the strength of the Luope people cannot be underestimated, and there is a world of difference between them and the rabble organized by those peasant slaves, and the current combat effectiveness of the empire's army is not as good as before, and the victory or defeat is unpredictable.

"Your Majesty, the General Military Affairs Administration has drawn up a plan, we are ready to transfer three divisions of the Third Army Corps of the Western Military Region and the Second Army of the Northern Military Region as the main force, and two divisions of the City Guard Corps as reserves, and we will leave for the Northwest County when we are ready. According to our information, the general headquarters of the Luope people in Zhengdong has about 30,000 heavy cavalry, 60,000 light cavalry, 60,000 light infantry, no hoplites, a total of 150,000 people, and it is estimated that some of them will be left behind, and we have dispatched a total of more than 220,000 people this time, not including a division in Yinchuan Prefecture that has already expressed its intention to fight with us, including more than 30,000 heavy cavalry, more than 50,000 heavy infantry, more than 40,000 light cavalry, and more than 100,000 light infantry, which will certainly thwart the enemy's attack. He Zhiqiu, the Minister of War, comforted the emperor unhurriedly, and several other ministers also said that this battle was carefully planned and would definitely be a complete victory.

"I wonder who the General Military Administration is going to make the commander-in-chief of this campaign?"

"This must be decided by Your Majesty. ”

"Can you recommend it? ”

A burly figure stepped forward. "The courtier's brother Mao recommended himself and was willing to lead the army to kill the enemy and share the worries of the imperial brother. ”

As soon as everyone saw it, it turned out to be His Majesty's younger brother Tu Mingzhi of Zhenguo Company, and the Minister of Military Affairs He Zhiqiu immediately frowned, Situ Mingzhi's surname was very anxious, and he was so happy that he was not the right person for the commander of this campaign at all.

"Lord Duke, the battlefield of this battle is far away in the northwest frontier region, the road is far and difficult to walk, the boat and car are tiring, and the Duke is very important, so it is not suitable to undertake this hard work. He Zhiqiu hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him.

"What's the matter, Duke Ben is in good health, and he wants to share his worries for the imperial brother, what's the matter, does Lord He think that Duke Ben is not qualified enough, or he lacks confidence in Duke Ben. Situ Mingzhi's face was already a little ugly.

He Zhiqiu couldn't help but secretly complain, but his mouth hurriedly explained: "Where did the Duke think, the prestige of the three armies has long spread throughout the Eastern Continent, how can you care about such a war? ”

"Don't talk about this nonsense, my father wants to use these barbarians who don't know the height of the sky to practice their hands, so I ask the imperial brother to order me to lead the troops. ”

He Zhiqiu was secretly anxious in his heart, and hurriedly gestured with his eyes to the other generals and ministers present, but the few present pretended not to see it and twisted their heads to the side, no one wanted to offend the Lord Zhenguo, who was very close to the emperor, for this matter.

Situ Mingyue was still a little cautious, "Brother Huang, this is not a big or small matter, but there can be no mistakes, you can go, but if you lose the battle, you know the consequences, don't blame me, my brother's subordinate is ruthless." Situ Mingyue said with a solemn face.

"Brother Huang, don't worry, when the time comes, you just have to listen to the news of the great victory. "He Zhiqiu sees that the matter is a foregone conclusion, so he has to ask Zhenguo Gong to be more careful, don't act rashly, especially not be greedy for merit. Situ Mingzhi agreed impatiently.

Back in the mansion, He Zhiqiu was a little irritable, this battle is so important, it is related to the situation in the northwest region of the empire, and it will even have a significant impact on the entire empire, but Situ Mingzhi is by no means the right person for this battle, he has a bad premonition, if he doesn't get it right, there will be a big mess, and there are only sighs in the study.

"My lord, why are you so troubled?" He Zhiqiu looked up and saw that it was his wife He Yang and his concubine He An.

"Madame, sit down. ”

"I heard people say that when the adults go home, they go to the study and sigh, and I don't know what happened, so I came to take a look. "Usually my husband is very calm and calm, and it is rare for me to be so sad.

"Madame doesn't know, today's court meeting, discussing the candidate for the commander of the expedition to the northwest, Lord Zhenguo asked to lead the troops, I can't persuade it, Your Majesty has agreed, I'm worried that there will be trouble in this expedition." ”

"Then why don't you say anything to Your Majesty again?"

"Your Majesty has already decided, and if you go to admonish again, I am afraid that it will only backfire. ”

"My lord, as long as you do your best, we will have a clear conscience. ”

"Okay, I'll go to Jin to see the emperor. ”

"He Aiqing, what's the matter with me in such a late hurry to see me?"

"Your Majesty, the minister is still here for the matter of the selection of the commander to go to the northwest discussed at today's court meeting, after careful consideration, the minister feels that the Lord Zhenguo is not the best candidate for this campaign, can you please ask Your Majesty to consider it separately?"

"Oh, why does He Aiqing think so?"

"The minister thinks that the lord of Zhenguo is too old to travel long distances, and the surname of the lord of Zhenguo is more impatient, and the minister is worried that it will affect the judgment of the commander on the battlefield. ”

Situ Mingyue was also a little hesitant, after all, this was a battle with great importance, and there could be no mistakes, he thought about it, if Situ Mingzhi was not allowed to lead the troops to the expedition at this time, he would definitely not give up easily, and Situ Mingzhi was also reasonable, this is a force equivalent to the strength of two legions, if it is mastered by some people with ulterior motives, then there will be a bigger problem, He Zhiqiu attaches so much importance to the selection of the commander of this battle, is it? Thinking of this, Situ Mingyue made up his mind. He Aiqing, since the court has already decided on the candidate, it is not good to make changes now, so let's tell Zhen Guogong again and let him act carefully. ”

He Zhiqiu saw that His Majesty the Emperor had made up his mind, so he had to kneel down and return home, and on the way home, he was a little melancholy, could it be that this was the will of heaven? I hope his premonition is wrong.

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