Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 236 Wei Yuan submits a letter "General Strategy for Offensive and Defense of Xixia"

After Wei Yuan returned to the Hou Mansion, he sent someone to invite Yang Huairen.

The two talked in the study.

Yang Huairen already knew Wei Yuan's plan and asked bluntly, "Do the officials really want me to go to Weizhou?"

Wei Yuan said: "For officials, whoever has the ability will be used."

"Tomorrow you will compete in the battle in the army, and I will spread the word about your consecutive battles and victories."

"Don't worry about the rest."

Yang Huairen nodded and said, "I went to Weizhou, what should I do?"

Wei Yuan said: "During the expedition to Xia, find some available talents and place them in the area bordering Weizhou and Xixia."

"The border military is closely related to the safety of the Central Plains. We do this not only for ourselves, but also for the long-term peace and stability of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Yang Huairen said worriedly: "I'm just afraid that the officials will keep a close eye on me."

It is an unwritten rule for generals to secretly cultivate their own power in the army.

Just like the Zhong family army.

After all, the generals of the Great Zhou Dynasty had a low status and their military power was gone. If they could not cultivate some talents for their own use, they would easily lose their power.

Wouldn't a general without military power be at the mercy of others?
At that time, Gu Yankai also cultivated close followers.

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "So what if we keep a close eye on the border? We have to rectify the border army for the sake of peace at the border. In order to better control Yanbian, didn't Fan Wenzheng reuse some of his own people? As long as we don't go too far, , the officials will not pursue it."

Yang Huairen solemnly clasped his fists and said: "General, I understand. Please rest assured, Commander Wei. If you really go to Weizhou, you will follow Commander Wei's orders and act accordingly."

He was able to reach this stage and hopefully revitalize the Yang family, all thanks to Wei Yuan.

Whatever Wei Yuan asked him to do, he considered it to be his duty.

As for the official family, he believed that neither the Yang family nor the Wei family had any intention of rebellion and were loyal to the country.

The only difference is that one day, they don't want to be at the mercy of others, they want to have some support for their livelihood, which is understandable.

After all, civil servants also pay attention to recruiting disciples to pass on, so it is natural for military commanders to train their confidants.

Wei Yuan and Yang Huairen talked for half the night, but no one knew what they said.

After the latter left, the former still did not leave the study, but looked at the papers on the desk in a daze.

After a long time, Wei Yuan wrote a few words: "General Strategy for Attack and Defense of Xixia".

I don't know how long it took, Zhang Guifen saw that he still hadn't rested, so she personally brought some midnight snacks to the study room. She happened to see him writing furiously, so she didn't dare to disturb him too much, so she gently put the food on the table and stood there. behind him.

He was obviously aware of it, so he put down his pen for the time being and asked: "It's so late, why don't you rest?"

Zhang Guifen squeezed his shoulder, trying to relieve his fatigue, "Isn't it true that the official hasn't rested yet?"

Wei Yuan took the opportunity to hold her hand and said, "You are pregnant now. You should not work too hard. You should rest early."

Zhang Guifen shook her head, "How can I be so delicate?"

As he said this, he saw the text written by Wei Yuan and subconsciously asked in surprise: "General offensive and defensive strategy for Xixia? Is the imperial court going to use troops against Xixia?"

They were husband and wife, and even if she knew about the court affairs, he would not blame her for anything.
"It's possible, the results should be available in the next few days."

Zhang Guifen frowned, "If we use troops against Xixia, wouldn't we have to appoint officials as commanders?"

Now Xu Changzhi is far away in Daizhou, and many generals such as Zhang Fu are old. After much deliberation, the most suitable candidate for command is Wei Yuan.

If he really went, Zhang Guifen would definitely not be able to get what he wanted. After all, he was worried that the incident with Xixia would not be over on the day the child was born.

But if the court had made arrangements, she, as a woman, could only accept them.

Wei Yuan hugged her waist and said with a smile: "It's not a national war, so why should I go in person? I just plan to let Huairen go."

Hearing this, Zhang Guifen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If you want to go, officials can go. You must not miss important court events because of my pregnancy."

She was conflicted in her heart. On the one hand, she did not want to let Wei Yuan leave Beijing, but on the other hand, she was worried that it would miss his future achievements.
-
The next day, Yang Huairen took advantage of the training period of the soldiers to stand on the general stage and compete with each other.

He also threatened that as long as the soldiers could survive thirty moves in his hands, they would all be rewarded.

If it's three moves, it's still possible, thirty moves
It's actually somewhat difficult.

The reason Wei Yuan asked him to do this was to build momentum for him.

Just now, a decree came from the official family. In the afternoon, Han Zhang, Zhang Fu, Wen Yanbo and others were to go to the palace to discuss matters regarding Xixia.

Before that, Wei Yuan called Gu Tingye.

Now that he has inherited the title of Marquis Ningyuan, it is only a matter of words to join the army.

After Gu Yankai's death, his parents and children must observe mourning for three years. Gu Tingye also has an elder brother, so he does not need to worry about this matter.

In the main hall of Zhongyonghou Mansion.

Wei Yuan said bluntly: "Are you willing to follow Yang Huairen to Weizhou to conquer Xixia?"

Xixia?

Gu Tingye said excitedly: "Is the imperial court going to use troops against Xixia?"

Wei Yuan nodded, "We want to use troops, but it's just a small fight. The purpose is to put pressure on Xixia and force them to stop selling armor to Liao."

Gu Tingye said: "If I can follow General Yang to Weizhou, I will definitely make great achievements. I hope that Brother Wei can do it."

Wei Yuan took a sip of tea, smiled and said: "This matter is not urgent. When you go back, you will pretend you don't know about it. Just wait for the opportunity and I will inform you in advance."

Once the war against Xixia ends, Yang Huairen will definitely not be able to stay in Weizhou.

Then who will control Yang Huairen's power in Weizhou? Gu Tingye is the perfect choice.

After he left, news came from Yang Huairen's arena. He competed with hundreds of soldiers one after another, without any defeat. All of them could not resist his thirty moves.

Wei Yuan specially sent people to publicize this matter.

afternoon.

Wait for Zhang Fu and Han Zhang to go to the emperor's palace.

Wei Yuan specially waited for Wen Yanbo at the Xuande Gate entering the imperial city.

After a while, I saw Wen Yanbo's sedan approaching.

Wei Yuan immediately stepped forward to greet him, bowed and said, "Wei Yuan, the commander of the headquarters in front of the palace, has met Wen Xiang."

Hearing the sound, Wen Yanbo personally opened the car curtain, looked at Wei Yuan, and asked curiously: "Is General Wei waiting here specifically for the truth?"

Wei Yuan nodded.

Wen Yanbo didn't say anything, he just walked out of the sedan slowly with the help of his servants.

The two were in tandem.

After entering Xuandemen, Wen Yanbo suddenly stopped and asked, "Is there something wrong with General Wei?"

He had never been familiar with Wu Xun.

Wei Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I heard that Prime Minister Wen wants Wu Kui to serve as deputy envoy to the Privy Council?"

Wen Yanbo was stunned and said, "General Wei seems to be interested in the position of deputy envoy to the Privy Council?"

Wei Yuan immediately shook his head and said: "This position has always been held by civil servants, and the subordinate officials are military generals. How dare you covet it?"

Wen Yanbo frowned slightly and stroked his beard: "What exactly does General Wei want to say?"

Time was running out, so Wei Yuan stopped asking him riddles and said bluntly: "Bao Xiaosu, the former deputy envoy to the privy council, resigned and was ill at home. You went to Zazi several times and asked the officials to appoint Wu Kui as the deputy envoy to the privy council. The officials Never responded."

"The lower official speculates that the position of deputy privy envoy is very powerful, and the officials are worried that replacing an official with less qualifications than Lord Bao will cause dissatisfaction among many generals."

"But if Wu Kui is recommended by my father-in-law to serve as the deputy privy envoy, then this can be done." Hearing this, Wen Yanbo's expression changed a little, and he said in a deep voice: "What do you want? Or, in other words, the truth is again What can I help you with?"

Wei Yuan responded: "Today's discussion is about the officials and us discussing whether to use troops against Xixia and who should be sent as commander. I want to recommend Yang Huairen, but my qualifications are too young. If the minister of literature can recommend it, the officials Will definitely consider it.”

It's not like he never thought about asking his father-in-law to recommend Yang Huairen.

But the fact that both the master and the disciple recommended one person at the same time was somewhat suspected of nepotism.

Master and apprentice jointly recommend this kind of thing, of course, in private.

But in such a serious discussion, it is inappropriate.

But if we make an exchange with Wen Yanbo, all problems will be solved.

In Wen Yanbo's view, this political deal was all right, but Yang Huairen?
A young general who has never been on the battlefield and whose prestige is not as good as that of the Yanbian family, how can he be suddenly recommended as commander?

Need a reason.
Wen Yanbo said: "You are recommended without reason, so you are not afraid of the officials becoming suspicious?"

His usual method of dealing with political opponents is to "make things up". The court may be suspicious of you, and the officials may suspect you of being dishonest.
To put it harshly, it means sowing discord.

But the suspicion here is that he wants a complete answer. Otherwise, it will not be easy to recommend Yang Huairen as commander.

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "This morning, Yang Huairen, the deputy commander of the Danglu Army, faced off with hundreds of generals in the army and won completely."

"Nowadays, it is said that Yang Huairen lives up to his reputation as a general of the Yang family."

Lack of identity? Yang Huairen is the deputy commander of the Danglu Army.

Lack of background? After the famous general.

Lack of ability? He won a duel with hundreds of generals and Wei Yuan had already told the officials that this man was good at using and training troops.

Lack of qualifications? So we need to use Wen Yanbo for recommendation.

Wen Yanbo thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the palace together to meet the saint."

Hearing this, the corners of Wei Yuan's mouth rose slightly.

He knew it was done.

Arrive at the emperor's palace.

Several people were sitting in front of Zhao Zhen's bed.

Wei Yuanxian's "General Strategy for the Attack and Defense of Xixia".

He carefully studied Fan Zhongyan's management of Xixia, and also gained some insights from the battle between Di Qing and Xixia.

The so-called general offensive and defensive strategy for Xixia is nothing more than how to fight during the war, and what to do after the fight is over.

It can be summed up in four words: step by step.

It coincides with Fan Zhongyan's strategy against Xixia.

This general strategy also mentioned in detail the rectification of the border army.

That is to say, the armies belonging to each department and designation will be integrated to unify training, appointment, and operations.

In addition, based on the enemy's small numbers, they have been harassing the Xixia border for a long time, and they have established a solid camp on the border. They advocate taking the initiative to initiate small-scale conflicts, that is, avoiding large-scale battles and attacking on a small scale. If they encounter most of the enemy's main force, they still rely on defense. host.

When the border becomes more abundant, they turn from defense to offense.

In order to prevent Zhao Zhen from noticing Wei Yuan's true purpose of running Yanbian, he also specifically proposed that the generals of the border towns bordering Xixia should be rotated every three years.

Trying to build it into a place that continuously cultivates generals for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After Zhao Zhen read it, he circulated it to everyone and said slowly: "Wei Qing's summary is very detailed. What do you think?"

Wen Yanbo was the first to speak, "According to this general strategy of Yanbian, Xixia will not be in danger in at least ten years."

Han Zhang followed Fan Zhongyan in running Yanbian, so it was clear that Wei Yuan's general strategy was an innovation based on Fan Zhongyan's strategy.

At first, he was young and energetic, thinking that his wings were full, so he took the initiative to launch a large-scale campaign against Xixia, which resulted in a defeat and several years of hard work in business were ruined.

Since then, Fan Zhongyan has implemented Fan Zhongyan's strategy, which is to focus on active defense.

Now, after seeing the general outline written by Wei Yuan, how could he object? If you object, you are questioning Fan Zhongyan.

"I also think it is feasible."

"It's just that in the battle against Xixia, how many troops will be invested, who will be in command, and what the outcome will be, still needs to be discussed before we can decide."

Han Zhang made his position clear.

Zhao Zhen said: "I have discussed this matter with Qing Wei a long time ago. Just use the troops from the prefectures in Yanbian. If there is a situation to expand the war situation, we will discuss it again."

"As for the person in charge, I'm thinking about it. Do you have any recommendations? You might as well tell me."

Once a foreign war is launched, it is an unwritten rule to ask the scholar-bureaucrats to recommend suitable generals.

Finally, the emperor selected a general who could be of great use based on the recommendation of everyone.

The candidate recommended by Han Zhang was Zhonge.

He was most familiar with Zhong'e when he and Fan Zhongyan visited Yanbian.

As soon as Han Zhang finished speaking, Wen Yanbo suddenly said:

"Guan family, I do have a suitable candidate here."

"Before I entered the palace, I heard rumors that Yang Huairen, a descendant of Yang Wudi, was brave enough to compete with all the generals in the army today. He was undefeated."

Recommend Yang Huairen?
Zhao Zhen frowned slightly.

At this time, Wei Yuan suddenly smiled, trying to attract everyone's attention.

Wen Yanbo pretended to be puzzled and said: "Why is General Wei laughing? I heard that Yang Huairen is a general under your command. Could it be that General Wei thinks that Yang Huairen is embarrassing to the general?"

Wei Yuan quickly shook his head and said, "No, Wen Xiang misunderstood."

"The lower official laughed because the person recommended by the Minister of Literature coincided with the lower official. This Yang Huairen can be of great use."

Wen Yanbo stroked his beard and said, "General Wei also recommended Yang Huairen to the officials?"

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Wei Qing did mention Yang Huairen to me, but we can discuss this later."

Wei Yuan has already done everything he can and cannot do, so he can only leave it to fate.

No matter who is the commander-in-chief, Gu Tingye will go to Weizhou.

When Yang Huairen goes, everyone in the government and the public will stare at him, but not many people will stare at Gu Tingye.

The relationship between the Wei family and the Gu family had already been about sharing weal and woe when Gu Yankai asked Wei Yuan to take care of them.

Therefore, he can use Gu Tingye with confidence.

After everyone left the palace one after another, Zhao Zhen was also thinking about whether Yang Huairen should be used.

Judging from the situation, Zhonge is the candidate who should take charge.

It's just that both Wei Yuan and Wen Yanbo recommended Yang Huairen, but it's hard not to use them.

After all, Zhao Zhen wanted to use Wen Yanbo to check and balance Han Zhang. If Wen Yanbo's suggestions were not adopted in the use of troops against Xixia, it would not be conducive to the check and balance between him and Han Zhang.

After careful consideration, Zhao Zhen made a decision.

Attack in two groups, one with Zhong'e as the commander, leading 30,000 troops.

The other group was led by Yang Huairen, still leading 30,000 troops.

Later, Zhao Zhen looked at the "General Strategy for Attack and Defense of Xixia" placed next to him and murmured:
"Wei Qing is more talented than Di Qing."

(End of this chapter)