Volume 2 Clouds Chapter 32 Four Months
Guo Rong's appointment also made the military officials look at each other in bewilderment.
They wanted to resist Luo Youdu from entering their circle, but Guo Rong didn't give them any chance.
They took a different approach and appointed Luo Youdu as the commander-in-chief. They established a new Imperial Camp Division, which was directly under the command of the Council of State, completely breaking away from their military lineage.
Their interests have not been infringed, and even if they want to complain, they have no way to do so.
However, the fact that the civil officials had an additional force of imperial soldiers at their disposal undoubtedly made them feel a little threatened.
However, as Guo Rong's power grew, even those who were as arrogant as them no longer dared to be too presumptuous and arrogant.
In just two years, Guo Rong was able to suppress the arrogance of the arrogant and powerful generals of that era to a certain extent. He indeed had extraordinary means.
Luo Youdu stole a glance at the generals who looked somewhat submissive and aggrieved. He was suddenly startled and thought to himself, "Zhao Kuangyin's coronation was so smooth, so there must be some complaints from these generals against Guo Rong."
Guo Rong had great ambitions. He did not seek separatism, but unification. After he ascended the throne, he began to reorganize the military and suppress arrogant generals. He did not mindlessly indulge generals who were capable of fighting like those separatist forces.
The generals, who were used to doing whatever they wanted, had long since adapted to the freedom in the chaos. They would certainly be dissatisfied if they were suddenly restricted.
But Guo Rong was so powerful that they were angry but dared not speak out.
As soon as Guo Rong died, they couldn't wait to push Zhao Kuangyin out.
This was certainly due to the ambitions and plots of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi, but the repressed resentment was probably also the key.
Otherwise, the situation would not have been so explosive, allowing Zhao Kuangyin to ascend the throne almost without bloodshed.
But they could not have imagined that Zhao Kuangyin would do something even more drastic. Guo Rong still took it step by step in order not to affect the combat effectiveness of the army.
Zhao Kuangyin simply gave away the military power over a cup of wine, confiscated the military power of all people, and made them rich men.
I don’t know if they would miss the late Guo Rong at the moment they handed over their military power.
Such a thought flashed through my mind.
Luo Youdu withdrew his thoughts instantly and looked straight ahead.
The reward is over.
Luo Youdu was kept by Guo Rong.
Guo Rong did not hesitate to show his preference for Luo Youdu in front of all the officials.
Luo Youdu also greeted all kinds of strange looks without changing his expression.
The emperor and his ministers did not stay in the Purple Palace for long.
This is too solemn, not the place to talk.
Guo Rong brought Luo Youdu to the Wende Hall on the west side, which was where Guo Rong would stop and rest before and after court.
"Wait a moment, this outfit is too heavy. To be honest, it's not comfortable at all!"
While asking the eunuch to bring a chair for Luo Youdu, he walked into the inner hall.
Luo Youdu sat on a chair and looked around at the situation in the hall.
If the Yanhe Hall is simple, then the Wende Hall can be considered dilapidated.
As Guo Rong's resting place, not only are the furniture old, but the load-bearing columns around it are peeling in many places, and some have even lost paint and then been repainted, with obvious signs of multiple repainting.
Guo Rong came from the back hall in his casual clothes. When he saw Luo Youdu standing up to greet him, he waved his hand and asked him to sit down. He also sat casually at the top.
"You did a great job in the west. Wenbo and I never thought you could do it so thoroughly. I got the latest news from Shu yesterday. In order to ease the economic problems, Meng Chang even ordered the confiscation of the people's iron tools to be used as iron money. Even if they are not sincere in their allegiance, they are unlikely to mobilize troops in the next few years. We have plenty of time to deal with Southern Tang."
Luo Youdu said: "I was just lucky. I took a gamble and it was all thanks to your Majesty's great fortune that I won the gamble."
Guo Rong smiled and said, "It's your ability to win the bet."
He paused and said, "Regarding the matter of the Imperial Camp Division, are there any difficulties? Do you need my help?"
Luo Youdu shook his head and said, "If Your Majesty really takes action, how can I convince the people?"
Guo Rong nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you know. Okay, I will not interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Camp Division. You are fully responsible for how to set it up. But you don't have to be too anxious. The arrogant soldiers and brave generals have continued for hundreds of years. It can't be solved overnight. I am still young, and you are even younger. There is plenty of time."
As the king of a country, Guo Rong knew very well that he could not always lead the army in person, as long-term expeditions would lead to too many unexpected events outside the court.
Especially now that his eldest son is only two years old.
If there really were an accident, I dare not imagine the consequences.
He needed someone who was not only prestigious but also capable and trustworthy so as to intimidate those arrogant and powerful generals .
Luo Youdu thought to himself: "What we lack most now is time."
However, looking at Guo Rong's energetic appearance, he really couldn't tell that he had a short life.
Guo Rong seemed to have great confidence in Luo Youdu, and really stopped asking about the problems of the Imperial Camp, and instead shifted the topic to Jiangnan, which was the most worthy of attention.
"I have always thought that this Western Expedition would allow Southern Tang to take the initiative. In this way, we can defeat their army first, then invade their territory, and attack Huainan with a great victory. But I didn't expect that Li Jing would not dare to send troops. He discussed with his civil and military officials for half a year, and even Shu surrendered, but there is still no result. There are hundreds of thousands of troops, but they are just decorations. They are really incompetent..."
Luo Youdu was not surprised at all. If Li Jing had the guts to go north when the Liao Kingdom retreated from the Central Plains, the world would be his. He said, "Since the other side doesn't dare to fight, we have to take the initiative. The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."
Guo Rong snorted contemptuously and said, "I think so too. I have seen that Li Jing is a coward. Even if he has ten leopard courages, he would not dare to fight. If he doesn't dare to come, then we will go."
Luo Youdu suddenly thought of something and suggested, "It's July now, Your Majesty can choose to send troops in November. The biggest problem in Huainan is the Huaihe River defense line. Every winter, the water level of the Huaihe River will drop sharply or even stop flowing. Our army can easily pass through the Huaihe River defense line and directly enter the territory of Huainan."
Guo Rong said to himself, "It would be a good idea to send troops at the end of November and cross the river in December. It would be a good idea to take advantage of the weather to cross the Huai River. Then we should send troops at the end of November, but this way..." He glanced at Luo Youdu and smiled, "You don't have much time left."
Luo Youdu said confidently: "For four months, the Imperial Camp Division will definitely not be able to go to the battlefield. But I am confident that the Imperial Camp Division can be established in four months, and it will be able to operate smoothly even if I am not there."
Guo Rong clasped his hands together and said, "Okay, then I will give you four months. As long as the results of the Imperial Camp satisfy me, I will give you another chance to make contributions. If you fail to do so, you should stay in Kaifeng and develop the Imperial Camp. During the attack on Jianghuai, 80% of the generals in the court will be transferred away, and this is the right time to develop the Imperial Camp."
