Wang Pingzhang raised his eyes and looked at Emperor Kaiping, his eyes full of sincerity, and he spoke eloquently.

"Your Majesty, the reason why I recommended Li Bingzhong, the Marquis of Fengcheng, to take over as the governor of Lingzhou is because I have thought about the past problems and future situation of Lingzhou during this period. When Emperor Gaozu founded the country, the western region was desolate and sparsely populated, so Yang Siji, Duke of Ning State,

The generals led by them fought hard against the Wu army for years. At that time, Lingzhou was actually the Protectorate under the control of the Military Academy. Only in this way could we provide sufficient support to the border troops."

"During the Taizong period, the border between Daliang and Xiwu gradually became fixed. The Western Regions changed the Protectorate Prefecture into a state, established the governor's office and divided the prefectures and counties. At the same time, Changgong, Guping, Jinshui and Dingxi were set up on the border from north to south.

Four military camps. From then on, the military and government in the western border were separated. The Lingzhou Governor's Mansion was under the jurisdiction of the East Mansion, and the four border camps were under the jurisdiction of the West Mansion through the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion. Judging from the situation at the time, there was no problem in doing so, because the entire Taizong

During this period, Xiwu was unable to peer into the border."

Having said this, Wang Pingzhang paused for a moment and sounded solemn.

"Starting from the 19th year of Jianping of Zhongzong, the Western Wu people gradually began to push their army eastward. With the support of seven interdependent fortified cities built on the Gaoyang Plain, they continued to test the defense line of Daliang. In the year of His Majesty's accession to the throne,

He sent his troops to invade the territory. After Ding Guogong captured Hucheng, I suggested that your Majesty build dozens of military strongholds in the north and south in order to block the invasion of the Western Wu cavalry."

"Last spring, more than 300,000 troops from Western Wu invaded the border. Tang Youzhi, Yin Wei, Xiao Jin, Luo Huanzhang and Pei Yue relied on Hucheng, border camps and dozens of military strongholds to successfully defeat the Wu army. This battle was at least

It can maintain the stability of the Western Territory for fifteen years. In the foreseeable period, Xiwu will definitely not be able to invade the border again, so I think it is necessary to adjust the strategic decision-making of the Western Territory."

At this time, Emperor Kaiping had put aside the power struggle and asked slowly: "Do you want to reduce the number of troops stationed in the Western Region?"

Wang Pingzhang nodded and said: "Your Majesty, the total number of border troops in the Western Border now exceeds 300,000. This is the strength after the war, and it naturally seems too bloated. I am not saying that I am not wary of Xiwu, but after detailed calculations with my colleagues in the Western Prefecture, I have retained two troops in the Western Border.

120,000 troops are enough to maintain the stability of the defense line."

Emperor Kaiping was noncommittal, turned to look at Pei Yue, and asked calmly: "You have participated in the entire war in the Western Region this time. What do you think of Wei Guogong's strategy?"

Pei Yue actually didn't want to get involved too early. Judging from today's political discussion, Wang Pingzhang must have hidden a plan that he couldn't see through. At first, he recommended Li Bingzhong as the governor of Lingzhou, but after being fiercely opposed by him and Mo Haoli interfered,

After that, he suddenly talked about the historical evolution of Lingzhou and the Western Territory, and then brought up the strength of the Western Army. It was like playing with matryoshka dolls. No one knew where his last blow would be.

It was just that the emperor asked a question in public, and he had to answer it. Moreover, this was also a great opportunity for him to intervene in the court's decision-making through his own capital in the western border. Therefore, after deep thought, he said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I agree with Wei Guogong's judgment on the people of Western Wu.

In this past war, the number of casualties in Western Wu was close to 200,000, and more than 30 mid-level generals were killed. Although Xie Lin and Zhang Qingbai are still alive, it is obvious that we cannot rely solely on these generals to fight the war. However, I have two questions.

I would like to ask Wei Guogong, how to dismantle the four battalions and one city of the border army? How to arrange the arrangement of more than 100,000 troops?"

Emperor Kaiping nodded approvingly. Pei Yue's question was exactly what he had in mind.

Wang Pingzhang said calmly: "The garrison of Hucheng was reduced to 60,000, the garrison of Longgong Camp was 30,000, the garrison of Dingxi Camp was 50,000, and the garrison of Jinshui Camp was 40,000. The Guping Camp was abolished and 10,000 elite troops were left to garrison Guping.

Military City.”

Pei Yue frowned and asked: "Only 30,000 Longbow troops are left? How will the northern front army garrison be stationed?"

Wang Pingzhang said with emotion: "The total number of the fourth battalion and the Hucheng garrison is 190,000, and there are also 30,000 troops stationed in the military camp. I have checked the files archived in the Xifu, and several of them are suggestions submitted by Tang Youzhi, Marquis of Jining. He

I believe that the establishment of the Northern Front Military Stronghold was overstaffed and not only failed to play a defensive role, but also caused the Longbow Army to focus on one thing and miss the other. Your Majesty, the establishment of the Northern Front Military Stronghold was originally proposed by the minister. After carefully reading Tang Youzhi's letter, I will review it again.

Regarding the details of this war in the Western Territory, I think his suggestion is reasonable and reasonable, and it is indeed my lack of thinking about this matter."

Emperor Kaiping asked in confusion: "Why didn't I see his suggestion?"

Wang Pingzhang's eyes were dim and unreadable, and he said slowly: "Lu Min suppressed all his letters, and even I only saw them recently."

Emperor Kaiping snorted. Although Lu Min's death was caused by his acquiescence or even active inducement, he still could not tolerate the disloyalty of his ministers. However, he also knew that he could not elaborate on this matter in front of the ministers, so he could only talk about it.

Changed to: "Today is different from the past, and you don't need to blame yourself. Since you have already made up your mind, you might as well be more specific."

Wang Pingzhang bowed slightly and said: "I suggest that the northern military strongholds only retain and strengthen and expand Guyuan Stronghold, and the rest can be demolished. Use five thousand elite troops to garrison Guyuan Stronghold. In this way, Hucheng, Guyuan Stronghold and Changgong Camp Company

In line, they can support each other. Coupled with the special terrain of the Beitiao River, it is enough to ensure the stability of the northern line."

He paused and continued: "The military villages on the southern front also need to be adjusted. The three villages of Lulong, Daokou and Jiming will be retained, each with 3,000 troops stationed under the unified control of Hucheng. In addition, there are 16,000 troops stationed in Hucheng.

The thousand troops will be divided equally between Dingxi Camp and Jinshui Camp, and two or three military strongholds will be reserved to the west of the military city to watch and help each other."

The ministers were a little shocked. The Duke of the country would have done nothing if he didn't take action. Once he did, it was magnificent and had the courage to change the world.

Emperor Kaiping thought about Wang Pingzhang's arrangement, which not only involved the deployment of troops on the western border defense line, but also involved the attachment and transfer of a large number of generals. Although the latter must be considered in detail afterwards, as the emperor, he had to consider it in advance.

Wang Pingzhang finally concluded: "Your Majesty, after discussing with colleagues in the Xifu, the preliminary plan for the restructuring of the Western Army is that Nan'an Hou Suwu will guard the Changgong Camp, with a strength of 30,000 people plus 5,000 people in Guyuan Village. Xiangcheng

Hou Xiaojin is guarding Hucheng, with a force of 60,000 people plus 9,000 people from Lulong, Daokou and Jiming Village. Qiyun Hou Yinwei is guarding Jinshui Camp, with a force of 40,000 people plus 8,000 people from the two military villages. You

Liu Dingyuan, the Marquis of the South, guards the Dingxi Camp with a strength of 50,000 troops plus three military forts of 8,000 troops. Your Majesty is also asked to select a general to command the Guping Military City and lead 10,000 elite troops to defend the city. In this way, the total number of the Western Army will be

The total strength of the army is 220,000, which is enough to deal with the attack of a small group of enemies in Xiwu."

Li Bingzhong, who was standing behind, had a puzzled look on his face. This was very different from the plan he heard at the Wei Guogong Mansion a few days ago.
Chapter completed!