Emperor Taizong's self-indulgence and willfulness led to the loss of the entire Song Dynasty's military elite during the Yongxi Northern Expedition, which allowed the Khitan to establish a foothold in the Sixteen Zhou of Yanyun, hanging like a sword over the head of the Central Plains. It was not until the Northern Expedition of the Cowherd that this area was recovered!
Zhao Huan rode in the imperial carriage and headed north from Taiyuan. The Song army split into two routes: the left route was overseen by the emperor, while the right route, led by Zhong Shizhong, marched north from Hebei and led its troops in Youzhou, deep in the Yan-Yun region. Along the way, the people cheered for the royal army's northward advance.
When news reached the Jin Kingdom that the Song Emperor had personally led 100,000 elite troops to Youzhou, the Jin court and people were in turmoil. Some boldly speculated that the Song Emperor might be attacked on the Jin border, and the Jin forces in the south began to rapidly assemble.
If it weren't for the presence of a peace advocate like Wanyan Zongpan in the court, the war advocates would probably have already risen up, and the two armies would inevitably have clashed again.
After spending two days in Youzhou, Zhao Huan was filled with emotion. Youzhou was the capital of the Liao Dynasty, and later became the capital of the country. It was an ancient city with great strategic importance and belonged to the Chinese nation as early as the Zhou Dynasty.
Only by occupying Youzhou can we resist the nomadic tribes to the north and effectively control the Korean Peninsula.
Liu Yanzong and Zhong Shidao proposed to the emperor that a major military town should be established in the Yan-Yun region as soon as possible, just in case. The original major military towns in Hebei and Hedong should remain unchanged for the time being, until the major town in Yan-Yun is established. Hebei and Hedong can then serve as rear supply and transit stations for the northern front.
Zhao Huan strongly agreed with Liu Yanzong and Zhong Shidao's proposal. Now that the Song Dynasty's border defense line has been pushed northward, it is natural that adjustments need to be made.
In view of Zhong Shizhong's meritorious service in leading the Hebei Army this time, Zhong Shizhong was appointed as the Military Commissioner of Yanyun, and Yao Gu was appointed as the Deputy Military Commissioner. They were ordered to submit a strategic plan in half a month, and in half a year, the Yanyun region must grow into a major military stronghold protecting the northern border of the Song Dynasty!
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