Deyang Palace.
The secret letter sent by Huangfu Song via express courier has already been placed on Liu Hong's desk.
"Heh, this Huangfu Song really has a big budget!"
Looking at the plan devised by Huangfu Song in the secret letter to annex Goguryeo, Hanye, and Okju, Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh.
"Zhicai, take a look too!"
After saying that, Liu Hong handed the secret letter to Xi Zhicai beside him.
"this.....!"
After reading the contents of the secret letter, Xi Zhicai was also shocked.
"Zhicai, what do you think of Huangfusong's plan?"
Xi Zhicai pondered for a moment before speaking:
"I believe this plan is highly feasible! General Huangfu's ability to devise such a plan demonstrates that he is a man of great strategic vision!"
"Oh? Then Zhicai, tell me all about it!"
Liu Hong nodded with a smile and looked at Xi Zhicai, wanting to hear what insightful opinions he had.
Upon hearing the emperor's question, Xi Zhicai briefly organized his thoughts, then stood up, walked to the large Han Dynasty map hanging to the side, and pointed towards Goguryeo.
"Your Majesty, you see, Goguryeo borders the Northern Wuhuan and is the only way to reach the three commanderies of Liaodong, Xuantu and Lelang. It is also a natural barrier in front of the Northern Wuhuan."
Once we annex Goguryeo, then Hanye and Okje will naturally become the territory of the Han Dynasty.
At that time, our great Han Dynasty will have Goguryeo in the east and Chengde in the west. As long as we hold these two places, the Northern Wuhuan will always be under the watchful eyes of our Han army and will have no chance to move south again.
"The tide will turn then, and our Han Dynasty can launch an attack on the Northern Wuhuan at any time!"
Liu Hong smiled and nodded, "Zhicai's words are very insightful, and your strategic vision is also quite remarkable!"
Xi Zhicai quickly replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely repeating General Huangfu's plan. Please point out any shortcomings!"
"There's nothing wrong with it, but... Zhicai could broaden his horizons a bit more!"
"Enlarge it a bit...?"
Xi Zhicai froze, turned his head to look at the map, a look of shock flashing in his eyes, and then looked at Liu Hong with disbelief.
"Does Your Majesty intend to take over Fuyu and Beiwoju as well?"
Liu Hong smiled and nodded, "That's right, just like Yang Biao said. The northeastern tribes are a great place, with mountains, forests, medicinal herbs, black soil, coal, minerals, and so on. If such a place is developed, it will definitely become the most important source of food and resources for our Great Han in the future..."
In Liu Hong's eyes, the entire Northeast, which is known as the "eldest son of the Republic," including other places, must be declared "since ancient times."
Upon hearing Liu Hong's description of the many benefits of the Northeast, Xi Zhicai was taken aback. If that were true, the Northeast would indeed be an indispensable part of the Han Dynasty.
Xi Zhicai said in a deep voice, "If what Your Majesty says is true, then the Northeast should indeed be incorporated into the territory of the Han Dynasty!"
"Yes! The Northeast is such a wonderful place, it's a waste to leave it to those people!!"
And most importantly, the various ethnic groups living in that region are extremely dangerous. I won't feel at ease unless I integrate them and their descendants into the Han Dynasty!
Thinking of the potential hidden dangers, Liu Hong looked at the northeastern tribes marked on the map with a heavy expression.
"Extremely dangerous...?"
Xi Zhicai stared blankly at the emperor, somewhat confused by the meaning behind Liu Hong's words.
Seeing Xi Zhicai's puzzled expression, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh softly, and then said in a deep voice:
"It is not difficult to see from historical records that the resilience and survival ability of these ethnic groups from the harsh and cold lands are beyond imagination."
From the time of Shaohao to the present, various ethnic groups and tribes have emerged, including the Sushen, Donghu, Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Goguryeo. For more than a thousand years, they have never stopped coveting the Central Plains dynasties.
If those tribes and races are allowed to live and multiply on that land, and if one day a powerful race emerges, and the Central Plains dynasty is unable to withstand it, it will be an unimaginable disaster!
"Your Majesty is right. Those people only know how to invade, not how to produce. They are indeed a malignant tumor. If they become strong, they will surely become vicious!"
Xi Zhicai clearly agreed with Liu Hong's words.
"That's right. So I don't intend to let any of these people go. They must be assimilated and absorbed into the Han Dynasty. Only in this way can we avoid future worries."
If they accept, all the better; if not, then physical elimination is the only option, including the Southern Wuhuan and Buyeo who have submitted to the Chinese.
As the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, I have a duty to eliminate all potential dangers!
Liu Hong gazed intently at the four directions on the map, his eyes flashing as he recalled the future situation of being surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Xi Zhicai stared blankly at Liu Hong. Only now did he truly understand the real meaning of the emperor's repeated phrase, "to seek blessings for future generations."
We must not only create favorable conditions for survival and development, but also prevent all possible crises, even those that are merely imaginary.
At this moment, Xi Zhicai finally realized that the emperor's schemes and ambitions had exceeded everyone's imagination.
If I don't step up my efforts, I'm afraid I'll be left far behind.
Then Xi Zhicai looked intently at Liu Hong, “Your Majesty, the crisis you spoke of today is thought-provoking. I believe it can be included in teaching materials so that soldiers and civilians can understand the dangers that may exist or occur in the Northeast, Northwest, grasslands, and even the Western Regions, and thus constantly remind the world that…!”
"Zhicai is right, a sense of crisis is very important, but... Zhicai could broaden his horizons a bit further..."
Liu Hong smiled, then looked at Han Hui, Woju, and the lands of the Three Hans.
"Further away...?"
Upon hearing the emperor's question, Xi Zhicai was taken aback for a moment, then followed Liu Hong's gaze.
"Your Majesty is referring to the Three Hans?"
Xi Zhicai suddenly realized and followed Liu Hong's gaze to the land of the Three Hans.
Liu Hong nodded and said with a smile:
"That's right! Right now, Hanye and Okje are the only channels connecting the Three Hans with the northeastern tribes!"
Once we occupy them, we will completely sever the connection between the Three Hans and the interior, and everything they have will be under the control of our Great Han!
"At that time, our Great Han can annex it at any time, incorporate it into our territory, and transform and assimilate it."
"Your Majesty's plans are far-sighted; I admire them greatly!"
Even Xi Zhicai couldn't help but marvel at the emperor's far-sighted vision.
"Ha! What is this? In my eyes, the Three Hans are nothing more than a stepping stone!"
Seeing Xi Zhicai's admiring expression, Liu Hong simply smiled and shook his head, then shifted his gaze eastward.
"Not just the Three Han states? A springboard...?"
Xi Zhicai was startled; the emperor's actions were really making it hard for him to keep up.
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