In the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an, in the side hall of Ziwei Hall, King Liu Jing of Han summoned more than a dozen senior officials from the Han Dynasty to discuss the follow-up plan for Jiaozhou. The battle in Jiaozhou was formulated by the military and raided Jiaozhou in a blitzkrieg manner.

The Han army dispatched a total of 100,000 troops to attack Jiaozhou. In addition to the 50,000 troops led by Huang Zhong, there were 50,000 naval troops led by Gan Ning and Lu Xun. Huang Zhong's army was the auxiliary, mainly creating the illusion of going south and breaking through and leading the Jiaozhou army to the north. However, the real main force of the Han army was Lu Xun and Gan Ning's army.

The reason for launching an attack during the year was mainly because Liu Jing was worried that Jiaozhou and Cao Cao would form an alliance. Once the two sides formed an alliance, when the Han army headed south to Jiaozhou, Cao Cao would likely put military pressure in the north. For this reason, Liu Jing decided to adopt the raid tactics offered by Huang Zhong to capture Jiaozhou at the speed. Before Cao's army could react, the Jiaozhou problem had been resolved.

Since the Han Palace moved to Weiyang Palace, the Han Dynasty also opened three palaces, Qinzheng Hall, Qilin Hall and Ziwei Hall. Among them, Qinzheng Hall is the main hall, which is generally used to hold annual court meetings and hold large-scale sacrificial ceremonies, while discussing state affairs will be held in Qilin Hall and Ziwei Hall.

Qilin Hall and Ziwei Hall are located on the left and right of Qinzheng’s main hall, with three main halls in the shape of characters. The study of Han Wang Liu Jing moved to Qifeng Pavilion behind Ziwei Hall, and there is a special corridor connecting with Ziwei Hall. Therefore, Liu Jing convened senior military and political officials to discuss matters, and most of them would be selected in the side hall of Ziwei Hall.

Liu Jing's seat was in the middle of the side hall, with a soft mat on it. In front of him was a wide jade table with two steps below, making his seat slightly higher than other ministers. More than 20 ministers sat on both sides of the side hall, each with his own fixed seat, not standing for the court meeting.

More than 20 senior officials including the Secretariat and Menxia Province participated in the military and political discussion. In addition, Jia Xu, the cabinet master, was invited by Liu Jing to participate in the discussion.

"This battle to attack Jiaozhou is quite secret. I didn't tell you in advance. I'm sorry. Today I'll convene you all to discuss the follow-up military and political arrangements of Jiaozhou. I'll ask Sima Xiangguo to tell you about the situation in Jiaozhou."

After Liu Jing finished speaking, there were whispers in the hall. The news announced by the King of Han really surprised everyone. Everyone did not know that the Han army had launched an attack on Jiaozhou, and they thought that the war would only be launched in April and May. This news came too suddenly.

At this time, Sima Yi stood up and coughed gently. The side hall immediately became quiet. Sima Yi said calmly: "I went to Jiaozhou last autumn and I also had a rough understanding of some situations. Jiaozhou is still stable and the people live and work in peace and contentment. The key is that the population is small and the output is large. We basically don't need our support, but I have a few suggestions."

The hall was very quiet, and everyone was listening attentively to Sima Yi's explanation. Sima Yi continued to slowly say: "The most important problem in Jiaozhou is inconvenient transportation. It was extremely difficult to get through Jingnan land. At present, we can only rely on Lingqu to transport materials. I suggest unblocking the Heshui River to make the Heshui River the second water transportation channel."

Sima Yi said this, Bu Zhi, the Huangmen Minister next to him, couldn't help but interrogate: "Let me add that there is a business road in Luling County, where you can walk mule and horse caravans. In the past, when the trade between Jiangdong and Jiaozhou was just about walking this business road. It was still quite difficult for me to walk it once. I suggest that the business road widening and leveling in the future will become a main channel to enter Jiaozhou."

"I agree with Mr. Bu's opinion!"

Sima Yi continued with a smile: "In addition to developing land routes, sea routes can also be considered. At present, our warships can sail along the coast. If a harbor is established in Jiaozhou, I think Jiangdong and Jiaozhou can be closely linked."

Sima Yi's suggestion caused a lot of discussion in the side hall. This was indeed a very rare idea and made everyone's vision wide. However, today's discussion is just a discussion prospect, not a decision, so although there are too many discussions, there are no arguments.

At this time, Liu Jing smiled and said to Sima Yi: "Besides the urgent need for improvement in traffic, what else is more important?"

Sima Yi bowed and bowed, "Your Highness, in addition to transportation, there are the Zhan tribe and barbarians in Jiaozhi. I have discussed with their representatives in Fanyu. I feel that the Zhan tribe and barbarians are not strong, and their requirements are not high. I just hope to have peace with the government, that is, we don't interfere with them, and they will not harass the government. However, this is just because the Jiaozhi area is vast and sparsely populated and rich in resources. If the population increases, I guess there will still be conflicts. Therefore, I suggest setting up a governor's office in Jiaozhi and stationed troops in Jiaozhi. We must use both soft and hard to completely subdue the Zhan tribe and barbarians."

Liu Jing nodded and said to everyone: "Sima Prime Minister's advice is very good. For Jiaozhou, I advocate the abolition of the state system and the court directly governs the counties. At the same time, the establishment of a censor inspection system to supervise the local officials of Jiaozhou. Whether it is Jiangdong or Jiaozhou, the population is relatively small. It is necessary to implement a long-term rest and recuperation system to breed and gradually become prosperous. This cannot be done in one or two days, but it will take at least thirty years. Therefore, I hope that when formulating national policies, you must consider it from the long term and must not be limited to immediate interests."

The discussion continued until noon. Everyone spoke freely and roughly determined the future direction of Jiaozhou. Liu Jing was also a little tired. When he returned to his study, he took a sip of tea, closed his eyes and took a rest. At this time, the guard reported at the door: "Ge Lao Jia asked for a meeting!"

This is Jia Xu coming, Liu Jing immediately got up and greeted him. Jia Xu stood at the door with a smile and bowed to Liu Jing: "Congratulations to Your Highness for getting the territory again."

Liu Jing knew that he must have something to come, so he smiled and said, "Mr. Jia enters the room and talks."

The two walked into the study and sat down. A tea boy served fragrant tea. Jia Xu took a sip of hot tea before slowly saying: "Your Highness is going to attack Jiaozhou this time, and he is preparing to take the surprise troops to the sea!"

Liu Jing was stunned. This matter was extremely hidden, and only a few people knew about it. How did Jia Xu know? Jia Xu smiled and said, "I heard from Sima Xiangguo that warships could already sail along the coast and establish a shipping line from Jiangdong to Jiaozhou. I guessed Your Highness's strategy."

Liu Jing did not hide it from him and nodded, "Jia Gong guessed it well. This is Lu Xun's strategy. In the land layout, he attracted the Jiaozhou army to Cangwu and Luling. The main force of the navy attacked Fanyu from the sea. Because he wanted to use the north wind, he attacked Jiaozhou around the New Year in advance. In fact, it was still relatively hasty. He could only use a surprise attack. I don't know if the Jiaozhou army would see through it."

Jia Xu stroked his beard and smiled, "I guess Zhuge Liang could think of it, but Liu Bei would definitely not accept it."

"Why is this?" Liu Jing asked in confusion.

"It's very simple. When Sima Xiangguo proposed to establish a shipping line just now, there was a lot of discussion in the side hall. It could be seen that everyone was surprised and even difficult to accept. The same is true for Liu Bei. He lived in the north for a long time and was unable to adapt to water wars in the Central Plains. This is a naval battle that has never been precedent for imagination. Moreover, the Han army went south from Cangwu County to pose a huge threat to Jiaozhou. In the face of real threats, Liu Bei would not consider the risks at sea, so I know that the sea attack will be successful. Of course, as long as the fleet can arrive at Fanyu safely."

Liu Jing also sighed: "This sea attack is a pioneering move. If it can be successful, it will not only be of great benefit to future commercial transportation, but also accumulate experience for us to attack the north."

Jia Xu laughed, "That's what I mean. In the future, we can attack Hebei from sea, attacking the east and west lines, making the Cao army unable to defend. Based on this consideration, Your Highness needs to block the news of the attack on Fanyu at sea, and try not to spread it to prevent Cao army from preparing."

Liu Jing nodded, "The military advisor reminded me that this matter should not be made public."

At this time, Jia Xu said again: "What is your Highness going to deal with Liu Bei and his subordinates?"

Liu Jing pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to use Jiangdong's method to put Liu Bei under house arrest and recruit Jiaozhou army. As for local officials, they did a good job, I will still be appointed. I think as long as the troops stationed in Jiaozhou, these civil servants will not be able to make a big splash."

"Your Highness's principle of treating others with lenient treatment is indeed worthy of praise. Don't worry about forming hatred. However, the Wei-Minist suggests that Liu Bei should be slightly different from Sun Quan in dealing with Liu Bei. Sun Quan is in his prime and his ambitions are hard to eliminate and he really needs to be strictly supervised. However, Liu Bei is not like that. He is already in his twilight years and has not been alive for a few years. The Wei-Minist recommends that he be appointed as the Grand Marshal or Situ and be appointed as a false position. After all, he is the emperor of the Han Dynasty and is very popular in the north. Your Highness can respect him, but not him. The key is his son Liu Chan. Your Highness might as well take his son as the qualifying place and keep him in Chengdu, and do not teach his literature, martial arts, and be rich and well-behaved, so that Liu Bei's family will be completely troubled."

Liu Jing narrowed his eyes and smiled. Jia Xu's poison is indeed well-deserved.

Since Liu Bei sent General Chen to the north to assist Cangwu County, the Han army's offensive progress slowed down. Because the Han army had to defend against Guan Yu's attack, the number of people building the military city was greatly reduced, which slowed down the construction of the military city. In the last month of the Han army's south, it was less than one person taller than the wall of the military city, which made Liu Bei breathe a little relieved.

At this time, Jingzhe had passed, and Jiaozhou gradually entered the spring plowing season. Farmers everywhere were busy. The defense of Fanyu City faced another unfavorable situation, that is, the 30,000 militia soldiers recruited before were delayed, which made Liu Bei anxious. He also knew that the people of Jiaozhou were dissipated and did not fear authority. The farmers began to plow in spring, so it was difficult for them to come to Fanyu to participate in the defense.

In despair, Liu Bei could only send Zhuge Liang to the governors of various counties, and must let the officials of each county draw some militia soldiers to Fanyu to participate in the defense. After Zhuge Liang's urging, it did have some effect. Nanhai County first transferred 4,000 militia soldiers, and 10,000 militia soldiers from Cangwu County and Yulin County were already on the way.
Chapter completed!