Chapter 165: Wang Xiaojie mobilizes three armies, Di Huaiying secretly sets up a fishing plan
The eunuch presented the memorial from Wang Xiaojie to Wu Zetian. After reading it, Wu Zetian was overjoyed.

However, the empress remained calm and had the memorial handed to Di Renjie: "Huaiying, take a look at it too."

Wang Xiaojie then spoke at the right time: "Your Majesty, after receiving the order, I have read the military reports of Pingzhou and have gained some insights. Your Majesty is most worried about Sun Wanrong's attack on Liaodong."

"What the generals on the front lines are worried about is that the Khitans are heavily guarded along the route from Pingzhou to Yingzhou. In addition, the road is rugged and dangerous, so we cannot enter lightly."

He paused for a moment, his eyes sparkling, "To resolve this dilemma, why not use the Pingzhou army as a feint to lure the enemy, and send another elite division out of Danzhou, heading west to bypass the Xi and Turkic territories, and attack the Khitan's old territory in Songmo Dudufu."

"Send another army across the sea to support Liaodong and attack Yingzhou from the east. This way the siege of Liaodong can be lifted, and we can also respond to the armies in the middle and west."

"If the Khitan splits its forces to deal with the eastern and western armies, the central army can also take advantage of the opportunity to attack. As long as one of these three armies succeeds, Li Jinzhong won't be a concern, and the Khitan can be destroyed in an instant."

Di Renjie looked at the memorial in his hand and nodded secretly. Wang Xiaojie's plan was feasible to a certain extent. It made full use of the advantage of Zhou's army's large numbers, avoiding the strong and attacking the weak, which was a strategic move.

The only trouble is that the Liaodong route needs to requisition sea vessels, which will take a lot of effort and time to implement, so it can only be used as a detachment to strengthen the momentum.

What is really crucial is the success or failure of the Western Army and the Central Army.

"Huaiying, what do you think of Xiaojie's strategy?" Wu Zetian suddenly asked.

Di Renjie closed the memorial in his hand, handed it back to the eunuch, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, General Wang is indeed a famous general of the country. I think this strategy is feasible, but the generals of these three armies need to be selected carefully."

When Wang Xiaojie heard Di Ren's praise, he felt proud and his face showed arrogance.

Wu Zetian temporarily ignored Di Renjie's suggestion of selecting generals, and said with great interest: "Huaiying, I have a suggestion. The Xi people are unreliable. It is better for the Western Route Army to pass through the Turkic territory than through the Xi people's territory."

"It just so happens that you saved the life of the Turkic Khan Jili, and his Khan's Ring is in your hands. I would like you to write a letter and send an envoy to ask the Turks for permission to pass through. Do you think it is feasible?"

Di Renjie was stunned when he heard this, then he smiled and said, "Of course, Jili Khan has always been friendly with the Great Zhou, and he will most likely agree to borrow your passage."

Wu Zetian smiled with satisfaction and looked at Wang Xiaojie: "Xiaojie, what do you think of this arrangement?"

Wang Xiaojie bowed quickly and replied, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. I think this arrangement is very appropriate."

Di Renjie took the opportunity to say, "Li Yuanfang, the General of the Guards, also saved Jili Khan in Youzhou. I would like to use him as an envoy to go to the Turks to borrow the passage."

Wu Zetian was delighted and said, "Approved. Well, it seems that I have a candidate for the commander of the Western Army?"

Wang Xiaojie had never experienced what happened in Youzhou, so he was a little confused when he heard this.

Di Renjie understood the situation and revealed the secret: "Your Majesty, do you want General Zhao Ji to lead the Western Route Army out of Danzhou?"

Wu Zetian nodded repeatedly: "Huaiying still knows my mind. Zhao Chengyuan performed well in the previous expedition against Khitan and is capable of taking charge. He also has an old relationship with Jili Khan. If he leads the army, I think Jili will give him some face no matter what, right? Haha..."

When Di Renjie thought of Zhao Ji's age, he felt something was wrong, but since Wu Zetian was so interested, he didn't want to spoil her fun, so he said, "I think we should ask General Wang for his opinion on the selection of generals."

Wu Zetian couldn't help but turn her gaze to Wang Xiaojie, full of anticipation.

Wang Xiaojie was a little hesitant when he saw this. He originally wanted to lead the Western Army himself to achieve great success, but the emperor now made it clear that he wanted to use Zhao Ji.

"Your Majesty, I think the Western Army should be led by a general who is familiar with the geography of Songmo." Wang Xiaojie thought for a long time and said with a stiff upper lip.

Wu Zetian laughed when she heard this: "Since Zhao has served in Youyan for many years, he is familiar with the place. I will send Yang Xuanji as my deputy. Is that okay?"

"Your Majesty is wise and I deeply admire you." Wang Xiaojie had nothing to say.

Wu Zetian nodded with satisfaction and said, "In that case, Zhao Ji will be appointed as the governor of Yingzhou, and General Yunhui will be appointed, with Yang Xuanji as his deputy, to lead the army out of Danzhou. Xue Na, the General of the Left Wuwei Guard, will be appointed as the governor of Andong, and he will cross the sea to Liaodong soon. It's settled."

Di Renjie and Wang Xiaojie both bowed their heads and responded.

Wang Xiaojie's desire to recover was slightly dampened, and the position of general he had just obtained was no longer attractive. No one could compare to him. Zhao Ji was only in his twenties and had already reached the third rank, which was enviable.
-
Di Renjie returned home from the palace. Just as he was about to step into the study, Di Chun immediately brought him a cup of hot tea.

"Master, why are you back so late again today?" Di Chun's voice was a little hoarse.

Di Renjie took the tea and took a sip, his expression a little unnatural: "It was because of the Khitan war that it took some time. Di Chun, your throat hasn't recovered yet?"

Di Chun's heart tightened, but he smiled and said, "What's there to be afraid of if you can speak? You still have to serve the master, right?"

Di Renjie laughed for the first time: "You are still so smooth-talking, little boy. All right, call Yuan Fang over. I have something to tell you."

"Yes." Di Chun seemed to have become smarter and more diligent, and he jogged all the way.

Looking at Di Chun's departing back, Di Renjie's expression gradually darkened.

Not long ago, Di Chun was inexplicably taken away by the inner guards. Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang went to great lengths to rescue him.

However, Di Renjie keenly discovered that there was something wrong with Di Chun, and he had obviously been replaced by someone.

Although the fake Di Chun's appearance, tone and behavior habits are very similar to the real Di Chun, fake is fake.

It is impossible to replace the people close to Di Renjie without him noticing.

Di Renjie is unsure why this fake Di Chun came. Would the emperor use this method to install internal guards? Or is the fake Di Chun related to the Khitan rebellion?
Li Yuanfang's footsteps interrupted Di Renjie's contemplation. He strode into the study and asked loudly, "Sir, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Di Renjie came back to his senses and said with a smile, "Oh, there are two things. The first is about the Khitan war. His Majesty has decided to divide the troops into three routes to attack Yingzhou. The western route army will pass through the Turkic territory, and the leading general is Chengyuan."

Li Yuanfang was overjoyed when he heard this. He did not look jealous or suspicious, he was just happy for Zhao Ji.

"That's great! Cheng Yuan is really great. This time we turned defeat into victory, all thanks to his efforts. The emperor's move can be said to be a wise decision."

Di Renjie smiled and said, "I haven't finished yet. The Western Route Army will pass through the Turkic territory. I want to send you to the Turkic territory to ask Jili Khan for permission to pass through."

Li Yuanfang's face suddenly fell, and he doubted himself: "I can fight in the battlefield, but can I do it if I have to talk as an envoy to the Turks?"

Di Renjie couldn't help but shake his head and encouraged him, "Hey~ Chengyuan can lead a large army to fight, so your mission to the Turks is just a piece of cake. Jili Khan is not a heartless person. You are just going with the flow and you will definitely return successfully."

"I will give you the Great Khan's ring. Please say hello to the Khan and ask him if there is any inside information about the Khitan affairs." After saying this, he took out the Great Khan's ring and solemnly handed it to Li Yuanfang.

Li Yuanfang took the ring, and although he was still a little nervous, he nodded firmly: "Since it is your trust, I will do my best."

Di Renjie nodded and smiled: "That's it, don't underestimate yourself in everything."

Li Yuanfang asked again: "What about one more thing?"

Di Renjie's face turned serious, and he whispered, "That's the 'Ruyan' I told you about before. When you pass by Taiyuan on your way north, give this letter to the master and ask him to act according to the plan. This matter is top secret and cannot be known to anyone."

Li Yuanfang also solemnly agreed: "Don't worry, sir."

As he was speaking, Li Yuanfang heard a noise and suddenly put the letter in his arms. A moment later, Di Chun's footsteps were heard.

"Master, it's time to eat." Di Chun walked into the study and asked.

Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang looked at each other and said nonchalantly, "Let's go and have dinner."

　When I was looking up information, I found that in history the Zhou army did have a plan to cross the sea, but it should have only remained in the planning stage and was not implemented.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)