After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

In early July of the third year of Yuanyou in the Song Dynasty, the Northern Expedition Army led by Han Ming and the Generalissimo led by Cai Que and Zhang Dun started the Northern Border Garrison Conference.

The main topic was the defense zone division and garrison personnel of the newly established Heshuo Road, Youji Road, Liaodong West Road, and Liaodong East Road.

The imperial court attached great importance to the four newly recovered territories, otherwise it would not have sent Cai Que, Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu, three ministers of state, to the northern border to govern the area.

"...Regarding the issue of garrisoning the four routes, I believe the key lies in the selection of personnel for the Liaodong and Western routes..."

Han Ming stood in the lobby of the Youzhou government office, looking at the huge military map and spoke slowly.

Everyone understood Han Ming's idea. Liaoxi West Road governs the entire Liaoxi Corridor. There are not many prefectures and counties, but the location is extremely important.

It is a must-pass place connecting the interior and the outside of the Great Wall. Once the Liaoxi Corridor is lost, the interior and Liaodong will lose contact, making Liaodong likely to be isolated overseas.

"Therefore, I propose to the emperor and the court that we select a capable and powerful official to garrison the Liaodong and Western Roads to ensure stability both inside and outside the Great Wall."

Han Ming patted the location of the Liaoxi Corridor and gave orders without further explanation.

"Wang Shao!"

"The subordinate is here!"

When the military leader heard Han Ming calling his name, he immediately stood up and saluted.

"The court originally wanted to assign four people to govern the northern border, but I was worried about Liaoxi, so I specifically appointed you."

"You will be the governor of the Liaodong West Route. You will be responsible for handling all military and political issues."

Han Ming looked at his old friend and chuckled.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your cultivation!"

Wang Shao is now a capable person who has to work harder. Since he passed the imperial examination, he started his journey of traveling around the mountains and rivers. However, he ran into a certain Han before he could enjoy himself for a few days. His life of hard work officially began.

For more than 20 years, he guarded the northwest, resisted the Western Xia, eliminated Tubo, and marched westward to the Western Regions.

He had served as the governor of a state, the deputy transport envoy, the Grand Protector of the Western Regions Protectorate, and now he would continue to serve as the governor to guard the Northeast.

He has worked for Mr. Han for most of his life, and that's not all. He even has to say thank you in return.

After all, it is hard to guard a place, but the rewards and honors are not less.

Wang Shao is now also a local "Jiedushi" level person, a dignified envoy and prime minister.

If the local area did not still need him, Han Ming would have transferred him back to the capital to take charge of the Privy Council just like he transferred Xue Xiang.

Who would let old man Fu Yaoyu be so tired every day that he has to write resignation letters to the government frequently?

"Don't say these superficial polite words. If it weren't for the border's needs, I really wouldn't want you to stay in charge for more than 20 years without even having the chance to return to Beijing."

Han Ming's words were sincere, and he still felt a little sorry for his old subordinate Wang Shao.

"Your Highness, what are you talking about? A minister should share the worries of the country and the monarch. I am very lucky to have such talents that the court and Your Highness have chosen me."

Wang Shao was really grateful to Han Ming. If it weren't for his boss who repeatedly valued and promoted him, it would be unknown whether he would have the power he has today.

"Alright, I like what you say. I don't have any more instructions for you. After all, you have been working in the Western Regions for many years, so a mere Liaoxi Corridor should be no problem for you."

"Also, I have requested a great gift from the court for you."

Han Ming handed a court document to Wang Shao.

"This is?!"

Wang Shao's eyes lit up instantly.

"Military deployment documents."

"The imperial court attaches great importance to the Liaoxi Corridor. You can select any soldiers from the Jingsai Army and the Shenji Camp to form a border army."

Han Ming's words shocked everyone. The imperial court attached too much importance to the Liaodong Road.

"Then I won't be polite..."

Just as Wang Shao was about to express his gratitude, Cai Que, Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu immediately stood up to stop him.

"Brother Zichun, wait a minute, don't be so anxious, let's first decide on our deputy, okay?!"

Cai Que and the other two were purely civil servants with no military experience, so they were just waiting to select famous generals from the Northern Expedition Army to serve as deputies to guard the city. They had to make sure that Wang Shaoquan didn't pick them all up.

"Hahaha..."

Everyone laughed loudly towards the sky. Even the generals felt for the first time that they still had some ability and status, otherwise why would these ministers want to snatch them away.

"No, this is the imperial decree..."

Wang Shao was about to fight back when Cai Chengli pulled Zhang Qie aside and said, "The hostage will follow me!"

Seeing that Cai Que was trying to grab the person, Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu did not want to stop him. The former grabbed the fierce general Yan Da, and the latter wanted to pull Zhong Yan, but ended up letting him slip.

"You guys!"

Han Ming pointed at them, feeling both amused and helpless.

"Zi Zheng (Zhong Yan) cannot go with you. He will replace Zi Chun (Wang Shao) and return to defend the northwest. Brother Zi Xuan (Zeng Bu) should choose someone else."

After Han Ming spoke, Zeng Bu gave up. Finally, Yan Da recommended his good friend Wang En, which calmed the dispute.

"Now that we have obtained the generals we desired, I will make a final summary."

"Chizheng (Cai Que) and Zhifu (Zhang Qie) have the heaviest responsibilities. Your defense zone is in Liaodong. You need to try to cooperate with the local Jurchens and other ethnic groups to jointly govern the area."

"The best way is to assimilate ethnic minorities like the Jurchens into Song people. This mainly depends on culture and education. Do you understand?!"

Han Ming looked at Cai Que and Zhang Qie and said.

"I understand!"

Cai Que and Zhang Qie immediately clasped their fists and stepped out to salute.

"Heshuo Road is garrisoned by Zihou (Zhang Dun) and Fengchen (Yanda). Your mission is to defend against the grasslands outside the Great Wall, especially the newly established Southwest Recruiting Office of the Liao Kingdom."

Han Ming focused on the Fengzhou area.

"I understand!"

Zhang Dun and Yan Da stood up to receive the order.

"Youji Road is in a special situation. It is the main area connecting Heshuo Road and Liaodong Road, especially Yuguan. It is the root of Yan and Liao, so Zixuan and Zezhi must pay special attention to it."

"I will arrange one more person for you."

"Zhang Qiao!"

Zhang Qiao, a master of defense, immediately stood up and saluted.

"This man is known as the 'Shield of the Great Song Dynasty'. You must make good use of him to defend Yuguan Pass."

As soon as Han Ming said this, everyone burst into laughter, and Zhang Qiao also smiled awkwardly for the first time.

"I have received your order!"

Zeng Bu and Wang En immediately pulled Zhang Qiao over and started chatting.

Looking at the warm atmosphere in the hall, Han Ming finally felt relieved.

With the cooperation of these capable ministers and generals in the garrison in the north, and the day and night construction of the Great Wall defense line, the good days of the Liao Dynasty are coming to an end.

"Um... Your Highness, the Liao army has been experiencing a lot of trouble lately. Do we need to get involved?"

Although Gao Zunyu wanted to resign and retire, he still wanted to make one last move.

Especially since the Liao Kingdom has been making a lot of noise recently, and Gao Zunyu himself has been involved in some of Han's messy affairs, so he wanted to ask what was going on.

"The Liao Empire is currently divided into two factions. The Imperial Party, led by Yelu Jun, has largely eliminated the rebellion in the northern and central parts of Shangjing Road and Dongjing Road, and has stabilized the remaining land in Xijing Road."

"Yelü Yixin's faction, under the pretext of the late Emperor Yelü Hongji's will, is openly seeking support from members of the former imperial family. They now occupy Zhongjing Road and are confronting Yelü Jun."

Hearing Gao Zunyu's question, the military supervisor Li Xianxian answered about the current situation of the Liao Kingdom.

"Why, trying to fish in troubled waters?"

Han Ming knew Gao Zunyu's thoughts, but he really felt that the Liao Kingdom was meaningless now.

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. It is better to let them mess around."

Guo Kui and Han Ming had the same idea and decided to wait and see what would happen.

"Who knows, if we enter, Yelu Jun and Yelu Yixin will join forces?"

Gu Tingye did not participate in Han Ming's dark strategy, so it was right for him to have such an idea. The generals also agreed with this and supported him.

Only Gao Zunyu and Liu Changzuo had strange expressions on their faces. Seeing that Han Ming didn't say anything, they immediately kept silent.

"Lao Gao, Lao Liu, if you two have nothing to do, why not come to the Privy Council and help me."

Han Ming's words seemed to be to find work for them, but in fact they were making a promise in disguise, a promise of promotion before they retired.

"Then I, Old Gao, thank you, Your Highness."

Gao Zunyu and Liu Changzuo looked at each other, felt happy, and saluted with their fists clasped.

The generals ignored their joy and formed their own groups to chat about military issues. Cai Que and others also began to discuss the upcoming issues such as the northern border defense.