Liu Ping can be said to be an outlier among officials. He said he was a military general, but he was a Jinshi. He also served as a civil servant, such as the supervisor, the attendant censor, and other civil servants. He said he was a civil servant, but he was sent to the northwest to guard Huanqing Road and made many military achievements. Even Li Zhang had heard of his fame.

However, Cao Wei seemed to have some different opinions about Liu Ping. He paused for a moment and then commented on Liu Ping: "Liu Ping is extremely talented. Not only is he skilled in martial arts, but he is also familiar with military tactics, and can also flexibly move on the battlefield. He can indeed be called a talent of a general, but this person has one of the biggest shortcomings!"

"What are the shortcomings?" Zhao Zhen couldn't help asking at this time.

"Liu Ping is too arrogant! Or he was too obedient before. He was originally from an official family, famous at a young age, and was a versatile civil and military talent. He had almost never suffered too much setbacks. This also made him a little arrogant. He would inevitably underestimate the enemy when he went to the battlefield. If he was exploited by the enemy, the consequences would be unimaginable!" Cao Wei said very seriously at the moment.

Originally, Cao Wei had withdrawn from the army, and Liu Ping and Ren Fu were both pillars of the army. He would offend people by pointing out the shortcomings of the two people directly, but sending troops is not a joke, especially since Zhao Zhen had just taken office, it is very rare to have such enterprising spirit, so there must never be an accident during this time.

Li Zhang nodded in agreement when he heard this. He had just ignored this point. Liu Pingwen was able to be a Jinshi, and could guard one side. He even became famous for killing thieves when he was young. Such people do have the capital to be proud, but this has also become his shortcomings. The military strategy says that "a arrogant soldier will be defeated." If Liu Ping leads his troops to fight, the consequences will be unpredictable.

In fact, Li Zhang only knew that Ren Fu died in Haoshuichuan, but he didn't know that Liu Ping actually died earlier than Ren Fu. Moreover, when Li Yuanhao first launched a battle against the Song Dynasty, that is, the Battle of Sanchuankou, Liu Ping led his troops to rescue him. As a result, he was surrounded because of underestimating the enemy, and finally was captured in a strong battle and died unyieldingly, almost as Cao Wei expected.

However, Liu Ping only made the mistake of underestimating the enemy in the early stage. Later, after being surrounded, he dragged Li Yuanhao's main army with a small amount of troops, and even dragged it until it snowed. At that time, if Li Yuanhao retreated, Liu Ping might not have died, but Li Yuanhao was determined to destroy him. In the end, Liu Ping was captured, but the Song reinforcements in the rear finally arrived and marched into Helan Valley, forcing Li Yuanhao to retreat, so Liu Ping's achievements could not be erased.

"If Ren Fu and Liu Ping are not suitable, then according to your opinion, who can serve as the chief general?" Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment and then asked again. He summoned Cao Wei and others to come in just to hear their opinions. Compared with Zhang Qi, the Privy Councilor, Cao Wei and others were more familiar with the generals in the army, so Zhao Zhen was more willing to listen to his opinions.

Cao Wei pondered for a moment again, then said: "Report to Your Majesty, when it comes to the candidate for the chief general, I think Zhao Zhen, the deputy general manager of the Fuyan Road, is the most suitable. This person is calm and resourceful, calm in encountering things, and is known for his steady use of military stability. Li Yuanhao is extremely cunning. He likes to use tricks and likes to take risks. But if he encounters a calm and calm general like Zhao Zhen, it will not have much effect!"

"Zhao Zhen?" Zhao Zhen also thought about it hard when he heard this name that was similar to his name. Finally, he had a little impression. This person seemed to have been promoted from a soldier and was older. However, although his position was not lower than that of Ren Fu and Liu Ping, he was usually very low-key and not as famous as the two of them. However, he did not expect that Cao Wei actually recommended him.

"In addition to Zhao Zhen, the chief general, the old minister also wants to recommend a young general as a vanguard. This man is named Zhou Mei. He used to be a personal guard by the late emperor, and later was placed in the army. I wonder if Your Majesty has any impression?" Cao Wei said again.

"Zhou Mei?" Zhao Zhen felt familiar when he heard the name. Then he thought about it carefully before slapped his thighs, "I remember that this man had once fled from the northwest. Seeing that his father was superb in martial arts, he stayed by his side to be a guard. Later, when his father passed away, he was placed in the army and made many achievements, which could be regarded as winning glory for the palace."

"Your Majesty remembers it very accurately. The old minister recommended this Zhou Mei. Compared to others, Zhou Mei's qualifications in the army are actually very shallow. I have only seen him once, but it left a deep impression on the old minister. This man dares to fight tough battles and is also good at fighting tough battles. He often wins more with less and defeats the strong with weak. If he is the vanguard, he can severely undermine the Dangxiang people's aura and clear the way for the main army in the rear!" Cao Wei said with a smile again.

Li Zhang had never heard of Zhou Mei. In fact, Li Zhang didn't know much about the generals of the Song Dynasty. Except for Cao Wei, Yang Liulang and other few others, everyone else was only known after he came to the Song Dynasty. Especially when he went to the northwest last time, he also met a group of generals, but he did not remember Zhou Mei. It was estimated that the other party had just arrived in the army and had not yet emerged.

"Not bad, I've heard of this Zhou Mei. He is indeed a rare general. He is very suitable for him as a pioneer. As for Zhao Zhen..." Zhao Zhen said this, he also showed a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he nodded, "Then according to General Cao, you will order Zhao Zhen to be the chief general of this expedition to Dangxiang. If he can destroy Dangxiang in one fell swoop, I will not be stingy to reward him!"

As soon as Zhao Zhen said that, the candidates for the main general and the pioneer were decided. Zhang Qi, the Privy Councilor next to him, immediately accepted the order and said that the Privy Council had the right to mobilize troops, and they were responsible for the appointment and removal of generals. Then Xue Kui also expressed his opinion. After all, the most consumed money and grain in the war, and the three departments must cooperate.

At the end of the discussion, a rough plan for dispatch was also determined. Not only were there the main general and candidates, as well as the mobilization of money, grain and troops, but the date of dispatch was also determined. Spring is just beginning, and the time is too urgent. After all, the preliminary preparations will take several months, so Cao Wei and others suggested sending troops in autumn and trying to end the war before winter comes, because autumn is also the time for the Dangxiang people to reserve food and supplies for the winter. Even if they cannot destroy Dangxiang, they will be greatly damaged by the lack of supplies in winter.
Chapter completed!