"There is no one in the Song Dynasty?"

"I will definitely not follow!"

"If you want to fight, you will fight, and I am not afraid of any opponent!"

...

Daqing Palace, the most important palace in the Song Dynasty palace, is also the most majestic and tall palace in the palace. At the same time, this palace also undertakes the most important state affairs of the Song Dynasty.

For example, the most important celebrations, the examination room for the imperial examination hall, and the reception of envoys from the Liao Kingdom.

The relationship between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom was very subtle. A hundred years ago, in the Battle of Chanyuan, the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom were in harmony. Since then, the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have become brotherly countries, and they have maintained a relationship of friendship and respect on the surface, but they have wanted to tear off a piece of flesh from the other party’s thighs behind their backs. Under this hypocritical diplomacy, a strange diplomacy has emerged.

There are happy events in Liao Kingdom, and the Song Dynasty will definitely send someone to congratulate you.

When the Song Dynasty was in trouble, the kings and ministers of the Liao Kingdom would worship like their dead brothers.

But behind the scenes, both families were happy to be able to kill each other. Just like today, the battle against Xixia by the Song Dynasty was about to break out, and all the supplies were allocated to the third route bordering the northwest and Xixia, plus Jingzhao Prefecture and other materials were transferred to the heavy places.

For this reason, Zhang Dun even searched countless treasuries in the world. The northwest was filled with the wealth that the Song Dynasty had accumulated over nearly twenty years, and the mountains of food, weapons, cloth, and various materials, which also indicates that this was an endless national war.

There have been such national wars once, during the period of Shenzong.

At that time, the Liao Kingdom used 100,000 troops to extort an annual monies of 200,000 taels of silver from the Song Dynasty, which became an indelible shame on the Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty.

This time, Zhao Xu was lucky enough to catch up. He bullied his father and then bullied his son. This is bullying the Emperor of Song Dynasty, but he is not a man!

This is why Zhao Xu was so furious.

However, at this time, not to mention the Liao envoy, even the important officials of the Song Dynasty left. In the huge palace, Hao Sui was the only one who accompanied the emperor, and the emperor's angry voice echoed in the entire hall.

Hao Sui was a little absent-minded, and he felt that the emperor was a little bit of a big deal.

Besides, when the envoy of the Liao Kingdom was there, you didn't say anything. When the person ran away, you shouted and said to whom? This is also impossible. Zhao Xu was slow in character. Even if he got angry, he would be slow. Before, he didn't even speak much. But when the person left, he realized that he would be suffocated to death if he didn't vent his anger in his chest.

This habit is very bad, and it is a suspicion of being timid and afraid of things. Fortunately, Hao Sui would not dislike the emperor's personality, after all, he has seen him a lot.

However, the emperor is the emperor after all, and the eunuch can only be the eunuch. Hao Sui was beside the emperor and kept persuading the emperor: "Your Majesty calmed down, the Khitans were greedy and brave and fought bravely. Your Majesty did not have to be angry about some barbarians."

"You said, I shouldn't be angry, should I laugh?"

Zhao Xu was excited and pointed at Hao Sui. This was definitely a embarrassing person. Hao Sui dared not answer, so he had to kneel on the ground and kowtowed and beg for mercy: "Sister deserves to die!"

Zhao Xu glanced at Hao Sui with contempt and said angrily: "You will say you deserve to die. Wouldn't you say you would rather be broken than be a complete one? Could it be that I would also compromise and not be able to do it?"

Zhao Xu's anger surged into the sky. It would be fine if his father was blackmailed by the Khitans, but now his son has been blackmailed. The Khitans cannot change their ways to bully their father and son, right? Could it be that the emperor of the Liao Kingdom saw the attributes of soft persimmons from his father and son?

"Your Majesty, didn't Zhang Xiang say that he would never compromise?"

The emperor remembered that in the hall just now, Su Che despised the greed of the Liao Kingdom from his character and argued with reason, but the Liao envoys were unmoved. It was useless to explain and reason. Zeng Bu said that it could stop the Western Expedition to deal with the possible sneak attack of the Liao Kingdom. The Privy Council's suggestion was also to stop the Western Expedition, but Li Qingchen did not express his opinion on how to deal with it, but cursed the Liao envoys, and even showed signs of taking action. But it always gave people a feeling of guilt.

Only Zhang Dun was the most powerful, pointing at the envoy of the Liao Kingdom and said coldly: "If you want to fight, you can fight. The Song Dynasty is not afraid of any enemies!"

Emperor Zhao Xu finally recovered some blood on his black blind face. He still had supporters. Of course, facing the war with the Liao Kingdom, the important officials of the Song Dynasty showed an extraordinary stability. Only Zhang Dun, the old man actually burst out with the power that seemed to be hidden in his body, and the envoys of the Liao Kingdom almost broke their achievements.

The Liao Kingdom did not want to fight with the Song Dynasty.

For the Liao Kingdom, the Song Dynasty was an opponent, but the Western Xia was the evil wolf around him.

The opponents know each other's strength, with caution and respect. However, in the face of Xixia, the Liao Kingdom is more vigilant. This is a wolve that will never be satisfied. Once neglected, it will really become a big trouble. If it weren't for the frequent coups in Xixia and the constant rebellion of internal struggle, Xixia would burst out with stronger power.

If the Song Dynasty could not suppress the Western Xia, then for the Liao Kingdom, it might not be able to suppress the Western Xia.

When the Song Dynasty fought against the Western Xia, even in the most unfavorable situation, the Western Xia was annexed by the Song Dynasty. However, the Liao Kingdom still had the confidence to open the Five Five-Year Plan with the Song Dynasty.

When Emperor Zhenzong fought with the Liao Kingdom in Chanyuan, Western Xia was still the territory of the Song Dynasty. It was not even called Xixia at that time. Now the Li family of the royal family of the Western Xia was given the surname Zhao and was the governor of Xiazhou in the Song Dynasty at that time.

But it does not mean that the Liao Kingdom is more inclined to be opponents of the Song Dynasty and is unwilling to be opponents of the Xixia, so they will do nothing and give the Song Dynasty a relatively peaceful environment to eat up the Xixia. When it is time to make a fortune and blackmail, the Liao Kingdom will not be lenient. Life is necessary, and the same is true for the country. At the beginning, Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty was threatened by the Liao Kingdom once, and the annual monies increased from 300,000 taels of silver during the Zhenzong period to 500,000 taels of silver.

If the son of Shenzong wants to destroy Xixia, he must pay the same price as his father, or even more, so that the Liao Kingdom will not participate in this war.

"Your Majesty, will you go to the court after noon?"

Zhao Xu is serious about the entertainment activity of playing football. The reason is very simple. He found that since playing football, he has become much stronger in all aspects.

Unlike before, he looked listless and lazy, with sore hands and feet. Since playing football, his waist has also been sore, but he recovered very quickly, which would not delay him from building a successor in the harem, and he could also enjoy the beauty of the joy of fish and water.

This is the secret to nourishing one's body. Zhao Xu said that he should stick to anything. When he thought of playing football, he remembered Gao Qiu, finding an enlightenment coach who used to be his own Cuju, and now he is leading troops to fight in the northwest. Zhao Xu knew Gao Qiu's ability very well. Gao Qiu's ability to fight was ordinary, even much worse than Zhong Jianzhong recommended by Li Kui.

It would be useless to keep Gao Qiu in the northwest, so it would be fine if I recalled him to the capital.

Although Zhao Xu is very serious about playing football, the timing is wrong and he has no interest in playing football today.

He curled his lips and said, "I've left, I won't go today."

When he returned to the Chuigong Hall, Zhang Dun had arrived early, and Li Qingchen also came. Speaking of which, Li Qingchen was a pure civil minister, just like Su Che. He could not lead troops to fight, nor settle accounts and plan finances. He was very good at poetry and lyrics. If Su Shi had not been released in the Song Dynasty, Li Qingchen's articles would have been ranked first in the world.

Of course, because of his bad reputation, he was later disliked.

In the previous court, Li Qingchen vividly interpreted the uselessness of the literati, summarizing it in one sentence: "The king is humiliated and the minister dies!"

However, Zhao Xu really didn't want Li Qingchen to do this. Whether Li Qingchen died or not was useless for the confrontation between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom. Even Zhao Xu saw Li Qingchen's talent clearly and was not suitable for being a Privy Councilor. He was a little disappointed with Li Qingchen, but Zhao Xu was also very clear in his heart. If he changed himself, he might not be as good as Li Qingchen. In fact, to put it bluntly, none of the Privy Councilors of the Song Dynasty were qualified.

Even if Wang Shao returned to the capital to be the Privy Councilor because of his recovery of Hehuang, he was the Privy Councilor. Logically speaking, Wang Shao had military achievements, knew how to fight, and had strategies, so he should be a qualified Privy Councilor. But in fact, it was not the case.

The Song Dynasty had more than one million troops, and various relationships were complicated. The generals and the generals were married into one, and there were threats from the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia outside. This Privy Councilor was very difficult to be a member of the Privy Councilor.

The Privy Councilor actually exercised the power of the former Taiwei.

There are many disadvantages of using literati as a Taiwei, but the only advantage is that it is impossible to rebel.

"I'm dead, let Liaogou disturb His Majesty!"

"I am guilty, I will bring shame to Your Majesty!"

Usually, high-ranking officials like the prime minister and Privy Councilor talk to the emperor by calling the emperor "official family" to show closeness. Only in very formal occasions or when you need to be careful will they speak up as "Your Majesty".

But Li Qingchen was guilty. In the Daqing Hall, he was facing the aggressive Liao envoy. He showed the integrity that a civil servant should have, not be afraid of death, and was very energetic. Of course, if An Tao had not pulled him, he would not have released his nature like this. After all, a thin old man Li Qingchen was furious, facing the big and thick Liao envoy, and he would probably be beaten up when he rushed up.

Even if he was intimate and intimate with him on weekdays, An Tao, a good partner of the Song Dynasty, rushed forward together, he was beaten up.

It is a flaw in strength, and its momentum is more like a guilty heart.

As for Zhang Dun... he just spoke up today, that's all.

But after all, he was a very smart person. He had long discovered that the emperor was in a bad mood and seemed to dislike him. When his heart suddenly broke out, Li Qingchen became much more rational. After his rationality, his reaction became steady and his tone was quite calm: "Your Majesty, I only see that the reason why the Liao people threatened me in the Song Dynasty was because they wanted money."

"What do Zhang Xiang think?"

Zhao Xu immediately asked Zhang Dun. Compared to others, Zhao Xu was more willing to believe Zhang Dun. At the same time, Zhang Dun never disappointed him. He did things very slowly, and at the same time agreed with his own wishes.

Zhang Dun thought about it and bowed and said, "It's exactly the same as back then."

"Greedy, is there nothing I can do with Song Dynasty?" When Zhao Xu said this, his heart was also collapsed. There was really nothing I could do.

However, in the face of the possible outbreak of war, Zhang Dun said cautiously: "But the official family and the Song Dynasty must also deal with the two sides of the war. Otherwise, once the Liao people send troops south, even if our Song Dynasty destroys Xixia, we will pick up watermelons and lose sesame seeds, and the loss will be too great."

Zhao Xu was upset because of this.

The army of the Liao people was like a knife hanging over the head of the Song Dynasty. It would fall anytime and anywhere. If the Liao Kingdom was just greedy and wanted money...

Most of the Song Dynasty would not refuse.

The most unafraid thing about the Song Dynasty was to become stronger by recharging money. Even if the Liao Kingdom was willing to send troops to attack Xixia with the Song Dynasty, it would be acceptable for the Song Dynasty to spend more money.

The biggest problem is actually not money, but the fickle attitude of the Liao people.

Who knows whether the Liao Kingdom will go south? If the Song Dynasty is in full swing with Xixia, the result of being stabbed in the back can be imagined.

Zhang Dun hesitated and said, "But all the supplies have been mobilized to the northwest. It is impossible not to fight. Just divide the troops to guard against the Liao Kingdom. This is the place that makes our Song Dynasty embarrassed. The imperial guards on the northern line are already overwhelmed. If you want to guard against the Liao Kingdom, you must draw the Western army into Hedong Road. In this way, the troops attacking Xixia cannot be guaranteed even 200,000."

Zhang Dun was also in a dilemma. In his opinion, the Song Dynasty would not be afraid of Xixia or Liao Kingdom. However, when these two opponents fought with the Song Dynasty together, even if his confidence was intensified, they would not dare to say that they would win. Such a battle would be easy to win. But if it failed, the Song Dynasty's national strength would fall sharply. Even the northern defense line would collapse completely, and the entire north of the Song Dynasty would have no danger to defend.

The Song Dynasty could not afford such risks, and did not dare to take them.

Emperor Shenzong was the same at the beginning. Fortunately, the Liao people then spoke, and the annual monies increased from 300,000 taels of silver to 500,000 taels of silver per year. It was said that it was annual monies, but in fact, the Liao people could not see the money at all. At that time, the Liao people would give more silk, tea, and porcelain on the market, and the money would be back in the pocket of the Song Dynasty.

But the damage is not great, but the shame is very strong.

Emperor Shenzong was criticized for losing power and humiliating the country. In particular, even at such a price, the Song Dynasty had not yet defeated Xixia. Not only did it not, he also lost...

There is also a reason. Even during the most difficult period of war between the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia, the Song Dynasty did not dare to draw troops to guard against the Liao Kingdom. The Western Army has always fought with less and used 200,000 troops to fight against the 500,000 troops in the Western Xia.

This is a dead end.

The prime minister is in a dilemma, and the emperor is in a dilemma.

Zhao Xu thought for a while and asked: "Where is the land of Hehuang?"

The Song Dynasty had a large army of 50,000 in Hehuang, and these 50,000 troops were also elite. It was no worse than the Western Army.

However, this proposal was rejected by Zhang Dun: "The official family, the land of Hehuang is the only horse-raising land in my Song Dynasty. Now it is threatened by the Tubo tribes. Once the army is drawn, not to mention whether the many tribes in Qingtang will have a second heart. How to prevent the Tubo tribes is a problem."

Li Qingchen had no good idea, but as the highest commander of the imperial guards of the Song Dynasty, he had to speak when facing military and national affairs.

Otherwise, what's the use of asking him?

He can't get along with constructive suggestions or strategic suggestions.

I could only think of a way to cheat my disciples, and saw Li Qingchen coughing a few times, clear his throat and said, "Zhang Xiang, why don't you use the Imperial Guards to try it?"

It has been several months since the Imperial Guards were formed.

But recruiting continues, with a total force of less than 5,000. Such an army, whether it is going to Xixia or Hedong Road, is a drop in the bucket.

Zhang Dun immediately shook his head and said, "No, Li Kui is not a problem to form an Imperial Guard. But the biggest problem is weapons. Now the Imperial Guard has truly formed an army of only one commanded musketeers and three commanded artillery soldiers. The total number is only 1,500. Including the 3,000 cavalry drawn from Qingtang, there are only more than 8,000 people. This number will be useless to go to any battlefield."

The truth is often very cruel, so cruel that it makes people lose all their fantasies.

While the court was still quarreling with the Liao people, Li Kui returned to the capital with the troops from the Imperial Guards.

Before he could enter the palace, he went to the iron smelting workshop of the Iron Supervision, found Zheng Qi, and asked about the numbers for the flintlock rifle.

Zheng Qi said, "There are a total of 1,002 white branches." After saying that, Zheng Qi looked proud. Since the iron smelting workshop used the division of labor assembly line management, the output has increased sharply. It has even doubled the output he expected.

But Li Kui was not satisfied with this number and said disgusted: "It's only so small, it's almost two months."
Chapter completed!