I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 176 Tough!If we fight, we will never lose
afternoon.

Inside the official office of Qinzhou.

Qinzhou magistrate Liu Cun, general judge Wang Huxiong, battalion commander Liu Dazhi, Su Liang, and Cao Hu, five people gathered together.

Currently, 24 people in the northwest have had their tongues cut out and tortured to death.

Liu Dazhi said angrily: "I always thought that Yuan Hao was already a beast by killing his mother, killing his wife, and seizing his daughter-in-law. I didn't expect that this Yeli Ci is even more of a lunatic, capable of such cruel and sinister things!"

In order to ruin Su Liang's reputation, Ye Li did not hesitate to turn himself into a murderous maniac.

This kind of trick hurts yourself first and then hurts others.

I'm afraid only a madman and a demon can figure it out.

Liu Cun looked at the map on the table and said: "According to Yeli Ci's current route, he should be thinking of killing the people while escaping to Jiaola City. I have ordered the surrounding garrison to set up defenses, and have informed Fan Gong Report to General Di and they will definitely send people to intercept him at the northern border of Gyeongju."

Su Liang looked at Liu Cun.

"Liu Zhizhou, I wonder how sure you are of catching wild thorns in the Song Dynasty?"

Liu Cun frowned slightly.

"Su Yushi, to be honest, I'm not too sure. North of Qinzhou City, the land is vast and sparsely populated. Yeli Ci and others have crossbows, and there are internal agents along the way. It's really difficult to catch them. What we can do, Maybe it just makes it harder for them to harm more people."

Su Liang lowered his head and looked at the map.

Jiaolu Fortress is located north of Qinzhou and northwest of the border between Gyeongju and Yeonju.

The terrain in this area is complex and the people are sparse.

Mountains, river valleys, Gobi deserts, plains, etc. are staggeredly distributed.

If there are really dozens of people hiding in it and not following the official path, it would really be like finding a needle in a haystack.

What's more, these people have already studied this terrain and must have designed an escape route long ago.

Su Liang asked again: "How do we usually deal with Xixia thieves who burned, killed, and looted in our Song Dynasty and fled back to Xixia?"

Wang Huxiong, the general magistrate of Qinzhou on the side, replied: "In recent years, many groups of Xixia soldiers have pretended to be thieves and sneaked into the border to rob money and food. If they are caught, they will be executed directly. If...if they are not caught, they will escape. If we go back to Xixia, then...then we can only send a letter or a wanted order to strongly condemn it!"

"Strongly condemn it? That's useless!" Su Liang said a rare swear word.

Although Xixia surrendered to the Song Dynasty, it completely ignored the laws of the Song Dynasty.

Don't talk about people like Yeli Ci who are useful to Xixia.

Even if it is a vicious bandit, Xixia cannot hand him over. At most, he can just say "under arrest" and get over it.

According to the official rank, the magistrate of Qinzhou is one level higher than Su Liang.

However, Taiwan's admonishment officials have always been of low status and power.

What's more, Su Liang is also responsible for inspecting the northwest disarmament matters. An impeachment memorial is enough to change the governor and general magistrate of Qinzhou.

Coupled with Fan Zhongyan and Di Qing's explanation, Liu Cun and Wang Huxiong did not dare to speak loudly in front of Su Liang.

Su Liang looked at the map, and after thinking for a moment, he looked at Liu Cun and Wang Huxiong.

"Liu Zhizhou and Wang Tongpan, please keep an eye on the eight thousand veterans. If there is news from the front that we and Xixia will go to war, don't let them rush to Jiao La City!"

"Start... start a... war?"

Su...Su...Censor, in order to kill a wild thorn, let's not go to war with Xixia. For such a major matter, we still need to ask the court for instructions first! Liu Cun said nervously.

present.

The attitude of the Song Dynasty court towards Xixia was: neither would it cause war nor be afraid of war.

In short, the Song Dynasty will never take the lead.

However, if the opponent strikes first, the Western Army of the Song Dynasty can "act cheaply" without asking the court for instructions and directly enter the battle state.

Su Liang's words obviously seemed to provoke a war.

"Whether we start a war depends on the sincerity of the Xixia people. It's okay that Yeli Ci was caught in our Song Dynasty. If he really escaped to Jiaola City, then I really have to talk to the Xixia people. !”

Su Liang snorted coldly.

"Insulting my reputation and torturing and killing the people of the Song Dynasty. Such humiliation must not be tolerated! If we endure it, what will be the prestige of the Song Dynasty? Can the people of the northwest still trust that the imperial court can protect them?"

"We are right about this matter! I will report this matter to the court later. I will also report it specifically to Duke Fan and General Di to listen to their opinions."

"This matter started because of me. If I return to Bianjing now, it will be no different from a deserter. I am ready to hunt down Yeli Ci myself. If he escapes back to Xixia, I will ask the Xixia people to hand him over. Such murderers Demons should not exist in this world!"

"I am here to pay for the compensation of the dead people, and I am here to avenge their vengeance! Our Western Army of the Song Dynasty was at a time when our troops were strong, how could we be provoked like this!"

"The final general is willing to go together!"

Cao Hu and battalion commander Liu Dazhi handed over their hands almost at the same time.

The two were extremely excited.

Su Liang's words made their blood boil with excitement. As a man, they naturally did not want to be provoked by this.

Since the Song-Xia War, the soldiers of the Song Dynasty have been holding back their energy!
At this time.

Qinzhou general judge Wang Huxiong said: "I think what Su Yushi said is very reasonable. The Xixia people are too rampant and it is useless to condemn them. We can only make them feel pain so that they dare not invade our people of the Song Dynasty!"

"At the moment, the political situation in Xixia is unstable. Their king is still a little kid who is wetting the bed. The Wuzang family has not yet controlled all the military power. If we go to make trouble, they may not dare to fight. Even if there is a fight, we will be very afraid!"

Wang Huxiong is a southerner.

But the tone and content of his speech at this moment were as if he was a big man from the northwest, full of blood.

Liu Cun couldn't help but laugh.

"I am timid, so we will follow Su Yushi's madness again."

"Su Yushi, go ahead and chase the wild thorn. I, Qinzhou, are always ready for battle. Once the war starts, we will beat him up!" Liu Cun said very seriously.

Su Liang nodded.

In terms of the attitude of the scholar-bureaucrats in the Song Dynasty to the outside world, the biggest shortcoming was that they advocated peace as the most important thing and keeping things in peace.

Facing this group of ferocious Xixia people.

This attitude will only allow them to ride on Da Song's neck and shit. The only solution is to make them fear Da Song.

That night, Su Liang wrote two letters.

One letter was written to Zhao Zhen.

He explained everything about Yeli Thorn and expressed his attitude that he would catch Yeli Thorn even if there was a war.

Su Liang believed that even if one or two husbands did not support it, Zhao Zhen would support it.

Because this is the face of Song Dynasty.

Another letter was written by Su Liang to Fan Zhongyan.

Naturally, Su Liang would not foolishly lead hundreds of people to Jiao La City to ask for help.

His purpose is to hunt down Yeli Thorn.

But how to act, he naturally has to listen to Fan Zhongyan's arrangements.

Early next morning.Battalion commander Liu Dazhi led [-] cavalrymen, Cao Hu led more than ten guards, and Su Liang pursued them along the path of the wild spears.

……

Three days later, Gyeongju City.

In Fan's study.

After reading Su Liang's letter, Fan Zhongyan couldn't help but smile and said: "Haha, as expected of Su Jingming, our young officials in the Song Dynasty should have this kind of bloody nature. After suffering such humiliation, they will naturally have to pay the price!"

Fan Zhongyan thought for a moment and looked at Fan Chunren.

"I'm going to make an order to inform the chief officials of the various forecourts on the border that the forecourts are temporarily closed. As for when they will be opened, wait for the notice. Remember to ask them to make up a reason, such as house repairs, detailed work, etc...."

"Then, notify the Han officials and order them to lead [-] elite troops and station them in the military stronghold closest to Jiaola City."

At this time, Di Qing had returned to Yanzhou.

"Father, is this...really going to start a war?" Fan Chunren asked.

Fan Zhongyan shook his head slightly.

"If nothing else, the people of Xixia do not dare to fight. My father is setting up a stage for Jingming to sing a good play. This play allows the people of Xixia to see the bloody nature of our Song Dynasty and the people of the northwest. Our attitude of protecting our home and country also made the Xixia people understand that today’s Song Dynasty cannot be bullied!”

Subsequently, Fan Zhongyan wrote a memorial to the court.

This memorial clarifies the current situation and also expresses his attitude.

"If the opponent hands over the wild sharp thorn, he will not start a war; if the opponent refuses to hand it over, he will start a war!"

He believed.

The official will give him a reply that will satisfy the people of the entire Northwest.

……

Five days later.

Bianjing City, inside the Chui Gong Hall.

Chen Zhizhong, Wen Yanbo, Wu Yu, Zhang Fangping, Xia Song, Ding Du, Wang Yaochen, Tang Jie and Gao Ruona were all there.

The memorials of Fan Zhongyan and Su Liang were placed on the imperial desk at the same time.

All the ministers have seen it.

Two days ago, Zhao Zhen received Su Liang's memorial, but he did not summon officials to discuss it.

Because he knew that Fan Zhongyan's letter was still on the way.

Zhao Zhen looked down and asked, "Please tell us what you think."

Wen Yanbo stood up first.

"It is normal for the officials to invite Fan Xiwen and Su Jingming. The Xixia thieves have hurt our people and have a bad reputation. They are extremely cruel. If they escape to Xixia territory, we must capture the murderers even if we go to war with them. Otherwise, the power of our great country will Where is it?"

"My minister agrees!"

"My minister agrees!"

"My minister agrees!"

Wu Yu, Zhang Fangping, and Tang Jie stood up almost at the same time and expressed their agreement.

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly and looked at the others.

Chen Zhizhong thought for a while, then stood up and said: "I think the thief should be caught, but there are many ways. There is no need to directly line up in front of the formation and put on a posture of war! Once the war starts, in addition to losing soldiers and property, , what good can it do! Even if we occupy Jiaola City, there is not much property in the city, but we have to settle those Qiang people, it is really not worth it!"

"I second the proposal!" Gao Ruona stood up and said.

"The minister also agrees!"

Xia Song lengthened his voice and said: "Officials, once a war starts, the northwest will be in chaos. The Xixia Kingdom is still in chaos, and many tribes want to plunder our Song Dynasty's wealth to expand our strength. We should not take the initiative to provoke such people at this time." Robbers, even if they win, it’s a lose-lose situation!”

At this time, Zhao Zhen looked at Ding Du, who was awaiting an edict from the Imperial Academy, and Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Third Division.

There were only two people left in the hall who did not express their opinions.

Ding Du walked out slowly and said: "I have always been opposed to the current Yan Bing, but if the traitor escapes to Xixia and the Xixia people refuse to hand him over, I suggest that this battle can be fought, but it must be won!"

"The war will consume a lot of money and food, and it may even last a long time. However, I believe that dignity comes first and interests come second. We are being reasonable this time. If Xixia is acting rogue, we should take action!" Wang Yaochen said.

There are nine ministers in the palace, six ministers are in charge of the war, and three ministers are opposed to the war.

Just when Zhao Zhen was about to speak, Gao Ruona stood up again.

"Officially, I feel that Su Jingming deliberately wanted to make this matter bigger. This matter was originally a private conflict between him and the thief, but it caused the people of the northwest to suffer unreasonable disasters on his behalf, and ordered the northwest to send troops to avenge him. If there is a real fight Get up, we won nothing, and the consequences of losing will be more serious. Please apologize and continue to give out gifts? Su Jingming only cares about his own selfish interests and has not considered the consequences of this matter at all. He is actually harming the country with selfish motives and has evil intentions."

"Xixia is like a mangy dog. If a dog bites a person, will the person bite him back? Fan Xiwen and Su Jingming are making a fuss out of a molehill and are eager to make meritorious deeds. They could have killed the Xixia thief in other ways instead of submitting a memorial to the court. Allow them to start a war blindly! We are not afraid of war, but we must not start a war!"

When Tang Jie heard Gao Ruona slandering Su Liang, he couldn't help but stroke his sleeves and walked up to Gao Ruona.

"Gao Yushi, if a dog bites a person, of course it cannot bite him back, but you can choose to beat the dog with a stick until it dares or cannot bite again!"

"What does it mean to have private conflicts, what does it mean to only care about one's own interests, what does it mean to make a fuss out of a molehill, and be eager to make achievements? I feel that those of you who are against the war have been kneeling on the ground for so long that you can no longer learn to stand up and speak! "

Tang Jie stared at Gao Ruona.

"Then the Xixia thieves tortured the people in the northwest and destroyed Su Jingming's name. Was he targeting Su Jingming? He was targeting all the civil and military officials in our court. He felt that we didn't dare to fight at all, so he dared to be so arrogant!"

"Have you forgotten the three battles of Sanchuankou, Haoshuichuan and Dingchuanzhai? We lost every time and suffered numerous casualties?"

"Have you forgotten the sentence written by Zhang Yuan, Yuan Hao's dog-headed military advisor, 'Xia Song has never stood up, Han Qi is not surprising, and Sichuan is full of dragons and tigers, but he still talks about military plans'? It's not just Xia Shuxiang and Han Zhigui who were Nailed on the pillar of shame of defeat, this is a shame to all the people of the Song Dynasty!"

Tang Jie's voice was loud.

Hearing this, Xia Song couldn't help but lower his head.

He was afraid that someone would mention this issue, so he didn't say much. Unexpectedly, he was still cited as an example.

"If the Xixia people don't hand over the Xixia thieves, what will happen if we fight with them? Many people are still living in the shadow of the Xixia soldiers! This battle is our best chance to restore our morale and let us, the Song Dynasty, all It’s a good opportunity for people to feel proud, why don’t we go for it!”

"In this kind of battle, we can win back the face and dignity we lost. We must be tough!"

……

After saying that, Tang Jie looked at Xia Song and said, "Xia Shuxiang, I don't know if I say this, but you still feel that this battle cannot be fought?"

Tang Jie focused on Xia Song's weaknesses, forcing him to become the main combatant.

Xia Song puffed up his chest and said, "What Tang Zhongcheng said is very reasonable. We must not give in this time!"

……

The two opponents, Chen Zhizhong and Gao Ruona, immediately stopped talking.

In front of the throne.

Zhao Zhen showed a faint smile.

In fact, he had already made up his mind, and the reason why he called the ministers was to allow the main combatant to convince the opponents.

He looked down at a line of small words that had just dried on the table.

This is the reply he wrote to Northwest, with only ten words: Be polite before fighting, if you fight, never allow defeat!
(End of this chapter)