I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 327: We have five hundred elite soldiers, but we claim to the outside world that we have thirty thousand. Isn’t that too much?

Just when Yelu Zong was really at a loss what to do, Yelu Chongyuan, the emperor's brother of the Liao Kingdom, came over with several Liao ministers.

They all read the "Letter to the Emperor of Liao" sent by the Song Dynasty.

"Brother Emperor, how can anyone in the world say that the leader of a country apologizes to the ministers of another country? The people of Song Dynasty are just taking advantage of the civil strife in Liao Dynasty to add fuel to the fire. We should scold him back immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe that the people of Song Dynasty are just big thunder and small raindrops, and they don't dare to fight at all. Once we show weakness, they will slap us in the face!"

"Your Majesty, we must fight back and let them know that we, Daliao, cannot be bullied at any time!"

"Your Majesty, the eldest prince has obviously fallen into the trap of the Song people. The Song people are deceitful and are trying to harm us, Daliao, with their reform strategy. You must not show weakness in front of them!"

"Your Majesty, when it comes to the combat effectiveness of the army, we in Daliao are the best in the world. How can we tolerate the Song people making noise in front of us!"

……

"enough!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"My younger brother suggested that we send 50,000 troops to the border. If we can suppress the Song people, they will send envoys to negotiate peace with us. If they really dare to fight, I am willing to be an envoy to communicate with the Song Dynasty. If the Song Dynasty still wants to fight, , I suggest sending troops quickly to destroy the achievements of their reform. Daming Mansion is very rich. If we can loot some, it will definitely be easier to replenish the national treasury than the reform. After winning the war, we can negotiate peace, and we can continue to increase the number of annual coins... "

Yelu Zongzhen glared and said: "At this moment, I know that I cannot show weakness to the Song people. What I need is a set of feasible methods, how to solve this matter without going to war!"

"It's not that I want to destroy you, it's that you are seeking your own death."

The essence of the Song Dynasty's reforms was to exploit wealthy families in order to benefit the court and the people.

"Father, you...you want to destroy me?"

The failure of the Liao Dynasty's reform resulted in some wealthy families frantically amassing money and hoarding money.

"You have to remember that only by gaining the support of these wealthy families can the court be stable and the Liao Dynasty prosper. As for the people at the bottom, they will die if they die. They will be born again in less than ten years. It is not worth it. Have mercy!”

After Xiao Ding, the leader of the Liao country's reform and deputy privy councilor, was beheaded, Yelu Hongji was not only not afraid, but became more confident that the reform could make the Liao country prosperous and strong.

On the one hand, it is because what Yelu Chongyuan said is indeed the best strategy at the moment; on the other hand, because Yelu Hongji made a mistake, Yelu Chongyuan will also have a chance to become the emperor in the future. Naturally, these ministers will support him and say .

He also believed that Da Song was most likely bluffing.

"Brother, I obey!" Yelv Zongzhen handed over his hands heavily.

"Our situation is different from that of the Southern Dynasty. The scholar-bureaucrats in the Southern Dynasty dared to break off their arms and heal their wounds, but we can't, at least not yet."

Yelvzong really thought about it.

……

Yelu Zongzhen came to Yelu Hongji's house and asked someone to unlock the door.

Hearing this, Yelu Hongji couldn't help but be stunned, and then looked at Yelu Zongzhen.

When Yelu Hongji saw Yelu Zongzhen, he immediately knelt down.

"You write a confession of guilt. First, repent and tell the mistakes of your reform. Then blame the specific reform matters on Song official Su Liang and the dead Xiao Ding. Otherwise, those wealthy and powerful families will definitely support your uncle!"

Therefore, he carried out this strategy unswervingly, believing that as long as he was ruthless enough, he could achieve fruitful results like the Song Dynasty.

"It can be seen that the Southern Dynasty's reform was not as successful as we heard, and their court was not as stable as we imagined. Even many businessmen whose interests were damaged are probably holding back their anger!"

"It's feasible. You will lead the army to the border today, first to intimidate, and then to negotiate for peace! As long as it does not cause a full-scale war, I will count you as the first contributor. In addition, try not to stop the negotiations on the Song-Liao border." Yelu Zongzhen said.

"I guess this letter is just a bluff by the people of the Song Dynasty. They saw that our reform failed, so they came to laugh at us to show the success of their reform. The scholar-bureaucrats in the Song Dynasty have always been concerned with saving face and like to make their faces look fat. We If they really get tough, they will never dare to fight!"

Yelu Hongji praised Su Liang not because he wanted to harm Su Liang, but because he truly regarded Su Liang as his own reformist and had no doubts about Su Liang's theories.

The people were miserable and in urgent need of spices, tea, porcelain, rice, silk fabrics and other daily necessities.

After all, all Liao people knew that the Song Dynasty was war-weary and loved spending money to buy peace.

"Father, the reform must not be stopped! Once it is stopped, all previous efforts will be wasted. The current new law policy is indeed beneficial to our court. If those wealthy families who suck the blood of the court do not cooperate, we will directly punish them severely. It would not be a pity to kill them. Otherwise, the gap between us and Song Dynasty will become wider and wider..."

"At present, all the courtiers and wealthy families are opposed to the reform. Don't say that you will go against them. Even if I go against them, the throne will be in jeopardy!"

Wait until Yelu Hongji finishes speaking.

……

Liao ministers responded one after another.

At this time, Yelu Zhongyuan stood up.

During the reform process, Yelu Hongji had determined that the cancer of the Liao Kingdom was those wealthy families.

……

Yelu Zongzhen looked serious and said slowly: "Son, if you continue to be stubborn, I'm afraid the next emperor of Liao will be your uncle Yelu Chongyuan!"

Therefore, he was very stubborn and had already offended many important officials of the Liao Kingdom.

"Brother Emperor, the Song people are just bluffing. At the beginning of last month, turmoil just broke out in Laizhou in the Southern Dynasties. It is said that thousands of people were killed and injured!"

"I second the proposal!"

The market trade is very important to the current Liao Kingdom.

Half an hour later.

After that, Yelu Zongzhen left, leaving Yelu Hongji silently in a daze.

……

The tenth day of June.

In the name of military training, the Liao State dispatched 50,000 troops to station at the border, and it was known to the outside world as: 120,000 troops.

Pang Ji, who knew Daming Prefecture, also immediately pulled out the 50,000-strong Northwest Army and announced it to the outside world: 150,000 Western Army.

In war, everyone is used to lying about the number of people.

If you have 30,000 people, you dare to call yourself a hundred thousand elite soldiers; if you have 50,000 people, you dare to call yourself 200,000 elite soldiers.

at the same time.

Yelu Zongzhen wrote a letter to reply to the Song Dynasty.

The claim that Su Liang was offered a reward of three thousand gold was a spontaneous act by Liao merchants and had nothing to do with the court, and the Liao court would not apologize for those folk claims.

He also hinted that Su Liang must have some problems.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for many Liao businessmen to be willing to spend a lot of money and send people to assassinate him.

The attitude is very tough.

……

On June 15, Zhao Zhen received a letter from Yelu Zongzhen.

Regarding this irresponsible statement, Zhao Zhen directly chose not to reply.

then.

Zhao Zhen ordered that half of the foraging fields on the border between Song and Liao be stopped.

……

June 21st.

The Long Yu Army teamed up with the Kaifeng Mansion and the Imperial City Division and captured more than 30 killers who intended to attack Su Liang.

There are people from Liao, Korea, Xixia, and five people from Song.

Zhao Zhen personally issued an edict to treat this act as treason.

All these killers were executed on the same day.

This caused some thieves who wanted to earn "three thousand taels of gold" to retreat immediately.

Money is important, but life is more important. soon.

News spread on the streets of Bianjing that the Song Dynasty might go to war with the Liao Kingdom.

"Great! There is turmoil in the Liao Dynasty. It is a time of weakness. We should have fought with it long ago!"

"It turns out... it turns out that the reform strategy Su Yushi taught Yelu Hongji of the Liao Kingdom was fake. It seems... I... scolded him wrongly. Su Yushi is actually a great hero of our dynasty!"

"This time, the imperial court is really tough and not afraid of war at all. Now that we have this strength, we are the largest country at the moment."

"If... if there really is a fight, I... I am willing to donate a hundred dollars. If we can defeat the Liao Kingdom, I... I will go to the city gate to donate alms for a month."

……

In Bianjing City.

The people talked a lot.

The people who once insulted Su Liang after hearing that Su Liang taught Yelu Hongji's reform methods, now praised Su Liang and said that Su Liang was very far-sighted.

The border between Song and Liao was even more tense.

The remaining open markets have also become tense, and businessmen have taken spontaneous actions.

Song merchants no longer sold tea, porcelain, and silk fabrics that were scarce in the Liao Kingdom; Liao merchants also no longer sold important materials such as sheep, horses, and camels to the Song Dynasty.

The two sides suddenly turned from business partners into enemies.

……

June 24th.

While Zhao Zhen was holding an internal court meeting, he suddenly received a handwritten letter from Xixia Prime Minister Mi Zangpang.

Wu Zangying Pang stated in the letter that if the Song Dynasty went to war with the Liao Dynasty, they could send 70,000 elite troops to invade the western border of the Liao Kingdom and attract firepower for the Song Dynasty. However, afterwards, they hoped that the Song Dynasty would provide some material compensation for their living expenses.

"My lords, what do you think of this matter?" Zhao Zhen asked with a smile.

This matter was expected by everyone.

The country that currently has the worst relationship with Xixia is not the Song Dynasty, but the Liao Kingdom.

It is impossible for Xixia not to participate.

However, this approach of asking for benefits from the Song Dynasty was indeed a bit underhanded.

Wen Yanbo smiled and said: "Officials, Xixia claims to have 70,000 elite soldiers, which is estimated to be only more than 10,000, and they must mainly be looting. We can't expect them to cause harm to Liao soldiers at all, but they can still have an effect. It will definitely have a deterrent effect, so it’s better than nothing! As for the reward, I think it’s okay to give it away more or less!”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Third Division, frowned.

"Wen Xiang, what do you mean by 'spending more or less, it doesn't matter'? A liter of rice can save a disaster victim, and a can of tea is a month's ration for a common person. We don't have enough by ourselves. Why should we reward Xixia? We don’t need their help!”

"Officials, Xixia's move is tantamount to taking advantage of the situation. I suggest you ignore it. Whether they help or not will not have any impact on the outcome of this matter!"

Wen Yanbo couldn't help but roll his eyes at Wang Yaochen.

"Xiang Ji, the poorer others are, the more stingy they are, but the richer you are, the more stingy you are!"

"Every penny of the imperial court's money has a use and must not be squandered!" Wang Yaochen puffed out his chest.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but laugh.

He originally felt that there was no need to be so frugal, but when he heard Wang Yaochen say this, he felt that what Wang Yaochen said was correct.

Regardless of whether the court has money or not, it should be careful with its budget.

As in the past, Zhao Zhen no longer did the trick of arbitrarily rewarding envoys from other countries in order to demonstrate the power of a great country.

at this time.

Su Liang had a wicked smile on his face.

"Officially, I think I can give a reward to Xixia. But this letter without any hidden evidence is not enough. Who knows if he will also write a letter to Liao to ask for a reward. Then when we meet with If there is a war in Liao, he will help whoever wins."

"I suggest that we should write a letter to Wu Zangyi Pang and tell him that if he is really serious, he will directly bring 70,000 elite soldiers to the border of Liao Kingdom. After that is accomplished, we will naturally not treat them badly!"

Wang Yaochen nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"If the Xixia people can put 70,000 elite troops on the border of Liao Kingdom in advance to show their attitude, the Third Division is willing to pay!"

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen looked at Wen Yanbo.

Wen Yanbo understood instantly and said immediately: "Then... then I will write this letter!"

Suddenly, all the ministers laughed.

This harmonious court atmosphere made both monarch and ministers feel very comfortable.

……

June 24th.

Yelu Chongyuan, the emperor's brother of the Liao Kingdom, set up a battle formation on the border between Song and Liao.

Yelu Chongyuan was quite domineering. He openly stated at the border that the Daliao cavalry was only a few days away from Bianjing and could go south at any time.

When Zhao Zhen heard this, he immediately ordered Fu Bi and Su Liang to go to the border with five hundred dragon feather troops.

Although Pang Ji was resourceful and knowledgeable in military affairs, he was old after all.

Fu Bi and Su Liang are not only good at martial arts, but also particularly good at negotiation. They are the best candidates to go to the border.

At the moment, Zhao Zhen's trump card is: Song and Liao can start a war, but they must win and cannot fight a protracted war.

The Song Dynasty was not ready to regain Yanyun, but it was ready to abolish Suici.

June 25th, early morning.

Fu Bi and Su Liang led the five hundred dragon feather troops to the border of Song and Liao.

At Su Liang's suggestion, it was announced to the outside world that Fu Bi, the deputy privy envoy, and Su Liang, the Taiwan admonisher, went to the border of Song and Liao with 30,000 emperor's troops.

This time, the five hundred heavy cavalry are equipped with a full set of equipment. If there is a battle, they will definitely give Liao a huge surprise.

……

Inside the Liao Palace.

Yelu Zongzhen was pacing back and forth.

When he learned that the Song Dynasty kept sending soldiers to the border and that half of the markets on both sides were closed, he couldn't help but become nervous.

The Song Dynasty in the past had never had such courage.

"Song people... don't... don't really want to start a war, do they?" Yelu Zongzhen murmured to himself.

In the past two years, he conquered Xixia, which resulted in insufficient military expenditures. Now if a war breaks out, he may have to send troops to rob the people of food.

Yelvzong really didn’t want to fight, very much.

He was worried that Song and Liao would go into full-scale war. By then, Liao would not be able to afford it.

After hesitating for a moment, Yelu Zongzong issued an edict, ordering Yelu Chongyuan to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty as soon as possible.

Yelu Zongzhen knew Yelu Chongyuan very well. The latter was extremely warlike and wanted to use his military exploits to establish his position in the court. He did not consider the financial affairs of the Liao State and the hidden dangers of the Jurchens in the north.

June 30th.

Yelu Chongyuan received an edict for peace talks, but he was not prepared for peace talks. He was prepared to win a battle first and then talk.

It was not easy to obtain a military honor, and he was eager to use it to improve his status in the court!

at the same time.

The Song Dynasty completely abolished the trade on the Song-Liao border and closed many roads on the Song-Liao border.

The Song-Liao war was about to break out.

(End of this chapter)