Chapter 804: Its up to the president of the court to take action
It is undeniable that the party members are very fierce, not the five scum of the war, but when it comes to national power, Xixia is definitely not as good as the Song Dynasty, and so far, it is only limited to the civil strife in Xixia, and the Song Dynasty and Xixia have not declared war.
The other is waxing and waning, where did the Empress Dowager Liang get her confidence?
No need to think about it, it must be the Liao Kingdom.
Based on Li Bingchang's policy slogan, the Liao Kingdom must support the Empress Dowager Liang. He cannot allow Xixia and the Song Dynasty to get too close, especially now that the Song Dynasty's national power is booming, and the emperor sitting on it is very different from the previous Renzong and Zhang Zhenzong.
Same, so at this moment, the Liao Kingdom needs Xixia even more to contain the Song Dynasty.
In fact, the Empress Dowager Liang was very politically savvy. She was not stupid. She knew what the consequences would be if she did this, but she could only do it this way. At the same time, she knew she could use this to win over the Liao Kingdom.
If Li Bingchang is allowed to take charge personally, Song and Xia will become one family, and there will be no one to help you contain the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, the Liao Kingdom also spent money to support the Empress Dowager Liang and transported a large amount of grain and grass to Xixia from the north.
Of course, the Liao Kingdom also knew clearly that transporting grain and grass alone was not a long-term solution. The key was that it could not take advantage, and could only transfuse blood to Xixia. The trade-off was to weaken both parties and then ensure its dominance.
situation, so the Liao Kingdom had already divided its interests in Hedong.
As long as the Song Dynasty takes advantage of Xixia, then I will definitely take advantage of you, and at the same time make you lose your wife and troops.
The Liao Kingdom has always had the Song Dynasty under control. It can even be said that it has everything under control. In fact, before the Song Dynasty Security Department appeared, the Song Dynasty was no match for the Liao Kingdom even in a spy war.
But this time the Song Army's movements were beyond the Liao Kingdom's surprise. There has been no declaration of war so far, and there is no sign of a large-scale attack. However, the Liao Kingdom still learned that the main force of the Song Army had entered Xixia territory, and also learned that
The main force on the northern front of Xixia was defeated by the Song army in Wudingchuan.
The situation is precarious.
So the Liao Kingdom finally couldn't hold it any longer, and first issued a notice to Shen Kuo, accusing them of the Song Dynasty's deliberate delay and lack of sincerity in negotiations. We had lost patience, and the border to Hedong was decided.
Immediately, 5,000 advance troops were sent to the disputed area, but there were 70,000 to 80,000 troops stationed on the border. It can be seen that the Liao Kingdom was also very cautious. They did not seem to create an atmosphere of invasion. This still fell within the scope of diplomacy.
The Liao soldiers only entered the disputed area and did not mention burning, killing or looting, but they did not encounter any obstruction.
Because this place has been a no-man's land for a long time, the Song Dynasty was afraid that its people would go to farm next door if they were not careful, and it was also afraid that the Liao Kingdom would find an excuse to attack the Song Dynasty or engage in extortion. Later, Han Qi built some
The fortress, however symbolic, is completely devoid of combat effectiveness.
After the Liao troops arrived, the Song troops stationed here withdrew directly. They only stayed here symbolically.
The Han people living here can only withdraw from this place.
Even so, Taiyuan and Fuzhou still felt huge pressure. Fortunately, Wang Shao stopped and continued to attack. Otherwise, it would have been really dangerous.
The Song army guarding Taiyuan quickly launched an active defense.
The news soon spread to Bianjing.
Although everyone had been prepared in their hearts, when the Liao Kingdom actually took this step, the natural fear of the Liao Dynasty still emerged in their hearts.
Everyone inside and outside the country was shocked and frightened.
Do you really want to fight?
But some ministers were very angry about this, and it was the same every time. As long as our army takes action against Xixia, the Liao Kingdom will definitely not be absent.
He's a villain.
It is impossible to cede land.
Even if someone wanted to cut it off, they would not dare to say so. Wen Yanbo and the others were still afraid that Zhao Xu would compromise again.
After learning about this, these prime ministers hurriedly entered the palace with a firm attitude, never compromised, and never recognized the territory demarcated by the Liao Kingdom.
But what can I do if I don’t admit it?
beat?
No one had this idea, including Wen Yanbo himself.
Because in that disputed area, the power of the Song Dynasty was almost zero.
There is a saying that even if they send troops to fight, they can't defeat it. Moreover, part of the main force of the Western Army is still in Xixia. Moreover, thanks to Emperor Tuo'er, the Liao Kingdom has an absolute geographical advantage along the entire border and can advance and retreat freely.
Besides, they still have war horses, but currently firearms cannot dominate the battlefield.
The only way the Song Dynasty could counterattack was to rely on diplomatic channels. To be more precise, it was to use Sui coins and the market to put pressure on the Liao Kingdom.
The point they discussed was the Chanyuan Alliance.
This is because the Sui coins and the market are both part of the Chanyuan Alliance, but in fact, the Chanyuan Alliance did not clearly stipulate the boundary to the east of Hedong, only the Xiongzhou side.
When you bring up the Sui coins and the market, it is equivalent to tying the Hedong boundary to the Chanyuan alliance.
Some ministers believe that doing so will leave them with no way out.
Because you don't give Sui coins and don't open the sales market, the Liao Kingdom will definitely go to war. The Liao State is so cautious now because it is worried that the Song Dynasty will close the sales market and not give the Sui coins.
So after you proposed the Sui coins and negotiated the market, if the Liao Kingdom still refused to withdraw, would you give the Sui coins or not?
This will put you in a dilemma, because after all, you have not yet made up your mind to go to war with the Liao Kingdom.
They wanted to calculate it separately. It was impossible to cede territory. They had to exert pressure through diplomacy, but they could not use the Chanyuan Alliance to make an issue.
Of course, they didn't know that Shen Kuo had already come out with the New Year coins to put pressure.
But Wen Yanbo believes that if you don't take the coins and the market, why should the Liao State pay attention to you? This is tantamount to acknowledgment that they occupy our territory, and the Liao State is very likely to make further progress unless our army withdraws from Xixia.
The two factions also engaged in fierce debates on this point of view.
Zhao Xu has always been relatively silent. Although he does not appear to be very weak, he is not too tough either.
...
Royal Palace.
"Actually, the current situation cannot be considered very bad. At least the Liao Kingdom did not directly send a large army to invade. It can be seen that the Liao Kingdom is also wary. The only solution now is to protest through diplomacy and resolutely refuse to recognize the boundary.
It can be delayed as long as it takes."
Zhang Fei still saw Zhao Xu's worry, so he offered words of comfort.
The worst case scenario is that the Liao Kingdom directly sends troops.
"I know it too."
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "But the question now is whether to count this matter into the Chanyuan Alliance?"
Zhang Fei was silent for a while and said: "I think your Majesty should be prepared to break with the Liao Kingdom."
When Zhao Xu heard this, he couldn't help but frown.
Zhang Fei added: "Because we mentioned the Sui coins before, the Liao Kingdom only sent five thousand soldiers and horses to garrison. They must also be testing and giving Xixia a guarantee.
If we don't mention the Chanyuan Alliance, the Liao Kingdom will definitely think that we are bluffing and dare not break with it, but our Xixia plan cannot be given up.
The Liao Kingdom will definitely push further, and then they will find new problems, and then continue to invade our territory, or ask for more Sui coins.
And if we show more strength, the Liao Kingdom will also be wary. Although it is impossible for them to withdraw from the Hedong border, they may be able to buy us some time. At the same time, we are still collecting evidence of Yelu Yixin.
Maybe you can help us at a critical moment."
Although the two of them had discussed this issue no less than a hundred and eighty times, when it came time to make a decision, Zhao Xu still seemed very hesitant, "We are currently deploying troops in Xixia. Although we have not sent all the main force, there are still about 100,000 people.
Many ministers in the DPRK still believe that fighting on two fronts is too risky. In addition, after so many years of peace on the border, the people of Liao are tired of war, and our people are also tired of war."
Zhang Fei also saw that Zhao Xu was still a little uneasy about breaking with the Liao Kingdom. After all, the Chanyuan Alliance had been in existence for nearly eighty years, and it actually involved the interests of many people, whether it was the Song Dynasty or the Liao Dynasty.
As far as the Liao Kingdom is concerned, if they really break up, it would be fine if they win. If they lose, it may shake their dominance. At present, there is really no guarantee that they can defeat the Liao Kingdom.
The key point is that the Liao Kingdom is also a thief. They have been paving the way for this matter for a long time. We have determined the border through diplomacy. We have been talking for two or three years. It shows that we do not want to break with the Song Dynasty. We are just saying that you
The Song Dynasty deliberately delayed, and it was your fault first.
After thinking for a while, Zhang Fei suddenly said: "Why don't you let me do this?"
Zhao Xu was startled and said in shock: "Are you coming?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "His Majesty still chooses a safer way in diplomacy, while domestically, through the people's lawsuit, the Supreme Court will judge the other party for breach of contract."
Zhao Xu was shocked when he heard this, "How can this be done?"
Zhang Fei said: "I can only judge that the other party violated the contract and ask the other party to compensate our people instead of tearing up the contract. The imperial court does not have this power. This must be decided by your Majesty yourself."
Zhao Xu was a little confused when he heard this, "Can you still ask the Northern Dynasty to compensate our people?"
"Of course not."
Zhang Fei said: "But after the imperial court's judgment, if your Majesty decides to break with the Liao Kingdom, you will have to defend the interests of your own people. This is in line with the concept of the rule of law and is what your Majesty should do. In this way, you can
This will reduce the pressure on His Majesty, and your Majesty will be able to take more initiative, and then assess the situation, and our Imperial Court will also cooperate with His Majesty's strategy."
Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, no matter whether it was used at this time or not, this was really a method.
Now that he wants to break with the Liao Kingdom, the opposition must think that you are ignoring the safety of the people, but when the matter turns around in the imperial court, it becomes defending the rights and interests of the people.
Zhao Xu asked again: "So you think it's time to break with the Northern Dynasty."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I believe that the Liao Kingdom's move is a test. If we feel guilty, they will definitely intensify their efforts until we withdraw from Xixia. In that case, it will be the same as before, losing both our wives and our troops.
Moreover, we can't just think that this is the Liao Kingdom's intention to provoke a war. We originally planned to break up with the Liao Kingdom. We can also use this matter to tear up the Chanyuan Alliance. After all, His Majesty also said just now. , we, the people of the Song Dynasty, also cherish peace very much. When the time comes, we will have to find another reason to go to war with the Liao Kingdom and recover the sixteen states of Yanyun.
The current situation in the Liao Kingdom is also very delicate, and we have gained another year to build up defenses in Hebei. The timing is not bad for us."
Zhao Xu nodded slightly, and after weighing it up, he said, "Okay, I'll just follow what you said."
...
After Zhang Fei left, Empress Dowager Gao suddenly sent someone to invite Zhao Xu.
When mother and son met, Empress Dowager Gao got straight to the point and said: "Guan family, I heard that my uncle disobeyed military orders on the front line. Is this possible?"
Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment and said: "When I returned to my mother, I heard about this, but Dan'er thought it might be a misunderstanding. The old general sent troops from Qingzhou and defeated the enemy along the way, winning consecutive battles and victories."
Empress Dowager Gao waved her hands and said: "This is not a misunderstanding. I know my uncle's character very well. Although he is loyal to the Song Dynasty, he is too petty and jealous of talents, especially military achievements. He is very obsessed with it.
The officials must not care about my face, just deal with him as you should, it is best to remove him to avoid ruining the matter."
Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Yes, I understand."
Seeing that the emperor agreed so casually, Empress Dowager Gao still felt uneasy, "Remember, at this critical moment, don't let him lead the army again."
Zhao Xu immediately said: "Don't worry, Queen Mother, this matter has been transferred to the Military Imperial Court, where it will be heard."
Empress Dowager Gao nodded.
She knew what happened to Gao Zunyu, but she was very supportive of Wang Shao. After all, there was still a Liao Kingdom here. The deeper we went, the emptier the rear was. She was really afraid that Gao Zunyu would do whatever he wanted because of his status.
The current situation is really affecting the whole body.
...
Zhao Xu finally chose the safe way and sent Han Wei to the Liao Kingdom to go to Beijing to negotiate with the Liao Kingdom about the Liao Kingdom sending troops into the Hedong territory, but did not mention the Chanyuan Alliance.
This decision made most people breathe a sigh of relief.
Although they shouted fiercely, they were actually unwilling to start a war with the Liao Kingdom. After all, there were not many Song people in those areas.
Including Han Qi, Fu Bi, Sima Guang, and Wang Anshi, they all believed that fighting on two fronts should be avoided as much as possible. At the same time, Hebei's defense still needed time to build, and they could not break up with the Liao Kingdom at this time.
...
At the same time, Xixia also received news that the Liao Kingdom had sent troops to Hedong. Empress Dowager Liang was overjoyed. She and her brother Liang Yimi both believed that the balance of victory had tipped in their favor.
In the Song Dynasty, the literati led the troops, but in the face of a huge advantage, they stopped moving forward. This is not a fool.
The morale of the Song army must be very low.
At the same time, the Liao Kingdom's march to the east of Hedong will inevitably make the main force of the Western Army difficult to take care of, and dare not use all its strength.
So they sent an army of 200,000 troops, divided into three groups, to attack Lanzhou on the south line, Yanzhou on the middle line, and Xiazhou on the north line.
But the result was beyond their expectation.
None of the three armies made any achievements.
What surprised them even more was that the morale of the Song army was even higher than theirs, and they fought with more determination than the Dangxiang people.
This could not help but make Empress Dowager Liang shocked.
Historically, during Song Shenzong's five-pronged expedition to the Xia Dynasty, the party members had to fight against the odds, while the Song army went deep alone, so it ended in a disastrous defeat, but this time it was completely different.
First of all, the Song Dynasty did not declare war, and the generals entered as merchants, nominally protecting trade routes and protecting the overall interests of the local people.
Secondly, after these two months, the interests of the occupied areas were properly arranged. A large amount of green salt entered the territory of the Song Dynasty, bringing a lot of livelihood to the local people, and everyone benefited from this.
Therefore, the Song Army is a united army and civilians. We are not fighting for others, we are fighting for ourselves.
The Dangxiang soldiers were only to protect the power of Empress Dowager Liang, not to fight in a life-or-death situation.
In addition, the Song army had been building fortresses according to the terrain and completely gave up attacking.
The time, place, and people are all on the Song Army's side.
The two armies fought hard for several times, but the party members saw no chance of a breakthrough. On the contrary, the logistics were somewhat stretched.
As for the Song Army, since it was only a small step forward, the logistical pressure was not very great.
And it’s not just the Western Army that has trouble keeping track of its head and tail, Xixia is also in trouble, because the Tubo tribe in the west is also fighting with the Xixia Army in Ganzhou.
After this battle, the generals of the Song Army fully understood Wang Shao's intentions. We only need to defend well. Xixia is just a trapped beast still fighting, because the Empress Dowager Liang has to fight even if she doesn't fight. So why not wait for work and take care of Liao at the same time?
The army may move south.
The generals from all walks of life also calmed down and continued to build forts, strengthen defenses, and at the same time develop firearm tactics. More and more firearms were sent to the border.
However, the good news from the northwest did not bring more surprises to the capital. As the saying goes, if you gain something, you will lose something.
Han Wei went on an envoy to the Liao Kingdom again. He was originally going to Beijing to negotiate with the Liao Emperor. However, when he arrived in Nanjing, that is, Youzhou, he was stopped by the special envoy sent by the Liao Emperor.
Our emperor is busy hunting and has no time to talk to you. Let’s talk here in Youzhou.
As soon as they came to the negotiating table, before Han Wei even opened his mouth, he was criticized by the Liao envoys. They believed that the Song Dynasty had no sincerity in the negotiations in Hedong and was only delaying and playing word games.
And who can play this word game better than you, Song Dynasty? Aren’t you bullying others?
For the sake of the century-old friendship between the two countries, we have decided on the boundary between Hedong and this way there will be no misunderstandings.
Han Wei was also aggrieved. He could not speak against the Chanyuan Alliance. He could only reason and present evidence. However, the evidence had not yet been produced. The Liao State directly concluded that the Song Dynasty was playing word games.
I don't listen.
I can't read either.
Why should we, the Liao Kingdom, recognize the records of your Song people?
Han Wei could only moan helplessly there. We refused to admit it, but his tone was very weak, as if he was being suppressed by his blood.
When news of this situation reached Bianliang, Tokyo, no one had the time to celebrate the victory on the Northwest Front.
There was silence throughout the government and the public.
In fact, everyone expected this to be the case. In other words, they acquiesced to this situation and did not acknowledge it, and that was all.
They were defeated again and again, and they did not dare to use the only countermeasure they had easily.
Admit it!
That's what it means.
However, at this moment, a class action lawsuit broke the atmosphere of silence.
It turned out that the people who had been driven out from Hedong suddenly appeared in the capital and filed an appeal through the Legal Aid Office, suing the Liao Kingdom for occupying their land.
Everyone in the government and the public was dumbfounded.
How did these people come to the capital?
Are they crazy?
The Liao Kingdom has seized your land, and if you come to the imperial court to appeal, our imperial court can still help you get the land from the Liao Kingdom?
This is not public prosecutorial law, this is superstitious!
Don't talk about them, Zhao Pin was also dumbfounded.
Grass!
How to judge this?
If Liao people commit crimes within the country, this can be tried, and everyone has experience, but this is diplomacy, this is a national matter, and the opponent is a serious Liao army.
If I make a judgment, can anything be changed?
It's not that Zhao Pin doesn't dare, it's that he doesn't know how to interrogate.
So, he first went to find Fu Bi and Sima Guang.
As a result, the two of them also looked at each other.
Don't know what to do either.
This is the first time that the Public Security Bureau has encountered this kind of situation, and this kind of situation would never have happened before.
At this time, resistance from the DPRK and China came, explicitly and covertly asking Zhao Pin to reject it. You can't mess around with this. Han Wei is still negotiating in Youzhou, so don't make it self-defeating.
Although Zhao Pin is a stern censor, after all, this is a national matter and he doesn't dare to do anything wrong.
Just at this time, Wen Yanbo suddenly came to the door quietly.
"Ms. Zhao, please dismiss it first."
"But...?"
Zhao Pin asked: "Then what's the reason for rejecting it?"
Wen Yanbo said: "Just find any reason and say that the imperial court is solving these problems through diplomacy."
Zhao Pin heard that there was something in his words and couldn't help asking: "I hope Mr. Wen will say it clearly."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Wen Yanbo said with a smile: "If no one helps, can these Hedong people appear in the capital quietly?"
"I also thought of this." Zhao Pin said: "I thought..."
He thought it was Wen Yanbo who caused it, because Wen Yanbo insisted on negotiating with the Liao Kingdom through the Chanyuan Alliance.
"Not my doing."
Wen Yanbo said: "But since it's not me, it must be him."
Zhao Pindao: "President of the court?"
Wen Yanbo nodded, "It must be him."
Zhao Pindao: "Why is Duke Wen so sure?"
Wen Yanbo smiled and said: "It's very simple, because I can't think of asking those people to come to the imperial court to appeal. Has Mr. Zhao thought of this strategy before?"
Zhao Pin suddenly woke up as if from a dream.
It's not that they couldn't think of it, but they thought it was impossible and unreasonable, and the imperial court couldn't hear such a case.
Having said that, they could not imagine how those ordinary people could think of appealing through the public prosecutor and the law so quickly.
In the whole world, only Zhang Fei can think of this method, and only he can handle this kind of case.
There is no doubt that it was Zhang San who was responsible.
Wen Yanbo added: "But this matter is of great importance. I don't know what kind of medicine is sold in Zhang San Gourd for the time being. It's not appropriate to make it public for now. Mr. Zhao only needs to dismiss the case. At that time, those people will appeal to the Supreme Emperor." Court, I guess Zhang San is already waiting for the table, let’s see how he plans to deal with it.”
Zhao Pin nodded and said, "Thank you, Mr. Wen, for your advice. I know what to do."
...
After receiving advice from Wen Yanbo, Zhao Pin dismissed the lawsuit filed by the common people on the grounds that the matter was within the scope of diplomacy and could not be made by the imperial court.
All the ministers in the DPRK let out a sigh of relief.
However, they seemed to have forgotten the existence of Zhang Fei, because during this period, Zhang Fei kept a very low profile and kept his identity as the president of the court. He did not make any comments on the matter or participate in the discussion of these political affairs. He only talked with Zhao Xu Discuss privately.
No one expected that those common people would double up and appeal directly to the Supreme Court.
The ministers suddenly woke up, oh, there is a chief judge above.
this....
As we all know, the Chief Justice is not the same person as them, and there is quite a grudge between the two parties. If he rashly intervenes, he might be accused of interfering with justice by Zhang Fei.
At present, no one knows what Zhang Fei's position is because he has never spoken out.
The key is, this guy often doesn't play by the rules.