Speaking of which, Xiao Siwen's vision in choosing a son-in-law can only be described as novel. The eldest daughter Xiao Hunian married Yelu Qun Sage, and now she was executed for rebellion; the second daughter Xiao Yilai married Yelu Xiyin, and she also rebelled and caused rebellion.
The grass has long grown tall.
There is still a daughter, Yanyan, who has not yet been married, but she does not know to whom she will marry in the future. If anyone notices such a mysterious thing, they will probably have an extra layer of worries.
Of course, Emperor Liu's focus at this time was still on the intelligence brought by Xiao Siwen. The Khitan was uneasy. This was indeed a good thing for the big man. However, what could be done with this? After thinking about it, it seemed that
It's hard to make any big moves.
In the past three years, the Han Dynasty continued to intimidate and suppress the Khitan, but the effect was getting weaker and weaker. Since the Han Dynasty began to shrink its strategy, it has eliminated foreign troops and ceased war, and promoted peace in the east and west. Although vigilance against the Khitan still comes first
, but it was difficult to maintain the high-pressure situation in the year after the Northern Expedition.
In addition, the Khitan took the initiative to move north, and the available means of attack were even more scarce. Originally, they relied on instigating the rebellion of the Mobei tribe, which brought a lot of trouble to the Khitan, causing actual damage to them and even overthrowing them for a time.
His rule in Mobei.
But over the past few years, it has gradually become depressed. The Han Dynasty is adjusting, and the Khitan is also changing. Under Yelvxian's repeated attacks, Mobei has gradually been stabilized.
Those rebellious tribes were either wiped out, returned to the embrace of the Khitan, or moved south to join the Han. Nowadays in Mobei, only the Naiman people in the west still maintain de facto independence.
However, today's Naiman people can be regarded as a force, but they are far from powerful. They have not even formed a political organization. They are still in an unreliable tribal alliance. They took advantage of the gap after the confrontation between Han and Liao.
, picked up some bargains, ate some leftovers, and reluctantly expanded some living space eastward.
This was also due to some support from the Han Dynasty court. The good relationship forged during the expeditionary army's retreat to the west was finally put to use.
As for the Han Dynasty, it is not that they have not taken the initiative to carry out military attacks in recent years, but they have not been large-scale. They captured Linhuang Mansion and only marched to receive it and set up garrison posts.
As for the Han cavalry heading north, going deep into the barren land, the cost was too great and the benefits were too small. It was like scratching the surface of an itch, and it was difficult to pose a fatal threat to the Khitan. In the end, they were allowed to survive. There was even a thousand cavalry that went north to hunt for food.
, lost their way, and almost wiped out the entire army due to lack of food and water. In the end, they failed to get food, and instead lost many officers and soldiers.
Today, the situation in the north is clear. The Khitan controls Mobei and the Han supports Monan. The division of the situation is clear at a glance. The Khitans are turning from chaos to rule and do not dare to invade the south. The Han have the strength to move north, but due to the adjustment of national strategy, they have no intention to do so.
.Therefore, compared to other places, the two people who have the deepest hatred are in a kind of relative peace.
If we want to carry out a thorough and effective attack on the Khitans, the most direct way is for the Han cavalry to go north, expedition to Mobei, and attack the Khitans' royal palace.
However, such a large-scale military move is contrary to the current national policy. Even now, Emperor Liu's will is not as strong as in the past.
The main reason is that the second Northern Expedition paid a huge price and consumed so much national power that Emperor Liu was stunned and suddenly felt nervous and had to calm down.
Although Emperor Liu had a side that rejoiced in great achievements, he was not a military emperor after all. He could not extricate himself when he was addicted to it. When he felt that his rule was threatened, he was still able to stop in time and change his course.
However, there was something going on within the Khitan, and if the Han Dynasty didn't do something, Emperor Liu would never be happy, and his restless heart would beat all the time.
"Zhao Qing, in your opinion, what measures can be taken against the Khitan and the Han Dynasty?" After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu felt a little headache and asked Zhao Pu for more information.
Zhao Pu, as if he had been prepared, responded slowly: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, if the Khitan really falls into civil strife, we can take advantage of the opportunity and send a general to send an army to the north. Even if
If you can't destroy it, you can further contain it and interrupt its recovery process.
However, if according to the reports, the Khitan master has already killed all the rebels and brought the internal strife under control. In this case, unless a big war is launched, it may not be effective. If the expedition is carried out with troops, it will only be half the result with twice the result. The Khitan is far away in Mobei, and after all,
Out of reach..."
There was a hint of dissuasion in Zhao Pu's opinion. Emperor Liu immediately laughed when he heard it and said to him: "It seems that Zhao Qing is still worried that I will start the Northern Expedition again and go to war, which will waste people and money!"
Zhao Pu also responded with a smile: "Your Majesty said something serious, I just discussed the matter and had no other intentions!"
Emperor Liu waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter whether he has other ideas or not. Don't worry, I will not change the established national policy without authorization!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Zhao Pu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was even a little surprised. Emperor Liu had shown his fear of the Khitans before and was so relentless in targeting him. Now he had a chance to make a decision.
I'm not too surprised. On the contrary, this calm reaction seems a bit surprising.
"However, we can't do nothing!" Emperor Liu thought for a while and then said: "How many of the northern tribes can be used?"
Seeing that Emperor Liu wanted to use borrowed swords to kill people again, Zhao Pu calmly shook his head to dispel his fantasy: "The only ones who can cross Mobei are Naiman in the west, Shiwei in the east, and Hagasi in the north.
, but the Naiman people are scattered, Shiwei is in the east, Jigasi has few contacts, and the strength of the three is insufficient, so it may be difficult to use them.
As for the Mogeshi, Dadan and other tribes in Nantou, even with the support of the imperial court, I am afraid they would not dare to go north to fight the Khitan alone. They were originally unable to withstand the chaos in Mobei, and under the attack of the Khitan, they had to go south to submit.
, It’s really unworthy of the big responsibility!”
"So, the big man really has nothing to do against the Khitan now?" Emperor Liu's frown showed his displeasure.
Zhao Pu was silent for a moment, secretly thinking about how to give Emperor Liu an explanation and how to get him to let it go smoothly. Emperor Liu said directly: "We can't let the Khitan people be too comfortable. They are fleeing to Mobei, but
We can’t let the Khitan Lord sit back and relax! If we let him recuperate in Mobei, in ten or twenty years, I’m afraid there will be trouble from the north again. If I don’t attack them by then, they will invade the south and harass the border!”
Sensing Emperor Liu's attitude, Zhao Pu also spoke up at the right time: "Your Majesty, I believe that we must not use weapons rashly, but we can strengthen the blockade of the Khitan and completely ban the communication between Monan and Mobei.
As far as I know, in the past two years, there have been many people who have secretly traded with Mobei. Among them are merchants from the Han Dynasty and tribes from the south. I am afraid that the market opened by the imperial court in Monan will
It also facilitates the Khitan people!"
"Even you, the prime minister, know about this, why don't you take action, and why don't the officials along the border fulfill their responsibilities?" Emperor Liu asked immediately.
Zhao Pu said: "Local governments also have their own difficulties. Monan is vast, so they are constantly paying attention to real difficulties and setting up obstacles everywhere. Furthermore, the south of Shanyang is also undergoing rehabilitation in accordance with the imperial decree, and trade between the north and the south is the basis for its revival.
, officials are also worried that strict measures will affect local stability..."
"Bullshit!" Emperor Liu immediately commented, making Zhao Pu feel slightly embarrassed.
"The target is the Khitan, not the merchants and people of the entire Monan ethnic group!" After a moment's consideration, Emperor Liu gave a firm instruction: "The central government issued a decree to ask the border state troops to strengthen the control of merchant trade and prohibit all trade with the Khitan.
Not one piece of iron, one meter, one piece of tea, one piece of salt, one piece of cloth is allowed to flow into Mobei. But anyone who secretly communicates with Mobei again will be treated as treason and severely punished!"
"Yes!" Emperor Liu made his decision, and Zhao Pu readily agreed.
Controlling trade channels, strengthening commercial market supervision, and imposing economic sanctions are easier and less risky than mobilizing troops. This kind of flattery can be done.
After all, some sanctions were negotiated. Emperor Liu finally understood the idea, felt better, and had a smile on his face again.
"Xiao Qing, thank you for your hard work!" Emperor Liu said once again, his eyes falling on Xiao Siwen who was sitting respectfully aside.
Xiao Siwen quickly stood up, clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is so generous and accepts this lost person. I am truly grateful in my heart, and I should serve you wholeheartedly!"
Seeing him show his loyalty again, Emperor Liu also looked at him again, as if he was thinking about what kind of conspiracy was hidden behind this respectful face.
"The Khitan is your mother clan after all. Xiao Qing doesn't have any nostalgia or intolerance at all?" Emperor Liu asked calmly.
Hearing this question, Xiao Siwen almost trembled. He met Emperor Liu's gaze, hesitated for a moment, and sighed: "Your Majesty, humans are not grass and trees, and how can we be ruthless? However, I understand in my heart that only by submitting to the imperial court and serving your Majesty can I do it."
This is the only way out for the Khitan people. If they gather a crowd to resist and oppose the imperial court, one day the mountains will collapse and the sea will collapse. Even with the vastness of the desert, there will be no place to stay."
Although he knew clearly that Xiao Siwen was saying flattering words, Emperor Liu could not help but be cheerful and said with a smile: "It seems that among the Khitan people, Xiao Qing is the most sensible! I do not intend to kill all the Khitan people, but I am willing to surrender to the Han.
Those who obey the rule of the imperial court, I still welcome them back!"