Chapter 801 Xixia, who started the war, deserves retribution
The Song-Liao War has been going on for more than half a year, attracting the attention of all states and counties across the country.
Especially after the land of Yanyun was recovered, countless people rushed to tell each other, and what followed was a humiliating peace treaty, which caused the public to become angry...
But behind these major events, everyone seems to have forgotten that the northwest of the Song Dynasty was still at war with Xixia!
Moreover, when Emperor Tian Zuo went south, the first person to stir up trouble was the envoy sent by Xixia to seek help from the Liao Kingdom.
The reason was mentioned before that the land of Hengshan was going to be lost.
Hengshan is an important place at the junction of Song and Xia Dynasty. During the Zhezong Dynasty, Zeng Bu said, "If you get Hengshan and the capital of heaven, it will be a very extraordinary achievement. Those who leave the imperial court are often trapped by the Westerners. If they leave the border, they will end up in the desert."
In the seventh and eighth marches as far as Lingzhou, there is neither water, grass, nor human habitation. Our division is trapped before we see the enemy... When the Westerners come, they have already waded through the sand, but they are still within its territory, and they gather at Hengshan every time.
The soldiers need food, and they are trapped because of the fortress. If they enter our territory a little bit, they will definitely gain something. This is why the Westerners always make profits..."
This passage makes the key point of Hengshan very clear. The strategic importance of Hengshan to the two countries is equivalent to another Yanyun Sixteen States. Whichever country occupies Hengshan can cause huge strategic suppression to the other country.
, the successive advances of the Western Army of the Song Dynasty naturally frightened the Xixia government and the public.
Therefore, the current Emperor of Xixia, Li Qianshun, sent a large number of spies to the Song Dynasty. After learning about the matricide incident, he decisively sent envoys to the Liao Kingdom to persuade Emperor Tianzuo to send troops southward. At the same time, he personally led the expedition to contain the Western Army.
"Gather 300,000 men from all over the country who are over fifteen years old and under seventy years old to attack Shaanxi."
"This is just like the scene when the Empress Dowager of Daliang and the Shenzong Dynasty went into full-scale war. For Xixia now, she is really reluctant and is trying her best..."
"Li Qianshun is the youngest among the kings of the Three Kingdoms, but at present, he is the most decisive emperor!"
At this time, Li Yan was sitting on Tuxue Qianlihong, and Yelu Yanxi was casually placed on another horse riding side by side. It seemed that there was still some distance between the two parties, and there was no rope or leash, but
No Liao people dared to rescue their own emperor.
After all, this person's power has been demonstrated vividly before. Let alone within a short distance, even within a hundred meters, it is not absolutely safe. Even Yelu Yanxi did not dare to show any abnormality, so as not to provoke this person.
The madman is full of ferocity.
Just hearing Li Yan's evaluation of Xixia Li Qianshun, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but there was still obvious disdain between his eyebrows.
When Li Yan saw this, he turned around and looked at Xiao Wuna and Xiao Fengxian, who were named to accompany him and were one horse behind. "Two important ministers of the Liao Kingdom, what do you think of the performance of the fourth king of Xixia?"
Xiao Feng was silent first, not daring to reply.
When the Xixia envoy came to Liao to ask for war, he gave a large bribe, so he was also an active part of asking for war. Now that the Song Dynasty has reached this situation, not only Yanyun has been lost and settled, but also the Liao Emperor has been captured.
He didn't dare to say anything.
Xiao Wuna said: "The monarch dies in the country. Such a monarch who can fight for the survival of the country is a blessing to his subjects!"
This sentence comes from the "Book of Rites". Li Yan nodded slightly: "The king will die for the country, the officials will die for the people, and the scholars will die for the system. King Lanling not only speaks Chinese extremely fluently, but is also extremely proficient in our Han culture. No wonder he can Such a strategy."
Xiao Wuna's face darkened: "Excuse me, it's not as terrible as your plan of killing three birds with one stone by taking the route to Xixia!"
Yelu Yanxi and Xiao Fengxian pricked up their ears, not understanding what they were talking about specifically. Li Yanze said calmly: "The Liao Kingdom believes in Buddhism. You should know that Buddhism emphasizes that the confusion in the ten directions is nothing but cause and effect. This Three Kingdoms War , it begins with Xixia and ends with Xixia.”
Xiao Wuna said coldly: "It's a coincidence. I don't believe in Buddhism, nor do I believe in karma!"
Li Yan said: "In this world, there are many people who have done great evil and died. Ordinary people believe more in Buddhism's karma and retribution. They are just tools in the hands of rulers. Does Privy Xiao think so?"
Xiao Wuna's tone was slightly raised: "From your tone, you have no respect for Buddhism. Isn't the theory of cause and effect just an excuse?"
Li Yan shook his head: "That's not true. Although I have many dissatisfaction with Buddhism, I still agree with many principles in the Buddhist scriptures. The theory of karma and retribution cannot be blindly believed, but at the grassroots level where education is not widely available to the people, kindness Evil concepts can also be implemented."
Xiao Wuna stared at him: "Your Excellency is so majestic and dignified. He must have been in a high position in the past. However, among the officials of the Southern Dynasties, I can't think of any one who has such ability..."
Li Yan said: "Then don't think about it. Think more about what you should do when the Xixia army is unwilling to give way."
Yelu Yanxi finally found the opportunity to interject: "How dare he! With Xixia's current national strength, without the support of Daliao, it would have been destroyed by the Southern Dynasty long ago. How dare he not take advantage of it?"
Xiao Wuna fell silent, with deep worry in his eyes. Li Yan said: "Xixia is indeed the weakest among the Three Kingdoms, but it has not reached the point of relying on Song and Liao for survival. What's more, since the Xixia emperor has accomplished something The monarch, he may be worried about something."
Yelu Yanxi subconsciously said: "What's the matter?"
Li Yan said: "Your Majesty's personal expedition has resulted in heavy losses, especially the loss of the important territory of Yanyun. He may be criticized by everyone after returning to the Liao Kingdom. However, the main force of the Liao army is still there, and it still has the strength to fight. If it happens, it will be through Xixia." What should I do if I want to cut off a piece of flesh from their bodies to make up for the empty-handed return from the south?"
Yelu Yanxi was startled at first, then raised his brows and his eyes flickered.
Xiao Fengxian knew at first glance that the Liao Emperor was greatly moved, and Xiao Wuna knew without even looking that this student would definitely be moved.
For a man like Yelu Yanxi who was so happy about his achievements, if he entered Yanmen Pass and recaptured Yanyun, it would be okay to say that everyone would have an explanation when he returned home, but he would never be able to accept his embarrassment and escape now.
So Emperor Tianzuo quickly convinced himself: "This is not just for my reputation. Now that the property looted from the Central Plains is thrown in front of Yanmen Pass, the morale of our Liao army is extremely low. If we return empty-handed like this, How to appease the ministries after returning to China has become a big problem!"
"What's more, the envoys of Xixia led me south to this battle. Now that I'm recovered from Xixia, it's the retribution of karma, so why not?"
In just half a quarter of an hour, he developed an unstoppable greed for Xixia, blamed his allies, blamed the consequences, and then issued an order: "Commander Xiao, summon the generals from all ministries to discuss matters!"
Xiao Fengxian did not dare to hesitate and immediately accepted the order: "Yes!"
When the generals from various ministries gathered around and heard the order issued by Yelu Yanxi, they were not too surprised. They didn't care whether they were forced by "orders", but they were overjoyed.
Apparently after discarding their belongings, they were extremely reluctant to subdue their subordinates and were careful not to blow up the camp. At this moment, His Majesty promised that they could go to Xixia territory and plunder, which was an urgent need.
Li Yan watched the generals of the Liao army disperse one by one, distinguishing the available ones, and found that the number was really pitiful. He couldn't help but secretly shook his head, Xiao Wuna's back hunched, and even Xiao Fengxian felt ashamed in front of outsiders.
Yelu Yanxi, on the other hand, was very interested and looked over: "Your Majesty Zuoming is so skilled in martial arts that he is close to the gods. The Southern Dynasty cannot use you. The small country of Xixia will definitely look down on you. How about being loyal to me, the Liao Dynasty?"
"Cough cough cough!"
Xiao Wuna couldn't listen anymore and started coughing violently. Xiao Wuna was also confused by the confidence of Emperor Tianzuo. However, Li Yan had already known what kind of virtue he was. Sometimes he thought about it, staying with low blood pressure
With such an emperor, I am afraid that he will be cured in a day or two, but he smiled and said: "The Liao Emperor is ridiculous. I only choose Qianlong, and the one I support is also Qianlong."
Yelu Yanxi narrowed his eyes: "Support Qianlong?"
If such a person either rebels and becomes the emperor, or loyal to the existing emperor, he has to take huge risks, and he is not the emperor. What is the purpose? He doesn't understand, and he doesn't believe it!
Xiao Wuna then said: "Although your Excellency is a great treason, hiding your head and tail like this is obviously not conducive to future rebellions and supporting Qianlong's rise to power. I believe it... but I did not expect that among the monarchs of the Three Kingdoms, you are the most powerful."
The one I value is actually Li Qianshun from Xixia!"
Li Yandao: "The words of King Lanling are not sincere. Needless to say, the Emperor of Liao Kingdom, the Emperor of Song Dynasty must also have had indirect contact with you. If it were you, wouldn't you value Li Qianshun of Xixia the most?"
Xiao Wuna fell silent.
One very interesting thing is that in this era, the emperors of the Song, Liao and Xixia kingdoms were in power less than one year apart. They all became the rulers of a country at a young age, and their life spans were relatively long, but their endings were different.
Very different.
However, Zhao Ji and Yelu Yanxi were the kings of the subjugated country, and they were both captured alive by the Jin people. In "The Legacy of Xuanhe of the Song Dynasty", it is recorded that they met in the Jin Kingdom after being captured, which is very ironic.
At the same time, according to the records here, Emperor Wan Yanliang of Jin ordered Song Qinzong, Zhao Huan, the son of Zhao Ji, to play polo with Yelu Yanxi. Song Qinzong fell off his horse and was trampled to death by the horse. Emperor Tianzuo
He was good at horseback riding and tried to escape from the siege, but was shot to death by random arrows. It is more likely that the wild history has made it up, but the days after being taken captive can also be imagined.
In comparison, Li Qianshun became the leader of Xixia's resurgence. He may not be particularly powerful, but because he was born in such a good era, when compared with these two guys, he suddenly seemed so outstanding...
The conversation between Li Yan and Xiao Wuna made Yelu Yanxi next to him furious.
As a majestic Emperor of Liao and a corporal of courtesy, he failed to recruit someone to assassinate him, and was openly discussed by his teacher. He was not as good as that mere little king of Xixia. He immediately felt that his personality was insulted and said coldly: "Since you two are like this. I value Li Qianshun, but I want to see how he can withstand the elite cavalry of the Liao Dynasty, and how he can kill the king of the country!"
Xiao Wuna closed his eyes tiredly, and Li Yan's tone showed a little more recognition: "I'll wait and see!"