Shen Tang, Liu Xiangling, the iron-blooded traitor in the Southern Song Dynasty Chapter 460: The monarch and ministers discuss and decide to send troops
Chapter 460: The monarch and ministers discuss and decide to send troops
Chapter 460: The monarch and his ministers discussed and decided to send troops
"See Your Majesty!"
Zhang Jun and Zhang Jun bowed in salute, while Zhao Shen's face looked slightly restrained and said, "Two beloved ladies, please sit down!"
Sure enough, just as they had guessed, after the two of them sat down, Zhao Shen said in a deep voice, "My dear friends, what do you think of the words of the Tibetan envoy today?"
The two of them thought for a moment, and then Zhang Jun raised his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that this Tubo tribe's ambitions must be guarded against.
On weekdays, they often plunder the roads of Chengdu, and now it is not impossible to send troops to the Song Dynasty."
Shi Hao on the side also nodded, "I think the same way, and it is very possible that they sent envoys here this time just to find an excuse to start a war.
After all, Tibet has not sent an envoy to the Song Dynasty for many years, and it has made such excessive demands. It is impossible for them not to know the consequences.
However, they still came, and when it was brought up in the court, there was obviously no room for relaxation."
"Snapped!"
Zhao Shen slapped his hand on the table next to him and said angrily, "These barbarians really think that I, the Song Dynasty, are weak and cannot be bullied."
However, after a moment of silence, Zhao Shen sighed softly and said: "Zhang Aiqing, if we send troops to the Song Dynasty to defend now, how many troops can we gather in a short time."
Zhang Jun thought for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, the war between the Song Dynasty and the Jin Kingdom has come to an end.
Moreover, with the previous peace talks, the two countries are now in a period of friendship. If nothing unexpected happens, there should be no war in the short term.
Furthermore, we still have 100,000 troops stationed in Sizhou. Even if a war breaks out, we will have the defensive power within a short period of time.
Therefore, all the armies that were sent back before can be summoned."
"If it is within half a month, it should not be a problem to gather nearly 100,000 troops.
If there is enough time, we can gather 200,000 troops and head to the Chengdu area.
However, the most difficult thing is supplies and food. The war with the Jin Kingdom including the confrontation lasted for a full year, which cost a lot. If we were fighting against Tibet..."
After a pause, Zhang Jun said, "It would be fine if we can win, but if we are defeated and the war is extended indefinitely, it will be extremely difficult for us to support our supplies."
Zhang Jun's words caused the anger on Zhao Shen's face to quickly fade away, replaced by a bit of helplessness.
The amount of food and fodder for an army of hundreds of thousands was not a small amount, and even with the wealth of the Song Dynasty, it was extremely difficult to support it.
Although the previous war with the Jin Kingdom did not wipe out the Song Dynasty's wealth, it also caused a huge loss of food, grass, and armaments in the Song Dynasty.
Fortunately, the final result is still satisfactory. Otherwise, if the Jin Dynasty were to be compensated again, the Song Dynasty might have to tighten its belt and live a better life.
But now, if there is another war, the army is okay. The Song Dynasty now has hundreds of thousands of troops. Even if it does not count the garrison in various places, it is not difficult to gather 100,000 soldiers and horses. What is rare is the supply problem in the rear. .
"Zhang Aiqing, what do you think is the chance of winning if the Song Dynasty goes to war with the Tubo tribe?"
Zhao Shen asked.
This time, Zhang Jun pondered for a while and then said slowly, "Your Majesty, we don't know much about Tibet, but as long as they gather some tribes, they can probably gather a hundred thousand soldiers and horses.
As a result, we will need at least 100,000 previous soldiers and horses to be able to defeat the enemy.
The Tubo clan is on a plateau and their fighting strength is not weak. Although we are on the defensive side, if we want to be certain, we need at least 200,000 troops.
After all, they can attack a little, but we have to defend all the border cities."
"So, the veteran believes that if we go to war with Tubo, the chance of winning is probably only 50%."
In fact, even if it is 50%, it was Zhang Jun who said it bravely! In terms of combat power, the Tubo clan's combat power is not much inferior to that of the Jin Kingdom. If you look at the comparison between Song and Jin, you will know that unless it is still like the Battle of Sizhou , gathering most of the elites of the Song Dynasty, otherwise, defeat is almost certain.
However, it was naturally impossible for him to say this directly to Zhao Shen.
"Only 50%!"
Zhao Shen's face looked a little ugly. Obviously, this chance of winning did not meet his extravagant hopes for the Song Dynasty.
"Then, will the Tubo tribe send troops?"
Zhao Shen asked again.
Zhang Jun sighed softly, "Your Majesty, in fact, whether Tubo will send troops or not is a two-way question.
Maybe, if we mobilize a large army and don't give them a chance, they won't really send troops.
But if we don't send troops there, they will send troops to plunder."
If you can only be a thief for a thousand days, how can you prevent a thief for a thousand days?
The three of them sat across from each other and said in silence for a moment, "Your Majesty, I believe that no matter whether Tibet sends troops or not, we cannot just sit back and watch.
After all, if we wait until they actually send troops to prepare, it will be too late by then.
It would be better to send 50,000 troops as the vanguard to Chengdu Fulu. In this way, if the Tubo tribe invades, they can also resist one or two.
And the other armies can be prepared and ready to go at any time."
"At that time, if the enemy army really comes and is huge, then our army will go directly. If the enemy army just makes a false shot, then there will be 50,000 troops, plus the local soldiers on Chengdu Fulu Road itself. That's enough."
Hearing Zhang Jun's words, Zhao Shen couldn't help but nodded. Now, that's all he can do.
Moreover, although the 50,000-strong army required a lot of consumption, it was at least within the tolerance of the Song Dynasty and would not embarrass Zhao Shen.
"Okay, in that case, let's follow Zhang Aiqing's wishes!"
"Zhang Aiqing, please hurry up and report, and then I will issue an edict.
Let the 50,000 troops go forward first!"
Zhao Shen made a decision.
"Your Majesty, there is one more matter that requires your Majesty's decision!"
Zhang Jun said, "Who will be the general this time?"
The incompetence of one general will lead to the death of thousands of armies! Moreover, choosing the general of an army naturally requires the emperor Zhao Shen to make the decision.
Zhao Shen thought for a moment, and then asked Zhang Jun, "Zhang Aiqing is familiar with the generals in the army. Who do you think is the best general?"
Zhang Jun's eyes narrowed, but he unexpectedly said, "Your Majesty, what do you think of Shen Tang?"
"ah?
Shen Tang?"
Obviously, Zhang Jun's answer surprised Zhao Shen. Then, Zhao Shen shook his head and said, "Although Shen Zhuangyuan has also experienced war, he has never served as a general in an army. This matter is important, so he should choose a general." A veteran on the battlefield."
Although Zhao Shen had a very good impression of Shen Tang and believed that Shen Tang was very capable, he obviously still had some doubts about leading the army.