Wang Shunchen's pursuit was unable to achieve his goal. In the end, he would definitely mobilize troops and mobilize troops at the border. Instead of waiting for the Northern Liao envoys to enter, it would be better to take the lead and send people there to stir things up.
This is Zhao Xi's idea.
In fact, it is of no use. Even if Bei Liao is appointed by the imperial court, they will not admit it at this time. Even if the prison robbers are finally captured and a confession is obtained, the Bei Liao imperial court will still deny it. Unless they want to start a war.
No matter what kind of turmoil there was between the Song Dynasty and the Northern Liao Dynasty in private, they still maintained peace on the surface. Because of Yanyun's problem, both the Northern Liao Dynasty and the imperial court knew that there would eventually be a war.
They are all accumulating strength...
The matter was urgent, so the cabinet did not waste any time and quickly decided on the envoys to be sent to Northern Liao.
Things are different now. In the early years, when I sent envoys to Northern Liao, I was out of luck. Most of the imperial appointments were to send important ministers, at least ministers who could make the decision to a certain extent.
Although the envoys sent at this time will not go to the Northern Liao Dynasty to give orders, at least they will not have to be humble and can straighten their backs.
Therefore, there is no need to send important ministers at this time. Besides, the matter is not big, it is just a craftsman's matter, and it is a matter of conveying attitude...
Arrangements were made hurriedly, and less than a day after the envoys left Bianliang, the report from Xiongzhou arrived.
"Guan family, urgent report from Xiongzhou..."
It was an urgent report again, and it became a daily report, and it was still an urgent report. It was also the whole cabinet meeting, which made Zhao Xi really nervous.
Zhao Xi is still aware of the accidents that trigger wars. For example, the war in later generations was caused by an assassination. In the end, more than 20 countries were involved in the war, with more than 60 million people participating in the war.
It has never been possible to figure out the true identity of the great master of the Lu family, and it is difficult to make an accurate judgment on the development of the situation.
The imperial court was preparing to go north, and did not want to take the lead in launching a war. If it was launched in a hurry, the outcome would be unpredictable. The military strength of the Northern Liao Dynasty in this matter had not been reduced to the level of 200,000 defeated by the Jurchens a few decades later, and there was still a certain degree of
Combat strength.
Due to the rise of the Guo Dynasty in recent years, Bei Liao was also on guard. Even though the court in Bei Liao was somewhat chaotic, the mainstream still maintained vigilance against the Guo Dynasty.
"The officials reported from Xiongzhou that five thousand soldiers from the Northern Liao Dynasty were stationed north of Baigou Station to wait!"
Before the cabinet came in, Wang Anshi anxiously explained the content of the report.
This is also the experience of the cabinet in handling matters. While arranging envoys to go to Northern Liao, the cabinet also directed the post station to smoothen the post channels in Xiongzhou and the entire border of Northern Liao.
The courier party is required to ensure that the border report can be delivered to the court quickly and in a timely manner.
"Is there any report from other border villages?"
Zhao Xi also felt that things had changed a bit, and seemed to be developing in another direction. Maybe it might actually lead to a war between the two sides.
"Not yet. The cabinet has notified the courier to ensure that the report is delivered in time."
There are nearly 50,000 cavalrymen stationed in Xiongzhou, and Wang Shunchen still leads them. What use can these 5,000 cavalrymen have? In the early years, more than this number of Northern Liao troops were harvesting grass bones on the border every year.
I don't understand. Intimidation? Is it possible that Bei Liao still thinks that five thousand cavalry can intimidate the country?
"How does Wang Shunchen respond?"
"Wang Shunchen divided his troops during the pursuit and led his troops northward, preparing to turn back and intercept the robbers. After learning about Chen Bing in the Northern Liao Dynasty, he handed over the interception of the robbers to his deputy general and visited Baigou Station in person. At the same time, the Xiongzhou camp also
Enter a state of preparation for war."
What's wrong? Zhao Xi always felt that something was wrong, but he never grasped that feeling...
The cabinet is a little worried about the officials' hesitation at this time. It's now, and a war is very likely to break out. How can the officials hesitate at this time?
Once the Northern Liao Dynasty launched a war without preparation, it would be a disaster for the people and industry of Hebei Province.
After years of peace, Hebei Province is recovering and finally regaining its vitality... The key is that due to the boom in trade with Beiliao in recent years, Hebei Province has various industries.
This loss is immeasurable.
"Dear elders, when is the most suitable season for cavalry warfare? It is late autumn now, and the crops in Hebei Province have been harvested."
"For Bei Liao, it may be the autumn harvest stage. Next, the cavalry in Bei Liao should be fattened, right? Is it very likely to launch a large-scale war at this time?"
"Of course, I'm not saying it's absolutely impossible. With five thousand cavalry on the border, this is not a war situation."
When it comes to launching war in Northern Liao, the most suitable season should be spring. Launching in late autumn is in line with the timing of war between the country and the dynasty.
The most important method of combat in Northern Liao was cavalry. At this time...
"Could it be a pickup?"
"It's very possible. What Ziyou said is very possible!"
Su Che's reminder made Zhao Xi feel suddenly enlightened.
"Officials, according to the report from Xiongzhou, when Wang Shunchen led his personal guards to pursue, the small group of robbers did not go directly north, but turned west."
"If Chen Bing of the Northern Liao Dynasty was there to assist, why did the robbers not go directly northward, but instead turned westward? Isn't this not seeking the farthest place instead of the nearest?"
This is also difficult for Zhao Xi to understand.
Also, who is this great craftsman of the Lu family? Is it worthy for Bei Liao to mobilize so many troops to support him? It shouldn’t be.
wrong······
"Order all states, counties, and counties in Hebei Province, including all industrial workshops in Hebei Province, to monitor all small workers and master craftsmen from Beiliao."
"Order Wang Shunchen, it is feasible, Cao Lin, Gao Jingting, etc., while ensuring that the border line is safe, divide the troops to assist the local state government in conducting detailed inspections..."
"Everyone, unless the master craftsman of the Lu family is a prince, it is impossible for Bei Liao to mobilize troops like this and even use Chen Bing to intimidate the country. There is only one possibility. The so-called Chen Bing is just a cover, just to let the country's Hebei Province garrison or
Local and state capitals are focusing all their attention on the border."
"Moreover, this imminent situation can easily cause panic in various industrial workshops in Hebei Province..."
Zhao Xi's thoughts were completely clear at this time, and he had basically determined Beiliao's purpose.
"Everyone, what if at this stall, all the small workers and master craftsmen from all industries in Hebei Province fled? In other words, I think that the purpose of Chen Bing in Beiliao this time is not to deal with this one master craftsman, but to target the entire Hebei province.
Craftsmen in all the workshops of Tao."
"On the northern Liao-Chen Bing border, Hebei Province is the first to bear the brunt. It will inevitably focus on whether the war is about to break out. At the same time, all the workshop owners in Hebei Province will also consider how to reduce the loss of fixed assets at this time."
"This is the best time for the craftsmen to escape..."