The Song Dynasty was not an ambitious dynasty, and it had been this way since the time of Taizu. Although Zhao Xi had been guiding the imperial court's ambitions over the years, although there were some results, they were limited to the recovery of the sixteen states of Yanyun and the so-called perfection of the nine states.
North of Yanshan Mountain and north of Yinshan Mountain, there is boundless land.
"Officials, who reward land with military merits, can indeed create a chaotic situation north of Yanshan with barbarians fighting barbarians. However, this method is similar to that of the previous dynasty, and will eventually form forces in the fight with each other, thus threatening
To the internal affairs of the imperial court."
How could Zhao Xi not understand the issues Wang Anshi mentioned?
The rule of the nomadic peoples in the north has always been a problem for the Central Plains dynasties. The previous dynasty was an attempt, but it was due to the separation of generals and vassal towns.
There were many reasons for the demise of the previous dynasty, but they can never be attributed to the military merit system. On the contrary, it was only after the military merit system was abandoned that the basis for rebellion in the feudal towns was established.
The rebellion in the previous dynasty and the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were lessons that the Song Dynasty had to learn, even if it meant overcorrecting.
Wang Anshi did not care about the laws of his ancestors, and he would not close his eyes and agree with the vassal system of the previous dynasty.
"I have thought about this, but how to govern the desert? Or should the territory of the dynasty end at Yanshan and Yinshan Mountains? Even if the dynasty stops at Yanshan and Yinshan Mountains, who can ensure that the tribes in the grassland and desert will not eventually become powerful?
Are you still going south with your troops?"
"I have said before that most of the changes in the Central Plains dynasties were from north to south. This is determined by the living environment and quality, as well as habits. The reason why the northern nomads went south, even at the risk of their lives, was because the climate in the north was not suitable for survival.
"
"I think the fundamental reason should be to tie the nomads to the interests of the Central Plains. For example, wool, cotton, other mineral resources that may appear, etc."
"After allowing the nomads to gain benefits, improving the living and living conditions in the north so that the gap between the north and the south is less conspicuous and does not arouse the greed of the barbarians may be a solution to desert governance."
It has been a long time since Zhao Xi used such long speeches to persuade others.
Zhao Xi has thought about the future stability of the north for a long time. Although it is still too early to talk about this at this time, he hopes to give the court a general direction now.
"In the official family, the grassland is flat and the track is easy to lay. As long as the track can reach, the chariots of the country can achieve defense and stability..."
This is not an overestimation of the role of tracks and chariots.
In battle formations, the chariot formation can indeed be said to be invincible at this time. It is not surprising that the cabinet has such an idea.
"You should be very clear about the cost of track laying. You are also aware of the cost of track replacement, maintenance, and support of track troops."
"The grassland and desert are vast and sparsely populated. There is not even a large population gathering point after hundreds of miles of track laying. The nomadic people have no fixed settlements. It is difficult to connect the gathering points with the laying of track. How to solve the contradiction of excessive investment and low income?
?”
"It is more expensive to subsidize a large amount of manpower and property for a long time to maintain the normal operation of the track than to build settlements for nomadic people."
"I believe that by spreading the culture of the Central Plains to the grasslands and bringing the living habits of the Central Plains to the grasslands, the differences between the grasslands and the Central Plains will gradually be evened out, thereby reducing the possibility of greed and war."
Culture is the sharpest and most invincible weapon. And the culture of the Central Plains itself has the ability to integrate and invade.
Sow the culture of the Central Plains in the grassland, and use the profits to bring the nomadic peoples of the grassland into symbiosis with the Central Plains dynasty. Zhao Xi believes that this is the most appropriate way to manage the grassland.
Of course, no method is perfect and cannot be foolproof.
"As for the momentum that you elders are worried about... I think the key depends on the weight of the general's income. As long as the general's income in the court is higher than the income in the grassland, everyone will know the choice."
"Of course, it's a little early to say this at this time. Maybe we can use this as a gimmick to assist Banqi in his attempt...~"
The cabinet must understand the meaning behind Zhao Xi's words.
The reason for the demise of the previous dynasty was that the imperial court was unable to sustain its financial resources and had to allow the vassal towns to grow. But the imperial court was different. The imperial court controlled the core that was difficult to replicate. Whether it was firearms or many public-private joint ventures, they could all be manipulated.
Sharp weapon.
The most critical point of this is that the court needs to evaluate the signs of local generals becoming powerful, so as to nip them in the bud, so as to avoid the disadvantages of local power becoming bigger to the greatest extent.
Even if the Northern Liao Dynasty was annihilated, it would never be possible to wipe out the entire Khitan ethnic group. With the Tubo, Dangxiang, Uighurs and other Khitan forces as the main force to fight or oppress the Northern Liao nobles, it would be
It can transfer the enemies of the Khitan ethnic group in Northern Liao.
Then, after placing the generals to the north of Yinshan Mountain in Yanshan, using the land and pastures as bait... Whether it is the original Khitan or the generals who are about to dominate the pastures, the arbiter of all disputes will only be the court.
Similarly, after the pasture was divided, for profit reasons, the imperial court controlled the wool and cotton textile processes, or that such processes were strictly prohibited from going north to Yanshan. All disputes were limited to the supply of raw materials, which gave the Central Plains or the imperial court absolute dominance.
right.
Whether it is stopping or mediating, the court is still at the top.
Of course, how to complete such a concept is what the court needs to calm down and plan.
In fact, whether it is the Central Plains or the desert, if you want to achieve something, you must have enough supporters. For the common people, who would think of working hard if they have a prosperous life?
If the government is clean and clear, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the oceans and rivers are clear, even if someone wants to do evil things and loses the broad base of the people, who can succeed?
······
Since the official said we should try it, then let’s try it.
What needs to be done now is how to tactfully allow Yelu Yixin to continue to harm the Northern Liao Dynasty while chasing and intercepting Yelu Yixin, instead of asking for something from the imperial court in such a rogue way.
The prerequisite for doing this well is to beat Yelu Yixin until it hurts and scares him. One hundred thousand people are riding northward. Even if Yelu Yixin is fully equipped, they will not dare to take the lead, let alone just
A small raiding party?
"It's not difficult to clear out, or even to kill. What's difficult is how to hurt Yelu Yixin while still retaining some of his combat power so that he can continue to cause trouble in Northern Liao..."
"
The strategy has been set, and execution is the most important. When it comes to cabinet discussions, you have nothing to be taboo about.
"Since Yelu Yixin is first to be polite and then to attack, the country cannot lag behind. The equipment of the Fan cavalry is not comparable to that of Yelu Yixin's beggar team. Even if the other party attacks first, it will not cause much harm to our own side."
"It's very simple. Let the cavalry also bow before the soldiers and send them out respectfully."