Kou Ji frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "What Xixia wants is nothing more than to become stronger. Xixia has been hit hard twice by our dynasty, which has damaged its roots. Today's Xixia is worse than Qingtang, sandwiched between the Song Dynasty and the Song Dynasty.
It was very dangerous among the Liao Kingdoms.
Both the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have the strength to annihilate Xixia in one fell swoop.
Xixia is playing with fire by provoking a war between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom.
No matter who wins or loses in the end, the Song Dynasty or the Liao Kingdom, Xixia will be taught a lesson afterwards.
Xixia dares to take the risk of offending the Song and Liao Kingdoms and provoke them, and I am afraid that their intentions are not small."
Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng, and Lu Yijian nodded in unison. Their thoughts were similar to Kou Ji's.
Kou Ji continued to think: "Once the Song Dynasty starts a war with the Liao Kingdom, the fighting should not last too long. There is not much time left for Xixia to make profits from it.
Xixia wants to take advantage of the war between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom to rise, so it must either find a way to extend the time of the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom's war, or find something that can rise quickly in a very short period of time."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji probably guessed what Xixia wanted.
Kou Ji looked at Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng, and Lu Yijian, and said quietly: "Xi Xia is concerned about our firearms."
Xixia was the third person to see the power of firearms, and he was also the one who suffered heavy blows from firearms.
So far, among the three forces that have experienced the power of firearms, Huangtou Huihe has been destroyed.
Qingtang was thinking about firearms and couldn't take his eyes away, so Xixia must also be thinking about firearms.
Only firearms can quickly improve the combat effectiveness of Xixia soldiers and horses in a very short period of time.
Although Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng, and Lu Yijian have never seen the power of firearms, they can more or less infer one or two from the results achieved by firearms.
Xixia cannot defeat the Liao Kingdom now, nor can it defeat the Song Dynasty.
It is basically impossible to gain strength by conquering cities and plundering the population.
If Xixia wants to rise, it can only find another way.
Firearms are undoubtedly the best choice.
After listening to Kou Jiyi's analysis, Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng, and Lu Yijian roughly understood that Xixia was interested in firearms.
Wang Zeng frowned and said: "We have firearms in our hands, but the number is not large. We must guard against it and there is absolutely no way that the firearms will leak out. Where did Xixia get the firearms?"
Firearms are very rare now, and they were hidden like treasures by the Song Dynasty. It is really not easy for Xixia to obtain them.
Lu Yijian mused: "If we lose to the Liao Kingdom, the Liao Kingdom will definitely take the opportunity to ask for firearms. Could it be that Xixia has hidden spies in the Liao Kingdom and can easily obtain firearms from the Liao Kingdom?"
Wang Zeng hesitated and said: "It is also possible that he wants to plunder from the battlefield. The Liao Kingdom is a strong enemy for us, the Song Dynasty. Facing this powerful enemy, the Song Dynasty, the Liao Kingdom, cannot hide it. Firearms will inevitably appear on the battlefield.
.
Xixia people live by looting all year round, which is very consistent with their nature."
Zhao Zhen, who had been silent all this time, suddenly shook his head and said: "The war between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom will start at Yanmen Pass and Youzhou, and they are not next to Xixia. How can Xixia intervene?
Can they bypass the Great Wall along Dongping Road and appear behind Yanmen Pass?
Or can they bypass Waiyunzhou and appear behind the Liao people?
No matter what they do, they are seeking death.
How can we tolerate it when the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom go to war and others intervene to take advantage?
At that time, I only need to send an envoy to the Liao Kingdom and reveal my intention to join forces to destroy Xixia, and the Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu will definitely agree."
When two tigers are fighting, how can a little mouse intervene?
When the tiger gets angry, it is easy for him to join forces and shoot the little mouse to death first.
Lu Yijian thought about it: "Since Xixia cannot plunder firearms from the battlefield, they can only go through the Liao Kingdom. They can help the Liao Kingdom defeat the Song Dynasty, and then use the Liao Kingdom to obtain firearms."
As soon as these words came out, all four people's faces turned ugly.
Xixia is already a serious problem for the Song Dynasty today.
It's just that when Xixia faced the powerful enemy of Liao in the Song Dynasty, it was really disgusting to be jumping around.
"How about... just wipe out Xixia?"
Kou Ji had some suggestions that he was eager to try.
Zhao Zhen was a little moved, but Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian both shook their heads.
Wang Zeng said in a deep voice: "There are not many generals in the court who can lead one side. Cao Wei, Li Zhaoliang, and Yang Wenguang are going to the north to deal with the Liao Kingdom. Zhu Neng's foothold in Hexi is not stable, so he cannot move without authorization.
The only person left in the court who could lead troops to conquer Xixia was Gao Chugong.
Gao Chugong, the court dare not use it now."
Kou Ji pondered: "Where are Zhong Shiheng and Zhe Weizhong?"
Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian frowned and said nothing.
Zhao Zhen sighed and said nothing.
Kou Ji looked at the three of them suspiciously.
After a long time, Wang Zeng sighed and said: "The imperial court cannot put heavy troops in the hands of these two."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, and he probably understood the reason, and did not continue to ask any more questions.
It is true that the Zhe family has been loyal and brave for generations, but the Zhe family has always lived in Fuzhou.
The imperial court prepared a house for the Zhe family in Bianjing City, but the Zhe family did not move here.
The Zhe family has a great reputation in Fuzhou, and the Zhe family army has a high prestige in the northwest.
If a large number of forbidden troops were handed over to the Zhe family.
Zhao Zhen will not be able to sleep at night.
Wang Zeng and Lu Yijian also couldn't sleep at night.
The court's defense against military ministers is not based on loyalty and bravery.
Just because Zhejia is loyal and brave does not mean that Zhejia is not in danger.
When Taizong was in power, Dangxiang's entire family defected to the Song Dynasty. The leader of Dangxiang, Li Jipeng, and most of Dangxiang's nobles moved to Bianjing City. Li Jiqian was able to rebel with his family in Yin, Xia and other places.
What's more, the clan members have not moved to Zhejia in Bianjing City.
The same goes for farmers.
After Zhong Shiheng settled in Qingjian City, the development trend of the Zhong family was similar to that of the Zhe family.
The imperial court did not dare to hand over the large number of forbidden troops into the hands of the Zhe family, and naturally it did not dare to hand them over to the Zhong family.
Kou Ji figured out the joints and said with a little regret: "It's a pity... I can only watch that Xixia bug jumping around..."
Wang Zeng said in a deep voice: "There is no way to attack Xixia now, so we must endure it for now. When we finish conquering Liao and have free hands, we can teach Xixia a lesson. What we want to think about now is how Xixia will help Liao."
Will the country win?”
Lu Yijian muttered: "Xixia may send troops to harass other places in the Song Dynasty and force us to distract ourselves."
Wang Zeng kept shaking his head, "The possibility is not very high. Xixia has just signed an alliance with the Song Dynasty. If they send troops to invade the Song Dynasty, they will violate the alliance.
We, the Song Dynasty, have the right to unite with other tribes in accordance with the covenant to attack Xixia.
As long as Xixia is not stupid, he will never do anything to cause public outrage.
It should be noted that Qingtang, bound by the covenant, has the strength not to lose to Xixia.
The Yuanshan tribe, bound by the covenant, can help us in the Song Dynasty."
"Then...how will Xixia help Liao?"
Zhao Zhen frowned and asked.
"Driving other tribes to invade our Song Dynasty, or instigating other forces to become enemies of our Song Dynasty?"
"It shouldn't be... Among the forces that are adjacent to the Song Dynasty and Xixia, the only ones are the Liao Kingdom and the Xichuan Uighurs. The Liao Kingdom has already started a war with us, and the Xichuan Uighurs are too tired to deal with the powerful enemy and cannot take action at all, otherwise they will also
I will not sit back and watch the Shazhou Uighurs be destroyed."
"..."
The four monarchs and ministers speculated for a long time, but could not get a clue.
They had no idea that Zhe's old mother was seriously ill and her life was in danger, nor did they know that Zhe Weizhong was ill.
Otherwise, they will definitely deduce Xixia's entire plan.
"Since we can't guess, we can only take it one step at a time. Xixia's plan will be exposed sooner or later, and we can just take advantage of it when the time comes."
Lu Yijian said with a little regret.
Wang Zeng sighed and said, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy when we see how to deal with it."
Lu Yijian glanced at Kou Ji and said, "If it doesn't work, I can only let your boy lead the troops."
Kou Ji smiled bitterly and said nothing.
Xixia's plan was exposed. If the Song Dynasty really couldn't find a solution, then he would have no choice but to bite the bullet and go ahead.
Although they can't guess what Xixia's plan is now, they can roughly infer that it is related to military affairs.
After the monarch and his ministers discussed it, they simply ate some food in the Kou Mansion and then left.
Zhao Zhen and Wang Zeng returned to the palace to prepare for the dispatch of troops and horses.
Lu Yijian went to summon the heads of the six ministries to discuss the issue of grain and grass dispatching during the war, as well as the issue of troops and horses crossing the border.
Therefore, everyone is busy preparing for the future war against the Liao Kingdom.
Kou Ji was naturally not idle either.
He was summoned into the palace by Zhao Zhen the next day.
The two talked secretly in the palace for a while.
Some of the things he and Zhao Zhen had secretly discussed were gradually put on the agenda.
The enemy is trying every means to become stronger, so naturally the Song Dynasty cannot stand still.
He began to be busy with the future mass production of muskets and artillery, and the issue of equipping the entire army with muskets and artillery.
There is a crucial factor in the mass production of artillery and muskets and their deployment in the entire army.
That is, the soldiers of the Song Dynasty must know how to use muskets and artillery in combat.
Therefore, to mass-produce muskets and artillery, and to equip the entire army with muskets and artillery, there is a prerequisite that must be prepared.
That is to cultivate generals who can fight with muskets and artillery.
According to the fighting methods of the martial artists of the Song Dynasty, a tribe of 250 people can help the leading general to command a group of 25,000 soldiers and horses in battle.
Kou Ji only needs to follow this model and train generals as a unit.
Two hundred and fifty people can teach 25,000 soldiers and horses how to use muskets and artillery, and how to use muskets and artillery in combat.
Two thousand five hundred people can teach 250,000 people.
He can lead 250,000 troops and use muskets and artillery to fight.
Therefore, the tentative number of general officers to be trained in the first batch cannot be less than 2,500.
After careful consideration, Kou Ji finally set the number at three thousand.
The extra five hundred people are used for elimination.
If you train as many people as you can graduate, how can you show the value of generals who know how to use muskets and artillery?
If as many people are trained as many are graduated, then who will cherish the training opportunity?
When there is competition, there will be pressure, and when there is pressure, there will be motivation.
After Kou Ji finalized the number of people and wrote down the specific regulations, he entered the palace with his things.
Kou Ji had discussed this matter with Zhao Zhen before, so after Zhao Zhen saw what Kou Ji handed over, he decisively approved it.
Money comes from the inner treasury.
The armaments were sent out by Kou Ji.
The venue was found by Wude Division.
The candidates are personally selected by Zhao Zhen.
Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen were in a dilemma when they asked someone to serve as military strategists for the generals.
Those who are qualified and able to teach the generals are not in Bianjing City.
No one in Bianjing City is qualified or capable to teach them.
I hope the coaches in Sanyamen, Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen can go to sleep.
Those instructors are not weak in martial arts.
But in terms of military strategy and strategy, they all have shortcomings.
Those who know how to strategize have never been on the battlefield.
Those who have been on the battlefield do not know the art of war and strategy.
People who have been on the battlefield and are good at military strategy will never appear in Sanya.
Although the newly trained generals have to fight with new weapons, the way of fighting is also different from the previous ones.
But how to march, how to layout, how to control the fighter planes, and how to deal with sudden changes on the battlefield all need to be learned.
Just because the way of fighting has changed, it does not mean that the original military strategies are useless.
On the contrary, the military strategies left by our ancestors will be of great use at any time.
It's just a matter of making changes as the way of fighting changes.
"The only choice is Wu Xun?"
Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen both deliberately avoided Wu Xun when they first selected candidates.
In their hearts, they were unwilling to let their generals be branded with military honors.
But now that they don't have a suitable candidate, they have to consider Wu Xun.
"Looking for Wu Xun, who should I look for? The only person I can see in Bianjing is Gao Chuang Gong. But do I dare to use Gao Chuang Gong? Can I use Gao Chuang Gong? If I want to use Gao Chuang Gong, before
I won't deal with him either.
Besides, if I wanted the warriors to get involved in this matter, I wouldn't do it secretly with you."
Zhao Zhen sighed helplessly.
Kou Ji sat next to Zhao Zhen, frowning and lost in thought.
After Zhao Zhen sighed again, his eyes fell on Kou Ji, "Fourth brother doesn't know the art of war and strategy?"
Kou Ji came back to his senses and shook his head decisively.
He is not a god, so he cannot know everything.
The reason why he knows a little bit about everything is not because he is omniscient and omnipotent, but because he has gained more knowledge than Zhao Zhen, Wang Zeng and others.
"How about... Fourth brother, you go and learn. I can afford to wait for three to five years, and the Song Dynasty can also afford to wait."
Zhao Zhen suggested.
Kou Ji rolled his eyes and said: "I have learned... I can't learn..."
All men have the courage to mount a horse to manage the army and dismount to govern the people.
Kou Ji is no exception.
His group in the Western Regions realized their own shortcomings.
So I also read several military books in private.
But the art of war seems to have no connection with him.
He can see in and understand, but he just can't.
Applying the tactics and strategies in military books, he can do it.
But I couldn't comprehend it.
On the battlefield, everything is changing rapidly, and using the military strategies in the book will only lead to faster death.