Chapter 0861 Armageddon?! (I'll sort out the outline tonight, I'm about to be scolded for being auti
In the Liao Kingdom, it is difficult to tell clearly who is the thief and who is the soldier.
All the small tribes in the Liao Kingdom are not kind people.
They used to live under the oppression of Emperor Yelu Longxu of the Liao Dynasty, but now they have the opportunity to resist, and they can gain huge benefits by resisting, so they will naturally not miss it.
The key to the civil strife in Liao was the prisoners of Xingqing Mansion, but the core was the Liao people from various small tribes in the Liao Kingdom.
If it were just the criminal prisoners of the Xingqing Mansion who caused trouble in the Liao Kingdom, the Song Dynasty would have a way to solve it and control their direction.
After all, they had demands when they set foot on the battlefield.
As long as the Song Dynasty can satisfy their demands, most of them will do things according to the Song Dynasty's wishes.
But after there were more Liao people, variables appeared.
The Liao people deliberately took advantage of the opportunity of the prisoners in Xingqing Mansion to rebel. In a very short period of time, the number of rebels exceeded the prisoners in Xingqing Mansion, and they had faintly replaced the prisoners in Xingqing Mansion and became the leader of the Liao Dynasty.
The core of chaos.
They also had demands, but their demands could not be satisfied by the Song Dynasty, so the Song Dynasty could not control the civil strife with them at its core.
After they completely disrupted the Liao Kingdom, no one knew whether or how they would march towards the Song Dynasty.
The border between the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom was thousands of miles long.
Every point thousands of miles away will become a breakthrough point for them to go south.
There are traces of the Liao soldiers' invasion southward, but the murderers' invasion southward is elusive.
The purpose of the Liao soldiers' invasion to the south was to defeat the heavy troops of the Song Dynasty and occupy important military areas within the Song Dynasty, and use this as a springboard to attack cities and plunder territory within the Song Dynasty.
If the thugs invaded the south, they probably wouldn't be very interested in attacking cities and plundering territory. They would probably prefer to try their best to break through the Song Dynasty's defense lines, appear in the Song Dynasty, and burn, kill and loot in the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, when the Liao soldiers invaded the south, their purpose would be very clear.
It is very easy to judge where it will appear and what pass it will attack.
The thugs are different. In the eyes of the thugs, every part of the thousands-mile-long border is a breakthrough point for them.
They could break through the Song Dynasty's defense line from any place and in any way, enter the Song Dynasty's rear and wreak havoc.
The Song Dynasty certainly had many soldiers and generals and sharp firearms.
But when assigned to a border line that is thousands of miles long, the advantages are not so obvious.
The line from Xiliang City to Yunzhou is fine. As long as there are enough troops to defend the Great Wall, and as long as the troops guarding the Great Wall are not too weak, it will be difficult for the murderers to break through the defense line.
Things are different here in Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures.
After crossing the Great Wall and entering the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun, there were no great passes to block it, and there were breakthroughs everywhere.
The Song Dynasty sent out its rangers to kill people, but they were easily surrounded by the murderers.
When the Song Dynasty gathers its troops, the thugs may not necessarily confront the Song Dynasty head-on.
The defense line from Yanmen Pass to Youzhou City is not monolithic.
Otherwise, it would not have been so easy for the Liao people to go south to clear grass and valleys in the past.
The Song Dynasty could only send troops and horses to garrison some key cities, military strongholds, and passes.
If the murderers move south in large numbers, a large number of the murderers will naturally compete with the Song Dynasty soldiers and horses.
But the small group of murderers will definitely avoid Da Song's sight.
They would inevitably avoid cities, military strongholds, and passes, and cross mountains and ridges to enter the Song Dynasty.
If the murderers crossed the mountains and ridges, the Song Dynasty would not be able to prevent them at all.
Not to mention that the Song Dynasty had muskets and artillery in its hands. Even if it had a full set of advanced armaments from a certain king's army during World War II, plus aircraft to help, it might not be able to stop it. (Don't ask why, if you have to ask, I recommend reading Modern Chinese History.
.)
If the murderers crossed the mountains and appeared in the hinterland of the Song Dynasty, the soldiers and horses of the Song Dynasty on the border would have to return for reinforcements.
Once the soldiers and horses on the border returned to support, the large group of thugs on the border would have time to breathe and have the opportunity to approach the Song Dynasty again.
"It is impossible to tell whether the Liao people in the Liao Kingdom are humans or ghosts. Once the Liao Kingdom is wiped out, no one can say how many people will go south. So we must take down the Great Wall. Only in this way can the murderers be killed.
They are blocking the gate of our country, the Song Dynasty."
After Cao Wei analyzed the situation thoroughly, he made a decisive decision.
He also understood the reason why Kou Ji rushed to Youzhou City day and night and insisted on taking over the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun within half a month.
Zhao Zhen nodded solemnly, "I will leave the military affairs to you. I will send orders to Yang Wenguang and Wang Sui later, asking them to try to recall the criminals from Xingqing Mansion and other places who caused rebellion in Liao Kingdom.
prison, to reduce our stress as much as possible.”
With the decision made, the two men immediately ordered their men to arrange it.
Before giving the order, Zhao Zhen solemnly told the man in black attire, "Take your people and keep an eye on the murderers in the Liao Kingdom. If there is any situation, report to me at any time."
The man in black attire agreed, left the temple, and hurried to Jingnan Road and other places in the Liao Kingdom.
Kou Ji slept in the temple for two days.
Two days later.
Kou Ji woke up quietly, opened his eyes and saw Zhao Zhen sitting by his bed, reading a document.
Kou Ji was slightly startled and quickly stood up.
Zhao Zhen saw that he was awake, put down the documents in his hand, and ordered him to continue lying down, "There are no outsiders here, fourth brother, there is no need to be polite..."
Kou Ji didn't show any pretense and continued to lie on the bed.
"Guan Jia, how is the war in Youzhou City?"
After hearing Kou Ji's question, Zhao Zhen was not in a hurry to answer. He first asked Chen Lin to go to the kitchen to help Kou Ji make some nourishing soup. After Chen Lin left, Zhao Zhen spoke slowly.
"Cao Aiqing has already made preparations. Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing should be able to arrive here in eight days. Cao Aiqing means that after they arrive in Youzhou City, they will have a showdown with Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu."
"That's good……"
Kou Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Ji and asked, "Fourth brother, do you think those thugs who caused chaos in the Liao Kingdom really dare to invade the Song Dynasty from the south?"
Kou Ji pondered for a moment and said: "This matter is no longer a matter for the Liao family. If it really develops to the point of being uncontrollable, we, the Song Dynasty, will not be immune.
At present, the murderer is still fermenting in the Liao Kingdom, and no one can say to what extent it will ferment.
I don't dare to conclude that those murderers will definitely go south.
But I can conclude that once they go south, they will have an immeasurable impact on our Song Dynasty.
If we, the Song Dynasty, don’t make preparations in advance, we will be in great trouble when the time comes.”
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and said: "I have ordered Yang Wenguang and Wang Sui to recall the prisoners from Xingqing Mansion and other places in the Liao Kingdom. I hope this can alleviate the chaos in the Liao Kingdom."
Kou Ji nodded and said: "Speaking of which, Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu is quite ambitious. The Liao Kingdom is already in complete chaos, and he is still in the mood to confront us here.
If he buries all the elite soldiers of the Liao Kingdom in Yanyun, I'm afraid the Liao Kingdom will be gone."
Zhao Zhen said with emotion: "I am also puzzled to understand it."
The Liao Kingdom was already in chaos, and the Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu still refused to retreat.
Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen really couldn't understand this operation.
"If you can't figure it out, stop thinking about it. The truth will eventually come to light one day."
Zhao Zhen smiled calmly and did not make any random guesses. He stared at Kou Ji and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, the war in Hexi was able to end so quickly. Fourth brother has made a great contribution."
Kou Ji shook his head and smiled, "The one who takes the credit is not me, but all the soldiers. If it weren't for the purpose of luring Qingtang to the bait, the war in Hexi would not have taken so long."
Zhao Zhen said with a smile: "I have read all the memorials handed over by the fourth brother. I will not miss any of the meritorious officials who deserve to be rewarded. So the fourth brother does not need to ask for credit for them anymore."
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said, "I am telling the truth."
Zhao Zhen did not continue to argue the matter with Kou Ji. He said with emotion: "The western border has been determined, the southern border has been determined, and now it is the eastern and northern borders. As long as the Liao Kingdom is defeated and Yanyun is taken back, our Song Dynasty
Even if it’s really decided.”
Kou Ji said seriously: "The murderers must not be underestimated."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "I know."
Kou Ji was about to speak, but he saw Chen Lin entering the room carrying a bowl of nourishing soup.
Zhao Zhen immediately ordered a palace maid to bring soup and medicine to feed Kou Ji.
Kou Ji drank a bowl of soup and a bowl of gruel.
Accompanying Zhao Zhen, they had a long chat, telling each other what they had seen and heard in Hexi and Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures for more than half a year, as well as some experiences in running the country and the army. It was not until late at night that Zhao Zhen left.
The next few days.
Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji were patrolling Youzhou City together.
While inspecting the palace established by Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu in Youzhou City.
Kou Ji said to Zhao Zhen for no reason, "The official family may consider moving the capital..."
Zhao Zhen was slightly startled when he heard Kou Ji's words, "Fourth brother is saying that the capital will be moved here?"
Kou Ji specifically raised the matter of moving the capital in Youzhou City, and Zhao Zhen naturally felt that Kou Ji wanted to move the capital here.
Kou Ji nodded slowly.
Zhao Zhen hesitated for a moment, "Moving the capital is not a small matter. The interests in Bianjing City are intertwined. If I move the capital, I am afraid it will affect the interests of everyone in Bianjing City.
By then everyone in Bianjing City will be against me."
Although Bianjing was the capital designated by his ancestors, Zhao Zhen felt that Bianjing was not suitable to be the capital.
Bianjing City is located on a low terrain and is adjacent to the Yellow River.
It can almost be said that there is a minor flood every three years and a major flood every five years.
Every time the Yellow River floods, it is a huge disaster for Bianjing City.
Once disaster strikes, the court will have to pay a lot.
The court needs to spend money to maintain post-disaster reconstruction work, and also needs to spend money for disaster relief.
Because Bianjing City was the political, economic and cultural center of the Song Dynasty.
Therefore, once a flood occurs, Bianjing City will be temporarily blocked.
The political, economic, and cultural leaders of the Song Dynasty would fall into a state of temporary paralysis.
The consequences were very serious.
When water is distributed to Bianjing City, at least 10% of the tax revenue for that year must be used to deal with various disadvantages that arise after the flood in Bianjing City.
The most important thing is that once a flood occurs.
It is always the court and the people who suffer.
Not only will those wealthy families not suffer, but they will also make a fortune after the flood.
After the flood, the land ridges were buried under the mud, and wealthy families could arbitrarily occupy the common people's farmland.
After the flood, some houses and shops were washed away.
Rich families will also use tricks to rob.
The Song Dynasty established its capital in Bianjing for decades.
It suffered for the court and the people, but it only made the wealthy families rich.
Zhao Zhen has gradually seen clearly the nature of wealthy families.
Therefore, he did not want the rich and powerful to continue to lie on the court and the common people, knocking the bones and sucking the marrow.
Therefore, he did not object to the move of the capital, but was in favor of it.
Things like the ancestral laws have no effect on him, nor can they form any ideological constraints on him.
After all, now he has vaguely surpassed his ancestors in terms of civil and martial arts.
He no longer needs to rely on the ancestral method to gain strength.
He can call himself an ancestor and establish his own ancestral law.
Violating the rules set by our ancestors is considered a great disrespect in the eyes of others.
But in Zhao Zhen's eyes, there is no sin at all.
Even if he committed a crime, who would dare to ask him about his crime?
Kou Ji somewhat settled Zhao Zhen's thoughts, so he dared to raise the topic of moving the capital in front of Zhao Zhen.
After hearing what Zhao Zhen said, Kou Ji nodded slightly and said: "It is indeed inappropriate to propose moving the capital now.
But officials might as well give more thought to this.
If we move the capital in the future, this place will definitely be a good choice.”
Zhao Zhen was a little hesitant when he heard this.
In Zhao Zhen's opinion, Youzhou City is not a good choice if the capital is really moved.
Because Youzhou City is not prosperous, if the capital of the Song Dynasty were moved to Youzhou City, it would have a certain impact on the economy, politics, and culture.
Secondly.
Youzhou City has been occupied by the Liao people for many years, and many places have been transformed by the Liao.
If the Song Dynasty wanted to move its capital here, it would have to be rebuilt.
The money required to rebuild a capital city is not one or two million yuan.
Ten or twenty million dollars may not be able to stop it.
Moreover, moving the capital to Youzhou City would have a huge impact on the economy of the Song Dynasty.
Before the economic center gradually shifted and a new economic center was not formed, the Song Dynasty may have to maintain a situation of being unable to make ends meet for a period of time.
The Song Dynasty is currently experiencing a war, which costs a lot of money.
During the Song Dynasty, a full 30% of the grain accumulated in Changpingcang for many years was consumed.
The money accumulated in the national treasury and the money accumulated in Zhao Zhen's small treasury were fully spent 25%.
The common people did not feel the cost of the Song Dynasty's foreign wars, and most of the officials in the court did not feel it obviously.
Because after the reform of the military system in the Song Dynasty, many things were mobilized without going through the common people or many officials.
Therefore, many people in the Song Dynasty do not know how much the Song Dynasty spent on this war.
But Zhao Zhen, who was at the center, knew exactly how much the Song Dynasty spent.
How much was 30% of the grain that had been accumulated for many years in Changpingcang during the Song Dynasty?
Tens of millions of stones.
How much is the 25% of the money accumulated in the national treasury and Zhao Zhen's small treasury?
Tens of millions.
The reason why the Song Dynasty dared to fight on two fronts, and the reason why the Song Dynasty dared to consume the Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu for a long time, was because in this war, the Song Dynasty invested far more than the three major powers of the Black Khanate, Qingtang, and Liao.
Power’s money and food.
The soldiers temporarily recruited a small number of civilians, as well as the prisoners' rations, and there was no shortage from beginning to end.
After the war, the court will probably pay a large sum of rewards.
The amount may be very large.
Because the Song Dynasty faced enough enemies this time, and there were enough soldiers involved, the credit for its establishment was enough, and the amount of rewards was naturally large enough.
For example, someone was awarded a knighthood through this war.
When the court conferred a title, it had to give corresponding rewards.
Land, house, servants, money, etc. are all indispensable.
After all, if someone gets a title based on his military exploits, the court simply gives him a title and nothing else, which is obviously inappropriate.
After the imperial court rewards the meritorious officials, the money in the treasury will probably shrink significantly.
Zhao Zhen considered creating new surnames for kings after the war, and planned to assign them to poor places to become princes.
When the time comes, I will inevitably have to give you a generous gift.
Otherwise, people may not be willing to go.
The money in the national treasury will definitely shrink again.
The remaining money has to deal with some unforeseen needs of the government and the public, and there is no way to meet the expenses that cannot be met when the capital is moved.
Therefore, in Zhao Zhen's eyes, Youzhou City was not a capital that could satisfy him.
In comparison, Zhao Zhen prefers Jinling in Jiangning Mansion.
Because Jinling is prosperous enough.
Jinling and other places are also the economic centers of the South.
The transfer of the economic center of Bianjing City to the economic center of Jinling is a process of adding bricks and mortar, rather than a process of reconstruction.
Therefore, if he moved his capital to Jinling, Zhao Zhen would not need to prepare more money to cope with the situation of being unable to make ends meet.
Kou Ji saw Zhao Zhen's hesitation and guessed Zhao Zhen's thoughts, but he did not say much, let alone advise Zhao Zhen to choose Youzhou City.
Now that the war was undecided, he casually said that there was a seed buried in Zhao Zhen's heart, and there was no need to force Zhao Zhen to make a choice.
Moreover, the sales of Youzhou City are indeed not good, and the sales of other surrounding places are not very good either.
Zhao Zhen doesn't like Youzhou City and is also cleaning it up.
After all, most people like to go to prosperous places, and few people want to stay in remote areas.
This is even more true for emperors.
They are used to enjoying glory and wealth. If you ask them to eat dirt, you will see who is willing.
If Kou Ji had not known what Youzhou City would become in the future, Kou Ji would not have set the target of moving the capital to Youzhou City.
Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen stopped for a while in front of the palace of Emperor Yelu Longxu of the Liao Dynasty, and did not discuss the matter of moving the capital again.
After the two left the palace of Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu, they went to inspect the top of Youzhou City and encouraged the soldiers.
This patrol lasted for several days.
Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing led a hundred thousand troops and entered Youzhou City in a mighty manner.
After Zhao Zhen summoned them in the palace, he ordered them to take their troops and horses down to rest for half a day.
That night.
Zhao Zhen, Kou Ji, Cao Wei, Zhong Shiheng, and Di Qing all appeared in the palace.
Zhao Zhen is in the first place, and Kou Ji and Cao Wei are seated on Zhao Zhen's left and right respectively.
Zhong Shiheng sat at the bottom.
Di Qing sat next to Cao Wei, preparing to serve Cao Wei.
No one showed dissatisfaction or strangeness about this.
Because in their eyes, it was right for Di Qing, as the son-in-law of the Cao family, to fight abroad and serve Cao Wei who was seriously ill.
If Di Qing doesn't serve Cao Wei, he will attract attention.
After the five people sat down.
Zhao Zhen said with a serious face: "After some discussion with my fourth brother and Cao Aiqing, I decided to send troops out of Youzhou City to completely drive the Liao Emperor and the Liao people out of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun.
Since this war is of great importance, I, my fourth brother, and Cao Aiqing waited for the two dear friends for several days.
Now that the two Aiqings have arrived, they will be under Cao Aiqing's command and listen to Cao Aiqing's orders."
Zhao Zhen said this to Di Qing and Zhong Shiheng.
"Here!"
Di Qing and Zhong Shiheng responded simultaneously.
Zhao Zhen turned his head and looked at Cao Wei and said, "Cao Aiqing, please tell them how to fight."
Cao Wei nodded and said: "You have to say that soldiers need to be quick. Since you have already arrived, there is no need to waste any more time. We will leave Youzhou City tomorrow and have a head-on battle with Emperor Yelu Longxu of the Liao Dynasty."
Di Qing and Zhong Shiheng responded again.
Cao Wei continued: "The number of our troops and horses is far superior to that of Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu, so there is no need to use any cunning tactics.
After our troops leave Youzhou City, we will fight directly and openly."
When Zhong Shiheng heard this, he hesitated and said: "Liao soldiers are used to fighting in the field. Isn't it inappropriate for us to fight with the Liao soldiers in the field?"
Cao Wei's face darkened slightly when he heard this, "Before our imperial army of the Song Dynasty was equipped with firearms, we could compete head-on with the Liao soldiers in the wild with only infantry and armor and military formations.
Now that we are equipped with more powerful firearms, are we afraid of the Liao people?!"
The reason why the Song Dynasty Forbidden Army frequently lost to the Liao people in field battles was not because they could not defeat the Liao people.
It's a problem with strategy and tactics.
In addition, the mobility of infantry and soldiers was low, while the mobility of Liao soldiers was high, so they started a tug-of-war in the wild without taking any advantage.
In addition, the baggage line was too long, and infantry armor could not effectively protect the baggage from the sneak attacks of Liao light cavalry.
This also caused the Song Dynasty to suffer repeated defeats when fighting against the Liao Kingdom.
The Liao Kingdom had always used tactics of luring the enemy deep into the country, part of which was to stretch the supply lines of the Song Dynasty's troops and horses, making it easier for them to attack by surprise.
Therefore, purely in terms of military strength and combat effectiveness, the Forbidden Army of the Song Dynasty was not unable to defeat the Liao soldiers.
Everyone in the world thinks that the reason why the Song Dynasty was weak was because the soldiers and horses of the Song Dynasty were too weak.
Actually it is not.
The soldiers and horses of the Song Dynasty were actually not weak, but rather very powerful.
The infantry armor can almost be said to be the pinnacle of the infantry in the era of pure cold weapons.
According to history books, the reason why the Song Dynasty was weak was purely due to the above problems.
One general is incompetent and the three armies are exhausted, which is very suitable for the Song Dynasty.
In fact, the generals of the Song Dynasty were not incompetent.
The real incompetence is at the top.
They were sitting in Bianjing City, controlling the military affairs thousands of miles away, talking about war on paper, and enjoying themselves.
This is the fundamental reason why Song Dynasty was weak.
Therefore, after Zhong Shiheng heard Cao Wei's scolding, he did not refute.
The reason why he raised his objection was that he felt that Cao Wei seemed a little impatient and eager to start a war.
He was afraid that Cao Wei would be in a hurry and fall into the enemy's plan to lure them deeper.
It's just that Cao Wei is the coach, and as a subordinate, he can't directly question the coach's combat strategy, so he reported the matter to Cao Wei sideways.
Cao Wei glanced at Zhong Shiheng. He could see what Zhong Shiheng was thinking, but he didn't say much.
Cao Wei continued: "After our troops leave Youzhou City, I will send Gao Chugong to lead the Chinese army and approach the Liao army camp. You two will be responsible for leading the troops to cover on both sides."