"Back to Your Majesty, in addition to going to Yujin Garden to practice spear skills and horseback archery, we also went to the martial arts hall in the city to practice swordsmanship. I and other Tai students are all good at stabbing spears and can also run ten miles cross-country. Your Majesty can learn more at any time."
Cheng Yuanfeng replied respectfully.
He was born into a scholarly family, a wealthy family, and was proficient in the Four Books and Five Classics. Of course, he could afford expensive martial arts training.
"Cheng Yuanfeng, you are good! Everyone here, are you all like this?"
Zhao Hong faced the group of imperial students, his smile did not change, and he felt very pleased.
People who are physically fit are more hopeful and enthusiastic about life. This is a natural law.
"Your Majesty, this is the case for all of us. It is normal practice to study during the day and practice martial arts in the morning and evening. It's just that the training is not as rigorous as the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall."
Prince Wang Ziqiang bowed solemnly.
"Your Majesty, it is indeed so!"
"I dare not hide it from Your Majesty!"
The students all bowed respectfully.
"Very good! Only when you are healthy can you better serve the country and the people and make contributions. Practicing martial arts can not only strengthen your body, but also inspire generosity and heroism. Young students like you are the hope of the country, and I am looking forward to it!"
Zhao Hong's tone was sincere, and all the imperial students worshiped together, everyone was solemn.
"Thank you for your love, Your Majesty!"
The emperor spoke softly and showed his concern, which made all the students feel warm-hearted.
It seems that His Majesty not only favors the officers of the Military Academy, but also looks down upon the scholars of Imperial College.
"Everyone, don't be too restrained. Everyone, please sit down. Let's have tea instead of wine and sit down to discuss Taoism and the general trend of the world."
Zhao Hong asked everyone to sit down. The palace servants brought tea, and all the students sat down one after another, everyone was respectful.
After all, the power of the emperor is extraordinary, and the students are still a little restrained.
"Relax. Those guys from the Jinling Martial Arts Hall often come uninvited and cheat me of my good tea and fruits. You are all the same, don't be restrained and relax."
Zhao Hong looked at everyone and started the topic.
"Everyone, do you still think that when I go to the northwest frontier, I am going militarily?"
Looking at the young faces, Zhao Hong didn't look angry at all.
Even if these young people are a little extreme and oppose the use of troops, they are young and passionate, and they are full of scholarly energy. They are not like some people in the court who have ulterior motives and are just thinking about their own selfish interests.
"Your Majesty, we are only opposed to your Majesty's use of troops against the Tatars. As for the two ministers Xue Ji and Xuan Zhen who have done no evil, we have no intention of slandering the emperor. We do not know those who petitioned for impeachment. They must be I have other plans.”
Wang Ziqiang bowed respectfully and said on behalf of the students.
I thought that the sit-in demonstration would make the emperor furious, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be gentle and gentle, sincere and sincere.
The young emperor, as expected in the legend, showed his magnanimous demeanor.
"Your Majesty, since the first year of Xingqing, Xue Ji, Xuanzhen and others have assisted Your Majesty in reorganizing the imperial court, selecting talents, and promoting the implementation of the New Deal. We and other imperial students have all seen it. They will not slander people or spread rumors. Those who have ulterior motives , they are all scum among those imperial students. Your Majesty asked everyone to enter the palace to face the saint, and those people all fled!"
Cheng Yuanfeng's face turned red and he said angrily.
Almost, they were also used and deceived.
"Your Majesty's "Tatar Policy" clearly states that war is about strength and logistics. Our army is weak and lacks cavalry, so we cannot use troops rashly against the Tatars. Your Majesty, think twice!"
Wang Ziqiang did not change his original intention and wanted Zhao Hong to give up using troops.
This was also the reason why he did not object to other students' sit-in demonstrations demanding that the emperor be removed from office.
"Your Majesty, the Tatars are powerful, and the Jin people are not yet able to compete with them, let alone the frontier troops that have emerged in the early days of the Song Dynasty. Now the Song Dynasty is in ruins and is waiting to be reborn. We are reforming to become stronger. We must not give up halfway. Your Majesty, think twice!"
Another Tai student, Zhu Shilin, also gave advice.
"Your Majesty, think twice!"
"Your Majesty will consider it!"
A group of imperial students came forward one after another, urging Zhao Hong to stop his troops. Zhao Hong was noncommittal and turned his attention to several of the silent imperial students.
"Why don't you guys say anything?"
These few people are taciturn and probably have their own opinions.
"Your Majesty, we are sitting quietly today just out of public interest. Side affairs are national affairs, and Your Majesty will not use troops lightly. When Your Majesty sends troops, he must have carefully considered them. We don't know how to fight, so His Majesty can make your own decisions."
Imperial College student Zheng Lin said on behalf of the other Imperial College students who had remained silent.
"Everyone, do you know how you are different from the students at the Jinling Martial Arts Hall?"
Zhao Hong laughed and asked himself questions.
"The students at Jinling Martial Arts Hall only know how to obey military orders and never question my will, because they are all soldiers. Although you scholars cannot lead troops in war, you know that national affairs are the most important thing. I am very happy."
"Your Majesty, please clear up any doubts!"
Cheng Yuanfeng was slightly startled and asked directly.
Is the emperor saying that students from Imperial College are not as good as students from Jiangwu Hall?
"Everyone, you are all scholars. Some of you may not know the hardships of people's livelihood. The people work from dawn to dusk and work for months and months. They are not immune to the cold and heat. They only have food and clothing. However, if there are droughts and floods, the people will not be able to make a living."
Zhao Hong spoke slowly and his expression became serious.
"The people are suffering just to have enough food. The people's livelihood is so difficult, how can I bear to let them be bloody and killed again. If this is the case, do I still have the face to be the emperor of the Song Dynasty?"
"Your Majesty, I am so ashamed!"
"Your Majesty loves the people like his own son and is a blessing to the people of our Song Dynasty!"
Cheng Yuanfeng and other imperial students saluted together, all of them looked solemn.
"Your Majesty, even so, you only need to deploy troops at the border fortress to nip trouble in the bud. There is no need to be a direct enemy of the Tatars. A gentleman would not stand on the side of a dangerous wall. Your Majesty, think twice!"
Cheng Yuanfeng refused to give up and still tried to persuade Zhao Hong to stop his troops.
"Your Majesty, what Cheng Yuanfeng said is true. The Song Dynasty is recovering from all its waste and is recovering. It is not the best strategy to fight the Tatar army at this time!"
Wang Ziqiang also agreed with Cheng Yuanfeng's advice.
Zhao Hong looked at the group of imperial students, and there seemed to be quite a few silent ones.
"Fellow members, I promise you that if the Tatars don't use troops in the Song Dynasty, I will never take any side affairs lightly. You can serve as witnesses of this matter and go with me to the Shukou border fortress. I will never break my promise!"
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and picked up the tea cup.
With his foresight of history and the Mongolian army's consistent habit of burning, killing, and looting, it would be a fantasy for them to be indifferent to the fat on their lips.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
A group of Tai students saluted together, and many people's minds instantly came alive.
Maybe this is a life-changing opportunity.
"Your Majesty, the student is willing to go to the frontier with Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, students are also willing to go with Your Majesty!"
The students all shouted.
"Everyone, I said in the court that those who offend our Song Dynasty will be punished no matter how strong they are. In a few days, I will go to Jinling and go to the northwest frontier together with the second batch of graduates of the Jinling Martial Arts Hall. Which of you is willing? Go, leave your name here, and come with me."
Zhao Hong put down the tea cup with a friendly smile on his face.
"There may be border affairs in Shukou. If you are willing to go, I will consider appointing an official at the northwest frontier. If you are not willing, I will not force it. You can make up your own mind."
Only when they arrived at the frontier, saw the suffering of the people, and witnessed the cruelty of war, would these young people understand the painstaking efforts he had put into practice along the way.
"Your Majesty, the students are willing to go and share your worries for Your Majesty!"
Cheng Yuanfeng stood up first and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, students are also willing to share your worries for Your Majesty!"
Wang Ziqiang stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Okay! After drinking tea, if you are willing to go, please come with me to the frontier fortress!"
Zhao Hong laughed and made a "please" gesture.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone thanked the gift together and picked up their teacups with different thoughts.
The appointment of officials at the frontier may be an unexpected gain!
The Tai students left. After reading the list of Tai students on the paper, Zhao Hong frowned.
The opposing ministers and protesting imperial students have been dealt with, and the next step is a tough battle.
It is inevitable that the Song Army and the Mongolian Army will fight. The Song Army has prepared for a rainy day, and there should be no "Dinghai Incident" in history.
But is that the end?
If we just have a taste of it, how can we train troops? How can we build a truly powerful army without fighting a truly powerful enemy?
The reason why the army is strong and invincible is entirely because the soldiers are not afraid of fighting. Not being afraid of fighting is entirely a matter of courage and belief, which is gained through tough battles.
If this is just a brief taste, how can the 10,000 soldiers of Xixia return? Isn't Xixia going to be trapped and die, and the country will be destroyed?
If that were the case, he would be completely embarrassed and humiliated.
"Your Majesty, do you really want to go to the northwest and use troops against the Tatars?"
The students left, and Dong Songchen asked softly from the side.
"Why, are you scared too?"
Zhao Hong whispered and picked up the tea cup.
"Your Majesty, since we are going to use troops against the Tatars, we must not lose, we must win, and only if we win a big victory can we make the people of the world surrender and shut up all the doubters."
Dong Songchen's words shocked Zhao Hong.
If you lose, it's just a comeback. But what is a big win?
In order to bring back Yu Jie, Cao Youwan and other soldiers who were aiding Xia, it was necessary to open up the passage between the Song Dynasty and Xixia and cross the Yellow River.
In that case, in addition to repelling the Mongolian army on the way to Xixia, we must also occupy the Jin territory between Song and Xia. In this way, both Mongolia and Jin will be offended at the same time.
"Dong Songchen, you are right, there is no room for luck in military affairs. Now that you have taken the step, be bolder and go on a rampage!"
The pride in Zhao Hong's heart was awakened unconsciously.
Always looking for a way out, without fail. Are there so many escape paths in life?
After returning to the harem, Li Weiming, who had been waiting for a long time, couldn't wait to come up with anxious eyes.
"Your Majesty, there are no variables in sending troops to reinforce Daxia, right?"
Zhao Hong nodded slightly, feeling a little disappointed.
He could feel that in Li Weiming's heart, her mother country Xixia was much more important than herself.
