In the first year of Jianwu of the Song Dynasty, AD 1230, in May, Jiangnan East Road, Jinling City, Jiankang Prefecture.
Outside the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, armored warriors stood guard every three steps and one sentry every five steps. There were even civilians dressed in plainclothes mixed in the streets and alleys. On and off the bridges, they looked eagerly as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
Emperor Zhao Hong of the Song Dynasty stayed at the Jinling Military Lecture Hall and met with envoys from various countries. No wonder the guards felt like they were facing a powerful enemy.
In the back garden of Jinling Martial Arts Hall and the Humble Administrator's Garden, Xixia envoys Li Zhong'e, Luo Shichang, and Zhang Gongfu were all waiting quietly for Zhao Hong to appear, always feeling uneasy in their hearts.
No one knows how the Song people will treat Xixia and how they will settle the Xixia kings and subjects.
"Two husbands, the cleanliness and prosperity of Jinling City are very different!"
It was Zhang Gongfu who was impatient and couldn't help but speak out.
He had never been to Jinling, so he was greatly shocked mentally and visually.
It has been three years since the Mongolian army retreated. Zhongxing Mansion still has not recovered. As the capital of Great Xia, garbage is everywhere, urine and feces are everywhere, the market is depressed, people's livelihood is in ruins, the people are sallow and thin, lifeless, there is no trace of prosperity.
Entering the Song Dynasty, what he saw along the way was the bustling markets, the flow of people, the people enjoying their work, and the elite soldiers, which made him sigh.
On the dock, there were loads of supplies piled up in boats. I heard they were all shipped from overseas, including rice, fruits, sulfur, ores, etc. It can be seen that the people of Song Dynasty were wealthy and generous.
Compared with Xixia, which has a declining population as the sun sets in the west, even Wangxian County in the Song Dynasty is much more lively and prosperous.
War is about logistics and national strength. No wonder the Song people were not afraid of the Mongolian cavalry. If you need people, you need food, and if you need food, this is the confidence of the people of Song Dynasty.
"The army of the Song Dynasty was well-prepared and the population was large, and it was already in an invincible position. The people of the Song Dynasty were fierce, everyone was martial, and the country was strong. It was no longer what it used to be under Wu Xiamen. It's a pity that I, Daxia, sit in a well and watch the sky, and there is no chance of resurgence. ”
Li Zhong'e sighed in a low voice with a sad face.
The young officers being trained on the school grounds were full of vigor, vitality and excitement, and they represented the prosperity and hope of the Song Dynasty.
In contrast, Xixia was already falling behind at dusk, with no hope in sight. Even if they want to catch up and keep a low profile, Xixia may not have this chance.
"Compared to four years ago, the Song Dynasty has changed rapidly, and the city of Jinling has been turned upside down. It is no longer what it used to be. Now my Daxia is weak, and so are the Jin people. The only one in the world who can compete with the Tatars is the Song Dynasty."
Luo Shichang stopped talking and was speechless for a moment.
The Xia people had lost their country and wanted to revive it, but they had no strength, no population and no land, and it was difficult for a clever woman to make a living without rice.
A huge and prosperous Song Empire is rising, and may be about to collide with Mongolia on various fronts.
He was really looking forward to what it would be like when two tigers were fighting each other.
"Tatars have nothing to fear, just look at Hexi. The Tatars herd horses and sheep in Hexi, and the people in Hexi fled, leaving hundreds of miles of uninhabited people. On the other hand, the Song army built water conservancy, cultivated fields, reclaimed wasteland, recuperated and recuperated, and did not disturb autumn wherever they went. How many of the people in Hexi today, even among the party nobles, still remember Tatar?"
What he saw and heard along the way made Li Zhong'e couldn't help but sigh.
Like the Song Dynasty, Xixia was a farming civilization and had roughly the same philosophy of governing the country. Li Zhong'e naturally sneered at the horses and sheep being herded in Hexi.
"It's no wonder that Hexi has been exempted from taxes for three years. In order to survive, the people of course were happy to be under the rule of the Song Dynasty. The people of Daxia in Xingling and Ling have fled to Hexi. Now, in my Daxia territory, are there still 200,000 to 300,000 people? The population is still unknown!”
Zhang Gongfu said with a wry smile, a look of helplessness on his face.
Many members of his family fled to Hexi. Whether they are merchants, civilians, or soldiers, they have all found a way to survive and find a way out.
On the other hand, the people of Daxia who stayed in Xingling Land experienced wars and exorbitant taxes, and their lives were much harder.
"Have you seen that the Jinling Ferry is full of cargo ships. Those people are overseas immigrants. There are black people and white people with beards everywhere on the streets. I heard that the navy of the Song Dynasty traveled overseas and colonized thousands of miles away, such as the South Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and Africa. Millions of people immigrated. It’s mind-blowing!”
Li Zhong'e shook his head and marveled, observing carefully.
"Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall, Jinling University Hall, and Jinling Normal School, as well as the Song Dynasty Navy School and various schools. In addition to these, all the children in the Song Dynasty studied and practiced martial arts, generation after generation, and so on. It’s the most terrifying place in the Song Dynasty!”
Luo Shichang shook his head, feeling sad.
When the Song army arrived in Hexi, Qiu had no trouble and lived with the people. For Daxia, it was even worse.
The Song Dynasty promoted martial arts, starting directly from children. The thoughts and craftsmanship of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty are truly incredible.
"The land of Xingling is in dilapidated condition. I don't know how the Emperor Song will treat me, Daxia?"
Zhang Gongfu looked sad and worried about gains and losses.
Accepting Xixia is equivalent to adding more burdens. The city walls and fortresses needed to be repaired, the hungry people needed to be fed, and troops were stationed to stand ready to fight the Mongol army.
Emperor Song wouldn’t refuse, would he?
"The Song Emperor is kind and Daxia surrenders to the Song Dynasty. The Xia people always have a way to survive, even if the whole country moves south. Daxia, no more people can die! Otherwise, you and I will be eternal sinners!"
Luo Shichang's words made both Zhang Gongfu and Zhang nod.
In any case, the Song Dynasty indeed saved the Xixia monarchs and ministers, and saved two to three hundred thousand Xixia people. This is also the reason why they can't hate it when the Song army occupied Hexi.
"Why didn't Emperor Song see us in Lin'an City, and instead chose the Jinling Martial Arts Lecture Hall? Do you think he was showing off his power and wanted to show off to us?"
Zhang Gongfu and Zhao Hong had never met before, so they had no impression, so they asked subconsciously.
"Xiangong Zhang, the Jinling Martial Arts Hall was founded by the Song Emperor. The Song Emperor was also the principal of the Martial Arts Hall and often stayed here and handled state affairs. The Emperor Song received us here, which is sincerity. This is the imperial study room in the Humble Administrator's Garden. , not everyone can enter.”
Luo Shichang's explanation made Zhang Gongfu blush.
With the current situation in Xixia, is it still worth it for Emperor Song to do these boring things?
"Princess!"
"I've met Princess Anguo!"
Li Weiming suddenly came in. Luo Shichang and others were surprised and stood up together to greet him.
Xixia had no way to go and decided to vote for the Song Dynasty. I don’t know if anyone in Xixia disclosed the information to Li Weiming.
"Xiangong Luo, Mr. **, your invasion of the Song Dynasty this time is a Tatar invasion?"
After several years of not seeing each other, Li Weiming has transformed from a young girl into a graceful lady.
"Princess...I...we..."
Luo Shichang is a humble gentleman who will not lie or hesitate.
Luo Shichang and others were obedient, while Li Weiming frowned.
"Xianggong Luo, tell the truth, did you come to the Song Dynasty to ask for reinforcements?"
"Princess, it's like this..."
Luo Shichang and others looked at each other, Luo Shichang had no choice but to tell the truth.
"What? No! Daxia cannot die like this! No! No!"
Luo Shichang said carefully, Li Weiming was stunned for a moment and screamed uncontrollably.
She kept pacing in the room, and suddenly stopped, facing the silent Luo Shichang and others.
"You all listen up! I will go to His Majesty right away and ask him to send troops to protect Daxia. You wait for me to come out! Remember, you must wait for me to come out!"
The reason why she came to Jinling was because she had secretly learned that the Mongolian army would go south to invade Xia in preparation for emergencies.
Li Weiming solemnly warned him, turned around, and entered the back garden regardless of the guards' obstruction.
In the imperial study room, Zhao Hong and a group of humerus ministers were talking.
How to deal with the visit of envoys from various countries requires collective efforts. Zhao Hong, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, made the final decision.
"Your Majesty, it is probably not a coincidence that envoys from Mongolia, Jin, and Xixia came to the Song Dynasty at the same time, right?"
Seeing that the emperor remained calm and seemed confident, Xuan Zhen couldn't help but feel a headache secretly.
The emperor has always been bold and will most likely not show weakness to Mongolia.
"Your Majesty, if Xixia asks for reinforcements, it's better not to agree. The Tatars have regrouped and are no longer what they used to be. Xixia is in dilapidated condition. It's a small land. It's tasteless to eat. It's a pity to abandon it. Your Majesty, be careful!"
Xue Ji stroked his beard and muttered secretly.
Three years ago, when everything was in ruins, the emperor had no hesitation in sending troops to rescue Xia. Not to mention that three years later, the army and horses were strong, and the national power of the Song Dynasty was increasing day by day.
The emperor is probably already ready to compete with the Mongolian cavalry.
"Your Majesty, the Jin people are no match for the Tatar army, and they will definitely let me, the Song Dynasty, protect their flanks. How do you plan to respond, Your Majesty?"
Wei Liaoweng, the Minister of War, followed suit.
Zou Yinglong, the political advisor to the governor, and Wang Gang, the envoy to Jiangnan East Road, also set their sights on Zhao Hong.
Zhao Hong sat on the chair, staring at the table in trance, as if his soul was far away.
If his memory is correct, according to the historical trend, Ogedai ascended the throne as the Mongolian Khan, and the Mongolian army would go south to attack the Jin Kingdom.
Although the Mongolian army failed to get what they wanted due to the interludes in Hexi and Xixia, according to the level of hatred, Wo Kuotai would definitely destroy Xixia and the Jin Kingdom first, and then deal with the Song Dynasty.
A fierce and fierce battle may be about to begin on the northwest border.
"Your Majesty, our northwest border has strong troops and horses, and it is a land for raising horses. The Tatar army may concentrate its forces to attack Hexi. Your Majesty, do you want to mobilize troops to Hexi to ensure the safety of the west road?"
Xuan Zhen was worried when he spoke.
If the Mongolian army concentrated on attacking Hexi, the 50,000 Song troops in Hexi would be no match.
“Mr.
Zhao Hong said lightly.
The city walls in Hexi have been renovated, and there are many elite soldiers. Without an army of more than 100,000, the Mongolian forces can't even think of entering Hexi.
"Your Majesty, if Xixia asks for reinforcements, how should we respond?"
"How to deal with it? Soldiers will come to block it, water will come to cover it and soil will cover it. Let's use it as we see it."
In response to Xue Ji's inquiry, Zhao Hong said he was non-committal.
All the ministers came forward one after another to remonstrate. Regarding Xixia, the ministers basically had the same opinion, and they all advised Zhao Hong not to send troops, so as not to cause trouble and burn himself.
Just as Zhao Hong was about to speak, officials from the Ministry of Rites reported outside that the Xixia envoy had arrived.
Zhao Hong hadn't spoken yet. He looked up and saw Li Weiming walking in with his brows furrowed.
"I've met my empress!"
All the ministers stood up one after another and paid homage to Li Weiming.
The Xixia envoy arrived, and the Xixia princess appeared at the right time, probably not for no reason.
"Princess, why are you here?"
Zhao Hong nodded towards Xue Ji.
"Xue Xiang, you go and stabilize the Xixia envoys first, and then take them to the imperial study."
Xue Ji and others retired. Li Weiming came over and got straight to the point.
"Your Majesty, can you send troops to rescue Daxia?"
"Princess, let's wait until I see the envoy of Daxia before talking about it."
Zhao Hong was secretly surprised, with a calm expression on his face.
His beloved Xixia concubine really had a deep love for her motherland.
"Your Majesty, please, please protect Daxia!"
Li Weiming knelt down, grabbed Zhao Hong's arm, and begged.
"Princess, get up. I cannot act arbitrarily on military and state matters. I will do my best."
Zhao Hong said something against his will and shook his head secretly.
Is this possible in a country within a country?
His Xixia virtuous concubine had a deep love for her motherland, but was incompatible with the interests of the Song Dynasty.
