An important town in Huainan, Chuzhou, September.
In the eleventh year of Shaoxing (AD 1141), the Southern Song Dynasty and the Kingdom of Jin reached the Shaoxing Peace Agreement, with the middle reaches of the Huaihe River as the boundary. The land to the north of the Huaihe River was the land of Jin, and the land south of the Huaihe River was the land of the Song Dynasty. Chuzhou, which is only three miles away from the Huaihe River, has become an important border town.
The breeze is gentle and the heat of late summer is completely gone. Standing on the north wall of Chuzhou, looking at the Huai River rolling eastward in the north of the city, Zhao Hong was lost in thought alone.
In the 10th year of Jiading, Li Quan led the Shandong loyal army and returned to the Song Dynasty. In the first year of Xingqing, the massacre of Chuzhou and the rebellion of Xu State began, and in the first year of Jianwu, Li Quan was executed. Dongfang has been devastated by war many times, and there are almost no survivors. Although the imperial court regained Chuzhou, the city walls were destroyed, the people fled, the fields were barren, and the people were in dire straits. It was no longer the important town in Huaidong in the past.
My eyes moved to the north of the Huai River, where is the boundary of Shandong. Further north, there is the vast Hebei Plain, as well as the Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures where the Song people were heartbroken, and the majestic Great Wall...
And looking to the northwest, the dreamy city of Tokyo, the dilapidated Chang'an with countless pitiful mountains, and the vast Western Region thousands of miles away...
What's the scene like there?
If the Song army went north, would it be possible to liberate the people and restore the old land of the Han and Tang Dynasties in one fell swoop?
"There are so many beauties in the country that they attract countless heroes to bow down..."
Looking at the boundless expanse, white clouds and blue sky, green mountains and rushing rivers, Zhao Hong read it unconsciously.
In a man's world, how can there be no ambition and no feelings of family and country?
If not, there is no way to serve the country, and you will suffer from internal injuries, become depressed, and even commit suicide.
"Your Majesty is so ambitious that you want to regain the great rivers and mountains, so you are using troops to attack the Northland? If your Majesty has made a decision, I am willing to serve as a front-line army and march for your Majesty!"
Meng Gong's voice sounded, and he bowed respectfully to Zhao Hong, who turned his head.
The emperor was so ambitious that even the generals like them became excited. When they saw the lost land in the north, they were filled with emotion and their little hearts beat wildly.
"Your Majesty, in the second year of Jianyan, I crossed south. In order to prevent the Jurchen army from going south, Emperor Gaozong instructed Duchong, who stayed behind in Tokyo, to forcibly dig out the Yellow River embankment, causing the Yellow River to change its course southward and divert the Huaihe River into the East China Sea. As a result, the Huaihe River lost its entrance to the sea. The lower reaches of the Yellow River often flood, and the people are living in dire straits. If Your Majesty sends his army to the north, the problem of flooding in the Yellow River must be eradicated."
Du Gao, who came up with Meng Gong, also bowed his hands and started talking.
"In the Shaoxing Peace Conference, the Huaihe River was used as the boundary between the Song Dynasty and the Jin people. The Yongji Canal section and the Bianhe River section of the canal north of the Huaihe River were both under the rule of the Jin people. The Jin people were incompetent in governing the country and neglected governance and dredging, so that Yongji The canal and the Bianhe River are silted up and difficult to navigate. Especially after the Yellow River captured the Huaihe River, the Bianhe River has dried up, which is regrettable. When your Majesty restores the Central Plains, I am afraid you will have to dredge the canal again so that the land of Henan will no longer be poisoned by the Yellow River."
The two civil and military ministers walked in tandem, making Zhao Hong smile.
It seems that the military victory has made these ministers ready to take action.
This is the national power. Military victories boost morale, and at the same time, soldiers become more confident and bravery emerges spontaneously.
However, the Northern Expedition is not a good opportunity at this time. According to the historical trajectory, the Mongolian army is about to move south, and repelling the Mongolian army is the most urgent thing at the moment.
"Your Majesty, if the canal is connected, it will be much easier to restore the Northern Territory. We have 50,000 Jianghu naval forces in the Song Dynasty, and nearly 50,000 soldiers in the Coastal Manufacturing Department. Unfortunately, we can only look to the north and sigh. If Your Majesty wants to send troops north of the Yellow River, we can only It’s up to the infantry and cavalry.”
Zou Yinglong, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, followed him forward, bowed respectfully and played.
With a steady stream of money and food from overseas, the logistical troubles of soldiers' conquests were solved, and troops could be sent abroad at any time.
What's more, the Jin Kingdom today is not as good as before, and it is the right time to restore the Central Plains.
“It is too early to talk about solving the problems of the Yellow River and connecting the canal.”
Zhao Hong shook his head gently.
How easy is it to overflow the Yellow River and connect the canal without taking ten or eight years and hundreds of thousands of laborers?
If the canal is to be connected, the Yellow River must be diverted. Otherwise, the Yellow River will continue to flood, the Huaihe River and the canal will be affected, and the people along the coast will suffer even more.
Changing the course of the Yellow River will bring great benefits to the future. The canal runs from north to south, benefiting people all over the world. But the premise is that he must first restore the Northland.
The most important thing at the moment is to repel the southern invasion of the Mongolian army.
"Your Majesty, although the Tatar army was defeated in the northwest, its military front is still strong and will surely come back. Strike first and control others later. We, the Song Dynasty, might as well take advantage of their retreat, send our army northward, and occupy the two rivers first. Reject the Tatar army due to the danger of mountains and rivers. Please consider it, Your Majesty."
Du Gao's black face turned red and he continued to speak.
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and was noncommittal.
I went to Shukou by myself, and wars broke out in the northwest border. Now that they have come to Chuzhou and summoned these ministers, they obviously thought that they were going to use troops against Lianghe again.
If you think about it carefully, this is human nature. The Mongolian army continued to move southward, fighting one after another. How could these ministers not be worried about state affairs or be ready to take action?
Jiangnan East Road and Huainan Road each have 50,000 or 60,000 elite soldiers, and Jinghu Road also has 50,000 warriors, hundreds of thousands of tiger warriors, plus tens of thousands of naval troops. Now the Song Dynasty's border army has strong soldiers and powerful firearms, and the generals and ministers are all I got some ideas.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Tatar army is powerful and the northern land is rotten, so the Northern Expedition is definitely not advisable. The current plan is not to unite with the Tatars, destroy the Jin Dynasty first, and reap the benefits. I, the Song Dynasty, will seize all Henan. land. Then wait for the opportunity to expedition north and restore the northern land."
The feud between the Song and Jin Dynasties was irreconcilable, and Zou Yinglong's words were also the result of careful consideration.
The Song army took the Hexi Corridor to recuperate. It was a last resort because the Song Dynasty needed the land for horse breeding in Hexi and the barrier to the west. Now, even if we restore the Northland, we still have to live and work hard with the people. Instead of benefiting, we will be implicated.
It would be better to seize Henan directly, rely on the big river to resist the Mongolian army, and then wait for an opportunity to move north.
"Your Majesty, the north is rotten, but Henan is also devastated, and the people are in dire straits. Henan is deeply harmed by the Yellow River, and droughts and floods occur frequently. If we capture Henan, we must divert rice and grain from the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers to the north to help it recover. I think it is better to sit back and watch. I only need the territory of the Song Dynasty."
The white-haired Minister of War, Xuan Zhen, held another view.
Although the views of the ministers are different, they all put the interests of the Song Dynasty first. But the final decision still lies with Zhao Hong.
"What's the current situation in the Land of Two Rivers?"
"Your Majesty, it was only in the fifth year of Xingqing that Mongolia began to build warehouses and post stations in the two rivers. Yelu Chucai was in charge of the civil affairs of the two rivers and paid taxes. Wokuotai was headed by Shi Tianze, Liu Heima, and Nianhe Chongshan. Wanhu was supplemented by Han generals such as Zhang Rou and Yan Shi, and they divided their forces to guard the two rivers. Liu Heima guarded Hedong, Shi Tianze and Zhang Rou stationed in Hebei, and Yan Shi occupied Shandong."
"Yelu Chucai..."
Thinking of this acquaintance, Zhao Hong couldn't help but smile knowingly.
With Yelu Chucai in charge of Yanjing, and the Han ministers managing the two rivers, the rule was much better than that of the Mongolian nobles, and the people's lives were easier.
However, after several years of war, there are only ten Han people in the North, and it is not known whether there are millions of people. Even if the two rivers are restored, I am afraid that immigrants from the Song Dynasty will have to be immigrated to fill the population gap in the North.
"Your Majesty, Ogedai ascended the throne of the Mongolian Khan. Yelu Chucai advocated the establishment of imperial rites and advised the princes and ministers to behave as monarchs and ministers in order to respect the power of the Khan. From then on, he became more and more important, and was praised by Ogedai as the "Minister of the State". Ren Zhongshuling was in charge of taxation matters in the two rivers. He and the Jurchens joined forces with Zhongshan to establish prefecture and county governors in the north to separate the military and civilians. They established taxation laws and set up ten tax collection stations in Yanjing and other places. Yelu Chu His talents advocate civilized governance, founding schools, encouraging farmers to grow mulberry trees, reducing punishments, and reducing taxes and taxes. His people have great talents, and the Han people in the north will be at peace."
Zou Yinglong followed suit.
It seems that these Song ministers also admired Yelu Chucai's civil service in the north.
"Your Majesty, when Ogedai takes the throne, he will definitely go south to destroy the Jin to consolidate his foundation in Mongolia. There is no Xixia in the world, and it is imperative for Ogedai to destroy the Jin. If your Majesty is not willing to join forces with Mongolia to destroy the Jin, he can just sit on the mountain Just watch the tiger fight and wait for the two countries to attack, while I, the Song Dynasty, wait for the opportunity to move."
Zou Yinglong moved the rhythm wildly, while Du Gao was hesitant and seemed to have started to change his mind.
Even Meng Gong stopped saying anything and seemed to be considering Zou Yinglong's advice.
The northern land was in ruins and the population was severely lacking. Even if the Song Dynasty sent troops, what would it gain? When the time comes, being dragged down by people's livelihood will be detrimental to the country.
"Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, the snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman benefits. Don't you think I don't want to? But have you ever thought about the feud between Meng and Jin? Once the Mongolian army destroys the Jin Kingdom, what will be left of the people of Henan? How many people? After years of fighting, the current population of Shaanxi is only four to five million, and I feel chills running down my spine just thinking about it."
Zhao Hong smiled slightly, his face full of helplessness.
China has suffered too much, its population has dropped sharply, and its civilization is in danger. This is not the right way in the world.
A hero has the ambition to soar into the clouds, the power to swallow up mountains and rivers, the strength of nine states in his belly, and the mind to cover the whole world; he can save the people from water and fire, and save the people from hanging upside down.
But how many real heroes have there been throughout the ages and throughout the dynasties?
"When Xixia was in crisis, I could just sit back and wait until Mongolia destroyed Xixia before occupying Hexi. The reason why I sent troops was to prevent hundreds of thousands of Xixia people from being massacred and to prevent their civilization from being wiped out."
"Your Majesty is worried about the world, which is really a blessing to all people!"
Du Gao was filled with admiration and bowed respectfully. Zou Yinglong also quickly bowed.
The ambitious Emperor of the Song Dynasty turned out to be a kind-hearted person with a soft heart.
Save the people from water and fire, and save the people from hanging upside down. For the country and the people, at this point, the emperor can kill everyone in the world instantly.
"Your Majesty, with the current situation of the world, although the Tatar army is at its peak, we, the King of the Song Dynasty, are not incapable of confronting them head-on. It is already sunset in the Kingdom of Jin, and it is on the verge of death. The Northern Expedition is still stubborn. Your Majesty has made a holy decision. We will follow you to the death. Your Majesty, only Your Majesty will follow your lead!"
Meng Gong followed Du Gao and said it loudly.
If his prediction is correct, His Majesty will use troops against the North.
"With all the members of the Qing family following us, our monarchs and ministers are of one mind, so why worry about failing to achieve great things in the world?"
Zhao Hong turned around and faced Meng Gong and others, his eyes shining.
"However, the Northern Expedition still needs to be carefully planned. The supplies of food and grass, the deployment of troops, and the difficulties that may be encountered must all be considered one by one."
"What your Majesty said is absolutely true."
Several ministers bowed and saluted together.
It seems that the emperor's will has been decided, and the Northern Expedition is inevitable, but we don't know when.
"From Huaibei to Shandong and then to Hebei, are you prepared to fight all the way through all the obstacles?"
Zou Yinglong asked curiously, having some insights of his own.
"The water transportation is blocked and the canal is blocked. If we go all the way north, there will be fierce battles, which will strain the people and hurt the army. It also gives Yelu Chucai of Yanjing the opportunity to deal with it calmly."
Zhao Hong's words suddenly changed and he pointed to the sky to the east of the Huaihe River.
"I want to take the sea route and go directly from the sea to... Yanjing's nearest estuary to Zhigu Village, capture Yanjing and Yanmen Pass in one fell swoop, occupy the Great Wall Fortress, close the door and beat the dogs, and regain the land of the two rivers in one fell swoop!"
Zhigu Village was later known as Tianjin, and like Shanghai in the south, they were the two most important coastal ports.
"Sea route?"
Zhao Hong's eyes were shining brightly and he was full of enthusiasm. Meng Gong and others' hearts were swaying.
The emperor is going to send his army northward to determine the fate of Hedong and Hebei in one fell swoop!
Nowadays, the Song Dynasty is expanding overseas, and there is a continuous supply of food from Southeast Asia. There are no problems with the logistical support of grain and grass supply.
"Your Majesty, there is a secret report from the front. The Tatar army will be divided into three routes to go south. The 70,000 troops on the west route will be led by Tuo Lei and are about to attack Fengxiang Mansion in Shaanxi Province of the Jin Kingdom. The Tatar Khan Wo Kuotai will personally command the troops on the middle route. Five Ten thousand troops went straight to Henan; on the east road, O Chijin sent troops to Shandong to attack Jinan, Shandong of the Jin Kingdom."
Dong Songchen stepped forward, said softly, and handed over the secret report.
"Repeat the old trick! Wokuotai Tuo Lei wants to use the Song Dynasty to gain access. If it doesn't work, he will forcefully use troops. It seems that there is another war in the northwest border."
After reading the secret report, Zhao Hong shook his head and smiled coldly.
The story of forced borrowing of roads in history seems to be coming true.
"Du Gao, you guard the Huaidong frontier fortress, and the Jinghu border troops are also at your disposal. If the Tatar army attacks, kill and injure its main force. Meng Gong will follow me to Sichuan, I may be of use."
The 70,000-strong army on Torrexi Road has an obvious intention to go south, and the northwest is the main battlefield. He wanted to see if the Mongolian army wanted to use force to pass through the Song Dynasty, just like in history?
"Let the Ministry of Revenue prepare food and grass, and Haizhou and Mizhou will be used as transit places; let the Propaganda Department publicize the differences between Huayi and the origin of the Han nation in newspapers. I don't believe it. All the Han people in Lianghe will forget Get the book!"
Zhao Hong said coldly, and all the ministers looked at each other, helpless, and accepted the order together.
"I obey the decree!"
The war in the northwest has resumed, and it seems that the Northern Expedition has to be postponed.
However, since the emperor was so concerned about the two rivers, it seemed that it was only a matter of time before he sent his army north.
"What an eventful time it has been!"
Zhao Hong shook his head and sighed with emotion.
Defending the enemy outside the country's gates is not easy. The Mongolian army did not give them a chance and had already marched south.
It seems that we need to fight hard in the northwest, break out a new world, and change the situation between Song Dynasty and Mongolia in one fell swoop.
