Returning to the place where he stayed, Zhao Hong was still worried and pacing alone in the courtyard.
Several locust trees provide shade, covering the entire courtyard. The long green leaves on the locust trees are full of vitality, complementing the numerous white locust flowers. The fragrance in the courtyard is fragrant, and you don't feel the ravages of the autumn tiger at all.
They defeated the Mongolian army and marched into Shaanxi. This was another unexpected military product.
"Your Majesty, could it be that you are hesitating about entering Shaanxi?"
At some unknown time, Meng Gong and Dong Songchen came in, and Meng Gong spoke first.
"Hanzhong enters Guanzhong, not to mention the rugged road, but also the supply of grain and grass, logistics supplies, etc. for tens of thousands of troops. How should we deal with this? Do you have any countermeasures?"
Zhao Hong turned his attention to Meng Gong.
In Shaanxi under the rule of the Jin people, due to years of war with Mongolia, the population of the people has been greatly reduced. Once the army enters, how can it hold on without supplies?
Ideal is full, the reality is very skinny. This is probably his true psychological portrayal at this moment.
The last time the Mongolian army retreated, the two sides shook hands and made peace, but it was only a superficial compromise. If the Song Dynasty wants to restore its old land and become a great empire, war with Mongolia is inevitable, and it may last for several years.
This time Torre took the road south, which was just natural.
As for the Kingdom of Jin, it will be solved sooner or later. It is just a matter of pity for the life and death of the millions of Han people under its rule.
Zhao Hong couldn't help but sigh.
At this moment, even if his long-legged Wanyan Chun came to plead for mercy in person, I'm afraid he would not show mercy to Jin Jun. Only by sitting on this dragon chair, wearing the crown, and only by being the emperor of the Song Dynasty can we understand the meaning of it.
The shame of Jingkang, the dawn of Yue Fei, the tears of Xin Qiji and Lu You, the fiery emotions of the nation, the heartfelt love of the mountains and rivers of the motherland, how can we be careless.
"Your Majesty, as long as we can defeat the Tatar army, no matter how hard Shaanxi goes, it will be our own business!"
Meng Gong's words made Zhao Hong startled and laughed.
Simplifying complex problems may be the most direct and effective way.
"Your Majesty, when our army marches into Shaanxi, as long as it sticks to Tongguan, Fengxiangfu, and Chang'an, it will be invincible. With the strength of our Song Dynasty border army and the firearms, the Tatars do not have more than 100,000 people. It is difficult to conquer any city.”
"Meng Gong, what you said is true. Do you think Cao Youwen and Yu Jie could have thought of this?"
The fighting spirit in Zhao Hong's heart was also inspired by Meng Gong.
"Your Majesty, the two generals Cao Youwen and Yu Jie know the situation in Shaanxi better than I do. If they seize Fengxiang Mansion, they will not let Chang'an City stay out of the situation. If they occupy Chang'an City, how can they allow others to sleep soundly next to the couch? . Tongguan City has been decided!"
Meng Gong's analysis made Zhao Hong sweatdrop uncontrollably.
Considering Cao Youwen and Yu Jie's belligerence, I'm afraid they both want to go straight to Henan!
"Your Majesty, Mr. Cui and Mr. Chen are here."
While Zhao Hong was thinking, Dong Songchen's voice sounded outside.
"Your Majesty is worried about our soldiers entering Shaanxi?"
Cui Yu and the other two came in, and Cui Yu asked straight to the point.
"Your Majesty, during Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, six expeditions out of Qishan were not successful. Now Qinzhou and Longzhou are still in the hands of the Jin people. Even if our northwest army marches eastward to Lintao Prefecture, it is still thousands of miles away from Fengxiang Prefecture, the gateway to Guanzhong. Once we want to enter Shaanxi , the food route must be smooth. The Tatars occupied Guanzhong, and Shaanxi suffered many military disasters, so there must be no loss of logistical supplies."
Chen Longzhi's eyes were dark, but his brows were furrowed.
Obviously, he was also aware of the problem of food channels.
He didn't want a surprise attack on Chang'an in Ziwu Valley, it had no meaning. Again, the ultimate goal of war is to kill and injure the other party and make the other party lose its fighting power.
If the soldiers are lightly armed and go into battle, with swords and guns shaking the sky and thunder, they can leave the Dashan Pass or take the Baoxian Road to the Pass. But we were taking the river valley post road, and the road was rugged and bumpy. Those artillery pieces, chariots, and gun carriages couldn't be carried on our shoulders.
"Your Majesty, from Qinlong to the east along the Wei River, the road is wide and we can use the waterway to transport supplies. However, Gongzhou, Qinzhou, and Longzhou along the way are still in the hands of the Jin army. If we use the road forcibly, I am afraid the war will continue. It brings a lot of concerns.”
Meng Gong spoke immediately.
Forced to use the road?
Zhao Hong couldn't help but laugh at himself.
Maybe the Torres want to forcefully pass through the Song Realm, and they want to use force to pass through the Golden Realm. How absurd?
"Your Majesty, there is a letter here. Your Majesty, please read it."
Cui Yu and Chen Longzhi looked at each other. Cui Yu took out a letter and handed it over.
Zhao Hong was slightly startled, took the letter and read it for a moment, frowning.
When time comes, heaven and earth all work together to transport heroes without freedom.
Could it be said that this is God's will for him to regain the land of Shaanxi?
"Cui Qing, it seems that your invasion of Shaanxi was not just a whim?"
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and felt much more relaxed.
"Your Majesty, Wang Shixian, the comrade of the Jin general Gongchang Mansion, killed Qin Gong Marshal Wanyan Zhongde, and also attacked and killed Qinzhou General Manager Niange Wanzhan. If you don't take the gift from heaven, you will be blamed for it. Wang Shixian led his troops to surrender. It is our great fortune in the Song Dynasty. . Your Majesty wishes you the best."
Cui Yu smiled sarcastically and bowed solemnly.
"Your Majesty, Wang Shixian is from the Wanggu tribe of Tatars. He is not of my race, so his mentality must be different. If your Majesty surrenders to him, will you be at ease once he confronts the Tatar army? Wanyan Zhongde recommends talents and loves the people like a son. , quite popular among the people of Qin and Gong. If Your Majesty recruits Wang Shixian, I am afraid that the people of Qin and Gong will be unstable and the place will be turbulent."
Chen Longzhi spoke immediately, but he opposed Wang Shixian's surrender.
"Ms. Chen, please don't forget that Wanyan Zhongde repeatedly advised the gold master that the mountains of Qin and Gong are deep and solid, and the food and wages are plentiful. They are not as lucky as the West, who rely on danger to live in a solid place. However, he ordered his commanders to go out in different directions to invade our land of Hanzhong. A brief tour of Bashu. Wanyan Zhongde had ulterior motives and would not regret his death. Although Wang Shixian was from the Wanggu tribe of Tatar, he had lived in the Central Plains for a long time, studied the Four Books and Five Classics, and learned Chinese customs. He was already a Han Chinese. I hope your majesty will accept it. Then, enter the pass and achieve unparalleled achievements!"
Cui Yu and his white beards fluttered, and their saliva flew everywhere.
"Studying the Four Books and Five Classics and learning Chinese customs, why do you kill your master in pursuit of glory, forget your righteousness for profit, and show no shame? Your Majesty, think carefully!"
Chen Longzhi's face turned red and he fought back angrily.
"Ms. Chen, please be patient. What we are talking about now is the grand hegemony of the Song Dynasty, not personal morality. Wang Shixian is no more than a mob of tens of thousands, doesn't your Majesty know that? Your Majesty has made his own decision, and you and I can just follow the order."
Cui Yu didn't get angry either, he just said sternly.
He had already sensed that Zhao Hong might have been tempted.
Zhao Hong smiled and said softly:
"Two gentlemen, why did Wang Shixian surrender to the Song Dynasty instead of surrendering to Mongolia?"
From ancient times to the present, for five thousand years, Wang Shixian, a man with long sleeves, good at dancing and good at flattering, has been like a crucian carp crossing the river.
He was just a little surprised. The Mongolian army was dominating the world and their military strength was at its peak. As a member of his own clan, why did Wang Shixian do the opposite?
"Your Majesty, the Tatar army is murderous and immoral. Wang Shixian has been accustomed to Chinese etiquette for a long time. Of course, he has different Tatars and does not want to work together."
"Your Majesty, we, a country of etiquette in the Song Dynasty, have advocated loyalty, filial piety, and justice since ancient times. It is understandable that Wang Shixian has been immersed in Chinese culture for a long time and joined the Song Dynasty."
Cui Yu and Chen Long were in front and behind, and their views were roughly the same.
"You are all wrong!"
Zhao Hong shook his head and gently patted the locust tree in the courtyard.
"Wang Shixian is a Tatar, but most of his subordinates are Han Chinese. To say that people who are not from my race must have different hearts, Wang Shixian does not have such great ambitions, nor such great confidence. As for saying that he is traitorous, he I don't care about those more than 10,000 tribesmen. The reason why he voted for me in the Song Dynasty is just because my army in the Song Dynasty is strong."
He looked at Cui Yu and the others who were concentrating and their faces were red, and continued.
"By seizing the land of Shaanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Xixia will be integrated into one, and our Song Dynasty's defense line will be greatly improved. The eight hundred miles of plains in Guanzhong have been granaries since ancient times, and are irrigated by rivers such as the Weishui, Jingshui, and Hanshui. The land must be taken away!"
As he spoke, Zhao Hong had already made a decision.
"I have made up my mind to surrender Wang Shixian, buy his bones with thousands of gold, and treat him favorably. Regardless of the outcome of this battle with the Tatar army, even if a hundred thousand soldiers are killed or injured, with corpses scattered across the fields and blood flowing in the pestle, I will seize Shaanxi. deal!"
Regarding the Mongolian army with iron cavalry, he had always thought of defense and counterattack. Now it seems that it is too conservative.
Why can't we take the initiative? Why have we forgotten the old principle of striking first?
There is no need to be ashamed or arrogant, sometimes all you need is a little courage.
"Since your Majesty has made a judgment, I have nothing to say. But please be careful, so as not to miss important military and state affairs. Wang Shixian has four sons, two of whom are over ten years old and can be sent to Jinling Academy to study."
Chen Longzhi had no choice but to bow and bow, and did not forget to remind Zhao Hong.
"Chen Longzhi, you are using your son as a hostage to control Wang Shixian!"
Zhao Hong laughed and then changed the topic.
"It is indeed risky to invade Shaanxi. However, the Song Dynasty needs Shaanxi to consolidate half of its barrier."
He looked at the three of them and said solemnly:
"Before coming to the northwest, I planned to make the Northern Expedition by sea, capture the city of Yanjing and occupy Hebei in one fell swoop. Now it seems that I was a little too hasty. The Tatar army went south and defeated them. By then, we captured Shaanxi, and the Northern Expedition could be completed on both sides. Fei, Hedong and Hebei will all be attacked by me, the Song Dynasty, and become the territory of the Song Dynasty!"
At this time, Zhao Hong became very energetic.
The east and west routes advance together, reaching Yanmen Pass in the west and Juyong Pass in the east. Recovering the entire Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures is no longer a dream.
As for the transshipment of grain and grass, most are by sea, and a small amount can be prepared in the northwest.
Looking at the stunned three people, Zhao Hong laughed loudly and contagiously.
"Cui Qing is old and should not be tired from traveling around. If we capture Shaanxi, Chen Longzhi, you will be the pacifier of Shaanxi Road. The entire east of Fengxiang Mansion, from Hengshan in the north to the Yellow River in the south, will be under your rule!"
Shaanxi Road appeasement envoy!
Chen Longzhi's eyes were as wide as eggs. Cui Yu next to him tugged on his sleeves, and Chen Longzhi woke up as if from a dream. Regardless of the cobblestones in the courtyard, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, shouting long live the mountain.
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
The emperor’s grace is mighty! After opposing and opposing, he became the future pacifier of Shaanxi Road. What an unexpected surprise!
The pacification envoy on Shaanxi Road is much more challenging than governing a small Hanzhong.
"Get up."
Zhao Hong helped Chen Longzhi up and said warmly, gentle breeze and drizzle.
"You and I, the monarchs and ministers, work together as one, and use troops abroad not only to regain lost territory, but also to reshape a real Song Dynasty, a real Central Plains dynasty. The country will be rich and strong, the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and all nations will come to court and the foreign guests will be submissive."
Struggle for ideals is actually just a struggle for survival. What happened after Yashan cannot be repeated.
"Your Majesty's civil and martial arts skills, I will follow you to the death!"
Cui Yu said loudly, and he and Chen Longzhi bowed together.
"Stop flattering us! Before the soldiers and horses are moved, food and grass go first. The battle is about logistics supply. Regarding Wang Shixian's surrender, Chen Qing and Cao Youwan made a hard trip and brought my handwritten letter to express our gratitude to the Song Dynasty. sincerity."
Since Wang Shixian is willing to surrender, Yu Jie and Cao Youwen can completely send troops to Qinzhou, and together with Lu Wende and Cao Youwan in the south, they can deal with the Mongolian army with all their strength.
Zhao Hong turned around and was about to enter the house, but suddenly stopped, raised his head and looked at the trees full of crystal locust flowers.
"Your Majesty, I have calculated that if we transport grain and grass from Qinzhou to Chang'an, a 50,000-strong army will have to travel 700 miles to reach Chang'an by water transport. If we transport grain and grass from Fengxiang, it only takes 300 miles and a flat river. Two to three days.”
Chen Longzhi's mind was spinning rapidly and he was muttering to himself. The emperor may have thought of occupying Fengxiang Mansion and then waiting for an opportunity to seize the entire Shaanxi.
"Your Majesty, a secret message from Yu Jie on Hexi Road!"
Xuan Zhen handed over the memorial. Zhao Hong looked at it for a moment and then replied:
"Ask Yu Jie and Cao Youwen to march east together, deploy 20,000 troops each on Hexi Road and Xixia Road, 10,000 troops on Lintaofu Road, and 50,000 troops stationed in Qinzhou to prepare for war against the Tatars."
A secret envoy from the Kingdom of Gaochang came to make peace. Hexi and Xixia no longer had any worries, and could just go eastward to deal with the Mongolian army on the west route.
Seeing Zhao Hong looking towards the locust tree, everyone looked up suspiciously.
"Sophora japonica, have you all eaten it?"
Zhao Hong pointed at the locust trees full of trees and asked suddenly.
"ah?"
Cui Yu and Chen Longzhi were both startled, and Chen Longzhi quickly replied:
"Your Majesty, I ate it when I was a child. Sophora flowers were steamed into cooking cakes. It tasted sweet and delicious..."
Chen Longzhi understood something instantly.
It seems that the emperor is very arrogant and has a good temper.
"Dong Songchen, ask the guards to bring a ladder and pick the locust flowers, neither too old nor too young. I want to take you to taste locust flower noodles and locust flower cakes today!"
The joy on Zhao Hong's face seemed to be stronger than that of defeating the Mongolian army.
Zhao Hong went in, followed by Cui Yu and Meng Gong. Chen Longzhi took a slow step, came to Dong Songchen's side, and whispered softly.
"Eunuch Dong, please take a step to speak!"
There are some things that the emperor is not willing to do, so they must check for deficiencies and make up for them.
