The point is, after so many years of large-scale cotton promotion, Xixia has made a fortune relying on cash crops.
But the problem is that a large amount of land is used to grow cash crops, which naturally leads to fewer fields for growing food and a significant reduction in food income.
As long as there are no large-scale disasters, it may be able to continue for a while.
But once a large-scale disaster occurs, the consequences will become extremely terrible.
The point is, with the current penetration of Xixia by the Imperial City Department of the Song Dynasty, the intelligence work is very effective.
He knew the details of Xixia military commanders very clearly, including which military commander, what kind of character each general had, and how many wives and children he had.
All were recorded in the Imperial City Division's information and sent to Bianliang, Tokyo for filing.
It is precisely because the intelligence work is done carefully enough that the newly established General Staff Council can have something to do and achieve results.
Official Zhao Ji stroked his short beard and looked at Tong Guan standing there pointing at the huge sand table with the long stick in his hand.
Not to mention the source of the information, even such intuitive and good things as the sand table came from the hands of Gao Zhang, his beloved disciple and son-in-law.
All in all, Xixia has encountered a serious snow disaster this time. I am afraid that after this snow disaster, once spring begins, the Song Dynasty's frontier areas are likely to usher in large-scale Xixia invasion and looting.
Therefore, it is important to deploy troops and generals to prepare for this winter.
Tong Guan even told the officials that in order to prevent the Xixia invasion, he asked for orders to go to the northwest border to command defense.
Facing Tong Guan's request for orders, the official glanced across the faces of Cai Jing and Gao Qiu.
In the end, it fell on Yang Zongmin, another deputy staff envoy of the General Staff Council.
This is Yang Ye's grandson, Yang Wenguang's younger brother, and Zhe Jimin's cousin.
He is the elder of the Yang family among the three families of Yang, Zhe and Zhong who served as soldiers in the northwest frontier of the Song Dynasty.
He has been fighting against Xixia for nearly fifty years and has made great achievements. Regarding Xixia's border affairs, he can be regarded as the military commander who has the most say in the affairs of Xixia, other than those Zhe Keqiu and Zhongshi Dao who are stationed in the northwest.
Seeing the official's gaze, Yang Zongmin, who had beard and hair as white as snow, saluted the official and said in a deep voice.
"Officials, in my opinion, Xixia is in the midst of a bitter cold winter, and we have too much time to take care of ourselves. Even if we want to march south, we must wait for the domestic disaster to subside.
What's more, Tong Zhuan is one of the most famous generals in the Song Dynasty. He defeated Xixia in a row. If Tong Zhuan enters the northwest, even if Xixia has no intention of invading south, he may have to prepare for war, or even use offense instead of defense. "
As soon as this statement came out, many of the ministers present believed it deeply, but Tong Guan's face looked a little unhappy.
After all, if Yang Zongmin said something like this, it would be equivalent to blocking his Tong Guan's path to promotion and wealth, which was very abominable.
Official Zhao Ji nodded seemingly noncommittally and asked some questions.
Tong Guan continued to work hard, dominate the topic, and worked hard to maintain his identity and qualifications as the first armed eunuch of the Song Dynasty.
It wasn't until the officials looked tired and announced that they would discuss it tomorrow that all the ministers resigned and left.
On such a major military and national matter, if you don't make a decision quickly and still delay like this, you are truly a fool.
The Song Dynasty was really not blessed to have such monarchs.
#####
Gao Zhang, on the other hand, walked side by side with Zheng Juzhong, the privy envoy, and communicated quietly. As for his biological father, Gao Qiu, he was muttering as he walked with the group of generals.
As for Tong Guan, he was in a bad mood and strode forward with a dark face.
The faces of the military ministers who joined the General Staff Council behind him also didn't look good. After all, how could they not know what Tong Guan was thinking.
It's clear that he just wants to take credit. The problem is that Tong Guan's behavior is too unethical.
Often if he won a battle, he would be eager to take all the credit. If he lost a battle, he would be the first to blame his subordinates for their faults.
This naturally resulted in him, the first armed eunuch of the Song Dynasty, having a bad reputation among the military officials.
As for Zheng Juzhong, although he has no talent for military affairs.
But at least he understood the purpose of Tong Guan's invitation to go to war, and he spoke to Xiao Gao Zhuangyuan, the official's confidant next to him.
"Actually, in my opinion, what Old General Yang said is right. As long as Tong Guan goes to the northwest, even if Xixia doesn't want to fight, Tong Guan will definitely cause trouble and start a war..."
Gao Zhang looked at Privy Envoy Zheng as if he was asking for advice humbly.
"In Mr. Zheng's opinion, is it better for the court to send people, or not to send people?"
After taking a look at this young man who was very close to him and got along very well with him, Zheng Juzhong naturally could not be overly modest and spoke quite confidently.
"Of course it is best to send people, but it is a pity that there is no one in the court. I...I am old and have inconvenient legs and feet.
Otherwise, I will definitely ask myself to sit in the northwest to protect the peace of our Song Dynasty border. "
When he was in the Liao Kingdom, he secretly went to the Goulan Pavilion in Changchun Prefecture to collect news and was met by Zhou Bangyan and others. He looked like a stranger with a thick skin and a handsome face.
Gao Zhang naturally wouldn't expose him, and he hummed in agreement with a few words: "The boss is awesome".
What I was thinking in my heart was that the old man was like this, and I would replace him.
Just as the two Privy Council bosses wandered to the entrance of the palace, they dispersed.
Before Gao Zhang had time to board his carriage, he saw a young eunuch coming quickly and came to the front of the carriage to salute him respectfully.
Gao Zhang naturally understood what was going on and nodded understandingly.
A quarter of an hour later, Gao Zhang entered the palace again and went to the imperial study.
#####
"Xiao Gao, you came just in time. Just as I expected, Tong Guan still can't sit still."
Official Zhao Ji waved to Gao Zhang with a smile, and seemed to have spoken with confidence.
Gao Zhang nodded obediently and followed the instructions of his master and father-in-law Zhao Ji.
"What Master said is very true, and my disciple also feels that Tong Guan is worried about the overall situation of the northwest of the Song Dynasty, which shows that Tong Guan is dedicated to serving the country."
After hearing this, the official Zhao Ji chuckled and nodded his fingers at his beloved disciple who always liked to think the best of others.
But this is fine, after all, it is precisely because of his tolerant attitude that Xiao Gao is well-received by the courtiers.
Since joining the officialdom, even though he is young and has been promoted at a staggering speed, no one has criticized him for his lack of moral integrity.
At most, he felt that he was too young to bear the weight. Even people with ulterior motives can't criticize Xiaogao's character.
In particular, his marriage to Fu Jin caused an uproar in Bianliang, Tokyo. Instead of causing displeasure, the people felt that this boy was a good man with love and righteousness.
(End of chapter)
