In an era when winning on the battlefield was still important, Zhao Yang's remarks were indeed a bit ahead of his time. Even Song Xiang and Pang Ji could only understand a little bit, and those with qualifications like Chen Zhizhong were confused.
Fortunately, he had a good relationship with Zhao Yang. Even though Song Xiang, Wen Yanbo, and Pang Ji signaled with their eyes that they intended to ask him to speak first, he did not panic in his heart. He lowered his attitude and asked in a gentle voice: "Zhao Zhengyan said this." Even though I have only a partial understanding of these remarks, I still feel that they are extraordinary, but forgive me for being stupid, how can I defeat Xixia if I don’t seek victory on the battlefield?"
If it were Wen Yanbo or Gao Ruona who asked, Zhao Yang would have to sneer at him at this time, but Chen Zhizhong didn't care. After the reconciliation, the old prime minister can be regarded as Zhao Yang's only ally in the court. , Zhao Yang naturally would not attack him, and said with a smile: "Just let him collapse."
"Oh." Chen Zhizhong nodded seemingly suddenly, causing Song Xiang and Wen Yanbo to glance at him contemptuously.
Neither of them believed that this old guy could really figure it out.
Pang Ji was naturally able to understand a little bit. Hearing this, he frowned and said, "Can Zhao Zhengyan explain in more detail?"
Zhao Yang nodded slightly, glanced at Song Xiang and Gao Ruona and said, "Do the two prime ministers of Song and Gao know the general population and military strength of Xixia, including the situation of border garrisons?"
Gao Ruona snorted, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his face again. The expression seemed to say: You don't even know about this, how dare you talk about the strategy against Xia?
However, he did not mock out loud, because he had discovered that this kid was really a bit evil, and maybe he really had some strategy against Xia.
During this period, Song Xiang turned around and looked at Gao Ruona. Seeing that the latter had no intention of explaining, he smiled and said, "Then let Song introduce the idea first..."
"Thank you."
Song Xiang smiled slightly, recalled for a while and then talked eloquently: "Based on the information that our Privy Council has collected and made inquiries over the years, we estimate that the population of Xixia is about three to four million, and its permanent troops are about half a million. In 2011, Xixia resumed its vassalship with the Song Dynasty. The two countries reconciled and reduced each other's troops on the border. At present, the troops on the border are mainly concentrated in the two cities of Xiazhou and Xipingfu. There are 50,000 people stationed in Qingfu, totaling 70,000 to 80,000. Of course, this is a permanent army. In fact, there are many mountain people and Tibetan people attached to Xixia in the two places as Tibetan troops, but the number is difficult to estimate, probably Around tens of thousands... As for Xingqing Mansion, it is said that there are at least 200,000 permanent troops stationed there. The remaining more than 200,000 permanent troops are mainly stationed on the Xia-Liao border. Especially in the past few years, the Khitan conquered Xixia for the second time. It is said that there were still Nearly 100,000 troops were transferred from Xingqing Mansion."
Zhao Yang was very surprised when he heard this: "With a population of three to four million, there are actually an army of 500,000?"
As if he guessed what Zhao Yang was thinking, Song Xiang kindly reminded: "The Xixia Dangxiang people have always been tough and tough, and all the people can be soldiers. In order to protect us from the Song Dynasty and the Khitan, we gathered 500,000 people... Zhao Zhengyan cannot be underestimated. Look at it."
Zhao Yang nodded slightly and said with a smile: "I heard that the three families in the middle household can only survive one soldier; the food for five infantry can support one cavalry. The previous history's theory of raising troops is also the calculation of future generations. Xixia With a mere three to four million people, it has to feed a permanent army of half a million people. It can be seen that the military's huge food consumption will inevitably make its finances stretched."
Song Xiang and Pang Ji's eyes lit up when they heard this, and even Gao Ruona had to be convinced: This guy is really good at military affairs.
"Where is the Song Dynasty?" Zhao Yang asked again.
Song Xiang knew that Zhao Yang knew nothing about this, so he explained in detail: "The only places where the Song Dynasty and Xixia meet are Shaanxi Fourth Road and Linfu on Hedong Road. Shaanxi Fourth Road is Qinfeng, Jingyuan, Huanqing , Fuyan, the last three of which border the Xia Kingdom, but Qinfeng Road must also be guarded to prevent Xixia from detouring to Tubo and attacking the rear. ... As for the garrison, most of the regular troops are guards, horses, and infantry guards. Among them, Qinfeng Road has 35,000 Thousands, Jingyuan Road has no danger to defend, so there are 50,000 people stationed there, there are more than 20,000 people on Huanqing Road, and more than 20,000 people on Fuyan Road. Hedong Road also has to defend the Liao Kingdom, so there are 80,000 people stationed there, and another Behind Shaanxi Fourth Road, there are 40,000 Jingzhao Mansion, totaling about 200,000 forbidden troops. In addition, there are Xiang soldiers, Fan soldiers, Han and Tibetan archers and rural soldiers: in the east of the river, there are more than 10,000 Xiang soldiers and 8,000 Han and Tibetan archers. There are more than 70,000 rural soldiers; there are more than 20,000 Xiang soldiers on the four roads of Shaanxi, 100,000 Tibetan soldiers, and 150,000 rural soldiers."
Even Zhao Yang was a little dumbfounded and said in disbelief: "Excluding the Hedong Road, the Shaanxi Fourth Road alone has 125,000 forbidden troops and 270,000 other miscellaneous troops, but they still can't defeat Xixia?... Even if the miscellaneous soldiers are not of much use, there are still 270,000."
These words made all the monarchs and ministers in the palace feel ashamed, and Song Xiang even hesitated to speak several times.
After a while, Song Xiang coughed and explained with a bit of embarrassment: "In fact, the 'miscellaneous soldiers' that Zhao Zhengyan mentioned are Han and Tibetan archers, Tibetan soldiers, and rural soldiers... their combat effectiveness is actually not low."
What does it mean?
Zhao Yang said with a strange expression: "Song Xianggong, please don't tell me that those 8,000 Han and Tibetan archers, 100,000 Tibetan soldiers, and 150,000 local soldiers are the main force in defending Xixia?"
In an awkward atmosphere, Song Xiang laughed dryly and said: "That's not the case. The main force is naturally the 120,000 Imperial Army and 8,000 Han and Tibetan archers. The 150,000 rural soldiers are only as auxiliary troops. Although it cannot be said that they are not brave, they are Most of them are trying to protect their hometown, and are not willing to fight for the imperial court. As for the one hundred thousand Tibetan soldiers, it is more complicated... I wonder if Zhao Zhengyan knows how to restrain the emperor?"
Seeing Zhao Yang nodding, he continued: "Then it is easy to explain. There are a large number of Tibetan people living on the borders of Song, Xia and Tubo. In order to prevent them from falling to Xixia, the Song Dynasty tried to win over them and sent people to educate them... In short This matter is quite complicated. In addition, although the Tibetan soldiers are brave, they... may not be trustworthy."
Zhao Yang roughly understood it, nodded and asked, "Can't we create households to equalize the people?"
Song Xiang was a little surprised, then shook his head and said: "It's difficult, the leaders of the Tibetan tribes are unwilling, saying they don't want to leave their hometowns and move away, but Zhao Zhengyan also knows that once the people are unified into households, these people will lose their support. How could they agree?... The imperial court had no choice but to spend money to win them over and use them to fight against Xixia, but it did not dare to force them too much, lest they fall to Xixia."
Zhao Yang nodded thoughtfully: "No wonder... It seems that if you want to use troops against Xixia, you must first deal with the local Tibetan people. If you are unwilling to organize the people into households and integrate them into the Song Dynasty, then you can only... drive them away."
Song Xiang frowned and reminded: "The local Tibetan people are also fierce in their customs and are not inferior to the Xixia party. If they turn against them, the Four Roads of Shaanxi may fall into chaos. At this time, Xixia may also take the opportunity to send troops to attack the Song Dynasty to win over the Tibetan people."
"That is why we must first strengthen the defense of Shaanxi Fourth Road from the inside out, build fortresses in dangerous places, and build cities in flat places. We must first make the ground of Shaanxi Fourth Road impregnable, and then negotiate with the Tibetan people. If they If you are willing to organize households and equalize the people, then naturally it is best. The Song Dynasty can be included and convert the Tibetan people into the Han Dynasty; if you are still unwilling, then you can only take heavy measures...set fire to the mountains and forests, cut off their food rations, and force them to move."
So cruel, this kid...
A trace of surprise flashed in the eyes of several ministers, and then Pang Ji frowned and said: "The Tibetan people are brave and brave. If they fall to Xixia and help the tyrants to perpetrate oppression, won't it be even more difficult for us, the Song Dynasty, to resist them?"
Zhao Yang smiled and said: "Mr. Pang, I never said that I wanted to fight Xixia head-on. What I advocated was an asymmetrical battle!"
"Asymmetrical battle?"
Several husbands looked at each other.
"Yes." Zhao Yang nodded and explained: "If Xixia is a strong man and Song Dynasty is a weak scholar, and the two fight face to face, Song Dynasty will definitely have no chance of winning, but if Song Dynasty holds a powerful weapon, Crossbow, standing on the city and firing at it, Xixia's bare hands, no matter how strong it is, what's the use?"
Wen Yanbo, Song Xiang, Pang Ji, and Gao Ruona were thoughtful after hearing this, but Chen Zhizhong was confused and said: "Xixia also has strong crossbows..."
"Yes." Under the secretly contemptuous looks of the other four ministers, Zhao Yang explained with a smile: "But as long as the range of my Song Dynasty crossbow is farther than that of Xixia, it doesn't matter. ... Mr. Chen, I am Metaphor."
"Oh..." Chen Zhizhong suddenly realized.
Song Xiang glanced at him, not bothering to say anything, and asked Zhao Yang: "This is 'using one's own strengths to attack the other's weaknesses', so what's the meaning of 'using one's own weaknesses to offset the other's strengths'?"
Zhao Yang explained with a smile: "Xi Xia definitely did not want to be beaten in vain. They must try to climb the city wall and fight face to face with the Song Dynasty. At that time, the weak scholar of the Song Dynasty could wait for work and use the city wall as a help to defend and wait for the attack."
Song Xiang suddenly understood, but for some reason did not respond. Pang Ji from the side was surprised and said: "Zhao Zhengyan's suggestion is quite similar to Fan Xianggong's strategy of building a city."
"Oh?" Zhao Yang was slightly surprised: "Fan Xianggong also advocates building a city?"
"Yes." Pang Ji nodded and explained: "Fan Xianggong used to be the deputy envoy of Shaanxi economic strategy and pacification, and was in charge of military affairs on the Yanyan Road. At that time, he advocated building a city on the flat border between Song and Xia to prevent Xixia from marching straight in, so he successively repaired the Jin and Ming Dynasties. Walled, Wan'an City, and Qingjian City... However, he did not put forward the wonderful theory like Zhao Zhengyan's 'use one's own strengths to attack the other's weaknesses, and use one's own weaknesses to offset the other's strengths'."
After Zhao Yang listened carefully to Pang Ji's story, he smiled and shook his head and said: "Xiangong Pang misunderstood. Mr. Fan may have built the city for defense, but I used defense as offense. Furthermore, he was too conservative and only built two buildings. Instead of one city, I will build a thousand of them, one city every twenty or thirty miles, and we will advance step by step until we reach the capital of Xixia."
Good guy!
Everyone in the hall took a breath of surprise. Even Zhao Zhen was shocked by Zhao Yang's "thousand seats". After all, Zhao Yang didn't mention this before, only the "volume offensive" and "extraordinary". Symmetrical combat."
Pang Ji was about to say something but then stopped: "Building a city costs a lot of money and takes a long time..."
"I know." Zhao Yang nodded and said, "I won't reveal this matter for now. It can take as short as half a year or as long as one year. At that time, I am confident that the Song Dynasty will build a small city with a radius of two miles within three months. The wall is more than ten feet thick and two feet high. ... Of course, I am only talking about building the city wall, not the buildings inside the city."
"March?" Pang Ji couldn't believe it and automatically ignored Zhao Yang's last explanation.
After all, as long as a city builds its walls, the rest will be easy.
Song Xiang turned his head and looked at the official, and said with some meaning: "Song has heard a little bit about this. He said that Zhao Zhengyan obtained the official's permission to set up a technical department under the name of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and it didn't cost him anything. Division, allocated from the official’s internal treasury..."
The other ministers also looked at the official family, and they had also heard about this.
Zhao Zhen nodded slightly and said: "It is true, but let's not ignore it for now. According to Zhao Yang, it can be as short as half a year or as long as one year. Then I will review the results of his technology company with you."
Everyone in the hall was itching, but since the officials had spoken, they could not continue to ask further questions.
"Then we'll wait for the good news from Zhao Zhengyan." Chen Zhizhong said with a smile: "If I can really build a city in three months during the Song Dynasty and use Zhao Zhengyan's strategy, Shaanxi will no longer have the worries of Xixia."
Pang Ji glanced at him and then said to Zhao Yang, "Zhao Zhengyan really wants to build a thousand cities?"
Zhao Yang shook his head and said: "One thousand is just an imaginary number, but building a city is no joke. Only by defending the city can we offset the strength of the Xixia army and narrow the strength gap between the Song and Xia armies."
"But the cost is not small..." Pang Ji frowned.
Zhao Yang smiled and shook his head when he heard this: "You want a sure victory but don't want to spend too much money. How can such a good thing in this world be possible?... With the current military strength of the Song Dynasty, can it win the Xixia army steadily? I'm afraid it will be two enemies with one capital. It may not be possible to win. In this case, why not change the track, make full use of the size of the Song Dynasty, launch a money and grain offensive, and force Xixia and Song Dynasty to send hundreds of thousands of troops to the border to compete for money and food consumption? His ten or twenty years are enough to kill Xixia without a single blow."
Pang Ji nodded thoughtfully and asked, "If Xixia comes to attack..."
"The strong walls and clear fields can't be defended."
"If he provokes and invites a fight..."
"No fight. If he wants to attack the city, follow him, and the Song Dynasty will just hold on."
"If they besiege the city, the city will be deprived of food and salary..."
"Force them to retreat with several times the force. If they don't retreat, they can easily form a stronghold on the side and become horns with the defenders in the city, using their strength to force each other."
"If he uses tricks, such as deceiving the enemy to defeat him..."
"No pursuit. Even if the entire Xixia army is defeated outside our city, we will not be greedy for victory. Once it is confirmed that they have retreated, An'an will build the city every twenty or thirty miles, with one soldier every day and camp step by step, all the way to the capital of Xixia .”
Song Xiang and Pang Ji frequently asked questions, and Zhao Yang answered them fluently.
At the end of the day, Zhao Yang concluded: "In short, it is to build strong cities and fight stupid wars. We do not rely on cunning strategies, nor do we focus on winning on the battlefield. We simply rely on national power to crush us, and we wage asymmetrical battles, using the strong to attack the weak and the weak. Defeat the few with the many, this is the winning strategy against Xixia!"
Pang Ji and Song Xiang looked at each other and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
They also pride themselves on knowing soldiers, but when faced with Zhao Yang's turtle-shell style strategy, they couldn't figure out how to break it.
Chen Zhizhong put his palms together and praised: "Use the troops in a righteous way, not for miraculous victory, and be upright, just like Zhao Zhengyan is a man, wonderful! Wonderful!"
Just this guy? Still upright?
Gao Ruona glanced at Chen Zhizhong with disdain, then looked at Zhao Yang with a complicated expression.
He listened very carefully just now and tried hard to find any flaws so that he could move back to Yicheng, but he really couldn't find any flaws.
I have to say what's wrong...
"It's just too expensive..."
Zhao Zhen looked distressed and expressed the feelings of several husbands.
Zhao Yang said dissatisfied: "Although Xixia is small, it still has a population of three to four million and an army of 500,000. If you want to solve such threats once and for all, how can you be afraid of spending money? Besides, the money will not be wasted. Those fortified cities can be seen, but they can also be used to boost the domestic economy and stimulate the circulation of private currency..."
"Hmm." Zhao Zhen nodded thoughtfully.
In any case, Zhao Yang's strategy against Xia finally gave them some hope of defeating Xixia. Unlike in previous years, after losing three battles in a row, Song had no choice but to "give Sui coins" to Xixia. Stop fighting and make peace.
Thinking of this, Zhao Zhen asked the five ministers: "I want to use this as a strategy against Xia. Do you have any objections?"
Several ministers looked at each other and said in unison: "I have no objection."
"Okay, in that case, Song Xianggong, Gao Xianggong, and Lao, the two leaders of the Privy Council, will use this theory to re-formulate the strategy against Xia."
"Obey the Holy Proverbs."
