Speaking of which, Xiao Siwen's vision in choosing his son-in-law can only be described as novel. The eldest daughter Xiao Hunian was married to Yelu Kuang Sage, but now she was accused of rebellion. The second daughter Xiao Yilai was married to Yelu Xiyin, but she was also rebelling, and the grass on her grave has long grown tall.
There is still a daughter, Yanyan, who has not yet been married, but she does not know to whom she will marry in the future. If anyone notices such a metaphysical thing, they will probably have an extra layer of worries.
Of course, Emperor Liu's focus at this time is still on the intelligence brought by Xiao Siwen. The Khitan is uneasy. This is indeed a good thing for the big man. However, what can be done with this? After thinking about it, it seems that It's hard to make any big moves.
In the past three years, the Han Dynasty's intimidation and suppression of the Khitans continued, but the effect was getting weaker and weaker. Since the Han Dynasty began to shrink its strategy, it has eliminated foreign troops and ceased war, and promoted peace in the east and west. Although the vigilance against the Khitan is still the first priority, it is difficult to maintain the high-pressure situation in the year after the Northern Expedition.
In addition, the Khitan took the initiative to move north, and the available means of attack were even more scarce. Originally, it relied on instigating the rebellion of the Mobei tribe, which brought a lot of trouble to the Khitan, causing actual damage to it and even overthrowing it for a time. His rule in Mobei.
But over the past few years, it has gradually become depressed. The Han Dynasty is adjusting, and the Khitan is also changing. Under Yelvxian's continuous attacks, Mobei has gradually been stabilized.
Those rebellious tribes were either wiped out, returned to the embrace of the Khitan, or moved south to join the Han. Nowadays in Mobei, only the Naiman people in the west still maintain de facto independence.
However, today's Naiman people can be regarded as a force, but they are far from powerful. They have not even formed a political organization. They are still in an unreliable tribal alliance. They took advantage of the gap after the confrontation between Han and Liao. , picked up some bargains, ate some leftovers, and reluctantly expanded some living space eastward.
This was also due to some support from the Han court. The good relationship forged during the expedition's westward retreat was finally put to use.
As for the Han Dynasty, it is not that they have not taken the initiative to carry out military attacks in recent years, but they are not large-scale. They captured Linhuang Mansion and only marched to receive it and set up a garrison.
As for the Han cavalry heading north, going deep into the barren territory, the cost was too high and the benefits were too small. It was like scratching the surface, and it was difficult to pose a fatal threat to the Khitan. In the end, they were allowed to survive. In fact, a group of thousands of cavalry lost their way while going north to hunt for food. They were almost wiped out due to lack of food and water. In the end, they failed to hunt for food and lost many officers and soldiers.
Today, the situation in the north is clear: the Khitan controls the northern part of the country and the Han people support the southern part of the country. The Khitan was turning from chaos to rule and did not dare to invade south. The Han Dynasty had the strength to move north, but was unwilling to do so due to the adjustment of national strategy. Therefore, compared to other places, the two people who have the deepest hatred are in relative peace.
If we want to carry out a thorough and effective attack on the Khitans, the most direct way is for the Han cavalry to go north, expedition to Mobei, and hit the royal palace of the Khitans.
However, such a large-scale military move is contrary to the current national policy. Even now, Emperor Liu's wishes are not as strong as in the past.
The main reason is that the price paid during the second Northern Expedition was too great and the country's power was wasted so much that Emperor Liu was stunned and suddenly felt nervous and had to calm down.
Although Emperor Liu had a side that rejoiced in great achievements, after all he was not a military emperor who resorted to militarism and pushed boundaries. He could not extricate himself if he indulged in it. When he felt that his rule was threatened, he was still able to stop in time and change his course.
However, there was something going on within the Khitan, and if the Han Dynasty didn't do something, Emperor Liu would never be happy, and his restless heart would beat all the time.
"Zhao Qing, in your opinion, what measures can be taken by the Han Dynasty against the Khitan?" After thinking for a while, Emperor Liu felt a little headache and asked Zhao Pu for more information.
As if he had been prepared, Zhao Pu responded slowly: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, if the Khitan really falls into civil strife, we can take advantage of the opportunity and send a general to send an army to the north. Even if If you can't destroy it, you can also further contain it and interrupt its recovery process.
However, if according to the reports, the Khitan Lord has already put an end to all the rebels and its internal turmoil has been brought under control, in this case, unless a major war is launched, it may not be effective. If we waste our troops on an expedition, we will only achieve twice the result with half the effort. The Khitan is far away in Mobei and will ultimately be out of reach..."
There was a hint of dissuasion in Zhao Pu's opinion. Emperor Liu smiled immediately after hearing this and said to him: "It seems that Zhao Qing is still worried that I will start the Northern Expedition again and start a war, which will waste people and money!"
Zhao Pu also responded with a smile: "Your Majesty said something serious, I just discussed the matter and had no other intentions!"
Emperor Liu waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter whether he has other opinions or not. Don't worry, I will not change the established national policy without authorization!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Zhao Pu was secretly relieved and even a little surprised. Emperor Yiliu had previously shown his fear of the Khitan and his relentless targeting. Now that he had a chance, he would not be too surprised by what decision he made. On the contrary, this calm reaction seemed a bit surprising.
"However, we can't do nothing!" Emperor Liu thought for a while and then said: "How many of the northern tribes can be used?"
Seeing that Emperor Liu wanted to use borrowed swords to kill people again, Zhao Pu calmly shook his head to dispel his fantasy: "The only ones who can cross Mobei are Naiman in the west, Shiwei in the east, and Hagasi in the north. , but the Naiman people are scattered, Shiwei is in the east, Jigasi has few contacts, and the strength of the three is insufficient, so it may be difficult to use them.
As for the Mogeshi, Dadan and other tribes in Nantou, even if they have the support of the imperial court, they may not dare to go north to fight the Khitan alone. They were originally unable to bear the chaos in Mobei. Under the attack of the Khitans, they had to go south and surrender. They were really unbearable for their big task! "
"So, the big man really has nothing to do against the Khitan now?" Emperor Liu's frown showed his displeasure.
Zhao Pu was silent for a moment, thinking secretly about how to give Emperor Liu an explanation, and how to make him smooth over the situation. Emperor Liu said directly: "We can't let the Khitan people be too comfortable. We can't let the Khitan master sleep peacefully in Mobei! If they are allowed to recuperate in Mobei, in ten or twenty years, there will be another trouble from the north. Well, if I don’t fight them by then, they will invade the south and harass the border!"
Sensing Emperor Liu's attitude, Zhao Pu also spoke up at the right time: "Your Majesty, I believe that weapons cannot be used rashly, but we can strengthen the blockade of the Khitan and completely ban the exchanges between Monan and Mobei.
As far as I know, in the past two years, there have been many people who have secretly traded with Mobei. Among them are merchants from the Han Dynasty and tribes from the south. I am afraid that the market opened by the imperial court in Monan will It also facilitates the Khitan people! "
"Even you, the prime minister, know about this, why don't you respond to it? Why don't the officials along the border fulfill their responsibilities?" Emperor Liu asked immediately.
Zhao Pu said: "Local governments also have their own difficulties. Monan is vast, so they are always concerned about difficulties and have obstacles everywhere. Furthermore, the south of Shanyang is also recovering in accordance with the imperial decree, and trade between the north and the south is the basis for its revival. , officials are also worried that strict measures will affect local stability..."
"Bullshit!" Emperor Liu immediately commented, making Zhao Pu feel slightly embarrassed.
"The target is the Khitan, not the entire Monnan merchants!" After a moment of consideration, Emperor Liu gave a firm instruction: "The central government issued a decree to ask the border state troops to strengthen the control of merchant trade and prohibit all trade with the Khitan. Not one piece of iron, one meter, one piece of tea, one piece of salt, or one piece of cloth is allowed to flow into Mobei. But anyone who secretly communicates with Mobei again will be treated as treason and severely punished!"
"Yes!" Emperor Liu made his decision, and Zhao Pu readily agreed.
Controlling trade channels, strengthening market supervision, and imposing economic sanctions are easier and less risky than mobilizing troops. This kind of flattery can be done.
After all, some sanctions were negotiated. Emperor Liu finally understood the idea, felt better, and had a smile on his face again.
"Xiao Qing, thank you for your hard work!" Emperor Liu said once again, his eyes falling on Xiao Siwen who was sitting respectfully aside.
Xiao Siwen hurriedly stood up, clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is generous enough to accept this lost person. I am truly grateful in my heart, and I should serve you wholeheartedly!"
Seeing him show his loyalty again, Emperor Liu also looked at him again, as if he was thinking about what kind of conspiracy was hidden under this respectful face.
"The Khitan is your mother clan after all. Xiao Qing doesn't have any nostalgia or intolerance at all?" Emperor Liu asked lightly.
Hearing this question, Xiao Siwen almost trembled. He met Emperor Liu's gaze, hesitated for a moment, and sighed: "Your Majesty, humans are not grass and trees, and how can we be ruthless? However, I understand in my heart that only by submitting to the imperial court and serving your Majesty can I This is the only way out for the Khitan people. If they accumulate a stubborn resistance and oppose the imperial court, one day the mountains will collapse and the sea will collapse. Even with the vastness of the desert, there will be no place to stay."
Although he knew clearly that Xiao Siwen was saying flattering words, Emperor Liu could not help but be cheerful and said with a smile: "It seems that among the Khitan people, Xiao Qing is the most sensible! I do not intend to kill all the Khitan people, but I am willing to surrender to the Han. Those who obey the rule of the imperial court, I still welcome them back!"
