There are only fifty households left in the huge Pizhou City.
It made Zhao Tai feel that war is indeed cruel, especially when the foreign tribes from the north go south, which is ten times or a hundred times more cruel than the replacement of dynasties in the Central Plains.
The Jin Kingdom's demise is imminent, and Zhao Tai needs to expand his power as soon as possible.
After hearing Wang Wentong's words, his heart suddenly became cold.
This Pi County was so dilapidated that Zhao Tai felt a little wavered in his heart about entering Shandong.
Seeing Zhao Tai's expression, Wang Wentong turned sideways and said, "Sir, it's been a hard journey, please come inside and talk!"
Zhao Tai looked at the busy soldiers in the yard, nodded, and said solemnly: "Then sit inside and talk! I happen to have something to ask sir."
At that moment, Zhao Tai and Wang Wentong entered the lobby. Wang Wentong asked someone to serve tea to Zhao Tai. Zhao Tai sighed: "Sir, although our army achieved a great victory in Shuanggou, the main force of the Mongolian army also broke through the Guanhe defense line. Once they take it Luoyang must leave Hulao Pass and attack Kaifeng. By then, we in Suining will also be under the Mongolian front and will no longer be safe! Therefore, I decided to take advantage of the defeat of the Mongolian army on the eastern front to take over some Shandong prefectures and counties, but this Pizhou ?”
Wang Wentong listened to Zhao Tai's words and saw that Zhao Tai was not in a high mood. He knew what Zhao Tai was thinking, so he said: "My lord, although this land in Shandong is dilapidated, it is indeed my best choice now."
Zhao Tai looked at Wang Wentong and couldn't help but said: "Why do you see this? Since you said this, you should have something to teach me!"
Now that Pizhou and Tengzhou are so dilapidated, it will be difficult for Zhao Tai to gain strength even if they win, which makes Zhao Tai waver in his plan to manage Shandong.
Wang Wentong pondered for a moment, "Now that the Guanhe defense line has been broken, Kaifeng cannot be defended for a long time, and neither Hebei nor Guanzhong can go. There is only one place in Shandong that can be used by the Prime Minister."
Zhao Tai recognizes this. He really has no other options except Shandong.
Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "Throughout the past dynasties, there have been very few big businessmen who have settled in Shandong. Why do you say, Sir, that this is the place to use force?"
In Zhao Tai's view, compared to Guanzhong, Bashu, Jiangnan, Taiyuan, and Youyan, Shandong is far behind.
Wang Wentong smiled and said: "It is true that the land of Shandong is not as strong as Guanzhong and Bashu. It is not as rich as Jiangnan, its population is not as good as that of Hebei, and its grain production is not as good as that of Jingchu. However, Shandong is located at the key point between the north and the south, blocking the main transportation route between the north and the south, and there are also fisheries." The benefit of salt is the foundation of kings and hegemons. Over the past dynasties, those who live in Shandong and defend themselves are prone to weakness and perish, while those who attack can strengthen themselves and become hegemonic."
Zhao Tai listened to Wang Wentong's words and thought deeply: "Why is it easy to perish if you defend yourself?"
Wang Wentong said: "The land in Shandong has nothing to do with the dangers of neutralizing Bashu. If we take a defensive position based on this place, without Qin's control of Hangu and the strength of the six kingdoms, we will be weak after a long war, and if we are weak, we will perish."
Zhao Tai pondered for a while and couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Unlike Guanzhong and Bashu, Shandong can close the door, keep the enemy out, use the advantage of defense to consume the enemy, and wait until the enemy is tired or there is unrest, then go east to fight for the world.
Although the terrain of Shandong is not as flat as Hebei, it is not dangerous either and it is easy for the enemy to invade.
If the war proceeds in Shandong and production is damaged, Shandong's strength will inevitably become weaker and weaker, and then it will be wiped out by the enemy.
Zhao Tai understood the meaning of being weak and dying by following the rules, so he asked: "What does it mean to be strong enough to gain hegemony by attacking?"
Wang Wentong said: "The land of Qi extends from the sea to the east, the river to the west, the Song Dynasty to the south, and Hebei to the north. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, among the kingdoms of Guandong, Qi was the strongest. During the Warring States period, Yan and Qi had two states, with Qi as the five capitals. The troops of Yan defeated the State of Yan. When Wei dominated the Central Plains, the princes had no enemy, and they surrounded Wei to rescue Zhao, and defeated the State of Wei. There are many reasons for this, but one thing is that Hebei and Daliang are both flat in front of Qi. This is Under this kind of terrain, from Qi in the north to Hebei and west to eastern Henan, the enemy will have no danger to defend."
Wang Wentong paused and continued: "Hebei and East Henan have a large population and cultivated land. If Shandong goes on the defensive, Hebei and East Henan can produce with peace of mind. When they are stronger than Shandong, they can attack Shandong. If Shandong goes on the offensive , because there is no danger to defend, and by seizing its population and resources, it can strengthen itself. After Qi Huan Gong's southern and northern expeditions, he dominated the princes. After Xiao Gong, Qi was only a self-defensive country, so in the end of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Qi failed to achieve success. Great cause!"
Zhao Tai stroked his beard, probably agreeing with Wang Wentong's words.
Because Wang Wentong had his own method and logic for analyzing things, his analysis was mainly based on a geographical perspective. There were plains to the north and west of Shandong, so it was indeed easy to attack.
Although Shandong is not as secure as Guanzhong and Bashu, there are many mountains in the central part and many hills in the Jiaozhou Peninsula. It is not easy for the enemy to capture it.
If everyone lives in peace, Shandong's development will definitely not be as good as that of plain areas with a large population and arable land.
Therefore, if you occupy the land of Shandong, you must attack externally, control Hebei to the north, and control the Central Plains to the west. Only then can you have a chance to dominate, otherwise you will have to wait to be eliminated.
Zhao Tai nodded, "What do you think I should do, sir?"
Wang Wentong said in a deep voice: "My lord, after seizing Shandong, we should organize and train fine cavalry to conquer Hebei and eastern Henan, so that the Mongolian army cannot be content with production, and seize its population and supplies to strengthen its own strength. At the same time, we can train the navy to threaten Youyou." Yan and Liaodong.”
Zhao Tai asked: "Our army is weak now. What if I harass and lead the Mongolian army to attack?"
Wang Wentong said: "In a corner of Shandong, the troops guarding the four sides will be destroyed! I thought that if the enemy came to attack, it would be fair to station troops on the mountains and fortresses, and then attack instead of defending. Use cavalry to attack the enemy's rear. , attack Hebei with naval forces, threatening the central capital. It will be difficult for the enemy to attack us, but it will be easy for us to attack the enemy, and the enemy will surely retreat!"
Wang Wentong's idea coincided with Zhao Tai's idea. The Mongolian army entered Shandong and Zhao Tai defended the mountain stronghold and the island, making it difficult for the Mongolian army to attack.
Zhao Tai sent cavalry to gallop across the plains of eastern Henan and Hebei, but they easily found the enemy's weaknesses and launched an attack.
If there was a navy, it would be easy to attack the prefectures and counties in Hebei and threaten Youyan.
Under such circumstances, it was difficult for the Mongols to feel at ease and attack his stronghold in Shandong.
Zhao Tai couldn't help but smile and said: "Sir's method is wonderful! However, to achieve this, a lot of troops are needed. With the situation in Shandong, how can we afford them?"
Wang Wentong said: "In the land of Shandong, wars are frequent, and the place is in ruins and is waiting to be renovated. My husband wants to conquer Shandong and seize Hebei and the Central Plains. It is really necessary to restore the strength of Shandong. Nowadays, there are less than 100 households in Pizhou, and the same is true in Tengzhou. In ancient times, To raise troops, one family should be sent to the army and nine families should give it to them. Today, there are many soldiers in Shandong but not enough people, and there is no way to revive Xiao He. I suggested that the prime minister can implement military garrison and place the clans and families in Shandong so that they can also serve as soldiers. Farmers, let them be farmers when they are busy and soldiers during war. In addition, use the benefits of Shandong's fishing and salt to cook salt and make food. In this way, the people of Shandong will be both soldiers and farmers! When the Mongolian army comes, let them defend themselves, and Xianggong will lead his elite troops to conquer Hebei and eastern Henan. In less than ten years, he will dominate the northern land!"
After hearing Wang Wentong's words, Zhao Tai couldn't help laughing and exclaimed: "Sir, you are really my sleeping dragon!"
