Now that Zhao Tai's strength is still relatively weak, Mongolian intelligence is very important to Zhao Tai.
Because facing the powerful Mongolia, if Zhao Tai knew Mongolia's actions one day earlier, he would be able to make more preparations and increase the possibility of survival.
After Yang You betrayed Li Fen to Kublai Khan, he became the highest-ranking internal agent of the Loyalty Army in Mongolia.
Of course, as a Han Chinese, it is actually more difficult for him to gain the trust of Mongolia.
In fact, Zhao Tai also wanted to develop Mongolians as internal agents, but this was quite difficult.
Because the Mongol Empire is thriving and its future is bright, no Mongolian will board Zhao Tai's broken ship under such circumstances.
It can be said that the Mongols are extremely difficult to bribe at the moment, so Zhao Tai can only rely on Yang You, hoping to develop Han people who work for the Mongols as his informants.
However, Yang You is a Han nationality and does not have a high level within Mongolia, so it is difficult for him to have access to the secrets of Mongolian high-level officials.
In order to allow Yang You to gain the trust of the Mongolians, Zhao Tai deliberately asked Yang You to reveal some irrelevant information to the Mongolians in order to gain the trust of the Mongolians.
It was Yang You who first informed Kublai Khan about the marriage between Zhao Tai and Li Fen.
At this time, Yang You learned that Kublai Khan was going south to attack Shandong, and he immediately sent someone to pass the news to Zhao Tai.
…
At this time, Zhao Tai had obtained the news from other channels that the Hebei warlords were recruiting troops and grain.
Since ancient times, when there have been wars, the troops and horses have not moved, and the food and grass have gone first. The sudden movement in Hebei immediately aroused Zhao Tai's vigilance.
Zhao Tai knew that the Mongols were going to attack him based on the rumors that had spread in Lin'an some time ago that "we would only attack Shandong and not the Southern Song Dynasty."
The Mongolian army is about to attack, but Zhao Tai has not integrated Shandong, and the Southern Song Dynasty has not reached an agreement. The situation can be said to be quite passive.
For a time, Zhao Tai could not take care of his beloved wife at home, so he hurried to Dongping Mansion to discuss countermeasures with Wuxian.
Dongping Mansion, Beiqinghe.
Beiqing River is the ancient Jishui River. Its upper source joins the Huitong River. It flows from Dongping to the northwest, passing through Dong'a, Pingyin, Changqing, Jinan, Jiyang, Boxing and other prefectures and counties, and then flows into the sea.
At this time, the Yellow River took the Huai River and entered the sea. Hundreds of years later, the Yellow River moved north and took the Beiqing River as its path. The Beiqing River became the Yellow River.
Zhao Tai and Wuxian were on horseback and stationed by the Beiqing River. On the north bank of the river, there were many soldiers of the armed guards who were burning outposts and destroying trees.
Wu Xian also received news of the sudden changes in Hebei. In order to guard against the Mongolian army, he had ordered the abandonment of the cities and outposts north of the Beiqing River and the withdrawal of troops to Dongping Mansion.
Wu Xian raised his whip and pointed to the north bank, "Your Majesty, the Beiqing River is shallow and narrow, far less broad and turbulent than the Yellow River. Not only can the Mongolian army cross the ice in winter, but now the Mongolian army can find shallow water and can wade across it. Cross."
Zhao Tai looked at the river in front of him and said solemnly: "Even the Yellow River can't stop the Beilu! If they come to attack, the Beiqing River will definitely not be able to stop them."
Wu Xian looked at Zhao Tai and asked the question he was worried about, "Your Majesty, I heard the news that the Mongols said they would not attack the Southern Song Dynasty, but would only destroy us. Is this possible?"
When Mongolia came to attack, Shandong could not stop it, so it had to rely on the Southern Song Dynasty.
At this time, Mongolia spread the news that they would only attack Shandong and not the Southern Song Dynasty. After hearing this, the Southern Song Dynasty would definitely hesitate to aid Shandong. ….
Therefore, Wuxian was worried, fearing that the Southern Song Dynasty would listen to the Mongols, abandon Shandong, and make peace with Mongolia.
Zhao Tai nodded: "It's true! But this is Wo Kuotai's plan to confuse Lin'an! If Mongolia breaks through Shandong, it will definitely take over the Southern Song Dynasty!"
Wu Xian nodded, "Mongolia has always been cunning and untrustworthy! What is the attitude of the Southern Song Dynasty?"
Zhao Tai exhaled, "Lin'an asked us to hand over the administrative power of Shandong, and the army will accept their reorganization!"
Wu Xian was immediately furious when he heard this, "Aren't we asking us to hand over the prefectures and counties to them? Damn it! The Southern Song Dynasty is taking advantage of the situation!"
Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "I haven't agreed yet! However, if Mongolia comes to attack and Lin'an doesn't let go, then the situation will be very dangerous for me!"
Wu Xian looked worried. With Shandong's strength, he definitely did not have the strength to compete with Mongolia at the moment.
If Mongolia came to attack and the Southern Song Dynasty did not provide reinforcements, then they would definitely not be able to defeat Mongolia.
Seeing his expression, Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "Over at Lin'an, I will ask the military advisor to go and communicate, but just in case, we still need to prepare in advance."
Wu Xian saluted: "Please let me know clearly, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Tai said solemnly: "I have thought a lot in the past few days. In addition to avenging the humiliation, Mongolia attacked me, and the root cause of the attack was because of my land. It blocked Mongolia's main route to the south, and threatened Hebei and the Central Plains! "
Wu Xian nodded. Although Mongolia had enmity with Zhao Tai, the Mongols raising troops to fight just for revenge would definitely not be able to satisfy the needs of the Mongolian soldiers.
Nomadic empires like Mongolia launched wars for only one reason: to plunder the population into slavery and rob other people's property.
Shandong is located at the strategic point between the north and the south, guarding the road of grain transportation.
The Central Plains has been destroyed. If hundreds of thousands of Mongolian troops want to obtain property, they must go south to attack the Song Dynasty, and the movement of large armies requires military supplies.
The Mongols always plundered on the spot during their campaigns. However, as the number of troops they dispatched increased, their stay became longer and they also needed a large amount of military food supplies.
The Southern Song Dynasty had been at odds with the Jin Kingdom for hundreds of years, and the cities on the border were built very strong and tall, making them relatively difficult to attack.
If the Mongolian army besieged a city and was about to take it, but there was no food in the army and no food around, wouldn't it be abandoned halfway?
Therefore, if Mongolia wants to go south to attack the Song Dynasty, it must open up the food transportation route from Hebei to the Jianghuai River to solve the supply problem and at the same time reduce the worries of the army.
Zhao Tai continued: "Like the Mongols, they fight everywhere because they can make a profit! But the Mongolian interests are in the south, not in Shandong! If the Southern Song Dynasty cannot provide reinforcements to help me resist the Mongols, then I will make There is no profit for Mongolia in Shandong! In this case, the Mongolian army should retreat!"
Wu Xian stroked his beard and frowned in thought. He seemed to understand what Zhao Tai meant, but he was not quite sure.
"Your Majesty, how can we make Mongolia feel unprofitable?" Wu Xian couldn't help but ask.
Zhao Tai felt quite heavy in his heart, "It is useless for him to attack me, and it will cost a lot of money, so he will naturally regard Shandong as useless!"
It was impossible for Shandong to confront Mongolia head-on on its own. If the Southern Song Dynasty wanted to continue to take advantage of the situation and not help the loyal army resist Mongolia, then Zhao Tai would not choose to confront Mongolia head-on.
Zhao Tai looked at Wuxian and said, "There is a waterfront in Dongping Prefecture, called Liangshan Lake. It is vast and can hide tens of thousands of soldiers. Brother, you can hide the money, food and materials under the rule in the mountains, rivers and lakes within the territory. If the soldiers arrive, we can If you fight, you fight. If you can't fight, you retreat to the countryside. The Mongols occupy the city, but they have no supplies. In less than three months, the Mongolian army will run out of food, and its army will either retreat north or south to plunder. If it retreats north, our army will take advantage of the opportunity to cover up and kill them. If it raids south, Song Dynasty will beg me. At that time, I will wait for the price and sell it!"
The words are bleak
