In Guo Xiabao's village, Zhou Kan read out Zhao Tai's canonization of Guo Xiabao, appointing him as the commander of the Wude Army and the envoy of Qin Fenglu.
After Guo Xia Tou took a bath and burned incense, he accepted the imperial edict and became a minister of Qi from a remnant of the Jin Kingdom.
After reading out the edict, Zhou Kan sat down and talked with Guo Xia Toad.
Zhou Kan said: "Guo Xuanfu, in a few days, a batch of arms, money and food will be transported from Danshui, which can satisfy your needs for several months."
Guo Xiabao was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately asked: "Your Majesty gives me money and food, what can I do for Your Majesty?"
Zhou Kan said: "The king's intention is for you to develop in Shangluo Mountain, take in the refugees, expand your troops, and wait for the king's will."
After the beginning of spring, all parts of the world were busy with spring plowing, and the borders of the three kingdoms of Mongolia, Song and Qi were peaceful.
The world seems to be peaceful at the moment, but everyone knows that this year is an extremely critical year, and the three parties are secretly competing.
For Mongolia, although their territory is vast, due to the nomadic nature of the Mongolian Empire, it is difficult for Mongolia to make good use of the population and resources within the territory. Their governance system is very inefficient. Under the tax farming system, the Mongolian Empire will not pay taxes. What a change.
Therefore, during this year, it was difficult for Mongolia to improve its strength, and the Mongolian army could only choose to suppress the development of Qi.
The Southern Song Dynasty took a year off last year, and this year is very critical. If it can survive safely, then after two years of training, the Southern Song Dynasty's army will regain its strength and gradually harden its waist.
For Qi, this year is enough for Qi to digest the Huainan and Hebei it occupied last year, and the lost troops can also be replenished.
By then, the balance of power between Qi and Mongolia will gradually change.
April, Lin'an.
A group of Mongolian envoys arrived outside the city in a hurry, and Jia Sidao came to greet them on behalf of Zhao Yun.
The representative of the Mongolian mission was Yang Weizhong, an old acquaintance of the Southern Song Dynasty. Jia Sidao saluted, "Prime Minister Yang, it's been hard work coming from afar!"
Yang Weizhong took a look at Jia Sidao and saw that he was in a high position even though he was less than thirty. He knew that Zhao Yun favored him, so he did not dare to neglect him and returned the favor, "Thank you, Mr. Jia, I am here to welcome you!"
Jia Sidao turned sideways and said, "Prime Minister Yang, please come in. I will take you to the post house to rest first."
Yang Weizhong asked: "When can I see your Zhao Guan family?"
Jia Sidao smiled and said: "Prime Minister Yang, don't worry. The officials know you are coming and will definitely receive you. But before that, Prime Minister Ding and Prime Minister Qiao want to discuss with Prime Minister Yang first."
Yang Weizhong nodded, "Well, I hope I can complete my trip to Lin'an as soon as possible. Please also ask Xianggong Jia to make arrangements for me!"
Jia Sidao agreed and immediately led the Mongolian delegation to the post station to rest.
He talked with Yang Weizhong along the way, and Yang Weizhong did not hide anything and took the initiative to inform Jia Sidao of his purpose.
After settling Yang Weizhong, Jia Sidao immediately came to the political hall. Ding Daquan and Qiao Xingjian saw him coming in. Ding Daquan quickly asked, "Yun Cong, what are you doing here?"
Jia Sidao bowed first, then sat down and said, "My two ministers are here to discuss a joint attack on Qi this winter!"
Ding Daquan and Qiao Xingjian looked at each other and frowned, "Are they joining forces to attack Qi again?"
Obviously, the Southern Song Dynasty had not yet recovered from the disastrous defeat the year before, and was rather afraid of the topic of attacking Qi.
Jia Sidao said: "Last winter, the Mongolian cavalry invaded the territory of Qi, galloped across Hebei, and captured several counties. However, the blow to Qi was not serious. This winter, the Mongolian army wants to join forces with us to attack Huainan. After capturing the Huaihe River, Huainan will be Leave it to us!”
The Qi army occupied Huainan and confronted the Song army across the river, making it difficult for the Song Dynasty to sleep and eat.
Now Zhao Yun and the ministers of the DPRK have been thinking of ways to recapture Huainan.
The Qi army was powerful and Zhao Yun was thrown into the shadow. He did not dare to take it back by force, and even had the idea of buying it back.
Now Mongolia proposed to capture Huainan and then give it to the Southern Song Dynasty, which made the two prime ministers a little excited.
Qiao Xingjian asked: "What do the Mongols want us to do?"
Mongolia is also a tiger and wolf, and it is impossible to give Huainan away for nothing. Qiao Xingjian is still more cautious and wants to understand Mongolia's demands.
Jia Sidao said in a deep voice: "As far as I know, the Mongolian cavalry has many cavalry and lacks the infantry that can attack fortresses. The Mongolian army hopes that after winter, they will deal with the Qi army's cavalry and let us capture the Qi city. If the city is captured, we will The Mongolian army must be paid a reward."
After Qiao Xingjian heard this, he looked at Ding Daquan and said, "Ding Xiang, what do you think?"
Ding Daquan pondered for a while, "This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided easily. It also depends on the attitude of the officials!"
This matter is very risky. One is whether Huainan can be recovered.
If it cannot be taken back, it will definitely be punished by the officials.
The second is whether it can withstand Qi's counterattack after taking it back. If the Song army has not defeated the Qi army, then the officials will take his head to plead guilty to Zhao Tai.
Therefore, Ding Daquan would not express his position easily. He glanced at Qiao Xingjian and decided to leave the matter to Zhao Yun. Anyway, he would not agree or refuse.
On this day, Ding Daquan and Qiao Xingjian met with Yang Weizhong. The two sides discussed for a whole morning. Yang Weizhong made many concessions during the meeting, hoping to win over the Southern Song Dynasty and participate in the winter alignment operations.
For Mongolia, Qi is rising rapidly. If Qi is not severely damaged this year, Zhao Tai will have to turn from defense to offense next year and send troops to attack the Central Plains and Hedong.
Therefore, this time the Mongols were very willing to join forces with the Song Dynasty to attack Qi. They almost took the initiative to attack the Southern Song Dynasty and wanted to help the Southern Song Dynasty regain Huainan.
Yang Weizhong made many concessions and promises, but the Song Dynasty was too timid. Ding Daquan and Qiao Xingjian did not express their positions, but only said that they would tell Zhao Yun.
After the discussion, the two came to the imperial study. After Zhao Yun approved a stack of memorials, he couldn't help but praise himself, "I am really a diligent emperor!"
At this time, Zhao Yun moved his body and saw the two prime ministers. He couldn't help asking: "Have you finished discussing with the Mongolian envoy?"
Ding Daquan and the other two saluted, "Reply to Your Majesty, we have already discussed it and are here to report to Your Majesty!"
Zhao Yun asked: "What did Meng Envoy say?"
Obviously, Zhao Yun had already learned the news about the envoy's arrival and understood Yang Weizhong's intention of coming to Lin'an.
Ding Daquan immediately explained the discussion process and content, but did not express his own opinion.
After hearing this, Zhao Yun was obviously moved, but he was obviously afraid of Zhao Tai, so he asked: "What do you two dear ladies think?"
Ding Daquan hesitated and said: "I feel that if we can get Huainan back, it will be a good thing for our Song Dynasty. If we cannot get it back, it will anger Zhao Tai and be a threat to our Song Dynasty."
Qiao Xingjian nodded in agreement, "I think this matter has pros and cons. I think it's better to ask Your Majesty to make a decision on such a big matter."
Zhao Yun frowned. The two of them talked, but they didn't seem to say anything.
