It is undeniable that the party members are very fierce, not the five scum of the war, but when it comes to national power, Xixia is definitely not as good as the Song Dynasty, and so far, it is only limited to the civil strife in Xixia, and the Song Dynasty and Xixia have not declared war.

The other is waxing and waning, where did the Empress Dowager Liang get her confidence?

No need to think about it, it must be the Liao Kingdom.

Based on Li Bingchang's policy slogan, the Liao Kingdom must support the Empress Dowager Liang. He cannot allow Xixia and the Song Dynasty to get too close, especially now that the Song Dynasty's national power is booming, and the emperor sitting on it is very different from the previous Renzong and Zhang Zhenzong.

Same, so at this moment, the Liao Kingdom needs Xixia even more to contain the Song Dynasty.

In fact, the Empress Dowager Liang was very politically savvy. She was not stupid. She knew what the consequences would be if she did this, but she could only do it this way. At the same time, she knew she could use this to win over the Liao Kingdom.

If Li Bingchang is allowed to take charge personally, Song and Xia will become one family, and there will be no one to help you contain the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, the Liao Kingdom also spent money to support the Empress Dowager Liang and transported a large amount of grain and grass to Xixia from the north.

Of course, the Liao Kingdom also knew clearly that transporting grain and grass alone was not a long-term solution. The key was that it could not take advantage, and could only transfuse blood to Xixia. The trade-off was to weaken both parties and then ensure its dominance.

situation, so the Liao Kingdom had already divided its interests in Hedong.

As long as the Song Dynasty takes advantage of Xixia, then I will definitely take advantage of you, and at the same time make you lose your wife and troops.

The Liao Kingdom has always had the Song Dynasty under control. It can even be said that it has everything under control. In fact, before the Song Dynasty Security Department appeared, the Song Dynasty was no match for the Liao Kingdom even in a spy war.

But this time the Song Army's movements were beyond the Liao Kingdom's surprise. There has been no declaration of war so far, and there is no sign of a large-scale attack. However, the Liao Kingdom still learned that the main force of the Song Army had entered Xixia territory, and also learned that

The main force on the northern front of Xixia was defeated by the Song army in Wudingchuan.

The situation is precarious.

So the Liao Kingdom finally couldn't hold it any longer, and first issued a notice to Shen Kuo, accusing them of the Song Dynasty's deliberate delay and lack of sincerity in negotiations. We had lost patience, and the border to Hedong was decided.

Immediately, 5,000 advance troops were sent to the disputed area, but there were 70,000 to 80,000 troops stationed on the border. It can be seen that the Liao Kingdom was also very cautious. They did not seem to create an atmosphere of invasion. This still fell within the scope of diplomacy.

The Liao soldiers only entered the disputed area and did not mention burning, killing or looting, but they did not encounter any obstruction.

Because this place has been a no-man's land for a long time, the Song Dynasty was afraid that its people would go to farm next door if they were not careful, and it was also afraid that the Liao Kingdom would find an excuse to attack the Song Dynasty or engage in extortion. Later, Han Qi built some

The fortress, however symbolic, is completely devoid of combat effectiveness.

After the Liao troops arrived, the Song troops stationed here withdrew directly. They only stayed here symbolically.

The Han people living here can only withdraw from this place.

Even so, Taiyuan and Fuzhou still felt huge pressure. Fortunately, Wang Shao stopped and continued to attack. Otherwise, it would have been really dangerous.

The Song army guarding Taiyuan quickly launched an active defense.

The news soon spread to Bianjing.

Although everyone had been prepared in their hearts, when the Liao Kingdom actually took this step, the natural fear of the Liao Dynasty still emerged in their hearts.

Everyone inside and outside the country was shocked and frightened.

Do you really want to fight?

But some ministers were very angry about this, and it was the same every time. As long as our army takes action against Xixia, the Liao Kingdom will definitely not be absent.

He's a villain.

It is impossible to cede land.

Even if someone wanted to cut it off, they would not dare to say so. Wen Yanbo and the others were still afraid that Zhao Xu would compromise again.

After learning about this, these prime ministers hurriedly entered the palace with a firm attitude, never compromised, and never recognized the territory demarcated by the Liao Kingdom.

But what can I do if I don’t admit it?

beat?

No one had this idea, including Wen Yanbo himself.

Because in that disputed area, the power of the Song Dynasty was almost zero.

There is a saying that even if they send troops to fight, they can't defeat it. Moreover, part of the main force of the Western Army is still in Xixia. Moreover, thanks to Emperor Tuo'er, the Liao Kingdom has an absolute geographical advantage along the entire border and can advance and retreat freely.

Besides, they still have war horses, but currently firearms cannot dominate the battlefield.

The only way the Song Dynasty could counterattack was to rely on diplomatic channels. To be more precise, it was to use Sui coins and the market to put pressure on the Liao Kingdom.

The point they discussed was the Chanyuan Alliance.

This is because the Sui coins and the market are both part of the Chanyuan Alliance, but in fact, the Chanyuan Alliance did not clearly stipulate the boundary to the east of Hedong, only the Xiongzhou side.

When you bring up the Sui coins and the market, it is equivalent to tying the Hedong boundary to the Chanyuan alliance.

Some ministers believe that doing so will leave them with no way out.

Because you don't give Sui coins and don't open the sales market, the Liao Kingdom will definitely go to war. The Liao State is so cautious now because it is worried that the Song Dynasty will close the sales market and not give the Sui coins.

So after you proposed the Sui coins and negotiated the market, if the Liao Kingdom still refused to withdraw, would you give the Sui coins or not?

This will put you in a dilemma, because after all, you have not yet made up your mind to go to war with the Liao Kingdom.

They wanted to calculate it separately. It was impossible to cede territory. They had to exert pressure through diplomacy, but they could not use the Chanyuan Alliance to make an issue.

Of course, they didn't know that Shen Kuo had already come out with the New Year coins to put pressure.

But Wen Yanbo believes that if you don't take the coins and the market, why should the Liao State pay attention to you? This is tantamount to acknowledgment that they occupy our territory, and the Liao State is very likely to make further progress unless our army withdraws from Xixia.

The two factions also engaged in fierce debates on this point of view.

Zhao Xu has always been relatively silent. Although he does not appear to be very weak, he is not too tough either.

...

Royal Palace.

"Actually, the current situation cannot be considered very bad. At least the Liao Kingdom did not directly send a large army to invade. It can be seen that the Liao Kingdom is also wary. The only solution now is to protest through diplomacy and resolutely refuse to recognize the boundary.

It can be delayed as long as it takes."

Zhang Fei still saw Zhao Xu's worry, so he offered words of comfort.

The worst case scenario is that the Liao Kingdom directly sends troops.

"I know it too."

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "But the question now is whether to count this matter into the Chanyuan Alliance?"

Zhang Fei was silent for a while and said: "I think your Majesty should be prepared to break with the Liao Kingdom."

When Zhao Xu heard this, he couldn't help but frown.

Zhang Fei added: "Because we mentioned the Sui coins before, the Liao Kingdom only sent five thousand soldiers and horses to garrison. They must also be testing and giving Xixia a guarantee.

If we don't mention the Chanyuan Alliance, the Liao Kingdom will definitely think that we are bluffing and dare not break with it, but our Xixia plan cannot be given up.

The Liao Kingdom will definitely push further, and then they will find new problems, and then continue to invade our territory, or ask for more Sui coins.

And if we show more strength, the Liao Kingdom will also be wary. Although it is impossible for them to withdraw from the Hedong border, they may be able to buy us some time. At the same time, we are still collecting evidence of Yelu Yixin.

Maybe you can help us at a critical moment."

Although the two of them had discussed this issue no less than a hundred and eighty times, when it came time to make a decision, Zhao Xu still seemed very hesitant, "We are currently deploying troops in Xixia. Although we have not sent all the main force, there are still about 100,000 people.

Many ministers in the DPRK still believe that fighting on two fronts is too risky. In addition, after so many years of peace on the border, the people of Liao are tired of war, and our people are also tired of war."

Zhang Fei also saw that Zhao Xu was still a little uneasy about breaking with the Liao Kingdom. After all, the Chanyuan Alliance had been in existence for nearly eighty years, and it actually involved the interests of many people, whether it was the Song Dynasty or the Liao Dynasty.

As far as the Liao Kingdom is concerned, if they really break up, it would be fine if they win. If they lose, it may shake their dominance. At present, there is really no guarantee that they can defeat the Liao Kingdom.

The key point is that the Liao Kingdom is also a thief. They have been paving the way for this matter for a long time. We have determined the border through diplomacy. We have been talking for two or three years. It shows that we do not want to break with the Song Dynasty. We are just saying that you

The Song Dynasty deliberately delayed, and it was your fault first.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Fei suddenly said: "Why don't you let me do this?"

Zhao Xu was startled and said in shock: "Are you coming?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "His Majesty still chooses a safer way in diplomacy, while domestically, through the people's lawsuit, the Supreme Court will judge the other party for breach of contract."

Zhao Xu was shocked when he heard this, "How can this be done?"

Zhang Fei said: "I can only judge that the other party violated the contract and ask the other party to compensate our people instead of tearing up the contract. The imperial court does not have this power. This must be decided by your Majesty yourself."

Zhao Xu was a little confused when he heard this, "Can you still ask the Northern Dynasty to compensate our people?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Fei said: "But after the imperial court's judgment, if your Majesty decides to break with the Liao Kingdom, you will have to defend the interests of your own people. This is in line with the concept of the rule of law and is what your Majesty should do. In this way, you can

This will reduce the pressure on His Majesty, and your Majesty will be able to take more initiative, and then assess the situation, and our Imperial Court will also cooperate with His Majesty's strategy."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, no matter whether it was used at this time or not, this was really a method.

Now that he wants to break with the Liao Kingdom, the opposition must think that you are ignoring the safety of the people, but when the matter turns around in the imperial court, it becomes defending the rights and interests of the people.

Zhao Xu asked again: "So you think it's time to break with the Northern Dynasty."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I believe that the Liao Kingdom's move is a test. If we feel guilty, they will definitely intensify their efforts until we withdraw from Xixia. In that case, it will be the same as before, losing both our wives and our troops.

Moreover, we can't just think that this is the Liao Kingdom's intention to provoke a war. We originally planned to break up with the Liao Kingdom. We can also use this matter to tear up the Chanyuan Alliance. After all, His Majesty also said just now. , we, the people of the Song Dynasty, also cherish peace very much. When the time comes, we will have to find another reason to go to war with the Liao Kingdom and recover the sixteen states of Yanyun.

The current situation in the Liao Kingdom is also very delicate, and we have gained another year to build up defenses in Hebei. The timing is not bad for us."
To be continued...