The strength of Qi's navy is not weak, but the scope of Qi's army's activities is mainly along the coast of Shandong and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Qi State did not have much power in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

Zhao Tai thought about crossing the river directly from the lower reaches, forcing himself across the Yangtze River and killing Lin'an City.

However, many ministers of Qi State had considerable objections to this.

Conquering the Song Dynasty was a major event, related to the fate of the country and could not be gambled. Qi State naturally had to sum up the experience and lessons of past dynasties.

Taking into account the Jin's destruction of Wu, the Sui's destruction of Chen, and the Song's destruction of the Southern Tang, as well as the results of various North-South wars in history, Zhao Tai finally chose a relatively safe three-way attack on the Song Dynasty.

Because Zhao Tai got the news that Guyu was already at a disadvantage in the civil strife in Mongolia and it was estimated that he would not be able to survive for long.

This means that Zhao Tai did not have many opportunities to try and make mistakes, so he listened to the suggestions of his subordinates.

In recent years, the Qi State has marched troops to the Yangtze River to manage Yangzhou, and the military front has directly threatened the south of the Yangtze River.

In order to prevent the Qi army from crossing the river, the Southern Song Dynasty deployed heavy troops in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Many years have passed since the last war between Song and Qi. Unlike the Qi State, which was either fighting the Mongols or recuperating, there was no war in the Southern Song Dynasty. They had been expanding their military and preparing for war in these years.

The current defense of the Southern Song Dynasty in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River was not only impregnable but also an iron wall.

Therefore, Zhao Tai and his ministers formulated a three-pronged plan to destroy the Song Dynasty, using the east route army to contain the main force in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the west route army to attack Sichuan and Shu to hold back the Shu soldiers. He personally led the main force to capture Xiangfan and tear apart the defenses of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Then outflank the Song army downstream.

This plan is very grand. Qi State will dispatch at least three to four hundred thousand troops.

In the past two years, Qi State has been recuperating and recuperating. The country maintains only more than 400,000 troops. If it wants to destroy Song Dynasty, it will need to expand its army.

At this time, Zhao Tai had abandoned his horse and boarded the Qi army's warship.

He stood on the building boat with a group of ministers and generals, and saw the building boats around him, conducting drills under Xia Gui's command.

Zhao Tai looked at it for a while and was quite satisfied, but he felt that it was inferior to Qi's Donghai Navy, Huaihe Navy, and Yangtze River Navy.

However, the Baihe Navy was established less than two years ago and is somewhat lacking in capabilities, which is normal.

Zhao Tai nodded slightly, "The Qing family, the Baihe Navy has been established for two years. I want to ask you, please tell me the truth. If there is a war, are you sure of defeating the Southern Song Dynasty Navy on the Han River?"

Xia Gui pondered for a moment and said, "Reporting to your Majesty, if we fight against the Yangtze River Navy of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Baihe Navy is indeed a bit behind, but if we deal with the Song Army Navy on the Han River, I am confident that we will be able to defeat them in half."

Zhao Tai was not in a hurry after hearing this answer, because it would take a year and a half to prepare for the actual attack on the Song Dynasty.

Now that there is a 50-50 chance, if you continue training for a while, you can increase your chances of winning.

Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "Very good! You continue to train. If you are lacking or need anything, report it to me, and I will ask the cabinet to meet your requirements."

Xia Gui was overjoyed after hearing this, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, I heard from my colleagues that the Ordnance Bureau has developed a rocket and is testing it in the East China Sea Navy. I feel that this kind of firearm is particularly suitable for water warfare. I hope that your Majesty can use it.

The Ministry of War has given priority to our Baihe Navy."

Zhao Tai smiled slightly and said: "You are quite well informed. I can agree to this request, but I also have a request. Before the war begins, I need you to be at least 70% sure of defeating the Jinghu Navy of the Southern Song Dynasty."

Xia Gui immediately clasped his fists and said, "I will definitely live up to your Majesty's expectations."

Zhao Tai nodded with satisfaction. He watched the warship drill for a while and then went ashore again.

At this time, a group of cavalry galloped from a distance and came to Zhao Tai, "Your Majesty, here is the memorial from Yecheng."

After civil strife broke out in Mongolia, Zhao Tai realized that the opportunity to attack Song Dynasty had arrived.

He quietly left Yecheng, went to Xi'an successively, summoned Wang Shixian and other princes, and then came to Nanyang to inspect the Baihe Navy.

Although Zhao Tai was out during this period, he did not put down his official duties. Many memorials that needed his handling or instructions were sent to him.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Tai immediately asked someone to take it over and went directly to Nanyang.

When he arrived at his temporary accommodation, Zhao Tai immediately took out the memorials sent from Yecheng and the letters from the cabinet, and processed them in the study.

Zhao Tai read several memorials in succession and frowned slightly.

Among these memorials, there are two things that attracted Zhao Tai's attention.

The first thing is from Mongolia.

Since the civil strife in Mongolia, Qi State has tried every means to keep a close eye on the situation in Mongolia.

A few months ago, Mongolia split into northern and southern parts after a conflict between Mengge and Guyu near the Yuerhai Sea.

After Meng Ge was recommended by the kings of the host country, he mobilized his troops to attack He Lin, hoping to defeat Guiyou in one fell swoop and seize the power of Mongolia.

Guyuk failed in the plot, but after all he was the Great Khan recommended by the Mongolian nobles, and Meng Ge's actions were tantamount to rebellion.

Therefore, under Guyuk's call, the kings of Mobei, the princes of Xidao, and the Chagatai family who had supported Ogodei all expressed their support for Guyuk and denounced Meng Ge for splitting Mongolia and launching a rebellion.

More than two months ago, Guyu gathered tens of thousands of troops to attack Meng Ge. At this time, among the kings of the East Road, some of the clan kings who were close to Guyu suddenly went into rebellion, causing Meng Ge's attack on Helin to fail.

After this failure, Zhao Tai originally thought that Mongolia would be divided into two parts and fall into a long-term confrontation. However, as time went by, Meng Ge occupied the fertile Monan and Modong, and the Han and Khitan people in Liaozhong and Liaodong provided supplies.

, the advantages gradually become apparent.

Now, with the Southern Song Dynasty's aid to Meng Ge, Meng Ge's strength gradually surpassed Guyu, putting Guyu at a disadvantage.

If this is the case, Zhao Tai is not worried.

Because although Meng Ge had the upper hand, he could not destroy Guiyu in a short time.

What worried Zhao Tai was that Jin Yiwei found out that Guyu and Brother Meng were trying to win over Batu, who was entrenched in the Hetao.

Now that Batu joins any party, it will upset the balance. Especially if Batu joins forces with Meng Ge, Guiyou may not be able to survive for two years.

This means that Zhao Tai will attack the Song Dynasty as soon as possible.

Speaking of conquering the Song Dynasty, Zhao Tai was actually already actively preparing.

Now, in terms of military matters, Zhao Tai's preparations are already in full swing, mainly in terms of money, food, and excuses for war, but they are not ready yet.

Money and food only take time. By the time of next autumn's harvest, the money and food for the Southern Expedition will be ready.

Excuses are simple to say the least, troublesome to say the least.

Zhao Yun and Jia Sidao guessed well. Zhao Tai wrote an appeal in January and sent agents to the Southern Song Dynasty to stir up public opinion and suppress the Southern Song Dynasty court. In fact, he wanted to force the Southern Song Dynasty to express its stance.

For this reason, Zhao Tai set two traps for the Southern Song Dynasty. The first one was naturally the oppression of public opinion.

If the Southern Song Dynasty could not withstand the pressure and announced that the Southern Song Dynasty supported the Qi State in attacking Mongolia, indicating that the Southern Song Dynasty would not hold it back, then the Qi State would immediately present evidence that the Southern Song Dynasty supported Meng Ge, and then use this to attack the Song Dynasty.

Of course, in order for the Southern Song Dynasty to take a stand, in addition to stirring up public opinion and creating pressure, Zhao Tai also deliberately exposed a flaw.

That is, if the Southern Song Dynasty expresses its stance, it must leave the fortress, otherwise it will leave a handle for the Southern Song Dynasty to attack.

What Zhao Tai didn't expect was that the Southern Song Dynasty would not be fooled. After he sent many messages, the Southern Song Dynasty still pretended to be dead and did not express its stance at all.
Chapter completed!