He likes Zhao Xi as he is now. He has emotions in his heart. Such people are human beings.
On the contrary, some emperors only see profit in their eyes. In order to achieve their goals, they can sacrifice anyone. Although such people look very powerful, but if they have no feelings, are they still human?
Li Di didn't want the sincere emotions in Zhao Xi's heart to be wiped out, so he said: "Of course we can't watch. If Su Shaofu really lost because he was inferior to others, then I would have risked my life to save my life.
He was very thoughtful. But at that time, he could only enjoy wealth and wealth in Bianliang City, but he could not lead troops in war."
The teacher made such a guarantee, and Zhao Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
What he was worried about was that Su Shi would be punished severely because of the defeat. He knew some things about Su Shi, and some of them were simply said by Su Shi himself.
According to Su Shi, because his appearance blocked some people's financial opportunities, many people disliked him and wanted to harm him.
If this is the case, once Su Shi makes a mistake, many people will be hurt.
Now the teacher actually said that he would protect Su Shi. Zhao Xi only needed to know that Brother Su was fine. As for the rest, he was still young and could not do anything.
After class, Zhao Xi returned to Zhaoren Palace listlessly. When he saw his sister Zhao Huirou waiting for him from a distance, he forced a smile on his face.
"You have finished your class, let's play together." Zhao Huirou came to Zhao Xi and said with a longing look on her face.
"Sister, I still have some studies to do. Even after I finish my studies, I still have to practice martial arts. I'm afraid I won't have time.
"I said this with all my heart. This is not an excuse. In order to become stronger, Zhao Xi has indeed filled his day with a full schedule during this period.
Zhao Xi's rejection made Zhao Huirou pout on the spot, and then she said reluctantly, "Well, you have a heavy responsibility, so it's right to work hard. But it's just not interesting. During the New Year,
Brother Su hasn't come back yet, and the fireworks are not as beautiful as last year. It's really boring."
With a hint of dissatisfaction, Zhao Huirou left Zhaoren Palace.
Speaking of which, Zhao Huirou is still aware of the general situation. At least she knows the severity. When she learned that Zhao Xi did not have time to accompany her, she did not cry or make a fuss.
Looking at Zhao Huirou's leaving figure, Zhao Xi secretly said in his heart, "Maybe Brother Su can relinquish military power and return to Bianliang City is a good thing. At least without military power, Brother Su will not be afraid of his father and the officials.
At that time, perhaps with this as a condition, Brother Su might still be successful in proposing marriage to his father."
...
Xincheng.
As Su Shi expected, an order came from the imperial court, ordering Di Qing's troops to leave the northern border and return to the western border within three days.
As soon as he got the news, Di Qing came to the Su Mansion in the city. Even though Bao Heizi was also here, he still expressed his dissatisfaction without any restraint.
"Master Bao, General Su, seeing that spring is approaching and the war in the north will continue, how can our 40,000 Western troops leave at this time?"
"Why are the Xixia army pressing the border? They don't make some small moves every year. They obviously want me to return to the west border so that they can continue to launch an aggressive war in the northern border. As soon as I introduce martial arts
My husband can see it, but I don’t believe that the big men in the court can’t understand it.”
After complaining continuously, Di Qing sat down on the guest chair with a plop, his face turned red and unwilling to accept it.
Bao Zheng's face turned a little red, but in the end he said nothing.
Before the Chinese New Year, Su Shi had told him something, saying that he was afraid that Di Qing's troops would be transferred back to the Western Region before the war.
Bao Zheng has a different view on this point of view.
He thinks it is unlikely. After all, even if the Western Territory is in danger, there is only one enemy in Xixia, unlike the Northern Territory, which may face danger from the three tribes at any time.
He could see through this, and so should others. Unless they wanted the Northern Territory of the Song Dynasty to be unrest, they would not transfer Di Qing's troops before the war was over and the lost territory was recovered.
But now that the facts were in front of him, and the imperial edict was in his hands, he finally knew that he was wrong.
I still underestimated the ambition of the court officials.
In order to attack their opponents, these people will use any means, even to the point of disregarding the safety of the country.
Bao Zheng did not know what to say because of his misjudgment. But for Su Shi, who had expected this scene for a long time, his expression was very calm. "General Di, Your Majesty has your Majesty's consideration. We will do this."
The ministers can only obey the will. Let's do this. You will leave in three days. In the past few days, I will prepare some delicious food and we will have dinner every day. It will be regarded as a farewell to our Western Army."
"Okay, thank you General Su."
Di Qing sighed and agreed. He came this time just to express his dissatisfaction and also to sue
He told Bao Zheng and Su Shi that he really didn't want to leave this time, but because of His Majesty's will, he had to obey.
He had the experience of fighting side by side with Su Shi, and he knew this man's energy very well. Deep down, Di Qing didn't want to offend Su Shi. If he had the opportunity to make a good sale, he would certainly not let it go.
With Su Shi's proposal and Di Qing's acquiescence, in the next three days, hundreds of thousands of troops had dinner every day, and all the soldiers were eating with their mouths full of oil. It was the 40,000 Western troops who
I really felt like I didn’t miss Shu.
Their most direct feeling is that serving as a soldier under Su Shi is the most rewarding thing.
Eat the best meals, drink the strongest wine, and fight the smoothest fights.
It's just a pity that they are the Western Army, and their names have long been recorded. Many of their homes are also in the Western Region. If they stay, they will be deserters and people without household registration. This is something they cannot give up now.
thing.
When the three days came, early in the morning, after having their last meal of steamed buns and fried dough sticks, Di Qing and the others left the northern border and returned to the western border with reluctance.
This scene was also discovered by the Xixia Army scouts who were arranged outside, and they reported it back immediately, causing Wu Zanggu's music, which had been shrinking in Ninghua City to the west of Xincheng, to break out.
General Xiao Xiaoyou of the Liao Kingdom even directly stated that without the support of the Western Army, the best chance to deal with Su Shi and destroy the Northern Army of the Song Dynasty would be as soon as the 200,000 reinforcements from the Liao Kingdom arrived.
But Xiao Xiaoyou didn't know at all that on the morning before Di Qing left, Su Shi found Bao Zheng and proposed that he would lead troops into the Liao border for military operations.
"You have to bring troops in
Liao?"
Bao Zheng's eyes widened with disbelief on his face.
"Yes. I have received accurate information. The Liao Kingdom is gathering troops again, and there are still 200,000 troops. They are preparing to invade our northern territory of the Song Dynasty soon. At that time, they will join forces with the Xixia Army to attack our army from east to west.
At that time, I am afraid that the entire northern border will be slaughtered by the flames of war, and if we fight with a small number and a large number, we may not be able to win."
Su Shi spoke, and Bao Zheng was stunned for a moment.
He knew that Su Shi had his own insider in the Liao Kingdom, but even he didn't know who it was.
Su Shi then said that since he is an insider, of course the fewer people who know about it, the better.
This is not because Su Shi doesn't trust Bao Zheng, but because Bao Zheng has always been interested in the Song Dynasty. Maybe one day, for the sake of the Song Dynasty, he will take the initiative to contact this insider, otherwise he may be discovered. In order to ensure
For Mei Yang's safety, and in order for this person to provide him with more useful information, Su Shi would certainly not tell his name.
"When did you know about this?"
Bao Zheng also spoke, asking something that came to mind.
"I knew it before the Chinese New Year." Su Shi didn't mean to hide it.
"Then why not report it?"
"Also, you clearly knew that the Liao Kingdom was going to send an army of 200,000 to attack the Song Dynasty. Why did you let Di Qing and the others leave? We have every reason to keep them here."
Bao Zheng was puzzled.
Bao Zheng was extremely reluctant to let Di Qing leave.
Just because the northern border is relatively peaceful now, he doesn't have enough reason to keep Di Qing and the others.
But as Su Shi said, if the Liao army really sent 200,000 troops into the Song Dynasty, then he would have enough reasons.
Come, if Su Shi attacks Liao again, wouldn't the winning rate be even greater?
"Di Qing has to leave. If they don't leave, Xixia won't be able to rest assured, and there's no telling what evil will happen. What if, I mean if, because Di Qing doesn't return to the west, Xixia invades, and the Western army is defeated.
, or suffered a loss, can we afford this responsibility?"
"this..."
Bao Zheng wanted to say yes. But in this case, he just couldn't say it.
He knew the tempers of the great men in the imperial court very well. If this was the case, he would definitely put the blame on himself. At that time, he would probably become the shortest-lived Privy Councilor in the history of the Song Dynasty.
At that time, even if your official position is minor, the most important thing is to hold yourself accountable. It is not impossible to be exiled thousands of miles away.
Seeing that Bao Zheng didn't know how to answer, Su Shi just laughed and said: "Uncle Bao, I don't want you to take any responsibility for me. So Di Qing must leave. Once they leave, Xixia will feel relieved, and so will I."
Then we can lead the army into Liao. There are enemies on the left and right. Let them fight in the Song Dynasty and harm our people. How about I go to Liao to fight and harm their people? Uncle Bao, don’t you think so?"
"That's the truth, but our troops are limited. Now that Di Qing has left again, we only have one hundred thousand soldiers in our hands. By the way, you don't need to count the 40,000 troops in my hands. It's okay for them to bully the people, but let them go to the battlefield to fight.
If you fight a tough battle, you will definitely lose."
"Uncle Bao, don't worry, I won't take away too many people, the black cavalry, the vanguard army, and the Longwu Guards. The rest will be left for you. If you add the 40,000 pretending soldiers in Uncle Bao's hands,
There are also 110,000 people in total. They only defend but do not attack. The Xixia army does not dare to mess around." Su Shi said with a smile.