"What do they want in exchange?" Chen Qing asked with interest.
"They wanted to exchange war horses and sheepskins with us, but they didn't give us much. They just wanted to exchange 500 war horses and 5,000 sheepskins for a lot of supplies."
"Is this all they can offer, or are they greedy?" Chen Qing asked again.
"The humble official thinks they are the latter!"
"Is there any basis for this?"
Zhang Xiao nodded, "When I was sorting out information some time ago, I saw an intelligence report from last autumn, saying that Xiao Heda had a great victory in Yincheng and captured more than 70,000 war horses."
Chen Qing sneered, "More than 70,000 war horses were seized, but they only gave us 500. What a shame."
"Then what does Dutong mean?"
Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back: "Our free aid is only 500 barrels of kerosene and 10,000 shi of military rations. If they want other things, they give them war horses and sheepskins in exchange. I won't take advantage of them, just
Converted according to market price.”
"I understand. In addition, they also want gunpowder. They said that the Xixia army's gunpowder barrel exploded and sprayed poisonous nails, which caused great harm to them. They also want to use gunpowder to retaliate!"
Chen Qing looked out the window for a while and said: "Tell them, we don't have any extra gunpowder, but I can teach them how to avoid gunpowder poison nails for free, and take them to the firearms testing site in the afternoon."
"I understand, I will make arrangements."
In the afternoon, Zhang Xiao took Xi Muna and his men to the firearms testing site in Chigu Town.
This was the Song Army's firearms testing ground. Xi Mu was very interested and curious about everything. He wished he could learn all the secrets inside...
Zhang Xiao smiled and said to Xi Mu: "We are never open to outsiders, and even middle- and lower-level generals are not qualified to come in. Our commander-in-chief also hopes that you can defeat the Xixia Army, so we make an exception and let you visit!"
"I know that Chen Dutong's sincerity is touching, and we will keep it in our hearts!"
Zhang Xiao laughed and led them to a small house. A soldier led the way, "Everyone, please go this way!
Everyone passed through the hut, and the front suddenly opened up. There was another testing ground, covering an area of about two acres. Everyone stood on a high place.
Zhang Xiao then introduced to Xi Muna: "My family heard that many soldiers in your army were injured by the gunpowder poison nails of the Xixia Army. Everyone felt that it was necessary to help everyone. How to guard against the poison nails. You can watch the drill below.
!”
Twenty soldiers stood below, each wearing ordinary leather armor and holding a large shield. At this moment, a lit gunpowder barrel flew over their heads. Ximunna and his followers screamed in surprise.
I saw one of the leading soldiers shouting, "There's an explosion, get down!"
Twenty soldiers lay down at the same time, covering their heads with shields, and there was a violent explosion, with nails flying everywhere. Of course, the drill will not actually quench the poison.
But when the smoke cleared, the twenty soldiers stood up one after another, and no one was injured.
Xi Muna and his entourage all understood and applauded enthusiastically together.
Zhang Xiao added with a smile: "There are fifty soldiers in the Song Army. There must be two warning soldiers among the fifty, who can shout at any time to tell their companions to lie down. The shield does not need to be very good, an ordinary shield is enough."
Wang Lian'an, the general who followed Xi Muna, bowed deeply to Zhang Xiao again, "Today's visit is very important. We know how to deal with the Xixia people's gunpowder poison nails. I once again express my gratitude and respect to your army!"
Perhaps this visit allowed Xi Muna to see the sincerity of the Song Army, and subsequent negotiations were much easier. The Song Army was unable to support Xiao Heda's army with 500 barrels of kerosene and 10,000 shi of grain, and the extra supplies were
In the exchange of military horses, the two parties agreed on the price of high-quality war horses and ordinary war horses.
Finally, Ximuna agreed to exchange 14,000 ordinary war horses and 6,000 superior war horses with the Song army for 2,000 barrels of kerosene, 100,000 shi of grain, 80,000 catties of salt, and 30,000 sets of ordinary armor.
.
This price is quite appropriate, mainly because six thousand high-quality war horses are expensive. In the Jiangnan region, such high-quality war horses are worth hundreds of guan, and even those with money cannot buy them.
For the Xihe Army, high-grade war horses are generally used to equip elite cavalry, while ordinary war horses are used to ride for infantry.
Chen Qing has been planning to form a Tianlong Army since last year, which is the most elite cavalry. Chen Qing will directly command it. There are currently 5,000 people. After the arrival of these high-quality war horses, his Tianlong Army will be expanded to 10,000.
people.
In addition, the extra thousand high-quality war horses were used to expand the scout army and form a new scout battalion, led by Tang Qian, who had just been promoted to commander.
The details of the transaction were still under negotiation, but at this moment, Chen Qing received an eagle letter from Jingzhao City and Taiyuan City. The information was confirmed. Emperor Wanyan Sheng of the Jin Kingdom passed away, and Wan Yanchang led 20,000 Jurchens.
The army rushed back to Shangjing, and Wanyan Wushu, Wanyan Zonghan and other Jurchen nobles also rushed back to Shangjing.
At this critical moment, the opportunity to counterattack the Jin soldiers came. Not only Chen Qing's army attacked the Shaanxi Road, but other Song armies also had the opportunity to counterattack the Jianghuai line.
In Lin'an, the emperor Zhao Gou urgently summoned the prime ministers to discuss matters in the imperial study.
"I believe all of you dear friends have read Yue Dutong's memorial. Today Han Dutong also sent a memorial with the same content. The Emperor of Jin died, the Jianghuai army was empty, there were no Jurchen troops stationed, and there were not even many puppet Qi troops.
, Han Dutong suggested attacking Jianghuai, let everyone talk about it!"
A few days ago, Yue Fei, who was stationed in Xiangyang, also sent a memorial. He received accurate news that the emperor of the Jin Dynasty passed away, and the top brass of the Jin army rushed back to Shangjing. He suggested taking this opportunity to attack Jianghuai and establish a defense line along the Huaihe River. Yue Fei's
The memorial caused great controversy in the court. There were supporters and opponents, making the court unable to make up its mind.
Today Han Shizhong also sent a memorial, asking the court to seize the opportunity to expedition to the north of the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. The memorials written by Han Shizhong and Yue Fei were both impassioned and impassioned, and Zhao Gou was really moved.
In addition, white flags were hung up in the Jin Guo Pavilion yesterday to express mourning. Zhao Gou specially sent Qin Hui to the Jin Guo Pavilion to pay homage on behalf of the court.
Although Zhao Gou was a peace advocate at heart, he did not want to live in danger all the time and be forced to board a boat to escape. For this reason, Zhao Gou also accepted Zhang Jun's plan to recapture Jianghuai as the Yangtze River defense line.
Buffer, even if a long-term armistice agreement is to be signed in the future, the Huaihe River must be used as the dividing line, not the Yangtze River.
However, the disastrous failure of the two attacks on the Huaihe River made him feel gloomy and he could not make up his mind. Zhao Gou looked at Zhang Jun, hoping that Zhang Jun would speak first.
Zhang Jun understood and bowed: "Your Majesty, I have always believed that security is both the cause and the result of war. We take the initiative to challenge threats for the sake of security. If we defeat the opponent, we can gain security, but we also
It is not to blindly challenge, but to wait for the opportunity. Now that the leader of the Jin Kingdom is dead, it is a once-in-a-century opportunity for us. We have at least half a year to recapture Jianghuai and consolidate the Jianghuai defense line. This opportunity has been missed, and we will wait until the situation of the Jin Dynasty is stabilized.
Come down, it will be difficult from now on."
As soon as Zhang Jun finished speaking, Zhu Shengfei said quickly: "Your Majesty, it is not loyal to plot and kill good people; it is not benevolent to take advantage of others' danger. The leader of the Jin Kingdom is mourning and a country is misfortune. Since we go to express our condolences, we then send troops to attack. It is indeed not etiquette. What the superior country did, I firmly oppose sending troops."
Xu Xiantu was at odds with Zhu Shengfei. He sneered and said: "When did Jianghuai become the land of the Jin Kingdom? Our capital is still Bianliang, and the Ancestral Temple of the Song Dynasty is also in Bianliang. The two emperors have not returned. We will take back the territory and fight against the rebels." , does Mr. Zhu think we are taking advantage of others’ danger?”
Zhu Shengfei also said angrily: "I'm not saying that we won't take back the country, but it shouldn't be at this time. When the crisis of the Jin Kingdom is over, wouldn't it be better for us to send out troops to attack in an upright manner?"
Xu Xiantu sarcastically said: "I didn't expect that Mr. Zhu was actually Song Xianggong's confidant. It's rare!"
Zhu Shengfei blushed and looked at Qin Hui as if asking for help. Qin Hui was in a dilemma. He was not as stupid as Zhu Shengfei. He also saw that the officials wanted to seize Jiang Huai. Zhang Jun obviously understood the officials' thoughts. If he If you express your objection, I am afraid that it will arouse the resentment of the officials. If you do not object, it will be difficult to explain to the Jin Kingdom in the future.
He said after a while: "We are still in the armistice period and are bound by the agreement. I'm afraid it's difficult to send troops!"
Qin Hui didn't say much, but he got to the key point. There was still one month left for the armistice agreement to expire, so it was really inappropriate for them to send troops at this time.
Zhao Gou was a little embarrassed and looked at Lu Yihao again. Lu Yihao was always steady, thoughtful and pragmatic. Although Zhao Gou wanted to remove Lu Yihao several times because of Chen Qing, the court could not find a replacement for him. Lu Yihao's minister, Zhao Gou, could only hold his nose and let Lu Yihao continue to be the prime minister.
Lu Yihao smiled and said slowly: "The impact of a full-scale dispatch of troops is too great, and it indeed violates the armistice agreement. Wei Chen suggested that we should use the method last time, and let Yue Dutong send troops from the center line, but not attack Bianliang, but instead attack Attack Jianghuai from the east, so as not to violate the armistice agreement on the Eastern Front and seize the opportunity."
Qin Hui retorted: "Isn't attacking Jianghuai to the east also a violation of the armistice agreement?"
Lu Yihao said calmly: "Qin Xianggong can go and read the agreement. It is clearly stated in it that the Eastern Front refers to the line of the Yangtze River. The Song Army is not allowed to cross the Yangtze River and go north. Yue Dutong sent troops and did not cross the Yangtze River and go north, right? "
Zhao Gou's eyes lit up. Although he was taking advantage of the literal meaning, it was indeed a good idea.
