The Xixia court was shocked when the news came that the Song army had captured Xiping Mansion. Thirteen people including Changping King Li Kan and Privy Councilor Cao Baozong jointly submitted a letter to Emperor Li Qianshun requesting the removal of Jin King Richard from his military post. This letter of dismissal attracted a lot of attention. A large number of civil and military officials supported it.
It is no wonder that Brother Richard made a mistake in judgment, which caused the Song army to occupy Yingli County and Mingsha County successively. Xixia almost lost the entire south. Then the Song army swept away more than a hundred large estates, and at the same time defeated the seven Xixia soldiers with 60,000 cavalry. Thousands of cavalrymen now captured Xiping Mansion, and all 28,000 troops were destroyed.
The officials who supported Brother Richard had to shut up in the face of a series of defeats. What's more, Brother Richard used despicable means to kill the family of his political enemy, the King of Chu, and seize all their wealth. This has long made other powerful ministers dissatisfied. Now, He actually lost Xiping Mansion, the second largest city in Xixia. How could he not make the government and the public not excited?
Even the emperor Li Qianshun, who was bedridden, had to force himself to cope with his condition. He urgently summoned Brother Richard overnight to inquire about the situation of the war, and announced that a military and political meeting would be held in the palace early the next morning.
Just when Brother Richard was about to speak, Li Qianshun waved his hands dissatisfied, "Today we don't care about brothers, we only talk about monarchs and ministers. Please give me an explanation!"
Brother Richard knew that the emperor brother was angry. Every time he got angry, he would not allow himself to call him brother. This was a sign that he was ready to deal with himself.
Brother Richard also knew that the problem was serious this time, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and said tremblingly: "Report to your Majesty, I also guessed that the Song Army would attack Xiping Mansion, and went south to patrol the defense. I found that their troops were insufficient, so I transferred two more people from my humble position. Ten thousand troops strengthened the defense of Xiping Prefecture. Unexpectedly, the Song army attacked the city with 150,000 troops. They also attacked the city overnight on the day they arrived, without giving us a chance to rescue. Thirty thousand defenders for a city are not small in any case, and they do not underestimate the enemy. In fact, It’s just because of the lack of strength, I can’t blame Wei Chen!”
Li Qianshun sighed, "If we are so weak, could it be that this is God's will and God wants to destroy me, Daxia?"
"Your Majesty, we have been seriously dragged down by Xiao Heda's rebellion, and our strength is far less than before. The key is the rescue of the Jin Kingdom. If the Jin Kingdom is willing to send troops to support, we still have a glimmer of hope. If the Jin Kingdom is unwilling to support, then the prospect is a bit pessimistic. .”
Li Qianshun was silent for a moment and said: "The Kingdom of Jin has agreed to send troops, but their conditions are very harsh. They want one million taels of silver to store in the treasury. We only have 1.2 million taels in total. I don't know how to respond to this request, but I still agree. Already."
"Should I give it first or give it after victory?"
Li Qianshun smiled bitterly and said: "Of course I demand that we have to wait until the Song army retreats before we can pay, but this is the family wealth left to us by our ancestors, but I have ruined it."
"Your Majesty, the silver in the treasury is used in times of crisis. Now that we are facing the danger of annihilation, there is no problem in using it, but the premise must be that the Jin soldiers can really defeat the Song army and force them to withdraw. Give them the one million silver It doesn't matter, we can still wait for the opportunity in the future and fight to Jingzhao to get it back, but if the Jin soldiers can't defeat them, we don't have to give them the money."
Li Qianshun sighed slightly and said: "If the Jin soldiers are also defeated, then we will be in danger. I want to use this money to buy Dongsheng Prefecture and Yunnei Prefecture, and join forces with the Black Mountain Army Division as our retreat."
"Your Majesty, this is a good idea. We can discuss it with the other party."
"I talked to Pucha Jingshan, the envoy of the Jin Kingdom, yesterday. He dismissed this plan at all. He was very confident that the Jin soldiers would definitely defeat the Song army in the Xixia Plain, so this matter can only be discussed after the war."
Brother Richard was silent for a moment and said: "Your Majesty really plans to hold a military and political meeting tomorrow?"
Once a military and political meeting is held, it is very likely that he will be impeached and removed. How can Brother Richard not be nervous?
Li Qianshun said helplessly: "You also know that Xixia is not my Xixia alone. I can still say a few words about military and political affairs. If you ask for a party-tribal alliance meeting, I may not even be able to keep my throne."
Li Qianshun is right. Xixia is a dynasty established by Dangxiang people, and Dangxiang is a nomadic people. Behind the Xixia Dynasty is also a tribal alliance. If the Dangxiang tribe faces a major survival crisis, let alone Brother Richard, even the emperor will be replaced. Lose.
Brother Richard had no choice but to get up and resign!
.........
Back in the mansion, Brother Richard paced back and forth irritably. He could see that the emperor brother had shown signs of compromising with the ministers, that is, deposing him. It would be fine if he really made a mistake, but he was obviously not as strong as the other party. As a result, how can you blame yourself? Could it be that another person could defeat Song Jun? It is simply wishful thinking. Why can't these people understand it?
Another reason for Brother Richard's irritability is that there has been no news about his second son Li Hanzhong. Judging from the time, they should be back, but so far there is no news. Even if there are any special circumstances, his son will send someone to send him a message. , it won’t be like disappearing.
Thinking of the word 'missing', he felt panic in his heart. Did something really happen?
Han Feng, an aide next to him, advised: "In fact, the prince can also retreat in order to advance, and take the initiative to resign and hand over power to the emperor. When they are defeated, the emperor will use the prince again."
Brother Richard shook his head, "Things are not as simple as you think. Brother Huang has been trying to reduce my military power for more than a day or two. His health is getting worse and worse. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that he is not a few years old. However, the prince is young, and As my uncle, the emperor, is in his prime and holds military power, do you think the emperor brother will rest assured?"
Han Feng was speechless for a moment. He really didn't think about it that much, but now that Xixia is in danger of annihilation, he is still secretly fighting for the throne? It's simply ridiculous.
Brother Richard walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, sighed and said: "And those bastards, once they find out that the wealth was not sent to Montenegro and disappeared halfway, they will definitely doubt me, and those people are greedy for money. , now that I have lost my money, I will be eaten alive, so I must not lose my military power."
Han Feng rolled his eyes and said: "Your Majesty can transfer part of the military power, and then continue to retain the 50,000 troops of the Right Wing Military Division, and transfer these 50,000 troops to the West Camp. Your Majesty will personally sit in the military camp, and then send troops to protect the palace. If the emperor does not want internal strife to break out, he can only let the prince continue to serve as commander of the army on the right wing."
The 50,000 troops of the Right Wing Military Division have followed Brother Richard for many years and have always been his direct army. They were originally 70,000, but they lost 20,000 in fierce battles with the Song army, leaving only 50,000.
At present, there are still 230,000 troops in Xixia, including 30,000 emperor's guards and 50,000 right wing troops. These 80,000 troops are elite troops.
Then there are the 80,000 White Armored Army, and the 70,000 Herdsman Army. This is a newly recruited army. Most of them are veterans who have retired from the army. Their combat effectiveness is not bad, but they are a bit older.
Brother Richard also agreed with Han Feng's suggestion and could give up part of his military power. As long as he kept the 50,000 direct right wing troops in his hands, neither the emperor nor the court would dare to do anything to him.
Brother Richard nodded, "I will write a resignation letter to Brother Huang now!"
.........
In the palace of King Changping, Li Kanzheng and more than ten dignitaries were sitting in the lobby to discuss the impeachment motion to remove Richard from military power.
Li Kan was also from the Xixia royal family. He was Li Ke's father and had a very senior military career. If Brother Richard was dismissed, it would be him who would take over the military power. That's why he would be so active in impeaching Brother Richard.
"The emperor has made it clear that as long as more than 70% of the people agree on the military and political affairs tomorrow, he will remove Brother Richard from the post of marshal and take back military power. Therefore, we must ensure that 70% of the people agree to impeach Brother Richard."
At this time, a cold voice came from outside, "I can guarantee that everyone will strongly demand his removal. Not only that, they will also demand that he be cut into pieces!"
Everyone turned around and saw Xia Jinfeng, the Minister of Civil Affairs, walking into the lobby with a cold face and carrying a bulging leather bag in his hand.