Until he left Xuandemen, Xue Kui still couldn't come to his senses.
On the one hand, as a civil servant, it was difficult for him to accept decisions that interfered with side affairs. On the other hand, he was deeply influenced by traditional Confucianism and had to accept the trust of officials.
Therefore, Xue Kui was very conflicted!
According to the official’s wishes, there will be a war in the northwest region in the future!
Once the war breaks out, countless people will be displaced again, and the covenant that was finally signed may become a piece of waste paper.
This battle involves not only the Guo Dynasty and the Li family of Xiazhou, but also perhaps the Khitan.
If the Li family of Xiazhou gets the support of the Khitan, the situation may deteriorate rapidly.
How should I convince the Lord of Liao?
For a moment, Xue Kui didn't think of any good reason.
The inner east gate of the small hall.
Li Jie was somewhat disappointed in his meeting with Xue Kui today. The current Xue Kui was completely different from the Xue Kui in his impression.
Mediocrity, this was the impression Li Jie had after meeting Xue Kui.
Fortunately, the alliance with Liao to attack Xia was just a false shot, and Li Jie had no intention of uniting with Liao to carve up the Li family in Xiazhou.
Therefore, even if Xue Kui cannot meet his expectations, it is not a big deal.
As long as the news can reach the Li family in Xiazhou, his goal will be achieved.
Whether the Liao Kingdom agrees or disagrees, it will not affect the overall situation.
According to the current military strength of the imperial court, it is still possible to attack the Li family in Xiazhou.
"Brother Six, Xue Kui seems to have little confidence. Did he choose the wrong person this time?"
After Xue Kui left, Liu E walked out from behind the screen. She listened to the entire discussion between Li Jie and Xue Kui.
Even through the screen, she could sense Xue Kui's lack of confidence.
"It's not important."
Li Jie smiled slightly and explained.
"The Khitan side is not the key. Just making a gesture is enough. The real key lies in the roads in Shaanxi."
In the face of absolute strength, any calculation is powerless.
According to the strength of the Xiazhou Li family and the Song Dynasty, even in the field battle, the Song army would be difficult to defeat the Xiazhou Li family head-on.
But the war potential of the Xiazhou Li family was far inferior to that of the Song Dynasty.
Even if the Song Army cannot confront the Xiazhou Li family head-on, as long as it turns into a tug-of-war, the Xiazhou Li family will definitely lose!
There is no doubt about it!
The Song Dynasty was not as weak as imagined.
If Song Ting's combat power was really so vulnerable, how was the Chanyuan Alliance signed?
How could Tubo be so obsessed with attaching itself to the Song Dynasty?
"Maybe."
Liu E was not so optimistic about the upcoming war. After all, the Song Army had suffered many defeats before.
In short, Liu E is not confident enough.
Human beings, after kneeling for a long time, it is always difficult to stand up again. Not only do you have to overcome your own mental obstacles, but you also have to clearly understand the strength of both the enemy and ourselves.
The latter, with Liu E's eyes, can still be seen a little, but the former is indeed a bit difficult.
Not only Liu E, but also ministers from other dynasties.
Fear of war is a problem left over from history. It is actually not difficult to change the attitude of Liu E and foreign ministers.
If victory doesn't work once, then win twice or three times. Until they taste the sweetness of war, those who were originally afraid of war will become fanatical war elements.
It is an eternal truth to induce people to gain profit.
This war with Xixia is the first step in change!
No defeat allowed!
For this reason, Li Jie temporarily tolerated the Lelang tribe's deep involvement in smuggling. For this reason, he also gave Cao Wei the right to kill first and report later.
Although Cao Wei may not necessarily know how to use it, there are two different things between using it and not using it!
In fact, Xue Kui's mission to the Khitan was important, but not that important.
The Khitan granted Xixia a title and made peace with Xixia, all of which were based on the strategy of "joining Xia and controlling Song Dynasty".
Therefore, even if Xue Kui's mission has not yet taken place, Li Jie can foresee the direction of the matter.
There is a high probability that it will fail.
As long as the Khitan monarch is not stupid, this thing is probably impossible to succeed.
To take a step back, even if the Khitan monarch loses his head, the Khitan officials will not lose their minds as well.
After all, uniting the Song Dynasty to attack the Xia Dynasty would not bring much profit.
Besides green and white salt, what else does Xiazhou have?
Nothing!
A piece of barren soil is not worth it!
On the other hand, the existence of the Li family in Xiazhou can involve part of the Song Ting's military strength. As long as the Li family in Xiazhou does not fall, the Song Ting will have to station heavy troops in the northwest region!
…
…
…
One month later.
Xingzhou.
Xixia Palace.
Although he was well prepared for the border conflict, Li Deming still had one last fantasy in his heart.
Kou Bian is a matter of risk and reward.
The benefits are great, but the risks are also great.
If it was not a last resort, he would not want to provoke Song Ting.
Although the Li family of Xiazhou had good relations with the Liao Kingdom and had a marriage relationship, Li Deming saw clearly that the Liao Kingdom was not a good enemy either.
The Liao Kingdom made good friends with them just to use them to contain the Song Dynasty.
Both parties are in a mutually exploitable relationship.
It will be difficult to get actual support from the Liao Kingdom in the next war!
From the perspective of the Liao Kingdom, the other party would at most provide some nominal support. The war between Song Ting and the Xiazhou Li family was completely something the other party was happy to see happen.
Moreover, the more intense the fight between the two sides, the happier the Liao Kingdom was.
The best outcome would be to lose both sides and let the Khitans pick the peaches.
Whether it is the Li family of Xiazhou or the Song Dynasty, there is not much difference for the Liao Kingdom.
As for the covenant signed with Song Ting?
Feel sorry!
Li Deming never believed in these things. For example, when he signed the alliance with Song Ting, he was already ready to tear up the alliance.
The reason why he didn't tear it apart in advance was simply because the time was not right.
Hey!
Hey!
Not long after, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside the hall. Li Deming turned around and saw his son Li Yuanhao walking quickly.
After nearly two months of rest, Li Yuanhao's injuries finally healed.
"Father, there is an urgent report from Bianliang that the Song Dynasty sent an envoy to the Liao Kingdom. The specific reason is unknown."
As soon as he stepped into the palace, Li Yuanhao told his father the latest information.
"Song Dynasty sent envoys to Liao Kingdom?"
When Li Deming heard this, his heart suddenly tightened.
It is normal for Song and Liao to send envoys to each other, but the current time point is not suitable.
The current time point is neither the birthday of Yelu Longxu nor the birthday of Brother Xiao Bodhisattva. Why did the Song court send envoys to the Liao Kingdom?
"Has the reason why Song Ting sent the envoy been found out?"
Hearing this, Li Yuanhao showed a rare expression of confusion.
Li Deming saw through his son's thoughts at a glance and saw him shouting sharply.
"explain!"
After a while, Li Yuanhao said with a heavy expression.
"According to reports from spies, the Song Dynasty seems to want to unite with the Liao Kingdom to attack our country."
"Um?"
Hearing this news suddenly, Li Deming thought he had heard it wrong.