Su Jin secretly sighed, there is always a lack of fighting in the court. This was the case when Lu Yijian was alive, and it is still the case among the New Deal Party and conservative officials who emerged after Lu Yijian's death. Now the New Deal Party, Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, Fubi and others have been demoted.
The same is true for Jing, Yan Shu and Du Yan.
Every moment, every day, there are indispensable disputes over interests and power. If you tell me to do something like this, I will find some trouble. In short, I will never make you feel comfortable. Sometimes I think about these important ministers in the world, one by one.
Although he is rich in experience at this age, he behaves like a child playing house when he is impulsive.
"Su Aiqing, if you have any suggestions, tell me." Zhao Zhen asked with a smile when he saw Su Jin's thoughtful look.
Su Jin cupped his hands and said: "Actually, what Prime Minister Yan and Privy Du said are correct. Enriching the country and strengthening the army is the fundamental way. Increasing the number of soldiers is also necessary to prepare for war. However, it is currently limited by various factors. I am afraid that others will not give us
Too long to be on guard.”
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "I understand that since the Song Dynasty was founded for more than a hundred years, it has always yearned for a rich country and a strong army, but until now, it is still far away." [
"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. A strong country is not something that can be achieved in a day. Forefathers built the foundation and later generations built tall buildings. After generations of hard work, the day will eventually come. Moreover, there are some things where manpower is limited. Sometimes it depends on the circumstances, such as natural disasters and man-made disasters.
, such as suppression by enemy countries or limitations of policy implementation, there is no need to rush."
Zhao Zhen said that Su Jin's "policy action" was somewhat alluding to the New Deal, and Zhao Zhen could only remain silent on this matter.
"Long-term development is naturally aimed at enriching the country and strengthening the military. But as far as the current situation is concerned, there are still ways to prevent Xia and Liao in the short term. It will naturally be very difficult for the Song Dynasty to fight against two people, but it will be divided and collapsed.
The alliance they may be able to form is still promising," Su Jin continued.
"Oh? You mean... to win over one of Xia and Liao? But both Xia and Liao have regarded the Song Dynasty as their number one enemy. After this incident, they hate the Song Dynasty so much that it will be difficult for them to work."
"Your Majesty, I analyze that it is indeed impossible to win over the Liao people. The Liao country is very powerful. Even if it is hit hard now, with more than a hundred years of accumulation, they will not give in easily. In terms of national strength, the Liao people
The country is slightly weaker than the Song Dynasty, but its military strength is stronger than that of the Song Dynasty. This is the reason why they do not want to show weakness; but the Xia Kingdom is different. Today's Xia Kingdom is not what it used to be. After Yuan Hao's death, the current leader of the Xia Kingdom is a
The puppets are completely controlled by the Empress Dowager Yeli, and the Chinese Prime Minister Zhang Yuan is also from the Song Dynasty. After the civil strife and the war between Liao and Xia, it is the weakest country among the three countries in terms of national and military strength. They hate the Song Dynasty because
The Song Dynasty forces them to fight with the Liao people, which not only consumes national power but also hurts dignity. Any country would have such emotions, which is understandable."
Zhao Zhen said: "It is the law of heaven and earth that the weak prey on the strong. When Yuanhao of the Western Xia Dynasty was alive, didn't he also take advantage of the internal troubles of the Song Dynasty to cause harassment and sneak attacks?"
Su Jindao: "That's true, but people are willing to harm others to benefit themselves. The suffering of others often highlights their own comfort and comfort. How many people are sympathetic and reflective? Most of them are just gloating about their misfortune. Today's Xia Kingdom is trapped between Song and Liao.
They were in a dilemma, but if the Song Dynasty remained hostile, the Xia people would have no choice but to turn to the Liao people. If the Liao people could really ignore the 260,000 elites lost in the battle of Helan Mountain, the Xia people would of course choose to unite with them;
But if we, the Song Dynasty, take the initiative to show our favor to the Xia Kingdom, the Xia people may turn to our country, the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Zhen said: "Winning over the Xia people? It may not be easy."
Yan Shu also said: "Master Su may be a bit fanciful. Under the current situation, it will be difficult for the Xia people to trust me in the Song Dynasty again. No one wants to be fooled a second time."
Su Jindao: "You can't say that. National relations depend on gains and losses of interests, not on whims. If the Xia people were just on whims, they would never be able to stand in the northwest as a small clan for nearly a hundred years. The size of the chips determines the distance of the relationship.
"
Zhao Zhen frowned and said: "You mean, we want to benefit the Xia people? But the Liao people will also show their kindness. Besides, how can I, the Song Dynasty, spare the time to benefit the Xia people?"
"Yes, Mr. Su, aren't you afraid of the consequences of raising tigers? The Dangxiang clan has never really wanted to return home. If you feed them, you don't know when they will bite back." Xia Song said.
Du Yan waved his hand and said: "The Xia people are so troubled, if you ask me, we might as well raise an army to attack them and destroy them completely."
The ministers were in an uproar and looked at Du Yan in surprise. Du Yan realized that his words had not been thought through and hurriedly covered it up: "It's just a casual comment, don't take it seriously."
Yan Shu said coldly: "As an important minister, how can I just say something casually in the court? It's ridiculous."
Du Yan glared at Yan Shu, deeply regretting his mistake, but Yan Shu took the opportunity to ridicule him.
Su Jin smiled and said: "If we want to fight, we won't fight against the Xia Kingdom, but against the Liao Kingdom."
"Master Su, why are you making noises too? Is it time for a war now?" Yan Shu was extremely dissatisfied.
Zhao Zhen said seriously: "How can we use troops lightly, Su Jin, don't talk nonsense." [
Su Jindao: "The minister is not talking nonsense. Conquest by force might not be a bad idea. Doesn't the emperor want to unify the north, expand the territory, and complete the great unfinished work of Taizu and Emperor Taizong?"
Zhao Zhen lowered his face and said: "That also depends on the strength. Can the Song Dynasty do it now?"
Su Jindao: "Strike first and control others later. Instead of guarding against the Xia-Liao alliance, why not disintegrate their alliance and defeat them one by one?"
Xia Song said: "Even if we fight, we should attack Xia first. The Liao people's military strength is not inferior to mine, how can we fight? Besides, now is definitely not the best time. Such a great success will bring disaster."
Su Jindao: "What I'm saying is, I'm not saying to use troops immediately. Of course, we must be fully prepared. But if we want to fight, we can only fight the Liao people. The reason is very simple. If we attack Xia, Liao will be saved. This virtually promotes the alliance between Liao and Xia.
, and if they attack Liao, Xia may not be able to rescue them, because the Xia State does not have the ability to rescue them. If they consider the worry of losing their lips and teeth, they may bite the bullet and rescue them. However, if the Song Dynasty takes the initiative to show goodwill and gives Xia State an appropriate commitment, it will relieve them.
The Xia people will definitely ignore their worries, and it will become a one-on-one duel between Song and Liao. Whether we can win or not depends on our ability."
Zhao Zhen never expected that Su Jin would have such a shocking idea brewing in his heart, to destroy Liao and Xia and create an eternal foundation. It was not that he had never thought about this idea, on the contrary, he had only dreamed about it, but it was just a thought.
People never mentioned it, for fear of being laughed at because of their own incompetence, but Su Jin actually said it like this, and plausibly, and seemed to be somewhat confident.
Even though he knew that the feasibility was slim, Zhao Zhen subconsciously wanted to talk about this matter for a while, so he coughed, calmed down the buzzing ministers, and asked: "What kind of promises and benefits can the Xia people stand up to?
If the Xia people catch me, the Song Dynasty's mental lion opens my mouth, won't we be coerced by him?"
Su Jin thought for a while and said: "It is urgent to let the Xia people believe in our sincerity. One of the main reasons why the Xia Kingdom's national strength has declined in recent years is because the Song Dynasty imposed a trade blockade on them. The climate of the Xia Kingdom
The conditions were so bad that there was not enough food to eat, and daily clothing and food were a problem. Their furs, green salt and other specialties could not be sold to the Song Dynasty. Although there was trade with the Liao people, the Liao people they needed were not enough to support themselves.
What they produce is the same as that of the Liao people, and there is no complementarity at all. To win their hearts, the first thing to do is to fully open trade with the Xia State and allow normal commodity transactions between the two countries. This is what the Xia State hopes most.
A little bit of what I saw.”
"It seems to make sense. The Xia people have tasted the benefits and naturally dare not give them up. Moreover, they also have the desire to restore their national strength and strengthen themselves. If the two countries trade, it will be difficult for them to develop." Zhao Zhen and the ministers were a little moved.
"Open trade alone may not be able to eliminate Xia's wariness. If the Song Dynasty and the Liao people go to war, the Xia people will naturally consider their own safety. Don't they understand the principle of defeating them one by one?" Zhao Zhen said.
Su Jin nodded and said: "What the emperor said is true, so political means are still needed. This time the emperor will come forward."
Zhao Zhen said in astonishment: "Am I going to come forward?"
Su Jindao: "Yes, the emperor has a lot of face. Only by the emperor's personal appearance can we show the sincerity of the Song Dynasty. I can bridge the gap and facilitate the secret meeting between the Xia king, the queen mother and the emperor. The emperor only needs to use the Xia people's power in the battle of Liao and Xia."
I apologized for the matter and promised never to invade the Xia Kingdom, so that the Xia people would be more generous. I think the Xia people would be more than willing to ask for it, and they would be given some sweet treats to make up for it. Even if the Xia people are still wary, as long as they remain neutral,
We will not send troops to aid Liao, this is enough."