Chapter 201 Xixia is the envoy

Although the intensity of the war in the northwest has slowed down due to the severe cold in winter, the Xixia soldiers who were short of food and clothing were severely reduced. Looking at the Song army, cotton coats were not short, and even the firewood and charcoal were transported to the front line. One was rising and the other was getting worse, and both sides were gradually increasing in morale and overall combat quality. In addition, Xingqing Prefecture, the General Command was surrounded, and the central and local commands were disconnected, and the Xixia army became more passive.

Just after the Lantern Festival, the Royal Newspaper General Office received news that the people of Xixia asked the Si family to come forward to negotiate peace with the court. According to the interview, the conditions for Xixia were to retain the four prefectures for the Tuoba clan as a feeding fief, and at the same time there were arrangements for other tribe nobles. Compared with the conditions offered by Xixia, Xixia would reverently pay tribute to Song. Not only did the Song Dynasty not require the Xixia supplies every year, but Xixia would pay tribute every year.

According to Tokyo News, the court's debate on whether to discuss peace talks will be in trouble. There is no longer a dispute between civil and military in this debate. It has its own reasons and thoughts to support peace talks and oppose peace talks. The focus of the focus is on the Military Affairs Office. Tong Guan supports peace talks and analyzes that it is impossible for the Western Xia to retain the four states, which is impossible to pose a threat to the Song Dynasty. The strength will be weakened again, and it will be slowly assimilated by the Song Dynasty and finally return to the Song Dynasty. Tong Guan also reported secretly that the emperor would only control the number of horses in the Western Xia army and would seal the back and divide the Liao border. In the future, war against Liao will begin, and the remaining Western Xia Kingdom will become a natural barrier.

However, the young people from the Military Affairs Office disagree with Tong Guan's view, and gave examples of many things that surrendered to the Central Plains' alien tribes and finally rebelled. They also said that the huge military supplies have been spent so much, and the Xixia has no support. Of course, they have made a concerted effort to bring Xixia into the Song territory.

Another focus is on civil servants. Cai Jing said that if the mermaid in Xixia is defeated, although the Xixia country can be destroyed in the end, our side will suffer heavy losses. And wars are fought every year, the national treasury is dried up, and the people have grievances. It is better to agree to peace talks. First, we will get the entire territory of Xixia, and second, we will stop the war.

However, the Minister of Revenue, more than a dozen second- and third-rank ministers, and local civil servants opposed Cai Jing's opinions. Li Gang was the military governor of the Northwest Army, and tens of thousands of words said. When Song got the power, Xixia naturally did not dare to rebel. However, if Song lost power, Xixia might not be rebellious. He mentioned the fact that the people of Xixia were independent from protection and from small to large. They captured cities and plundered land, strengthened themselves, invaded the Song Dynasty, and plundered people to occupy the city. Li Gang believed that if he did not take this opportunity, he might be afraid that the Xixia would appear in the future, and from small to large to threaten the Song border.

All opinions represent their own interest groups. Tong Guan naturally does not want to fight. The current strategic focus should be to raise troops and wait for battle to lay a solid foundation for the future conquest of Liao. Inspired by Confucianism, the young people with thoughts represented the interests of merchants, and how to do business without fighting. Cai Jing spoke on behalf of the feudal lords, and then continued to build human resources, and the material resources were consumed seriously. Li Gang represented local interests, and did not completely solve hidden dangers and the border was unstable.

Zhao Yu had a headache. He had three consecutive court meetings, and each court meeting lasted for more than an hour, which was a quarrel. Zhao Yu ordered the attacking troops to temporarily stop. Due to the cold weather, it was not a big problem to temporarily cease fire and wait for the court to decide. However, there were so many dreams at night, so we had to make a decision as soon as possible.

The Royal Daily conducted a public opinion survey in Tokyo and Shouzhou. 40% of the people agreed to continue to use troops against Xixia, and 30% of the people hope to stop when they are better. The other 30% of the people answered that they did not know or were unclear. The Royal Daily issued a strategic analysis of the Xixia. It believed that if it continues to fight, it is expected to destroy Xixia around July and August. However, the total amount of funds and materials consumed is expected to reach 60% of the fiscal revenue that year.

This is a very important point. The Xixia people also occupied the territory of more than a dozen prefectures. If the peace talks were made, the entire Xixia area belonged to the Song Dynasty in principle. However, within the divided four prefectures, Xixia had the right to be autonomous, including the right to conscription. If Xixia gave up this right, things would be easy to say. But the Xixia people were not so stupid.

In a few days, the opinions of the two main generals, Yongxing Jun Road and Northwest Jun Road, arrived. The battle was originally severely damaged, so the enemy should not be pursued, and I hope the court can consider peace talks. Although the Northwest Jun Road also suffered losses, Han Shizhong said that if it is not my race, their hearts must be different. At least, military power and the court should be collected, otherwise, you must not raise a tiger to be a disaster.

...

During the debates between many parties, Yangping has many more guests. These guests are not only political, but also business and gentry. Now both sides support and oppose the 550s, and the emperor's attitude is unstable. Ouyang, a chess piece that can influence the balance, seems particularly important. In fact, Ouyang has received Zhao Yukou's metaphor for asking him to go to Beijing, but it has not yet been released.

While dealing with these people, Ouyang saw the contradiction. The contradiction between feudalism and capital. The benefits that conquering the Western Xia can bring to capital are significant, but the benefits that bring to feudal landlords are much less. Under the influence of feudal Confucianism, some people have always believed that governing the country with benevolence. In the past, the Western Xia first instigated the trouble, but now people should be tolerant when they bow their heads. What is tolerant is great. They also mentioned many allusions from the Spring and Autumn Period. There are also Buddhist sayings that planting melons gets melons, and planting beans gets beans. Benevolent people are invincible.

In addition, the capital party is to hope for more farms, more consumers, more labor, and more raw materials. Experts also use data to explain to Ouyang how much profit can be obtained per piece of land occupied every year.

There is only one reason for the dispute between the two. With foreign races supporting troops, merchants cannot do business nearby. Invincible Xixia, this battle was a waste of time. Xixia was destroyed, and the entire Xixia area became a commercial district. On the other hand, they were worried that Xixia would remove a lot of labor from Song soil. Now, due to the commercial handicraft exhibition, the rural population is already very tight. If such a large area of ​​people are still drawn, who will farm? Furthermore, the more business development, the more jealous the feudal landlords who guard the land are. Because the investment returns between the two are not of the same level at all.

Careful people have also emerged. Due to the increase in new officials and the retirement of elderly officials, Cai Jing can no longer lead civil officials. And military generals are the same, with all kinds of voices.

Before Ouyang set off, he heard the news. During the quarrel, Cai Jing submitted a letter begging to retire and return home. Although Zhao Yu did not leave after lobbying himself, it can be seen that the struggle between the court forces had already made the old man exhausted. Although the court had struggles, it was a good thing for emperors who liked to play the skills of balance. Zhao Yu was also quite satisfied with the indecision. If Cai Jing was in charge of the civil servant, she would be dissatisfied.

Ouyang Jieyu is still waiting for a few days because he is a little difficult to choose a bodyguard for travel. Zhang San, Li Si and Bai Lian were originally the first candidates. Judging from the case of Shen Zi, Bai Lian is credible, but Bai Lian is married and it is not convenient to accompany him, which will also cause certain troubles to his family life. So the question is whether to take Zhang San and Li Si.

According to clue analysis, at least one of these two people has become Zhao Yu's people. Ouyang wanted to secretly observe Jin San when he went to Tokyo this time, and it was inconvenient to take them. If he didn't bring them, it would obviously not trust them. He would also alert the enemy. Finally, he asked Huilan, and Huilan analyzed to Ouyang that if they were the emperor's people, you would be more suspicious of the emperor if you didn't bring them. If they were not the emperor's people, it would be natural that it would not matter. Therefore, Huilan believed that no matter what, he had to take them on the road, but he had to give up the plan to secretly investigate Jin San.

Zhang San and Li Si didn't think so much, and they wouldn't suspect Ouyang. As soon as they called, they quickly packed up their clothes and dry food, arrived at the city gate on time, and the three of them went out to Tokyo together. Seeing them like this, Ouyang felt a little guilty. If it were modern times, Ouyang wouldn't have easily doubted his subordinates before there was a solid evidence, but in ancient times, Ouyang could not even explain clearly, Ouyang could not be careless.

Zhang San is so diligent, Li Si is smart and steady, and his journey is not lonely. And due to Gan Xin's explanation, both of them are more cautious than before. After Zhan Ming went to Qizhou to inquire about Jin San's background after the New Year, he never came back. This time Zhan Ming's name was to visit his uncle in Taiyuan Prefecture. It would take at least more than a month to go around in a circle.

Ouyang and his group arrived in Tokyo calmly, and were treated differently from the imperial envoy Li Han. After the eunuch came in and reported, Ouyang was directly seen by Xuan.

Zhao Yu greeted him as usual, and then changed the subject: "I believe you already know the matters in the court. I wonder what you think?"

Ouyang said: "It's actually very simple. What is the attitude of the Liao people towards peace talks between Xixia?"

"Liao people?" Zhao Yu asked back.

The Ninth Eunuch replied: "Your Majesty, the Liao people also have two opinions. One is to hope that the Xixia and our Song Dynasty will agree to peace talks. Once the Song and Liao battles, the Xixia people will inevitably rekindle their hope of restoring the country. The other is to hope that the Xixia will resist resolutely and consume the power of our Song Dynasty."

"Since we imagine that the enemy is a Liao people, we cannot let the Liao people get benefits. According to the humble minister, it is better for us to give the Xixia people the conditions for peace negotiations. First, give up military power, you can grant a few kings and we will assign them a few states to them. Second, you must give up military power. In this way, the ball hits the Xixia side. It is not that we are unkind and righteous, we have already given conditions. We are already benevolent and righteous, and we also hope to quit the army. If Xixia does not seize military power, those who support peace negotiations will see clearly. If Xixia people have ambition to restore the country, they have nothing to say. If Xixia gives up military power, there is no threat to the merchants, and the ministers who support the merchants have no reason to oppose it. So we asked Xixia, either to be an Anle Gong or to burn both jade and stone. No matter how the Xixia people choose, the court will be unanimous."

Zhao Yu nodded repeatedly: "It's still you, Ouyang, can see clearly."

Ouyang felt guilty again. He believed the same thing and others said it, but Zhao Yudan heard his family and obviously gave him great trust. Seeing Zhao Yu's smile, Ouyang had the urge to retire and return home, and even the urge to ask about Liu Si Nu in person.

Zhao Yu said: "For me, the most hope is that the people of Xixia give up their military power and continue to fight, which is not a good thing for Song and Xixia. Ouyang, you are fine, so why not go to Xixia."

"Go to Xixia?" Ouyang immediately felt guilty and began to wonder, could this move be the legendary killing of someone by borrowing a knife?

"Of course I won't go to the Xixia territory, and the peace talks are tentatively set to be in the Hexi Corridor. General Han sent a large army to protect you. You are famous for taking advantage and have a good reputation. You have also negotiated peace with Xixia and fought with Li Qianshun. I think you are the most suitable person in Dasong."

"Yes" Ouyang felt guilty again. In his heart, Ouyang was very reluctant to believe that Zhao Yu had put him to death, but the evidence was evidence after all.

"I have good news that has not been announced yet." Zhao Yu said in a good mood: "Yuezhou came to report yesterday. Two months ago, five warships had arrived at the Yuzhou Wharf first, and they also wrote a stamp at Liang Hongyu in the Mediterranean. Look."

The ninth father-in-law took it down and Ouyang opened it. It was written by his wife, which described the movements of the fleet. It mentioned that African blacks and whites were basically carried out according to the navigation plan. Except for a small number of ships that were repaired at sea or at ports, most of the ships were on the front line of the Mediterranean. The fleet was visiting the country. The table said that the fleet was personally received by the kings of most countries, especially the Mediterranean countries, who were very courteous to the fleet, and many kings and governors who visited also gave gifts back.

The table chapter specifically mentioned Sir De Vroye, who was receiving the fleet in France, was the highest commander who led the Crusaders and the Song army to join the fleet. He enthusiastically brought a group of civil and military officials to France to visit France. France would send ten merchant ships to Song with the fleet. They visited the countries and discussed and decided the time for Song.

The table mentioned that the fleet fought seven times, and the targets were all pirates. And two pirates forcibly boarded a warship that was stranded and repaired. After fighting, the captain and eleven imperial guards were killed, killing forty-five pirates, and sinking two pirate ships. The captured pirates were tortured, and then the fleet retaliated against the pirate village where the pirates occupied. They searched for several jewelry and gold weapons.

It is expected that in another four months, the main fleet will reach Yuzhou and will return as planned after staying for one month.

The letter was written very long, obviously there were many things, and each thing was briefly described. Although it was a few plain words, you can imagine that you were nervous when you were having these things. Pirates were mostly concentrated in the Arabian Strait in the Mediterranean, especially the rampant pirates on the Roman border. The Song army also adopted the revenge of extinction and found the pirate village, both men, women, young and old, and killed them all. As for the arrival, the pirates fled when they saw the flag and looked at the wind. They would not understand that there was no way to retaliate against the trial, which was an Eastern tradition. Even if it was not to avenge the dead imperial guards and the captain, the Song people never had humane ideas about the robbers.

The letter also said that the weapons, ships and tactics of various countries are very backward. The production capacity is low, and merchants have not yet formed a large-scale operation. They still use cold weapons. It also mentioned that a lot of vegetable seeds were collected, and special officials recorded the environment for seed cultivation.

Many historians believe that it was passed down by the Mongols in the Yuan Dynasty, but some historians say that in the ninth century, there were prototypes of gunpowder in Europe. Some historians say that it was not passed down by China, and some said that it was passed down by Arabs, so it is difficult to make a conclusion. In any case, it is an indisputable fact that the gunpowder in the Yangping Military Factory dominates the world. Liang Hongyu believes that an important reason for being treated in the Mediterranean is that the Song State has weapons and ships that they do not have.

After seeing Ouyang, Zhao Yu said, "I have ordered the historian to make a book of this form, and copied the original text to keep it. I am very pleased that you have made great contributions to this matter."

"Thank you for your praise." Why didn't the dead woman write a letter to herself?

Zhao Yu nodded and suddenly changed the topic: "How is the case of Yangping's corpse sinking?"

"Return to Your Majesty, once Liu Si Nu died, I have no clue." Ouyang asked: "This Liu Si Nu has lived in Tokyo for a long time. I wonder if Ti Xing found out who Liu Si Nu had a close contact with before his death?"

Zhao Yu said: "The Tixing Yamen came to report that Liu's Si Nu lived alone in the suburbs. No court officials came to visit, nor had he visited the imperial officials. This case has caused public discussion for a long time and has not yet subsided. I see that Yangping and the Tixing Yamen will put it aside for the time being. Although Liu's Si Nu is a commoner, he is the father of the Supreme Princess. If the investigation continues, it is related to the royal face. I will let the Da Nei take over the investigation. What do you think?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Hum is afraid that people will continue to investigate and get involved in the big nei, right? Ouyang said intimately.

"You go back and rest, and listen to Xuan in the morning the next day."

"It's the empress who sued him."

...

When the morning court heard Xuan, Zhao Yu first decided to take action against Xixia. If Xixia wanted military power, they could only be destroyed. If Xixia did not have military power, they could cede land and negotiate peace, and promised to never invade first. Ouyang was appointed as the imperial envoy, and went to the Hexi Corridor to discuss the details of the peace talks and acted cheaply. In addition to the imperial envoy guards, there were more than 20 officials from three provinces and six ministries who followed Ouyang. When they arrived at the peace talks, the court only gave two and a half months. If the negotiations were not completed, Ouyang would directly communicate with the army in the name of the imperial envoy, and the Song army continued to attack while Xiachu.

The imperial envoy has great authority, so great that Ouyang began to doubt his judgment. Is it Zhao Yu who wants to kill him? As a former policeman, he has a higher judgment on the evidence than his subjective judgment. When almost all the evidence points to Zhao Yu, Ouyang cannot help but reserve his trust in Zhao Yu.

Then Li Yifeng analyzed in private and Ouyang realized that being an imperial envoy was not a need for interests, but a political need. In the midst of the quarrel between the two sides, Ouyang, the seemingly neutral emperor confidant, started the matter, and neither side said anything. Even if he had something to say, he would say bad things about Ouyang in private. Zhao Yu himself was not affected.

Furthermore, Ouyang was responsible for the first negotiation with the Xixia people. He was familiar with the Taoist people in the Northwest Army and had a deep understanding of the local customs. On the one hand, he was a gentry himself, and on the other hand, he represented a merchant. Another thing is that Ouyang never suffered a loss every time he took action. The main reason was that the Xixia people hated and feared Ouyang because this person was rich and powerful. A tribe intercepted the checkpoint, how many people? 5,000 people? Then he would use 500,000 yuan to smash it, and the checkpoint was smashed. Such money-making battles could not be fought at all.

The Song Dynasty did not dare to fight like this, otherwise they would buy a level, and the people would stop doing it without paying the level below. The court would do it like this, which would have a great impact on the morale of the soldiers. Instead of rewarding the soldiers, they would give all the money to the enemy, and they would have more ideas. But Ouyang had no such concern. How could he spend his private money to smash anyone and who would be happy? Who can control it? Although there are many rich people, Ouyang's unscrupulous behavior of losing everything to others and not benefiting himself really made the people of Xixia really feel guilty. Maybe one day another tribe was seduced by Ouyang with money to escape.
Chapter completed!