Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 886 Liao Kingdom Sends Troops

"Hello, second uncle!" Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang bowed respectfully to Zhao Guangyi, with a hint of respect in their voices. There was a hint of innocence in their eyes, as if they were very happy about Zhao Guangyi's arrival.

"No need to be polite!" Zhao Guangyi nodded slightly, smiling, staring at Zhao Dezhao vaguely, and found that the boy looked normal, without any trace of restraint or tension. He frowned slightly, thinking to himself: "Has this kid become more cunning?"

Zhao Guangyi felt that Zhao Dezhao should not have no flaws at all. Unless he was strong inside and cunning enough, he would not be so calm, as if nothing had happened.

Last night's assassination was aimed at Zhao Guangyi, and it was planned in advance. In addition, the assassin in black was injured and fled to the residence of the eldest prince. Is this so easy to cover up? He didn't even feel guilty. He really underestimated this nephew before.

"Ahem!" Zhao Kuangyin coughed twice, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue, but his tone remained firm. He said to Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang, "Have you finished your homework today?" His eyes showed a hint of concern, and it was obvious that he attached great importance to the studies of the two princes.

Zhao Kuangyin had very strict requirements for these two princes. He invited many academicians from the Hanlin Academy to be their teachers, and had them study both civil and military aspects in order to create princes with all-round talents.

"Your Majesty, we have finished our homework today, so we came to visit you." Zhao Defang answered truthfully, with a hint of innocence in his eyes, and it was obvious that he had great respect for Zhao Kuangyin.

"Yes, father. I have also reviewed my memorials and so on." Zhao Dezhao replied with a bow.

Zhao Kuangyin was very pleased and nodded slightly, with a trace of kindness in his eyes: "Now our Song Dynasty is facing a crisis. The Wu army continues to attack cities and seize our territory. Even Yingtian Prefecture and Kaifeng Prefecture are threatened. As the blood of the Zhao royal family, you must work hard to govern the country, care about the mountains and rivers, and work together to fight against the invasion of the Wu army."

"My children will remember our father's teachings!" Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang said in unison, with a hint of passion and excitement in their voices, obviously they were deeply moved by Zhao Kuangyin's words.

Zhao Guangyi stood aside, smiling slightly, with a complicated look in his eyes. He knew that Zhao Kuangyin's words were not only a teaching to the two princes, but also a reminder to him.

Zhao Kuangyin coughed a few more times, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue, but his tone remained firm. He said to the three people, "My body still needs some time to recover. These days, De Zhao will continue to review the court memorials, and the affairs in Kaifeng will be handled by the Prince of Jin. You all need to pay attention to the shortage of food and grass..."

"I understand. I will definitely solve the problem of food shortage in Bianjing City as soon as possible." Prince of Jin Zhao Guangyi also expressed his opinion at this time, with a hint of firmness in his voice, obviously wanting to comfort his brother.

Just then, Wang Jie'en ran in hurriedly with a trace of panic on his face: "Your Majesty, something bad has happened. Urgent war reports have come in from the northern border." There was a hint of urgency in his voice, and he was obviously frightened by the contents of the war report.

When Zhao Kuangyin heard the battle report from the north, he immediately forced himself to get out of bed to see what was happening, but Zhao Guangyi rushed over one step ahead, gently pressed Zhao Kuangyin's shoulders, and comforted him: "Brother Emperor, please lie down. I will present it for you." There was a hint of concern in his eyes, and it was obvious that he did not want Zhao Kuangyin to be too tired.

"Okay." Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly, without getting out of bed, and Zhao Guangyi took it, opened the envelope, and handed it to him. Zhao Kuangyin couldn't wait to read the contents of the letter, and was immediately shocked.

The content of the letter was about the northern border. The Liao army had 150,000 cavalrymen, divided into three groups. One group of 50,000 attacked Dingzhou, one group attacked Baozhou, and one group attacked Xiongzhou. The three groups attacked together, which put great pressure on the border. This time, the Liao army was led by Empress Xiao herself to the south, and her trusted ministers and generals Han Derang, Yelu Xizhen, and Yelu Xiuge followed. Once the three states were conquered, they would join forces and attack Zhending Prefecture, then Xingzhou, Mingzhou, and Daming Prefecture, which would be close to Kaifeng Prefecture.

"The Liao Kingdom has sent troops!" Zhao Kuangyin felt that the real crisis of the Song Dynasty had come. Being attacked from both the north and the south, the situation was very bad!

There was a trace of worry in his eyes, and there was a hint of heaviness in his voice: "Both the north and south are in crisis at the same time. The situation of the Song Dynasty is becoming increasingly difficult."

Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Guangyi received the letter and read the battle report one after another, and were both shocked.

Zhao Guangyi's expression changed slightly, with a hint of anger in his eyes: "The Liao Kingdom has also joined in the fun. Do they want to destroy our Song Dynasty together?" His tone was indignant, and he was obviously surprised and angry at the sudden attack of the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Dezhao was also a little panicked, with a hint of anxiety in his voice: "It's not easy to deal with being attacked from both the north and the south. At least we don't have that many troops to fight against each other from north to south!" There was a hint of worry in his eyes, and he was obviously uneasy about the current situation.

When it comes to fighting, Zhao Kuangyin has the most experience. He frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Empress Xiao is very favored in Liao. Last year, the prince Yelu Longxu was born. In order to appease Xiao Chuo and the descendants of the Xiao family, Yelu Xian conferred Xiao Chuo's mother Yelu Lvbugu as the Grand Princess of Yan State and his father Xiao Siwen as the King of Chu. This year, his grandfather Hu Muli was also conferred as the King of Han. This shows his favor and respect for her. Now Empress Xiao is in power and has appointed many talented civil and military officials. She has further strengthened the centralization of power, which has enabled the national strength of Liao to be enhanced. Now that she is personally going south, she must have great ambitions." There was a hint of worry in his voice, and he was obviously wary of the military actions of Liao.

Then, Zhao Kuangyin said with a firm look in his eyes: "Immediately convene the Privy Council, the Prime Minister, and the Vice Prime Minister to discuss the use of troops in the north. We must stop the Liao army. It would be best if we can negotiate conditions that can make the Khitan withdraw their troops."

Zhao Kuangyin felt that this was a time of great importance. Once the enemy could not be resisted and the border was breached, Bianliang would also be in danger.

"I'm afraid the Liao army will ask for an exorbitant amount of money this time." Zhao Guangyi was a little worried.

"This is also a stopgap measure. Our Song Dynasty cannot afford a large-scale war on two fronts." Zhao Kuangyin had fought many battles with the Liao army and was well aware of its strength. If 150,000 cavalrymen marched south without 200,000 Song troops to resist, it would be difficult to repel the Khitan army.

He sighed inwardly: The Liao army is heading south at this time, I don't know whether they are taking advantage of the situation or adding insult to injury, or they have already contacted the Wu State and adopted a strategy of attacking from the north and south.

"I hope this matter has nothing to do with the State of Wu, otherwise it will be even more dangerous." Zhao Kuangyin was uneasy and always felt that things were not that simple.