Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 889: Envoys from Various Sects

After listening to Xue Juzheng's strategy, Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment and felt that it made a lot of sense. At this moment, fighting head-on was no longer a good solution to the problem. The Song Dynasty's military strength could not support fighting against the Liao and Wu on both sides, so it could only resort to diplomatic means.

Diplomacy requires strategy. How to make the Liao army withdraw, or even stand on the side of the Song State to help fight against the Wu State, is the best result, which can reduce the strength of the Liao and Wu armies. The next best thing is to make the Wu army stop attacking, even if it means ceding land and paying compensation, which is more acceptable than the destruction of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Kuangyin felt aggrieved and thought that the Song Dynasty was not doing well this time. They had failed in several battles with the Wu army, which resulted in a shortage of soldiers and generals, making it difficult to effectively resist the 400,000 to 500,000-strong Wu army.

"What Prime Minister Xue said makes sense. Diplomatic means can also be used. It would be best if the Liao and Wu armies could stop their attacks. Even if they can delay it for a while and allow us to mobilize troops and food from all over the country, we still have a chance and a chance of winning." There was a hint of helplessness in Zhao Kuangyin's voice, but it also revealed a firm determination.

Diplomacy is only one of the means, and it is impossible to wait for diplomatic negotiations. Peace talks are ultimately humiliating and limited. Zhao Kuangyin is very clear that he must quickly gather troops as the basis for preserving the foundation of the Song Dynasty.

Without strength, there is no real diplomacy. The size of interests and the strength of confrontation are all bargaining chips.

Zhao Pu also said at this time: "That's right. If we send people to negotiate with both sides, we can stop and delay the attacks from both sides, stop the fighting, give some benefits, stabilize the Liao army and the Wu army, and then we will have more room for maneuver."

"I'm afraid the Wu army will ask for too much and take over dozens of states in Huainan and Huaibei!" A minister said worriedly, with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"We can give Huainan, but not Huaibei. We must keep Huaibei." Another minister responded firmly, his eyes revealing his importance to Huaibei.

"Yes, Huaibei is too close to Yingtian Prefecture and Kaifeng Prefecture. Back then, the Later Zhou Dynasty was also afraid of Yang Wu's Black Cloud City strength, so it hesitated to take action against Yang Wu. It was not easy to snatch it from the Southern Tang, and we can't give it up again."

Some ministers began discussions and drew red lines for the negotiations.

Zhao Pu was a little worried: "I don't know whether the Wu army is willing to accept it. Su Chen always plays against the rules. I don't know what his purpose of the Northern Expedition is?" There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Su Chen's actions were always unexpected, which made Zhao Pu feel uneasy.

"Su Chen is just a frontline marshal. If we give one letter of peace to him and one letter to the Wu capital Hangzhou, and then bribe some officials to beg the King of Wu to withdraw his troops, once the king and the frontline marshal disagree, and his achievements surpass the king's, a rift will arise in their hearts, which will have a alienating effect on Su Chen, and then he will be in danger." Lu Dosun offered advice at this time, with a sly look in his eyes.

Lu Yuqing shook his head and said, "But we have all heard that the current ruler of Wu is a empress, and she is Su Chen's sister. Then Su Chen is the emperor's uncle, and he is also the King of Pingnan, a powerful official of Wu. He has a close relationship with the empress, and may not fall for our plan to sow discord between them." There was a hint of doubt in his voice, he knew that this kind of plan to sow discord was very risky.

"It's better to give it a try than to sit and wait for death!" Some people still insist on taking multiple approaches and using all means.

Zhao Kuangyin seemed a little impatient at this time, because there was not much use in discussing these things at the moment. He could only try a few more strategies, and any one that worked would be beneficial.

"Prime Minister Zhao and Prince Jin, you two are in charge of the Political Affairs Hall and the Southern Court, which are full of talented people. You are responsible for selecting suitable people who are good at speaking and eloquent to serve as peace envoys to Liao and Wu to negotiate peace." Zhao Kuangyin continued to assign tasks to Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi, letting them each be responsible for a country, and also meant to compare and put some pressure on them. "Yes, sir." Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi accepted it with a bow, and looked at each other, with the intention of secretly competing.

"I will be responsible for the peace talks with the Liao Kingdom." Zhao Pu took the initiative to take over the Liao Kingdom, because he knew more about the Liao Kingdom, but was a little confused about the Wu Kingdom. After all, Su Chen of the Wu Kingdom was really mysterious.

Zhao Guangyi was stunned for a moment. He did not expect Zhao Pu to suddenly speak and snatch the Liao Kingdom as the peace partner. Then he could only be responsible for negotiating peace with the Wu Kingdom.

"Then I will be responsible for negotiating peace with the State of Wu." Zhao Guangyi said helplessly, with a hint of unwillingness in his voice.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, assigned the task of peace talks, and continued to ask the Privy Council to recruit soldiers, the Ministry of Revenue to collect food and fodder, and all departments to cooperate. The current situation is critical, and everyone must be mobilized to resist the foreign enemy.

After the meeting, these important officials left the palace and returned to their respective residences, ready to take immediate action.

Zhao Guangyi returned to the Prince of Jin's Mansion with a heavy heart. He was not in a good mood. On the one hand, with foreign enemies at hand, the Song Dynasty was in danger of collapse at any time. He had not yet become emperor, but he was facing the collapse of the country, which made him feel extremely guilty. Moreover, once the Song Dynasty was destroyed, he would not even be able to be a prince.

On the other hand, Zhao Guangyi has not yet found out who wants to kill him. At present, he suspects Zhao Dezhao and his brother in the royal family, which makes him a little uneasy. In addition, the mission to the Kingdom of Wu also makes him worried, and he is thinking about the right person.

"Send Mr. Cheng Dexuan and Mr. Dou Zhen over." Zhao Guangyi ordered his followers to invite the two aides.

A moment later, Cheng Dexuan and Dou Zhen came to the study of the Prince of Jin. "Greetings, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin." The two saluted in unison.

"Gentlemen, I have just received a mission from the emperor, which is to go on a diplomatic mission to the State of Wu. One of you will go to the Wu army camp and the Wu capital to deliver a peace letter. One of you will go to see Su Chen, and the other will go to see Yang Linger, the ruler of Wu. After much thought, I think you two are the most suitable." Zhao Guangyi went straight to the point and stated the topic directly.

Cheng Dexuan and Dou Zhen looked at each other in surprise. They didn't expect the Song Dynasty to ask for peace so quickly.

"Our Song Dynasty is full of talented people, has a strong army and a vast territory. Are we going to admit defeat and seek peace with the Wu Kingdom so soon?" Cheng Dexuan couldn't help but ask.

Dou Zhen nodded, and said somewhat unwillingly: "It has always been the Northern court that went south to subjugate the southern regime, making the small southern courts nervous and constantly paying tribute to the Northern court. This time, they were suppressed by the Wu army, which really doesn't make sense!"

Zhao Guangyi sighed and said, "Don't be surprised, because we just received news that the Liao Kingdom in the north has sent troops, and the Khitan cavalry of 150,000 is heading south to attack the Song Dynasty. Our troops and food are not enough to deal with the two fronts in the north and south. Seeking peace and protecting ourselves, and dealing with crises, are the most important things at the moment. Your mission is arduous. Even if you have to cede land and pay compensation, you must hold back the Wu army and stop it from attacking the north."