The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

Su Jin ordered the siege to be stopped, and the whole army set up camp to rest in place. At the same time, they sent someone to invite the Queen Mother Yeli to meet and discuss matters in a small town eighty miles north of Youzhou.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager Yeli did not dare to neglect, and hurried from Xingqing Mansion to see this savior-like son-in-law.

In a simple house in the center of the small market town, two secret allies started talking in a harmonious atmosphere.

The Empress Dowager Yeli did not lose her manners, and when she saw Su Jin, she naturally wanted to thank Da Song for her personal assistance: "Master Su offered his help, and the Ai family, on behalf of the millions of people in the Great Xia Kingdom, thanked Master Su for his great kindness. When the war subsides, the Ai family will personally go to Bianliang to thank His Majesty the Emperor of your country."

Su Jin laughed and said: "The queen mother is very polite, you have lived up to our expectations, the first battle was fought beautifully, and [-] cavalrymen of the Liao army were swallowed up like this. I thought you were not so capable, but it really taught people Accident."[

Ye Lidulan said: "Those who underestimate my Daxia's military power will definitely pay the price. The Liao people wanted to take advantage of the fire to rob, and the Ai family burned his dog's paw."

Su Jin said: "The Liao people are probably scared to death after suffering such heavy losses, but has the Empress Dowager ever thought about the situation after this battle?"

Ye Lidulan said: "The Ai family reckons that they should weigh their identities, maybe they will retreat, maybe they will retaliate. In short, it is best to retreat. If they dare to attack again, the Great Xia army will not be afraid of them."

Su Jin chuckled and remained silent.

Ye Lidulan felt that Su Jin seemed to have something to say, so he said: "Master Su invited Ai's family to meet this time, saying that there is something urgent, but I don't know what it is?"

Su Jin thought for a while and said, "Has the Queen Mother ever thought about what the Liao people would think about the sudden emergence of your country's 10,000+ army after the defeat in the first battle?"

Ye Lidulan pursed his lips and said: "The Ai family thought about it, I am afraid that if the Liao people will suspect you, maybe your feint attack plan will be seen through. As long as the Liao people are clear-headed, they will send people to Huizhou Youzhou investigates the reality."

Su Jin nodded and said: "Queen Dowager Mingjian, I think so too, maybe the secret covenant between you and us will be known to the Liao people, but it doesn't matter, even if the Liao people blow their lungs with anger, they will have to blame themselves; How will they react when they find out they've been duped? That's my concern."

The Empress Dowager Yeli said: "The Ai family reckoned that they would withdraw their troops immediately. It is obvious that one country is hostile to the two countries of Xia and Song. Yeluzong is really not that stupid."

Su Jin said: "Queen Mother, if the Liao people choose to retreat, what are your plans?"

Ye Lidulan said: "That's what we couldn't wish for, and it should be the best result. Think about it, the Liao people went on an expedition, not to mention wasting food and supplies, and losing [-] main troops. In the end, nothing was gained. So he went back in despair, Yelu Zong was really afraid that he would be sullen for a few years; the national strength and morale of the Liao people were greatly affected, and it is estimated that they would not dare to raise troops again within three years."

Su Jin said indifferently: "But the Liao people ran away and the main force was still there. You Xia Guo kept it and won a big victory; what did we get in the Song Dynasty? I spent nearly 900 million yuan to support your Xia Guo, and brought you 20 troops mobilized a feint attack, but in the end I got nothing, how do you say I should explain it to the court?"

Ye Lidulan frowned and said: "Master Su, you have won the friendship of our party members and you can obtain the eternal peace in the Northwest. Aijia will personally promise that during Aijia's lifetime, Daxia will never be allowed to be an enemy of Song State , and we will return the supplies, money and food you donate year by year, or if Master Su has any other requirements, as long as I, Daxia, can do it without harming the national system, the Ai family will definitely agree to you."

Su Jin smiled and said: "I don't need any aid, money and food, and the friendship of your party members is not necessary to me. As for whether to make an enemy of my Song Dynasty, please forgive my straightforwardness, that is not you If you have the final say, I am afraid that even in your lifetime, even if you have an idea, you will not dare to implement it, because it depends on the strength of the country and the military, rather than smashing eggs at stones."

Ye Lidulan changed his face and said: "Master Su, the friendship of our party members has been trampled by you like this? Aijia's goodwill is worthless in your eyes?"

Su Jin shook his head and said: "Queen Mother, let's discuss the matter as it stands. The rewards you proposed are not the most urgent demands of my Song Dynasty. What we want is real benefits. You should understand this."

Ye Lidulan said coldly: "Do you want me to cede land to your country? This is absolutely possible."

Su Jin waved his hand and said: "No, you are also my mother-in-law, and I won't make it difficult for you, otherwise I won't be able to face Ari in the future."

Ye Li Dulan said: "You still know that I am Ah Li's mother, when did you respect me as an elder?"

Su Jin said with a smile: "Guo, this is a heart-wrenching remark. If you weren't Ah Li's mother and Duanyun's aunt, do you think I would do my best to help you seize power and help your Xia Kingdom resist the Liao people's attack? "

Ye Lidulan said: "I'm afraid it will be good for you and the country of Song. You and I know this very well."

Su Jin raised his hand and said: "Okay, let's discuss the matter as it is, and don't mention any kindness and family affection. As an important minister of the Song Dynasty and the person who proposed this matter, you can't let me go to the emperor to return to my life empty-handed, right? After all, the biggest thing this time It’s your country of Xia who will benefit from it.”

Ye Lidulan said: "The Ai family does not deny it, but you consider the few points raised by the Ai family to be worthless, and you said that you will not ask us to cede the land. Maybe you want us to open the war horse trade?"

Su Jindao: "Forget it, let me tell the queen mother clearly that although the current situation is beneficial to us, it has not actually achieved the effect I expected. The loss of [-] soldiers and horses is indeed not small for the Liao Kingdom, but the vitality of the Liao people is not small. It has not been damaged, and because of this, my Great Song has torn skins with the Liao people. In the future, the border will naturally be peaceful. Although my Great Song is not afraid of the Liao people, it will not be arrogant. With the strength of the Liao Kingdom, our Great Song can deal with it It's still exhausting."

Ye Lidulan said: "What are you talking about? There are so many detours."

Su Jin looked up at Ye Lidulan's graceful face and said: "I want you to take the initiative to attack. Even if the Liao people plan to retreat, you must not let them retreat completely. None of the 20 troops brought by Yelu Zongzhen can escape. , In this way, the Liao people are said to be seriously injured, and if they dare not provoke easily, this can be regarded as an explanation to the court."

Ye Lidulan was startled and said: "What? You want me, Da Xia, to fight to the death with the Liao Kingdom? You are so vicious, and then the Song Kingdom will come to reap the benefits of the fisherman again? No, absolutely not."

Su Jindao: "I can promise that I will never take the opportunity to invade your country of Xia. On the contrary, after the war is over, I will suggest that the imperial court fully open up your border trade. Within ten years, Xia country will regain its strength."

Ye Lidulan said: "Your guarantee is never trusted. Aijia will never be fooled by you. A life-and-death battle with the Liao people will destroy our Daxia's hundreds of thousands of troops. How can we stand in Daxia in the future? Aijia I know you have many tricks, but I didn't expect you to be so vicious, so you can't expect Aijia to agree."

Su Jindao: "I have already made a promise that Da Song will not take the opportunity to annex your country of Xia. If Xia is attacked, we will send troops to help you defend against the enemy; and the situation is not as pessimistic as you think. I can The price I paid for personally commanding the battle against the Liao army for you is much smaller than what you imagined; I can ask the imperial court to write down all of this in the form of a formal agreement between the two countries, and you don’t have to worry about my words.”

Ye Lidulan raised his sleeves and said: "Do you treat the Ai family as a three-year-old child? Thanks to you for making such an exaggerated request, it is absolutely impossible. The Ai family still has important matters in Beijing, so I will leave .”

Su Jin sighed and said: "Queen Mother, since this is the case, I will not say anything else. I can only say that I will immediately order the army to attack your country. This time it is not a feigned attack, but a real attack, from Huizhou Youzhou to Xingqing Mansion In this place of five or six hundred miles, the defenders do not exceed fifty thousand. I am not bragging. If the army does not capture the Xingqing Mansion within ten days, I will kill myself to thank you. Do you want the country of Xia, or do you want to save your poor little man? Army, just figure it out."

Ye Lidulan couldn't believe his ears, how could people be so ashamed?The Su Jin in front of him is a complete devil. He actually decided to attack Xia Guo at this time. The southern army has been transferred to the north, and most of the south is almost undefended. At the beginning, he believed in Su Jin's evil, but also because of the situation. I have to choose to trust him, and now this kind of credulity has brought great disaster, Ye Lidulan is at a loss as to what to do.

"You don't have to curse out loud, I know you have already cursed tens of thousands of shameful words in your stomach, and I don't want to do this, but for the sake of the peace of Song Dynasty in the future, I have to do this; don't try to threaten I said that I asked the Liao Kingdom for help regardless of face. Although the Liao people already hated me in the Song Dynasty to the bone, you just cut off a hundred thousand ears of their soldiers to show off. They will not forget this account; more likely What’s more, they will attack from the north according to the original plan, and destroy you first.”

Su Jin stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Think carefully, but don't take too long. You only have one day. I won't get any news tomorrow night. I will tell you the consequences with practical actions."

Su Jin's figure disappeared outside the house, and the hooves of the horses gradually became inaudible; Ye Lidulan's face was pale, his legs were weak and he collapsed on the chair, muttering in his mouth: "This devil, this despicable devil, What should Aijia do about this devil who eats people without spitting out his bones? What should I do?"