I studied in modern times

Chapter 1050 The Liao Kingdom's Extortion

Zhao Xu knew very well that Yelü Hongji could be called extravagant and dissolute, or he could be called shameless and unscrupulous.

But you absolutely cannot call him stupid!
This was the old emperor who had ruled the Liao Dynasty for thirty-one years.

Moreover, during his reign, he had already experienced two major rebellions, namely those of Yelü Chongyuan and Yelü Yixin.

A monarch who still holds great power even after the death of his empress and crown prince!
How could it be possible without exceptional talent?

Not to mention, the Liao people's diplomatic skills and strategic vision were among the best of all the minority regimes.

Putting aside other matters, the fact that Yelü Dashi led his remaining troops westward after the fall of the Liao Dynasty, eventually establishing the Western Liao Empire in Central Asia, is clear evidence of this—not just anyone can lead a few hundred defeated soldiers to the grasslands, raise an army, and then storm into Central Asia to establish a vast empire spanning thousands of miles.

Yelü Dashi was able to do it because he was incredibly capable.

This is also due to the Liao people's efforts in managing the grasslands and the Western Regions!
Throughout the Liao dynasty, the Bubu people of the grasslands were sometimes loyal and sometimes rebellious.

But on the grasslands, one can always find the Zubu tribes who are loyal to them and willing to act as guides for the Liao people.

The kingdoms of the Western Regions also gave the Liao people face.

On Yelü Dashi's westward expedition, local nobles who considered themselves loyal subjects of the Liao Dynasty repeatedly came to pledge their allegiance, bringing their own provisions and troops.

As a result, Yelü Dashi would often find his army inexplicably surpassing his opponents during battles.

How could Yelü Dashi have accomplished this alone?
It can only be the blessing accumulated by the Liao Dynasty over two hundred years!
That being the case...

So, under normal circumstances, would a Liao dynasty ruled by a monarch of above-average ability take reckless actions that could disrupt the regional balance?
As Zhao Xu thought about it, he sneered inwardly.

He was almost certain that the Liao people were testing him.

But what is the actual situation?

We still need Yelü Ju to verify it!
Zhao Xu then looked at Yelü Ju, who was bowing and standing in the hall, waiting for his reply, and said with a light laugh, "Does the Imperial Uncle wish to attack the Western bandits?"

"good!"

"I have long desired to destroy the Western bandits!"

It was no secret that the Song Dynasty wanted to destroy the Western Xia.

If Zhao Xu were to spout nonsense like "harmony is of utmost importance," no one would believe him.

Therefore, Zhao Xu simply said directly: "If my Imperial Uncle truly wishes to do so, I will mobilize the troops from Xihe, Shaanxi, and Hedong to hunt with my Imperial Uncle in the Lingxia Hexi region!"

At this point, Zhao Xu waved his hand emphatically: "With the force of a plowshare sweeping away a den, wipe out the entire Weiming clan!"

"Please inform our Imperial Uncle as soon as possible to confirm the date for the campaign against the Western bandits..."

Yelü Ju looked at the excited young emperor in the hall.

He sighed inwardly, "Just as I thought!"

"The Song Dynasty's desire to annihilate the Tanguts has never been extinguished!"

This is not surprising.

He already knew.

He then bowed and said, "Your humble servant respectfully obeys His Majesty's decree!"

"I will certainly report His Majesty's intentions to my lord truthfully!"

"Yes!" Zhao Xu nodded, looking impatient. "Please, envoy, hurry!"

"Yes!" Yelü Ju bowed again.

Once Yelü Ju left, the excitement on Zhao Xu's face vanished completely.

"The Liao people attacked the Western Xia?" He pursed his lips. "How could that be!?"

He recalled his previous life, when the Western Xia was brought to the brink of destruction under his and Zhang Dun's command and Zhang Jie's offensive.

As expected, the Liao people began to take their place.

The Liao emperor ordered troops to be stationed at the border, intending to mediate by force.

However, Zhao Xu saw through the Liao people's blustering but cowardly nature—"Your old emperor is about to die, and once Yelü Yanxi, as the heir, ascends the throne, he will surely seek revenge for the murder of his father and mother!"
Under these circumstances, what ability do you have to go south?
Therefore, he completely ignored the Liao people's threats and even issued an edict ordering Zhang Jie to intensify his offensive.

Seize the precious strategic window of opportunity presented by the internal unrest in the Liao Kingdom, and push the battle line to Lingzhou, across the Kuye River, and to the banks of the Yellow River!

They could even destroy the Western Xia dynasty in one fell swoop!
how...

Zhao Xu never expected that Yelü Hongji would outlive him before he could outlive Yelü Hongji.

awful!
Even worse, after his sudden death, Empress Dowager Xiang, in order to prevent his birth mother, Lady Zhu, from further elevating her status, was actually misled by Zeng Bu and chose that scoundrel, Zhao Ji… So…

Zhao Xu was 100% certain that his beloved imperial grand-uncle was using him and the Song Dynasty as a raft to carry out some kind of strategic blackmail against the Tangut people!

This is one of the Liao people's specialties.

Since Yuanhao's rebellion, the Liao people have been playing a game between the Song and Western Xia dynasties, using the Song to intimidate the Western Xia and using the Western Xia to coerce the Song.

The Liao dynasty's national policy has always been to continuously drain the resources of both the Song and Xia dynasties!

Thinking this, Zhao Xu instructed Tong Guan beside him: "Tong Guan!"

"Immediately summon the Academician of Justice, the Left Chancellor, and the Right Chancellor to this meeting!"

"promise!"

……

The capital of Western Xia, Xingqing Prefecture, the royal palace.

The young Emperor Qian Shun of Western Xia was held in the arms of his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao Liang.

Before Empress Dowager Xiao Liang, an envoy from the Liao Kingdom was speaking eloquently: "Our sovereign, the Emperor of the Great Liao, has ordered the Zubu tribes to go west to aid the Uyghurs and resist the Turkic invasion!"

"This is not only a matter of great righteousness for China, but also a matter of universal justice!"

“Your country is a vassal state of my lord, and is sworn brothers with the Uyghurs. Now that our brother is in trouble, how can we turn a blind eye?! We should send troops to help you!”

"Furthermore, the rebel armies of the various tribes of Zubu wish to borrow your country's two prefectures of Gua and Sha as places for supplies and rest on their westward journey!"

"We request your country's approval!"

The words were spoken very politely and respectfully.

But the attitude it revealed sent chills down the spine of the young Empress Dowager Liang.

Empress Dowager Liang's political ally, Yu Zanghuama, had no choice but to stand up and say, "Your Excellency, please allow me to report that in recent years, our country has been plagued by natural disasters, and the people are struggling to make a living. In addition, the southern barbarians have been causing trouble and have repeatedly launched military invasions..."

"I have no energy left..."

The Liao envoy chuckled, not even glancing at Yu Zanghua Ma's expression, and replied, "What does this have to do with my Great Liao?!"

When Yu Zanghuama was rebuked by the Liao envoy, his face immediately turned ashen.

Unable to retaliate, he could only manage an awkward laugh.

He looked arrogantly at the Empress Dowager of Western Xia behind the curtain in the hall and the young emperor held in her arms, stepped forward, and bowed loudly: "Empress Dowager! Your Majesty!"

"I have come here not to discuss matters with your country!"

"He has come to deliver the imperial edict of the Emperor of the Great Liao Dynasty!"

"Will your country accept the imperial decree, or will it disobey?"

"One word decides it!"

Hearing the Liao people's domineering and arrogant words, the Western Xia ministers and nobles in the hall rose up in anger.

"What?" The Liao envoy looked at these people without any fear: "Do you dare to rebel?!"

"Our great Liao army has conquered Goguryeo and Japan. Wherever they have gone, all the scoundrels have been beheaded!"

"Do you intend to become like Korea or Japan?"

The eyes of the Western Xia ministers and nobles in the hall were practically spitting fire.

They stared at the Liao envoys, their eyes wide with anger.

The Liao envoy laughed heartily: "You lot, now you dare not rebel, yet you are unwilling to obey the imperial decree, what do you intend to do?"

He looked up and stared directly at Empress Dowager Liang behind the curtain: "To be honest, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Our Emperor Liao has sent envoys south to establish a marriage alliance with the Emperor of Song, and His Majesty the Emperor of Song has already agreed to the marriage alliance with our Liao!"

"But His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty said: 'I wish to ask my Imperial Uncle to provide the land of Lingxia as the princess's dowry!'"

His words were half true and half false.

But Empress Dowager Liang, behind the curtain, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

(End of this chapter)