I studied in modern times

Chapter 1065 Yelü Hongji: I want to buy up all the goods from the Southern Dynasty!
After Yelü Hongji informed his ministers of the intelligence from the Southern Dynasty.

The courtiers immediately cheered with joy.

Originally, the Song court in the south was the most likely source of problems in their plan to extort and coerce the Western Xia.

Because if the Song court changes its attitude towards Western Xia, or even turns to support the Tanguts, it will cause Western Xia to fight against the Liao people.

Therefore, the Liao people's scheme was at risk of failing.

It could even affect the Liao Dynasty's strategy in the entire Northwest and even the Western Regions.

This is also why many Liao ministers initially opposed extorting Western Xia.

In diplomacy, the shrewd and clear-headed elites of the Liao Dynasty were well aware of the terrifying balance of power among the Song, Liao, and Xia kingdoms in the world at that time.

The Western Xia was the most vulnerable, but also the most important, link in this balance.

The reason why the Liao Dynasty was able to take the initiative and have a great strategic advantage in the three-way game between the Song, Liao and Xia dynasties was that the Liao Dynasty was able to take the initiative and have a great strategic advantage.

It was precisely because it successfully mired the Song and Xia dynasties in a quagmire of war that it was able to seize sufficient benefits from both Song and Xia and maintain its advantage.

However, if relations between Liao and Xia sour, it could lead to a complete reversal of events.

It should be noted that the fighting strength of the Western Xia people was not weak among the three kingdoms of Song, Liao, and Xia.

Especially when driven to a dead end, the Tangut tribes, which were usually scattered, would quickly put aside their past disputes and unite.

Moreover, they often unleash superhuman fighting power!
In the thirteenth year of Chongxi, Emperor Xingzong personally led an expedition, commanding hundreds of thousands of elite troops, deep into the territory of the Dangxiang.

However, they were defeated by Yuan Hao's treacherous scheme, and the imperial son-in-law Xiao Hudu and dozens of other nobles were captured.

Emperor Xingzong considered this a great humiliation, so upon returning to the capital, he reorganized the troops and upgraded Yunzhou to Xijing Datong Prefecture in preparation for the Dangxiang invasion.

Five years later, Yuanhao died suddenly, and Emperor Xingzong launched another campaign against him, believing he could destroy the country.

As a result, the army led by Xiao Hui, the Privy Councilor of the Southern Court, was ambushed by the Tanguts and suffered heavy losses.

Furthermore, upon hearing that the Southern Dynasty had already mustered its army and intended to aid the Dangxiang, Emperor Xingzong had no choice but to lead the captured Dangxiang nobles back to the capital.

The Liao Dynasty was like this, and so was the Southern Dynasty.

Several years ago, the old emperor of the Southern Dynasty launched a five-pronged attack on the Xia Dynasty, intending to destroy this kingdom.

As a result, of the five routes of attack, four suffered disastrous defeats.

The army in the direction of Xihe achieved victory and returned home in triumph.

These are lessons learned!
Therefore, at the beginning, Yelü Hongji proposed to extort money from the Western Xia and extract the Hexi and Shazhou prefectures from the Tanguts.

At the very least, these two states should be used to hinder Bu's westward expedition.

It served as a logistical/resting place for the Liao army after their westward expedition.

Most of the Liao ministers were opposed.

However, Yelü Hongji was determined to do things his own way, and his ministers could not dissuade him, so they could only let him act recklessly.

Unexpectedly, the place everyone was most worried about—the young emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty—was actually willing to cooperate with the Liao Dynasty's actions!

Even before the official letter from the Liao Dynasty arrived, it was only through the persuasion of Yelü Ju and Yelü Yongchang.

He then actively cooperated with the Liao Dynasty to create momentum and pressure the Western Xia!

This was completely beyond the expectations of the Liao court officials!

Although we don't know what that little emperor of the Southern Dynasty is really up to.

It is even more baffling how the ministers of the Southern Dynasty were willing to let the young emperor run wild.
However, in any case, Yelü Hongji's strategy had become truly feasible at this moment.

The Song and Liao dynasties worked together to pressure and intimidate the Western Xia, not afraid that the Western Xia people would not submit!
The old foxes of the Liao court almost immediately came up with several ideas to put pressure on the Western Xia.

Just as everyone was about to offer their opinions, Xiao Wuna, who had just succeeded Liang Ying, who had retired this year, as the Privy Councilor of Liaobei and the Chancellor of the Secretariat, spoke up at this moment: "Your Majesty, I believe that we should not treat the Xia people too harshly!"

"Even if His Majesty truly desires to annex the two provinces of Xiagua and Sha, he should not reveal it now..."

"We must still use the pretext of 'borrowing a route to aid the Uyghurs' to seek only that the Xia people open up the pastures and roads of Gua and Sha prefectures, allowing the Zubu cavalry to pass through and rest..."

Yelü Hongji still respected Xiao Wuna. Back then, after Yelü Hongji quelled Yelü Yixin's rebellion, he publicly compared Xiao Wuna to Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty and Yelü Wuzhi of the Liao Dynasty (famous ministers in the early Liao Dynasty).

He also entrusted his grandson Yelü Yanxi to Xiao Wuna for instruction and care.

This demonstrates the extent of their trust in him!
It's no exaggeration to say that, given the current political landscape of the Liao Dynasty, once Yelü Hongji discovers that his body might not be able to hold on any longer...

Therefore, Xiao Wuna's name must be on the list of ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor!

Therefore, after hearing Xiao Wuna's words, Yelü Hongji was not impatient. Instead, he looked at Xiao Wuna and asked seriously, "Why do you say that, sir?"

Xiao Wuna bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am worried that the Southern Dynasty's easy agreement to our request... may be part of a scheme..."

At this point, Xiao Wuna lowered his head: "Your Majesty should know that the Southern Dynasty has many scholars!"

"Their words and scheming skills are quite formidable!"

"Fu Bi of yesteryear and Lin Dan of today in the capital are both outstanding individuals!"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Hongji's eyes flickered.

He had never met Fu Bi, only heard his name.

But Lin Dan is now a prominent figure in the capital.

Like Yelü Ju, he was an envoy who remained in each other's capitals as a symbol of the 'friendship' between the Song and Liao dynasties.

Since arriving in the capital, this man has attracted countless nobles and ladies from both inside and outside the capital with his extraordinary talent and handsome appearance.

Even Yelü Hongji's daughter, Princess Yelü Tri of the Song Kingdom, heard of his reputation and went to visit him to befriend him.

Yelü Hongji also frequently summoned him.

Sometimes it was for the sake of trade between the two countries, but more often it was to discuss poetry with him.

It must be said that, in the realm of poetry and prose, the scholars of the North were indeed far inferior to those of the South.

Even the most outstanding literary figures in the Han-dominated regions of Youyan were utterly utterly outshone by this envoy from the Southern Dynasties. And this man was not only exceptionally talented in poetry and prose.

With his mouth, he can speak eloquently and fluently.

Even many eminent monks in the capital couldn't argue with him!
Since he entered the capital, he has been unmatched in poetry, prose, and sermons!
Yelü Hongji had already investigated this Lin Dan.

During the Southern Dynasties, his talent in poetry and lyrics was not considered top-notch.

If Lin Dan was so talented, how much more amazing and brilliant must the other scholars in the Southern Dynasties have been?
"How many talented people are there in the South?!" Yelü Hongji sighed inwardly.

His expression immediately turned serious.

He knew that Shaw was right!

The cunning and scheming of the scholars of the Southern Dynasties were unparalleled!

Now that they are cooperating so well with the Liao Dynasty, could it be a trap?
It's better to be careful!

He then gestured for Xiao Wuna to continue.

Xiao Wuna bowed again with his hands clasped: "Therefore, in my humble opinion, it is best to be cautious for the time being!"

"Now that the Southern Dynasty has begun to cooperate, our dynasty need not continue to be so aggressive..."

"On the contrary, the attitude can be softened a bit..."

"Even if the Xia people agree to lend the two prefectures of Gua and Sha, and allow the Zubu Yi to pass through and recuperate..."

"Then, let's agree to the other conditions first!"

"The Xia people are so grateful to our dynasty that they are moved to tears!"

Yelü Hongji nodded in agreement with Xiao Wuna's words.

After all, he was an old emperor who had ruled the Liao Kingdom for decades.

It may have its shortcomings, but it is not lacking in international perspective and sensitivity.

only……

Yelü Hongji looked at Xiao Wuna: "If that's the case, once the war in the Western Regions ends, the Xia people may have to take back the two prefectures of Gua and Sha!"

Xiao Wuna laughed: "By then, even if His Majesty agrees, will the Zubu Yi followers agree?"

Yelü Hongji laughed as well: "That's true!"

Guazhou, Shazhou, and other prefectures were important areas for the Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty, serving as pastures on the border.

Even today, it remains one of the world's finest pastures.

If the person seeking divination has the opportunity, they can establish themselves there.

Is it possible to get the Tanguts to leave again?

The most ingenious thing is that by then, the Liao Dynasty might be able to act as a arbitrator between the Bubu and the Tangut people.

Thus, Zubu and the Tanguts became enemies.

The northern grasslands of the Liao Dynasty will be as stable as Mount Tai.

There's no need to worry anymore; the Tanguts and the Zubu have joined forces—even though the Zubu and Tanguts are willing to resolve things peacefully.

Yelü Hongji would never give them that chance!
Instigating, encouraging, inducing, provoking...

This is one of the Liao people's specialties!

Back then, the Liao people used these methods to incite, provoke, and encourage the Tangut people to revolt in the Northwest for decades.

Ultimately, success was achieved with Yuan Hao!

Despite this, Yuan Hao ultimately turned the tables on them, severely damaging their strength.

However, no one can deny that the people of Liaoning have a special talent in this area!
Yelü Hongji nodded and said, "Good!"

"This special exemption (Xiao Wuna's courtesy name) is truly my Di Renjie!"

"This matter will be entirely entrusted to the Special Exemption Administrator!"

Yelü Hongji stood up, ending the meeting.

Once outside the palace tent, Yelü Hongji ordered someone to summon Chao Xin and gave him a task—to summon the Song envoy Lin Dan.

Ok……

The affairs of state have been completed!
He needs to focus his energy on diplomacy—especially procurement!
He was tired of the usual purchasing method of spending no more than one million strings of cash at a time.

That's so petty!

It's not like he's broke!

Xiao Budaye is now able to reliably send back tens of thousands of taels of silver every month!
With Japan's vast wealth, he naturally wanted to go on a shopping spree!
We will not rest until we have bought up all the goods of the Southern Dynasty!

maybe……

Yelü Hongji licked his lips, a dark thought sprouting in his mind: "Perhaps, after I buy up all the goods from the Southern Dynasty, there will be no goods left in the Southern Dynasty, prices will soar, and public resentment will boil over..."

"At that time, I will lead a righteous army south again, and the people of the Southern Dynasty may then be able to enjoy food and drink..."

Back then, the story of how Emperor Taizong of Liao, Yelü Deguang, was driven away by the militia and warlords of the Central Plains after conquering Jin in the south was a thorn in the side of all Liao rulers.

Given the opportunity, they would try to head south to complete what Yelü Deguang had not finished.

Of course, Yelü Hongji also knew that his idea was somewhat ridiculous.

But he still couldn't suppress the wild thoughts in his heart!
"Restore the Han Dynasty and return to the old capital!" Yelü Hongji murmured, reciting the words that Zhuge Liang, the Marquis of Wu, had been shouting throughout his life in the story of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," which was serialized in the Bianjing Xinbao newspaper of the Southern Dynasties.

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(End of this chapter)