Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 498 No Need for Another Grand Ancestor

In the eyes of the Han people, talking back to one's father is considered unfilial, let alone patricide.

But in the eyes of nomads, it is nothing.

Nomadic people live in difficult conditions, so they follow the law of the jungle which values ​​the strong and healthy while despising the old and weak.

Just like in a wolf pack, when the wolf king gets old, strong wolves will challenge him to seize the position of wolf king.

As long as he wins, the rest of the wolves will recognize the new wolf king.

Only a stronger wolf king can lead them to survive better.

The same principle applies to nomadic peoples.

Many nomadic peoples were born on the grasslands. Their customs and habits may differ, but the laws of survival remain essentially unchanged.

Therefore, what Nerugu did was not a stain. If Yelu Yixin killed him, Yelu Chongyuan's former subordinates would only worry that Yelu Yixin would settle the score with them later, and would not think that Nerugu deserved to be killed.

So it was normal for Yelu Yixin to stay in Nerugu.

But Li Ge, a Han Chinese, was nothing in Yelu Yixin's eyes. Not only did Yelu Yixin not kill him, but he also kept him by Nerugu's side, which was abnormal no matter how you looked at it.

"Your Majesty, I don't know why Yelu Yixin didn't kill me, but everything I said is true." Li Ge said anxiously.

After hearing this, Zhao Xing actually believed Li Ge's words a little more.

If Li Ge really surrendered to Yelu Yixin, and Yelu Yixin sent him for some conspiracy, he must have sufficient reasons and a perfect answer.

However, Li Ge said that he didn't know why Yelu Yixin didn't kill him, which did not reduce Zhao Xing's suspicion of him.

Of course, it is also possible that Yelu Yixin guessed what he was thinking and deliberately asked him to say so.

Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "First, tell me, what is the purpose of your coming here this time?"

"Your Majesty, Nerugu wanted to avenge his father, and learned that the Song Dynasty had made no progress in Xijing City, so he asked me to deliver a message to Your Majesty." Li Ge said.

"What news?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yelü Yixin secretly transferred hundreds of thousands of troops from the grassland to Shuozhou, and he may have intended to launch a surprise attack on the Song Dynasty." Li Ge said.

Zhao Xing frowned slightly. Shuozhou is about three hundred miles away from Xijing City, which is neither far nor near.

However, it is normal for Yelu Yixin to transfer troops to Shuofang. After all, if it is too close, it will easily be noticed by the Song Dynasty.

Moreover, this direction is not the same as Shangjing, and it is through the grassland, which is indeed less likely to be noticed.

"Nerugu wants to avenge his father?" Zhao Xing said sarcastically, "But he was the one who killed Yelu Chongyuan. If he wants to avenge Yelu Chongyuan, why doesn't he commit suicide?"

"Your Majesty, the Khitan people are different from the Song Dynasty. Before they occupied the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, the elderly in the tribe would leave the tribe when food was insufficient and fend for themselves in exchange for the survival of the young and strong in the tribe. Nerugu killed Yelu Chongyuan in order to save his own life, so naturally he wanted to avenge his father!" said Li Ge.

Zhao Xing sneered and said without comment: "He just wants to avenge Yelu Chongyuan? No other conditions?"

Li Ge said awkwardly: "Of course there is. Nerugu said that he will continue to provide information to Your Majesty in the future. If Your Majesty can avenge him, he is willing to govern the grassland for Your Majesty in the future and will never betray you!"

"hehe."

Zhao Xing sneered when he heard this: "What do you mean by governing the grassland for me? He is asking me for the grassland. I am just curious, how did he get the information when he was under house arrest?"

"Although Nerugu is under house arrest, Yelu Yixin is not in Shangjing now. Yelu Yixin is worried about Yelu Chongyuan's old subordinates and keeps them in Shangjing. It is not difficult to find out some information." Li Ge explained.

"I need to think about this matter carefully. I see you have suffered a lot along the way. Zhang Feng, take him down and treat him well." Zhao Xing said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After expressing his gratitude, Li Ge followed Zhang Feng out.

"My dear Zeng, what do you think about this matter?" Zhao Xing looked at Zeng Gongliang.

"Your Majesty, I think this matter is both credible and unbelievable," Zeng Gongliang said.

"Oh?"

Zhao Xing frowned slightly and said, "Tell me in detail."

"From what he said, it should be true, but it may not be something that Yelu Yixin deliberately allowed," said Zeng Gongliang.

"I have also considered this possibility, but why did Yelu Yixin do this? Didn't you say that Yelu Yixin intended to attack the camp? Doing so will only alert the Song Dynasty." Zhao Xing said.

He wondered if this was a trap set by Yelu Yixin, but if Yelu Yixin intended to launch a sneak attack, doing so would be somewhat contradictory.

"After much thought, I believe there is only one possibility. Yelu Yixin does not dare to take the risk. He does this to alert the Song Dynasty and prevent it from attacking the city with all its strength. This way, he will be confident enough to delay until winter." Zeng Gongliang said.

Raiding the camp was also a gamble. If it succeeded, it would be fine. But if it failed, it would be a big blow to the morale of the Liao army.

Although the Liao Kingdom had a strong city to defend, it had enough time to restore morale.

But the Song Dynasty had gunpowder, and if they were not careful, they would lose everything.

As for Yelu Yixin's hidden troops, although they were kept secret from the Song Dynasty, that was because of the long distance.

It would take time for Yelu Yixin to order the mobilization of those troops.

Once they get closer, it will be impossible for the Song Dynasty not to notice it.

Therefore, he deliberately revealed the secret to the Song Dynasty, so that the Song Dynasty would be hesitant and dare not attack the city with all its strength. Delaying time would actually make things more stable.

As soon as winter came, the Song Dynasty had no choice but to withdraw its troops. Even if it left troops to guard the city, the people were not supportive and the weather in the north was cold, which the Han people were not used to. He was still confident that he could recapture the lost city.

Apart from this explanation, Zeng Gongliang could not think of any other possibility for a moment.

"How to deal with it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Your Majesty, I think this is an opportunity."

Zeng Gongliang stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall, pointing to a place and said, "If we take this place, we can directly threaten the Liao Kingdom's Zhongdu. Zhongdu is the gateway to the Liao Kingdom's Shangjing. By then, Yelu Yixin will have no choice but to give up Xijing."

Zhao Xing looked at the map and pondered.

The place Zeng Gongliang referred to was the southern capital of the Liao Kingdom, which the Han people called Youzhou City.

Since the Han Dynasty divided the country into thirteen states, Youzhou City has been the seat of Youzhou. From then on, Youzhou City has always been one of the important cities in the north.

Compared with Xijing City, Youzhou City is more majestic and solid.

The Baigou River served as the boundary between the Song and Liao dynasties. When the Song Dynasty attacked the Liao dynasty, it crossed the Baigou River and was actually about the same distance from Xijing and Youzhou City.

Whether it is the capture of Xijing City or Youzhou City, both are the gateways to the Liao Kingdom's Zhongdu.

Once one of these two cities is lost, the Song Dynasty can march directly to Zhongdu.

The reason why Xijing was chosen instead of Youzhou City was because Youzhou City was more solid.

"Prince Zeng was against attacking Youzhou before." Zhao Xing said after a moment of silence. "Your Majesty, this is a different time. We didn't attack Youzhou before because it was more solid, and secondly, Yelu Yixin's reinforcements had not shown up yet, so they might be in Youzhou."

Zeng Gongliang smiled and said, "But now that we know that the Liao reinforcements are in Shuozhou City, then the troops in Youzhou City cannot be too many. If we launch a surprise attack, we may be able to take it down in one battle!"

Without gunpowder, he naturally wouldn't have the confidence.

But now that we have gunpowder, it is still possible to launch a surprise attack when the Liao Kingdom is unprepared.

"What if this is Yelu Yixin's trap?"

Zhao Xing frowned and said, "If we turn to attack Youzhou City, there are still many counties in between. If we leave these counties alone and advance alone, we may be completely wiped out. But if we fight, we can't hide it at all."

"Besides, if we raid Youzhou City, the frontline troops will have to retreat back into the city first. Even if it's not a trap, Yelu Yixin will probably notice it."

"Your Majesty, there is never complete certainty in fighting a war. The frontline troops can remain in place and quietly transfer tens of thousands of troops. It will be difficult for the Liao Kingdom to detect it. You can also draw another 10,000 men from your Majesty's imperial guards. Even if it fails, you can still retreat." Zeng Gongliang said.

Zhao Xing pondered for a long time after hearing this, but still couldn't make up his mind.

He didn't use military tactics much. Although Zeng Gongliang understood them, he was more of a civilian.

Zhao Xing also knew that there was no such thing as complete certainty in fighting, but if they fell into a trap, he couldn't bear to see these soldiers die.

After a long silence, he said, "It is possible that this matter itself is a trap. Yelu Yixin wants to use this method to let the Song Dynasty relax its vigilance. Zeng Aiqing should go back to the front line first and remind Duke Ying to be careful. Then tell him about this matter and see what he thinks."

"Yes!" Zeng Gongliang replied.

…………

Bianjing
The emperor has been abdicated for so long, and his health is quite good.

After being idle for such a long time, the retired emperor was full of energy and energy when he took charge of government affairs again. Just like before he abdicated, he was very diligent and busy until after dark every day.

The emperor regained his old feeling, and so did the officials.

Only then did they feel the kindness of the emperor.

Zhao Xing had been on the throne for just over a year, but nearly half of the officials in the court had been replaced compared to when the retired emperor was in power.

Few of them retired due to old age, some were demoted or killed.

Unfortunately, this kind of days will not last too long. Once Zhao Xing comes back, they will still have to live in fear as before.

Some officials even proposed to restore the emperor to the throne.

Unfortunately, this is simply impossible. After all, Zhao Xing worshipped the ancestral temple when he succeeded to the throne.

Moreover, the emperor had only one son, who had given up the throne before. Now that Zhao Xing had ascended the throne, how could he possibly depose Zhao Xing?

Many officials even had an idea in their minds that if Zhao Xing died on the front line, the emperor emeritus could be restored to the throne.

The emperor has been recuperating for such a long time that he looks much younger. If the emperor restores the throne and works for another ten years, the prince will have grown up.

After being taught by the retired emperor and his ministers, the prince will surely be as good as the retired emperor.

However, it wasn't long before the good news coming back from the north put an end to these people's thoughts.

The good news that came back one after another made many people feel a little desperate.

There is no need to recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Zhao Xing only needs to recapture Xijing and Yanmen Pass and recover the territory lost after Emperor Taizong's failed expedition against Liao, and his power will be greatly increased.

If Zhao Xing could recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, his achievements would be unmatched even by Taizong and could be compared with Taizu.

After all, this is not only Taizu's wish, but also something he did not do.

But does the Song Dynasty need another Taizu?
For most officials, it is certainly not necessary.

Zhao Xing was already powerful. If his achievements were comparable to those of Taizu, the civil officials would completely lose their voice in the court.

This result is naturally not what they want to see.

But they could do nothing about it, as Emperor Zhao Xing was in charge of the front line and the emperor emeritus was in charge of the rear.

They don't even dare to use some small tricks.

But there are always some brave people in this world.

In a living room
Sitting at the top was an old man in his sixties, with a few people sitting on each side.

Just by looking at their clothes and demeanor, you can tell that they all have extraordinary status.

"Everyone, there are frequent reports of victory in the north. Your Majesty has led the army in person and is unstoppable. Now we have reached the city of Xijing. As long as we capture Xijing and recapture Yanmen Pass, we can recover the territory that Taizong lost after his defeat in the Liao Dynasty. If Your Majesty can recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and drive the Liao Kingdom back to the grassland, then your achievements will be comparable to those of Taizu."

The old man at the head glanced at everyone and said, "You all know how strong His Majesty's temper is. Do you want to see another Taizu appear?"

"But now that His Majesty is leading the army in person, how dare we do anything?" said the middle-aged man on the left.

These literati did not like Emperor Taizu.

Although Taizu valued culture, he did not neglect military affairs and killed many civil officials.

If all officials were to vote for the emperor at that time, the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor Wu would definitely get very few votes.

The emperor emeritus definitely has the highest number of votes.

After Zhao Xing ascended the throne, he had always targeted civil officials. If their achievements were comparable to those of Taizu, their lives would become even more difficult in the future.

Except for a small number, most of the officials of the Song Dynasty did not want to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Even if they did, it would be led by literati.

But now Zhao Xing led the army in person, and the commander he chose was a military hero like the Duke of Ying, which was obviously not in the interests of the majority of civil servants.

"Why don't you say anything? Don't forget that before Your Majesty ascended the throne, when you were the prefect of Kaifeng, you had the intention of reforming the law. And Your Majesty has always valued Wang Anshi, who advocated reform. The reason why Your Majesty did not take any action after Your Majesty ascended the throne is because Your Majesty knew how great the resistance would be."

"But after Your Majesty ascended the throne, he cleaned up many officials and attached importance to the military examination. It is obvious that he is preparing for reform. If Your Majesty returns with a great victory, who can stop His Majesty from proposing reforms?"

"We are all old. Even if Your Majesty wants to reform, as long as we don't stop him, he will have a good ending. But I'm afraid our descendants will not be reused." The old man at the top said lightly.

"Sir, you don't need to say all this. We all understand the truth. Just tell us what you are planning to do. If it is feasible, we will not back down."

"That's right! Since my husband has asked us to come, there is no need to test us."

"it is good!"

The old man nodded and said, "Then I will not waste my words. The most urgent task now is to get His Majesty back to the capital. Ordinary means are useless, and special means must be used. You should have a way to contact the Wizard Cult. During this period, the Wizard Cult has been pursued by the Imperial City Bureau and is like a dog that has lost its home. It can only hide here and there and dare not show its head. Contact them, let them instigate a rebellion, and force His Majesty to return to the capital!"

"Although we have a way to contact the Wizarding Cult, I'm afraid they won't agree." The old man on the upper right frowned.

"Once Your Majesty recovers the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, you will certainly carry out reforms, and then there will be no place for the Wizard Cult in the Song Dynasty. As long as the people of the Wizard Cult are not stupid, they will not refuse." The old man said lightly.

(End of this chapter)