Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

德芳32岁王妃33岁长子15岁次子13岁幼子11岁女儿9岁

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In October of the second year of Chunhua, Li Jipeng surrendered to Liao, and Liao sent envoys to make him king of Xiping.

"Now that Li Jipeng has expressed his favor to the Liao people and surrendered, this is extremely detrimental to the security of our border in the Song Dynasty." Taizong looked at the officials and said, "Do you think we should send troops to conquer?"

"Your Majesty" the prime minister Li Fang said, "Dangxiang originally had good relations with our Song Dynasty, but since the death of the party leaders Li Yixing and Li Jiyun, their clan leaders Li Jipeng and Li Jiqian have continued to harass the border. Our Song Dynasty treats them well. He was appointed an official position and given a name, but the party Xiang abandoned our friendship with the court, and the minister felt that he should send troops to punish him."

"I feel that it is inappropriate to send troops at this time," the prime minister Zhang Qixian said, "Li Xiang, at this time, our troops in the Song Dynasty are concentrated in the Liao border town. If we send troops to the party to conquer, the Liao people will have an opportunity. Under the banner of assisting the party, they aggressively invaded the south."

"Well." Taizong nodded, "What the two prime ministers said is reasonable, but we really need to consider the current military strength."

"Your Majesty" Defang said, "The party project is currently divided internally. Besides Li Jipeng, there is also Li Jiqian. They have their own forces. Judging from the current situation, Li Jiqian's military strength may exceed Li Jipeng's. I heard that Li Jiqian is better at fighting. Last year, Li Jiqian surrendered to our Great Song Dynasty and gave him the name Zhao Baoji, but then he attached himself to Liao and betrayed our dynasty. Now Li Jipeng also proclaimed his vassal to Liao. My Song Dynasty will be attacked on three sides."

"What the emperor's nephew said is very pertinent." Taizong said, "Since there are still conflicts within the party, you might as well just wait and see what happens. Two prime ministers, you can discuss the matter of border defense, strengthen the defense of the party, and pay attention to the dynamics of the Liao people." .”

"Yes, Your Majesty" Li Fang and Zhang Qixian bowed

After the court, all the ministers boarded sedan chairs at the gate of the palace and went back to the mansion. Zhang Qixian walked to Defang, "My lord, I have something to ask about the truth."

"Don't dare." Defang cupped his hands, "What's the matter with the prime minister, but it's okay to say."

"I heard that the prince was ordered by the emperor to guard the border town and had contacts with that party item. I don't know if the prince saw Li Jipeng and Li Jiqian back then?"

Defang shook his head, "I have never seen it before. The purpose of guarding the customs was to quell commercial disputes, but I heard about Li Jiqian back then. It is rumored that he was born with teeth and was appointed as an official at the age of 12." He is brave and decisive in doing things, and he is good at riding and shooting, and he is very famous in the party."

"From this point of view, Li Jiqian is more difficult to guard than Li Jipeng." Zhang Qixian said

"Well," Defang nodded, "At present, Li Jipeng's power is weaker than that of Li Jiqian, and Li Jiqian is still expanding his sphere of influence, taking advantage of the opportunity of the confrontation between the Liao Kingdom and our Great Song Dynasty to achieve his goal of unifying the various ministries of the party. From the looks of it, I, Song Dynasty, may not be able to restrain Li Jiqian's rise."

"What the lord said is very true," Zhang Qixian said, "Our Great Song army is already exhausted from concentrating on fighting against the Liao Kingdom. If we send troops again, all the party ministries will be unable to support us."

"Yes, the lonely king is also worried about this. Since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, the war has never stopped. The troops have suffered heavy losses, and the consumption of food and grass has been huge. It is a pity for the country and the people. The constant harassment by the party has really put our Song Dynasty in a dilemma."