I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 204 A Spark Ignites a Prairie Fire: The Journey Begins, Strategic Planning Leads to the Dawn of Pacification and the Securing of the Border Region

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It seems that even the heavens were helping Zhao Yu and his men to usher in the Age of Exploration.

Just as Zhao Yu and the five women decided to find a way to build a treasure ship and usher in the Age of Exploration, the Liao Kingdom sent envoys to Bianliang (Kaifeng) to purchase grain.

Moreover, the Liao Kingdom is not asking for two million shi this time, but at least five million shi.

In the words of the Liao envoy, without five million shi of grain, the Liao Kingdom would surely suffer a great famine this year. At that time, the people would suffer from hunger, and the cries of the dying would be everywhere. The tragic scene would be unbearable to witness. He begged Zhao Yu to sell more grain to the Liao Kingdom, considering that the two countries had already made peace and were preparing to coexist peacefully.

Was the Liao envoy exaggerating?

There probably isn't one.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were characterized by a dense network of waterways and numerous marshes. They also possessed fertile soil suitable for agriculture, such as the Datong Basin and the North China Plain. Coupled with a warm and humid environment, these conditions were highly conducive to agricultural production.

Therefore, after acquiring the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun and plundering a large number of Han people, the Liao Dynasty obtained vast farmland, a large agricultural population, and advanced agricultural technology. This enabled the Liao Dynasty's agricultural economy to develop rapidly, and this region gradually became the center of the Liao Dynasty's agricultural economy and its main source of tax revenue.

However, Zhao Yu's battle resulted in the capture of a considerable area in Yan territory, and he was poised to completely seize the Datong Basin.

Furthermore, when Zhao Yu personally led the expedition last year, he seized a considerable amount of grain from the Yan region.

Under these circumstances, it was normal for the Liao Kingdom to have a huge food shortage.

Faced with the Liao Dynasty's request, a group of ministers led by Zhang Dun and Cai Jing believed that this was a great opportunity to weaken the Liao Dynasty. They should refuse to sell grain to the Liao Dynasty and block all trade routes with the Liao Dynasty, including smuggling routes. They should use economic and food sanctions to further weaken the Liao Dynasty and pave the way for the recovery of the remaining five prefectures of Yan and the three prefectures of Pingluanying.

A group of ministers, led by Han Zhongyan and Su Shi, argued that since the Song and Liao dynasties had already signed a peace treaty, which included a clause stipulating that the Song dynasty would provide grain to the Liao, and given the Song dynasty's bumper harvests in the past two years, it was perfectly capable of providing the five million shi of grain. Therefore, the Song dynasty should fulfill the treaty, demonstrate its great power status, and establish itself on integrity. This would also instill respect in the Liao, reduce border troubles, and promote lasting peace between the two countries.

Some ministers, mainly the centrists led by Zeng Bu, believed that since the Song Dynasty had not yet received the promised nine prefectures of Yun from the Liao Dynasty, it should not be the first to breach the treaty and give the Liao Dynasty the opportunity to disobey it.

Some ministers, led by Xu Jiang, Li Qingchen, and Zhang Shangying, argued that the Zhao Song Dynasty had just fought two major battles. Although it had won many battles, it had also lost a lot of strength. The most urgent task was to recuperate and consolidate the newly acquired territories, rather than start another war and continue to overdraw the national strength of the Zhao Song Dynasty.

It is worth mentioning that some ministers reminded Zhao Yu that if the Liao people were truly starving to a certain extent, they would definitely ignore the orders of the Liao court, gather as bandits, and come to the Zhao Song Dynasty to plunder. At that time, it might cause friction between the two countries and lead to war.

After careful consideration, Zhao Yu, mainly considering that this was a golden opportunity to develop maritime transport and promote the development of ships, decided to ask the Liao Kingdom for money to establish a maritime transport bureau, build large ships, and transport five million shi of grain to the Liao Kingdom as soon as possible.

In other words, Zhao Yu was prepared to have the Liao Dynasty provide him with funds for developing his seagoing vessels.

At the same time, at the request of his border officials, Zhao Yu agreed to transport one million shi of grain to each of the nine provinces of Hebei and Yun, which were also affected by the war.

These two batches of grain also need to be transported by sea, otherwise the cost would be too high.

With this pretext, Zhao Yu issued an edict to build a super-large shipyard in Mingzhou, Wenzhou and Fuzhou to manufacture large ships of 2,000 liters each (which is the Shenzhou that can be built now), and to develop treasure ships of 5,000 liters each.

Therefore, Zhao Yu specially promoted Chao Min's uncle, Chao Shuozhi, to oversee the construction of these three shipyards, and allocated him three million guan as start-up capital in the first phase.

Chao Shuozhi was a literary figure and poet with high attainments in literature and classical studies, as well as possessing certain knowledge and skills related to shipbuilding. Historically, Emperor Huizong of Song promised to send an envoy to Goryeo and later ordered the construction of two larger divine ships in Mingzhou. It was Chao Shuozhi who was in charge of the design and supervision of the construction of these ships.

In fact, the areas most affected by the war during the Song Dynasty were not Hebei and Yunnan, but Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai (new regions and names given to Western Xia by Zhao Yu).

Last year, the war between the Song and Xia dynasties was so fierce that most of the people of Western Xia were drawn to the battlefield by Li Qianshun and his ministers, which greatly affected spring planting and autumn harvest.

Last year, when Lü Huiqing launched a surprise attack on Western Xia, many of the Western Xia generals burned the grain and fodder in the city.

Most importantly, the Zhao Song dynasty also wanted to relocate two to three million Han people to Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai.

This requires transporting large quantities of food to this region.

Fortunately, the Song Dynasty had been enjoying a bumper harvest for the past two years and had a considerable amount of grain reserves. Moreover, since this region had been recovered, it was possible to transport grain to these areas via the Yellow River.

Furthermore, since the Song Dynasty had already recovered Longyou, it could also take the Longyou-Hexi Corridor land route, that is, starting from Guanzhong, passing through Qinzhou and Lanzhou, and heading north along the Hexi Corridor to the core area of ​​Western Xia.

With both land and water transport, we should be able to get through this year.

In short, the Zhao Song Dynasty was also under considerable pressure regarding food supplies this year.

Therefore, at the very beginning of the year, Emperor Zhao Yu and his ministers had to be careful with their spending to ensure that the people of the Song Dynasty would also suffer.

But then again, the Song Dynasty didn't give away these grains for free. Whether it was the Liao Dynasty, or Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, including Yunnan and Hebei, they all had to exchange them for cattle, sheep, and local specialties. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

At the same time, the imperial court provided policy and transportation support to merchants, enabling them to trade in these newly recovered areas, which allowed the economic vitality of these areas to recover rapidly...

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When Zhao Yu led his army in triumph, the Song and Liao dynasties signed the Treaty of Yanjing. However, apart from the two prefectures of Yi and Zhuo that the Song army had captured, the Liao dynasty actually only handed over Jinpo Pass to the Song dynasty. On the contrary, the Song dynasty returned Wanping, Xijin and other places that it had conquered to the Liao dynasty.

This means that at that time, the Song Dynasty did not actually gain any advantage over the Liao Dynasty in terms of ceding territory.

The real test begins now.

Suppose that the Liao Dynasty agreed to cede territory but did not abide by the treaty; instead, some ministers and troops resisted to the end in the city. In that case, the Song Dynasty would still have to send troops to reclaim the fruits of victory that it deserved.

This is one of the reasons why Zhao Yu was willing to agree to sell five million shi of grain to the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Yu was practically telling Yelü Yanxi directly, "I, Zhao Yu, have not broken the agreement. If you, Yelü Yanxi, dare to break the agreement, don't blame me for sending troops to attack you again." With all the conditions for recovering Yundi set in place, Zhao Yu left the rest to frontline ministers such as Su Zhe and Guo Cheng.

Su Zhe knew that this was a matter of great importance and dared not be negligent, so he went to negotiate with the Liao Kingdom before Zhao Yu left.

As expected, something unexpected happened.

As soon as the Song army withdrew, many people, led by Yelü and Luwo, submitted a memorial opposing the handover of the Nine Provinces behind the mountains to the Zhao Song Dynasty. They argued that Yundi was a major grain-producing area for the Liao Dynasty, and if it were given to the Zhao Song Dynasty, the Zhao Song Dynasty would not need to fight the Liao Dynasty anymore; it could control the Liao Dynasty simply by using grain.

Of course, Yelü Heluwo and others also knew that the Zhao Song Dynasty was currently very powerful and the Liao Dynasty was not in a good position. If they directly broke the agreement, they would definitely be attacked by the Song army. Therefore, they proposed that at most, they would only cede Wu and Shuo prefectures to the Zhao Song Dynasty, and delay the cession of the remaining areas to observe the situation. If they really could not delay, they would take advantage of Yundi again.

Yelü Yanxi felt that Yelü Heluwo and others made a lot of sense. He had agreed to give the Nine Provinces behind the mountains to the Zhao Song Dynasty, but he had not agreed to give the population and wealth of the Nine Provinces behind the mountains to the Zhao Song Dynasty. Before handing over the Nine Provinces behind the mountains to the Zhao Song Dynasty, he could have moved the population and plundered the wealth of the Nine Provinces behind the mountains, leaving the Zhao Song Dynasty with only an empty land.

With Yelü Yanxi's intentions in mind, Yelü Chun, representing the Liao Dynasty, stated: "Since the two dynasties have established friendly relations and the oath has been made, our Great Liao shall abide by the treaty and will never break it. However, the treaty only grants the land of Xijing to your dynasty, without mentioning that the people will also belong to it. Therefore, the people of Xijing shall all be relocated to other places by our dynasty."

Su Zhe said unhappily, "Since your dynasty has promised to give us the land of Xijing Prefecture, how can you not give us people? If we only receive land but no people, what use is it to us?"

Yelü Chun said, "Our dynasty has managed Xijing for two or three hundred years, which is why Xijing has the population and wealth it has today. Now we agree to give the land of Xijing to your dynasty. Our dynasty only needs the population. What's wrong with that?"

Su Zhe said calmly, “Since the two dynasties have established an alliance, they are as close as family. In the past, we promised each other territory, which was a clear expression of our sincerity. However, we spared the registered households, which was not a good plan. If we could bring all the land and people to our town, it would be a perfect virtue and a demonstration of our sincerity in maintaining harmony. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”

Yelü Chun said, “Our dynasty has already ceded land to you, demonstrating the utmost good neighborly relations. Now you are demanding registered households again. What is the logic behind this? Since ancient times, territory has been the foundation of a nation, more important than its people. The cession of land shows our sincerity. Who would have thought that your greed would be so insatiable, wanting more after gaining something? Such excessive greed makes you unworthy of being a good neighbor.”

Su Zhe and Yelü Chun went to see Yelü Yanxi to explain the situation.

Yelü Yanxi said, “Xijing is a vast territory, and I have already promised to cede land to it, which is more than enough. However, your dynasty is still not satisfied and is now asking for registered households. Your Han people often criticize us Hu people for being greedy, but looking at what your dynasty is asking for, how is greed any different? Moreover, Xijing is an important place for our dynasty and should not have been given to us in the first place. I am only keeping my promise because of the alliance between our two dynasties, and my intention is clear. If your dynasty insists on taking people as well, I only hope that your emperor will increase the tribute in return. Only in this way can the friendship between our two dynasties be demonstrated and each party show its sincerity.”

Upon hearing this, Su Zhe said leisurely, "The calamity that befell your dynasty today is all due to the extortion of tribute by your ancestors. They have yet to repent. Now that His Majesty the Emperor of our dynasty has just returned to the capital, they have already reverted to their old ways. At this time, I, your humble servant, will return to the capital and request His Majesty the Emperor of our dynasty to come and discuss with your dynasty the issue of the population and property of the nine provinces behind the mountains."

At this point, Su Zhe's tone changed, becoming somewhat threatening: "However, if His Majesty the Emperor of our dynasty were to come again, he would surely not only be able to conquer the nine provinces beyond the mountains. In that case, I only hope that you will not regret your actions today."

Upon hearing Su Zhe's threat, Yelü Yanxi, fearing that Zhao Yu would actually retaliate, quickly explained, "Envoy Su, you are exaggerating. I am merely proposing a solution to the problem and have no intention of demanding tribute."

Yelü Chun was unwilling to stand by and watch his emperor be made difficult by Su Zhe, so he chimed in, "The people of Xijing have been under the rule of our dynasty since birth and are already connected to our dynasty by blood. It is only natural that they do not want to be separated from our dynasty. Why should Commissioner Su force them to do something they cannot do? Furthermore, if the people of Xijing are loyal to our Great Liao, it will not be conducive to your dynasty's governance of Xijing. Is this not the case?"

Yelü Chun's words were not without merit. If the Zhao Song Dynasty were to recover Yun, and the local people were to repeatedly rebel, it would undoubtedly be a protracted war of attrition for the Zhao Song Dynasty. Not only would it fail to enjoy the benefits of the newly acquired territory, but it might also be plunged into endless turmoil.

Su Zhe understood this principle well. He frowned and slowly asked, "How long will it take for your dynasty to relocate the people of Yundi?"

Yelü Chun said, "The Western Capital is a vast area with a large population; the relocation cannot be accomplished overnight..."

Su Zhe interrupted Yelü Chun: "How about we postpone the handover of the nine prefectures behind the mountains and let our armies fight on the battlefield? If your army is defeated, you can give us the five prefectures of Yan, the three prefectures of Pingluanying, and the passes under your control; if my army is defeated, my dynasty will not take a single prefecture or county. What do you say?"

Xiao Fengxian quickly steered the conversation back on track, saying, "Our dynasty will gradually hand over the nine provinces behind the mountains to your dynasty within a year, and our dynasty can first hand over the Wu and Shuo provinces to your dynasty, what do you say?"

Su Zhe said in an unquestionable tone, "A year is definitely not possible. I can go back and ask His Majesty the Emperor of my dynasty if you can be given half a year. But there is one thing: during these six months, the farmland in the nine provinces behind the mountains must not be left barren, otherwise both our dynasties will suffer from famine, which will not be conducive to the people of both dynasties recuperating."

The Liao Dynasty certainly wouldn't want to help the Zhao Song Dynasty grow grain, and the people of Yundi wouldn't be willing to do something that yields no results.

The two sides talked for a long time, but still reached no agreement.

Su Zhe then went back to report to Zhao Yu.

After discussing with his ministers, Zhao Yu decided that people from Yun who wanted to follow the Liao Dynasty would be allowed to leave within a year. Those who did not want to leave would not be forced to leave by the Liao Dynasty, regardless of whether they were Han or non-Han.

The grain planted did not need to be ripe. Whenever the Song Dynasty took over, it would purchase the grain from the growers at market prices, ensuring fair treatment for all ages. As for how the Liao Dynasty collected taxes from the growers, the Song Dynasty did not care at all.

After communication, the Liao Dynasty agreed to the compromise proposed by the Zhao Song Dynasty, and the two sides officially began the handover of Wu and Shuo prefectures.

At the same time, under Zhao Yu's instructions, border officials began to spread the word to the people of Yun, informing them of the terms agreed upon by the two dynasties.

Crucially, Zhao Yu bluntly ordered the Northern Auxiliary Army, Eastern Auxiliary Army, and Western Auxiliary Army to enter and garrison in Yundi, giving the Liao side a show of courtesy before resorting to force.

Upon receiving Zhao Yu's order, Sun Lu and Zhong Pu led the Northern Auxiliary Army to garrison east of Fengsheng Prefecture (Xinzhou), Zhang Xun and Wang Shan garrisoned south of Yingzhou, and Fan Chun and Gao Yongnian garrisoned west of Hongzhou. The three armies formed a triangular shape, together with the Fuzhou Army and the Hedong Army, to keep a close watch on Yundi, forcing the Liao Kingdom to hand over the nine prefectures of Yundi regardless of its wishes.

Seeing this, some Liao officials suggested sending troops into Yun to protect Liao's interests.

In the end, it was the pro-peace faction led by Xiao Fengxian who persuaded Yelü Yanxi, making him realize that he could no longer provoke Zhao Yu for such petty gains, otherwise, if Zhao Yu really came back to kill him, it would be a big problem.

Therefore, the Liao Dynasty chose to turn a blind eye to the Song Dynasty's tough stance.

Seeing the Liao court's attitude, some clever people, such as Han Zheng, the military governor of Shuozhou, Su Jing, the military governor of Yingzhou, and Chen Yi, a local tyrant in Weizhou, secretly sent people to Fengsheng Prefecture to contact the Pacification Commissioner and express their willingness to surrender their territory and return to the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Su Zhe was overjoyed and persuaded them to surrender. The three prefectures then vied to rebel against Liao and submit to the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Zhao Yu treated those who voluntarily surrendered their territory fairly, rewarding and promoting them. He was even more generous in rewarding those who were willing to move to the interior, showing the lavishness of "buying a horse's bones with a thousand pieces of gold."

Seeing this, more and more people in Yundi realized the situation and began to stir...

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(End of this chapter)