A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 27 Three Steps

Surprisingly, Song Shou did not refute Song Xuan's arrogant words this time.

He also knows a thing or two about the situation in his hometown.

After becoming officials, many officials hope to be transferred to the south.

Not to mention the beautiful scenery, there are no wars or disasters, so you can just spend your time there steadily.

However, he had never seen a student like Song Xuan who was willing to go to difficult places like the northwest to defend the country and even the people.

He really has a pure heart. There's no way to criticize him. He should be encouraged!
Yan Shu took a sip of ice beer. He felt that he shouldn't discourage Song Xuan's enthusiasm, and then shook his head:

"Song Twelve, don't think that the Liao Kingdom is weak and can be bullied just because the Liao Emperor personally led an army of 500,000 to attack Xixia and failed. They are not that easy to deal with.

Moreover, the Song Dynasty had so many soldiers. If a war had to go to war, it would cost a huge amount of money, and there simply was not enough money to support it.

There wasn’t much money to be taken out of the treasury established by Emperor Taizu.”

Emperor Zhenzong promoted the Fengshan ceremony on a large scale, but it cost a lot of money and brought about a trend of extravagance.

If you want to restore order, I don't know how many people will attack you, a mere student.

They can even prevent you from passing the imperial examination.

Having served in the imperial court for many years, Yan Shu was well aware of the cruelty of political struggles, and he had also experienced the factional struggles of Kou Zhun and others.

In order to discredit Kou Zhun, Wang Qinruo described the Treaty of Chanyuan as a treaty signed under duress.

Yan Shu felt that Song Xuan was too radical and had nothing to do with party disputes.

When he is able to govern a county, perhaps he will change his mind.

How could the imperial court have the money to fight a war, not to mention how many soldiers in the Song Dynasty were willing to fight!

Moreover, ever since Emperor Taizong fled in a donkey cart at the Battle of Gaoliang River, and fought against the Liao Dynasty in the Northern Expedition during the Yongxi Period, and divided his army into three groups to defeat the Liao Dynasty in many battles, the Song Dynasty had long been afraid of the Liao Dynasty.

"What Minister Yan said is indeed reasonable, but the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun have advanced agriculture, handicrafts, and culture that are more developed than the Liao Kingdom itself. They have taken possession of this land and are actively digesting it and using it to benefit themselves."

"Twelve, please tell me in detail." Fan Zhongyan thought this point of view was very novel, he had never heard of it before.

Song Xuan organized his words and spoke slowly:
"As we all know, the Khitan Liao Dynasty used to have a single nomadic economy, but now they have transformed their economic model to a combination of agriculture and animal husbandry.

This was all due to the annexation of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which brought them vast arable land, a large number of farming population and advanced farming technology.

The vast grasslands and nomadic economy provided the Khitan with powerful cavalry resources. Coupled with the agricultural economy in the Yanyun area, the economic model of the Khitan Liao Dynasty became more flexible.

Its economic strength continued to increase, military supplies became more sufficient, and various military equipment such as chariots and weapons were gradually improved, making the already powerful Khitan cavalry even more powerful.

They also set up many schools there to train Han talents for their own use, and regarded them as Liao people. If this continued, the Song Dynasty would never have the opportunity to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and would have to be humble in its confrontation with the Liao Dynasty.

They come whenever they want, using the border as an excuse to demand land or increase the annual tribute. They can earn a lot of money by just bringing the army out for a stroll, so why not do it?

Fan Zhongyan was silent after hearing this. What Song Xuan said made sense.

If this continues, the Song Dynasty will be on the verge of collapse.

Yan Shu knew more because he was in the central government.

The Liao emperors repeatedly tried to win the hearts of the Han people in the Yanyun area by reducing or exempting taxes, and there was also less corvee labor, so many Han people had no intention of returning south.

It might even help the Liao Dynasty fight against the Song Dynasty.

"It just so happens that I have some experience in business." Song Xuan chuckled a few times:
"When I go to the northwest, I'll earn some money from Xixia and Liao and see how I can weaken their economic power."

Yan Shu smiled. Everyone knew this was a serious topic, but no one had expected Song Xuan to volunteer at this moment. He wanted to see how good Song Xuan was at making money.

You can't achieve much with just this drink, at most you can just drink it for fun.

Moreover, there were several trading grounds in Hebei, which were used by both parties for trade, mainly for making money in the Song Dynasty.

"Just now you said that Li Deming had ambitions to become emperor?"

Song Xuan knew that Li Deming's son Li Yuanhao had become emperor. He laid the foundation for him to become emperor, but unfortunately he died of illness before he could do so.

Li Yuanhao is more radical than his father.

Seeing Fan Zhongyan asking, Song Xuan blurted out naturally:

"Yes, everyone can see Li Deming's ambition. There will definitely be many battles in the future between Song and Xia in the northwest.

When I arrive in the northwest, I will train a new army to guard against the invasion of the Western Xia. If we are defeated by them, the imperial court will have to pay tribute to the Western Xia, which would be even more embarrassing."

Yan Shu did not think that Song Xuan's absurd words would not happen.

If he dared to proclaim himself emperor against the tiny country of Western Xia, Yan Shu believed that all the civil and military officials in the court would be in favor of war.

If our Great Song Dynasty couldn’t defeat the powerful Liao Kingdom, can’t we defeat your tiny Western Xia?

You deserve it too!

Cao Wei, the famous general who was feared in the northwest, was demoted because of Ding Wei's suppression and left there. No one could suppress Li Deming in a short time.

"Twelve, are you exaggerating?"

Song Shou couldn't even enjoy drinking cold beer.

"Li Deming dared to confront the Liao emperor, who led a personal expedition of 500,000 men, and most importantly, he won.

Moreover, the military strength of the Song Dynasty is far weaker than that of the Liao Dynasty. Does Lord Song think that Li Deming will not be overconfident, but will instead keep a low profile?

Song Shou shook his head. Those warriors loved to show off their martial arts skills the most.

Especially the victory over the Liao army of 500,000 men would certainly be widely publicized, and would also give rise to inappropriate thoughts.

In this case, Song Xuan’s guess was correct!
There is not much time left for the Song Dynasty.

"According to your idea, is there any decent way to impose sanctions?"

Although Yan Shu did not think of a solution, since Song Xuan had discovered it a long time ago, doesn't he have any countermeasures?

"I can only think of three steps now." Song Xuan stretched out his fingers and grabbed the skewers again:
"I hope the three of you can give me some advice."

Yan Shu also picked up the skewers and said, "Okay, go ahead and tell me."

Song Xuan stretched out his finger:

"First, the iron must be strong before it can be forged. When it comes to training an army, the number of troops doesn't need to be too large. About 10,000 is enough. Then deploy five such armies on the northwest border.

Secondly, more castles should be built to support each other, so as to delay the enemy's cavalry attacks, just like Emperor Taizu planted trees on a large scale on the border between Song and Liao.

Third, we must effectively utilize the relationship with neighboring countries. After Li Deming defeated the Liao Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty would certainly want to get back at him, otherwise where would his face be?
This was done to sow discord between the Liao Dynasty and the Western Xia, causing them to continue fighting.

Finally, there are Zuo Silu and the other forces annexed by Li Deming. They are not completely subservient to him, so they have more room for maneuver."

(End of this chapter)