The prince is more stable

Chapter 195: Kill Those Who Fear War
The military report that was delivered to Bian Jing after traveling across mountains and rivers left the bigwigs in the government hall dumbfounded.

More than 2,000 Song soldiers were slaughtered, more than 20 forts and strongholds were captured, and tens of thousands of border residents were abducted. It is obvious from these data that this was no longer a minor friction on the border, but a formal war.

Even Zhao Xiaoqian in the hall was surprised.

The war came too suddenly, and Zhao Xiaoqian knew very well that the Song Dynasty was not actually prepared for the war.

The soldiers of the Dragon Guard Battalion were still practicing with firearms, and the Firearms Inspectorate had not yet equipped them with enough muskets and gunpowder.

Most importantly, the strategic plan of the Song Dynasty that he had discussed with Zhao Xu was disrupted.

Western Xia was indeed the first opponent chosen by the Song Dynasty, but not now.

According to Zhao Xu and Zhao Xiaoqian's judgment, it would take at least a year for the Dragon Guard Battalion to fully master the use of muskets, and firearms could be equipped in this army of more than 30,000 people, so that they could sustain a war.

There are less than 10,000 muskets in our country today, and we don’t know how much gunpowder we have, but it is estimated that the number is not large.

Of course there is a chance of winning. After all, the emergence of flintlock rifles crushed cold weapons. But only talking about quality without talking about quantity is like playing rogue. If the quantity is not large enough, the advantage on the battlefield will not be great.

At this moment, Zhao Xu was more anxious than Zhao Xiaoqian.

After all, every inch of land that the enemy took from the Song Dynasty theoretically belonged to him personally.

Seeing that the ministers in the government hall were silent, Zhao Xu couldn't help but say angrily, "Why don't you say anything? The rebels have already invaded the territory of our Great Song Dynasty. Don't we have anything to say?"

After a long pause, Zhang Dun stepped forward and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I suggest that we first send envoys to Xixia to question the Xixia ruler about his intentions. We should first resolve the issue through diplomacy. If diplomacy fails, we can then discuss military action."

Xing Shu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, also said, "I second the opinion of Prime Minister Zhang."

Zhang Dun was the prime minister second only to the emperor, and his opinions were well-balanced and impeccable. Many court officials in the government hall nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xu's expression became increasingly anxious, and he was filled with anger but didn't know how to vent it.

This wasn't the answer he wanted.

Turning to look at Zeng Bu, Zhao Xu said, "Mr. Zeng, you are the Privy Councilor, what do you say?"

Zeng Bu thought for a moment and said, "I generally agree with what Minister Zhang has said, but I believe the Song Dynasty should prepare for two scenarios. First, diplomatic mediation. At the same time, we must immediately mobilize the Imperial Guards to the northwest. If diplomacy fails to resolve the issue, the Imperial Guards can immediately be deployed to the battlefield to seize the opportunity and recapture the lost territory."

Zhao Xu showed a look of disappointment. He actually wanted to start a war immediately. After seeing the power of the Dragon Guard Battalion's muskets with his own eyes, he had already been eager to try it.

Compared with the Liao Kingdom in the north, Western Xia was a relatively weak enemy, so it was appropriate to attack this enemy.

But the prime minister and important officials in the Council of State clearly did not think so.

When encountering war, they first talk about peace, calling it a "diplomatic solution." In fact, this has been the same tune for decades. In the past, most of the Song Dynasty's responses to foreign invasions were so-called "diplomatic mediation."

Is there any effect?

Of course it works. What do enemies want when they invade? Of course, they want money, land, and people. So-called diplomatic mediation means sending people to directly ask the enemy, "What do you want? How much will you give me to get out?"

So the enemy was very happy and immediately made an offer.

After making an offer, bargaining, and a heated debate, he finally had to agree.

Who would have believed that even a remote and barbaric country like Western Xia was still paid tribute by the Song Dynasty every year?

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, the Western Xia established its own country without authorization. On the surface, it still paid tribute to the Song Dynasty, but in fact, its ambitions were already apparent and it often launched wars against the Song Dynasty's borders.

However, the neighboring Liao Kingdom, relying on its strong power, deliberately took sides and secretly favored the Western Xia.

Therefore, in the fourth year of the Qingli reign, the Song Dynasty reluctantly agreed to the Xixia's request. Each year, the Song Dynasty gave the Xixia an annual tribute of 130,000 pieces of silk, 50,000 taels of silver, and 20,000 kilograms of tea, totaling 200,000 yuan per year. How cowardly must a country be to not even be able to afford to offend the barbarians on its borders?

Now the Song Dynasty is facing invasion again, and the court officials' subconscious reaction is still the same as before, to resolve it through diplomacy.

Everyone actually knows that the meaning of diplomatic resolution is to ask the enemy what they want and how much they want, and then give it to them after bargaining. Then the world will remain peaceful and the music and dancing will continue.

Zhao Xu was originally such a person, but in the past year, he has been unconsciously influenced by Zhao Xiaoqian, and the emergence of the flintlock rifle has given him confidence.

The young man was full of vigor and didn't want to endure it any longer.

Zhao Xu was very disappointed with what the ministers said, and his eyes involuntarily looked at Zhao Xiaoqian who remained transparent.

"Zi'an, tell me." Zhao Xu suddenly said.

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. I was so transparent, yet you still found out?

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to him, countless eyes were focused on him, and Zhao Xiaoqian felt a little socially anxious.

"I... am a lowly official, and my words have little weight. I am also a relative of the clan, so I dare not discuss politics."

Zhao Xu frowned. "I told you to speak, so you should tell the truth. What's with the lowly official's words being ignored? Doesn't the Song Dynasty forbid people from speaking?"

Zhang Dun's face looked a little ugly, but he remained silent rationally. Having learned his lesson before, Zhang Dun had become obedient. He tried his best not to offend Zhao Xiaoqian.

Seeing that Zhao Xu insisted on speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to say, "I am only expressing my humble opinion..."

"I believe that the current situation is extremely urgent. Anyone who dares to talk about 'diplomatic mediation' today should be beheaded as a warning to others and to stabilize the morale of the people and the military."

As soon as these words were spoken, they shocked everyone in the government hall and then flew into a rage.

"You arrogant boy!" Xing Shu pointed at him angrily.

Even the good-tempered Zeng Bu's face turned pale and he said coldly: "The Marquis of Anle County is going too far!"

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked innocently: "The emperor told me to say it..."

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and said calmly, "Zi'an, please speak freely. I will not punish you."

Inside the government hall, everyone's furious emotions were suppressed. They snorted coldly a few times and dared not interrupt anymore.

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "The enemy has invaded our territory and massacred our soldiers and civilians. Shouldn't a normal person's reaction be to immediately mobilize troops, fight back, and recover the lost territory? Why do all these high-ranking officials in the court lack even the basic courage of a normal person?"

"Still talking about 'diplomatic mediation'? Isn't it just a way to spend money to avoid disaster? What about the soldiers of the Song Dynasty who were slaughtered? What about the border residents who were captured? What about the territory that was seized? Let's just forget about this matter."

"You are used to kneeling, but please don't drag the entire Song Dynasty's soldiers and civilians to kneel with you. At least I am too strong to kneel."

These words were like a bucket of gasoline poured on everyone's head, and then a lit match was thrown lightly.

The ministers in the hall were about to explode.

The crowd was once again outraged, and some people seemed to have been hit in the sore spot and became furious.

Facing the indignant ministers, Zhao Xiaoqian opened his eyes wide, covered his mouth with an innocent look, and said in a teasing tone: "Did I hurt your pride? I'm sorry, I'm just a child, please forgive me..."

"However, you are all important officials of the current dynasty, holding the power of the world. If you are so cold-blooded towards the soldiers, so indifferent to the border residents, and so indifferent to the occupation of your territory, I wonder if this is considered disloyalty and injustice? I am young and inexperienced. I just said that anyone who dares to speak out about diplomacy should be beheaded. Was I wrong?"

(End of this chapter)