The prince is more stable

Chapter 941 The battle to destroy the country
Loyal ministers racked their brains, but they couldn't outwit the cunning of treacherous ministers.

Before this, even Zhao Xiaoqian's thinking had gone astray. His fixed mindset only considered how to deplete the national strength of Liao and Xia, without thinking about why not simply destroy Western Xia and complete the first step in unifying China.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaoqian's previous plan was completely overturned because of a single sentence from Cai Jing.

In comparison, Cai Jing's suggestion seemed more tempting, and would maximize the benefits for the Song Dynasty.

Then, Zhang Dun gave him another piece of good news: the Song Dynasty's autumn tribute was about to arrive in the capital, which meant that the Song army already had enough provisions to support a small to medium-sized war.

“It seems…we could give it a try?” Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

Xu Jiang was excited: "Your Majesty, I think Yuan Chang's words are reasonable, and we can indeed give it a try."

Destroying the Western Xia Kingdom was something the Song Dynasty's rulers and ministers would never have dared to dream of a few years ago, but now this goal seems to be within reach, almost achievable.

How could Xu not be excited about becoming the Privy Councilor?
Zhao Xiaoqian hummed in agreement, then looked at Zhang Dun.

Upon receiving his gaze, Zhang Dun pondered for a moment and then slowly said, "I also think that joining forces with the Liao army to destroy Western Xia might be worth a try. Now it depends on whether Yelü Yanxi has the courage to join forces with the Song army."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled, his smile carrying a hint of confidence: "I believe Yelü Yanxi will agree."

The crowd looked at him in confusion, then their expressions gradually became clear.

The Emperor's confidence clearly indicates that he had made secret arrangements within the Liao court, and there must be pawns he had placed there to influence the Liao ruler's decisions.

Just as the Emperor quietly provoked the war between Liao and Xia, he was equally confident in getting Yelü Yanxi to agree to the Song-Liao allied forces to destroy Western Xia.

Clearly, the informant planted by the emperor within the Liao court must be quite influential.

“Since everyone agrees, let’s give it a try,” Zhao Xiaoqian finally decided decisively.

"If we can destroy Western Xia in this battle, it will be a good thing for our Great Song Dynasty. It will also be the first step for the Great Song Dynasty to unify the world. After the Western Xia Dynasty is destroyed, the national treasury of the Great Song Dynasty should be able to recover. At that time, we can take the Liao Dynasty as our next target."

"In my lifetime, I must unify the world and make the Song Dynasty a truly unified dynasty no less than the Han and Tang dynasties. Gentlemen, please join me in working together to achieve this goal," Zhao Xiaoqian said firmly.

Everyone present bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to assist you in unifying the world!"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "In that case, let's begin the planning."

“Mr. Zihou, the Council of State Affairs will select one person to be sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom immediately to persuade the Liao ruler to join forces with the Song Dynasty to destroy the Xia Kingdom.”

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Have the Song envoy convey to Yelü Yanxi that the Great Song is willing to maintain friendly relations with the Liao Kingdom for generations to come and to cease hostilities forever. This statement can be written in the official letter or engraved on a stone tablet and erected on the Song-Liao border."

Everyone's cheeks twitched simultaneously.

Do you even believe what you're saying?
How is this any different from a philandering scumbag seducing a pure and innocent young woman? And he even says it with such righteous indignation.

Seeing the strange expressions on everyone's faces, Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to guess what they were thinking, so he said seriously, "What kind of person do you take me for? Are you saying that I can't be trusted?"

Everyone was silent.

Silence is also an answer.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with dissatisfaction: "I made an agreement with the Liao Kingdom to maintain good neighborly relations because I truly meant it. When I was in love, I truly loved, and the vows I made are still absolutely true."

"If we fall out of love in the future, then the vows we made will naturally be meaningless. That's because if we don't love each other anymore, we simply won't love each other anymore. Whether we become strangers or turn against each other, not loving each other is simply not loving each other."

Zhao Xiaoqian said with deep affection, "But at least the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty were once in love, and we left each other with beautiful memories. Isn't that enough?"

Everyone suddenly realized.

To be able to describe a scumbag's womanizing and heartlessness in such a poetic way, it's no wonder that the women around officials are all stunning beauties.

"Mr. Zihou, begin preparing provisions immediately. Mr. Chongyuan and Mr. Houqing, prepare provisions, armor, and warhorses. Once the envoy brings good news from the Liao Kingdom, our Great Song army can set out to destroy the Xia."

Xu hesitated and said, "The battle to destroy Xia is of paramount importance. I wonder who Your Excellency prefers as commander-in-chief and which Song army to deploy?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated for a moment. In fact, he really wanted to say that he would personally lead the army into battle, but everyone present would definitely oppose it to the death. After all, the emperor is the supreme ruler, and unless it is a critical moment when the country is on the verge of collapse, the emperor cannot easily lead the army into battle.

Therefore, for this campaign against Xia, the commander-in-chief had to be someone else.

Zhong Jianzhong remains in Bianjing as the Commander of the Palace Guard, responsible for protecting the imperial city. Generals such as Zong Ze and Zhe Keshi have been sent to Yanyun and Youzhou to guard the border and prevent the Liao army from invading from the north.

As for the Northwest Border Commander Zhang Jie, it wasn't that Zhao Xiaoqian didn't trust him; the main reason was that the Northwest Border Army had only recently been equipped with firearms and probably hadn't yet formed combat capability. Therefore, the Northwest Border Army was also unusable in this campaign to destroy Xia.

There are many capable generals in the Song army today, but only three can truly be called "commanding talents": Zhong Jianzhong, Zong Ze, and Zhang Jie.

However, it seems that none of these three men are suitable to be the commander, as they each have their own duties.

This is a bit absurd. With the destruction of Xia imminent, Zhao Xiaoqian still can't find a suitable commander-in-chief. After pondering for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian said helplessly, "I will consider the selection of the commander-in-chief again. In the meantime, the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council should quickly prepare provisions and weapons. Once everything is ready, I will select a suitable commander-in-chief."

"As for the troops to destroy Xia, 30,000 men can be drawn from the three armies in Bianjing and another 30,000 from the Yanyun border army, for a total of 60,000 troops to be assembled in Taiyuan Prefecture, which is enough to destroy Xia."

No one objected upon hearing this; everyone agreed.

Those present now have a clear understanding of the Song Dynasty's military strength; they know very well that 60,000 troops are indeed enough to destroy Western Xia.

After all, the firearms equipped by the Song army are still unmatched in the world. Once the troops enter the territory, the Western Xia army will be powerless to resist.

"From this day forward, all affairs of the court shall be focused on destroying Xia. All officials, both civil and military, shall work together. This is a war for the nation, and also a war for unification. Anyone in the court who dares to obstruct, sow discord among the troops, or delay military operations shall be executed!" Zhao Xiaoqian's voice suddenly became stern.

Everyone solemnly agreed.

…………

After assigning tasks, the senior officials tactfully took their leave.

On that day, the State Affairs Hall and the Privy Council suddenly became very busy.

Countless officials and servants rushed about, delivering official documents and letters. The Ministry of Revenue began to audit the national treasury, and the Privy Council audited military equipment and warhorses. Military orders and documents were urgently sent to the Northwest by messengers.

The air suddenly became tense and heavy, while most of the court officials were completely bewildered, not knowing what had happened.

It seems that during the morning court session this morning, the Emperor learned that the war between Liao and Xia had begun, and by the afternoon, the Council of State and the Privy Council had become tense.

Therefore, this heavy atmosphere must be related to the Liao-Xia War.

No one knew why the Council of State and the Privy Council were suddenly so busy, but there was never a shortage of clever people in the court. They could guess a lot just from the changes in the court.

Less than two hours after seeing off several important officials, Zheng Chunhe reported that Su Zhe, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, was requesting an audience outside the palace gates.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled knowingly.

Sure enough, the first smart person came knocking.

One of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, and the younger brother of Su Shi, a close friend despite their age difference, he was a famous brother-supporting fanatic, so he was indispensable.

Su Zhe quickly arrived at Funing Palace. Upon entering the palace, he bowed to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, intending to exchange a few pleasantries with him and chat about his elder brother. Having not seen Su Shi for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian missed him a bit. Without this foodie friend of a different age, Zhao Xiaoqian's appetite had diminished considerably.

Before Zhao Xiaoqian could even exchange pleasantries, Su Zhe got straight to the point.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to volunteer to go on a mission to the Liao Kingdom."

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback, then blinked: "Mr. Ziyou already knows?"

Su Zhe said with a wry smile, "The Council of State Affairs is already in complete chaos. How could I not know? If Your Majesty were to choose an envoy to send to the Liao Kingdom, I believe that none other than me would be suitable."

“When Yelü Hongji was alive, I was also sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom. I am very familiar with the customs and culture of the Liao Kingdom. Moreover, when I was sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom, I made friends with many powerful and influential people in the Liao Kingdom. My eloquence is also quite good. I am confident that I can persuade the Liao ruler Yelü Yanxi to agree to the Song-Liao alliance to destroy the Xia Kingdom.”

Su Zhe became more and more excited as he spoke, his old face turning red with excitement.

It was clear that the news of the Song Dynasty's intention to destroy the Xia Dynasty had been known to the prime ministers of the Council of State. Su Zhe learned that the envoy to the Liao Dynasty had not yet been selected, so while the prime ministers of the Council of State were busy and flustered, he took the lead in meeting with Zhao Xiaoqian and seized this only envoy position.

The destruction of a country was also a major event of unification, and Su Zhe was naturally extremely excited to be able to participate in it and contribute his efforts.

Seeing Su Zhe trembling slightly with excitement, Zhao Xiaoqian was a little worried. If he refused Su Zhe now, the old man might actually try to commit suicide by crashing his head into his car.

However, Zhao Xiaoqian really didn't want to appoint Su Zhe as the envoy, since Su Zhe was over sixty years old and was said to be in poor health.

Zhao Xiaoqian was very afraid that this famous Tang and Song Dynasty master would die on the way. The history books would also criticize him for abusing the old man. He sent him on a mission at his age, making him travel thousands of miles. What's the difference between this and kicking the good leg of a cripple?
So Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated and said, "Master Ziyou is getting old, and the journey to the capital of Liao is long and arduous..."

Before he could finish speaking, Su Zhe knelt on both knees and said excitedly, "Your subject is willing to die for the Great Song Dynasty and for Your Majesty!"

"I'm just afraid you'll die..." Zhao Xiaoqian sighed.

"This is a war of annihilation, a war of unification. How can I, your subject, not participate in this grand undertaking and serve my country! If Your Majesty does not agree, I will kneel here and die today!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched a few times.

Su Zhe was clearly determined to get his hands on this porcelain.

He would either die on the way or in the Funing Palace. Perhaps if he had held on a little longer, he would have died in the Liao Dynasty's palace, which would have absolutely terrified Yelü Yanxi...

(End of this chapter)