White-robed Minister

Chapter 233 0231 [Agree/Support/Oppose]

Zhao Xu pondered the time frame of "ten years," then suddenly asked, "A distance of five hundred li, shouldn't the laborers carrying grain be enough for their round trip?"

"Your Majesty," Xu Lai explained, "that place is not flat land. First, we have to cross mountains and valleys, and then we have to cross deserts. It is extremely physically demanding. The laborers not only have to carry food, but also water."

Zhao Xu continued, "Even a stroller won't work?"

Xu Lai replied, "These past few days, I have been reviewing the documents in the palace and its archives. During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, officials suggested using wooden oxen to transport grain, and the court urgently produced three thousand such carts. However, due to the terrain, those wooden oxen were abandoned, and it was better for the laborers to carry the grain themselves."

Emperor Zhao Xu realized that his problem was foolish. From the reign of Emperor Taizong to Emperor Renzong, the civil and military officials at the front must have tried all sorts of methods.

All other methods of transporting grain were eliminated, leaving only the optimal solution of laborers carrying grain on their backs.

Historically, Zhao Xu later launched a five-pronged attack on the Xia dynasty, which resulted in the unusual sight of "donkeys blocking the road."

Tens of thousands of donkeys were transporting grain to the front lines, but due to the rugged terrain and long distances, they collapsed and died one after another, unable to bear the heavy load. The donkey carcasses and grain sacks blocked the narrow roads, preventing the donkeys and laborers behind them from passing. In a state of extreme hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, the donkeys would also go berserk, biting and charging at each other, refusing to obey any whipping.

Xu Lai said, "I suggest that after conquering the arable lands of Western Xia, we should recruit a large number of archers and civilians to cultivate the land and strengthen the border. Fifty households should build a small fortified village and be provided with weapons for self-defense. We should also expand and strengthen the existing cities of Western Xia to stockpile troops and grain. We should stockpile a little grain each year for three consecutive years before sending out troops. Even if Western Xia is in great turmoil during this period, we should not send out troops."

"Why didn't you send troops when Western Xia was in chaos?" Zhao Xu asked.

Xu Lai explained, "When conquering the Western Xia, food supplies are always the most important thing. It's safest to send troops only when the grain reserves are sufficient. For each fortified city used for storing grain, the frontline military commissioner sends people to check the grain every month, and the imperial court sends people to check the grain every quarter. Anyone found stealing grain is executed. Even causing a fire is punishable by death! Even if a civil official is appointed as the military commissioner, if he fails to promptly and truthfully investigate grain shortages, the civil official military commissioner will also be executed! Even if this civil official has retired, he will still be held accountable and executed!"

The series of "execution" pronounced elicited various reactions from the officials present.

Zeng Gongliang couldn't help but ask, "What if such harsh punishments drive the frontline generals to rebellion?"

Xu Lai retorted, "Treason is a capital offense. Does the fear of forcing someone to rebel mean we shouldn't punish treason as a capital offense? Knowing full well that the stockpiled provisions are for the campaign against Xia, yet still daring to embezzle them—such people deserve to die. If we drive a military commander into rebellion, I will personally lead the troops to quell it!"

Xu Lai added, "Of course, we cannot punish without warning. The court must repeatedly emphasize this crime. Even the goal of conquering Xia in ten years can be announced to the soldiers at the front. We are not afraid that the spies of Western Xia will overhear it."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "Those who embezzle military provisions for the campaign against Xia deserve to die. Both civil and military officials should be executed!"

Xu Lai said: "In the first and second stages, we should fight the border tribes of Western Xia while simultaneously trying to win them over."

The more severely we defeat those tribes, the easier it will be to pacify them.

"The Western Xia's national strength was already fragile. The more victories the Song Dynasty won, the more unstable Western Xia became. Especially now that the Liang siblings were in power, many Dangxiang nobles and Han officials were already dissatisfied. Once Western Xia suffered enough defeats, these Dangxiang nobles and Han officials would also rise up. Western Xia would fall into chaos on its own."

"Once the young ruler of Western Xia grows up, he will inevitably be dissatisfied with continuing to be a puppet. We will then send spies to sow discord and cause internal strife within the Western Xia court. At that time, we will have sufficient troops and supplies, and we can seize the opportunity to launch an attack and destroy Western Xia in one battle!"

Zhao Xu became increasingly pleased as he listened: "This should be adopted as national policy."

Xu Lai cautioned, "No matter how good a plan is, it must be executed properly, especially a plan that lasts for ten years. Execution can be divided into general principles and details."

"Your Majesty, I have drafted a general outline. May Your Majesty issue an imperial edict to the northwestern border regions. All civil and military officials should be aware of the long-term objectives and strictly adhere to and implement this outline."

"But those at the front can formulate their own detailed plans based on the general outline, because they know the facts better than the court. The court should not interfere too much in the details. In particular, the actions of harassing the Western Xia border and pacifying the Western Xia tribes should be left to the civil and military officials at the front to decide how to carry out."

"In the final battle, do not urge any army to advance. The court's overall plan will never be as effective as the adaptability of the frontline generals. The terrain within Western Xia is extremely complex, so do not expect the various armies to coordinate with each other. Let the frontline generals fight according to their own ideas! Even if a certain army wants to withdraw midway, we should understand their difficulties and not punish them excessively afterward."

Zhao Xu said, "This is far too lenient."

Xu Lai did not directly refute him, but instead began to tell a story: "When I was serving as the military commander of Tongyuan, a member of the Zhao family from Tianshui came to join the army to serve his country. This Zhao family member was named Zhao Long, and he greatly admired his ancestor Zhao Chongguo. I have not read many historical books, so I carefully read the 'Biography of Zhao Chongguo' in the Book of Han. After reading this biography, I was deeply moved."

The Song Dynasty imperial family claimed to be descendants of the Zhao family of Tianshui, and Emperor Zhao Xu had also read the biography of Zhao Chongguo.

Zhao Xu said, "Seeing is believing."

Xu Lai added: "There is also the saying that a difference of a hair's breadth can lead to a huge error."

Both of these idioms originate from the story of Zhao Chongguo.

One instance was when Emperor Xuan of Han asked Zhao Chongguo how many troops were needed to quell the Qiang rebellion. Zhao Chongguo replied, "Seeing is believing."

I need to go to the front lines to understand the actual situation and then write down a specific response plan.

One issue was that Zhao Chongguo made numerous suggestions, which Emperor Xuan of Han adopted each time. However, each time he only adopted a portion of the suggestions, insisting on adding unnecessary details, which led to the final result being completely contrary to Zhao Chongguo's original intention.

Xu Lai used these two allusions to remind the emperor that the strategy of attacking Xia must be adopted without compromise, and that it must be carried out by civil and military officials who understand the real situation on the front lines.

According to the ancestral claims made arbitrarily by the Song imperial family, Zhao Chongguo could be considered one of Zhao Xu's ancestors. This would avoid provoking Zhao Xu's resentment.

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "I know."

The lecture has now come to an end.

The officials left the hall one by one, but the emperor kept Xu Lai behind alone.

"Should Kuanfu wait?" Lü Gongbi asked Wen Yanbo, who was walking towards the side hall.

Wen Yanbo said worriedly, "I fear that if His Majesty summons me, I will not be able to immediately answer His Majesty's questions." He then lowered his voice, "To destroy Xia in ten years is nothing but wild talk. If we fail, the situation in the Northwest will surely deteriorate."

Lü Gongbi was both amused and annoyed: "Young man. It's already quite remarkable that he didn't say he would destroy Xia in five years."

"His Majesty has believed it, and we must advise him against it," Wen Yanbo said.

Lu Gongbi worriedly said, "This man has not expressed his opinion on the reform; he probably only wants to gain military merit. This policy will last for ten years, so there's no need to rush to oppose it. What we need to be careful about now is not to push him to Wang Anshi's side."

"Shouldn't we advise His Majesty?" Wen Yanbo asked.

Lü Gongbi said, "I even want to support him and bring him to our side. His Majesty trusts this man quite a bit; if he opposes the reforms, he could be a great asset to us!"

Wen Yanbo asked, "Do you also agree with his strategy for conquering Xia?"

Lü Gongbi laughed and said, "I agree and I disagree. What he said makes a lot of sense, but whether it can be accomplished is another matter. He said that we can attack Xia in ten years, but it's not too late for us to stop him in five or six years."

"He's talking about the decisive battle ten years from now," Wen Yanbo said. "But there's a first phase and a second phase before that, where we must proactively raid the Western Xia border from the very beginning. Once His Majesty issues the imperial edict, countless generals will rush to claim credit. If we're not careful, some generals will be ambushed and their entire armies will be wiped out. Moreover, with all sides launching proactive attacks, the cost of money and supplies will inevitably increase dramatically. We should resolutely oppose this now!"

Lu Gongbi pondered and said, "What you said makes sense. But if we oppose his strategy of attacking Xia, he will inevitably side with Wang Anshi. He is young and has already become a Hanlin Academician; he will probably become a Privy Councilor or Deputy Chief of the Privy Council in a few years. If he helps Wang Anshi implement his evil laws, the people of the world will suffer even more."

Wen Yanbo countered, "If he doesn't help Wang Anshi with his reforms, will those unjust laws just stop?"

"This—" Lü Gongbi was speechless.

Wen Yanbo was determined to oppose Xu Lai. He prepared to go home and write a lengthy memorial refuting Xu Lai's strategy for conquering Xia point by point.

On the other side, Wang Anshi and Han Jiang walked together, instead of going to the side hall to wait for the emperor to summon them.

Han Jiang asked, "What does Jie Fu think of a ten-year campaign against Xia?"

Wang Anshi was quite excited: "It's very encouraging to hear this. If this plan can be successfully implemented, the Western Xia can be wiped out in one fell swoop. Although Xu Xingzhi is young, he is a knowledgeable military strategist who has managed the border regions. With his assistance, we will have talented people in military affairs. I plan to recommend him as the Vice Privy Councilor next year and let him be in charge of continuing to reform the military system."

"What exactly is his attitude towards the reform?" Han Jiang asked.

Wang Anshi said in a low voice, "His Majesty has also tested him. He only expressed his attitude towards the Green Sprouts Law. If he is kept in the capital, he will definitely oppose the Green Sprouts Law. If he is sent to a local area, he will strictly enforce the Green Sprouts Law."

Upon further reflection, Han Jiang found himself both amused and exasperated: "He was saying that the Green Sprouts Act should be applied differently to different people and should not be widely implemented."

Wang Anshi said, "Indeed, it is necessary to restrain the reform of officials. But we cannot restrain them too much, otherwise the number of officials who support the reform will decrease."

Wang Anshi certainly knew that he should rectify official corruption and formulated some policies on the promotion, demotion, reward, and punishment of officials.

However, his policies on governance were ineffective in restraining civil officials; they could only control the clerks.

Wang Anshi even implemented a policy of high salaries to encourage integrity, paying high wages to officials who collected commercial taxes and managed warehouses, allowing them to live comfortably without embezzlement. Meanwhile, anyone found guilty of embezzling more than a thousand strings of cash would be exiled to Shamen Island.

Next, Wang Anshi planned to pay salaries to more clerks to prevent them from extorting money from the people when implementing the new laws.

Han Jiang said, "The Green Sprouts Law did indeed cause some chaos when it was implemented at the local level. Since he is willing to go to the local areas to promote the Green Sprouts Law, then let him go. It can be considered as helping us to reform the law."

Wang Anshi, however, said, "I would prefer to recommend him as the Deputy Privy Councilor to help us reform the military system. He has military achievements and is highly trusted by His Majesty, so there will be less resistance to reforming the military system."

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