Do You Know?: Rule the World

"Western Xia has repeatedly stationed troops to exert pressure, and for many years all they have sought has been money and gold."

"Increasing the annual gift can both prevent unrest on the border and save the cost of mobilizing troops. It's truly a win-win solution."

"If we anger Xixia over a few pieces of silver silk, the loss will outweigh the gain."

"I also second the proposal!"

"..."

Four or five court officials who advocated peace came out one after another, and most of their words were about keeping the peace and upholding harmony.

Some also mentioned the expenditure on military supplies, and some were worried that the border troops would not be able to defeat the Western Xia.

In short, whenever there was an unusual movement at the border, the voices of peace always prevailed in the court.

Upon seeing this, Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu's face became solemn, his eyes filled with disdain.

He took a deep breath, strode out and said, "Your Majesty, if we keep negotiating peace and increasing the annual reward, it will only allow Xixia to gain an inch!"

"In the winter of the previous year, they used the quality of silk fabrics as an excuse to burn, kill, and loot in Yanzhou, leaving the people at the border displaced."

"The year before last, they besieged Suide for half a month under the pretext of a shortage of tea."

"Western Xia is like a wolf and a tiger, and has been coveting the Central Plains for a long time!"

"There's no guarantee that one day they won't be greedy and march south, causing even greater disaster."

"If you want to fight back by then, I'm afraid you'll have missed the opportunity and will only regret it."

"I am willing to lead the troops to fight and ensure the safety of the border!"

Yu Yan, the Deputy Minister of the Cabinet, frowned and said, "Western Xia is nothing to be afraid of, but what if the Liao Kingdom takes advantage of the situation and invades?"

"Although they are not united, if our dynasty remains deadlocked with the Western Xia in Huanzhou, the Liao Kingdom will definitely increase its troops on the Youyun border to exert pressure."

"The national treasury is already tight, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to sustain it if we use two armies."

"Duke Ying, you can't just focus on the smoke of war in the northwest and forget that the Liao Kingdom is eyeing you covetously in the northeast."

The Western Xia was indeed not to be feared, but the Liao Kingdom was different. Its total military strength exceeded 300,000, including more than 100,000 elite troops.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were occupied by them for many years, and the road to the south was smooth.

Once the Liao Kingdom gets involved, I'm afraid half of the country will be engulfed in war.

“Lord Yu, you…!!”

As a military general, Zhang Fu was not good at speaking, and he was so angry at his words that his beard trembled and his face was distorted.

Looking at the two old ministers with red faces, Zhao Zhen was extremely conflicted while sitting on the dragon throne.

The annual gifts have boosted the prestige of the Western Xia. If they continue to retreat, they will probably be ashamed to face their ancestors when they enter the ancestral temple a hundred years later.

But Yu Yan's words were not without reason. The armies around Da Zhou relied on annual subsidies to live in peace and had not seen a major war for many years. Now they were attacked from all sides.

It's really difficult for him as an official!

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhen looked at Zhao Han inconspicuously.

"Mr. Zhao, your previous suggestion of using price to control price has been quite effective in Liangzhe. I wonder what your opinion is now?"

Zhao Han's heart trembled when Zhao Zhen called out his name, and his father-in-law Sheng Hong also trembled.

Zhao Han pondered for a moment and was about to step out to make a report.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw Sheng Hong covering half of his face with a tablet, shaking his head at him repeatedly, his eyes full of anxiety, as if he was afraid that he would utter a single word.

In Sheng Hong's view, war and peace were of paramount importance to the court and had nothing to do with their lowly positions as officials.

If you take a wrong step, you may be exiled to a distant state at best, or be doomed forever at worst.

At a time like this, kneeling down and confessing your stupidity is the best way to protect yourself!

How could Zhao Han not understand Sheng Hong's meaning?

But at this moment, when the emperor asked for advice, Han Zhang, Xue Pu, Hai Ning and other old ministers all looked at him.

There is definitely no way to hide!

Zhao Han restrained his expression and stepped out, saying, "I believe that instead of pouring the silver and silk into the bottomless pit of Xixia, it would be better to use it in the army to strengthen our armor and soldiers."

Chai Jin, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, snorted coldly and scoffed at Zhao Han's words.

"After all, Zhao Shidu is still young and has just entered the court. It's easy to say, but it's hard to do!"

"You only know that the annual gift is a bottomless pit, but you don't know that once war breaks out, transporting food and fodder, armor and equipment, providing compensation for the wounded, and repairing city defenses all cost money."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Han tightened his grip on the tablet and secretly memorized the man's name and appearance in his mind.

His eyes were calm, and he said in a deep voice, "Although it is difficult to reorganize the army, it is a strategy to remove the firewood from under the cauldron."

"I am indeed new to the court, and have little experience in military and political affairs, but I do understand the principle of maintaining an army for a thousand days and deploying it for a moment."

"I think it would be better to send an envoy first to stabilize Xixia and buy time for our dynasty to reorganize its army."

"Order the Shaanxi Road Transport Commissioner to conduct a thorough investigation of the old and weak among the troops, cut down on redundant soldiers, and use all the money and food saved to recruit strong and capable soldiers."

"The Western Xia are skilled in horseback riding and archery. The only way our dynasty can rival them is to counter cavalry with cavalry."

"I can use a year to build an elite cavalry force that can rival the Western Xia!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Sheng Hong looked at his son-in-law who was talking in the middle of the hall, and was so surprised that he almost dropped the tablet in his hand.

I just felt my scalp tingling and my legs trembling.

Oh my God!

One year? To build elite cavalry to rival the Western Xia? That's an outrageous boast!

It’s over, it’s over, a catastrophe is coming!

Please read, please read, please read~

Chapter 73: My Huaer must be a widow

Han Zhang and Xue Pu looked at each other, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

In their opinion, Zhao Han has always been cautious and steady, so why would he speak so wildly today?

Not to mention that most of the Western Xia cavalry grew up on horseback.

At present, the Great Zhou lacks good horses, and even the war horses in the imperial guards are mostly poor horses.

It is almost impossible to train a cavalry that can rival the Western Xia in just one year.

However, Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu was filled with excitement. He clenched his fists and asked loudly, "Are you serious?!"

"Hmph, you ignorant little brat."

Chai Jin snorted coldly, his face still full of disdain.

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly, staring at Zhao Han with a deep gaze, and said slowly: "Military and national affairs are not a joke."

"Mr. Zhao, I consider that you are new to the court and full of youthful energy, so I will not take your outrageous words seriously."

Sheng Hong and his colleague changed positions unnoticeably, moved to the outside, and reminded anxiously.

"Brother Han, why don't you kneel down and thank me..."

"The government is giving you a way out. Don't try to be so stubborn anymore."

Zhao Han's expression remained calm. After glancing at him lightly, he raised his eyes and looked straight at Zhao Zhen sitting on the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty, I am not joking!"

"I am willing to guarantee with my own life that within a year, I will train a cavalry for the imperial court!"

Sheng Hong: “…”

Zhang Fu stared at Zhao Han with a scorching gaze, and his vigorous voice was filled with excitement.

"Sir, since he's so confident, why not let him give it a try? It'll only take a year anyway!"

"If we can truly train a strong cavalry, our soldiers around the border will finally be able to stand up straight!"

This veteran who had spent half his life in the military had not seen such a promising young man in the court for a long time.

Ningyuan Marquis Gu Yankai, who had been silent until then, stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can let Zhao Shidu have a try!"

Gu Tingye praised Zhao Han to the skies in front of him, saying that he was a man of both literary and martial talents, and possessed both moral integrity and talent...

He had already seen the literary talent, as for the martial arts...

Gu Yan opened his eyes and narrowed them slightly. He wanted to see if this boy was really as Erlang said.

Zhao Zhen unconsciously gripped the armrests of the dragon throne.

If Zhao Han fails to fulfill his bold words one year later, there will probably be a commotion in the court.

But if he succeeds, it will not only reverse the decline of the Great Zhou against the Western Xia, but also deter the restless nephews and nieces in the royal family.

It will also allow people all over the world to see the courage of the new monarch!

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhen felt a little excited.

He looked at the old general who was wearing a purple robe, a curved-foot hat, a golden belt around his waist, his hair was gray but his posture was as straight as a pine tree.

General Gan’s name was Gan Yuanzhong. He had rich experience and had been in charge of military power for many years. Even Zhang Fu had to respectfully call him “old brother” when he met him.

"What is Mr. Gan's opinion?"

Gan Yuanzhong slowly stepped out of the group, his gaze lingering on Zhao Han before he saluted and said, "I have heard about the events in Liangzhe a long time ago. Zhao Shidu is indeed an extraordinary person."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers who advocated peace did not wait for an opportunity to refute.

Zhao Zhen slowly stood up from the dragon throne and said in a deep voice, "Okay, I'll grant you one year."

"If you fail to complete it by then, I will not let you off lightly."

"Hanlin Attendant Zhao Han is hereby specially appointed and dispatched to the Palace Guards to oversee the Cavalry Department's training and review of cavalry. He will continue to serve as Hanlin Attendant and is authorized to submit special reports."

The post of Palace Guard Commander-in-Chief was to command the elite imperial guards and allocate armor and horses.

The Cavalry Instructor was responsible for cavalry training and tactical reform. As for retaining his status as a Hanlin tutor, it made it easier for him to report directly to the emperor without any constraints.