Chapter 310 The Emperor Leaves Beijing
"But what is Yelu Chongyuan's purpose in doing this? Is it just to tie down the Liao troops on the border?" Zhao Xing asked puzzledly.
"I guess Yelu Chongyuan is about to take action. His move is an open conspiracy, and his purpose is to prevent the Liao royal family from mobilizing too many troops from the border." Han Zhang said.
Zhao Xing frowned slightly when he heard this. During this period of time, Yelu Chongyuan and Yelu Yixin had been attacking those neutral nobles.
It can be said that the Liao Kingdom today is completely controlled by both parties.
Yelu Chongyuan annexed a lot of territories, accepted many surrenders and expanded his military forces, now he had an army of 400,000.
On the other hand, although Yelu Yixin had the support of Empress Dowager Xiao and there was no internal strife, his total military strength was more than 600,000.
However, a lot of troops were stockpiled on the border, and the number of troops that could actually be mobilized was less than that of Yelu Chongyuan.
However, it is not so easy for Yelu Chongyuan to quickly destroy Yelu Yixin's group. If he is really forced into a corner, Yelu Yixin can simply withdraw troops from the border.
Now that Yelu Chongyuan had made such a move, Yelu Yixin would not dare to withdraw too many troops from the border unless it was absolutely necessary.
Otherwise, if the Song Dynasty really sent troops and the border was short of troops and was breached by the Song Dynasty, Yelu Yixin would be under great pressure.
The reason why Han Zhang said it was an open conspiracy was because the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were too tempting to the Song Dynasty.
Even if he told the Liao envoys that the Song Dynasty had no intention of sending troops, Yelu Yixin would not easily believe it.
"My dear ministers, what do you think we should do now?" Zhao Xing asked.
At this time, the construction of the Great Wall in the north had just begun, and the civil unrest in Liao could not be quelled so easily.
Faced with Zhao Xing's question, everyone fell silent.
The reason why an open conspiracy is called an open conspiracy is that even if you know it is a conspiracy, it is difficult to deal with it.
Wouldn't Yelu Yixin suspect that this was Yelu Chongyuan's plan?
But even if he knew, he had to be on guard.
Because he could not afford the consequences of the Song Dynasty sending troops.
The Song Dynasty knew that it was being plotted against by Yelu Chongyuan, but there was no way to make Yelu Yixin let down his guard.
Seeing that no one spoke, Zhao Xing looked at the Privy Councilor Yang Jin and said, "Lord Yang, you are the Privy Councilor. How do you think we should deal with this matter?"
Yang Jin felt bitter when he heard this, and gritted his teeth and said, "I think it is difficult for the Song Dynasty to control the situation in Liao. It is too passive. It is better to take the initiative and send troops to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun while Yelu Chongyuan is taking action. Even if we cannot take back all of them, it is good to take back some of them. By then, these cities will be used as barriers, and no matter who wins, they will not be able to interfere with the construction of the Great Wall of the Song Dynasty."
"Then, Lord Yang, have you ever thought about what to do with these cities after the Great Wall is built?" Zhao Xing asked in return.
He didn't expect that the Privy Councilor, who was in charge of the mobilization of troops throughout the country, would come up with such a stupid suggestion.
Yang Jin’s suggestion seems feasible, but it’s actually bullshit.
Given the current situation of the Liao Kingdom, the Song Dynasty can indeed take the opportunity to recapture some cities.
However, the purpose of the Song Dynasty building the Great Wall was to defend against the Liao Kingdom. If it really occupied the Liao Kingdom, would it move the Great Wall forward or abandon it after it was completed?
The former is definitely not feasible, and the latter is even less feasible.
Emperor Taizu had always wanted to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and even established a Fengzhuang Treasury for the purpose of redeeming the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun with money.
Emperor Taizong even led an army in person to try to retake the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.
It would have been fine if he had not sent troops, but he sent troops to occupy the place and then abandoned it in the end. How would the people of the world view him as an official?
"These are just some of my humble opinions. I did not think them through in such a hurry. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Yang Jin bowed.
"Go back."
Zhao Xing waved his hand, looked at the others, and said, "Do you have any suggestions?"
He had already made up his mind that he must replace Yang Jin in the future.
Although it is not easy to change the situation of civil officials leading the military at this time, it is still possible to replace them with an honest and obedient person to serve as the Privy Councilor.
"Your Majesty, I have an idea," said Han Zhang.
"What can you do, sir?" "Annual tribute!"
"Annual payment?"
Zhao Xing frowned slightly when he heard this, thought for a moment, and said uncertainly, "My Lord, do you mean to force Liao to agree to cancel the annual tribute by not sending troops?"
"That's right!" Han Zhang said, "Even if we tell Liao that the Song Dynasty has no intention of sending troops, Liao will not believe it. If we threaten Liao by not sending troops and force Liao to cancel the annual tribute, Liao will definitely agree." Han Zhang said.
Zhao Xing was silent for a moment and said, "Let the Grand Minister handle this matter."
He felt that even if the Song Dynasty used this as a threat, Yelu Yixin might not completely let down his guard, but it would at least make him relax a little.
This condition is the only one that the Liao Kingdom can agree to, but Yelu Chongyuan cannot give it.
Because Yelu Chongyuan did not control the Liao Dynasty's imperial seal.
Canceling the annual tribute is not something that can be done simply by saying it; there must be a formal document stamped with the imperial seal.
Zhao Xing had no intention of breaking off relations with the Liao Kingdom at this time. Although the annual tribute was not much, it would be better if he could not pay it.
"Yes!" Han Zhang replied.
"Retreat from the court."
After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he left the hall amid the respectful farewells of the crowd and stood up and left the hall.
Because of discussing the affairs of the Liao Kingdom, some time was wasted, and after the small court meeting ended, it was already noon.
Zhao Xing originally wanted to have lunch at Zhang Guifen's, but his father sent someone to invite him to have lunch at Xingming Palace.
…………
"Father, are you going to Luoyang to stay temporarily?" Zhao Xing asked in surprise.
He originally thought that his father was looking for him regarding the Liao Kingdom, but he did not expect that his father would actually tell him that he was going to Luoyang to stay for a while and have fun.
"I have been living in the deep palace for so many years and have never left the city of Bianliang. Now that I have some free time, it's time for me to go out for a walk and see the vast territory of the Song Dynasty." The emperor smiled.
Zhao Xing was a little worried when he heard this: "Father, what about your health?"
"It's okay. The imperial physician said that I'm much better now. Luoyang is not far from Bianliang, so there won't be any problem." said the emperor.
"In that case, father, please bring more imperial guards with you. Safety is the most important thing," said Zhao Xing.
"Well, I plan to let Duke Wei lead the troops to escort us." said the emperor.
Zhao Xing was stunned when he heard this, and seemed to understand his father's intention.
The Duke of Wei was the commander-in-chief of the Palace Guards. Once he left, Zhao Xing's men would be able to truly control the palace guards.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xing felt warm in his heart and asked, "When does the emperor plan to leave?"
"The weather is not hot now. I plan to set off in the next few days and come back when autumn comes and the weather is cooler." said the emperor.
"I am an unfilial son and cannot accompany you to serve. It would be better if the queen could follow and serve my father and mother on my behalf," said Zhao Xing.
"No need." The emperor shook his head and said, "You have just ascended the throne, and the queen also needs to stay in the harem. I plan to let Funing and her husband accompany you."
"With my sister accompanying me to serve me, I feel relieved," said Zhao Xing.
…………
When the retired emperor was in power, he was hesitant in doing things, but now that he has abdicated, he is acting vigorously and decisively.
Three days later, he went to Luoyang with Empress Dowager Cao and several concubines, accompanied by Princess Funing.
Cao An led 10,000 soldiers as escort.
Zhao Xing personally led all the officials out of the city to see him off.
(End of this chapter)