Brother Song Taizu

Chapter 212 Peace Covenant?

"What the hell? The Liao army mutinied?"

Zhao Guangmei was confused.

"Does Brother know this news?"

"Since we already know it, how could the officials not know about it?"

Then, everyone stared at each other for a long time, not knowing what to do for a while.

Because everyone is really not sure whether the mutiny of the Liao army is true or false, and they all think it is too magical.

Generally speaking, mutiny is not a rare thing when two armies confront each other. Everyone comes from the fifth generation and has rich experience in dealing with mutiny. But generally speaking, there are only two types of mutiny.

One is that the stalemate lasted too long, the battlefield conditions were too harsh, and our own supplies were on the verge of collapse.The other is that the confrontation caused too many casualties and the soldiers were under too much pressure and accidentally released the fire, causing the camp to roar.

But these two Liao armies obviously don't fit in.

The war only lasted for more than a month in total, which was far from reaching the limit of the Liao army. There were not even a few serious battles in this month. They were all wasting and harassing each other.

Just because of the Tubo people?
All the soldiers were undecided for a moment. Tanqi sent out many troops at once, but in the end they could only confirm that there was indeed some trouble with the Liao army. It seemed that it was really a mutiny, but how big was the scale and in what class it happened? , but was really confused.

In the end, Zhao Guangmei thought about it again and again, and felt that it was better to be as safe as possible. If the enemy cannot move, I will not move. Anyway, in this battle, the Song Army has a huge advantage. If it can kill the Liao Army with such a trick as issuing banknotes, why still Want to take the initiative?Just wait for the Liao army to take the initiative to attack. He is not his second brother.

Of course, if Zhao Kuangyin decided to launch a general attack, Zhao Guangmei would definitely have no choice but to cooperate. However, he believed in his elder brother's judgment as a general. If Zhao Kuangyin really launched a general attack, he would have really seized the opportunity.

What Zhao Guangmei didn't know was that Zhao Kuangyin was actually extremely conflicted at the moment. There were actually two secret letters in front of him.

One was given to him by Yelu Wuzhao, and the other was given to him by Yelu Jing.

"I never imagined that there would be such contradictions within Daliao. Zhao Pu, do you think this is true or false?"

Zhao Pu also smiled bitterly and said: "Tanqi investigated and found that there was indeed a large-scale mutiny within the Liao army, but the casualties were not large. Looking at these two letters, this matter should be true, because some Tubo people The reason for starting to plunder the Liao army made the Liao army dissatisfied and almost remonstrated. This matter may be said to be serious, but it may not be serious, but it does not seem to be that serious."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded and said: "To put it bluntly, the soldiers are tired of war. Although the combat effectiveness has not been greatly damaged, the reputation of the coach will definitely be greatly damaged. These two people...are they blaming each other? Haha, I'm afraid this so-called mutiny, Behind the scenes, there must be the Yelu house owner who is adding fuel to the flames."

Then he said angrily and funny: "Didn't you say that the King of Households was loyal to the country and devoted himself to the country? He was almost a model of a human minister? I really thought that there was a Zhuge Liang in the Liao Kingdom. After a long time of trouble, he was still a man with military power. The powerful ministers who refuse to hand over their power.”

Zhao Pu heard this and echoed: "The Khitans are barbarians, and they don't know anything about loyalty. They are not like us...well..."

But he couldn't go on.

How could Zhao Kuangyin not be the hostage of Yelu House in the Later Zhou Dynasty?At least he didn't seek to usurp the throne, so he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Zhao Kuangyin said indifferently: "We are all the same, whether Han people or barbarians, we are all human beings. Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, rituals and music have collapsed, and no one is much better than anyone else. In fact, the so-called orthodoxy and legal principles are here. In troubled times, it has no meaning at all. Whoever builds the Golden Palace has nothing to do with the people of this world. My third brother once told me that a prosperous country and a healthy people are the best legal system."

Zhao Pu quickly echoed: "The officials are right. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the country's power has been booming, the people have become richer and richer, and the world has been peaceful and prosperous. Naturally, our Song Dynasty can survive forever."

Zhao Kuangyin smiled, but didn't care. He lowered his head and took out two letters and said: "However, these two monarchs and ministers are so intrigued and deceitful that they even do not hesitate to use the external power of the Song Dynasty to achieve their political goals. This really makes people laugh. Open your eyes, tell me, who can we help?"

Of course, in fact, the reason why both of them did not hesitate to invite Zhao Kuangyin into the game is that the northwest region is not the core interest of the Khitan. In fact, for the Liao army, winning or losing in this battle is relatively insignificant, and even the vast majority of them The soldiers felt that this battle was fought against the Tibetans, which led to political struggles that have always dominated military wars.

Originally, when Zhao Guangyi went on the Northern Expedition in history, the Liao Kingdom was not actually stable at that time, but several political forces settled their differences and worked together to defeat him.

The meaning of Yelu Wuzhi's letter was very simple. He directly drew the layout of the Chinese army's tent at Yelujing's side. He hoped that the Song army could send elite cavalry to directly attack the Liao army's central army.

As a rear formation, although Yelvwuzhi will block the Song army to a certain extent, it will definitely not be able to stop it. If this is the case, the Liao army's central army will be lost. Whether Yelujing will die depends on luck, but the Liao army will therefore A big defeat is definitely no problem.

Naturally, Zhao Kuangyin also sent reconnaissance cavalry to explore. The location of the Liao army's central army was almost exactly the same and it was indeed there. It was most likely not a trick.

If Zhao Kuangyin really acted according to this plan, even if Yelujing could barely survive, he would definitely lose his face, and in a panic, it is very likely that Yelujing would be held hostage and completely gain military power.

It would be better if Yelujing was eventually killed or captured by the Song army. It may be unlikely that Yelujing would become the emperor on his own behalf, but there is always no problem in supporting a puppet and becoming a real regent. .

As for Yelujing, she hoped to formally sign a peace agreement with the Song State, become a brotherly state, and have everlasting friendship. He expressed that the Liao State would officially recognize the Song State's occupation of Liangzhou, and would also accept the surrender of the Ganzhou Uighurs and Guiyi Army. The Song Dynasty, however, required that Liao merchants must be allowed to freely enter and exit Gansu, Sha, Gua and other regions. At the same time, it hoped to establish a trade bazaar with the Song Dynasty in Yinzhou.

Then there are a lot of specific commercial treaties, military treaties, and even stipulated etiquette specifications for the exchanges between the two countries, and the content is extremely detailed.

It was so meticulous that Zhao Kuangyin felt that it was impossible to think of it on the spur of the moment. In all likelihood, it had been prepared a long time ago. It may even be the reason why he wanted to conquer it personally and why he organized such a big battle. , is actually a pile of vinegar, this peace treaty is the final plate of dumplings.Internally, they are actually still reducing the military power of Yelu House, and as a result, the trade conditions in Youyun direction will naturally include a lot of negotiations. The previous talks between Zhao Guangmei and Xiao Siwen are likely to be invalid, and then come with him Talking again is killing two birds with one stone.

Moreover, it cannot be said that this is not an achievement. To put it bluntly, if this war ends like this, I am afraid it will be difficult to say who lost and who won this battle. Everyone can go home and make internal announcements. The Song Army won Liang, Gan, and Liang in one fell swoop. It is the land of the four continents of Gua and Sha, but these four continents are not originally the territory of the Liao Kingdom, and the Liao Kingdom at least does not lose face.

"One is fighting and the other is peace. I was really hesitant for a moment. Who do you think I should believe? Or should I send cavalry first to test out what Yelvuzhi said. If I can't win, Negotiate with Emperor Liao again?"

Zhao Pu thought for a while and said: "Actually, this battle has become meaningless now. No matter who we cooperate with in the Song Dynasty, we will definitely win a complete victory. However, our army has too many infantry and too few cavalry. Even if we win a great victory, it will be difficult or even impossible to damage the vitality of the Liao Kingdom."

Zhao Kuangyin also nodded when he heard this. Yinzhou happened to be the border area between Song and Liao. No matter how badly the Liao army was beaten, as long as it didn't have ten heavy antlers and surrounded the Liao army with hundreds of thousands of troops, they would be You can always run if you want to.

Who told people to have four legs?

Zhao Pu said: "So, whether Yelujing kills or not, actually, is not that important. Isn't the purpose of our sending troops this time to retake the Hexi Corridor in the four continents of Liang, Gan, Sha and Gua? The Southern Tang and Southern Han Dynasties have not yet The homeland of the Han and Tang dynasties has a long way to go. If we really kill Yelv Jing according to Yelu Wuzhi's words, all the military power of the Liao army of 50 million will be in the hands of Yelu Wuzhi. How can the Liao army... Isn’t it stronger?”

"Besides, these four continents are so long and narrow, and so important. If we cannot establish a basic strategic understanding with the Liao Kingdom, how many imperial troops will the Song Dynasty have to use to defend these four continents? If we include the Jin, In the land of Ji, how many forbidden troops must be deployed here?"

The last sentence spoke to Zhao Kuangyin's heart, but he nodded with deep understanding: "You are right."

Originally, Zhao Kuangyin was really inclined to give it a try. Although the Song army had very few cavalry, they were really highly elite, far superior to the Liao army of this era. Those horses all ate food.

However, when he heard that Zhao Pu said that the Forbidden Army would be added to the Hexi Corridor in the future, he immediately gave up this idea.

This is actually a hurdle in Zhao Kuangyin's heart. The more forbidden troops there are, the more veterans will be able to take shares in the commercial bank in the future. As a result, the proportion of their brothers' shares in the commercial bank will become smaller and smaller, which will greatly increase Zhao Kuangyin's of insecurity.

In contrast, he really didn't value the extra military expenses he had to pay because of this.

"Forget it, it is a good thing for us, the Song Dynasty, that Yelujing is alive. If we really let him die in our hands, the hatred between Song and Liao will probably become bigger and bigger, and it will be slow for thousands of miles." There will never be stability and peace in the slow border. In this case, let's talk. But I don't understand this commercial matter. Send a messenger to tell him to talk to the third child. No matter what the third child talks about, That’s all I agree with.”

"Well, my minister, I will send an envoy to the Liao army now. Then I will also send someone to deliver this letter to His Highness the King of Qin."

"Ah."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded.

After Zhao Guangmei got the letter, he naturally had no objection to this. He actually wanted to maintain peace with the Liao Kingdom most. As a businessman, why did he have to fight and kill when things could be done with money?

As long as the land of the Four Continents falls into the hands of the Song Dynasty, no matter how much the two countries say to the outside world that this is a peace or a treaty of equality, those small countries in the Western Regions and even the small countries in the Northeast are not fools, and no one can see who is taking advantage and who is losing. ?
The Song Dynasty was already richer than the Liao Dynasty. The only thing the Liao Kingdom could use now was the millions of cavalry. Once the deterrence was gone, those small countries would naturally know who they should hang out with.

As for developing border trade, he really wanted it. Zhao Guangmei has always felt that the Khitan nation is also an inalienable part of the Chinese nation. Wasn't Li Guangbi, who quelled the Anshi Rebellion, also a Khitan?Although there is national hatred, it is much lighter than that of Tubo. Can we be friends at all? As for the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Put aside disputes and develop together.

As a result, the two parties hit it off and soon met and made an alliance. Yelujing seemed to be really anxious. A mutiny scared him so much that he couldn't care about anything. Some small details were not entangled at all, and almost nothing mattered. Yes, the specific details can be handed over to the officials of the Ministry of Rites afterwards.

Then, in just four days, the so-called peace treaty was roughly discussed, and Zhao Guangmei was directly invited to sign a contract with him.

In the end, the two families decided to sign an alliance outside Yinzhou City. Zhao Guangmei also understood what he meant. Is it an alliance under the city? After all, Yinzhou was the territory of the Song Dynasty. This would be conducive to Yelujing's internal propaganda after returning home.

Zhao Guangmei didn't take it seriously and just gave in. Face was still more important than face, not to mention that because Zhao Kuangyin was two years older than Yelujing, this so-called country of brothers was still Song brothers and Liao brothers, and the Song Dynasty There was also a cunning trick here, and it was agreed that in the future, the kings of the two countries would be ranked in this way, with the oldest and youngest.

Anyway, the next generation of the Song Dynasty will most likely be Zhao Guangmei. When Yelujing's son succeeds to the throne, the friendship between Song and Liao will become the relationship between uncle and nephew.

The man was affectionate and the concubine was interested, and the two families quickly reached a consensus. Zhao Guangmei and Yelujing each took three thousand elites, set up a high platform three miles outside Yinzhou City, and made a horse-killing covenant. From then on, everything went smoothly. That's it.

After meeting, Zhao Guangmei smiled and showed Yelujing the letter written by Yelu Housekeeper to Zhao Kuangyin. Yelujing first looked gloomy after reading it, and then said with a smile, this must be a sinister plot. People are driving a wedge between our monarch and our ministers, so I just turned over this article, burned the letter with a candle in front of Zhao Guangmei, and started talking about a peace treaty.

A super-national war in which the two countries have invested nearly a million troops seems to be coming to an end in such a peaceful and successful way.

Unfortunately, it just seems.

When Zhao Guangmei and Yelujing were chatting and laughing on the high platform, they suddenly heard the rumble of horse hooves in the distance. Countless black Khitan cavalry rushed in from far and near, like a slowly moving hill. The two of them were stunned, their faces gloomy.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? Could it be that your request for peace is a lie and your plan of suffering is real? Is it appropriate that you, a great noble, should die together with me, a prince?"

Yelujing stopped pretending now: "Your mother, who wants to die with you? Are they here to kill you? They are here to kill Yelu House Hostage, okay, okay, he actually... actually... …It’s obviously the opposite!”

(End of this chapter)