Chapter 56: Discussion on Border Affairs

  Zhang Shuye heard the words and laughed, saying: "My military camp is like an iron bucket, who can mix in?" Xu Wei knew he didn't take it seriously and didn't say much more. The two sat opposite each other and had breakfast together. Zhang Shuye had been holding back for a night and couldn't bear it anymore, so he directly asked about the battle experience. Xu Wei also didn't hide or conceal anything, and briefly summarized yesterday's battle in simple terms.

  Zhang Shu Ye listened and forgot to eat his meal, sighing: "Although I wasn't there in person, I can still feel the danger at that time! Xu Jiu, you've made a great contribution this time!" Since Wang Shan started causing trouble in the area, he had been pursuing and suppressing him while reporting to the imperial court to send troops to help. He thought that the imperial court would dispatch a large army to assist in the battle, but unexpectedly, they sent Xu Jiu's local militia instead. What he didn't expect was that Xu Wei's local militia actually defeated Wang Shan's bandit group in just one day, beheading the leader and capturing the remaining followers. He rushed over with his large army, only to find that there was nothing left for him to do. On the one hand, he felt a bit embarrassed; on the other hand, he looked up to Xu Wei even more. This young man's vision was not small, not only could he talk big and boast, but also bury his head and work hard, he was definitely a talented person. What made him even more impressed was that Xu Wei came from a military family, able to wear armor and wield weapons, leading the army into battle, which was not surprising. The surprise lay in the fact that this young man and his father were two completely different personalities, his future prospects were boundless.

  "I and your father worked together in the northwest years ago, so I consider you as half an elder. Since parting with Xia Zhen, after returning to Shandong, I have been thinking about what you mentioned. The more I think, the more I feel a sense of fear. Last month, the Jurchen people sent envoys to the Song Dynasty again, this is already the fourth time this year. As you said, no matter how much they try to curry favor, it's either treachery or thievery! What do you think, nephew?" Zhang Shu Ye said solemnly, holding an unbroken steamed bun.

  Xu Wei was quite pleased with his food, and when Zhang Shuye asked him this way, he didn't answer directly, but said: "It's not over yet, within a month, the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty will send an envoy to the Song again. However, this time they will release a big bait."

  Zhang Shu put down his bowl and chopsticks, and said in surprise: "Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

  Xu Wei saw that he was so serious and didn't dare to be careless anymore. He put down his food, looked solemn and said: "Your Excellency must know that the 16 states of Yan and Yun were originally Chinese territory. Since Shi Jingtan ceded them to the Khitan people, they became the forefront of the northern iron cavalry's southward invasion, making our country war-torn and exhausted from defense. The Song and Jin dynasties agreed to attack Liao together, and before that, they promised to return the Yan Yun territory after destroying Liao. What was the result? Only six states were returned. To make us deeply believe in 'friendly neighbors', the Jurchen people will inevitably send another envoy to spread rumors and want to return other territories. Your Excellency, think about it, when today's emperor sees the Jurchen people constantly showing goodwill and then taking the initiative to propose returning the old territory, what would he think?"

  Zhang Shu jumped up and slammed his hand on the table, angrily saying: "The wolf's ambition is as clear as day!"

  Xu Wei looked at the furious prefect and smiled: "You have such a reaction because you already know the intentions of the Jurchen people. But officials may not think so."

  Zhang Shuye was speechless for a moment, and slowly sat down. Indeed, since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, there have been several northern expeditions, with the intention of recovering the old land of Yan and Yun. The Taizu Emperor even established the "Fengzhuang Warehouse", where all the money collected from various local forces and the annual surplus of national expenditures were stored, just for the sake of one day redeeming Yan and Yun with a large amount of wealth. However, Emperor Taizong did not have such patience, and instead gathered a large army to attack Liao, but suffered heavy casualties. Unable to do otherwise, he made an alliance with the Khitan people, and it seemed that there was no hope of recovering the land of Yan and Yun.

  Until the Khitan declined, the Jurchen rose to power. Today's emperor saw hope again and hastily agreed with the Jurchen people to jointly attack Liao, still for the purpose of recovering their ancestral heritage. However, as a result, they only recovered six states, which were also empty cities redeemed with heavy gold. There was no way out, you couldn't defeat them. Under this premise, the Jurchen people took the initiative to return other places, what would the imperial court think? No need to say, it can be guessed.

  At this thought, Zhang Shu Ye's clothes were drenched in sweat. The Song Dynasty is in danger! At this moment, Xu Wei said: "I believe that by now, the Jurchen people have gathered their troops and can march south at any time. I dare to speculate that once war breaks out, the Jurchen people will divide their army into two routes, one attacking Taiyuan and the other attacking Yanshan." He took out his golden finger of foresight again, Xu Wei was not trying to do anything else, just to scare Zhang Zhi Fu a bit. This person is a minister trusted by the emperor, from his humble origins as an official, he can control the military and government affairs of a region, which shows that he is currently nothing in the Song Dynasty court, and has no say in the matter. He can only rely on people like Zhang Shu Ye to pass on messages to the higher-ups, not expecting the emperor to listen, and thus make preparations for war, even if it's just mentally prepared, so as not to flee in a panic like a headless fly when the Jurchen army marches south.

  Zhang Shuye listened and questioned, "If you say that the Jurchen people are taking Yan Mountain all the way, I believe it. After all, they have just surrendered and haven't been managed yet, so the hearts of the people are unstable. But there are also tens of thousands of troops stationed in Yan Mountain, and Guo Yao Shi is a brave general of Liao State, so he should be able to protect himself without any problem. Taiyuan has always been a place that military strategists must contend for, and the court has stationed heavy troops there. The Jurchen people won't be stupid enough to collide head-on, will they?"

  Xu Wei let out a sigh, did even Zhang Shuye think this way? What kind of person was Guo Yao Shi? Although he was Han Chinese, his family had been ruled by the Khitan for generations. When the Liao Dynasty fell, he led his troops to surrender to the Song Dynasty and was seen as abandoning darkness for light, recognizing his ancestors and returning to his roots. Therefore, no one doubted his loyalty. But why did Guo Yao Shi surrender to the Song? It wasn't because of national righteousness, but because the Liao Dynasty had already lost trust in Han generals and was preparing to take action against him. With no other options, he was forced to surrender to the Song. Can such a person be trusted? Don't think that just because someone wears the skin of a Han Chinese, they are loyal and patriotic. Haven't there been many traitors throughout China's thousands of years of history?

  If it were said at this time that Guo Jing would rebel against the Song court and surrender to the Jin state, not to mention that the imperial court would not believe it, even Zhang Wuji would not agree. Xu Wenshu thought for a moment before saying: "Yan Mountain has just surrendered, although Guo Jing is brave, but under the siege of the Jurchen army, he may not be able to hold on. Taiyuan is as solid as gold, but if the Jurchen army surrounds it and Yan Mountain falls, what will happen?"

  "Right up to the capital!" Zhang Shuye blurted out! No need to think, Taiyuan doesn't have to fall, just being surrounded is enough to tie down the Song army's main force. At this time, if Shan Yan falls, the Jurchen iron cavalry can rush all the way to the north bank of the Yellow River! After crossing the Yellow River, it's the Eastern Capital! Completely exposed in front of the Jurchens!

  "No! I will report it!" A heavy fist slammed on the table, causing bowls and chopsticks to jump, Zhang Shuye said loudly.

  Xu Wei looked at him straight and reminded: "The governor's memorial alone, what can it achieve?"

  Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuye's expression eased slightly: "You don't need to worry about this, the court is not lacking in wise ministers, I will make connections with them and we will present a joint petition!" Xu Wei listened and although he nodded in agreement on the surface, he was skeptical at heart. If the imperial court truly had many wise men, wouldn't they have reacted to Zhao Ji's tendency to listen to and believe only one side? The emperors of the Song Dynasty were not tyrannical, but rather many of them were ambitious in their early years. For example, when Zhao Ji first ascended to the throne, he continued to implement Wang Anshi's reforms. What kind of people did he use? Just look at Cai Jing. Later on, as time passed, he gradually became indulgent in pleasure and created the Flower and Rock Tax, which led to the Fang La rebellion...

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