Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 220 Negotiation
August.

The weather is getting cooler.

In name, the grain from Jiangnan was to be transported to Hebei for disaster relief, but in reality, the amount far exceeded the amount needed for disaster relief.

As for the northwest, Zhao Xin had already let them cultivate the land on their own several years ago.

In addition, there are not as many disasters here as in Hebei, so the food currently stored is definitely enough.

Of course!
This only takes into account the situation when there is no war. They also have to consider what to do if the city or fort is surrounded by the Western Xia army and there is not enough food?
Although this worry seems a bit unnecessary.

after all……

Zhao Xin was eager for Xixia to come and besiege the city.

As Chen Yuanyuan began to show signs of pregnancy in August, Zhao Xin gradually returned to work.

After some discussions with Fan Zhongyan and others, the Grand Council quickly determined the general strategic direction.

One is towards Hengshan and the other is towards Tiandu Mountain.

This is no different from what Zhao Xin said at the beginning.

only……

What we did before was a big strategic direction, and this time, the goal is to determine how to take each step.

Fan Zhongyan said: "I think we should control the Hengshan direction first. In this way, if we drive away all the enemies in the Hengshan direction, we will be free to further attack Tiandu Mountain, or even the capital of Xixia."

Fan Zhongyan either kept silent or, if he did, was even more radical than Zhao Xin.

Because even Zhao Xin had never thought of attacking the other country's capital.

of course!

Zhao Xin felt that there was no need to attack the opponent's capital.

As long as we can capture the other side's empress dowager and emperor alive, it will be enough.

There is no need to travel all the way to someone's home.

Moreover!
The Xixia people are very cunning. Once you attack them, they will set fire to the pasture and burn everything along the way.

The Liao people had already suffered this pain a long time ago, so naturally the Song Dynasty had to learn from the Liao's lesson.

Han Qi said, "I think we should first launch a feint attack from the direction of Tiandu Mountain. Hengshan only needs to leave some soldiers to defend. We can even deliberately leak news to the enemy in the direction of Hengshan, saying that the cities in our area are empty, so as to lure them into a trap."

Zhao Xin then said, "What you mean is that you all think that we should take Hengshan first?"

Fan Zhongyan said: "If we don't take Hengshan first, we will be entangled by the enemies in the direction of Hengshan. Moreover, there are only a few cities in Hengshan. If we can take it, then our entire north will basically have nothing to worry about."

Han Qi added: "Although the direction of Tiandu Mountain is very suitable for marching, it is suitable for us as well as Xixia, and it is even more suitable for Xixia's cavalry."

"We don't have many cavalrymen. We don't have much advantage over the Xixia army in the direction of Tiandu Mountain. Ge Huaimin was surrounded by Li Yuanhao because he was greedy for merit and rushed forward rashly."

"At the beginning, Ge Huaimin was surrounded in this area!"

"It's not far from Tiandu Mountain."

The Temporary Military Affairs Office was located in a small house in the backyard of Chongzheng Hall.

There are few people here.

Suitable for discussing confidential matters.

Zhao Xin felt that the suggestions they put forward were not very good.

of course!

This may also be related to the fact that he did not mention to them what he wanted to achieve in this battle.

The purpose of his battle was, first of all, to capture the ruler of Western Xia and their queen mother alive.

Secondly, he wanted to destroy the effective forces of Western Xia.

Then, we built a city on Tiandu Mountain.

Finally, it’s time to attack Yokoyama.

As for your question about how to capture the king of Western Xia and their queen mother alive.

In addition to setting the trap themselves through strategies, they also need the cooperation of the other party.

But the good news is!

The Xixia Kingdom, including the Liao Kingdom, usually had the custom of women leading young rulers to fight in person. Therefore...

Zhao Xin felt that the chances of capturing the King of Western Xia and their queen mother alive were still very high.

However, the premise is...

They must make Xixia be attracted by something on their own initiative.

If they attack Hengshan first, Zhao Xin can only say that although Hengshan may be very important to Xixia.

But it feels...

It’s still not as important as Tiandu Mountain.

The main reason is that to the north of Hengshan is the desert, and on the other side of Tiandu Mountain, if they can build a city further ahead, the Western Xia will definitely come and tear down their city before leaving.

Zhao Xin then said: "I thought that what you said was not good!"

"If we take over Hengshan, our north will indeed be safer."

"But this can only be considered a small victory. What I want is a big victory!"

Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi looked over and asked, "What kind of victory does Your Highness Prince Yu want?"

Zhao Xin said, "I want to lure out all the elite troops of Xixia, and then destroy them all in this battle."

Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, and even Pang Ji were all speechless for a moment.

Then Zhao Xin said: "If we can't wipe out their elite forces in one battle, we will be in a passive position if Liao and Xixia unite."

"So... my idea is to find a place to build a city in Tiandu Mountain, use this city as bait to lure the elite troops of Western Xia here, and then use the army in the northwest to double-team them. This way, no enemy can escape."

Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi said, "But the road in the direction of Tiandu Mountain is wide. It won't be easy to double-team them, right?"

Zhao Xin could only say: "I can only say, try my best."

In fact, it is still just talk.

If you want to truly plan a strategy, it’s best to go to the location and take a look first.

Zhao Xin is a person who won't feel at ease unless he goes to see something in person.

of course!

In fact, these are not the most important things.

The most important thing is how they can quickly build a city at the foot of Tiandu Mountain.

The speed of building the city actually affects their subsequent strategy.

In addition...

Zhao Xin also had to consider how to capture the Western Xia city quickly and effectively.

If there is no preparation before the war breaks out, then everyone will have to stand under the enemy's city or fortress and stare at the enemy.

Zhao Xin rarely discussed this with Zhao Xun.

Besides, Zhao Xun doesn’t know everything.

Zhao Xun may know the places he has been to, but he may not know the situations in cities in other places.

Although Zhao Xin has artillery.

But artillery is not omnipotent.

Eastern cities are basically built with rammed earth, at least two or three meters thick, and some are even ten meters wide. If you shoot at them, the most you'll get is a bullet mark.

You can't say that you can scare people into opening the city gates and surrender by using artillery.

Although it is not completely impossible.

I discussed this with Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi and others.

It's more of a discussion than a consultation.

rather say……

It’s to reassure them.

Otherwise they will definitely have objections!
(End of this chapter)