Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 451 There is a traitor in Meishan!
The big moves of Liao and Song were naturally impossible to conceal from the Ming Dynasty. As early as when Cheng Yi returned to Bian Jing, Su Yun had received a secret letter.

For Su Yun, this level of cooperation between Liao and Song was still somewhat unexpected.

But if you think about it, it's not difficult to understand.

After all, the Ming Dynasty was different from the later Jin Dynasty. The Jin Dynasty rose from the north of the Liao Kingdom and did not border the Song Dynasty. Therefore, the Song Dynasty believed that it could cooperate with the Jin Kingdom to destroy the Liao Dynasty.

But the Ming Dynasty forcibly snatched the northwest from the Song Dynasty and took over the 200,000 to 300,000 western troops. In the eyes of the rulers and ministers of the Song Dynasty, the danger of rebelling against the Ming Dynasty was even greater than that of the Liao Dynasty!
As for the Liao Kingdom, both the Ming Dynasty and the Song Dynasty bordered it. Especially after the Ming Dynasty occupied the Hetao area, it was like a sharp knife against the waist and ribs of the Liao Dynasty, which was extremely dangerous.

At this time, the Liao Kingdom was still engaged in a large-scale national war with the Song Dynasty. At this time, it immediately changed direction, stopped the war first, and then used the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and some money to drive the Song Dynasty to fight with the Ming Dynasty. This was a beneficial and inexpensive thing for the Liao Kingdom.

Hehe, the money and goods given by the Liao Kingdom are just a drop in the bucket for fighting a war. However, if the Song Dynasty can make good use of the return of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, it will be a great benefit.

However, in Su Yun's opinion, the Liao Kingdom probably just wanted to relieve the pressure of the Song Dynasty's northern army and let the Song Dynasty mobilize the northern army to the west to attack the Ming Dynasty. It did not really want to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Song Dynasty.

After all, your Northern Army has been transferred away, and there is no large army guarding it. So who owns the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun is not decided by our Great Liao, right?
Su Yun knew about this matter, Yelu Hongji knew about it, and Zhao Xu knew about it as well.

But both Yelu Hongji and Zhao Xu knew clearly that their common enemy now was the Ming Dynasty!

There is no other reason, it’s just that the Ming Dynasty rose too quickly and the military power it displayed was truly horrifying!

Although Western Xia was the weakest among the Three Kingdoms in terms of population, territory and economy, it was able to coexist with the Liao and Song Kingdoms for nearly a hundred years, which has long proved its strength.

It can be said that when the Liao, Song and Xia Kingdoms were first established, everyone wanted to unify China and become the legitimate dynasty. However, after a hundred years of entanglement, no one could do anything to anyone else. Therefore, although they still attacked each other, they knew in their hearts that the three kingdoms were evenly matched, and it was actually very difficult to destroy one of them.

This is also the reason why the Liao Kingdom felt free to attack the Song Dynasty and allowed the Ming Dynasty to attack Western Xia.

It is estimated that in Yelu Hongji's view, even if the Ming Dynasty is powerful, it is impossible to destroy Western Xia. It is not a matter of time, but it is simply impossible!
Yelu Hongji was probably still thinking that after he had driven the Song Dynasty's rulers and ministers to the south of the Yangtze River, he would come back to deal with the Ming Dynasty.

Su Yun shook his head.

Yelu Hongji is old after all, and he simply cannot understand the current situation in the world.

Of course, Yelu Hongji was indeed a hero. He was able to make such a ruthless decision so quickly. Not only did he decisively cease fire, he also immediately returned the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, sent money, goods and war horses, and drove the Song Dynasty to fight to the death with the Ming Dynasty. He was indeed a very powerful man!

……

Daming Palace.

Su Yun sat on the dragon chair, his eyes swept across the people below the steps, and finally fell on Lu Huiqing, whose temples were covered with frost: "Minister Lu, you speak first."

Lu Huiqing straightened his official uniform and took a step forward: "Your Majesty, I think we should take Shanxi.

After the Liao people returned the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, Shanxi's defense line was bound to be empty.

If our army can take advantage of the opportunity, we will not only be able to cut off the connection between the Liao Kingdom and the Song Dynasty, but also directly attack Youyun. By then, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun will be in our pocket.

Moreover, Shanxi is the barrier of the Central Plains. Whoever controls Shanxi controls the world. This is an ancient saying.

Taking over Shanxi would not only relieve the threat from the north, but also deter the Song Dynasty from making any rash moves. "

"Ridiculous!" Zhang Dun suddenly stepped out, his beard trembling as he spoke, "Shanxi's terrain is dangerous and the city is strong. A strong attack will inevitably result in casualties.

In contrast, although the roads in Sichuan are dangerous, the people in Sichuan have suffered from the Song Dynasty for a long time.

If our army enters Sichuan as a righteous army, it will surely gain the support of the people.

Moreover, Sichuan is rich in resources and is known as the "Land of Abundance", with sufficient money and grain.

After taking Sichuan, our army will have no worries about food and grass, and can also go down the Yangtze River and directly take the south of the Yangtze River, thus forming a siege on the Song Dynasty.

This is the strategy of 'removing the firewood from under the cauldron'!" Zhang Qi stroked the sword at his waist and said in a deep voice: "What you two said makes sense.

However, I think that it depends on the movements of the Liao Kingdom. If the Liao army is lax in its defense in Shanxi, we should seize the opportunity to capture Shanxi in one fell swoop and cut off the right arm of the Liao Kingdom.
If the Liao people are well prepared, we may end up in a protracted war if we attack rashly.

At this time, turning to attack Sichuan can not only avoid their sharp edge, but also open up a new battlefield. "

Han Youan held a map roll in his hand, unfolded it and spread it on the ground: "Please see, Shanxi is adjacent to the heartland of Liao. Once a war breaks out, the Liao army will surely come to our aid in full force.

However, Sichuan was far away from the Liao Kingdom, and the Song army's forces were scattered in Sichuan, and most of them were old, weak and disabled soldiers.

If our elite troops raid Sichuan, we will have a great chance of success. Moreover, after taking Sichuan, we can connect it with the northwest and strengthen the foundation of our Ming Dynasty."

Wang Baopu disagreed and shook his head, saying: "Although Sichuan is good, the mountains are high and the roads are long, making logistics difficult.

Once the war becomes stalemate and food and fodder are cut off, our army will surely be defeated.

On the other hand, Shanxi is closer to the heartland of our Ming Dynasty, so supply is relatively easy.

If we take over Shanxi, we can threaten the capital of Liao and force Liao to sue for peace. In this way, the Liao-Song alliance will collapse without a fight."

Ping Zicheng pushed his glasses and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I think we can do it in two ways. Divide the troops into two routes. One route will feint to attack Shanxi to attract the main force of the Liao army.

Another group launched a surprise attack on Sichuan, catching the Song army off guard.

After taking Sichuan, we will concentrate our forces to attack Shanxi.

In this way, we can confuse the enemy and achieve strategic goals.”

Wang Shunchen clenched his fist and said loudly: "I am willing to lead a group of elite soldiers to attack Shanxi!

The Liao people have bullied the Ming Dynasty too much. I will definitely destroy Yanmen Pass and let the Liao people know how powerful the Ming Dynasty is! "

Zheng Chaozong calmly analyzed: "Your Majesty, whether you are attacking Shanxi or taking Sichuan, you must act with caution.

I suggest that we first send spies to the two places to find out the enemy's strength, the city's defense deployment, and the people's support before making a decision.

Don’t rush to send troops, or you will be put in a passive position.”

Everyone held different opinions and the argument continued.

The smoke from the bronze animal-head incense burner curled up, but it could not suppress the arguments that continued one after another.

Su Yun listened for a while, and finally raised his hand suddenly. His bony fingers slammed heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne. The crisp sound of metal and stone colliding startled all the ministers in the hall.

"I do have some ideas. Why don't you listen to them?" Su Yun said.

At this time, all the officials who were arguing hurriedly bowed to Su Yun.

Su Yun stood up slowly. The crown with twelve-chapter patterns rustled, and the sun, moon and stars embroidered with gold thread seemed to flow.

Su Yun smiled and said, "Lu Qing said that Shanxi's defense line is empty?

Have you ever thought that the return of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun was originally a bait thrown by Yelu Hongji to Zhao Xu?
If our army rashly marches north, it will fall into the Liao people's trap of 'driving the tiger to devour the wolf'!"

Lu Huiqing was slightly surprised when he heard this.

Zhang Dun was cheered up by this and was about to agree, but he saw Su Yun turned around and walked towards the huge map hanging on the wall.

Su Yun extended his index finger and poked it heavily on the land of Bashu, as if he wanted to carve the mountains and rivers into his heart: "Do you know why Yelu Hongji dared to promise Yanyun?
Because he is sure that as long as we fight the Song Dynasty, he can reap the benefits! Attacking Shanxi now is like snatching food from the tiger's mouth; taking Sichuan is like cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron!"

“Your Majesty!” Wang Baopu took a step forward in a hurry, his official boots scraping against the blue bricks and making a harsh sound. “Sichuan is a dangerous place with rugged plank roads, and it is difficult to transport food and grass. Once the war is stalemate, the Liao Kingdom will attack Hetao and the Song Kingdom will attack Chang’an. We will be attacked from both sides and will be in danger!…”

Su Yun smiled and waved his hand, saying: "Gentlemen, please take a look at this secret report from Chengdu. The powerful people in Shu have long been planning to rebel, and the people have been suffering from the taxes imposed by the Song court for a long time.

Our army entered Sichuan under the pretext of punishing the criminals and comforting the people. Within three months, we will be able to gain a firm foothold!"

Zhang Qie quickly took the secret letter and read it carefully. He was immediately excited and said, "It turns out that several months ago, Your Majesty had secretly contacted the heroes in Shu, and even listed the locations of grain storage and the names of internal contacts!
Ha, if that's the case, maybe attacking Sichuan and Shu is not as difficult as imagined! Your Majesty, in this case, I support the court to attack Sichuan and Shu first!"

Su Yun smiled and said, "After we take Sichuan, we can go down the river and attack Hangzhou, or we can rely on the natural defenses to defend.

Yelu Hongji wants to see the snipe and the clam fighting each other? Then we should cut the Gordian knot and take Bashu as the foundation first!
By the time the Song army reacts, I will have the wealth of the land. By then, what will Liao and Song have to fear? "

Wang Shunchen's blood boiled, and he knelt on one knee with a "thump". The sword on his waist collided with the blue bricks, making a clear sound: "I am willing to be the vanguard! I must break through Jianmen Pass and take Sichuan and Shu for Your Majesty!"

Han Youan and Ping Zicheng looked at each other, bowed at the same time, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I second the motion!"

Even Lu Huiqing, who had previously advocated the attack on Jin, was ashamed. He trembled and clasped his hands together: "Your Majesty is far-sighted. I can't wait."

Su Yun glanced at the ministers in the hall, and his eyes finally fell on Zheng Chaozong.

"Haifu!" Su Yun's voice was steady and firm, "Be prepared to enter Sichuan!"

Zheng Chaozong knelt on one knee excitedly and said, "Yes, sir!"

……

Meishan.

When the news of the alliance between Liao and Song shook the world like thunder, Meishan, thousands of miles away, was shrouded in a strange silence.

In the Su family's ancestral home with blue bricks and black tiles, in the patio of the three-courtyard structure, the dead leaves of the old locust tree were falling, and on the altar in the main hall, in front of the spirit tablet of Su Yun's father, the eternal lamp flickered in the draft.

The hand of clan leader Su Chun, holding the bronze pipe, trembled slightly, and the ashes fell on his moon-white gown: "Brother Yun has finally come to this point..."

He remembered how Su Yun looked when he left home ten years ago. The young man at that time was carrying books on his back, but his eyes were sharper than a sword.

Now he has become an emperor that makes Liao and Song tremble with fear.

Su Hang from the Second House slammed the table and stood up: "Rebellion is ultimately high treason! If the court punishes him, the entire Su family will suffer! I think we must immediately expel him from the Su family and completely separate from them, then report to the court and make it public!"

Before he finished speaking, a sneer suddenly came from outside the window.

Everyone looked over and saw that it was Su Shi's third son, Su Guo, who walked in with his hands behind his back and sneered, "Uncle, do you still remember who secretly sent a hundred dan of millet to Meishan when there was a severe drought a few years ago?

When Brother Yun left Meishan before, he used all his assets to buy ancestral land for the clan. Otherwise, how could the clan support so many scholars?
Now the Ming cavalry is so powerful that it can shock the world. Only by following Brother Yun can you survive!"

Su Hang sneered and said, "What's the point of having so many scholars? In recent years, who among the young people we applied for admission has been admitted? This is all caused by the traitor Su Yun!
Only if we completely cut ties with him and make our attitude clear to the court, can we get the court to reuse our Su family!
I think we should not only expel him from the family tree, but also denounce him in a document published to the world for his lack of respect for his father and his ruler. We, the Su family, are deeply ashamed of this!"

While they were arguing, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door. The housekeeper, sweating profusely, rushed to open the hall door and said, "Master! The Meishan County Magistrate is here with his bailiffs!"

Everyone's faces suddenly changed, but Su Hang suddenly straightened his back and said happily: "Open the middle door and welcome the guests!"

Everyone immediately looked at Su Hang in surprise, but Su Hang ignored their expressions, holding up his skirt, stepped over the threshold and hurried out.

Clan leader Su Chun's face turned pale, but he had no choice but to follow behind hurriedly.

County Magistrate Chen Zhiyi was wearing a scarlet official uniform, and the fire and water sticks in the hands of the yamen runners behind him reflected a cold light.

County Magistrate Chen Zhiyi slowly walked to the main hall, his fingertips brushed across the sandalwood altar, and stopped in front of the spirit tablet of Su Yun's father. He said with a half-smile, "Patriarch Su, the court is really angry this time."

He suddenly turned around, his eyes sweeping over everyone like a hawk, "I heard that some of the Su family's disciples have close ties with the Ni Ming?"

Su Hang rushed forward and said with a flattering smile: "The magistrate is very clear-sighted! My Su family has always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic, how could we collude with the traitor? But that Su Yun..."

He paused deliberately and glanced at Su Chun from the corner of his eye. "After all, we are related by blood. I hope County Magistrate Chen will show some leniency."

As he spoke, he winked behind him, and his two sons, Su Chengye and Su Chengwen, immediately came forward holding the heavy brocade boxes.

"This is a little gift from my son." Su Hang opened the lid of the box, and the jewels and precious stones immediately illuminated the entire hall. "I heard that the son of the county magistrate is going to Beijing to take the imperial examination, and I am willing to lend a helping hand.

I only ask the county magistrate to speak well of my Su family in front of the court and help my two sons find some official positions..."

Su Chun's eyes widened with anger, and he pointed at Su Hang with a trembling finger: "You...you are going to sell out the entire Su Group!"

Before he finished speaking, Su Guo had already drawn his sword. The cold light from the sword made everyone's faces turn pale. "Su Hang! How dare you trade the family's future for personal gain!"

Chen Zhiyi laughed loudly and slowly opened the brocade box: "Brother Su, don't worry."

He pulled out a scroll of documents from his sleeve and said, "It's not this little gold and silver that the court wants."

The document unfolded and it turned out to be a list of the land of the Meishan Su family. "The Su family has tens of thousands of acres of good land. Why not donate half of it as military pay and recruit the men in the family into the militia to help the court suppress the rebellion.

In this case, I will report to His Majesty and ensure the safety of the Su family."

Su Hang's smile froze instantly and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He turned to look at his two sons, gritted his teeth and said, "What the magistrate said is absolutely right! But the matter of donating land is of great importance, and we need to think about it carefully..."

"No need to discuss!" Su Chun suddenly grabbed the bronze pipe and smashed it to the ground, breaking it. "County Magistrate Chen, the Su family is willing to donate 300 acres of charity land.

But it is absolutely impossible for us to serve as local militiamen!"

He straightened his hunched back, his cloudy eyes bursting with anger, "My Su family has been studying for generations, how could we be accomplices of a tiger!"

Chen Zhiyi's face darkened, and the yamen runner behind him immediately stepped forward and smashed the water and fire sticks heavily on the blue bricks, making a heart-pounding sound.

Just when the atmosphere was tense, Su Guo suddenly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Please calm down, magistrate. The Su family is willing to donate 2,000 acres of good farmland, and only asks the magistrate to give you some time."

He turned to look at Su Chun with a firm gaze, "Patriarch, the current situation is critical, and the only thing we can do is to protect the family first."

Su Chun stared at Su Guo for a long time, finally sighed and slumped down in the armchair.

Su Hang's eyes flashed with pride, and he whispered to Chen Zhiyi: "County Magistrate, I have another plan..."

As the night deepened, inside the county magistrate's mansion, Chen Zhiyi stroked his newly acquired land deed with a sneer on his face.

Outside the window, Su Hang's voice could be heard faintly: "Don't worry, Magistrate. Tomorrow I will gather all the clansmen and announce that I will sever ties with Su Yun.

As long as the magistrate keeps his promise, let my son..."

The voice was blown away by a gust of night wind, leaving only the copper bells on the eaves swaying in the wind, making a cold sound.

(End of this chapter)