Song Xiu

Chapter 156 Divine Martial Heavy Armor North-South Alliance
This development strategy is known in history as "south first, then north".

From Zhao Kuangyin's thoughts, we can see that he always regarded the elimination of the Khitan as his strategic goal in life, which is also in line with the thoughts of wise founding emperors throughout history.

For the Chinese regime to maintain long-term stability, the most important external guarantee was the absence of a powerful nomadic regime in the north.

To defeat a powerful nomadic regime, renowned generals are indispensable, but compared to the famous generals who are often talked about, a wealthy and stable national strength is the fundamental factor.

Perhaps due to the unpredictability of human nature, no one can guarantee that the strategy of prioritizing the south over the north can continue to advance steadily. But no matter what changes may occur, prioritizing the development and accumulation of national strength is the most important thing.

"Your Majesty's foresight is evident to your son."

"After the western expedition, I will act according to the circumstances, so please rest assured, Father!"

Zhao Dexiu's words brought a smile to Zhao Kuangyin's face.

His son was about to go to war, and he gave him some pointers beforehand, which was just out of habit.

Now that things have come to this, looking back at Zhao Dexiu's previous responses, what else could he possibly worry about?

After reviewing the details of the reclamation of wasteland outside the city, Zhao Kuangyin led Zhao Dexiu onto the carriage and headed back towards Bianjing.

While in the carriage, Zhao Kuangyin brought up a matter on his own initiative:
"You recently submitted a memorial suggesting that the entire Shenwu Army be equipped with heavy armor. Do you intend to use the advantage of heavily armored infantry to resist the northern cavalry?"

As a renowned general of his time, if he hadn't been constrained by his imperial status, Zhao Kuangyin could have easily led troops to pacify the world.

He could tell at a glance that Zhao Dexiu wanted to form a heavy infantry force.

The Shenwu Army originated from the Chanzhou Army, which initially numbered only two hundred.

After the southern campaign, Zhao Kuangyin promoted the Chanzhou Army to the Shenwu Army as a reward for Zhao Dexiu.

This change brought many benefits to Zhao Dexiu.

The biggest advantage is that the military forces that Zhao Dexiu can directly control will be greatly improved in both quality and quantity.

The Divine Martial Army will no longer be limited to a specific region, but will be qualified to become an entity with an equal status with elite forces such as the Anti-Japanese Army and the Crane Control Army.

"Exactly!"

Zhao Dexiu's answer was quite decisive.

At this time, the Song Dynasty's imperial guards included cavalry units. For example, the Zhaoyi Army, which was stationed on the border of Luzhou, consisted mostly of cavalry.

This was thanks to the fact that the Song Dynasty's imperial guards originated from the elite troops of the Later Liang and Later Tang dynasties.

But even the best foundation cannot withstand the wear and tear of decades of fighting. In addition, excellent warhorses have a golden age.

According to Zhao Dexiu's observations, he discovered that the combat effectiveness and number of Song cavalry were declining day by day.

This trend emerged as early as the Later Zhou period, and has only grown stronger in the present day, drawing increasing attention from Zhao Dexiu.

To prepare for any eventuality, Zhao Dexiu believed it was wise to form a heavy infantry force as soon as possible.

The heavy armor Zhao Dexiu mentioned refers to "infantry armor".

The infantry unit had its predecessors during the Tang Dynasty, and it was further developed during the Five Dynasties period.

The fundamental reason for the development of the infantry was the advancement of a series of forging techniques in the world at that time.

The overall structure of the infantry armor is mainly divided into five parts:

The helmet, neck guard, body armor, shoulder guards, and knee guards together consist of nearly two thousand armor plates, weighing approximately sixty pounds in total.

The infantryman's entire body, from head to knee, was covered in hard iron armor, making him virtually unharmed by ordinary arrows unless they hit his face or armpits.

Zhao Dexiu had heard Zhao Hongyin say that the infantry armor worn by Li Cunxu's personal guards even included face shields.

Advanced forging techniques combined with excellent manufacturing concepts give the Infantry Armor superior defensive capabilities in the modern era.

While maintaining superior defensive capabilities, the infantry armor does not impair the army's combat capabilities. Soldiers wearing the infantry armor can engage in a series of offensive and defensive maneuvers without any hindrance.

Even when soldiers march in infantry armor, the armor's well-distributed center of gravity prevents them from becoming immobile ornaments.

In infantry warfare, the most important thing is formation.

In the modern era, cavalry attacks on infantry can be achieved through only two methods.

One method involves using superior mobility to maneuver around the infantry formation, unleashing a hail of arrows to disrupt the formation, and then using tactical maneuvers to completely annihilate the enemy.

Another strategy was to leverage the impact of cavalry, wielding powerful weapons such as broadswords and long spears, and using the momentum of their horses to directly clash with the infantry formation.

By starting with a single point, the problem spread to the entire army, ultimately leading to a massacre.

However, when facing heavily armored infantry, the effectiveness of these two combat methods will be greatly reduced.

This makes it more likely that "infantry can defeat cavalry".

However, the Stepman Armor has a drawback: it is expensive to produce.

This drawback prevented the widespread adoption of the "Concession Man" system in the military.

Even the Later Tang Dynasty, which was once "unrivaled in the world," failed to popularize infantry armor in its army.

Only the personal guards of emperors or important generals could be equipped with infantry armor.

Given the current national strength of the Song Dynasty, it is impossible to have the Imperial Guards wear infantry armor on a large scale.

The infantrymen were scattered among the various Imperial Guards.

Scattered distribution makes it impossible to maximize the effectiveness of foot soldiers.

Zhao Dexiu believes that since it cannot be popularized at present, it is better to take the route of elite troops.

On the one hand, we should accumulate national strength and steadily increase the production of infantry armor.

On the other hand, the existing infantry armor will be prioritized for use on the Shenwu Army to form a powerful heavy infantry legion.

In future field battles against enemy cavalry, the Divine Martial Army will serve as the backbone, either for defense or for attacking fortifications, while other Imperial Guards will cooperate in the operation, maximizing the combat effectiveness of the entire army.

While Zhao Kuangyin was pondering, Zhao Dexiu continued:

"The Tangut people are a foreign tribe, and their hearts are bound to be different. The situation in Guanzhong is extremely complex."

"Even if our dynasty has no intention of attacking and destroying the Dingnan Army for the time being, we must guard against Li Yixing's potential counterattack."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in agreement at Zhao Dexiu's concerns.

Li Yixing's feigned weakness could deceive others, but it could not deceive Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin even knew that Li Yixing had illicit dealings with the Khitans, and that he had to be wary of him.

"We'll do it your way."

Zhao Kuangyin then continued:

"I will establish a Military Equipment Bureau to be specifically responsible for the weapons and equipment of the Imperial Guards."

Keep a close eye on things.

After speaking, Zhao Kuangyin looked at the young crown prince with a smile:

Only through more rigorous training will I have the opportunity to personally lead troops into battle in the future.

As the saying goes, father and son are of one heart.

Zhao Kuangyin's smile gave Zhao Dexiu a hunch.

The father and son discussed important matters and soon returned to the outside of the Wansui Palace.

Upon entering the Hall of Ten Thousand Years, Shen Yilun, who was waiting inside, greeted them with a letter of petition.

Shen Yilun first reported the military situation in the east to Zhao Kuangyin.

Guo Congyi, who was stationed in Xuzhou, rebelled before Li Hongxin after hearing the news from the court.

Upon learning of this, Zhao Kuangyin dispatched Wang Quanbin with 20,000 imperial guards to quell the rebellion.

Guo Congyi was a veteran general, but the Song Dynasty had only recently quelled the rebellion in Huainan, and its military might still remained.

The demoralized Xuzhou army was no match for the Imperial Guards.

According to Wang Quanbin's report, he had won his first battle and had surrounded Xuzhou City. He thought it wouldn't be long before he could quell the rebellion in Xuzhou.

After reporting the military situation in the east, Shen Yilun presented a memorial to the emperor, which read:

"Your Majesty, this is Li Yixing's memorial to the throne."

Upon hearing that it was a memorial from Li Yixing, Zhao Kuangyin unfolded it with great interest and began to read it. After finishing the memorial, Zhao Kuangyin chuckled and handed it to Zhao Dexiu:

"He really thinks he's Sima Yi."

He is patient, discreet, and possesses military prowess; indeed, he is very similar.

The fact that Zhao Kuangyin compared Li Yixing to Sima Yi shows his deep-seated fear of him.

After making his judgment, Zhao Kuangyin turned his gaze to Zhao Dexiu:

Even if he is, so what?

“I have the Prince of Jin, who is sufficient to quell the rebellion.”

...

In August, Beijing was already feeling chilly.

Han Kuangsi pulled his warm fur coat tighter around himself and, led by a Khitan warrior, passed through numerous hidden sentries before finally entering Yelü Xian's study, which was filled with Han Chinese classics.

Upon seeing Han Kuangsi arrive, the frail Yelü Xian quickly rose from beside the warm stove and came to stand before him:

"Han Qing has worked tirelessly for the country; you've had a long and arduous journey."

After saying this, Yelü Xian personally led Han Kuangsi to sit down by the stove.

Yelü Xian treated scholars with respect and showed no arrogance whatsoever.

Most members of the Khitan royal family were fierce and brutal, quite unlike Yelü Xian.

But it was precisely this difference that Han Kuangsi found extremely pleasing.

After Han Kuangsi sat down, he noticed a copy of the Records of the Grand Historian next to the stove. It seemed that Yelü Xian had been reading about the deeds of Emperor Gaozu of Han before he arrived.

When Yelü Abaoji was alive, he greatly admired Emperor Gaozu of Han and even believed that the Yelü clan were descendants of Emperor Gaozu.

After the two sat down, the firelight reflected on Yelü Xian's face, making him appear somewhat anxious.

How can I not be anxious?
As he grew older, Yelü Jing's wariness of him intensified.

Not long ago, one of his confidants, Yelü Xianshi, advised him not to discuss politics, lest he arouse Yelü Jing's suspicion and bring disaster upon himself.

Yelü Xianshi was someone Yelü Xian had placed in the palace. His advice must have come from sensing some dangerous signs.

After being advised against it, Yelü Xian decided to stop discussing state affairs and openly reduced the number of times he met with his ministers.

Han Kuangsi would not have risked coming here if he hadn't had something important to report.

Yelü Xian also realized this, and as soon as he sat down, he asked:
"Han Qing, you've come so late at night, is there anything you need to teach me?"

When questioned by Yelü Xian, Han Kuangsi cupped his hands and said:
"Prince Zhao Dexiu of the Song Dynasty asked me to convey a message."

Fearing that Yelü Xian might not know Zhao Dexiu, Han Kuangsi gave a brief account of his deeds and identity.

Upon learning of Zhao Dexiu's status as crown prince, Yelü Xian immediately became very interested in the message he was about to convey.

When Yelü Xian heard the eight words, "I am willing to assist the wise king in restoring the legal system," his knuckles clenched tightly, and his face became even more ruddy.

Despite the good news, Yelü Xian remained rational.

"He sounds like a man of great sincerity and wisdom."

Yelü Xian chuckled softly, the smile in his eyes slowly turning into wariness:
"But in reality, he was worried about the strength of our dynasty and wanted to induce internal strife in our dynasty."

Yelü Xian directly saw through Zhao Dexiu's intentions.

How could Han Kuangsi not know this?

"He has his reasons."

Han Kuangsi lowered his voice and continued:
"Yelü Jing was not strict in managing his subordinates, and at times our dynasty had generals who went south to harass the Song dynasty's borders."

The Hebei prefectures served as a bulwark for Bianjing, so it was normal for Zhao Dexiu to have some dissatisfaction and concerns.

Only when he has something to ask for and the king has something to need can a united front be achieved.

Currently, Yelü Wuzhi is in charge of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

Although there were no major battles on the Yan-Yun border, Yelü Wuzhi frequently sent small groups of troops to harass the people in order to test the Song army's combat capabilities.

In addition, Yelü Wuzhi continued to send reinforcements to Yanyun.

As soon as Han Kuangsi finished speaking, Yelü Xian began to ponder.

The crackling of the fire in the stove inside the room made him increasingly restless.

"Why should Zhao Dexiu trust me? And why does he think I have the ability to bring down Yelü Jing?"

This is the only thing Yelü Xian doesn't understand at the moment.

Logically speaking, he has always been low-key and should not easily attract Zhao Dexiu's attention.

Faced with Yelü Jing's question, Han Kuangsi tried to explain:
"Yelü Jing was cruel and tyrannical, causing widespread panic within the court."

However, the king's status was indeed special, and many people in the court knew that Yelü Jing was wary of the king.

It's not surprising that Zhao Dexiu knew there were Song Dynasty spies in the court.

Then Han Kuangsi leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a hint of certainty:

"The numerous southern kingdoms have already overwhelmed the Song Dynasty, and Zhao Dexiu does not want to rashly start a war with our dynasty. This is a request that the capricious Yelü Jing cannot guarantee."

From Han Kuangsi's perspective, he very much hoped that Yelü Xian and Zhao Dexiu would join forces.

His political future rested entirely on Yelü Xian; only if Yelü Xian rectified the chaos could he gain more political benefits in the future.

Han Kuangsi's explanation dispelled Yelü Xian's concerns.

After his worries disappeared, he remembered what had happened some time ago.

That time, after Yelü Jing got drunk, he drew his sword and pointed it at me. Although he said he wanted to perform a sword dance to entertain me, I could see a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

His life is becoming increasingly precarious.

Over the years, he has concealed all his talents, not because he wanted to sit and wait for his doom, but because he has been waiting for the right opportunity.

Yelü Xian remained silent for a long time, then suddenly got up and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of the palace in the distance.

The place was sparsely lit, yet it was where the person who harbored the deepest malice towards him resided.

"Han Qing, Yelü Jing is suspicious by nature, and my entire family could be wiped out at any time."

"Now I am outnumbered and outmatched. If I want to achieve victory in one strike, I need a powerful external force."

Would joining forces with Zhao Dexiu be like seeking help from a tiger?

Yelü Xian turned to look at Han Kuangsi's graying temples, and at the undisguised sincerity and eagerness in his eyes.

Over the years, many people have given him so much; it's time for him to give them hope.

The string of hesitation in my heart finally snapped.

"it is good!"

Yelü Xian spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice carrying a resolute determination that had been suppressed for many years:
"I will follow your plan and send a message to Zhao Dexiu, saying that I am willing to temporarily unite with him."

He needs to send another envoy north to discuss the details of the alliance.

Yelü Xian's words brought a gleam of joy to Han Kuangsi's eyes, and he kowtowed, saying:
"Your Majesty is wise! This is a blessing for the Khitan!"

Before Han Kuangsi officially took action, Yelü Xian reminded him again:

"Remember this!"

"This matter must not be leaked in the slightest. We are betting our lives and fortunes, and even more so, the future of the Khitan."

After heeding the reminder, Han Kuangsi left the room under the cover of night.

After Han Kuangsi left, crows flew over the capital city, leaving behind their mournful cries outside the palace walls.

An alliance rife with undercurrents has successfully begun!

(End of this chapter)