I will never be Renzong

Chapter 149 Preparation
The imperial edict issued by Zhongshu to question Xia Wang Li Deming has been drafted, and after Zhao Zhen seals the jade seal, officials will rush to send it to Xingqing.

After the military reform in the third year of Tiansheng's reign, one army was stationed on Shaanxi Road, with two battalions of cavalry and eight battalions of infantry, totaling 3 people. They were mainly stationed in Fengxiang Mansion and Yan'an Mansion. The commander was Cao Wei, Duke of Wuwei County, and the deputy commander was Ren. Fu and Liu Ping.

In addition, there are thousands of family troops and an army of Imperial Guards responsible for logistical supplies.

Now that you have decided to use troops against Xixia, you must make preparations in advance to prevent Li Deming from launching a rebellion before the imperial army arrives. Zhao Zhen ordered Cao Wei to command 12000 troops to Huanzhou, Ren Fu to command 9000 troops to Dingbian Army, and Liu Ping to command 9000 troops. People went to the security forces.

Three days after the order was issued, Zhao Zhen ordered people to go to Xixia with the edict.

At the same time, the major armies stationed in Kaifeng began to expedite their drills, sharpening their knives, waiting for Zhao Zhen to issue combat orders.

Inside the Chongzheng Hall, bigwigs from the two governments and confidant generals gathered together.

"Zhang Yong! I ordered you to send people to Xixia to collect intelligence last year. Now you tell me about Xixia's troop garrison issues and so on!"

Zhao Zhen said to Zhang Yong, commander of Jinyiwei, who was on the side.

When Zhang Yong saw this, he played: "Officials! According to the investigation of Jinyiwei, Li Deming in Xixia controls about 80 troops, and there are more than [-] Qiang people in the five prefectures under his command. During the reign of Dazhong Xiangfu, his father Li Jiqian was posthumously named Emperor Taizu Yingyun Fatian God Zhirensheng Zhidao Guangde Guangxiao Emperor, temple name Wuzong, wolf ambition is obvious."

Zhao Zhen suddenly asked: "Zhang Yong, tell me what information Jin Yiwei's spies have found about Li Yuanhao."

Zhang Yong said again: "Reporting to the official family, Li Deming, the king of Xiping, married three women in total. Among them, Wei Mu's family gave birth to Li Yuanhao. Li Yuanhao is 24 years old. He has a high face and a nose, and is more than five feet tall. He is proficient in Buddhism, and is proficient in Fan and Chinese characters. He once led troops to attack Huihe Yeluo Geqi Khan and captured his wife and children. According to reports from secret agents, Li Yuanhao has repeatedly persuaded him Father Jianguo proclaimed himself emperor and betrayed the imperial court, but Li Deming was vacillating."

Wang Zeng said: "Officials! Li Deming didn't betray our court. Is it wrong for our court to ask the teacher for his crime?"

After Zhang Yong's words, Annan Bo Wang Deyong said: "Officials! Li Deming dare not betray our dynasty, but his son Li Yuanhao is like his grandfather Li Jiqian, an unrepentant, capricious, insidious and cunning person. If he is not eliminated sooner, It will be a great disaster!"

Zhao Zhen glanced at everyone and said: "The existence of the Qiang people in the party has always threatened the stability of the northwest of our Great Song Dynasty. Li Deming surrendered to our Great Song Dynasty, but every year there are Qiang people on the border who invade the border, burning, killing and looting. The investigation revealed that the rebellion of the Qiang people in Huanzhou and Gyeongju came from Li Deming's instructions, so I decided to raise the teacher to indict the culprits. All the nobles are important ministers of the Song Dynasty. After today, I don't want to hear any words of consolation. Class words!"

"I'm waiting for orders!"

Seeing that Zhao Zhen had issued a resolution, the civil and military ministers below could only respond.

After discussing with the civil and military ministers, Zhao Zhen finally decided to dispatch three armies to attack Li Deming.

On the first route, with Cao Wei as commander, Zhang Kang and Li Shibin as deputy generals, Zhang Kang led 6 people to Huanzhou to join Cao Wei's troops, a total of more than [-] people, and then attacked Xiping Mansion.

The second route was headed by Wang Deyong, with Yang Wenguang and Ren Fu as deputy generals. Wang Deyong led 6 people to the Dingbian Army to join Ren Fu's troops, a total of 7 people, and then attacked Yanzhou.

The third route is Zhong Shiheng as commander, Di Qing and Wang Kai as deputy generals, leading 6 people to the Suide army to attack Xiazhou.

Zhao Zhen originally wanted to lead the army all the way to the imperial conquest, but considering the current situation, the imperial conquest is not realistic, and Liu E and the court ministers would not agree, so he had to give up.

At the same time, armies from all walks of life began to reorganize and gather to raise military supplies, food and grass, and the chariots of the Song Empire began to operate again.

In the Xiping palace, singing and dancing was peaceful, and Li Deming sat on the throne, enjoying the service of the beauties.

Suddenly a servant came in hurriedly, and said: "Your Majesty, the envoy of Song Dynasty has come to summon you!"

Li Deming hurriedly withdrew the singing and dancing, and took off the palace's list of titles, and placed it under the corridor.

The envoy of the Song Dynasty came in with the imperial edict, and then read loudly: "Li Deming, King of Xiping, accepts the edict!"

Seeing this, Li Deming said: "The angel arrived, and I was disappointed to welcome you. Today, my king has a recurrence of leg disease. The medical officer said that he can't kneel down, so I hope the angel will forgive me!"

The envoy Song smiled, but didn't say anything, because it wasn't the first time he came to Xiping Mansion to proclaim the decree. Li Deming always shied away and refused to kneel down every time, so he was no longer surprised by it, and the court has always adopted tolerance Therefore, he said: "The king of Xiping can stand and receive the order!"

He hadn't read the imperial decree, and he didn't dare to read it. He opened it and glanced at it until now, but even a glance surprised him, and he stood there in a daze, not knowing whether it was announced or not.

Seeing this, Li Deming said again: "Angel, I can't kneel, but I can't stand for a long time, I hope the angel will finish reading the will soon!"

Seeing this, the Song Dynasty envoy could only read loudly: "I Shao Ying Jun ordered me to tell you that in May of this year, the Qiang tribes who had surrendered to Huanzhou and Qingzhou rebelled, killed our officers and soldiers, and looted the people's property. It has been found out that these two tribes Fleeing into Xiazhou territory, a special envoy has been sent to inquire and order King Xiping to hand over the rebellious Qiang tribe within two months, otherwise King Xiping will be removed from all official positions and demoted to a commoner."

Li Deming was dumbfounded immediately, he didn't expect Song Chao to change his normal behavior this time, and his face suddenly turned livid.

"Isn't King Xiping planning to accept the order?"

Song Envoy suddenly said something.

Only then did Li Deming receive the imperial edict, and then said to the servant at the side: "Send the angel to the post."

Normally, after Song Envoy left, Li Deming would change into a red robe, set off firecrackers, play music and return to the palace to celebrate, but today he has been pacing back and forth.

"Father, my son heard that the envoys of the Song Dynasty have come!"

Li Yuanhao suddenly came over from outside and said.

"Hao'er, look at the contents of this edict!"

Li Deming threw the edict to Li Yuanhao.

Li Yuanhao opened it and looked very angry. He picked up the imperial edict, tore it to pieces, and then said angrily: "Father, the Song Dynasty is simply deceiving people too much this time! If we turn against him, my father will establish himself as emperor!"

Li Deming sighed and said: "The king has used soldiers for many years, but he has not gained any benefits. My family has not worn furs for 30 years, but has worn brocade forging clothes. This is the favor of Song Dynasty. I have never dared to forget it. For the matter of ungratefulness, I didn’t expect that the Song Dynasty’s punishment would be so severe when the attached Qiang people rebelled and killed the Song Dynasty officials this time, Hao’er, what do you think you should do as a father?”

Li Yuanhao replied: "Father, we must not hand over the Qiang people who have surrendered. If this is the case, the prestige of my Li family among the Qiang people will definitely be damaged. Moreover, if a hero is still alive and is an emperor, how can he be imposed by the Song Dynasty?" I was deceived by the small favors, my father, the emperor of the Song Dynasty was just a young boy, why not take advantage of this to raise an army, establish myself as emperor, and establish the foundation of our Li family and the Qiang people!"

Li Deming thought for a while, but still felt that it was not worthwhile to tear up the face of the Song Dynasty, so he said: "Don't worry, didn't the emperor of the Song Dynasty give this king two months? Then the king has delayed these two months." Let's see if the Song Dynasty dares to push this king to the end!"

Seeing this, Li Yuanhao hurriedly said: "Father, I heard that the border gates of the Song Dynasty have strengthened their defenses. I am afraid that my clan will be disadvantaged. If not, we will strike first and lead the army to capture Huanzhou!"

Seeing this, Li Deming said: "The spy came to report that the person stationed at Huanzhou is Cao Wei, the general of the Song Dynasty. In the past, your grandfather suffered a lot at his hands. Moreover, our party has many cavalrymen who are not good at attacking cities. I'm afraid it will be difficult to win." ,inappropriate!"

Li Yuanhao said again: "Cao Wei is indeed a tough nut to crack. Why don't we start from Longzhou and directly attack Yan'an Mansion?"

Li Deming deliberated for a while before he said: "The Song Dynasty is at most trying to scare the father, Hao'er, you are proficient in Chinese, you write a letter of apology for the father and send it to the Song envoy to take to Kaifeng. Forgive me, wouldn't it be better if the big things turned into small things like this!"

"Father! How can you surrender so easily?"

Li Yuanhao hurriedly persuaded.

Li Deming knew that his son was warlike, so he said: "Hao'er, go ahead and write. As long as you finish writing, my father will give you [-] troops to attack Guazhou!"

"Is this true?"

Li Yuanhao has long coveted the Guazhou of Huihe. The territory of the Xia Kingdom cannot be expanded to the north, because the north is the powerful Liao Kingdom, and it cannot be expanded to the south, because the Song Dynasty in the south is not made from the front.

Therefore, Li Yuanhao could only expand his territory to the west and fight against the Huihe and Tubo tribes.

"When did my father lie to you!"

Li Deming said.

"Okay! Son, go down and write!"

Li Yuanhao went down happily.

After Li Yuanhao left, Li Deming said to himself: "Hao'er is courageous and insightful, but it's too late to fall out with the Song Dynasty, because the strength of our party Xiang Qiang is not strong enough!"

It has to be said that Li Jiqian was worthy of being the founder of the Xixia regime. He was not only an invincible little strongman, but also had a strategic vision. Although he fell into the Tubo people's plan and died on the battlefield, he told his son Li Deming before he died. Shake hands with the Song Dynasty.

Li Deming implemented this strategy, making Dang Xiang the target of both the Song and Liao parties. Li Deming has been in power for 28 years. Although there were small-scale conflicts with the Song Dynasty, he basically followed the policy of stepping on two boats. He didn't make a big deal out of it, and he didn't turn to any side. It can be said that he has both sides, like a fish in water.

On the one hand, he was the king of Daxia, who was canonized by the Liao Kingdom, and on the other hand, he was the king of Xiping, who was canonized by the Song Dynasty.

Relying on these two mountains, Li Deming not only sought political interests, but also gained huge profits through border trade, and then turned his head to attack westward, grabbing territory from Tubo and Huihe, from Bingfeng to Yumenguan, and took the entire Hexi Corridor into his pocket. , becoming a powerful existence between the Central Plains and the Western Regions.

Li Yuanhao quickly wrote the letter of apology. Li Deming was very satisfied after reading it, and immediately took the letter of apology to the inn to find Song Shi. Li Deming agreed to Li Yuanhao's sending troops to Guazhou. Logically speaking, Li Yuanhao should go down to prepare. Yes, but after his father Li Deming left, Li Yuanhao did not leave. Instead, he walked towards Li Deming's harem.

In a wing of Xiping Palace, a mature and plump woman was taking a bath and changing clothes. She was Li Deming's third wife, Qu Huaishi. She was 36 years old and was the most favored of Li Deming's three wives.

"Whoa!"

The door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, but Qu Huaishi did not call out, but lazily said: "Hao'er is here! Come and rub my little girl's back!"

"How do you know it's me?"

Li Yuanhao walked towards Qu Huai while taking off his clothes.

"Except for you who are fearless, no one would have the courage to break in!"

Qu Huai smiled.

Li Yuanhao stepped forward and plunged his hands into the water to fumble, and then said to Qu Huai: "Father has been infatuated with those little goblins from the Western Regions recently, I'm afraid I haven't come here for a long time!"

Qu Huai said coldly: "You are so courageous, even dare to touch your father's concubine, are you not afraid that I will tell your father that you will fall out of favor from now on?"

"Don't be afraid! A beauty will die under the knife, even a ghost will be romantic!"

As Li Yuanhao said, he reported Watson out of the water, and then walked towards the bed.

Because the Qiang people did not have strict ethical constraints, their father died, their son married their stepmother, their elder brother died, and their younger brother married their sister-in-law. Therefore, the tribe multiplied very quickly. Therefore, for the sake of the future, Qu Huai deliberately seduced Li Yuanhao when he was young.

So these years, Watsons has maintained this relationship with Li Yuanhao. Historically, Li Yuanhao killed his biological mother and made Watsons the queen mother instead. Presumably there must be another secret.

In Funing Hall, Zhao Zhen was concentrating on looking at the map of Xixia drawn by Jin Yiwei. He originally wanted to wait two years before going to Xixia, but now that the opportunity has appeared, he must seize it, and he can't let Li Yuanhao grow up , otherwise it must be very difficult to deal with.

You must know that before Li Yuanhao rebelled against the Song Dynasty, he had made full preparations. Xixia had already occupied Xia, Yin, Sui, You, Ling, Yanhui, Sheng, Gan, Liang, Gua, Sha, Su, and other states.With Lingzhou as the capital, the Yellow River as a dangerous obstacle, and Helan Mountain as a stronghold, the area is thousands of miles away and there are nearly 16 soldiers.

But right now Li Deming had only [-] soldiers, so it was relatively easy to deal with. If he waited a few more years, the Song Dynasty might suffer a lot.

Zhao Zhen will never allow Li Yuanhao to grow stronger, he must kill this hungry wolf, and the Silk Road must be opened, so Xixia must be wiped out no matter what.

The three-way army had already set out three days ago, so such a large military operation could not be concealed from the people, so Zhao Zhen issued an edict to denounce the evil deeds the Qiang people had done to the people on the border, and announced that he would send a large army to Xingshi to question the people.

(End of this chapter)