Lu Haowen said in a serious tone: "Your Majesty's words are absolutely correct!"

"And the experience I just mentioned at the beginning, it doesn't necessarily refer to Yue Pengju's experience of winning battles. It also refers to his experience of being defeated from Yanyun to Taiyuan, from Taiyuan to Xiangzhou, and then being defeated all the way out of Hebei and fleeing to the Central Plains. It is also his experience of following Wang Yan and splitting with Wang Yan, following Zhang Suo and dying in battle... Without these experiences that almost overlapped with the Jin people's southward advance, how could he hate the Jin people so deeply, how could he be so persistent in the first two years of Jianyan, and how could he use troops so properly this year?" Zhao Jiu still sighed. "He Yue Fei is not really the reincarnation of a bodhisattva, born with knowledge, but he was born in a chaotic era. In just a few years, he experienced more than a person in his lifetime, and saw more than a person in his lifetime. In addition, he was willing to learn, willing to think, willing to do, and with some talent, he became a national general!"

Lu Haowen couldn't help but look at his eldest son. Even Yang Yizhong was slightly moved. He looked at Lu's father and son, and then seemed to be thinking about something.

"In fact, I often think about it." Zhao Jiu certainly knew what these people were thinking, and continued to sigh. "Some things are simply cause and effect... Just like during the Jingkang period, when the two emperors were in Shaoxing, they said that they would have given me the position at that time, but at that time, could I really be better than the Yuan Sheng in this situation? Apart from other things, you, Prime Minister Lu, should ask yourself, you were also highly valued in the Yuan Sheng Dynasty, but looking at your actions at that time from today's perspective, isn't it as ridiculous as watching a clown? Just like me, I can only try not to talk about Huai Shang's previous behavior, because if I talk about it, I will be in the wrong."

Lu Haowen on the opposite side shook his head and could not answer. Lu Benzhong standing on the side also sighed... because this question has a definite answer. After Jingkang, Lu Haowen recalled the ridiculous actions he had taken during Jingkang, and then saw the end of the country. He was then hung up and humiliated and attacked by Li Gang and his people. He almost wanted to commit suicide.

Even Lü Haowen himself publicly admitted those political mistakes when he returned to the old capital three years ago. As for what Emperor Zhao did at the beginning, it can only be said that as a minister, it is not appropriate to talk about it.

"Mr. Lu, I know what you mean by asking this. In the final analysis, you are worried that Xixia has a deep foundation and we cannot succeed. You want to advise me to slow down... Am I right?" Zhao Jiu suddenly threw his pieces on the board, then looked up and asked seriously... In fact, he had just taken advantage of Lu Haowen's confusion to gain the upper hand, but suddenly he became bored, so he simply gave up the game.

"Yes." Lu Haowen clasped his hands together, obviously having no reason to deny. "But I am not the only one who is worried. There have been rumors everywhere in the court these days, causing unrest in the court and the public... For example, the Honglu Temple has repeatedly summoned Xixia envoy Gao Shouyi and severely reprimanded him; the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War have also been very obvious in transporting food and fodder to the west and dispatching military supplies; the reports in the court reports are getting more and more severe day by day... Although those people in the cabinet have nothing to do with the secrets of the court, each family has their own connections and channels, and of course they have guessed it early on, and as the chief of the cabinet, I can't pretend to be deaf and dumb."

"Then the Duke and Minister Lu are worried that I will return empty-handed?" Zhao Jiu continued to look serious. "Because they are worried that the century-old foundation of Xixia is deep and unshakable?"

"yes."

"But has Prime Minister Lu ever thought about this? Xixia has a century-old foundation, but the country is different now?" Zhao Jiu sat upright with his hands clasped together, shaking his head when he heard this. "In the past, what were those things in the army? Only generals could be generals, and the soldiers had no experience in battles, and no military supplies and armor? But now, among the generals needed in the court, how many of them are from generals? How many victories and defeats have the imperial camp soldiers in the court won?"

Lu Haowen remained silent.

"Let's not talk about the experience and equipment of the soldiers, just to say the most obvious thing, that a fierce general must be born from the ranks, and a prime minister must be born from the prefectures and counties..." Zhao Jiu snorted coldly, and became more and more emotional. "It's easy to say, but in times of peace, let's not talk about Zhang Rong and Li Bao, just talk about Han, Yue, Li, and Zhang, can they really become generals? Can those so-called generals really compare with these people who have been tempered by the great waves and hundreds of battles? In the early years of Jianyan, were generals still everywhere? Now, except for Liu Qi and Yang Yi, who else is still there? I said that I would use people based on their background, but that's a later story. It's precisely because these people are not allowed to be used, and it's precisely because Han, Yue, Li, and Zhang, who are poor and humble, are in a poor situation and have shown their talents, that I have this habit of using people based on their background... Prime Minister Lu, if I don't use such generals who are destined to be famous like the ancient generals, it would be a waste of their talents and the blood and energy that I have exchanged for the lives of millions of people."

Lu Haowen was silent for a moment and could only nod.

"Comparatively speaking." Zhao Jiu suddenly laughed again. "Mr. Lu, do you know the origins of the people who are in charge of the army and government in Xixia at this time?"

Although Lu Haowen knew nothing, he still had a guess: "Are they all from the royal family?"

"That's right." Zhao Jiu smiled calmly. "Li Ganshun promoted Han studies and Buddhism, but at the same time he still treated the royal family as his relatives... Not only was the leader of the army his half-brother Cha Ge, but the Weiming Anhui who was in charge of the government was also a royal family, and the most important local official, Henan Transport Envoy Li Renzhong, was also a royal family, and the other governors and chief officials of the states were either surnamed Li or Weiming... So, Mr. Lu, you don't have to persuade me anymore. Since ancient times, there have been sayings about the prosperity of founding a country and the difficulties of maintaining it. Now it is rare for our dynasty to have good generals and brave soldiers. If I don't give it a try, I will never be at ease. Moreover, if Yelu Dashi doesn't respond, I will only bluff once and then retreat directly."

"If the emperor has made up his mind, I, a retired old official, should not say anything more." Having said that, Lu Haowen could only clasp his hands and sigh. "But what if Yelu Dashi doesn't agree? I think that since Yelu Dashi wants to manage the Western Regions, whether he wants to restore the old country or gain a foothold in the Western Regions, the land of Hexi is enough to lure him... But what if he is short of troops and is afraid?"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!