The content of the Treaty of Tianjin was still mainly about trade, and there was also a limited amount of compensation, but there was no intention to annex the land of the Qing Dynasty.

Even if we consider that the Treaty of Tianjin was still an unequal treaty, considering the overall international and domestic situation faced by the Qing Dynasty at that time, it was undoubtedly a wise move to choose the lesser of two evils and accept and implement the Treaty of Tianjin.

Although this wise move also has some bitterness and helplessness, at least it can keep the green mountains alive and there will be no fear of running out of firewood.

The Qing Dynasty's unilateral breach of the treaty not only failed to save its so-called face, but instead lost many times more rights and interests. It is clear which is more important.

Yanyun has its own strategic military significance, but taking Yanyun was only for strategic and tactical purposes. If it cannot be taken, then it cannot be taken. There is no need to elevate it to a responsibility that the Song Dynasty must fulfill. The purpose of a country is to allow its people to live in peace. As a military target, Yanyun also serves this purpose, rather than forcing the people to achieve the so-called Yanyun. After all, Yanyun is a piece of land, a thing, something that serves people. As modern people, there is no need to deify Yanyun.

After the Tang and Song dynasties, the diversification and multipolarization of East Asian civilization had become an inevitable trend. The Treaty of Chanyuan ushered in a great era. The Song and Liao dynasties lived in equality and established the Chanyuan system of East Asian civilization. Although the Chanyuan system was very short-lived, lasting only more than 100 years, and soon fell into the historical inertia of the Qin and Han systems, this glory is enough to make people envy!

First, the Treaty of Tanyuan was undoubtedly a good thing. It stopped the war and gave the Song Dynasty an opportunity to recuperate and develop steadily. Like the Treaty of Weishui during Li Shimin's reign, it was humiliating but beneficial to the country. After the Weishui Treaty, Li Shimin redoubled his efforts and ultimately conquered the Eastern Turks. In contrast, if the Song Dynasty, instead of being ashamed, took pride in it and justified the annual tribute, then the entire dynasty was beyond redemption.