Zhao Huan looked at the map in front of him.
It has been seven years since the conquest of the Tanguts.
That piece of land originally belonged to China.
For example, Pingxi Prefecture was formerly known as Lingzhou.
The Tangut people migrated down from the plateau and took advantage of the Song Dynasty's inaction to occupy this area.
It was able to develop because this is a place rich in natural resources.
The area from Xingqing Prefecture to Hengshan is especially known as the "Jiangnan of the Northwest".
The scenery is beautiful, the land is fertile, and the grain yield is extremely high.
After destroying the Xia state, he sent Chen Fu to the Hetao region, where he devoted himself to developing agriculture.
By the time Tang Ke arrived in the Hetao region, it had become a granary comparable to the Jiangnan region in terms of grain production during the Song Dynasty.
The grain from the Hetao region not only provided provisions for the Northwest Army stationed in places like Shazhou, but was also transported to Shaanxi to supply Chang'an.
Since the Tang Dynasty, Guanzhong has declined.
The management of the Hetao region also played a role in alleviating the fatigue in the Guanzhong Plain.
The highway built by the imperial court between Chang'an and Xingqing Prefecture was put into use three years ago, and large quantities of grain were transported between them.
Chang'an also became increasingly prosperous.
Over the past decade, the population of Northwest China has multiplied.
With improvements to roads and food storage facilities, the food crisis was essentially resolved, provided the war didn't spread.
Therefore, the voices advocating war against Gaochang were absolutely the mainstream in China.
With ample resources, huge commercial profits at hand, and the imperial court's call to restore Han territory, they were well-positioned to succeed.
Even in rural Shaanxi, the words "Restore Han Soil" are written on the walls.
The elderly people at the village entrance take great pride in having someone in their family join the army, and this becomes their biggest topic of conversation during casual chats.
People from all walks of life have shown unprecedented enthusiasm and pride.
As April arrived, officials in Liaodong were on their way to take office, which could be seen as giving an account of the situation in Liaodong.
Apart from ministers in the imperial court impeaching Li Chongguang for killing people in Liaodong without blinking an eye, there were no other troubles.
The imperial court's focus gradually shifted to the northwest.
Whether from the perspective of border security, trade, or the issuance of paper money, conquering Gaochang and continuing westward conquest was an inevitable course of action.
Moreover, Zhao Huan planned to push all the way to India, forming a pincer movement with Li Bao's navy in Zhulian, so that India would be completely embraced by the king.
Horses drink from the Ganges!
Everything is proceeding smoothly.
The Privy Council began preparing military provisions in February.
Concerned that the war would affect the grain prices in the Northwest, Yu Yunwen suggested to Zhao Huan that grain be transferred from the Central Plains and Jiangnan to the Northwest for reserves.
Two months ago, the news that tens of thousands of troops of the Gaochang Kingdom had been wiped out by the iron cavalry of the Lanyue Army made King Bilege of Gaochang anxious.
According to reports from spies, two factions have emerged within Gaochang: one advocating war and the other advocating peace.
The peace faction believed that the Song Dynasty was a celestial empire, and that the Song army's iron cavalry was invincible. They argued that Gaochang was no match for them and should submit to the Song Dynasty and pay tribute every year.
The pro-war faction believed that the Song emperor was insatiable and that his desire was not merely to make Gaochang a vassal state; he wanted to completely destroy Gaochang. They argued that all people of insight should resist the tyranny of the Song emperor.
That day, Zhao Chen had just finished lunch when he summoned Zhao Shen to see him.
“Zhao Shen, now that war is about to break out in the Northwest, do you think it would be unwise for me to stay in Liaodong?” Zhao Chen was worried. He felt increasingly distant from the throne. “If I were to apply to Your Majesty to go to the Northwest to fight on the battlefield and make a name for myself, it would be better than staying here.”
"The Northwest is naturally a place of intrigue and constant change, but it is not an opportunity for the Duke of Chongguo."
Zhao Chen was slightly displeased: "What do you mean by that?"
"With Yue Fei and Wu Jie in charge of the Northwest, both of whom are incorruptible and impartial, the military discipline in the Northwest is as strict as a mountain. If the Duke of Chongguo leaves, he cannot use his status to strengthen himself. On the contrary, he may cause conflicts with the generals under Yue Fei. Yue Fei is also the emperor's favorite general and the husband of Princess Yifu. The Duke of Chongguo should not make an enemy of him."
"What should I do? Such a good opportunity is right now, but I can't seize it. Am I destined to be the prefect of Xianzhou for several years?"
Zhao Shen sighed inwardly: "The Duke of Chong is too impatient. With such a temperament, how can he achieve anything in the power arena of the Song Dynasty?"
Zhao Shen said, “First, Xianzhou was personally entrusted to the Duke of Chong by His Majesty. If Xianzhou is governed well, His Majesty will naturally look at the Duke of Chong in a different light. Although His Majesty values military prowess, he does not disregard civil affairs. The way to govern a country is the way of an emperor. Second, the great changes in Liaodong present a great opportunity for the Duke of Chong.”
"Tell me in detail."
"Firstly, the Han family of Youzhou has become more restrained. The Ministry of Commerce has not approved any mining projects for them in recent months, and their participation in railways and highways has also decreased significantly. For the next few years, the Han family will have to keep a low profile. Secondly, the court officials, led by Chen Yang and He Ye, are impeaching Li Chongguang for his indiscriminate killings in Liaodong. This man has a bad reputation in the court. Since the Northern Expedition to destroy the Jin Dynasty, he has been nominally a member of Zhong Shizhong's Yanyun Army, but in reality, he is not convinced by anyone. He is greedy for merit, eager for quick success and instant benefits, and has formed his own faction. He has the ambition of Yue Fei and Han Shizhong and is very eager for the position of military governor."
"You mean you want to win over Li Chongguang?"
“Li Chongguang is our best choice and the most suitable general for you, Duke Chongguo.” Zhao Shen analyzed clearly, “Coincidentally, he also needs an important figure to back him up and give him a bright future.”
"Then how can I get in touch with him?" Zhao Chen was intrigued. "Right now I'm in Xianzhou, and Li Chongguang is in Shangjing Prefecture."
"That's not difficult. The Duke of Chongguo can petition His Majesty to allow him to meet with Li Chongguang privately under the pretext of visiting Shangjing to investigate and learn from its governance. This way, not only will it avoid giving others grounds for criticism, but His Majesty will also believe that you are wholeheartedly devoted to the country and the people."
"Okay, we'll do it your way!"
Zhao Chen wrote a memorial to Zhao Huan with great enthusiasm and ordered it to be sent to Tokyo by fast horse.
After reading Zhao Chen's letter, Zhao Huan did not hesitate and agreed to Zhao Chen's request.
However, he still told Zhu Lian.
Zhu Lian expressed great concern, after all, the capital was the core area of those barbarian nobles. Although there was a large army stationed there and Li Gang was in charge, the court had just executed a group of barbarian nobles, and those barbarians hated the court to the bone.
Zhu Lian was extremely worried about going to the capital.
In comparison, Hsiencho is much safer.
“Chen Ge’er is young and impetuous, and does not know the importance of things. Your Majesty need not agree to everything he says.”
"It's alright. Chen Ge'er is twenty-two now. He has even killed the pirates in the South China Sea. What is there to fear from barbarians? Li Gang is in Tokyo, and Li Chongguang has been reporting one victory after another recently. Your Majesty can rest assured."
Zhu Lian said nothing more.
Zhao Huan smiled to himself, thinking: This kid isn't going to study at all; Zhao Shen must have come up with another wicked idea to go to the capital to win people over.
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