Many prime ministers discussed the matter. Although they saw through the schemes of Liao and Western Xia, it seemed that they had no way to deal with it.
After all, the Liao Kingdom had also developed firearms, and actively attacking the Liao border would only bring trouble upon themselves. Moreover, doing so would also fall into the Liaoxia trap, and there might be a conspiracy behind it.
"Hanlong, what do you think?"
Fan Zhongyan looked at Zhao Jun.
Zhao Jun laughed and said, "I only have one opinion, that is, the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia really won't die unless they seek death."
"oh?"
Everyone looked at him.
Yan Shu asked puzzledly, "Han Long thinks he can crack it?"
“Easily cracked.”
Zhao Jun waved his hand, pointing to Bohai Bay and said, "When I send my fleet to Bohai Bay, I wonder how the Liao Kingdom will respond?"
"Forehead"
When everyone saw it, they immediately felt that it made sense.
The Bohai Bay controls Shanhaiguan. To the west, it can attack the Liao Dynasty's Nanjing Xijin Prefecture, and to the northeast, it can directly take the Liao Dynasty's Tokyo Liaoyang Prefecture. From a tactical point of view, it can be said that it has the upper hand.
"But even so, the Liao Kingdom is still very powerful. If we take the initiative to attack, the most we can do is help Goryeo repel the Liao Kingdom."
Jiang Tang shook his head.
"Why?"
Zhao Jun asked back.
"The Liao Kingdom has cannons along the coastline."
Jiang Tang explained, "I'm afraid our ships can't get close."
He had served as the transport envoy of Huainan East Road and was quite familiar with sea transportation. He knew that modern ships were equipped with cannons.
But the problem is that they also have cannons on the coastline, and in terms of range, the cannons on the coastline can fire much farther than those on the ship.
"Back then, the Empress Dowager had the same idea as you. The Dagu Fort sank six warships, causing heavy casualties to the Eight-Nation Alliance, but what was the result?"
Zhao Jun spread his hands and said, "The coastline is very long. Can we really defend it with just a few cannons? As long as we go ashore and fight in the field with muskets, the Liao army will be sitting ducks."
"oh?"
Everyone was shocked. Li Di asked in surprise, "Is Han Long planning to destroy the Liao Kingdom?"
"I've read The Art of War, but I've also read On War. The line 'The best defense is offense' in On War resonates deeply with me."
Zhao Jun pointed to the Yanyun tunnel and said, "We've guessed what the Liao Kingdom is planning. They're simply going to attack Goryeo, forcing us to come to their rescue and sending our troops to the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, they'll proactively attack the heavily guarded Yanyun, exposing our weaknesses and allowing them to find a way to defeat us."
"Um."
Everyone agrees on this point.
Jiang Tang said, "According to Hanlong's intention, we are also seeking to take the initiative to attack? Isn't this exactly what the Liao Kingdom wants?"
"It's just what they want, so let's just say it. He fights his way, and I fight mine. We each have our own strategies."
Zhao Jun laughed and said, "To be honest, it's just like the Western Xia. I don't have my eyes on the entire Western Xia territory. I only have my eyes on Qingtang, Hezhuo Luo and Nan. The Liao Kingdom has its eyes on Yanyun, so let's take it back first. As for destroying the Liao Kingdom, let's not talk about it now. Maybe within three to five years."
"Or within three to five years?"
Everyone was quite disappointed. Zhao Jun had actually said before that he could destroy Western Xia and Liao within three to five years at most. But as prime ministers, who wouldn't want to take some credit for such great achievements?
If they could accomplish this within their term, it would be a truly remarkable achievement. Although Zhao Jun had mentioned three to five years, which was within their term, how could they possibly prepare for war? What if the war broke out in three to five years and it took another year or two? Wouldn't that mean their term would be over?
The most uncomfortable thing would be if the next prime minister happened to encounter such a situation. Not long after taking office, the Song Dynasty destroyed the Western Xia and Liao Kingdoms, and they got the credit of expanding the territory for nothing. Obviously, they would suffer huge losses, and I am afraid that everyone would vomit blood.
Therefore, not only Zhao Zhen, but many prime ministers in the Constitutional Council also gradually recognized that the strength of the Song Dynasty had increased and it had the ability to destroy the Western Xia and Liao Kingdoms. Only Zhao Jun had been suppressing it, which made them feel puzzled.
Isn't it more profitable to directly annex a raw material production area than to take over that raw material production area?
"Within three to five years."
Zhao Jun emphasized, "Within three to five years, I will cause the economies of Xixia and Liao to collapse, leaving their people destitute. This will allow the Song Dynasty to easily occupy them. This way, we can reduce many casualties."
"ah?"
Everyone opened their eyes wide and stared at Zhao Jun blankly, as if he was talking about something out of the ordinary.
Only Zhao Jun smiled without saying a word.
Seeing that he was silent, everyone was a little unhappy. Yan Shu complained: "Hanlong, what on earth are you planning? Tell us what you have to say."
"All right."
Seeing that everyone was already intrigued, Zhao Jun didn't hide anything and said, "Do you know why I allowed the Liao Kingdom to develop firearms?"
"Haven't they figured out the gunpowder ratio and developed their own gunpowder that's about 80% to 90% as powerful as ours?"
Song Shou asked in confusion: "Could there be other factors involved?"
"Of course. I later sold them the complete formula for 100%-strength gunpowder. In fact, I was just adding fuel to the fire after they had spent a huge price on their own."
Zhao Jun smiled.
"Then tell me the reason."
Everyone naturally knew about this.
"I did this for two reasons. First, I wanted to force Xixia and Liao to engage in an arms race with us, and to continuously deplete their national strength."
Zhao Jun said: "Secondly, we will make Xixia and Liao become extremely dependent on our trade, and eventually lead them into our trade trap and the road to destruction."
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