Since the Song Dynasty valued justice and righteousness, it was difficult to regard them as rebels. The Song army joined forces with the Western Black Khan to destroy the Eastern Black Khan.
So doing so is very risky.
"Why don't we find a way to delay it, like maybe delaying it for a year or two. Then, when we send troops to eliminate Ibrahim and unify the Black Khanate, perhaps we won't have to worry about this anymore."
Another minister said.
Badia glared at him. "The Song Dynasty envoys won't give us time, and neither will the Song army. They've come to us now, demanding an immediate response. Procrastination will only arouse Song's suspicions. Then, when the Song army arrives, what will you do to resist?"
"This won't work, and that won't work either. So, what do you think we should do?"
The minister asked, "Are we just going to surrender to the Song? Will we allow Ibrahim to divide us? Doesn't the Great Khan want to complete the unification of the previous Khan? If we ever want to become stronger again, we'll be blocked from the west. Should we go north and attack the Liao?"
Everyone fell silent again.
In fact, they were not opposed to becoming a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, but were opposed to both the Eastern Black Khanate and the Western Black Khanate becoming vassal states of the Song Dynasty.
Now is the time to conquer the Western Black Khan. If the Western Black Khan also becomes a vassal of the Song Dynasty, then according to the system of suzerainty and feudalism, internal strife is not allowed among the vassal states, otherwise the suzerain state will intervene.
So they hoped that it would not be too late to make a decision after they defeated Ibrahim, eliminated the Western Kara Khanate, and completed the reunification of the Eastern and Western Kara Khanates.
If the Liao Kingdom still collapsed and the Song Dynasty remained strong by then, they would not be a match for the Song Dynasty even if they were unified. Then, surrendering would be nothing. They would just pay tribute to the Song Dynasty every year and send their sons to Bianliang as hostages.
But just when they were preparing to attack the Western Black Khanate and complete the unification, envoys from the Song Dynasty came and asked them to become vassal states of the Song Dynasty together. This naturally seriously violated the interests of the Eastern Black Khanate Kingdom.
Therefore, Suleiman's situation was extremely embarrassing, just like the division of North and South Korea. Both sides wanted to unify but could not do so because there was a suzerain country behind them.
The key point is that if both countries have a suzerain state, there may be a possibility of unification, but it just so happens that the two divided countries both have a suzerain state.
So for the suzerain state, maximizing its interests is naturally to maintain the status quo and keep the two sides in a hostile relationship, so that they don’t become unified and powerful and challenge the status of the suzerain state.
After a while, Kraft said, "There is one last solution."
"What method?"
Suleiman said hurriedly.
"There's a saying from the Song Dynasty: 'The rice is cooked, the rice is cooked.' There's also a saying: 'Strike first, and you gain the upper hand!'"
Kaf said: "While we have not yet become a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, we should immediately send troops to attack Ibrahim. As long as we can eliminate them as soon as possible, we can complete the unification of the Khanate."
"What about Envoy Song?"
"We can tell them that a tribe has rebelled within our borders and that we need to send troops to quell the rebellion immediately, and ask them to stay in Balshagun."
"I heard that the Han people are very stubborn. If they insist on going west..."
Suleiman hesitated.
"Then it's not our fault."
A cold light flashed in Kaf's eyes as he said, "We have already warned them that if the Song envoy encounters a rebellious tribe on the road."
"But will this give the Song Kingdom an excuse to attack us?"
One of the ministers said, "If we kill them all, they will say it was us. What will we do then when the army attacks?"
Kaf hesitated for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be that fast. The Song army only has troops in Gaochang. Even if they want to continue westward, they have to ask the Song court for permission. Besides, do they have that much food? It will probably take a year to go back and forth."
"But no matter what, the Song Dynasty's strength is undeniable. They are absolutely capable of sending a large army to attack us like the Tang Dynasty. Even if it comes a year later, we won't be able to resist."
The minister raised questions about the risks.
Kaf thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can do a better job. Send a small group of troops disguised as Ibrahim's men, and let a few escape when we kill them. That way, we'll have witnesses, and the Song Dynasty will only vent its anger on Ibrahim."
"this"
Suleiman looked at Badiya.
Badia hesitated for a long time before sighing, "This is indeed a dangerous method, but compared to unification, it is already the best solution."
"Then try it, for the Khanate!"
Seeing Badiya agree, Suleiman gritted his teeth and said, "We will send troops to attack Ibrahim tomorrow!"
"good!"
Everyone agreed.
Suleiman then sent his ministers to immediately summon the nomadic soldiers.
Nomadic people live wherever there is grass. Although the river area has abundant water and grass, it is winter after all, and the weather is cold. There are few fertile water and grass areas, and they are scattered outside.
The royal court had less than a thousand soldiers to guard it, and when fighting, messengers had to be sent out to summon the army in order to gather it.
The next day.
Just when Li Tao and other envoys were confused, the people of the Black Khanate suddenly told them that the enemies who had rebelled before were coming and they had to send troops. The matter of tribute would be discussed after they finished the war.
Although the incident seemed sudden, it seemed that no one would start a war just to avoid paying tribute to the suzerain country. It seemed that the cost outweighed the gain, so it could only be regarded as an accident.
Suleiman left Balasagun early in the morning, and without even having time to meet with the Song envoy, he led his guards to the army's assembly point, ready to go on a crusade.
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