Even if Yue Fei could hold off the Mongol troops in Heilongjiang and Linhuang as well as the pincer attack from Goryeo, and Han Shizhong held off Shanxi, the southwest would be completely unable to withstand the combined attack of Tubo and Dali.
The combat capabilities of the 72 barbarian tribes of Dali Kingdom are still unknown, but judging from the fact that Dali often engages in internal rebellions, their combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.
As for Tubo, Prince Zuzan is a rare general and may be even more difficult to deal with.
Even with the might of the Tang army, they were often beaten by Tubo. The situation even reached the capital Chang'an, which shows how terrifying Tubo's fighting power was.
It was only during the Song Dynasty that the Tibetan tribes became obsessed with fighting among themselves, causing their fighting power to decline sharply. Then, when it came to Prince Zuzan, he began to unite the tribes to invade the Song Dynasty, hoping to get a piece of the pie.
The problem was that there had been no war in the southwest for a long time, and there seemed to be no Dali invasion of the Song Dynasty in history. Therefore, Zhao Huan did not deploy many troops in the southwest.
He even transferred part of the Jingnan Army stationed in the southwest to garrison in Shanxi. Zhao Huan was so preoccupied with guarding against the Mongols that even the mighty court seemed to have automatically ignored Dali and Tubo.
Because they believed that the Dali Kingdom had been polite and submissive to the Song Dynasty for a hundred years, they always regarded the Song Dynasty as a superior country. In fact, the Song Dynasty did regard itself as a superior country and occasionally provided assistance to Dali.
Soon after ascending the throne, Duan Yu pledged his loyalty to the Song Dynasty. Emperor Huizong conferred upon him various titles, including Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, Jianxiu Sikong, Jiedushi of Yunnan, Shangzhuguo, and King of Dali. This demonstrates Zhao Ji's deep regard for Dali, and these titles also demonstrate the Song Dynasty's sincerity in its efforts to maintain peace with Dali.
Zhao Huan's army had already set out, with a force of 100,000 soldiers marching towards Shanxi in batches. The local officials along the way had a tough time, as they had to actively cooperate with the army's passage and also provide a good reception for the emperor.
Although Zhao Huan had issued an order for officials along the way not to receive him, he was still the emperor himself, so even if they couldn't receive him, they should at least give him a farewell. After all, he was passing through their territory, and who wouldn't want to make a good impression on the emperor so that they could rise to prominence in the future?
Some officials then developed a sinister plan, encouraging the people to hold farewell ceremonies along the route the army would pass. These ordinary people, already struggling to make ends meet, were now expected to welcome the emperor along the way. Many unwilling citizens stood by the roadside, waving flowers as they waited for the emperor's sedan chair to pass.
Wherever the emperor's sedan passed, the officials left panicked and desperately urged the people to shout and greet him. If some people refused to shout, they would send officials to whip them.
"I wish Your Majesty a great victory and immediate success! Drive the barbarians out of the northwest!"
There were bursts of orderly shouts coming one after another outside. Zhao Huan didn't pay much attention to it at first. He thought it was organized spontaneously by the people.
The more I listened, the more I felt something was amiss. How could the words of the people, who had spontaneously organized themselves, be so unanimous? Furthermore, there was no trace of joy in their voices; it was more like they were reading from a book without any emotion.
Zhao Huan lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and said, "Linghu Yunlong."
Linghu Yunlong rode over and said, "Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan looked at the people along the way who were already a little tired. It was obvious that they had been standing for a long time, and everyone had an impatient look on their face.
"Go and check what's going on with these people. Why do I hear their shouts all the way here?"
Linghu Yunlong accepted the order and said, "I will do it right away." Then he spurred his horse and hurried forward.
This was the territory of Kangzhou. As Linghu Yunlong reached the front, he discovered that the Kangzhou prefect, accompanied by a group of lackeys, was forcing the people to chant in unison with whips: "Congratulations to Your Majesty on your first victory and immediate success! Drive the barbarians out of the northwest!"
Perhaps because they had been shouting for so long, the people were exhausted. Occasionally, those who were caught shouting halfheartedly were immediately whipped.
Linghu Yunlong sighed and went back to report to Zhao Huan.
"Your Majesty, it was the local prefect who brought officials to force these people to shout slogans along the way. I believe that these people were probably forced to come here." Linghu Yunlong reported truthfully.
Zhao Huan frowned and said, "Check who the governor of Kangzhou is and have him wait for me three miles ahead."
Wang Peng, the governor of Kangzhou, was leading his minions in front, whipping the people: "Shout! Shout at the top of your lungs! Anyone who shouts too loudly or too inefficiently will be whipped to death!"
"Sir, sir! The commander of the imperial guards is here. Please come over." An officer ran over in a panic.
Wang Peng's eyes lit up immediately, his face flushed, and his breathing quickened. "Did His Majesty notice me?" "Haha, here's my chance to shine."
"Hurry, hurry, take me there." Wang Peng hurriedly straightened his clothes and followed the officer in a hurry.
The officer hurriedly led Wang Peng forward, only to see a man dressed as a soldier on horseback looking at him. The officer said in a loud voice: "This is the palace commander Linghu Yunlong."
"Your humble servant, Wang Peng, the governor of Kangzhou, greets Commander Linghu." Wang Peng hurriedly saluted. "I've long heard Commander Linghu is a favorite of Your Majesty. Seeing him today, I'm sure he's truly handsome."
For people around the emperor, a good word can bring you endless benefits, and Linghu Yunlong is also used to this kind of horse.
Linghu Yunlong ignored him and simply said, "His Majesty has ordered you to wait three miles ahead."
Wang Peng was overjoyed, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, Wang Peng obeys your order!"
Linghu Yunlong didn't even glance at him and rode away. The more arrogant and aloof someone was, the more officials would try to curry favor with him. After all, he was someone close to the emperor.
Wang Peng was overjoyed. His ancestors must have been incredibly proud. The emperor personally received him; he must have flattered him well. He had already mobilized the common people to line the roadside to greet him, and whenever they saw the emperor's sedan chair, they would shout out congratulations. His efforts paid off; they finally made it.
Li Sisi and Princess Yanran were accompanying the emperor on his expedition. Out of consideration for the army's morale, Zhao Huan didn't let them ride in the same sedan chair with him. He knew, too, that this was a war, not a place for a romantic getaway.
As an emperor, one should be wise when it is time to be wise and foolish when it is time to be foolish. The future of the Song Dynasty now depends on this battle against Western Xia. He must boost morale and set an example for the soldiers.
After walking for a few incense sticks, the sedan chair slowly stopped in front.
"Your Majesty, I am Wang Peng, the governor of Kangzhou, and I am waiting for your arrival. Long live the emperor!" Outside, Wang Peng and the local officials knelt on the ground to greet him.
Zhao Huan gently opened the sedan chair and saw that the prefect in front of him was fat, with a big belly that set off his head, which looked a bit funny.
You have a big belly and a big head, so you can't be wrong to oppress the people. I'm going to use you as a tool, and I'll beat you until the shit comes out of you.
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