But not everyone agrees with the Northern Expedition.

Li Zhi said tactfully: "Youling, Rong's right arm, when the king's army attacks, he will come to resist. There are no less than tens of thousands of people who attack the city, and the soldiers are large and the amount of troops is large. The military rations must be prepared for a hundred days. Is it unknown if the border grains are sufficient?"

Song Jiu replied: "In the past few years, the front line has been garrisoned and used by the soldiers. The imperial court has transferred tax grain from Hedong and Hebei to the border for several years, and the border grain has a slight surplus. However, it is far from enough for the Northern Expedition. Some soldiers are greedy, or some soldiers use grain to make wine. If there is too much deficit, the lack will be even heavier."

Li Zhi nodded. This was the benefit of Song Jiu as the Privy Councilor. If Shi Xian asked him to answer, he would probably not be able to answer.

He also said: "There are also the side of Youzhou, Tanwulingfu, which is far away from the mountains, and it is difficult to get stones. The hardness of the golden soup is not broken, so you can use the machine to make stones. Where can you get the stones? These are the three things that I am worried about."

But he saw that Zhao Kuangyi had made up his mind and, despite the fact that Zhang Qixian had not settled down in the northwest affairs, he transferred Zhang Qixian and other generals back to the capital. Zhang Qixian returned to the Western Prefecture. The other generals were waiting for the arrangement and knew that things could not be changed. Therefore, he said: "If Your Majesty resolutely attacked the north, I think the capital was the foundation of the world. I hope Your Majesty will not leave the chariot, guard the ancestral temple, and show the enemy to spare time and comfort the admiration of billions of dollars, this is the best strategy. Daming, Heshuo's throat, may temporarily station in Luanlu, threaten to be the general, use Zhang's military power and strengthen the army's power, this is the middle strategy. If you are far away, you will be in the border area, there is a risk of military support in the north, and there is a concern for the Central Plains in the south, then you will be sincere and sincere, and you will break Yang's madness and ignorance. Although I am not filial, I am ashamed to be after the former sage."

That is, don’t mess around. If you are in charge of the army like last time, I will pull your robe, pull your war horse, and forcefully stop you.

Zhao Kuangyi's old face turned red.

He performed too disgracefully in Gao Liang River last time.

But he may have poor military capabilities. He is not a stubborn emperor, so he gave Xiao Kou a chance to perform later.

Therefore, he said: "I will be remotely controlled in the capital this time."

"Your Majesty is wise," Li Zhi retreated.

Not only him, many ministers often thought after the failure of Gao Lianghe, that if Zhao Kuangyi had not personally commanded, Yelu Xiuge would not have forced Zhao Kuangyi to escape. Then would that Northern Expedition be successful?

It doesn’t matter if Zhao Kuangyi doesn’t go anymore.

Originally, Song Jiu didn't want to say that. This time, he finally couldn't help but say it, and said, "Your Majesty, everyone, the last time the Gaoliang River crashed, some people thought it was because Your Majesty did not do well, but I think it was not. That failure was because the soldiers were exhausted and ignored the cause of Yelu Xizhen, a new force. If Your Majesty had not personally taken command, you could find other loopholes with Yelu Xiuge's vision. At that time, the two armies were in stalemate, and there were still tens of thousands of Liao troops coming behind the mountain, but they could still not take Youyun, and they might be defeated even worse. However, Your Majesty is the foundation of the country. The Master said that a gentleman would not stand under a dangerous wall, Your Majesty would better not go to the front line to take risks again."

Don’t think that Zhao Kuangyi will win if he doesn’t command blindly this time.

"What do you mean?"

"My thoughts..." Song Jiu was confused.

He has done a lot over the years, including military reforms, increasing national income, using troops to the northwest, and even staying in Liaodong for more than two years. Isn’t it for today?

Compared with history, Song Jiu believed that the national strength of the Liao Kingdom should be a little weaker, and the national strength of the Song Dynasty should be a little stronger, including the combat power of the soldiers.

However, if the country becomes rich, the country has strong strength, and the weapons are advanced, will it definitely win a battle?

Besides, the two demons in the Liao Kingdom.

After a long silence, Song Jiu said: "I have said a few things. The first one is the Empress of Liao. What is her relationship with the other two people? I really didn't pay attention to it. However, according to the information in front, I know more. Even in order to establish my authority, Yelu Hugu, the governor of Zhuozhou of Liao Dynasty, contradicted Han Delang. Han Delang snatched the iron bones of the guards from the guards in the hall of the Liao Dynasty's royal court and beat Yelu Hugu to death. But Liao was a Rong man and the people were open, which was nothing. On the contrary, under the leadership of Han Delang, Empress Xiao launched several reforms. Without the various arrangements of our dynasty, the Liao Dynasty became more and more peaceful. Not to mention anything else, just talk about Youyun. Except for the people on the border, the lives of the remaining people have been greatly improved in recent years. These two people should not be underestimated. Please remember, Han Delang, Xiao He of Liao!"

Everyone was silent together.

Because Song Jiu also said this sentence before the first Northern Expedition.

But few people took it seriously, but under Han Derang's persistence, the Song army could not take over Youzhou City.

"Your Majesty, there is also a letter from He Lingtu, saying that the orphans and widows of the Liao Kingdom are easy to bully. However, He Lingtu forgot that the military strategist would win if they were to mourn the soldiers. In this case, if Empress Xiao is not good, it can be used by our dynasty. But it is not true that Empress Xiao is a great woman of a generation. Instead, she will use this to arouse the mourning spirit of the Liao army and increase the combat effectiveness of the Liao army. If you attack, you should not be despised because of this, otherwise you will be defeated even worse this time."

Zhao Kuangyi was silent again.

Song Jiu continued, "Also, I don't know how much money and silk is in the inner warehouse? In my opinion, if you attack, it is best to attack again next year, and you will be spared for one year this year. If there is no major disaster, the treasury surplus, and the money and silk in the inner warehouse, you don't have to be harsh on the people, and you can use this surplus to support a huge war. If you get Youyun, it's best. However, if you don't get it, as long as it is not a crushing defeat, it will not be a big loss for our dynasty, but the Liao Kingdom will wither. At that time, as long as you send a few envoys to Tatars, Xishan, Bubu, Goryeo, Liaodong, and Liao will inevitably be weaker. Then our dynasty will rest for a few more years, and the third Northern Expedition will surely be successful. Moreover, after a year of preparation, the Northern Expedition will be more confident."

Then he bowed and said, "I have a family in Liao Kingdom. I hope Your Majesty will fight in the north more than anyone else. However, I cannot abolish the public because of my own private matters. I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

It can be said that what Song Jiu said was very calm, but Zhao Kuangyi had to seize the day and couldn't wait.

There was another person, Song Qi, who left the prime minister and was very unwilling to accept it, so he wrote a series of letters to support Zhao Kuangyi in a high-profile manner.

He even mocked Song Jiu for having more money to support the war, but because Song Jiu made a big fuss and used most of the treasury savings in the northwest, the expenses were tight.

Zhao Kuangyi did not listen. Although he also believed that Song Jiu spent a lot of money, he would use troops in the north. If Li Jiqian was still there, he would continue to struggle in the northwest. It would be unbeautiful.

So the state machine started.

Moreover, although he followed Li Zhi's advice, he was still very confident in his military talents. So he personally planned the entire Northern Expedition plan, and he would inevitably encounter various difficulties. Therefore, he often summoned Xifu several ministers to the palace to discuss matters.

One day, Zhao Kuangyi summoned Xifu several times to enter the palace to discuss.

Song Jiu, Wang Xian, Zhang Qixian, and Wang Mian were very depressed. Although the Song Dynasty imperial city was not as small as the Tang Dynasty imperial city, it was not small. The Privy Council was several hundred meters away from the Da Nei. One round trip was more than one kilometer, and six round trips were seven or eight kilometers.

Run, run on both sides every day, not in Xifu, just in Danei, or on the road between the two.

In fact, war is a waste of money.

After the war, Zhao Pu used the people of Nanyang as an example. More than 10,000 taxpayers were required to pay 100,000 jin of taxpayers to transport 20,000 jin of military rations to Mozhou on the front line. On average, each household had to bear 10,000 jin of taxes at one time. It is said that most of the main households were overwhelmed. Diansang sold cattle more than 60,000 jin, and there were even tragedies of selling children and women to hang themselves.

Zhao Pu was exaggerating, but because of this war, the people of the Song Dynasty were really struggling again. In addition, what Zhao Pu said was relatively prepared. Although a stone of food was less than 300 cents in the Song Dynasty, if it was corn, it would be cheaper. However, it would take five jin of money to transport it to the former Mozhou. This is still Mozhou, if it was to go to the northwest, the cost would be higher.

Zhao Pu was hindsighted, but at this time everyone asked for the Northern Expedition, including Hu Dan and Hu Dan wrote a letter saying that we have been recapturing Taiyuan for seven years, and the army is now strong and a good reward system. I believe that our army will be able to easily capture Youyan. There are four walls on Youzhou, so we will send four brave generals to attack the city. There are ten intersections in the north of Youzhou City that can go south. We will send ten generals to guard them and prevent the enemy from going south to rescue them. In this way, it is just around the corner to capture Youzhou.

Song Jiu wanted to scold Hu Dan, but Hu Dan's nonsense made Zhao Kuangyi like him. He was immediately promoted and appointed as the magistrate of the imperial edict, which almost made Wang Hu in shock.

All over the country, Song Jiu was not counted, only Li Zhi was relatively sober. Seeing that everyone was so proud, he persuaded him several times, but no one listened, so he asked to stop the preface. Finally, he was the Minister of Rites to be exempted from preface.

But at this time, Yelu Xizhen completed a great victory.

He stayed in Huanglong Mansion for several years, gradually figured out the situation in the lower reaches of the Huntong River, and instigated several parts to rebel. Then, taking advantage of the cold of the first month, Wu Xuanming was unprepared and suddenly sent troops to Wuracheng.

In this battle, Wu Xuanming lost six important cities, including his royal capital Wura City. The Liao army captured countless people, nearly 100,000 excellent Northeast horses, and a large number of weapons, supplies and food.

Fortunately, Shi Pu faithfully implemented Song Jiu's plan, taking advantage of the vast land of Liaodong, sparsely populated and densely forested, and constantly fought guerrillas, harassed the Liao army's supply, and escorted the people's horses back, forcing Yelu Xizhen to retreat in the end.

Otherwise, Yelu Xizhen could make a concerted effort to annihilate the entire Bohai Kingdom.

Unfortunately, they were too far away, otherwise when Song Jiu learned about it, he would insist on fighting next year and avoid his edge.

The letter of the Northern Expedition of the Song Dynasty was issued, and in just half a month, all the troops and generals completed the assembly.

The troops are divided into three groups.

The Eastern Army appointed Cao Bin as the cavalry, storm, and land capital of the former army of Youzhou Daoxingying, Cui Yanjin as the deputy, and Guo Shouwen as the chief supervisor. Under the tent were Fu Qian, Li Yanbin, Ma Zheng, Yang Chongjin, Fan Yanzhao, Li Jilong, Xue Jishao, Shi Gui, Liu Zhixin, Fu Yanshou, He Lingtu and other generals.

General Mi Xin was also sent to the deployment of the cavalry and infantry army of the northwest road of Youzhou, Du Yangui was the deputy, Zhao Yanpu, Zhang Shao, and Dong Yuan were the chief supervisors. At the same time, there were also generals such as Cai Yu, Han Yanqing, Dou Hui, and Cao Mei.

Two large armies captured the new city and Zhuozhou.

The head general of the middle army was Tian Chongjin, Wu Yuanfu and Yuan Jizhong were the chief supervisors, and under the tent were Jing Si, Zhang Chengyan, An Dezuo and other generals. They went north from Dingzhou and their troops came out of Feihu's mouth.

The Western Route Army had Pan Mei as its main general, Yang Ye as its deputy general, Wang Fu and Liu Wenyu as its chief supervisor, and Yang Yanlang and other generals under them.

Also, Gao Qiong led the Navy of the Louchuan to the sea from Cangzhou and attacked Pingzhou in the north.

He also ordered Wang Chengmei and Zhe Yuqing to lead the troops to attack the western mountain of Liao Kingdom. However, these two routes were side-by-side. At the same time, he sent scouts to sneak into Liaodong on the sea and immediately sent a letter to Wu Xuanming, asking him to cooperate in the counterattack of Xiantong and the two prefectures.

It should be said that not mentioning weapons and the morale of soldiers, even from the attack route, there were more choices than in history. And there was probably no threat from Xixia anymore, which was also the reason why Song Jiu did not firmly oppose the expedition.

The main force was the Eastern Army, with 120,000 troops, 80,000 troops in the Middle and Western Army, including Gao Qiong, with a total of 220,000 imperial guards. This was the maximum force that the Song Dynasty could do. But in reality, there were also rural soldiers, as well as archers and archers in Hebei, with more than 300,000 troops. If civil servants were added, the number would be even larger. If the two families of Zhewang and Wu Xuanming were added, the number might actually be close to 300,000 troops.

The plan was mainly formulated by Zhao Kuangyi.

In view of the lessons last time, Zhao Kuangyi changed his strategy, so he used the strongest troops to face Youzhou head-on, but did not fight, but slowly moved slowly, attracting the main force of the Liao army under the city of Youzhou, allowing the two routes of Zhong and West to directly take the back of the mountain (the sixteen prefectures of Youyun, the seven prefectures of Tanshun Jiyouyouzhuo Moying in the southeast of the northern branch of Taihang Mountain, called the seven prefectures of the mountain front, and the seven prefectures of the Rugui Xinwu Yunshuohuan in the northwest of Taihang Mountain, should be called the nine prefectures of the mountain back, and some of them were under the control of the Song Dynasty). Then the Liao Kingdom would lose sight of one thing and the other, and from the other side's perspective, it would inevitably choose to protect Youji. Then after the two routes of Zhong and West successfully captured the mountain, the three routes of troops successfully met in front of the mountain, and decided the world in one fell swoop.

It seemed like a good plan... But after hearing this, Song Jiu thought about it for a long time and felt something was wrong. The main reason was that he was not very proficient in military affairs, so he didn't know what was wrong. If he couldn't think of it, he couldn't say it.

The plan was discussed, but Zhao Kuangyi made the decision and made the choice.
Chapter completed!