The counterattack of the villains

Chapter 116 Proposal to annex Xixia
"May I ask the Empress Dowager, was there an envoy from the Xixia Kingdom who came to see the Song Dynasty a few days ago?"

The Empress Dowager nodded and said: "It is true, what does this have to do with what Mr. Li said?"

Li Mu said solemnly: "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the so-called Xixia envoy Helian Tieshu is actually the head of the Xixia First Grade Hall."

"On the surface, they came to see His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, but in fact they took the opportunity to come to our Central Plains to do business, with the intention of destroying the Beggar Gang and my Changkong Sword Sect, and cutting off the wings of the Great Song Dynasty."

"Meeting His Majesty and the Empress Dowager is just an excuse for them to walk in the territory of the Song Dynasty majestically."

The Empress Dowager's complexion changed slightly, and she calmed down slightly: "There is such a thing? Let alone the Beggar Gang, the Changkong Sword Sect has Mr. Li in command, what gods and men in Xixia can lie and destroy it?"

Li Mu said proudly: "Man said that there is no such a god in Xixia, and the grass-roots dare to say that unless my court of the Great Song Dynasty can't tolerate grass-roots, there will never be such people in the world."

The Empress Dowager said suspiciously: "That's what Mr. Li said just now..."

Li Musu said: "The Empress Dowager doesn't know that in recent years, Xixia Yipintang has prepared a very powerful poisonous water."

"This poison is usually stored in a bottle. When using it, I put the antidote in my nose, unplug the bottle, and the poisonous water turns into steam, like a breeze blowing on the body."

"An astute person like you wouldn't be able to detect it. It hurts the eyes, and the poisonous gas has rushed into the brain."

"After being poisoned, the tears flow like rain, which is called 'sorrow', the whole body cannot move, it is called 'crisp', the poisonous gas is colorless and tasteless, it is called 'clean wind', so the poison is called 'sorrowful crisp breeze'."

"A month ago, Helian Tieshu led the first-rank warriors of the Western Xia Dynasty to poison all the top leaders of the Beggar Clan and several top martial arts masters of the Great Song Dynasty."

"Fortunately, the disciples of Caomin's sect were vigilant, discovered the matter in time, and dealt with it decisively. Before the Xixia warriors could use the poison, they launched a thunderous surprise attack to solve the crisis."

"The empress dowager may wish to think about it, if Xixia prepares a large amount of this poison and uses it in marching and fighting, wouldn't our Great Song army be at the mercy of others?"

After listening to Li Mu's words, the Empress Dowager's complexion completely changed, and she said very solemnly: "Is this poison really so powerful?"

Li Mu clasped his fists and said: "Cao Min guarantees with the head of the item, there is absolutely no lie."

"During the raid on the Xixia Yipintang, the disciples of Caomin's sect won some sad breeze and antidote, and would like to dedicate it to the Empress Dowager. You will know after you try it."

Hearing what Li Mu said, it was probably true. The Empress Dowager had no doubts, and asked instead: "Since we have obtained the poison and antidote, can my Great Song prepare it?"

Li Mu shook his head and said, "It can't be prepared, because the main ingredients for preparing this poison and antidote are only found in the Xixia Daxue Mountain Huanxi Valley."

The Empress Dowager frowned and said, "So, isn't Da Song in danger?"

After Li Mu fully charged the effect of the critical situation, he turned to say: "The empress dowager doesn't need to worry too much."

"We just need to destroy it in one fell swoop before Xixia prepares enough sorrowful breeze and is fully prepared."

"In this way, not only can the crisis of the Song Dynasty be solved, but it can also annex the millions of miles of mountains and rivers in Xixia. Most importantly, the sad and crisp breeze can also be controlled by my Song Dynasty."

The Song court naturally had its own espionage system, but the court's espionage system focused more on courts and dignitaries in various countries.

They pay more attention to the collection of military, economic, people's livelihood, political and other aspects of intelligence, and their control over the arena is extremely insufficient.

To fight a war, you have to rely on people from the rivers and lakes as your wings to resist the power from the rivers and lakes of the enemy country. This is why the rivers and lakes in this era can be so prosperous.

However, if the imperial court really wanted to make an effort to investigate the affairs in Jianghu, they could also find out, so Li Mu was not afraid that the Empress Dowager would not trust him.

After hearing Li Mu's last words, the Empress Dowager asked seriously: "Mr. Li, I would like to ask you a question from the Ai family. Is the Great Song Dynasty sure to win when we attack Xixia?"

Li Mu said seriously: "Back to the Empress Dowager, the situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, before the dust settles, who dares to say that they will win?"

"In ancient times, in war, soldiers should have the idea of ​​victory, and counselors should have the way to win, but there is no reason for victory."

"However, our Great Song Dynasty has dozens of times more people than Xixia in terms of population and food, and the Northwest Frontier Army is also an elite army in all battles."

"Soldiers are fine and well-fed, and with the help of non-governmental organizations like Changkong Sword Sect and the Beggars' Gang, let alone the Western Xia Dynasty, even against the Liao Kingdom, the Great Song Dynasty has a seventy-eight out of ten chance of winning."

Li Mu's words, although the Empress Dowager was still hesitating, Zhe Zong at the side had already heard his blood boil.

Zhe Zong, who had been silent all this time, couldn't help but said: "Grandmother, my child thinks that if you are [-]% sure about the battle, you can give it a go."

"Since we are [-]% to [-]% sure of attacking Xixia, what is the difference between winning and winning?"

"Are we really waiting for Xixia to prepare enough poisonous gas to beat our Song army to pieces?"

The Empress Dowager sighed, and said: "The officials, once the swords are used, the soldiers and civilians will be overwhelmed. I don't know how many people will die, how many houses will be burned, and how many families will be destroyed and their wives will be scattered."

"The word 'benevolence' must always be kept in the heart of a king. Don't say that the number of victory or defeat is unpredictable. Even if you are sure of victory, it is better not to fight this battle."

"But what you said is also reasonable. The current situation is different from the past. Xixia is really deceiving people too much, but this battle must be fought."

Hearing the previous words, Li Mu was extremely disappointed. Gao Taotao can be said to have interpreted the four words "a woman's benevolence" vividly.

Of course no one wants to fight, but if you don't fight others, they will come to fight you when they grow stronger, but by then it will be too late.

Fortunately, his foreshadowing was sufficient this time, and the last sentence finally made him breathe a sigh of relief.

He stood up, cupped his fists and bowed: "The Empress Dowager is wise, our Great Song Dynasty governed the country with benevolence and virtue, but those foreign barbarians did not teach us benevolence, justice and morality."

"Only by subjugating him with might and making the Great Song more powerful in the sea can the barbarians refrain from fear and dare not lightly offend the Great Song again."

Zhe Zong said a little excitedly: "Mr. is absolutely right. Benevolence and virtue are reserved for the people of the Great Song Dynasty. When dealing with barbarians in foreign countries, we should show them our authority."

"If you can't be subdued by force, then use swords and soldiers to make the barbarians afraid of me, Da Song."

Li Mu didn't say much, just looked at Zhe Zong with a smile and nodded, his eyes full of appreciation.

When Zhe Zong saw the look in his eyes, his heart moved. This strange man who was born in the grass and lakes was no different from what his father thought.

No wonder my father praised him so much during his lifetime, maybe he will be my good teacher, and when I take power in the future, I will definitely ask for a lot of advice.

The Empress Dowager was noncommittal to Zhezong's words, but said to Li Mu: "Mr. Li, it will take time to select generals and train troops, raise horses and store grain, and mobilize troops and horses."

"I'm afraid we won't be able to go to war this year. This time we will use troops against Xixia, and I'm afraid it won't be until next spring at the earliest."

Li Mu nodded and said, "Caomin understands very well, it will naturally take a long time to make complete preparations."

"Just these days, eight hundred disciples of my Changkong Sword Sect went to Tubo, and it will take more than half a year to return. The Caomin are in Liangshan, waiting for the emperor's order."

The Empress Dowager wondered: "Mr. Li sent [-] disciples to Tibet? Why?"

Li Mudao: "A few days ago, the grassroots received news that the ruler of Tubo had the intention of sending troops to Dali. Dali is the southwestern barrier of our Great Song Dynasty. How can the grassroots turn a blind eye to the so-called dead lips and cold teeth?"

The Empress Dowager was taken aback. Why didn't I receive any news from the Imperial City Division of the Great Song Dynasty about such important information?

She asked solemnly: "Where did Mr. Li get this news?"

Li Mudao: "This news came from the Tubo national teacher, Dalun Ming King Jiumozhi of Dalun Temple himself. He used this as a threat to force Dali Duan to hand over his family's unique knowledge."

So, when Jiumozhi said those words back then, it really came out of his mouth.

Not only is it his own way of taking death, but it also brought catastrophe for Tubo.

A generation of eminent monks and great virtues will no longer have his share, and he is afraid that he is destined to be nailed to the pillar of shame in Tubo's history.

In fact, Jiumozhi may have just used the tiger's skin as a banner at the beginning to threaten Tianlong Temple.

But Li Mu wanted to take it seriously, not to mention that he was dead, even if he was alive, there was no way to reason.

The Empress Dowager pondered and said: "Since the Tubo National Teacher said it himself, it must be true."

Li Mudao: "Whether it's true or not, since Tubo has such intentions, the grassroots can't take it lightly."

"So the Caomin sent eight hundred Changkong disciples to Tubo to assassinate the lords of the tribes, hoping that the southwestern border of the Song Dynasty would be peaceful for 50 years."

Hearing Li Mu's words, the Empress Dowager's face showed a look of relief, and said: "Mr. Li is really loyal and courageous, and he deserves his name as a great chivalrous man."

Li Mu leaned slightly and said, "The Empress Dowager is honoring the award, this is the responsibility of Cao Min as a citizen of the Great Song Dynasty."

The empress dowager's eyes were even more appreciative, and she sighed: "If the people of the Great Song Dynasty think like Mr. Li, why should we worry about being unhappy in the Great Song Dynasty?"

Zhe Zong suddenly asked curiously: "I don't understand something, and I ask Mr. Li to explain it to me."

Li Mudao: "Your Majesty, please tell me, the grassroots must know everything and say everything."

Zhe Zong said: "With Mr. Li's ability, if he serves the imperial court and trains countless elite soldiers like Changkong's disciples for the Song Dynasty, wouldn't the Song Dynasty be able to sweep the world long ago?"

Li Mu smiled and shook his head, "If the grassroots really serve the imperial court, they won't be able to practice their martial arts as well as they are now, and they won't be able to train so many elite soldiers, so they won't be of much use to the Song Dynasty."

Zhezong was puzzled: "Why?"

Li Mu sighed: "The grassroots and the late emperor also discussed this matter back then, because the officialdom is not only loyal to the country, but also a sophistication of the world."

"And the most important thing in practicing martial arts is meditation and concentration. If the grassroots are really bound by the officialdom, how can they devote themselves to studying martial arts?"

"It is more useful to the Song Dynasty to be in the wild than to be in court."

"In recent years, there are many masters who have served the imperial court and served the country under the disciples of the Changkong Sword Sect."

"If the grassroots chose to serve the imperial court, then the imperial court could only get one general who charged forward."

"But today's Sky Sword Sect not only continuously supplies talents for the imperial court, but also silently guards the Song Dynasty among the people, and can also serve the imperial court."

After saying these touching words, Li Mu secretly added another sentence in his heart: "If Da Song really can't afford it, I can just turn against you and create a powerful dynasty by myself."

After listening to Li Mu's words, Zhe Zong suddenly realized, and Mao Sai suddenly realized, "So, if you directly serve the court, it is equivalent to exhausting the resources, but when you are in the wild, you will be able to obtain unlimited resources."

Li Mu smiled and nodded, "Exactly."

Having said that, there is basically nothing to say, so Li Mu immediately offered to resign.

Regarding what Li Mu said today, the Empress Dowager would naturally not just believe everything, and would definitely send someone to investigate.

But what Li Mu said was basically true, at most he exaggerated a little on some things, and he was not afraid of investigation.

The raw materials of Sad Crisp Breeze are scarce, and it is not enough to prepare the amount for the army to fight.

But that is only for a short period of time. If left alone, Xixia may not be able to threaten Song Dynasty after decades of accumulation.

Therefore, such exaggerated words fall into the eyes of those in power, but they are not exaggerated.

If you want to fight the Liao Kingdom, which has a population of more than 900 million and can pull out tens of millions of troops at any time, then the Empress Dowager will most likely be resolutely unwilling.

However, the population of the Xixia Kingdom is only 200 million, and after the battle of Yongle City, the number of soldiers is only 40. Even if they are aggressive, they can only pull out an army of [-] to [-] at most.

These untrained, improvised teams of strong men are just a bunch of rabble.

In the Song Dynasty, there were more than 120 forbidden troops and more than [-] Xiang troops, which is [-] million troops.

Even if only half of the troops are sent out, with the all-pervasive assassination of the Changkong Sword Sect, the battlefield intelligence of the Beggar Clan, and the support of raids in the enemy's rear, it is really not a problem to fight a Xixia.

So the empress dowager really knows how to fight this battle. After all, if she can annex Xixia and open up a million-mile territory for the Song Dynasty, then she will surely be famous in history.

No matter how benevolent a woman is, she will not really refuse to fight such a battle that is almost sure to win.

……

Li Mu returned to the inn, and talked with Ruan Xingzhu, Xiao Feng and others about the result of this visit to the palace.

Hearing that the Empress Dowager agreed to send troops to conquer Xixia, Lu Da and the others were gearing up for a big fight.

Especially Lu Da, he was still a child eight years ago and failed to participate in the battle between Song and Xia.

This time, I worked hard, and I have to follow the example of the head of the sect, and come to the army to take the head of the general.

Li Mu would definitely stop this thought if someone else was around, but for Luda, he didn't want to say anything.

If this humanoid beast is fully fired, its killing efficiency within a certain period of time is not even lower than his sword light.

Actually Xiao Feng is similar, he seldom uses weapons in his shots, not because he doesn't know martial arts with weapons, but because he doesn't need weapons at all when fighting people.

In fact, Xiao Feng also knows how to use sabers, sticks, sticks and other equipment, even strange weapons such as the steel shields of the two heroes of the You family, he can still use them as he pleases.

It's just that since he became famous, he has experienced countless vicious fights, all with bare hands, but he has never suffered a defeat, so why do he need weapons?
If you get him a heavy weapon, he will also be a humanoid beast.

Now the two things to come to the Central Plains have been completed, and the marriage of my brother-in-law is still more than two months away.

Hezhou is located in the southwest of Xingqing Prefecture, the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty. It takes about ten days to arrive from Dengfeng.

But this place is four to five hundred miles closer to Xingqing Mansion.

Therefore, Li Mu decided to go northwest to Xingqing Mansion first, and then turn southwest to Hezhou from Xingqing Mansion, walking an included angle.

More than two months is enough for him to finish his work in Xixia, and then rush to Hezhou to attend his brother-in-law's wedding.

At present, Li Mu took his wife, daughter and a group of disciples, a total of fifteen riders, headed for Xingqing Mansion in the northwest.

……

Although the territory of Xixia is smaller than that of Liao and Song Dynasty, it is also a big country in the west, occupying Hetao, Ganzhou, Suzhou, Liangzhou and other fertile lands.

Xingqing Mansion controls Heshuo in the north and Qingliang in the south. According to the upper reaches of the roads, it controls the key points of the western frontier, and its geographical location is very superior.

If Da Song wants to take down the Xingqing Mansion, he may have to go through a lot of trouble.

However, as long as the Xingqing Mansion can be successfully taken down and used as a stronghold, the Western Xia lands will be within easy reach.

A group of people walked all the way, but they saw mountains and grasslands, yellow sand blowing against their faces, and the wind was blowing like a knife.

On the evening of the eighth day, the crowds in front gradually became thicker, and the outline of a big city could be seen in the distance.

Li Mu said to everyone: "Our business is too conspicuous, so we rested in the wilderness outside the city, had dinner and waited until dark before heading into the city."

Everyone had no objection, so they went down to a remote leeward place and rested temporarily.

When night fell, Li Mu began to arrange an action plan.

He asked Zhu Ting to take out the Xixia map that he carried in his luggage and unfold it, and after lighting the candles, he pointed out on the map.

"We are here now, and Yipintang is here. After entering the city for a while, Feng'er will lead the team to Yipintang. We must get rid of all the remaining masters of Yipintang."

"Try to use assassination as much as possible. It's best if you don't alarm others. You all have a sad breeze and antidote on your body. Use it when you have the opportunity."

"Immediately evacuate the Fucheng after you succeed, and return to this place to wait. If you alarm the Xixia people, you don't have to wait. You can directly ride down the Yellow River south to Hezhou."

"Zhumei waits for me outside the East City Gate. I will go to the palace to search for Li Qiushui's traces. After I find her, I will lead her out of the East City Gate and deal with it."

"Everyone has any questions to ask now, and if there is no problem, follow this plan."

Lu Da raised his hand and said, "Master, why don't we take this opportunity to get rid of the Xixia Emperor and all the officials?"

Li Mu explained: "The Great Song Dynasty will not send troops until the beginning of spring next year. There is still more than half a year from now. If we attack Xixia officials at this time, we will startle them."

"They have enough time to change the emperor to the throne and supplement officials. Killing is for nothing, but it makes them prepare."

"It won't be too late when the Song army sends troops next year, and then they will be caught off guard and thrown into chaos."

"Only attacking Yipintang, they will think it's just revenge from the Central Plains martial arts, and they won't think about the national war."

Lu Da suddenly understood, nodded and stopped talking, and the others had no doubts.

Seeing this, Li Mu ordered decisively: "Since there are no doubts, let's act!"

The people left behind their horses and rushed to the outside of the Fucheng on foot, while Ruan Xingzhu circled around to the east along the periphery.

The others jumped over the moat, performed the Gecko Swimming Technique, and climbed over the city wall without a sound.

Inside the city walls, there are teams of cavalry patrolling back and forth holding torches high.

These are just light cavalry. The most powerful cavalry unit in Xixia is called the iron kite, which is a famous heavy armored cavalry in this era.

However, the Song Dynasty was not bad either. The Song Dynasty's "Jingsai Army" was also a heavy armored cavalry. All the knights were strong soldiers who could open two hundred catties of hard bows, and everyone was equipped with hooks and sickles.

In this era, it can be called the best cavalry in all countries. Since its establishment, it has never failed. The strongest ace army of the Liao Kingdom, the Tielin Army, has also fallen in the hands of the Jingsai Army many times.

Eight years ago, the Xixia iron kite was also smashed in front of the Jingsai army.

In addition to the invincible iron cavalry of the Jingsai Army, the Song Dynasty also wore infantry armor weighing 58 jin. It was known as the most well-protected heavy infantry in ancient times, and it could be called a cavalry killer.

The Song Army in this era is really not weak, but relatively speaking it is indeed weak.

Because the high-level commanders who led these tiger and wolf divisions turned out to be a group of fucking civil servants, and the generals who could really fight were only middle-level and grass-roots officers.

Of course, it doesn't mean that all civil servants can't fight, but there are not many civil servants as talented as Huang Chang.

(End of this chapter)