Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 560 Going Further

On this day in Zhao Mu's palace, Li Qiushui, Huyan Rui, Gao Mei, and Zhu Danchen were all discussing matters together in the imperial study.

What was discussed this time was, of course, the matter of the Song Dynasty inexplicably increasing its troops on the border.

Gao Mei was the representative of Gao's Tubo, Li Qiushui was the representative of Xixia, and Zhu Danchen was the representative of Dali.

If Yelu Yanxiu had not returned to his country, she would have sat here as well.

Today, the four countries bordering Song are facing a serious problem.

Moreover, the Song Dynasty did not send any envoys to give any explanation for the Song Dynasty's increase in troops.

Even when Duan Yu, the crown prince of Dali Kingdom, went to the Song Dynasty in person to inquire, there was no result.

Moreover, Duan Yu wanted to go to Western Xia Kingdom to reunite with everyone, but his route was blocked by the Song Dynasty, so he was directly taken back to Dali Kingdom.

Everyone was silent at the moment, and finally Li Qiushui took the lead and said, "Xiao Mu, please say something. Everyone is waiting for you to make a decision."

Zhao Mu looked at his master's wife and said, "I don't know the situation at the moment. I can't make any decisions. I have to wait until Xuan comes back."

Gao Mei frowned and said, "Ah! If it were up to me, we should just go all out and rebel!"

When they heard Gao Mei's idea, everyone looked at her.

At this time, Zhu Danchen also agreed: "What the princess said is not a bad idea."

"Princess Princess?" Zhao Mu asked in a low voice.

Facing Zhao Mu's question, Gao Mei said, "Yes, ever since I left Dali to found a kingdom, I have fallen out of favor with my husband. Now I have given up the position of Crown Princess of Dali to little girl Zhong. Now that I am a princess, I am free and happy. At least I don't have to be locked up in the palace all day."

Li Qiushui said at this time: "Okay, let's talk about some serious matters later. Little Mu'er, Master's wife also thinks this is a good idea. Now the western countries respect your Qi country as the most powerful. If the Song Dynasty takes action against us, you have to support us."

Zhao Mu waved his hand and said, "Although what Master's wife said makes sense, I don't think it's the right time to mobilize troops. Besides, our army has just wiped out the Uighur tribes and needs to recover urgently. Even if we start a war, we are powerless."

Zhao Mu winked at Hu Yanrui at this time, and Hu Yanrui also replied: "Yes, although our army has gained a lot in conquering the Western Regions this time, it is all in money and treasure. The manpower consumed cannot be restored in a short time. Moreover, the newly acquired cities in the Western Regions need to be garrisoned by troops. Moreover, the actions of the Liao Kingdom in recent days are also very abnormal."

"We need to divide our forces to garrison the Western Regions, and also to defend against the Liao Kingdom. Qi Kingdom currently has less than 100,000 soldiers and horses available. This is enough to intimidate the Western Kingdoms, but it is like trying to stop a chariot when facing the vast and densely populated Song Dynasty."

Huyan Rui's words were also deliberately exaggerated. In fact, the available troops of Qi State were only 50,000 to 60,000.

He exaggerated the figure by twice in order to intimidate countries like Xixia.

He was not like Zhao Mu who trusted the surrounding barbarian states. As the prime minister of Qi, he put the interests of Qi first. He was afraid that if he said less, others would have bad intentions towards Qi.

Zhao Mu smiled in his heart when he heard Hu Yanrui's nonsense. It was indeed much easier for him to have such a prime minister.

Zhao Mu said at this time: "Yes, this is the current situation. Even if we deploy troops, Qi can only protect itself, which is not a problem, but going to war with the Song Dynasty is a bit of a pipe dream. I used to be the Minister of War of the Song Dynasty, and I know how strong the Song Dynasty's military is now."

Li Qiushui said at this time: "But the Song Dynasty has always relied on you. Now that you are not in the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty can be said to have cut off its own arm. Now can't we take it down together?"

Zhao Mu sighed and said, "Master's Wife, the population of the Song Dynasty is tens of millions. Although the number of soldiers in the court has been reduced by more than half since Your Majesty and I started the reform, the remaining ones are all young and strong elite soldiers. Moreover, the Song Dynasty is full of talents. Tianbo Yangfu and King Zhongxiao are both experienced generals. Even if our troops can march straight in, how can we swallow the entire Song Dynasty?"

"Besides, the alliance we have now is only to achieve a tripartite balance of power among Song, Qi, and Liao. If we go to war with the Song, only Liao will be the winner. Alas, I think we should wait for Xuan to come back and tell him the news from the Song. It won't be too late for us to act then." Gao Mei saw Zhao Mu like this, she smiled and said, "Haha, I didn't expect you to change too. Can power really change a person's character? Where is the high-spirited King of Zhongshan?"

Zhao Mu smiled bitterly and said, "It can't be helped. When I was in Song Dynasty, no matter what I did, Your Majesty would always support me. But now I have my own territory, and success or failure depends on my hard work. I must be extremely careful. Otherwise, if I make a mistake, I will lose everything. Not only will I not be able to defend the newly established Anxi Protectorate, I may not even be able to protect Qi State."

Seeing that Zhao Mu was in such a dilemma, Li Qiu Shui and others had no intention of forcing Zhao Mu.

After a brief discussion, the envoys from the three countries went back.

At this time, only Hu Yanrui and Emperor Zhao Mu were left in the imperial study.

Hu Yanrui stood up and said, "Your Majesty, since the envoys from all countries have withdrawn, I will tell you what you think."

"What's everyone's opinion?" Zhao Mu asked.

Looking at Hu Yanrui's expression, Zhao Mu probably guessed it.

In the past few days, the news that the Song Dynasty sent more troops to Qi State has spread throughout the country.

Moreover, during the court meetings over the past two days, Zhao Mu also saw everyone's intentions.

The civil officials and military generals all wanted to be the loyal ministers under the "yellow robe".

After all, no one can resist the temptation of ennobling one's wife and son and having the title inherited by his descendants.

Although Zhezong gave Zhao Mu an era title and granted him the honor of being able to open his own furnace to mint coins.

Although this looks no different from a real emperor.

But Zhao Mu is still one step away from becoming a real emperor.

That is the power to enthrone subordinates.

As the monarch of a vassal state, he only had the power to confer titles on his concubines and legitimate sons, but did not have the power to confer titles on his subjects.

Although Zhao Mu had previously appointed the priests and clan leaders of the various cities of the Uighurs as Tusi, his Tusi title was an official position, not a hereditary title. Later, Zhao Mu had to present a petition to the court for Zhezong's approval.

Now, the generals have followed Zhao Mu in battles for many years. Some of them even followed him when he attacked the Liao Kingdom in the north. It is not an exaggeration to say that some of them have made great contributions.

But Zhao Mu did not have the power to confer titles on them. Most of them still held the titles of "Earl" and "Viscount" given by the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Mu could only give them some material things such as money, servants, and land for their contributions, but he could not give them any honor.

If they want to obtain a higher title, they must help their "master" to make further progress.

Therefore, during this period, at the grand court meetings, many civil officials and military generals indirectly advised Zhao Mu to take a further step.

But Zhao Mu pretended to be ignorant and turned a blind eye.

(End of this chapter)