Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Yes, Your Majesty" they all took the excerpt and read, "The ancient city was built to resist foreign invaders and resist foreign invaders. The Zhou Dynasty set up the town of Shuofang, the Han Dynasty captured Hehuang, and the Tang Dynasty built three surrendered cities. Therefore, in order to resist Turkic invasion and stick to the northern frontier, now we have no barriers to the north, and the Weilu army is located in a flat and not dangerous position. The Liao army led troops into the country and blocked the grain road. Hey, the fighting spirit is exhausted. With a tired army, how can we resist the Qingqi of the Liao invaders? If we go ahead and fight, we will be defeated. As long as one army retreats, the others will surely follow, and the Weilu and other troops will look down on themselves. Such a dangerous situation is obvious. The minister believes that we should take advantage of the momentum of the army's victory to protect the Weilu army and pull out the bases. If so, the people in the three towns will be famous, and the Weilu and other troops will be saved from the disaster of collapse. carry on."

Du Chengzhi closed the notebook and handed it back to Zhang Wenxi, Taizong said, "Do you think what this notebook says makes sense?"

The generals looked at each other, not knowing how to refute. Some civil servants couldn't stop nodding after hearing this. A minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Beizhen has been harassed by the Liao people for many years. The court should adjust its defense strategy."

Taizong looked at the minister, "Then how do you think it should be adjusted?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty," another minister said, "The ministers and others believe that all border towns with less than [-] troops should be cut down, and the scattered troops of each town should be merged into the border defense towns, and the Liao army can concentrate on fighting if they invade. In this way, Not only can it save financial expenditure, but it can also avoid the danger of being invaded by foreign bandits."

Hearing this, Defang was really angry, stood up and said, "Absurd! If you have less than [-] troops, you will cut down the army. Wouldn't the hundreds of miles of defense line over there be easily occupied by the Liao invaders? There is no barrier in the north, and you still want to kill them?" Abandon several towns in the northern border! How can you avoid being invaded by foreign invaders? If you do this, it is tantamount to dedicating border towns to the Liao people!" Defang turned and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, if the family and the country are not guaranteed, what is the point of having more money? If you abandon the Weilu army today, it is tantamount to opening your own door, please think twice, Your Majesty!"

Taizong looked at Defang, "Nephew, do you think we should send troops to deliver food and supplies to the Weilu army?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Defang said, "The Jingrong army in Liangmen and the Weilu army in Suicheng are the barriers of the northern border of our Great Song Dynasty. Many battles have contained the Liao people's tendency to invade the south, so our army has gained the opportunity to fight in depth. Successful counterattack."

Taizong nodded when he heard this, and Defang continued, "Your Majesty, there is no strong barrier in the northern border in the land where I did not get Yanyun in the Great Song Dynasty. Now there are only two important fortresses in Suicheng and Liangmen to resist the southern invasion of the Liao invaders. The Liao people I have repeatedly violated the border, and every battle will attack Suicheng and Liangmen, but they have failed. The border guards and people call these two fortresses the iron wall of the border. Your Majesty, if you abandon the army, it is tantamount to destroying us. Song's chest is exposed before the Liao people to fight against the blade, if there is a careless battle, it will endanger the important place of the capital, I beg your majesty to think twice!"

Taizong looked at the officials and said, "My dear friends, do you have any opinions on the statement of the Eight Sage Kings?"

Kou Zhun stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think that what the Eight Worthy Kings said hit the timeliness, and the coercive army must never be abandoned."

"Your Majesty Qizuo" Lu Mengzheng also stepped forward and said, "I also feel the same way. The Liao people led the army into the country this time to threaten our dynasty. If they abandon the Weilu army because of this, they will fall into the trick of the Liao people. Not only will our Great Song Dynasty Losing an important town will make this matter even more shameful."

Taizong looked at Zhao Pu, "Prime Minister Zhao, what do you think?"