Chapter 307: Vote (2-in-1)

In late autumn and early winter, the first reason was that after autumn, horses were fat and grain was plentiful, and the second was that the bitter winter had not yet arrived, so this had always been the season for military campaigns.

However, counting from eighteen years ago when Aguda formally raised an army to rebel against Liao, after eighteen full years of total war, this year's late autumn and early winter seemed to be the most stable window for warfare on the high slope of civilization that was East Asia.

The reason was simple: the Great Jin, accustomed to launching southern campaigns after autumn, had finally halted its eighteen consecutive years of expansionist war.

Although there were still battles in northern Shaanxi, and although the Zishui River Battle had erupted earlier, compared to the previous eighteen years when the Jin people devoured everything like tigers and wolves, and other nations were as tangled as a mess of hemp, this was still a minor affair compared to a major one.

And in many people's eyes, the so-called Great Jin autumn offensive launched this year by Huonu was as laughable as a child's game.

Their slogans were as loud as mountains, but the front line had not advanced an inch. After much difficulty, they managed to seize a few stockades on the flank by surprise attack, but they never captured the most important and core Kaolao Stockade. Now, with the Song Imperial Rear Army Commander-in-Chief Wu Jie personally leading troops to assist, those outer stockades were being retaken one by one, and it looked like the Bao'an Army area was about to fall into a stalemate as well.

Anyway, let them make a fuss.

In fact, at the time when Yelu Yudu fled into Kaolao Stockade, the Zhao Emperor, who had just finished the palace examination, while maintaining a certain level of attention to the northern Shaanxi war situation, was still sitting securely in Dongjingcheng, focusing most of his attention on the upcoming package of fiscal reforms. Meanwhile, the Grand Coordinator Yuwen Xuzhong in Guanxi was still stationed in Chang'an without moving; Han Shizhong was only symbolically stationed in Tongzhou; Hu Yin was only in Fangzhou; Huonu and Wu Lin were only confronting each other at Diaoyin Mountain Pass; and the Hedong Jin army had not made any coordinated movements at all.

Of course, the Fourth Prince of Jin had only just arrived in Taiyuan and only learned of Yelu Yudu's disappearance more than ten days later.

To be honest, after learning the specific details, this Fourth Prince did not have much of a reaction either.

Because first, he did not know anything about Yelu Yudu's plan to connect the Great Song with Yelu Dashi, and even if he did, he wouldn't have much thought about a defeated Jin general thousands of miles away. This was a limitation of perspective; Wushu could not have any opinion on unknown barbarian lands and unfamiliar targets, and neither could Qin Gui.

Second, in fact, this Fourth Prince had already achieved his goal.

The truth of the matter was as cruel as Yelu Yudu had guessed. This defection incident, from beginning to end, was merely a probing move by Wanyan Wushu. Yelu Yudu, a former prominent figure who had been squeezed dry of all his value, was nothing but a tool, a pebble in Wushu's eyes.

Previously, Zhanhan had wanted to kill Yudu as a tool to establish his authority, but just hadn't had the time. Wushu, on the other hand, wanted to use this pebble to test the Western Xia's true attitude towards the Great Jin... was it still the same fear as before, when the Empress and Crown Prince died from excessive grief, or did they truly have some rebellious intentions?

Incidentally, it was also meant to test whether Huonu still regarded Yan'an and his twenty thousand men as part of the Great Jin.

The results were mixed.

The good news was that the Western Xia was still inwardly afraid of the Great Jin and still knew their priorities. This was clearly shown when Weiming Yunge rejected Yudu on the spot and voluntarily confessed his guilt after Yudu disappeared. Furthermore, it could be deduced that the Western Xia still wanted to form an alliance with the Great Jin to oppose the Zhao Song.

After all, the Western Xia had been established for a hundred years, which was basically a hundred-year history of war with the Great Song. All their hypothetical enemies and long-standing strategic threats were the Great Song.

The bad news was that Huonu was still ambiguous... Yudu had passed through his territory, contacted the Western Xia people, and then disappeared. And the Fourth Prince had also arrived in Taiyuan, yet Huonu remained motionless at Diaoyin Mountain.

Of course, Wanyan Salihuo, who had stayed in Yan'an with Huonu, did take the initiative to send greetings to Taiyuan and voluntarily reviewed the matter of Yudu. But at the same time, Salihuo also took the initiative to complain, saying that Hedong here, disregarding the life and death of the northern Shaanxi Jin army, had not issued military supplies while the northern Shaanxi Jin army was fighting fiercely on the front line, causing the front to stall, and hoping the Fourth Prince would handle the matter impartially.

As for the Taiyuan side, generals like Wanyan Balisu, Wanyan Tuhesu, Wanyan Zhehe, Yelu Ma Wu, and Jiagu Wulibu also complained to Wushu, saying that once Huonu started fighting, Hedong couldn't really stand by and do nothing, so military reserves, supplies, and grain had been sent like flowing water... But since the court had no decree to start a war, and Huonu had absolutely forbidden the Hedong troops from going to northern Shaanxi, and had not given any prior warning, this meant Hedong simply couldn't coordinate. The campaign itself had no future, so they could only supply basic military supplies, but couldn't possibly throw all their precious grain reserves into it.

It must be understood that times were different now. The days of relying solely on plunder to replenish large amounts of military supplies were long gone. Other military supplies could be managed, but military grain was the most precious. The grain in Hedong was also hard-earned from the fields; were they supposed to just let Huonu take it and waste it?

To be honest, the complexity of the matter had not surprised Wushu at all.

Therefore, Wanyan Wushu only hesitated for a moment before deciding to prioritize and proceed step by step... On one hand, he appeased the Taiyuan generals; on the other, he personally sent a letter to Wanyan Huonu, demanding that he stop the futile war, hand over Yan'an to Wanyan Salihuo, hand over the front-line troops to Pucha Huzhan, and then come to Taiyuan in person to meet him.

That wasn't all. Wushu also sent a letter to the newly appointed Great Jin Western Capital (Datong) Defender, his sixth younger brother Wanyan Eluguan, asking him to go from the north to speak with the Western Xia people and make some hints.

It could be considered doing his best.

Let's talk about this. The transmission of information in these times was truly a troublesome matter. In theory, whether for Song or Jin, the fastest communication method should be five hundred li in a day and night, but how could that actually be achieved?

Winding mountain roads, obstructing rivers, untimely replacement of horses along the way, rain, thunder, landslides, encountering someone getting married at a crossroads... anything could delay the message.

Turning back, Yelu Yudu entered Kaolao Stockade on the second day of the tenth month, and then fully disclosed his prepared ideas to Guo Hao. On the fifth day of the tenth month, this news was delivered to Wu Jie at Dashun City on the border of neighboring Qingzhou... because they had to take a detour to avoid the Jin-controlled area between them.

By the seventh day of the tenth month, Hu Yin in Fangzhou learned of the news.

And on the thirteenth day of the tenth month, Yuwen Xuzhong in Chang'an and Wanyan Wushu in Taiyuan learned of the news together... Next, naturally, Wushu would proceed step by step to stir things up with Huonu, while Yuwen Xuzhong, who dared not make a decision, had to transmit the news to Dongjing at the highest level.

This time, the road was much easier. Just run along the Yellow River. But theoretically, a distance of just over a thousand li, which should take a little over two days, actually took a full four and a half days. The news was delivered to the Dongjing Privy Council on the eighteenth day of the tenth month... and it was that afternoon that Zhao Jiu learned the information.

In other words, it took a full eleven days for this news to reach Taiyuan, and a full seventeen days to reach Dongjing. And if it needed to be sent back, it would probably take a similar amount of time.

Very slow, very troublesome, with too many unexpected events. This was also the reason why many things in these times couldn't be planned and then acted upon. To put it bluntly, one trip took seventeen days, a round trip took a month, and by then, two rounds of the winter cuju tournament would have already been played.

But there was really no way around it. Things were just this frustrating and helpless. Zhao Jiu had to, within a short time, have an outsider guide the insiders, so to speak, making strategic judgments from afar and making strategic decisions.

The only good news was that Wanyan Wushu was probably in the same boat. One big shot couldn't criticize the other.

"Summon the four Chancellors and Censor-in-Chief Li to discuss affairs." Zhao Jiu thought for a moment, knowing that delay was not an option, and immediately gave orders in the stone pavilion. "Also summon Minister of Justice Wang Shu and Minister of War Hu Shijiang... Wait, also summon Imperial Cavalry Commander Qu Duan, Imperial Central Army Deputy Commander Wang De, Commanders Zhang Jing and Qiao Zhongfu, Imperial Commander-in-Chief Wang Yuan, and the staff officers like Hu Hongxiu from the Privy Council, all of them."

"Your Majesty," Liu Yan, who was attending, said solemnly. "The Chancellors and Privy Council staff are right in front at Chongwen Institute. The Censorate and heads of various ministries are just outside Xuande Tower. But the military officers are mostly at the Yutai Camp outside the city..."

"Then let's discuss it at Wende Hall. Delay a bit and wait for the military officers." Zhao Jiu said as he got up from the pavilion, took two steps, then turned back. "Go find Yang Yizhong. You and Yang Yizhong will also attend for consultation. Summon Hu Quan and Yu Yunwen as well. Also summon the training officers from the Military Academy who came from the Western Army. And bring the puzzle sand table from the Military Academy to Wende Hall!"

Liu Yan had no idea what had happened, but hearing that all the Chancellors and many military officers were to be summoned, he knew it was serious. When he heard they were going to a place like Wende Hall, he became even more nervous. Finally, when he and Yang Yizhong were also to attend for consultation, he had no more thoughts and immediately called for the palace guards outside the pavilion to hastily deliver the orders.

As for Zhao Jiu, he probably didn't even realize it himself, but as his tone grew increasingly severe, it was clear that deep down, he was taking this matter more and more seriously.

Moreover, after walking a few steps, he turned back into the pavilion and began to ponder incessantly.

"Yelu Yudu was once a high-ranking minister of Liao and Jin, but now he is nothing but a petty fugitive, a homeless dog. Can his words be trusted? And Yelu Dashi is merely a remnant of the Northern Liao. Although there is some information and claims, how can he be of use?"

In the evening, when the officials gathered at Wende Hall, as soon as the civil and military officials arrived and saw who else was attending, they understood that this matter must concern major military strategy. The Chancellors and high-ranking ministers had already learned the details of the matter early on. So, after Blue Big Officer briefly introduced the situation, Chief Chancellor Zhao Ding immediately raised a question.

Moreover, Zhao Ding directly pinpointed the crux of the matter from the start... In short, Yelu Yudu himself and his defection meant nothing between two vast nations. The key issue was the news Yelu Yudu had brought, the possibility of the Jin giving northern Shaanxi to the Western Xia, and the feasibility of Yelu Yudu's proposed plan for the Northern Liao remnants to pincer the Western Xia.

Yes, it must be emphasized here that at this moment, everyone still regarded Yelu Dashi and his troops as "Northern Liao remnants," not as the ruler of some newly emerging Western Liao state.

"Your subject also believes that the Jin may not necessarily act in this way..." As soon as the Chief Chancellor finished speaking, Vice Chancellor of the Capital Secretariat Liu Ji also cupped his hands in response. "This move is too bizarre. This is not the Warring States period. How can there be a strategy of giving away several commanderies to divert trouble eastward?"

"But what if they actually do it?" Vice Chancellor of the Western Administration Chen Gui immediately frowned and stepped forward upon hearing this, rarely refuting on the spot. "This kind of thing is inherently uncertain. But when it comes to matters of state and military, can we afford to gamble?"

"Your subject has a word," Privy Council Chancellor Zhang Jun said after some thought, immediately expressing his stance. "Regardless of the northern Shaanxi commanderies, connecting with the Western Liao is also the right course! Since ancient times, when the Two Han Dynasties dealt with the northern barbarians, they used the Western Regions as a key, to break the barbarians' arm and form a pincer. Even during the Shenzong era, when the Hehuang region was opened up to contain the Western Xia, it was the same principle."

The four Chancellors were immediately divided into two opposing sides with completely different views, which made the atmosphere somewhat tense. But most intelligent people in the hall understood that this was merely a difference in their thinking directions and positions leading to different attitudes, not so-called factional strife.

After all, since Lü Hao wen had left his post, the relationship between Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun had clearly eased considerably, while Chen Gui and Liu Ji had long been recognized as the so-called "Nanyang faction"—Liu Ji had recommended Chen Gui for a post.

Returning to the matter itself, Zhao Ding and Liu Ji, who managed the Capital Secretariat, naturally hoped for stability in northern Shaanxi, to merely engage in "rotational warfare" as the Emperor had previously stated, rather than a real large-scale conflict. This way, the state could focus its attention on the fiscal reforms that had already begun, thereby achieving a comprehensive revival and completely untying the deadly fiscal noose around the state's neck. But if a major event truly occurred in the northwest, with the Western Xia getting involved and the Northern Liao returning, it might lead to a great war, causing the state's hard-saved funds to go down the drain.

By then, trying to get the fiscal situation back on track would be delayed indefinitely.

As for the two Privy Council Chancellors, anyone who knew them a little would understand that their respective refutations of the two Capital Secretariat Chancellors came from different starting points... Chancellor Chen was recognized as the foremost defensive official, advocating for a comprehensive response in military matters. Now that a vulnerability had appeared in the northwest, he naturally opposed doing nothing. Chancellor Zhang, on the other hand, had a personality that tended towards grandiose ambitions. Who knew what thoughts the northwestern conflicts among the various states had stirred in his heart? Was he dreaming of being Zhuge Liang again?

But the problem was that this time, after Zhang Jun spoke with great anticipation, the Zhao Emperor only remained solemnly silent, as if lost in thought.

"Your Majesty."

The difficulty of the matter was immediately apparent. Censor-in-Chief Li Guang was momentarily at a loss as to where to direct his criticism, frowning in thought. After hesitating for a moment, Minister of War Hu Shijiang, unable to avoid it, stepped forward helplessly. "This year's autumn harvest had no major disasters. Even in Jingdong, because the fighting was fast and clever, the autumn harvest was not delayed. But if large armies are to be used in a place like northern Shaanxi, the difficulty of transport is incomparable to the Central Plains or Guanzhong! It would likely require deployment from Bashu. However, Bashu is still repaying the levies from the Yaoshan Campaign with half taxes. Are we to borrow from the Bashu people again before the debt is even paid?"

This statement was, of course, an undeniable truth, and it hit Zhang Jun and Zhao Jiu right where it hurt.

Zhang Jun frowned and hesitated for a moment, and Zhao Jiu finally spoke: "Then according to Minister Hu, what should be done? What if the Jin really do use the land of northern Shaanxi to draw the Western Xia into the game?"

"Repair the fortifications along the route, store grain locally, observe the situation, and then discuss other matters..." Hu Shijiang replied earnestly. "As the head of the Ministry of War, I cannot shirk my duty. I am willing to go to Guanxi in person to oversee this matter."

Zhao Jiu frowned slightly, not yet having time to reply, when unexpectedly a man stepped forward—it was none other than Wang Shu, the former chief official of Shanbei and now Minister of Justice.

"Your Majesty, your servant has something to say to Your Majesty and to the civil and military officials in the hall, and a question to ask of the various lords and Minister Hu." Wang Shu clasped his hands in salute. "I beg Your Majesty's permission."

"I summoned you precisely so that you might speak freely." Zhao Jiu, seated on the throne, immediately raised his hand in a gesture.

"Yes." Minister of Justice Wang Shu bowed in salute, then turned and swept his gaze around the hall, speaking with a grave expression. "Lords and colleagues, I have a word to offer. In the past, when I was in charge of the overall situation in Shanbei, I personally heard intelligence... Li Qianshun, the Xia ruler, did indeed once bribe Wanyan Zonghan, seeking the former Song and Liao territories around him, and Wanyan Zonghan did indeed discuss granting the Liao lands near the Yinshan Mountains to the Xia... In other words, this matter is by no means groundless! Yelu Yudu may be a stray dog, but that does not mean his words should be dismissed."

Zhao Ding and Liu Ji each grew solemn, and many in the hall also became serious.

Now, this matter clearly belonged to affairs of state and military strategy, and moreover, Wang Shu, as the head of the Ministry of Justice, had the proper business of revising and promulgating the Criminal Code to attend to. Logically, he should not have been summoned to participate in this meeting. But the Emperor had still called him here, and no one else had raised objections, solely because of his past experience overseeing the military and civil affairs of Shanbei, in the hope that he could provide relevant intelligence, information, and opinions.

And now that Wang Shu had clearly offered his view in the capacity of a Shanbei expert and senior minister, the possibility of the Western Xia truly becoming involved in Shanbei had to be further considered.

"Even so, we can still dig deep moats and build high walls, stockpile grain and sharpen our weapons, and remain unchanged in the face of change." Amid the grave atmosphere, Hu Shijiang responded earnestly, holding his ground.

"Just digging deep moats and building high walls, stockpiling grain and sharpening weapons—how can that work? Why not just hand over Bao'an Army and Dingbian Army as well, as a little extra?" Qu Duan, commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry who had just returned from Jingdong, finally could not hold back.

Hearing Qu Duan speak, Wang Shu, who had been about to refute Hu Shijiang, felt a tightness in his chest and found himself unable to speak. Hu Shijiang, on the other hand, seemed unable to comprehend, then asked seriously:

"Commander Qu, what do you mean?"

"Isn't this the Jurchens giving gifts to the Western Xia?" Qu Duan sneered from the shadows of the hall in the evening light. "We might as well send Bao'an Army and Dingbian Army along as a little extra, so as not to seem weak... and lose the dignity of a great state."

Hu Shijiang finally realized the other was mocking him maliciously, and suppressed his anger to respond: "Commander Qu, this is a discussion of state affairs!"

"I am also discussing state affairs." Qu Duan replied boldly. "Bao'an Army, Dingbian Army, and the three northern stockades of Qingzhou are actually more conveniently connected to Yan'an. Since we want to dig deep moats and build high walls, to save money and grain, why not just give them away? Didn't Lord Sima also give away territory? In my opinion, Minister Hu still doesn't understand the geography of Guanxi. If you want to save grain and effort, Huaide Army, Zhenrong Army, Xi'an Prefecture, and Huizhou should all be given away. If you want to save even more trouble, everything west of Lanzhou, the entire Hehuang region, could also be given away! If you still think it wastes grain, give away all of Guanxi, and just hold Tong Pass, San Pass, and other strategic passes—wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

Hu Shijiang was stunned for a moment, then anger surged within him, and he was about to turn and impeach the man. Li Guang was also finally about to intervene.

But just then, Chief Councilor Zhao Ding and Privy Councilor Zhang Jun both stepped forward first, shouting in succession: "Qu Duan, this is the main hall of the Wende Palace. If you utter any more absurd words, get out immediately!"

"Qu Duan! You were brought here to discuss matters properly, not to speak such nonsense!"

"Let the two lords know!" Qu Duan, shouted down by the two senior councilors, showed no fear and continued to speak loudly in the hall. "For us men of Guanxi, allowing the Western Xia into Yan'an is also the most absurd nonsense under heaven!"

The hall fell silent for a moment, and many were startled. But Qu Duan continued to roar in the hall:

"The councilors and ministers speak so happily—have they ever, before the sun sets, turned back to look at the faces of so many Westerners in this hall, to see whether they are red or white? Have they ever asked us men of Guanxi what we think?! Today, I won't speak of how Yelu Dashi might break the Western Xia, nor of how the Western Xia blocks our cavalry from recruiting barbarian horsemen. I'll only speak of Yan'an Prefecture. Before, when the Jurchens were powerful and their troops heavy, we had no choice, and that was that. But how can we let those Western Xia dogs take it?! Do we men of Guanxi fear the Western Xia? In my opinion, Minister Hu is from Changzhou. If military provisions are insufficient, let Changzhou increase its taxes. If increased taxes aren't enough, borrow in advance. Borrow a hundred years' worth of taxes from Changzhou—would there still be no money or grain? Why should we sit idly by and watch Yan'an be passed around like goods? Are the people of Changzhou human, while the people of Yan'an are not?!"

After this outburst, Hu Shijiang's face turned red with anger, but he forcibly restrained himself. Even the several councilors and the Censor-in-Chief were speechless... Because, while Qu Duan was roaring alone, many generals from the Western Army in the hall, starting with Wang De, Zhang Jing, and Qiao Zhongfu, had already led many men to gather behind Qu Duan. Even Wang Yuan, the Imperial Army Commander who had long lost his spirit, pulled a long face and moved two steps toward Qu Duan.

In other words, Qu Duan's words seemed absurd, but within them lay an opinion that could not be ignored—men from Guanxi, especially military officers from Guanxi, absolutely could not tolerate Yan'an falling under the control of their hereditary enemy, the Western Xia.

"Are you done howling?!"

At that moment, Emperor Zhao finally spoke coldly. "Can't you speak properly? Must you be so sarcastic?"

"Your servant is ashamed..." Qu Duan's scalp went numb, and he quickly stepped out of the shadows to bow respectfully. "But your servant truly could not contain his anger."

"If you're done howling, then wait. I didn't ask you just now not because I wasn't going to, but because it wasn't your turn." Zhao Jiu ignored him and turned back to Wang Shu. "Minister Wang, didn't you have something to ask?"

"Your servant no longer needs to ask." Wang Shu glanced at Qu Duan beside him and looked as helpless as if he had swallowed a fly. "What I was about to ask Minister Hu was this: his words have some reason, but has he considered how we Guanxi people view the Western Xia? Yan'an is a key town, a great town in Guanxi, the core of several prefectures in Shanbei. When it was in Jurchen hands, that was because the Jurchens were powerful and their troops heavy, and we couldn't take it for the time being. But if the Jurchens leave and give the land to the Western Xia, and the court sits idly by... I fear the hearts of the Guanxi people will be unsettled."

"You and Qu Duan are finally in agreement on the matter of Yan'an." Zhao Jiu finally gave a sardonic smile, then looked back at Hu Shijiang. "Minister Hu, don't be angry. It's right for us at court to discuss matters based on utility. But we must always understand that when we issue a general policy from the center, it affects the lives and families of millions of people. There must be trade-offs... How does that saying go? In chaotic times, a speck of dust from the grand scheme, falling on an ordinary person's shoulder, becomes as heavy as a mountain, and may even crush them to pieces... Today's matter is nothing more than weighing pros and cons. If it truly cannot be done or is insufficient, then even Commander Qu's shouting is just pointless howling."

"Your servant is not howling pointlessly." Hu Shijiang was about to respond, but Qu Duan spoke first. "Your Majesty, if the Jurchens truly want to abandon Yan'an and bring in the Western Xia, your servant is willing to be the vanguard to recover Yan'an... Yan'an's geography is on our side, the people's hearts are on our side, and the Western Army soldiers will certainly not shirk from fighting to the death in this battle."

Zhao Jiu merely nodded vaguely.

Next, the summoned civil and military officials roughly spoke in turn, but after much discussion, they still held their own views. Moreover, due to the tone set by the councilors and the conflict among the three senior officials—Qu Duan, Wang Shu, and Hu Shijiang—the core of the matter had converged on two issues.

One was the question of the truth of the news brought by Yelu Yudu—that is, whether the Jurchens would really give Yan'an to the Western Xia. The two sides debated this endlessly.

The other was that, assuming the Jurchens did give Yan'an to the Western Xia, and the Western Xia truly entered the fray, the positions between civil and military officials, and between the central government and officers from the west, were clearly divided... The central government and civil officials truly did not want to start another war with a major state, especially a large-scale decisive battle, which would be too costly and not worth the gain. But the military officials, especially those with a Guanxi background, were all unequivocal: if the Western Xia came, they could not be tolerated!

The former was rational, the latter emotional. No one had a problem with this; it was a structural contradiction.

A few, like Yang Yizhong, a man from Guanxi who chose a rational, defensive stance, were not enough to tip the balance of the stalemate.

Zhao Jiu listened to opinions for a long time without expressing himself, and the sky gradually darkened. The debate paused briefly as the attendants and eunuchs came in to light the lamps.

The first candelabra was lit, still following the rule of placing only one candle. A single candle illuminated a small area of the hall. Emperor Zhao saw a familiar face in the firelight, felt a stir in his heart, and directly called out: "Adjutant Hu, you seem to have remained silent all this time. What is your view on this matter?"

Hu Hongxiu was caught off guard, then quickly stepped forward, only to find the middle of the hall pitch black, unable to advance or retreat for a moment.

"Just speak by the lamp." Zhao Jiu was also somewhat tired.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hu Hongxiu responded cautiously, then hurriedly bowed and quickly spoke. "Your servant believes that the key to this matter is not whether Yudu's words are credible, nor what we think internally..."

Zhao Jiu was immediately speechless... The others also burst into uproar—if that was the case, hadn't everyone else wasted an entire evening talking?

"That speech is even worse than mine!"

A familiar voice directly mocked from the darkness.

"Your Majesty." Hu Hongxiu, hearing these reactions, quickly explained. "Your servant is not saying we shouldn't consider whether Yudu is credible, or ignore our internal differences..."

"You might as well not have spoken!"

The uproar turned directly into laughter, and the same person kept mocking.

"It's all right. Speak properly, slowly." Zhao Jiu, though also finding it somewhat exasperating and amusing, maintained his tolerance, because he had just remembered when the lamp was lit that this man was a protégé of Lord Wang, with both seniority and merit, yet he had always remained an adjutant. The Emperor often made use of him, and in fact, had some intention of promoting him. "What do you really mean?"

"What your servant means is..." Hu Hongxiu replied earnestly. "Don't speculate idly on whether Yudu is credible, don't speculate idly on whether the Jurchens will give away Yan'an, and don't speculate idly on whether the Western Xia will accept Yan'an. Instead, we should layer these matters, wrap them layer by layer, and then peel them open from the outermost layer, so that we can take a commanding view and respond calmly."

In the complete silence, Zhao Jiu seemed thoughtful: "What is the outermost layer?"

"The remnants of the Northern Liao!" Hu Hongxiu clasped his hands in salute. "If the remnants of the Northern Liao truly possess military strength comparable to the Western Xia, and if Yelu Dashi is indeed a hegemon with a desire for revenge, then regardless of whether the Jurchens transfer Yan'an or the Western Xia accepts it, why can't we directly ally with the Liao to restrain the Xia? Moreover, haven't we always been troubled by our warhorses being cut off by the Western Xia and the Jurchens? If we can break the Xia, our cavalry will have no worries."

"The Western Xia has deep roots. We haven't conquered them in a hundred years. How can it be so easy to fight them?" In the ensuing silence, Zhao Ding suddenly flicked his sleeve, but immediately realized that the reason they hadn't been conquered in a hundred years was precisely because the Western Xia had always had a stable ally, the Great Liao, protecting their rear from all sides. So he quickly added: "In the end, I recall hearing news of Yelu Dashi the year before last. He was only active in the northern deserts, with no more than ten to twenty thousand troops. How could he have gained the strength to rival the Western Xia in just one year? Moreover, the northern deserts and the Western Xia are separated by a thousand li of desert. How could they truly launch a pincer attack?"

"Then naturally we can take a step back and consider the scenario without the Northern Liao's assistance... But we should at least make contact based on the assumption that a Northern Liao army exists, shouldn't we?" Hu Hongxiu quickly argued. "Whether Yelu Dashi has become a force to be reckoned with is not something we can decide by thinking he doesn't exist or does exist from here. He is over there. We need to go to him and see for ourselves. And whether he can come from behind the Western Xia is determined by the local geography, not by our words..."

Hearing this, Zhao Ding finally let out a long sigh.

After this sigh, Hu Hongxiu naturally shrank back for a moment, but many shrewd figures in the hall had already come to a realization.

Now, Hu Hongxiu's methodology was, of course, the best and most correct. There was nothing to argue about—that was how it should be done... But this somewhat technical military bureaucrat had completely failed to realize that sometimes what is logically correct is not necessarily politically correct.

Did he really think these councilors, ministers, commanders, and generals were fools?

Once Hu Hongxiu laid out his methodology, these people quickly calculated it in their minds. But the problem was that today's dispute was not essentially about what to do, but about whether, in the coming period, the focus should be on military operations or fiscal operations.

It was a classic struggle between conservatism and adventurism.

After the Baima-Shaoxing affair, the court had purged a large number of conservatives and established the general policy of continuing to fight. Or rather, Zhao Jiu's fundamental purpose that day had been precisely this, not the return of the two emperors. But to be honest, conservatives were not necessarily wrong; it was just a different path. And conservatism is relative—unless there is only one person left, you will never lack conservatives.

Therefore, even though the comprehensive, fundamental conservatives had been largely purged at that time, there would still be wavering on the surface and in the established strategy, and there would still be disputes.

Zhao Ding, Liu Ji, Hu Shijiang, and even Yang Yizhong—these men were not maliciously obstructing, nor were they playing dumb; they were taking a stance. By the same token, Zhang Jun, Chen Gui, Wang Shu, and Qu Duan were not maliciously provoking or deliberately attacking people personally; they, too, were taking a stance.

Political voting is the most effective and direct means of resolving political differences and influencing policy under normal conditions in peacetime.

But the problem was that now, His Majesty the Emperor seemed somewhat shaken and uncertain due to the abruptness of the news and the gravity of the matter, even appearing a bit confused and dazed. At the same time, the stances taken by the relevant senior ministers had not formed an overwhelming voting result… Two Grand Councilors against two Grand Councilors, one Minister against one Minister. Only the Chief Councilor held greater power, yet he also had to consider the morale and public sentiment of the military officers from the Guanzhong region.

Thus, the matter was caught in a delicate balance.

Of course, to be fair, if Lü Yihao were here, such a large-scale vote would never have occurred, because those who opposed him would not have been present. If it were a classic elite scholar-official of the Great Song, he would have long since tossed down his cap and asked His Majesty: "Do you choose me or him?" The most amusing case would be encountering someone like Wen Yanbo, who liked to speak blunt truths. If you annoyed him, he wouldn't bother debating such surface-level issues; he'd just grab His Majesty, pull down his trousers, and let everyone have a good look.

But the problem was that Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun—after being lectured by Lü Haowen and then having the other party voluntarily step aside—were determined to create a new era, to make a roaring success, to advance a thousand li in a single day, and to fill the court with upright men who valued reason, morality, utility, and original learning.

Especially since Zhao Ding was indeed recognized after the Jianyan era as the Grand Councilor with the highest personal virtue and the best governance, and Zhang Jun, this man from Sichuan, also wanted to earn a reputation like that of Marquis Wu of Zhuge. Even His Majesty wanted to project the image of a founding emperor… This led everyone to still be very reasonable and willing to follow logic in their actions.

This caused Hu Hongxiu's speech to inadvertently play a decisive role that he himself never imagined.

However, at this very moment, Hu Hongxiu, the various Grand Councilors and senior ministers, and others had even more unexpected things coming.

That was, from the deepest level, Yelu Dashi, this remnant of the Northern Liao, had indeed become a force to be reckoned with, and he could indeed attack Western Xia from the rear.

At the same time, His Majesty had actually realized this from the very beginning.

How did he realize it?

The answer was cheating.

Perhaps Zhao Jiu himself hadn't noticed, but he had a vague impression of the name Yelu Dashi, an impression from before his transmigration. He vaguely knew this was an extraordinary figure, and deep down, he had already believed that this Yelu Dashi was a true hegemon who had come into his own, not someone Yelu Yudu had made up to save his own skin.

No help for it—who could forget the four characters "Yelu Dashi" so easily?

In comparison, figures like Khabul Khan only caught Zhao Jiu's attention because of their region and ethnicity.

Besides this, Zhao Jiu also had a perspective that no one present could imagine: he had the naturally broad geographical vision of a transmigrator… Everyone present was an elite of the empire, but His Majesty could guarantee that he was the only one who could draw a world map.

And it was unlikely that anyone else was more familiar with the geography of the Mongolian Plateau and the Western Regions than he was. This was just like how he had previously been able to correct the "Tribute of Yu Map," which many of Great Song's top intellectuals considered as difficult as ascending to heaven, without any formal instruction.

So, from the start, he knew that the place called "Hamil" was right behind Western Xia, and that Yelu Dashi could easily follow the Hexi Corridor all the way to strike into the Yellow River loop area in the heart of Western Xia.

A pincer attack was genuinely feasible!

Not to mention whether Western Xia, a small state with a population of only three million and only five hundred thousand men capable of serving as soldiers or laborers nationwide, could survive such a pincer attack from both sides. Even if it did survive, it wouldn't matter, because once the Hexi Corridor was opened and an alliance with Yelu Dashi was reached, Zhao Jiu would obtain a steady supply of warhorses from Yelu Dashi, along with immense commercial wealth.

Don't forget, the Hexi Corridor was the main artery of the Silk Road.

This was cheating, a natural perk for a transmigrator, but Zhao Jiu simply knew these possibilities.

In fact, it was precisely based on this cheating perspective that, upon seeing key terms like "Yelu Dashi," "Hamil," and "pincer attack," he unconsciously treated this matter, which was still just on paper, as an important political issue and immediately pushed it to the senior ministers for discussion and a vote.

To be honest, Zhao Jiu didn't really care whether the Jin gave Yan'an to Western Xia or not. Giving it was Jin Wushu's business; taking it was Li Qianshun's business. From the start, he had recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime strategic opportunity to weaken or even annihilate Western Xia.

And annihilating Western Xia had always been one of his personal "main quests."

It was just that originally, he had planned to destroy the Jin first before turning to Western Xia. Now, it had become possible to gain a strategic advantage over the Jin by destroying or weakening Western Xia.

Connecting with Yelu Dashi and opening the Hexi Corridor was the top priority!

Significantly weakening Western Xia and controlling the horse-breeding regions was the second priority!

And if they could take the opportunity to destroy Western Xia, even if it delayed fiscal reform by one or two years, or even three to five years, it would be worth it. This would give Zhao Song a strategic high ground over the Jin state and dramatically increase the strategic pressure on the Jin.

Moreover, if they succeeded quickly, with the supplement of the Silk Road, the fiscal reform might not be severely affected.

At today's meeting, what Zhao Jiu really wanted was for someone like Hu Hongxiu to step forward, give him confidence, tell him he could do it, and then tell the others that this was what His Majesty should do.

"I have made up my mind." The expressionless Emperor, having settled his thoughts, suddenly spoke from the throne. "The matter of Yan'an concerns the morale of the Guanzhong people. Even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand possibility, we must prepare for it first. Moreover, Western Xia's ruler, Li Qianshun, acts as an accomplice to evil. He is Yelu's son-in-law yet killed his wife and son; he is a vassal of Great Song yet cuts off the Dangxiang tribal cavalry for my use. Even when I sent him letters, he ignored them… His reputation for shallow virtue is known from Japan to the Hezhong region, known throughout the realm. As the Son of Heaven, I have long wanted to teach him a lesson!"

The civil and military officials below were momentarily stunned, each at a loss for words.

"Don't just hoard the money raised from this batch of treasury bonds converted into jiaozi… Use it to purchase grain and military supplies under the pretext of replenishing army provisions along the river." Seeing no opposition, Zhao Jiu continued to instruct. "Let the Secretariat work hard on this."

"Yes." This time, Zhao Ding didn't even sigh. Although he had misinterpreted the intent, he had long anticipated this scene.

"Yes." Liu Ji also bowed in response.

"Hu Quan."

"Your servant is here." Hu Quan, who had been somewhat bewildered about why he was included in this meeting, quickly stepped forward.

"Appropriately describe Western Xia's crimes and Li Qianshun's evil deeds in the official gazette. Appropriately describe the importance of Yan'an… But keep it measured, don't be too hasty. Discuss it based on the development of the situation and information. Understand?"

"Understood." Hu Quan immediately grasped the intent.

"You can also release some information in the gazette, just saying that the court is purchasing grain for military use in the Shaan-Luo region along the western side of the river. Set a fixed, reasonable price there and tell the merchants willing to transport grain to the Shaan-Luo area that they will definitely make a profit." Zhao Jiu instructed again, starting by addressing Hu Quan but ending by speaking to the two Grand Councilors of the Secretariat.

"This matter is simple, and there are precedents. Rest assured, Your Majesty." Zhao Ding had already replied calmly.

"The Bureau of Military Affairs, the Imperial Camp, and the Military Academy should together prepare a major strategic contingency plan. Yan'an goes without saying. Also prepare strategies for a pincer attack on Hexi and a pincer attack on the Yinshan Mountains with Yelu Dashi. Better to be prepared and have no need than to need and not be prepared."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty." Zhang Jun stepped forward half a pace to respond, then asked in return, "Should your servant go to Guanzhong first to make arrangements?"

"No need." Zhao Jiu said dismissively from the throne. "Don't alert the enemy. Let's watch and wait, and implement things secretly."

"Yes." Zhang Jun quickly acknowledged.

At this point, the Emperor hesitated slightly, forcibly suppressed one matter, then looked around and continued in a serious tone: "One last thing. Who is willing to be my Marquis of Bowang or Marquis of Dingyuan? To go with Yudu out through Hehuang, past Qinghai, to Hamil to see Yelu Dashi? This matter cannot be delayed!"

As he spoke, Zhao Jiu looked for Yu Yunwen… this was precisely the best candidate in his mind from the start. From this, it was clear that deep down, Zhao Jiu had already made a decision from the very beginning.

However, the candles in the hall flickered, the light was unclear, and the disadvantage of using only one candle per candlestick was fully exposed. His Majesty couldn't find his trusted young Tanhua Yu for a moment. And since young Tanhua Yu didn't see His Majesty's encouraging gaze, he naturally couldn't immediately express his stance, causing the momentum that had been building to falter for a moment.

But just then, after only a brief pause, a young civil official who was already standing near a lamp stepped forward half a pace and bowed in the lamplight: "Your servant, Hu Hongxiu, Recipient of Edicts of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Staff Officer for Military Planning, will not shirk this duty. I am willing to accept the commission and travel west!"

Zhao Jiu was slightly startled and didn't react for a moment.

On the side, Qu Duan couldn't help but laugh: "Staff Officer Hu, you can't even speak fluently. How can you be an envoy? Don't forget, there's no goodwill between us and the Khitans either. When the time comes, you'll need to match wits with your tongue."

Hu Hongxiu looked up and replied earnestly: "Commander-in-Chief Qu, this subordinate believes that if Yelu Dashi is indeed in Hamil and has a strong army, then whether this matter succeeds depends on how obsessed Yelu Dashi is with restoring his old state and how much benefit a pincer attack on Western Xia might bring him. These things cannot be changed by a tongue. When the time comes, this subordinate will be sincere and speak frankly… If he comes, he will come of his own accord; if he doesn't, he won't. But I will never disgrace my mission!"

Qu Duan snorted coldly, seemingly dismissive.

It was Zhao Jiu who finally smiled: "I understand. Let Staff Officer Hu be concurrently appointed Vice Minister of War, travel west to Qinghai, and see this Yelu Dashi on my behalf! Then speak frankly… Ask him on my behalf if he knows that I have already welcomed back the Two Emperors, and that Yelu Yanxi was trampled into mud by the Jurchen horsemen three years ago. Ask him if he is willing to join me in a grand hunt at Lingxia, to take the Hexi region as a rear base for advancing west and a forward foundation for returning east. Then ask him if he still remembers what the reeds outside his hometown of Linhuangfu looked like?"

"Your servant humbly accepts the command!"

Hu Hongxiu bowed in response.

PS: Thank you to the book friend Duanwu Zhaoti for becoming a leader, thank you to the book friend Young Master Qingshan for becoming a leader, thank you to the book friend Yexu Weilai for becoming a leader again, thank you to the book friend for becoming a leader, thank you to the book friend Yekuang Xueji for becoming a leader again… During this National Day period, besides the two Silver Alliances from the big shot Liu Li Qin, at least thirteen other big shots have become leaders or repeated leaders… Considering the major failure in last month's update output and falling asleep naturally from exhaustion last night, I am truly ashamed beyond words.

Finally, continue to sacrifice this new book "Returning to the Ming Dynasty to Be a Tyrant Emperor"… Transmigrating into the Great Ming, becoming the carpenter emperor Zhu Youjiao. Well, I'll hide in the back, take the blame myself, and you all go die.