Chapter 22 2. Asking Strategies on a Snowy Night: Zhao Kuangyin's World Dream

Among the many emperors who ascended to the throne by overthrowing the previous dynasty, some started their struggle from the bottom of society, while some made full use of existing resources to build their own dreams based on the foundation of the previous dynasty.Zhao Kuangyin belongs to the latter, and he is different from other emperors before him. Although he ascended the throne, he retained the original policy mechanism and continued the original management personnel, making it seem that only the supreme ruler of this country can change. Now, we have entered a new era.Judging from his care for Chai Rong's widow, Empress Dowager Fu, and later Zhou Gong Emperor Chai Zongxun, although he took over the Chai family, he still has respect for Chai Rong, and this respect is reflected in many aspects of his future governance.

The newly established dynasty will have a certain stage of adaptation. The generals who have gained power are domineering one by one, showing off their achievements, and everyone regards themselves as a hero of the new dynasty.For Zhao Pu, Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide and others who once supported him, Zhao Kuangyin generously granted them titles, making Zhao Pu the prime minister and his right-hand man.But for himself, Zhao Kuangyin still had strict requirements. There were only a few hundred court ladies and eunuchs in the court, who refused to enjoy the extravagant and lustful life provided for the emperor, and still lived a very frugal life.Because in Zhao Kuangyin's heart, now is far from the time to enjoy the results.

Since Chai Rong, the regime in the north of the Central Plains has always hoped to be unified. This idea was passed on to the Song Dynasty through the Later Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Kuangyin also harbored such a dream of unification.He said to his ministers earnestly: "Now, although we have established a new dynasty, internal and external troubles have not diminished at all. Both internal and external, there are problems that we need to solve, and they are all very urgent. Under such circumstances, How can everyone only know how to enjoy themselves?" Under the influence of Zhao Kuangyin's concern for the country and the people, the courtiers of the Song court were also dedicated, and this did not make Zhao Kuangyin feel relaxed.After retiring from the court, he looked at the heavy snow falling outside the window, and said to Empress Song: "The heavy snow is falling, and another year will pass. The spring river will thaw soon, and the farmers will be farming again, but this country is like a tree. A sapling that no one takes care of, I worry every day that it will die."

Empress Song virtuously put on a coat for him, and said consolingly: "I saw that the courtiers are loyal to their duties, and your Majesty is also tired until late at night every day. Such diligence will surely make this tree grow to towering heights. Are you so worried? It’s getting late, so you should rest early and think about these things tomorrow.” Zhao Kuangyin said: "Today I received an urgent letter from the frontier guards, saying that the Northern Han Dynasty and the Khitan have colluded again, and there seems to be signs of launching an offensive against the Song Dynasty. Although its power is not to be feared, the Khitan is our great enemy." , How can I sleep with these news?"

He looked at the sky outside the window. Although it was already late at night, it was still bright because of the light from the snow.Zhao Kuangyin said to Queen Song, "I'm going to find Zhao Pu and discuss the countermeasures with him." Although Empress Song was very surprised, she immediately prepared clothes for him and ordered someone to prepare a sedan chair. On the quiet avenue of Kaifeng City, the emperor's imperial chariot passed by quietly, and Zhao Kuangyin, who was lightly dressed and simple, came straight to the prime minister's mansion.Zhao Pu was taken aback when he heard the report, he did not expect the emperor to visit the mansion in the middle of the night in such a snowy day.While getting dressed, he quickly walked out of the bedroom and hurried out to greet her.

Zhao Kuangyin took Zhao Pu's arm kindly and said, "Did I disturb you by my late-night visit?" Zhao Pu hurriedly said: "The duty of the minister is to put His Majesty first at all times, how could it be disturbing?" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile: "The heavy snow tonight makes me unable to sleep peacefully, so I came to you specially. I asked my wife to heat up a pot of wine, and you and I will talk about enjoying the snow. What do you think?" Zhao Pu hurriedly ordered people to prepare food and wine, and invited Zhao Kuangyin to his seat.He knew that Zhao Kuangyin's reason for going out of the palace so late at night was not simply because he wanted to enjoy the snow with him.

Sure enough, Zhao Kuangyin frowned after only a few drinks.Zhao Pu hurriedly asked, "Why is Your Majesty worried?" Zhao Kuangyin said: "Today's frontier emergency report said that the Northern Han Dynasty and the Khitan have colluded again, intending to take advantage of our unstable foundation and make an enemy of our Great Song Dynasty. In fact, not only the Northern Han and Khitan, but also the South also exist, which makes people uneasy. The hidden dangers are keeping me awake at night." Zhao Pu said: "Your Majesty is worrying about the country, which is the blessing of the people in the world."

Zhao Kuangyin frowned, and said displeasedly: "Many people say these nonsense words every day, so you don't need to tell me. I want to hear something practical from you." Zhao Pu smiled and said: "Actually, I have already thought about these issues. Since Your Majesty wants to know so eagerly today, I will start from the beginning." Then, Zhao Pu ordered someone to fetch a map of the Song Dynasty from the study, Spread it on the table, and said to Zhao Kuangyin: "Now, for the Song Dynasty, there are actually internal and external troubles. Generally speaking, there is one inside and one outside, one south and one north. The so-called one inside and one outside means that there are southern countries inside. It cannot be settled. Although these small countries are not strong in national power, their combined land area is larger than that of our Song Dynasty, and their total population is also larger than ours. Fortunately, there have been constant wars among them, and the fighting has distracted their energy. Taking into account the changes that are taking place in the Northern Great Song Dynasty. As for the outside, it is the northern Khitan, which has always been eyeing our territorial wealth. Since the Liao Kingdom occupied the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun, it has completely mastered the dangers of the Great Wall and fully grasped the initiative of the war. Quan, no matter when we launch a war against the Central Plains, it will cause us great losses, and it will threaten Kaifeng, the capital, at any time."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded and said: "What you said is exactly what I am most worried about. Although the Northern Han Dynasty is not as powerful as the Southern Han Dynasty, it relies on the Liao Kingdom. Headache. But what do you mean by one north and one south?" Zhao Pu said: "The so-called "one south and one north" means that under the current situation, the Song Dynasty has established a brand new regime, and it is bound to start doing things: the south wants to unify the whole country, and the north wants to recover lost land. The Northern Han Dynasty is actually insufficient. Fear, as long as we defeat the Liao army, it will perish by itself."

Zhao Kuangyin said deeply: "Yes, there are things that we need to do in the north and the south. I remember that Shizong Chai Rong discussed this issue with Wang Pu, Fan Zhi and others. In the north, after gaining certain victories in the south, they swung their troops to the north again and regained a lot of lost ground, which is inspiring." Regarding this, Zhao Pu said: "Sejong was able to recover the lost land back then, not because of the strength of the Zhou Dynasty, but because of the internal turmoil in the Liao Kingdom. The Liao Lord could not take care of it for a while, so he gave the Zhou army a chance. For a long time , the military strength of the Liao Kingdom is stronger than ours. They have more than 300,000 to 400,000 cavalry, while the army in the Central Plains is only 300,000 at most, and they are mainly infantry. How much advantage can this comparison have? ?”

Zhao Kuangyin said: "I went out with Sejong and used the method of cooperation between the navy and the army to take back Ning, Mo and other places. Isn't this true? The Northern Army is not good at water warfare, which is also the advantage of the Zhou Army. " Zhao Pu said: "The war of those years is over. Now the Lord of Liao has made great efforts to govern and is much stronger than before. It may not be feasible to follow the original method." Zhao Kuangyin said: "Then according to your opinion, what should be done?" Zhao Pu said: "In Yichen's view, we should still adopt the policy established by Chai Rong, Wang Pu and others: first south and then north. The southern regime is weak, and the real estate is rich. Wait until our strength can compete with Liao. When the time comes, then send troops to the north and fight to the death, only in this way can we be sure of victory." Zhao Kuangyin asked, "The north-south strategy was Chai Rong's previous method. Can it still work for us now?" Zhao Pu said: "At present, there are seven separatist regimes in the south, all of which take advantage of the troubled times to dominate one side. Compared with the Song Dynasty, the individual strength is very weak. Therefore, it is very important for us to break through one by one with the strong against the weak. It's easy. But the Liao Kingdom in the north is a strong enemy for Song. We are weak against the strong, and the outcome is hard to tell. If this is the case, why not wait until the strength increases before fighting it?" This analysis happened between Chai Rong and Wang Pu a few years ago, and after Zhao Kuangyin took power, the situation he faced was actually very similar to that of Chai Rong at that time, so he quickly accepted Zhao Pu's words.He said helplessly: "Whether it is from south to north or from north to south, there must be wars and bloodshed, but such things are the last thing I want to see." Zhao Pu said: "Your Majesty is merciful, but if you want to unify, you can only use this method." Zhao Kuangyin nodded, drank the wine in the cup, and said loudly: "I only hope that the reunification can be completed as soon as possible, so that there will be no more bloodshed and wars on the land in the future, so that the people can live in peace for a few years. day!" On this snowy night, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu sat opposite each other, discussing the future of the country together, and established the first major development policy after the founding of the Song Dynasty, and the strategic deployment of the Song Army guided by "first south, then north" began.In order to achieve unification, Zhao Kuangyin straddled his horse to the battlefield again, waving the sharp sword in his hand to reunite the fragmented territory.This is a career that Chai Rong failed to realize, and Zhao Kuangyin, who is full of confidence, believes that he will realize this dream.