The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 225: Raising an Army
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti asked Tong Guan to prepare the carriage, then walked out of the palace gate and headed straight for the imperial city.

When we entered the palace and came to the imperial study, we saw many ministers standing inside.

There were more than a dozen people in total, including Zhang Dun, Cai Bian, Zeng Bu, Lin Xi, Huang Lu, Xu Jiang, He Zhizhong, Xie Jingwen, Deng Runfu, Fan Tong, Zhu Chen, Cai Jing, Zhao Tingzhi, Miao Shou, etc., including almost all the prime ministers and ministers of various ministries.

Zhao Tili said, "Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me."

Zhao Xu smiled behind the desk and said, "All the ministers came here directly after the court session. The King of Yan did not attend the court session, so why are you late? You came at the right time."

Zhao Ti thanked him, then stood by the table, and heard Zhao Xu say, "The court has been discussing sending troops to Longyou these days, and today it has been finalized. Wang Min, the deputy envoy of Xihe Road, will be the commander-in-chief, Wang Shan, the general manager of Jingyuan Road, will be the deputy commander-in-chief, Gao Yongnian, the military commander of Qingzhou in Huanqing Road, will be the vanguard and the chief of the foreign troops. We will raise an army of 80,000 to attack Qingtang City and advance to Longyou. What do you think, Prince Yan?"

Zhao Ti thought to himself that it was the same as what he had thought on the way. It was time for this sixth brother to take action. Sure enough, it had been decided today. He said, "Your Majesty is wise and knows how to use people. This time he will surely achieve great success and expand the territory."

Wang Min and his two main generals were actually the main generals in the Yuanfu Qingtang Battle. At this time, the time of attacking Longyou was advanced, but Zhao Xi still used these three people, which shows that they were indeed suitable for the Hehuang battle.

Among them, Wang Min was the deputy commander of Xihe Road and the second chief general. In the ranking of generals of the Song Dynasty, he was on the same level as Zhong Yan, Liu Fa and others.

The other two were not only famous generals of the time, but their fame was also passed down to later generations. Not to mention Zhong Yan, who was a famous general of the Zhong family and the uncle of Zhong Shidao. Liu Fa was later known as a natural born general. There is a saying that when discussing famous generals of the time, Liu Fa must be ranked first.

These people are all famous generals at the army group level. Although Wang Min is not as famous as the other two, his military skills are not false.

Zhao Xu nodded upon hearing this, with a slightly excited look on his face, and said, "Since the King of Yan feels that the appointment is correct, then I am relieved."

At this time, all the ministers looked at Zhao Ti, with all kinds of thoughts in their minds. Zhao Xu's words clearly showed that he trusted the other party very much, and it was obvious that he relied on and valued the other party's ideas.

Zhao Xu continued, "This is the first war since I took power. We must win. Recover Qingtang and expand Longyou. Recovering Qingtang will restrain Xixia, and taking Longyou will besiege the enemy. We cannot make any mistakes."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed together and said, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy. The battle of Qingtang is bound to be victorious and the victory will be achieved immediately. It will be just a matter of time before the Xia bandits are pacified."

Zhao Xu stretched out his hands and pressed them, saying, "When the previous emperor attacked Xia from five directions, it ended in failure. I don't want to repeat the same mistake. If we start a war like that with Xixia again in the future, we must succeed, not fail. If we fail, the morale, the people's voice, and the spirit of the court that the Song Dynasty has accumulated over the years will be destroyed again."

Everyone was silent when they heard this. The failure of the five-pronged expedition against Xia not only caused huge damage to the national strength of the Song Dynasty at that time, but also dealt a great blow to the body and mind of Emperor Shenzong. He was even seriously ill and unable to attend court.

Zhao Xu continued, "There were many reasons why the five-way invasion of Xia failed. Although Li Xian, Gao Zunyu, Zhong Yan, Shen Kuo, Liu Changzuo and others were punished in the end, the pain must be remembered in our hearts."

When Zhao Ti heard Shen Kuo's name, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. This Shen Kuo was the Shen Kuo who wrote "Mengxi Bitan" and was the commander-in-chief and pacification envoy of Fuyan Road at that time.

During the five-pronged attack on the Xia Yongle City, Shen Kuo made some mistakes and errors in his actions, for which he was later punished and investigated, which affected his subsequent official career. Otherwise, he would have been able to make further progress. He died of illness while in office this spring.

Zhao Xu said: "A lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit. Although Qingtang Longyou is far from comparable to Xixia, I don't want the army to compete for merit again, and I don't want to see major problems in mutual assistance and logistical supply."

Everyone looked unhappy. The biggest problem in the Song army was not the lack of staff or the discord between generals, but the competition for credit. Before the war was over, they started scrambling for credit. Whether they were the deputy generals or the commander-in-chief, they all vied for credit.

If the final outcome of the battle is certain to be a great victory and the war is about to end, it can be somewhat justified. However, the fact is often that the battle situation is not clear at all and the outcome is not yet known, but people begin to plot to grab the credit.

Zhao Ti said at this moment: "Your Majesty, please issue a strict order and ask the generals in the army to abide by it. If there is any violation, list the military regulations to deal with it, or... appoint a envoy to supervise it."

There is really no good solution to this problem. In Zhao Ti's memory, during the Yuanfu Qingtang Campaign, although there were not as many famous Western Army generals participating as in the five-way expedition against Xia, even though Wang Min, Wang Shan, and Gao Yongnian were the only ones who made decisions on all matters, there were still incidents of people trying to steal credit.

Among them, Wang Min and Wang Shan were not on good terms, and Xi commander Sun Lu disliked Wang Shan extremely, thinking that he was cunning and difficult to control. After the troops were divided out, he created many obstacles for Wang Shan in terms of logistics supplies.

However, due to the civil strife in Qingtang at that time, the war was still progressing very smoothly. After the Song army recaptured Miaochuan, Qingtang was put in a situation where it had no strategic location to defend. The morale of the Zuosiluo people was completely broken, and they could directly capture the ancient city.

However, the generals of the Song army ignored the strategy and focused on infighting, and almost failed in the end. The court also discovered this and felt that it had affected the war situation. They had no choice but to transfer Sun Lu from Xihe to Henan Prefecture on the grounds that he "handled the Miaochuan incident incorrectly". They also sent Hu Zonghui, the governor of Qingzhou, to Xizhou and appointed him as the governor.

Although the Song army finally captured Qingtang City, they were exhausted, haggard, their clothes were torn, and their weapons were incomplete. They did not look like a mighty army at all. This was not caused by fighting at all, but the result of internal fighting for credit, which led to empty logistics and lack of supplies.

After the Song army occupied Qingtang City, the Tibetan Zuosilo tribes began to resist, wars broke out frequently, and the situation was quite difficult due to lack of logistics.

Originally, at this time, the imperial court was discussing sending reinforcements to deal with the matter and gain a firm foothold. However, at this juncture, Zhao Xu's only three-month-old son died and he fell seriously ill.

Later in the twelfth month, Zhao Xu's illness improved, and he returned to normal during the New Year. When he went to court to discuss the matter after the New Year, he suddenly vomited blood and died in the middle of the first month of the year.

Subsequently, there were political changes in the court, the replacement of imperial power, and changes in government orders. The Song army had no choice but to temporarily withdraw from the Huangshui River Basin two months later. The Hehuang area was lost again, and Qingtang City returned to the hands of the Tibetan Zuosilo regime.

Zhao Xu heard this and said, "Does the King of Yan mean that we don't need the governor of Xihe Road to take charge, but to send someone from the court?"

The ministers could not help but look at Zhao Ti, wondering in their hearts, could it be that the King of Yan had some grudge against Xi Marshal Sun Lu? For such a great cause, why didn't they want Sun Lu to be the last one to leave?
Sun Lu, the governor and pacification commissioner of Xihe Road, was also a member of the New Party. However, the New Party was now in power in the court and had eliminated the Old Party. His faction was no longer united and had split into several groups. Although they did not fight openly, they were competing fiercely in secret.

Zhao Ti said, "That's right. I think if Your Majesty is worried that the internal strife for merit will be difficult to stop, you might as well send a pacification envoy to supervise and balance the generals in the army."

Zhao Xu nodded. He was also hesitant about whether to do so, but on the one hand, there was no suitable candidate, and on the other hand, he was worried that if he started the first war after taking power, it would cause the Western Army generals to have some ideas.

After all, the envoys held all power during wartime, and the court sent people there to command and supervise the army. It didn't matter whether they would fight or not, what was important was supervising the army.

However, if we send someone who really can't fight and let him give orders, the generals will have to obey, which will inevitably make them dissatisfied.

Zhao Xu thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "King Yan..."

Seeing this, Zhao Ti hurriedly shook his head and said, "I won't go. I just came back from the west not long ago and I really can't run anymore."

Zhao Xu nodded. He actually hoped that his eighth brother would go, but thinking about it, it was impossible. Not only had he just returned, but he had been out for several times in the past two years and had hardly attended court. He must rest at home for a while.

"Who does Prince Yan think is suitable to be the envoy and governor of Qingtang's military affairs?" Zhao Xu smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "Eighth brother, if you don't want to go, then don't go. But don't take it too easy. Share some of my worries and don't let me do all the offending things alone."

All the ministers looked at Zhao Ti and couldn't help but smile knowingly. They naturally knew what Zhao Xu was thinking. His Majesty was going to drag Prince Yan into this as well and didn't want Prince Yan to stay out of this matter. But then again, Prince Yan was promoted to the head of the Imperial Guards and was the commander-in-chief, the boss of two departments and three yamen. How could he not participate in such a major military event?
Zhao Ti smiled and glanced at all the ministers. Not to mention when he mentioned the matter of the envoy just now, even on the way to the imperial city, he had already made several preparations, speculating that they might discuss sending troops to Longyou when entering the palace.

His eyes slowly moved to the side behind Zhao Xu, where Yang Jian was holding a whisk and looking at the ministers with a fiery expression, his ears perked up, not missing a single word in the room.

He found that Zhao Ti was looking at him with a smile, and he was startled, but then his body suddenly shook, as if he thought of something. His eyes widened, his lips trembled, and he bowed forward slightly.

Zhao Ti said, "Your Majesty, I think Yang Duzhi is qualified for the post of pacification."

"Yang Jian?" Zhao Xu showed a surprised expression, and all the ministers were also stunned.

Zhao Ti said: "That's right."

Yang Jian's shoulders trembled with excitement when he heard this. He dreamed of sending Zhiwai away, even if it would be enough to serve as a regular assistant for two terms. However, although Zhao Xu knew that he had martial arts skills, he still did not let him go.

Zhao Xu turned to look at Yang Jian, and looked him up and down for a few breaths: "Do you understand military affairs?"

"Ah?" Yang Jian was stunned. He was just overjoyed in his heart, but now he was filled with regret. He did not understand military affairs and had never read any military books or strategies. What he liked to read most were embroidered storybooks about love, and what he liked to listen to most were stories about supernatural powers.

"Your Majesty, I, I don't understand military affairs..." Yang Jian didn't dare to lie. Lying about such things would not bring good consequences.

"Don't you know how to fight?" Zhao Xu thought for a moment and looked at Zhao Ti. Yang Jian also looked at Zhao Ti. At this moment, he wanted to run to the front and hug the other's thigh, begging him to say one more word for him, and he would be willing to sacrifice his life for him.

Zhao Ti said, "Your Majesty, if it is for war, why would the court send people there? All the generals of the Western Army are veterans of the battlefield and are full of strategies. Any deputy general you pick out is better than Yang Duzhi. Your Majesty is trying to balance the internal affairs and put an end to the quarrels over merit and slackness in logistics."

Zhao Xu pondered and said, "That's true, but it's not like I'm going to command a war..."

Hearing this from the side, Yang Jian almost ran to the front and knelt down before Zhao Ti. If he could be appointed as the envoy of pacification this time, he would immediately become famous in the court and the army, which would be considered as entering the court.

Although the Xuanfu Envoy was not a permanent official position, but was set up temporarily during wartime, it was of a very high level, and it was a great qualification. What was the Qingtang Longyou War? It was to expand the territory and leave a name in the history books.

With this level of qualifications, he will definitely be assigned any missions in the future. He might even be sent to the border to command troops as an official like Li Xian one day.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one said anything. If Zhao Ti recommended a court official, some would be happy and some would be worried, and some might even make private connections and quickly send the news to the Western Army. However, they did not expect that the person recommended was a eunuch in the palace.

There are several factions in the New Party. Now I can't get it, and you can't get it either. In short, no one can get it, but they don't have any complaints. Not only do they not have any thoughts against Zhao Ti in their hearts, but they think that Zhao Ti's move is really smart.

Zhao Ti watched coldly at this time. In fact, Yang Jian was not the best candidate for the envoy. Yang Jian did not understand military affairs and was very greedy. If he recommended someone else, it would be inevitable that he would fall into factional disputes again, and he would be less capable than Yang Jian. Everyone was worried about inequality rather than insufficiency. In this case, he would just let someone from outside the court go. Zhao Xu would definitely understand his intentions.

Zhao Xu asked, "Yang Jian, I sent you to pacify the enemy. You don't know how to fight. Can you not give orders recklessly?"

Yang Jian excitedly ran to the front of the dragon case and knelt down with a plop: "Your Majesty, how dare I command the battle? I just heard clearly that you are supervising military discipline and logistics. I know what to do and what not to do."

Zhao Xu glanced at him and then looked at the ministers: "What do you think, my dear ministers?"

The ministers looked at each other. They thought, "Hasn't this already been decided? Why are you asking us?" Are they asking us to make our position clear to the Western Army?

Zhang Dun coughed lightly and stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think it is feasible. The army should send a envoy to supervise the matter."

Zeng Bu also said: "I think Yang Duzhi has never been in the court or the army, and he is not biased towards any side. He is just right for this position, so that there will be no complaints in the army about favoritism."

Cai Bian said: "I second the proposal..."

Seeing all the ministers expressing their opinions, Zhao Xu smiled and said, "Since all of you agree with the King of Yan's recommendation, then Yang Jian..."

Yang Jian knelt on the ground and said, "I am here!"

Zhao Xu said: "The post of the envoy has always been to control everything during the war. You don't understand the military battlefield, so don't interfere in the war. Think twice before you act."

Yang Jian kowtowed hurriedly, making a "bang bang" sound: "I understand, I understand, I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "In that case, I will appoint you as the Xihe Longyou Xuanfu Envoy. Lead your men to Xizhou tomorrow."

Yang Jian thanked him excitedly, then stood up and stood aside.

Zhao Xu looked at Zeng Bu and said, "We need to urge the Military Equipment Bureau and the Crossbow Institute to produce more double-bow crossbow carts. The eight-ox crossbow cannot be neglected either. We should transport them all to Qingtang when the time comes."

Zeng Bu said yes, departments such as the Military Equipment Inspectorate were all under the Privy Council and were under his management.

Zhao Xu looked at Zhang Dun again and said, "Other matters should be handled by the Ministry of Shangshu. I will not ask any more questions. It is up to Prime Minister Zhang to make the decision on minor matters."

After the Yuanfeng reform, the three-province and six-department system was restored, with the Shangshu Zuo Pushe who was also the Menxia Shilang as the Left Prime Minister, and the Shangshu You Pushe who was also the Zhongshu Shilang as the Right Prime Minister. The meeting and office place was set up in the main hall of the former Zhengshi Hall, renamed the Three-Provincial Hall, and the prime minister worked in the Shangshu Province.

Zhang Dun bowed and said, "I obey your order."

Afterwards, they discussed some other miscellaneous matters, and then Zhao Xu asked all the ministers to leave, leaving only Zhao Ti behind.

He ordered Yang Jian to close the door of the imperial study, and then said, "Get a chair for the King of Yan to sit on."

Yang Jian brought a chair over and Zhao Ti sat down and asked, "Your Majesty, what else do you want to ask me?"

At this moment, the military plan of Qingtang has been decided. If nothing unexpected happens, the order will be issued tomorrow and the Xihe army will be on the move. He doesn't know what other plans Zhao Xu has.

Then Zhao Xu asked, "Does the King of Yan have any knowledge of astronomy and astrology?"

Zhao Ti shook his head slightly: "I don't know much about this."

Zhao Xu said, "The last time the King of Yan told me that there was a huge star disk in the Xixia Great Witch Cult. The wizard said that the seven stars were in the same palace, and he invited Xiao Liang to watch. Only then did the King of Yan have the opportunity to assassinate him."

Zhao Ti nodded and said, "That is indeed the case, but I don't know what this astrological sign means."

He really hadn't done much research on this. After all, the concept of astrology in later generations is different from that in ancient times. In ancient times, astrology was often exaggerated with various omens and attached with a mysterious color, but in later generations, it was just a normal astronomical phenomenon.

"The Imperial Astronomical Bureau discovered the celestial phenomenon of the Seven Luminaries in the same palace would appear as early as last winter. When it appeared this year, I went up to watch it, but it was too far away and I didn't see anything unusual." Zhao Xu sighed, "You were not in the capital at that time."

Zhao Ti thought for a moment and asked, "Your Majesty, what does this astrology mean?"

Zhao Xu said: "The seven stars in the same palace is a sign of great changes in heaven and earth. It has appeared several times in ancient times. Each time it was either a sign of great prosperity, or a sign of great chaos, or the appearance of strange things in the world, and so on."

Zhao Ti said: "I can understand the great rebellion, but what does it mean when something strange happens?"

Zhao Xu shook his head and said, "I don't know. This has always been said, but in the past, there have been several times when chaos broke out, but nothing unusual has ever happened. Maybe it's not the right time yet."

Zhao Ti was silent for a few breaths after hearing this: "I wonder how long it will take for the event predicted by the stars to happen?"

Zhao Xu said: "Within sixty years."

Zhao Ti asked in confusion: "Not now?"

Zhao Xu shook his head: "It could be right now, it could be a few years or ten years from now, or it could be thirty or fifty years from now. Changes will definitely occur within a sixty-year period."

Zhao Ti thought about it and felt that it was hard to believe such a thing. However, seeing Zhao Xu's serious expression, he could not say too much. He smiled and said, "I will find some astrology books after I go back and see if I can understand something."

Zhao Xu said: "King Yan, please read more. The theory of astrology is profound and you will definitely gain some insights."

Zhao Ti nodded, then talked about military affairs for a while, then stood up, left the imperial city and returned to the palace.

Jiangnan, Zhejiang West Road, Suzhou.

Outside Suzhou City, Murong Longcheng looked at the endless stream of pedestrians coming and going at the city gate with a confused look on his face.

He touched the two music books in his arms, murmured "Murong Yanzhao", and then walked towards the city.

(End of this chapter)