Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 294 Great Unification!

Chapter 294 Great Unification!
May 11th, the sixth year of the Xifeng reign.

Guizhou, Central Army Camp.

The elite soldiers, armed with armor and swords, stood guard every three steps, as firm and solemn as rocks.

There was a piece of ebony about ten feet long, on which documents and military reports were laid out one by one.

Emperor Zhao Ceying sat upright with his arms supporting him, picked up a document in his hand, and gazed at it indifferently.

Below him, there are standing chairs on the left and right.

To the left, there are about ten chairs.

Those who took their seats were either high-ranking officials with purple robes or famous military generals.

Duke Ningguo Gu Tingye, Acting Prefect of Kaifeng Zhang Heng, Pacification Commissioner of Hedong Road Li Qingchen, Marquis of Funing Shi Yuansun, as well as Zheng Xiao, Liang Zhao, Yang Wenguang, Yan Da, and several others were all prominently listed.

Without exception, they all wore solemn and dignified expressions, appearing extremely serious.

On the right, there are about ten chairs as well.

Those who took their seats were either prime ministers or important ministers of the country.

Chancellor Zhao Hui, Privy Councilor Yelü Yixin, Deputy Privy Councilor Xiao Weixin, Prince Wei Xiao Youdan, as well as Xiao Yanshou, Yelü Sala, Xiao Tabuye, and other officials from both the north and south, were all relatively famous important ministers of the Liao Dynasty.

Without exception, they all wore solemn expressions and looked embarrassed.

Besides these, there were also other civil and military officials and Liao ministers who were not qualified to sit down, about sixty or seventy people in total, all of whom stood with their hands tied and ready for battle.

This time, there were even several prime ministers, privy councilors, and privy councilors present, making it a top-tier event in terms of scale and lineup.

This is about negotiating peace.

Since Jinpenzhai's advice, Yelü Hongji has agreed to seek peace.

In response, the Liao Kingdom expressed its desire for peace.

The Zhou side, after discussions, also agreed to the intention to seek peace.

The main reason is that the Liao cavalry was indeed extraordinary.

From February to May, after nearly a hundred days of fighting, the central army only managed to capture the states of Wei and Gui.

As for Hebei East Road and Hebei West Road, they were more in a state of tension, occasionally gaining an advantage and seizing some territory, but they were relatively scattered and did not reach the size of a prefecture.

As things stand, even if the Liao and Zhou kingdoms continue fighting, it will only be a gradual, step-by-step advance.

To truly seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun by force would take at least a year.

An army of 100,000 men fought year after year!
Such losses in supplies and manpower would be a considerable burden even for the orthodox forces in the Central Plains.

Delaying it for too long is harmful and not beneficial.

Allowing peace and acquiring the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun through cession would undoubtedly be a wiser choice.

If you're wondering why we didn't continue the stalemate and wipe out the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop?
You can't get fat in one bite!
The expansion of territory was always done in units of "states".

Expanding the territory to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was already quite arduous and difficult.

The fact is that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were not very large.

In terms of area, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun accounted for only about half of the territory of the Liao Dynasty, or five percent.

It would be virtually impossible to wipe out a nomadic regime with a population of tens of millions in one fell swoop!

The complete annihilation of a nation can easily trigger a desperate counterattack, a fight to the death.

The only way is to proceed gradually!

"call!"

He exhaled silently.

The document was gently placed down, and Zhao Ceying looked up, his dragon eyes gazing downwards.

The fervor that arises from it is quite evident.

Everyone knows what the Emperor Zhao is thinking!

In fact, once negotiations are involved, one should theoretically not show any emotions, lest someone take advantage of the situation.

Emperor Zhao has also tried his best to maintain a peaceful demeanor.

However, he got too excited.

mood?

There's absolutely no way to hide it!

Of course, this is not surprising.

Of the three great regimes of Liao, Zhou, and Xia, who among those with good connections did not know that the Zhao emperor's ambition was to unify the country?
This time, the army has the upper hand, holding its own against two opponents, and is destined to keep pursuing them relentlessly until they see a clear advantage.

Both the Liao and Western Xia dynasties were fully aware of this.

Since Yelü Hongji chose to "be pragmatic" and send envoys to negotiate peace, it shows that he was already prepared to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

After all, without the condition of ceding the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, it was destined that peace talks would not be possible!

How could Zhao Ceying not be excited?

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were unified under one rule!

The greatest emperor of all time, Emperor Shizong, is beckoning!
"Ahem~!"

With a light cough, Zhao Ceying stretched out his hands, his face arrogant, and said indifferently, "Peace talks between the two countries are of great importance. Let's skip the more cumbersome formalities and pleasantries."

"I'll get straight to the point."

Zhao Ceying looked down, his expression one of certainty: "The Liao Kingdom must cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun."

"Otherwise, there's no point in discussing anything; we still have to fight."

Judging from his words and actions, he seemed to be ready to give up if the talks didn't go through.

"this--"

Chancellor Zhao Hui, Privy Councilor Yelü Yixin, and Deputy Privy Councilor Xiao Weixin exchanged glances, their expressions changing slightly and turning dark.

Isn't this too direct?
"The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are of paramount importance; how can they be ceded?"

Prime Minister Zhao Hui tried to "pull" him along a bit.

In fact, the country had already decided to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

However, negotiation is an art.

Emperor Zhao's ambition was to control the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, a fact known to all.

This was the Liao Dynasty's bargaining chip.

The better the tug-of-war is handled, the more leverage the Liao Kingdom will have.

In this way, they can obtain better terms for cession.

Who would have thought?
"Oh!"

Zhao Ceying slammed his hand on the wooden table, his face full of impatience: "I'll just ask one question, is that alright?"

"If you don't like it, then get out!"

"The day will come when we clash with swords, and then we shall see who prevails!"

Prime Minister Zhao Hui gritted his teeth and quickly said, "Alright."

Logically speaking, this "too direct" approach to negotiation is very likely intentional.

But Zhao Hui dared not gamble.

There was nothing they could do; the Western Xia was in turmoil and had already submitted to the Liao Dynasty, leaving the Liao Dynasty isolated and helpless.

With its superior artillery, manpower, and the Jurchen resistance, the Zhou side certainly had the confidence to continue the war regardless of the consequences.

"so be it."

Zhao Ceying waved his hand and squinted his eyes: "The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are transferred, and the Liao Kingdom withdraws its troops. From now on, the two countries can live in peace."

In short, it seemed as if the negotiations were about to end.

"Eh--"

Zhao Hui was startled and quickly stopped him, saying, "The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are extremely fertile."

"To date, the Great Zhou has only conquered six prefectures: Ying, Yun, Huan, Shuo, Wei, and Gui."

"How can there be any reason for the world to cede ten states to seek peace?"

Zhao Hui, his face dark, glanced around and said in a deep voice, "You should know that even if we continue to fight, it will only be a desperate gamble, resulting in the loss of ten states."

In short, cession is acceptable, but compensation must be provided.

To cede ten states just to make peace is an act of bullying, even the famous Treaty of Shanyuan was not this humiliating!
"Hmm~!"

Zhao Ceying pondered for a moment, then asked calmly, "Speak, what are Liao's conditions?"

It's certainly unrealistic to expect the Liao Dynasty to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun simply by agreeing to a truce.

Zhao Ceying was also aware of this.

Regarding this northward expedition, it was less a cession of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and more a "purchase" of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

As for the significance of the Northern Expedition, it was to give the Zhou Dynasty the right to "buy" territory.

That's it!

"Five conditions."

He took out several documents one by one.

"Firstly, we should become brotherly nations, exchange official documents, treat each other as equals, and sign a permanent peace treaty." Zhao Hui looked up, his face solemn.

This point is not actually about interests, nor is it particularly unimportant, but it is necessary and indispensable.

The main issue involves the foundation of the nation and its dignity. The Liao Kingdom is not like the Western Xia; it cannot submit to them. "Agreed," Zhao Ceying nodded.

Given the size of the Liao Kingdom, Zhao Ceying did not expect the Liao Kingdom to become its vassal.

"Secondly, the people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun shall be submitted to the Liao Dynasty," Zhao Hui said solemnly.

This is very important.

The Liao Dynasty had a population of ten million, of which about 60% were Han Chinese.

Of the Han people, about 70-80% lived on farmland in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, which is about four million.

Population is productivity!

With such a large population, the Liao Dynasty could not possibly simply send them away.

Otherwise, it would truly disrupt the nation's destiny and break its backbone.

Zhao Ceying hesitated and did not answer.

From top to bottom, whether in Liao or Zhou, people would occasionally exchange glances or look upwards.

However, overall, the opinions were surprisingly unanimous.

Don't abandon the more than four million people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!

For the Liao people, losing the more than four million people of Yanyun would mean losing more than half of their sources of tax revenue and food supplies.

This is a crucial and essential condition.

Just like Zhao Ceying's firm insistence that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun must be included, otherwise the talks could not continue.

On the Liao side, there also had to be Han Chinese from the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Otherwise, there's no need to continue the discussion.

As for the Zhou people, they also did not want the people of Yan and Yun to return to the embrace of the Great Zhou.

Firstly, the Han people of Yan and Yun did not recognize the legitimacy of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Nearly 140 years have passed since Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Twenty years is a generation, and the Han people of Yanyun have continued for seven generations.

Having received education from other ethnic groups since childhood, the "Central Plains cultural atmosphere" in the Han people of Yanyun has completely disappeared.

The Han people of Yanyun have always considered themselves to be Han people of the Liao Kingdom, not Han people of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Even if the Han people of Yan and Yun were truly retained, it would only create more conflicts in governance.

Secondly, Yanyun has prominent families and aristocratic clans.

If the Han people of Yanyun do not move away, then the prominent families and noble clans will naturally not move away either.

For civil and military officials, as well as prominent families in the Central Plains, this was tantamount to "winning" the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun for nothing.

The main reason is that the prominent families and clans of Yanyun have been deeply rooted and have cultivated local power for over a hundred years.

As long as the prominent families and clans of Yanyun do not leave, the land will remain in their hands, and no one else will have a chance to get a share.

Furthermore, prominent families and clans in Yanyun might even use their control over the common people to imitate the political structure of the Southwest Protectorate in order to seek "autonomy."

Without land or official position, isn't all this hard work for nothing?
Or perhaps...
From time to time, civil and military officials would exchange glances.

If the government really does not agree to the relocation of the people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, then we should just secretly lead troops to find the family genealogies of the famous families and noble clans of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun and slaughter them one by one!
The same effect can be achieved whether there are common people or not.

Whether there are common people or not is not important; what is important is that there are no clans!
About twenty or thirty breaths.

"can."

Zhao Ceying nodded.

To be honest, four million people is still a lot; the total population of the Great Zhou Dynasty is only around fifty million.

However, the Liao Kingdom was determined to obtain this, and its civil and military officials were not very willing to accept it.

A simple weighing of the pros and cons led Zhao Ceying to abandon the four million Han people in Yanyun.

Of course, more importantly
The Great Zhou Dynasty has no shortage of four million people!

Since the implementation of the new policy, the economy has taken off and people's livelihoods have improved.

The grain and cotton crops have gradually shown promising results.

With people well-fed and clothed, the birth rate has shown a strong upward trend.

In the fifth year of the Xifeng reign alone, 6.3 million newborns were born.

Even if some babies die prematurely, at least four million newborns will still grow up.

Four million newborns that can grow up in a year!

This is the momentum of a population approaching 100 million.

We don't need a mere four million Han people in Yan and Yun!

"call!"

Zhao Hui breathed a sigh of relief.

This condition is the most important among the several conditions.

Since this part is fine, he can consider himself to have completed his task.

"Thirdly, the Great Zhou shall not construct military fortifications on the border of Yan and Yun," Zhao Hui said in a deep voice.

"No."

Zhao Ceying resolutely refused: "If we cannot build military fortifications, are we just waiting for you to come and take them back?"

"No!"

"Um"

Zhao Hui also knew that this was not feasible, so he immediately took a step back: "Alternatively, we can set aside a 'demilitarized zone' about fifty miles wide on the border of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and the Great Zhou shall not build fortresses or station troops in this area."

"Whether it is the Liao Dynasty or the Zhou Dynasty, they can each set up a small number of patrols here to maintain the friendship and peace between the two countries."

Zhao Ceying squinted, but did not refuse.

This condition is not difficult to understand.

It was simply for surveillance purposes, to prevent the Great Zhou army from launching a surprise attack from the north.

"Continue," Zhao Ceying said calmly.

The implication was that he had agreed to the condition.

The main point is that if a second Northern Expedition is really decided, the existence of a mere demilitarized zone is essentially the same as its non-existence.

Fourth, the Liao Dynasty wanted to obtain the methods for manufacturing bombs and cannons.

"No!"

Zhao Ceying's face darkened, and with a wave of his sleeve, he snapped, "You may go back now."

"Such conditions are utterly insincere."

"From this day forward, the two countries will continue to fight!"

Zhao Ceying was quite angry.

Damn it, bombs and artillery, are these things that can be taught?
Anyone who didn't know better would think he signed an unequal treaty.

"Your Majesty, calm down."

“In that case, let’s drop this one,” Zhao Hui said hastily.

The chances of success for this option are almost nonexistent.

Moreover, there cannot be any "substitute".

Otherwise, if this is recorded in history, how will Zhao Ceying face the consequences?
They won, but foolishly handed over artillery and bombs.

No wonder he got yelled at like a dog!
"Fifth, the two countries shall open border markets to each other and allow free trade among the people," Zhao Hui stated as the final condition.

It must be acknowledged that the Liao Dynasty's economy had become heavily reliant on the Central Plains.

The issue of silver circulation, in particular, caused the Liao Dynasty considerable trouble.

It can be said that anyone with a discerning eye knows that the Liao Dynasty must try its best to avoid economic dependence on the Zhou Dynasty in order to prevent being unjustly taken advantage of.

But, as I said before—there's nothing we can do!

Nomadic peoples, who cannot even unify their currency and even engage in extensive barter, how could they possibly develop a good economy?

If Liao did not rely on the Great Zhou, its economy would only decline further.

While there may be a period of "recovery," the problem is that the Liao Dynasty may not be able to wait until that time.

In particular, Emperor Yelü Hongji of Liao was eager to consolidate his rule and dared not escalate domestic conflicts.

Therefore, the only way to alleviate domestic conflicts is to open up border markets and engage in foreign trade.

"can."

With no objections to the five conditions, the alliance was established.

"call."

Zhao Ceying's "black face" disappeared, he breathed a long sigh of relief, waved his hand, and said with great bravado:
"Guards, prepare a banquet!"

"I wish to have a good drink with the envoy!"

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are now in our hands!