Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

A decision was made quickly.

Allow the Western Xia to expand northward without any interference.

This expansion of the Western Xia,

It revolves around Fengzhou and Fuzhou of the Ming Dynasty.

After learning that the Jin army had withdrawn...

Richard led 8,000 troops in a sudden attack.

They occupied the former territories of the Liao Dynasty's Heqing Army and Jin Su Army.

Heqing Army and Jin Su Army,

The former is in a large area of ​​Ordos.

The latter is located in a large area of ​​Jungar Banner.

At the beginning of the Western Xia Dynasty,

They once conquered these places.

To the north are vast deserts and Gobi.

The Liao Kingdom could only send troops from the direction of Piantou Pass.

After the Liao Dynasty reclaimed its territory, it resettled a large number of slaves to increase its population.

These slave tribes were part of the ancient Tang tribes.

Apart from the Tang and ancient tribes

In the direction of Ordos,

There are also a large number of Tangut tribes.

They previously lived under the rule of the Liao Dynasty.

In recent years, it has been under the rule of the Jin Dynasty.

This time, it was the Tangut tribe that relayed the message to the Western Xia.

Richard was able to quickly send troops north.

Faced with the betrayal by the Western Xia.

Wanyan Zonghan not only did not retaliate,

Instead, they withdrew their troops from Ningbian Prefecture.

All troops were withdrawn back to Piantou Pass.

Because the areas occupied by the Western Xia were too poor.

Even if the Jin soldiers fought back, it wouldn't make much difference.

Instead, it would disperse the already insufficient troop strength.

Once the Jin troops withdrew,

Richard goes in again.

Incorporating Ningbian Prefecture into the territory of Western Xia

They even occupied that valley area in Hequ County.

Chapter 3171 The King Leads the Army

The news reached Western Xia.

The king and prime minister were terrified.

He immediately dispatched an envoy to Lanzhou.

The Western Xia envoy bowed deeply.

He said to Li Mida, the Governor-General of Lanzhou:

"Heqing and Jinsu,"

"This is truly the homeland of my Great Xia."

"It was occupied by the Liao Kingdom for over a hundred years,"

"The numerous Tangut tribes on the grasslands are clear evidence of this."

"The Jurchens are now tyrannical and are a common enemy of both the Ming and Xia dynasties."

"Our country's military deployment this time is for the purpose of recovering lost territory,"

"They are assisting the Ming Dynasty in its battles once again."

Li Mi smiled broadly and returned the greeting: "The bond between father and son between Ming and Xia is enough to move heaven and earth."

The Western Xia envoy added, "A gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way."

"Let alone a country?"

"Our Prince of Jin led his army in pursuit,"

"Fighting bravely against the Jin soldiers,"

"They also captured Ningbian Prefecture,"

"I wish to share this with my father's country."

"The land of Ningbian Prefecture west of the Yellow River,"

"From now on, it belongs to the Great Xia."

"And the most fertile river valleys east of the Yellow River,"

"His Majesty is willing to offer this to the Ming Dynasty!"

Li Mi was taken aback.

He wasn't familiar with the geography there.

I don't understand why the Western Xia offered land as tribute.

After some rambling,

Li Mi treated them with great hospitality.

After sending the Western Xia envoys to rest,

He then summoned the military officers from Lanzhou to inquire.

Originally, if Han Shizhong's troops wanted to march north and attack Piantou Pass,

The river valley is not only a necessary route,

It was also the most important place for the Ming army to station troops and store grain.

Richard has taken over that place.

The king and prime minister, however, dared not accept it.

It was clearly a piece of fat meat that Wanyan Zonghan had thrown out.

They wanted the Ming Dynasty and the Western Xia to fight over it.

If things go wrong, the two countries could go to war.

To understand the whole story,

Li Mi made the decision to take over the Hequ Valley.

He also dispatched a messenger on horseback to the capital to report to the imperial court.

This greatly excited all the civil and military officials.

The Western Xia people, who were always opportunistic and disregarded morality,

Now they're even offering soil as a gesture of goodwill.

Although it is just a small valley along the Yellow River,

But if it were the old Song Dynasty...

Don't even think about such a good thing.

"His Majesty's benevolence extends throughout the land, and his power shakes the world,"

"We have now completely subdued the Western Xia!"

At the court assembly, Qin Hui was the first to sing praises and eulogize.

He stole many people's lines.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The courtiers immediately shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

This originates from the story of Emperor Wu of Han's Fengshan ceremony.

It is the highest praise for the emperor's civil and military achievements.

Chao Yuan found this quite pleasing and said with a smile:

"Compared to the former territory of the Song Dynasty,"

"Although the Ming Dynasty has not yet recovered the Kelan Army,"

"But there is an extra section of river valley."

"In the direction of Western Xia, they also occupy the Western Xia and Southern Military Command."

"There is also a strategic city located along the coastal road in western Liaoning."

"Upon closer examination, its territory was indeed larger than that of the Song Dynasty."

Amidst the cheers of the courtiers, Xiao Chu said:

"Our army should press on with one decisive blow,"

"We will launch a northern expedition next year,"

"Reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are the obsession of countless people.

Actually, only fourteen and a half states remain to be taken back.

Yingzhou refers to parts of Hejian Prefecture and Cangzhou.

Half of Mozhou was also under the jurisdiction of Hejian Prefecture.

That area had long been part of the Song Dynasty's territory.

Qian Chen quickly jumped in to advise:

"Your Majesty, please be sure to cease hostilities for one year."

"This year's great victory in Shanxi warrants both rewards and compensation from the imperial court to the soldiers,"

"We also need to provide relief to the people who were looted during the Jurchens' retreat."

Chapter 3172 The Ministry of Revenue is Out of Money

"The Ministry of Revenue...the Ministry of Revenue truly has no money or grain left,"

"I truly have no way to conjure up more money and grain!"

Why must Minister Qian feign poverty?

Qin Hui is now a staunch advocate of war.

Because advocating war would align with the wishes of those in power:

"The Hubei immigrants that His Majesty settled back then,"

"Furthermore, the tax reduction and exemption periods in the Huai River region and Henan province have now expired,"