met free Page 1985
Page 1985
The two were in a heavy mood.
The ease I had when I first arrived in Tokyo was gone.
Zhao Yuan said, "Going back and forth to negotiate is a waste of time."
"You can go back to Lanzhou,"
"To correspond with the ruler of Western Xia at any time."
"I will also send peace envoys to Lanzhou,"
"Fully authorized to represent the Ming Dynasty court."
Li Renli became increasingly certain of the Western Xia's crushing defeat and cautiously asked...
"What are the peace demands of the Great Ming Dynasty?"
Zhao Yuan said, "I won't force anyone."
"Shibao Village and Cangdihe City belonged to the Western Xia,"
"The rest of the occupied territories shall be returned to the Ming Dynasty."
Shibao Village and Zangdihe City
All of them are strategic fortresses.
They served as springboards for the Western Xia's attacks on the Hengshan region.
It was also a stumbling block for the Song Dynasty as it fought its way out of Hengshan.
Throughout the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song,
The main battlefield of the Song-Xia war
The conflict repeatedly escalated in this area.
Take Zangdihe City as an example.
Belongs to a new city
It was built by the Western Xia Dynasty in the year Zhao Yuan passed the imperial examination.
In just three years, the Song army breached the city five times.
The Western Xia suffered heavy losses and recaptured the city five times.
If the Western Xia were not allowed to retain Shibao Village and Zangdihe City
It seems unlikely that peace talks will be possible this time.
The Western Xia absolutely refused to agree.
It's not just for military reasons,
There are also economic reasons.
In the rugged and difficult mountainous areas,
There are five routes for marching.
To attack Yanzhou of Western Xia
Therefore, it is often said that the Song Dynasty launched a five-pronged attack on the Xia Dynasty.
Shibao Village and Zangdihe City
It can block most of the passage.
To ensure the safety of Yanzhou in Western Xia.
Yanzhou certainly produces salt.
That was one of the lifelines of Western Xia's finances!
Li Renli asked, "Does Your Highness intend to close the border between the two countries?"
"Return to the time of the last peace treaty between Xia and Song?"
“Not bad.” Zhao Yuan nodded.
Li Renli said, "Then the Southern Army City and the Ancient Bone Dragon City should be returned to our Great Xia."
Zhao Yuan smiled brightly and asked in return,
"Do you think that's possible?"
Li Renli said, "The Great Xia has returned the land."
"The Ming Dynasty should also return the city."
Zhao Yuan asked, "Why is Western Xia willing to return the land?"
Li Renli was unable to answer.
Zhao Yuan answered his own question, saying, "The Western Xia will return the land."
"It's because the Ming army won."
"The Ming Dynasty need not return the cities,"
"It was also because the Ming army won the battle."
"You can write a letter to the ruler of Western Xia,"
"If you're not satisfied, you don't have to negotiate."
"Our Ming army will soon be able to retake Huizhou by force."
"Next year, we will split into two groups,"
"We marched straight down the Yellow River to the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty,"
"They conquered Liangzhou, Ganzhou, and Suzhou along the way,"
"The Western Xia no longer needs to return Hengshan!"
Cao Changyong suddenly spoke in a stern voice.
"Your Majesty may send troops to take it,"
"The sons and daughters of our Great Xia will fight to the death!"
"it is good!"
Zhao Yuan slammed his fist on the table.
"You can go back to your country now,"
"We'll send troops to meet you then!"
Li Renli quickly said, "There's absolutely no need for that!"
"Your Majesty, does the term 'brotherly nation' still hold true?"
"Of course it counts."
Zhao Yuan's anger turned into a smile.
Li Renli said, "Please grant me some time, Your Majesty."
“We will write to the king immediately.”
The two were dejected.
They left the Grand Marshal's Mansion together.
Cao Changyong speculated, "The Ming emperor is so arrogant."
"I'm afraid the Prince of Jin has really suffered a great defeat."
Li Renli said, "Doing business also involves bargaining."
"Perhaps we can preserve a few more stockades."
The Hengshan area is dotted with fortified villages and strongholds.
Moreover, every four or five miles
There was a beacon tower.
It's still possible to preserve a few more stockades.
But there is one prerequisite.
This means that the Ming army could not continue to achieve victories.
Just as the two were meeting with Zhao Yuan,
Yang Zhi has already dispatched troops again.
This was Zhong Shidao's last plan before leaving Lanzhou.
Yang Zhi no longer lacks food.
The Western Xia had military provisions at the Henan Military Garrison.
Richard and Li Renyi also brought a lot of provisions.
Yang Zhi seized all three grain supplies.
Chapter 1744 Someone Surrendered at the Front
From Lanzhou to Huizhou (Jingyuan).
Although this section of the Yellow River has many mountains and gorges
But it is also possible to march with difficulty.
The Song Dynasty was located on the south bank of this section of the Yellow River.
Along the way, there were forts such as Longgou Fort, Tongquan Fort, and Qingshuihe Village.
These fortified villages were all captured by the Western Xia last year.
Yang Zhi had to fight his way through.
Merchant ships from all over Lanzhou, Huangzhou, Xizhou, and Hezhou
They were all forcibly conscripted by Yang Zhi.
There were over a thousand ships of various sizes.
Carrying soldiers, laborers, and supplies,
They marched in a mighty force towards Huizhou.
Upon arriving at Longgoubao,
The cannons were dragged to the shore.
They only fired a few shots.
The Western Xia garrison inside the fort fled.
There were only a few hundred soldiers in total.
The Western Xia had just suffered a major defeat.
This place is also close to Lanzhou.
None of the soldiers had the will to resist to the death.
Further ahead is Tongquan Fort.
They could even see the Ming Dynasty fleet in the distance.
The garrison inside the fort then fled by boat to Huizhou.
Even if they were to defend, they would retreat to Huizhou City.
They were unwilling to have a few hundred men huddle together in a small castle to fight against the Ming army.
The garrison commander of Huizhou learned of the news.
They urgently wrote to Li Qianshun for help.