Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 519 Plan
Zhao Xing hesitated for a moment and said, "What else did he say?"

"Your Majesty, Liang Yimai didn't say anything else. He only said that he wanted to exchange Lingzhou City and several nearby cities for Queen Liang, and he wanted to meet with Your Majesty to discuss it in detail." said the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

"Then bring him to see me!"

Zhao Xing said: "I want to see what he has to say."

"Yes!" replied the Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

…………

When Zhao Xing met the Minister of Rites, some important officials in the court had already learned the news that Liang Yimei had arrived in Bian Jing and wanted to exchange Lingzhou City and several nearby cities for Queen Liang.

Many people were moved when they heard the news.

Although Zhao Xing did not reign for long, after he took the throne, his layout for Hehuang was so great that those who were slightly smarter in the court guessed that Zhao Xing's target was Western Xia.

Civil officials were unwilling to fight in wars. The Song Dynasty valued civil officials over military officials. According to previous traditions, wars were mainly fought by civil officials. If they lost, it would affect their future.

However, the civil officials were unwilling to give up their suppression of the military generals, so they were also unwilling to see the military generals as the main force.

As for the emperor leading the army in person, they were naturally even more unwilling to see it.

In the previous Northern Expedition, Zhao Xing not only led the army personally, but also mainly relied on military generals.

Although Zhao Xing appointed Zeng Gongliang, the Privy Councilor, as the military supervisor, the officials in the court were well-informed and naturally knew the real situation.

Even if Zhao Xing has no intention of sending troops to attack Western Xia now, Hehuang has sent troops to attack Western Xia. Who knows whether Zhao Xing will send troops at the critical moment.

Once Zhao Xing proposed to send troops, they could use the internal troubles of the Song Dynasty to stop him.

But after Zhao Xing succeeded to the throne, his temperament became more and more aggressive, especially after the victory of the Northern Expedition.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, it has never won a war against the Liao Kingdom.

Although Taizong gained some advantages in the early stage of the Northern Expedition, he suffered a great defeat in the later stage.

It was even more humiliating for Zhenzong, as he achieved victory but still had to pay tribute to the Liao Kingdom.

Even though Zhenzong whitewashed it, paying tribute to the Liao Kingdom was called a gift.

But this cannot stop the people from talking nonsense.

The civil officials did not dare to comment on this, but the common people knew it clearly.

The people don’t understand any profound principles, but they still have to pay tribute to the enemy after winning the war. No matter how hard you try, they just can’t understand why.

Well, even Zhao Xing finds it hard to understand.

It was precisely because of this that Zhao Xing's Northern Expedition was victorious. Although he failed to drive the Liao Kingdom completely back to the grassland, he did recapture dozens of cities.

In addition, the Liao Kingdom was severely damaged and was temporarily unable to counterattack.

But in the eyes of the common people, this was all a manifestation of the strength of the Song Dynasty and the power of Emperor Zhao Xing.

Don't underestimate this.

Why did the officials’ banding together in ancient times make the emperor wary and choose to compromise?

What the emperor really fears is not the officials, but the opinions of the people of the world.

It is true that the emperor does not care about the opinions of the people, but this is not practical or absolute.

When the emperor disagreed with the majority of officials, the opinions of the people became important.

Most officials opposed one thing: even if the emperor's choice was right, in the eyes of the people it was the emperor's fault.

Because people follow the crowd.

However, because of Zhao Xing's great victory in the north, his prestige among the people increased greatly. When his opinions differed from those of the officials, the people would side with him.

When officials could not manipulate public opinion, the emperor was not that afraid of them.

After all, now is not the time when the aristocratic families were in power.

At that time, the emperor had to worry about the aristocratic families leaving their jobs unemployed, but now he doesn't need that anymore.

If Zhao Xing insisted on sending troops to attack Western Xia, with the support of the people, and if he used the name of recovering lost territory, the officials would not be able to stop him.

If Zhao Xing really wanted to attack Western Xia, he could either lead the army personally or employ military generals.

Once Western Xia is destroyed, the civil officials will lose their power to suppress the military generals, which is unacceptable to them.

But if he agreed to exchange Queen Liang for Lingzhou and several nearby cities, Zhao Xing would have no reason to insist on sending troops.

Therefore, after the officials who learned the news thought about it carefully, some of them began to contact officials everywhere, preparing to jointly write a letter to ask Zhao Xing to agree to this matter.

Zhao Xing didn't know all this, as he was seeing Liang Yi buried at that time.

"A foreign minister pays respect to the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty!" Liang Yimei saluted.

Zhao Xing waved his hand and said, "I heard that your Liang family is not having a good time in Xixia. I didn't expect you to dare to come to Song Dynasty at this time."

"It is precisely because life is difficult that the Liang family would spare no expense to get the Queen back!" Liang Yimai said.

"I am a little curious. Logically speaking, the Tangut nobles of Western Xia should not want Queen Liang to go back. You come to the Song Dynasty and let those Tangut nobles know what will happen to your Liang family?" Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty will not have to worry about this. The Liang family is very sincere this time, which is also beneficial to the Great Song Dynasty. I wonder if His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty can agree to the exchange?" Liang Yimai said.

“It’s really sincere!”

Zhao Xing nodded slightly and said with a smile: "But I have a better suggestion. If the Liang family surrenders to the Song Dynasty, I will not only take Empress Liang as my concubine, but also grant the Liang family a title of Duke. How about that?"

Liang Yimai's face froze, and he said, "The Emperor of the Song Dynasty must be joking. How can the Liang family be so worthy and capable without any merit? How dare they accept such a high position!"

"How can you say that you have done nothing? I am preparing to send troops to destroy Western Xia. As long as the Liang family helps the Song Dynasty, they will have the merit of destroying a country and expanding the territory. Not to mention the title of Duke, they can even be awarded the throne." Zhao Xing said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Liang Yimai exclaimed, "The Song Dynasty is going to send troops to destroy Western Xia?"

Zhao Xing smiled and answered the question irrelevantly: "The Liang family should consider my proposal carefully."

Liang Yimai cursed inwardly when he heard this. Although he didn't know whether the Song Dynasty's sending of troops was true or not, the conditions Zhao Xing mentioned seemed very tempting.

But he was not stupid. So what even if what Zhao Xing said was true?
Since ancient times, there is one thing that both the Han people and the nomadic people have in common, that is, they hate traitors and like loyal people.

Why did Cao Cao like Guan Yu and Zhao Yun so much? He not only conferred a title on Guan Yu, but also gave him a high position and generous salary?

The people at Changbanpo valued Zhao Yun's talent and were reluctant to kill him, which led to his fame of going in and out seven times.

Is it because they can fight?

Maybe this is the reason, but the more important reason is his loyalty.

Lu Bu was more skilled in martial arts, and after Cao Cao captured Lu Bu alive, he also wanted to conquer him. However, just because Liu Bei said that Lu Bu liked to betray his master, Cao Cao killed Lu Bu without hesitation.

When the world is in chaos, betrayers often appear.

In order to buy a horse's bones for a huge sum of money, those who betray can get a high position.

However, when the world is pacified, such people will either have a bad ending or be left idle.

If you betray once, you can betray countless times.

If Guan Yu really agreed to surrender to Cao Cao, Cao Cao might be happy for a while, but he might not necessarily use Guan Yu.

The principles are the same.

Not to mention that Zhao Xing also promised to make the Liang family a king.

Among all the civil and military officials in the Song Dynasty, no one except members of the royal family could be crowned king.

Even if Zhao Xing really made the Liang family a king as promised, the Liang family would inevitably be targeted by the civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty. How could they have a good ending?

What's more, as long as Queen Liang returns to Western Xia and plans well, not to mention being crowned a king, it is possible for the Liang family to take her place and even become emperor.

Isn’t this better than joining the Song Dynasty?
"Your Majesty, you are joking. The Liang family is having a hard time in Xixia right now. I don't know how many people are watching us. Even if we agree to surrender to the Song Dynasty, we can't do it. Moreover, I cannot make the decision on this matter. I need to report to my father to make the decision."

"The purpose of the foreign ministers' visit this time is to exchange for the Queen. This matter does not affect the Liang family's surrender to the Song Dynasty. Even if the Liang family agrees, it will be difficult for the Liang family to do anything if the Queen does not go back." Liang Yimai said.

Zhao Xing sneered in his heart when he heard this. Liang Yimai was indeed smart.

According to him, regardless of whether the Liang family agreed to surrender to the Song Dynasty or not, it would be beneficial for the Song Dynasty to agree to the exchange. And if the Liang family agreed to surrender to the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty would also have to release Queen Liang, so that the Liang family could be effective.

The Liang family will not suffer any loss.

As for why he didn't agree immediately, he decided to change the person back first.

That's how smart he is.

Just as he did not believe Zhao Xing's promise, Zhao Xing would not easily believe the Liang family's promise.

Maybe Zhao Xing would propose to keep him as a hostage.

At that time, in order to get Queen Liang back, Liang Guangchuan might really agree.

For the Liang family today, Queen Liang is much more important than him, the eldest son of the Liang family.

Liang Guangchuan has more than one son, but Queen Liang can influence the future of the Liang family. It is obvious who is more important.

But Liang Yimai had no intention of sacrificing himself for the Liang family.

"I need to think about this matter carefully. After all, Empress Liang was presented to me by my subjects. If I agree to it, it will also chill the hearts of my subjects."

Liang Yimai cursed inwardly upon hearing this, but said calmly, "Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, the Tangut nobles in Western Xia are only concerned with internal fighting. Facing the attack from Hehuang, they have been defeated step by step and have already lost more than a dozen cities. If Western Xia is destroyed by Hehuang, it will not be a good thing for the Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xing said calmly, "I understand. You can go back first!"

"I, your Excellency, take your leave!" Liang Yimei bowed and said.

Watching Liang Yimai leave, Zhao Xing was silent for a while, then said, "Send the message to the Grand Chancellor, the Privy Councilor..."

Before Zhao Xing could finish his words, a eunuch walked in hurriedly.

"What's the matter?" Zhao Xing frowned.

"Your Majesty, several ministers, Privy Envoy Zeng, and the six ministers request to see you!" said the eunuch.

"Ah!"

Zhao Xing sneered, "They're coming fast! Let them in!"

So many officials came together, obviously they already knew the purpose of Liang Yimai's visit.

"Yes!" the eunuch responded and walked out.

Soon, a group of officials came in one after another.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you!" Everyone bowed and saluted.

"Be flat!"

Zhao Xing waved his hand and looked at everyone and said, "My dear ministers, you have come to see me together. What big thing has happened?"

Everyone looked at Han Zhang when they heard this, but Han Zhang lowered his head slightly and didn't intend to say anything.

Ever since Zhao Xing said last time that he wanted Prime Minister Shen to take over his position, he has rarely spoken in the court.

This time, I was also forced to come here by other people.

Seeing that Han Zhang didn't say anything, many people turned their eyes to Mr. Li.

When Zhao Xing saw this scene, he sneered in his heart.

It was normal for everyone to want Han Da Xianggong to speak first, after all, Han Zhang was the head of all officials.

But when they looked at Mr. Li, it was different.

Among the ministers, Mr. Li is not the highest.

Apparently, this request for a meeting was made by Minister Li.

Minister Li felt Zhao Xing's gaze and secretly cursed the officials who were looking at him.

But now he had no choice but to speak.

"His Majesty!"

Li Xianggong stepped out of the line and bowed, saying, "I have heard that Xixia has sent envoys to exchange Lingzhou City and several nearby cities for Queen Liang."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing said calmly, "Does Mr. Li have any good ideas?"

"I dare not!"

Li Xianggong said: "Lingzhou City is the gateway to the Western Regions. Since its loss, the Song Dynasty has suffered great losses. Now we can take it back without losing a single soldier, all thanks to your majesty's reputation."

Zhao Xing sneered when he heard this. Although Prime Minister Li did not say whether he would agree or not, he directly treated the matter as an established fact and even praised him in the end.

If he said no, it would seem like he was not wise enough.

"My dear Lord Li, do you know the current situation in Western Xia?" Zhao Xing said indifferently.

"I know something. Xixia is now losing ground under the attack of Hehuang, so they are eager to welcome back Queen Liang." said Prime Minister Li.

"Those who are not of our race must have different hearts. Since you know this, you should understand how much the current situation in Western Xia is beneficial to the Song Dynasty." Zhao Xing said.

Upon hearing this, Li Xianggong was delighted and said, "Your Majesty is right, but it is not in the interests of the Song Dynasty for Hehuang to destroy Xixia. Xixia is losing ground, and only Queen Liang can return to stabilize the morale of the army!"

"My dear minister, what you said makes sense. In that case, I agree." Zhao Xing said.

"Forehead…"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Li was stunned.

He advocated agreeing to it, and many people in the court also wanted to agree to it.

Secondly, he felt that Zhao Xing did not want to agree.

Zhao Xing personally led the Northern Expedition and achieved a great victory, greatly increasing his prestige.

He wanted to undermine Zhao Xing's prestige in this way.

Who would have thought that Zhao Xing actually agreed.

"Lord Li seems very surprised?" Zhao Xing looked at him deeply, with a playful look.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Prime Minister Li came back to his senses and bowed quickly.

Zhao Xing glanced at him calmly, then looked at the others and said calmly: "If you have nothing else to do, please go back first. The Grand Chancellor, Shen Xianggong, and Zeng Aiqing stay!"

"Yes!"

Everyone bowed and said, "We will take our leave!"

After everyone left, Zhao Xing looked at Han Zhang and the others and asked, "How is the resettlement of the people in the Central Plains?"

"Your Majesty, the people have been initially resettled and basic order has been restored. However, the crops in the Central Plains were severely destroyed, and the people have no food left at home. They can only rely on relief from the court. We will have to wait until after the autumn harvest next year before we no longer need relief from the court," said Han Zhang.

"There is no problem with food supply at the moment, but food prices have risen sharply," said Han Zhang.

Zhao Xing nodded after hearing this, and after a moment's silence, he asked, "Don't worry about the price of grain. I want to know if you can raise enough grain for two months for a hundred thousand troops, regardless of the cost?"

He agreed to the exchange in order to show his enemy that he was weak.

If they did not agree to the exchange, Xixia would inevitably worry that the Song Dynasty would take advantage of the war between Hehuang and Xixia to launch a surprise attack.

Facing the attack from Hehuang, Western Xia was defeated step by step. Although this was due to internal discord, there was another important factor: it did not mobilize the defensive troops bordering the Song Dynasty.

Obviously, he has always been on guard against the Song Dynasty.

It would be in the interests of the Song Dynasty if Hehuang and Xixia fought and both sides suffered losses.

Even when Western Xia was losing ground, the Song Dynasty was unwilling to release Queen Liang, which only shows that the Song Dynasty was not worried about the current situation.

Or it could be said that the Song Dynasty was waiting to intervene at the critical moment, so there was no need to worry.

(End of this chapter)