Zhao Zhongzhen thought about it and said slowly: "The strategy of destroying Liao can be summarized in eight words, prepare for war, break the couplet, choose the opportunity, and be surprised."

Zhao Zhen smiled, "Then let me talk about it in detail. How do you understand these eight words specifically?"

"Reporting to the Emperor's grandfather, preparing for war means that it takes time, including reproduction of war horses, preparation of military funds, training of the army, reforming the military system, raising financial resources, and cultivating reserve troops. This is just like the Han Dynasty attacking the Huns. After the reign of Wen and Jing, a large amount of financial resources were accumulated before finally defeating the Huns in the north of the border. The two countries competed, and the final comparison was the national strength. My Song Dynasty needed such a process. My grandson believed that it would take twenty to thirty years to prepare for war."

Zhao Zhen also heard Fan Ning say this statement, and the emperor's grandson really accepted Fan Ning's thoughts. It was rare that he was so young that he was not eager to fight quickly, but had a long-term vision and considered the decades of plans, which was particularly commendable.

"What about breaking the connection?"

"Breaking the alliance means breaking the Liaoxia Alliance. Sun Ye's words about breaking the alliance do not refer to conspiracy such as divisive strategy. That is actually not very meaningful. Sun Ye believes that the key is to prevent Liaoxia from sending troops at the same time. He can choose to choose the Xixia implementation with few people and weak national strength. It also takes 20 or 30 years to gradually weaken its national strength, so that it can only protect itself and unable to send troops. This will crack the Liaoxia Alliance and prevent the Song army from fighting on both sides."

Zhao Zhen nodded. The idea of ​​breaking the couplet was very insightful. He used open conspiracy to win, and even if the other party knew about it, he would be unable to change it.

"What about choosing the right time?" Zhao Zhen asked again.

"Selecting the opportunity means that we wait patiently for the opportunity to send troops after we are ready. This opportunity means that the other side has civil strife. In Xixia, we attack Xixia, and in Liao internal strife, we attack Liao. This opportunity can actually be created, but the premise is to have a good understanding of the internal affairs of Liao and Xia, so it is necessary to establish a long-term intelligence network."

Zhao Zhen had forgotten the time, and he devoted himself to the discussion with the emperor grandson. He pondered for a long time and asked again: "It's amazing to say it again!"

"It is surprising that it is a surprise. Sun Ye agrees with Fan Ning's plan. It is best to use Kunzhou and Jingzhou as a springboard, take advantage of the advantages of the Song Dynasty naval army, and use surprise troops to directly kill Shangjing and Tokyo of the Liao Kingdom, force the Liao Kingdom to return from Youzhou to provide assistance, and create conditions for the main force of the Song army to seize Youzhou."

Just as Zhao Zhen and Emperor Sun Zhao Zhongzhen were discussing the plan to destroy Liao in depth, Prime Minister Han Qi brought the left counselor Li Weizhen to the Qingfeng Restaurant near Daxiangguo Temple. It was noon now, and most of the officials in the imperial city went out to eat and drink. The Qingfeng Restaurant in Daxiangguo Temple was a little far from the imperial city, and there were basically no officials who could eat here.

The shopkeeper personally went out to greet Han Qi and Li Weizhen to a elegant room on the second floor. "Two officials invited me, Zhao Yanei was already waiting in the room!"

Li Weizhen was a little puzzled and asked in a low voice: "Secretary Han, who is Zhao Yanei?"

Han Qi smiled slightly, "You will know when you go in!"

Han Qi pushed the door and entered the room. This was a suite. At the door of the outer room, there were two strong men standing motionless like two sculptures. One room inside was brightly lit. A man with a beard was sitting on the table. Li Weizhen only felt that the man looked familiar, but he could not remember where he had seen it.

Han Qi walked into the house and bowed: "Your Highness, he is here!"

‘Your Highness?’

Li Weizhen was stunned. He suddenly realized that the person in front of him was Zhao Zongshi, the king of Julu? No wonder he looked so familiar, but his beard covered his true face.

He also hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "Mr. Li Weizhen, please see His Highness, Julu King!"

Zhao Zongshi was extremely cautious and only went out of the mansion by chance. Even if he left the mansion, he put on makeup to prevent being recognized. This Qingfeng Restaurant is in a prosperous business place with many businessmen and is easier to conceal his identity.

He smiled and waved his hand, "Thank you for your hard work, Zhao Zhiyuan also asked to sit down!"

The two sat down at the table, and the food was served on the table. Zhao Zongshi personally poured wine for them and smiled at Li Weizhen, "I heard that Li Zhiyuan has brought good news?"

Li Weizhen quickly took out a letter and presented it to Zhao Zongshi, "This is an urgent letter sent by Fan Ning yesterday. The letter said that he had seized the handle of the appeasement envoy Zhao Qian, and hoped that the Wei-Chen would file a case and send someone to investigate. Please ask Your Highness to take a look."

Li Weizhen received a quick letter from Fan Ning yesterday. He felt that the situation was serious, so he found Han Qi and asked for instructions on whether to file a case. Han Qi was also hesitant and simply made an appointment with Zhao Zongshi and asked him in person.

Zhao Zongshi looked at the letter and said in confusion: "This seems not Fanning's handwriting?"

"Your Highness, it was written by Xie Wensheng, the magistrate of Gushu County, and Fan Ning's instructions were written at the bottom."

Zhao Zongshi turned the last one and saw Fan Ning's criticism, "The situation is true, it is recommended to file a case and send someone to investigate and confirm it in secret."

Zhao Zongshi read the letter carefully again, which revealed the evidence of the Zhao family's three major crimes in Yingtian Mansion: one is usurpation, and the height of the Zhao family's ancestral hall exceeds that of Guide Hall; the second is the false edict of Taizu, and the tax was not paid for decades; the third is to train thousands of private troops, and the armor and spears are comparable to those of the wing army.

These three crimes are very serious, which is enough to dismiss Zhao Qian from his post. However, the consequences of doing so are also serious, which will affect the support of other meritorious families. After all, Zhao Yanhui is also a founding hero. His father may be nostalgic and will not easily touch his family.

"Who else in the Zhao family is in the court except Zhao Qian?" Zhao Zongshi asked after pondering.

Li Weizhen said: "Your Highness, Zhao Qian has a cousin who serves as a border general in Zhending Mansion. He seems to be the commander of the capital. In addition, there are several children of the Zhao family who serve as guards in the palace, and there are no other ones."

Zhao Zongshi thought about it and asked Han Qi again, "What do you think of Mr. Han?"

Han Qi said slowly: "Your Highness's eldest son has been favored by the officials in the palace, which proves that Fan Ning's plan is very successful. At the same time, Zhang Yaozuo will be anxious and will inevitably speed up the deployment. The empress is worried that Zhao Qian will continue to strengthen his control over the Jingdong Road Xiangjun and insert his confidant. Even if he is demoted, his influence in the army will still exist, so it is better not to be too late to overthrow Zhao Qian."

"Han Xianggong supports Fanning's suggestion?"

Han Qi nodded, "I support his plan, but I suggest that it is best to talk to the Cao family again, get the support of the Cao family, and ask the Cao family to appease other meritorious families and eliminate future troubles. Even if the Zhao family is questioned for this, the adverse impact can be minimized."

Perhaps thinking of Zhang Yaozuo's crazy counterattack, Zhao Zongshi thought about it and finally agreed to Han Qi's plan, "Okay! I'll visit Mr. Cao and seek his support. Fanning's plan can be implemented!"

He said to Li Weizhen again: "A case will be filed this afternoon, and immediately send important counselors to Yingtian Prefecture to investigate secretly without disturbing the Zhao family."

"I obey the order!"

Three days later, a group of four officials from the capital arrived at the Guanyi in Songcheng County. As the name suggests, the Guanyi is an inn run by the official. The conditions are much better than ordinary private inns, and are similar to the top inns. There are individual courtyards, suites, high-quality wine and food, and hot water is available all day. However, it is not easy to live in the Guanyi County. You must be an official above the ninth rank and above, and you can check in with an official inn. This is also a benefit for officials to travel on business trips.

The official and official office manager enthusiastically invited the four officials into the lobby. The four officials took out the official office vouchers, showed the representative talisman and registered the guest book. Liu Chu, the clerk of the Left Censorate, led three censors to various counties in Yingtian Prefecture.

Seeing that the censor was coming, the shopkeeper was even more enthusiastic and arranged for them to move into a separate courtyard and ordered the clerk to serve him well. The four of them lived there. However, Liu Chu, the leader of the left censor, hired a ox cart to go to Yingtian Prefecture.

The government official, Fan Ning was discussing the matter of summer harvest and rushing to grow rice, which is a major event that most governments have to face.

The first priority of local officials is to encourage farming, spring plowing, autumn harvesting or summer harvesting and seeds in the Central Plains and southern regions are obstacles that officials cannot avoid every year. Even if Wang Anshi wants to implement reforms, he must wait until the summer harvest and seeds are over before they can be implemented.

Fan Ning took a sip of tea and said with a smile: "This time I went to the local inspection and talked to the county magistrate Xie Wensheng in Gushu County. I was inspired by a good idea. We can establish a rural dental system, such as providing information on oxen cultivation and harvesting labor, renting farmland, repairing houses, helping to open up land, building water conservancy, etc. Then the government provides certain support, such as exempting dental taxes, etc. I believe that if this method of exchanging information is promoted, it will definitely make great achievements, and will even be promoted throughout the Song Dynasty."

The relationship between the prefect and the Tongzong is a bit like the relationship between the secretary and the mayor. The prefect is responsible for employing people, taking charge of the helm, proposing various plans, while the Tongzong is responsible for implementing it.

Establishing a rural dental system was Fan Ning's first political achievement project since taking office. Of course, he attached great importance to it. He suppressed this task to Wang Anshi, only success was allowed, not failure.

Wang Anshi nodded, "It is a tooth-for-tat man in the countryside, and it is quite trivial. It requires running around. If you can use the method of tooth-free tax, it will attract a lot of people to participate. I suggest that you might as well pilot it in Songcheng County first. If it succeeds, it will be promoted to the entire Yingtian Mansion. What does the Fujun think?"

Fan Ning said happily: "It can be tried. I suggest that Brother Jiefu go to Yaxing and the countryside to investigate first, and understand the situation and draft the plan."

"The Lord of the Fu makes sense, I will make arrangements in the next two days."
Chapter completed!