News of the Xijin Prefecture earthquake was reported to Kaifeng, and the Secretariat ordered the exemption of taxes and taxes in prefectures and counties that were affected by the disaster. Immediately afterwards, the emperor gave Deyin to pardon the prisoners on Hebei Road. The Khitan, which was most affected by the earthquake, also exempted the tax service of Xijin Prefecture, and Zhuozhou stopped building the city.

The Song Dynasty ministers who were debating whether to accept the people fleeing to the south of the Khitan people, had another quarrel in the court because the Khitan had exempted the officers.

After the court, Du Zhongxiao felt his head buzzing. The quarrel was a mess just now, which was even more lively than the vegetable market. Du Zhongxiao couldn't remember what he said. The censors Gong Dingchen and Jia An firmly believed that in the year of the earthquake, God would warn him not to move troops. He should return the Khitan people and make friends with the Khitans. Du Zhongxiao took the lead in opposing the quarrel, and the quarrel was so dark.

When he returned to the official hall, the officials served tea, and Du Zhongxiao sat alone behind the desk in a daze.

Actually, it’s stupid to argue with people in the court. But what can I do? This is the political ecology of this era. If I can’t win the quarrel in the court, I can’t implement the policies. If I just push them hard, I will lose the reputation of officials and will not be beneficial to the court.

It has been three months since the reorganization of the imperial guards. The first batch of newly recruited soldiers have completed the training of new soldiers and are being reorganized. Du Zhongxiao could feel that when a large number of old officers were retained, if the training was completed, if there was no war, the new army would quickly corrupt and move closer to the old army. The so-called new army could not complete its transformation by relying solely on systems and new training without the baptism of fire and blood.

Why is this happening? Du Zhongxiao also finds it difficult to understand. In short, it is a lot of things, like a big net, and the whole society covers the army. Without excellent military achievements, it is difficult for the army to stand firm if the system is reformed. Under this big net, the army will soon become familiar with the new system and grow into a monster again.

Sighing, Du Zhongxiao stood up and wandered constantly in the official hall. Hequ Road is a special situation. Starting from the Yingtianxiang Army, it is equivalent to thinking about a stove. Now it is not possible. The old officers cannot be completely eliminated. With the military academy alone, many people can find a place. Under the new system, they will soon adapt and bring back the habits of the old army.

Earthquake? Du Zhongxiao shook his head. Not to mention the damage caused by the earthquake, the natural disasters in this era have a very different impact on politics than the natural disasters in later generations. This is God's will, and many people think so, and they are worried.

An official came in and bowed and said, "Taiwei, we are going to Chongzheng Hall to discuss matters today, and it's time."

Du Zhongxiao came to his senses and nodded: "Yes, it's time."

After saying that, he took his ward and took his own tablet. Tian Kuang and others were already waiting outside, and went to Da Nei with Du Zhongxiao.

After entering Chongzheng Hall, Du Zhongxiao and the ministers took their seats.

Zhao Zhen said: "The court had already decided that Zhang Ji ordered him to take his troops to Hebei Road to garrison. A few days ago, the sudden earthquake in the Khitan Xijin Prefecture was reported. Some officials suggested that at this time, quietness should be the main focus and oppose Zhang Ji's movement and defense. What do you think?"

Du Zhongxiao held the scepter: "The Khitan is still there, and the Hebei Road is flat, so there must be a heavy army. Now that the Dangxiang has been destroyed, the Western Regions are calm, there is no need to station a large army. The troops completed by the training should be transferred to Hequ, Hedong and Hebei. The earthquake is just a natural disaster, and the court will properly rescue the disaster, and it does not have to affect the government. With enough troops on the Hebei Road, you can only be confident in facing the Khitan."

Jia An of Zhijianyuan suddenly stood up: "I think it's not possible! The earthquake is a warning from God. We should protect the country and the people and not cause trouble. After five years of the Khitan civil war, how can we still have the strength to fight? There are more than 300,000 troops on Hebei Road, and the Khitans are absolutely unable to go south to cause chaos!"

Du Zhongxiao said: "The Censorate, the earthquake is in Xijin Prefecture, and the prefectures and counties of this dynasty are just implicated. God warns it, and it is also warnings for the Khitan. Not to mention that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were originally Han territory, and the court must take them back. It was fine if they had no strength before. Now they have enough troops and enough food, and the court should reward the three armies and go north to recover the lost territory."

Jia An had to fight again, Zhao Zhen above said: "The Taiwei said it is right. The earthquake was in the territory of the Khitan. Why should we panic? When Taizu established his country, he was thinking about the north and Yanyun, and he was in the same world. He destroyed the Khitan last year, and it was time to take advantage of the morale that he was strong, and he would fight to the death with the Khitan."

After hearing this, Jia An had to hold the scepter and sit down in disappointment.

Zhao Zhen said: "The Khitan fought for five years, and this dynasty took the opportunity to destroy Dangxiang, and they fought for years. Logically, it should be repaired for three to five years before the war started again. However, a few days ago, the Khitan people fled to the Song Dynasty, causing border disputes. According to the nature of the Khitan, it is likely that they will go south to cause trouble this winter. The court must make proper arrangements. Zhang Ji's army has no use in the Western Regions, so it is better to come to the east."

Wen Yanbo bowed: "Your Majesty, if Zhang Ji wants to come to Hebei Road east, he must transfer the imperial guards from Shaanxi Road. How can he do these things in less than a month or two? When everything is done, it's probably winter will be coming."

Tian Kuang said: "In this urgent situation, there is no need to be everything. During the Han and Tang Dynasties, how many troops were in the Western Regions? Only 10,000 or 20,000 people passed by, Zhang Ke could lead the troops back. The rest of the troops, anyway, have railways, so slowly transfer to the west."

Zhao Zhen nodded: "Yes, now everything is focused on Hebei Road. There is no need to cover everything else."

Seeing that Zhao Zhen had made up his mind, Wen Yanbo stopped talking and just obeyed the order.

Zhao Zhen looked at everyone and said in a deep voice: "I have decided to take advantage of this time when there is enough money and food to train the imperial guards to plan to go north to restore the land of Yanyun. All government offices should follow this intention and use their hearts to this."

Seeing this, all the ministers hurriedly said yes.

Looking at Du Zhongxiao, Zhao Zhen said: "If you want to recover Yan Yun, how many troops will the Privy Council need?"

Du Zhongxiao thought for a while and said, "The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are divided into the front and back of the mountain by Taihang Mountain. In front of the Datong Prefecture, the imperial court has occupied Shuozhou and the Khitan has lost its territorial advantage. If two armies advance, one to attack the front and one to attack the back of the mountain, then Datong Prefecture will require about 150,000 people. The terrain of Youzhou in front of the mountain is wide and is the main battlefield for fighting against the Khitan, which requires more than 300,000. Total of the two, plus the reserve army, it will require about 550,000 people."

After saying that, he added: "Of course, this is about the army after the training. Judging from the situation of fighting with Dangxiang for several years, the current imperial guards are not suitable for participating in the war. The army after the training is about 250,000."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "How much does it cost to go to fight?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "A soldier eats three liters of rice, which is about 550,000 people, which costs about 6 million stones a year. With the loss, the amount of food is no less than 7.5 million stones. The ammunition consumed during the war, based on the situation of destroying the party, requires more than 5 million stagnant. In addition, rewarding military merits, various consumptions, and supplying prisoners of war, requires a total of more than 10 million stones of grain, which costs 20 million stagnant. The remaining cavalry needs are not included."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen nodded: "Thirty million guan stones require not much money. Why are the cavalry and weeds not counting?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "There is no conclusion on how many cavalry is needed in the army now. The cost of a cavalry is roughly equivalent to ten infantry, which is really a lot. And its role in combat is not as good as before. There is now dispute in the army, how many cavalry is needed."

Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment before saying, "If it were based on the Hequ Road system before, one-third of the cavalry in the army, wouldn't it be possible to increase the cost several times?"

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "That's true. However, if there is an army of 500,000 or 600,000 cavalry, there is no need for 200,000 to 300,000 cavalry."

After destroying Dangxiang and recapturing the Western Regions, the Song Dynasty had a large number of horse-raising land, and now the cavalry is not short of horses. However, the cost of cavalry is too great. If there is no need in the war, the army tends to reduce the number of cavalry. Some generals believe that the Khitan is good at cavalry and fighting against nomadic peoples on the grassland, it is better to have a large number of cavalry.

Du Zhongxiao means that if you want to defeat the grassland people, you must have a large number of cavalry. It is best to have pure cavalry, which can be maneuvered separately. The grassland is different from the farming areas, with a sparse population and is not easy to maneuver.

Seeing that all the ministers looked embarrassed, Du Zhongxiao said: "Now the imperial court has a place to raise horses, and horses are much cheaper. In the past, it took 50 to 100,000 horses, but in the past two years, it only took 20. If you fight the Khitan for life and death, it would be impossible without more than 100,000 cavalry. In short, you have to have another 50 million cavalry. In short, fighting with the Khitan for years will require 100 million soldiers a year."
Chapter completed!