In Zhao Xi's view, recovering lost territory should not be a simple military occupation. To be honest, if it was just a simple occupation of the sixteen states of Yanyun, the Song Dynasty's combat power would have been able to recover Yanyun long ago.

Recovering lost land should give this homeland a sense of belonging and identification with a dynasty. Only belonging and identification can truly recover.

In later generations, there were many cases of military occupation of land and rule. However, the result was that the occupied land was thrown into chaos and no real recovery could be achieved.

Although, in the understanding of the scholars of the Song Dynasty, the Han people in the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun had been eagerly looking forward to Wang Shi's northward journey, for the court officials, they clearly realized that the Han people in the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun were

I don’t necessarily agree with the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Xi knows this better.

No one in later generations’ comments on this period of history would think that the Han people in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun identified with the Song Dynasty.

There may have been hopes that the king's army would go north, but after the defeat of Taizong at Gaolianghe and the addition of the Chanyuan Alliance, the Han people in the north had completely forgotten about the so-called orthodox dynasty.

The people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun identified with the Northern Liao Dynasty more than the Great Song Dynasty, or in other words, they only regarded the Great Song Dynasty as a neighbor that could be bullied.

Once upon a time, the so-called grass-hunting and living-catching armies were basically Han Chinese from the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun...~

Zhao Xi has a clear understanding of this point, so he did not launch the Northern Expedition until today.

Of course, Yelu Yixin's rebellion is a good opportunity.

However, to truly gain recognition from the Han people in Yanyun-Hanland, it does not mean just conquering.

Over the years, the imperial court formulated various policies focusing on development, with the purpose of allowing the Yanyun and Han people to compare and identify with the Song Dynasty.

This time, from Yelu Yixin's rebellion to the beginning of the war, Zhao Xi has been deliberately prolonging the war... It's not that he is really unable to solve Bei Liao in a short period of time, but because of the Yanyun Han people.

Now on the front line, when making decisions about selling food in war-torn areas, this aspect is also taken into consideration.

How should I put it? After so many years, although the prosperity of the Song Dynasty has had a certain impact on the border of Northern Liao, there are really not many Han people in Yanyun who have actually fled south.

In terms of number, there are tens of thousands of them, but for Yanyun, which is a major tax base in Northern Liao, they are not worth mentioning at all.

The Song Dynasty had a very favorable policy towards the Han refugees from northern Liao and southern China, and this was the result.

But now, when the war comes, the imperial court left the original barracks behind in order to take in the Han people fleeing from northern Liaoning and southern Liaoning...～

However, the result really chilled Zhao Xi and even the entire court... It may have been the weakness of the Song Dynasty that disappointed the Yanyun Han people.

The camp can accommodate an army of 300,000, but so far it has housed less than 50,000 Yanyun Han people...

That's why Zhao Xi thought about the food caused by the war.

The scarce supplies during the war were basically concentrated on armaments, food, and medicine. This was Zhao Xi's understanding.

These three transactions during the war were, to put it bluntly, the plunder of wealth.

Originally, Zhao Xi didn't want to do this, but now, after seeing the Yanyun Han people moving north to escape the war, Zhao Xi became cruel.

There has been civil strife in Bei Liao for two years. I believe that the looting of Bei Liao must have reached a certain extent, and the shortage of supplies in Bei Liao must also have reached a certain extent.

The next step should be the plunder of wealth...~

Everyone has a base nature and they all prefer comparison.

The Han people in Yanyun may have thought that their original life was good, and they could live a good life by following and being loyal to Beiliao.

Even for the current war, he is also resentful of the Song Dynasty... It is really possible.

If food is used as a means to push the people in the entire Northern Liao territory into the so-called dire straits...

This is absolutely unavoidable.

Nomads have a predatory nature, even the military.

Two or three years of fighting put the Northern Liao army in a state of uncontrollable restlessness. Coupled with the lack of materials and insufficient supplies, robbery was inevitable.

They were so anxious that they didn't even mind robbing their own family members.

Then, the people in the entire Northern Liao territory should be described as having a hard time making a living.

After the Song Dynasty regained Yanyun, stability and adequate food would probably be paradise for the Han people in Yanyun.

Only in this way can we truly achieve peace of mind.

The Song Dynasty had been planning for many years and had sufficient material reserves...~

"The official family, the fourth prince requested the imperial court to send two new armies under his command...~"

"Since the beginning of Yelu Yixin's rebellion, the fourth prince has been instigating Gao Yongchang's rebellion. Even most of Gao Yongchang's armaments and food were supported by the fourth prince."

"Today, Gao Yongchang started an uprising and founded the country. He did not abide by the original contract and did not send troops in the name of the Song Dynasty's partial army. The fourth prince reported to him and led his army to annihilate him!"

Everyone present almost understood the meaning behind the grain transaction decided by the officials.

Because of this matter, the ministers and workers accompanying the army discussed it more than once or twice, and they all saw with their own eyes the so-called people of the same race. Therefore, they had no objections to the official's decision.

When selling grain to the Northern Liao Dynasty, the fourth prince's team was the largest, so Zhang Dun had no choice but to report the fourth prince's original request to the officials.

To be honest, when Zhang Dun received the request from the fourth prince to mobilize troops, he immediately threw the report aside.

No matter what, Gao Yongchang's rebellion at this time is good for the Song Dynasty's war situation! The fourth prince actually wants to annihilate Gao Yongchang's tribe at this time? Isn't this helping Northern Liao quell the civil strife?

Gao Yongchang has already started an uprising, which will inevitably lead to greater chaos in the Liaodong area of ​​Northern Liao and will further aggravate the shortage of supplies in Northern Liao.

Although we cannot continue Gao Yongchang's Bohai Kingdom at this time, we should not consider annihilation.

Gao Yongchang, who cannot achieve great things, is still useful at this time. For the Song Dynasty, he can be disabled at any time, not now.

Originally, Zhang Dun was planning to shelve it, but now that the officials are promoting the grain strategy, the fourth prince, as a major grain seller, has to report to the officials.

Fourth son?...that is, a pirate and merchant... Zhao Xi directly defined it this way after listening to Zhang Dun's words.

The layout is still the same. It has not become wider because of seeing the sea. I can still only see what is in front of me...

"We are not considering using troops against Gao Yongchang at this time! If we are to use troops against Gao Yongchang, it would be better to let the fourth prince strictly implement the imperial court's food and armaments strategy."

"As long as the fourth prince controls Gao Yongchang's food and military needs, he can annihilate Gao Yongchang's tribe at any time."

Before Zhao Xi could speak, Wang Anshi had already started talking.

Zhao Xi really didn't want to speak... What did he say? Mud couldn't hold up the wall? That means the court had support, otherwise the four sons wouldn't even be able to be pirates and merchants.

"You can make the decision on this matter later. This is a period of great war, when the Song Dynasty regains Yanyun. All decisions made by the court must serve this great war."

"Tell the world what I mean, including all the forces sent by the imperial court. Anyone who disobeys will be punished without mercy!"

Fortunately, Lao Er did not have such a request in Annan. Even after the imperial court decided to send troops to the north, it stopped recruiting retired soldiers.

Even in terms of food supply, we are doing pretty well.

Ambition must also have corresponding abilities.

Although the second child had disobedient behavior, even to the point of being unforgivable, Zhao Xi finally let him go.

Because the second child still has talent. The situation is also online, but based on the development needs of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xi chose the prince, and he still recognized the second child's ability in his heart.

As for this fourth son... Zhao Xi never took a fancy to him from the beginning.

…

"The officials have now sent troops to the northwest. From Congshazhou, Guazhou and other places, cavalry, auxiliary cavalry, and even nearly 150,000 servants recruited locally have moved east and north."

"And the Xizhou Uighurs are now also using their troops against the Northern Liao Dynasty. They not only rob cattle and sheep herders, but also gradually penetrate into the territory of the Northern Liao Dynasty. How to treat the Xizhou Uighurs?"

Regardless of the official's views on the fourth prince, judging from the actions of Gao Yongchang and the Xizhou Uighurs who took advantage of the situation, they were similar.

Originally, in accordance with the general principles of the official family, Wang Anshi had already considered a strategy.

However, what the officials said today about the Fourth Prince, as well as the food and military strategy, made him a little unsure again.

"Xizhou Uighurs? That's a good idea! Send troops from the northwest, and all those who encounter Xizhou Uighurs will be annihilated!"

"The Xizhou Uighurs are different from Gao Yongchang. Although Gao Yongchang's so-called Bohai Kingdom can be considered powerful, it is a castle in the air. His territory is based on Suzhou in the Northern Liao Dynasty."

"Gao Yongchang does not have the original foundation, so this time he will take advantage of the situation and it will not succeed. But the Xizhou Uighurs are different. They are a force similar to a dynasty."

"The Xizhou Uighurs are now sending troops. In essence, they are expanding. They are using the Song Dynasty to contain the heavy troops of the Northern Liao Dynasty to complete their expansion. This kind of thing must be severely punished by the imperial court!"

Gao Yongchang's Bohai Kingdom and Xizhou Uighurs are two different things.

"Furthermore, the Xizhou Uighurs did not communicate with me in the Song Dynasty before sending troops. In other words, they believe that the land they now occupy was obtained by their own efforts."

"Once the outcome of the war here is determined, it is obvious that the Xizhou Uighurs will not be prepared to return to the Northern Liao Dynasty, let alone share their interests with the Song Dynasty."

"The Song Dynasty has no obligation to make wedding clothes for them. At the same time, it also needs to tell them who is the leader of this war!"

Zhao Xi was disgusted with the practices of the Xizhou Uighurs, even more disgusted than Gao Yongchang's rebellion.

Gao Yongchang is a descendant of the Bohai Kingdom. To restore the country at this time, in some sense, is a desperate act.

Who are the Xizhou Uighurs? They were originally a vassal state of the Northern Liao Dynasty. When the suzerain country went to war, it was fine not to send troops for reinforcements, but they actually stabbed them in the back?

Of course, many issues have a dialectical relationship, it just depends on how you look at them.

The methods of Gao Yongchang and Xizhou Uighurs are essentially the same, but because of their different powers and strengths, Zhao Xi has a different attitude towards them.

If Gao Yongchang is a Jurchen, or if he has conquered Liaodong and used it as a territory for development, Zhao Xi will not regard Gao Yongchang as someone who is cheating on others, but greedy.

That's basically it.

In fact, there is nothing major to discuss about the front line of the Song Dynasty. If it weren't for the food strategy, not even Gao Yongchang and the Xizhou Uighurs would discuss it.
To be continued...