In order to deal with the crisis of Gaochang's "rebellion", Zhao Tong considered many solutions. In addition to supporting the pro-Song government and economic sanctions mentioned by Zhao Xin, he also thought of using other means to solve the Gaochang problem:

The religious beliefs of the Uighurs in Gaochang have changed. The Uighurs before the westward migration believed in Manichaeism, and they brought this belief to Gaochang. Gaochang was originally a place where Buddhism was prevalent. After the Uighurs moved into the Gaochang area, they gradually converted from Manichaeism.

Buddhism. However, Buddhism has never been a means of external political interference. Religious beliefs have made the people of Gaochang more inclined to peace and obedience. This contains many colors of not being forced, not provoking, and letting nature take its course. It is difficult to provoke different religions

Dissensions arise among believers.

Since the people's psychology is not easy to be used by the outside world, can ethnic factors be used as a strategic starting point? The answer is no. The ethnic composition of Gaochang is relatively stable, and the Uighurs make up the majority. Of course, it was once the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and there are also descendants of the Han people there.

However, due to more than three hundred years of geographical isolation, different political regimes have

The cultural differences formed by the rationale are very different. Although some of the Gaochang population are clearly Han, these people have no more recognition of the Han ancestry except a sense of honor. Many people have changed their localized names, and their memories of their ancestors are often only oral.

According to the anecdotes passed down, their main channels for understanding the present-day Song Dynasty are the same as those of other Uighurs.

Zhao Tong knows that the real international strategic field is neither a battlefield of iron and blood, nor a court of right and wrong. The bamboo in the wind will not fall with the wind, and there is a way for small and medium-sized countries to survive in it. Gaochang is in the history of

Changing positions and camps again and again corresponds to the saying in the history of modern diplomacy: "A country has no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests!"

Gaochang has not closed itself off, nor tied itself to anyone's chariot. Judging from its strategic planning that has hit both sides, Gaochang's alliance methods are indeed full of flexibility and unique survival experience. But this is also why it is not easy to develop into

The biggest shortcoming of any power ally is the lack of integrity; at the same time, it is also used by various countries to constantly stir up disputes. Gaochang seeks the most beneficial results for himself in the swings and remains unfailing.

Zhao Tong also understands that it is the wind that determines the direction of the bamboo, and the wind is a combination of multiple continuous flexible factors. This is the so-called 'situation' in the art of war. If Zhao Tong had chosen the strategy a few years ago, he would have kept Gaochang as close as possible.

Mutually beneficial cooperation, whether this cooperation is bilateral or within the framework of the Western Region or even East Asia, Gaochang cannot be used as a strategic fulcrum for neighboring countries. But it can become a growth point for peripheral cooperation.

But things are different now. After several years of looking at the overall situation and building momentum, the Song Dynasty's national power has increased and its reputation has spread far and wide. While besieging the Jin Kingdom, it has completed its layout in the surrounding areas. Gaochang did not see the situation clearly this time because he had funded the Jin Dynasty back then.

Although the Jin Kingdom has never investigated the old enemy of Xiliao, it will never forget that

Giving up the land is probably just a cover, and taking the opportunity to annex it is the purpose. Xiliao will also be resentful of its 'collusion' with Xixia and the Song Dynasty to expel their officials. If the Song Dynasty launches an attack, he will use the opportunity to annex it even if he sends troops.

He will take Gaochang back into his own pocket and will never allow him to retain his independent identity.

If you don't seek death, you won't die. Gaochang thinks that it is located in the heartland. All countries have to use it to connect the East and West trade, so they need to coax him and provide for him, but they did not expect that the three countries have secretly included it in their conquest list.

In the past, countries were restrained by each other, so no one took action. Now, if any country takes action, everyone will swarm in and carve it up, leaving no dregs left.

Destruction of the country - the emperor's wrath really changed the color of heaven and earth. The moment Zhao Tong made up his mind, the existence of Gao Changguo entered a countdown. He summoned Zhao Yong and Gao Chong to Xiangyi to discuss the battle plan. After listening to the intelligence department's explanation

After introducing Gao Changguo's enemy situation and reviewing relevant documents, Gao Chong and the two made a preliminary plan.

The two planned to use the tactic of advancing separately and attacking together, dividing their troops into two routes: the north route started from Yunnei Prefecture, passed through the Gobi, passed through the southern foot of the Altai Mountains and the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountain in the east, and reached the capital of Gaochang Kingdom. This road was the Tang Dynasty.

Part of the Uighur Road opened in the mid-Dynasty

, after capturing Beiting of the Xia capital, this road goes south to Gaochang City; the south road starts from Lanzhou and passes through Xixia. It goes west via Liangzhou, invades Gaochang Kingdom from Guazhou and Shazhou, and captures Yizhou. Then the two armies join forces

After the troops attacked Gaochang City, they went south to capture Yanqi and Qiuci.

This battle plans to use the Chang'an Town Fusi and Datong Town Fusi armies, as well as the Shaanxi and Hedong prefecture armies, totaling 60,000 troops, to strengthen the Desert Army and one to two light artillery brigades. In addition, the Mongolian and Wanggu tribes can be contacted

The army and Xixia cooperated in the battle, with a total strength of 100,000. However, the population of Gaochang State was not

There were more than 50,000 to 60,000 people, so why did they dispatch so many troops? In the battle against Gaochang, the two of them included the forces of Xiliao and Jin. Since it was a last resort, they could not fight an uncertain battle.

He hoped that they would not join the war, so he mobilized troops like this.

However, the two men still suggested that the emperor delay the expedition. It was already September, and the northwest was already experiencing the winter climate of the Central Plains, and the wind and sand in the Gobi were very strong. Both armies had to pass through the desert, especially the northern route army, which had to cross thousands of miles of Gobi.

The desert, difficult roads, and supply difficulties meant that the Western Expedition would be abandoned halfway if losses were huge. Therefore, they thought they should start after March of the next year and use the time before the war to mobilize, reorganize their troops, prepare supplies, and contact various ministries for coordinated operations.

Zhao Tong was very satisfied with the work of the two men and ordered them to formulate a detailed battle plan and allocate troops and supplies. Zhao Yong and Gao Chong were very happy, which showed that the emperor was ready to let them lead the western expedition, and this was the emperor's

This was the first battle to destroy the country since they ascended the throne. If they were victorious, they would surely go down in history. But at this time, an urgent report came from Beijing. The Jin Kingdom suddenly sent troops to Goryeo and sent troops to attack the Song Dynasty's waters in Goryeo.

Military base Shenmi Island...

Here they were just preparing to attack Gaochang, but over there the Jin Kingdom had already taken action. It seemed that the two countries had discussed it, leaving the Song Dynasty in the dilemma of fighting between two sides, making it difficult for the east and the west to take care of each other. But Zhao Tao only pondered for a moment before making up his mind.

The plan to attack Gaochang remained unchanged, and Gao Chong was in charge of the matter; Zhao Yong was in charge of the war in Goryeo and ordered the naval commander Cheng Xishou to return to Beijing immediately to discuss military affairs. He then ordered Jianxi to pack his bags, prepare carriages and horses, and set off back to Bianjing tomorrow.

.

The reason why Zhao Tong dared to launch operations in two directions at the same time was not a decision made in a moment of confusion, but was well prepared. When he was in the northwest, he faced threats from both Xixia and Liao, just because at that time he was weak and his family was weak.

It was too small to support fighting on both sides, but he still made an attempt and formed a Krug army to deal with the threat from the Jurchens in the north.

After taking power, when Zhao Tong reorganized the Forbidden Army, he focused on being able to win two large-scale regional conflicts that occurred almost simultaneously. His main tasks and methods were to contain aggression and intimidation in crises; to implement small-scale emergency response

In combat, military intervention, limited strikes, peacekeeping operations, maritime blockades, humanitarian rescue operations, etc. were used to ensure that the Song Dynasty army could respond quickly and effectively to various crises, protect the interests of the Song Dynasty, and show the determination of the Song Dynasty,

And ensured that the Song Dynasty would take the lead in military conflicts with neighboring countries.

After years of operation, Zhao Tong gradually expanded the Forbidden Army, continuously established special professional forces, vigorously developed naval forces and developed new weapons and equipment, rectified military affairs, hoarded supplies, and built roads, dredged rivers, and enriched a series of dual-use military and civilian facilities such as warehouses.

The project ensured that the Song army could move quickly across the country, with sufficient material reserves to ensure the implementation of military operations. Advanced weapons also enabled the Song army to ensure victory in battles with less troops.

At present, the seven town and Fu divisions of the Song Dynasty, plus the imperial army stationed in Beijing and the directly affiliated troops, already have 300,000 horse infantry troops; the four navy battle groups also have 100,000 troops, more than 100 large main warships, and 500 medium-sized warships.

There are nearly a thousand small warships and auxiliary ships,

Dominate the sea areas around the Song Dynasty; four land combat brigades organized into five and five units can complete offshore defense and offensive operations, and also have certain overseas combat capabilities. While ensuring that the Song Army can complete the defense of the country, it also has the ability to respond

The ability of two local wars...

"Your Majesty, the Jurchens have chosen the right time to attack Goryeo this time, which makes us feel that we are beyond our reach!" On the lonely road back to Beijing, Zhao Tong invited the two brothers to return to the capital in the same car, and the topic naturally revolved around the war that had just happened.

Chong took a sip of wine and said.

"Well, this guy Wu Shu is a good fighter. Now that he has the power, he naturally has room to show off!" Zhao Tong nodded and said, "He also did a good job of concealment during the expedition to Goryeo. We didn't hear any news beforehand.

When the edict to start the war was issued, the Jin army took the lead

The troops have crossed the border, and I am afraid they have already arrived at Xijing City of Goryeo!" The news transmitted through the Kingdom of Jin and the garrison of Goryeo and Shenmi Island reached Zhao Tong, and three days had passed at the fastest. With the Jin army

The combat effectiveness of the Goryeo army would not be advantageous in field battles.

"I regret that I was unable to kill him at the gate of Yanjing that day, leaving behind troubles in the future!" Zhao Yong drank the wine in the cup and said with hatred, "He knew that we could only communicate with Goryeo by sea, and the transmission of news was slow. Waiting for us

After knowing the news, even if we want to save Goryeo, it will take some time to reorganize our troops and send out troops, but he has already marched into the hinterland to force the King of Goryeo to surrender or occupy the entire territory, which has become a fait accompli and there is nothing we can do about it!"
Chapter completed!