Chapter 276 Conquering Xixia
Frontier generals such as Zhong Yan always persuaded Zhao Xin to take over Xixia as soon as possible.

However, Zhao Xin felt that the timing was not yet good.

Just think about it, if you take the initiative to attack, wouldn’t you become the aggressor?

By then…even if you are allowed to occupy Xingqing Prefecture, others will not accept it.

However, after the fourth year of Li Yuan.

Zhao Xin felt that it was almost time to recover my homeland from the Han and Tang dynasties.

After all, after years of war, the people of Western Xia should have been tired of Mei Zang Epang.

If you say that Mei Zang Epang launched the war for the sake of the people, then it would be fine if he distributed land to the people.

He started a war just for his own fields.

Such people will inevitably be deserted by their friends and relatives in the future.

The fourth year of Li Yuan.

Autumn.

Zhao Xin ordered Zhao Xun to lead an army of 100,000 across the Yellow River to directly attack the Western Xia capital, Xingqing Prefecture.

Mo Zang Epang sent his family to Tanliang City behind the Helan Mountains for safety.

He himself stayed and guarded Xingqing Prefecture.

Unlike the Liao Dynasty, the Western Xia Dynasty had an imperial palace, which was built quite magnificently.

However, it was actually not until the late period of Li Yuanhao that it was gradually perfected.

In his later years, Li Yuanhao inevitably wanted to enjoy himself.

That is why a huge amount of money was invested to build the current imperial palace.

Mei Zang Epang was reluctant to give up such a good place, but he still greatly underestimated the efficiency of the Song army’s siege.

Although the moat has been dug very wide.

The suspension bridge has also been erected.

However, in front of the Song army’s artillery, they were nothing.

The Song army set up camp the day before and captured the southern gate of Xingqing Prefecture in just one day by noon of the next day.

Mei Zang Epang also saw that something was wrong, so he led his men to escape from the northwest gate, Zhenwu Gate.

However, they had just run not far out of the city when they encountered Zhao Xun’s ambush.

Li Liangzuo was also in the team.

As soon as they met, most of the guards fell down.

Thanks to the cover of the guards, Mo Zang Epang was able to run for a while, but in the end, he was captured alive by the Song army.

Li Liangzuo was very self-conscious.

He said he was the ruler of Western Xia and surrendered.

After this news reached Zhao Xun, he could naturally deal with the subsequent matters with peace of mind.

First of all, of course, is to post a notice to reassure the people.

Then, from the Xixia soldiers, their weapons and armor were confiscated.

In addition, people will be sent to persuade other cities of Western Xia to surrender.

For example, to the north of Xingqing Prefecture, there is a city called Shengwei.

As for other large and small counties, there is no need to say more.

Later, it was learned from the captured officials that a large number of Xixia nobles, especially women, had fled to Tanliang City in the northwest of the Helan Mountains to seek refuge there.

Zhao Xun also sent people to persuade these people to surrender.

In a few days…

For example, the Xixia army in the northwest and north of the Yellow River also learned the news.

to be frank!
This surprised them greatly.

Because Xingqing Prefecture, which was so strong, couldn’t even stop the enemy.

If it were them, it would be even more impossible to stop it.

Everyone sent people to surrender.

of course!

This side of Youzhou City.

However, Zhao Xin felt that such a smooth progress was not necessarily a good thing.

After all, the world is already overpopulated and resources are in short supply. If all these people want to surrender like this,

Then I will have to support them in the future.

Therefore, from a more evil perspective, Zhao Xin actually wanted to kill them all.

It also prevents people from rebelling.

But nowadays, it is not impossible. First of all, if it is not possible to kill Mei Zang Epang, his whole family must be killed.

Then let Li Liangzuo give out a list of some of the people who did not hide Epang’s followers.

Killing these people would free up a lot of resources.

As for Li Liangzuo…

To be honest, why didn’t Zhao Xun let someone kill him?

There is no other way now, we can only find a place for the other party to live in during his/her retirement.

Sichuan!
Sichuan is indeed a good place to retire.

It seems that Li Longji grew up in Sichuan.

Fighting is simple.

It is quite difficult to gain 100% control over the local area.

Fortunately, Zhao Xin was well prepared.

This year’s imperial examination question is how to properly handle ethnic relations.

Filter out those who don’t answer well.

The rest would naturally be sent to Xixia by Zhao Xin.

It is imperative that every state, every county, and every military headquarters has people sent by the Song Dynasty.

After these people go out, there is only one thing they need to do, which is to always put the interests of the local grassroots people first.

at the same time……

Things like iron mines and salt ponds were all taken over by the state.

As for who should be sent to Xingqing Prefecture to take charge of the overall situation…

Zhao Xin thinks it should be Zhang Qie.

After all, compared to his cousin Zhang Dun, he looks much more mature and stable.

At the same time, like the Liao Dynasty.

Reform the Western Xia army.

Local military power must be firmly kept in the hands of the Song Dynasty.

Of course there are dissatisfied opinions from some people who hold authority.

But it’s okay!
When the time comes, it will be treated as rebellion and just beheaded.

Zhao Xin could also take back some of the houses and land to reward his meritorious officials.

The reception work is in full swing.

Some nobles were also sent to Youzhou City in advance.

Be reasonable!
The current Youzhou City is really a little unsafe.

These are all Liao people and Xixia people, and the security conditions can only be described as extremely poor.

It is not impossible that someone might suddenly appear at any time and attack the official Zhao Xin.

People like Ouyang Xiu raised such questions.

Although there were Hu people in the Tang Dynasty, the people there imposed a curfew at night.

But it is different in the Song Dynasty. There is generally no curfew at night, so it is easier for some evil people to find opportunities.

At the same time, the soldiers responsible for maintaining public order in the city are under even greater pressure on duty.

The main reason why such a question is raised is that there is no way for us to completely trust each other.

Zhao Xin then asked both parties, what do you think should be done?

Ouyang Xiu and others were not polite and directly stated that it might be better if the Khitans could be sent back to the north of Yanshan Mountain and the area south of Yanshan Mountain could be inhabited by Han people.

After hearing this, Zhao Xin did not express his opinion immediately.

The main thing is that if he agreed so quickly, the Khitan officials might feel that he did not trust them.

Zhao Xin could only tell them that he would not let them return north of Yanshan Mountain.

of course!

This is merely a step backward to advance.

because……

Sooner or later, Khitan officials would take the initiative to request to return to the north of Yanshan Mountain and return to Shangjing Linhuang Prefecture.

But the problem is…

If I let you go back and you guys, and you suddenly feel that your life is not going well and want to rebel, it will be troublesome for Zhao Xin.

Therefore, let’s just remain in this stalemate for now.

(End of this chapter)