After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

Chapter 116 "Telepathy"

Regarding the military reform project that Han Ming finally promoted in Shaanxi, the government and the Privy Council each sent a document to Han Ming.

The government's intention was basically to praise and reward Han Ming personally.

As for the Privy Council, it was a more official statement, affirming and supporting Han Ming's military reforms in Shaanxi.

The two documents arrived at Jingzhao Prefecture one after another, and were originally intended to be passed on to Han Ming at the front line through Xue Xiang.

However, everyone misjudged one thing, that is, Han Ming’s urgency about military reform.

That is, starting from the beginning of the sixth year of Jiayou, by September, the replacement of equipment in the five prefectures and roads on the Shaanxi border was basically completed, and vigorous military training began.

At this time, neither the Song Dynasty court nor Mo Zang Epang, Zhang Yuan and others who were plotting to attack the Song Dynasty knew that Han Ming had his own selfish motive, which was to attack Xia!

That’s right, Han Ming is also secretly accumulating military strength, trying to clash with the Western Xia border troops.

At this time, Han Ming had already completed the general training of the border troops and returned to Jingzhao Prefecture to begin raising a batch of military supplies and food.

For Deputy Envoy Xue Xiang, it is indeed time to prepare winter military supplies for the Western Army at this time of year.

Therefore, when Han Ming came back in person to supervise the military supplies and food, Xue Xiang only thought that it showed his attention to the front-line troops, but he never thought about other things.

Little did he know that it was this young envoy of comfort and fortune who would lead him into an extremely exciting period.

According to the recollections of an old man named Xue who was later promoted to the position of Sansishi, or "Prime Minister of Strategy", the days when he followed Han Ge Lao to garrison the border in Shaanxi were quite exciting, and he would never encounter such a fearful situation again in his life.

Back to the present, Xue Xiang still looks diligent and personally organizes the military supplies and food that Han Ming needs.

"Sir, according to your order, the border troops' needs for this autumn and winter are more than double those of previous years."

"But sir, I don't think it's appropriate to hand over all the food and military supplies to the border troops."

Xue Xiang finally put forward his own ideas and opinions.

Wang Shao, who was busy calculating accounts, twitched his ears, showing the other party's curiosity.

"I understand what the commander is worried about. He's simply worried that the border army generals will interfere and embezzle such a huge amount of military supplies and fodder."

Hearing Han Ming express his inner thoughts, Xue Xiang nodded slightly.

"But you don't have to worry too much about this matter. I will personally supervise the transportation of food and military supplies this time."

Han Ming's words surprised Xue Xiang and Wang Shao a little.

They didn't expect that Han Ming would actually return to the front line. They just thought that this time he would return to Jingzhao Prefecture and would not go anywhere else, but would stay in the capital to handle government affairs.

"Isn't it too tiring for you to run back and forth like this?"

Xue Xiang took the initiative to show concern.

"That's fine. Military reform is a top priority for Shaanxi and the imperial court right now. My little help won't be a big deal."

"Besides, I have a great talent like Shi Zheng to help me, so I feel at ease."

Han Ming chuckled and praised Xue Xiang, which touched the other party.

"Your Excellency is too kind. I only have a small ability, how dare I call myself a great talent?"

"But as long as I am here, all the prefectures and cities in Shaanxi will remain as peaceful as before."

Xue Xiang bowed and promised not to let Han Ming down.

"Master, what you said is exactly what I want. Now I can let go and do my best."

Han Ming's suggestive words made Xue Xiang and Wang Shao think that he was cheering himself up.

Little did they know that Han Ming's gaze had already skipped the border of the Song Dynasty and pointed directly at the border fortress of Western Xia.

On the other side, in Xingqing Prefecture, the capital of Western Xia, Mo Zang Epang and Zhang Yuan had already drawn up a plan for fighting in the autumn.

This time, their goal was to break through the border of Song State and enter Guanzhong.

The first stage was to seize food and people.

The second phase is to intimidate Han Ming into abandoning military reform.

The third stage is to see if we can seize a few cities and passes from the Song State and force the other party to cede cities, land and pay compensation.

As for the Xia army today, they are still immersed in the pride and arrogance of defeating the Song army and the Liao army in the war of founding the country.

They had no idea that the Shaanxi border army had undergone tremendous changes under Han Ming's leadership.

"This attack on Song is the first large-scale war in Great Xia since the Qingli Peace Agreement."

"The purpose of this battle is to intimidate the Song court, which is now sharpening its sword."

"We must execute the penetration tactics efficiently and swiftly, break through the Song army's border defenses with lightning speed, and advance directly into Guanzhong."

"Force the Song court to cede the Guanzhong area to our Great Xia."

"If they refuse to comply, we will march straight into Bianliang and capture the Song Lord alive."

"Then I will be the butcher and Song will be the meat. Who will win in the end?"

Mo Zang Epang's arrogant and domineering voice echoed in the secret room of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

This time, he invaded Song without telling the whole country and arbitrarily used his own troops in the army to carry out the invasion.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with concealed and unsuppressible ambition.

Zhang Yuan standing beside him did the same, looking at Mo Zang Epang with warm eyes.

Perhaps the plan that did not succeed in Li Yuanhao's past will be realized this time.

At that time, he will definitely let the emperor and his ministers of the Song court see who is the truly worthy talent.

It was not him, Fan Wenzheng, nor Han Zhang, nor that self-proclaimed figure Xia Song.

But it was him, the failed Jinshi - Zhang Yuan.

He was the most talented person who could save the world during the reign of Emperor Renzong.

Like Mo Zang Epang, Zhang Yuan also fantasized about the beautiful dream of seizing Guanzhong in the near future.

Little did they know that at this time, Han Ming also set out from Jingzhao Prefecture with a large amount of military supplies and food, and his destination was Huanzhou, the defense zone of the Di brothers.

Wang Shao was accompanying him this time. Han Ming decided to bring this famous general of the future Shenzong Dynasty to the battlefield in person to compete with the Western Xia border troops.

At this moment, Han Ming, Mo Zang Epang and Zhang Yuan had surprisingly similar ideas, which was to use each other as stepping stones.

It can be said that they are in perfect harmony with each other. Perhaps for people like them, the other party is a soft persimmon that can be exploited at will.

"Sir, are you really going to prepare to attack Xia?"

Wang Shao looked at Han Ming in the carriage with some surprise and doubt.

"This is a rare opportunity. According to news from Qinfeng Road, because Zuosiluo accepted the marriage alliance with the Liao Kingdom, Xixia is afraid of a joint attack from both sides and is now stationing some of its elite troops in the north and south."

"The current Song-Xia border is considered a relatively weak link for the other side."

"If I don't take this opportunity to fight him now, I'm afraid I won't have such a good opportunity in the future."

Han Ming leaned against the car window, gazing at the yellowing leaves with flickering eyes.

"But if we start a war without permission, how will we explain it to the court and the government afterwards?"

Wang Shao talked about the practical problem. Han Mingjun's reform had already offended many people, and now he was provoking a war without authorization. Isn't this giving his political enemies a handle?

"Who said we had to start the war?"

Han Ming chuckled and turned to stare into Wang Shao's eyes.

The carriage fell into silence for a while. After a long time, Wang Shao seemed to have thought of something.

"Your Excellency wants to force Xixia to take the first step, but that doesn't seem easy, does it?"

Wang Shao rubbed his jaw, thinking about the feasibility of Han Ming's plan.

"It doesn't have to be that complicated. First, take a look at the information about the border strongholds sent by Brother Zhong Gu."

Han Ming took out a piece of paper from the documents on the side and handed it to Wang Shao.

Wang Shao took it and looked at it, only to see that it was about the movements of the Western Xia border troops.

The other side seems to be secretly deploying troops and preparing for some unknown action.

"There have been small-scale conflicts on the Song-Xia border since the Qingli Peace Agreement. This mobilization is not a big deal..."

As Wang Shao spoke, he seemed to have grasped something, and his tone became deeper and deeper.

"Zichun, you've figured it out, right? Given Xixia's nature, they'd have carried out a large-scale skirmish, almost as if everyone on the border knew about it. Why are they doing it so covertly this time?"

Han Ming's question made Wang Shao think clearly, and he immediately answered: "Because Xixia has plans to invade Song Dynasty on a large scale!"

Wang Shao's words made Han Ming laugh, and then he stopped talking and continued to appreciate the autumn scenery on the official road outside the carriage.

"I can't believe they would choose this time to start a war. How dare they do that?"

"Now that the Liao Kingdom and the Zuo Si Luo have formed an alliance, aren't they afraid of a joint attack from the Song, Liao, Zuo Si Luo, and the others?"

Wang Shao felt that he was a little unable to grasp the thoughts of these Xixia people. Why was it a bit strange?

"This isn't a difficult guess. It's simply that the Liao Kingdom and Zuo Silu haven't yet fully established their alliance."

"Zuo Siluo is, after all, an official bestowed by the Song Dynasty. He also listens to our wishes, which is why he has been dragging his feet and not agreeing to an alliance with the Liao Kingdom."

"And Xixia saw the mutual restraint among the three of us, so they dared to openly attack us first."

"The second and most crucial point is that the Shaanxi military reform touched these Xixia people."

"They fear that our Song army will succeed in its military reforms and then attack Xia."

"So they're going to strike first, taking advantage of our unstable position to create a gap and completely nip the military reform in the bud."

"But it's a pity that these Xixia people will never understand how efficient the Song army, with its completely revamped organizational structure, is..."

Han Ming's sneer spread throughout the carriage, allowing Wang Shao to see a different person.

"Indeed, they never imagined that we would be able to reorganize and train the Western Army in just nine months."

A hint of fanaticism gradually appeared in Wang Shao's eyes.

"Instead of letting the other party strike first, why don't we give them a surprise first."

Han Ming's expression showed a hint of coldness.

"If your Excellency has any instructions, I will fully support them."

For the first time, Wang Shao felt that brilliant military achievements were beckoning to him.

"Immediately write a letter to Zhong Gu, asking him to report to Xixia that border troops have gone missing and that we need to enter Yanzhou to investigate."

Han Ming casually instructed Wang Shao to send a letter to Zhong Gu at the front line.

"What if the other party doesn't want to?"

After Wang Shao finished writing the letter, he looked up and asked.

"Haha, then it won't be up to them. How do you think they will respond once we have ideas about Yanzhou?"

Han Ming's words awakened Wang Shao. Yanzhou was the foundation of Xixia's salt production.

It was also thanks to this that they were able to win the battle between Qingbai Salt and Jie Salt.

During the Song-Xia War, although the Song army did not win any battles, it still managed to annoy the Western Xia more than once with its tactic of "shoot the horse first when shooting a person, and capture the leader first when capturing a thief."

That is, since you, Xixia, attach importance to Yanzhou, then I will attack Yanzhou when I start a war. You cannot let Yanzhou fall, so you have to fight the Song army head-on.

If I can't beat you, can't I disgust you to death?

Han Ming used the same trick this time, openly saying that he wanted to enter Yanzhou for a search. This kind of thing was simply impossible for Xixia.

It would even be like rubbing salt into the enemy's wounds. The Western Xia army would certainly not be able to tolerate it and would take the initiative to attack. Then Han Ming would have an excuse to attack Xia.

By then, it will not be possible for the other party to explain it clearly.

Wang Shao looked at the somewhat sinister Han Ming and couldn't help but shudder.

Sure enough, when this group of Xixia people met this young Han Xianggong, they would eventually suffer in the northwest.