In the lobby of the Privy Council, Xin Qiji's passionate discussion on the Three Northern Expeditions and the restoration of the Central Plains continued, and the generals were still immersed in the longing and excitement of the future war.
However, Han Mu's gaze had already crossed over the area representing the Jin Kingdom, staring at the vast territory marked "Mongolia" in the northernmost part of the sand table that was rapidly expanding.
In that area, the color was dark, and the small flag representing the nomadic cavalry seemed to have a primitive, savage aggression, spreading outward from the depths of the grassland.
Han Mu's brows furrowed slightly, and a piece of historical knowledge from the distant future clearly appeared in his mind: This regime created by Temujin, the future Genghis Khan, will sweep away the Western Xia, break through the Jin Kingdom, conquer Dali, and sweep Central Asia in the next few decades, establishing an unprecedented and huge empire.
Although according to the original historical trajectory, it was still more than 70 years before Mongolia completely destroyed the Southern Song Dynasty, but this process was full of bloodshed and conquest, and it was during this era that the foundation of everything was laid.
The combat effectiveness of the Mongolian cavalry, as well as the military talents of Genghis Khan and his successors, are by no means idle.
The decline of the Jin Kingdom is already a certainty in his eyes, but what about after destroying the Jin Dynasty? Without this northern barrier, which can still serve as a buffer despite decay, the Song Dynasty will directly face an unprecedentedly powerful nomadic empire that is in a period of extreme expansion.
With the Mongols' concept of "conquering all the land they can see", the conflict between the southward and the Song Dynasty was almost inevitable.
A thought flashed through Han Mu's mind: with his cultivator's ability, he might be able to easily sneak into Mobei and end the lives of Temujin and his core family ahead of schedule, just like crushing a few ants. But does this really solve the problem?
The chaos of the steppe may be suspended, but the expansion momentum and military potential rooted in the depths of grassland society will not disappear. If you kill Temujin, there may still be "Mujin Iron" appearing.
In the final analysis, national security cannot be based on the uncontrollable and symptomatic method of assassinating the leader of the other party. Strong national defense, elite army, and correct strategy are the foundation of the country.
After realizing that Mongolia was the real and most terrifying opponent of the Song Dynasty in the future, Han Mu withdrew his gaze from the sand table and turned to Xin Qiji, his tone was calm but with a hint of imperceptible solemnity: "Xin Lao has just analyzed it, and it can be said that he is insightful and thoughtful about the destruction of gold. However, I still have a question and want to ask Xin Lao."
Xin Qiji was immersed in the blueprint of the Northern Expedition with the generals, and looked at Han Mu when he heard this: "Oh, Han Xiaoyou, but it doesn't hurt to ask."
Han Mu's finger slowly pointed to the disturbing area at the northernmost tip of the sand table: "I don't know Xin Lao, for the newly rising Mongolian tribes on the northern grassland...... Especially the leader named Temujin, what do you think? Its momentum is getting hotter and hotter, and in the future, in our great Song, will it be a friend or an enemy? What is its weight in the overall planning of the Privy Council?"
As soon as these words came out, the excitement on Xin Qiji's face subsided slightly, replaced by a deep worry.
He stared at the territory representing Mongolia, his brows furrowed tightly, and after a while, he let out a heavy sigh: "Xiaoyou is really a master of the Tao, with a wise eye like a torch, pointing to the point! This matter...... This is actually a major concern in my heart, and it is also the focus of my Privy Council's recent efforts to collect intelligence and try to judge."
He approached the sand table and pointed his finger to the core area of Mongolia: "According to the information pieced together by the Privy Council Exploration Department and various channels, this Mongolian tribal leader Temujin is indeed not in the pool. Since he was a few years ago, he joined forces with the Khan of the Kelei tribe to defeat the Taichiwu tribe in the north of Onan and killed its leader Ta'erhutai. After that, he followed Wang Khan's troops into the Hulunbuir grassland, and successively attacked and plundered large tribes such as Hedajin, Sanzhiwu, Duo'erbian, Tatar, and Hongjila, plundering countless people and livestock, and the momentum was greatly boosted."
"In recent years, I have noticed that after two major wars, the power of the Mongolian tribes gradually began to decline, and the entire Mongolian Plateau formed a situation of confrontation between the eastern and western powers: the eastern part of the vast Mongolian Plateau east of the Onan River and west of the Great Xing'an Mountains was ruled by Temujin; The western part of the Mongolian Plateau west of the Onan River to the east of the Altai Mountains is ruled by Wang Khan."
Xin Qiji's voice became extremely serious: "This Temujin is not simple, now he is in the prime of life, in the previous Mongolian wars, he was able to rise rapidly, it can be described as brave, according to my judgment, according to this trend, this Temujin is very likely in the near future, three years at the earliest, five years at the latest, he will definitely be able to unify the Mongolian plateau!"
"The speed of its rise and the fierceness of its momentum are quite similar to the rise of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe between the white mountains and black waters a hundred years ago! At that time, the Jin people also destroyed the strong Liao in just over ten years, and then invaded our Central Plains in the south, and finally reached the shame of Jingkang, occupying half of my country!"
His eyes swept over Song, Jin, and Mongolia on the sand table: "In the past, Liao, Jin, and Song stood side by side, but today it is a three-way struggle between Jin, Mongolia, and Song. Mongolia, as a new force, is gaining momentum, and its threat to the declining Jin Dynasty and even our Song Dynasty cannot be underestimated! However, ......"
He changed his mind, with deep helplessness, "Now the feud between Song and Jin is deep, and there is no possibility of joint resistance against Mongolia. It seems that the only way in front of my Song Dynasty is to 'unite Mongolia and destroy Jin' to avenge the feud, avenge the national shame, and reclaim the homeland."
However, Xin Qiji's face did not relax at all, but became even more worried: "However, this strategy is extremely risky! Muzhi should know that in the past, the 'alliance on the sea', the alliance of gold destroyed Liao, and finally led the wolf into the room. If our Song Dynasty and Mongolia work together to destroy Jin, it is difficult to guarantee that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past."
"At that time, although the Jin Dynasty will fall, a more powerful and aggressive Mongol empire than the Jin Dynasty will stand in the north. This is really the biggest hidden worry in my heart, thinking about it day and night, it is difficult to sleep peacefully."
Han Mu listened quietly, admiring Xin Qiji's strategic vision even more.
In this era, with limited intelligence, he can make such a clear and accurate judgment of Mongolia's potential and future threats, and even foresee the serious consequences that may be brought about by "joint Mongolia and Jin".
"What Xin Lao is worried about is exactly what Han Mu is worried about." Han Mu nodded slowly, his voice was quiet but with an unquestionable power.
"The cycle of history is often strikingly similar. As far as I know, it may only take three or five years for Temujin to unify the Mongolian tribes. Once Mongolia's internal integration is completed, its military direction will bear the brunt of the Jin Kingdom, Western Xia, Western Liao and even Tubo. Once its war machine is launched, it is by no means easy for any single country to resist."
He walked to the sand table and crossed his fingers across the future front: "For my Song Dynasty, Mongolia has completely solved the forces in the northwest and targeted the south, and there may still be a window of ten to twenty years. These twenty years are a precious opportunity given to my Song Dynasty!"
Han Mu's eyes became sharper: "Therefore, destroying the Jin Dynasty and recovering the Central Plains is the first priority at present, and it is also necessary to unite the people's hearts and boost the national situation. But at the same time, we must be soberly aware that the Mongolian side is a major threat to our Song Dynasty in the future! After the destruction of Jin, it will not be peaceful in the world, but the beginning of a new round of potentially more cruel competition for survival!"
His finger fell heavily on the future Song-Mongolian border - the Yellow River, and even the land of Youyan further north: "The most important thing now is to go all out and strive to recover the homeland of the Central Plains in one fell swoop before Mongolia goes all out to the south! And rely on the lost land recovered, especially the dangerous mountains and rivers in Hebei, to build a solid defense system, station heavy troops, refine cavalry, and prepare for a rainy day. In this way, even if the Mongolian cavalry goes south in the future, I will still have a buffer and a countermeasure!"
"Xin Lao," Han Mu looked at Xin Qiji, his eyes full of trust and expectation, "The Northern Expedition is related to the fate of the country, and it needs to be cautious and cautious, and it needs to be done quickly. In your opinion, how long will it take for my Song Dynasty to be fully prepared and march north?"
Xin Qiji took a deep breath, Han Mu's words completely spoke to his heart, turning the vague worries in his heart into clear strategic cognition.
His eyes were burning, and he said categorically: "What Han Xiaoyou said is really an old man who plans the country! It should be so! While Mongolia has not yet been unified and there is no time to look south, our Song Dynasty should strive to complete the main preparations within two years and officially swear in the Northern Expedition! And within a period of five years, completely restore the Central Plains and stabilize the defense line!"
"At that time, our Song Dynasty will occupy the geographical advantages of the Central Plains, restore the vitality of China, reorganize the army, and restore national strength. Even if I go south in the future, I will still have enough confidence and space to deal with it, and it will definitely not be the situation of being complacent in the southeast and passively being beaten in the past!"
The two top figures in the world, before the sand table of the Privy Council, not only set the short-term strategy of the Northern Expedition to the Jin Kingdom, but also had insight into the distant future, outlining a path full of challenges but hopes for the fate of this dynasty.
The Mongolian area on the sand table was like a dormant giant beast, and the Great Song Dynasty had to become strong enough before it fully awakened and showed its fangs.