At this time, an official stood up, bowed down and said, "Your Royal Highness the princess, the prince, there is a plan for the humble position. ”

"Oh? What's the plan? Zhao Yingluo and Zhao Zhen looked at the official at the same time, and a hint of expectation flashed in their eyes.

The official smiled slightly, "I think that we can set up beacon towers in the prefectures and counties west of Chang'an." Once the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom attacked, the state and county could immediately light a beacon fire to give an alarm. In this way, we can know their course of action and destination in advance, so that we can deploy accordingly. ”

Zhao Yingluo's eyes lit up when she heard this, "This plan is wonderful!" In this way, we can not only know the enemy's situation in advance, but also set ambushes and traps according to their course of action. The order went down and immediately set up beacon towers in the prefectures and counties west of Chang'an! ”

Zhao Zhen also nodded in agreement: "This plan is indeed feasible. However, we must also pay attention to strengthening the defensive forces of the prefectures and counties to prevent the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom from taking advantage of the weakness. ”

"Exactly." Zhao Yingluo added, "In addition, we need to strengthen ties and cooperation with other states and counties to jointly resist the invasion of the Great Xia Kingdom." ”

Hearing this, the officials present nodded their heads and said that they would fully cooperate with the implementation of this plan.

Zhao Yingluo and Zhao Zhen looked at each other and smiled when they saw this, and their hearts were a little relieved.

As long as everyone works together to resist the enemy, I believe that they will be able to defeat the invasion of the Great Xia Kingdom and protect the peace of Chang'an.

"Your Excellency has worked hard, the safety of Chang'an depends on you, and I hope you can continue to work hard."

The officials said in unison: "Her Royal Highness the princess is serious! It is our duty to protect Chang'an, and we must do our best to live up to the expectations of His Highness! ”

Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction, and then discussed some specific defensive strategies with Zhao Zhen before ending the meeting.

When the two sisters and brothers walked out of the hall of the palace, it was already dark.

The streets of Chang'an City are brightly lit, and the people are busy preparing dinner.

The smell of food and the laughter of the people fill the air, making this ancient capital full of life and vitality.

Zhao Yingluo took a deep breath of air, smiled and said to Zhao Zhen: "It seems that the people's hearts in Chang'an are quite stable, which is good news for us." ”

Zhao Zhen also smiled and said, "Yes, sister." As long as we can defeat the invasion of the Great Xia Kingdom, I believe that the time to defeat the Jin Kingdom is short. ”

However, despite the careful planning of Zhao Yingluo and Zhao Zhen, the establishment of the beacon tower did not work as expected.

The speed of the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom was far faster than the Song army imagined, and even if the beacon fire transmitted the news, the reinforcement speed of the Song army's cavalry was still one step behind.

Seeing that the beacon strategy did not bring about a significant change, Zhao Yingluo couldn't help frowning, and her heart was even more worried.

On this day, Zhao Yingluo once again convened hundreds of officials in Chang'an to discuss countermeasures. In the hall of the government office, the atmosphere was solemn, and the officials looked at each other, at a loss.

Zhao Yingluo looked around, and saw that everyone had no good plan, and she couldn't help but feel a trace of helplessness in her heart.

However, she was not discouraged by this, but smiled slightly, breaking the dull atmosphere.

"Ladies and gentlemen, since the defensive strategy is not effective, let's change our thinking." Zhao Yingluo said in a firm tone, "The best defense is offense!" Since the Great Xia Kingdom is unwilling to fight with us, then we will take the initiative to attack and directly take Xingqing City, the Great Xia Kingdom! ”

As soon as these words came out, the officials were immediately stunned. Some officials looked embarrassed and raised objections.

"Your Royal Highness, this move is too risky!" An old minister said in a trembling voice, his face full of worry, "Xingqing City is thousands of miles away from my Chang'an, and the army has traveled a long way, so I am afraid that I will be exhausted before I reach the city." What's more, the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom is cunning, if they take advantage of the exhaustion of our army to launch an attack, the consequences will be unimaginable! ”

Another middle-aged official also stood up, his brows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the old minister also thinks that this move is inappropriate. Although our army is brave and good at fighting, in the face of harassment and attacks by the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom, it should still focus on defense and be safe. Taking Xingqing City directly can force the enemy army to come to the rescue, but if it fails, it will be a catastrophe for my Great Song Dynasty! ”

"Yes, Your Royal Highness Princess, please think twice!" Another official chimed in.

Listening to the discussion of the officials, Zhao Yingluo's face gradually became solemn. She knew what this decision meant for Da Song, and she also knew what the price would be paid if she failed. However, she knows better that if decisive action is not taken, Da Song will always be in a situation of passive beating, and the people will always live in fear and insecurity.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Zhao Yingluo suddenly shouted, her voice revealing undoubted majesty, "This palace knows that this decision is risky, but this palace also believes that the soldiers of my Great Song Dynasty have the courage and ability to complete this mission!" We can no longer be beaten and sit idly by! We must take the initiative and look for fighters! Only in this way can we completely defeat the Great Xia Kingdom and remove the threat of Chang'an! ”

Zhao Zhen also pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "Sister, I think this plan is feasible. Although it is risky to take Xingqing City directly, it can force the cavalry of the Great Xia Kingdom to come to the rescue, so that there is an opportunity for a decisive battle. As long as we can plan carefully and plan carefully, this adventure may not be impossible. ”

After deciding on the strategic direction, preparations for the expedition began in Chang'an City. As the commander of this expedition, Zhao Yingluo personally supervised every preparation, from the deployment of soldiers, horses, grain and grass to the inspection of weapons and equipment, she asked them one by one to ensure that nothing went wrong.

In the end, Zhao Yingluo decided to prepare an army of 100,000 horses, mainly cavalry, supplemented by infantry. In order to increase the speed of her advance, she did not have her army carry heavy artillery, but chose light and powerful firearms, bows and arrows, and swords as her main weapons.

Such a configuration not only ensures the mobility of the army, but also does not lose its combat effectiveness.

Two days later, the dawn dawned, the gate of Chang'an City slowly opened, and 100,000 troops marched out, with flags covering the sun and bright armor. Zhao Yingluo was wearing armor and riding on a tall war horse, with a heroic posture. Hazel followed closely behind, also wearing armor and looking tense.

At the same time, far away in the Xixia Palace in Xingqing City, it was a scene of singing and dancing.

Li Qianshun, the lord of the Western Xia Dynasty, sat on the dragon chair, surrounded by beautiful women on the left and right, and his front was full of gold and silver treasures plundered from the Song Dynasty. He looked at the temple full of treasures and beauties, and his heart was full of pride.

"Your Majesty is wise and martial, this alliance with the Jin Kingdom will definitely be able to destroy the Song Dynasty in one fell swoop and achieve a great cause for thousands of years!" One of the ministers said flatteringly.

Li Qianshun laughed when he heard this: "Hahaha! Naturally, my decision was wise. The Great Xia Kingdom only needed to send cavalry to contain the Song army, and the main decisive battle would be handed over to the Jin State to deal with. When the Jin Kingdom breaks through Chang'an, the rivers and mountains of the Great Song Dynasty will be in our pocket! ”

Another minister also chimed in: "What Your Majesty said is extremely true! The Great Song Kingdom is weak and the people are poor, how can it be the opponent of my Great Xia Kingdom? This expedition will be able to start victoriously and succeed immediately! ”

The more Li Qianshun listened, the more proud he became, and he raised his glass to toast to the ministers: "Come!" All of you Aiqing drink this cup with me, and wish us a great victory! ”