When it comes to the Song Dynasty, many people may immediately think of "weak scholars", thinking that this is a dynasty with constant internal and external troubles. When we count the diplomatic wars of the Song and Song dynasties, we will find that this seemingly weak dynasty actually hides unknown fortitude and tenacity. In the 320-year history of the Song Dynasty, almost half of the time was in the midst of a struggle with foreign enemies.
Zhao Kuangyin, the emperor who created the glory of the Song Dynasty, although his name is not as well-known as some heroes in the time-traveling drama, his decision-making and strategic layout have profoundly affected the foundation of the Song Dynasty. In 976, he intended to move the capital to Luoyang, but Zhao Guangyi's persuasion of "not in danger in Germany" made him finally give up this idea. Zhao Kuangyin's regretful words "In less than a hundred years, the people of the world will be exhausted" seems to foreshadow the military burden of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Zhao Kuangyin's war strategy is often based on the premise of peace, but once peaceful means fail, he will not hesitate to choose to solve it by force. For example, his plan for the recovery of the Youyun region: first try to redeem peacefully, and then use force. He even planned to use the treasury gold and silk obtained by Pingnan Tang to redeem the land of Liao. This strategy of "both soft and hard" was particularly unique in that era.
Entering Zhao Kuangyin's Northern Song Dynasty, we have to mention several large-scale military operations against the Northern Han. The first Northern Expedition was under the great opportunity of civil strife in the Northern Han Dynasty, and the Song army once approached Taiyuan, but due to the timely assistance of the Liao army, the Song army failed to capture the Northern Han Dynasty and had to retreat in a hurry. This experience made Zhao Kuangyin deeply realize that the lack of preparation against the Liao State was fatal.
Zhao Kuangyin, who was unwilling, made careful preparations during the Second Northern Expedition and specially arranged for He Jiyun to block the Liao soldiers coming to the north at Shiling Pass. Although the Song army failed to break through the fortified Northern Han city this time, He Jiyun's outstanding performance won at least a small victory for the Song army. When the second batch of reinforcements from the Liao State arrived, the energy and materials of the Song army had been greatly depleted, and they chose to retreat again.
Until the time of Zhao Guangyi, the military strategy of the Song dynasty was more mature and decisive. The Fourth Northern Expedition in 979 can be said to be the highlight of Zhao Guangyi's military career. He not only personally commanded, but also specially appointed experienced generals such as Guo Jin and Tian Qinzuo, and was well prepared. This time, the Song army used gunpowder weapons for the first time in the Battle of Baimaling, which greatly strengthened the intensity of the offensive. In the end, under the fierce offensive, the city of Northern Han was broken and completely annexed by the Song Dynasty. This battle not only marked Zhao Guangyi's military prowess, but also stabilized the northern border of the Song Dynasty to a certain extent.
Success is not determined by one person or a war. In the long river of history, those famous generals who are often ignored in the war and political situation are actually the real heroes who support the Great Song Dynasty. Such as Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, etc., although they belong to a later period, their appearance and their heroic performance against the Jin army prove that the Song Dynasty is not only "weak".
Yue Fei's loyalty and bravery are a good story in China's military history. His "return my rivers and mountains" is not only a slogan, but also a resolute resistance to foreign invaders. And Han Shizhong, a general who was also known for his bravery, turned the tide in the battle of quarrying, and their deeds refreshed people's perception of the military power of the Song Dynasty again and again.
In the Southern Song Dynasty, in the face of the more ferocious Mongolian iron cavalry, although the Song army was at a disadvantage, it still showed an indomitable fighting spirit. Lu Xiufu's resistance to the Yuan at sea showed the wisdom and courage of the Song people in a desperate situation. Although this series of struggles failed to finally stop the footsteps of foreign enemies, it showed a Song Dynasty that was different from the image of scholars.
They are not only generals on the battlefield, but also representatives of the national spirit. From Zhao Kuangyin to Yue Fei, from the development of the Northern Song Dynasty to the resistance of the Southern Song Dynasty, every general is writing history in their own way.
Looking back at the wars and generals of the two Song dynasties, the Song Dynasty was not as weak as it seemed. From Zhao Kuangyin's strategic layout to Yue Fei's heroic War of Resistance, these historical events and characters have created an image of the Song Dynasty that was indomitable and dared to innovate itself.