Although the Song Dynasty was established, some separatist forces in different places still existed. At that time, in addition to the Liao State established by the Khitan in the Five Dynasties, there were ten countries, including the Northern Han Dynasty, which occupied Taiyuan in the north, and the Southern Tang Dynasty, wuyue, Houshu, Nanhan and Nanping (Jingnan). In Hunan and other places, there are also separatist regimes.
After stabilizing the domestic situation, Song Taizu began to consider how to eliminate these separatist forces. Should we solve the north or the south first? Song Taizu thought about this problem day and night. He wants to go south first and then north, but he can't make up his mind at the moment.
One day, it was snowing. It was getting late and it was still snowing. Song Taizu went to Zhao Pu's home to discuss this great event with Zhao Pu. He ran to Zhao's door and knocked on the door. Zhao Pu opened the door and saw Song Taizu standing in the snow. Zhao Pu panicked, hurriedly bowed down and invited him in.
When Song Taizu arrived in the hall, Zhao Pu lit a red charcoal fire to burn meat on the fire, and at the same time called his wife out to serve wine.
Song Taizu said, "Sister-in-law, you're welcome."
After a few drinks, Song Taizu tentatively said, "I want to pacify the countries first and send troops to Taiyuan. What do you think? "
Zhao Pu has long considered this question. He said: "The northern Han Dynasty and the northwest are Liao countries. If we occupy Taiyuan, we will be threatened by Liao. I think it's better to level the southern countries first and then deal with the northern Han. At that time, where could a northern Han as big as a marble escape? "
Song Taizu smiled and said, "Actually, it was my idea. I'm just asking your opinion on purpose. "
Zhao Pu also follow to laugh. After some discussion, Song Taizu's policy of chasing the north from the south was finally decided.
Subsequently, Song Taizu gradually pacified Nanping, Houshu and Nanhan by force. Southern countries only have Nantang and wuyue.
Southern Tang Dynasty is a big country in the south of the Yangtze River, but it is also a weak country. After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, Li Jing, founder of the Southern Tang Dynasty, knew that he was no match for the Song Dynasty, so he gave in to the Song Dynasty and sent envoys to congratulate Song Taizu on his accession to the throne.
In 96 1 year, Yuan Zong, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, died and his son Li Yu succeeded to the throne. This is the queen of Southern Tang Dynasty, and people call her Li Houzhu. Li Houzhu is a famous poet in the history of China. He loves literature, understands melody, and is also excellent at calligraphy and painting, especially in writing lyrics, but he doesn't ask much about political affairs and likes to listen to flattery. He didn't dare to offend the Song Dynasty, but he still sent a lot of gold and silver treasures every year. Even when he sent troops to other countries in the Song Dynasty, he also paid tribute to Song Jun. After the demise of the Southern Han Dynasty in the Song Dynasty, he was very panicked, wrote to the Song Dynasty, and took the initiative to cut off the title of Southern Tang Dynasty, claiming to be the king of Jiangnan. Although Li Houzhu tried to compromise, how can Song Taizu tolerate the long-term division of this regime?
In September 974, Song Taizu ordered generals Cao Bin and Pan Mei to lead 100,000 troops to attack Nantang. As early as the Song Dynasty, thousands of warships were built in Jingnan. Cao Bin led the water army down the Yangtze River from Jiangling, constantly defeated the defenders in Nantang, and soon arrived at Caishiji (now Maanshan, Anhui). Pan Mei led the infantry to Caishiji.
At that time, a scholar named Fan Ruoshui suggested that Song Jun build a pontoon bridge with a big boat and a bamboo raft to cross the river. Song Jun took this advice and built a pontoon bridge in only three days.
Li Houzhu was told about it. Li Houzhu didn't know how to deal with this matter, so he asked a minister beside him. The minister replied, "I have never heard of anything that can bridge the Yangtze River, as recorded in my own book."
Li Houzhu was relieved and said happily, "I think it's just a joke, too."
Song Jun crossed the Yangtze River and soon reached the gate of Jinling (now Nanjing, Jiangsu). Li Houzhu doesn't know yet. One day, when he visited the city, he saw the flags of Song Jun everywhere outside the city, only to know that the incident was not good. He quickly sent minister Xu Xuan to Tokyo, demanding the withdrawal of troops in the Song Dynasty.
When Xu Xuan arrived in Tokyo, someone said to Song Taizu, "Xu Xuan is knowledgeable and eloquent. We should deal with him well."
Song Taizu smiled and said, "I have my own way."
The next day, Xu Xuan walked into the court, looked up and said loudly: "Li Yu is innocent, your majesty has learned nothing."
Song Taizu asked him to explain his reasons. Xu Xuan said: "Li Yu serves the country with a little, just like a son serves his father." No problem. Why did the Song Dynasty punish him? "
Xu Xuan talked for a long time, and Song Taizu asked him, "Since you said that you are like a father and son, can the father and son be divided into two families?"
Xu Xuan was asked speechless and went back despondently.
A month later, Xu Xuan accepted Li Houzhu's orders and went to Tokyo to meet Song Taizu, pleading for withdrawal. Song Taizu pressed his sword and said angrily, "Needless to say! Jiangnan is innocent and can't tolerate others snoring and sleeping next to my bed (text:' How can others sleep soundly next to the bed')! "
Xu Xuan was too scared to speak again and had to come back to me.
Li Houzhu failed to make peace, so he quickly dispatched150,000 troops stationed in Shangjiang to rescue Jinling. The reinforcements arrived at 10,000 and were attacked by Song Bing. The troops of the Southern Tang Dynasty tried to set fire to Song Jun, but suddenly the north wind blew and the fire started on its own. The reinforcement coach is anxious. The last army in the Southern Tang Dynasty was wiped out.
Song Jun soon entered Jinling. Li Houzhu surrendered to the Song Dynasty and became a conquered nation.
Li Houzhu was taken to Tokyo, and Song Taizu said that he was disobedient, and he actually became a prisoner. The unrestrained imperial life is over, and he has to endure the pain of being insulted. He lives in tears every day, and his heart is very sad. During this period, he wrote many poems expressing sadness. He is good at expressing emotions and using metaphors. His words are very real, such as "how much sadness can you have?" ? Just like a river flowing eastward ",this has become a famous saying. Later, Li Houzhu was poisoned by Song Taizong.