The Northern Song Dynasty has always focused on strategic defense. Why did Zongshen take the initiative to crusade against Xixia?

Because Song Renzong saw the disadvantages of the country, he wanted to unify China, and he was about to conquer Xixia.

First, the Song Dynasty valued literature over martial arts.

Speaking of the Song Dynasty, we all know that this is a country that attaches great importance to the economy, that is, it does not increase the country's military capabilities with care, but often suppresses military commanders, which leads to the fact that military commanders, unlike military commanders, are about to become civil servants, so there are often ethnic minorities invading the Song Dynasty.

Second, Song Shenzong political reform

Seeing the disadvantages of the country, Song Shenzong knew that he could no longer focus on strategic defense as before, so that the country had no hope at all and was often in a very passive state, so he often paid attention to frontier affairs and knew that if the country wanted to change this state, it was necessary to revive the position of military commanders, let them see hope and work hard for the country.

No longer a group of civil servants who know nothing about military affairs. No matter how good the national economy is, it is completely impossible without military power. Song Shenzong began to be full of confidence and vowed to unify China, and never dared to attack Xixia again, so that neighboring countries could know that the Song Dynasty was not only an economic power, but also a military power.

Third, crusade against Xixia.

Song Shenzong's political reform has been going on for a long time. At Wang Anshi's suggestion, Song Renzong felt that he should be able to attack Xixia, so he began to actively and vigorously crusade against Xixia, trying to raise his national prestige, so as not to let Xixia come to rob the people in the frontier at any time and let Xixia know the military strength of Dasong.

Taking the initiative to attack Xixia also achieved good results. At least for a short time, Xixia didn't dare to pounce, but it was just Xixia hiding its light and looking for an opportunity to start again. It can also be said that Song Renzong's political reform has also made the country stronger, but unfortunately, he failed to realize his dream of reunifying China.