Unknowingly, time came to the third year of Hongwu.
The plan for the year lies in spring, and it is almost a year since Xixia returned to the Song Dynasty. According to the established plan, Xixia will lose its national title and be renamed Ningxia, as the seventeenth province of the Song Dynasty.
However, Ningxia at this time was different from later generations. Its territory included later Ningxia, Gansu, northeastern Qinghai, western NMG and northern Shaanxi, covering an area of about 20,000 miles.
This can be regarded as the largest province in the Song Dynasty so far. As the first Ningxia chief envoy, Du Gao was still based in Zhongxing Mansion.
However, since Ningxia has become a province, it is inevitably inappropriate to name the government office "Zhongxing". Referring to Murong Yan's original title of princess, Guo Mo changed the name of Zhongxing Mansion to "Yinchuan". This name is considered to be ahead of schedule.
It has been called out for hundreds of years.
As the commander-in-chief of the Western Military Region, Meng Gong transferred 90,000 of the 100,000 "Dunwu Army" into Ningxia, leaving only 10,000 troops in Taiyuan City.
Within Ningxia, Yumen Pass and Shazhou in the west have accumulated 40,000 "Dunwu troops", plus 10,000 monk Wanyan Chen's heavy cavalry.
In the northernmost city of Pingzhou, close to Mongolia, there were also 30,000 "Dunwu troops" stationed, and the remaining 20,000 troops were stationed around the provincial capital Yinchuan.
Ningxia returned to the Song Dynasty at the beginning, and the newly born Guo Shi was still very young, so Guo Mo simply stayed in Yinchuan temporarily, and together with Du Gao, he formulated many policies and measures to attract merchants from all over the country and encourage production and life.
Guo Mo's second apprentice Wu Nantian, since the last time he broke through to the first-class realm, Guo Mo no longer keeps him.
After all, in this era of the Song Dynasty, Wu Nantian and Zhang Ting were not too young, and their marriage was delayed for several years because of Guo Mo.
Guo Mo couldn't leave for the time being, so he asked Wu Nantian to go back and get married first.
For this reason, Guo Mo also issued a special edict to transfer his fifth senior brother Wu Mienfeng back from Chengdu to Zhongdu City to take charge of the daily affairs of the "Imperial City Division".
In the past four or five years, Wu Mianfeng has been staying in the southwest, spreading the tentacles of the "Imperial City Division" all over Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and other places.
The status of Zhongdu will become increasingly important in the future, and Guo Mo also needs someone he can trust to take charge of Zhongdu for him and control the intelligence system in the northern part of the Song Dynasty.
Nowadays, the intelligence system in Guo Mo's hands is divided into two branches. One is the "Imperial City Division" that focuses on the interior of the Song Dynasty. The fourth master Nan Xiren and the fifth senior brother Wu Mianfeng are in charge of the north and south.
The other branch is "Tingfeng", which focuses on the collection of information and intelligence from the countries surrounding the Song Dynasty. It is fully controlled by the fourth senior brother Lu Chengfeng.
The marriage of the second disciple Wu Nantian was decided two years ago. Unfortunately, they were about to get married now, but Guo Mo had no time to attend, so he asked his eldest brother Guo Jing to host it in Zhongdu.
He also asked Guo Jing to personally choose a five-bedroom house in a prosperous area of Zhongdu City. It was a gift to fifth senior brother Wu Mianfeng for his silent efforts over the years, and it was also Guo Mo's congratulatory gift to the newlyweds.
The past two years have been the most fulfilling years for Murong Yan. Not only does Guo Mo accompany her day and night, but she also has a child of her own. Seeing her son grow up day by day is the greatest happiness and satisfaction.
"Brother Mo, shall we go to Bianliang City? After so many years, I have also missed my eldest sister and second sister. Besides, we have been married for so long, and I have not given any gifts to the Supreme Emperor."
In the past year, there have been several "riots" in Ningxia, especially in the city of Yinchuan. Some Xixia people, old and young, were instigated by thoughtful people and did things that they would regret for the rest of their lives.
However, such a small fight had no impact on Guo Mo at all. Instead, it gave "Jin Yi" an opportunity to show off his skills.
Regarding these people, Guo Mo did not kill them, and of course he did not let them go completely.
Just like the more than 20,000 Western Liao soldiers captured last year, they were all free labor.
Guo Mo asked the injured soldiers of General Meng Gong to separate out, and there were about a thousand people to form a production and construction corps similar to that of later generations.
However, these soldiers of the Song Dynasty who had recovered from injuries were mainly responsible for management and supervision. The real work was done by the prisoners and those who were sentenced.
The matter is also very simple, just building roads and planting trees in Ningxia.
Population is an issue that must be taken seriously in this era, especially in the vast and sparsely populated Ningxia, where Guo Mo abolished the death penalty in principle.
It just depends on the severity of the sentence, the length and intensity of forced labor.
With more than 20,000 people, if they can become a stable labor production army, they can also contribute to the prosperity of Ningxia.
"Okay, when the spring planting in Ningxia is over, I will take you and Shi'er back. I heard that Mr. Xue's health has not been well recently..."
Xue Ji, the Minister of Personnel, can be regarded as the most important minister in the Song Dynasty. Guo Mo can feel at ease outside, largely because of Xue Shangshu's support in the center.
At that time, the fourth elder of Prince Yan's palace, the former censor Zhongcheng Wei Jing, had passed away last winter. For this reason, the Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo deliberately stayed away from court for three days to show his favor.
Guo Mo was unable to go back, but he also set up a mourning hall in the Hao Palace for civil and military officials from Ningxia to come and pay their respects.
Cheng Ju, the Minister of Rites, was the toughest among the four. He had been staying in Zhongdu City for the past two years, and together with Zhao Jianda, the Minister of Industry, they were building a new palace according to the sketches provided by Guo Mo.
It can be said that Zhao Rushu, the Minister of Punishment, had the easiest life. Almost all the affairs of the Punishment Ministry were taken care of by the young and powerful Song Ci, but Zhao Rushu's main energy was spent on the "cabinet".
"Your Majesty, Meng Dutong is outside seeking an audience——"
At this moment, someone from "Jin Yi" came in to report. Guo Mo raised his eyes and saw that he knew this person. He was the youngest among the "Jin Yi". His name was Luo Qi, from Luoyang.
Although he is the youngest, he is already twenty-six years old this year. He is one of the few people in "Jinyi" who is well-educated. It is said that he was selected as a scholar when he was young.
"It's Luo Qi. I heard from Commander Lu that you have also broken through to the third-rate realm? But you are a little different from others. You are naturally thin and suitable for practicing the art of lightening your body. Please take this book."
"Yao Jiao Kong Bi" is a set of Qing Kung Fu of the Ancient Tomb Sect, created by Lin Chaoying, the great master of the generation. The martial arts style is elegant, agile and fast.
However, the book Guo Mo is holding now is his deleted version, and of course he has added some of his own things, making it more suitable for small groups to fight against enemies side by side.
"After you have mastered it, select the right person from the 'Jin Yi' to pass it on. I estimate that three or four people will be more powerful when they join forces to fight against the enemy."
"Thank you, Teacher——"
Whenever they get along in private, or when it comes to teaching skills, people in "Jinyi" still maintain the original tradition and call Guo Mo "teacher".
"Your Majesty, why did you summon me to come back?"
Because Ningxia is vast and sparsely populated, many places are not suitable for growing crops, so Guo Mo simply opened two horse farms, one near the Hetao and one by the Qinghai Lake.
Meng Gong was also responsible for this matter. The people employed in the horse farm were either veterans or wounded soldiers who had retired from the army, or they were recruited local herdsmen.
It is said to be a horse farm, but it is actually more appropriate to describe it as a pasture. In addition to war horses, it also feeds a lot of cattle and sheep.
Dried meat and various dairy products are also Guo Mo's idea for Du Gao. They can be used for trade exchanges with the hinterland of the Central Plains and even the south. They can not only bring a steady stream of benefits to Ningxia, but also highlight Ningxia's own region.
Features.
"Puyu, this is the latest and most complete map of Western Liao sent by Tingfeng. It marks the locations of important cities, mountains, rivers, and many topography of Western Liao."
"That kid Lu Shangde is a good officer. He has been working conscientiously in the past two years. If he can win Xiliao in the future, he will have made a great contribution."
Guo Mo unfolded the three rolls of silk on the case table and called Meng Gong to come forward and watch.
In order to be portable and to outline the topography of Western Liao more clearly, Lu Shangde drew the entire Western Liao kingdom on three volumes of silk.
After unfolding them separately and then splicing them together, it is a complete map of Western Liao.
"Your Majesty, do you want to..."
Meng Gongzai looked at the entire map of the Western Liao Kingdom carefully, and he realized that the Western Liao Kingdom was very big.
The method of drawing maps in the Song Dynasty army was unified by Guo Mo as early as when the "Dunwu Army" was first established.
The direction is up, north, down, south, left, west, right, east, but there is no way to tell everyone the latitude and longitude.
Markers use fixed symbols to represent specific things, such as mountains, rivers, roads, cities, etc.
In fact, China's map production was already quite mature by the Song Dynasty.
As early as the Western Jin Dynasty, Pei Xiu proposed the "Six Elements of Cartography" based on summarizing the cartographic experience of his predecessors, which was the earliest cartographic theory in China.
It correctly clarified the relationship between map scale, orientation and distance, and had a profound impact on map production technology after the Western Jin Dynasty.
The famous maps of ancient cartographers such as Jia Dan of the Tang Dynasty, Shen Kuo of the Song Dynasty, Zhu Siben of the Yuan Dynasty, and Luo Hongxian of the Ming Dynasty all inherited the principle of six-dimensional cartography.
"Puyu, the 'Dunwu Army' has been resting for more than half a year, right? Now that we have this map of the entire Western Liao Dynasty, I will give you the official seal of 'General of the Conquest of the West'."
"The 40,000 'Dunwu Army' and General Wanyan's 10,000 heavy cavalry gathered in western Ningxia are all the strength I can give you. Give me the complete victory over the Western Liao Kingdom within two years. There is a problem.
?"
Guo Mo directly expressed his demands without any temptation.
"Your Majesty, within two years, the general will definitely make the Western Liao Kingdom become the territory of our Song Dynasty——"
If protecting the homeland is the duty of the military, then expanding the territory is the dream of every passionate soldier.
"Okay, as for how we should fight, you and General Wanyan can discuss it. However, the time for dispatching the troops will be slightly delayed. I have also prepared two lieutenants for you. It is estimated that they will arrive in two or three days."
The two lieutenants Guo Mo mentioned were naturally his two apprentices, Zhang Shijie and Hu Yande.
The two brothers wrote to Guo Mo more than once, wanting to come and serve in the west. The main reason was that they had been stationed in Hebei for three or four years, but there was no movement at all.
On the contrary, it was Xixia where Guo Mo stayed, fighting both the Mongols and the Xiliao people, making Zhang Shijie and Hu Yande jealous to death after seeing the military reports.
Especially Zhang Shijie, who is only twenty-two years old this year, but is already a veteran with seven or eight years of military service. He is even more keenly aware that his master's arrangements in Xixia are clearly intended to advance westward.
Since last winter, he has received letters requesting me every other month. Looking at the pitiful words, Guo Mo was a little amused.
Forget it, I haven't seen these two apprentices for several years, so let's recruit them to meet them.
In addition, Guo Mo's war to destroy the Western Liao Kingdom was imperative and determined to win, so he would not think that the Western Liao Kingdom could resist it.
During the battle last year, King Qu Chulu of Western Liao came with an army of 50,000. Less than 10,000 people fled back, so it is estimated that there were only 20,000 to 30,000 troops left in the entire Western Liao Kingdom.
Guo Mo clearly remembered that in real history, Temujin ordered Zhebie and led 20,000 Mongolian cavalry to destroy the Western Liao Kingdom. He did not believe that his 50,000-strong army would still be defeated?
Since the two apprentices want to go to the battlefield, and it is such a battle to destroy the country, of course Guo Mo, as the master, cannot avoid having some selfish motives.
Three days later, Zhang Shijie and Hu Yande rushed to Yinchuan City and Prince Hao's Palace.
"Master, I miss you so much——"
"Disciple has seen the master——"
As soon as they entered the door, Zhang Shijie and Hu Yande knelt down. Zhang Shijie's eyes were red, and Hu Yande's eyes were filled with tears.
"Okay, how old are you? You're already married, and you still have the nerve to cry and wipe your tears? I've met your third mistress first—"
Guo Mo was also a little moved. He really didn't worry about these two apprentices.
Last year, when Wu Nantian went to Zhongdu to get married, Guo Jing made the decision at the wedding banquet and betrothed the daughter of Hebei Chief Minister Liu Kezhuang to Zhang Shijie.
The two had just gotten married at the beginning of this year. They had only been married for two months when Zhang Shijie hurried to Ningxia.
"I've met the third master's wife——"
The two of them bowed to Murong Yan respectfully.
"Everyone, get up. I knew you were coming. Your master couldn't sleep well for several days in a row. Shijie, your master and I couldn't catch up with your wedding at the beginning of the year. This thing can be regarded as a replacement gift for you.
Already."
Murong Yan waved her hand, and a "Jin Yi" came over from the side, holding a tray in his hand. There was something on the tray, covered with a red cloth.
Murong Yan stood up and lifted up the red cloth, revealing a piece of armor underneath. With a cold look, it looked like the famous Xia Zi armor in Xixia.
Wart armor actually uses cold deformation technology to improve the hardness and toughness of the metal, and the degree of processing is measured by leaving "warts". It is a simple, effective but very clever armor-making technology.
Its technical requirements are not high, but it requires a huge amount of manpower and material resources. In addition, cold forging has high requirements on the fatigue resistance of the metal, and not all pig irons are suitable.
"Shijie, this 'golden silk armor' can be regarded as the top collection of the Xixia royal family. It is just a decoration here, so I will give it to you for self-defense."
"Golden silk armor?"
Zhang Shijie was stunned when he heard this. The wart armor was already so valuable, but this one was actually a gold silk wart armor?
"Haha, Shijie, you are lucky. According to legend, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty once spent 50,000 taels of gold to buy this armor. Even the emperor of Xixia was not willing. Today, you are really getting an advantage."
Guo Mo saw that his apprentice was still in a daze and hurriedly interjected from the side.
"This... Master, Master, this gift is too precious. This disciple deserves it."
Zhang Shijie said, "You deserve it," but his hands were honest. He hurriedly took it and bowed deeply to Murong Yan.
"Um... senior brother, you see, you are the commander and someone who sits firmly in the military tent. Why don't you give such a good armor to me, a person who charges into battle?"
Hu Yande on the side leaned into Zhang Shijie's ear and said softly.
Unfortunately, his self-proclaimed "soft voice" could probably be heard by the guards outside the Hao Palace.
"Haha, third child, I really want to give up my love, but it's a pity that such a small 'golden armor' is not worthy of your burly body -"
Hu Yande, who was already twenty years old, had a fully grown body. He was a head taller and a shoulder taller. According to the rulers of later generations, Hu Yande was over two meters tall.
Every time he went out to fight, the Guards had to prepare several horses for him and replace them in turn. Otherwise, the horses would be exhausted before the battle was even half over.
When the three masters and apprentices met, they only stayed in Hao Palace for two days before Guo Mo asked them to follow Meng Gongxi.
Zhang Shijie and his two men withdrew from Hebei, and the 5,000 "Hu Ben Army" led by Zhang Shijie naturally returned to the army and were temporarily stationed in Zhongdu City to guard several palaces that had been built so far.
Guo Mo entrusted the matter of the Western Expedition to Meng Gong with full authority. With the help of monk Wanyan Chen and his two disciples, Guo Mo felt at ease.
Just as he was about to leave for Bianliang City, "Guangningzi" Hao Datong and Li Zhichang walked into the Hao Palace together.
"Your Majesty, I have come to say goodbye to you. There is something going on at the Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain. Wei Chen and Zhichang need to go back."
Looking at Hao Datong's expression, Guo Mo couldn't guess whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Daozhang Hao, has anything happened to the Quanzhen Sect?"
The Quanzhen Sect has special significance to Guo Mo. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is half a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect.
First, when he was young, he learned the "Quan Zhen Xin Dharma" and "Jin Yan Gong" from Ma Yu, the "Danyangzi". Later, he accepted the legacy of Wang Chongyang, the "Zhong Shen Tong", and obtained the "Return" in the secret cave of Zhongnan Mountain.
"Yuan Sword Technique", breaking through to the innate realm in one fell swoop.
Now, the Quanzhen Sect is within the territory of the Song Dynasty, and more and more disciples of the sect have come out to work for the Song Dynasty. If something really happened to the Quanzhen Sect, Guo Mo would not be able to ignore it, both publicly and privately.
"It's hard to explain this matter. I haven't been back for several years, so I can't say for the moment. Your Majesty, this is a letter from the head brother. Please read it -"
With that said, "Guangningzi" Hao Datong handed the letter written by the current head coach Qiu Chuji to Guo Mo.
Since the other party could take it out, it proved that there was nothing behind Guo Mo's back, so Guo Mo didn't show any pretense and directly opened the letter.
It was Qiu Chuji's own handwriting, and the letter told three things.
The first thing happened two years ago, when Wan Yankang followed the old naughty boy Zhou Botong and returned to the Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain.
Accompanying him were Wanyankang's concubine Bai Su, and Wanyankang's two little daughters.
Considering the many inconveniences on the mountain, Wanyankang first bought a house in a town ten miles away from the Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain.
The house is not big, and the courtyard with two entrances is enough for Bai Su, mother and son to live there.
Worried that the three of them would not adapt, the old naughty boy Zhou Botong returned to Chongyang Palace first, while Wan Yankang first settled in the house he purchased.
Through the local security chief, he found a girl aged fourteen or fifteen as a maid, and hired a local couple.
They are both in their early fifties. They are hard-working people from the mountains and are in good health and spirit. However, they have been married for many years and have no children, so this old couple is the only one living in the family.
Hearing that the host's family belonged to the Chongyang Palace and arranged for the family to live in this town, the old couple readily agreed.
Taking care of food and housing, and one or two months of money every month, where can such a good thing be found?
What's more, when they met Bai Su, mother and daughter, they knew that this family was not an ordinary family, and they were even more respectful.
After arranging a concubine and two daughters, Wanyan Kang only went to Zhongnan Mountain.
Although he had studied under Qiu Chuji for many years, he had always studied at Prince Zhao's Mansion in Zhongdu and had never been to Zhongnan Mountain.
During the bloody battle in Zhongdu many years ago, the master and apprentice turned against each other. Although they did not become enemies, they had no contact for many years.
At this time, Wanyankang was in a state of mind that was very suitable for practicing spiritual cultivation in a place like Zhongnan Mountain. Remembering Qiu Chuji's various teachings to him when he was a child, Wanyankang's determination to worship the Quanzhen Sect again became even stronger.
However, Wan Yankang also understood that what happened back then was from different standpoints, and although it could be said to be excusable, he also understood that he had made his master sad and even lost face in the world.
The purpose of letting the old naughty boy return to Chongyang Palace first was to give both parties time to allow Qiu Chuji and the Quanzhen Sect to consider re-accepting him.
Sure enough, with Zhou Botong's efforts to bring him together, Wanyankang once again became Qiu Chuji's disciple. Moreover, according to the order of entry, Wanyankang was actually Qiu Chuji's top disciple.
However, since he wanted to officially become a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, Qiu Chuji still proposed in public that Wanyankang change his surname to "Yang" and restore his Han identity. However, Wanyankang politely refused.
However, he did not stick to his surname of "Wanyan" and simply tied up his hair and became a Taoist priest, calling himself "Mu Taoist", which was a compromise.
Wanyankang had thought deeply about this matter as early as when he agreed to the old naughty boy to come to Zhongnan Mountain.
Yang Tiexin was his biological father, which was an unchangeable fact, but he himself grew up in Prince Zhao's Mansion in Zhongdu until he was eighteen years old. Even after his life experience was revealed, Wanyan Honglie still regarded him as his own.
When Wanyan Honglie was on the verge of death, he still wanted to hand over his title and troops to Wanyan Kang's hands.
No matter what evil deeds Wanyan Honglie had done back then, at least in Wanyan Kang's heart, he was a father who treated him wholeheartedly. This alone was enough.
The second incident also happened after Wanyankang went to Zhongnan Mountain.
The old naughty boy had been getting along with Wan Yankang for a long time, and he actually liked him very much, and he often thought of accepting him as his disciple.
It's a pity that he is Qiu Chuji's apprentice, which is a fact that is not easy to change.
Therefore, the old naughty boy had a sudden idea to take the decision on behalf of his long-gone senior brother and "adopt" Qiu Chuji into his sect. In this way, Wan Yankang directly became his own disciple.
Only the old naughty boy would do such nonsense. Unfortunately, no matter how depressed Qiu Chuji was, he could not defeat the old naughty boy. Moreover, senior brother Ma Yu actually supported the old naughty boy's nonsense?
It is even said that the master has a soul in heaven and will fulfill his uncle’s desire to protect the teachings.
The third thing is the reason why Hao Datong and Li Zhichang must return to Zhongnan Mountain.
Scheduled to be on the first day of June this year, the Quanzhen Sect will hold a succession ceremony for the new leader at the Chongyang Palace in Zhongnan Mountain.
In fact, Qiu Chuji has only been a master for a few years, but he is not young at all.
Previously, after the death of Wang Chongyang, the "Middle Divine Power", the entire Quanzhen Sect was struggling to be supported by the "Seven Quanzhen disciples". At that time, none of the three generations of disciples could come forward to take the lead.
Nowadays, except for the "Qing Jing San Ren" Sun Bu'er, the other six "Quan Zhen Seven Sons" are already first-rate masters.
If at this time, the "Seven Sons of Quanzhen" once again set up the Tiangang Beidou Formation, I am afraid that ordinary top masters would probably hate it.
Among the three generations of disciples, Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing have successively reached the first-rate realm. Although Li Zhichang is still at the second-rate realm, his combat power is comparable to that of a first-rate master.
Wan Yankang, who has returned to his master's sect, or should be called "Mu Taoist" from now on, is even more of a first-rate master.
In last year's year-end competition, Yan Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing teamed up, but they failed to get through the 80th round at the hands of Mu Daoren.
Because this was a competition within his own sect, it was not convenient for Mu Taoist to use the "Xuan Ming Divine Palm", but instead used the "Kong Ming Fist" that the old naughty boy had just taught for two months, otherwise the two might lose even more.
quick.
The new leader of the Quanzhen Sect who is about to take office is none other than the current Mu Taoist, the former Wan Yankang.
After reading the contents of the letter, even Guo Mo was a little dumbfounded. How could such a thing happen?
Guo Mo shook his head and smiled bitterly. It seemed that everything had completely deviated from the "original" track. Perhaps Wanyankang's destiny as Mu Taoist could be regarded as a kind of alternative compensation.
"Taoist Master Hao, since this is an important matter for your sect, I can't stop you. When I see Taoist priests Ma and Qiu, I would like to pay my respects to you."
"On the first day of the sixth lunar month, although I cannot be there in person, I will definitely send you a congratulatory gift. If you two have a family affair and want to come back, the 'Imperial City Secretary' and 'Jin Yi' are welcome at any time."
When the three Quanzhen disciples came down the mountain with Guo Mo, they agreed to come out to practice and seek breakthroughs in martial arts.
As expected, Hao Datong was the first to break through to the first-class realm. Although Li Zhichang has not been able to break through, his combat power has also been greatly improved.
If Li Zhichang now plays against himself when he first came down from the mountain, he will be able to beat him at least three or five times without any problem.
It was a pity that Cui Zhifang was left on the mountain by Wang Chuyi. "Yuyangzi" had to practice in seclusion, and the young disciples under his disciples had to be supervised by someone.
When they arrived, there were more than two hundred riders, traveling lightly and fast. When they returned to Bianliang, they turned into a convoy.
Guo Shi, who had just turned one year old, was naturally held by his mother, Murong Yan, and sat in a carriage. The carriages behind him were filled with local specialties and gifts brought from Ningxia.
Just imagine, Guo Mo now has a lot of wives and children, and just giving each of them some gifts is enough to load several large cars.
What's more, there is a large car among them, which was specially selected for little Guo Xiang.