Chapter 584 General Hu Zhonglang protects the east
After Fan Tong learned that Zhao State had destroyed the Xiongnu, embraced half of the grassland, and established Monan County, he keenly realized that Zhao State would definitely take action against Donghu in the future.
This is an opportunity!
Compared with starting from the grassroots step by step, it is much faster to dedicate Donghu to Zhao.
Even if he can't be granted the title of marquis by then, it won't be much worse.
Of course, Fan Tong took a very big risk by doing this.
Zhao State can only take action against Donghu after annexing Yan State. If Zhao State has no idea of annexing Yan State, or Yan State blocks Zhao State, then his efforts will become a joke.
However, Fan Tong soon deduced from Zhao's actions against Yan over the years that Zhao definitely had the ambition to annex Yan, and the probability of success was high.
As long as the Zhao State annexes the Yan State, no matter whether he attacks Donghu or not, he can lead his people to surrender and become a noble of the Zhao State.
Zhongyuan has always had a tradition of preferential treatment for generals who have been demoted, especially because of his special status, he will definitely be reused like Feng Ting in the future.
However, this matter must be dealt with first by Zhao Guo. It is best to have an official identity. If it fails, there is a way out. At least Zhao Guo cannot kill him casually when targeting Dong Hu.
Therefore, after Fan Tong reached a certain scale, he immediately came to meet Li Mu in person to seek Zhao's support.
Originally, Fan Tong came here secretly to meet Li Mu. When he heard that Zhao Kuo had visited here, he immediately asked Li Mu for an introduction.
"I have an official position that is very suitable for you." Zhao Kuo thought for a moment and then said.
Fan Tong is very important to Zhao State. If Fan Tong can help Zhao State wholeheartedly, Zhao State's probability of destroying Donghu in the future will be infinitely close to 100%.
"Your Majesty, please speak." Fan Tong said.
"General Hu Zhonglang will protect the east," Zhao Kuo said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'd like to pay my respects to you, Your Majesty." Fan Tong was stunned for a moment, then he was overjoyed and bowed down.
I have never heard of this official position. It was obviously created by Zhao Kuo just now, but it is very suitable for him. Moreover, General Zhonglang is not a small official. He can already serve as the commander-in-chief of an army and command an army in battle.
In other words, he can recruit legions on his own in Donghu, which is not only recognized by Donghu, but also by the State of Zhao.
"If you have nothing else to do, go back first. We will have a banquet at noon. Don't forget to attend." Zhao Kuo said.
"No." Fan Tong said happily.
The next day, Zhao Kuo left Daijun. He went south along Feihuxing, then turned east from Hengshan County to Wuyang.
When passing through Danqiu County, Hengshan County, Zhao Kuo stopped and took a look around.
Originally, there was no need to pass through Hengshan County. It would be closer to Wuyang via Puyinxing.
However, a few months ago, Zhao Kuo received news from Handan that all grain merchants in Danqiu County, Hengshan County, had united together to secretly increase prices, disrupt the market, and seriously damage the interests of the court and the people.
After the imperial court received the news, they brought all these businessmen to justice with thunderous force and sent them to build the island.
After Zhao Kuo entered Danqiu County, he did not find any grain shops where the price of grain exceeded the price set by the court. It seemed that the previous rectification was still effective. The sequelae was that there were significantly fewer grain shops in Danqiu County than in other areas.
This is a normal phenomenon, and grain merchants will naturally come over gradually.
Zhao Kuo ignored it and went directly to Wuyang via the official road.
Hejian County once belonged to the two countries of Yan and Zhao, as well as a small part of Qi State's territory. The cultural and language conflict was particularly obvious.
In addition, there are many saline-alkali lands in the central and eastern parts of Hejian County, and floods often occur in low-lying areas.
Once a natural disaster occurs and people are displaced, they will migrate spontaneously, which further aggravates this contradiction.
In the past few years, Zhao State has vigorously controlled saline-alkali land, dug canals, built river embankments, and controlled floods.
At the same time, taxes were reduced, schools were built, and Zhao culture was promoted.
After the ash came out, ash trees were introduced and ash insects were cultivated. Today, ash has become one of the pillar industries of Hejian County.
In addition, Hejian County, as the only county in Zhao State that faces the sea, also vigorously develops fishery and salt industries.
Hejian County strives to give everyone something to do. As long as they are busy enough, they will naturally have no time and energy to fight, and geographical conflicts will no longer exist.
The Great Wall of Yan on the north bank of Yishui River has become the Great Wall of Zhao.
However, due to the strong strength of Zhao State, it did not need to rely on the Great Wall to defend Yan State. Due to years of disrepair, many sections of the Great Wall were overgrown with weeds.
The State of Yan intended to build a new Great Wall along the Laishui River to defend the State of Zhao. However, the Great Wall was an extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive project. The State of Yan, which had lost 200,000 men, simply could not recruit so many people.
"Your Majesty." Sheriff Jin Yao stood outside the city to greet Zhao Kuo.
"Enter the city." Zhao Kuo waved and said.
"promise."
"Are you still used to living in the Kingdom of Zhao?" Zhao Kuo asked with a smile after entering the former Yan Palace.
Wuyang was once the capital of Yan State, with a complete palace complex, just like the Xindu of Zhao State.
Of course, they all belong to Zhao State now.
Zhao Kuo came here on his tour and naturally made the former Yan Palace his palace.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Zhao and South Korea come from the same origin, so I feel no discomfort." Jin Kuai said with cupped fists.
He and Feng Ting joined Zhao State by mistake, and they don't really like Zhao State much. However, it is impossible for the two of them to return to South Korea. Even if South Korea doesn't mind, their two old faces can't stand it.
Moreover, Zhao State treats them very well. The population of Hejian County is at least equivalent to three Shangdang County in South Korea.
Of course, in terms of status, it is definitely not as high as in South Korea.
After all, South Korea only has two counties, while Zhao has more than a dozen.
"These are jade stones brought by merchants from the Western Regions. I heard that the governor liked to play with them, so I kept two pieces." Zhao Kuo glanced at Liu Ping, and Liu Ping took out two pieces of jade and placed them in front of Jin Kuo.
"If you don't get reward for your merits, I don't dare to accept it." Jin Yao stood up quickly and said.
"How can you say that the county guard has done nothing to protect the widow?" Zhao Kuo said in a deep voice with a straight face.
"Then... I will accept it," Jin Mao said. He really liked smooth and lustrous things like jade, and what Zhao Kuo gave him was the top-quality Khotan jade.
Although the opening of the Hexi Corridor and the Juyan Ancient Road has made trade between the Western Regions and the Central Plains more convenient, the price of jade has no intention of falling, but has become stronger.
Although Zhao Guo's salary was generous and there were additional rewards during the holidays, Jin Bo still couldn't afford such high-end jade.
However, many businessmen secretly gave them to him, but he didn't dare to ask for them.
It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I don’t dare.
He also thought about following Zhao Kuo to perform meritorious service and then join a fiefdom.
How much jade do you want if you have a fiefdom?
If you are punished or demoted for taking bribes, it will really be more of a loss than a gain.
This is also a true portrayal of the hearts of many officials.
Compared with morality, it is obvious that interests are more likely to win people's hearts.