Although they were absent-minded, after only taking two bites, Zhang Gongjin and Xue Wanche raised their heads and looked at each other in surprise, then looked at Li Shan... their eyes were full of envy.
The reason is simple, they all tasted the peppery taste of the mutton soup in the soup cakes.
In the Tang Dynasty, pepper was so expensive that ordinary people in later generations could hardly imagine. In later generations, you can just find a mutton soup restaurant or even Lanzhou Ramen. As long as you can eat it, you can add pepper to your bowl. But in the Tang Dynasty, the price was as good as gold.
ah!
The main producing areas of pepper during this period were India and Southeast Asian islands, which happened to point to the two Silk Roads. The long distance made pepper extremely expensive in China and Europe. Basically, only the royal family, princes and nobles could enjoy it occasionally.
But now, Li Shan actually did not expect that Xia City could be so prosperous. Because the Western Turks are currently in civil strife and the Eastern Turks are relatively better off, it is difficult for Hu merchants who occasionally cross the Mobei grassland to deliver these goods to the east and west markets of Chang'an. Instead,
It was sent to Daizhou, which is relatively farther away.
Li Shan had a strong taste in his previous life and was accustomed to eating pepper. However, the so-called pepper in this era does not only refer to the pepper of later generations. He did not find it in Chang'an until he accidentally discovered it in Xia City during an inspection at the beginning of this year.
"Before Yongkang County Duke takes office, we should strive for stability." Li Shan said while eating: "There are three things that cannot be made wrong."
"One is Mayi."
Zhang Gongjin agreed: "Yes, Daizhou has been in ruins for many years, and the Turks often used the road to Mayi to break through the border. It was not until last year that Mayi was gained and lost, lost and recovered again, and the King of Handan forced Yuan Junzhang to surrender, and Yanmen was completely stabilized."
"If Ma Yi is not lost, Yanmen will be strong." Li Shan said softly: "Now Yuan Junzhang stays in Chang'an and leads the governor of Shuozhou from afar. Liu Shirang is the governor of Shuozhou. Your Majesty also appointed Qin Wutong as the Sima of Daizhou.
But Yuan Junzhang's old army has nearly ten thousand people, so we must be on guard."
"There is no need to delay in purging Yuan Junzhang's old department."
After a pause, Li Shan raised his head and glanced at the two people opposite him, "Although Qin Wutong is an old member of the King of Qin, he was appointed by His Majesty, and Liu Shirang is an enemy of the whole court... There is no need for you to send people to Mayi."
When people like Zhang Gongjin and Xue Wanche came to Mayi, they not only represented themselves, but they also brought more than just a few people with them.
"This matter was discussed with the King of Rencheng as early as the end of last year. Generals were transferred from the Bingzhou Army and the Daizhou Army, and the military leaders were sent to Mayi to command the army." Li Shan said slowly: "Now that Qin Wutong is here, more
It gives me a little more confidence.”
Xue Wanche whispered: "Yuan Junzhang has been attached to the Turks for a long time, I'm afraid his subordinates will not be easy..."
"Of course." Li Shan nodded and said with a smile: "I personally handled this matter. It's only February now, and Yugushe is still in Chang'an, so the Turks should not send troops..."
Speaking of this, Li Shan's face changed slightly. It would be better for him to speak less of such prophecies and stop being so cunning.
"In previous years, Turks invaded on a large scale, starting from about late May, when winter wheat was harvested." Zhang Gongjin thought for a while, "Before mid-May, it was necessary to cleanse Yuan Junzhang's old troops, and there were still three months left, so there was still time.
.”
"It's impossible to wait three months!" Li Shan said decisively: "Within one month, or even shorter!"
"The King of Handan has an army of nearly ten thousand... If something unexpected happens, I'm afraid the Turks will take action."
"No." Li Shan was confident.
Last year, Yuan Junzhang decided to defect to the Tang Dynasty. It seemed that he was forced into a dead end by Li Shan, but it was more because of Li Shan's previous methods of opening up trade routes and relocating the people. Therefore, in the Mayi army, the lower-level military leaders and ordinary soldiers have been fighting for a long time.
After the war, everyone wanted to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, but the middle and upper-level generals may not be willing to do so.
With the help of Liu Shirang and Qin Wutong, plus the manpower sent by King Rencheng, and the list written by Yuan Junzhang himself, Li Shan was sure to clean up the army in a short time.
But there was no need to say the reason for this. Li Shan dropped his chopsticks, picked up a large bowl and drank the mutton soup, and then continued: "Cleaning Yuan Junzhang's old headquarters as soon as possible is also for the second thing, the military camp."
"For more than half a month, Brother Hongshen has traveled across the two states and has selected several counties. His first choice is the southwest of Wutai County, where Yuan Junzhang's old troops will be stationed."
Li Shan glanced over and saw that Zhang Gongjin was still calm, while Xue Wanche was a little restless, and the head of his chopsticks almost stuck into his nostrils.
Juntun, as the name suggests, is where soldiers farm, but in the final analysis they are still soldiers, and quite a few of them are veterans who have been on the battlefield... Generals such as Xue Wanche, whether it is for the East Palace or for themselves, are willing to intervene.
"These two things complement each other. The army is purged and the soldiers are diverted to Wutai to farm. At the same time, Ma Yi must be firmly in hand." Li Shan said simply and neatly: "Brother Hongshen will take charge of this matter."
"The prosperity of Xia City lies in Ma Yin and Yu Hu Chun. The former brings war horses into the army, and the latter makes merchants transport grain and grass to Daizhou, but it is not a long-term solution."
"Yanmen Pass, Yanmen Pass..."
"This dynasty guarded Yanmen Pass to resist the Turks, but as far away as Li Mu during the Warring States Period, to the famous general Wei Qing, and to the champion Hou Huo Qubing, they all attacked the Hu from Yanmen Pass!"
"This dynasty will be no exception!"
"The Duke of Yongkang County, a famous general of the generation, is not weak in Wei Huo. He marches and camps in Daizhou to make up for the shortage of military rations and save freight... This will be of great benefit to future wars and is a must!"
Zhang Gongjin and Xue Wanche's expressions changed slightly. The Jianghuai War was about to end. Next, Li Tang Dynasty would face an enemy that was even bigger than Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heitai, the Turks.
Farming in Hedong and hoarding grain and grass were indeed military affairs.
"Brother Hongshen is fully responsible for the military camp, but Brother Xue..." Li Shan raised his eyebrows, "I promise you to keep an eye on him. As long as you find his fault, just report it to him. If necessary, you may be asked to take his place.
"
Xue Wanche twitched his lips. He said before that we should live in harmony, but now he wants to take advantage of the hostile relationship between us... The young man in front of him did not blush at all.
"Why not let you take charge of this matter?" Li Shan said casually: "Three women and a hundred acres of fertile land will dazzle your eyes. You are too petty!"
"I won't even ask for bribes... In fact, you are more suitable to be a general. Managing politics is not your strong point."
Xue Wanche was speechless. Yesterday he openly accused himself of taking bribes, but today he changed his explanation.
Zhang Gongjin brought the topic back, "Your Highness, what is the third thing?"
"Of course it's the ransom paid by Jieli Khan!" Li Shan said with a smile: "Thirty thousand men and women will all enter Daizhou. This matter will be discussed later. One thousand horses, five hundred cattle... That is what I want to give away.
To Chang'an."
Zhang Gongjin was a little disappointed. Five hundred cattle were very important for the upcoming farming.
Xue Wanche asked tentatively: "I heard... His Highness asked for this from the Turkic envoy in Liangyi Palace?"
"That's right, Liangyi Palace openly asks for it. It's a state matter." Li Shan glanced at Xue Wanche and said that you can't even ask for bribes. You are still not convinced!
Next, Li Shan said calmly: "There are also four hundred horses and one hundred cattle, which someone privately asked for from the Turkic envoy."