In the Hall of Houde, the emperor sat in the upper position, Lu Zhi sat on the left, and Yuan Shao and Jia Xu sat on the right.
As the gateway to the Han Dynasty, the Western Regions must not be compromised. The Emperor valued the Western Regions very much. As soon as Dong Zhuo's letter arrived in Luoyang, the Emperor immediately summoned the three Dukes of the court to the Houde Hall and began to discuss major matters in the Western Regions. After they took their seats,
The emperor sent the letter to them.
After they finished reading, the emperor asked: "What should we do next?"
"Your Majesty, I thought before that this could not be done by Kushan. It was indeed the case that those who plundered the merchants were rebels from Kushan. The number of the rebels was only 20,000. Even if General Dong did not come in person, he would be garrisoned.
Captain Luntai was able to summon soldiers from the Western Regions and defeat them, so there is no need to worry about the Western Regions. However, the letter said that the place where the rebellion occurred, Malakanda, was the gateway of Kushan to the Han..."
"The portal is so chaotic that it can be said to be a serious blow to foreign trade..."
As Situ, Lu Zhi was the first to speak, analyzing the situation.
"According to Lu Gong's intention... is that we should not investigate what Guishang did? Is it possible that we should help him quell the civil strife?" Yuan Shao asked with some displeasure. Lu Zhi ignored the young man.
Ignoring his rudeness, he said slowly: "Benchu, this is just what the rebels did... What can we do? Go attack Kushan?"
"Why not! Even if they are rebels, they are also Kushan people. How can we let his troops invade our territory?" Yuan Shao said, becoming more and more excited as he spoke, and almost shouted.
"Okay, according to what you said, we spent a lot of money and materials to attack Kushan and defeat them. What can we get? Get territory? Who will govern? Who will govern?" Lu Zhi asked rhetorically
.
"Then we won't take the money and loot the place as revenge!" Yuan Shao frowned and said solemnly.
"Okay..." Lu Zhi nodded and added: "In this way, I, the big man, gained a lot of money. Then, the originally good relationship between Guishang and us suddenly deteriorated, and the foreign trade matters stopped. The treasury
This cuts off one of the most important financial sources."
Yuan Shao added: "After defeating them, we can just let them do business with the Han Dynasty. What do we have to fear?"
The two quarreled endlessly, and neither one was willing to give in.
The emperor listened carefully.
But he did not interfere. He was a little hesitant in his heart, but also a little restless. What Lu Zhi said was not unreasonable. Guishan was too far away from the Han Dynasty. If we wanted to send troops, the baggage would be a big problem. It was a very big problem. I think.
Think about it, the current governor of Liangzhou complained to the emperor every day and couldn't bear it anymore. He provided food, grass and baggage to Dong Zhuo and others, climbed over mountains and ridges, braved the wind and snow, and crossed the desert...
If this battle were to reach Guishang territory, the Western Region Protectorate would have a headache, let alone Liangzhou.
And if this group of Northern troops cut off their food, grass and baggage and penetrate deep into enemy territory, they would be in danger.
Even if the Han Dynasty won the battle, it seemed that he would not get much benefit. The territory he occupied was still so far away that it was impossible to be included in the emperor's rule. What's more, there was not even a Han person there. How could he go from the Western Regions?
Migrating people?? There are not enough people in the Western Regions, how to migrate!!
However, he still has some desire in his heart. Over the years, he has not decided to trade with Kushan. He has also seen many items from Kushan, including jade beads and rare fruits. In addition, he also heard that the land in Kushan
, is very fertile and can feed a large number of people without much care. This is what the envoys to Kushan said.
They told the emperor that the Kushan people were extremely lazy and not as industrious as the Han people. They farmed the same way, carelessly and without any care. This made many envoys feel distressed. Because the food was rich, they spent most of their time looking for a tree.
Tree, sitting under the tree in a daze, thinking wildly, thinking about it, and came up with many things.
In fact, the emperor is still quite eager to get these areas. The territory of the Han Dynasty has never been as vast as it is today. It is connected to Sushen in the east, and there is an endless snowfield on the other side. Cars and horses travel south, and Dingling is connected to the north.
It is also an endless prairie. In these years, Hezhou governor Liu Yu continued to expand the scope of Hezhou, and countless nomads defected to it and became the people of the Han Dynasty.
As for the south, Funan and Chenla became vassal states of the Han Dynasty. Outside the Great Wall were all natives, impenetrable mountains and forests, and ferocious beasts.
Going west is the Western Regions. Over the years, due to the foreign trade policy of the Han Dynasty, the Western Regions have become the external gateway of the Han Dynasty. They have developed very rapidly. From Kangju to Qiemo, these small countries have gradually become richer. They are considered the earliest of the Han Dynasty.
A group of vassal states, because the Western Region is extremely large and the distance between states is very far, the state and county system has never been implemented here.
Instead, the Duhufu was adopted. The Duhufu governed the various countries, which were equivalent to the vassal states of the Han Dynasty. When their kings came, no matter how big or small, they were treated with the courtesy of princes because of Emperor Xiaokang's benevolent policy.
, In the past twenty years, there has been no unrest in the Western Regions or Hezhou and other places. On the contrary, the Qiang people outside the Great Wall outside Yizhou and Liangzhou have been eager to move.
In the emperor's heart, if he could directly open up the Kushan area and turn it into a county for the Han Dynasty, it would be an unprecedented achievement. Even my father could not compare with it!
With these thoughts in mind, the emperor raised his head. Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao were still arguing.
"alright.."
The emperor looked at them. Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao stopped, but they could not convince each other. The emperor looked at Jia Xu and asked: "Captain, I wonder if you have any good ideas?"
Jia Xu raised his head, looked at the emperor, and said slowly: "I have a plan to avoid future troubles forever."
Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao were shocked. Jia Xu had never participated in these things. He looked like the old Situ Cui Shi. Why did he suddenly want to participate today?
The emperor was also stunned. He had no doubts about Jia Xu's words. He knew how capable his master was.
"Yuan Gong, Lu Gong, please step aside first...I am also tired..." the emperor said. Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao stood up and said goodbye to the emperor. They knew in their hearts that the emperor wanted to be alone with Jia Xu.
Discussing the matter, they used fatigue as an excuse and also for the sake of Sangong's face. The two walked out of the palace, but they were still thinking about Jia Xu's words. What could he do to dare to say that he would never have any future troubles?
"Situ Gong, Shao Duo has offended Shao Duo today. I hope Situ Gong will not blame..."
"No problem, disputes in temples are commonplace. Besides, I was young once. If I were twenty years younger, maybe I would join you in shouting for the conquest of Kushan..."
In the Hall of Houde, the emperor served tea and had a private conversation with Jia Xu.
"Your Majesty...have you noticed the cause of the civil strife in Kushan?"
"Well...the king of Malakanda opposed the king of Kushan..."
"Well, what's the reason for his objection?"
"Well? What exactly does the captain want to say?"
"Your Majesty, don't be impatient. The reason why he raised his troops is to accuse the King of Guishang of killing his father and ascending the throne. In addition, he asked the late king's younger brother to succeed to the throne..."
"Well, that's true, but these are just from the beginning..."
Jia Xu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this young brother of the late king lives in Luoyang... He has stayed here for nearly twenty years, studying at Taixue all day long, reading a lot of books, and full of knowledge...
He even married the granddaughter of Duke Kang Cheng and became the son-in-law of a great scholar..."
"Oh?" The emperor was surprised, thought for a moment, and said: "Yes, it seems that there is such a Kushan prince who wants to study at Imperial College..." Jia Xu nodded and said: "Your Majesty, why not take advantage of it?
Where is this person?"
The emperor thought about it, frowning, and Jia Xu continued: "Maybe Dong Gong can be directly used in this person's name to attack Guishang and establish a Guishang that is loyal to the Han and sent by the Han to govern... Of course, if
To do this, we may not be able to afford the supplies we need now, but... if we only occupy the gateway areas of Kushan like Marakanda and divide Kushan into two... that would be easy.
.”
"First, the big Han has a springboard and accumulates national strength. One day, he can jump from this springboard to the entire Kushan territory..."
"Secondly, foreign trade will be more convenient and profitable with the help of our Kushan..."
"Three times, Kushan is divided into two, and the threat to the Han Dynasty is weakened."
Jia Xu analyzed them one by one. The more the emperor listened, the more reasonable he became. The current national power did not seem to be able to support Dong Zhuo to destroy the entire Kuishang. The distance was too far and the supplies could not keep up. But if he could have a springboard first, then
It's different... The more the emperor thought about it, the happier he felt. He raised his head and looked at Jia Xu. The emperor said, "How about I leave this matter to the Taiwei?"
"Your Majesty, this should be the case. In addition... if we want to act in this way, the Western Region cannot continue to be a protective system. Even if it consumes financial resources, we will establish a state and county system. Only in this way can we effectively build roads between various places.
, can ensure continuous logistics..." Jia Xu said, the emperor nodded, and then sent Jia Xu out with a smile, which was extremely cordial.
This guy, does he want to be the governor of the Western Regions...or doesn't want to stay in Luoyang...
The emperor thought in his heart and didn't care. As long as the big plan can be successful, he will let him stay away from the temple and rest for a while.
Gave it to him.
.............
King Liule came in person to greet Dong Zhuo. What surprised Dong Zhuo was that King Liule looked very young, only eleven or twelve years old. He led Dong Zhuo and others into the city and looked at the city and the big men.
The completely different adobe houses made the Northern Army soldiers brought by Dong Zhuo a little curious and looked around. Dong Zhuo then ordered Guan Yu to set up camp outside the city with his soldiers.
King Liule hosted a banquet in honor of Dong Zhuo, and the soldiers were not forgotten. It seems that the Kingdom of Liule slaughtered a lot of lambs to welcome them. In order to give everyone a share, they cooked meat porridge so that all the soldiers could take a sip.
In this cold land, this mouthful of hot porridge was hard-won and extremely enjoyable. The generals ate and drank it.
Xu Huang bit into pieces of meat and took a big gulp of wine, with a slight hesitation on his face.
He turned his head, looked at Dong Zhuo who was eating a lot at the side, and asked: "Mr. Dong, are you going to send me some food from Hua Xiaowei?"
"Stop nagging and eat your food!"
"Okay!" Although Xu Huang said this, he still grabbed a piece of leg bone in his hand, slipped out of the palace, and walked to the city gate. From a long distance, Xu Huang heard someone talking loudly.
Many people gathered.
"It was too late, but soon, I saw the horse rushing towards the little girl at high speed. The horse was fat and strong. As a big Han captain, how could I just sit back and watch? What do you think?
Really, so, I rushed over and pounced on the horse. The beast was also furious. When he saw me coming, he raised his front hooves and wanted to kick me to death!!"
"I stretched out my hand like this, hey, grabbed its two hooves, I exerted force, and turned over like this, hey, this beast was knocked down by me. I quickly got up and pressed it, and it calmed down.
, I saw that the horse belonged to no one else, but my colleague, Captain Guan Yu. I put the beast on the rope, and as soon as I pulled it up, the county captain came..."
"Captain Hua, he must have great admiration for you!!!"
"I was thinking the same thing at the time. Who knew that he would actually accuse me of galloping and take the horse away from me? How could I bear it? I was so angry that I went out to break into the horse at night.
The county government was in trouble! I was alone. I took a sword and went there. As soon as I entered the house, they surrounded me and I immediately knocked down more than twenty people..."
"The captain was also afraid. He couldn't catch me. However, I didn't expect that I have two brothers. One is called Qu Yi and the other is Xu Huang. They were caught because of a fight. The captain
They threatened me with them, saying that if I didn't surrender, I would kill them. They were crying and begging me. I had no choice but to... Ahem, Xu Gongming... when will you come?
of?"
Hua Xiong looked at Xu Huang in the distance and asked awkwardly.
"Oh, it came just when you were subduing the horse..."
"Hehehehe..." Hua Xiong smiled. Xu Huang looked around and saw a group of soldiers from the Heroic Battalion sitting around them. They were all from Dongyao. As for how Xu Huang knew, you could tell by looking at the bowl in his hand.
It was full of fish. They were probably the only ones in Lule who did not eat mutton but fish. Hua Xiong also noticed the piece of lamb leg in his hand. He said with some emotion: "It's better that you are kind to me, Gongming."
...They don't even come to see me..."
At this moment, Hua Xiong was staying in the prison car. Originally, Mr. Dong didn't even bring a prison car, so he made one specially for Hua Xiong.
Seeing the pitiful Hua Xiong, Xu Huang showed a kind smile.