After Kou Ji finished speaking, Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing had different expressions.
Di Qing felt that Kou Ji might have misunderstood, so he was ready to explain.
Zhong Shiheng rolled his eyes and spoke first, "You clearly know why the two of us are here, why are you trying to bully us with those stupid things?"
Kou Ji lay lazily on the grass, yawned, and said unhurriedly: "Isn't Duwu good?"
Zhong Shiheng sighed: "If you give me hundreds of thousands of acres of land, then I will take it. If you give me horses, forget it. Horses are worthless in the Song Dynasty now."
Ever since the Song Dynasty acquired places such as Hexi and Xingqing Mansion, horses were no longer a scarce commodity.
There are millions of horses raised in places such as Hexi and Xingqing Prefecture, not counting the large quantities of horses exported to the Song Dynasty every year by Qingtang and Yuanshan.
After the reform of the military system in the Song Dynasty, the demand for horses was not as great as before.
Therefore, the horses sold to the hinterland of the Song Dynasty are basically digested by the common people.
Nowadays, the private horse supply has been saturated, and the price of horses has been falling again and again. Some horse dealers who mainly sell horses have now switched to selling cattle and sheep.
The Song Dynasty captured millions of war horses in Hexi this time. Apart from the horses that Kou Ji would later temporarily lend to the Black Khans, there were still hundreds of thousands of war horses.
Hundreds of thousands of war horses poured into the Song Dynasty, which would instantly defeat the horse market of the Song Dynasty.
Make the originally worthless horse become even less valuable.
Of course, even if a horse is worthless, it still has a guaranteed price.
But even if all the horses are sold at a guaranteed price, they may not be able to be sold.
Wealthy families who could afford horses already had many horses in their homes.
For poor families who cannot afford a horse, even if it is given to them for free, they may not want it because they cannot afford it.
Therefore, war horses are worthless now.
In this battle in Hexi, the largest trophy captured was horses, but horses were worthless.
Kou Ji instantly felt that the battle was in vain.
Since he became an official, he has never made a loss-making business.
If he cannot convert hundreds of thousands of war horses into money as soon as possible, he may really lose money.
After all, the cost of raising hundreds of thousands of war horses is also very high.
Kou Ji originally thought of giving it to Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing so that they would have a headache.
But Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing actually didn't want it.
Kou Ji glanced at Zhong Shiheng and said angrily: "If you don't want horses, then in this battle in Hexi, you will have nothing but military merit."
Zhong Shiheng said calmly: "As long as you have military merit...I don't care about the rest..."
Kou Ji glared at Zhong Shiheng and ordered Di Qing on the side: "Pack your things and prepare to go to Youzhou City with the Yongxing Army."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji's eyes fell on Zhong Shiheng again, and he snorted coldly: "You stay behind!"
Zhong Shiheng exploded in an instant, "Why can he go to Youzhou City, but I can't go?!"
Kou Ji snorted, "I don't like you..."
Zhong Shiheng said angrily: "You can't involve personal grudges into official matters."
Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing stayed up most of the night and went to Kou Ji specifically, hoping to get Kou Ji's approval and then lead their troops to Youzhou City to participate in the battle to regain the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun.
Recovering the sixteen states of Yanyun was the common wish of all the military officials of the Song Dynasty.
None of them want to miss this battle.
All three of them knew this in their hearts, so Zhong Shiheng just said that Kou Ji knew it in his heart, so why bother using horses to sway them.
Now Kou Ji only allows Di Qing to go, but not Zhong Shiheng. Naturally Zhong Shiheng is not happy.
Kou Ji glanced at Zhong Shiheng, "You and Di Qing have gone, who will be in charge of Hexi?"
Just when Zhong Shiheng was about to speak, he heard Kou Ji continue: "The war in Hexi is over, but the war between Qingtang and Xizhou Uighurs has just begun. How much profit can I, the Song Dynasty, make from Qingtang and Xizhou Uighurs?
It all depends on how far the Black Khan and Yuan Shanbu can fight.
Someone needs to keep an eye on this matter. If no one is keeping an eye on this matter, no one can guarantee that the Black Khans will be won over by the Qingtang people and become kings on their own after entering Qingtang.
Although I promised that the Yuanshan tribe could do whatever they wanted in the territory of the Xizhou Uighurs, Yuanshan could not eat up a land as big as the Xizhou Uighurs by himself.
The Song Dynasty also had to get a share of the pie from the Xizhou Uighurs.
Not to mention other places, there are three places including Yidu and Yizhou that I, the Song Dynasty, must get.
Therefore, someone must be in charge of Hexi, and there must be heavy troops in charge.”
When Zhong Shiheng heard this, his face sank slightly.
Di Qing hesitated and didn't know how to speak.
Neither of them wanted to stay, but neither of them wanted to ask the other to stay.
Because the two of them knew in their hearts that the war to recover the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun was not only very important in their own hearts, but also very important in the hearts of the other party.
Seeing that the two of them were silent, Kou Ji tapped his eyebrows with a headache, "Can't you use your brains?"
The two looked at each other and looked at Kou Ji in astonishment.
Kou Ji glared at the two of them and mocked: "Do you think you two are the only ones who can fight in Hexi? Everyone else is just a stick?"
Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing were stunned at first, and then their eyes lit up slightly.
Di Qing hesitated and said: "Isn't this... not very good?"
Zhong Shiheng laughed and said, "There's nothing wrong with it."
Kou Ji curled his lips and said: "You two go tell me about this, I don't care. I will give you five days. After five days, I will select two people and lead two forbidden troops to the battlefield of Youzhou City."
Zhong Shiheng agreed wholeheartedly, but Di Qing was still a little hesitant.
It is true that there are not only two of them who can fight in Hexi, but there is also one who can fight. Now he is sitting on the bench with Li Di in Yangguan.
If Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing could convince him to stay and stay in Hexi, then the two of them could escape and go to Youzhou City.
He just tried to persuade Chen Yaozi to stay, which was obviously a bit of a bully.
The old guy gave up a lot just to fight.
However, many years have passed since he joined the army. Except for cooperating with Zhong Shiheng to stop the Black Khan soldiers once in Lehe, the old guy has never fought a serious battle.
When Di Qing took Yuan Shan and Krui to Yumen Pass to rush for help, the old guy was not happy.
Now if we have to convince the old guy to stay in Hexi and sit on the bench, he will probably go crazy.
Anyway, Kou Ji told the two of them how to do it. Whether they can convince Chen Yaozi or not is their business, and Kou Ji will not participate.
A night of silence.
The next day.
After dawn.
Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing hurriedly began to organize their troops and prepare to lead their troops back to Hexi.
Neither Krui nor Yuan Shan planned to follow them into Hexi. They planned to return to their respective territories to prepare for the subsequent battle for the Qingtang territory.
On the occasion of parting.
Kou Ji gave Krui and Yuan Shan a ride respectively.
"drive……"
Koji kicked the donkey in the belly, and the donkey reluctantly stepped forward, and soon broke away from the Akrui troops.
Cruy rode closely behind Koji.
He ran far away.
Kou Jicai grabbed the reins and stopped the donkey in place.
Krui appeared next to Koji with a smile on his face.
Kou Ji said with a smile: "After the leader of Krui returns to Qingtang this time, his reputation will definitely be great. It is very likely that he will replace Jiao Siluo and become the new king of Qingtang."
Hearing this, Krui hurriedly said: "I don't dare to expect..."
Speaking of this, Cruy took a look at Kou Ji's face. Seeing that Kou Ji's face was as usual, he cautiously added, "Of course, if Privy Kou is willing to support the villain, the villain should be able to give it a try.
The name of King Qingtang.
Everything depends on Privy Kou's decision.
Privy Kou gives it, and the villain wants it.
If Privy Kou won't give it, I won't want it."
Kou Ji laughed and said, "Don't be so exaggerated. I'm not a domineering person. If you are willing to seek the title of King of Qingtang, I can help you...but..."
Kou Ji paused slightly.
Krui quickly expressed his position: "The villain must be loyal to the Song Dynasty and obey your orders."
Kou Ji waved his hand and said with a smile: "There is no need for this. We, the Song Dynasty, generally will not interfere in your internal affairs of Qingtang, unless your internal affairs of Qingtang are not good for our Song Dynasty, or affect our Song Dynasty.
If you become the king of Qingtang, you will have the final say in Qingtang.
If I want to use your words, just remember to show up."
Cruy stared and said with surprise: "Privy Councilor Kou is willing to support the villain?"
Kou Ji shrugged and asked: "You are loyal enough, why don't I support you?"
Cruy was overjoyed, "Thank you very much, Privy Kou!"
Kou Ji raised his hand, patted Krui on the shoulder and said: "The heavy armor of the Qingtang Heavy Armored Cavalry under Jiao Siluo, you take a thousand pairs, this is my first support for you."
Cruy was so excited that he couldn't contain himself, "I would like to thank Privy Councilor Kou for your love. I will definitely not betray Privy Councilor Kou's trust."
Kou Ji nodded with satisfaction and waved to his subordinates in the distance.
He followed Guan Cang on his horse, and Kou Ji whispered some instructions in his ear.
The personal officer nodded, left Kou Ji on horseback, and rushed to the Song Dynasty soldiers and horses camp, which was being cleaned up.
Not long after, the heavy armor of a thousand Qingtang heavy armor riders was escorted in front of Kou Ji.
Koji handed it over to Cruy.
Cruy was so happy and excited that he left 30,000 sheep in return.
After Kou Ji saw off the cheerful Krui, Yuan Shan appeared next to Kou Ji with his soldiers.
Kou Ji followed suit and led Yuan Shan's large team to break away.
Appeared next to a small stream.
Kou Ji seemed to have a lot to talk to Yuan Shan, so instead of sitting on the donkey's back, he jumped off the donkey's back and sat casually on the grass.
Yuan Shan jumped off the horse and sat next to Kou Ji.
Kou Ji stared at the gurgling stream at his feet and said calmly: "Don't test me again in the future. I have no interest in that position."
Yuan Shan stared at Kou Ji and said solemnly: "You are a true gentleman, but can you be sure that others are also true gentlemen? Zhao Kuangyin has made a good start, so even if you don't want to sit in that position, as long as the people under you want to
Let you sit down and I can put the yellow robe on you."
Kou Ji withdrew his gaze, looked at Yuan Shan, and said calmly: "If I don't nod, no one can put the yellow robe on me."
Yuan Shan said in a deep voice: "You now have strong soldiers and horses, and many talents. Half of the people in the civil and military squads are obedient to you. Everyone in the world thinks that Kou Gong is a powerful minister. But the world doesn't know that Kou Gong is more powerful than you.
, the difference is more than one and a half stars.
Although you do not have the name of a powerful minister, the power in your hands has far exceeded that of many people who claim to be powerful ministers.
The kings of all dynasties could not tolerate powerful ministers.
Zhao Guan's family wants to use you, so they won't do anything to you.
If the Zhao Guan family doesn't use you, it is very likely that they will kill you.
Even if the Zhao Guan family can't move you because of your contribution, the new king will not let you go after he succeeds to the throne.
If you don't take a pre-emptive strike, whether it's Zhao Guan's family or Xin Jun, you won't be able to counterattack."
Kou Ji glanced at Yuan Shan without saying anything.
Yuan Shan took a deep breath and said: "As long as you nod, Yuan Shan's 200,000 troops will march into the Song Dynasty without hesitation. We will charge all the way from Qingtang and break through the border from Xining Prefecture.
It only takes half a month for us to reach Bianjing City."
Speaking of this, Yuanshan stared at Kou Ji seriously and said: "No one can stop us!"
What Yuan Shan meant by this was that Zhong Shiheng, Di Qing, Zhu Neng and others were no match for him and could not stop him.
Kou Ji said quietly: "You are very confident..."
Yuan Shan said frankly: "If it were a simple confrontation, I would naturally not be the opponent of Zhong Shiheng, Di Qing, Zhu Neng and others. But if I sent troops, I would not simply be facing them.
Zhong Shiheng, Di Qing, and Zhu Neng all have weaknesses and concerns.
As long as I keep an eye on the weaknesses of the three of them and use some tactics, they will be overwhelmed."
Kou Ji frowned slightly.
Yuan Shan said in a deep voice: "They are domestic dogs with collars around their necks. I am a lone wolf wandering in the wilderness, with no restraints on my body."
Although Yuan Shan's words were somewhat insulting to Zhong Shiheng and the others.
But it's not wrong.
Although Zhong Shiheng, Di Qing, and Zhu Neng are powerful, there are still many people standing above them, each holding a rope in their hand, and the rope is tightly tied to the three of them.
Yuan Shan only had one Kou Ji at his head, but Kou Ji basically did not interfere with Yuan Shan's actions.
The two of them are master and servant in name, but in reality they have a cooperative relationship.
Therefore, Yuan Shan does not have many constraints and can do whatever he wants.
Kou Ji glanced at Yuan Shan and said calmly: "The forbidden army that I worked so hard to create is not something you can easily solve."
Yuan Shan said seriously: "If you start an uprising, many people in the Forbidden Army will definitely respond to you."
Kou Ji laughed out loud, shook his head and said, "You should learn the four words of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. If I were a minister and was oppressed by the king, everyone in the government and the public would look up to me.
But if I can be rebellious, no one in the government or the public will tolerate me.
Including my old disciples."
The words "loyalty to the emperor and patriotism" sound easy to say.
But as long as the king wins people's hearts, it can withstand the test.
The words "lord of heaven and earth, master and master" are not just mentioned casually.
When it comes time to make a choice, you come before your relatives and your teachers.
Yuan Shan is a rebellious guy, so even if he knows these truths, he doesn't agree with them.
Yuan Shan frowned slightly when he heard Kou Ji's words, "You have been operating in the Song Dynasty for many years. If you raise the flag of rebellion, there should be many people following you."
Yuan Shan said this somewhat weakly.
Obviously, he felt that if Kou Ji's protégé Gujiu did not join in the uprising, he might be in a lot of trouble, and the chance of success might be greatly reduced.
Kou Ji shook his head and smiled, "So what if they can't tolerate me? If I really want this huge country, no one can stop me."
Yuanshan looked at Kou Ji in astonishment.
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said, "But I really don't want it, because I don't like it."
Yuan Shan said in disbelief: "Just because I don't like it?!"
Kou Ji shrugged, "I don't like it. Isn't that enough?"
Yuan Shan opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Kou Ji looked at Yuan Shan and said: "I will not allow anyone to go against my will and put a yellow robe on me. Nor will I let others manipulate me. How I want to live is my own decision, and no one else can think of it."
Intervene.”
Yuan Shan stared at Kou Ji and asked, "Then what's the point of us spending so much effort to build such a huge foundation in the Western Regions?"
When Kou Ji heard this, he was stunned for a moment and said frankly: "The first is to lay the foundation for the Song Dynasty to dominate the world and intimidate the world; the second is to prepare a way out for us."
Yuan Shan said with some reluctance: "Then we brothers will stay in the Western Regions like this from now on, doing nothing and wasting our time?"
Kou Ji was silent for a moment and said: "If you really can't sit still, just take the brothers and go west. You have been in the Western Regions for so long, you should know that there is a large area in the west that is not inferior to the Song Dynasty.
territory.
If you like it, you can take it all.
If you find it interesting to be an emperor, you can also make yourself emperor."
Yuan Shan felt that he had been insulted. He glared at Kou Ji and growled in a low voice: "No matter how big we conquer, it still belongs to you. We are your people."
Kou Ji hesitated for a moment, "Then you sit down first. When I have another son, I will let him inherit the throne in the Western Regions. You can abdicate to him then."
Yuanshan didn't want to talk to Kou Ji for a moment.
Things about the son's generation can only be discussed when the sons' generation grows up.
What we are talking about now is the matter of my generation.
When Kou Ji saw Yuan Shan shut his mouth and didn't speak, he sighed slightly and said, "I know you have a strategy in mind and want to do something big. But the Song Dynasty is no longer suitable for such troubles.
Go west.
The world in the west is more exciting.
In those states to the west, slavery was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
The hierarchy is even more outrageous and harsh.
It is definitely an excellent battlefield for you.
If you were more ruthless, it might not take many years.
As a Han Chinese, I would be at the top of those Western hierarchical systems.
Many years later, when the people of the Song Dynasty can easily travel to the West, they will find out.
There once was a man named Zhang Yuan who conquered the entire West.
Let me, the Han, be above everyone else."
Yuan Shan felt that Kou Ji was lying to him. He stared at Kou Ji and said, "There is a saying in Buddhism that all living beings are equal."
Kou Ji curled his lips and said: "Equality is bullshit! A wealthy family, from the moment they are born, they eat and drink, and after they die, they live in luxurious tombs and coffins. What about ordinary people?
From the time he was born, he could not afford three meals a day, and after his death he had only a straw mat to wrap himself up.
Tell me, where is the fairness?
Royal people stand at the top of power and wealth from birth.
People from ordinary families have been at the bottom of the family since they were born.
Tell me, where is the fairness?"
Yuanshan pursed his lips and said nothing. He just flattered Kou Ji. Unexpectedly, Kou Ji told him a lot of truths.
"If you go to the West, go to the West."
Yuan Shan was silent for a long time and sighed.
Kou Ji nodded and reminded: "You can do whatever you want in the future, but don't lose our roots. If I can't survive, I still hope to come to the Western Regions and continue to enjoy the glory and wealth.
If you ruin your family fortune, don't blame me for falling out with you."
Yuan Shan nodded solemnly.
Kou Ji pondered for a moment and said: "You leave one hundred thousand sheep later, and you take away the nine thousand sets of heavy armor that Jiao Siluo made. I can't give you firearms now, I can only give you some heavy armor."
"
Yuan Shan nodded again.
The Yuanshan tribe will inevitably open up a lot of territory later. When the territory increases, the number of soldiers and horses increases, and the corresponding number of elite soldiers and horses will also increase accordingly.
The most eye-catching thing about the Yuanshan tribe is the Yuanshan cavalry.
The Wonsan cavalry has almost become the symbol of the Wonsan tribe.
Therefore, Yuanshan Iron Cavalry will also expand when it comes back.
The expansion of the Yuanshan Iron Cavalry naturally requires armaments.
It would be very troublesome and expensive to let Motoyamabe cast it himself.
It would be more convenient to just take the one from Qingtang and use it.
"After I leave, remember to keep an eye on Krui and don't let him get too arrogant. I gave him the other thousand heavy armors of Qingtang Heavy Armor. If you want it later, just bring someone to snatch it."
Kou Ji reminded him again.
Although Kou Ji had previously promised to make Cruy the King of Qingtang.
But it doesn't mean that Yuan Shanbu can't deal with him.
after all.
Look at it from the bright side.
The Yuanshan tribe is a genus of the Song Dynasty, not a subsidiary.
Motoyamabe has its own autonomy.
After Kou Ji finished explaining the official business, he said no more.
Yuan Shan was also speechless.
The two sat together and were silent for a long time.
Kou Ji spoke slowly, "We say goodbye this time, and I don't know when we will meet again."
Yuan Shan nodded silently.
The last time Yuan Shan and Kou Ji met was several years ago.
It's hard to say when we will meet next time.
Yuanshan's identity determines that Yuanshan cannot easily appear in Bianjing City.
Kou Ji's identity also determines that Kou Ji cannot wander around the border casually.
Kou Ji looked at Yuan Shan and said, "Should I send someone to send your wife and children back?"
Yuan Shan slowly shook his head, "Let them stay in the Song Dynasty. I'm afraid I will never have the chance to go back in this life. If they stay in the Song Dynasty, they can help me take a good look at the Song Dynasty and pay tribute to me."
Let’s talk about our ancestors.”
Kou Ji nodded and asked: "Let him serve as an official?"
Yuan Shan hesitated for a moment and shook his head, "Let him be an idler as long as he is rich and powerful. The official career in the Song Dynasty is dangerous, and I am not with him. I am afraid that he will not be able to cope with it, get into trouble, and no one will help him."
.”
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "I am here!"
Yuan Shan shook his head again, "You can help me for a while, but you can't help me forever."
Kou Ji frowned subconsciously.
"That's all...it's up to you."
Kou Ji sighed.
The two of them didn't talk about anything else after that.
Kou Ji had a drink with Yuanshan, and then called the ten commanders of Yuanshan's cavalry to have a drink.