On September 21st, after the court meeting, Zhang Han followed me to the Sihai Palace.
Entering the palace, Zhang Han bowed and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift. I and Lin Xiao are very grateful!"
I lifted up my clothes and sat down, smiling and saying, "When is the auspicious day?"
Zhang Han stood up and responded: "Your Majesty, on the twenty-fifth, after the wedding, it will not affect the court meeting."
I nodded: "Well, there will be a lot of things at the Great Court this year. Zhang Gao has just returned from his mission and has added six more counties in Donghu, as well as building roads in Beihu and Jiangnan, etc. The supervisory army will also come back and stay for five days. about there."
Zhang Han cupped his hands and said, "There is one more thing that I need to report to Your Majesty."
"Speak."
"Wu Jian received a military report yesterday, saying that a mysterious Huns cavalry suddenly appeared on the border between Hujie and Dayuezhi. There were only a few people, only more than two hundred people. They entered the territory of Dayuezhi and left Dayuezhi two days later. He left. The mountain roads there were rugged, and the scouts lost track of him and could not find out who he was."
I frowned slightly and said slowly: "The news came from Zarut last month. Not only did Hedu kill Salinmu, but he also had a battle with the Salin tribe, resulting in heavy casualties. At this time, he sent troops to Da Yue What is the Clan doing? Is it to win over the Dayue Clan to jointly attack Beihu?"
Heda has been abolished, and the Xiongnu now only has Hedu, so I naturally think of him.
Zhang Han shook his head and said uncertainly: "That's what I'm worried about. Although the Da Yueshi are weak, they are a nomadic tribe after all. If they conspire with Hedu to attack Beihu, I'm worried that Zalut will be too late to deal with it. His main cavalry force Still in the old place of Beihu.”
I pondered for a while: "We still have to take precautions before it happens. Hedu can only go towards Beihu. It's hard to say about Dayuezhi. It may be used to contain Da Qin and create opportunities for Hedu to attack Beihu. Although They did not know the relationship between Zarut and Da Qin, but Da Qin spent so many troops to drive the Xiongnu to Beihai, and it was impossible to sit back and watch the Xiongnu go south again. Once they attack Beihu, no matter what they think Da Qin's purpose is, it will definitely be They can expect that they will send troops to help."
"In addition, according to Zhang Gou, the Dayeshi are coveting the Western Regions. When they know that the Great Qin has begun to trade with the Western Regions, they will definitely be worried that the Great Qin will encroach on the Western Regions, so they may also be plotting the Western Regions."
Zhang Han agreed: "Your Majesty is wise, judging from the map... Your Majesty, this map?"
Zhang Han originally wanted to point out the possible attack direction of the Da Yueshi, but suddenly found that the map behind me had changed. Not only had it changed, but Da Qin was only a little bigger...
I stood up and pointed at the map and said: "This is the world map. I won't explain it to you in detail. You will know it later. Come closer."
Zhang Han took two steps forward and stood in front of the map. I pointed to the Yinshan area and said, "Wu Jian and the others are currently stationed at the foot of Helan Mountain. No matter what the Da Yuezhi's purpose is, Wu Jian can reach Longshou Mountain within two days. In this way , when you go back, tell Wu Jian and Meng Tian and ask them to make arrangements. Once they find out that Da Yuezhi is trying to enter the vicinity of Yinshan Mountain, they will intercept it immediately without reporting it."
Zhang Han hesitated: "Your Majesty, Da Qin has no contact with the Da Yuezhi. If we rashly attack Da Yuezhi's army, will it..."
I smiled coldly and said: "What kind of etiquette should we talk to the nomadic tribes? If they use the excuse of passing by or simply come to enjoy the mountains and rivers, ask Wu Jian to tell them that except for Longshou Mountain, everything to the south and east belongs to the Qin Dynasty. Territory, they don’t know the borders of Da Qin, they are stupid!”
Zhang Han laughed at himself and said: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true, but I am pedantic."
Then he said: "In this case, does the Great Chaohui still want Wu Jian to return to Xianyang?"
I thought for a while and walked around: "It doesn't matter, let him come back. I want to have a good chat with him. Wu Jian was promoted by me. At present, the only people in the Qin army who have no supervisors are his cavalry. I don't trust either one." , I'm afraid they will cause criticism. Don't let people say that I am protecting the calf. There are so many generals in the North. If Meng Tian, Wang Li, and Wu Jian were left, they would not be able to fight. Then I would question you. ”
Zhang Han's face froze, and then he remembered his duty as a captain, and he cupped his hands and said, "I understand."
I sat down again, raised my head and said: "As for the Qin army in the five counties in Hexi, you go back and draw up a charter and submit it to me. Meng Hanyu is in charge of those captains now. Although there is no doubt about the appointment of the people, we must take every precaution. In addition, Two people have gone to Hexi, one is Han Xin and the other is Fan Wu, please pay close attention to them."
Zhang Han naturally understood and said yes. As for Han Xin and Fan Kuai, he didn't ask much. He was just a left school commander back then, and the people I promoted have not made any mistakes yet.
"Okay." I picked up the report next to me: "Go back and prepare for the wedding. I won't go there. Qiwan will go for me when the time comes."
A smile appeared on Zhang Han's face, and he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
Seeing Zhang Han's face bathed in happiness, I suddenly thought of Xing Zhong and Ying Lan, and couldn't help but feel a little sad.
"Zhang Han, a good man is rare, so you must cherish him."
Zhang Han cupped his hands and said, "I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty."
As soon as Zhang Han went out, Meng He walked in.
"Your Majesty, Ying Lan would like to see you."
"Oh? Let her come in." I raised my head, and as soon as I remembered this girl, she came.
Ying Lan walked in with a smile on her face and bowed: "I have met Your Majesty."
"Without ceremony, sit down." I put down the report in my hand: "It's only the 21st today, why did you come to the palace?"
At the beginning of every month, Ying Lan would come into the palace to greet Liang and me. Only on this day could Liang learn about things outside the palace. It was a rare pleasure to hear Ying Lan tell her some interesting stories.
Ying Lan stood up without sitting down. She cupped her hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Lan stopped sitting and brought some food from Zhongding Pavilion to the Queen Mother. It won't taste good after a long time. Lan asked to see Your Majesty because she was entrusted by Sister Taoyao. Bring a message to His Majesty."
"what news?"
Ying Lan took out something wrapped in white silk from her sleeve and presented it to me. I opened it and saw a small pile of white crystals.
"Sister Taoyao said that she has found what His Majesty asked her to look for. Please confirm whether it is that thing. If it is, ask Bashu to start collecting it. She has about ten kilograms there now."
"Is it saltpeter?" I was a little surprised that I found it so quickly, and it seemed that I took my words to heart.
"Did you ask her if she did the experiment with fire as I told her?"
Ying Lan nodded and responded: "Sister Taoyao said that she has tried it, and it is exactly the same as what Your Majesty said."
"Okay!" I said excitedly, "Meng He, get ready to drive to the general's mansion."
After saying that, he stood up and walked to the side hall: "Go see the Queen Mother, I won't keep you here."
Ying Lan was a little curious as to what made me so happy, but without thinking much, she bowed and said, "Yes, Lan excuses himself."
I quickly changed into casual clothes and walked out of Xianyang Palace with Meng He and Saltpeter.
The flintlock musket hasn't been made yet, so I have to first verify whether I can use saltpeter to make black powder and then make earth bombs.
There are trebuchets and siege engines. If you can make a bomb, you can throw the bomb directly into the enemy's formation. Regardless of your infantry or cavalry, they will all be blown up. The scene is exciting to think about...
