The first month of the fourth year of Xining.
Huizhou.
This is when it gets really cold.
After Wang Shao defeated Yu Zanghuama, he sent troops to raid Huizhou and Lanzhou.
Wang Shao's method of gathering the Tibetan tribe was very simple and crude, that is, he marched his army in front of your house, and then asked the envoy to come to your account with a large stack of salt banknotes.
First, they used force to coerce, and then they used salt money to bribe them.
After Wang Shao's promotion in Guwei for six or seven years, the Qing, Tang and Tibetan tribes all had a high degree of recognition for the salt banknotes of the Song Dynasty.
The Tibetan people who have used salt banknotes for six or seven years have tasted the sweetness of salt banknotes.
The Qing and Tang Tibetan people did not know how to make copper coins and iron coins, so they traded with the Song Dynasty people for grains, frankincense, sand, rugs, horses and cattle.
Later, the Song Dynasty had a stable market on the border and gradually began to use money and silk.
But the salt banknotes are better than gold and silver, and the copper coins and iron coins are easier to carry. The second is that the salt banknotes do not depreciate in value compared to Jiaozi, and they actually increase in value.
Therefore, in the eyes of many Tibetan people, salt banknotes have even become a symbol of the Song Dynasty.
And Wang Shao had such a reputation in the ancient Weibo tribe, and the salt banknotes gave him a big bonus. No wonder he was tempted to print his face on the salt banknotes.
Salt banknotes were hard currency among the tribes, and in the ancient Wei market, only salt banknotes were recognized.
There is an effect of instant redemption of banknotes, and no merchant is allowed to make transactions without accepting salt banknotes.
When Li Shizhong and Dou Shunqin heard that Wang Shao had set up a market exchange in ancient Weizhai, they told the officials that this place was far away from Qinzhou, Yongning and other hinterland, and was easily robbed by Westerners. Chen Shengzhi also said that so much wealth would be destroyed The peeping heart of the Qiang people.
The official sent an envoy to question him. Wang Shao put all the tens of thousands of salt banknotes in the market into a box, then lit a torch and said to the envoy, have you seen this box?
If the Tibetan people dare to rob it, I will set this box on fire.
The envoy was dumbfounded, and Li Shizhong and Dou Shunqing were speechless.
In fact, Li Shizhong and Dou Shunqing opposed the opening of the border, because the establishment of a market exchange in ancient Wei would make it impossible for Qinzhou to trade with the Tibetan people, and many Qinzhou rich families and Tibetan tribes would not be able to smuggle.
With Wang Shao's card, these people won't be able to make money.
Now Wang Shao's envoys are using carrots and sticks, and the Tibetan tribes in Lanzhou and Huizhou have descended one after another. Among them, the Wangjiajia and Yu four tribes in Huizhou and the three Balingye tribes in Lanzhou have all surrendered.
After Ba Ling visited Xinfu, Wang Shao ordered his troops to attack Sabu Zongcheng. The Balingye tribe took advantage of the Xixia army's unpreparedness and raided the city. In the end, they won a great victory and beheaded a thousand people, and captured thirteen Xixia officers.
At the same time, knowing the news of the Song army's great victory in Huizhou, Lanzhou, the Tibetan monks and Wu Chiwa led the Tibetan tribes near Lintao to surrender to the Song Dynasty, bringing more than 10,000 accounts.
Mu Zhengwen, who was determined to copy the Song army's retreat and attack Weiyuan Fort, cursed a lot, but in the end he had no choice but to do anything.
Dong Fei, who was in Qingtang City, was also very surprised when he learned about the Song army's victory. He sent a letter to Wang Shao to congratulate him and apply for an official position.
Wang Shao was busy conquering cities and territories and winning over the Tibetan tribes, while Zhang Yue was pacifying the rear.
Among them, the happiest person was Liu Xishi. As a casual defender, although he was on duty to supervise the army, he still deserved credit for the beautiful battle.
Now he received a letter from the palace, saying that the officials knew him, Liu Xishi, and his name had been heard in heaven.
Let Liu Xishi assist Zhang Yue and Wang Shao make contributions.
The joy in Liu Xishi's heart was really indescribable. As soon as he left the palace, he encountered a good job, as well as Zhang Yue and Wang Shao, two great men.
This credit is simply effortless.
Liu Xishi thought excitedly that he had come to the right place to venture to Lanzhou this time.
At this time, Han Tong and Lu Guang kept reminding Zhang Yue that he must cross the Yellow River north and cooperate with the main force of the Song army to attack Lawu City.
Zhang Yue understood that this was the established goal, and he also discussed it with Wang Shao, but the two had differences on this matter.
According to Wang Shao's wishes, Huizhou and Lanzhou were newly settled, and many Tibetan tribes were newly attached, and the foundation was still unstable. Instead of crossing the river and heading north, it would be better to eat the meat in your mouth.
Now Renduo Baozhong is guarding Lanzhou City, and Yu Zanghuama is still guarding Dingxi City. As long as Dingxi City and Lanzhou City are not captured, the Song army will not really occupy Lanzhou Huizhou. A sudden crossing of the river is not only risky, but also will destroy everything in hand. All victories are lost.
Zhang Yue knew that Wang Shao was right, and this battle had been very beneficial to the two of them so far.
Without Dong Xiang's cooperation, except for Dingxicheng and Lanzhou City, which were still in Xixia's hands, the Song army almost captured Lanzhou and Huizhou.
Zhong'e's previous campaign to send troops to Suide City cost the imperial court several million dollars.
But when it comes to recovering land, it is far inferior to Zhang Yue. Wang Shao sent troops this time.
In the Song Dynasty, there had not been such a large-scale border opening for many years, and this was also a great victory for the official family after they ascended the throne.
If they are not satisfied and continue to cross the Yellow River and attack north, then the probability of encountering the main force of Xixia is very high. Once you lose, everything is lost.
As the proposer of the side attack strategy from Hehuang, Zhang Yue was as worried about gains and losses as Wang Shao at this moment.
Zhang Yue talked to Wang Shao several times, but Wang Shao always rejected his plan to cross the Yellow River.
Han Tong and Lu Guang suggested that Zhang Yue forcibly deprive Wang Shao of his command and let Gao Zunyu lead the army instead.
Zhang Yue did not agree and asked Wang Shao to continue attacking the Huizhou area and instigate Yu Zanghuama's tribe to rebel. However, Yu Zang Huama went out of the city and fought a few battles with the Song army but was defeated. After that, he hunkered down in Dingxi City and could not get out.
On this day in late January, what was supposed to come had come.
After Zhang Yue received the emperor's imperial edict, he immediately summoned Gao Zunyu, Yu Longke, Wang Shao, Wang Hou, and Liu Xishi for a military meeting.
First of all, the rewards given to Yu Longke and other Tibetan leaders have all come down. Zhang Yue has fulfilled all the promises he made to the Tibetan leaders in advance.
In addition to the official position, he also obtained the right to trade with the Song Dynasty.
As an official of our Song Dynasty, you have the right to trade in the ancient Weizhai market. You can buy our tea bricks, silk and satin, and we will also buy your horses, cattle and sheep.
The Qing Tang and Tibetan tribes are addicted to tea. Because there are no vegetables and fruits in the local area, but meat is the staple food, so tea is necessary to relieve the greasiness of the meat and the heat of highland barley, and at the same time supplement some trace elements.
At the same time, the nobles of the Qing and Tang tribes all wore silk instead of leather.
But tea silks and satins are not given as much as they are given. There are quotas. For example, how much a tribe can buy or sell depends mainly on your official position.
Even though the Song Dynasty knew that the Taozhou governor like Dong Fei was somewhat vacillating, he still appointed a high-ranking official to win over the other party. He could obtain a large amount of trading power, which was the basis for his stable rule.
So why is there a tribute system that does not allow border people to trade privately? The court wants to use trade as a big weapon to distinguish barbarians and establish close relatives.
As soon as Zhang Yue's wish came true, all the leaders of the Tibetan tribe were happy and felt that Zhang Yue was reliable and kept his word.
As for the newly surrendered Tibetan leaders, Zhang Yue had not yet informed them, and their faces were a little strange. After Zhang Yue promised them that the reward would definitely come, these people immediately had smiles on their faces.
After sending them away, Wang Shao and Gao Zunyu's faces looked ugly.
Because the rewards of the Fan tribe have been fulfilled, but what about them?
Zhang Yue said: "The imperial decree says that we will discuss rewards after our army crosses the Yellow River and approaches Xingling!"
As soon as these words came out, Wang Shao immediately became unhappy.
Why did he search for a title from three thousand miles away? It has been operating in Qingtang for six or seven years. What is the purpose of all the hard planning? Isn’t it for the sake of becoming a prince and becoming a prime minister one day, so that his name will last forever?
However, Wang Shao knew how to be careful and didn't say anything, but Gao Zunyu couldn't hold back and said directly: "When Emperor Taizong defeated the Northern Han Dynasty, he originally planned to give rewards to the soldiers after conquering the Northern Han Dynasty. But what happened? The Northern Han Dynasty was conquered. He also said that he wanted to attack the Khitan, but he didn’t get the reward for attacking the Northern Han Dynasty, and finally...hehehehe!"
Zhang Yue felt funny in his heart.
When Wang Shao saw Gao Zunyu opening his mouth, what else did he fear, so he said: "Yes, our army has attacked hundreds of miles away, and now it is exhausted. If we continue to advance, I am afraid that our successors will be weak and suffer the same fate as sorghum... "
Wang Shao's words stopped him. This matter is a matter of exposing wounds and it is not easy to mention it.
Zhang Yue coughed after hearing this. Gao Zunyu is qualified to say, do you, Wang Shao?
Gao Zunyu and his grandfather Gao Qiong were the first to rush to protect him when he was defeated in the Battle of Gaoliang River. People have the qualifications to say, what qualifications do you, Wang Shao, have?
Everyone glanced at Liu Xishi, and Liu Xishi said very smartly: "Everyone, please continue, our family hasn't heard anything."
Wang Shao and Gao Zunyu were all muttering.
After Song Taizong's defeat at Gaolianghe, he even missed the reward for conquering the Northern Han Dynasty. His nephew said some words of justice, but was forced to commit suicide.
Now they are also worried that if the attack across the Yellow River fails, the credit for pacifying Lanzhou and Huizhou will not be preserved.
As for Wang Shao's firm opposition to crossing the Yellow River, it goes without saying that he even shouted out that he would not accept the emperor's orders in the face of the official's imperial edict to send troops to the Yellow River.
This made Liu Xishi want to pretend not to hear, but he couldn't deal with it, so he had to sit there and laugh.
After the accounts were settled, Zhang Yue chatted with Wang Shao and said, "Zichun! Do you still remember the first time you and I met?"
Wang Shao said: "Of course I remember, Wang will never forget the kindness of others recommending him throughout his life."
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "I'm not talking to Zichun about this. I was thinking that at that time, when Zichun was a hero and was in trouble, when the dragon was swimming in the shallows, a few gangsters dared to call for battle in front of their home."
"Think about it now that Zichun has tens of thousands of soldiers, and the leaders of the Qing and Tang tribes are so cautious in front of Zichun that they don't even dare to show off. This situation is completely different."
Wang Shao smiled after hearing this.
Zhang Yue said: "Let's talk about me again. A few months ago, I went in and out of temples and saw the prosperity of Bianjing. But now...I have arrived in this bitter cold, remote place with sparsely populated people."
"Zichun, I am a minister of the two systems. Among the current civil servants, there are only forty or fifty people above me in official positions. However, I have traveled thousands of miles to come here for the sake of the imperial court. If I lose this battle, the officials will be the first to hold me accountable. It's me, Zhang Yue."
"But I know this and dare to take risks here, but Zichun, why are you not as good as me? That strange man who said he would imitate Huo Wei, why are you so timid today?"
Wang Shao was furious when he heard what Zhang Yue said.
(End of chapter)
