Three large ships went upstream in the Bianhe River and headed straight for the Yellow River.
Looking at the wild flowers and spring trees slowly passing by on both sides of the strait, Cao Bin was lying on the rocking chair on the deck, took the wine glass handed by Hu Sanniang and drank it down with a contented look on his face.
"Master Hou, is Pan Renmei really capable of plotting against the Yang family?"
Cao Bin closed his eyes and leaned back on the chair, and said casually:
"The Yang family has made it clear this time that they are against Pan Renmei. There are new and old grudges. He will probably use some dirty tricks."
"But as long as the Yang family doesn't trust others and rush forward greedily, there should be no problem. In the final analysis, it's just a matter of dealing with a group of rebels."
After speaking, he straightened up and pondered for a moment, shook his head and said:
"Forget it, forget it, inform Shi Qian and let Yanzi pay attention to the war in Hebei."
"If there is no agreement in the war, we must save the eighth sister's life..."
Although the Song Dynasty was not yet at the point of disintegration, the rebels in Hebei were not unknown people. Two of the four major bandits of the Water Margin could be regarded as having some destiny.
In addition, the imperial court had too few troops at its disposal, and it was very close to the Liao Kingdom, so it was not surprising that something unexpected happened.
Cao Bin couldn't do much, and he didn't want to do something thankless, but it was still possible to provide insurance for Sister Yang.
After talking about the war in Hebei for a while, Hu Sanniang curled her lips and concluded:
"If Lord Marquis goes on an expedition, why would there be such trouble? I'm afraid the Liao people won't dare to act rashly..."
She poured another glass of wine and was about to hand it to Cao Bin, but she saw that he was already snoring slightly, and she couldn't help but murmured:
"If I don't have an honest night, I won't be afraid of being exhausted."
As he said that, he saw Qiongying coming up with a thin blanket, and helped her gently put it on Cao Bin...
In this era, water transportation was much more comfortable and convenient than land transportation. Whether it was going to war or doing business and transporting goods, water transportation was crucial.
It can be said that waterways are the tentacles of a country's control of territory.
Unfortunately, the waterway of the Yellow River was not very friendly to sailing. Cao Bin and others got off the boat at Hezhong Mansion, put on a carriage and drove slowly towards Xixia.
More than half a month later, the mission had passed through Yanzhou. The terrain of the Loess Plateau was desolate and majestic with ravines and ravines.
"Master Hou, the Prime Minister will build a stronghold on the front line of Hengshan. As long as the court allocates money, we can expand the stronghold into a city."
"However, there are currently insufficient troops and supplies at the border, and they are often preyed upon by robbers, so the progress is very slow..."
Gao Wang, the current guard of Yanzhou, led the delegation while introducing the situation in Western Xinjiang to Cao Bin.
He was born in the Baima Yinqian Gao family and was Gao Qian's father. He had been serving under Yang Zongbao and had just been transferred to Yanzhou.
However, he had been stationed in the northwest a few years ago and was very familiar with Yanzhou.
Looking at Cao Bin's young face, he was quite emotional.
Unexpectedly, the dandy back then would have become a prominent presence in the court. Thinking of himself and his son, he felt a little bitter in his mouth.
However, although he had never met Cao Bin several times, he already knew his interests, but he did not expect that he would be promoted so quickly.
Damn it, this must be a thunderbolt!
Cao Bin pondered for a moment and asked:
"Are there many robbers nowadays?"
Zhong Shiheng also talked about this issue in his memorial. Now that he heard Gao Wang talk about it, it immediately caught his attention.
When Gao Wang heard this, he immediately became energetic and said quickly:
"To be honest, Mr. Hou, we have a lot of robbers here, not only the Xixia tribe, but also many people from the Song Dynasty."
"Because of the lack of food and clothing, the people cannot survive and have no choice but to fall into the trap of bandits."
"Some robbers come and go like the wind, and even dare to rob the government."
Gao Wang looks honest, but he is also a shrewd man. Now that Cao Bin is in charge of the Third Division and is a big shot in the court, of course he has to complain.
If some money and food can be allocated, the situation in the northwest will be greatly alleviated.
Not to mention other things, as long as there is enough food in hand, the Northwest Economic and Technological Strategy Office can suppress and appease at the same time, and there will not be the current situation of annihilating one group and starting another.
Maybe they can also recruit the Xixia tribe to surrender and increase their population.
After hearing his words, Cao Bin just nodded and didn't say much.
Cao Bin does not have the final say in allocating money and food alone. Even if he can decide, he will not agree casually.
However, Gao Wang's words also reminded Cao Bin of Sima Guang's reason for ceding the land.
He said that the Song Dynasty's occupation of Hengshan would attract constant harassment from Xixia. Although this was a bit weak, it was not unreasonable.
The people of the Song Dynasty could see the value of Hengshan, and the people of Xixia could also see it naturally. They would not just watch Zhong Shiheng build a stronghold and a city in Hengshan.
Although they dare not and are unable to send troops now, it does not mean that they will surrender.
I am afraid that those Xixia robbers were deliberately indulged and guided by the Xixia court. Anyway, they lacked food and clothing, so they were living a miserable life.
It's better to use the waste and let them make trouble for the Song Dynasty. They can't let the Song Dynasty really build a new city and completely strangle themselves.
Even if they offend Song Dynasty, they can say that the robbers are rampant and push them away.
While I was thinking wildly, a spy suddenly came over on flying horse:
"Report, report to the Lord Hou."
"Three miles ahead, a large group of horse bandits are galloping towards the mission."
"Looking at the number of people, it's no less than eight hundred."
Cao Bin was stunned when he heard this, and couldn't help laughing and said:
"Sure enough, there are so many horse bandits, aren't we going to meet them now?"
Gao Wang shook his head in confusion and said:
"It's impossible. There are no more than three hundred horse bandits nearby..."
When he said this, his expression suddenly changed and he panicked:
"No, I'm afraid this is a group of horse bandits who have come together specifically for Mr. Hou. I'm afraid we'll be targeted as soon as we leave the city."
"Master Hou, leave quickly! I will stop them in the end."
On this mission, Cao Bin only brought a hundred personal guards and cavalry, and the rest had dozens of officials and servants accompanying him on the mission.
It's not that he doesn't want to bring more, it's just that it's not necessary. He's just on an envoy. One hundred personal guards are enough to ensure his safety. Bringing too many people will cost money.
He is not the newbie who didn't understand anything when he was on a mission last time.
Although Gao Wang knew the benefits of Cao Bin leading the army, he had never seen it with his own eyes, and the opponent was eight times the enemy, so he was naturally very worried.
The horse bandits here are different from ordinary grass bandits. Many of them are from the Xixia tribe and have participated in wars.
If Cao Bin was even slightly injured, the court would have to beat him to the end, and he might not even be able to keep his title. He couldn't afford this responsibility.
Cao Bin smiled and shook his head and said:
"This is treating me as a fat sheep."
Gao Wang said he came for Cao Bin, but it was not that someone recognized Cao Bin and deliberately prepared some conspiracy to rob and kill him.
Instead, they saw Cao Bin and his team carrying property and dressing up gorgeously, and treated him as a fat sheep.
This also shows the arrogance of the horse bandits, who actually dared to rob and kill the government.
Just as he was talking, the thunderous sound of horse hoofs sounded in his ears. Cao Bin waved his hand and ordered:
"Prepare for war, Cao Zheng takes command."
Gao Wang was dumbfounded when he saw a fourteen-year-old or fifteen-year-old boy prancing forward with a hundred cavalry. Is this Marquis Cao too arrogant?
At this time of life and death, a child is allowed to command the army...
