Liu Qi nodded and said with a smile: "Ling Ming seems to be a tiger general. It would be a pity to be a guard. Meng Qi should be promoted and put in a more important position."
Ma Chao suddenly fell to the ground and said: "I will inherit my father's ambition and inherit the glory of my ancestors. I am willing to help the general revive the Han Dynasty and build up his achievements. If he is not abandoned, the two of us are willing to accept the general's appointment."
Pang De did not expect Liu Qi to praise him so much when they first met him. He was moved and knelt down: "Pang De is willing to do the hard work of dogs and horses!"
"Please get up quickly!" Liu Qi helped the two of them up and said with a big smile: "I will go back to the city to celebrate my victory, and also to wash my hands of the two generals."
Along the way, everyone was asked about Xu Shu's experience after arriving in Jincheng, and everyone was amazed. Ma Chao was also frightened when he thought about it. If Xu Shu hadn't helped, he might have been doomed this time.
After returning to Angu, the soldiers took a rest and prepared for the celebration banquet in the evening. Zhang Fei, who originally liked the excitement the most, sat alone on the tower, staring at the sunset in a daze.
In the evening, Agui and Xu Shu rushed to their home. Everyone met and respected each other. When they heard that Agui wanted to surrender, Liu Qi happily accepted it.
Talking about Song Jian and his son, Agui said: "The Qiang people are far away in the depths of the Western Mountains, where the mountains are high and the roads are far away. They are inaccessible and almost isolated from the world. They established a Buddhist kingdom and called themselves Xiangxiong!"
"Xiang Xiong?" Liu Qi frowned slightly, the name seemed familiar.
Agui nodded and said: "Xiangxiong is just a translation. It may be a mountain, or it may be a Buddhist language. I heard that there are many living Buddhas and eminent monks there, and their cultivation techniques are all transmitted from Kushan."
"Guishang?" Liu Qi's heart moved and he asked: "So, the Living Buddha Master Song Long talks about is probably also the eminent monk Xiangxiong. Are his methods also related to the Guishang Kingdom?"
Agui frowned and said, "That's probably the case. I've heard from time to time that I've only seen one Xiangxiong man. He's very tall and has a reddish complexion. He doesn't look much different from us."
"So that's it!" Liu Qi thought thoughtfully and asked some more about Xiang Xiong. Agui also knew little about it, most of them were just rumors.
According to their description, Zhangzhong should be in the Tibetan area. Tubo had not yet appeared at this time. The court records refer to them as Qiang Tong people. They probably thought they were a branch of the Qiang people, but this is not the case.
Tibet is already close to Nepal, so diplomacy with the southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is more convenient, and it is reasonable to be geographically close to Kushan.
According to Liu Qi's understanding, Kushan at this time included the entire India, Myanmar and western Xinjiang, and its territory far exceeded that of the Han Dynasty. However, like the Han Dynasty, it was also full of chaos, on the edge of decline, and was about to split.
The banquet ended happily that night. Zhang Fei, Ma Chao and others drank together and fell asleep in the hall. They were so drunk that they were like a puddle of mud.
Early the next morning, Liu Qi transferred Zhang Ren back to the city, appointed Zhang Heng as the governor of Longxi, and went to Didao in exchange for Wang Ping. He divided Fuhan among the Di people and let them govern themselves. Agui was still the King of Di and could inquire about Xiang Xiong at any time. information.
Ma Chao was appointed as the governor of Xiliang and the general of Zhengxi, Ma Dai was the general of Pingxi, and Pang De was the general of rebels. They led the surrendering Xiliang army, and Agui assisted in pacifying Xiliang.
Liu Qi said: "Most of the officials and people in Xiliang were coerced by Cao Jun and Han Sui and had no choice but to do so. When Meng Qi went to Liangzhou, he should not vent his anger and take revenge. He should be lenient and benevolent, gain the people's support, and establish farmland to govern the country, especially Pay attention to the territory of Hexi and prepare for the future expedition to the west!"
Ma Chao's eyes shone: "My lord, do you really intend to conquer the west?"
Liu Qi nodded and said: "The countries in the Western Regions were originally affiliated with the Han Dynasty. Now the imperial court is declining and the territory is in turmoil, so they are dissatisfied. Since we are determined to revive the Han Dynasty, we should pacify the world and revive the glory of the Han Dynasty. How can the Western Regions be ignored? "
Ma Chao cupped his fists and said, "I will obey your orders!"
Growing up in Xiliang, Ma Chao's biggest wish was to go out to Yangguan to see the scenery outside the country. However, the yellow sand outside Jiayuguan was everywhere, and rogue bandits gathered. The court could not control it, and the trade routes had long been cut off, so he could only look forward and sigh.
When I heard Xu Shu talk about Liu Qi's plan before, I thought it was just talk. But today when I heard him specifically mention it, I found out that there really was such a plan. How could I not be excited?
Liu Qi said: "In the past two years, I have opened the Hanzhong trade route, which can lead from Wudu and Longxi to Xiliang. After Guanzhong is pacified, I can open the Zhangqian trade route to the Western Regions. This land in Hexi is the most important. We all rely on Meng Qi to ensure stability and governance. The general has a heavy responsibility and must not be careless."
"Chaoding lives up to our high expectations!" Ma Chao agreed happily, but then said: "But the general has one more request."
Liu Qi smiled and said: "Meng Qi, please speak!"
Ma Chao said: "I am going to Xiliang to conquer the lost territory. Although Han Sui is dead, Cao's army is still stationed in Jincheng, Wuwei and other places. If I want to kill less and protect more of the people's land, I still need to be smart. Can I ask Military Advisor Xu to help me?" ?”
Liu Qi hesitated and said: "Meng Qi values Yuan Zhi, which shows his trust in him, but he is also my right-hand man. Wei Kang and Xia Houyuan have led troops to Hanzhong. It is the time to employ people and it is not convenient to leave them lightly. You all return to Xiliang, If we attack the remnants of Cao's army, we will definitely be invincible. It is enough for Ma Dai to join the army!"
Ma Chao felt a little regretful, but he heard Xu Shu smile and say, "My lord, you don't have to be in such a difficult situation. If I go to Xiliang with General Ma, I can still help my lord."
Liu Qi said: "The war in Guanzhong is about to break out. The military advisors not only make plans, they also need to dispatch scouts to spy on the news. Yanfeng camp cannot be without sir!"
Xu Shu smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. The people of Yanfeng Camp can be handed over to Shi'a for command and control. The military situation is controlled by Ma Liang and Ma Su, who are far better than me."
"Ma Su?" Liu Qi frowned and said, "Is this guy reliable?"
Xu Shu said: "Ma Su is a smart man. He can understand the art of war at a glance and analyze intelligence with sharp insights. He is really a rare talent. However, he is still a little impatient because of his young age. With his brother Ma Liang as the main leader, he can be sure that nothing will go wrong."
Liu Qi did not expect that Ma Su could be recognized by Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang. It can be seen that he is indeed very clever, but unfortunately he is Zhao Kuo of the Han Dynasty, and he is a little inferior in actual combat. It would be good if he only compiled intelligence and gained experience.
After pondering for a moment, he nodded and said: "Since sir is willing to go to Xiliang, it would be a good idea to help General Ma to pacify the territory as soon as possible, and then send troops to support. First pacify Longyou, and then join forces to send troops to Guanzhong."
"Thank you, lord, thank you sir!" Ma Chao was overjoyed and said: "The general will not be able to take Longyou with my lord for the time being, but the Ren family, a wealthy family in Hanyang, and my family are family friends. Ren Yang is now the magistrate of Shanggui County. I can write to you." Encourage him to come and surrender."
Liu Qi was overjoyed and said: "If we can go up to Guan, cut off the communication between Cao Jun in Xiliang and Xiahou Yuan, and defeat them one by one, then Cao Jun in Guanzhong will not have anything to worry about."
After everyone had discussed and decided, Ma Chao immediately wrote a letter and ordered Ma Le to go to Shanggui in person to meet Ren Yang and help Liu Qi decide on Longyou.
Three days later, everyone said goodbye at the Tao River and marched to Lintao. Liu Qi re-established the southern captaincy and appointed Lei Tong as the commander. He was a local and trained troops in the fields in Dazhong.
Historically, Jiang Wei stationed troops here to gain access to Xiliang if he advanced, and to protect Hanzhong if he retreated. Today's military training is to ensure smooth trade routes. In the long run, it can also prevent the Qiang and Di from threatening Hanzhong if they rebel.
