Meng Ao said: "Grand Governor, the warehouses of Gaochang State are too rich. After a rough inventory, the gold found was at least one million taels of gold. God knows what Gaochang State Qu Yan did to hoard so much money. Lots of gold.”
"In addition, at least eight million taels of silver were discovered, as well as countless precious jade articles. Rows of houses constituted Gaochang's treasury, and so much money was accumulated. As for grain and grass, it was also abundant, and there was countless money."
Lin Feng was also a little surprised.
With one million taels of gold and eight million taels of silver, Gaochang State was really wealthy.
But think about these years, as the Prime Minister of Gaochang, Ma Yan developed commerce, encouraged commerce, and continuously strengthened and consolidated Gaochang. More than ten years of continuous development, and Qu Yan here, in addition to being unclear about the issue of heirs, can be regarded as a wise king, frugal and diligent.
It is normal for such Gaochang to accumulate such a rich family fortune.
Lin Feng thought for a while and ordered: "Pack all the gold, silver and jewelry into boxes, and seal them one by one. Transport all the money back to Xianyang, and there can be no mistakes. General Meng, General Xun, you two Personally oversee the completion.”
"Here!"
Xun Peng and Meng Ao answered simultaneously.
Both of them are great generals, and they don't care much about money. Merits are the most important thing.
Xun Peng took the words and asked: "Grand Governor, although Gaochang State still has a Jinman City in the north, after Qu Yan surrendered, this is nothing. He only needs to send a force to defeat it in one battle. What follows? , how to arrange it?"
Lin Feng said: "Let Meng Ao arrange the rest of the war in Gaochang. Meng Ao will sit in Gaochang and at the same time divide his troops to seize Jinman City in the north of Gaochang. The area of Gaochang mainly consists of these three cities. After all the money and treasures have been counted, Xun Ao Peng will accompany me to escort the money and the emperor and ministers of Gaochang back to Xianyang."
"I will personally report the merits of this battle to His Majesty, and the imperial court will issue awards and pensions. As for Gaochang, officials will also be dispatched to serve."
"For the time being, it's all General Meng's fault."
Lin Feng left Meng Ao behind.
He is a garrison on the border. If Gaochang is captured, the border will be transferred to Gaochang.
"I will obey my orders."
Xun Peng and Meng Ao answered again.
The two went to make arrangements separately. Lin Feng was still guarding Gaochang. The two civil servants Cui Yuantu and Huan Su quickly adjusted the officials of Gaochang City while they were still in Gaochang. At the same time, they issued edicts to appease the people and stabilize the situation.
On the other side, Qu Yong assisted in investigating the copper mine. Within two days, news came back that an open-pit copper mine had indeed been discovered.
Moreover, this open-pit copper mine is extremely vast.
Its output is also difficult to estimate.
Lin Feng got the news about the copper mine and felt relieved. The reason why Great Qin sent troops to Gaochang was for the copper mines.
With copper mines, the goal has been achieved.
On this day, Meng Ao entered the camp and reported: "Grand Governor, I have packed all the gold and silver treasures together with General Xun Peng. They have been sealed and can be transported away at any time. In addition, General Jin Mancheng has also made arrangements. If people go there, they will soon be able to seize Jinmancheng."
Lin Feng smiled and said: "In that case, I can set off and return to Xianyang."
Meng Ao looked serious and said slowly: "Grand Governor, I have one more thing to do."
Lin Feng said: "General Meng, please speak."
Meng Ao said: "We have captured Gaochang, do we want to expand westward? I am sitting here in Gaochang, can I continue to send troops?"
"No, we won't expand for the time being."
Lin Feng shook his head and answered.
Meng Ao frowned and said: "We have this strength, why don't we expand? As long as the Grand Governor makes suggestions to His Majesty, Your Majesty will definitely agree."
Lin Feng looked at Meng Ao's expectations and knew that Meng Ao was based in Gaochang and hoped to seize more territory in order to make achievements.
This is also human nature.
Lin Feng elaborated: "General Meng, the reason why the imperial court agreed to attack Gaochang was not because it wanted to expand to the Western Regions, nor was it because Gaochang's monarchs and ministers offended the Qin Dynasty. Expansion to the Western Regions has little value and meaning."
"At least for now, expanding to the Western Region is not the most important thing."
"The main reason for attacking Gaochang was the discovery of copper mines in Gaochang. This was the fundamental reason why Da Qin sent troops. Without copper mines, it was impossible to send troops. Of course, I didn't expect that Gaochang was so wealthy that he could get hundreds of Ten thousand taels of silver, and millions of taels of gold.”
"It's a windfall."
"A war is not fought for the sake of fighting. The war is a continuation of national politics and an extension of the court's purpose."
"If there is no target, sending troops to attack at will will only consume a lot of financial and material resources. To the west of Gaochang Kingdom, there are Wusun Kingdom, Loulan Kingdom, Qiuci Kingdom, etc. In fact, the strength of each country is not very strong. In other words, the strength of each country is not very strong. If Da Qin really wants to attack, it won’t be difficult.”
"But seizing these places will not bring much benefit for the time being. On the contrary, it will consume a lot of troops to guard them and a lot of manpower and material resources to operate them."
"This is something the court cannot afford for the time being."
"The countries in the Western Region are not like Gaochang State, which is run by Ma Yan, nor is it as diligent and caring as Qu Yan. The capture of Gaochang State will be beneficial to the Qin Dynasty. However, the rest of the country is of no value. Therefore, it is impossible for the imperial court to send troops to the west again. You Just don’t think about it.”
Lin Feng said directly: "Unless you can discover large gold mines, silver mines, etc., which can help Great Qin, then Great Qin may send troops."
Meng Ao sighed after hearing this.
Pity.
What he thought was that if he continued to send troops, the next step would be to attack the city on a large scale.
Lin Feng continued: "General Meng, for the time being, hold back your thoughts on the attacks by the countries in the Western Regions. After the Great Qin comes out from the east, it will establish a firm foothold in the Central Plains. In the future, the Western Regions of the Great Qin will attack sooner or later. You don't have to worry, you will be there. Opportunity."
Meng Ao said: "We will wait and see."
Lin Feng continued: "I am about to leave. Please pay more attention to the stability here in Gaochang. The court will arrange people as soon as possible to deal with the situation in Gaochang."
"clear!"
Meng Ao nodded and answered.
After Meng Ao retreated, Lin Feng directly gave the order to set off.
Xun Peng received the order and led a large army, taking Qu Yong, Qu Yan and his son, as well as the rest of the royal family, and Fang Liang and Fang Bo's father and son also followed. The entire team was extremely large, and there were also a variety of gold, silver, jewelry and other supplies, and the marching speed was relatively slow.
When the army returned, the memorial drawn up by Lin Feng was handed over to the people at Heibingtai to pass the news back first.
The news came back to Xianyang Black Ice Platform at the end of March.
Ying San was in high spirits after reading the news from the Western Regions, and hurried straight into the palace. When he saw the emperor, he reported directly: "Your Majesty, I am very happy, very happy."
Ying Jiuxiao said: "Why are you so happy?"
Ying Jiuxiao didn't think about Lin Feng because the time was too short. Lin Feng left Xianyang with his army in early February. The army was large in number, and it was already March when it entered the Western Regions. Even if we want to start a war, or even crush it, it cannot be accomplished in a short time.
That's why Ying Jiuxiao wondered where the happy event came from.
Ying San said: "Reporting to your majesty, the Grand Governor sent back the news in Gaochang that the Gaochang Kingdom has been destroyed. The Grand Governor led the Black Dragon Army back and was on his way back to the court. This time Gaochang was destroyed and Gaochang's copper mines were captured."
"This news has confirmed that there is a large copper mine near Gaochang City, which can mine countless amounts of brass. In addition, Gaochang Wang Quyan, Prince Quyong, and the Qu family members of the Gaochang royal family were also escorted and asked to Escort them to Xianyang to present the prisoners."
"The Governor also said that during the capture of Gaochang, one million taels of gold and eight million taels of silver from the Gaochang treasury were seized, as well as countless precious jade articles. All supplies are on their way back under escort."
"The Black Dragon Army has returned, and General Meng is temporarily stationed in Gaochang to stabilize the situation."
Ying Sandao: "According to the current speed, it is expected that the Governor will return to Xianyang in early April."
"well."
Ying Jiuxiao stood up, looking delighted.
A great battle, with such a huge harvest, it was hard to hide the excitement of winning Jiuxiao. Although this battle consumed a lot of money and food. The problem is that compared to the consumption, the gain is simply huge.
So worth it.
Ying Jiuxiao paced back and forth twice and said: "Whoever comes, inform the prince that Zhang Yi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Tang, the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu, and Bai Zheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, are here to discuss matters."
"Here!"
The chamberlain went to summon him.
Not long after, Ying Yuqian, Zhang Yi, Wang Tang and Bai Zheng entered the hall and all saluted Ying Jiuxiao.
Ying Jiuxiao said directly: "Good news came back from Gaochang. Lin Feng won a great victory and captured the emperor and ministers of Gaochang. Lin Feng escorted the king of Gaochang, Qu Yan, and the prince of Gaochang, Qu Yong, and was on the way back. In addition, he also sent back millions. Two taels of gold, and eight million taels of silver. Meng'ao garrisoned in Gaochang, and Lin Feng and Xun Peng returned to the court with their troops."
Wow! !
Ying Yuqian, Zhang Yi and others were extremely surprised.
too fast.
It feels like the troops have just been sent out and they have already begun to return.
The speed of advancing troops and destroying the country is simply unbelievable.
Wang Tang took the lead and said: "Your Majesty, Gaochang has been destroyed. Where is the copper mine mentioned before?"
Ying Jiuxiao replied: "The copper mine has also been confirmed and it does exist. Next, we just need to arrange people to mine it."
"Very good."
Wang Tang was extremely happy.
The destruction of Gaochang, the seizure of so much money, and the discovery of copper mines will greatly relieve the financial pressure on Daqin. Even within a year or two, Da Qin no longer has to worry about financial problems.
Zhang Yi took over the words and said: "Your Majesty, after the destruction of Gaochang, it is natural to change the country and establish a state. As for Gaochang, it is necessary to arrange people to serve."
Ying Jiuxiao said: "Lin Feng is most familiar with the affairs of Gaochang Kingdom, which involves the arrangements of Gaochang officials. When Lin Feng comes back, I will consult him for his opinion and see what he says?"
Zhang Yi nodded and said no more.
Everyone knew that the emperor relied heavily on Lin Feng, so he didn't ask much about it.
Ying Jiuxiao continued: "This time Lin Feng's class teacher returns to the court, we still need to welcome him grandly. What do you think about this?"
Bai Zheng took the initiative and said: "I suggest that the crown prince, on behalf of His Majesty, lead the civil and military officials to personally welcome Governor Lin back to the court. Our Qin Dynasty expands its territory and destroys Gaochang. This is a great thing for the whole country to celebrate.
Zhang Yi bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I second your proposal."
Wang Tang said: "I also second my opinion."
Ying Jiuxiao nodded and said: "In that case, the prince will welcome him personally and let Lin Feng ride in the prince's car and follow the prince into the palace."
"Here!"
Ying Yuqian answered immediately.
Everyone had no objection. After all, Lin Feng was the only one with the emperor.
Lin Feng won this battle cleanly.
No one can say anything.
Ying Jiuxiao arranged things, Ying Yuqian and the others retreated, Ying Jiuxiao still couldn't hide his excitement. It has been many years since the Qin Dynasty began to expand its territory. Now that we have secured a land in the Western Region, especially a copper mine, this is a great thing.
Ying Jiuxiao was overjoyed and went to the ancestral temple.
He was going to pay homage to his ancestors.
