Long before going to the Western Regions, Ying Zheng wrote to Meng Wu in Longxi, asking him to handle the matter quickly. After all, these goods were bargaining chips for exchange with the Western Qiang. They must not break their promise, and there must be no delay in time.
Therefore, after receiving the king's order, Meng Wu rushed back to Xianyang, plundered all the porcelain left in Jing Kiln, and then bought tea and silk with the help of Sima Hong.
After everything was arranged, Meng Wu rushed to Jiayuguan with 30,000 soldiers and craftsmen recruited during this period.
He also arrived here just in time with Ying Zheng.
Suolin was concerned about the Yiqu tribe, so he stepped forward and asked Meng Wu, "General Meng, are my grandfather and the Yiqu tribe okay?"
Meng Wu smiled and replied: "Haha, it's good. The people of Yiqu are very happy now. Many people are clamoring to learn farming. It's a pity that the season is not right, so they can only wait until next spring. "
"Haha, that's good." Thorin finally felt relieved.
"I'll be back in a few days, why are you in a hurry?" Qiang Yu said from the side.
"Yeah." Thorin nodded.
Ying Zheng looked at the two brothers, but suddenly thought of a question, so he said: "General Meng, you must also know that half of the Hexi Corridor belongs to us, so next, we have to move in some people. How about we let the people who have just moved away from northwestern Longxi move here directly?"
Meng Wu thought for a moment, then nodded directly and said: "Well, this is a good idea. Filling the Hexi Corridor with people from Longxi is indeed the best of both worlds."
Thorin looked at Ying Zheng and said, "Brother Wang, Yiqu occupied the northwestern part of Longxi before and has caused a lot of trouble to the people of Longxi. Now in this land west of Hexi, it is better to ask Yiqu to move back here."
When Solin said this, he also felt guilty for Longxi.
Ying Zheng thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "The situation in the Hexi Corridor is quite complicated. If Yiqu is allowed to move here again, it will put you in a dangerous situation again. Besides, you also said that you If you don’t know how to cultivate it, won’t this land become deserted again if it comes into your hands?”
"Haha, that's true." Thorin scratched the back of his head and said with a smile.
"Jiayuguan needs to be rebuilt and the land needs to be developed. It can't be done without officials to lead it." Ying Zheng looked at Meng Wu and said, "It's better to transfer Xu Wan from Longxi to this place and worship him as the governor of Hexi. Everything in Hexi will be settled. Let him control it, and you, General Meng, will supervise this matter with all your strength."
"When the weather gets warm next year, we will build several passes together. This winter, we must check the terrain well. Then we will also build a Great Wall to resist the Huns."
"Wei Chen takes orders!" Meng Wu said.
The next day, under the leadership of King Xiqiang, Ying Zheng and Meng Wu made a full circle around Jiayuguan, analyzed and observed from different high points, and drew maps from different angles.
Three days later, a new city defense pattern was presented to Ying Zheng.
This drawing was drawn collectively by craftsmen, and Thumb also gave a lot of suggestions.
This pattern is very consistent with the topography of Jiayuguan, and it can turn every terrain into an advantage, and the area has more than doubled.
That’s it!
Ying Zheng made the decision with satisfaction and could finally return to Xianyang with peace of mind.
Thinking of Xianyang, Ying Zheng couldn't help but miss the harem. Counting, the two big-bellied women in the palace should have given birth.
Thinking of the ladies in the harem, Ying Zheng immediately thought of Wu Chan. After seeing her for many days, he didn't know how she was doing recently.
And he really had to hurry up on the things he promised Wu Chan, otherwise, how could he have the face to see her next time?
After arranging all the details about Jiayuguan, Yingzheng left Meng Wu at Jiayuguan, waiting for the handover with Xu Wan, while he led his team to the Qin Kingdom.
Enter.
The King of Xiqiang withdrew all the Xiqiang troops from Jiayuguan and exchanged defenses with Mengwu.
Although the agreement stated that one person and half of the Hexi territory was to be rebuilt, but since Jiayuguan was to be rebuilt and the Xiqiang people were mixed in, it would be
That’s not the case anymore.
After giving some instructions to Qiang You, the Western Qiang King said goodbye to Ying Zheng, loaded up the goods, and set off in the direction of his own tribe.
Ying Zheng also organized his troops and embarked on his return journey.
Every time you pass a city gate, the defender will lead all his troops to come out to greet you.
After all, the boundaries have been demarcated and governed in principle, and the city gates north of the central boundary line are now owned by Great Qin.
As for this part of the city gate that belonged to Da Qin, the guards were already arranging their troops and equipment and preparing to retreat.
Naturally, Ying Zheng didn't need to worry about taking over the matter. He could just leave it to Meng Wu and Xu Wan, and he would just lead the team all the way to Yongding Pass.
The road was smooth, and Ying Zheng thought of the scene of running when he woke up, so he became interested again.
After handing the maple leaf to Meng Tian, he started running with "our army".
Meng Tian felt happy as he took over the reins. He imitated Ying Zheng, caressing Maple Leaf's gorgeous neck, and smoothed the golden mane, but there was a sigh in his heart.
How great it would be if I had such a bloody horse!
Naturally, Meng Yi would not miss this opportunity to get close to Maple Leaf, so he stood on the other side of Meng Tian and did the same thing, saying, "Your name is Maple Leaf, right? What do you like to eat? I'll pick it." for you."
Meng Tian glanced at Meng Yi and said angrily: "You treat it as yours and you know how to eat it. If it gets fat because of it, the king will deal with you."
Meng Yi stuck out his tongue and made a face, but his hands did not leave Maple Leaf's horse's back.
"I really want to ride in a lap." Meng Tian also muttered.
"Hmph!" Meng Yi said coldly, "If you really ride on it, the king might put you in jail."
"Go, you are the only one who talks a lot." Meng Tian glared at Meng Yi again, "The king asked me to take care of it, it's none of your business."
"Then I'll feel free. I don't have to lead him around." Meng Yi didn't give in.
The two brothers were still bickering here, but Ying Zheng had already run away.
Finally, one day, my own Yongding Pass appeared in front of me. I had never felt that kind of intimacy in a long time.
As expected, Xu Wan opened the city gate and personally led a team to welcome them out.
"Welcome to the king!" Xu Wan dismounted and bowed his hands.
"Haha, I guessed that you would be waiting at Yongding Pass." Ying Zheng said, "Let's go and enter the pass."
"Your Majesty, please." Xu Wan made way for the passage and followed Ying Zheng into the city gate.
Arriving at the lobby, Ying Zheng told Xu Wan his next plan.
Xu Wan was surprised at first, and then said after thinking for a while: "The general is a warrior. It is natural to guard the city gates and build fortifications. However, it is a bit reluctant to resettle the immigrants and renovate the barren land. "
What Xu Wan said is not unreasonable. Since ancient times, there has been a division of labor between civil and military forces. Now it is indeed a bit difficult for a military general to organize the people to open up that large wasteland.
It seems that there is no wise man to rectify the land west of Hexi, it is really not possible.
However, if we go back to Xianyang and look for candidates, there will be a lot of delays, and no one knows the situation here better. Even if we come, it may not be of much use.
While thinking, Ying Zheng suddenly remembered someone, that is Chen Li.
Previously, Ying Zheng asked Sima Jie to send Chen Li to investigate the Western Regions, and Chen Li did return some news. However, later Ying Zheng was led by the King of Xiqiang into Yumen Pass, and the journey was almost smooth, so he ordered Chen Li to Back to Longxi and on standby.
Although he failed to enter Yumen Pass, Chen Li
But I have some preliminary understanding of the Hexi Corridor, and most of the information sent back is about that.
"General Xu, what do you think of Chen Li?" Ying Zheng looked at Xu Wan and asked.
"Chen Li?" Xu Wan thought for a moment and said, "That man is quite knowledgeable. When passing by Longxi, he discussed some political affairs with the general, and also inquired about some things outside Yongding Pass, as well as our relationship with the Xiqiang. , but it can be seen from between the lines that his thoughts are extremely careful.
He also looks at problems quite comprehensively, and he is indeed a talented person. "
"Haha, if he wasn't a talented person, I wouldn't have sent him to explore the Western Regions." Ying Zheng said, "Since General Xu appreciates Chen Li, how about I order him to assist you and be in charge of civil affairs?"
Xu Wan did not respond immediately, but thought for a moment, and then said: "Opening up new frontiers is naturally something that military commanders think about day and night. Now that the king has gained a large territory without any effort, it is naturally a blessing to the country. Now, the general will do his best to expand the land, and if Chen Li can help, it will double the general's confidence."
"Okay!" Ying Zheng exclaimed, "Just have confidence. Since you also agreed to let Chen Li assist you, then this matter is settled. When I passed by Longxi, I asked him to come directly to meet you, and then , you all go to Jiayuguan together, and then replace General Meng back."
"Your Majesty, if you go back to Longxi, I'd better go back with you." Xu Wan said, "The people who migrated from the northwest of Longxi will be more familiar with you. After you go back, we can mobilize them well in the coming year. Migrated."
"Yes, that's right." Ying Zheng nodded and said, "You should go back with us, but you can't delay for too long. We must rush to Jiayuguan before winter."
"I wonder what the situation is like in Jiayuguan now?" Xu Wan asked.
"On the Xiqiang side, they have all pulled out the Jiayuguan Pass so that we can renovate it." Ying Zheng said, "The blueprints have been designed, and General Meng is leading his people to expand the scope of the city gate."
"Then if winter comes, we won't be able to start construction, right?" Xu Wan said with some concern.
Ying Zheng nodded and said: "Before winter, General Meng will complete the ground and peripheral framework. After you take over, don't act rashly for the time being. Guard this winter and continue the renovation in the spring of next year."
"Then how big is the land west of Hexi? Is there a map for reference?" Xu Wan asked.
Ying Zheng took out the sheepskin map that King Xiqiang had given him before and handed it to Xu Wan: "This is the map of the Hexi Corridor. Our territory is extremely narrow and long. The mountains to the north are the border with the Xiongnu. Although the mountains are On the other side, the Huns don’t appear frequently, but don’t cross the line easily.”
"Also, you all must put on Xiqiang clothes to prevent the Xiongnu from finding out that our people have taken over Jiayuguan."
"If there is an enemy attack, kill him and leave no one alive."
Looking at Ying Zheng's slightly cold eyes, Xu Wan nodded solemnly, and then asked: "Your Majesty, when we treat the Xiongnu, do we still only defend but not attack?"
Ying Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and said: "I will definitely have a battle with the Xiongnu in the near future, but it is not now, let alone in the Hexi Corridor. If we don't hurt them, our trade route will definitely be blocked. Xiqiang I will also regret handing over this place to our Great Qin."
"So, I plan to attack the Xiongnu directly from Longbei in the warm spring next year!"
"And your responsibility is to build and protect the Hexi Corridor well, do you understand?"
Xu Wan cupped his hands and said firmly: "I will definitely live up to the king's command!"
"Haha, okay, from now on, you will be the governor of the Hexi Corridor." Ying Zheng said.
"Well, since you are a prefect, this place should have a name." Xu Wan said with a smile.
Ying Zheng thought for a while and said, "Let's call it Liangzhou."
