Ying Zheng led his team across the Yellow River and moved forward to Wangdong City.
The Xiqiang troops here have already withdrawn, and Xu Wan's team has taken over.
It is spring, the earth is recovering, the sergeants here are building city defenses, and some people are working outside.
Knowing that King Qin was coming, the soldiers' morale was high. They gathered at the city gate and lined up to welcome him.
The Qin army was indeed different from the Xiqiang army. The troops were neatly organized and their morale was high.
After a short rest, continue westward and head straight to Jiayuguan.
After nearly a year of repairs, Jiayuguan has changed greatly. The city defense has been completely renewed, the scale has more than doubled, and the city walls have become thicker, stronger, and taller.
The fortifications inside and outside the city are still in progress.
It seems that Xu Wan has already built the city wall and only needs to strengthen other fortifications.
"General Xu, if we immigrate here, there shouldn't be any problem, right?" After looking around, Ying Zheng looked at Xu Wan and said.
"Your Majesty." Xu Wan cupped his hands and said, "I'm afraid no one will take the initiative to come to this barren land."
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "The plan is to let some prisoners come here, and then there are the displaced people."
"This..." Xu Wan's expression was a little stiff.
"I know that it is a bit difficult for you to manage these people." Ying Zheng paused and said, "But it has not been easy to expand the territory in the past. I believe you have this ability."
In fact, Xu Wan was just being pretentious. No matter how difficult it was, he would not flinch, not to mention that he had already been mentally prepared.
"Wei Chen will definitely develop a prosperous Liangzhou." Xu Wan cupped his hands and said, "If there is no improvement in three years, the king will replace him."
"Haha, there is no need to change people." Ying Zheng said with a smile, "You just have to promise me that if my descendants are in trouble now or in future generations, you will provide them with a shelter."
"Wei Chen received the order." Although Xu Wan didn't understand Ying Zheng's intention, his answer was not ambiguous at all.
"It's not just you, your descendants will do the same, remember?" Ying Zheng's purpose is to make this Hexi Corridor a hidden place for future generations.
"Weichen has noted it down." Xu Wan replied simply.
Ying Zheng nodded and said, "This mission of yours is quite secretive. It is possible that you have taken root in Liangzhou. Do you have any concerns over your hometown?"
Xu Wan thought for a while and said: "I can bring my old mother here, but I also have a brother. I hope the king will take him back to Xianyang and train him. Maybe he can make a contribution to the temple in the future." force."
"Oh?" Ying Zheng asked, "What's his name?"
"His name is Xu Fu." Xu Wan said, "He will be crowned this year."
Ying Zheng nodded and said, "What does he like?"
"He has been fond of healing and rescuing people and refining medicinal materials since he was a child." Xu Wan replied.
"Okay." Ying Zheng said, "You write a letter and I will order someone to take him to Xianyang."
"Yes." Xu Wan wrote a letter and sent it to his younger brother Xu Fu at home.
Ying Zheng then asked about the situation of the first wave of caravans, then repaired for a day and continued to set off with the team.
This time there was no King of Western Qiang, but Qiang Yu and Thorin were still with them.
King Xiqiang did not send a letter of greeting, but Ying Zheng sent someone to deliver the letter of credence.
Just like last time, I passed Yumen Pass smoothly and went directly to Loulan City.
A few days later, Loulan Royal City appeared in sight.
King Loulan seemed to have gained some weight again, with a little more fat on his face. It was probably because he was in a good mood due to his trade with Great Qin during this period, so his appetite was also good.
"King Qin!" King Loulan said with a smile, "Long time no see, how is everything?"
King Loulan speaks poor Chinese, and it seems that he has put in a lot of effort during this period.
"Haha, thanks to King Loulan, everything is fine for me." Ying Zheng responded with a smile.
King Loulan and Ying Zheng
Walking side by side, we entered the main hall.
"King Qin, have you brought those clothes that I ordered before?" King Loulan asked.
This was what he cared about the most, and it was probably because the harem was pushing too hard.
"Of course I brought them." Ying Zheng said, "Not only the ones you ordered, but also many other styles. Now, you can also sell them to those nobles."
King Loulan laughed heartily, and it seemed like you could see the Adam's apple in his throat.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Ying Zheng asked about the situation of the first wave of caravans, and then learned that they had arrived in Jingjue and were personally escorted by King Qiemo.
It seems that although King Qiemo is fierce, he is also very trustworthy.
One of the purposes of coming to the Western Regions this time was to meet King Qiemo and ask about the Khan-blooded horse.
After only staying in Loulan for one day, Ying Zheng left and went straight to Jingjue.
King Loulan knew that he would pass by here again, so he did not stop him. He also prepared the goods from the Western Regions and waited for Ying Zheng to take them with him when he returned.
They were about to see Queen Jingjue, so Ying Zheng ordered his team to speed up.
Passing by the place where King Qiemo was captured last year, Ying Zheng took a look around, perhaps subconsciously worried that there would be another robber.
However, it was an uneventful journey.
Finally, on this day, still twenty miles away from Jingjue City, Ying Zheng ordered his team to station down, and after making some preparations, he sent Meng Yi to deliver the letter.
This time, it was Zhe Huai who greeted Ying Zheng again.
"Long time no see, brother Zhehuai." Before Zhehuai could speak, Ying Zheng spoke first.
"Haha, King Qin, long time no see." Zhehuai's tone was particularly kind.
"Wuchan...is she okay?" Ying Zheng's voice became softer and he lost a bit of confidence.
"Hehe, she's pretty good too." Zhehuai looked at Ying Zheng with a smile and said, "It's just that sometimes she gets distracted easily."
"Stupefied?" Ying Zheng asked inexplicably, "Why?"
Zhehuai laughed and said, "We don't understand the girl's thoughts."
Only then did Ying Zheng understand what Zhehuai meant and smiled awkwardly.
"Let's go, follow me into the palace." Zhehuai said.
"Well, wait for a day, I still have to prepare," Ying Zheng said.
"Prepare?" Zhehuai asked in surprise, "There is no shortage of anything in the palace, what else are you preparing for?"
"This..." Ying Zheng seemed embarrassed to say it.
"Your Majesty, he wants to prepare a betrothal gift." Thorin is a straightforward person. Seeing Ying Zheng's hesitation, he said it directly.
"Hahaha..." Zhehuai said with a smile, "So that's it, then I'll come back tomorrow."
After that, Zhehuai was about to leave, but was stopped by Ying Zheng.
"You can leave later and tell me about the wonderful things that happened during this period and what happened to Uncle Thumb after he came back."
"Wait a moment, Your Majesty. I'll call Uncle Thumb." Zhehuai turned around and walked out of the tent to look for Thumb.
About an hour later, Thumb followed Zhehuai to the big tent.
"Senior Thumb, how is the situation here?" Although they hadn't seen each other for a while, Ying Zheng was particularly friendly when he saw Thumb.
Or maybe he was quite anxious.
"Haha, Your Majesty, I haven't seen you in the past two months. You seem to have become a lot stronger." Thumbs up deliberately
A hurdle passed.
"It's still the same as before." Ying Zheng asked anxiously, "What did the elders mean by what we said before?"
Thumb couldn't keep joking, so he said: "The elders have actually discussed it long ago, and the few who disagree have basically been convinced."
"Haha, great." Ying Zheng exclaimed happily, "If all the elders agree to move eastward, then there will be hope for the outstanding people."
"You can still let the king hold the beauty back home." Thumb still didn't forget to tease King Qin.
Ying Zheng: "..."
"Uncle Thumb, just
Don't laugh at King Qin, let's tell them our etiquette. " Zhehuai said.
Thumb nodded with a smile and began to explain some details to Ying Zheng.
Early the next morning, Ying Zheng washed himself carefully, put on a magnificent royal robe, put on an exquisite crown, rode a tall horse, and visited Queen Jingjue in a very formal manner.
The same goes for Wuchan, who welcomes distinguished guests from afar with the highest standards of excellence.
Outside Jingjue City, Jingjue's soldiers lined up on horseback to form a queue to welcome the distinguished guests.
Further forward, there are ghost hands wearing the unique costumes of the Ghost Cave Clan.
Behind the ghost hands are the elite elders.
In the middle of the elders, a girl in luxurious clothes stood upright.
The noble clothes set off the peerless beauty, and among the crowd, her youthfulness is even more prominent, like a crane standing among the chickens, proud and beautiful.
Finally seeing the person he had been thinking about day and night, Ying Zheng's heart was racing, but he also remained somewhat sober.
"Qin Wangzheng, I have seen King Jingjue." Ying Zheng's words were quite rigorous, and he solemnly stated the identities of both parties, and did not include the word "Queen", which showed his respect for the throne of Wuchan. .
"On behalf of my distinguished people, I welcome the arrival of King Qin." Wu Chan also said solemnly, "Please enter the hall."
After saying that, Wu Chan made a "please" gesture.
Ying Zheng ordered the others to stay behind, except for Meng Yi, Suolin, and Qiang Yu.
When he came to the main hall, Wu Chan gave him a seat.
"Prince Qin." The great elder Jingjue said loudly, "Is it for business matters when you come to Jingjue again this time?"
"Yes." Ying Zheng replied, "I have sent a caravan, they should be here."
"They have been here for a while," Wu Chan said, "and they have determined the price of the goods and the accounting of money with Jingjue."
"That's good." Ying Zheng felt much more at ease, "Nothing went wrong in the middle, right?"
"Fortunately." The great elder said, "They were sent to Jingjue by King Qiemo himself. I heard that King Qin was coming in person, and King Qiemo has been waiting here, saying that he had something to tell King Qin."
"Well, I'll go see him later." Ying Zheng said, "Those traders from me should also be in the city."
"Yes, I have already arranged for them." Wu Chan said, "You will see them later."
Ying Zheng nodded, sat upright, and said, "This matter is not urgent. Besides business, I actually have more important things."
"Oh?" the great elder pretended to be surprised, "Is there something more important? King Qin, please tell me."
Ying Zheng cleared his throat, lowered his voice, looked directly at Wu Chan, and said, "I came to Jingjue this time, but actually..."
Halfway through the words, there was no sound again.
The entire hall was silent, and all eyes were focused on Ying Zheng.
A drop of cold sweat ran down Ying Zheng's neck. He calmed down, clenched his fists, looked at the elder and said, "I'm here to propose marriage."
