Naturally, Yang Ji didn't know how the court thousands of miles away talked about him and criticized him. After he defeated Ashina Qilifushe, he gathered the troops and Turkic prisoners from the Great Lakes area and took them to Ulan Lake in the south.
Wulan Lake covers an area of thousands of hectares and is surrounded by lush pasture. It has always been a treasure land for grazing by northern nomads. Moreover, it is located at the tip of the "＞" formed by the remaining veins of Jinshan Mountain and Tianshan Mountain. Its strategic position is very important. Not only is it an important entrance to the Great Lakes area, but it is also only a few hundred miles away from the Turkic South Khan Court and the North Khan Court. If you go west from here, you will reach Ganzhou, Guazhou, and northern Yizhou. Going further, it will be Tingzhou.
When he arrived in the Wulan Lake area, Yang Ji set up camp, and then asked people to give the Turkic prisoners an ultimatum: Either become a slave willingly and enjoy the servitude of the Sui Dynasty with peace of mind; or resist as soon as possible so that the Sui army can attack him early. They sink into the lake.
It's up to you how to choose.
The words are naturally a little more euphemistic, but the core idea is this. After all, Liangzhou's strategy is to be tight on the outside and loose on the inside. If he rashly brings back these tens of thousands of prisoners who are good at fighting, civil strife is very likely to occur. Therefore, these people must accept his arrangements unconditionally, otherwise, they will be killed without mercy. .
As for the Great Lakes area, it is a coveted treasure land with fertile land and luxuriant grass. However, it is withered and weak in defense. If the Eastern Turks attack again, Master Cui will not be able to defeat it with his little strength.
In order to prevent the East Turks from launching troops again, Yang Ji simply occupied the Ulan Lake area. As long as the Sui Dynasty stationed troops here, it could stop the Turkic army from entering the Great Lakes area, deter the northern and southern Turkic Khans, and at the same time ensure the security of northern Liangzhou.
Li Jing learned that Yang Ji had this plan, so he suggested building three important cities in the shape of "pin" to the west of Ulan Lake. This would not only divert water from Ulan Lake for farming, but also recruit refugees to farm here. Once there were herdsmen and When the people move in, they can graze their cattle in the east of the lake after farming, which can solve the problem of military food. In addition, four schools can be built in the city, and the children of herdsmen can be recruited to learn Chinese, Chinese studies, and Chinese rituals, one to the south and one to the north of the Moxi Governor's Palace, to sinicize the Great Lakes area.
If there was an attack by Turkic cavalry, the people could hide in the city. It was also suggested to build beacon towers on the cliffs east of Punushui and Wulan Lake. As long as the Turkic army arrived, the people could get news hundreds of miles away.
Once this defense system is established, it will be expanded to the surrounding areas based on actual needs.
What Yang Ji had on hand was free labor. When he heard what Li Jing said, he took advantage of it and took advantage of it.
Since Li Jing had built Tingzhou's five-level defense system of scouts, beacon towers, forts, military towns, and cities, and there was no war in Tingzhou, Yang Ji simply ignored the two masters and let Li Jing lead the troops to build a defense here.
The city closest to the "＞" entrance is named Jinshan City. It is also the largest city among the three cities. Jinshan City is built close to a steep and abrupt rock mountain. This bare stone mountain is more than 100 meters high, surrounded by It is steep and smooth, as if it is a miraculous work of nature.
In Li Jing's vision, Jinshan City would be built with ashlar stones in the future, with walls three feet high, a city span of ten miles, and a half-moon shape toward the east.
Yang Ji actually didn't care much about these ideas.
What he wants is a solid defense system. As for how to build it, that is Li Jing's business.
It is April, which is the most dynamic season of the grassland. The vast grassland is full of vibrant scenes. Looking into the distance from the beacon tower, groups of cattle, sheep and horses are grazing leisurely on the endless grassland. Lakes of different sizes sparkle in the sun, like gems set in the grassland. Further to the north are the dark Yudujin Mountains that stretch for thousands of miles.
Compared with the leisurely prairie, the base of Jinshan City is a lively scene. More than a thousand craftsmen from Ganzhou directed the prisoners to build the city. The soldiers from the Great Lakes area also joined the battle. Everyone was transporting sand and stones and moving wood. ; There are also some people mining stones in the mountains in the south. Once the mountains are opened, a road will be opened directly to Datong City in the south, which will save a few days of travel.
Jinshan City is just like Tingzhou in the past, a big construction site in full swing, and Li Jing is also like in the past, with food and accommodation in the military tent.
. . . . .
"General Changsun, please!" On this day, Li Jing welcomed Changsun Sheng, who was coming from the capital, into the big tent.
"Li Jishishi, please!" Changsun Sheng laughed.
A group of people entered the big tent.
Changsun Sheng didn't see Yang Ji, and he felt puzzled.
When he arrived in Zhangye, Master Yinshi said that Yang Ji was still here to reorganize and surrender troops, but after arriving here, no one was seen.
Where did this King Wei go?
But after all, Changsun Sheng was the scheming traitor who had made the Turks half-dead. He was very patient, and he was not familiar with Li Jing, so although he was confused, he did not ask directly.
After sitting down, Changsun Sheng smiled and said, "Li Governor, I am here to bring you some good news."
"But I wonder what the good news is?" Li Jing asked cooperatively.
"There are two good news." Changsun Sheng laughed: "The first good news is that the imperial court approved King Wei's request and decided to establish Ganzhou Jinshan County here."
Li Jing was overjoyed when he heard this. This was actually what he suggested to Yang Ji after he learned that Yang Ji was planning to occupy this place. After that, Yang Ji wrote it into the victory report together. The reason for such a suggestion is that the herdsmen in this area have a high degree of Chineseization and are very respectful and close to the Sui Dynasty. When he led the left route army northward, he got the Qiang, Sogdians, Xianbei, and Tie people around here. The Le people helped greatly, and these people lived a life of half farming and half herding, which was not much different from the people in Liangzhou.
If the imperial court establishes a county here, these people will definitely settle in the three cities. If half of the people are willing to settle here, it will be three to four thousand households. If the three cities are purely military fortresses, management will be very difficult. . So he built Yangji and turned it into a county, which could not only expand the city, but also allow the court to send officials to manage it, so that the garrison could focus on military affairs without any distractions.
He raised his hands and asked: "General Changsun, if we want to build the city wall to four or five feet, is it feasible?"
This is also an issue that Li Jing is more concerned about. The Turks have also mastered the craftsmanship of siege equipment. In the last attack and defense of Datong City, Bujia Khan used a large number of nest vehicles, ram vehicles, catapults, city climbing vehicles, and ladder vehicles. , faced with these sharp instruments, it seemed a bit difficult for the soldiers to defend Datong City.
This place is closer to the Eastern Turks than Datong City, and it is also the frontier of the war. It will be determined by a war with the Turks in the future. He is planning to build these three city walls to a height of five feet. If the court allows special events, then the court will The border towns in the states of Zhouzhou, Illinois, and Xizhou can also be increased in height. But the city wall in the capital was only three feet high, so he was still a little worried that the court would not agree.
"The situation in the border towns is different from that in the mainland. There is no need to consider the issue of trespassing. We must formulate policies more suitable for the border areas based on the actual situation. As long as we can resist the enemy, the imperial court will not care." Changsun Sheng smiled and said to Li Jing: "The late emperor I said more than ten years ago that border towns are different from those in the mainland. We must adapt to local conditions and handle special events. We must not be trapped by the so-called etiquette. I have been here many times before and know that this is a choke point. You have to build the city wall. Five feet tall, no problem at all.”
"Really?" Li Jing thought of the news he had received a few days ago and was a little unsure. He couldn't help but said: "The king won the battle and was criticized verbally and written by the ministers of the court. If he 'exceeded the rules', wouldn't the ministers of the court be even more excessive?"
Changsun Sheng was greatly embarrassed when he heard this. He coughed dryly and said, "There is no need to worry about this. Before I left the capital, the sage said: As long as King Wei is right and as long as he thinks it is beneficial to the Sui Dynasty, just let it go." Do it, there are saints in the capital, so don’t worry.’ Since the saints have said so, who dares to impeach? What’s the use of impeachment?”
"The saint is still wise!" Li Jing nodded. To be honest, when he heard that the courtiers had taken advantage of Yang Clun, his first thought was not anger, but sadness and sorrow. Then came the huge anger against selfish and selfish politicians.
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Changsun Sheng sighed and said, "Let me tell you another piece of good news! Li Qishi performed outstandingly this time, and the saint decided to award him the title of County Duke, but the specific county of which county it is is still unclear. We have to wait for the formal appointment.”
When Li Jing heard this, he felt excited and excited!
The nine titles of the Sui Dynasty are Prince, County King, Duke, County Duke, County Duke, County Marquis, County Bo, County Son, and County Male. The title of King only belongs to the royal family and does not involve foreign ministers, so the Duke is the highest title for foreign ministers.
Although there are many princes and princes today, these people are either the founding heroes of the Sui Dynasty; or they follow Yang Jian to usurp the humerus of the world; or they inherit the title of their father and receive the honor for their father's merit The second generation of officials.
In recent years, there have been very few people who have actually received titles for their meritorious service. Sometimes, there has even been no county magistrate for three to five years. Therefore, the county magistrate's grade is not high, but his "gold content" is very high.
No wonder Li Jing was excited!
Of course, this does not mean that Li Jing is an official fan, but that the county official recognized his achievements on behalf of the court and awarded him honors matching his achievements.
Changsun Sheng also understood Li Jing's mood at this time, so he had no intention of ridicule or contempt. After he said this, he finally asked his doubts: "Li Jingshi, where is King Wei?"
Li Jing tried to calm down and said with a smile: "The king has gone to fight the Turks."
Changsun Sheng was stunned, and then asked: "King Wei is attacking the Turks? Is he attacking the Eastern Turks?"
"Exactly!" Li Jing nodded with a smile: "The king believes that Ashina's march to the Great Lakes region represents the Eastern Turks' violation of the master-slave covenant, a challenge to our Sui Dynasty, and an invasion of our country. Sui. As a result, the relationship between the two countries naturally changed from friendly to hostile. Since it is a hostile relationship, it is natural for the king to attack the enemy. "
He glanced at Changsun Sheng and continued: "What's more, Ashina Qilifushe's main army has all stayed in the Great Lakes area. It's the right time for the king to take advantage of the victory and pursue it. In the words of the king, It's 'take advantage of his illness and kill him'."
Changsun Sheng was immediately speechless. No wonder he didn't see Yang Ji. It turned out that the guy thought the Northern Expedition was not enough, and after winning the victory, he went to the east again.
From a military point of view, Yang Ji should indeed "take advantage of his illness and kill him", but from a political point of view, it was too bold, right? Isn't he worried about triggering an all-out war between the two countries? If this is the case, the politicians in the DPRK and China will definitely criticize Yang Ji for dragging the Sui Dynasty into the war.
However, when he reviewed Yang Guang's attitude, he was speechless.
Because Yang Guang also wanted to give him a severe beating, Yang Ji just turned his idea into reality.
"Li Shishi, but I don't know where King Wei's attack is going?"
"The Turkic Northern Khan's Court," Li Jing said with a smile, "because of Ashina's tragic defeat at Lifushe, it fell into a dilemma of empty troops! And the king also heard that the Lingzhou Army, Fengzhou Army, Shengzhou Army, The Yunzhou Army and the Shuozhou Army all went north to contain the troops of the Southern Turkic Khan, so they pointed their swords at the Northern Turkic Khan."
Seeing that Changsun Sheng was dumbfounded, he thought he was worried that Yang Ji would not be able to defeat him, so he comforted him: "General Changsun, don't worry, King Wei has not only brought 20,000 elites this time, but also 30,000 troops from the Great Lakes area have surrendered to help. There is no problem in terms of troop strength. Moreover, he urgently transferred a large amount of arrows and kerosene from Zhangye City and Datong City. This battle should be easy to fight."
"The arrows are understandable, but this fire oil..." Suddenly, Changsun Sheng suddenly remembered something. He stood up and said incredulously: "Could it be that King Wei plans to burn down Yanran Mountain?"
"That's right!" Li Jing nodded: "In the words of the king, 'Since both father and son are King Wei, if he doesn't burn Yanran Mountain once, how can he be worthy of the title of King Wei?'"
"..." Changsun Sheng didn't know what he should say, but if Yang Ji killed a lot of people in the East Turks first, and then attacked Yanran Mountain, he could teach Qimin Khan a lesson and let him know. The power of the Sui Dynasty cannot be challenged. At the same time, it is also beneficial to his actions.
As soon as he thought about this, he said to Li Jing: "Li Jingshi, I was originally going to see Qimin Khan, but since King Wei has been killed, I'd better wait here. If there is any news, please You must tell me as soon as possible."
Li Jing nodded and said, "It should be so."
Changsun Sheng thought of a private matter and suddenly asked: "Li Cishi used to be the Sima of Prince Wei's palace. He must have a good relationship with Prince Wei, right?"
After hearing this, Li Jing's heart suddenly trembled. He knew that the main force behind the impeachment of Yang Ji was the Guanlong nobles, and Changsun Sheng happened to be one of them. He didn't know what Changsun Sheng's intention was, so he gave an ambiguous answer: " In fact, I have only been the Sima of Prince Wei for a short time, and my relationship with Prince Wei can only be described as so-so!"
"In the third year of Renshou, King Wei and I made an agreement in Furong Pond: King Wei said that within three years, he would give birth to a son to marry my Guanyin maid!" Changsun Sheng pondered for a while and asked tentatively: "This year happens to be the third year of Renshou." It’s been three years, but I don’t know if the princess is pregnant?”
Li Jing was stunned.
Three years ago, Yang Ji was a notorious gangster who didn't even have a wife. He actually reached such an agreement with Changsun Sheng like that, which really caught him off guard.
"I don't know about this either." Li Jing smiled awkwardly and said, "After all, it is the king's family matter. General Changsun finally asked him himself."
"That's fine!" Changsun Sheng nodded and asked no more questions.
