At least for a long time, Huang Qiong never expected the Western Regions to become a blood vessel for the imperial court. However, at least for a long time, the imperial court really could not withstand the possible bloodletting in the Western Regions. Now that the imperial court allows Han people to immigrate 100,000 households to the Western Regions every year, this is already the limit of what it can bear. When these people were on the road alone, each of them had eighty kilograms of grain, which was enough for the court to drink a pot. Not counting these, the imperial court also transports 200,000 shi of grain to the Western Regions every year as food storage.
If road losses are included, I am afraid this number will increase at least five times. Of course, if you look at the population of the Western Regions alone, it is due to the efforts of the Uighurs who turned into semi-agricultural and semi-nomadic people. Although the grain output is slightly insufficient, it is generally sufficient. It just lacks disaster response measures. Therefore, the original Xizhou Uighurs had to purchase a large amount of grain from the Kara Khanate every year. After the Shu Bans entered the Western Regions, although the Kara Khanate did not completely cut off the Silk Road, it completely blocked the borders and did not allow a grain of food to enter the Western Regions.
In order to solve the food crisis, when the local grain production was really not enough for use, the Shu people had previously forced the Chu family to transport grain at a high cost. When we arrived at King Anxi's place, although the grain road was open again, it was far less cost-effective to buy from the Kara Khanate because Da Qi suffered too much in transporting grain to the Western Regions. However, with the Kara Khanate cutting off food exports, the Western Regions still needed strong assistance from the court. In normal times it would be better, at least it wouldn't be used too much. If we fall into war, we will not be able to sustain our food supply at all.
Because the cost was too high, the court could not afford it. Although they were separated by two lifetimes, Huang Qiong could still vaguely recall how much it cost to pacify the entire Western Region as seen in the history books of later generations. And that dynasty spent hundreds of millions of taels of silver from its invasion of the Western Region to its demise. This cost, at least for now, cannot be supported by the court. Go north first and then west, this is the strategy formulated by the imperial court. With strong enemies waiting in the north, it is impossible to invest most of the resources in the Western Regions.
It was not in line with Huang Qiong's policy to rashly invest heavy troops into the Western Region where the situation was complicated and surrounded by powerful enemies. At least until the Northern Liao Dynasty was destroyed and the threat from the north was completely eliminated, neither Huang Qiong nor the imperial court had the energy to deal with the chaotic situation in the Western Regions. At this time, we need someone who is not likely to be a tough opponent of the imperial court, but who also has a certain amount of scheming and skill to go to the Western Regions to establish a buffer zone relative to obeying the imperial court. In order for the imperial court to suppress the remnants of the Shu people and contain the surrounding powerful enemies.
This gave the court enough time to deal with the more powerful threat to the north. When the former Tang Dynasty controlled the Western Regions, they first defeated the Turks who threatened the north. Relying on the elite soldiers of the former Tang Dynasty, Dingding had numerous famous generals, and after decades of bloody battles, they were able to fully control the Western Regions. And this price, at least for the current court, is still somewhat unaffordable. Otherwise, where would the King of Anxi, who was almost halfway out of the country, get his turn? Wouldn't it be better to send officials who are loyal to the imperial court to sit in the Western Regions?
But at least for now, Huang Qiong, who didn't want to break up with him and wanted to stabilize him, naturally couldn't say anything to him. Even though he had guessed everything, as long as everyone didn't openly break up, this matter would never be brought to the table. Although Huang Qiong promised certain things, and Huang Qiong didn't care, the Western Regions became his fiefdom, allowing his descendants to inherit hereditary status in the Western Regions. But in the future, the Western Regions will definitely be taken over by the imperial court and governed by floating officials. It was impossible for Huang Qiong to let a man with a hundred thousand cavalry in his hands.
For such a long time, he was outside the control of the imperial court. Of course, he couldn't know these things, and although he didn't know why Huang Qiong suddenly changed his mind. But Huang Qiong's support made him obviously relieved. It's better to complain that he didn't get exactly what he wanted than to leave empty-handed. Even if he knew it, there might be more of these 10,000 troops looking at him. But at least, I am somewhat reliable in the Western Region, so I can rest assured of my capital.
At least now, the court doesn't want him to be driven back from the Western Regions, right? These ten thousand troops and horses will have an impact on the overall situation of the Western Region. That is really too much to think about, but it is enough to become your own talisman. With these 10,000 elites stationed in charge, at least the Uighur tribes did not dare to provoke unscrupulously. The Xijiasi people will not be so rampant. The old subordinates of Shu's deposed people will no longer obey themselves and ignore their instructions. With these 10,000 troops and horses, and dozens of cannons holding the battle for them, some people have to make a decision.
But just as he was preparing to return, the army and horses allocated to him changed again. The person originally planned to be transferred to the post of Dutong Tongzhi was changed to Jia Quan, the General Secretary. To be honest, he didn't care much about this change. Although Feng Zhoushan is a little older, he is getting stronger with age. He was also famous for putting down the Longyou rebellion. As long as he, the coach, doesn't change, he doesn't care at all about who the remaining so-called sidekicks are, especially those civil servants.
Because the current Western Region is not a place for civil servants to hang out. It really doesn’t matter if you don’t come. But for Huang Qiong, it was a bit sad. When Jia Quan offered to go to the Western Regions himself. Huang Qiong originally refused. No matter what, Jia Quan is his old friend. Fan Jian, who had two advisers by his side back then, was now transferred to Shandong Road to participate in politics, leaving only Jia Quan by his side. But Jia Quan always felt that in the position of General Affairs Department, he had the power but could not use it.
When I learned that Huang Qiong mobilized some officials and prepared to go to the Western Regions. Jia Quan was a little moved. I have been subject to many restrictions in the capital, especially many people, because I was originally a commoner, and it was only because I was from the emperor's residence that I was able to sit in the position of Secretary of General Affairs, which was looked down upon by many people. Even in some things, I always restrict myself. Jia Quan felt aggrieved and helpless. I am a proud and arrogant person, how can I bear such a look on my face? Originally I was thinking of looking for an opportunity to find a position outside.
Now, it happens that the emperor wants to dispatch a group of officials to the Western Regions. Jia Quan felt that his job as an official in the capital was boring, but when he went to the Western Regions, he could make a big difference in the world. Therefore, he took the initiative to apply to go to the Western Regions with the army. Huang Qiong originally disagreed with this application. He even told Jia Quan clearly that he wanted to find a position to be promoted to the outside world, and he could choose any position among the prefects in the world. Although he is not the kind of emperor who is prone to personal affairs, he believes that Jia Quan can do well no matter which palace he goes to.
Huang Qiong's answer made Jia Quan so grateful that he burst into tears. He kowtowed and said: "Your Majesty, I am so grateful that you value me so much. But Your Majesty, my trip to the Western Regions is not all for selfish reasons. I think King Anxi is the kind of master who is good at winning people's hearts. Although Feng Zhoushan is a veteran general, Now it seems that he is loyal to the court. But if he goes to the Western Regions, under many temptations, no one will be able to avoid any accidents. In addition, an army of 10,000 is alone outside, and there is no reliable person. It is impossible to watch for His Majesty. .”
"Although I am not proficient in military affairs, when the puppet emperor rebelled against superiors, I was helped by the military department sent by His Majesty. I learned a lot, and the army went out to collect grain, grass, ordnance, and coordinated the allocation and transportation of supplies. I can barely be considered an expert in this matter. I am leaving here In the Western Region, I can supervise the more than 10,000 troops for Your Majesty while checking the current situation of the Western Region for Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I have been in the General Administration Department for these years. After the demise of the false emperor, I was entrusted by Your Majesty with the responsibility of being in charge of the intelligence of the Northern Town and Fu Division. I. It has been discovered a long time ago that intelligence from the Western Regions started with the waste people of Shu."
"It is already quite rare to be able to have 60% accuracy out of 100%. After the assassination of the Shu useless man, there was not even 30%. Both timeliness and accuracy are far inferior to the Fan family. I know that the Shu useless man is very scheming. , many yamen in the imperial court have personnel deployed. However, the ability of Beizhen Fusi to be so low is really unbelievable and even more suspicious."
"Your Majesty, according to the court's practice, the North Town Fusi does not have a unified capital commander like the South Town Fusi. There are only four commanders in the southeast, northwest and northwest, who are respectively responsible for the movements of the Northern Liao, Western Regions, Dali Kingdom, Tubo, and Annan princes. However, as an emotional governance system that existed before the founding of the People's Republic of China, it is really unbearable to be so incompetent. This time I went to the Western Regions just to check what went wrong there. Therefore, I hope that your Majesty can give me some advice. Authority, take over the imperial court's Fusi branch in the northern town of the Western Regions."
After listening to Jia Quan's heartfelt words, Huang Qiong pondered for a long time, but finally nodded. What Jia Quan said was correct. These tens of thousands of elites came out to control the Western Regions, although they may not necessarily establish the overall situation of the Western Regions. But no matter which side you stand on, it is an existence that can change the balance. These tens of thousands of elites are hanging out alone, without a reliable person watching over them, which is indeed a bit unsettling. Jia Quan is proficient in calculations, and it is far more suitable to go to the Western Regions than Wang Xuemei's nerdy brother. And in terms of loyalty, it is far from what ordinary people can compare with.
Just looking at Jia Quan, who was nearly forty years old and still alone, Huang Qiong couldn't tell how uncomfortable he was. Over the years, I had neglected him. Even Jia Quan hasn't gotten married yet, and he didn't even think about it. Thinking about it, I felt a lot guilty for him. What's more, the relationship between him and Jia Quan was based on mutual support in the early years, and was naturally incomparable with ordinary ministers. And the moment Huang Qiong nodded in agreement, an ominous premonition suddenly arose in her heart. With Jia Quan gone, the two of them might never meet again in the future.
Thinking of this, Huang Qiong sighed: "If you want to go to the Western Regions, it's not that I won't agree. But before you go, sir, you have to promise me two things. One is that after arriving in the Western Regions, you must put your own safety first in everything. If Once you find that something cannot be done, don't force it, don't worry about anything and return immediately. I can't live without Brother Jia. The second thing is to find a wife before leaving and leave yourself a wife. You can't always be so single. Here. If something unexpected happens here, how will we face our ancestors in the future?"
"If you really have a woman you like, but you are too embarrassed to tell her, I can personally propose marriage for you. You can't always be single. As long as she is a woman from a decent family, even if she is divorced or a widow. No problem. I will pay this betrothal gift for you, and I will also personally host the marriage for you. After you get married, I will make an example for you and allow you to take your wife with you to the Western Regions to take office. I will also send the best people , go to the Western Region to protect you and your wife, so you don’t have to worry."
Huang Qiong, who felt guilty about Jia Quan, said her words sincerely and without any hypocrisy. Faced with Huang Qiong's true words, Jia Quan was slightly distracted, but he shook his head: "Your Majesty, forget it. The more than 10,000 troops who went to the Western Regions did not bring any family members with them. I am responsible for supervising the army. I understand that bringing your family members to take office will not alienate the whole army. I am not getting married, so it is just right to go to the Western Regions alone, which can be regarded as carefree, so as not to miss my beloved wife and young children at home, and not be stable in the Western Regions."
