From Longzhou to Weizhou, crossing the Jingshui River that was no longer clear, and traveling hundreds of miles, Zhao Kuangyin and his party arrived at Linjing. After the beginning of spring, he was ordered to patrol the border westward, accompanied by dozens of horsemen, half of whom were middle- and lower-level officers in the Tokyo Forbidden Army, basically belonging to an "officer corps."
This trip was not only to patrol the border, observe the military situation, understand the enemy's situation, but also to support the southwestern Han army. After all, the southwest frontier army was reorganized and trained, and there was a shortage of officers. The imperial court was investigating the situation in order to relieve the difficulties of the Han army in the southwest. By the way, these young officers are also allowed to go to the border to practice. After all, there will be a big war where they can use them.
When Zhao Kuangyin came to the west this time, he was invited by his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi to take him with him and give him advice from time to time. After all, after Zhao Hongyin was appointed to Guanzhong, Zhao Kuangyin became the master of the family. He was busy with military affairs on weekdays, so it was a rare opportunity to shoulder the responsibility of educating his brothers.
"Second brother, on the border between the imperial court and Meng Shu Chenbing, there are nearly 100,000 troops stationed on both sides. I think a war is about to break out. But from Fengxiang to Longzhou, and then through Weizhou, why can't I feel the tension of the war at all? The imperial court still has Do you have the remaining strength to implement military garrison?" As he rode lightly on his horse, Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help but ask his brother for advice.
Zhao Kuangyin tilted his head and looked at his younger brother, a young boy of fourteen or fifteen years old, with a childish face and confusion in his bright eyes. Instead of answering directly, Zhao Kuangyin said: "What do you think?"
Zhao Kuangyi said: "I have thought about it a lot, and the only thing I can think of is that the imperial court has no intention of launching an attack on the Shu army in a short period of time, otherwise it will not be possible to establish farming on the spot!"
"You can consider this, it is considered attentive!" Zhao Kuangyin raised the corners of his mouth slightly and nodded.
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi's eyes lit up and he became more interested and said: "If this is the case, why did the imperial court send troops to the southwest since last year, with great fanfare and no concealment, as if to attack Shu? Even the children in Tokyo knew that the imperial court wanted to use troops. As for Shu, wouldn't this make the Shu Kingdom vigilant and give it time to prepare to deploy troops and strengthen its defense? Doesn't this make it more difficult for the imperial court to attack Shu?"
"This is related to the military and political secrets of the imperial court, but I can't reveal it! However, you can think about it for yourself. When you figure it out, I will give you your favorite horse!" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile.
Curling his lips, Zhao Kuangyi looked very itchy, but he couldn't continue. He just said: "Then you can't save the horse, I will definitely be able to figure it out!"
Zhao Er looked very confident. But after thinking about it, he raised doubts: "Second brother, as you said, the Shu army is based on Qin Feng, with the Qin Mountains at its back, and has a complete victory. It can send troops to attack Guanzhong at any time. The imperial court is stationed on the border, so isn't it afraid of being invaded? "
In this regard, Zhao Kuangyin did not hesitate to teach him and said calmly: "Although the Shu army was victorious and took advantage of the situation, the initiative in the war was actually in the hands of the Han Dynasty. If nothing unexpected happens, the initiator of future wars will be the Han Dynasty. .
Observe the movements and arrangements of the Shu army, only for defense. In the past few years, he sent his army north twice. The timing was good, but the results were not what he expected. He was defeated and lost his troops and generals.
Now that the Han Dynasty has set its sights on the southwest and specializes in military affairs, how can it dare to use troops and horses to attack again? Today's Shu army is like a frightened bird, busy building a nest and guarding it, without thinking about anything else.
Furthermore, with the ability of the prince and the governor, how could he be unprepared? The armies in the southwest gathered the elites from Guanzhong and organized and trained. If the Shu army really chooses to take the initiative to attack, it may be a dream for the Han Dynasty! "
After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's explanation, Zhao Kuangyi showed a gainful expression.
"Judge Zhang Shi of Yuan Prefecture is here to pay homage to Marquis Yu of Zhaodu!" In front of Linjing City, Judge Zhang Shi brought several officials from the state government to greet him: "General, you have worked hard all the way!"
Zhao Kuangyin glanced at the people who were waiting for him. He didn't show any arrogance at all. He got off his horse and saluted back: "Thank you for your help. Please wait for me!"
"Marquis Yu of Zhao Du is an angel, and you should be welcomed by your subordinates!" Zhang Shi responded humbly with a spring-breathing smile on his face.
With a glance, Zhao Kuangyin said, "I wonder where the governor Li Shijun is?"
Hearing that he could get up, Zhang Shi showed an embarrassed look and whispered: "Your Majesty is not in the city, so I am waiting for you with my subordinates to welcome you!"
Noticing his expression, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to be aware of it, but there was no difference on his face. He said calmly: "That's troublesome!"
"The hotel has prepared a banquet to welcome Marquis Du Yu!"
"please!"
After entering the city, Zhao Kuangyin discovered that Li Ye was indeed not in the city, but had gone hunting with his entourage.
It wasn't until the evening that I saw Li Ye. Li Guoshu obviously came back in good spirits. When he saw Zhao Kuangyin, he seemed very enthusiastic and held his hand, which was warm and welcoming.
That night, another banquet was held in the Yamen, where Zhao Kuangyin was entertained alone. In the manner of an elder, he praised Zhao Kuangyin for his ability to recognize brave strategies and said that he had a bright future. Li Ye's weird temperament and behavior made Zhao Kuangyin very uncomfortable.
In the next two days, Zhao Kuangyin, accompanied by Yuanzhou officials, inspected the state.
Close to the Puchuan River, there is a large wilderness. Looking around, under the spring light, the grass and trees are already green, which is quite new.
Horses galloping by, their hooves and feet splashing with grass clippings and dust, the air seems to be filled with the fragrance of earth. After reining in the horse, Zhao Kuangyin looked into the distance and saw a camp wall standing on the side of the Puchuan River, with horses and livestock intertwined among them. Looking from a distance, it can be seen that there are quite a lot of horses. Although they are far away, you can hear the neighing of horses and animals.
Pointing his riding whip in the distance, Zhao Kuangyin asked, "Is there such a horse farm here?"
Facing Zhao Kuangyin's gaze, the accompanying state officials hurriedly explained: "The owner of this place is Su Fengji, the prime minister of the country. Donate a hundred healthy horses!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin raised his eyebrows, his eyes gleamed, and he chuckled: "It's happening! That general needs to pay a visit!"
The layout of the entire racecourse looks very exquisite, and there is a courtyard built inside for the residence of herdsmen. In the main courtyard, Su Fengji was holding a book and personally teaching his two grandchildren to read. His childish voice was sweet, but every time he read poetry and books, it always made the old man feel sad. It was still a crime to be punished in court at the beginning, and he could not be used for three generations...
After being demoted that year, Su's family of more than ten people moved to Jingyuan and settled there for five years.
When Shi Kuangyi was in town, he provided Su Fengji with some money, grain, and stallions based on his friendship with Su Fengji when he came to power. Su Fengji had some talents. With Shi Kuangyi's support, he slowly developed and established this horse farm in Yuanzhou, and it gradually grew.
The first two years were very hard, but I finally got through it. As time went by, I became somewhat famous in the Jingyuan area. In the past few years, more than 300 military horses have been donated to the government.
After all, he was a prime minister. Although he was in a remote place and had been charged with crimes, Su Fengji still paid close attention to the court. Whenever I travel to the Central Plains for business, I will also inquire more.
Seeing the Han Dynasty becoming more and more stable and the country becoming more and more prosperous, Su Fengji felt a lot in his heart. He was both happy and sad. Of course, Su Fengji became more and more submissive to the court and the government. The horses they raised seemed not to be private property, and they donated them generously. They showed their ability to dance well, made good friends with superiors and subordinates, and sought with all their heart. They just wanted to lift the "shackles" that bound the Su family.
Although Su Fengji is old, he still has some hope for the future of his children and grandchildren, even if it is very small. After all, the only person who can decide this matter is the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. As a sinner, he is too far away from the Emperor. It is of little use to make friends with local generals. However, his "loyalty" deeds are difficult to reach Tianting. ...
However, Su Fengji still persisted. In recent years, the happiest moment for him was when Yang Bin was demoted to Jingzhou, which was not a matter of gloating. At that time, Su Fengji personally went to greet Yang Bin. When the couple arrived for the first time, they also supported him with money and food to settle down, which surprised Yang Bin.
Later, the two sworn enemies who were at odds with each other in the court, in this borderland, actually had the intention of letting go of their grudges with a smile. Yang Bin bought several acres of land in Jingzhou and lived by farming. And Su Fengji would go to Yang Bin every year to have a drink and talk...
"Uncle!" The young boy called out softly.
Su Fengji came to his senses and looked at the two children with eager eyes in his bright eyes, which made him feel soft: "Have you finished memorizing it?"
"Finished memorizing!"
He waved his hand: "Let's go out and play! Run slowly and don't fall!"
Before Su Fengji finished speaking, his two grandchildren were already running out of the study with laughter. Seeing this, Su Fengji couldn't help but sigh again. His face was criss-crossed with ravines, and he looked much older than before. Fortunately, he has been free from illness and disaster, and can still support the family for a few years.
"Father! Father!" A middle-aged man came over in a hurry.
"What's the matter?" Seeing his reckless behavior and impatience, Su Fengji said displeased.
His son reported: "Someone from the government is here!"
He frowned, but said, "Could it be that uncle Li Guo sent someone to ask for horses again?"
"No! It is said that he is a messenger from the emperor, patrolling Puchuan and wants to inspect the racecourse!"
"What!" Su Fengji was startled, then overjoyed. He adjusted his clothes subconsciously and walked faster than his son: "Quick, come with me to greet him!"
The racecourse has been opened, and Zhao Kuangyin and his party entered. Su Fengji's old legs were as strong as flying. He stepped forward and knelt down: "Sinner Su Fengji, pay your respects to the angel!"
