"Wenlong, you need to take care of yourself." Xu Mu said worriedly on the carriage. When he returned to Shu this time, he found that Jia Zhou looked older than before.
"Don't worry, my lord, there is also Divine Doctor Chen in Shuzhou. It will be no problem."
Xu Mu nodded, pulled the mattress from the side and covered Jia Zhou.
"Wenlong, take a rest first. I'll call you when we get to the post house."
"Excuse me, my lord."
The carriage followed the bluestone road in the city and began to drive near the North City Gate. Princess Zhenlan sent people back. There must be good news in the Western Regions.
…
"Greetings to the King of Shu, hello to Military Advisor Jia!" As soon as he entered the post house and got off the carriage, Xu Mu saw a young man with a hooked nose and a square face wearing a felt hat, kneeling down to worship him.
"rise."
"Thank you, King Shu, and thank you, Military Advisor Jia."
Xu Mu was a little curious in his heart that this Westerner could actually speak the language of the Central Plains. Of course, if this were not the case, Princess Zhenlan would not send him.
"Your Excellency?"
"King of Shu, I am Naguli's...cousin, my name is Batur. This time, in the name of the princess, I came to Chengdu to discuss with the King of Shu."
"Sit down. Six Heroes, let someone prepare a banquet."
Batur looked moved and hurriedly learned the etiquette of the Central Plains and bowed to Xu Mu.
"Batul, let me ask you, how is the situation in the Western Region going lately?"
"My princess has contacted the old department and secretly inquired. Among the ten countries in the Western Regions, four are willing to trade with the King of Shu. However, the largest country, Yafang, does not like the Central Plains and threatened that he likes the tea and ceramics from the Central Plains. , but one day, he will personally lead an army to invade the Central Plains and rob it."
Xu Mu frowned. If this is the case, he has already considered it. Because of the decline of the Ji Dynasty, the Western Regions have always looked down on the Central Plains for more than a hundred years.
"How is Zhenlan City doing?"
"We are almost ready. We are just waiting for the King of Shu to find a good excuse and send troops to help."
We must lay down Zhenlan City as a foothold. Then, there must be an army stationed to support Naguli, and then use it as a stronghold in the Western Region, or even a transit point for trade.
"Batul, how many troops are needed?"
"At least ten thousand people."
Jia Zhou, who was standing by, thought for a while and said, "Wei Feng has been impatient for a long time. If the lord is interested, you might as well let him go. However, I suggest that he be paired with a staff member."
Most of the generals of Xishu, due to their rough births, have a heroic spirit in their bones that "I am not afraid of death, and I will kill someone to back me up when I die." But in Xu Mu's view, this is also a drawback.
"Wen Long cannot travel far until Bo Lie returns. Who should I send?"
In fact, Xu Mu wanted to send Yin Hu. But there are still many things that Yin Hu needs to do.
"My lord, I recommend one person, Zhao Dun from the General Hall of Western Shu. Although this person is not very old and is not as talented as Bo Lie, he is eloquent and is from Shu. When the time comes, he can be used as a staff member or as a general. Become an envoy and lobbyist.”
"Since it is recommended by Wen Long, there is no problem."
Turning his head, Xu Mu looked at Batur again.
"Batul, tomorrow I will send 300 more people to go north to Liangzhou with you to meet up with Wei Feng. At that time, we will send 10,000 troops to the Western Regions for reinforcements."
Batur was overjoyed and said, "Thank you so much, King Shu. Don't worry, King Shu. If we, the Zhenlan people, succeed in restoring our country, we will definitely not forget King Shu's great kindness."
"That's easy to say."
It is better to say that they are using each other, rather than that they are complementing each other. With the wealth created by the Silk Road, Xi Shu can have greater confidence and strength when competing.
…
"Lord, Zhao Dun is here." During the banquet, Yin Hu walked in from outside, clasped his fists and spoke.
"Six Heroes, let him in."
Not long after, a young man in Confucian robes stepped in.
"Greetings to my king and my teacher."
"Are you Zhao Dun?"
"Exactly, it means Tongzhi."
"Tongzhi, take a seat." Jia Zhou was beside him and said with a smile. Western Shu has insufficient talent reserves. For example, Jia Zhou has always been in charge of affairs in the General Hall.
Therefore, it is no problem for someone like Zhao Dun to call Jia Zhou his teacher. Besides, Jia Zhou taught many first-class players, even third place.
"Batur, let's get to know each other first. We can't go to the Western Regions. You two still need to cooperate sincerely."
Batur and Zhao Dun stood up one after another and each offered a bowl of water and wine.
According to Xu Mu and Jia Zhou's considerations, the manpower of the Western Regions is now basically complete. To be honest, Xu Mu would like to go there in person, at least to experience the otherworldly customs of the Western Regions.
Since it was recommended by Jia Zhou, Xu Mu had no intention of evaluating him. Poisonous Eagle's eyes were extremely vicious.
"Tongzhi, you need to be careful when you go here. After capturing Zhenlan City, focus on persuasion. After all, you are there, even if you include Zhenlan people, there are not many soldiers and horses."
"May I ask my king, are they all cavalry?"
"Of course it's the cavalry."
There are not many horses in Liangdi. Moreover, this trip to the Western Regions is so far away, how can we walk.
"I have been... studying the King of Shu's riding formation. When the time comes, I can work with General Wei to unleash the power of the riding camp."
Xu Mu was not stingy with his teachings. In the general hall of Western Shu, there were quite a few techniques for riding formations such as those of later generations. Of course, in name only, others thought it was created by Xu Mu.
"That's right." Xu Mu nodded, "Tongzhi, you have to pay more attention. Wei Feng is a bit reckless, so you have to stay calm most of the time."
"Don't worry, my king."
"Come, the military advisor and I will be in Chengdu. I wish you both success in the Western Regions!"
"Drink together!"
Xu Mu is not worried about Zhenlan City. With a cavalry camp of ten thousand people, it should be successful. What worries me the most is the likes and dislikes of the countries in the Western Regions for the Silk Road.
If the soldiers and horses were strong, they could directly send out 70,000 to 80,000 people and destroy every single one of them... Unfortunately, the Central Plains was not a prosperous age, and Western Shu was not strong in soldiers and horses either.
…
After finishing the banquet, Xu Mu and Jia Zhou got into the carriage and prepared to go home.
"Wenlong, have a cup of hot tea and go drink some wine."
"Lord, I didn't drink too much." Even though he said this, Jia Zhou still laughed, picked up the teacup, and drank slowly into his mouth.
"If the matter in the Western Region succeeds, it will be considered a blessing from God. Without the support of the family, and the Lord is not a heavy gift, Huang Daochong's filial wealth has suddenly been cut off."
"I often sit in my study and look at the tax reports of the entire Western Shu state. As I look at them, I can't help but feel very worried."
Xu Mu sighed.
For example, Chang Shiro and Zuo Shiren both have aristocratic family members who constantly provide financial resources.
But not in Xishu. The few small aristocratic families, such as the Wei family, are more like a franchise. If you can't find a way to make money and rely only on Shu brocade and horse trading, Xi Shu's finances will eventually sink slowly.
"Both my lord and I know that this road is difficult to walk, but no matter what, it is indeed a battle for supremacy, and my lord will win unexpectedly. Now, no one in the world knows my name of Western Shu."
The common people have no money, but the noble families do. But once the family relies on it, it will become an unstoppable force. Moreover, vaguely, judging from the past and present situation, it is bound to stand on the opposite side of the people. Class struggle can cover up all ugliness in peace, but in troubled times, a small conflict can escalate indefinitely.
"Wen Long, don't worry about it, you have gray hair again."
"A few days ago, I gave birth to a puppy. Unfortunately, it grew like crazy again. Maybe I, Jia Wenlong, am really old."
Xu Mu held Jia Zhou's hand, feeling sour in his heart.
…
