"After returning to the inner city, King Yuzhou did not take action immediately. Instead, he stayed in the Changyang Palace without leaving home. Every day, he invited flower girls and dancers from the Qing Palace to have fun."
Listening, Xu Mu, who was sitting on the throne, rarely smiled. He knows best what kind of person Uncle Chang is.
"Wenlong, I didn't expect that Chang Shiro could act like this this time."
According to Uncle Chang's temper, he would just grab and beat him. I guess I understood that the Grain King was quite powerful, so I didn't act too hastily.
"Lord, I think the King of Yuzhou and the Nine-Zhiwuwei have already begun their layout in the inner city. If we can lure the Grain King into the game, the crisis in the inner city should be resolved this time. We successfully attacked the Grain King. , I, Western Shu, can also benefit from it."
Previously, the entire Xishu was in chaos due to the methods of the Liang Wang Gou Basket. Fortunately, Chang Shiro does not trust these thousand-year-old bastards after all.
"Although there are no states and counties, the power of these powerful families that have existed for thousands of years is not simple. It is actually the best policy for the king of Yuzhou to deal with it carefully. At that time, the lord will use the situation in the inner city as a reference and cooperate. I guess, The King of Yuzhou must prepare for at least half a month to lure the King of Grain into the game."
"Wen Long is right."
Xu Mu breathed out a comfortable breath. He could really defeat the grain king's power, and Xi Shu was temporarily stable.
"In addition, the turmoil in Kezhou has become more and more fierce. Yuan Song and Zuo Shiren are constantly fighting for supremacy overtly and covertly. Today... Zhao You sent another envoy over, hoping to ask the lord to help mediate War."
"This can't be done." Xu Mu shook his head. Not to mention Yuan Song, the current King of Dongling, Zuo Shiren, was holding his breath and would not listen to him at all.
"Wenlong, how is the matter of accepting refugees?"
"Don't worry, my lord, Ma Yi is already working on it. If these Kezhou refugees can settle down in our Western Shu, they will be able to make up for the population shortage in Cangzhou."
No matter when, population is the primary productive force, Xu Mu deeply understands this truth.
If the Grain King's matter can be settled, then it's time to look at the entire Jiangnan. According to his temperament, if Xishu wants to stabilize the situation, it is the best strategy to use Xiangjiang River as a natural barrier to block the invading enemy and then attack north again.
Of course, throughout the ages, very few political powers would fight from the south to the north. Most of the dynasties that were founded, after occupying all the land in the north, quickly conquered the south with a sweeping force.
So, this is not a big gamble. But just like the aspirations of the people of Shu, united as one, they even abandoned the aristocratic family, why should they care about the south or the north.
"To conquer Jiangnan, many things still need to be prepared. Among them, the stability of the six and a half states of Western Shu should be at the top of the list."
Whether it's the matter of the Grain King or Yin Hu's trip to the Western Regions, they are all top priorities for the stability of Western Shu.
…
In the inner city of Changyang, there is the old palace of the Ji Dynasty.
Tsuneshiro was lying on the dragon chair, raising his head slightly with interest, looking at the graceful figure of the dancing girl in front of him. He was probably a little drunk. At this time, his face was extremely red.
Today, at least seven or eight groups of aristocratic families came to the palace, including those who explored the situation, those who advised, and those who presented dancers.
The dancing girl in the center happened to be a gift from an aristocratic family, so she was considered to be of national beauty and heavenly beauty.
"Child Chang Wei, come and go." Chang Shiro turned his head drunkenly.
Unfortunately, Chang Wei, who was sitting next to him, was holding his breath. After responding, he raised his head and drank the wine in front of him.
"What's wrong with you? Your skin is itchy again?" Chang Shiro cursed and put down the wine cup.
"Young Master, you must know...know your shame and then be brave."
"You can't even learn a word, so don't talk anymore." Tsuneshiro said with a sullen face, overturning the desk in front of him. This posture resembled a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Go down, all go down!"
After only taking a few steps, Changshiro suddenly turned around again and looked at the dancing girl in the center of the field.
"You stay and sleep with me."
Even though the dancer in the field was covered with a veil, she could still vaguely look happy. She hugged him with her delicate hands and knelt down to kowtow excitedly.
…
"I have received news that Yunying is going to bed tonight. In this way, I will be able to find out something in Chang Shilang's hibiscus tent."
On the balcony, there was a wealthy businessman sitting with a look of reluctance on his face.
"Before you enjoy it, you have made it easier for others."
"Master, it's important..."
"You don't need to teach me." The wealthy businessman stretched his body, "I have always felt that there is something wrong with Chang Laosi's recent appearance. No matter what, I should explore it."
"Master, Liu Zhongde's side...if not, send someone there."
"Don't touch him first, and then I will think of a way to see if I can bribe him. This man with nine fingers is considered a great talent. Although he is in his late seventies, if he can be used by us, it will be a great event."
"Master, I received the information that Mr. Lian is coming to Changyang."
"What is he here for?"
"The letter said that I am here to help make decisions."
The wealthy businessman smiled lightly and said, "The son of the third child wants to teach me, an uncle, how to do things?"
"That……"
"Don't pay attention to him." The wealthy businessman frowned, "Also, you can also deliver a letter for me. Tell my third son that things in the Western Region are equally important, and tell him not to delay."
"Master, don't worry."
…
Outside Liangzhou, heading west to the Gobi Desert, a long and dusty army, led by a guide, was getting closer and closer to the land of the Western Regions.
Yin Hu, who was riding a horse and wearing a battle armor, raised his head and took a sip of water, but after all, he did not take off the animal skin mask on his face.
"General, the guide said that after climbing over the sand dunes in front, we will reach the Fox Kingdom in the Western Region."
"Fox Country?"
"I heard that the country was named after worshiping the sand fox totem."
"People from outside the region are a bit strange after all." Yin Hu hesitated for a moment, then looked at the general beside him, "Send a few more cavalry, put on the appearance of people from the Western Region, and go to investigate the affairs of Zhenlan City as early as possible. Remember. , if you are questioned, just say that he is a horse dealer from the inner city, and don't say that he is from Shu."
"General, why is this?"
"The previous King Dongwen of Liangzhou sold Zhaowu County to the people of the Western Regions, but I, the Western Shu, ignored it. Many people in the Western Regions countries are extremely dissatisfied with me, the Western Shu."
"General Yin, I understand."
"Go ahead."
"Yu Danghu." Turning his head, Yin Hu called out.
In the rear army, a young Qiang man with a sturdy back and a strong back came hurriedly over. This man is Yu Danghu, the son of Lao Yu Dangwang. This time, with five thousand troops, he followed Yin Hu into the Western Regions.
"General Yin, what are your orders?"
"The Qiang people are looking for a place to live near the Fox Country, waiting for my military orders."
Although he was confused, Yu Danghu quickly accepted the order with his fists clasped. Although he is a reckless man, he understands that, just as his father said, the Yudang tribe can only survive and even thrive in the face of powerful enemies if it continues to rely on Xishu.
After delivering the military orders, Yin Hu did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked at the soldiers behind him and continued to speak seriously.
"Once we leave, our life or death will be uncertain. But everyone should know that whether you are riding a camel or a horse, my iron hooves in Western Shu are now treading on the territory of the Western Region!"
"Don't dare to block the Western Region scouts along the way."
"Soon, my reputation in Western Shu will shock all the countries in the Western Regions!"
…
