…
From this day on, Li Hong became much more restrained.
He understands that the temple power he yearns for is not romantic. On the contrary, the game and competition between various forces are often full of terrorist crises.
If you are not careful, you risk losing your position and even the whole family.
The more he got to know him, the more he felt that it was really amazing that his godfather could do this.
~
Less than half a month later, the follow-up supplies arrived and the army set off again to the Hetao area.
Marching was boring, and Li Hong's enthusiasm was gradually extinguished by the boring march. He no longer rode his horse wildly, but spent all day studying how his godfather could ride a horse while lying down.
Helplessly, I tried more than ten times but never succeeded, and I almost got stepped on the thigh by a horse's hoof.
Since then, Li Hong has truly accepted reality.
——Godfather is not someone he can imitate!
Maybe, no one can imitate his godfather... Li Hong thought this and felt a little comfort in his heart.
The army marched day after day, bored and depressed, and even the unique scenery outside the pass became less spectacular.
Li Hong lowered his head and slumped his shoulders, lamenting: "When will this day end?"
…
"It's over." Li Qing's eyes were bright and he looked happy.
Li Hong was refreshed, and he quickly looked around and said in a daze: "Dad, this Loop is too desolate. Can people really live in this place?"
"Nonsense, it's winter now, so of course it's desolate." Li Qing said angrily, "Although it's freezing cold here and there's little rainfall, it's close to the tributaries and forks of the Yellow River; the terrain is relatively flat, and the soil is barely there. It can be called fertile and fully equipped for farming.”
After a pause, "Do you know why it is called the Loop?"
"This..." Li Hong said awkwardly, "My children have only read a collection of Classics and History, and art of war and strategies. I really don't understand these."
"Trash!" Li Qing cursed, pointed to the distance and said, "Look at those tributaries and forks, gathered together, do they look like ropes for roping a horse?"
Li Hong sat up straight and looked far into the distance, "Where is it? Godfather, I can't see you!"
"...Find a higher place to watch!" After Li Qing finished speaking, he kicked him twice, and his mood felt better.
You naughty kid, you still have to fight!
She used to be so cute and lovable, but now that she has grown up, she is becoming more and more annoying.
Li Hong was beaten, his face full of helplessness.
In fact, he wanted to say: "The little stick will take the big stick and leave." However, he didn't have the conditions at all. Before he could run away, he was picked up by his godfather.
He couldn't run anymore, and he would get beaten even harder.
Li Hong could only play the emotional card: "Godfather, you rarely beat me before, you spoke nicely and were reasonable, but now... you have changed."
"Why does this sound like tea..." Li Qing frowned, "You didn't learn it from your sister Wanqing, did you?"
"To be honest, you are indeed not as good as before..." Li Hong looked at his godfather's raised palm, his voice gradually became quieter, and then he changed his words: "A beating is a kiss, and a filial son will emerge from under the stick. The godfather has good intentions, and the child understands, Haha... I understand."
Li Qing had a sullen face and hummed: "Stop talking nonsense to me. I have taught you a lot along the way. Don't you want to enter the military field? Don't keep hanging around me. See and understand more."
"Remember, no matter how good others say it, it is not as good as your own personal experience and understanding." Li Qingdao, "Everything has a certain degree of exclusivity. It is rare to have comprehensive universality. What suits you is the best. , understand?”
"Yes, the child is gone."
"Go ahead."
Li Qing stretched and started to get busy...
The Hetao was a springboard for the extension and expansion of the Ming Dynasty. As early as the Hongwu period, Zhu Yuanzhang had planned this place, but it was too crude and had not been substantially developed at all.
After so many years, apart from providing some war horses, the Hetao has not brought considerable benefits to the Ming Dynasty. It is not that the Hetao is not powerful, but that the development of the Ming Dynasty is not in place.
Previously, Li Qing had been focusing on maritime trade, the development of the Ming handicraft industry, and the temple and court affairs, and could not care about this. Now that a large number of grassland tribes have defected, he immediately thought of this place.
If the Loop is built well, the grassland tribes can gather here spontaneously to a certain extent without even having to be picky.
This place has the terroir and climate of the grasslands, as well as the farming conditions of the Central Plains. It can be said that it is uniquely endowed by nature, and it is a perfect place to be used as a fusion place.
Not only that, but this place can also be used as a testing ground. Only if they perform well will they be allowed to enter the life of the Ming Dynasty... The corners of Li Qing's mouth gradually quirked up.
…
There are too many people on both sides, and it is not easy to mobilize them all. Coupled with the cold weather, it is also a strong test for people. óΠъ.oяＧ
Especially at night, the wind blows on the face like a knife. If you don't hurry up and prepare, you may freeze to death in three to nine days.
In order to build more efficiently, Li Qing had to separate the two sides first, the Ming army into camps, the grassland into tribes, and then set aside areas to serve as future villages;
Under the call of the Ming army generals and tribal leaders, people's enthusiasm was greatly mobilized and they worked enthusiastically.
Everyone knows that if you don't build a shelter before the cold winter, there will be no good fruit to eat.
The number of tents is limited, so we can only make do with it. A large number of people are crowded together, which is torture for everyone. No one wants to live like this forever.
In people's minds, only when you live with your loved ones can you call it home!
When building your own home, everyone naturally works hard.
Li Qing looked at this scene with a happy face. He just wanted to keep these people and let them take root here.
Only with people can we create value!
Otherwise, even if the Ming Dynasty's territory were to double in size, it would still be just a figure on paper.
After following up for more than ten days, Li Qing saw that everything was on track and implemented step by step, so he stopped running around and relaxed.
…
Now Shi Heng is very glad that he has not taken over the position of the top leader. These days, he basically does not do any work and only enjoys it.
It's not that he's lazy, it's that he's really bad at this.
Shuaiying.
Shi Heng brought wine and meat and asked Li Qing to drink.
"Sir, I'm really convinced. I didn't expect that you are not only good at fighting with civil servants, but also good at handling affairs." Shi Heng was sincerely convinced and raised his glass: "You deserve to be the commander-in-chief."
Li Qing shook his head and laughed, raised the glass to his lips, stopped after drinking half the glass, and said:
"Don't really be a hands-off shopkeeper. Go and see more. You still have a lot of influence in the army. Supervise them. The three-nine days are not far away."
"Sure, it's not a big deal." Shi Heng smiled and nodded, "I'm going to go around tomorrow and let those bastards wander off a bit. Damn it, don't let the barbarians outshine you."
Li Qing frowned and corrected: "It's better not to say such words in the future. They have already taken refuge in the Ming Dynasty. Although they are not Han people, they are still Ming people. If it is not conducive to integration, don't say it again."
Shi Heng curled his lips and didn't refute, but he didn't take it seriously either.
Li Qing couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The great integration within and outside the customs is a long process. In addition to geographical factors, people's hearts are also a natural chasm.
In this era, the Chinese nation's sense of pride and superiority is not ordinary, it is simply... carved into the bone marrow!
This is true for everyone from the emperor to the common people.
Outside of the Ming Dynasty, everyone is barbarian!
Even the eunuchs sound like barbarians.
This is not true only for literati, but for everyone in the Ming Dynasty.
China is called Xia due to its great etiquette; it is called Hua due to the beauty of its uniforms!
This pride comes from the heart and is not intentional.
But having said that, literati often say: Barbarians from all over the world are not accustomed to education; but it is not all derogatory for the sake of derogation.
There are indeed many small countries that are not yet civilized, and are even... still in the primitive barbaric stage.
This prejudice is not unfounded, especially against the Yuan people, a group that has occupied the Central Plains for hundreds of years and caused great harm to the Han people;
Even though a hundred years have passed, many people still dislike them, which also brings great resistance to true integration.
This cannot be solved by the emperor saying, "We will all be a family from now on." The prejudices in people's hearts do not disappear so easily.
Of course, it is a good thing to have national pride; it is also necessary to remember and respect history.
Can't be killed!
Li Qing sighed and said: "You should pay more attention to the soldiers. If they come to defect to the Ming Dynasty, we can at least not look at each other coldly. This move is very critical and cannot be made wrong."
"Ang, don't worry." Shi Heng nodded, "Although I haven't read any books, I know the importance and will not miss the national policy."
Li Qing nodded lightly, drank the remaining half of the glass of wine, and said:
"By the way, the emperor specifically asked me to pay more attention to Fu Ning Bo Zhu Yong when he came this time. I am not familiar with this person. You have dealt with him. What do you think of this person?"
Shi Heng raised his neck and downed another glass of wine. He drank a little hastily and coughed for a while before saying:
"Not bad. He has a certain talent in fighting. He is also relatively low-key. He has an unassuming personality and is relatively modest. He has quite... the demeanor of a Confucian general."
Shi Heng coughed a few more times and continued: "He should have gotten a hint from the emperor and is very motivated to do things."
"Hmm..." Li Qing nodded slowly, "I'll observe it another day. It's like what you said. It can be cultivated."
After a pause, he said, "You are getting older. This wine... is just to satisfy your craving. Don't be greedy."
"Ang, I know." Shi Heng sighed: "Damn, it's really not okay to refuse to accept this."
Li Qing nodded amusedly, "You have climbed all the way up. Now that it's time to enjoy the blessings, you should pay more attention to taking care of your body."
"Look, it's started again." Shi Heng spread his hands helplessly, and then raised his eyebrows, "Listening to what you just said, do you want to follow the example of Yu Shangshu... and retreat bravely?"
Li Qing did not shy away and said calmly: "Yes, when the situation in the court is stable, I also want to step back and do what I want to do."
Shi Heng was puzzled: "If I remember correctly, you are only in your early fifties and you are in such good health, why are you in such a hurry to quit?
Although you are an emperor and a minister, the new emperor obviously has a lot of trust in you. Coupled with your methods...those people can't help you. "
Li Qing chuckled and said, "I'm stepping back. It's just that I want to step back. It has nothing to do with those people."
"No," Shi Heng said anxiously, "If you are leaving, who should I drink with in the future?"
Li Qing laughed: "Don't worry, I won't leave until the situation is completely settled."
He sighed leisurely: "There are still many things to deal with, it won't be so fast."
