A few days later, Wei Yan came to Shanggui from Liangzhou. Yang Qing and a group of Yongzhou officials held a grand reception banquet for him at the Governor's Mansion.
Last year, Wei Yan led his troops to recapture Liangzhou and made great achievements. He swept away the sullenness that had been simmering in his heart for many years and felt proud. This man had been quite domineering before, but now that he has made great achievements, he certainly doesn't care about ordinary people.
At the banquet, Wei Yan showed some courtesy when talking to Yang Qing, but when talking to others, he had sideways eyes and an arrogant tone.
Although Yang Qing couldn't stand his behavior, since the two of them had similar positions and they were guests from afar, it was difficult to say anything. What's more, even Zhuge Liang can only turn a blind eye to this, and it is difficult to strictly restrain him.
Therefore, although Yang Xi, Jiang Yin and others frequently winked at Yang Qing, indicating that he would dampen Wei Yan's arrogance and not let Liangzhou officials look down on him and others, he still thought about the mutual help relationship between Yongzhou and Liangzhou. I just pretended not to see it and endured it.
Wei Yan was not aware of the dissatisfaction of the Yongzhou officials at all. Now was the time when he was satisfied with his ambition. He was already a little drunk under the continuous toasts from everyone.
The graceful figures of the dancers in the hall, the sound of silk and bamboo echoed in his ears, and the delicious wine and food to match. Wei Yan felt that he was getting more and more drunk. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of Yang Qing next to him who looked calm, with only a slight blush on his face. Feeling dissatisfied, he raised his glass and said, "I see, you really have a good capacity for drinking. Come on, you can have another drink with me."
"Okay, please, General Wenchang." Yang Qing responded happily. He had not drunk too much until tonight, and he was not afraid when Wei Yan deliberately measured his drinking capacity.
Both of them are cheerful people, and they drank it all in one gulp. Wei Yan put down his wine glass, and while the maid behind him was pouring wine, he said: "Mingzhi, last year my big man achieved a lot in battle, which is really worthy of our celebration. The only pity is that he failed to capture Chang'an and regain the entire Guanzhong. After that, Cao Wei will definitely With more troops, it will be difficult for us to have the good opportunity last year."
"This is something we can't do anything about. Although the fighter planes last year were good, our current national strength and military strength are still not as good as those of the puppet Wei. The fact that our army can fight like this in the Northern Expedition in the second half of the year is the blessing of God and the sacrifice of our generals." Yang Qing said with a smile.
Wei Yan sighed and said: "Even so, it is a perfect opportunity wasted after all." After a pause, he suddenly patted the desk: "Huh, that means someone went to capture Liangzhou. If someone follows the prime minister, In the Northern Expedition to Guanzhong, our army will definitely not only achieve the current results.
Cao Zhen, Fei Yao, Zhang He and others are all exaggerating. If someone leads another army with the Prime Minister and Ming Zhi, separate forces and encircle Chang'an, I am afraid that our army will have regained Chang'an for a long time. "
"Well, there is some truth in what he said. There are not many generals in the Han army who can act independently and divide their forces. Wei Yan is definitely one of them. If he can really not lead an army on the battlefield in Guanzhong during the second Northern Expedition, It is indeed possible to regain Chang'an in one fell swoop.
But this can only be nonsense and fantasy. How can everything in the world go according to one's own wishes? Liangzhou is also an important territory related to the situation of the entire world and cannot be abandoned easily. "
After hearing Wei Yan's words, Yang Qing immediately complained, but he could only hide these complaints in his heart, and replied calmly: "General Wen Chang's words are also right. If our army has more troops, If so, there really would be a greater chance of capturing Chang'an next year.
It's just that the situation in the world is such that no human power like ours can disobey it, and Chang'an can only be retained until the next Northern Expedition to recover it. "
"I wonder when the next Northern Expedition will be launched? After last year's disastrous defeat, Cao Wei will definitely send a large number of troops to the western front. The longer the delay is, the more disadvantageous it will be to our great Han.
The fighter opportunity was fleeting. After returning to Chengdu, I must advise the emperor and Prime Minister Zhuge to launch the third Northern Expedition within this year to completely regain the entire Guanzhong. Wei Yan said.
Yang Qing thought to himself: "There is no need to think about launching the third Northern Expedition within this year. I have reached a consensus with Prime Minister Zhuge that we will need to rest for at least a year before taking the initiative to invade."
He originally wanted to tell Wei Yan about this, but firstly, only he, Zhuge Liang and three or four other people knew about this strategy, and it was not confirmed and reported to all the important ministers and generals. Secondly, Wei Yan was a little drunk tonight, so in order to prevent the secret from being leaked, he could not tell it now. Not talking to him about such confidential matters
when.
Yang Qingsui laughed and changed the topic: "Well, General Wen Chang's words are reasonable. After I return to Chengdu, I can listen to the Prime Minister and let him have a reference when deciding the next step.
By the way, General Wenchang, I intend to send several caravans to the Western Regions in the near future. I hope that Liangzhou can provide more cooperation by then. "
"Oh? Send a caravan? Now that Liangzhou has been restored, it is indeed more convenient for our merchants from the Han Dynasty to trade in the Western Regions than before. Nowadays, there are no less than hundreds of caravans coming to our governor's office in Liangzhou to handle customs clearance documents every day, which can be said to be a large number.
I remember that there was also your Yongzhou caravan inside, why did you, the governor of Yongzhou, need to send an extra one? ” Wei Yan was slightly surprised.
Yang Qing explained: "General Wenchang doesn't know something. The caravans sent by our Yongzhou governor's office are mainly government merchants. They mainly sell tea, salt, iron and other goods strictly controlled by the imperial court to countries in the Western Regions, and sell silk with private merchants. , porcelain are very different, so it is necessary to send several caravans to the Western Regions to test the waters.
Although the countries in the Western Regions have surrendered to the Han Dynasty since the time of Emperor Xiaowu, they were usurped by the puppet Wei in the past few years. The countries in the Western Regions also made many rebellious actions, so they sold salt, iron, tea and other controlled items to them. Things must be taken with caution.
It is necessary to make real profits from it and supplement the country's resources, but it must also be reserved and not allow foreigners to take advantage of it. How to grasp the balance requires careful calculation by you and me. "
"I see, I understand. You want to imitate the old plan implemented in Wudu before and use salt, iron, tea and other materials to control the foreign races in the Western Regions, right?" Wei Yan said with a smile.
Yang Qing thought to himself that this Wei Yan was not as careless as he appeared on the outside. His mind was indeed exquisite and clear, and his reactions were so quick. No wonder he was in a high position and was highly used by Zhuge Liang. He really had extraordinary talents.
"Haha, nothing can be hidden from General Wenchang. I do have this intention, so I need your cooperation. After all, it is much more convenient for you, Liangzhou, than our Yongzhou, to deal with the countries in the Western Region." Yang Qing said with a smile.
Wei Yandao: "This is indeed true. After Liangzhou was recovered, a certain person sent many people to various countries in the Western Regions. They also came over in several groups of envoys. Your understanding of the Western Regions is definitely not as good as mine."
"Yes, so this matter requires General Wen Chang's help." Yang Qing raised his glass in toast.
Wei Yan felt quite proud when he saw that this rising star in the court was so humble to him. He raised his glass and said, "It's easy to say, it's easy to say. This is also a move that is beneficial to you and our two states. Of course I will fully support it."
Wei Yan was rough and subtle, and knew that the trade between Yongzhou and the Western Regions could not bypass Liangzhou. No matter how much contribution Yang Qing could make through this move, he, the governor of Liangzhou, would get a share of it. How could he do such a good thing? Is there any reason to refuse?
"Haha, General Wenchang deserves to be the leader of the country. His heart for the country and the people can be learned from heaven and earth. With public help, this matter will be done. Qing would like to thank you in advance." After saying that, Yang Qing drank the wine in the cup. All.
Wei Yan praised: "Well, Mingzhi is really generous and has a good temper." He personally filled up Yang Qing's wine glass and said with a smile: "Here, you and I have another drink."
Yang Qing accepted his love and couldn't refuse. Fortunately, the alcohol content was not high and he had a good drinking capacity, so he and Wei Yan could drink to their heart's content.
