For more than ten days, Xu Mu paid attention to what was going on outside the Liangzhou Pass. It was considered good or bad. The men and horses led by Chao Yi did not encounter any enemy cavalry.
There were only a few scout encounters, and each had its own victory or defeat.
These news made Xu Mu feel that the entire situation between Liangzhou and the Western Regions had entered a stalemate.
It wasn't until early that morning that Zhang Dacui, who had been called out for a long time, entered Liangzhou City in a small carriage, escorted by more than 300 Shu soldiers.
"Meet the King of Shu."
This is the first time that Xu Mu has seen Wei Feng's wife. Indeed, as Wei Feng said, the outline of Da Cui's face is different from that of the Central Plains people. The facial features are three-dimensional, the eyelashes are long and slender, and in the eyes,
There is a wild atmosphere that cannot be concealed.
"Take a seat, Zhang Dacui...does he have a real name?" Xu Mu calmed down and spoke calmly.
"Naguli." After hesitating for a moment, the woman walked into the palace and spoke seriously.
"It's a good name. Don't be afraid. I'm not calling you to Liang to embarrass you. Besides, your husband Wei Feng is already on his way back."
Naguli shook her head, "King Shu, it's not that you are afraid. I knew this day would come. There is an old saying in the Western Regions, no matter how cunning a wolf is, it is impossible to hide in the sheepfold forever."
Xu Mu's face looked pleased. He was really worried that the Naguli in front of him would not be able to get in, and he tried desperately to cover it up. In this way, I'm afraid things would be even more difficult.
"Six heroes, make a pot of tea." Xu Mu breathed a sigh of relief and turned his face to the throne, "In this way, I will get straight to the point."
"Naguli, have you heard about Zhenlan City? To be honest with you, I found out that after Zhenlan City was destroyed by the enemy, many Zhenlan City tribesmen had to avoid their enemies and venture into the city in order to survive.
to the Central Plains."
Dong Wen was based in Liangzhou and was obsessed with the war with Shuzhou. Coupled with the civil war between the Western Qiang people, the area outside Yumen Pass was undefended for a long time.
Therefore, if people from the Western Regions travel long distances and survive by chance, they will have a great chance of entering the Central Plains. Although the Shuzhou checkpoints are strictly guarded, Wei Feng discovered Naguli outside Shuzhou.
"King Shu... I am from Zhenlan."
With a simple sentence, Naguli seemed to sigh, but also seemed a little unwilling.
Xu Mu also fell silent. The cooperation of Naguli in front of him at least proved that she is not a stubborn person. "Naguli, have you ever heard of Princess Zhenlan?"
Naguli trembled slightly and did not reply immediately. Instead, she slowly took out a dazzling bead from her arms and held it up in front of Xu Mu.
"This is?"
Jia Zhou, who was beside him, also had serious eyes.
"This is a token of Zhenlan City. To be honest with the King of Shu, I am Princess Zhenlan."
Raising her head, Naguli's eyes became extremely clear. She understood very well that Xi Shu at the moment was an opportunity for her. Even though it was the first time she saw the King of Shu in front of her, he was still different from many others.
She had already understood the occasion, the Shu people's evaluation, and the respect of her husband Wei Feng.
Of course, she did not intend to use this information as a spy. A better idea was to give the destroyed Zhenlan City a chance to revive.
Therefore, when asked by Xu Mu, she answered everything she knew and did not hesitate to take the risk to show the token.
"If the King of Shu doesn't believe it, I will wait in Liangzhou City and wait for the King of Shu to find a way to confirm it."
"Xin, you are a smart man."
"As the wife of my general in Shuzhou, you should know that after occupying Liangzhou, I want to open a road to the Western Regions."
"King Shu, are you going to conquer the Western Regions?"
Xu Mu shook his head, "It doesn't count. Seriously, it's in Anwai. Besides, this passage can buy me more capital in Xishu."
"Just doing business?" Naguli was stunned. She originally thought that Xishu wanted the army to go west to carry forward the power of the Central Plains.
"Maybe you can't understand my king's thoughts now. But I can guarantee that after this passage, your Zhenlan City will be rebuilt as the front station of Xishu in the Western Region. Of course, in order to avoid being besieged, we must
We need a Central Plains army to help you stay in Zhenlan City."
"King Shu, what is Zhenlan City going to do?"
"What we really need to do is to collect intelligence on the Western Region and guard the passage between the two regions to ensure that the futures exchanges can go smoothly."
"To maintain its existence, Zhenlan City can take 10% of the goods tax on the Western Region Passage. However, the specific military orders need to be within the scope allowed by Western Shu."
To be honest, this condition is already an excellent condition for Zhenlan City now. Even if Xu Mu doesn't give it, there will be no problem.
After all, the current Zhenlan City has been destroyed, the gates are occupied by enemies, and the tribesmen are in exile. However, considering the longevity of Zhenlan City and the relationship between the two parties, Xu Mucai allocated 10% of the goods tax.
"That is to say... Zhenlan City will be a vassal of Western Shu in the future." Naguli's face showed a complicated look. This exotic princess who entered the Central Plains and then married a Shu general, deep in her heart
, why don’t you have a family and a country?
"At least, Zhenlan City has been revived. Moreover, compared to other forces, you have been in Western Shu for a long time, and you should also understand that Western Shu is not a country in chaos. It is a hegemonic regime that is about to compete in the world."
Nagli nodded silently.
"Then it will be as per the King of Shu's agreement. But, can I... still stay in Shuzhou?"
"You can stay. Zhenlan City is your hometown, but similarly, the Wei Mansion in Guan Street, Chengdu, is also your home. You are Wei Feng's wife, so naturally you are also from Western Shu."
There were tears in Naguli's eyes.
"Thank you King Shu for your kindness."
"Why should I dislike it? My ideal is the king, and I hope that one day the world will be unified."
"The world is unified..."
"Exactly."
Naguli breathed out, "Just like what the King of Shu said, I am willing to help Western Shu build a passage in the Western Region. I also hope that the King of Shu can fulfill his promise and help me rebuild Zhenlan City."
"It's a pleasure to cooperate." Xu Mu smiled. With the participation of Zhenlan City, I am afraid that the Silk Road will be more secure in the future.
"By the way, I have one more question. How long does it take to build Zhenlan City?"
"At least a year. Zhenlan City is in the Western Region. I can contact people and start taking action immediately. However, the King of Shu must be aware that the thirteen countries in the Western Region are fighting at dawn and dusk, and the situation is very chaotic. In order to be safe, we can only move slowly.
.”
Xu Mu nodded.
One year is probably Naguli's conservative statement. You must know that a single trip between Liangzhou and the Western Regions takes one or two months.
"By the way, have you ever heard of the Great Wheel Country?"
"Da Lun Kingdom? It seems that it was destroyed before, but I heard that after the prince of Dalun Kingdom left the Western Region, he chose a place and established a new country."
Listening, Xu Mu sneered.
Seriously, the Dalun Kingdom who helped Dong Wen were indeed people from the Western Regions.
This time, it is not just about paving passages. In addition, it is also about creating a wave of prestige, at least for a short period of time, so that the people of the Western Regions can see that the power of the Central Plains is inviolable.
The Great Lun Kingdom is the best choice to establish its authority.
"On a certain day, I want to restart the Western Region Protectorate, focus on troops, establish borders, and promote my power in Western Shu!"
Unlike Dong Wen, Xu Mu values more the benefits brought by the Western Regions. Although it takes a lot of effort, if this happens, it will at least bring benefits to Western Shu that are equivalent to three Shu states.