"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, so there will be no problem."
Xu Mu nodded, pulled the mattress from the side and covered Jia Zhou's body.
"Wen Long, 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 someone back, presumably there was good news in the Western Regions.
…
"Greetings to the King of Shu, and paying homage 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 so much, 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.
"Who is 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. The Six Heroes will ask someone to 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 recently?"
"My princess has contacted the old army and secretly inquired that out of 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 claimed that he likes the tea and ceramics from the Central Plains.
, but one day, I will personally lead an army to invade the Central Plains and rob it."
Xu Mu frowned. He had already considered this situation. Because of the decline of the Ji Dynasty, the Western Regions had 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."
If Zhenlan City is to be captured as a foothold, then there must be an army 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 sense of pride in their bones that "I am not afraid of death, and I will kill someone to back me up even if I die." But in Xu Mu's view, this is also a drawback.
"Until Bo Lie returns, Wen Long cannot travel far. Who should I send?"
In fact, Xu Mu wanted to send Yin Hu. But there were still many things that Yin Hu needed 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 an aide or as a general.
Become an envoy and lobbyist."
"Since it is Wenlong's recommendation, 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 and virtue."
"That's easy to say."
It is better to say that it is mutual utilization than mutual fulfillment. With the wealth created by the Silk Road, Western 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. Xi Shu has a shortage of talent reserves. For example, Jia Zhou has always been in charge of matters in the General Hall.
Therefore, it is not a problem for someone like Zhao Dun to call Jia Zhou his teacher. Besides, Jia Zhou taught many top-notch students back then, and even ranked third in the rankings.
"Batul, 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 available. To be honest, Xu Mu would like to go there in person, at least to experience the exotic customs of the Western Regions.
Since he was recommended by Jia Zhou, Xu Mu had no intention of evaluating him. Poisonous Eagle's vision was extremely vicious.
"Tongzhi, you need to be careful when going 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, others thought it was Xu Mu who created it.
"That's right." Xu Mu nodded, "Tongzhi, you have to pay more attention. Wei Feng has a somewhat reckless temper, so you have to stay calm most of the time."
"My king, don't worry."
"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. The most worrying thing 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... 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 back home.
"Wenlong, have a cup of hot tea to drink."
"Lord, I didn't drink too much." Even though he said this, Jia Zhou still laughed, picked up the tea cup, and drank slowly into his mouth.
"If things in the Western Region succeed, 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, relying only on Sichuan brocade and horse trading, Xishu's finances will eventually be destroyed.
sink slowly.
"My lord and I both know that this road is difficult to walk, but no matter what, it is indeed a competition for supremacy, and my lord will win unexpectedly. Today, no one in the world knows my name of Western Shu."
The common people don't have money, but the aristocratic families do. But once the aristocratic families rely on them, they will become unstoppable. Moreover, vaguely, judging from the situation through the ages, they are bound to stand on the opposite side of the common people. Class struggle, in times of peace, can
One thing can cover up all the ugliness, but in troubled times, a small conflict can escalate indefinitely.
"Wen Long, don't worry too much, 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.