"Nail house?" Although he knew that Liu Xin would come up with some new words from time to time, Xiang Lang couldn't help but ask.
In fact, it is impossible for a nail household to appear in this era. The life and death of others depends on Liu Xin. It is just a matter of one sentence, let alone demolishing a house. Of course, Liu Xin could not explain the origin of the word nail household to him. , had no choice but to laugh and said: "Look, this is the only house left here. Is it standing here like a big nail?"
It was Jia Xu's idea to arrange for Liu Xin to live here. He heard from Yang Biao that Liu Xin lived here when he was in Chang'an last year and was quite satisfied with this place, so he suggested to Xiang Lang not to demolish these houses for the time being. .However, neither Jia Xu nor Xiang Lang expected that the surrounding houses had been demolished, leaving these few houses alone and looking a bit desolate. The two looked at each other and felt a little uneasy.
But Liu Xin continued to say: "I was just joking, it's actually just one night, you can make do with wherever you live. It's getting late, Wen He, please stay here for a while, and everyone else can go back." "
As the lord of these people, Liu Xin came all the way to Chang'an. According to etiquette, he should hold a banquet to welcome him. However, there was construction everywhere in Chang'an, and there really was no suitable place. In order to be prepared, Xu Huang still suggested that the banquet be held in the military camp outside the city. Even so, everyone still felt a little embarrassed. Liu Xin seemed to see their embarrassment and suddenly issued this order, which just solved their problem, so everyone They all resigned, leaving Jia Xu alone to accompany Liu Xin into this side hall.[
A room in the side hall had already been cleared out. Jia Xu sat upright, cupped his hands towards Liu Xin, and said: "I was sent to the countries in the Western Regions on my lord's order, and returned to Chang'an a few days ago. As for my lord's wishes, The resettlement of the Western Region Protectorate received mixed reactions from various countries. Kucha, Yanqi, Shanshan and other countries all expressed support, while Wusun and Dawan made it clear that they did not want the power of the Han Dynasty to return to the Western Regions. Many other countries We are waiting and watching.”
Liu Xin nodded and said: "Liu has already expected that the relocation of the Western Region Protectorate will not go so smoothly. I wonder what Loulan Kingdom's opinion is?"
Among the countries in the Western Regions, the only one Liu Xin remembered was the ancient country of Loulan. He asked without thinking, but heard Jia Xu laugh and say: "Back to my lord, Loulan is Shanshan."
Liu Xin suddenly felt that he had put too little effort in this area, and actually made such a big joke. He couldn't help but coughed twice and said: "According to what you see, sir, where should this Western Region Protectorate be located?" Is it appropriate?"
Jia Xu said: "My lord wants to set up a Protectorate of the Western Regions in order to open up the trade routes to the west. If the countries are not willing to submit, the trade routes will be difficult to maintain. Even if it is established as a Protectorate, it will be beneficial."
Liu Xin couldn't help but pondered: "The land in Liangzhou is barren, and it is difficult to provide food and clothing for the people, let alone support the army to fight. If a large army is dispatched into the Western Regions, logistical supplies will be a big problem. What I mean is that we should not go to war first. We may win the support of more countries to ensure the smooth flow of trade routes. Wen He, do you think which country should we go to first during our trip to the Western Regions?"
Jia Xu said: "Whether my lord goes through Yumen Pass or Yang Pass, Shanshan is the closest, and King Shanshan is also quite supportive of my lord's resettlement of the Western Regions. Therefore, my subordinates think that the first stop of my lord's journey to the Western Regions can be chosen. In Shanshan."
Liu Xin had a long talk with Jia Xu, and even dinner was delivered directly to the study by Lan Nier. After staying in the state pastoral house for half a year, Lan Nier had already cooked delicious food, which Jia Xu was full of praise for. .
Through this long conversation, Liu Xin finally had a general understanding of the situation in the Western Regions. Only then did he realize that things were far from as simple as he imagined. In fact, from the Western Regions Protector's Palace in the Western Han Dynasty to the Western Regions Changshi's Palace in the Eastern Han Dynasty, They were abandoned several times and re-established each time through war.
Today's Western Region is much more complicated than before. Although there is no threat from the Xiongnu, Wusun and Dawan have been out of Han control for many years and will not surrender easily. Moreover, Wusun and Dawan have already extended their hands. Other countries in the Western Region, many small countries have been controlled by them. The three relatively large countries of Qiuci, Shanshan and Yanqi also agreed to help Liu Xin reset the Western Region Protectorate in order to be able to confront Wusun and Dayuan.
The purpose of Liu Xin's establishment of the Western Region Protectorate is, of course, to effectively control the Western Region and serve as a springboard for further control of the Middle East, which is rich in oil resources. But that is just Liu Xin's idea, and it is not known whether it can be realized. , his top priority is to restart the Silk Road.
In fact, the Silk Road has always existed, but due to the loss of the support of the Western Regions Protectorate, Han caravans were rarely able to reach their destinations smoothly. In addition to the complex relationships between the countries in the Western Regions, the gangs active in the Western Regions were also Han merchants A major threat. There are more than a dozen gangs, large and small, in the Western Regions. These gangs come and go at a rapid pace, killing people and stealing goods, and do whatever they want. Most of the time, local officials in various countries in the Western Regions turn a blind eye or close a blind eye. , officers and soldiers of some countries even occasionally appear as gangsters.
Therefore, in recent years, most of the Han caravans have stopped at Yumen Pass or Yang Pass, and most of the profits from the goods have been made by those merchants from the Western Regions. What Liu Xin has to do is to change this status quo and provide powerful military support for the Han merchants. , to ensure that they can reach their destination safely.
Liu Xin stood in front of the map and looked at it for a long time. She tapped it with her finger and said, "Wenhe, as you said, the first stop will be Shanshan, then Jingqiemo, Jingjue, Tianzhi, Shasha." Che and Shule, a permanent market was set up outside Wuji City, and a fortress was built at Uzbeli Pass and Turugort Pass respectively, with heavy troops stationed there. The Protectorate was located in Qiuci Kingdom It Qiancheng. As for the countries in the Western Regions, as long as they are willing to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate, they can promise not to tax, not to collect grain, not to conscript soldiers, and to have the Han army to protect their safety."
Jia Xu took a breath of air and said, "My lord, it's such a big move. It costs so much to maintain such a military force in the Western Regions for a long time."
Liu Xin waved her hand and said: "Silk, porcelain and tea are the three major commodities that the government specializes in. I am sure that the sales of these three major commodities in the Western Regions will be absolutely smooth. As long as they can be transported safely, the only variable is the sparseness. Can Le Guo allow us to set up a permanent market there?"
Jia Xu cupped his hands and said: "Shule has good relations with Dawan, and it is probably because he is intimidated by Dawan's military power. Since the lord has stationed a large number of troops there, how can he not dare to disobey?"
The plan was decided, Jia Xu surrendered, and Liu Xin also stood up and walked to the backyard. Lanier heard the footsteps and hurriedly came out to greet her. She said a deep blessing and said: "Master, the seventh lady is going for a walk in the garden." Gone."
Liu Xin frowned and asked, "Who went with Madam?" [
Lanier said without thinking: "The Seventh Madam said that she wanted to be alone, so she didn't let the slaves accompany her."
Construction was going on everywhere in Chang'an City, and the area around this house was in ruins. Although the garden Diao Chan went to was once the back garden of the Taishi Mansion, it must have been desolate after being used for it for most of the year. Although before that , Xu Huang had already asked people to search the surrounding area carefully. Later, Dian Wei took his personal guards to carefully check every corner. There should not be anyone waiting for him, but Liu Xin was still a little worried and waved to Lan Nier. He waved his hand and walked straight to the back garden.
There is a pond in the garden, and there is a pavilion beside the pond. Diao Chan is leaning on the railing of the pavilion, looking at the reflection in the pond in silence. Suddenly she feels a gust of wind behind her. When she looks back hurriedly, she sees Liu Xin taking off her robe. On her body, he said with concern: "Why do you come here so late? Be careful of catching a cold."
Diao Chan hesitated and said: "I can't sleep, let's go out for a walk."
Liu Xin scolded: "Then you should take Lan Nier with you. At least you have someone to take care of you. Even if you take Qiling with you, it's so late at night. If anything happens, how can I feel at ease?"
Diao Chan rested her head on Liu Xin's shoulder and said softly: "I just want to walk alone, so I'll just be careful next time. Besides, Lan Nier and Sister Yan's family also had a hard time, and Qiling had a lot of trouble along the way. I’m so excited that I’ve already fallen asleep from exhaustion. I don’t want to disturb them.”
Liu Huan felt that Diao Chan's words were flickering. He raised his head and looked around. Under the bright moonlight, he suddenly noticed something behind the pavilion. He took a closer look and saw that it was an incense table. He couldn't help but asked suspiciously: "Chan'er, What were you doing?"
Liu Xin discovered her secret. Diao Chan couldn't help but blush slightly, and said in a panic: "Today is the night of the full moon. I want to pay my respects to the moon god."
Liu Xin couldn't help but think of the legend of Diao Chan worshiping the moon. She looked up at the sky and saw that the full moon was still high in the sky. It seemed that Chang'e in the moon did not feel that her beauty was inferior to Diao Chan and hid in the clouds. She couldn't help but He smiled and said: "You're so good, why are you worshiping the moon god? Chan'er, you are thoughtful."
Diao Chan hurriedly twisted her body and said, "How can the slave family have any thoughts?"
Liu Xin said seriously: "No, you must have something on your mind. I am your man and your god. How can you hide it from me!"
Seeing that Liu Xin seemed a little angry, Diao Chan couldn't help but shed a few crystal tears in her eyes, and said in a trembling voice: "The slave family has been with the master for half a year, and he is very favored by the master. It's just that the slave family is not living up to expectations, so far. There was still no movement, so the slave family was worried, so they bowed to the moon god and asked for his blessing..."
Her voice became smaller and smaller, until even Liu Xin couldn't hear it. However, Liu Xin already understood that Diao Chan wanted to ask the Moon God for a child. She couldn't help but laugh, hugged Diao Chan tightly in her arms, and said : "Want to have a baby?"
Diao Chan softly said "Yes" and nodded.
Liu Xin touched her black hair and smelled the faint body fragrance. She couldn't help but feel dizzy. She couldn't help but move her hands up and down, and whispered in her ear: "Then please say goodbye." What's the use of the moon god? It's better to pay homage to the master and let him work more."
Diao Chan's body softened, she snorted, and suddenly said: "Goodbye, Master, my family, my family, today is inconvenient."