Chapter 168: The Eastern Crusade

For the people, the most important thing is food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Now there is no problem with eating in the northland, of course it is impossible to eat big fish and meat every day, and it is a bit luxurious to eat rice every day, but it is still no problem to mix potatoes and sweet potatoes to fill your stomach.

In addition to food, in the remaining three "clothing, shelter and transportation", the traffic is in the foreseeable future, either throwing legs or riding horses, and if the conditions are good, you can also use horse-drawn carts and ox carts. If you want to point out a new type of transportation, it can't be done in a year or two, even if it's ten or twenty years.

Then, of course, the next step is to consider the issue of clothing and housing, and Chen Cheng also takes this as the next stage of his governance goal. There are all kinds of problems and contradictions in the territory under his jurisdiction, but the most important contradiction at the present stage is "the contradiction between the backward productive forces and the growing material needs of the broad masses of the people."

And if you want to develop, you need to have a stable development environment, at least a relatively stable development environment. If there is a war every day, where is the time and resources to develop the productive forces? Chen Cheng believes that the current momentum of development is good, and it is necessary to continue to "calm down".

Every dollar invested now can be rewarded tenfold or more in the future.

However, Lin wants to be quiet and the wind does not stop. While he was still struggling to improve the textile equipment, the military department received nervous news. Shangshu Province, Zhongshu Province, and Menxia Province offices are very close to each other, all on the edge of the Prefecture Pastoral Mansion. Previously, the people of Lian County were slaughtered by the Huns, and many rooms and places were vacated. After that, Chen Cheng asked Lu Fang to lead troops to garrison Lian County, and first cleaned up the places, and then these places were assigned to the yamen of government offices at all levels. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household occupy a large area.

After receiving the news, Yang Qiu immediately asked to see Yan Zhong and prepared to discuss this matter with the latter. The news sent to the Ministry of War will also be copied to the Shangshu Order. After reviewing it, Yan Zhong will decide whether to send it to Chen Cheng depending on whether it is important or not.

Yan Zhong stretched out his hand to the visiting Yang Qiu and said, "Yang Shangshu, please take a seat, I will finish reading this military report first." ”

As Chen Cheng's position became more and more stable, and the money and food became more and more sufficient, Yan Zhong's status also rose. If Yang Qiu had said that he had been a little disdainful of Yan Zhong before, now he didn't dare to show any contemptuous expression. Yan Zhong is Chen Cheng's mastermind, Chen Cheng has another 100,000 army under his command, if Yan Zhong crooks his mouth one day, he Yang Qiu can't bear it.

Even if Chen Cheng didn't mean to attack the princes, Yang Qiu was used to seeing the deceit between the princes of Xiliang, and as Chen Cheng gained a firm foothold in Liangzhou, he became more and more cautious.

After a short time, Yan Zhong had already finished reading the newly sent military report, and then casually put the bamboo slip on the table. It is written that after the autumn harvest, the Han Sui Department began a large-scale assembly.

When Yang Qiu saw it, he immediately said, "Mr. Yan, what do you think of this matter!" ”

Yan Zhong stroked his beard and said, "Don't be impatient, you can take a look at this." ”

He handed a piece of paper to Yang Qiu, who took it and looked at it, and couldn't help but scream, "What? Han then called himself a minister, and asked the lord to lead the princes to go east together? ”

"Yes," Yan Zhong said: "It was sent to Menxia Province just the day before yesterday, and it was transferred yesterday, and I was going to inform you and Xu Chao today." ”

"Han Sui, what does this mean?" Yang Qiu pinched the paper and asked, "While he is a minister, he secretly gathers troops, does he want to come to a sneak attack?" ”

"Probably not," Yan Zhong said: "I heard that there has been a great chaos in the imperial court, and the general He Jin ordered Huangfu Song to lead his troops eastward, preparing to join Ding Yuan's army and attack Dong Zhuo together." Han Sui probably saw the opportunity and wanted to take advantage of it. ”

"Huangfu Song was transferred?"

"Well, it is said that I have led troops to Chang'an."

"Nafufu-gun ......."

"There is no longer an army of the imperial court, only some local soldiers and horses remain."

"This ..........", Yang Qiu originally thought that Han Sui still wanted to gather troops and horses to attack the northern land, or to be stable, but he didn't expect to get the news of Fufeng Emptiness here from Yan Zhong, and he couldn't help but hesitate a little. Han Sui is very annoying, but attacking the east to take Guanzhong and meeting Chang'an has always been the dream of all the princes of Liangzhou!

Although Xiliang is vast, it is sparsely populated and barren, and it cannot be compared with Guanzhong in any case. At present, there are hundreds of thousands of people in Guanzhong alone, with a population of millions, and the vast majority of them are Han Chinese, who can organize households and collect taxes. The population on the household registration in Guanzhong is enough to compare with the entire Liangzhou.

In Xiliang, the Han people are better, those Qiang people are half-farming and half-pastoral, and there are very few settlers. The princes couldn't figure out how many people they had under their rule, anyway, they would conscript troops when they were going to fight, and they would levy food when the time came, and everyone came here in such a daze. With the courage of the Liang cavalry in the west, such a chaotic governance can also win the battle. For example, Chen Cheng attaches great importance to the construction of culture, education, and grassroots organizations, but is an anomaly.

In March and April last year, the allied forces of the Xiliang princes had broken through the imperial court soldiers and horses, and besieged Chencang City for more than 70 days. It was only because the Xiliang Army was really not good at attacking the city, and the Han army's strong bows and crossbows had too great an advantage in defending the city and positional warfare, so that the division veterans were tired, so that Huangfu Song picked up a big bargain.

If it was a wave battle in the field, the Xiliang army would not be afraid of the officers and soldiers of the imperial court.

"This ..........", Yang Qiu's heart swayed left and right for a while, and finally made up his mind, and said: "Since this is the case, then we should jointly write a letter and ask the lord to summon the princes of Xiliang and go east again!" ”

Yan Zhong said: "It's a big matter, it's not something that you and I can count it in." If the prince did not agree, this matter could not be done. Although Huangfu Song led his troops to Chang'an, he could return to Fufeng at any time. If you fight against the city again, do you want the prince to become a second kingdom? ”

Yang Qiu said unconvinced: "How can the kingdom be compared to the lord? With the means of the main public soldiers, it is just as easy as a finger to take Chen Cang! ”

Since Chen Chengzhen beheaded the Marquis of the Bone Valley, everyone regarded him as a master of the art of war, and most of the soldiers called him "Flying General" and "Shenweitian General", and the people and other princes called him "Xiliang Overlord". If nothing else, it is because every time he charges forward, the force value is so high that only the legendary characters can compare.

Yan Zhong said with a smile: "You don't count this matter, I don't count if I say it, everything has to be decided by the lord." However, if Yang Shangshu really wanted to promote this matter, it was better to convince the generals and officials at all levels in the army first. Sometimes the prince will be arbitrary, but most of the time, he will not reject the opinion of the majority. ”

Yang Qiu looked at Yan Zhong in surprise and asked, "Mr. Yan also agrees with the Eastern Crusade?" ”

Yan Zhong said with a smile: "Although Xiliang is good, how can it compare to Shangguan Zhong's fertile fields?" If we can really enter the main pass, and then send troops to block the surrounding passes, then we will not lose the hope of the prince! ”

Yang Qiu was overjoyed and said, "Then I'll go and convince the others first!" ”

The first thing he found was Xu Chao, although he didn't deal with Xu Chao before, but that was all in the past. When Xu Chao was in Lingzhou, he took the county's heroes to reclaim more than 100,000 acres of fertile land. After being promoted to the head of the household, the river channel south of Yinchuan was dug up, which greatly increased this year's harvest.

For Xu Chao, although Yang Qiu didn't say it, he still admired it in his heart. Moreover, Xu Chao is now the most important minister under Chen Cheng, in charge of the two powerful departments of the Ministry of Household and the Ministry of Industry, even if he decides to send troops, he still needs the cooperation of the Ministry of Households.

After Xu Chao heard Yang Qiu's intention, he immediately refused.

"This is a godsend!" Yang Qiu said angrily: "Don't give up such a good opportunity because of our previous festivals!" ”

"I don't know much about war," Xu Chao said coldly: "I only know that last year you were still losing troops under Chen Cangcheng, and it's only been a year, do you want to do it again?" ”

"This year is different from last year!" Yang Qiu shouted: "Last year, he failed under Chencang City, it was because of the presence of Huangfu Song, and now he has been transferred to Chang'an, ready to attack Bingzhou!" We will take advantage of this opportunity to go eastward and will definitely be able to enter the Guanzhong! ”

Yang Qiu's heart was in a trance, was the defeat of Chen Cang just last year? I thought it was a long, long time. Since returning to Beidi County, he has fought with the Huns several times, and then he has made a surprise attack on Linrong, and he has pursued and killed for thousands of miles, as if a long time has passed.

"Let's not talk about whether Huangfu Song was really transferred to attack and merge with the state, even if it is true, when the situation is critical, won't the imperial court transfer him back?"

Xu Chao said: "If you have that kung fu to attack Guanzhong, it is better to repair the embankments on both sides of the Yellow River." ”

In turn, he recommended to Yang Qiu the plan of "controlling the Yellow River", "If this section of the river can be dredged and a dam can be built, there will be millions of acres of fertile land on both banks!" General Yang, Yang Shangshu, you also need money and food to fight! When the food and salary are sufficient and the soldiers are strong, wouldn't it be twice the result with half the effort to use troops in all directions? ”

To be honest, after Yang Qiu listened to Xu Chao's words, he still had a little wavering, but it was only a little bit, "If the lord does not participate in the Eastern Crusade, and when Han Sui captures Guanzhong, it will be too late to regret it!" ”

Yang Qiu said in a loud voice: "Now that Han Sui already owns the territory of the four counties, if you want to add Sanfu, who else can match him among the princes of Liangzhou?" You also know what the princes are like, seeing that Han Sui's power has increased greatly, most of them are not afraid to be enemies of him anymore. Even if it is the lord, at that time, he can only be blocked in the north and cannot move! ”

Xu Chao still refused, he said firmly: "Then Han Sui must be able to capture Chang'an!" It's not that I underestimated Han Sui, he was able to capture Wudu, which is already a great luck, if he wants to continue to advance eastward, I'm afraid it will backfire! ”

Yang Qiu patted the table and said, "You are really unreasonable! ”

Hearing the voice inside, the soldiers outside walked to the hall with their blades and asked, "Xu Shangshu?" ”

Xu Chao waved his hand, repulsed the soldiers, and said to Yang Qiu: "Actually, it is useless for you to tell me this, if the lord does not agree to send troops, then I will not object." If the lord agrees to send troops, I will do my best to provide food, grass, weapons and armor. ”

Hearing this, Yang Qiu only felt pain in his chest, and he held it in his chest in one breath, almost suffocating him to death.

If that's what it means, why do you say so much?