The Wuzang clan came to the palace twice to ask to see Guo Shao, and he looked very anxious, because Brother Yu was imprisoned inside. Guo Shao did not meet with him.

At this time, it was suddenly reported that Cao Yuanzhong's father and son were rushing to Lingzhou.

Cao Yuanzhong heard the news that the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was touring the west, and personally brought people and horses to meet him, and the tribute was particularly rich, bringing 2,000 good horses from Hexi! This made Guo Shao extremely happy.

Of course, Guo Shao had to prepare more than 2,000 horses worth of goods and reward them to Cao Yuanzhong, which was a courtesy exchange...... The tribute of Jiezhen far from the Central Plains, or the foreign countries, was different in nature from the tribute in the areas directly ruled by the dynasty, and was similar to disguised commercial exchanges; If the emperor does not return the gift, there will be no incentive for others to pay tribute.

Wei Renpu was also very satisfied with Cao Yuanzhong, and said in front of Guo Shao: "Hexi is no longer as good as it was in the Han and Tang dynasties. Cao Yuanzhong and other soldiers and civilians were also unwilling to give up that rich land, they still hoped that the dynasty would be strong and pay attention to the northwest, so that they would have a barrier, and the hearts of the Guiyi army would still be towards the Central Plains. ”

Guo Shao thought so.

When Cao Yuanzhong came to Lingzhou, Guo Shao gave him a super-standard courtesy and personally rode out of the city to greet him!

As soon as I came out of the city, I heard a burst of crying outside! It's a man's cry. Even Guo Shao was stunned for a moment, only to see a middle-aged man with a round face and a young military general with a similar face kneeling on the ground, crying silently.

The soldiers wearing red clothes in their armor also dismounted and knelt on the ground.

Lu Duoxun whispered next to the car: "Your Majesty, the person on the ground is Cao Yuanzhong, whom Weichen saw when he was in Guazhou. ”

Cao Yuanzhong said loudly: "The minister has finally seen Your Majesty!" ”

Guo Shao didn't know him at all, but seeing him so excited, his heart was also a little moved, and his heart was more solid after all.

Cao Yuanzhong said: "A hundred years of Hexi, has been blocked by the road vicissitudes of life, the minister led the people of Hexi to guard their hometown, after several sinks, only to one day to return to the unification. Today, I can see the royal driver with my own eyes, and the death of the minister is also blind......"

Guo Shao was quite moved when he heard this, walked straight out of the car, and helped Cao Yuanzhong with his own hands. Wei Renpu said on the side: "When the Han Dynasty opened up the territory and got Hexi from the Huns, how many sons left their hometowns to go west to guard this place. Cao Jieshuai guarded this place for the country, and the court did not forget the merits of the Cao family and the Guiyi army. ”

Guo Shao said: "What Deputy Envoy Wei said is my thoughts. Hurry up. ”

Cao Yuanzhong bowed with tears: "Thank you." ”

Cao Yuanzhong introduced his son Cao Yangong to Guo Shao, saying that he wanted him to be a guard in front of the emperor...... has the intention of taking the initiative to show loyalty and let his son enter the court as a hostage.

Guo Shao invited Cao Yuanzhong to join the car, and asked Cao Yangong to ride a horse with a sword on the side of the royal car, thinking that he was trusting.

When the group returned to the palace, Guo Shao and Cao Yuanzhong talked about Hexi, and they talked very well, and they had a feeling of hating each other. In the evening, the two were still talking at night, and the monarch and ministers had a hot fight when they met.

At this time, the Han Er of Hexi was very insecure, and the territory that could be controlled had been encroached upon to the point that only Gua and Sha were left, and the Guiyi military regime was embattled on all sides, and it was not supported by Buddhist forces internally.

After Cao Yuanzhong came to power, he was forced to change the strategy of tough expansion (because the opponent was on all sides and the consumption was too great), sent money and women, and married and formed alliances everywhere, which temporarily stabilized.

The two monarchs and ministers first reviewed how prosperous Hexi was during the Han and Tang dynasties, and lamented that it was not easy for the ancestors to open up the territory and die countless people, but they could all talk about it together and feel the same, so they talked about it very closely...... The ancients relied on farming, and land was the basic means of production; As long as there is land where you can farm, everyone wants it. Conquering the land is the greatest merit, and losing the land is the greatest sinner.

Cao Yuanzhong heard that Guo Shaoxiang had received a supply of war horses from the west, and immediately said impatiently: "As long as the road between the Hexi Corridor and Guanzhong is opened and the trade route is profitable, there will be as many war horses as there are in the Western Regions!" ”

Cao Yuanzhong instigated: "Your Majesty will send troops over, and the Guiyi Army will attack Your Majesty from east to west, and drive away the Uighurs, Tubos, and Dangxiang people east of Guasha, and the trade route will be unblocked!" ”

Guo Shao finally understood what position this military general had in his heart, Cao Yuanzhong formed alliances everywhere, and he was really forced to do so; In fact, I have long wanted to drive away the Hexi tribes...... The reason is simple, the tribes have taken up more than half of their original territory, and it has long threatened their survival; If the imperial court sent money and troops to help him take back the whole of Hexi, of course they would be happy.

If the imperial court wants to conquer Hexi, and the Guiyi army is flanked in the west, it is actually beneficial for both sides.

I have to say that Guo Shao's heart has been affected many times, and he was also enthusiastically said by Cao Yuanzhong for a while! Guo Shao stood up and stood in front of the map for a while, calming down, and looking at Youzhou, Hebei again.

If you have the strength, of course you want it anywhere. The problem is that Hexi is too far away, and I want money and soldiers...... Guo Shao asked casually, "Cao Jieshuai thinks that how many men and horses does the imperial court need to recover Hexi?" ”

Cao Yuanzhong muttered: "Considering that the Xiazhou Party may rebel with the Liao Alliance...... Your Majesty only needs an army of 500,000 to occupy the territory east of the Western Regions! ”

I|Cao! Guo Shao immediately scolded in his heart, Cao Jieshuai's tone was still very big, 500,000 ...... Or just that.

If Lao Tzu can have 500,000 troops, as well as money and grain to mobilize the expedition, he will go directly to the Liao State first, and what will he do in the northwest at this time?

Guo Shao glanced at him and felt that Cao Yuanzhong's ambitions were still very big, and he had been beaten to only two states and alliances everywhere, but what he was worried about was that the imperial court would annex the entire northwest territory.

But Guo Shao didn't want to hit his confidence, and said: "After years of hard work, the Great Zhou is now a rich country, a strong force, and a million strings. It's just that to mobilize so many people to fight, you have to consult with the courtiers more. ”

Cao Yuanzhong said: "What Your Majesty said is extremely true. ”

Guo Shao said again: "Besides...... I thought that since the Liao State was going to interfere in the northwest, it would be better to subdue the Liao State first, and things would be much simpler. ”

Cao Yuanzhong said with a warm face after hearing this: "Your Majesty is in the middle of the day, with such a lofty mind, the ministers are willing to help Your Majesty before and after the saddle!" ”

Guo Shao said with relief: "At this time, it is not appropriate to use troops without permission, Cao Jieshuai and carefully guard the land of melon and sand, let's think of other ways to stabilize the situation first, and then talk about it later...... If there is something wrong with the Guiyi army, you can send someone to the court, and I will send someone to mediate between the various tribes in order to coexist in harmony. ”

Cao Yuanzhong clenched his fists and said: "In accordance with His Majesty's will, I must fulfill my duty." ”

Guo Shao stood in front of the map for a long time, not thinking that it was wise to change the established strategy. At this time, it was difficult for the northwest to have the threat of large-scale eastward invasion; And Youzhou is much more concerned in terms of strategic position and the world, and Guo Shao can get more things if he gets Youzhou!

The expansion of war horses was for a decisive battle with the Liao State; Instead of putting the cart before the horse, move the main front westward.