PS: ps: For the sake of staying up late at such a late night, I have to get up early to go to work tomorrow, and I ask you for a subscription and collection, as well as recommended tickets.

Xiao Quzhi, who returned to the Assassin's Mansion in Yan'en County, looked very happy, and pulled Li Guangbi and the young general called Hun Jin along the way to ask questions.

This made Li Qi very curious, because he could see that the master was not ordinary enthusiasm for the two of them, especially for the young man, and said that he would teach him two pile techniques to strengthen muscles and bones and long strength.

But speaking of which, Master's eyesight is really good, this young man is indeed a one-in-a-million martial arts wizard, one year younger than himself, he can pull a four-stone hard bow, and he joined the army at the age of eleven, and has made dozens of military exploits, and he has won all the armies.

But Li Qi was curious, how did the master see it, Li Qi knew that this was the first time the two met, and the young man had no special distinguishing features except for his height and length.

In addition, Li Qi was also curious about the treatment of Shuo Fangjun, how many horses there were, and what industries did they operate?

Could it be that the Master is interested in this position of the Shuofang Jiedu?

It is not only Li Qi who has such doubts, but Li Guangbi and Hun Jin also feel strange. This Xiao Qu was sick and had to drag them to Yan'en County, saying that there was something important to discuss, could it be that this was the case?

Since August last year, when Zhang Qiqiu, the former Shuofang Jiedu envoy, was dismissed from his post because of the issue of distributing money and grain, the Shuofang Jiedu envoy was first temporarily replaced by An Sishun, the envoy of Hexi Jiedu; In the first month of this year, it was changed to Li Linfu Yao to lead the Shuofang Jiedu envoy, and Zhang Wei, the household servant (some sources say that it is Li Wei), served as the queen of the festival and sat on the board of directors.

But Zhang Wei is a civil official. It can only manage some money, food, accounts and other issues. And they can't lead troops to war. So it means that until now, the military commander of the Shuofang Army has been hanging empty.

The two of them thought about it, if Xiao Qu was sick and their festival envoy, it would be really an excellent thing.

First of all, Xiao Qubing has an extremely high ability to train soldiers, which can be seen from the results of his training of the Flying Dragon Forbidden Army for more than a month. If he is allowed to come to the Shuofang Army, within a year, the combat effectiveness of the Shuofang Army will definitely be greatly improved.

Secondly, some of Xiao Quai's military thoughts are also very much in line with the minds of the two. For example, the first thing in the army is obedience and discipline, followed by the ability to execute and mobilize, and when the two armies face each other, the most crucial point in determining the outcome is momentum and confidence.

Again, this Xiao Qubing is also very good at running industries and has money.

Not to mention anything else, let's just say that the dry food they brought on this expedition, a kind of meat floss, one pound of meat floss needs three catties of mutton to make, I heard that such snacks are now sold in Chang'an for one or two.

Feelings for what they ate in two bites. Is it worth a month's salary for a senior lieutenant in the Shuofang Army?

There is also a wine named Xianren Drunk, which is said to sell for 200 yuan in one jar of Chang'an Restaurant. Scared so much that neither of them dared to drink. There is also the fried noodles in oil, which actually put 10% of frosting sugar in it.

Where is this eating dry food, this is simply eating money.

The Flying Dragon Forbidden Army and this Qian'an West Army, with such a Shangguan, it is really enviable and jealous.

However, when Xiao Qubing and his party came to Yan'en County, the two of them somewhat understood why Xiao Qubing was so rich, and most of their feelings were robbed.

According to the report of He Xiaofen, the new Youzhou Thorn Shi, there are more than 40,000 war horses, more than 20,000 cattle, and 300,000 sheep.

More than half of the horses, cattle and sheep of the party Wuqiang that he swept away were concentrated in Yan'en County, and they became the trophies of Xiao Quai's expedition to the river.

According to Xiao Quzhi, people have been sent to Chang'an to transport some grain and forage, but it is estimated that there will not be enough grain and grass, so some cooks will be sent.

Cattle and sheep are slaughtered here, and then processed into various products such as beef jerky, mutton floss, bone broth, etc., and then sold to Chang'an and Shuofang.

Seeing so many war horses, cattle and sheep, Li Guangbi and Hunjin's first reaction was that their eyes were hot, and then they were a little worried about Xiao Qu's illness.

However, seeing that Xiao Qubing didn't seem to be worried, the two of them didn't bother to worry about him, and concentrated on eliminating the food on the table, not to mention, even this simple fat sheep stew was much more delicious than what they had eaten before.

After he was full of wine and food, Li Guangbi asked, "What did General Xiao mean by discussing important matters before?" ”

Xiao Quzhi smiled and said: "There is no other meaning, there are some things, I want to cooperate with Shuo Fangjun, let's talk about it briefly, and you will report to Zhang Liuhou when you go back." ”

"Cooperation? What is General Xiao referring to?"

"Money, of course." Xiao Quzhi smiled and asked, "I don't know if General Li and Hun Guoyi know why King Wuwei was able to achieve such a big victory in the river this time?" ”

Li Guangbi and Hun Jin glanced at each other and said, "Naturally, it is because the Anxi army can fight well, the king of Wuwei has a good command, and the auxiliary ministers have contribution." ”

At the time of eating, Xiao Qubing had already asked Li Guangbi to match the words, and Li Guangbi excused himself and did so.

He used to be Li Sheng's superior, but now Li Sheng and Xiao Qubing are commensurate with each other, but he wants to call himself a general, and he is a little unhappy, but fortunately, Xiao Quzhi does not put on a show, but is extremely enthusiastic about himself.

Xiao Quzhi smiled and nodded: "This is part of the reason, in fact, there is also an important reason, that is, the Anxi army is rich, and this is quite clear." ”

The two looked at Li Sheng with some puzzlement, Li Sheng nodded and said: "What the auxiliary minister said is right, the Anxi army only had more than 3,000 war horses earlier, and for so many years, the envoys of the Anxi Festival have always encouraged them to carry private horses and mules on expeditions.

Later, since King Wuwei served as the envoy of Anxi Jiedu, he purchased a large number of war horses, and this expedition to the river, 20,000 Anxi troops brought a total of 24,000 war horses, 7,000 mules and donkeys.

Therefore, the Anxi army was able to maneuver quickly, and the Anxi army's crossbowmen, jumping soldiers and Mo sword soldiers all rushed to the battlefield on war horses. ”

Li Guangbi and Hun Jin were a little stunned, and looked at Li Sheng and Xiao Quai's illness stupidly, no wonder the Anxi Army can make great contributions, which means that the entire Anxi Army is full of cavalry that can move quickly.

And the more than 70,000 people of the Shuofang army plus a war horse are not as many as the 24,000 war horses of the Anxi army, this person is more than a person. It's just a matter of being infuriating.

Xiao Quzhi saw the two of them surprised. I thought to myself. Naturally, these war horses of the Anxi Army will not fall from the sky.

In February last year, Gao Xianzhi was ordered to attack the Shushi Kingdom on the way back to Anxi in triumph, and at the request of Ning Yuanguo, he attacked the Shi Kingdom in collusion with the Huang surnamed Tuqi Shi and the Zhaowu Jiu surnamed Hu who was in the Broken Leaf River.

Then he plundered all the war horses, gold, silver and jewelry in Shiguo Tuozhi City, and after returning to Anxi, he bought a large number of war horses, which expanded the war horses of the Anxi army to so much within a year.

It is also fortunate that this time the battle of Talas was won because of his own appearance. Otherwise, the history books will record: "Xianzhi is greedy for ......" and covets the treasures of the stone country.

After two or three breaths, Li Guangbi said: "There are so many? ”

Xiao Quzhi said with a smile; "Now more, this time King Wuwei defeated 200,000 great food army and horses in the river, captured 20,000 camels, and 50,000 or 60,000 Arab horses.

In addition to the 1,000 Arabian horses dedicated to His Majesty, the team also brought 6,000 war horses. ”

The two were shocked again, their mouths slightly open. looked at Xiao Qu's illness in a daze, and after two or three breaths. Li Guangbi only began to speak, and his voice changed slightly: "What does the auxiliary minister mean by saying this?" ”

Xiao Quzhi smiled lightly: "I am going to send 20,000 party horses and 800 Arabian horses for breeding to Shuo Fangjun." ”

"What?"

The two shouted in unison, almost jumping up from the bench. Not to mention them, even Li Qi, Ma Sui, Nan Jiyun, Gu Xiaojun and others couldn't help but be speechless.

Xiao Quai's hand is also too big, and there are more than 20,000 war horses as soon as he shoots, which is really too ...... Capricious.

Xiao Quai's action was so generous, which made Li Guangbi can't help but be a little suspicious, does he think that he has caused too much trouble this time, so he wants to share some benefits and let Shuo Fangjun help him take responsibility together?

But it didn't take long for the idea to be rejected by him, and even found it very ridiculous.

Xiao Qu said with a sick head: "In addition, I also want to cooperate with Shuo Fangjun to make money for the Four Seas Trading Company, and at the same time, make Shuo Fangjun rich." ”

Speaking of this, Xiao Qu sighed and said a little unfairly: "The life of the border soldiers is too hard, braving the wind and snow, swords and guns are like forests, and arrows and stones are attacking to guard the frontier for the Tang Dynasty, but the remuneration they get is far less than their efforts.

Starting next year, the Anxi Army will comprehensively raise the salaries of all soldiers, and in addition to meritorious service points, the lowest soldiers will be paid twice a month. The cavalry and the sword soldiers were all over the place, and the officers were one and a half to three times that of the soldiers.

Think about it, when the Shuofang Army soldiers know that the Anxi Army soldiers are paid so highly, how fluctuating will people's hearts be? ”

Li Guangbi and Hun Jin's mouths opened even wider, Xiao Qubing was right, if the Anxi Army's salary was so high, but the Shuofang Army had no military salary, it would be difficult to bring this soldier.

Previously, Zhang Qiqiu, the envoy of their moderation, was dismissed from his post because of the inappropriate distribution of military rations, which caused the soldiers to mutiny. And why it was inappropriate, it was not that Zhang Qiqiu was corrupt, but because Zhang Qiqiu was not good at farming, and Shuo Fangjun's income was really stretched that year.

The soldiers were already working hard to defend the border, not only did they not receive military salaries, but they also did not get the rations they deserved, and the mutiny was a matter of course.

After four or five breaths this time, Li Guangbi reacted and said, "What does the auxiliary minister mean by cooperation?" ”

Xiao Quzhi smiled, and he asked carefully along the way, Zhang Qiqiu before Shuo Fangjun was a person who had no ability and could only lead troops and would not fight, but now this Zhang Wei, although he is a household servant, manages money and grain, and does a better job than Zhang Qiqiu in terms of camping fields, but Shuo Fangjun is still one word, poor!

Don't they know that the Yellow River has nine bends, only one set of wealth, the Hetao area, and the Ordos grassland in later generations are full of treasures?

I don't know anything else, the mineral resources here are among the top in the country, in addition to trona resources, there are also oil and gas resources are also extremely rich.

However, in the current two years, these two things do not have the conditions and capabilities to develop. But the coal mine can, the geographical information in Xiao Quai's notebook is clearly written, there is the largest open-pit coal mine in Asia, the Jungar Coal Mine, the location is in Shengzhou, not far from the southwest of the city of Dongshou where the Shuofang army was stationed.

However, the coal produced by the Zhunger Coal Mine is only suitable for industrial power, not for coking, and not for ordinary people. But that's okay. The entire Hetao area has large coal reserves. It has a wide distribution area. And the coal quality is complete.

Just before the location of the Dang Xiang Baqiang Ye Resignation Department, there was a Table Mountain coalfield that was very suitable for coking. In the northern section of Helan Mountain, northwest of Lingzhou (Shuofang Jiedu Envoy Station), there is the best coal in China, known as the "king of coal" Taixi coal distribution, and the Dafeng mine is also an open-pit coal mine.

Xiao Qubing has never seen this kind of high-quality coal, but according to the data, Taixi coal is almost close to pure coal, and it not only burns with extremely high heat. And it is almost ashless after burning. In another time and space, many of these high-quality Taixi coals were sold in fine packaging by the kilogram and exported to foreign countries at high prices as the finest fuel for ancient high-end residential fireplaces.

In that case, why can't you learn from them? Even if you don't have a fireplace, you can sell this coal as charcoal to the nobles for heating in winter.

In addition, the city of Zhongshou garrisoned by the Shuofang army was the city of Baotou in later generations, and Baotou was famous for its iron and steel mills, that is, there were one or several large iron mines here.

Xiao Quzhi plans to smelt iron and steel here, compared to the business empire of the Four Seas Trading Company, and the financial empire of the Four Seas Money Village later. This is the beginning of Xiao Quzhi's envisioned industrial empire.

In addition to this, there are various herbs here. For example, the famous Ningxia wolfberry in later generations, as well as animal husbandry resources, Yanchitan sheep or something, and the best cashmere in China in later generations also came from here.

Xiao Qubing talked about his plan, first of all, the Four Seas Trading Company fully entered the land of the river meander, looking for various advantageous commodities in various places, such as raising goats to comb cashmere, suitable for raising fine wool sheep, raising fine wool sheep, Yanchi County raising Yanchitan sheep, and suitable for planting wolfberry,......

At the same time, he will send professional prospectors to find iron ore and carboniferous ore in some designated locations, and then smelt iron and make steel, and the general smokeless coal can also be transported to Chang'an to make money as fuel for residents......

In short, to hand over this area to the Four Seas Trading Company for development, it does not take a penny from the Shuo Fang Army, as long as the Shuo Fang Army guarantees the safety of the Four Seas Trading Company and gives the greatest convenience or cooperation.

In return, the Four Seas Merchant Society paid Shuo Fangjun handsomely. Of course, it would be great if the Shuo Fang army could unanimously ask for him to be the envoy of the Shuo Fang Festival!

After listening to the blueprint of Xiao Qu's illness, including Li Guangbi and Hun Jin, more than ten people in the room were a little stupid. No way, the amount of information is a bit large, and many of them don't understand it very well, but they believe that as long as they are given enough convenience and cooperation, Xiao Quzhi can do what he says.

After a long time, Li Guangbi swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said: "Of course, it would be good if the auxiliary ministers could come to our Shuofang army to be the envoy of the festival, and we will discuss this matter with Zhang Liuhou and the military envoys of the army when we go back, and ask the court for their orders together." ”

Xiao Quzhi frowned, he remembered the conversation between Zhang Xiancheng and Kang Shennu before, and he didn't know what it would be like to return to Chang'an.

He smiled bitterly: "Let's talk about the protection and convenience of the Four Seas Trading Company first, and don't talk about the matter of the Jiedu envoy first." I think you also know that it is unpredictable for me to go back this time?

If Your Majesty annoys me, not to mention the Shuofang Jie Du Envoy, it is possible that the Flying Dragon Forbidden Army will not let me take it. However, there should be no problem with the affairs of the Four Seas Trading Company, which is to make money for the treasury. ”

Li Guangbi also smiled bitterly: "The auxiliary ministers don't have to worry, after all, this time it was the party Xiang Qiang who took the lead, and they also dispatched all the standing troops to fight a decisive battle with the auxiliary ministers, and regarded them as complicity." I believe that Your Majesty will have a holy judgment. ”

Xiao Quzhi nodded, and then told the two of them about the invention of horseshoes and infantry leggings, and talked again, it was too late, Li Guangbi and Hun Jin said goodbye with a happy face, this time they came to Youzhou, it was too worthwhile.

Two or three minutes later, Li Sheng, Ma Sui and others also left one after another, and the song ended.

After standing outside for half an hour, he turned around and saw that the waiter in Master's room was still on, so he walked over.

Unexpectedly, the master, who is usually extremely vigilant, didn't seem to notice him coming in this time, which made Li Qi feel very strange, shouldn't the master have spoken as soon as he arrived at the door?

Li Qi softly pushed the door in, and found that Xiao Quzhi was staring at the lights alone, and he didn't even notice that he walked in front of him, but he didn't move, like an old monk in a trance, and even his breathing and heartbeat stopped, looking at the jumping lights in a daze, his face was distorted and terrifying......

"Master, what's wrong with you. Don't scare you. Li Qi pushed twice before Xiao Qu's illness woke up. shouted anxiously.

"Xiao Qi. Why don't you go to sleep yet? Xiao Qu came back to his senses, his eyes were glowing again, and he said with a puzzled expression.

"Master, the way you thought about it just now was so scary." Li Qi asked eagerly, "Is Master worried that returning to Chang'an will annoy the emperor's grandfather?" ”

Xiao Qu was stunned for a moment, and said gloomily: "Of course not, these things will happen when they happen, and it's useless to think about it." ”

"What's that?"

Xiao Quzhi raised his head and looked at Li Qi's eyes: "Xiao Qi, do you say that Master is a cruel and cold-blooded person?" ”

"Ah......h After two or three seconds, he said, "Of course Master, it's not." It's those party items ......"

Li Qi wanted to say that it was those Dang Xiangqiang who betrayed first, but he felt that those Dang Xiangqiang children were indeed innocent. He knew that Xiao Qubing did not have much hostility towards those Dang Xiang Qiang children, including the swept Dang Xiang Qiang herdsmen.

This can be seen from what he has been teaching himself all along, and the master admires many Hu people, such as Qibi He Li, Ashina Sheer, Hei Zhi Changzhi and others, only for people like An Lushan and Kang Zhibin. Kang Shennu and other rebellious Hu people are particularly hated;

And for the majority of Hu people who come out of the middle of the two extremes, there is not much to like. There is not much hatred, and the master has only one goal, which is to kill people like An Lushan and Kang Shennu, who are naturally rebellious and unchangeable, and then try to turn most of the Hu people into people like An Baozhen and Qibi He Li.

As Master himself said, he made this decision only to punish them, to make their hearts ache, to make them afraid, and at the same time to deter the enemy, and for this reason, Master chose to sacrifice the lives of these innocent children.

Originally, Li Qi also felt that this was a little unfair and cruel, but when he thought that it was the master's decision, Li Qi subconsciously thought that the master's decision would not be wrong, so he deliberately avoided this question.

Now, I didn't expect that Master would actually be the same as himself, there would be unbearable, there would also be pain, and there would be reflection, and for a while, Li Qi didn't know what to say.

Xiao Quzhi said slowly: "Xiao Qi, you may not know that my master is actually not a Taoist priest, but a warrior, and there is a very kind old Ah Weng on the mountain, he is also a warrior, they will all defend the country, and they have fought against the most vicious enemies."

As for me, I grew up listening to their battle stories. Do you know, before I went down the mountain, I didn't even kill a chicken, but on the third day I went down the mountain, I started killing people who wanted to intercept and kill Big Brother Gao.

I regarded them as vicious enemies, and after killing the first man, I was sick to my stomach for only two breaths, and then there was no discomfort at all; In the face of those fierce and cruel, fanatical and fierce cannibals in the river, when Master killed them, he actually had a feeling of excitement, that is, the feeling of blood boiling......

When I gave the order to sweep up the party, I didn't think much about it, I just wanted to punish them severely. But when Tuoba Shou Silence had blood in his eyes and questioned me like crazy, I suddenly realized that those children were innocent, but they died because of my words......"

Li Qi choked for a while, and at the same time was a little stunned, Master's master is not a Taoist, but a warrior, Master said that the master fought the most vicious enemy in order to defend the country, what kind of enemy?

Xiao Quzhi continued to mumble to himself: "However, even after I realized this problem, in order to quickly pacify the party, I calculated and resigned, I feel as if I am a natural pragmatist, unscrupulous in order to achieve the end, and this kind of thinking is almost uninvited......"

After a pause, Xiao Quai's voice became smaller and smaller, but Li Qi could still hear it clearly; "I'm really worried that one day, I'll apply this habit to my own people...... I feel scared like this!

Sometimes I really want to do nothing, take your teacher, find a place with beautiful mountains and rivers to live in seclusion, don't do anything, do nothing, so that there will be no wrong, no guilt, and no conscience condemnation......"

Li Qi was scared all of a sudden, and many years later, he would think of the events of this day, and he couldn't help but ask himself, what was he afraid of at that time? It wasn't until more years later that he figured out that what he was afraid of was not that the master would leave, but that the master would go, and he didn't even take himself.

Li Qi said loudly: "Master, you said that you love Datang, you love Datang's pioneering and enterprising spirit, and you love Datang's inclusive and broad mind the most!"

But how can you give up just because you can't stand such a small thing? You love Datang's broad mind, why can't you hold this dirt in your chest? ”

Li Qi was so aggrieved that he was about to cry: "Master, you said that your biggest dream is to see a prosperous era that is better than the heyday of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, and it will continue forever. You said you wanted to work hard with me for this dream, why did you leave me halfway and go to the mountains to live in seclusion? ”

Seeing that Li Qi was extremely frightened, extremely aggrieved, and about to cry, Xiao Qu woke up sick, and his somewhat confused eyes became clear again, he touched Li Qi's head, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Master will not leave you, and Master will not leave!" (To be continued.) )