In front of the Chengxi Post Station, Yang Yuanqing led dozens of high-ranking military officers to wait here, out of the city ten miles to welcome the return of the general's expedition, this is the first time for Yang Yuanqing, Yang Yuanqing's heart is full of joy and expectation, Su Dingfang did not let him down, won Shanshan County and Jimo County, which will lay a solid foundation for his future strategy in the Western Regions.

Su Dingfang also saw Yang Yuanqing from a distance, and also saw the generals who fought side by side with him in the past, he was excited, turned over and dismounted, walked forward quickly, knelt down to Yang Yuanqing on one knee, and saluted with his fists high, "The last general Su Dingfang is in charge!" ”

Yang Yuanqing hurriedly helped him up, "General Su, please get up!" ”

Yang Yuanqing helped him up, seeing that he had become dark and thin, the fair-skinned and handsome young man couldn't even see the shadow back then, it was only seven months, Yang Yuanqing was moved in his heart, and gently patted him on the shoulder, "Thank you for your hard work!" ”

What can really move people is not a beautiful compliment, nor a bold statement, but sincerity from the heart, Su Dingfang saw sincerity in Yang Yuanqing's eyes, and his simple three words made Su Dingfang feel greatly encouraged.

The two looked at each other, more than ten years of common conquest, the two of them went from youth to prime together, they had a tacit understanding, everything was in the words, and both of them laughed.

At this time, Li Jing, Luo Shixin and others stepped forward to congratulate him, and a sergeant handed him a triumphant wine, Su Dingfang's eyes were a little moist, he raised his wine glass and said loudly: "Thank you, Dingfang Qing uses this glass of wine to thank everyone for their love!" ”

After speaking, he drank all the wine, took the flask and drank three glasses in a row, and raised the empty wine glass high, winning a round of applause...... Return to Jinyang Palace. Su Dingfang and Shen Chun entered Ziwei Pavilion, first Shen Chun reported to Ziwei Pavilion Qixiang on the population, land and other livelihood of Dunhuang County, and then Su Dingfang told about the population and livelihood of Shanshan County, Jimo County and Yiwu County.

"Shanshan County, like Jimo County, is composed of Ding residents and nomadic herders, mainly Tuyuhun and Tiele people, who come and go in spring and winter. There are about 11,000 households in the two counties, half of which are military families, known as military households, mainly Han Chinese. The other half are mostly Usun people, who make a living from cultivation and trade. ”

"May I ask General Su, how much arable land is there in Shanshan County and Jimo County?" This is what Du Ruhui is asking, he is in charge of the household department, and he is most concerned about arable land and population.

Su Dingfang bowed slightly and smiled: "Go back to Du Xiangguo." Shanshan County and Jimo County and cultivated land are located on both sides of the Jimo River. Only one season of wheat can grow every year, and now there are a total of 20 tuns of land, one tun is 50 hectares, that is, about 10,000 acres of cultivated land, half of which is military land, and we still have pastures. It is mainly located in Sabize and Puchanghai, with nearly one million cattle and sheep. The grain of Dunhuang County, as well as the wheat we grow and the cattle and sheep we raise, ensure the military rations. ”

Su Dingfang talked eloquently. The ministers took turns asking questions, and the questions and answers lasted for nearly an hour before they ended.

At this time, Yang Yuanqing stood up and said to the Xiangguo: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Western Regions have always been the focus of the Sui Dynasty, the first emperor created the foundation of the Western Regions, and we must not be defeated in our hands, on the contrary, I hope to continue to expand westward, and incorporate the vast territory of the Western Regions into the territory of the Great Sui...... At the end of the statement to the Xiangguo, Su Dingfang came to Yang Yuanqing's official room, Yang Yuanqing ordered the tea boy to serve him a cup of tea, and said with a smile: "These Xiangguo are annoying!" One by one, like crows, the questions are endless. ”

Su Dingfang smiled, "It's okay!" The more they care about the Western Regions, the more willing they are to allocate money to us, I can't ask for it, but I feel that this group of Xiangguo is obviously vibrant, especially Yang Shidao, who actually asked about the seasonal changes in the amount of water in the river, which is admirable. ”

"They're really capable!"

Yang Yuanqing agreed with Su Dingfang's feelings, and said: "The more capable they are, the easier I am, now except for some major government affairs that need me to take care of, I have handed over the rest of the internal affairs to Ziwei Pavilion, small matters are decided by the prime minister of the ruling ministry, and major matters are decided by them, so that my energy can be put on the army, on foreign conquests, okay, let's not talk about this, talk about the situation in the Western Regions." ”

Yang Yuanqing took out a map of the Western Regions drawn by Pei Ju back then, spread it on the table, and just now told Ziwei Pavilion about government affairs and people's livelihood, and now Yang Yuanqing is more concerned about the distribution of power and military pressure in the Western Regions.

Su Dingfang's spirits perked up, he also wanted to tell Yang Yuanqing about the situation in the Western Regions, he pointed to the map and said slowly: "Now the situation in the Western Regions is very complicated, simply put, there are four major forces, intertwined, one is our Sui Dynasty forces, occupying the eastern part of the Western Regions; followed by the Western Turkic forces, whose forces were mainly distributed in the north of the White Mountains; The third force was the Tiele faction, led by the Khibi tribe, dozens of tribes united against the Turks, and wars broke out mainly between the two of them; The fourth major force is the local small country, there are dozens of large and small countries, such as the large country of Qiuci, Yanqi, Gaochang, and the small country of Gumo, Shule, Suwen, Weitou, Xiaye and other countries, most of these small countries are Wusun people, but there are also two Han countries. ”

Hearing this, Yang Yuanqing interjected curiously and asked: "I know that a country of Han people is Gaochang country, and where is another country of Han people?" ”

"Broken Leaf Country!"

Su Dingfang said: "I also got the news from the Sogdian merchants not long ago, about three years ago, a group of horse thieves of thousands of people occupied Broken Leaf and established a new Broken Leaf State, the king's surname is Zhang, he is a Han Chinese, they submitted to the Western Turks and were recognized by the Western Turks. ”

After a pause, Su Dingfang whispered: "The chief manager still remembers the four years of the Great Cause, when I was surrounded by the people of the moon at the southern foot of Shiluo Manshan, the black horse thief who saved me?" ”

"You think the New Broken Leaf Nation is what they built?"

Su Dingfang nodded, "I think it's them!" ”

Yang Yuanqing stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, staring into the distance with deep eyes, in fact, he knew very well in his heart who this person was...... Su Dingfang went back to his home to reunite with his family, and Yang Yuanqing was still standing in front of the map of the Western Regions, falling into deep thought, he needed time to think about the Sui Dynasty's strategy for the Western Regions.

Then. Xiao Jin walked in lightly, he hesitated, not knowing whether to disturb the lord, but in the end he still bowed down and said, "Your Highness, the Xiangguo are still waiting!" ”

Yang Yuanqing woke up from his contemplation and glanced at him. That's when I realized, "I almost forgot." ”

He took a few batches of good notes and handed them to him, "We should try our best to handle the matter of sending wind collectors to various places, and I hope to see the list tomorrow and the day after tomorrow." The matter cannot be postponed any longer. ”

"Humble duty understood."

Xiao Jin took over the song, he hesitated for a moment and said, "There is another matter, and I have to report to His Highness by the way...... At dusk, Xiao Jin came to the Bafang Wine Store again, and he was the third time he came to this wine shop. This time I came alone. He seemed a little preoccupied with emotion, and he didn't even hear the shopkeeper greet him, he went up to the second floor, shook the bronze medal of the old guest, and a fellow immediately led him to the window seat.

"What do you want to use?"

"A pot of wine, just a few dishes. You can do what you do in the store. ”

Xiao Jin was a little depressed, very quickly. The man brought the food and drink, and he poured himself a glass of wine. He poured himself a drink, cup after cup.

I had been observing his shopkeeper in the dark, and I was secretly strange in my heart, so I turned around and walked quickly to the fourth floor...... Chief, Xiao joins the army again. In the room, the shopkeeper said respectfully.

"Is he alone?" Li Chongshou asked in surprise.

"It's only one person, but he seems to have something on his mind, and he's not in a good mood, I don't know why?"

"Something?"

Li Chongshou became more interested, so he was in the mood to have a good chat with this Xiao Senjun, so he immediately stood up and walked out the door...... Xiao Jin was already drunk, he poured himself another wine, but found that the wine in the jug was gone, and he couldn't help frowning and shouted, "Man, another pot of wine!" ”

At this time, Li Chongshou sat down opposite him and said to him with a concerned face: "Xiao joins the army, you have drunk too much, you can't drink anymore." ”

"! Who are you who dare to take care of me? Xiao Jin scolded drunken eyes.

"Xiao joins the army is really a noble person who forgets things, I am the proprietor of this wine shop, surnamed Li, didn't I meet Xiao Senjun yesterday?"

"Oh! I remember, you are the proprietor of Li, come! Drink with me. ”

The guy had already brought the wine, Xiao Jin snatched the wine jug, his hand trembled violently, and poured a glass of wine for Li Chongshou, and he poured another glass for himself.

"Come on! Li Dongzhu, I toast you. ”

Li Chongshou squinted and laughed, "Okay! I'll accompany Xiao to join the army for a drink. ”

'Squeak! With a snort, he drank the wine dry, and said casually: "Xiao doesn't seem to be in a good mood when he joins the army!" ”

Xiao Jin sighed and scolded: "I'm cheap, my brother was killed, my family was driven out of Dunhuang, but I didn't even dare to let out a fart, do you know why?" ”

"Why is that?" Li Chongshou asked curiously.

"Because the person who killed my brother and drove out my family is the domestic slave of the king of Chu, what is a domestic slave, do you understand? It's the so-called Iron Shadow Eighteen Guards, who started with my family, and I still boasted of being a high-ranking official in the court, but I couldn't even apologize, I wasn't even as good as a house slave, I was a dog! ”

Xiao Jin gritted his teeth with hatred, poured himself another glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, but fell headlong on the table.

Li Chongshou was still surprised by what Xiao Jin said just now, he knew that Xiao Jin was from Dunhuang County, and it was estimated that something happened to his family? Today, it seems that there are officials from the Western Regions, Su Dingfang and Shen Chun have entered Beijing, and Xiao Jin should have gotten the news of the family from them.

Although Li Chongshou didn't know what was going on, he felt that there was a lot of article here, and he had already heard Xiao Jin's resentment against Yang Yuanqing, maybe there was an opportunity here, and he had to find a way to find a businessman from Dunhuang to inquire.

"Xiao joins the army! Xiao joins the army! ”

He pushed Xiao Jin twice, but found that he had fallen asleep, Li Chongshou sighed, stood up and ordered his man, "Prepare the carriage, I will send Xiao to join the army and return home......