In October of the 31st year of the Xia Li Wucheng, the Western Turkic Soli Khan sent an envoy to the court. On the grounds of the outbreak of locust plague in the grassland in autumn, he asked Daxia to waive the one-year tribute and provide another million stones of grain and grass.

Since Yang Zhi infiltrated the court of Saiyin Shanda and assassinated Todu Khan and Zuoxian King Zarhan on the same night as Linglong, the Turks were divided into two parts: the east and the west. Out of strategic considerations, Bactria helped his youngest son, Prince Soli, ascend to the throne of Khan after the death of the Western Turkic Tuyi Khan. Under the auspices of Bactria in recent years, the Western Turks have gained the upper hand in conflicts with the Eastern Turks.

With the increasing strength of the Great Xia and the annual tribute of the Western Turks, the emperor gradually looked down on it. The emperor is still here, such a military event, the crown prince Zhao Qi is naturally invited to the holy judge.

The emperor received a report from Zeng Yingming, the general who was stationed in Shuofang, that the grassland locust plague was indeed a problem, and it could only be alleviated by waiting until the bitter cold in winter. The emperor generously agreed to exempt the Western Turks from paying tribute for one year, but cautiously discounted the request for grain and grass, promising only 200,000 stones.

On the evening of this day, Xu Wenhan suddenly came to visit. The reason why it is said to be sudden is because since Zhao Qi was canonized as the crown prince, the four brothers have never relaxed, and they rarely move back and forth on weekdays, and Qin Kongyun has not returned to Beijing so far.

Yang Zhi had a tacit understanding with Xu Wenhan, led him into the study, and asked directly: "Big brother came tonight, but for the Turks?" ”

Xu Wenhan asked noncommittally: "What do you think of this?" ”

Yang Zhi said coldly: "It's very simple. The emperor was fooled. ”

Xu Wenhan sighed: "I think so too. In the past few years, the four seas have been peaceful, the country has been rich, and the crown prince has been very smooth. And the acting government affairs are remarkable, and the emperor is indeed a little fluttering. ”

Yang Zhi frowned and said, "You stay in the palace every day. Why don't you persuade the emperor? What's the use of coming to me? ”

Xu Wenhan shook his head blankly and said: "Today's trend is not what it used to be. Before the emperor canonized the crown prince. I had a great headache about how to use you, so I was called to inquire. The emperor has never been an indecisive person, which can only show that he has no need to rush to use you. Therefore, I will push the boat along the river and advise you not to use or use it as a backup. Now I am just a six-grade attendant, and if I am not summoned by the emperor, I will rarely have the opportunity to get involved in government affairs. You are just a foreign minister stranded in Beijing, in the eyes of the emperor, this is just an innocuous little matter of kindness, why do you need to ask you? ”

"I also know it's useless to look for you. But the emperor has just passed a few good days, and his vision is far less long-term than before. The crown prince is gifted and wise. After all, it's a little immature. Thinking of this, I ...... I'm really flustered. ”

Yang Zhi sighed: "Only by eating a trench can you grow wiser, and growth comes at a price." It's just that I feel worthless and heartache for those brothers who died in the desert! ”

While the two were sighing, Ah Fu came panting to report: The prince has visited.

Zhao Qi is already the crown prince, not the former little kid Yue Wang. Before Yang Zhi could get up to greet him, he heard Zhao Qi laughing outside the door: "Who does my brother-in-law feel worthless heartache?" I heard that Mr. Xu is also here, right? ”

Zhao Qi's identity, whether it is the king of Yue or the crown prince, has always been as casual as entering and leaving the Yang Mansion as his own backyard. Yang Zhi was also deeply helpless about him.

Yang Zhi and Xu Wenhan glanced at each other, bowed together and said, "Ministers welcome His Royal Highness the Prince!" ”

The smile on Zhao Qi's face suddenly froze, and then he stretched out his hand to help him: "No courtesy, no courtesy!" I came uninvited. Visiting at night, it is said that I was rude. Brother-in-law, Mr. Xu. Let's sit down and talk! ”

If Yang Zhi first met Zhao Qi, there was only a small ditch between the two that could be passed in one step. After Zhao Qi's feast that year, the distance between the two became a fence that was neither tall nor short. After Zhao Qi was canonized as the crown prince, the distance between the two has become an invisible wall. Whether they want it or not, it's a hard truth.

After seeing the tea and sitting down, Zhao Qi said with a smile: "It's not early, so I won't be long-winded." The two of them just discussed, but for the Turks? ”

There's nothing to hide. Listening to Zhao Qi's meaning, it seems that he is also here for this matter, and there may be a chance to redeem it! Xu Wenhan's eyes couldn't help but light up, and he said calmly: "Prince, the minister is indeed here for this matter. ”

Zhao Qi smiled, turned his head and asked, "Brother-in-law, I want to hear what you have to say." ”

"Do you want to hear the truth?"

“…… Of course! ”

Yang Zhi said eloquently: "The truth is that the emperor and the prince have done this, and the scar is good and the pain is forgotten!" The Turks have been a strong enemy in the north of our Chinese dynasty since ancient times, why do they go south all the year round to invade the border, burn, kill and loot? Because they want to survive. Although the Turks had a vast territory, most of them had a bitter and cold climate, which was not suitable for farming. They can only live in water and grass, and live nomadically. Once they encounter a natural disaster, their living conditions and medical conditions are far inferior to those of the Central Plains Dynasty, and if they don't go south to plunder, what will they eat? As long as this problem is not solved, it will always exist! ”

"The Turks were divided, the two tribes were opposed, and the Western Turks had no choice but to bow down to Great Xia, so that they did not dare to invade the south for several years. Encountering a natural disaster is a godsend opportunity for Great Xia to weaken them! They need to survive, don't I need to survive in Great Xia? As long as it is related to the fortunes of the country, there is no room for mercy! ”

"The geographical conditions of the Eastern and Western Turks are almost the same, and if a locust plague breaks out in the Western Turks, can the Eastern Turks be spared? Back then, I brazenly killed the national teacher Khurchi, but Prince Soli was still willing to negotiate with me and conclude a peace treaty. It can be seen that today's Soli Khan is not a good type, and he is only forgiving and waiting for development and growth. In recent years, the Western Turks have gained the upper hand, which means that the situation of the two opposing ministries has become unbalanced. Great Xia should have tried to suppress it, but now it is exempting from tribute and aiding grain and grass, wouldn't it let it sit big? ”

Zhao Qi was stunned and said, "Brother-in-law, it's not as serious as you said, right?" My father has already agreed, and if he goes back on his word, I'm afraid it won't be appropriate. ”

Xu Wenhan interjected: "If the prince didn't have doubts about this matter, how could he come to visit at night? If he speaks out, the emperor will definitely consider it carefully. Forgive the ministers and dare to ask, is the prince afraid that the emperor will be suspicious of his power? ”

Zhao Qi smiled and did not answer, which was tantamount to acquiescence.

Yang Zhi sneered: "People have no long-term concerns, but they must have near-term worries." I'm not alarmist. The emperor and the crown prince value the face and lining, I only know that I must pay the price of the lives of countless soldiers and the money and food accumulated by hundreds of people. That's why I will say that I feel worthless and heartache for those brothers who died in the desert! ”

"I dare to assert that this winter and next spring, Suoli Khan will conquer the Eastern Turks and unify the desert. Within three years, maybe Suoli doesn't need to wait another three years, and there will be another battle between the Turks and Great Xia! ”

Xu Wenhan answered worriedly: "Maybe the minister is too worried." I don't know if the prince ever thought that the Turks had always colluded with Southern Chu, if Soli Khan sent an envoy to the court this time, it would be the first step after the secret consultation with Southern Chu? Forgive the minister's vain words, the emperor is already old, and this rush to appoint the crown prince may be ...... at any time. ”

Yang Zhi said more directly: "Whether it is Turkic or Southern Chu, the day the emperor dies must be the time of war!" ”

Zhao Qi was not shocked when he heard this, but was silent for a long time, and asked, "In your opinion, how should it be remedied now?" ”

Xu Wenhan said with a straight face: "Put down your face, tribute is inevitable, and grain and grass are not given." The herald ordered the Shuofang defenders to be on strict alert. When necessary, Zeng Yingming was ordered to send troops out of Shuo in the name of investigating the disaster. In Suizhou, the same is true for Yang Yao. On the Yuhang side, Geng Chao was ordered to send troops forward and pose an attack posture against Nanchu! (To be continued.) )