"Yichen understands that this North Loulan was originally the most economically underdeveloped area of the Grand Duchy of Loulan, although the geographical location is important, but due to the complex population composition and the large number of ethnic minorities, it has not been valued by the Loulan government, so the local economy has been lagging behind, which is also one of the biggest reasons why local people of all ethnic groups are dissatisfied with the Grand Duchy of Loulan." Tian Yi cleared his throat and began to introduce the basic situation.

Zhao Youxiao nodded slightly, and then motioned for Tian Yi to continue.

"Now Qin Duan intends to divide the gift to Beiloulan into two pieces, Northwest Loulan was originally the most desolate area, including the green swamp and the grassland near the Indean Kingdom, the vast area is equivalent to the area of two prefectures in the interior of our empire, there is no city, most of the residents live on agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry, and there is no industry and commerce at all, and the road traffic facilities are also extremely backward, it should be said that it is in a semi-blank state, and the original management of the Loulan people is only a formality, Therefore, Qin Dui hoped to establish a central city in this area, and the various ethnic groups living in the northwest corner of the Indean Kingdom were repeatedly harassed by the neighboring Indean Punjab, and Qin Dui hoped to build a small fortress there, which was the westernmost part of the empire's territory, to garrison the local security. Tian Yi saw that His Majesty the Emperor listened quite carefully, and introduced it very carefully.

"Northeast Loulan is centered on the existing Vito City, including the original large area of the eastern part of the Great Hengduan Mountains inhabited by the Gaoyue barbarians and the nearby shallow hills, this land Loulan people only nominally have sovereignty, but in fact for hundreds of years they have no ability to control every grass and tree here. The Andean people in this area account for a larger proportion than Loulan in the northwest, and can be regarded as the largest ethnic group in the entire northeast Loulan, and our Tang people also account for a certain proportion, and the economic situation is slightly stronger than that in the west, but if the Gaoyue barbarian inhabited areas in the Hengduan Mountains are also included, the problem here is also quite specific. The Gaoyue barbarians are still in a relatively primitive economic state, and if they want to get out of their backward state, they also need to make greater investments in transportation, education, and health. Tian Yi slowly finished introducing the situation of the entire Beiloulan.

"Now that the North Loulan region has been newly incorporated into the empire's territory, the local people of all ethnic groups also have considerable hopes for the empire, so the minister has come to ask His Majesty for advice on this matter." Seeing that His Majesty's forehead was slightly wrinkled, Tian Yi hurriedly added.

"This North Loulan area is so vast. Is it really that the economy is so backward? Zhao Youxiao put his eyes on the report in his hand again.

"Although the area of this North Loulan is large, but the ethnic composition is complex, it has never been the development focus of the Loulan government, the economic center of gravity of Loulan is mainly concentrated in the central and south, followed by the west, and the north is not important, and the garrison is quite small, so Qin Duan can easily succeed, and the people of Loulan can sign an agreement with Qin Duan so easily and generously." Tian Yi explained.

"That's up to you. If Qin Dui's request is met, how much money will the empire allot? Zhao Youxiao asked thoughtfully.

"That's a lot to be fully satisfied. In his report, Qin Duan proposed that a considerable amount of funds would be needed to build new cities, develop transportation, reorganize armaments, and improve political power construction, and Yichen initially estimated that at least about 15 million silver would be needed. But now the empire's finances are not abundant. There are many places where the funds are needed, and it is difficult to afford such a huge expense. Tian Yi's words didn't show any inclination.

"According to you. This North Loulan has a vast territory and rich products, is it so poor and backward? Zhao Youxiao asked hesitantly.

"Since the founding of the Grand Duchy of Loulan, its economic and development focus has tended to the central and southern regions, followed by the western regions, and the northern regions due to the large number of ethnic minorities. In addition, the relationship between these ethnic minorities and the Andean people is not very harmonious, and the population is far less than that of the central and western regions, so they are not paid attention to at all, and the local culture, education and infrastructure are quite backward, otherwise the Loulan people would not have only a small number of garrisons. Qin Dui would not have succeeded so lightly, and the Grand Duchy of Loulan would not have signed a treaty agreement with Qin Duan so generously. Tian Yi patiently explained.

"Do you think it is necessary for the Empire to give such a huge aid to such a remote and backward region?" Zhao Youxiao asked slowly, and a pair of eagle eyes also fell on Tian Yi's face.

"This ......"

Tian Yi was a little nervous, he wasn't sure what the emperor meant by his majesty, looking at the happy look of the court yesterday, he should support Qin Du's request, but looking at the current posture, the emperor seemed to have some suspicions, and his attitude has changed a lot, he is a person who is extremely good at figuring out the holy will, otherwise he would not have sat firmly in the ups and downs of the imperial court in the past few decades, could it be that there are any new changes in this night?

"This, it depends on His Majesty's opinion, if His Majesty thinks that Beiloulan is located in a remote area and has no great development value, you can let Qin Duan solve it by himself, and the imperial court can give appropriate subsidies; If His Majesty believed that the location of Beiloulan was important and there was a need for key development, the empire could naturally give a certain amount of assistance to accelerate the development of the local economy. He said this without leaking, and gently pushed the problem back to Zhao Youxiao.

"I want to hear what you think." Zhao Youxiao was a little dissatisfied with Tian Yi's ambiguous answer.

"This, Beiloulan is geographically remote, far away from the hinterland of the empire, but it is a springboard for the empire to step into the Middle Continent, the value is not very great in the economic sense, but it is quite important in terms of strategic location, controlling this area, it is also conducive to the extension of the empire's influence to the Central Continent, such as the Western Regions and the Tengger Grassland region, which is of great benefit to improving the status and influence of the empire. However, the area is too remote for the empire to manage. ”

Tian Yi thought quickly in his head, and finally said something to deal with, without figuring out the true intentions of His Majesty the Emperor, he didn't dare to make up his mind.

Zhao Youxiao sighed slightly, he couldn't blame Tian Yi for his words, if it was according to his meaning yesterday, it would definitely be supported, but seeing that his tone had changed a little today, he naturally didn't dare to act rashly. The crux of this problem is not actually the question of whether Bei Lou Lanzhong is important or not worthy of assistance, but that he can't rest assured about that Qin Duan.

"Tian Aiqing, the weather is good today, you can accompany me to take a walk by this lake." Zhao Youxiao stood up and took the lead.

"Obey." Tian Yi knew that His Majesty the Emperor must have something to ask him, so he hurriedly followed behind.

The winding lakeside path is particularly quiet, surrounded by ancient trees and forests, the scenery is very beautiful, Zhao Youxiao walked forward slowly, to a stone tablet beside the road, the inscription has been blurred, caress the stone tablet, it seems that there is a difficult thing to decide.

"Your Majesty, but what do you have to say to Wechen?" Tian Yi saw that His Majesty the Emperor was just touching the stone tablet, as if he was reading the inscription that had been blurred, and he didn't speak for a long time, so he couldn't help but ask. (To be continued......)