On the third day after receiving the holy decree, Tianqiwei, who had been away from Changxing City for nearly three years, was divided into two, and more than 5,000 of them were led by Lin Shaodong to continue to stay in the Khanting, responsible for stabilizing the entire northwest and building a new industrial city.

The remaining 10,000 people slowly set off with Xu Rui's Chinese army camp and embarked on the way home.

On Xu Rui's Xuanyuan chariot, Yuan Zixiong and Xu Rui sat opposite each other, and a well-made map was spread on the small table between the two.

"My lord, please see, this is the map of the northwest that the old man has ordered someone to carefully survey and map in recent months."

Yuan Zixiong pointed to the map and explained carefully to Xu Rui.

"Outside the Tianqi Pass are the four northwestern provinces, plus the Khan's court, which has been conquered by the lord, and the Mobei grassland further north, just enough to form a perfect country.

Among them, there are three major rivers flowing through Saibei Province, which is close to Tianqi Pass, rich in water conservancy resources, fertile land, suitable for cultivation, and has the potential to become a grain-producing land.

Hechuan Province, in the northeast of Saibei Province, has abundant coal and iron resources, which is most suitable for the development of heavy industry, and as long as the funds are in place, it will become a huge treasure trove in a few years to build.

Although the grassland has been abandoned for many years and most of the land has been degraded into grassland, the climate is relatively mild, there are a large number of herders living there, and human resources are abundant.

The more westerly Beihai Province is close to the Beihai, with several year-round ice-free ports with excellent geographical conditions, plus it is adjacent to Xiliang in the south, as long as you cross the strait by water, you can reach the capital of Xiliang by water, and you only need to climb over three mountains by land to enter the Southern Dynasty through Xiliang in a big circle.

This place extends in all directions, and it can be said to be the only place to develop commerce.

In addition, the Khanting, which was hiding behind the four northwestern provinces, not only had a vast oil field, but also happened to sit in the rear, not far from the four northwestern provinces, no matter which province had a war, the army could start from this place and quickly reinforce.

In addition, the entire grassland was swept down by the lord in a battle, and there were no enemies worthy of a battle, and there were four provinces to the south of the Khan's court as barriers, which was very safe, and it was an ideal place as a political center. ”

Speaking of this, Yuan Zi's ambition was surging, he pressed his palm on the map, and said excitedly: "Lord, for the Central Plains Dynasty in the past dynasties, the four northwestern provinces and grasslands are all tasteless and regrettable chicken ribs to be abandoned, but for us, it is a treasure land!"

Whether it is industry, commerce, or agriculture and animal husbandry, it has extraordinary potential, as long as we are willing to invest in construction, there will be huge gains in a few years.

At that time, we will use the railway to connect the cities in all places, based on the grain of Saibei Province, the industry of Hechuan Province as the core, the commerce of Beihai Province will create a lot of income, and the heroes of the Khan's court will deter Xiaoxiao.

The entire northwest will become a majestic country spanning more than 1,000 miles, with a population of tens of millions, gold everywhere, and strong soldiers and rich people. ”

Yuan Zixiong said the blueprint in his heart in one breath, his mouth was dry, his face was red, and his ears were red, but the old heart in his chest was still "banging", and his excited blood seemed to be about to boil.

However, Xu Rui, who was sitting opposite him, had a calm face and was not shocked, as if he did not feel his excitement at all.

"It seems to make a lot of sense, but it's easier said than done."

Xu Rui pestled his chin, stared at the map in front of him, and said lightly.

Yuan Zixiong saw that Xu Rui did not refuse this time, relieved his mind a little, and said with a smile: "Now is a great opportunity!" ”

Saying that, Yuan Zixiong approached Xu Rui and said in a low voice: "Now that the life and death of the saint are uncertain, several princes have begun to fight against each other, and the infighting continues, and the various factions in the court have begun to choose sides, and the competition for the great treasure has become the top priority.

No one will take care of us at this moment, and even if they want to, they don't have so much energy and strength.

The Lord can take this opportunity to take advantage of the prestige of sweeping the grassland, and find an excuse to stay in the northwest without returning, and then make the northwest our own territory.

Even if the infighting in the court ends soon, whoever the new emperor takes to stabilize the domestic situation, crack down on dissidents, and stabilize his rule as the first priority, we will be able to buy a lot of time.

When those who seize power completely stabilize the situation in the DPRK and China, we will also gain a firm foothold in the northwest.

My lord, this is a great move to divide the territory and build a country in the northwest, we must not give up this opportunity! ”

When Xu Rui heard this, he asked quietly: "This matter is very important, it is not my own idea that can make it happen, not to mention that the Heavenly Apocalypse Guard, from the generals to the soldiers, are all the people of Great Wei, even if I agree, they may not agree." ”

Yuan Zixiong said with a smile: "Don't worry, my lord, I have thought of this matter in advance, I have talked with several little generals in the past few days since you were away, although I didn't say it thoroughly, it can be regarded as a probe." ”

"Oh?"

Xu Rui was stunned: "What is everyone's reaction?" ”

Yuan Zixiong said with a smile: "My lord, the Apocalypse Guard was built by you, and the soldiers are all henchmen who followed you to fight in the east and west, especially after this grassland war, you actually led the Apocalypse Guard to completely defeat the hundreds of thousands of troops in the grassland with 10,000 people.

At present, your reputation in the army is unparalleled, and the soldiers feel that there is nothing impossible to follow you, and you only know that there is a marquis, but you don't know the point of being a saint, even if you say that you want to take everyone to become immortals, I believe that there will be few people who oppose it.

What's more, the founding of the country is from the dragon's work, if it can be successful, those hard-headed soldiers will immediately become human beings, who would not want to? ”

Xu Rui frowned when he heard this: "So in fact, everyone has already agreed on it, just wait for me to come up with an idea?" ”

Yuan Zixiong nodded and said: "Actually, we were also forced by the attitude of the imperial court, we just returned to the division, and Tianqi Pass increased the army by 150,000, just to prevent us from moving."

The soldiers have just won the battle, sweated and shed blood for the country, but in the end they were guarded by thieves, everyone is cold, if the lord stands up at this time and raises his arms and shouts, it will be a hundred responses. ”

Xu Rui finally understood the current situation, and he was slightly relieved, but he didn't have much joy, but said with a long sigh: "I understand what you mean, my decision is to continue to return to Beijing." ”

"Lord!"

Yuan Zixiong was stunned when he heard this, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Xu Rui said lightly: "The Holy One has the grace of knowing me, as long as he is alive for one day, I will not be defeated!"

If I really take advantage of the danger of others to build a country in the northwest, General Liu and Xiao Shangshu, the elders I respect, will inevitably turn against me, which is a burden I don't want to bear.

In addition, the reason why industrial development has been smooth in recent years is because the power of capital is secretly supporting, but capital is good luck and avoiding evil, once we take risks, we will be abandoned by capital.

When the merchants of the Great Wei have withdrawn their investments, and the imperial court has given us a lot of constraints, it is tantamount to a fantasy to build the northwest in just a few years with our own strength.

History is written by the victors, if we are defeated, the brothers who trust me and follow me to fight the world in the northwest will become traitors and be firmly nailed to the pillar of shame, I must not let them down like this! ”

Yuan Zixiong didn't expect Xu Rui to refuse so thoroughly, and opened his mouth, as if he wanted to persuade again, but he couldn't say a word.

The wish that had always existed in his heart, as well as the months of hard work were wasted, Yuan Zixiong's disappointment was overflowing, but just when he thought that the matter had been invalidated, Xu Rui gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Yuan Gong, I understand your thoughts, but you can't become a fat man by eating in one breath, things have to come step by step, I will never betray Da Wei, but I will not allow Da Wei to betray me.

Now that the battle for the succession is intensifying, some people in the court have begun to openly guard against me, and I don't know what the situation will be in the future.

The brothers followed me to fight in the east and west, and they must also be the object of guard, of course I have to leave them a way back, at least the tragedy that the Yuan family once suffered cannot be staged again! ”

Xu Rui stared at Yuan Zixiong and said bitterly.

"Lord!"

Hearing Xu Rui mention the Yuan family, Yuan Zixiong's heart was moved, Fang Cai's despair dissipated instantly, and old tears filled his eyes.

Emperor Hongwei's sentence of "use or not hire" suppressed the Yuan family, a thousand-year-old family, and Yuan Zixiong's greatest hope in this life is to make the Yuan family re-enter the historical stage.

When Xu Rui refused to build the country, he once thought that he would never see the day when the Yuan family was reborn, but he didn't expect Xu Rui to always remember the suffering of the Yuan family.

Seeing that Yuan Zixiong was moved, Xu Rui sighed and changed his soothing tone.

"It is impossible to build a country in the northwest, but we must go all out to develop the northwest, as long as we do not take risks, the northwest will certainly be profitable.

If it is profitable, it can attract a lot of capital, and with the intervention of a huge amount of capital, it will be much easier to develop this treasure land in the northwest.

Moreover, attracting investment is actually a secret kidnapping.

Think about it, when we attract a lot of money to the northwest, will the wealthy businessmen and dignitaries who have invested huge sums of money and wait for rich returns still allow someone to attack the northwest?

That's our real talisman!

So you just have to build the northwest in a big way according to your blueprint, once the imperial court really changes, or which prince will be wiped out after seizing power, then we still have a place to live, don't we? ”

Yuan Zixiong finally understood Xu Rui's thoughts, and his heart was exhausted, and he laughed heartily: "It's still the lord's foresight, but the old man is short-sighted, and the old man will do what the lord wants!" ”

After that, Yuan Zixiong saluted Xu Rui with a fist and got out of the car happily.

As soon as he left, Princess Qixia walked out of the carriage behind Xu Rui.

When Xu Rui saw her, a trace of guilt flashed on his face and said: "I am also forced to protect myself, and I have no ambition to seek power and usurp the throne." ”

Princess Qixia shook her head, gently leaned into Xu Rui's arms, and said softly: "You don't need to explain, I know that you are not in the world, I am worried about you."

This time, you have made immortal achievements, and the combat power of the Apocalypse Guard is so strong, you will inevitably be regarded as a thorn in the side of the major forces in the capital.

In the past, you have always remained neutral and wandered between the princes, but this time you may have to choose a side, and once you choose a side, the rest of the princes will regard you as their worst enemy.

I'm really afraid that my ambitious brothers will be bad for you. ”

Xu Rui's heart warmed when he heard this, and gently soothed Princess Qixia's back, a trace of fierceness flashed on his face, and he muttered: "Don't worry, no one will provoke me when I return to Beijing this time, if someone takes the initiative to come to the door, I will ask someone to see my methods!" ”