This time, Li Yuanqing not only had to complete the task, but also completed it beautifully, and he also needed Gu Shao's assistance.

Gu Shao glanced at Li Yuanqing, rode forward, didn't listen to Li Yuanqing's nonsense, and complained quite reservedly and annoyedly, "Trick up." ”

Li Yuanqing hit the horse to keep up, disapproving, "Actually, you Wenchen are now in a strange circle, and you can't get out of the circle, so the treaties you signed with Xiyun Kingdom and even the surrounding countries of Great Zhou are not effective." ”

Although Gu Shao didn't want to hear it, he thought that Li Yuanqing often won more with less, and he was invincible and strategic. Once a lone army went deep into the Xiyun Kingdom to pursue the victory, and also led the army deep into the hinterland of the enemy, these are all things that the predecessors have not done.

Li Yuanqing's insights may really be valid.

"If you want to say it, just say it, don't grind." Gu Shao suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and pretended to be careless, but in fact, he cared in his heart.

Li Yuanqing replied: "Only two words, price!" ”

"The price?" Gu Shao's brows tightened, thinking about this matter.

Li Yuanqing smiled and decided to give an example to make Li Yuanqing more understanding, "For example, because of my ability and the friendship between the Gu family and my wife, I am quite tolerant." Even if I offered to live in your house, in order to maintain your relationship with my family, in order to get something more valuable from me, you obviously hated me, but you still promised me. If you reject me, or even offend me, there may be results that you don't want, and that's the price. ”

"The reason why the surrounding vassal states of Xiyun Kingdom and the Great Zhou Dynasty dare to tear up the contract often is because the cost of tearing up the contract is too small, so they will gain an inch again and again? Anyone in the position of the Western Cloud Kingdom would do so. Tear up the contract, attack Da Zhou, burn and loot. If you win, you make a big profit; If he loses, he just sends a few ministers to kowtow and apologize and present a surrender. Sometimes, in order to appease the Xiyun Kingdom, the Great Zhou also gave rewards. Of course, anyone is willing to do a sure-fire deal. ”

"If this price makes Xiyun Kingdom feel that starting a war will consume ten or even twenty years of Xiyun Kingdom's national strength, Lord Gu, if you are the emperor of Xiyun Kingdom, will you easily tear up the contract and go to war?"

Gu Shao was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it, he felt that it made sense, and felt that he was persuaded by Li Yuanqing.

Gu Shao turned his head to look at Li Yuanqing, and at this time, the expression on Li Yuanqing's face that seemed to be smiling was not so annoying, he arched his hand and asked, "But since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, even in the previous dynasty, this has been the case." If we also resort to force, it will be detrimental to the majesty and dignity of the Heavenly Empire. ”

Li Yuanqing smiled, feeling Gu Shao's change.

This is a pure minister who has the world in his heart and is compassionate to others.

Since I was a child, I have read the books of sages and sages, and I feel that the truths in the books are all right.

Now Li Yuanqing's words have given Gu Shao a lot of inspiration.

Li Yuanqing pointed to the knife on his waist with a serious expression, "Lord Gu, the majesty of the Great Zhou and the dignity of the people of the Great Zhou have never been exchanged for benevolence and morality full of words, but the sword in his hand and the spirit of fighting bravely and not fearing death." When the soldiers are approaching the city, do you just memorize the Four Books and the Five Classics upside down, so that the enemy army can retreat? ”

"Obviously not! Wait until we defeat the enemy country, and then talk to them about benevolence, righteousness and morality, but the other party has to abide by this norm? But people don't take it seriously, but we take it seriously, benevolence, righteousness and morality are no longer the sword that exports the culture of the Great Zhou, but the rope that binds the progress of the Great Zhou. ”

Gu Shao continued to ride the horse, but the speed was very slow, and his thoughts had already followed Li Yuanqing's words, and he flew out far away.

When I was a child, I heard my grandfather talk about the surrounding countries, often committing border crimes, and the Great Zhou often fought wars, which consumed a lot of money and materials, resulting in an empty treasury and unstable people's hearts.

The belligerent will be dangerous, buried deep in the hearts of the monarchs and ministers of the Great Zhou, and they dare not use troops wantonly and defend passively. As long as the neighboring countries submit, they will not continue to be pursued.

Gu Shao asked again: "Then when do you talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality in the exchanges between the two countries?" ”

Li Yuanqing smiled, "Conquer the other party's land, and then occupy it, implement the culture and education of the Great Zhou, and teach for a long time, even if it was originally a person from the Xiyun Kingdom, but the brain has become the head of the Great Zhou people." This is the role of benevolence, righteousness and morality, not in times of war. ”

When Gu Shao heard this, his eyes lit up, and he understood. Domesticate its people, and they become the people of the Great Zhou. Since he is a citizen of the Great Zhou, he will not betray easily.

Although Li Yuanqing is a reckless man, his perspective on the problem is very novel.

Gu Shao felt that it was not a loss to invite Li Yuanqing to live at home!

Thinking of this, Gu Shao understood even more that Li Yuanqing had used the example he had just given. Even if he was bored with Li Yuanqing just now, and even because Li Yuanqing and Liu Paner renewed their relationship, he wished that Li Yuanqing was dead, he might be able to take advantage of the situation.

But now he has put behind his previous unrealistic ideas and wants to cooperate with Li Yuanqing, and in this negotiation, he will jump out of the original framework, seek benefits for Da Zhou, and pave another layer of golden light for his Qingyun Road.

When he arrived at the door, Gu Shao dismounted and handed the reins to Gu San.

Gu Shao's attitude was better, and he gave up, "General Li, please." ”

Li Yuanqing dismounted and returned the salute, "Thank you, Master Gu." ”

Gu San and Liu Kui in the back were dumbfounded, obviously on the road, the people who looked at each other and hated each other, their attitudes changed greatly at this time, and they actually had the illusion of sympathy for each other and friendship.

Entering Gu's house, Gu Shao said to Li Yuanqing: "Divide a courtyard for you and your people, and Gu will also arrange a few servants for General Li who are familiar with the capital, if you need anything, just tell the servants." ”

Li Yuanqing chuckled, "Thank you." ”

"After washing and eating, we will discuss carefully." Gu Shao said in a deep voice that personal feelings have been pressed in his heart, and national affairs are important. At this time, it was a critical moment for him and Li Yuanqing to unite and resist the enemy together.

Li Yuanqing smiled, "Master Gu doesn't need to be in such a hurry, there is no material, everything Li said is empty talk." ”

Gu Shao squinted at Li Yuanqing, thinking that Li Yuanqing was guarding him, "What materials does General Li want?" ”

Li Yuanqing replied: "Let's take Xiyun Kingdom as an example, the last three wars with Xiyun Kingdom in the previous dynasty, the grain and grass military expenses consumed, the number of sacrifices, and the rewards given to Xiyun Kingdom after the signing of the peace treaty, as well as the price paid by Xiyun Kingdom for launching wars. The time is relatively old, and it is best to be able to collect nature, which can be one of the reasons for the demise of the previous dynasty. ”

"In addition, after the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, so the Xiyun Kingdom went to war against the Great Zhou, the grain and grass military expenses and rewards for the Xiyun Kingdom consumed by our Great Zhou, as well as the grain, grass, military expenses and sacrifices consumed by the Xiyun Kingdom in order to start the war. The data on the side of the Xiyun Kingdom is not easy to calculate, so use the approximate number of people in the Xiyun Kingdom to start a war each time and estimate it. Master Gu, can you find out these materials? Sort it out? ”