Zhangye, which means "Zhangguo's arm, to pass through the Western Regions", is one of the four counties in Hexi, located in the middle of the Hexi Corridor, and has been an important commercial town and throat of the Silk Road since ancient times.

The snow-capped Qilian Mountains are densely forested; Between Yanzhi Mountain and Qilian Mountain, there is an endless grassland, and the lake is rippling, full of moving horses, sheep and yaks; The rolling waves of wheat are boundless, and countless people are busy with them.

Suddenly, countless war horses wearing protective gear came out of the east gate of Zhangye, and they were immediately full of cavalry of the Song army wearing armor and fierce dragons and tigers. The armies were full of quivers, the horses were hung with hard bows, and there were at least a thousand knights.

Seeing the appearance of the Song army, everyone on the official road gave way and let the official army pass first. This is not that the people are afraid of the officials and soldiers, but that the officials and soldiers of Hexi did not commit any crimes in the autumn, suppressed bandits and killed thieves, and protected the territory and the people, which was very loved by the people of Hexi.

"General, I can't imagine that Your Majesty is coming to the northwest border again!"

Yang Daquan beat the horse slowly, and said loudly to Yu Yu in front of the horse.

"That's because Your Majesty can't let go of your brothers, and you miss your brothers!"

Cao Shixiong's face was full of excitement and laughed loudly.

In Hexi for three years, his face was already full of wind and frost, and his people were much darker and stronger.

"You think you are a fairy in the sky, and Your Majesty will never forget it?"

Yu Jue laughed and said loudly:

"Your Majesty went to Hexi, one is to see Tuntian, but to see the war horses, and the third is to see the training. As for you, it's piggyback! ”

Yu Jue's words made the soldiers around laugh.

The emperor came to the northwest frontier three times, and all of them, the generals who were born in the martial arts hall, were happy to see the holy face.

"General, in addition to the more than 18,000 war horses supplied to Hexi Road and Lizhou West Road, there are more than 26,000 war horses in Hexi Horse Farm. Your Majesty wants us to prepare 30,000 war horses, and we have already surpassed them! ”

Cao Shixiong said with great interest, his face flushed.

After three years of hard work, Zhangye Racecourse has regained its vitality and continuously delivered war horses to the border army of the Great Song Dynasty.

"There are 8,000 cavalry on Hexi Road, and by next year, it will be at least 10,000. Your Majesty should be happy! ”

Yang Daquan was also complacent and said loudly.

Seeing Yu Jue's brows frowning slightly, Yang Daquan's eyes rolled.

"General, Your Majesty came to Hexi in person, won't you just take a look around?"

The Mongol army has been dormant for so long, and the Mongol rangers on the border are increasing day by day, and it seems that they are only afraid of the war again.

"I don't know."

Yu Yu's horse speed remained unchanged and continued to move forward.

"Your Majesty once said that in three years the Tatar army would return. The three-year period is about to be completed, and His Majesty's coming this time may really be for this fierce battle. ”

Cao Shixiong wanted to ask again, but Yu Jue's eyes widened.

"Don't ask! Wait a minute, see Your Majesty, you can ask yourself! ”

Cao Shixiong grimaced, no longer asked, and like all the generals, they were all in good spirits and beat their horses to keep up.

On the official road from Liangzhou to Zhangye, Zhao Hong rode his horse, surrounded by ministers, and countless ironclad warriors followed, overwhelming the world and making great noise.

"Your Majesty, as of the spring of this year, there are more than 220,000 hectares of tuntian fields in Hexi, and more than 1.1 million immigrants. Among them, Juntun accounts for 20%, Shangtun accounts for 30%, and the remaining 50% is Mintun. This year, it is expected to earn 25 million stones of summer wheat and 30 million stones of autumn millet. There is no more barren land left in Hexi. By next year, people will be able to pay taxes as usual. ”

Fan Zhong rode on a horse and introduced Zhao Hong carefully.

More than 22 million hectares of fertile land, with an annual income of 50 million stone wheat millet, enough for millions of people. The income from the military cantonment alone is enough to supply the grain and grass of 100,000 troops.

"Fan Zhong, you are building water conservancy in Hexi, pacifying the local people, immigrating to Shibian, tuntian to settle the people, raising food and salary, turning a ruin into a thousand miles of fertile fields, benefiting the country and the people, and the merit is in the future, I am very pleased!"

For this official, Zhao Hong did not skimp on his appreciation.

This time I set off to the west, in addition to accepting the return of Western Xia, of course, I also had to inspect the border passes and comfort the soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty border army.

"Your Majesty, this is the result of the joint efforts of officials at all levels, especially Shi Songzhi, Cui Shuyi, Gao Jia, and several colleagues of Peng Daya and Chen Longzhi. The minister did not dare to be greedy for merit. ”

Fan Zhong hurriedly became humble.

"Gao Jia, Shi Songzhi, Uncle Cui, and all the Qing families, I see your merits in my eyes. The people of Hexi and Lizhou in our dynasties, thank you! ”

Zhao Hong looked at the courtiers and said loudly.

Chen Longzhi and Peng Daya have returned to Hanzhong and Lizhou, but the rest are in Hexi. These people are all weathered and seem to have worked a lot.

All the courtiers were smiling and thanking each other.

"Shi Songzhi, Gao Jia, Uncle Cui, you are doing a good job. As long as you remember the words "for the country and the people", the people will not forget you, and I will not forget you. Wait for yourself. ”

Zhao Hong said softly, meaningful.

This Shi Songzhi is Shi Miyuan's nephew, and he has some talent. However, in history, this person was very authoritarian, and his methods of dealing with political opponents were cruel, which made him hesitate for a while whether to reuse this person.

However, as long as you beat it from time to time, the law restricts, and you are not afraid of Shi Song's mistakes.

In the final analysis, talents are rare, and it is still necessary to use their advantages, let them give full play to their advantages, and develop their strengths and avoid weaknesses, which is the correct way to use people.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

In the envious eyes of everyone, Shi Songzhi and Uncle Cui seemed to be grateful again.

"Wu Feng, you have worked hard to lead the safety of Liangzhou City!"

Looking at Wu Feng, who was missing a forearm, he seemed to be a lot darker and stronger, and his complexion was good, and Zhao Hong was also pleased.

"For the country and the people, loyal to the country, His Majesty's teachings are kept in mind."

Wu Feng looked around, his face flushed, and he was a little embarrassed.

"Your Majesty, the minister met a local woman in Liangzhou, the minister is already married, and has a son, just turned old."

"Good, good! As long as you like! ”

Zhao Hong laughed, and suddenly frowned.

"Wu Feng, your parents, do they agree to your marriage?"

The Wu family is a famous family in the Great Song Dynasty, will Wu Feng's parents accept their son marrying a northwest woman?

"Your Majesty is considerate. When the war in Hexi is over for the time being, the minister plans to take his wife back to Lin'an City to visit his parents, and then ask His Majesty to be gracious. ”

It seems that Wu Feng is not worried about his parents' attitude.

"Wu Feng, my parents are here, and I don't travel far. If you want to go back to Lin'an, I can transfer you back. ”

Zhao Hong nodded and said.

Wu Feng is the only son in the family, his parents are old, and Wu Feng is disabled, so it is natural that he will be transferred out of Hexi.

"No, no, no, that's not what the minister meant. The minister just went back to see his parents and asked them to see their grandchildren. The minister has something to do in Hexi, and he can also share his worries for His Majesty. I don't want to leave here! ”

Wu Feng's face turned red and he became anxious.

"Good! Your request is granted! ”

Everyone has their own ideas and pursuits, and Zhao Hong can't be reluctant. Wu Feng finally found his goal in life and actively devoted himself to it, of course he would not use strength.

Looking ahead, the smoke and dust were billowing and the sight was full of moving horses' heads, Zhao Hong couldn't help but smile.

"Yu Jue, they're here."

Thousands of iron riders are really heartbreaking. Yu Jue ran Hexi and did not disappoint him.

Yu Jue and the others came over, dismounted far away, and knelt down all over the official road.

"Your Majesty!"

The official road was full of war horses, and the cavalry of the Song army were fierce and brave, kneeling all over the official road and the wilderness, and Zhao Hong was also secretly surprised.

"Brothers have worked hard, have you always been good? I haven't seen you for three years, and I'm very worried! ”

Ande warriors guarding the Quartet? There are so many warriors, why worry about the injustice of the world?

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

All the troops bowed again, impassioned, and everyone's faces were full of joy.

Only the headmaster emperor would call the generals so affectionately.

"Get up! Follow me and go to Zhangye County to have a look! ”

All the armies mounted their horses one after another, one leading the way, and the other following the brigade.

"Your Majesty, did you come to Hexi this time, could it be that the war has started again?"

Yu Jue and the ministers of the court, Xue Ji, Xuan Ying, and Fan Zhong, met the salutes, and then asked in a low voice.

The surrounding generals and ministers, including Xue Fanzhong, looked at Zhao Hong.

Yu Jue was right. The Tatar army has made a comeback, the war has started again, and I am afraid it will be another big war! ”

Zhao Hong nodded lightly, his eyes swept over the accompanying generals.

"There are now more than one million people in Hexi, and more than 20 hectares of fertile land, which is the south of the Yangtze River in my Great Song Dynasty. You have to tie up this fence well, and don't let Hexi be poisoned by the flames of war again! ”

"Your Majesty, rest assured! There are now 8,000 cavalry and 50,000 soldiers in Hexi, and if the Tatar army dares to come, the minister will definitely let him come and not return! ”

Yu Jue said excitedly. He looked at the soldiers around him and asked loudly:

"Brothers, the Tatar army is about to invade, tell Your Majesty, are you afraid?"

"Your Majesty, it's still the same sentence, it's useless to say more, see the real trick on the battlefield!"

Cao Shixiong immediately clenched his fists and swore to Zhao Hong.

"Your Majesty, if the Tatar cavalry dares to come, the last general will definitely make him bleed!"

The titan Yang Daquan is also the best to do.

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

"Your Majesty, just wait for the good news of the last general!"

Everyone scrambled to be the first, and they all expressed their stance vigorously.

Today's Hexi Song Army is strong and strong, with complete firearms, and many generals have participated in the war, and everyone is ambitious and wants to make contributions.

"Good, good! I have such a warrior, I can rest easy! ”

Zhao Hong nodded again and again and laughed.

The military heart is available, which is enough to reassure him. In life, how many comfortable times are there!

Xue Ji, Xuan Yong and the others looked at each other and shook their heads. Today, the self-confidence and courage of the officers and men of the Song Army are extraordinary.

Could this be a martial artist, and the official family will be suppressed and drawn from the bottom of the kettle?

"I have a message for you, strategically despise the enemy, but tactically we must attach importance to the enemy. You can be dismissive of the other side, but when you start a battle, arrange your troops, and so on, you must not be careless. Behind you are tens of thousands of soldiers and millions of people. You've all memorized it! ”

Zhao Hong solemnly advised, and all the generals were solemn and took orders together.

Yu Jue also received the order solemnly. The general office is a genius, and what he says is a wise saying, but he doesn't dare to take it lightly.

If you carry a small notebook with you, you can write down the famous words of the emperor of the general office and consider it at any time.

"Yu Jue, the Tatar army is likely to invade in autumn and winter, and Hexi must do a good job of clearing the walls to ensure that the people are worry-free, and not a grain of grain can be left for the enemy. As for Zhangye Racecourse......"

Zhao Hong stopped talking and looked at Yu Jue.

"Your Majesty has no worries, and the racecourse will be temporarily closed at that time. Adult horses will stay in the army, and some will be sent to Lintaofu Road and Lizhou Road. Only stallions and mares are left in the stud farm fortress. When the Tatar army arrives, they will definitely not leave any horses for them! ”

Yu Jue thought for a moment and replied loudly.

It seems that he already has a plan for the upcoming war.

"Give Cao Youwen four thousand war horses, so that his Xixia Road and cavalry will also make up to five thousand."

Zhao Hong nodded with satisfaction and said loudly.

A famous player is a famous general, and he will never let you down. With Cao Youwen, Yu Jue, Wang Jian and other generals sitting in the northwest, he can consider using troops to Lianghe.

Taoguang has been in obscurity for five years, and it is time to use troops outside.

"Xixia Road?"

Yu Jue was confused and looked at Zhao Hong in surprise.

Zhao Hong smiled slightly, and Fan Zhong on the side picked up the conversation.

"General Yu doesn't know that Western Xia has returned to my Great Song Dynasty. His Majesty divided the Xingling area, including Dingzhou, Yanzhouchuan, and Xiazhou, into the Xixia Road, and General Cao Youwen was the capital of the Xixia Road. When His Majesty finishes his trip to Hexi, he will go to Zhongxing Mansion to accept the submission of Western Xia. ”

Yu Jue woke up like a dream and nodded again and again.

I only heard that the land of Xingling was going to be incorporated into the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, but I didn't expect that the emperor would even have a name.

All the generals were excited, and the Western Xia surrendered to the Great Song Dynasty, so that Hexi and the land of Xingling were integrated, and the Mongolian army came, making it easier to make a comprehensive layout.

"The army entered Zhongxing Mansion, which was the seat of Xixia Road. The necessary horses and grain had to be transferred from Hexi. 4,000 horses and 500,000 stone of grain were allocated for the defense of the army. ”

Zhao Hong reminded Yu Jue and Fan Zhong in a serious manner.

"In the land west of the river, the Tatar army may enter from Yumen Pass and Yangguan Pass. The land of the spirit will probably go south from the Keyi Gate. Do not slack off. At the end of the trip to Zhongxingfu, I may return to Chuzhou and sit in Shukou. The world is unpredictable, and the main forces of the Tatar army may enter from there. I'll wait for them to come to the door! ”

Zhao Hong smiled softly, and Yu Jue and the others were a little creepy for a while.

Emperors often do not know prophets. If the Mongol army attacks, I am afraid that a few front teeth will be broken.

"In the past few years, has there been any movement on the west side of the river?"

To the west of the river, the Uighurs of the Mongol Empire, were not surprisingly attacked.

"Back to Your Majesty, the Uighur king of Western China, Baershu, once led his troops to attack several times, but then disappeared because he did not get any bargains. Because they were all small-scale wars, the ministers did not play. ”

Yu Jue gushed introducing.

"Balshu took refuge in Genghis Khan, and the Mongols set up Shangshu Province and Daru Huachi in Beshbali. This guy was rampant in the country, and the people were struggling to make a living, and many people in the Western Regions dragged their families and horses into Hexi. Speaking of which, the growth of the Hexi Racecourse is also related to the transportation and help of these people to transmit military information. ”

Zhao Hong laughed softly. These slave tribes, the aristocracy is extremely poor and luxurious, oppresses and bullies the common people, and maintains their arrogant and lascivious and decadent life, which is no longer normal.