The strongest Marquis in history

Whether it is Qi's national power, population base, or even combat power, it is stronger than Wei's.

This is a reality that must be faced.

Cao Xuan's eyes were sharp, and he said, "Now, should we choose to let the cities stand on their own, or send troops to fight? This is a problem that exists at the moment. What choice does the Prime Minister think we should make?"

Cheng Lin said: "The old minister's suggestion is that His Majesty wants to go to the front line to resist in person. Because the enemy's strength is extremely tyrannical, the whole country must be resisted."

After Cao Xuan heard it, he fell silent immediately.

He hesitated.

In a national war, once the former army of his direct line could not hold it, the consequences would be disastrous.At that time, it will not be easy to resist Qi's army again.

"Come on."

Cao Xuan was silent for a while before speaking.

He did not agree with Cheng Lin's suggestion, but waited for the servant to enter, and ordered: "Go, notify Aimati to discuss matters."

"Yes!"

The servant had to turn around and go down to inform.

Aimati is a general that Cao Xuan relies heavily on now, and he was born in the former nobles of Gaochang Kingdom.Amat itself has mastered many slaves and has a lot of land under its jurisdiction.

The situation in the state of Wei is a bit different now. It is not the structure of the Great Zhou Dynasty in the past, nor the structure of the Qi State today. Locally, it mainly exists in the form of slave owners and nobles.

There are nobles and slave owners everywhere in the place, and such people control most of the land, resources and population.

Cao Xuan wanted to annex these people and use all of these powers for his own use.The problem is that he took over the countries of the Western Regions, mainly to win over the power of these people.Once the strength of these people is broken, he will eventually suffer backlash, so knowing that under such circumstances, although his strength is not weak, in fact, there will always be constraints.

The power of the nobles in these places will make it difficult for Cao Xuan himself to dominate.

Cao Xuan also had no choice.

time is too short.

It is impossible for Wang Qi to give him so many opportunities here. Even if Cao Xuan knew that retaining the power of these nobles was seeking skin from tigers, he could not take any action for the time being.

After a short time, Amat entered.

Amat is tall and tall, with sharp eyes, a hooked nose, and slightly sunken eye sockets, which are typical characteristics of the Western Regions.

He was in his forties, and he was in the prime of life.It was just because of the heavy wind and snow that his face was a little red, and his cheeks were a little rough due to the wind and frost.

After Aimati stood still, he bowed and said: "My minister Aimati, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Cao Xuan waved his hand and said, "Sit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Aimati thanked him respectfully, he sat down and looked at Cheng Lin who was sitting beside him.When he saw Cheng Lin's serious expression, his heart skipped a beat. He was afraid that something big happened to Wei Guo, so he asked this question.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be the case today, nothing would happen at all.

Cao Xuandao: "Aimati, I just got the news that the emperor of Qi, Wang Qi, has led a large army, and has come towards our country Wei. This time, Qi country is going to completely destroy our country Wei."

When Amat heard this, his eyes rolled.

I also thought about it in my heart.

Cao Xuan knew that the nobles like Aimati, although they were working for him, in fact, there was not much loyalty to speak of.The reason why Aimati and other nobles from various countries in the Western Regions are willing to serve Cao Xuan is because Cao Xuan has not touched their interests, and even rewarded them a lot.

Once the interests of these nobles are touched, then they may run counter to Cao Xuan.

This is something Cao Xuan must consider.

Without considering this point, there is no need to fight the next battle.

Cao Xuan looked calm, and continued: "Aimati, the state policy of the Qi State is that the land, population, and resources in all places are all state-owned and are no longer privately owned."

"For example, in the state of Qi, all the people belong to the imperial court, that is, free people, and there is no private population. All the land is also owned by the imperial court, and there is no private land. The land cultivated by the common people is allocated by the imperial court to private individuals. farming."

"As for all the local mineral resources, they belong to the imperial court. Even big nobles are not allowed to exist."

"In the court of Qi State, there are important ministers, high-ranking officials and nobles, but these people enjoy glory, but they do not enjoy land or population. , all integrated into Qi State, and then Qi State will implement reforms.”

"Everything will change."

Cao Xuan talked eloquently, and continued: "The reason why I say this is because some nobles, upon hearing that Qi State is coming, think that Wei State is dangerous and that Wei State may not be able to stop them, so they have other thoughts."

"As everyone knows, there is no place for nobles under Qi's command. If these nobles are willing to release their rights and give up everything in their hands, they will submit to Qi."

"Then I didn't say anything."

"I also believe, General Amati, that you are a smart man who understands the stakes."

Cao Xuan's words seemed very relaxed, without any excitement or anger.What he did was to consider for the great nobles.

Amat frowned after hearing this.

He felt a little dignified.

Qi State's policy is really abominable. It actually includes all the land in Qi State.All resources must be collected by the imperial court, which is simply perverse.

The great nobles headed by Aimati have the most land and the most resources. Although he works for Cao Xuan, in essence, these people are also the emperor of a country and have their own rights.

Therefore, those of noble origin are unwilling to be deprived of their rights.

Chapter 931 Benefit Driven

Seeing that Aimati didn't answer immediately, Cao Xuan continued, "I'm inviting you here now to discuss strategies against Qi."

"Fight, must fight."

Aimati didn't even think about it, and spoke directly.

He widened his eyes and said with an angry look: "Your Majesty, the people of Qi are wolfish ambitions, and the emperor of Qi is so daring that he intends to attack Wei, we must fight back."

"Wei State will never allow Qi State to act fiercely, so this battle must not only block Qi State, but also defeat Qi State. The territory of Qi State is so vast. The resources of Qi State are so many. No How can we be worthy of our Wei State if we take down Qi State?"

"This is our opportunity, too."

Aimati was extremely decisive. He knew that he could not retreat, so he said: "In this battle, we will even defeat Qi State, enter Qi State territory, plunder their resources, and rob their food and women."

With a smile on Cao Xuan's face, he said: "General Aimati has such great ambitions, and I also admire them. Now that it involves defending against Qi, General Aimati, please inform the two places in front of Guazhou City and Yiwu City. Nobles, please organize your troops and resist with all your strength. In addition, I will immediately mobilize a large army to go to Puchang, and help resist with all my strength behind Guazhou City and Yiwu City."

"Yes!"

Amat immediately responded.

Cao Xuan waved his hand and said, "Let's make arrangements."

"I retire!"

Aimati bowed and saluted, then turned and left.

In the hall, only Cao Xuan and Cheng Lin were left.

Cheng Lin expressed admiration on her face, and said: "Your Majesty's move to drive away tigers and wolves is really clever. As long as the nobles headed by Aimati, all lead the army to resist with all their strength. Next, we will fight with the Qi State. If we fight, we still have a chance to defend."

Cao Xuandao: "The big nobles such as Aimati have occupied countless territories, populations and resources. Their territory of our Wei State was taken by Qi State, and their own power was also lost. Therefore, driven by interests, They will go all out. In this way, we will wait and see what happens in Puchang in the rear, and strive to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."

Cheng Lin stroked the beard under his chin, he thought for a while, and said: "Sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight, we still have to be cautious. I suggest that you wait and see what happens first, because once the strength of Aimati and others is completely wiped out, Without a little bit of strength, in the end, the lips are dead and the teeth are cold. Without Aimati and others, our country Wei can't stop it. Therefore, we still have to fight with all our strength."

Cao Xuan nodded and said, "What the prime minister said is true."

Cheng Lin said: "The old minister will go to make arrangements, after all, the next step will involve the departure of our army."

"Go!"

Cao Xuan nodded.

Cheng Lin bowed and saluted, then said goodbye and left.

Cao Xuan sat alone in the hall, he looked up at the gloomy weather outside the hall, but a gleam flashed in his eyes.This time, he, Cao Xuan, will not be a deserter in the war against Qi.

This time, he will fight desperately and will never retreat.

After sitting for a long time, Cao Xuanku got up and went straight to the ancestral temple of Wei State, looking at the tablets on it.The memorial tablets here include those of Cao Xuan's parents, Cao Xuan's wife and children, all of whom were massacred by Li Hongzhong's rebellion in the previous battle in Weiwu County, Liangzhou.

All these people were buried in that battle.

Cao Xuan muttered to himself.

To these dead relatives, he confided his determination in this battle.No matter how powerful Qi is, no matter how powerful Wang Qi is, Cao Xuan no longer waits, and vows to win the battle.

At this moment, a servant entered, came to Cao Xuan's side, and reported: "Your Majesty, the general is asking to see you."

"pass!"

Cao Xuan gave an order.

He went straight to his own hall.

The current General of the State of Wei is Cao Yuanli.In the past, Cao Xuan left Cao Yuanli to guard Longguan, but Longguan was blown up, Cao Yuanli retreated quickly with his soldiers, joined Cao Xuan, retreated all the way, and came to the Western Regions to take root.

Cao Yuan had a mortal enmity with Qi Guo from himself.Because of the battle in Weiwu County, not only did all of Cao Xuan's family members fall, in fact, Cao Yuanli's own family members also all died in Weiwu County.

Cao Yuanli has always wanted to take revenge.

He hopes to come back with revenge.

When Cao Xuan entered the hall, he saw Cao Yuanli who had been waiting for a long time, Cao Xuan waved his hand to stop Cao Yuanli from saluting, and said, "Brother, what are you doing here now?"

Cao Yuanli is Cao Xuan's elder brother, logically speaking, Cao Xuan can call Cao Yuanli by his name directly.But Cao Xuan called his elder brother to draw closer the relationship between the two parties.

Cao Yuanli said: "Your Majesty, I request you to lead the troops to fight. Now that the army of Qi State is coming, it is already the autumn of life and death for Wei State. In the past, we had no gunpowder and no cannon, so fighting is always at a disadvantage."

"Because the merchants sent weapons, we now have gunpowder and cannons. Our strength has been greatly enhanced. Under this premise, we can already fight."

"I beg Your Majesty to allow you to lead troops to the front line of Guazhou City to defend against the army of Qi."

Cao Yuanli's eyes flashed with fighting intent.

He couldn't wait to fight.

"No!"

Cao Xuan answered directly and decisively.

Cao Yuanli frowned and said, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Cao Xuandao: "What I mean is very simple. We don't need to go to Guazhou City to fight for the time being. What we have to do now is to lead the army to the front line in Puchang. The front line fights in Guazhou City and Yiwu City , to the local nobles and garrisons."

"In the land of the Western Regions, although all regions are said to be submissive, in fact, each region has its own strength, its own army, and its own nobles in power. That being the case, let's let them fight against Qi State first."

"Then, let's fight again."

Cao Xuan said: "Such an arrangement not only weakens the local nobles, but also weakens the power of the Qi State. For us, it is beneficial and harmless."

After Cao Yuanli listened, he immediately understood.He himself is a veteran on the battlefield, an old man in the army, and he is very clear about Cao Xuan's intentions, which is to drive away tigers and devour wolves.

Cao Yuanli said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this strategy is feasible, but I am reckless."

Cao Xuan looked very determined, and continued: "Brother, we must be prepared for a protracted battle in this battle. I don't think that relying solely on the strength of the nobles of the Western Regions can truly stop King Qi of Qi."

"After all, Wang Qi is extremely powerful. We still have to rely on ourselves now. In fact, this time is also an opportunity to weaken the nobles of the Western Regions. Only their power has been completely weakened. Only then will we truly unify the Western Regions." When, not now, we were the biggest force, and there were many others."

Cao Xuan flicked his sleeves and said, "Although the situation is unfavorable, we can still make plans, and even take advantage of the fire."

Cao Yuanli said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Cao Xuandao: "Since brother understands, let's prepare."

"According to the order!"

After Cao Yuan got the order to leave, he turned around and prepared to leave.But when he was about to turn around, he suddenly thought of something, and said, "Your Majesty, who will guard the rear when the army is going out this time? In the past, it was Master Jia Yu who guarded Weiwu County and guarded the rear, which made our rear unhindered. Now , there must be truly reliable people guarding the rear."

Cao Xuandao: "This time, let Cao Yi guard the rear. He is a member of my Cao family, and he is also quite proficient in government affairs. With him in the rear, Gaochang County is expected to be safe and able to provide us with a steady stream of resources. .”

Cao Yuanli said again: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Cao Yi, he also knows that this is a rising star of the Cao family. He is in his thirties, cautious by nature, and quite proficient in government affairs. Now he is assisting Cheng Lin.

It is the most suitable arrangement for Cheng Lin to go out with Cao Xuan and leave Cao Yi to guard the rear.

Cao Yuanli didn't stay any longer, turned around and left.

Cao Xuan took advantage of the situation to arrange Cao Yi's affairs, so that Cao Yi was ready to take over the government affairs and be responsible for the security of the rear.

Chapter 932 The Weakness of Nobles