Fenghou

It has expanded westward to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The only regret is the Western Regions. The Protectorate of the Western Regions in the Han and Tang Dynasties has disappeared for hundreds of years.

The first thousand and 510 eight chapters of the Western envoy

There is a new store opened near the west gate of Xianyang. The store occupies a large area of ​​five acres, with a front store and a back room, and a large warehouse. After a short period of preparation, the store has opened. , jade, carpets, medicinal materials, spices and leather, etc.

Needless to say, this Huhuo shop is an intelligence point that Xiliao sent to Jingzhao to inquire about the news. Originally, Xiliao and Yong Dynasty had no intersection. land.

But their ancestral land of Liaodong is already the territory of the Yong Dynasty. If Xiliao still does not give up and wants to take back Liaodong, then the war with the Yong Dynasty will inevitably break out.

Realizing this, Yelu Dashi sent a team of spies to Jingzhao to inquire about the deployment and movements of the Western Army.

On the other hand, Li Cheng, the governor of Shazhou, has participated in the battle to defend Huihe in Xizhou under the order of Chen Qing.

He led an army of [-] into Beiting, and together with the Xizhou Army fought against the Liaoxi Army on the front line of Luntai.

However, as Xiliao continued to invest heavily in troops, the [-] Shazhou Army and the Xizhou Huihe Army were at a disadvantage, and the Xizhou Huihe began to ask the Yong Dynasty for help again.

Yelu Dashi also realized that its empire's eastward expansion would definitely collide with the Yong Dynasty, so it began to pay attention to the Yong Dynasty and sent several intelligence teams to the Yong Dynasty to collect intelligence.

He needs to understand the national power of the Yong Dynasty, the number and equipment of the Yong army, and the morale of the soldiers. Is it the same as the former Northern Song army?

Although the people in the intelligence station are all Khitan people, after they came to Jingzhao, everyone gave themselves a Chinese name. The leader was called Li Bage, but in fact he was called Yelvba Yige, a tax official from the Western Liao Kingdom. , because he can speak Chinese, he was selected and sent to Jingzhao.

The deputy is called Wang Chongshan. He is a real Han Chinese, a Han Chinese from Yanshan Prefecture. Regardless of his appearance, language, clothing, etc., he is no different from ordinary Han people in any aspect. He is in charge of foreign negotiations and develops some local intelligence spies.

Wang Chongshan still has some ideas. Not long after he came to Jingzhao Mansion, he discovered a way to understand the Yong Dynasty, that is "Beijing News". He found a shop and bought a lot of "Beijing News" at a high price. For three years newspaper.

Wang Chongshan shut himself in the room for a few days, the leader Li Bage was a little unhappy, this morning, Li Bage knocked on the door, he walked into the room, saw newspapers all over the floor, he frowned , Unhappily asked: "There is a saying in the Han people called behind closed doors. You are like this. You can get information if you shut yourself in the room and don't go out."

Wang Chongshan said triumphantly: "That means the commander doesn't know. With these newspapers, you can know the affairs of the world without going out!"

He took out the information he had compiled and said: "This is all the information I have compiled. I know that the Yong army has a total number of 75 people and nearly 150 million horses. I know that they are good at using kerosene and firearms. They and The Jin Kingdom is fighting, and many details will be described in newspapers."

Brother Li Ba was immediately interested. He took the information and looked at it, and asked, "Is there any other useful information?"

"There are many, look at this!"

Wang Chongshan took a newspaper and opened one of the pages, "Here is the market trend, the daily price of grain and cloth oil, the cheapest rough wheat, fifteen cents a bucket, the most expensive is Suhu rice, fifty cents a Dou, the price has been at this price in recent years, it is very stable, and there is also population information.”

Wang Chongshan took another newspaper and said: "This is the number announced by the Ministry of Accounts at the beginning of the year. It is estimated that there are 750 million households and a population of about 9000 million. This is the pig iron production. Last year, the iron production was about 750 million catties. After entering the pig iron production of Yanshan Road and Liaodong Road, it will break through 1000 million catties."

Brother Li Ba took a deep breath. Both the population and the output of pig iron were ten times that of Xiliao. Is it wise to provoke this powerful dynasty, Xiliao's new national policy?

"Besides, is there any useful information?"

"The chief reads this newspaper!"

Brother Li Po took the newspaper and read it carefully. The headline on the newspaper was Recent Situations in Liaodong. He could speak a few words of Chinese, but he knew very few Chinese characters, and basically couldn't read them.

"Tell me! What's the content?"

"That is to say, the plague broke out in Liaodong, and there was basically no human habitation in the north of Liaodong. The population was concentrated in the south, and the majority were Han Chinese."

Brother Li Ba was taken aback, "A plague broke out?"

Wang Chongshan nodded, "I saw other reports before that the Kingdom of Jin was doomed. Because of the outbreak of the plague, I gave up going to Beijing and went to Linhuang Mansion. As a result, I was wiped out by the Yong army in Linhuang Mansion. Now half a year has passed and the population is gone. The plague should It's over too."

"Okay! After sorting out all the information, let's send someone to Xiliao."

Brother Li Ba didn't interfere with Wang Chongshan's reading of the newspaper anymore. Although he couldn't get top-secret information, the public information was enough for them.

……

In mid-July, a group of more than [-] special envoys from Huihe in Xizhou finally arrived in Jingzhao.

The special envoy is called Hara Baru, a monk, and the national teacher of Khan Bilege. He can negotiate with Yong Kingdom on behalf of Khan Bilege.

Of course, Xizhou Huihe came to ask for help, and they were in danger of destroying the country.

The official who accompanied Harabalu to Jingzhao was Mr. Shi Meng, the governor of Shazhou.

At that time, after Li Cheng surrendered to Chen Qing on Shandong Road, he was appointed by Chen Qing as the governor of Shazhou. Master Meng was a member of the Western Army's Fa Cao and participated in the military. He followed Li Cheng to Shazhou.

Li Zhen, Minister of Honghe Temple, went out of the city to welcome the envoys, because the person who came was not a king or a prince, so there was no need for a prime minister to come out to greet them, it was enough for the Minister of Honghe Temple to come out to greet them.

More importantly, when King Yong ascended the throne and the Yong Dynasty was established, Xizhou Huihe did not send envoys to participate in the enthronement. Nanzhao, Tubo, and Li Dynasty all sent envoys, but Xizhou Huihe remained silent. It is not satisfied.

But this time, it was supposed to be the king or the prince who came to make a pilgrimage, but they still didn't come. They only sent a monk, which seemed insufficient sincerity.

If it wasn't for Xi Liao's reasons, he wouldn't even have received the courteous reception from Honglu Siqing.

Hara Baru and his party were arranged to stay in a noble hotel, while Master Meng went to the Internal Affairs Hall to report the latest situation.

The matter is of great importance, Jiang Yanxian and Zhang Jun brought Master Meng to meet the emperor.

Master Meng was really excited, and knelt down to pay respects, "Master Shi Meng, the governor of Shazhou, I bow down to His Majesty the Emperor!"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "It turned out to be Meng Canjun. I haven't seen him for several years, so I am free from courtesy."

Chen Qing asked the guards to take chairs for them to sit down again, and Chen Qing asked again: "Did Meng Changshi take his wife and children to Shazhou?"

"After picking them up, they live in Dunhuang County."

"How about Dunhuang County?" Chen Qing asked again with a smile.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Dunhuang County has always been the county with the largest number of Han people in the Hexi Corridor, and it is the same now. Half of the people are Han, and Uighurs account for [-]%. I'm afraid that the Xiliao people will come to Dunhuang."

"Do you think the Western Liao Army will reach Dunhuang?"

Master Meng shook his head, "I don't think so. In fact, Xiliao's attack on Huihe in Xizhou was not to open the passage to the grassland. They didn't need it at all. They could go directly to the Mobei grassland from the north of Jinshan."

After finishing speaking, Master Meng presented a map of the Western Regions, and Chen Qing unfolded the map. Sure enough, the Xiliao army could completely attack from the northern foot of Jinshan Mountain.

"Then why did Xiliao attack Huihe in Xizhou?"

"Humble job thinks it should be for revenge!"

"revenge?"

Chen Qing exchanged glances with the two prime ministers, and Chen Qing asked, "What revenge?"

"Back then, Yelu Dashi led the [-] Khitan expeditions in Ketun City, and was warmly received by Bi Lege, the Huihe Khan of Xizhou, and agreed to attach himself to him. In fact, Bi Lege was the [-] elite soldiers who feared Yelu Dashi. Yelu Dashi Then he attacked Heihan, but failed, Xizhou Huihe immediately turned his face, and killed all the thousands of Khitans who stayed in Xizhou Huihe, you can imagine the hatred in Yelu Dashi's heart."

"So you think the Western Liaodong Expedition was not aimed at returning to Liaodong?"

"no no!"

Master Meng quickly shook his head, "These are two different things. It has always been Yelu Dashi's dream to return to Liaodong. He is now in his twilight years and he has few days to come. He hopes to return to his homeland in his lifetime. He has publicly stated his position many times and will definitely do so." Dominating Mobei and returning to his homeland, he wanted to destroy Xizhou Huihe only for the stability of the rear. He learned the lessons of the past and no longer believed in Xizhou Huihe. Once Xizhou Huihe was destroyed, his army would inevitably drive the grassland from the south of Jinshan , I don’t think he will attack Hexi, and Yelu Dashi doesn’t have that much time.”

The first thousand and 510 nine chapters report venting

At noon, Wang Chongshan found Brother Li Ba with a newspaper, "Leader, look, Harabalu has arrived in Jingzhao!"

Brother Li Ba was startled, "When did you come?"

"This is today's newspaper. He should have arrived in Jingzhao yesterday."

Brother Li Ba pondered for a moment and said: "This must be Huihe from Xizhou asking for help from Yongguo!"

Wang Chongshan said with a smile: "But Xizhou Huihe's attitude is not sincere!"

"why would you say so?"

"I read the newspaper about King Yong's ascension to the throne. It said that Nanzhao, Li Dynasty and Tubo all sent envoys to congratulate them, but they did not see Goryeo and Xizhou Huihe. This time, it was not the king or prince who came to ask for help, but the sent country. The teacher came over, so only Honglu Siqing came to greet him in Yong Dynasty, not Xiangguo came out to greet him, so we can see the dissatisfaction of Yong Dynasty."

"You mean, the Yong Dynasty will not send troops to help Xizhou Huihe?"

"I don't dare to say that, it's just that the price of sending troops to the Yong Kingdom will be very high, and Huihe in Xizhou may not be able to accept it."

Brother Li Ba nodded, "Then we will wait and see!"

After a pause, he continued: "The dispatch of information is suspended, and when the results come out, they will be sent to Xiliao together!"

……

There is a grocery store diagonally across from Hu's store. It was originally opened by a woman, and then an old couple came in. They were hard of hearing, and the business was not very good.

The old couple didn't seem to care about business, they sat in front of the store and basked in the sun all day long, but their eyes were fixed on the Hu goods store diagonally opposite.

Whenever a clerk or shopkeeper leaves the store, the old lady will enter the house immediately, and after a while, a middle-aged man riding a donkey will follow.

Needless to say, the grocery store is the eyeliner used by the internal guards to monitor the store. Although the old couple in the grocery store are not from the internal guards, their son is Nie Ping, the commander of the internal guards.

After more than ten days of monitoring, Nie Ping finally discovered the clue, and immediately returned to the inner guard to report his discovery to Zhong Huan.

"Reporting to the general, I found that they basically didn't go out much, and didn't have contact with other people. I was also wondering how they collected information. Today, I finally understood."

Zhong Huan asked with interest: "How do they collect information?"

"Use the "Beijing News" to collect information!"

Nie Ping said with a smile: "One of them, a Han, collected a batch of old newspapers ten days ago, and I went to ask the businessman who sold the newspapers to him. The businessman sold the newspapers to him at a high price for three years, and then I bought them today. Found this in the scrap they threw away."

Nie Ping took out a stack of newspapers and put them on the table. A lot of the content inside was cut out by scissors, leaving only a frame, "The previous newspapers may have been burned, but these dozen or so copies are too lazy to burn, just throw them away, humble job Know their source of information."

Zhong Huan picked up a newspaper, looked at it and said, "This one only has the headlines on the front page, and it is today's "Beijing News."

He hurriedly took a copy of today's Beijing newspaper from the side, and compared it, it turned out that it was the news that the Xizhou Huihe envoys had entered Beijing.

"They are really concerned about this matter, I know, continue to monitor!"

"Humble post obeys orders!"

Nie Pingping saluted and left, and Zhong Huan read through a pile of cut newspapers for a long time before getting up and entering the palace. He had to report this matter to the emperor in time.

……

At this time, Chen Qing was also listening to reports from Jiang Yanxian and Zhang Jun. This morning, the two of them, on behalf of the imperial court, made the first contact with Harabalu, the Huihe envoy from Xizhou, to understand each other's intentions.

Jiang Yanxian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, their intention is very clear, that is, they want us to send troops to help them resist the invasion of the Xiliao army."

"Didn't our Shazhou Army help them resist the Xiliao Army? What else do they want?"

Zhang Jun quickly said: "What the other party means is that we have sent too few troops. They hope that we will send at least [-] troops, and they will pay for the rations."

Chen Qing nodded, and said to Yang Tai, "Go and invite the other five prime ministers, let's go to the meeting hall next door!"

Not long after, Zhou Kuan and other five ministers rushed to the meeting hall, and all seven ministers arrived.

Only then did Chen Qing say to everyone: "Today we will mainly discuss in depth the matter of Huihe in Xizhou. Jiang Xiangguo and Zhang Xiangguo, please introduce to everyone the situation of your contact with the Huihe envoy this morning!"

Jiang Yanxian briefly explained to everyone the situation of his contact with the Huihe envoy Harabalu this morning, and finally said: "Halabalu is the Huihe national teacher with a high status. He can sign any agreement with us on behalf of the king. Speaking of it, it’s just a little lack of etiquette, but the other party is very pragmatic!”

Chen Qing said indifferently: "Pragmatic is pragmatic, but sincerity is still a little insufficient. If the prince and the national teacher come together, I think it will be more sincere."

Everyone could hear that the emperor was quite dissatisfied with the contempt and disrespect of Huihe in Xizhou.

Chen Qing slowly said to everyone: "To gather everyone together, I actually want to clarify some principles and matters. Although Xizhou Huihe is rude, I still agree to negotiate with them and contact them. The most important thing is to get in touch with them." The reason is that I want to rebuild the Anxi Protectorate."

This sentence shocked everyone, and everyone understood the great talent of the emperor, and he was not willing to be a conservative monarch, but continued to open up territories in the far west.

"What kind of Anxi Protectorate does Your Majesty want to build?" Zhou Kuan asked.

"That's a good question!"

Chen Qing said slowly: "The Anxi Protectorate I want is the same as the Central Plains, with prefectures and counties, just like Xihai County, Yiwu County, Qiemo County, and Shanshan County established in the Sui Dynasty, but I still want more As far away as Luntai County, Yili County, Yanqi County, Gaochang County, Qiuci County, Shule County, Suiye County and even further away, like the Central Plains, there are states and counties, which really become the territory of our Yong Dynasty."

Lu Qingshan said bluntly: "But does your Majesty know why the plan of the Sui Dynasty failed in the end and became the plan of the Tang Dynasty, only building military cities without occupying land?"

Chen Qing nodded, "I know that the distance and time make it difficult for the court to control, and it has to coexist with the countries in the Western Regions. The prefecture system of the Sui Dynasty has changed to the military town system and fetter system of the Tang Dynasty. At this stage, I also plan to adopt the military township system of the Tang Dynasty. This is why I want to negotiate with Xizhou Huihe. My condition is to establish Tingzhou in Luntai, rebuild Beiting Duhufu, and coexist with Xizhou Huihe.

More than ten years later, with the emergence of new means of transportation, it is no longer a dream to arrive at Beiting in a few days. At that time, the system of prefectures and counties will be re-introduced, and the Western Regions will be completely included in the territory of the Yong Dynasty. "

Everyone looked at each other, and Zhou Kuan asked: "What does your majesty mean by the new means of transportation? Is there any clue?"

Chen Qing nodded, "The new means of transportation I'm talking about refers to the steam train. Taixue has been studying it for several years, and finally has some clues."

……

Chen Qing's idea was unanimously agreed by the Xiangguo, and everyone supported the reconstruction of the Anxi Protectorate.

The negotiating policy has been determined, and the next step is to continue negotiating with Huihe in Xizhou. The Yong Dynasty can send [-] troops to help Huihe in Xizhou fight against the expansion of Western Liao and East, but the condition is that the Yong Dynasty will rebuild Tingzhou, Yizhou and Xizhou, and rebuild Beiting. Protectorate.

……

The Prime Ministers dispersed, Yang Tai said to Zhong Huan who was waiting outside: "Your Majesty summoned the general!"

Zhong Huan quickly got up and followed Yang Tai into the imperial study.

"Wei Chen sees His Majesty!"

Chen Qingxiao asked: "General Zhong wants to see me urgently, but have you found anything important?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we discovered that the intelligence spies from Xiliao found another way to find information from the "Beijing News". They collected the "Beijing News" for three years."