The Invincible Sixth Prince

On the way to Yufeng City, Emperor Wen also asked Dugu Ce for detailed information about the situation in the Northwest Protectorate.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Dugu Ce also played the victim.

However, Emperor Wen just listened to Dugu Ce's pity talk but didn't give him any benefits at all.

When he arrived at Yufeng City, Emperor Wen couldn't wait to lead his men to the top of the city wall.

Standing on the city wall, Emperor Wen was filled with mixed emotions.

It is the lifelong dream of many emperors to be able to ascend the city wall of the defeated country as the emperor of the victorious country in their lifetime.

Expanding territory is a phrase that emperors of all dynasties with great talent and strategy often talk about.

But how many emperors were able to truly witness the glory of expanding territory?

He was very fortunate to witness such glory with his own eyes.

Even though these territories were not conquered by him, later historical books would record the glorious deeds of Daqian in expanding territory during the reign of Emperor Wen.

"Your Majesty, would you like to recite a poem on this tower?"

Qin Liu dared to stand beside Emperor Wen and asked with a smile on his face.

"Forget about the poem!"

Emperor Wen smiled brightly, "Being able to climb up this tower and take a look at it is enough to comfort me in my life!"

Yun Zheng smiled: "It is an honor for Yufeng City that your father can come to this tower."

Listening to Yun Zheng's words, Qin Qihu and Dugu Ce couldn't help but admire him secretly.

Check it out!

His Highness the Sixth Prince's skill in flattery has reached perfection!

"Stop flattering!"

Emperor Wen glared at Yun Zheng with a smile, "Even if you praise me to the sky, I have no money or food to give you! I have already given you the idea, but you have to clean up this mess yourself!"

"I really didn't flatter you."

Yun Zheng laughed dryly, "Father has not been to many places in the inner city. Yufeng City is so far away from the imperial city, but Father has taken the trouble to come and inspect it. Isn't it an honor for Yufeng City?"

The Emperor's mouth twitched slightly, and he looked at Yun Zheng with both anger and amusement, "It seems unreasonable for me not to give you something for your flattery!"

This rebellious son wants benefits, and his mouth is so sweet.

He's even better at flattering than Mu Shundu!

Yun Zheng grinned, "If Father wants to give me something, that would be the best. If Father doesn't want to give it, I can't snatch it away, right?"

"You're just about to rob me!"

Emperor Wen glared at Yun Zheng and asked Dugu Ce, "How many people are there in the Northwest Protectorate now?"

Dugu Ce immediately replied: "If we count the garrison here, there are nearly two million people."

"Just so many people?"

Emperor Wen was slightly surprised. "Did you only count the people from Qiuchi, or did you also count the people from Dayue?"

"It's all included."

Dugu Ce replied: "The population of Qiuchi and Dayue is not large to begin with. Some people died in battles and starved to death last year and this year! Precisely because of the small population, Dayue and Qiuchi forcibly conscripted all the young and strong men in order to fight us. Even many people with gray hair were forced to help transport military rations or build food roads. This led to a lot of land being abandoned and no one was farming..."

Qiuchi and Dayue are just small places!

Moreover, half of the territory of Qiuchi and Dayue is relatively dry, not suitable for farming, and cannot support too many people.

This is also because the two countries had not had a large-scale war for many years before the war with Daqian.

Otherwise, the population of both countries will be even smaller.

"I see."

Emperor Wen smiled with sudden enlightenment, and then said with emotion: "Speaking of which, under such circumstances, it is really not easy for you to feed these two million people!"

"Yes!"

Yun Zheng and Dugu Ce agreed with the sentiment and looked at Emperor Wen eagerly.

Now that things have come to this, shouldn't the imperial court provide some grain support after the autumn harvest?

"We still need to dig more canals here to bring in water."

Emperor Wen said, and then looked at Yun Zheng, "Don't you have that explosive in your hand? Dig more mountains and dig more canals, and turn this Northwest Protectorate into another granary of my Daqian in the future!"

"..."

Listening to Emperor Wen's words, Yun Zheng was speechless.

So I've been waiting for a long time, and this is what I heard?

It's easy to say that it's easy to open mountains and dig canals!

Are all the successive rulers of Qiuchi and Dayue countries fools?

If it were really that easy to open mountains and dig canals, others would have done it long ago!

If one generation doesn’t work, then what about two generations?

When digging mountains and canals, we also have to consider the terrain and other things!

Could it be possible that Kai could invent a water pump to bring water to a higher place?

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

Emperor Wen waved his hand and said, "I am tired too. Please take me to rest first!"

"Yes!"

Dugu Ce had no choice but to lead the way.

When Emperor Wen arrived at the former Qiuchi Palace, he found everything strange.

If you don’t know, you would think that Emperor Wen has never seen the world!

Emperor Wen, led by Dugu Ce and others, walked around for a while and finally sat down in a pavilion to rest.

Emperor Wen stretched his legs on the chair and asked Mu Shun to massage his legs. He then instructed Yun Zheng: "I am tired today, so I want to catch up with Dugu. I won't meet with those officials yet! You go and talk to them first!"

"My son, I obey."

Yun Zheng bowed, but he was secretly confused.

Is this old man trying to get me away so he can talk to Dugu Ce alone?

Is this old guy trying to cause trouble?

When Yun Zheng left with full of doubts, Emperor Wen asked Qin Liugan and his son to leave as well.

At this moment, Dugu Ce also understood that Emperor Wen wanted to talk to him alone.

"Do you know why I want to talk to you alone?"

Emperor Wen raised his eyes and looked at Dugu Ce.

"I don't know."

Dugu Ce suddenly felt a little uneasy.

Emperor Wen narrowed his eyes and asked calmly, "How many troops are there in the Northwest Protectorate now?"

Dugu Ce replied honestly: "There are currently 100,000 troops, and another 60,000 surrendered soldiers. However, although the 60,000 surrendered soldiers are classified as the Guiyi Army, they are actually equivalent to Tian soldiers."

"That's an army of 160,000! This is a force that cannot be underestimated!"

Emperor Wen stared at Dugu Ce with a burning gaze, "If I ask you to use these 160,000 troops to contain Lao Liu so that he has no time to go to war with the imperial court, are you willing?"

As Emperor Wen finished speaking, Dugu Ce's expression suddenly changed.

Dugu Ce just looked at Emperor Wen stupidly, as if he was struck by lightning.

Seeing that Dugu Ce remained silent, Emperor Wen said, "As long as you dare to agree, I can make an exception and confer you the title of King of Northwest!"

King of the Northwest?

Dugu Ce felt secretly bitter in his heart.

I have never had this thought before!

After a long while, Dugu Ce came back to his senses and slowly knelt down: "Your Majesty, I dare to make a suggestion!"

"Say it!"

Emperor Wen lowered his eyebrows.

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler, how can he be so foolish?"

Dugu Ce risked his life, "I dare not covet the throne of a king of the opposite sex, nor do I want to be a king of a different surname! I only want to defend the borders for Daqian, and make Daqian's territory larger than any other dynasty! Now that the Sixth Prince is a man of great talent and strategy, and has made unparalleled achievements for Daqian, how can Your Majesty be so suspicious of the Sixth Prince?"

"I am not suspicious of him, I just don't want to see them killing each other." Emperor Wen shook his head slightly, "If I were suspicious of him, do you think I would send him money and food?"

Dugu Ce was speechless.

After thinking silently for a moment, Dugu Ce said solemnly: "Your Majesty has been very kind to me. Even though I helped the Sixth Prince seize the military power of the Northern Army, Your Majesty never blamed me and even sent my family to Shuobei. Whenever I think of it, I am grateful! But if Your Majesty wants me to lead the army to betray and contain the Sixth Prince, I really can't do it!"

Looking at Dugu Ce's sincere words, Emperor Wen couldn't help but smile playfully...