North and South groceries

The climate in the Western Regions in this era is relatively humid, many vegetation has not been destroyed, and the water source is more abundant than in later generations.

At that time, Lop Nur was still a huge saltwater lake, and there were also some large and small freshwater lakes. There were countless snow accumulations stored on the snow-capped mountains. The valley of the mountain stream gurgles down.

People at this time could even develop water transportation in the Western Regions, which is hard to imagine in later generations.

It is precisely because this place is so rich that it is always remembered by the forces of the surrounding countries, and the Central Plains Dynasty is no exception.

When it comes to war, Luo Yong also agrees that reunification can promote exchanges and development between localities more than division. Those truly successful reunification wars often have far-reaching influence and significance.

But wars are always cruel, especially when the forces of all parties are at odds, even if they win the battle, it may not be possible to achieve a real merger.

The Western Regions are so far away from the Central Plains, and the middle is only connected by a Hexi Corridor. In the northeast of this corridor is Xue Yantuo, in the northwest is the Western Turks, and in the south is Tubo.

In such a complicated situation, if Tang Fang had the strength, he would definitely have to deal with Xue Yantuo and the Western Turks first. Songtsan Gampo married Princess Wencheng two years ago, and the relationship between Tang and Tubo became friendly. People must be very clear that such friendship is difficult to pass down from generation to generation.

If these problems are not resolved, even if the area of ​​the Western Regions is conquered, it will be difficult to defend it. Once the Hexi Corridor is cut off, the previously conquered territories in the west will become isolated islands and be swallowed by other forces.

This kind of war can't bring any actual benefits to Datang, but it also requires the lives of countless soldiers, bringing disaster to the local people in vain.

Looking at the time, it is now the spring of the 18th year of Zhenguan. If history does not change because of the arrival of Luo Yong, Li Shimin will send troops from Luoyang to attack Goguryeo this year.

Although Goguryeo is not a big place, Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was basically planted in the hands of Goguryeo. At this time, if Li Shimin can send troops to take it down in one fell swoop, it will naturally be some honor.

This time Li Shimin not only drove himself to the conquest, but also brought the crown prince Li Zhi with him.

Li Shimin was also an excellent general in the past. In recent years, the national power has been strong, and the generals of the Tang army are even more invincible, and they seldom lose battles.

It's just that after he has been a king for many years, Yue Mo is no longer suitable to be a general.

This is both the emperor's and the heir's heir. If something happens, the whole country will fall into chaos, making the soldiers in the army tied up and unable to fight freely.

Later, seeing that the situation was not good, the army withdrew, and the group returned to Chang'an City in disgrace.After all, Li Shimin was much more restrained than Yang Guang, he found a step by himself and went down, and he didn't die with that Goguryeo.

Luo Yong discussed matters with Tang Jian on this day, and after finishing the topic, Luo Yong said: "I heard that the sage built a Lingyan Pavilion earlier. I wonder if I'm starting to miss my former military life?"

"Who knows." Doctor Tang took a sip of hot tea and sighed, "Now Goguryeo and Baekje are attacking Silla together. The saint seems to be very enthusiastic about this matter."

Doctor Tang is always able to grasp the key points, but in his opinion, the affairs of Chang'an City should be left to the people in Chang'an City to worry about. They still have their own affairs to do.

Although Tang Jian still bears the vain title of Doctor Guanglu, he has only one serious position, and that is the dean of Changle Academy.

This time Luo Yong proposed to arrange a team to go to the Western Regions, and Tang Jian also supported it.

He looked forward to the day when the Central Plains Dynasty could bring all the Turks, Tubo, and Goguryeo into the territory of China. He and Luo used this side to concentrate on managing the Western Regions, which would also play a big role at that time.

However, the king seemed to be dazed at this time, and he insisted on staring at a small Goguryeo, which was really worrying.

He wanted to fight Goguryeo in the east, and he wanted Guo Xiaoke to fight those small countries in the Western Regions in the west. It seemed that he wanted to pick soft persimmons.

I don't know if the prince's treason case earlier still hurt the king's will and weakened his heart.

The weakness of the king is definitely not a good thing for a country, and Tang Jian also hopes that he is just worrying too much.

What Tang Jian and Luo Yong were discussing this day was about Guo Xiaoke. They had an unpleasant fight with Guo Xiaoke earlier about the biogas lamp. Tang Jian planned to go to Gaochang in these two days.

Although Guo Xiaoke is greedy for merit and money, and somewhat domineering, he is not a very bad person. One is one and the other is two.

Earlier, Guo Xiaoke sent someone to ask for the method of making biogas lamps. Luo would not give it if he didn't need it, and he didn't plan to give it now, but this doesn't mean that they can't get along well. Other methods are not.

A few days later, Tang Jian went to Gaochang City with several of his students and guards.

There are very few scholars in this era, and those who have the opportunity to study are mostly educated by elites. They are all capable of literary and military skills, horseback riding and archery are not a problem, and occasionally part-time guards are also very competent.

The group of them took a wooden carriage all the way, first to Dunhuang, and then from Dunhuang to Gaochang.

On the side of Gaochang City, Guo Xiaoke heard that Tang Jian had come in person, so he also arranged a banquet for him.

After all, Tang Jian is a capable person, and his family is powerful, Guo Xiaoke is hard to guarantee that one day he will seek his help, even if he was a little angry because of the biogas lamp before, he can't be too ugly at this time, it's just here At the banquet, they were not so enthusiastic.

"Why is Guo Duhu still angry about the previous incident?" After drinking for three rounds and saying some polite words, Tang Jian got to the point.

"Whether I'm angry or not, no one cares anyway." Guo Xiaoke said.

"How can no one care?" Tang Jian said with a smile: "You see, I am going to apologize to you today?"

"Why didn't Luo Yong come by himself, but asked Dr. Tang to come in person?" Guo Xiaoke said.

Guo Xiaoke was indeed not very angry with Tang Jian, his status, knowledge, demeanor and family background were all there, and it was rare that he didn't flatter the emperor.

Besides, Tang Jian was really not angry about this matter this time. Guo Xiaoke was angry with Luo Yong. As a current official, he didn't take himself as a superior official seriously at all.

"He's just a coffin board. Why are you angry with him? I'm in front of him every day. If I didn't see it openly, I would have been pissed off by him." Tang Jian said and poured wine for Guo Xiaoke: "Come, let's drink and drink."

While eating wine, he was able to bury Luo Yong: "It's not a day or two that the coffin board is not popular. Otherwise, it would be thrown to Changle County to be a poor county magistrate..."

Hearing these words, Guo Xiaoke felt a little more at ease, the coffin board dared to insult even the emperor, it is nothing unusual to do so now.

It’s just that when it comes to being unwelcoming, Guo Xiaoke also feels sorry for him, after all, his old Guo is also a typical example of being unwelcome...

After eating the wine, Guo Xiaoke poured bitter water on Tang Jian, saying how difficult his current situation is, there is no battle to fight, and he has a lot of strength, so there is no use for it!

The emperor was already somewhat dissatisfied with him. When he replied to his official documents last time, he had beaten him in a more subtle way, saying that Hexi is now rich and he should not be greedy for comfort and so on.

Sigh... He is not greedy for comfort, he is sitting on pins and needles, okay, if the emperor is not happy if he can't make any achievements, maybe he can be pushed down.

Their old Guo family can rely on Guo Xiaoke alone, and he is not like those gentry family members. If this person fails, there are other people who can help him. He has old and young, and the burden on his shoulders is very heavy Heavy.

Tang Jian expressed deep understanding and sympathy for his situation, and then told him that even if Luo used the biogas lamp method to make it, it would not work in this situation.

"Did you hear that the railway track is being built between Chang'an and Luoyang?" Tang Jian said to Guo Xiaoke.

"Of course I've heard about it, but it has nothing to do with me." Guo Xiaoke waved his hand, expressing his disinterest in this topic.

"The Zheng family in Xingyang got the news from Luo Yong early on, and bought a lot of iron mines in advance. Recently, Chang'an and Luoyang are building railway tracks, which is when a lot of iron is being used. Their Zheng family just sells iron, and they don't know how to make money. How much money did you get?" Guo Xiaoke said.

"It's a pity, the mines here are all small mines." Speaking of this matter, Guo Xiaoke also felt a little regretful.

At this time, Tang Jian talked to Guo Xiaoke about an old incident: "In the spring of last year, when I was meeting friends in Jinchang City, I met an old Taoist. The old Taoist told me that in the mountains southwest of Jiuquan, there is a Mineral veins and ores can be seen everywhere, the place is long in winter and short in summer, covered with ice and snow all the year round, and you can only enter in the short few months of summer, I see the tone and demeanor of that man's words, it seems to be true..."

When Guo Xiaoke heard about this, he suddenly became energetic: "Really? Are there really mineral veins in Jiuquan?"

"It should be there." Tang Jian nodded and said, "I just don't know where it is. If you have the heart, why don't you wait until this year's summer and send your men to look for it in the mountains."

Guo Xiaoke was very moved. He and Tang Jian were neither relatives nor relatives, and had no friendship before. He never expected that the other party could disclose such important news to him.

Tang Jian said that this is nothing, the iron ore in the mountains is not so easy to find, if he really finds a big mine, then Guo Xiaoke can turn over to the imperial court, without military exploits, finding a big mine is no problem One piece of credit.

Speaking of which, the reason why they can stay so at ease in Hexi now is precisely because of Guo Xiaoke sitting here.Luo Yong also said that if Guo Duhu's mining area needed lampshades produced in Changle County, he would sell them at cost.

In a few days, Tang Jian and others returned to Changle County.

On Guo Xiaoke's side, he began to organize a team to search for mines in the mountains, and he asked his eldest son to lead the team himself.We can't wait until the beginning of summer, so let's go at this time first. If you can't get into the mountains, it doesn't matter where you can get in. It's good to get familiar with the terrain in the surrounding areas first.

Guo Xiaoke and his son exhorted: "I heard that the mountain is very dangerous. Be careful, don't lose your life. Whether you can find the mine this time is not only related to the question of whether you, Ye, and I can make a mission to the saint. It is related to the future of my Guo family..."

If there is really a large vein hidden in that mountainous area, then the people of their old Guo family will really be prosperous this time.

In this way, it doesn't matter so much whether military exploits or not. I don't look at those gentlemen from big families, even if they don't have the slightest military exploits, they are still doing well in Chang'an City.

In this way, Guo Xiaoke originally wanted to find some troubles and take the opportunity to start a war, so he completely stopped.

And Luo Yong did not lie to him this time, he asked Tang Jian to reveal to Guo Xiaoke that the place where Jingtieshan Mine is located for later generations.