Warrior in Turbulent Han Dynasty

The Wuzang family came to the palace twice to ask to see Guo Shao, and looked very anxious because brother Ling was imprisoned there. Guo Shao didn't meet him.

At this time, it was suddenly reported that Cao Yuanzhong and his son, the Jiedu envoy of the Guiyi Army, were rushing to Lingzhou.

When Cao Yuanzhong heard the news that the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty was on a west tour, he personally brought his troops and horses to meet him, and the tribute was very rich, bringing two thousand good horses from Hexi! This made Guo Shao very happy.

Of course, Guo Shao had to prepare more than 2,000 horses worth of goods to reward Cao Yuanzhong.

Wei Renpu was also very satisfied with Cao Yuanzhong, and said in front of Guo Shao: "Hexi is no longer what it was in the Han and Tang Dynasties. Now all the ministries are looking around, posing a great threat to the Han children in Hexi. Cao Yuanzhong and other soldiers and civilians are not willing to give up that rich land. They still hope that the dynasty will be strong and focus on the northwest, so that they have a barrier, and the hearts of the Guiyi army are still toward the Central Plains."

Guo Shao thought so.

When Cao Yuanzhong came to Lingzhou, Guo Shao gave him a super-standard courtesy, and personally drove out of the city to greet him!

As soon as I left the city, I heard a burst of crying outside! It was the cry of a man. Even Guo Shao was taken aback for a moment, seeing a middle-aged man with a round face and a young general with a similar face kneeling on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

The soldiers in the red clothes behind their armor also got off their horses and knelt down on the ground.

Lu Duoxun whispered beside the driver: "Your Majesty, the man on the ground is Cao Yuanzhong, I met him when I was in Guazhou."

Cao Yuanzhong said loudly: "The minister finally saw His Majesty!"

Guo Shao didn't know him at all, but seeing him so excited, his heart was a little moved, and he thought that his family members were more solid after all.

Cao Yuanzhong reported: "Hexi has been blocked by roads for a hundred years. I led the people in Hexi to stick to their old land. After several sinkings, they will return to the Datong one day. Today I can see Yujia with my own eyes, and I will die in peace..."

Guo Shao was quite moved when he heard this, he got out of the car and helped Cao Yuanzhong with his own hands. Wei Renpu said at the side: "When the Han Dynasty opened up the territory and obtained Hexi from the Huns, many sons left their hometowns and went to the west to guard it. This is the place. Cao Jieshuai guarded this place for the country. The court has not forgotten the contribution of the Cao family and the soldiers and civilians of the Yiyi army."

Guo Shaodao: "What Vice Envoy Wei said is my thoughts. Get up quickly."

Cao Yuanzhong kowtowed with tears in his eyes: "I thank you."

Cao Yuanzhong introduced his son Cao Yangong to Guo Shao, saying that he wanted him to be a bodyguard in front of the emperor... He intended to show his loyalty and let his son enter the court as a hostage.

Guo Shao invited Cao Yuanzhong to ride with him, and asked Cao Yangong to ride beside the imperial chariot with a sword, as a gesture of trust.

When the group returned to the palace, Guo Shao and Cao Yuanzhong talked about the affairs of Hexi, and they talked very well, and they felt like they hated seeing each other later. In the evening, the two still talked at night by candlelight, and the monarch and his ministers fought fiercely when they met.

Han'er in Hexi felt very insecure at this time. The territories he could control had been eroded to the point where only Guazhou and Shazhou remained.

After Cao Yuanzhong came to power, he was forced to change his tough expansion strategy (because the opponents were all around and consumed too much), he gave money and women, and made marriages and alliances everywhere, which stabilized temporarily.

The two monarchs and ministers first recalled how prosperous Hexi was during the Han and Tang Dynasties, and lamented how difficult it was for their ancestors to open up territories and die countless people. They could all talk together and feel the same, so they got along well... The ancients relied on farming, and land was the basic source of production; as long as they could farm land, everyone wanted it. Opening up territories is the greatest contribution, and losing land is the greatest sinner.

When Cao Yuanzhong heard that Guo Shaoxiang was getting supplies of war horses from the west, he immediately said impatiently: "As long as the Hexi Corridor and Guanzhong roads are opened up, it will be profitable to establish trade routes, as many war horses as there are in the Western Regions!"

Cao Yuanzhong encouraged|encouraged: "Your Majesty dispatched troops, Guiyi Army and His Majesty's east and west flanked each other, and drove away the Uighurs, Tubo people, and Dangxiang people in the east of Guasha, and the trade route will be smooth!"

Guo Shao finally understood what position this general had in mind. Cao Yuanzhong was forced to make alliances everywhere. In fact, he had wanted to expel the tribes in Hexi for a long time... The reason was simple. The tribes occupied more than half of their original territory and threatened their survival for a long time;

If the imperial court wanted to conquer Hexi, it would actually be to the benefit of both sides if the Guiyi army attacked from the west.

It has to be said that Guo Shao's general idea has been affected many times, and Cao Yuanzhong's words made his blood boil for a while! Guo Shao stood up and stood in front of the map for a while, calmed down, and looked at Youzhou, Hebei again.

If you have the strength, of course you want it everywhere. The problem is that Hexi is too far away, and you need money and soldiers... Guo Shao asked casually, "How many troops does Cao Jie think the imperial court needs to regain Hexi?"

Cao Yuanzhong pondered: "Considering that Xiazhou Dangxiang may rebel against the Liao State Alliance... His Majesty only needs an army of 500,000 to occupy the territory east of the Western Regions!"

I|Cao! Guo Shao immediately scolded in his heart, Cao Jieshuai's tone was still very strong, half a million... still only needed.

If I can have 500,000 troops and have money and food to mobilize the expedition, I will go directly to the Liao Kingdom first. Why do I care about the Northwest at this moment?

Guo Shao glanced at him and felt that Cao Yuanzhong still had great ambitions. He had been beaten down to only two states and formed alliances everywhere, but what he was thinking about was to annex the entire northwest territory.

But Guo Shao didn't want to undermine his confidence, so he said, "After years of hard work in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the country is now rich and powerful, with millions in control. It's just that we need to discuss more with the courtiers to mobilize so many people to fight."

Cao Yuanzhong said: "Your Majesty's words are very true."

Guo Shao said again: "Besides... I think that since the Liao Kingdom wants to interfere in the northwest, it is better to subdue the Liao Kingdom first, and the matter will be much simpler."

After hearing this, Cao Yuanzhong clasped his fists enthusiastically and said: "Your Majesty is at the height of the sun, and with such a great mind, I am willing to give you a helping hand for Your Majesty!"

Guo Shao comforted and said: "At this time, it is not appropriate to engage in military warfare. Commander Cao Jie will guard the land of Guasha carefully. Let's think of other ways to stabilize the situation, and we will talk about it later... If the Guiyi Army has something to do, you can send someone to report to the court. I will send people to mediate among the various ethnic groups to try to live in harmony."

Cao Yuanzhong clasped his fists and said, "I follow His Majesty's will and must fulfill my duty."

Guo Shao stood in front of the map for a long time and didn't think it was wise to change the established strategy. In the northwest at this time, it is difficult to have the threat of a large-scale eastward invasion; and Youzhou is much more important in terms of its strategic position and the attention of the world. If Guo Shao wins Youzhou, he can get more things!

The expansion of war horses is for a decisive battle with Liao; it is not to put the cart before the horse and move the main front to the west. \u003c