Zhu Changxiao's version of the Sui Dynasty

Liu Ren'en, the general manager of Jingzhou, was not accustomed to the acclimatization and was seriously ill all the way. When he arrived in Zhangye, his condition worsened. When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Yin Shishi and others came to visit again, Liu Ren'en was already dead. There were so many soldiers in the army who had caught colds and were acclimatized that Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty had no choice but to station the army in Zhangye for a temporary rest.

The night in the northwest border was dry and cold. Although the temporary palace Zhang Ye prepared was simple, fortunately, several stoves were brought from the palace, which kept the bedroom very warm.

Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty and Empress Xiao were used to living in deep palaces and other courtyards. Now that they were far away from home, they encountered this ordinary courtyard again, and they felt that there was something new.

That night, a figure appeared on the snow-white window paper. It was Xu Guogong Yu Wenshu who rushed to the palace. After the Duke of Ju, Xiao Cong, died of illness, Yu Wenshu became the first minister of the dynasty in a grand manner. No matter how big or small the government affairs were, he had to personally carry out the duties of the emperor.

Yuwenshu came to the palace in a hurry. Yang Guang was talking to Xiao Jun. When he saw Yuwenshu arriving, Yang Guang asked:"Ai Qing is so anxious, why is there something important?"

Yuwenshu said:"Your Majesty, your Majesty, a hundred and fifty thousand troops are in Zhangye. We have been repairing for half a month, and all the soldiers who suffered from the cold have recovered. I feel that it is the right time to open up the Western Region." Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was a man who was eager for quick success. He crossed the Qilian Mountains and many people froze to death, so he had no choice but to fight in Zhangye. Settled down. Upon hearing that the soldiers had almost recovered, their faces suddenly showed a bit of joy.

Yuwenshu knew best what Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty liked to hear. The more he made achievements and became dominant, the more Yuwenshu picked up and talked about, which made the emperor happy. Empress Xiao saw clearly and became even more disgusted with Yu Wenshu's appearance of pleasing the emperor.

Before Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty could speak, Empress Xiao said first:"Gong Xu, this Western Region is further away than the Western Sea. The Duke will not ask the emperor to go out of Yumen Pass."

Yu Wenshu said with a smile:"Opening up the Western Region is close at hand." The minister calculated that the King of Hejian is about to arrive in Huainan. If the war can be launched in the Western Region and Yizhou at the same time, the emperor will definitely establish great achievements for a long time."

Queen Xiao asked:"It will be sooner or later to open up the Western Region and regain Yizhou. Why do we have to start wars at the same time?"

Yuwenshu said:"Since the founding of the world by Pangu, no king has ever won two wars at the same time."

Yuwenshu's remarks made Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty appreciate it very much. He said:"Gong Xu Guo What you said is exactly what I wanted. We won two battles at the same time and sent troops to the east and west respectively. This feat is enough to make me laugh at Qin Shihuang and Han Wu Emperor for a lifetime."

Empress Xiao said:"I am a womanly family, but I know how to fight in a war. The money is money. The Western Regions and Dongyi are going to war, and the national treasury has to be emptied. Moreover, the construction of Yongji Canal, Fenyang Palace, and Linshuo Palace also requires money. I am worried......."

"The queen was overly worried. As long as the Western Regions were opened up and trade and tribute were paid, the money of the Sui Dynasty would not fall from the sky."Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was full of confidence. He stretched out his hand and dragged Yu Wenshu out of the dormitory and went to the study to discuss the strategy of dispatching troops. The confident figure of Emperor Sui Yang disappeared into the night, but Empress Xiao's face was full of doubts. Watching Yang Guang open the river and build the palace , Conquering the east and west, Xiao Jun didn't realize that he had some scruples in his heart. He thought that Yu Wenshu could not give any good advice, but instead fanned the flames and added fuel to the flames. He even felt that the government was getting more and more wrong. It really counts: the greedy ministers are high-spirited when they offer their plans, and the empress's advice is wise. Cherish the national mourning.

In order to catch up with the Qin and Han Dynasties, the war between the East and the West is even more crazy.

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty and all the civil and military ministers have studied the strategies several times and are ready to attack with all their troops. This is the first time in history that the Emperor of the Central Plains personally led his troops to attack Yumen Pass. For Emperor Sui Yang, this was another feat that had never been done before or since.

Emperor Sui Yang returned to the bedroom, and Queen Xiao was unhappy in the palace. Emperor Sui Yang asked:"The Queen's face is not good-looking, could she still care about Yu Wen?" Describing the Advocacy for the Western Expedition"

"In the third year of Daye, the emperor built warships in the south, patrolled the Turks in the north, built the Great Wall, opened a galloping road, built palaces, dug canals, and overdrafted the treasury several times, making the imperial court in dire straits of material resources. I thought I could stay in Zhangye for a few more days, but who knew that Yu Wenshu proposed to win two battles at the same time. How could the Great Sui Dynasty go through such trouble?"

Empress Xiao was the only one in the world who dared to complain like this. Emperor Sui Yang just smiled, patted the empress on the shoulder reassuringly, and said comfortingly:"Queen, you are too worried. All the officials boasted and flattered me, but I set an example and did it myself. As for the amount of silver, it can be brought to you in life or taken away in death. By opening up the trade routes in the Western Regions and Nanyang, there will be an endless supply. Emperor

Yang of the Sui Dynasty took a few steps leisurely and recalled:"When I came to the throne, I made twelve wishes. I have fulfilled these wishes one by one, and only these last few wishes are left.""

"I still remember His Majesty’s twelve wishes……"

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty said:"The few remaining wishes I have are all hidden dangers in the border areas. These hidden dangers are not for me alone, but for the people of the world. If the hidden dangers are not eradicated, I am worried that one day the Sui Dynasty will repeat the Five Chaos in the Central Plains. , I don’t know that the world will be in chaos for hundreds of years."

"I can understand your majesty’s good intentions."

"Think about the Five Hus and Sixteen Kingdoms. Those historians talked about the great integration of various tribes. In fact, people killed people, and the remaining people were killed. If there was no one left, they could only be integrated. I don’t want the people to suffer this disaster again, so I will eradicate all border troubles first! Once these border troubles have been eradicated, I will put my swords and guns into storage and release my horses to Nanshan to cultivate and recuperate, so that the people of the world can live a peaceful life forever.

Only then did Empress Xiao acknowledge it, and her expression was no longer the same as before. At this time, the eunuch came to play:"Your Majesty, General Feng Xiaoci, the defender of Dunhuang, wants to see you.""

"Okay, quick announcement."

After waiting for a while, I saw a general entering the palace quickly. This man was more than eight feet tall, with a rough face and bright eyes. He was wearing a purple and gold handsome helmet and a purple and gold large leaf chain armor. He was thirty years old. Outside, there is a body of a military general. This person is Feng Xiaoci, the prefect of Dunhuang.

When the emperor and his ministers met, Emperor Longyan of the Sui Dynasty was very happy and immediately gave Feng Xiaoci a seat. At this time, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty had everything ready for the expedition to the Western Regions, except for Feng Xiaoci. Return to the pass to report on the situation in the Western Regions.

Since ancient times, the Central Plains Dynasty's only important town outside Yumen Pass was Dunhuang, so Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty wanted to go to Yumen Pass. The person who was most familiar with the geography outside the pass was Feng Xiaoci, the prefect of Dunhuang.

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty asked:"I After waiting for the general for many days, the 150,000-strong army was waiting for the general to survey the map.

Feng Xiaoci asked:"Has your Majesty prepared a camel team?""

The camel team refers to camels, but Emperor Sui Yang and Empress Xiao looked at each other and were stunned. They had never heard of preparing camels all the way from the West Sea to Zhangye.

Emperor Sui Yang asked:" I have tens of thousands of cavalry, why do I need camels? Feng

Xiaoci bowed and said:"Your Majesty, after leaving Yumen Pass, there is a desert barrier. Without the camel team, it would be difficult to directly attack the countries in the Western Regions." The request to equip camels caught Emperor Sui Yang off guard. Yang Guang asked,"There are no camels in the army. Does Ai Qing have any good ideas?" Feng

Xiaoci thought for a while and said:"Going north from here, you can ask Qimin Khan of the Turks for help with a camel team. If you can borrow five hundred camels, things will be easier. But the Turks have no advantage and can't afford it early." Will not help easily. Emperor

Yang of the Sui Dynasty nodded and said:"When I visited the north last year, I was worried that the Turks were only superficially surrendering and would not sincerely help." Feng

Xiaoci said:"After all, Qimin Khan and Princess Yicheng are getting married. To lobby Qimin Khan, he must first convince Princess Yicheng." He was just an accompanying general and had little contact with Princess Yicheng."

I only heard Queen Xiao say:"I had some friendship with Princess Yicheng in the palace in the early years, so it is better for me to go and lobby."

Upon hearing the Queen's request, Feng Xiaoci said:"It would be the best if this could be done.""

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty hesitated for a moment. Thinking about the civil and military personnel accompanying him, it was also Xiao Jun who had friendship with Princess Yicheng in the palace. Then he nodded and said:"Two days later, the queen will go on a mission to the Turks; He led his troops to Yumen Pass and borrowed camels to meet at Yumen Pass."

According to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty's strategy for the Western Expedition, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty led an army of 150,000 to Yumen Pass. Empress Xiao led a group of soldiers and horses to send envoys to the Turks. She only waited to borrow camels and meet at Yumen Pass. This leads to:

Your concubine is recommended before leaving. Chen Ting accompanied Empress Xiao on her journey to Mobei.

King Khan's sincerity was unpredictable, so how could he borrow 500 camels?

Two days later, the army set out in Zhangye, and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty bid farewell to Empress Xiao for the time being. Empress Xiao was worried about the people around the emperor. The service was not good, so the accompanying noble concubine Xiao Jingyan was specially arranged to serve around her. After all, Xiao Jingyan was the concubine cultivated by Queen Xiao, and she obeyed Queen Xiao's words. Queen Xiao told Xiao Jingyan

:"Take good care of the emperor for the Ai family on the way, what's the matter? Important matters must be reported immediately without delay."

Xiao Jingyan wrote down the instructions one by one, pulled a little palace maid beside her and said:"The Queen is going to Mobei. Jingyan specially selected a sensible palace maid for the queen, she might as well take her with her."

"Which woman?"

Xiao Jingyan called a girl named Chen Ting (zhōu). This little girl was slim and petite, and outstandingly beautiful. However, she was bumpy along the way and her attire was a bit lacking.

"Chen Ting has been trained for the first time and is extremely sensible, so I will leave it to the empress."

Queen Xiao looked at this well-behaved and smart girl, and happily accepted the little palace maid, and everyone said goodbye.

Queen Xiao Jun alone, escorted by General Yin Shishi, led a group of people to the north, heading for the Turks. Camels were seconded. Empress Xiao was sitting in the chariot with Chen Ting beside her. Empress Xiao asked:"Where are you from and where are you from?" Chen

Ting replied:"I am seventeen years old. I am from Jiangdong. I am the daughter of Chen Shubao, Duke of the Great Wall.""

"oh? You are Chen Shubao’s daughter"

"Exactly."Chen Ting said:"Slave Da Ye was selected as a nobleman in the second year and conscripted into the palace. He has been in the palace for four years. Chen

Ting spoke crisply and sweetly, which Queen Xiao liked a lot, and said:"Your Majesty has left Yumen Pass. The Ai family has been very bored these days, so you can stay in the chariot and wait for me.""

"I sincerely abide by your Majesty’s decree."

To make a long story short, Xiao Jun and Yin Shishi came to the Turkic tribe in the north, and the second prince of the Great Khan, Chu Luo, was sitting in the palace account. When they learned that Queen Xiao Jun of the Sui Dynasty had arrived, they hurriedly reported to Qimin Khan. Sitting in the palace tent and thinking for a moment, he asked:"What is the purpose of Empress Sui's trip?

Chu Luoyan said:"Reporting to my father Khan, the people who arrived first said that Queen Xiao is here to visit Princess Yicheng.""

"This matter is strange. A few days ago, I heard that Yang Guangyuan was in the West Sea, conquering the Tuyuhun tribe. Why did he think of coming to visit Princess Yicheng? There must be something fishy about it. Then he said to Chu Luo:"Tell Princess Yicheng quickly and prepare to welcome her.""

As mentioned before, Princess Yicheng was originally the daughter of the Sui Palace clan. In order to appease the Turks, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yang Jian asked Princess Yicheng to marry the Qimin Khan of the Turkic tribe. Although they were an old husband and a young wife, the marriage was divorced. , forged a relationship between the Qin and Jin Dynasties. Since then, the Turks have been paying tribute to the Sui Dynasty.

Now Princess Yicheng learned that Queen Xiao was visiting Saibei. They were a well-behaved family. Qimin Khan and Princess Yicheng were there Inside and outside the palace tent, everything was properly arranged to welcome the Empress of the Sui Dynasty.

The second prince, Chuluo, personally led a group of Turkic cavalry and waited ten miles away. When the emperor arrived, Chen Ting opened the curtain and a woman came out wearing a phoenix robe. , charming charm.

When Chu Luo saw it, his eyes widened. When Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty visited the north, Chu Luo was surprised by Queen Xiao's beauty. Now that they meet again, she still secretly admires her.

Queen Xiao got off the chariot, Chu Luo Luo and others paid homage. Although Xiao Jun was in his forties at this time, his charm was still intact. Chu Luo, who was ten years younger, was fascinated by everything and secretly peeped from time to time.

Empress Xiao glanced at Chu Luo, and it was this brown-haired man again. The Turkic prince with blue eyes and foreign appearance, but due to the difference in dignity, Queen Xiao did not pay much attention to it and went straight to the Turkic tent.

Chu Luo accompanied Empress Xiao and others to the palace tent. , Qimin Khan and Princess Yicheng paid homage to Empress Xiao and asked them to enter the palace tent. The guests and hosts sat down respectively, and everyone exchanged greetings. Empress Xiao said:"In addition to visiting the Khan and the princess, I have one more thing to ask for."

"Madam, please speak"

"Since Tuyuhun disrupted the Hexi Corridor, there were few foreign merchants. Yiwu country was located in the Western Region and refused to submit to the Sui Dynasty. The emperor wanted to cross the desert to attack Yiwu. However, the Sui army did not have camels and could not survive on the sand dunes, so they asked the Great Khan to send a camel team to help them attack Yiwu."

After hearing this, Qimin Khan murmured in his heart, wondering whether he should lend the camel team.