Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 339: The Sixth Year of Jianyuan
In the sixth year of Jianyuan,

Zhang Qian finally left Xinxia, stopped fighting with the Qin envoys, and returned to Chang'an where he had pledged his loyalty.

He reported to his monarch that Xinxia and Dayuezhi had successively rejected the Han Dynasty's requests.

"Even though we promised them a large sum of money, they still didn't agree..."

When Liu Che heard about this, he spoke with some disappointment.

Although according to Zhang Qian,
When he was on the diplomatic mission, most of the treasures he carried with him were stolen by the Huns.

But the great angel,
Even if you don’t have money, you can still get an invoice verbally!

After all, the big man really has the ability to pay, he is not just talking nonsense to deceive people!
But the other party still didn't want to.

Because their lives are already stable and peaceful.
There is really no need to run around for money and promises given by others.

Besides, in the final analysis,
The Han Dynasty could not allow the Yuezhi to replace the Xiongnu, return to the grasslands, and confront them across the Great Wall.
It is also impossible to make concessions to Xinxia on the issue of "orthodoxy".

The Han who occupied the Central Plains,
This is the real Central Kingdom!
The Emperor of the Han Dynasty,
He is the emperor of all the Xia!
This is the natural, sacred and inviolable truth!

What is the new summer!
"However, the Qin people have developed so smoothly outside the territory, which is beyond my expectation!"

When Zhang Qian, full of resentment, told the emperor about his struggle with the Qin envoy,
Liu Che frowned even more.

It’s only been a few decades since Taizu started the uprising and overthrew the tyrannical Qin Dynasty?
Ying Qin gained a firm foothold outside the territory and grew stronger.

Moreover, the Qin and Xia countries had established very close ties, supporting each other outside the region, spreading the glory of the Xia everywhere, and each dominated the land of Shentu and the West Sea...

"Humph!"

"The forces outside the region are still coveting the orthodoxy of the Central Plains!"

"Once we have conquered the Xiongnu, our Han army will go to the west and teach these rebellious nations a lesson!"

Finally,
Liu Che slapped his thigh and said angrily.

Zhang Qian kept nodding his head, echoing the emperor's words.

After finishing the report on Zhang Qian's mission,

Liu Che was about to reward him according to his merits.

He decided to confer the title of "Marquis of Bowang" on this envoy who had traveled thousands of miles and endured many setbacks for several years.

Zhang Qian felt a little ashamed.

Because he did not complete the task entrusted by His Majesty.

But after Liu Che had Wei Qing, he no longer cared whether his first version of the plan could be completed.

Now he only wants to use the Han army to deal with the Han enemies.

such,

This is a war of sufficient purity!

"And who said this mission was useless?"

“This mission is awesome!”

Sang Hongyang stroked his newly grown sparse beard and said to Zhang Qian with a smile.

"Although there are barbarians everywhere outside the territory, the wealth that can be obtained is still very considerable!"

Sang Hongyang was born into a merchant family.

When he was thirteen years old, he was famous in Chang'an City for his expertise in mental arithmetic. The late emperor, who loved his son dearly and was looking for good people and good things everywhere, specially summoned him to the palace to accompany his precious son.

therefore,

After Liu Che ascended the throne,
This confidant, who was only 20 years old, had given him many suggestions, making the young emperor realize what the most important thing he needed to achieve his great cause was -

money!
If you want to make trouble,

You need money!

In today's world,

There are indeed people who uphold the moral principles of loyalty and are willing to sacrifice their lives for their friends.

But it must be acknowledged that

Most ordinary people do not have the energy to pursue "benevolence and righteousness".

They spend most of their lives trying to get money to improve their lives.

And want to fight,
We must form an army!

Are there hundreds of thousands of righteous gentlemen in the world who would shout "loyalty" and rush to the grassland to engage in unlimited fighting with the Huns without asking the court for any money?
Instead of harboring such beautiful fantasies,

It would be better to let His Majesty Liu Che hide in the palace and curse the Xiongnu Chanyu's villain, and then let the Xiongnu die early, and then the internal strife of the Xiongnu would burst out!
Therefore,
When Zhang Qian described the situation in the Western Regions and beyond, Sang Hongyang keenly noticed:
Go west,

There are many benefits to be gained.

"Business is all about exchanging what you have and what you don't have, buying low and selling high."

"Some things are cheap and common in one place, but rare and precious in another place!"

Sang Hongyang gently picked up the spices and gems that Zhang Qian brought back from his mission to Xinxia, and sighed. "So, the Hexi Corridor is so important!"

Liu Che also spread out the map and gave a speech to his friends.

"Retaking Hexi will restore the trade routes in the Western Regions, weaken the influence of the Xiongnu in the West, and bring wealth and strength to the Han Dynasty..."

"And for such a big matter, you must share my worries!"

Hearing this sentence,
Zhang Qian couldn't help but straighten his chest.

In his opinion,

Hexi, Western Regions, open up routes...

These things must be talking about myself!
I am the only one who has the experience of traveling to the west and exploring the route!
result,

Zhang Qian watched as His Majesty stretched out his hand and patted Wei Qing on the shoulder.

Wei Qing just nodded calmly and did not show any fear or worry.

Liu Che was very satisfied with his response.

So the emperor and his minister sat together again and talked about how to defeat the Huns in a narrow and blocked area like the Hexi Corridor, looking at the map.

They didn't notice Zhang Qian's wide eyes and his slowly reddening eye sockets.

Only Liu Yong, who was standing next to him, saw this and sighed softly. He then went over to comfort Zhang Qian and said, "It's okay."

"Just get used to it."

"Really?" Zhang Qian asked in a slightly choked voice.

Liu Yong struggled for a moment, wanting to tell some white lies.

But when he thought of his own experience, he fell silent.

This made Zhang Qian feel even more uncomfortable.

Especially after rehearsing a war, Liu Che said to Wei Qing with concern:
"You're turning twenty this year, would you like me to crown you?"

Liu Che was one year older than Wei Qingnian.
Not only was he his monarch, he also married Wei Zifu, who became his brother-in-law, so she could hold a ceremony to come of age for him.

But Wei Qing thought about it and refused the honor.

He said, "Let's focus all our energy on the military!"

Crowning adulthood,

This was just a trivial matter for Wei Qing, and there was really no need to waste the emperor's precious time.

Besides,

If you want to find an elder or a superior, hold such a ceremony for yourself.

Wei Qing already had a candidate in mind.

If the other party does not show up,

It doesn't matter if you don't do it.

……

"That won't work!"

"It's still very important to get a crown!"

Soon after Wei Qing returned to the mansion that the emperor had bestowed upon him,
There was a knock on the door.

He Bo paid a visit to Wei Qing, the emperor's favorite, as an "old friend".

Wei Qing was naturally very surprised by this. He took him by the hand and led him into the hall, where he offered him fine wine to welcome the distinguished guest.

"Sir, you are finally here in Chang'an!"

Wei Qing thought of the time when he and He Bo parted, and said with a sigh, "It seems that he really traveled to a faraway place."

He Bo smiled and did not tell him that he had actually returned to Central Plains a long time ago.

But seeing that he had gained Zhu Bao's attention and achieved class advancement, he did not come to disturb him. He just observed secretly while moving south and north, making progress everywhere, and fighting with the Yangtze River and other rivers.

“There are still further places to go!”

He Bo said to Wei Qing, "But I remember your birthday is coming soon, so I came here specially to attend your coming-of-age ceremony."

"But if that's the case, I'm afraid it will be hard for you, or for teachers Bai, Li, Tian and Wang..."

Anyway, Wei Qing didn't want to acknowledge any relationship with his biological father.

In Chang'an City,
Those elderly nobles who wanted to curry favor with Wei Qing because of his favor,

Wei Qing would never accept it!

"Looks like I need to run some errands for you!"

After hearing his words, He Bo smiled smugly, then put his hands behind his back and pretended to sigh.

(End of this chapter)