Waves at the end of Han Dynasty

Chapter 53
In the secret room of Luoyang West Garden, Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty listened to Liu Yan's report with great interest. Although it had passed midnight, he was still full of energy. Beauty's ease...

Of course, it is also because the content of Liu Yan's report is very fresh. It is all about the situation in the Western Regions, Longyou, Sichuan and Shu, and the snowy areas. In summary, it is the situation in Shanxi.

Since the Eastern Han Dynasty Liu Xiu Guangwu Zhongxing, the economic center has shifted to Shandong, and Heluo, Jizhou, and Yuzhou have gradually become the wealthiest places and have the largest population. Therefore, Liu Hong has focused most of his attention on Shandong for a long time. Even his master Xun Shuang is doing the same...

When Liu Yan finished talking about what he had seen and heard in the snow area in the past few years and the information about Sichuan and Sichuan, and then changed the subject to mention the Western Regions, and revealed this huge treasure that they had been neglecting according to his plan, Liu Hong and Xun Shuang lost his composure in an instant!

"According to what Liu Qing said, the Silk Road connected to the Western Regions has a huge amount of road tax and commercial tax every year. The amount can be compared to salt and sugar!? My superiors! Is there anything wrong?"

Liu Hong still said in disbelief, after all, such a big piece of cake was put aside, he didn't know it for so many years...!
"I don't dare to speak in vain. Now that Zhang Duhu has returned to Beijing, His Majesty can order him to come. You can find out if you ask me. According to what I heard, the number of soldiers he recruited in the Western Regions must be tens of thousands, and many of them As a cavalry army, follow the example of dragon cavalry with two horses..."

Liu Yan then released another blockbuster.

After all, even with the financial resources of the rebel Ouyang Long, he only formed five thousand dragonriders when he first joined the army... Now Liu Yan's export is tens of thousands!

Cavalry is not only difficult to form, it is even more difficult to raise soldiers. In addition to the food and grass consumed by soldiers, there are also horses. If you want these guys to perform well in wartime, you should feed them more than people ...

What's more, according to Liu Yan's meaning, most of them are still imitating the dragon riders who rode two horses with one horse!
How much will it cost?Does this mean how rich is the Governor of the Western Regions?

But why has no one discovered and reported it for decades! ?
"Shi Qing, you will send someone to order Zhang Boshen to enter the palace to see me tomorrow..."

After thinking for a while, Liu Hong turned his head and gave instructions to Shi A.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Zhang Boshen came to the capital alone, so don't have second thoughts, and you will know when he comes to ask..."

Xun Shuang on the side guessed Liu Hong's worry and said.

"Jun Lang, a certain person sent you a letter by express horse a few days ago, asking you to take the opportunity to test Zhang Boshen, can you get something?"

After comforting Liu Hong, Xun Shuang remembered the previous arrangement, and asked Liu Yan again.

"My minister thinks that Zhang Zhengxi should be a loyal minister as well as a capable person..."

Seeing the expressions of Liu Hong and Xun Shuang, Liu Yan was secretly pleased, and began to tell a few people about his judgment on Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen has been rooted in the Western Regions ever since he was appointed as the Protector of the Western Regions by the General Conquering the West. Over the years, his official reputation has been good, and he has also managed the Western Regions as solid as gold, and greatly strengthened the control of the Protectorate of the Western Regions over the countries of the Western Regions.

Since Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty established the Duhufu, the management of the countries in the Western Regions has been very extensive. Generally speaking, the countries in the Western Regions are only in name. …

And after Zhang Wen expanded his army by relying on the huge income of the Duhufu, he began to use force to oppress and change these extensive management.

In addition to further increasing the taxation of various countries, he also increased the extraction of labor from various countries, greatly expanded the scope of the garrison land directly managed by the Protectorate, and also dispatched permanent officials to various countries to start specific management of some countries' affairs.

And according to the terrain, a unified western region protection plan was established, and a lot of manpower and material resources were invested in construction and defense.

During this period, we also encountered continuous resistance from various countries and even attacks from Guishuang. Zhang Wendu led the army to defeat them again and again, and has always adhered to his own policy.

Liu Yan abandoned literature and joined the army at the beginning, and what he learned from his strategists can be regarded as taught by Zhang Wen. Later, he followed him to quell the Cheshi rebellion, so he has a better understanding of the situation in the Western Regions and Zhang Wen's policies.

For these policies, Liu Yan thinks they have a very strategic vision, and Zhang Wen's personal ability and foresight can also be seen.

After all, now that it is discovered that the Western Regions can generate such a huge profit, it must be permanently included under the big man no matter what. After Liu Yan explained the situation, Liu Hong and Xun Shuang could also think of it.

It's just why he kept concealing these circumstances and benefits. Liu Yan expressed his guess about Zhang Wen, that is, the current eunuch is in power...

It is estimated that Zhang Wen was also afraid that these proceeds would never come out if they entered the greedy pockets of the eunuchs, which would be a great waste for the country and the Western Regions, because he himself was promoted by the eunuch Cao Teng back then, and the eunuch's routine It is also very clear...

So he could only take advantage of the fact that everyone didn't pay much attention to the Western Regions, and hide the situation to develop and consolidate the Western Regions...

If these facts are true, then Zhang Wen can indeed be regarded as a loyal and capable minister!
It has to be said that Liu Yan's judgment on Zhang Wen is relatively accurate. After all, they have been together for a long time, and Liu Yan can even be regarded as Zhang Wen's military student.

But Liu Yan reported the situation in the Western Regions to Liu Hong Xun Shuang in advance, for his own purpose.

Because they have always ignored the Western Regions, they must be very surprised after hearing this, and they will turn to attach great importance to the Western Regions...

Only in this way will Liu Yan have the opportunity to stay in the Western Regions, at least in Shanxi, and will not be sent to the chaotic Shandong as their cannon fodder!
"Therefore, I suggest that after confirming the situation, we can transfer Zhang Zhengxi back to serve as the guardian in order to strengthen the Western Regions. We only need to order him to transfer troops and transport food to the imperial court, and to report the income and taxes truthfully every year."

After Liu Yan finished talking about the situation and judgment, he gave his own suggestion, and then stood aside respectfully and waited for Liu Hong to make a decision.

"Hmm... This is only Liu Qing's inference. Zhang Boshen is indeed talented, but we still need to identify his loyalists..."

Sure enough, Liu Hong still expressed his doubts about Zhang Wen after hearing this. After all, he can't think in another way. In order to paralyze the lewdness and immorality of the gentry for so many years, how can he trust Zhang Wen from the perspective of Zhang Wen...

"But the guardians of the Western Regions must not fail, what do you think, teacher?"

For this unexpected harvest, Liu Hong is naturally unwilling to give up. After all, his main confidence and support in the face of the gentry now is the income from salt and sugar. If he can control the Western Regions again and have that huge income, it will be even more powerful. !

But now he trusted Zhang Wen too much. The original layout was mainly based on Shandong, and now the personnel arrangement was disrupted.

"Why didn't you speak about this matter earlier, and now the old minister is also the first to hear it, Rong Chen thinks about it for a moment..."

Xun Shuang also said helplessly.

Liu Yan threw the bomb suddenly, he was caught off guard, and some other matters that he had to report were forgotten at this moment...

"This official is guilty. This official has been busy fighting in the snow area, and it is only this year that I have found out all the circumstances..."

Seeing that the thinking of the two people had changed according to his expectation, Liu Yan was secretly happy, so he knelt down and continued to speak.

Liu Hong heard Liu Yan pleading guilty and was about to appease him, but Xun Shuang suddenly had an idea when he heard the word Xuequ, so he stepped forward and said with a smile:
"Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that Zhang Boshen can stay in Beijing to be used by others, and that the affairs of the Western Regions can be taken care of by Jun Lang. Jun Lang has served in the Western Regions and Liangzhou for many years. He has military merits that can convince the public and the feelings of the Western Regions. A good candidate has been chosen."

"This... this..."

Liu Yan feigned surprise...

"Hahaha, that's true, Liu Qing cannot shirk such a heavy responsibility..."

Liu Hong also reacted for a while, and smiled happily when he found a way out.

"Liu Qing can go back to the mansion to prepare first. In order to prevent Zhang Rang and others from being suspicious, the newly appointed Dong in the Western Regions cannot be moved for the time being. When I see Zhang Boshen ordering him to report the actual taxation of the Western Regions, I can order Dong to pay the court on time to investigate. Xin, if he refuses, Liu Qing will replace him with soldiers!"

(End of this chapter)