At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 319 Opening the Western Region

The four states are vast and rich in resources. After two years of recuperation on the plane, they built water conservancy projects, paved official roads, reclaimed farmland, and recruited refugees. Compared with the people of Jizhou back then, the people of the four states are incomparable.

It was completely different from the past. They opened up trade routes, supported various industries, and reduced taxes and levies. Every day, there were huge caravans heading north to the Northern Wei and south to the Liao Dynasty, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou.

If one were to make up one's mind and raise corvée and taxes, the amount of money in the government treasury would skyrocket in an instant.

But Xiao Han did not choose to do so.

"Once the trade route to the Western Region is opened, it will greatly alleviate our current pressure."

“We still think so.”

Ning Xi nodded.

"Don't be too busy."

He said: "It's better to rest early."

"Yes."

Cui Er nodded: "Sister Yu Er and Madam have been up all night, it's time for them to have a good rest."

"Ladies, please don't be busy tonight."

Ning Xi's maid advised: "Go back with the prince as soon as possible."

"Yes."

Xiao Han nodded, hugged one of them with one hand, and grinned, "Go back and rest with your husband."

"Cui'er, stop working so hard. Go to the kitchen and ask them to prepare some midnight snacks."

"promise."

The trade route was actually settled, and all government offices were quickly preparing, especially the provincial government offices and local commercial travel offices. Cao Zhang traveled back and forth between various places day and night to prepare caravans and goods.

Zhao Mule led an army of 30,000 and entered Xiacheng, which shocked the countries in the Western Regions. In the early years, although Jizhou had 300,000 cavalry, the Northern Wei cavalry marched south every year, and Xie Xuanli had no time to manage the Western Regions.

But now, he thought that after the Jizhou Xie royal flag fell, he could live a comfortable life for a few days, but immediately and seamlessly a larger Xiao royal flag was erected.

King Xiao Han of Xiliang is an even more terrifying being than Xie Xuanli.

The 500,000 powerful cavalrymen of Xiliang made the countries in the Western Regions tremble in fear. The 30,000 Xiliang cavalrymen stationed in Xiacheng were already scary enough.

As time went by, the order to kill ten at one time gradually spread throughout the Western Regions, and it was terrifying.

But they dared not refuse to do business with the Xiliang people. If they refused, the next time they would not be businessmen, but the invincible Xiliang cavalry.

mid-July.

The envoys sent by the Xiliang Palace have already delivered the trade documents with the Xiliang King's seal to many small countries in the Western Regions.

Small countries such as Dayuezhi, Dayuan, Loulan, and Mantuo all sent messengers to Xiliang City. Xiao Han personally summoned the envoys from various countries and waited for them to report back to the Western Regions what they saw and heard in Xiliang.

It also made the subjects of those small countries feel the power of Xiliang.

Early August.

Jizhou, Yongzhou and Youzhou were the first to start the autumn harvest. Thanks to the huge water conservancy system, this year is another bumper year.

Even the harvests in Xia Pi and Shangdang far exceeded those in the past. In total, Xiliang has had bumper harvests for three consecutive years.

Carts of grain and fodder were sent along the official roads to the granaries in various states, and carts of silver and money were lined up in long queues and sent to Xiliang City.

The scene was extremely spectacular. After the autumn harvest was completed, each county held a celebration.

"What a joy."

Inside Shuiyun Mountain.

Pan Yuanshao brought many counselors and clerks from the provincial government office, and they all walked into the palace with rosy faces.

"My Lord, my Princess, great joy."

Pan Yuanshao was delighted. "This year, the total grain production of the four states of Xiliang is 300 taels, which is an increase of 80% compared to last year."

"Eighty percent."

Pan Yuanshao was so excited that his hands were shaking.

"How are the harvests in Jizhou and Yongzhou?"

Xiao Han asked hurriedly. "A great harvest."

Pan Yuanshao clasped his fists and said, "Especially in Yongzhou, the harvest has reached an unprecedented level, already exceeding 60% of the best years in Jizhou."

"Is there any moisture?"

He grinned.

"No."

Gao Yun, the chief clerk of the Criminal Arrest Division, said hurriedly, "The Criminal Arrest Division and the Prison Division followed us throughout the entire process. There is absolutely no truth in this."

After summarizing the harvest, the government office also compared it with the farming figures at the beginning of the year, and the results were basically consistent with no deviation.

"That's good."

Xiao Han was still a little worried. "Miaoyu, please work hard during this period. Let the Secret Service Department, the Criminal Arrest Department, and the Prison Department audit. I will give you a month to verify it."

"If there is no problem with the harvest, I will personally celebrate your success."

"it is good."

Pan Yuanshao and several heads of departments nodded in unison.

"Three years of bumper harvests are enough to illustrate my husband's achievements."

Ning Xi was also quite excited, "The four states are united as one."

"Yes."

Everyone in the hall agreed.

"This achievement has little to do with me."

Xiao Han shook his head: "It is the credit of Yuan Shao, Mr. Guo, the chief clerks, and all the officials and men, women, old and young in Xiliang."

"I only talked a lot, but I didn't even touch the hoe."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall felt warmed in their hearts. A superior does not compete for merit with his subordinates, and a king does not compete for fame with his subjects.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be modest."

Pan Yuanshao said solemnly: "Without the prince, there would be no current good situation in Xiliang. We can be without any one of us, but not without you, the prince."

"Stop kissing up to me."

Xiao Han grinned, "Cao Zhang came yesterday, and the convoys of the business travel departments in various places are ready and can enter the Western Region at any time."

"The most important thing for each department this winter is to cooperate with the Money and Silver Department to travel between the Western Regions, Xiliang and the Central Plains."

"promise."

Everyone understands the importance of opening up trade routes to the Western Regions for Xiliang. That's real money, and no one dares to be careless.

Early October.

As the special envoy of the King of Xiliang, Cao Zhang left Xiliang with hundreds of caravans, left Xiacheng, and entered the Western Regions, accompanied by three thousand cavalrymen.

He passed through Dayuezhi, Dayuan, Loulan and other places, and wherever he went, all the countries welcomed him with great ceremony.

This was only on the surface. Behind the scenes, the Criminal Apprehension Department, the Secret Service Department, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard all began to infiltrate the Western Regions.

Cartloads of silks, satins, and ceramics were shipped to the Western Regions in exchange for gold, silver, pearls, jade, and many spices and rare treasures.

The business items were kept, while the other items were immediately shipped to the Northern Wei Dynasty and the Central Plains.

After all this, he made a lot of money.

In just one winter, the local business travel departments earned millions of silver. Although some caravans encountered accidents, those small countries finally bowed their heads under the deterrence of Xiacheng's 30,000 cavalry.

The opening of the Western Region trade route has greatly enhanced Xiliang's strength. Looking at the mountains of gold and silver in the treasury, Xiao Han woke up laughing several times in his sleep.

If you have money, things will be easy. Just buy, buy, buy without saying anything.

buy what?
Of course, he bought food, cloth, salt and iron. As for the cavalry flowing into the Western Regions, he was not worried at all.

It's nothing more than depositing the war in the Western Regions. After a few years, the Xiliang Cavalry will be sent to take them back.

(End of this chapter)