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

Chapter 446 Trading
Tiger Chi kept his head down and didn't respond to the conversation.

"Not a fun guy."

Xie Wan'er rolled her eyes at him and called Hu Chi to the kitchen to help cut vegetables.

Although she complained, Xie Wan'er still showed off her cooking skills and prepared a large table of dishes that were delicious and tasty.

After the master and servant had finished their meal, they led their horses out of the mansion, went down Qingliang Mountain, and headed east.

Wudi City is on the coast of the East China Sea, while Qingliang Mountain is in Jizhou, which is 18,000 miles apart. One can either go south from Jizhou, pass through Qingzhou, turn to the capital, and then continue east.

Or you can go all the way east, through Yongzhou, Youzhou, Yanzhou, turn to the Seventh Region of Liang Liao, and then go south and head straight to the East China Sea.

The first route required a detour, the road was remote, and rugged and difficult to travel, so Xiao Han was considering the second route.

Passing through the border between Jizhou and Liangliao, the whole way is the official road of Xiliang, which is flat and spacious, with post stations and taverns everywhere.

After traveling day and night, they entered the Yongzhou area in three days. They prepared some dry food and wine, changed horses, and crossed hundreds of miles to reach the two Liao regions.

This was Gu Jiantang's old nest, but unfortunately it was only there in the past. When Xiliang annexed Jizhou, 100,000 troops from the two Liao states marched north.

Later, in order to calm Xiao Han's anger and ease relations, the imperial court directly ordered the execution of many of the soldiers.

He took the opportunity to bring the Liao garrisons under the control of the imperial court.

When we set foot in Liangliao, the wind and snow here are much smaller than that in Qingliang Mountain, but also more bitter and cold.

The official road was rugged, beggars and refugees could be seen everywhere, and there were thousands of starving people.

Compared with Xiliang, one is in heaven and the other is underground.

We walked in the border area of ​​Liang Liao for three days, heading south, and the wind and snow became less and less.

"Your Highness, except for Shanyin Pass, it is the territory of Yizhou."

On the official road, Hu Chi pointed at the towering pass in front of him and spoke.

Shanyin Pass, the gateway to Yizhou, is also a world-famous pass that is easy to defend but difficult to attack.

"huhu"

A gust of wind blew from the north, freezing cold, blowing up the snow, making a rustling sound, so strong that people couldn't open their eyes.

Dead branches, fallen leaves and snowflakes were flapping against his hat. Xiao Han suddenly pulled the reins, and the warhorse under him neighed and stopped abruptly.

"My lord, what's wrong?"

Hu Chi looked around and placed his right hand on the handle of the Qian Dao he was carrying.

"nothing."

Xiao Han shook his head and looked into the distance. Beyond the layers of wind and snow, a pavilion was vaguely visible.

"Someone is waiting for us."

The corners of his mouth lifted up and a smile appeared on his face.

"Who?"

Tiger Chi scratched his head, quite puzzled.

Xiao Han didn't say much. He held the reins and put his feet on the horse's belly. The horse neighed, its four hooves flew, and it jumped up.

The two riders sped away, rushing into the white snow.

Getting closer and closer to the pavilion, and further away, is the towering Shanyin Pass, which is more than ten feet high. You can vaguely see the soldiers on the city wall and the whistling flags.

In the pavilion in front of the pass, a middle-aged man in a green robe stood in front of the railing, with his back to Shanyin Pass and facing north.

The cold wind howled, and snow and fallen leaves swirled in the air.

The two figures in the distance were getting closer and closer, gradually becoming clearer and brighter. Although there was wind and snow blocking their way, they could still look into each other's eyes.

The man in blue had a stern expression on his face as he watched the two men getting closer and closer.

"Control"

The warhorse stopped, and on the horse's back, Xiao Han raised an eyebrow, "Why did you come to Shanyin Pass instead of staying in the capital?"

"If His Majesty knew that you had left your post without permission, he would probably take away your tiger talisman as the Minister of War."

"The King of Xiliang has come to Liao and Liang. How can I not show my hospitality as a host?"

Inside the pavilion.

The man spoke, not angry at the Xiliang King's teasing.

"The landlord's friendship?"

Xiao Han curled his lips: "The two Liao lands, with an army of 100,000, shouldn't they have been under the command of the emperor long ago?"

"Haha."

The man laughed, "If that's true, King Xiliang, do you think I can still stand here?"

"So, without the tiger talisman, you can still control the troops of the two Liao states?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"I have prepared two cups of warm wine to welcome the King of Xiliang." The man waved his hand.

"It's freezing cold, and Minister Gu is interested, so I'll drink two cups."

He dismounted, handed the rope to Tiger Chi, strode into the pavilion and sat down on the stool.

There was a charcoal fire under the table, and on the table was a jar of warm wine and two cups of hot tea.

"Aren't you afraid that I will report you to the court for being absent from duty?"

Xiao Han looked at Gu Jiantang.

"The prince would not do that."

The Minister of War shook his head and sighed, "The situation is difficult now. The world is about to change and chaos is happening. I, the Minister of War, am very busy."

The subtext is that the world is in chaos now and the emperor dare not do anything to him unless the emperor no longer wants his throne.

This is true.

The Qingyao army in the south of the Yangtze River is at its peak and has already captured three states. Xiao Han in the north has just destroyed the Northern Wei Dynasty. Xiliang occupies eleven states and controls the trade routes of the Western Regions. It has strong troops and horses and is eyeing the Western Regions covetously.

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There is also a Qingzhou Marquis in Qingzhou who commands an army of more than 100,000 elite soldiers. He is also ready to make a move and collude with Xiao Han.

The only person the court can rely on is the Minister of War Gu Jiantang. If they touch him, it would mean that they think they are living too well.

"A high position of power."

Xiao Han picked up the teacup and said, "It will be just around the corner for you to be made a marquis and become a prime minister."

"Don't dare to take it seriously."

Gu Jiantang shook his head: "It's all thanks to the King of Xiliang that I can live a peaceful life for a few days."

A few black lines appeared between his eyebrows.

What he said was not wrong. If the pressure from Xiliang had not been too great, the current emperor would definitely be on guard against Gu Jiantang at all times.

The more pressure he puts on Gu Jiantang, the more powerful he becomes.

To put it inappropriately, it means nurturing an enemy to protect one's own safety.

Xiao Han also used this move very skillfully in the past.

"As long as I give the order, the 100,000-strong army of the Liao Dynasty can set out at any time."

Gu Jiantang was calm and composed.

"Is this true?"

Xiao Han narrowed his eyes.

"Naturally true."

Gu Jiantang nodded.

"Then why are you waiting for me here today?"

He raised an eyebrow: "Simply showing off your skills and abilities?"

"Of course not."

Gu Jiantang was silent for a moment, "I want to ask the King of Xiliang, are you interested in the world?"

"Do you think I'm interested in the world?"

Xiao Han asked back.

"Have."

Gu Jiantang affirmed: "Moreover, I speculate that within ten years, the world will fall into the hands of the King of Xiliang."

"The eleven states of Xiliang are vast, rich in resources, strong in military and horses, and control the trade routes of the Western Regions. They earn countless gold and silver every year. In the south of the Yangtze River, there are the Dongyue Army led by Xue Changqing and Qingyao."

"The Central Plains is already a piece of fat meat in the mouth of the King of Xiliang. The only difference is when to take the bite."

"Since you know this, are you here to surrender to me today?"

Xiao Han raised the corner of his mouth.

"It's not surrender."

Gu Jiantang paused, then said slowly: "It's to make a deal with the King of Xiliang."

"What deal?"

"When the King of Xiliang marched into the Central Plains, the Liao army of 100,000 marched southward."

The Minister of War spoke.

"condition."

"what do you want?"

Xiao Han poured a glass of warm wine, held it to his nose and sniffed it gently, his tone nonchalant.

(End of this chapter)