Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 432 is all about national affairs.
Chengdu.

As the weather turned cold, Li Shengui, dressed in a robe, sat in a rocking chair under a pomegranate tree in the courtyard of his mansion, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Han Ling passed by and saw Li Shengui in this state, so he walked over.

"King of Chenliu, why haven't I seen you going to the dance halls lately?"

Li Shenggui glanced at Han Ling and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"The situation in Sichuan and Chongqing is chaotic. I am worried about the country and its people. How can I have the mind to go to a dance hall?"

After listening, Han Ling stroked his beard and sighed:

"The heart of the Prince of Chenliu is truly admirable."

"It's good that you know, sir."

Han Ling nodded, then asked:

"So what's the real reason?"

Li Shengui stopped shaking, sighed, and said:

"Those shrewish women are too much to handle, I can't take it anymore."

Han Ling smiled after hearing this, but then Li Shengui asked:
"Sir, I don't want to be involved in romantic relationships lately. Is there any important national matter I can do?"

Han Ling frowned and murmured:
"National affairs?"

In the present day, Chengdu and the surrounding counties in the Sichuan Basin are becoming increasingly prosperous, the city walls of Jiangzhou are being built higher and higher, while the other prefectures and counties are becoming increasingly chaotic.

After Sichuan and Chongqing were incorporated into the territory, Chang'an implemented a policy of recuperation and development for Chengdu and the surrounding counties.

Internally, he appeased former officials and people of the Southern Liang dynasty, and externally, he eased relations with the surrounding Liao, Qiang, and Di tribes.

Shu County was already prosperous, serving as the largest granary in the Bashu region. The Shu brocade produced in Chengdu was a key currency on the Silk Road.

As long as the war is quelled, order is maintained, and the people are convinced, Chengdu's unique advantages are enough to make it a major city comparable to Jiankang and Luoyang.

If the irrigation system of Dujiangyan, which was damaged by war during the Han Dynasty, were fully restored, the Shu Commandery alone could support nearly a million people.

With food and population, various industries will develop.

Han Ling and others did the same.

But unlike the prosperity of places like Chengdu, the atmosphere in Jiangzhou is increasingly tense.

Since the Liang army retreated, Wang Sizheng and Wang Bi have not stopped for a single day. They have learned from the battle experience of that day, built the city walls of Jiangzhou higher and higher, made the city defense more and more perfect, and also absorbed the navy of Bashu to build more than a dozen large warships.

Han Ling once sent someone to see it, and good heavens, it looked like it had the words "I'm going to die" written all over its face.

Come and hit me!

The officers and soldiers were filled with a strong desire for military merit.

As for other prefectures and counties, the situation was extremely chaotic. The 20,000 households of people who entered Shu from Guanzhong clashed fiercely with the local barbarians, and even the repeating crossbowmen led by Hulü Guang were deployed.

As the situation grew increasingly chaotic, Guanzhong showed no intention of easing up. Instead, it intensified its military efforts, attempting to reclaim the lands that had fallen into the hands of barbarians due to the war, and to regain control of important resources such as salt and iron in the Bashu region.

Given the situation, Han Ling touched his chin, somewhat hesitant about Li Shengui's words.

Sending him outside is definitely not an option. He can't do the work of Wang Sizheng and the others, and he certainly can't do the work of Dongfang Lao and the others.

As for Chengdu, everything is on track, and there's no need for Li Shenggui to cause any more trouble.

Seeing Han Ling's hesitant appearance, Li Shengui waited for a long time and became a little impatient.

"Sir, is it really that difficult for you to find me a matter of national importance to handle?"

Han Ling thought for a moment, and finally said:

"King of Chenliu, do you know anything about tea?"

Li Shengui smiled, snorted coldly, and said:
"Sir, don't underestimate me. I'm from Luoyang; I've seen all kinds of tea. Tell me, shall we?"

"The county towns between Qiongzhou and Rongzhou have been abandoned for a hundred years. After the war, Your Majesty plans to relocate the people here, distribute the land, and teach them how to grow and process tea to promote the tea industry. I have read the strategies from Guanzhong and the updated tea-making techniques from Hanzhong and other places. I know that if this is successful, it will greatly increase wealth and also help to control the various barbarians."

"That important?"

Li Shenggui perked up, but then heard Han Ling ask:
"Does Your Majesty know how to manage tea?"

"That's easy!" Li Shenggui's lips curled slightly as he waved his hand. "Let the people grow tea, and we'll buy it and sell it!"

"What if people are unwilling to plant tea because grain is expensive and tea is cheap?"

"How can grain be more expensive than tea?" "..."

Han Ling looked at it for a long time and said:

"Why don't you, Prince Chenliu, go to the dance hall instead?"

Just then, a report came from outside the mansion.

“King Chenliu, sir, we have captured a spy from Tuyuhun. He also brought a letter to be sent to Liang.”

Han Ling asked:

"What about the letters?"

"This guy is arrogant and domineering. When we tried to arrest him, he ruined everything."

"Tuyuhun?"

Han Ling murmured these words, stroked his beard, looked at Li Shengui, and said:
"King of Chenliu, a matter of great national importance has arrived."

Li Shengui was surprised and said:
"What does the gentleman want from me?"

"Be beaten!"

……

Fushi City!
"Khan, why did you send an envoy to Southern Liang?"

Tuyuhun Yaren questioned, and Kualü's expression turned quite ugly.

Previously, when Bashu was under the control of the Southern Liang Dynasty, the Tuyuhun could maneuver between the Northern Wei and the Southern Liang. After descending the Min Mountains, Tuyuhun envoys could go directly to Chengdu, then take a boat down the river and comfortably reach Jiankang.

But now, the situation has changed.

If the envoys of Tuyuhun were to go to Southern Liang, they would have to take a long detour, crossing mountains and valleys to reach Guangzhou, and then turn around to go to Jiangdong.

Otherwise, one would have to cross enemy-occupied territory, which was fraught with risks.

"Emperor Liang is eager to reclaim Bashu, and the Liang army will attack Shu sooner or later."

After explaining this sentence, Kua Lü revealed his plan.

“Once the Liang army attacks Shu, we will win over the Dangxiang and other Qiang tribes, and with the help of the Di people from Yinping and Wudu counties, we can launch a joint attack. Our Tuyuhun will gain great benefits. Therefore, we must make preparations early.”

Tuyuhun Yaren had no idea that Kualü's plans were so deep.

According to his plan, once the situation is favorable, it might actually pose a significant threat to Guanzhong.

"But now the person has been arrested."

"Li Shengui didn't find that letter, so what's there to worry about?"

Tuyuhun Yaren sighed:

"Does the Khan not know whose sworn brother he is?"

Kua Lü's expression changed, and he seemed somewhat uncertain.

What will he do?

Tuyuhun Yaren gave a wry smile and said:
"It seems Taoyang cannot be saved."

……

Changan.

"You all know this, right?"

Li Shuang looked at the group of people sitting below with a deep expression.

"When the envoy from Tuyuhun arrived in Chengdu, he openly insulted my sworn brother and even injured him. Tuyuhun's act of insubordination is truly contrary to human ethics and is extremely rebellious."

As he spoke, Li Shuang touched his head and sighed:
"If I do not avenge my brother, how can I stand in this world!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was already itching to get started and was sharpening their knives.

"Your Majesty, send out the troops!"

……

(End of this chapter)