Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Chapter 108 Xihe's Current Situation

Xihe Road, Xizhou.

Xihe expanded its territory, acquiring seven prefectures: Taozhou, Hezhou, Lanzhou, Lezhou, Minzhou, Diezhou, and Dangzhou.

The so-called Seven Prefectures of Xihe do not include Xi Prefecture.

In the past, the expansion of territory was centered around Xizhou.

At that time, many official residences were built to handle military and political affairs.

Today, the seven prefectures of Xihe form their own separate routes, all of which were once areas ruled by foreign tribes.

To facilitate governance, Emperor Zhao Zhen issued an edict, specifically allocating Xizhou, which was under the jurisdiction of Shaanxi, to Xihe Circuit, thus combining the territory of eight prefectures.

Therefore, Xizhou was naturally chosen as the administrative center.

The Pacification Commissioner's Office and the Deputy Pacification Commissioner's Office.

Jiang Zhao sat in the main seat, with Zhang Heng, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Gu Tingye, Wang Shao, Zhong E, Shen Kuo, Xue Xiang, Jiang Zhiqi, and five other members of the imperial clan, Zhao Ceying, gathered on his left and right.

Among them, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Shen Kuo, and Xue Xiang were either prefects or vice-prefects of a prefecture, and were all prefectural officials who should have been serving in their respective prefectures.

However, since it involved the border region, and the group was new to the area and unaware of the political situation there, they made a point of listening in.

"How are things on the frontier lately?" Jiang Zhao looked down at a young, armored general.

This man, surnamed Zheng, was the youngest son of Marquis Zhongjing, Zheng Shun, and was known as General Xiao Zheng.

If nothing unexpected happens, it's likely that the man Zhang Guifen, the only daughter of the Duke of Yingguo, had her heart set on was the man who later married the younger sister of the Duke's brother, Xiao Shen.

Compared to Gu Tingye, this young General Zheng lacks strategy, but in terms of decisiveness, he is not much less so, and can be considered a top-tier figure among the younger generation of military officers and nobles.

"Reporting to the Pacification Commissioner."

General Zheng clasped his hands in a deep fist salute and reported: "Recently, the Tibetan leader, Qusiluo, passed away, passing the throne to his young son, Dongzhan. Dongzhan hastily ascended the throne, but his actual control over the territory is limited to only three prefectures: Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou."

Dong Zhan lacked prestige, and the sons of Xia Zhan, Mu Zheng, Dong Gu, Jie Wu Yan Zheng, Xia Wu Chi, Ba Zhan Jiao, Ba Zhan Mo, and the son of Mo Jiao Zhan, Xia Sa Qi Ding, all showed signs of taking the opportunity to shake Dong Zhan's position.

Among them, Mu Zheng, the son of Xiazhan, who occupied most of Qingtang, was the most prominent, and he repeatedly raised troops to test the waters.

Jiang Zhao understood and nodded slowly.

Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou are all areas very close to the Yellow River.

These are all fertile lands.

Compared to the seven prefectures of Xihe, the fertility of Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xining Prefecture is definitely much lower.

However, compared to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Gansu), the three prefectures of Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou are definitely much more fertile.

(As shown in the picture: the top left corner shows Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou, that's roughly it.)

Now, Mu Zheng has occupied most of Qing Tang and his morale is high. Once he kills Dong Zhan, the turbulent Tubo tribes will surely submit to the strongest, and Mu Zheng can become the next "Gousi Luo".

"Have you tried to win over Dong Zhan?" Jiang Zhao asked.

Controlling the three prefectures of Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou, Dongzhan was the leader of the Tubo tribe closest to the seven prefectures of Xihe.

There are certainly some other tribes near the seven prefectures of Xihe, but they are all too small to achieve great things.

For neighboring tribes, the primary approach is still to win them over.

Like the Yulongke tribe, they lived near Hezhou and Dangzhou, gradually integrating into agricultural life and defending the Great Zhou against the Tubo.

"The old general of England sent someone to look for Dong Zhan."

"How is it?" Jiang Zhao looked over.

If Dong Zhan were to be on Zhou's side, that would be the best outcome; simply support him.

Let the Tibetans fight the Tibetans.

If Dong Zhan were to side with Zhou, things would become much more difficult.

It's supported occasionally, and not supported occasionally.

In short, the Dongzhan tribe must be kept in a state of semi-death, but not allowed to be truly destroyed.

Due to its geographical location, the Dongzhan tribe was destined to be a truce point between the Great Zhou and the Muzheng.

“His attitude is wavering.” General Zheng explained, “This man has changed his mind several times. At one time he said he wanted to watch over and help the Great Zhou, and at another time he said that Tibet and the Great Zhou were two separate countries.”

Jiang Zhao shook his head and smiled, waving his hand and saying, "Being indecisive is being pro-Zhou."

The fact that a tribal chief's attitude is unclear indicates that he has some concerns.

Dong Zhan's concerns were nothing more than the fear of being attacked from both sides by Da Zhou and Mu Zheng, which is why he showed a somewhat pro-Zhou attitude.

This is enough!

This is the youngest son of the previous leader, and the current nominal leader of Tibet.

Such a person, with his wavering attitude, is enough!

"Contact Dong Zhan and have him send someone who has some influence over the matter," Jiang Zhao instructed.

"Yes." General Zheng nodded quickly.

"How many soldiers are left on Xihe Road?" Jiang Zhao asked again.

The 200,000 border troops were originally stationed alone in Shaanxi to guard against the Western Xia, but now they have to guard both Shaanxi and Xihe routes.

Compared to the past, there are definitely fewer soldiers guarding Shaanxi Road.

No wonder the British were panicking.

If the Shaanxi Road encounters problems, it will lead to a direct invasion by the Western Xia; if the Xihe Road encounters problems, it will result in the loss of nearly a century of national territory and the first expansion of territory.

"More than 90,000."

"Ninety thousand?" Jiang Zhao nodded slowly.

This number is quite sufficient.

After all, compared to the Western Xia, the Tibetan Empire was undoubtedly much weaker.

If you include the more than 100,000 soldiers of the Yulongke (Baoshun) tribe, that's 200,000 border troops. Suppressing Tibet would be no problem at all.

The situation was still under control and no fighting had occurred, which visibly relieved the dozen or so officials.

It should be noted that once Xihe Road was newly built, the supervising officials were basically assigned, but the county and township officials and clerks below them had not yet been assigned.

It's fair to say that Xihe Road is still not fully operational.

There is a shortage of officials, a shortage of clerks, and a shortage of ordinary people.

If a sudden, large-scale attack occurs and we don't have enough strength to defend against it, then things could get very difficult.

"All officials of the prefecture and county, go to the prefecture to take up your posts," Jiang Zhao instructed.

There were almost no Han Chinese people on Xihe Road.

However, the Hehuang region has always been fertile, and many Tibetan people have retired there, numbering at least two or three million.

In particular, the Yulongke tribe, which can support more than 100,000 soldiers, is already a tribe with a population of one million.

As a frontier region, this number of people is already quite substantial.

"Yes." The group nodded in unison, stood up, cupped their hands in greeting, and withdrew.

"You all should go and attend to your own official duties," Jiang Zhao said, looking at Zhang Heng, Wang Shao, Gu Tingye, and the others.

The group glanced thoughtfully at the five members of the royal family, bowed in unison, and withdrew.

After the dozen or so people left, only Zhang Zai, He Sheng, Cheng Hao, and a few others remained in the hall.

These people all act as "secretaries".

The members of the imperial clan exchanged glances and sat down in unison.

If nothing unexpected happens, the next issue will be their job positions.

"Logically speaking, given the status and talent of these young masters, even if they lack experience in governance, it would be quite reasonable to assign them to official positions of the fourth or fifth rank."

Jiang Zhao gave a gentle compliment, then changed the subject: "However, His Majesty specifically instructed that only officials of the seventh or eighth rank would have the desired training effect."

Several members of the royal family all looked expectant.

This is indeed the first time these individuals have taken power.

Having servants under one's command is one thing, but wielding power alone is another.

"In my opinion, it would be better to appoint him as a seventh-rank official. If he were to govern, he could serve as a county magistrate; if he were to govern the army, he could serve as a battalion commander, which would consist of five commanders and five hundred men."

"I wonder what you gentlemen think?" Jiang Zhao asked with a faint smile and a calm demeanor.

Regardless of whether the individuals choose to govern or take charge of military affairs, he will send people to assist them.

If you choose to govern, then send an adjutant to govern. Even if he doesn't achieve any political achievements, at least he won't harm the people.

If you choose to take charge of military affairs, then send capable soldiers to protect one or two.

"Very good." The five nodded in unison.

"What choices will those young masters make?"

"county."

"county."

"military."

"military."

Without hesitation, Zhao Shiyi, son of the King of Yan, and Zhao Shiqian, son of the King of Yong, chose to govern a county.

Both of them were pampered and couldn't endure any hardship.

After a slight hesitation, Zhao Zhong and Zhao Shicheng chose to take command of five hundred soldiers.

Compared to the eldest sons of the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong, these two were not princes. Although they were somewhat spoiled, they were not so incapable of enduring any hardship.

The crucial point is that, given their limited talents, it's highly unlikely they would achieve any notable political successes in governing a single county.

Managing 500 people is definitely easier in comparison.

In any case, the pacification commissioner will most likely not send them to the battlefield.

Even if he were to take command of an army, there would be no danger.

Jiang Zhao looked up and gazed at the last person.

Zhao Ceying!

"The army!" Zhao Ceying said resolutely.

Compared to Zhao Zhong and Zhao Shicheng, Zhao Ceying was more decisive and heroic.

A real man should fight when necessary!

Jiang Zhao nodded and assigned the men to different positions: "Young Master Shiyi will govern Yunshui County, Young Master Shiqian will govern Huaishui County, Young Master Zhong will join the Transport Bureau to be responsible for transporting grain and fodder, Young Master Shicheng will join the Ever-Normal Granary Bureau to be responsible for maintaining the tea-horse trade, and Young Master Ceying will join General Huaihua's command to be responsible for training troops."

Without exception, there was no danger.

The five men, now assigned their duties, were all a little excited. They bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Jiang Zhao shook his head, picked up a cup of honey water, and savored it.

In the long run, the superiority of one over the other will become clear!

Chapter 109 Zhao Ceying is determined to make a name for himself!

Xining Prefecture.

After Gusiluo passed away, leaving his legacy to his young son Dongzhan, Tibet was plunged into internal strife.

The new leader, Dong Zhan, actually controlled only three prefectures: Huangzhou, Kuozhou, and Xiningzhou.

Among them, Huangzhou and Kuozhou are both close to the Great Zhou Dynasty and are likely to be invaded by the Great Zhou.

Therefore, Dong Zhan made Xining Prefecture his base and stationed his troops there.

Empire.