Chapter 563 The Western Expedition Begins
Boom! boom!
Needly footsteps passed outside the palace, and a shiny halberd was slanted on the person's shoulder, held high, reflecting the unique cold light of metal in the winter.
The soldiers of the Tiger Guard Battalion were stationed in the royal palace and took over all defenses. There were almost one post every ten steps and one sentry every five steps around the side hall where government affairs were handled.
“The people’s livelihood in the Western Regions is still very important. While strengthening the city, we must also let the people in the Western Regions have enough to eat. Only when their bellies are full will they recognize you and respect you.”
The side hall that was turned into a study room was filled with books from the Western Regions and information from the past month, some of which were even scattered on the floor.
Behind the desk, Su Chen was revising some of the regulations he had compiled. On both sides of the bottom, there were two tall generals standing. On the right was Ge Shuhan, and on the left was Hou Junji. Pressing the knife on his waist, he retracted it, his tiger eyes were as bright as lightning, and he stared unblinkingly at the emperor behind the desk. This man who once dared to rebel when Li Shimin was still there, at this time, he probably didn't care about Su Chen's words. Just a casual listen.
He still has some experience in governing the Western Regions, and having a full stomach has always been important.
But Su Chen is the emperor, and no matter what he says, he must listen as a minister.
What's more, the memory of Li Shimin's murder of him was still fresh in his mind. Regardless of whether there were other reasons, Hou Junji didn't want to happen to him again.
The brother Shu Han on the side has returned to his forties, and his figure has become taller and more muscular. During the three years that he and Hou Junji worked together in Fusi, Xirong Town, they had a certain understanding of each other's temperament.
He gave the other party a slight wink to indicate not to be so absent-minded.
The displeased tone did not come as expected, which made Hou Junji a little stunned. Hearing Su Chen's candid evaluation of himself made him have a different view of the young emperor. Viewed.
"Send someone to call Itas over. It's a nice winter day today. Let's set up some chairs and let's chat in the courtyard."
"Your Majesty is being too modest." Hou Junji said in time. He was given a step down. After all, he didn't want to really embarrass Su Chen.
"Let's continue discussing the affairs of the Protectorate of the Western Regions." Seeing that Hou Junji had given up, Su Chen had no choice but to wave his hand and took out the following charter to discuss with the two of them. After finalizing the details, it was already past noon, and the three of them When I walked out of the study, I couldn't help but talk about what happened in Xirong Grassland.
Ge Shuhan smiled awkwardly, and then listened to the emperor above continue: "I am younger than you, and I am still a descendant. Whether it is fighting a war or governing a place, I am definitely not as good as you. This is my shortcoming, and I have been making up for it. "
In fact, at this point, there is no Iron Buddha who must be killed. Su Chen is the emperor, and he must look at things from the emperor's perspective. You cannot have the emotions and desires of normal people.
Soon, she received the order and came with Bainani and several guards to pay her respects.
He cannot hand over a fatal place to an ambitious person.
"This morning's news, Iron Buddha is dead."
"Of course he is powerful... He is the outstanding general in the Mongol Empire who will appear after you... He led his army to the far west, frightening the enemy. "
"No need to wink, I'm not blind." Su Chen put down his imperial pen, raised his eyes, and said to the two people below with a smile.
Under an old tree in the courtyard of the royal palace, Dian Wei and Xu Chu led dozens of soldiers from the Tiger Guard Camp to guard the surrounding area. Itas dismissed the guards they brought and only stayed with Bainani. Come and put up the decoration
“Meet the Emperor of Shangbang.”
He needs to do more, eliminate hidden dangers, stabilize the entire Xia Kingdom, and how the soldiers use their lives. These involve very complicated things. In the future, the logistics of the Western Expedition will be an even more important part, and the Xirong people in the Xirong Grassland Also crucial.
Su Chen ordered in a low voice, Wu Zixun turned around and left, and went to the other side of the palace in person. After Su Chen moved here temporarily, Itas and her beloved concubine and bodyguard commander Bainani went to Moved to the corner of the palace.
The voices of the three people talking passed through the eaves of the palace. The maids and female guards passing by around them respectfully retreated to both sides, waiting for the emperor and his ministers to pass by.
"I have dealt with him several times. Since the death of Xi Zhuquan, this man has always kept his ambition deep in his heart." Hou Junji said in a calm tone, obviously he was not satisfied with the death of Wan Qi Commander of the Lutang Department. , not surprised, "It's better to die, otherwise it will be the most troublesome if you don't lose it in the future."
Su Chen raised his calloused palms and handed them the previous letter for circulation. As for the Iron Buddha, Su Chen had no other emotions except some regrets.
"That Subotai is so powerful?" Ge Shuhan was quite surprised by this news. He had had contact with the other party before when he came to the grassland. That Subotai looked ordinary in appearance and figure. To think that in just two months, Xirong Grassland has been unified.
The bare tops of the old tree swayed slightly in the cold wind. Five or six steps away, Su Chen raised his hand towards Itas who was bowing down opposite him, "...Queen Itas, please get up, I will stay here temporarily. Your palace has made you relegated to a corner.”
“The Emperor of Shangbang spoke harshly.” It was Bainani who spoke. She knew that Itas didn’t know much about Chinese language, so she answered on her behalf. : "I wonder what your Majesty has ordered us to do when he called us here?"
The palace maids and guards came over and put out long tables, small stools, melons, fruits, and hot tea. Su Chen made an inviting gesture towards them, "Nothing to do, just chatting with Queen Itas."
Then, he took the tea from his brother Shuhan and took a sip. Seeing that the two of them had not moved yet, he smiled and pointed to the two small stools next to Hou Junji.
Su Chen is not an emperor who knows how to deal with people, but he is not stupid. He naturally had other motives for letting Itas retain the title of queen.
"I have been busy recently with the affairs of the Western Regions countries and the Western Regions Protectorate." Su Chen raised his tea cup and saluted the two women: "You also know that I only started with 800 soldiers. I fought with swords and guns. The emperor who came out did not grow up in the palace and did not learn much about the palace. It was more difficult to handle government affairs, so he could only be more diligent and make up for his shortcomings.
Fortunately, he practiced martial arts in his early years. My body and bones are much stronger than usual, otherwise I would be exhausted. I have to do everything myself and go through life and death with the soldiers. Without this martial arts, it would be a luxury to live to an old age. "
General Bainani. The words were conveyed to Itas. She had only dealt with one city in Yelan Kingdom, but she already felt inadequate. Thinking about the countless cities covered by the huge Xia Kingdom, she felt a tingling sensation in her scalp.
"Your Majesty is a capable person, different from us."
Su Chen looked at her, took a sip of tea, and when he put it down, he smiled and said: "...I am not showing off in front of you. What, but I want to say that in all the things I have experienced, I have seen many people disappear by the wayside.
There are many people who have followed me to conquer the world, gain wealth, and enjoy their old age. Now that the Western Region is also under my governance, I will treat everyone equally and let the people of the Western Region live a good life. But the prerequisite is that the people here can identify with me, agree with my Chinese aspirations, and share the joys and sorrows with me! "
"...The barbarians from the West came here before, destroyed many cities, and killed many people in the Western Regions. According to my temperament, this enemy must be fought back, even if many people will die as a result. , also gave this tone.
If you retreat once, your blood will be reduced by one point. In the future, more people in the Western Region will lose their lives, and more barbarians from the West will come. They will say..."
Su Chen tapped his fingers on the table, and his tone became more intense as he tapped his fingertips: "...They would say that the country in the East has a vast land and abundant resources, and has many good things. Their people are extremely weak and can kill and bully at will. Queen Itas , Do you want to see your subjects of Yelan Kingdom being killed and enslaved like this? In the future, all the good things will belong to the barbarians, and you can only be killed like pigs and dogs?"
"No!" After listening to Bai Nani's message, Itas answered without any hesitation.
Su Chen looked at the table and nodded: "The enemy is looking around outside, eyeing us and the land under our feet. I am the emperor and I am responsible for this. I want my subjects. Live a better life, and let them live in a peaceful world for generations to come.
But obviously now is not the time. We have been bullied once, and we not only want to take revenge, but also fight against the Western barbarians. It hurts, tell them that the country to the east is not easy to bully from top to bottom."
The cold wind blew over, and Itasha took a breath of hot breath, and the white air filled the air. She pursed her lips tightly and held her hands in her hands. The hot tea gradually cooled down.
After a moment of silence, Itas whispered: "Your Majesty, what do you want Itas to do?"
"Then it depends on what Queen Itas can do!" Su Chen smiled, his voice low. Having said this, he looked around, and saw scattered snowflakes floating down from the mid-air, landing on the shoulders of several people.
“...If we want the people of the Western Regions to live in a better world and live a stable life, the only way is to reduce the covetousness of foreign enemies.
But war will kill people, but In order to live a better life and live a better life for future generations, we must be prepared to sacrifice one generation and strive for a more peaceful world for future generations and even the generations to come.”,
Opposite, Iraq. Tasi closed her eyes, pursed her lips tightly, and thought silently. After a while, she opened her eyes again.
"...Itas understands what His Majesty means...You are really a respectable emperor."
"Then do what I want."
Su Chen stood up slowly and looked up at the increasingly snowy scene, "I really want to climb a snowy mountain, but unfortunately I don't have time. I should go back and prepare. After the spring next year, the entire Xia Kingdom will be in motion."
Said, Su Chen walked around the long case, and with the courtesy of Itas and Bainani, he led Hou Junji, Ge Shuhan, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and a group of soldiers from the Huwei camp out of the courtyard. , return to the official residence in the city.
In December, on the sixth day of the lunar month, the Tang army returned south. In the middle of the month, the emperor passed Tiele with honor guard and entered the Mongolian grassland. After meeting Subotai, he entered Yantang Pass on the day of the end of the month. On the ninth day, I diverted to Ding'an.
The new year is approaching.
(End of this chapter)