The most arrogant in history

Chapter 674 This is the backbone!

The caravan bowed and said goodbye, then left.

Guo Ping sighed and whispered, "In the past two years, the taxes and tolls on the Western Regions trade route have become increasingly heavy, and have already affected the trade between Hanzhong and Yizhou."

Ye Kun nodded: "I know about this matter, but it will be resolved soon."

After Zhuge Hong went to Jincheng, he continued to advance westwards to put pressure on Zhao Biao.

Moreover, Zhuge Hong was very cunning. He changed the supply of grain and grass to the Western Regions to once a day, making it difficult for Zhao Biao to accumulate grain and grass.

In addition, Ye Kun, in the name of the Ministry of War, ordered all veterans under Zhao Biao who had served for more than three years to retire and send them to Jincheng. He then ordered Zhao Biao to send troops to Dayuan to protect Chinese merchants.

Zhao Biao now has few soldiers under his command, and they may not necessarily obey his orders.

Mohist disciples in various parts of the Western Regions also received orders to prepare for response.

Ye Kun knew that Zhuge Hong would soon reveal his cards and put pressure on Zhao Biao to give up his military power and return to the court to apologize.

Zhao Biao was controlled by the imperial court inside and out, and his military power was not solid, so he had lost the ability to rebel.

If he declared rebellion, he might be assassinated on the spot by soldiers.

Guo Ping knew about Zhao Biao's affairs, but he also knew that it was a secret and could not be disclosed, so he responded vaguely:

"Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy. He can solve any problem."

Ye Kun smiled and suddenly said, "The geographical location of the Western Regions is more important than that of the Western Qiang. Now that Zhuge Hong has gone there, I believe he will accomplish great things. But I think Zhuge Hong still lacks an assistant. Governor Guo, can you recommend someone?"

Guo Ping thought for a moment and said, "Zhuge Hong is only 20 years old, but he has already become a first-rank official and a frontier official. I guess the emperor wants to use him in the future, and even let him replace Sang Buzhi.

If this is true, Zhuge Hong's rule in the Western Regions would not have lasted more than three years.

So the emperor's intention is not to find a deputy for Zhuge Hong, but who can succeed Zhuge Hong as the governor of the Western Regions three years later, right?"

Ye Kun exclaimed: "Guo Taishou, you are an honest man, but you can understand the elegance of music by listening to the music. It's amazing."

"Your Majesty, an honest person is not necessarily a stupid person." Guo Ping smiled.

"Very good, I like chatting like this, it's not tiring. Guess who I plan to send to be Zhuge Hong's deputy?"

"The emperor asked for my opinion. I think I can't stay in Chengdu anymore. I should pack my bags and go to be Zhuge Hong's deputy."

"Hahaha, Governor Guo, I'm convinced by you!"

Ye Kun laughed, then slowly said: "The Western Region is too large and the situation is complicated. Without someone as hardworking as you, it would be difficult to achieve results. As you said, Zhuge Hong, I will stay in the Nine Departments from now on. The position of the Governor of the Western Region will only be up to you."

Zhuge Hong won't stay in the Western Regions for long.

The future governance of the Western Regions will still require people like Guo Ping and Guan Bao.

But Guan Bao is also over 50 years old and is now the governor of Jiangdong. After dealing with the affairs of Jiangdong, it is estimated that Guan Bao is too old to be reused.

Guo Ping and Ye Kun are about the same age, so it would be no problem for them to work in the Western Regions for ten years.

"I obey your order and can go to the Western Regions to take up my post at any time." Guo Ping clasped his fists.

"Don't worry. When I leave Yizhou, I will take you with me and send you to your new post." Ye Kun said.

Guo Ping was surprised: "Is the Emperor going to the Western Regions as well?"

Ye Kun nodded: "Yes, I will stay in Yizhou for about a month, and then I will go through the Hexi Corridor to visit the Western Regions."

Guo Ping remained silent.

After passing through Migang Road and entering Yizhou, the first stop is Bazhong.

The prefect of Bazhong County came out of the city to welcome him, with flags covering the sky.

There were also many people from Bazhong lining the streets to welcome them.

Ye Kun said to Guo Ping, "I told you when I sent the telegram not to make a scene. Why are you mobilizing so many troops?"

Guo Ping clasped his fists and said, "It has been more than ten years since the emperor left Yizhou. The people of Yizhou miss the emperor all the time. So I released the news and arranged to welcome him to the palace to make the people happy."

"You know how to flatter people, which means you are not as honest as before." Ye Kun smiled.

"Your Majesty, even an honest person should consider the overall situation. The emperor's tour is not only the emperor's business, but also the people's business. The participation of the people is the way to achieve harmony between the emperor and the people."

"Well, you have a point."

Ye Kun rode his horse slowly and saluted the people who came to greet him.

The common people were very excited and cheered together: "Long live the emperor!"

"Long live the elders and fellow villagers! Long live the elders and fellow villagers!"

Ye Kun clasped his fists repeatedly with a smile on his face.

In the crowd, there was an old man with gray hair. He waved his hand and shouted, "Your Majesty, do you still remember me? I used to be your soldier. My name is Xue Mazi!"

Ye Kun turned his head and saw a face with pits and dents. He immediately jumped off his horse and held the old man's hand: "Xue Mazi, you are not dead!"

This Xue Mazi was a member of Ye Kun's personal guard and participated in several battles.

His whereabouts are unknown during the battle of Phoenix Mountain.

Ye Kun thought he was dead, but unexpectedly, he was still alive.

Xue Mazi laughed and said, "Your Majesty, I am still alive. I rolled down the cliff and fell into a pile of dead bodies. I escaped after more than ten days and stayed in a mountain villager's house to recuperate for three months. Because I was lame and could not fight, I did not go to the army. I came to Bazhong, married a wife, and lived here."

Ye Kun punched Xue Mazi and said, "You old man, I thought you were dead and was sad for several days. Come with me to the city and we can find time to talk."

Xue Mazi nodded and limped after Ye Kun.

After entering the city, Ye Kun first met with the officials from Bazhong.

There is no doubt that Guo Ping governed Yizhou well. The area around Bazhong was a place where officials were clean and officials were honest, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

Ye Kun praised everyone, then went to Xue Mazi to reminisce about the past and asked, "How do these kids make a living now?"

"Seven children, making a living by farming and doing business."

"What kind of business?"

"A small cart, selling needlework and general merchandise, and collecting medicinal herbs from the countryside."

"A country peddler? Are your legs okay?" Ye Kun was very concerned about his soldiers.

"I asked my eldest son to go with me to visit households in the village. My son is eleven years old and can work, but he has delayed his studies because of supporting the family."

"This……"

Ye Kun's heart ached, and he frowned and said, "You are a retired soldier, and you are disabled. Why don't you go to the local government and apply for a pension?"

Xue Mazi smiled awkwardly: "Life is manageable, and I don't want to trouble the local adults. We didn't have enough to eat and wear warm clothes before, but we got through it. Life is much better now, and I am very content.

It is not easy for the imperial court to maintain troops, build roads and bridges, and develop production.”

"Look, everyone! These are our soldiers, the people's soldiers. They are heroes forged in the iron furnace. Their brilliance will never fade!"

Ye Kun stood up, his eyes moist, and said to Guo Ping and others:

"In our Chinese race, there have always been people who plead for the people, people who sacrifice their lives for the law, people who work hard, people who make silent contributions... These people are the backbone of the Chinese race. Old Xue in front of us, in the war, shed his blood; in peacetime, he forged swords into plows, cultivated the fields to support his family, and contributed taxes to the court. He is the backbone of the backbone!"

Everyone stood up and saluted Old Xue: "Old sir, you are a noble man and a role model for our generation."

Ye Kun nodded and said, "Everyone, please make your own way. I will go to Lao Xue's house for lunch and have a drink with him at noon today."

Guo Ping smiled and said, "I will accompany the emperor and arrange some wine and food."

Jiang Yourong said, "I'll go too, to see the women in Old Xue's family."

Old Xue waved his hands: "Your Majesty, Madam, how dare I receive you in my doghouse? Farmers should not go. Tomorrow I will bring my wife and children to kowtow to you."