Ma Chao sneered and asked, "Can you really forget it? The national hatred and family hatred are the responsibility that I, Ma Chao, will not be a human being if I am not avenged. Since you don't give me troops, I will train my own troops. I have to pacify Xianling Qiang, which means I will use the power of Xianling Qiang to kill to Chang'an and kill the old thief Cao Cao with my own hands. This is the way I, Ma Chao, want to go."

"I'm so anxious that I can't eat hot tofu, and I can't eat a fat man in one bite. Cao Cao is a strong enemy and is extremely intelligent. There are some objective reasons why I was expelled from the Central Plains. If the two armies really compete, Cao Cao can be my strongest opponent, and I may not be able to know the outcome. Therefore, we have to deal with Cao Cao slowly. Guanzhong is already empty. Even if Cao Cao wants to restore Guanzhong, it will take a long time. In addition, he lacks military strength and borrows troops everywhere, he knows that he has no soldiers available. Therefore, I insist on fighting this battle, using the first step to advance to the northwest to attack the north."

"The first step to advance to the northwest? What is the second step?" Ma Chao became interested and asked afterwards.

"Using Beidi County as a springboard to plan the entire Liangzhou. This is the second step."

“What about the third step?”

"From Liangzhou, Hongnong sent troops to attack Guanzhong at the same time. If you are lucky, you should be able to capture Cao Cao. If you are not lucky enough, you can at least repel Cao Mengde to the Hanzhong area and let him hold a corner. In this way, it will be easier to destroy Cao Cao. Using troops to the northwest will become the top priority of China in the next few years. Moreover, I lack a general who can intimidate the entire northwest. This time, the use of troops to Xianling Qiang is just a small test. The real battle is still to come. In the next few years, the northwest will become my second battlefield. If the northwest is in hand, the Silk Road will not be smooth, and commercial trade will have huge benefits."

Hearing this, Ma Chao roughly understood Lin Nan's intention. None of the Five Tigers Generals chose. He asked him to fight against Xianling Qiang. The intention was very obvious, and he wanted to give him a chance to make contributions. And he could also see that Lin Nan wanted him to stay in the northwest and use troops to the Wei Kingdom as a sharp sword to pacify the entire northwest.

Ma Chao sighed heavily, stood up, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I... I am willing to be a sharp blade in Your Majesty's hand. Cut the thorns in the northwest for Your Majesty!"

After hearing Ma Chao's answer, Lin Nan was quite happy and immediately said, "I have Meng Qi, why worry about the uncertainty in the northwest!"

Afterwards, Lin Nan and Ma Chao had a thorough and detailed discussion, informing Ma Chao about how to use troops in the northwest and his plans for the next few years.

Ma Chao was determined to avenge his country and family hatred. Lin Nan's words undoubtedly gave him great motivation. Using troops to the northwest and fighting Cao Cao would undoubtedly make him a famous general and be full of confidence in his future.

After a long conversation, it was already dusk. Lin Nan asked someone to treat Ma Chao's food kindly and left.

Leaving the place where Ma Chao was detained. Lin Nan went straight to the cave where Taishici was detained.

The lights in the cave were dim, and the faint lights reflected the huge cave. I saw a figure hiding in the corner, facing the wall, looking so desolate and lonely.

"Faced with the wall. What's the best thing about a wall?" Taishi Ci was angry and muttered constantly when facing the wall.

After a while, Taishici heard a sound of footsteps and immediately said angrily: "I have told you so many times. I don't eat or drink, I will take them all away!"

The footsteps stopped, and then a voice came out: "The general is so angry. It turns out that the general is not thinking about his mistakes, but blaming me!"

Taishi Ci was shocked when he heard this voice and hurriedly turned his face to look over, but saw Lin Nan appearing alone at the entrance of the cave. He felt speechless and hurriedly knelt down and bowed: "Please forgive me for your crime. I just mistakenly thought that the emperor was a young man who delivered food. I was not hungry at first, but the young man kept annoying me. I am now..."

"Get up, actually, I'm here to deliver food to you. I heard from Song Xian that you haven't eaten yesterday. Now it's another night. Others don't know you, don't I know you yet?"

As he said that, Lin Nan moved his hand behind him to the front, carrying a jar of wine in his left hand and half of the roasted lamb in his right hand, walked straight to Taishici's side, and ordered: "Go and wash your hands, it's dirty like this, how can you eat?"

"I... I am really not hungry!" Taishi Ci glanced at the roasted lamb, and the smell of meat in his nose suddenly caught Wudian Temple, but he kept his mouth firm.

"Aren't you hungry? Well, I'll eat, you'll watch. If you don't eat now, don't blame me for not giving you food in the next few days. People are iron and rice are steel. If you don't eat for a meal, you're only two people here, there are no monarch and ministers, only brothers. According to age, you are one month older than me, so I should call you a brother-in-law."

"If you cannot do anything, the emperor is the emperor, the minister is the minister, and the minister must never dare to do something to be arbitrary."

"How can you be so sarcastic? I have put down the emperor's airs and come to talk to you, but you don't appreciate it? Well, then I will order you with the emperor's airs to accompany me to drink and eat meat here!"

"this……"

"What's this? This is my imperial edict. Can you dare to disobey the imperial edict?" Lin Nan said angrily.

"I dare not, I just follow the order."

Lin Nan suddenly laughed, handed the meat to Taishici, and said, "That's right, this is my Tiger Wing General. Come on, we will drink one by one, I'll drink it first. You can eat some meat to cushion your stomach. It's not good to drink alcohol on an empty stomach."

"I obey the order!"

So, Taishi Ci took the mutton from Lin Nan's hand. He was so hungry that his chest was pressed against his back. Seeing the delicious food in front of him, he immediately began to eat it.

Lin Nan laughed while drinking, "Slow down, look like a hungry wolf, and you still say you are not hungry? Are you angry with me when you do this?"

"Hey!"

Taishi Ci ate too quickly and choked and immediately burped.

"What are you doing when you eat so quickly? Have some time to drink it quickly." Lin Nan hurriedly handed over the wine and took the mutton from Taishici's hand.

Taishici held the jar of wine and poured it down in big mouthfuls, so that he stopped hiccups.

"Emperor. I am not angry with the emperor. I really don't understand. Why does Ma Chao have obvious signs of rebellion? Why does the emperor still protect him?" Taishi Ci took a breath and opened his mouth and asked.

Lin Nan smiled and said, "I knew you would ask me this question. Ma Chao was carrying family hatred and national hatred. He wanted to kill Cao Cao, Chen Qun, Yang Xiu and others to take revenge. For a person who was eager to take revenge, conquering Xianling Qiang and then winning over and using Xianling Qiang, secretly training a unit of his own, and then attacking Chang'an, this should be what he wanted to do the most. Treason? It's pure nonsense! Since I dare to use him,

He must have been guarded against him, so I asked Guo Jia to lead 20,000 Xiongnu soldiers to attack the northern territory, and I brought 30,000 Xiongnu soldiers to follow him from behind. It was said that he was an imperial commander in person, but in fact it was to prevent Ma Chao from rebelling. If he really rebelled, he would be able to kill him in one fell swoop while his foothold was not stable. The wolf cavalry led by Ma Chao may not be willing to rebel with Ma Chao. For Ma Chao, rebellion at this time would undoubtedly be a severance of his life."

After hearing this, Taishici said, "It's still the emperor who has foresight. He has made arrangements long ago. It seems that I was alerting the enemy."

"Well. But after you get into this, you reminded Ma Chao that in the next few days, I will lead troops to pacify the entire Beidi County. At that time, I will set up Lingzhou City here as a military center to attack Liangzhou in the future. Do you know the purpose of my bringing you here this time?"

Taishi Ci thought about it, his eyes lit up, and then he asked, "Does the Emperor want me to guard the border here?"

"Just don't know if you agree or not."

"Agree, of course, agree. Being able to face Cao Cao's old thief and defend the frontier for the emperor is something I can't ask for. A real man should carry a three-foot long sword and gallop across the battlefield. To be honest, I was so tired of it during my time in Yunzhou. Being able to lead troops in a complex place in the northwest will inevitably lead war. I like fighting the most!" Taishici said happily.

"Since you agree, then it's decided. At that time, I will leave you to guard Lingzhou, Ma Chao, and Pang De as your deputy general..."

"Ma Chao? Your Majesty asked Ma Chao to stay with you?" A trace of displeasure appeared on Taishi Ci's face.

“Is there any problem?”

"Can you change someone? Wei Yan and Chu Yan can do it, but it really doesn't work, and Zhang He can do it, just don't leave Ma Chao."

"Haha, aren't you and Zhang He very much deal with each other? Why are you calling him again now?" Lin Nan said with a smile.

"That's better than Ma. At least I've been together for several years. We've been familiar with each other. Now we're separated. I really feel that no one is quarreling... "

"Okay! I will transfer you to Zhang He, Wei Yan, and Chu Yan. However, Ma Chao must stay!"

"Why? Emperor? Ma Chao has a backbone behind his head. If he stays, the northwest will definitely be in chaos!"

"Don't ask why, in short, Ma Chao must stay. If you don't want to do it, I'll let Zhang He do it, and you will go back to Yunzhou to guard."

Taishi Ci sighed heavily and said, "Emperor! I'm going to do it, can't I do it? I'm nominally the Five Tiger Generals, but I only let me guard Yunzhou. Compared to Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Zhang Liao and others, I'm far inferior. Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Zhang Liao are all in the Central Plains. Only Gan Ning has a navy in Shangjing. They go out to sea to train every day, but they throw me on the vast grassland and say they are guarding. What enemies can there be in that circle? They are all caravans and have few soldiers under them. Emperor, I don't want to go back to the ghost place in Yunzhou..."

"What the hell is it! Yunzhou is an important commercial base for fiscal revenue in our country!"

"I know I'm wrong, I'm saying the wrong thing!" Taishi Ci quickly admitted his mistake, "But, can the emperor tell me why Ma Chao must stay in the northwest?"

"Ma Chao is known as the General of Divine Power and has a deterrent effect on the Qiang people. With him, the Qiang people dare not invade Lingzhou. Now the treasury is empty, and it is not a time to use large-scale troops. Only by defending Lingzhou first, and after a few years, the treasury is sufficient and the people live and work in peace can a full-scale war be launched. Otherwise, the military pay will not be paid!"

"I understand. I will abide by the emperor's will, but I will never give Ma Chao too many soldiers, no more than..." Taishi Ci originally stretched out three fingers, but later he seemed to feel that it was a little too much, so he hurriedly changed it to one, and then said, "It cannot exceed one thousand cavalry!"

"Well, just arrange this casually. But don't go too far. After all, Ma Chao has a great self-esteem, and it's not good to hurt him."

"I understand."

So Lin Nan and Taishi Ci drank and ate meat together, and chatted like brothers, and did not leave until late at night.

The next day, Jia Xu and Gai Xun arrived at Lingwu Valley with all the follow-up troops. When they learned that Ma Chao and Taishici were both detained in the cave, they looked at the obscene, and neither of them said anything.

The army rested in Lingwu Valley for three days. On the fourth day, Lin Nan received news that Guo Jia had seized the entire Beidi County, and ordered Urde to lead 100,000 Qiang people to move to Beidi County, and the rest remained in Lingwu Valley and even the Helan Mountain area. Afterwards, Lin Nan released Ma Chao and Taishici in advance and renamed Lian County, where the Helan Mountain area was located, Helan County. Pang De was mobilized from Linrong City to garrison, and he led the army and Jia Xu, Gai Xun, Ma Chao, Taishici and others to the county town of Beidi County.

The army slowly moved and arrived at the county town of Beidi County, it was already three days later.

At this time, Guo Jia and Kali Si brought the Hun soldiers to welcome him. Seeing Lin Nan and others coming, Guo Jia went up to him.

After meeting twice, Lin Nan saw that Guo Jia was injured in his arm. He hurriedly asked with concern: "My dear, my dear..."

"It's not a problem, the emperor is worried too much. It's just a skin injury, so it's enough to recuperate for a while." Guo Jia replied hurriedly.

So, everyone entered the county town of Beidi County and discussed the plan together.

In the prefect of Beidi County, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Gai Xun, Ma Chao, Taishici, Calis and others gathered together to salute Lin Nan in the upper position.

After the ceremony, Lin Nan said first: "Our army seized Beidi County without any effort. Since the Wei army did not come to reinforce, it means that the Wei army has voluntarily abandoned Beidi County. However, if we want to move forward, it is probably a little difficult. According to the information discovered by the scouts, Xiahou Dun, the Grand Marshal of the Wei army, has led his troops to Anding, and with the difficulty of replenishing food and grass in our army, it is not easy to fight again. I decided to rename Beidi County to Lingzhou, set up a government office, and the position of prefect will be temporarily replaced by Taishici. After I return to Jicheng, I will appoint a prefect."

After hearing this, Taishi Ci showed a look of pride on his face.

"Guo Aiqing, I let you investigate the matter, how are you doing?" Lin Nan turned his face and looked at Guo Jia.

Guo Jia replied: "Your Majesty has already made a name for yourself. According to reliable information, Zhong Cun Qiang, the largest tribe of the Qiang tribe, has publicly supported the Wei army. It has sent troops to defeat the Baima Qiang, and is preparing to attack the ginseng and wolf Qiang, Shaodang Qiang and other tribes, and it is a trend to unify the entire Qiang tribe."

After hearing this, Ma Chao couldn't help frowning and said softly: "Zhong Cunqian has always liked peace and has never participated in any struggles for more than ten years. Why did he suddenly give up the principle?"

Guo Jia explained: "This may be related to the death of the Qiang King. The Qiang King of Zhong Cunqiang was unfortunately killed by a traitor a few days ago. According to the remaining evidence, the clan members of Zhong Cunqiang directly targeted the Baima Qiang, sent 200,000 troops to completely defeat the Baima Qiang, and abducted all the Baima Qiang tribesmen. Now, the new Qiang King has changed the principle of Zhong Cunqiang, openly claimed to support the Wei State, and is mobilizing troops to attack the Shenlang Qiang, which are entrenched in the three counties of Wudu, Longxi and Jincheng, and Shaodang Qiang. Baima Qiang, Shenlang Qiang, and Shaodang Qiang were all severely damaged before, and they are afraid that it will be difficult to resist the powerful offensive of Zhong Cunqiang."

"It must be Cao Cao's provocation, otherwise Zhong Cunqiang would never do this. This time, Zhong Cunqiang may have unified the entire Qiang tribe." Ma Chao sighed and said slowly.

"From the current situation, even if Liangzhou is about to undergo a huge change, we will not be able to move westward. It is better to take advantage of this period to build defense measures in Lingzhou. The Qiang people are greedy. Cao Cao uses the power of the Qiang people. When the Qiang people are greedy, they will be afraid of backlashing Cao Cao. Emperor, I think that the most urgent task is not to the outside but to the inside. China has been using troops for years and its soldiers are exhausted. If there is no strong national strength as support, it is probably difficult to maintain China's military expenditure. I suggest that the emperor should go back to the court, leave an army to station in Lingzhou, and build defense measures." Jia Xu said loudly.

After hearing this, Lin Nan felt that Jia Xu was a bit abnormal. He was in the court that day and was arguing with Xun Chen. He was actively advocating the use of troops against Xianling Qiang. Now, he suddenly made a 180-degree turn and actually dissuaded Lin Nan from using troops. Lin Nan asked curiously: "Taiwei, why are your previous and subsequent suggestions contradictory?"

Jia Xu replied: "This time, that time. At that time, Xianling Qiang kept attacking the border of our China Kingdom. If we did not actively send troops to pacify Xianling Qiang, we would only continue to be passive. Now the general of the Western Expedition has pacified Xianling Qiang in one fell swoop, and the emperor divided Xianling Qiang into two. In addition, the wars in Liangzhou have started to rise, and Cao Cao was unable to regain his lost territory. Within five years, there would definitely be no abnormalities in the northwest. However, in order to prevent it, we should slowly build a defense system in Lingzhou.

For better use the strategy of building a fort, step by step, all villages and houses can be transformed into a fort. In this way, as long as the forts are everywhere and connected, they can rescue each other even if the enemy attacks. This is the best way to resist the Qiang people. I advocate sending troops. A lot of military expenditure has been consumed. Although the emperor issued national debts, it cannot fundamentally solve the problem. Enriching the national treasury and allowing the people to live and work in peace and contentment is the foundation of the country."

After hearing this, Lin Nan really admired Jia Xu's strategic vision. His existence was undoubtedly a huge help to him. The name of "poisonous warrior" is just a sinister to the enemy, and in terms of political policies, he does have his own uniqueness. But from Jia Xu's iron-fisted rule in the Central Plains and killing 20,000 people in one night, it is not difficult to see that this person is indeed a rare talent.

"The Taiwei said it well. I also want to go back to the court, but I don't know how many soldiers and horses the Taiwei thinks should be left behind?" Lin Nan asked.

Jia Xu said: "This time, Grand Marshal Guo went to the Xiongnu and summoned 50,000 Xiongnu soldiers. I thought that they could stay all of them. Since the emperor had plans to use troops in the northwest, he would not have stationed more troops here and would have been a waste of time if he was dispatched in the future. The ancient saying goes: The Yellow River has a lot of harm, only one is rich. Now our army has occupied the six east-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-to-

In addition to the failure to occupy the Xitao region, it already includes two-thirds of the entire Hetao region. The land here is fertile and suitable for farming. If people can migrate to farm here, it will inevitably become a production base no less than that in Liaodong, Jizhou and Youzhou. Therefore, I believe that in the next few years, we will continue to strengthen the attention of the northwest border and implement the strategy of common development of Jizhou, Liaodong, Central Plains and Northwest. Ten years later, the strong national strength of China will be enough to launch a comprehensive war of unity."

After hearing this, the people present were extremely excited by the strategy proposed by Jia Xu, and they admired Jia Xu very much. They had learned what it means to be sophisticated and conspired. Even Guo Jia admired Jia Xu very much, but he didn't expect Jia Xu to think so far.

Lin Nan looked at Jia Xu, laughed, took the initiative to clap his palms, and expressed his appreciation for Jia Xu's wonderful remarks.

He looked at Guo Jia again and thought slowly in his heart: "A genius and a poisonous man are all first-class strategists, but in real comparison, Guo Jia is slightly inferior to Jia Xu. In history, Guo Jia only came up with countermeasures at critical moments, but he did not make any great achievements at other times. However, Jia Xu was different. This man was very active from the beginning. In order to protect himself, he followed several masters in succession, and no matter who he followed, he relied heavily on him. This talent, when Zhuge, Sima, Pang Tong, Zhou Yu and others were not yet famous, he was indeed the first strategist in the late Eastern Han Dynasty."

He continued to ask, "Does the Taiwei have any suitable candidate?"

"Tiger-winged General Taishici can take this position. In addition, the emperor can allow General Ma Chao, the Western Expedition, and General Pang De, the General of Guard, to serve as deputy generals of General Tiger-winged General. With these three people together guarding Lingzhou, even if Cao Cao personally led hundreds of thousands of people to attack, Lingzhou would inevitably be as solid as a god." Jia Xu asserted.
To be continued...