Chapter 27: Relocation

Guo Wei has too many things that cannot be known as his identity.

After Cao Yuanzhong sent Sang Weihan away that day, he said to Kang Long and others with distress: "We have lost a lot this time." Although Zhang Mai did not punish him this time and Cao Yuanzhong did not lose money or position, the increase or decrease of political resources often depends on whether he had added points or reduced points in the mind of the Supreme Leader. "What we did this time is obviously not in line with the Marshal's wishes, alas..."

Cao Yuanzhong was able to become the leader of this political group mainly because of his identity. In terms of character and ability, he was not very qualified. His cunning was not deep enough - but it was precisely because of this that he seemed more loyal and upright, so he was close to the passionate men in Lingxi in terms of temperament - this is also the reason why Zhang Mai chose him over Cao Yuanshen.

But Murong Guiying said: "No, this is a good thing."

"Good thing?"

"Good thing!" Murong Guiying said: "The fourth young master did something wrong, but the marshal did not punish him either. This shows that the fourth young master still has weight in the marshal's heart. This time we went against the trend, so we saw a little setback, but next time if we follow the trend, we can get back the game we just lost."

Cao Yuanzhong hurriedly asked, "Does Uncle Murong have any good ideas?"

Seeing Cao Yuanzhong asking for advice from him, Murong Guiying felt a very subtle sense of relief. The incorporation of Guiyi's army into the Anxi Army led to a huge crack with him and the Cao family. Cao Yuanshen has refused to have private contact with him so far, but Cao Yuanzhong's question made Murong Guiying feel as if he had returned to the period when the Cao Mu family was still working closely together.

"There are three major events now. The first one is external - we rejected Shi Jingtang, and there may be a major change in the Central Plains next." Murong Guiying said: "The current situation in the Central Plains is that Li Congke has the upper hand and Shi Jingtang is at a disadvantage - he may be reduced at any time. The Marshal's intention is now very obvious. Although he said that if the Khitan intervened in our Tiance Army, he would use his loyalty to rescue the Central Plains, in fact, he does not want a major change in the Central Plains now - that will be of no benefit to our Tiance Army. So the best thing at this stage is to allow this weak balance between Li Congke and Shi Jingtang to continue. However, since our Tiance Army has rejected Shi Jingtang, how can we help him maintain this balance?"

This is indeed a difficult problem. Not to mention Cao Yuanzhong, even an old fox like Kang Long can't think of a way out.

"There is another second thing, internal." Murong Guiying said: "Western Hexi An, the land is vast and sparse, only Shazhou has few lands and many people. The people are happy and the farmers are tired of war. The marshal always wanted to migrate some of the population of Shazhou, but he has never had a good way. He has to force it, for fear of causing internal turmoil, and he has to use soft people. His influence among the Shazhou people is not enough."

Although Zhang Mai made several personal shows with great influence after entering Shazhou, such as fighting against the Uighur princes, sacrificing Zhang Yichao, etc., which mobilized the ambitions of many radicals in Shazhou, the foundation left by Cao Jingjin for the twenty years of Shazhou control is far from being replaced by such a few major events. The pro-Zhang faction in Shazhou is still a minority, less than half. The fear of war, restraint and feminineness of the Guiyi Army regime was not brought by Cao Jingjin alone. The Cao family was able to maintain such a long rule in Shazhou because of the default of most Sha people to this regime's attributes - they were also very dissatisfied with various internal and external issues such as Cao Jingjin's weakness, relaxation of laws, and conservatism, but this dissatisfaction is far from the point where they want to overthrow this regime - because most Sha people themselves fear war, restraint, feminine, and follow-up, Cao Jingjin's governance was only a response to this kind of people's nature.

Therefore, although Zhang Mai attracted some radicals in Shazhou and used the situation to annex the Guiyi Army, he hoped to make the Sha people brave, open and masculine. That would be like forcibly pulling a "phobic patient" who had been hiding in the dark for decades to the sun. Even if Zhang Mai's original intention was good, it would cause group resistance from the Sha people and even deepen their disgust towards the Tiance regime. It is precisely because of this reason that the last time he encouraged the Sha people to migrate - because this part of the Sha people did not trust him.

"And the third thing is our business." Murong Guiying said: "If the center of the strategy has been moved to Liangzhou today, but our strength in Liangzhou and the adjacent Gan, Lan and Shanzhou is very weak. Not to mention that we cannot compare with the Lingxi Sect, even Zhang Yi or the Baiguanshi, our strength is stronger than us!"

The Zhang family and the children of several families who married the Zhang family entered various hubs of the Hexi government affairs system in the past six months, which established Zhang Yi's position as the head of the Hexi civil servants. A large number of his children moved to Shenwu County near Liangzhou, which made the Zhang family feel like fish in water in the Liangzhou area. Jiang Shan, Cao Kun, Xue Yunfei and others, who were once known as the "Five Commanders of Hexi", led the reorganized Guasu Han troops to advance eastward, occupying the five major military rushes in Lianglan and becoming the guardian force in the Liangzhou area. Therefore, although the five generals were not ranked as generals and lacked high-level representatives, they also occupied a stable position in the military.

In comparison, Cao Yuanzhong wanted no soldiers in Liangzhou, and no one, but just an empty "uncle" under the air.

"Brother Murong," Kang Long said: "It's a big deal to tell these three things. We don't have to worry about the first two. As for the third one, we really can't figure out what to do. Now the Lingxi Sect has Zhang Yi and others, and it's clear that we will suppress us. They have already taken charges. If we want to seize food from the tiger's mouth, it's really easy!"

Murong Guiying smiled and said, "If you just want to solve the third thing, it will naturally not be able to solve it, but don't forget that we can do the second thing."

Kang Long hadn't figured it out yet, Murong Guiying said: "Although Zhang Longxiang has all kinds of bad things, such as sometimes being unkind and sometimes being domineering, he also has a big advantage, that is, his actions are basically fair and often being able to suppress personal likes and dislikes. I think this should be the biggest reason why he can achieve such a great cause. Now that he has difficulties, if we can help him solve them, then his behavior will not be stingy to satisfy our desires. If our Jianshe can just follow his heart and help him solve problems that he cannot solve, then he will lead us as his own people."

Speaking of this, he sighed leisurely: "And this is also our opportunity to show our loyalty to him, and our loyalty is also what he needs."

Seeing that he was confident, everyone still didn't understand the core of what he wanted to build. Cao Yuanzhong said: "Are you saying that you should exchange the second thing for the third thing? But how do you do that?"

"It's not about exchanging the second thing for the third thing." Murong Guiying said: "It's about solving three things together! These three things are actually one thing."

Kang Long, Kang Xing and others looked at each other, and they couldn't figure out what Murong Guiying could do to solve the three major problems of the external and internal problems of the Tiance Army and the Shazhou faction at one time.

Murong Guiying immediately explained his thoughts a little. Cao Yuanzhong was overjoyed and said, "Okay! The marshal must agree with this proposal!"

He searched for a while and came to see Zhang Mai again, but this time he did not smuggle the door, but asked for a serious and down-level identity. Zhang Mai was discussing the affairs of Beiting with Li Bin. When he heard that Cao Yuanzhong came, he invited him to meet him. After the ceremony, Li Bin wanted to leave on the pretext. Cao Yuanzhong said: "Sima does not need to leave. I have a major event to discuss with the marshal this time. When Li Sima was there, he might be able to give some ideas." He did not talk to Zhang Mai in private, and he seemed even more open and honest.

Li Bin looked at Zhang Mai, and saw him nodding, and stopped leaving. Zhang Mai asked, "What is Yuanzhong coming this time?"

Cao Yuanzhong said: "I recommended Sang Weihan to meet the marshal before. He was also very enthusiastic about serving the country. But now that we have rejected Sang Weihan, although we have not leaked the news, it is still difficult to guarantee that the Tang court can see the clues. Moreover, since Shi Jingtang had made such a heavy request for help, he was afraid that he was in danger. If Li Shi fights with us now, it will be of no benefit to us."

"Yes," Zhang Mai said: "If the Khitan invades the south, we will naturally raise the flag of righteousness to help Luoyang, but now there will be chaos in the Central Plains, which is not what I want to see. Recently, Beiting seems to have a major change, and we must try our best to maintain the balance of power in the East. I am willing to ease the situation in the Central Plains, but this is the internal affairs of the Little Tang court after all, and I have to intervene, but I have no idea to start for a while." He stopped and asked: "Yuanzhong, since you have arrived, what do you have to do?"

"I did come up with an idea." Cao Yuanzhong said: "Although we cannot inquire about the internal affairs of the Tang court, if we put pressure on the Central Plains on the periphery, Li Guozhu would be afraid, and he would not dare to do major things like reducing the vassal state in the short term."

Zhang Mai didn't interfere for a while, Li Bin said: "This is indeed a way of thinking. It's just that we are an alliance with Luoyang now, and the alliances cannot threaten them with tummy. If they are not handled properly, they will probably ruin this hard-won diplomatic relationship." He was kind enough, but in fact he was secretly pointing out: "Everyone understands this principle, but he also needs to come up with a specific solution."

Cao Yuanzhong said: "Actually, we don't have to pretend to be threatening. Just make Luoyang alert."

"Say!" Zhang Mai said.

Cao Yuanzhong said: "Now Lianglan is the center of my Tiance and the front line in the east. There are still 30,000 Shazhou soldiers in Guabei Dachang. I suggest that these 30,000 people and their military families move eastward to Lianglan area for military farming and build military farming areas in key locations. This has four major benefits: First, Lianglan land is vast and sparsely populated. Moving the people in Sha east can enrich this empty land and reduce the pressure of Shazhou's few fields. Second, 30,000 troops stay in Guabei has no effect. Once they move eastward, they will station on military farming on the spot. The defense in Longdong will be strengthened. However, the marshal can send out some elite troops. To the south, they can strengthen control over Shanzhou and Hezhou, and even go deep into the Tubo highlands and go west.

The army was in Beiting, assisting the governor Yang to attack and defense; thirdly, our army suddenly moved eastward, and Li Congke would be alert, thinking that we were doing this to prepare for the march into the Central Plains, but the migration of military and civilians was the internal affairs of our Tiance Army. No matter how worried he was, he could only keep it in his heart and could not question us. This was a force and no threat for Li Congke. As long as our camp moved, he would not be able to strengthen the defense in the west. Since his energy was put on the west, he would probably have to temporarily appease Shi Jingtang. Shi Jingtang's situation was eased, and he might not be anxious to jump over the wall. In this way, wouldn't it be the best of all the things?"

Zhang Mai just heard the "moving Guabei Daying eastward" and his heart was already very moved.

The generals of the Tiance Army, from Yang Yi to Xue Fu to Guo Shiyong, had a consensus, that is, the soldiers in Shazhou were not withstand the expedition, and were suitable for garrison. However, if they wanted to garrison, they had to be on the front line. Guabei was the rear of the Tiance Army. Putting 30,000 people there was a waste. To remove them from the army and return them to the fields, they were afraid of causing unstable people in Sha people and causing immeasurable sequelae. Moving Sha people eastward is something that Zhang Mai always wanted to do but could not do. Where should Cao Yuanzhong analyze the benefits?

Zhang Mai and Zheng Wei have always felt that Cao Yuanzhong and Murong Guiying's sect are the representatives of the biggest obstacles to migrating sand people. Unexpectedly, Cao Yuanzhong would take the initiative to make this suggestion this time, so when he heard this, he couldn't help but look at Cao Yuanzhong again, and he already had the impression of looking at him with admiration.

"Yuan Zhong," Zhang Mai said: "Your plan makes sense. I have actually prepared 19 places for Yi Gengyi Tun, but the Sha people seem to be very resistant to moving east. If they only transfer soldiers and not family members, it will be difficult for the soldiers to be here, so I have never taken action. It's not that I don't want to move, but I dare not move rashly."

Cao Yuanzhong said: "Marson, if you can trust me, I want to take over this matter and try my best to persuade them."

Zhang Mai was happy and said, "We are both friends and relatives, what can we trust? But this is a job that offends people! Are you willing to take it?" He knew that Cao Yuanzhong was originally the representative of the conservative school in Shazhou, and it would be the most appropriate for him to do this. However, Zhang Mai always thought that Cao Yuanzhong and others were unwilling to do this, so he couldn't help but be overjoyed when he volunteered.

Cao Yuanzhong said: "I am not sure, but if the marshal gives me the order, I will try my best! But what method should be used when doing things? I have to ask the marshal to allow me to act cheaply."

"Okay!" Zhang Mai said: "As long as you have this heart, I will give this matter to you at your disposal! I will let Zheng Wei move all the relevant documents to you, and you can do it with confidence and boldness. If there are any difficulties and pressures, I will help you with it."

Cao Yuanzhong was overjoyed and took the order. Li Bin looked at his back and said, "Marcedes-in-law, he suddenly made such a change, I am afraid he is not selfish."

"Who has no selfishness? We have it too!" Zhang Mai said: "If you are loyal and misleading the country, you should kill it. If you are selfish and can benefit the country, that is not only a good thing, but also an encouragement. I have never thought that everyone will become a saint. I just thought about how to make everyone's interests consistent as much as possible. In this way, everyone should work together to the same place. The most stable cornerstone of the prosperity and development of our Tiance Tang Dynasty!"

The Tiance regime's efficiency was very fast. On the same day, Zhang Mai gave Cao Yuanzhong a formal appointment. Cao Yuanzhong took over all the personnel appointment power for this major project to the specific measures for resettlement. Cao Yuanzhong asked Murong Teng as his deputy, but when he received the order, he made a strange request: Zhang Mai ordered a ban and prevented several informed senior officials present from leaking the matter.

Although Zhang Mai felt that this request was a bit strange, he still agreed.

However, Cao Yuanzhong did not immediately order Guabei Daying to move eastward, but instead first extracted Cao, Murong, Kang and his relatives from Guabei army, and traveled eastward to the east.

The 30,000 troops of Guabei Daying were gone, and who would not pay attention to it? Naturally, inquire about the east and west, the three families were all instructed to "not reveal the secrets", but they had to "not reveal the secrets", but not many people, so where is it possible? Soon the "secret" was leaked: "It turned out that" since Princess Fu'an gave birth to Lin'er, and "National Uncle" Cao Yuanzhong saw his favor. He captured several fertile land in Liangzhou, so he asked the Marshal to be the fief of the Cao clan. However, the Marshal said that the Tiance Army had not had such rules since its establishment, but it was just the face of "National Uncle", so he promised that "National Uncle" would transfer his clan from Guabei Daying and place it in Changsong County.

"It's said that I'm going to go to the farm, but in fact, after a few years, it will become my own foundation? That piece of land is approved by the uncle. When it comes to fertile water and soil, the paddy fields in Shazhou are incomparable! Although it's still just wasteland, as long as it is cultivated, it will be a beautiful house for children and grandchildren in the future."

"It's really that good?"

"If it weren't for this good, could the uncle of the country order people to move most of the clan Dingkou? Will the Murong family and the Kang family follow him to grab it?"

Someone said, "Actually, the east side must be better than this one, otherwise the Zhang family would not have rushed to go there. Now that the uncle has moved his family east, and even the family temple has been moved there, so what else can I doubt?"

There is a saying: if the fat field is not cultivated, no one wants it, and if everyone fights it to cultivate it, everyone fights it to cultivate it. After the "secret" spread, Guabei Daying actually fought with each other, and had a relationship with the three major families. If there is no relative to spend money, they would fight to come eastward to avoid losses.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Cao Yuanzhong ordered the soldiers from Guabei Camp to the east in batches. The soldiers arrived first and entered the military camp site according to the terrain within just one month. Although there were only nineteen wastelands, their area was several times more than the land they had in Shazhou. The nineteen military camp sites assigned by Zhang Mai were much better than Shazhou, so the Shazhou soldiers were all happy after they arrived. They refused to believe it no matter how you said in Shazhou, but now they saw it as a truth. It is indeed better to start a foundation here than to squeeze in Shazhou. Many people immediately urged Shazhou family members to sell Shazhou's barren land and come to rely on each other.

It turned out that the military and civilians of Shazhou had developed the habit of "not believing in government news" over time under the command of Guiyi Army. On that day, Zhang Mai publicly led Sha people to move eastward without anyone to. At this time, seeing the Zhang family, Cao family, Murong family, Kang family, Song family, Li family and other major families heading east one after another, everyone thought the East was profitable!

The people's forces were mobilized, and for a moment, migrants joined each other. It was much more difficult for these tens of thousands of Sha people to move east than for herders to move north. When the herders moved north, they were generally stable in one month. Now, Sha people moved east, and it took three months and not finished.

However, the 30,000 troops in the first place have been divided into various places, and according to the military organization, gathered together into 19 large and small military camps with agriculture and animal husbandry. This is what Guo Wei saw along the way. It is expected that after the overall relocation, a population of 80,000 to 90,000 people may be moved from Shazhou, all between Liangzhou and Lanzhou, and some of them have been arranged on the main roads of Shanzhou. Among them, there are two walled cities upstream and downstream of Jincheng, built on the Yellow River, called Xiaobeicheng and Xiaoxicheng, both located on the west bank of the Yellow River, forming a triangle with Jincheng on the east bank.

When the Later Tang Dynasty court heard this, it was indeed shocked. Li Congke ordered all the border states to send additional spies to reconnaissance the trend of the Tiance Army. Li Congke had originally slowed down the situation in the west and was about to work hard to do internal affairs. At this time, he sent some of the money and grain originally collected from the central government for the purpose of increasing defense in the northwest. As for the fact that the devaluation of the vassal was originally planned, it was postponed.

Shi Jingtang was relieved after hearing about this. The Tiance Army only implemented an internal affairs, but it caused the originally tense situation in the Later Tang Dynasty to ease.

The strategy that Murong Guiying set, Zheng Wei, Li Bin and others, were as if they could see the fire. They were not unable to think of this move, but if they used it, they would be afraid that it would be difficult to achieve the current effect.

After 30,000 Shazhou soldiers arrived, Cao Yuanzhong went to the fields and led them to reclaim wasteland and rebuilt water conservancy facilities in an attempt to sow seeds before winter arrived. At this point, the situation in orchids was getting better and more likely. Zhang Mai saw that Cao Yuanzhong had accomplished this big thing and trusted him more. He promoted him to become a general to commend him for his great achievements.

Seeing that Cao Mukang's three clans were everywhere in Lianglan, Zhang Yi was worried and discussed with his two sons: "I didn't expect that Cao Yuanzhong would use this move, which was mostly a plan set by Murong Guiying. This young man was so powerful. As a result, the situation in the central government of Liangzhou changed drastically. These 30,000 people usually work in farming and can be used as soldiers when they are in a hurry. Cao Yuanzhong has these 30,000 people as a foundation, so his confidence in speaking in the future will be different! The Cao family now has a grand prince called and a sand-type military and civilians to respond. When these tens of thousands of people gain a foothold in the Lianglan area, I am afraid that even we will have to raise our noses and act." He felt very depressed as he said.

Zhang Zhongmou said, "Dad, I don't think things are so pessimistic. The Marshal is not a foolish lord. If the Cao family has too much power, it may be a big problem. In that case, the Marshal will inevitably suppress the Cao family and raise another group of troops. Although Cao Yuanzhong was granted the title of General, it was just to appease the military and civilians of Shazhou who moved east and make them feel at ease. When it comes to military merits, he can't compare with Xue Fu. You see, I predict that the Marshal will probably be promoted to one or two more generals in the near future to balance. As for government affairs, it is even more in Zheng Wei's hands. As long as we stick to these two, we will definitely be fine."

Zhang Yi snorted and said, "Although Xue Fu's military achievements are high and Zheng Wei's prime minister is a powerful person, he is an outsider who can be dismissed at any time. If Guo Luo had perhaps even fought here, he would have been..." As he said that, he shook his head repeatedly: "Mrs. Guo has not given birth to a child for the marshal. Even the Guo family is afraid that he will not be able to match now."

The father and son were discussing themselves, but suddenly an urgent order came from General Tiance's mansion, asking them to rush over to discuss the major matter.

Zhang Yi said: "It's already night now, why are things so urgent?"
Chapter completed!