With Zhao Shizhen's arrival, the arsenal project could finally take a step forward.

Subsequently, Mu Zian issued an edict to gather skilled craftsmen from the entire Liangzhou region to begin building the foundation of the Armory Bureau.

In order to speed up the progress, Mu Zian even temporarily gave Zhao Shizhen his residence in Liangzhou for research.

The artificial hills and streams in the backyard of the mansion were all bulldozed, leaving nothing behind.

As for funding, Mu Zi'an was extremely generous, directly allocating a special fund from Jia Xu for firearms research.

After receiving Mu Zian's strong support, Zhao Shizhen immediately threw himself into battle without hesitation.

However, manufacturing muskets cannot be rushed. In the following days, Mu Zian was also making final plans for Liangzhou.

Han Shizhong, Li Siye, and the Qihuo Army are all currently under the command of the Liangzhou soldiers, so naturally they cannot be brought back to the capital.

As for how to arrange his team, Mu Zian has been racking his brains these past few days.

Although all the people under his command have now gone straight and made a clean slate.

But with the end of the peace talks with the Xiongnu.

Mu Zian was well aware that his power as the governor of Liangzhou, which combined military and political authority, was too great and could not be retained indefinitely.

If a new governor of Liangzhou were to take over, according to the rules of the imperial court, his subordinates would inevitably be disbanded and reorganized.

Therefore, Mu Zian must take precautions in advance.

Therefore, he wanted to ensure that his subordinates would not be scattered.

There is only one option left: to choose a location to station troops.

However, where to station the troops is a question worth considering.

However, Mu Zian now has a convenient excuse: the trading post where he trades with the Xiongnu.

Even though the Xiongnu had been decimated in this battle, the people in the imperial court would not let their guard down.

The location of this border market must directly face the grassland, and a large number of troops must be stationed within it.

It was not only about maintaining the security of the border markets, but also about monitoring the invasion of the Xiongnu people—a perfectly legitimate reason that no one could find fault with.

Therefore, Mu Zian planned to develop this border town into a key border defense town.

It not only provided shelter for the soldiers under Mu Zi'an's command, but also served as a place for the garrison to rest.

Furthermore, they could use the wounded Huns who were left behind to attract more Hun tribes to join them, serving as outposts for encroaching on the grasslands.

The world today is not just about the Dali Kingdom.

If Dali wants to dominate the world in this chaotic era, it must demonstrate the magnanimity of a great power, embracing all rivers and embracing the world, even if the other party is a foreign race.

After all, there are always enemies on the frontier that can never be completely eliminated.

From the Xiongnu, to the Turks, then to the Liao people, the Jin people, and the Jurchens.

Rather than continuing to kill, it's better to gradually erode and assimilate them.

After Mu Zian shared his idea with Jia Xu and the others, they all agreed with it.

After a night of discussion, the final location for the border market was decided to be a place called Dingxiang.

Dingxiang faces the Xiongnu and Western Qiang to the north, is close to Luzhou to the west, and is only a few hundred miles from the capital region to the south.

Moreover, the Yellow River flows through Dingxiang, making it a crucial hub for water transport in the entire Liangzhou region.

Although the Yellow River's waterway has limited carrying capacity, it is sufficient to support the current situation.

Establishing a trading post here would be extremely convenient for both trade and troop deployment.

Moreover, because they directly face the Western Qiang and Xiongnu, they need to be heavily guarded.

After determining the location, Han Shizhong, Liang Hongyu, Li Siye, and Xu Hui immediately led their troops to the destination.

Zhao Shizhen remained in Liangzhou to work on the staff of the Bureau of Military Equipment, waiting for the border market in Dingxiang to be established before moving there.

Jia Xu, on the other hand, began collecting grain and supplies within Liangzhou in preparation for establishing a border market the following year.

Just as everything in Liangzhou was proceeding in full swing, Mu Zian received a secret letter.

The person who sent the letter was Gao Qiu, who stated in the letter that he had completely gained Jieli's trust.

They have now left the capital and returned to the grasslands.

As for the task Mu Zi'an entrusted to him, Gao Qiu expressed that he would complete it perfectly and would never betray Mu Zi'an's trust.

Upon receiving the letter, Mu Zian smiled knowingly, unaware that this seemingly insignificant move would bring him a pleasant surprise in the future.

A few days later, the officials dispatched by the imperial court arrived in Liangzhou one after another.

As the governor of Liangzhou, Mu Zian naturally had to host a welcoming banquet for these people.

Unfortunately, Liangzhou was a barren place, and those who came here to serve as officials were all people with no background.

After all, if he had any powerful connections in the court, he wouldn't have been exiled to such a place.

Therefore, the people at the banquet all wore bitter smiles.

However, everyone fawned over Mu Zian, this rising star of the imperial court.

After all, everyone knows that Mu Zian's future prospects are absolutely limitless.

If one can rely on him as a patron, one may not only escape this harsh and cold place in the future, but may even have the opportunity to become a high-ranking official.

Therefore, Mu Zian's residence was bustling with visitors in the following days.

Every newly appointed official in Liangzhou spared no effort in sending gifts to Mu Zi'an, hoping to leave a lasting impression on him.

Mu Zi'an accepted all the gifts without hesitation, and he did so openly and honestly, as if afraid others wouldn't know.

After all, Mu Zian understood that the emperor's suspicion of officials who held high positions of power, were of noble character, and were loved by the people had a long history.

If someone is too perfect, deeply loved by the people, enjoys immense prestige, and is indifferent to wealth and women, then what would the emperor think you desire? Answer me! Look in my eyes?!

This is why many virtuous and capable officials in history chose to embezzle and commit corruption in order to protect themselves.

Just like Wang Jian of the Qin Dynasty and Xiao He, one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty.

As time went by, the cold air in Liangzhou grew stronger.

As expected, an imperial edict summoning Mu Zian back to the capital arrived in Liangzhou before the new year.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Mu Zian did not hesitate at all and immediately led Zhao Yun, Luo Cheng, and a thousand night guards back to the capital.

However, Mu Zian doesn't need to rush this time on his return trip to Beijing.

According to the plan, all that is needed is to arrive in Beijing before the Spring Festival.

This year's Spring Festival is undoubtedly a milestone for the entire Dali Dynasty.

Not only did they quell the rebellion in Luzhou, but they also inflicted a major defeat on the Xiongnu and received over ten million taels in reparations.

Although the process was somewhat bumpy, the final result was quite encouraging.

Mu Zian's deeds became widely known after being reported in newspapers.

The act of sealing the wolf's lair and drinking from the vast sea would be a source of pride for the entire nation, regardless of the dynasty.

Braving the cold wind and snow, Mu Zian finally arrived back in Dali Capital a week before the Spring Festival.