Under the influence of Zhao Muyun, Shuozhou underwent earth-shaking changes.
And these changes spread like ripples to every state under the jurisdiction of the Zhenbei General's Mansion.
In Yunzhou and Weizhou, where Lin Feng served as the governor, thousands of Tartar captives, driven by the army, took advantage of the drop in river water levels in winter to dig new canals and repair old weirs in the cold wind to store water for the next spring plowing.
Fengzhou and Yinzhou, where Tian Qing was in charge, had border markets of unprecedented scale with the grassland tribes. High-quality Shuozhou ironware, cloth, and salt met with grassland furs, livestock, and war horses here. The prosperity of commerce brought in generous tax revenues and much-needed strategic materials.
In Yanzhou, where Dewey was stationed, coal mining and honeycomb coal industries experienced unprecedented prosperity due to the surge in demand for winter heating, and the coal industry provided employment for countless refugees who fled from the Central Plains.
Xiazhou, where Tong Gu is located, is like a key to the south, strictly guarding against Yang Yan in the south. The military discipline is strict, and the comings and goings are checked to ensure that there is no worry in the rear.
At the Yunzhou frontier where Shi Yong was stationed, the scouts' horses could be seen hundreds of miles away, like vigilant eyes, monitoring any movement on the grassland north of the Daqing Mountains day and night.
Fine salt and tobacco are the two major economic pillars of the Zhenbei Army.
The Wuhuan tribe returned to Shulechuan as they wished, and Huan Kui replaced Huan Naxue as the commander of Fengzhou.
While living on the grassland, they put the Gobi Salt Lake and Yinzhou fine salt workshop back into operation.
Malmud, a Beidi man who defected to Zhao Muyun, once again dumped fine salt into Beidi.
Previously, under the instruction of Zhao Muyun, the private salt business that the Beidi had been accustomed to because of the war had cut off its supply had started.
This time, it's sold at a higher price.
The Beidi people, who had been eating bitter coarse salt for several months, had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept the high price, allowing Zhao Muyun to make another huge profit.
In the tobacco planting in Wohugang, Yanzhou, with the support of Huang Chang, Zhang Qiang and experienced farmers screened seeds and looked for new planting sites.
In Shengzhou, on the lush Xichuan grassland, tens of thousands of horses thrive under the careful care of the Murong herdsmen.
Zhao Muyun not only provided veterinary knowledge and suggestions for improving forage, but also regularly sent people to select good-quality foals to enrich the military horse farm.
The entire Shuozhou, from the General's Mansion to the provincial capitals, is like a precise and efficient machine.
Under Zhao Muyun's overall management, the military, economy, internal affairs, and technology all flourished in all aspects.
......
Right now!
On the official road west of Ganzhou, it seemed as if there were only two colors left between heaven and earth.
Above my head is the suffocating blue that seems to have been washed by water, and below my feet is the endless desolation.
The mountains in the distance were covered with snow, and the strong wind blew up sand and gravel, which hit my face painfully.
The sound of camel bells rang out as a long caravan slowly trudged towards Black Stone City, an important border town between Longyou and Chechi State in the Western Regions.
In the caravan, Pei Lun took off his general's armor, put on a half-worn leather robe, and rode side by side with Tang Yanhai.
Although his face was weathered, his hawk-like eyes were still as sharp as a knife.
After spreading out a simple sheepskin map on horseback, Pei Lun called Tang Yanhai over.
"Lord Pei, according to our scouts' report."
Tang Yanhai pointed his finger heavily at an oasis mark northeast of Black Stone City on the map. "Timur, along with his remaining troops, settled less than thirty miles west of Black Stone City."
He was dressed in the common attire of a Western Region mercenary, with a turban covering most of his face, revealing only a pair of calm, almost cold eyes.
Pei Lun looked at the map carefully, and then picked up a few sketches drawn by Chen Wu and others who had risked their lives to sneak in for comparison.
"However, if you want to get there, you must pass through Black Stone City!" Tang Yanhai said again.
Pei Lun nodded slightly. "Yes, Li She must have secretly tipped off the situation. Zhang Zan told me that the commander of Black Stone City is a close confidant of Yuchi Ming, the King of Chechi State. His name is Ashina Lu, and he is greedy and cautious."
"If we want to attack Timur, Blackrock City might send troops to support us. In this way, we will fight against Chechi Kingdom."
Tang Yanhai snorted coldly, "The Chechi Kingdom harbored the Tartars and refused to report them. They must also be punished. But this Lord Zhang doesn't seem to want to fall out with the Chechi Kingdom."
Pei Lun smiled faintly: "Although Zhang Zan holds the military power, Li She is a local tyrant. In addition, Li She has a relationship with Yuchi Ming. If we want to deal with the affairs of Chechi Kingdom, it will be difficult for him to step forward."
"You mean that Zhang Zan actually wanted to take action against Chechi State, but in order to maintain the relationship, he used us to do it." Tang Yanhai suddenly realized.
"It's not like we're using them, and besides, we have to eliminate Timur anyway."
Pei Lun's eyes flashed like a fox. "Then we will be the bad guy and take down Chechi Kingdom while we're at it. We will control the hub of the Western Regions and Longyou."
Chechi State claims to be a country, but in fact its territory is not as big as Yinzhou.
Pei Lun simply took the big one and turned Chechi Kingdom into a vassal by destroying Timur.
"Haha, Lord Pei, it's a pleasure to work with you. I will do whatever you say!" Tang Yanhai laughed.
"I've already made a plan!" Pei Lun's eyes gleamed. "Let An Dehai lead the charge. Doesn't he have a batch of colored glaze and Shu brocade ready to be presented to King Yuchi?"
"Use this as a stepping stone. Have him visit Ashinalu and explain that the caravan needs to rest and replenish in Blackrock City and is willing to pay triple the 'city tax.'"
"With such huge profits, I don't believe that greedy commander won't be tempted."
"What about our people?" Tang Yanhai asked.
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