"So this is how complicated it is, haha, I never expected to make my strategist, who is far away in the Hetao region, worry!"
Sitting on one of the largest boats, Zhang Liao, Wang Fangyi, Yan Da, Murong Ping and others stood on either side.
When Liu Wei learned that Zhang Liao was actually arranged in advance by Yao Guangxiao, and that Shen Lian was also involved, he couldn't help but sigh.
He was not angry because Yao Guangxiao and Shen Lian abused their power to mobilize troops to Luoyang.
After all, this was within the scope of authority given to them by Liu Wei, and they were there to rescue him.
"Our lord now commands 50,000 soldiers and a million civilians in the Hetao, Hexi, Henan, and western regions. How can we afford to lose him?"
Zhang Liao advised, "The world can do without Liao, but it cannot do without its lord!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Wei realized that it sounded like the lines from that money-loving general!
Zhang Liao then said:
"My lord, after we cross the Yellow River, I plan to take the route east of the river, pass through the southern foothills of Wangwu Mountain, and cross the river at Puban to return to Fengyi!"
"The Liao generals escorted our lord safely back to Hetao! The strategist, the soldiers of Hetao, and all the ladies miss our lord dearly."
Liu Wei waved his hand: "I am short of generals and commanders. Wen Yuan, since you are here, come with me to Youzhou!"
Zhang Liao was the nemesis of the Wuhuan people. He killed the Wuhuan chieftain Dunta at the Battle of White Wolf Mountain and inflicted a great defeat on the Wuhuan cavalry, making him famous in one battle.
"My lord, so you're going to Youzhou!"
Zhang Liao initially thought Liu Wei was crossing the river at Mengjin to return to the Hetao region, but Liu Wei was actually heading to Youzhou.
"The Wuhuan have rebelled, and the Murong Xianbei are harassing the border. Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, has invited me to Youzhou to quell the rebellion."
"My plan is to quell the rebellion in Youzhou, thereby opening up the passage between Hetao and Youzhou."
"Only in this way can I truly live up to the title of General Who Guards the North!"
Yunzhong County is separated from Yanmen County to the east. After crossing Yehu Ridge, you enter Dai County, which is part of Youzhou.
The Budugen tribe, which had previously occupied Yehuling, was subdued by Liu Wei. They not only sent their girls to warm Liu Wei's bed, but also sent their sons as hostages. They even changed their names to Liu Du and became the governor of Wuyuan County in Hetao.
His 100,000 followers also migrated westward with him.
Fifty thousand remained in Yunzhong County, willing to assimilate into Han culture and become residents.
The other 50,000 retained their nomadic habits and were settled in Shulechuan to herd 100,000 warhorses for Liu Wei.
As a result, Yehuling became a no-man's land, and the Murong Xianbei tribe of the eastern Xianbei took the opportunity to expand and occupy Yehuling, threatening Youzhou and Yanmen County.
Liu Wei's plan was to connect the area north of Yanmen County and Yehuling when he was invited by Liu Yu to go to Youzhou to quell the rebellion, thus linking the eastern and western parts of the northern desert of Youzhou together.
Don't forget, he also has an imperial appointment as the Protector-General of the Northern Desert.
The Central Plains dynasty didn't want to manage the northern deserts, so Liu Wei came!
"My lord, I have brought a total of two thousand soldiers, one thousand by water and one thousand by land!"
"The waterway will travel downstream and arrive first, while the land route is slower and is estimated to arrive here tomorrow."
Zhang Liao reported on the details of the march.
"These two thousand soldiers will come with me to fight in Youzhou!" Liu Wei said.
Two thousand Beiwei soldiers, the elite of the elite.
They distinguished themselves in the battle to capture Guluo City, but it was only a small taste of their strength.
Let them deal with the Wuhuan rebels; that's where their true strength will be put to use.
"Hehe, Wen Yuan, I didn't expect you to inadvertently open up a trade route for Guo Luo and Yang Yi!"
After hearing this, Liu Wei immediately perked up, "The line from Puban to Mengjin is perfect for transporting coal!"
"Puban can build another large logistics hub, utilizing the Yellow River, Fen River, Wei River, Beiluo River, Jing River, Wuding River and other rivers to transport our coal and snowflake salt from the Hetao region directly to the Sanfu and Sanhe areas."
Upstream from Puban is the confluence of the Fen River and the Yellow River within the territory of Hedong County, which is navigable; downstream from Puban, more than 30 li away, Tongguan Fenglingdu is located at the great bend of the Yellow River, which is also the confluence of the Wei River and the Yellow River.
The Beiluo River and Jing River, tributaries of the Wei River, are also navigable.
In this way, in addition to the Qin Straight Road and Gaonu as transit points on land, there was a powerful logistics network centered on Puban and utilizing the Yellow River waterway.
Liu Wei acted immediately, writing two letters. One was to Yao Guangxiao, instructing him to continue presiding over military and political affairs in the Hetao region, Hexi Corridor, Mobei, Western Regions, Henan, and other areas.
Because Zhang Liao was brought to his side, Liu Wei promoted Li Su to Deputy Governor of Henan, who took over Zhang Liao's defenses in Guluo City, Dacheng, Dongsheng and other places, while also ensuring the smooth flow of trade routes.
In addition, Liu Wei instructed Yao Guangxiao to take advantage of the warm spring weather and send out several cavalry squads to cross the Yin Mountains, eliminate the remaining forces of Tuoba Gao of the Tuoba Xianbei tribe, and open up a road from the north of the Yin Mountains to Yehuling.
Yao Guangxiao should be able to understand Liu Wei's strategic intentions.
The other letter was addressed to Guo Luo and Yang Yi.
Winter passed quickly, and the demand for coal for heating gradually decreased, while its use in daily life and smelting increased.
Goods such as salt, snow salt, horses, mutton, farm tools, and dried fish should also be quickly introduced into the Central Plains market.
With limited information, Liu Wei could only outline some key points, instructing them to establish business connections with the Yang family of Hongnong and the Fu family of the capital.
Using land and sea transport as links, a vast logistics network was established to strengthen the connection between Guanzhong and the capital with the Hetao region.
After writing the letter, the ship docked at the north shore!
Liu Wei rewarded the Jinyiwei guard who had returned 300 taels of gold with 50 taels of gold, and then had him deliver the letter to Shen Lian, who would then pass it on to the relevant person in charge.
At the same time, he wrote a memorial explaining what happened in Mengjin and strongly condemned He Jin and Yuan Shao.
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