Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1344 Winning over
Compared with the previous year, the second year of Cheng Han was unusually peaceful throughout the year. Only through two battles of moderate size did the two counties of Liang Province and the city of Xudu be captured, and the State of Wei was driven out of Yu Province.

At this point, except for Guanzhong, Jin occupied the entire Central Plains, and advanced on three fronts, forcing Cao Wei to defend.

But at the same time, Jin was very restrained in sending troops, and retained a considerable portion of its forces for the defense of Youzhou. So until the end of the year, Kobinen, who was harassed by the other two Xiongnu tribes, was unable to integrate his internal forces and launch a surprise attack on Youzhou like before. He only sent a few thousand people to raid the valley, gained almost nothing, and returned to the north.

The reason why they were not forced into a desperate situation was that the method of digging underground that was taught by the State of Jin to Suli of the Eastern Xianbei was secretly discovered by Kobinen and then promoted among the Central Xianbei, leading to a large-scale underground digging campaign.

Thanks to these underground caves, the mortality rate of the Xianbei tribe’s population and livestock was greatly reduced, so many tribes were no longer so eager to go south to plunder.

Yuan Xi naturally knew the cause and effect of all this, because the current situation was intentionally guided and facilitated by him.

The Xianbei went south because they had no choice but to fight to the death, just like people who were about to drown in the water, so Yuan Xi threw them a branch at the right time so that they could temporarily float up and catch their breath.

This is what the underground cave is like. Yuan Xi was not worried that the Xianbei would become powerful because of this. Digging underground fortifications requires huge manpower and material resources. At the same time, there is a key point, which is that a large number of tools are needed.

The reason why the Xianbei were limited was because of the latter. Ironware and related smelting technology were the basis for the Central Plains to dominate the world in this era. The Xianbei wanted to dig the ground, but they lacked metal tools. Even the wooden tools that could be used as substitutes were very scarce because they were located in the grassland.

In this case, the number of tools consumed for digging underground is not small. The herders need to melt down the tools in their homes except for cooking pots and use them for digging, which invisibly squeezes the output of weapons.

Therefore, due to various factors, the Zhongxianbei could not organize a threatening army at the same time. Although Kobe was smart, it was impossible for him to find a solution in a short period of time after discovering this hidden danger.

However, the key location that Yuan Xi was really focusing on to cut off the source of the trouble was not the Central Xianbei, which he focused on defending, but the Eastern Xianbei.

Only he knew that the Liaoning region in later generations, where the Eastern Xianbei were located, had several large iron mines with rich reserves and excellent quality.

This was also the key to the rise of the Jurchens in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. At that time, the iron mines in the Central Plains of the Ming Dynasty were becoming increasingly exhausted, and the Ming Dynasty had to look for iron mines abroad. The Jurchens used the ore they produced, smuggling routes, and forces within the country to exchange for a large amount of military supplies, which allowed them to rise step by step and become a major threat to the border.

What Yuan Xi has to do now is to gradually expand his influence from the eastern part of Youzhou to the area around the Great Xianbei Mountains. As long as he gets this place, the possibility of the rise of foreign tribes outside the Great Wall in the future will be cut off.

In other words, this is the dragon vein of the foreign tribes outside the Great Wall. As long as it is in Yuan Xi's hands, it would be equivalent to cutting off the other party's future.

This is also the reason why Yuan Xi was willing to offer many favorable conditions to Goguryeo in order to incorporate it into his territory. Only when Goguryeo's rear was stable could he move northward through the Korean Peninsula to plot against the Eastern Xianbei.

Very few people knew about this strategy. Even Tian Yu, who was in charge of the execution, was a little confused, but he was able to grasp the key points cleverly. He returned to Jicheng this winter for the next step and brought envoys from the Gongsun family with him.

Yuan Xi went to the city gate to greet him personally. He held Tian Yu's hand and said, "Guorang, it has been almost four years since we last saw each other."

"Brother, you have stayed in this bitter cold land for so long, and have expanded thousands of miles of territory for China. You have already left your name in history, but I have not yet unified the Central Plains. I am really ashamed."

Tian Yu was touched. "I am grateful to your majesty for your kindness. I have made my modest contribution today. Your majesty is in charge of the Central Plains, facing powerful enemies and commanding the whole world. Please take care of your health."

Then he pointed to the carriage road not far behind him and said, "That is the envoy of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Kang's eldest son Gongsun Huang."

At the same time, he whispered, "Gongsun Kang is in poor health. He had a serious illness the day before yesterday. The procuratorate speculated that his life span was shortened. There must be some reason for letting his son come here at this time."

"Should I ask him to get out of the car and meet His Majesty?"

Yuan Xi shook his head and said, "Let's arrange for him to go to the post house first. According to the etiquette, I will meet him tomorrow. Don't delay our reminiscing now."

After they got into the carriage, Yuan Xi sighed, "Brother Rang has stayed there for so long. It's a pity that there are still many things to do. I can't find the right person. I have to let Guo Rang stay there for a few more years."

Tian Yu replied: "Your Majesty, we warriors all take Wei Huo as our role model. Now this kind of opportunity is hard to come by. Next, I will find a way to conquer Dong Xianbei for Your Majesty!"

Yuan Xi said, "I am very happy that Guo Rang has this intention, but it may not be necessary to use force against the Eastern Xianbei."

"I will tell you my thoughts."

He said a few words about his plan, and Tian Yu finally understood and sighed, "Your Majesty is so generous!"

"If the Great Xianbei Mountain really has a large iron mine as Your Majesty said, then it is really a dragon vein. This is not only the fortune of the Hu people outside the Great Wall, but also the fortune of our China."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "That's right. I didn't tell you so clearly before because I was afraid that you would be too hasty in dealing with Goguryeo. Now that Goguryeo has surrendered, we will station troops to stabilize the rear and discuss peace talks with Suli at the same time."

Tian Yu said: "Su Li's ambition is far less than Kobinen and Budugen's. Your Majesty's idea is indeed very likely."

"But Dongxianbei is the ancestral land of Xianbei after all, and they have big appetites. It seems difficult to impress them with ordinary conditions."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "It's okay. Apart from the key technologies, I can still give them some false benefits and fame." "As long as we attract them and let them live according to the rules for a few generations, they will naturally be assimilated into Chinese culture. After all, the better their lives are, the less they will want to live by fishing and hunting in the mountains and rivers. Who doesn't like the prosperous life in China?"

"A rich and comfortable life is a double-edged sword. It can certainly corrode and wear down people's will, but it can also attract foreign countries to surrender and make their lives better. If the price is the mineral veins on their territory, it is still very cost-effective for the people of the Central Plains. After all, the way of industry can really improve the living standards of the people."

Tian Yu said in a deep voice: "I understand. When I go back this time, I will act cautiously and win Suli over."

Then he smiled and said, "Thanks to your majesty's reputation in the Central Plains, the former rulers of the Three Han and Silla were very honest and paid a lot of tribute this time."

Yuan Xi said: "Go back and tell them not to do these things anymore. This is the behavior of a vassal state. Now they have been incorporated into Jin State and belong to Handong County. They just need to pay taxes according to the tax system."

Tian Yu replied, "I have said that too, but your majesty's move is unprecedented, and those former rulers are afraid of being liquidated later, so they are anxious to pay tribute. I am afraid that the Gongsun family is here for this reason as well."

"If Your Majesty doesn't accept it this time, it will only make them more afraid."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi nodded and said, "I have neglected this. I will send a special envoy to patrol the border and appease them."

"This time, the things will be stored in the treasury first, and then I will distribute them to the officials."

Tian Yu said, "There are still more than a hundred Silla maids. Your Majesty, do you want some too?"

Yuan Xi, the Great Khan, "Didn't I tell you to tell them not to trade in human beings when Silla surrendered?"

Tian Yu said helplessly: "I've already said that these people came to the Central Plains voluntarily because of misfortunes, the death of their parents, or because they couldn't survive."

He lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, you probably don't know that this kind of mission to the Central Plains is an opportunity that the local people of Silla are eagerly waiting for. After all, the Central Plains is a rich place, who wouldn't want to go there?"

"So even though Silla has a decree prohibiting forced buying and selling, there are still many women from good families who pretend to be orphans just to find opportunities with your Majesty. It's not easy to investigate this kind of thing."

Yuan Xi felt helpless after hearing this. He thought for a while and said, "It is better to ease the conflict than to block it. Since we are all citizens of Jin, we should strengthen exchanges and encourage intermarriage between the two sides."

"Youzhou is where Jin recruits soldiers, and there are indeed many men. So we should open a route between Piaoyuyi and Silla and let them go there on a voluntary basis."

Tian Yu wrote down everything, and Yuan Xi then remembered, "Two years ago I sent someone to send your wife over there. How is she now?"

Tian Yu chuckled, "Thanks to your majesty, I have already given birth to two children."

"We, the officials, all say privately that the Yuan family is destined to be a prosperous family with many descendants. Your Majesty's palace has new members almost every year. This is the way for the new dynasty to prosper. We, the officials, all want to share in your Majesty's blessings."

Yuan Xi felt somewhat embarrassed, thinking that it was only because of his excessive debauchery. Although he had not married new women in recent years, his previous concubines had all reached the age of bearing fruit, and even Cao Xian and others were pregnant.

However, it has been ten years since I first met the three sisters of Cao Xian. By then, Liu Bang and Liu Xiu had already unified the country. I feel like I am still a little slow.

The next day, Yuan Xi met Gongsun Huang in the palace. Gongsun Huang stepped forward and said, "My father is seriously ill and cannot come in person, so I am sent here to see Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty a long life and hope Your Majesty will forgive me for my negligence."

Yuan Xi said: "The Gongsun family is loyal and has made great contributions to pacifying the border and expanding the territory. What crime have they committed?"

"Has the King of Liaoxi ever appointed a crown prince?"

Gongsun Huang bowed his head and said, "I came here for this matter. My father felt that after a hundred years, we are not the ones who can maintain the status quo, so he sent me to return the title of king to Your Majesty."

Yuan Xi was startled for a moment, then he understood and laughed, "Prince Liaoxi is overthinking. I am not the kind of person who would destroy a bridge after crossing it."

"And the Liaoxi King has made the greatest contribution. If he does this, what will the other kings think?"

"After you go back, let him rest assured. I will issue an imperial decree to make you his heir."

Gongsun Huang saw that Yuan Xi had seen through his thoughts, so he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The Gongsun family will remain loyal and serve as loyal subjects of the Jin State for generations."

Yuan Xi suddenly stood up. Gongsun Huang also has a younger brother, Gongsun Yuan, who is a born rebel.

Thinking of this, he said, "When you go back, tell the King of Liaoxi to send your brother Gongsun Yuan to Jicheng."

Gongsun Huang was stunned. Although he didn't understand, this was not a bad thing for him, so he immediately accepted the order.

(End of this chapter)