Hengdao Sixteen Kingdoms

Chapter 685 Benefits

Such a big victory would definitely not be possible as long as the territory of Kucha.

Li Yue looked at the map and thought hard. The Han Dynasty's management of the Western Regions was mainly based on the strategic intention of counterattacking the Huns.

The prosperity of the Silk Trade Road was just a by-product.

The predecessors planted trees, and the descendants took the shade.

The big man was groping in chaos, but Li Yue could cross the river by feeling the stones. There are too many experiences in history that he can learn from.

Geographically, the Western Region is essential to suppress the grasslands.

Economically, if you want to drive Yongliang and even Luoyang, you must take the trade routes into your own hands.

War is a continuation of politics, and the essence of politics is interests.

This trade route may not have had much influence during the Han Dynasty, but by the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it became increasingly important.

Only by following the chain of economic interests can Liang Guo truly gain a foothold in the Western Regions. Otherwise, it will be a burden and will only hinder its own development.

Just like the ugly countries in later generations, there were so many garbage countries crying and asking to join, but the ugly countries all refused. This is the reason.

Li Yue invited envoys from various countries to draw two lines on the map, one to the south of the Tianshan Mountains and one to the north of the Tianshan Mountains.

"Every country enclosed by me must have a Black Cloud Army stationed there. Depending on the national strength, the number ranges from five hundred to two thousand. The salary, food and grass are all borne by the country."

The envoys immediately started shouting, one by one complaining about poverty. Most of the envoys could speak broken Chinese or brought a translator, "Your Majesty the Emperor, our country is small and weak, and we are really unable to support the king..."

"Your Majesty doesn't know something. We can't survive on our own. We still count on your Majesty's kindness and righteousness to provide some relief..."

"Pfft..." Li Yue was so angry that he spit out a mouthful of tea.

But if you think about it carefully, these people are telling the truth.

The royal families of the Western Regions were extravagant and lustful, even more so than the emperors of the Central Plains.

Most of the wealth in the country has been used to support them. It is as difficult as going to heaven to take food from their mouths.

"I haven't finished speaking yet." Li Yue wiped his mouth.

These damn countries are all monkeys and monkeys. Some countries are really poor, but some are pretending to be poor and crying about poverty.

Of course, with the strength of Daliang's country, we can force them to obey orders, but the strong will is not sweet. Only by tying them into Daliang's economic chain and having consistent interests can we achieve long-term success.

Everyone craned their necks to look at Li Yue.

Without two brushes, Li Yue certainly wouldn't have spoken like this.

"The purpose of my western expedition is to open up trade routes and sell silk, tea, porcelain, lacquerware, books and other products from the Central Plains to the west. All countries have unified tax rates. Half of the commercial taxes collected will go to Daliang, and half will go to you. You can use it. This money is enough to support hundreds of Liang soldiers, and the Liang soldiers can also ensure the security of your country."

Silk is more valuable than gold in this era.

The same is true for lacquerware. Various craftsmanship are unique and there is no semicolon. The things produced are dazzling and extremely exquisite.

Porcelain and tea are still in their infancy, but these things will be in urgent need of the rich and powerful around the world in the future, and the profits will be equally huge.

Everyone looked at me and others with suspicious expressions on their faces.

"Who agrees and who opposes?" Li Yue glanced at the crowd, looking for them to vent his feelings, not really asking for their opinions.

If you have opinions, hold them back.

All of them were human beings who could appear on such an occasion. When they heard that the emperor's tone was wrong, they remained silent.

"I will give you another chance. If you don't want to join, you can withdraw." Li Yue's voice became colder.

Still no one came out to stand out.

"Since there is no objection, the matter is settled. I will put my words here first. Daliang is not interested in your land. As long as you don't offend Daliang, you can live in peace in the future. When the trade routes are opened, you will cry. Come and thank me while shouting!"

The presence of the Black Cloud Army guarantees the stability of their royal power.

The prosperity of the Western Region is inevitable in the future, and huge economic benefits will follow. This group of people don’t even think about how much money they can make from properties such as Inns and Guesthouses. Let's get some other industries with or without color, and it won't be possible if we don't develop them.

A Western Region in the midst of war and chaos is not in the interest of all parties.

In a word, Li Yue doesn't mind sharing economic interests. People will betray their parents and brothers, and they will betray their own country, but they will never betray their interests. The same is true for countries. Only interests are the most stable allies.

But the dominance of the Western Region must be in Liang Guo's hands.

"Your Majesty, this matter...is too big. We need to report it to the king before we can reply to your majesty." Dawan said timidly.

In the sixth year of Taikang in the Western Jin Dynasty (285), Sima Yan sent an envoy Yang Hao to worship his king Lan Yu as the King of Dayuan. Lan Yu died, and his son Mo Zhili sent an envoy to pay tribute to Han Xuema.

Daiguo's territory stretches from Haoqi to the east, to Poluona in the west, to the Yinshan Mountains in the south, and to the desert in the north.

The ruin among them is Dawan.

It has been closely connected with the Central Plains since the Han Dynasty.

Li Yue glanced at this person. Dawan had come all the way, which was quite surprising.

The countries in the Western Regions are within the range of the Heiyun Army's broadsword, and they can cut as much as they want. However, Dawan is willing to be west of Congling, and Li Yue's broadsword cannot reach it for the time being.

Whether this trade route can be established or not, Dawan's attitude is very important.

At present, Yueban and Wusun in the north of Tianshan Mountain have not yet been dealt with.

"Then I will wait for the good news and hope that Dawan will not disappoint me and the soldiers." Li Yue said with an amiable smile.

The envoy respectfully bowed to the Western Regions and then withdrew.

"Your Majesty, King Bochun of Kucha and other prisoners have arrived in Dunhuang." Lu Qing came to report.

"Let Bochun come and see you."

In front of a group of envoys, let them see the consequences of daring to use a knife against Daliang.

Not long after, a group of prisoners with high eyebrows and deep eyes were sent in.

Standing at the front was naturally Wang Bochun of Qiuci. He was about thirty years old, with a depressed look on his face, but his eyes sometimes revealed an angry look. When he saw Li Yue, he stood with his head held high and did not bow.

"Are you Bo Chun? I've heard of his name for a long time." Li Yue looked at him with a half-smile.

"I have heard your Majesty's name for a long time in the Western Regions." Bo Chun spoke in half-baked Chinese.

Even now, he is still pretending to be the King of Kucha.

"Bold!" The guard next to him couldn't see it and shouted coldly.

But Bo Chun just glanced sideways and was not afraid.

Li Yue had a lot of experience in dealing with this kind of tough guy. "I heard that Qiuci is good at singing and dancing. I haven't had much of it during this trip, so he danced to a song for me."

The voice was neither urgent nor slow, but the murderous intent in the words was looming.

There was a sudden chill in the hall.

"This is what my subordinates did. I don't know how to do this." Bo Chun refused to give an inch.

"Then what do you know?" Li Yue smiled more and more.

"My king has governed Qiuci for ten years. The country is prosperous and the people are safe. It is the best in the Western Region. If it were not a small country, how could it be like this? Daliang is just bullying the weak with the strong. I will not accept it, and neither will my people!" Bo Chun suddenly said Blushing and thickening neck.

As if deliberately irritating the surrounding messengers.

The envoys looked at Li Yue with wide eyes.

Li Yue laughed loudly, "Bullying the weak with strength? When you killed the envoy of Daliang, were you bullying the weak with strength? Hundreds of thousands of people in the Western Region besieged my 50,000 soldiers. Is it bullying with strength? Now we are defeated. If you are captured, you blame me for bullying the weak. How can this be justified in the world?"

(End of this chapter)