Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 558 Important News

Zhao Mu rode his horse at the front of the team, accepting the worship and cheers of the common people. Because the people in the city came to greet him, and there were so many people in the city, Zhao Mu did not notice Yelu Yanxiu and others.

After returning to the palace, Zhao Mu placed all the spoils he brought back one by one. He was generous in distributing the many treasures he had robbed to everyone, and he put the remaining part into his own treasury to be used for the redecoration and expansion of the palace, as well as the daily expenses of the palace.

As for the rest, Zhao Mu put them into the Ministry of Revenue for disaster relief and improving people's livelihood.

Zhao Mu even cleared out a large hall and turned it into a "museum" to store the rare treasures he had looted. Looking at these rare treasures and the wife and daughters of the Uighur King, Zhao Mu felt the joy of being an "invader".

Zhao Mu was also filled with emotion. No wonder people often say "a cannon shot is worth a fortune". After this war, all the conflicts in his country were resolved.

The purpose of Zhao Mu launching this war was to relieve the country's excess manpower. This time, with the sacrifices on the battlefield and the troops sent out to garrison, the country's excess manpower was finally relieved.

Moreover, the newly occupied Gaochang Uighurs were not afraid of having too much manpower. Although Zhao Mu did not massacre the city, he killed all the men who were sent to fight. There were not many young and strong people in Gaochang Uighurs. There were only old and young people, orphans and widows. It was just right to send all his own people there to supplement.

Secondly, Zhao Mu had gained a lot this time. He emptied the Gaochang Uighur treasury, the royal palace, and the homes of the Gaochang Uighur princes and ministers. Although he gave some to the local officials for maintenance, he also took out part to appease the people and reward his meritorious soldiers.

But even so, the profits he made this time were enough to cover the total tax revenue of the country for more than 20 years. It can be said that he became rich overnight.

This time, Zhao Mu completely plundered the wealth accumulated by a country for hundreds of years. Rich enough to rival a country is just an adjective for others, but it is true for Zhao Mu now.

Zhao Mu returned to the palace and was dealing with the accumulated government affairs during this period. He heard the female official come to report: "Your Majesty, the Princess of Zhao from Liao wants to see you."

Zhao Mu did not put down the imperial brush in his hand when he heard this. He just said calmly: "Please ask her to come in."

Zhao Mu was not surprised that this lingering woman was waiting for him in Lingzhou City.

After Yelu Yanxiu entered the room, he bowed respectfully to Zhao Mu and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on winning another great victory and returning triumphantly."

Zhao Mu put down his pen at this time, raised his head and looked at her.

Zhao Mu said, "I wonder if Your Highness the Princess finds this fun."

Yelu Yanxiu understood what Zhao Mu meant, but she pretended to be confused and said, "Oh? I don't know what the king means."

Zhao Mu sneered and said, "You are such a troublesome woman. I didn't expect you to trick me again this time. If I hadn't believed your lies, I wouldn't have rushed to the west."

Yelu Yanxiu laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you won the battle and returned with a full load, didn't you? I saw the carts carrying the spoils stretched for dozens of miles, and even the princesses and concubines of the Uighurs were all captured. Is this still hasty?"

Zhao Mu replied, "Of course. If I had prepared for a few more months, it would not just be the Western Region Uighurs that were destroyed. The Karakhanid King was lucky this time. I am no longer able to go further west, otherwise there would be Karakhanid princesses on this carriage."

Yelu Yanxiu still smiled and said, "But I am very happy this time."

Zhao Mu asked in return: "Why are you so happy? Are you happy that our army has consumed our national strength and military power and will not be able to conquer your Liao Kingdom in a short period of time?"

Yelu Yanxiu replied, "Only part of it. But I am most happy because it proved one thing." Zhao Mu asked, "What is it?"

Yelu Yanxiu walked forward and said with a smile: "It proves that I am in your heart."

Yelu Yanxiu's words at this time were very sincere, without any other meaning mixed in.

Looking at Yelu Yanxiu's expression, Zhao Mu said nothing.

Zhao Mu then said, "Oh! That's right! You're here just in time! Since you're here, you can take the Princess of Yue back with you. I was planning to send someone to send her back to Liao in a few days. Since you're here, I'll just hand her over to you."

Yelu Yanxiu was quite surprised to hear what Zhao Mu said. She asked, "Why? Isn't the golden slave your trophy?"

Zhao Mu saw her incredulous expression and replied, "It is true that she is my trophy. But is there anything wrong with me returning her to your Liao Kingdom?"

Yelu Yanxiu snorted coldly and said, "I didn't expect that His Highness Prince Qi is such an irresponsible man. Since you have already taken my nephew, why do you throw her back? Even if you don't make her your concubine, she should stay with you. Is my Liao princess so unworthy of you?"

Zhao Mu also sneered and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's true that I caught that girl, but when did I touch her? Not to mention me, even the Uighur King didn't have the time to touch her. As for whether anyone else touched her, I don't know. Don't accuse a good person falsely."

Facing Zhao Mu's rebuttal, Yelu Yanxiu was stunned. She said, "You really didn't touch her?"

Zhao Mu did not answer this time, but just gave Yelu Yanxiu a blank look.

Seeing Zhao Mu's rolling eyes, Yelu Yanxiu laughed. She said, "Okay, I know I wronged you. But you don't have to think about sending Jin Nu back."

Zhao Mu asked: "Why? Isn't she the daughter of your brother from the same clan?"

Yelu Yanxiu replied, "Indeed. But she has accepted the marriage and became the queen of the Uighur King. Now the Uighur Kingdom is destroyed and she has been captured by you. She will be regarded as an ominous person in our Liao territory. Even if you send her back, other clans will not tolerate her. She may even be sentenced to death at the instigation of people with ulterior motives."

"Jin Nu is a good girl. She has sacrificed a lot for the Liao Dynasty. She even wanted to marry an old man in his 50s at her prime. I don't want her to be looked down upon again after she returns home. So it's best for her to stay with you."

Yelu Yanxiu looked at Zhao Mu and said, "You already have many women around you, so you don't need one more. Just keep her."

Zhao Mu said, "I see. It's okay to keep her, but you should talk to her yourself. I've already promised to send her home. How can I go back on my word?"

Yelu Yanxiu said, "Okay. Call her over later and I'll talk to her."

Zhao Mu asked, "By the way, you are not here just to welcome me back, right?"

Yelu Yanxiu said: "Of course, I am not that free. I came here to tell you two important news."

Zhao Mu asked: "What news?"

(End of this chapter)