Soldiers come to the world

The spring of the 23rd year of Jian'an was undoubtedly a harvest season for Liu Jing. Jiaozhou was included in his pocket, and he himself had a couple of children. Xiao Qiao gave birth to a son named Liu Yue, and Da Qiao A daughter was born, named Liu Bing. The smooth birth of the two children filled the whole family with joy.

In mid-March, after Liu Jing approved the reward for the Battle of Jiaozhou, he left Chang'an and went to Hexi for inspection. This was the first time he visited Hexi after the Han army recovered Hexi.

The people accompanying him, apart from the master Quezheng and the minister of the Taipu Temple, Deng Zhi, naturally had two second concubines, Sun Shangxiang and Cao Xian. It was Sun Shangxiang's childhood dream to go to the real prairie, although she went to the Lingnan with her husband. There is also a grassland over there, but compared with the endless Hexi grassland, it is just a larger grassland.

Cao Xian saw the grassland for the first time, and she was even more curious. Looking around, the mountains and rivers she saw made her secretly amazed, but her character was reserved and quiet, and she did not express her inner joy.

A group of people crossed the Yellow River, crossed Hui County, and then entered Wuwei County, where a large grassland had already appeared. Sun Shangxiang and Cao Xian were particularly enthusiastic. Everything outside the Great Wall made them feel fresh and broadened their hearts.

Walking into the grassland, Sun Shangxiang urged the horse to gallop on the grassland, and ran away with a dozen female guards without a trace. Cao Xian was not good at riding a horse, so she sat in the carriage and watched Sun Shangxiang and his party run away with some envy.

Liu Jing rode unhurriedly beside the carriage, discussing with Deng Zhi about building a horse farm in Hexi.

Taipu Temple is responsible for animal husbandry and horse breeding, so it is naturally Deng Zhi's responsibility to build a horse farm in Hexi. In fact, Zhengshitang has long considered building ten official horse farms in Hexi, but it was only delayed because of Ma Chao's rebellion. Deng Zhi took full responsibility for the matter of building the racecourse at the beginning and again.

"Your Highness, the locations of ten horse farms have been selected. There are two in Longxi, one in Qinghai, one in Lingzhou, and the rest are located in Hexi. Considering that Wuwei County is mainly used for agriculture, there is only one horse farm in Wuwei County, Zhangye. There are three places in the county, one in Jiuquan County and one in Juyanhai, and each horse farm has a Feilong shepherd envoy and two deputy envoys."

"How many horses are there now?" Liu Jing asked again with a smile.

"About 50 horses. We plan to increase the total number of horses to [-] horses in ten years. We are confident."

"Quantity alone is not enough, the key is quality. Last time the Tao family brought [-] Dawan stallions, can you use them?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, those three hundred Dawan stallions are our treasures, and they are distributed in ten horse farms. We plan to use these three hundred stallions to breed a large number of high-quality war horses, and we will never disappoint Your Highness."

Liu Jing said again: "There is also the issue of animal husbandry and cattle farming. This matter is very important and urgent. It will be significantly improved in two or three years. Don't delay."

The farming cattle Liu Jing mentioned refer to the northern dryland yellow cattle and the southern buffalo. The demand for these two kinds of cattle is huge, especially the buffalo. With the reunification of the south, all counties have implemented the national policy of rest and recuperation, and production has gradually resumed. The demand for cattle is increasing day by day, and the current number of farm cattle is obviously insufficient. This is also a problem that Liu Jing pays more attention to, and hopes that Taipu Temple can try to solve this problem as much as possible.

Deng Zhi thought for a while and said: "The problem of cattle is not a big one. The Tuyuhun people have 10,000+ cattle. We can buy them from them. The shortage of cattle in the north can probably be alleviated. The key is buffalo. Some officials proposed to raise cattle in Hexi. Buffalo, I don't think it's realistic."

"why?"

"The main reason is that buffaloes are afraid of the cold in winter, and the problem of keeping warm is difficult to solve. Last year, we tried raising hundreds of buffaloes in Zhangye, but all of them froze to death in one winter, so we still have to raise them in the south. I plan to build breeding in every county in the south. Cattle fields, dry pasture in the north, or extensive pasture in the south.”

Liu Jing nodded, "I don't care what your plan is, I just want the result. I hope that within three years the plight of cattle shortage in the south can be alleviated. This matter is related to the recovery of food in the south. You should not take it lightly."

"Please don't worry, Zhou Mu. We have implemented this matter in Bashu and Jingzhou last year, and we will fully promote it this year."

Just as he was talking, there was a sound of horseshoes in the distance, and Sun Shangxiang and a dozen female guards came back on horseback. Seeing that her husband was still discussing government affairs with officials, Sun Shangxiang couldn't help saying angrily: "Is there any end to my husband? We are talking about government affairs in Chang'an, we are talking about crossing the Yellow River, we are also talking about crossing Hui County, and we are still talking about it now, when will we talk about it?"

Liu Jing chuckled, "I can't help it. A person must find a job in his position. If I don't talk about government affairs, then I can only talk about military affairs."

Sun Shangxiang also realized that she should not show face to the officials in front of her husband, otherwise her husband would turn his face faster than a book, and the dissatisfaction on her face would disappear immediately. She urged the horse to come to the carriage and said to Cao Xian: "Little sister, don't ride in the carriage, let's ride together .”

Cao Xian shook his head in fright, "Second sister, I'm not very good at riding a horse."

"If you don't know how to do it, just learn! Come to Hexi, what a pity if you don't know how to ride a horse."

Cao Xian was also a little moved, and quietly looked at her husband with a pair of beautiful eyes, Liu Jing nodded and said with a smile: "Shang Xiang is right, you should learn to ride a horse, even your elder sister Tao can, I will take charge of the church."

At this time, Sun Shangxiang asked again with a smile: "I can see a snow mountain in front of me, what kind of mountain is that?"

Liu Jing looked at it in the distance, and there seemed to be one, but he didn't know what it was. Deng Zhi was more familiar with the situation, and said with a smile: "It should be Guzang Mountain. The Huns regard it as a sacred mountain, and the Qiang people also regard it as a sacred mountain. It worships, and our horse farm in Wuwei County is at the foot of the mountain."

Liu Jing happily said: "Then go to the racecourse to have a look!"

"Aren't His Highness going to Guzang County?" an official asked.

"Come back and talk about it!"

The team changed its route and no longer went to Guzang County, but went to Guzang Mountain in the southwest direction.

The huge Guzang Mountain stands on the Hexi Corridor. The top of the mountain is covered with snow, which reflects a kind of azure blue brilliance under the sunlight. From a distance, it seems that there is a dazzling ice sapphire inlaid on the top of the mountain. Take your breath away.

At the foot of the mountain is an endless plateau pasture. A small river like a jade belt winds and flows into the distance. At this time, it is the spring of March, and all kinds of colorful wild flowers are in full bloom. The grassland is like a colorful mythical world. Women are naturally beautiful, not only Sun Shangxiang and Cao Xian was intoxicated by it, and even the female guards were deeply attracted by this colorful world of flowers and plants. Many female guards weaved garlands for themselves.

"It really is a good place!"

Liu Jing couldn't help admiring: "The whole family should be brought here, Zhu'er definitely doesn't want to leave."

Sun Shangxiang grinned and said, "Fulang, next year! Next year bring the whole family, and this year we will treat it as if we are here to explore the way."

Liu Jing also laughed and said: "Actually, this kind of flowers and plants are found in many places, and there are quite a few in Longxi, but if you want to see the snow-capped mountains, only Hexi is the most beautiful. That's it. I will visit Hexi next year, and the whole family will be together. stand up."

At this time, the soldiers began to set up tents in the racecourse. Sun Shangxiang and Cao Xian also packed their belongings in the tents, while Liu Jing went to the stables in the distance. Lian, in his thirties, is a Han from Longxi. He has raised horses and herded horses since he was a child, and has rich experience in horse herding.

"See His Royal Highness the King of Han for the humble job!" Seeing the King of Han come to inspect in person, Yang Lian was very excited.

Liu Jing smiled and said, "Emissary Yang Mu doesn't need to be too polite, I want to know the situation in the racecourse, you lead the way!"

"Your Highness, please come here!"

Yang Lian led Liu Jing to the stables, and introduced: "The racecourse was established last year, and there are more than [-] war horses, all of which are high-quality horses. Our entire racecourse covers an area of ​​more than [-] mu. At least [-] war horses can be raised."

Just as they were talking, hundreds of war horses galloped past them like a storm, and two Qiang herdsmen chased after them. Yang Lian pointed to the herdsmen and said, "These herdsmen are all local Qiang people, and the ranch employs a hundred people. They are all experienced old shepherds, and they can shepherd the best war horses."

"Are there any Dawan stallions here?"

"Yes! It's in the stable, please come with me, Your Highness."

After inspecting the racecourse, Liu Jing rode back to the place where she lived, and happened to see Cao Xian in front of the big tent. She was sitting on the grass weaving a wreath. When her husband came back, she stood up quickly, "Where is Shang Xiang?" Liu Jing asked. .

"She's a little tired, resting in the tent, I don't want to disturb her."

Liu Jing liked this gentle and quiet little wife very much. He urged the horse to come forward and said with a smile, "Let's go for a walk on horseback!"

"But I'm not very good at riding a horse."

"We ride together, give me your hand."

Cao Xian bit his lip lightly, summoned up his courage, and handed Liu Jing his hand. Liu Jing held her hand, then wrapped her arms around her waist, and hugged her onto the horse with all his might, making her lean close to him, holding her hands together. Pulling on the rein, he put his arm around her waist.

"Sit tight, let's go."

"Fu Lang, slow down!"

Liu Jing laughed loudly, and urged the horse to gallop out. Amid Cao Xian's exclamation, the horse galloped faster and faster into the distance.

Cao Xian was so frightened that she closed her eyes, the horse jolted her almost to the point of fainting, and there was the humming sound of the phoenix in her ears. After an unknown amount of time, the horse finally stopped, and she slowly opened her eyes. They came to another piece of grass. superior.

"Fulang, my heart is about to stop beating." Cao Xian held his chest, looking up at her husband pitifully.

Liu Jing picked her up, turned her body around, let her hug his waist, lowered his head and kissed her red lips, and said softly, "Do you like this place?"

Cao Xian pressed her cheek against her husband's chest, and hugged her husband's waist tightly with both hands. Her eyes dimmed and she nodded slightly, "I really like it, especially when you are by my side."

Liu Jing saw the guards chasing him from afar, knowing that he could not have sex with his wife in the wild, so he could only smile helplessly: "Let's go! You ride the horse, and I will lead the horse back slowly."