In front of the west post station in the city, Yang Yuanqing led dozens of senior military officials to wait here. He went out of the city to welcome the general's return from the expedition for ten miles. This was the first time Yang Yuanqing was full of joy and expectation. Su Dingfang did not disappoint him and took over Shanshan County and Qiemo County, which would lay a solid foundation for his future Western Regions strategy.

Su Dingfang also saw Yang Yuanqing from afar, and also saw the generals who fought side by side with him. He was excited, turned over and dismounted, walked forward quickly, knelt down on one knee at Yang Yuanqing, and bowed high, "I will only meet the general manager!"

Yang Yuanqing quickly helped him up, "General Su, please get up!"

Yang Yuanqing helped him up and saw that he became dark and thin. The fair and handsome young man couldn't even see his shadow. In just seven months, Yang Yuanqing was moved and patted his shoulder gently, "Thank you for your hard work!"

What really touches people is not beautiful words of praise or bold words, but sincerity from the heart. Su Dingfang saw sincerity in Yang Yuanqing's eyes. His simple three words made Su Dingfang feel great encouragement.

The two looked at each other. After more than ten years of fighting together, they walked from a young man to a prime minister. They had a tacit understanding and everything was silent. Both of them laughed.

At this time, Li Jing, Luo Shixin and others came forward to congratulate him. A soldier handed him the Triumph Wine. Su Dingfang's eyes were a little wet. He raised his glass and said loudly: "Thank you everyone, Dingfang would like to thank everyone for your kindness with this glass of wine!"

After saying that, he drank the wine in one go, took the wine pot and drank three glasses in a row, and raised the empty wine glass high, winning applause.

............

Back at Jinyang Palace, Su Dingfang and Shen Chun entered Ziwei Pavilion. First, Shen Chun reported to the seven ministers of Ziwei Pavilion about the population, land and other people's livelihood situation of Dunhuang County. Then Su Dingfang talked about the population and people's livelihood situation of Shanshan County, Qiemo County and Yiwu County.

"Jianshan County, like Qiemo County, is composed of settled residents and nomads. The nomads are mainly Tuyuhun people and Tielite people. They come and go in spring and winter, and they are uncertain. There are about 11,000 households in the two settled residents, half of which are accompanying the army, called military households, mainly Han people, and the other half are mostly Wusun people, who make a living by planting and trading."

"May I ask General Su. How much cultivated land is available in Shanshan County and Qiemo County?" This is Du Ruhui's question. He is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue and is most concerned about cultivated land and population.

Su Dingfang bowed slightly and said, "Reported to the Prime Minister Du, Shanshan County, Qiemo County and the arable land are located on both sides of the Qiemo River. They can only grow one quarter of wheat every year. Now there are 20 troughs of land, one trough is fifty hectares. That is, about 10,000 mu of arable land, half of which are military fields. We also have pastures, mainly located in Sabize and Puchanghai. There are nearly one million cattle and sheep, the grain of Dunhuang County, as well as the wheat we grow ourselves and the cattle and sheep we raise to ensure military rations."

Su Dingfang talked freely, while the prime ministers took turns to ask questions, and it took nearly an hour to finish each question and answer.

At this time, Yang Yuanqing stood up and looked at the prime ministers: "All prime ministers, the Western Regions have always been the focus of the Sui Dynasty. The late emperor created the foundation of the Western Regions and must not be defeated in our hands. On the contrary, I hope to continue to expand westward and incorporate the vast territory of the Western Regions into the territory of the Great Sui Dynasty. Of course, now is not the time for us to look west, we must concentrate on solving the Central Plains. Once the Central Plains is unified, it will be the day for us to march westward."

.........

The statement to the prime ministers ended. Su Dingfang came to Yang Yuanqing's official room, and Yang Yuanqing ordered the tea boy to serve him a cup of tea. He laughed and said, "These prime ministers are so annoying! They all look like crows, and the problems are endless."

Su Dingfang smiled, "It's okay! The more they care about the Western Regions, the more willing they will allocate money to us. I can't ask for it. However, I feel that this group of prime ministers is obviously full of vitality, especially Mr. Yang, who actually asked about the changes in the seasonal water volume of the river, which is admirable."

"They are really capable!"

Yang Yuanqing agreed with Su Dingfang's feelings and said, "The more capable they are, the easier it is. Now, except for some major government affairs that I need to interfere with, I have given the rest of the internal affairs to Ziwei Pavilion. Small matters are decided by the ruling minister, and major matters are discussed and voted by them. In this way, my energy can be placed on the army and on foreign wars. Okay, let's not talk about this, but the situation in the Western Regions."

Yang Yuanqing took out a map of the Western Regions drawn by Pei Ju and spread it on the table. He just talked about government affairs and people's livelihood in Ziwei Pavilion. Now Yang Yuanqing is more concerned about the distribution of forces and military pressure in the Western Regions.

Su Dingfang was revived, and he also wanted to tell Yang Yuanqing about the situation in the Western Regions. He pointed to the map and said slowly: "The situation in the Western Regions is very complicated now. Simply put, there are four major forces, which are mixed. One is that our Sui Dynasty forces occupy the eastern part of the Western Regions; the second is that the Western Turkic forces, whose forces are mainly distributed in the north of Baishan; the third is that the Tiel force, headed by the Qibi tribe, dozens of tribes jointly fought against the Turks, and the war mainly broke out between the two families; the fourth largest force is that of the local small countries, with dozens of countries of all sizes, such as Kucha, Yanqi, Gaochang, and the smaller ones, such as Gumo, Shule, Suwen, Weitou, and Suye. Most of these small countries are Wusun people, but there are also two Han countries."

Hearing this, Yang Yuanqing asked curiously: "I know that a Han country is Gaochang country, and where is the Han country?"

"Broken Ye Kingdom!"

Su Dingfang said: "Weizhi also got news from Sogdian merchants not long ago. About three years ago, a horse thief of thousands of people occupied Saiye and established the new Saiye Kingdom. The king's surname was Zhang, and he was a Han Chinese. They surrendered to the Western Turks and were recognized by the Western Turks."

After pausing for a moment, Su Dingfang whispered: "The Chief Manager still remembers that when I was surrounded by Chuyue people on the southern foot of Shiluoman Mountain, did the dark horse thief who saved me?"

"Do you think the new shattered Ye Kingdom was built by them?"

Su Dingfang nodded, "I think it's them!"

Yang Yuanqing stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, staring deep into the distance. In fact, he knew very well in his heart who this person was.

...........

Su Dingfang returned to his home and reunited with his family. Yang Yuanqing was still standing in front of the Western Regions map and fell into deep thought. He needed time to consider the Western Regions strategy of the Sui Dynasty.

At this time, Xiao Feng walked in gently. He hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether he should disturb his lord, but in the end he bowed and said, "Your Highness, the Prime Minister are still waiting!"

Yang Yuanqing woke up from his thoughts. He glanced at him and then realized, "I almost forgot."

He received several approved memorials and handed them to him, "Try to handle the matter of sending field recruits to various places. I hope I will see the list tomorrow and the next day, and this matter cannot be delayed."

"I understand."

Xiao Feng took the memorial and hesitated and said, "There is another thing. I must report to Your Highness by the way."

.........

At dusk, Xiao Feng came to the Bafang Restaurant again. It was his third time to come to this restaurant. This time he came alone. He seemed a little emotional and didn't even hear the shopkeeper say hello to him. He went to the second floor. He shook the bronze medal of the old guest, and a friend immediately took him to the seat by the window.

"What do you want to use?"

"A pot of wine and a few dishes are provided, and you can do it in your store."

Xiao Feng was a little depressed. Soon, the guy brought the wine and food. He poured himself a glass of wine and started drinking it, one cup after another.

He had been observing his shopkeeper in the dark. He was secretly surprised and turned around and walked quickly to the fourth floor.

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"Chief, Xiao Shenjun is here again." The shopkeeper said respectfully in the room.

"Is he alone?" Li Chongshou asked in surprise.

"There is only one person, but he seems to have something to worry about and is in a bad mood. I don't know why?"

"Are you worried?"

Li Chongshou became more interested. In this way, he was in the mood to have a good chat with Xiao Shenjun. He immediately stood up and walked out the door.

...........

Xiao Feng was already drunk, and he poured himself wine again, but found that the wine in the wine pot was gone, so he frowned and shouted, "My man, let's have another pot of wine!"

At this time, Li Chongshou sat down opposite him and said to him with concern: "Xiao Shenjun, you have drunk too much and can't drink any more."

"Nonsense! Who are you? How dare you come and care about me?" Xiao Feng scolded with drunken eyes.

"Xiao Shenjun is really a noble man who forgets things. I am the owner of this tavern, and my surname is Li. Didn't I meet Xiao Shenjun yesterday?"

"Oh! I remembered that you are Dongzhu Li, come and have a drink with me."

The guy had already brought the wine, and Xiao Feng grabbed the wine pot with his hand, trembling violently, poured a glass of wine for Li Chongshou, and he poured another glass of wine for himself.

"Come on! Master Li, I'll give you a cup."

Li Chongshou narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Okay! I'll have a drink with Xiao Shenjun."

With a squeak, he drank the wine in one sip and said as if nothing had happened: "Xiao Shenjun seems to be in a bad mood!"

Xiao Feng sighed and cursed: "I am a slut. My brother was killed and my family was driven out of Dunhuang, but I didn't even dare to give a fart. Do you know why?"

"Why is this?" Li Chongshou asked curiously.

"Because I killed my brother and drove my family to the king of Chu, what is the slave of the family? Do you know? It is the so-called Eighteen Guards of the Iron Shadow. I took action against my family. I even claim to be a high-ranking official in the court, but I can't even get an apology. I am not even as good as a slave, and I am just a dog!"

Xiao Feng gritted his teeth in hatred, poured himself a glass of wine, drank it in one sip, but fell on the table.

Li Chongshou was still surprised by what Xiao Feng said just now. He knew that Xiao Feng was from Dunhuang County. It was probably because of his family that had happened? Today, there seemed to be officials coming from the Western Regions. Su Dingfang and Shen Chun both entered Beijing. Xiao Feng should have received news from the family from them.

Although Li Chongshou didn't know what happened, he felt that there was a lot of work here. He had already heard Xiao Feng's resentment towards Yang Yuanqing. Perhaps there was a chance here. He had to find a way to find a businessman from Dunhuang to inquire.

"Xiao joins the army! Xiao joins the army!"

He pushed Xiao Feng twice, but found that he was already asleep. Li Chongshou sighed and stood up and instructed his friend, "Prepare the carriage, I want to send Xiao Zongjun back to his house!"
Chapter completed!