Modu became angry from shame.

For a long time, he has become accustomed to being alone and being bowed down by others. He listens to flattering remarks. It is rare for him to be so naked and sarcastic as Li Yuan.

"One hundred thousand athletes are enough to conquer Guanzhong. Li Hou, do you want to try?" Mo Dun's face was gloomy, and his murderous intent was revealed. After hearing what Mo Dun said, the fifty Huns warriors all pulled out sharp arrows and set up their bows.

, just waiting for Mao Dun to give the order.

"Da Shanyu is not young anymore. You must think clearly about everything. This time, Li can let Da Shanyu go back. If there is a next time, then don't blame me, Da Qin, for being rude."

Li Yuan looked at Mao Dun across from him coldly, with a look of disdain in his eyes. He raised his right hand high. Not to be outdone, Cao Xin, Li Zhongxiang and other soldiers pointed their swords and arrows at the Huns.

Discordant words.

The two sides were in a tight situation. Mao Dun wanted to use his momentum to overwhelm Li Yuan, who was younger than him, but Li Yuan was naturally unwilling to be outdone. Although Mao Dun was a great leader of the Huns, for Li Yuan who was fighting at home, his

The threat was really nothing. You must know that in the canyon by the Wuding River, Wang Li and Su Jiao's more than ten thousand border troops were ambushing there early. They were just waiting for Li Yuan to give the order and then immediately came out to kill them.

"Haha, Marquis Li is nervous, isn't he? It's all my fault. Now that I've said it, come on, let's sit down and discuss it in detail. In fact, our great Xiongnu and the Qin State don't necessarily have to fight against each other. There are some deals with people.

If you do it in private, it is better to put it on the table openly." Mao Dun laughed and waved his hand to signal his followers to leave.

trade.

At this point, Mao Dun finally revealed his true intention.

From Qin's Chi Road to the north, brocade forgings from Bashu, silk from Guandong, and bronzes from Guanzhong can be trafficked to the border between Qin and Hungary. At the same time, the Huns can also traffic cattle, sheep and horses from the grasslands to the south.

, this kind of barter exchange is very necessary for both countries.

To increase national power, in addition to launching wars, occupying larger territories, developing agriculture, and producing larger amounts of grain, commerce and trade are also an important part. During the reign of the First Emperor, Qin's national policy was to focus on agriculture and suppress commerce, which made the border areas

commerce has almost disappeared.

During the year when Li Yuan was in power, the constraints imposed by the New Qin regime on commerce were gradually lifted. The Qin people also began to try to establish mutual trade markets at the post stations along the Longxi border. Many Hu merchants from the Western Regions passed through this newly opened channel.

, trafficked things back and forth, and accumulated a lot of wealth.

If he hadn't seen the huge benefits brought by the transaction between the two countries, Mao Dun would not have had such a special meeting with Li Yuan on a whim.

"Does the big order intend to trade with each other, or does it intend to extract profits?" Li Yuan thought for a while and asked.

Judging from historical records, the Huns were not very interested in trade. This was because they could hardly produce other valuable items except livestock on the grasslands. On the contrary, whether it was the Qin Kingdom in the south,

, or the countries in the Western Regions. They all have many things that the Xiongnu nobles are eager to pursue.

Due to Moton's domineering attitude, Li Yuan estimated that he was most likely to choose the latter. In fact, extracting profits from businessmen was actually a retrograde move that hindered the development of productivity. From the standpoint of Qin, Li Yuan even more

I hope that the Huns can open the passage and make the Silk Road smoother.

Modun smiled contemptuously and said: "It is difficult for Marquis Li to achieve this ambition. With our strength, do we still need to bow to those despicable businessmen?"

When Mao Dun said this, Li Yuan immediately understood what Mao Dun meant. To impose heavy taxes on merchants was what Mo Dun wanted to do most. This would allow the Huns to accumulate a large amount of wealth in a short period of time.

As for the cooperation with Li Yuan, he hopes that the Qin State will completely liberalize trade, so that those merchants can eat a large amount of goods under their complacency. When the time comes, Maodun will impose heavy taxes on the Xiongnu territory, and Li Principle will

If the Qin State cooperates, those Hu merchants and merchants from other places who are trying to make large profits will lose all their money.

"Da Chanyu's ambition is really great. I'm sorry that Li can't understand it. As for border trade, if Da Chanyu intends to open up mutual trade, Qin will definitely welcome it. As for other things, let's give it up." Li Yuan's eyes were firm and he almost got angry in Maodun.

Under the gaze of his eyes, he replied without any sign of weakness.

"In this case, there is nothing to talk about anymore. When the time is right, my great Huns' cavalry will visit again. I hope Marquis Li is ready." Mao Dun sneered repeatedly and said.

"Please rest assured, Great Chanyu. Our officers and soldiers of Great Qin will definitely make good preparations and entertain the Great Chanyu's troops." Li Yuan said solemnly.

A meeting.

The unhappy result was that the relationship between Qin and the Xiongnu was destined to become even worse in the future.

Mao Dun took the warriors of various tribes and left in anger. There was nothing to fight or talk about. After Mao Dun, the Great Chanyu, rested for a while in Didao, all the Xiongnu tribes retreated northward one after another in mid-November.

During this process, the Qin army's pursuit troops chased the Huns' ass unceremoniously for a while, causing many Huns tribesmen with slaves to suffer heavy losses.

November 20th, the second year of the Qin Dynasty.

The Qin army recaptured Didao and reoccupied this important town at the west end of the Great Wall. Compared with the prosperity a few months ago, the Didao they saw again looked completely solemn and deserted.

This is the price of war.

No one can change. To avoid being bullied, Qin people must make themselves stronger and more united.

After defeating the Huns on the northern front, Li Yuan left a portion of the frontier army to guard Didao, and led more than 10,000 cavalry to turn south to meet another group of Huns who had fled into the Qin territory from Shanggua.

The left-behind troops of the Qin army in the Shanggua area resisted tenaciously. After the Xiongnu Zuoxian King's cavalry entered the Jiangshui River Basin, they were blocked by the Qiang people of the same clan as the Yueshi. At the same time, they benefited from the flat plateaus in the south and north of Longxi County.

Differently, the mountains here are undulating, which is very unfavorable for cavalry operations.

By the time Li Yuan arrived at Longnan, the Huns were already exhausted and had no intention of fighting. Unlike Mao Dun's astuteness, King Zuo Xian was obviously just a brave man. As a result, he was surrounded by Li Yuan in an ambush battlefield west of the river. After a fierce battle,

King Zuoxian of the Xiongnu was driven into the river. When he tried to swim across the river while holding on to his horse's tail, he froze to death in the river due to the severe cold weather. During this battle, the floating corpses of the Huns overflowed the river, like a quilt.

The remains of a beheaded beast.

life.

It's fair to everyone.

A month ago, on this big river, the Huns drove the little Yuezhi people into the river, and they vented their energy by howling cruelly on the bank. But now, fate has reincarnated, and it is finally their turn to enjoy the feast of this big river.

.

——.

After a fierce battle with the Huns, Li Yuan couldn't help but feel physically and mentally exhausted. From Luoyang to Longxi, he almost spent this time running back and forth. Although he was supported by young people, he couldn't stand such helplessness.

Rest extraction.

When passing by Yongyi, Li Yuan lazily sat in a comfortable carriage and met Li Zheng, who was staying here. The political affairs of Longxi were still left to Luo Jia and Li Zheng to take care of.

When Li Yuan's banner passed through Yongyi City, the refugees who were still stranded in the city burst into cheers. They had already learned the news of the Huns' retreat from the scouts who reported the news, and imagined that they would be able to return to their hometown in a short time.

They were grateful to Li Yuan from the bottom of their hearts. It was this young and excessive prince who made them appreciate the power of Qin again.

Zheng Chengzi was also among the crowd.

After that armed fight, his life in Yongyi became calm and orderly. The resettlement of the refugees, thanks to the efforts of officials at all levels in Yongyi, effectively prevented signs of getting out of control.

Today, what made Zheng Chengzi jealous and surprised was that he saw the thin young man who had had a conflict with Li Yuan among Li Yuan's soldiers.

Judging from the attire, the young man has transformed from an ordinary pawn into a general. The tall hat, black battle armor, and badges symbolizing military achievements on the chest all make Zheng Chengzi feel unfamiliar. If not

The big bow on the young man's back seemed familiar. Zheng Chengzi could hardly believe that the enviable young Qin Qi in front of him was once a refugee.

"No. I also want to join the army and fight for a future." Zheng Chengzi clasped his hands and swore secretly in his heart.

The triumphant army, the bright battle armor, and the excited shouts of the beautiful girls all stimulated the young Qin people one after another, and the pride deep in their hearts began to be awakened. Little did Li Yuan know that in his motorcade,

In every city we passed, countless men of the Qin State lost sleep that night.

Xianyang.

Chen Ping led the ministers in the central court to welcome Li Yuan ten miles out of the city. In the direction of the new city of Chang'an, he received Li Yuan's return team. During this expedition to Longxi, Chen Ping stayed in Guanzhong to coordinate the affairs of all parties. Li Yuan could feel at ease with Mao Dun.

The deal was inseparable from the contributions of Chen Ping and other officials.

"Is everything in Changshi, Guanzhong, and Sanchuan still stable?" Li Yuan took a good rest along the way and felt much more energetic. He was extremely happy to see his acquaintance Chen Ping again.

"Reporting to Marquis Li, there are no major incidents in the Guanzhong area. Officials from all counties are working hard. Even if there are some minor security issues, there is no need for Marquis Li to worry about them. Officials will deal with them by themselves. General Han is guarding the Sanchuan area, and Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are

I'm troubled, but I can't look down on Luoyang for the time being. However, there is great news in the Ju County area of ​​Hanzhong. Bingzao's craftsmen discovered an open-pit iron mine in Ju County. Now Sima Dazao and Mo Ping's craftsmen have rushed there.

There we go." Chen Ping reported back with a smile.

"There is an iron mine in Ju County. Is this news true?" Li Yuan asked happily.

"Master Craftsman Mo Ping personally verified that a tributary of Jushui is rich in iron. It is estimated that the iron ore in the upstream area was washed away by water." Chen Ping replied.

"In this case, quickly order Wang Shang's crossbowmen to march south along Chencang Road and seize Ju County. Remember to keep it secret and don't let Liu Bang know the news." Li Yuan thought for a while and ordered.

Mo Ping's smelting technology is one of the best in the Qin State. According to his judgment, the news about the iron ore in Ju County should not be wrong. From Li Yuan's memory, he seems to have heard about the iron ore in Lueyang area of ​​Hanzhong.

According to records of iron ore resources, the name of Lueyang in the Qin State seems to be Ju County.
Chapter completed!