With Su Dingfang's surrender, Du Qi's efforts were not in vain. He knew that Su Dingfang's ability was outstanding. This was a person who was good at both the pen and the sword. He could fight on horseback and rule the country when he was dismounted. It would be a pity to throw such a person to Li Shimin. Therefore, Du Qi racked his brains to pull Su Dingfang to the Great Xia.
No matter what method was used, as long as he could achieve his goal, it was worth it. Because after Su Dingfang surrendered, as long as the Su family came to the Western Region, Su Dingfang would have no other choice.
Du Qi asked Su Dingfang to stand up and looked at Fu Junheng, "Chief Fu, what about you?"
Fu Junheng said, "I am willing to surrender."
Even Su Dingfang had already pledged his allegiance, so there was no reason for him to hesitate. Especially since Guazhou City had been taken over by Du Qi, there was no point for him to persist. Moreover, the fall of Guazhou this time was personally caused by him. Even if he did not have the intention to help Du Qi, he was the cause of the fall of Guazhou. If he stayed in the Tang dynasty, he would be punished. It was better to surrender.
Su Dingfang took a deep breath and quickly adjusted his mentality. Because since he had surrendered, it would be useless to put on airs or think that he was a subject of the Tang dynasty. Therefore, after Su Dingfang adjusted his mentality, he looked at Du Qi and said, "Emperor Xia, I have a question."
Du Qi said, "Go ahead."
Su Dingfang said seriously, "Although Emperor Xia took Guazhou, in fact, it is difficult to establish a foothold in Guazhou. The reason is simple. In the past, the emperor of the Tang dynasty was willing to retreat because the Tang dynasty was not attacked and its interests were not damaged. Therefore, under the premise of Emperor Xia's tyrannical strength, the emperor was willing to retreat. "
After a pause, Su Dingfang continued, "But now, the territory of the Tang dynasty has been occupied by Emperor Xia and Guazhou has been lost. The Emperor will not take this lying down. Once Emperor Xia wanted to take Guazhou City for himself, it would inevitably lead to a war. Even if the Tang dynasty's weapons were outdated, the Tang dynasty had many soldiers and generals, so they would definitely fight to the death. It would be a great humiliation for the Emperor to retreat when he has lost his territory. "
Du Qi said in a deep voice, "Brother Su, you worry too much. I don't plan to stay in Guazhou forever."
Su Dingfang said with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, there is a difference between a monarch and a subject. You can call me by my name. Or, you can directly address me by my courtesy name, Dingfang. "
He did have a personal relationship with Du Qi, but it couldn't always be like that. He still had to abide by the rules of a ruler and his subject.
Su Dingfang's real name was Su Lie, and his courtesy name was Dingfang.
Du Qi said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Su Dingfang praised his Majesty's wisdom and said, "Your Majesty's plan is to use Guazhou City to bargain with the Emperor of the Tang dynasty again and gain benefits from it. In the end, Your Majesty will still have to withdraw from Guazhou. "
Du Qi said, "That's what I mean. There is no need to take Guazhou and humiliate the Emperor. I know Li Shimin well. He wants to be a wise ruler and create a prosperous era, so he can't have a stain. If during his reign, Guazhou, the territory of the Tang dynasty, is taken by me and the news spreads throughout the Tang dynasty, if Li Shimin doesn't take it back, he will never be able to raise his head and dare not call himself a wise ruler. "
After a pause, Du Qi said, "So, I am very clear about this point. When Li Shimin arrives, we will compete with him and finally sit down to negotiate. Dingfang, what do you think? "
Su Dingfang was thoroughly impressed from the bottom of his heart.
Du Qi's plan was too shrewd and ruthless.
Du Qi was indeed young. Today, he was only in his early twenties. But Du Qi had never coveted the gains or losses of a city or land, and he was never arrogant and domineering. Du Qi was also arrogant. Without saying a word, he led the army into the territory of the Tang dynasty. The problem was that Du Qi had done it on purpose in order to earn some benefits.
Fu Junheng said seriously, "Emperor Xia, since you want to leave Guazhou City. Guazhou City is an important town on the western border and a commercial center. There is a lot of wealth and food. Now, there are mountains of food in the granary. While the army of the Tang dynasty hasn't arrived yet, I suggest we hurry up and move the food. Move all the food and money away. Even if we retreat, we will still make a profit. "
Du Qi asked, "How much food do you roughly estimate?"
Fu Junheng said seriously, "At least two million dans of food."
After hearing this, Du Qi thought about it and said, "Two million dans of food is indeed a lot. But now, news from Guazhou City has reached Chang 'an. It will take at least a month or even longer for the Emperor to send troops to Guazhou. "
"There are 100,000 soldiers under my command."
"There are also tens of thousands of captives to be integrated into the army. There are even more people. Right now, the consumption of energy every day was incomparably huge. Especially when we were ambushing at the border, the soldiers were eating dry food. Now, we have to supplement them. There will be enough food and meat. "
"Under this premise, the consumption will be even greater."
Du Qi said, "So in the short term, there is no need to move the food. Let's eat first."
Although Du Qi valued food, it was best to have food at the moment. His soldiers could eat freely, so there was no need to move it. He would wait for news of Li Shimin's army before considering.
Fu Junheng said no more and said, "Since Emperor Xia has made a decision, I will not say more. But what about money? There is also a lot of money. "
Du Qi said in a deep voice, "As for money, let's reward the soldiers first. Now that we have taken down Guazhou City, the soldiers have worked hard. It is time to reward them. "
Speaking of this, Du Qi looked directly at Shangguan Yi and said, "Shangguan Yi, you and Xue Rengui can discuss more rewards for the soldiers in the army. Anyway, it is Guazhou City's money. It will be a waste not to use it. Leaving it in Guazhou City is also benefiting Li Shimin. "
"Yes!"
Shangguan Yi immediately responded.
Xue Rengui, Xiao Yuanqi, and Ma Yuan heard this and were also very excited.
They were all generals in the army. As soldiers, they sympathized with the soldiers and knew that it was not easy for them. Moreover, they were about to fight with the Tang dynasty again, so it was necessary to encourage the soldiers.
After a round of rewards, the morale of the soldiers in the army would be raised to the highest.
When it came to the soldiers, Su Dingfang said seriously, "Emperor Xia, I have a reminder. Now that the army has entered the city, we still need to restrain the soldiers and not let them violate the people. "
Before Du Qi could speak, Xue Rengui took the initiative to say, "Don't worry about this. My Emperor Xia's soldiers have already ordered many times. Even if we enter the city, we will not violate them. "
Ma Yuan and Xiao Yuanqi also spoke.
Both of them had to speak at the same time.
Because for them, the soldiers in the army were the most lovable people. They would not make the lowest mistakes. After all, the soldiers under Du Qi's command were treated very well. Each and every one of them was full of pride.
Shangguan Yi said again, "Your Majesty, I have thought of a strategy to pacify the people."
Du Qi said, "Let's hear it!"
Shangguan Yi said seriously, "Even if the food in the granary in the city is supplied to the army, there will be some surplus. However, there will also be excess grain. I plan to open the granary and release the grain. Your Majesty, opening the granary to distribute the food is not to win over the people, but to prevent them from seeing you as an enemy. Anyway, it is not a bad idea to use the food as a favor. Through word of mouth, your Majesty's image will be established at the border of Longyou Dao. "
After a pause, Shangguan Yi continued, "In particular, the pacification of Longyou Dao's border states was due to Emperor Xia's contribution. Now that your Majesty is opening the granary to distribute the food, the people will be even more grateful for your kindness. "
Du Qi said, "I can arrange it."
Du Qi did not care much about the food. Because now Emperor Xia had enough money and food. Therefore, Du Qi directly agreed to the suggestion of distributing the food. Du Qi discussed some matters with a few people. Then, he let Shangguan Yi, Xue Rengui, and the rest discuss the reorganization of the army and the distribution of the food.
When everything was settled, it was already late at night.
Du Qi then went to sleep.
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