The climate of the Western Regions in this era is humid, and many vegetation has not been destroyed yet. The water source is more abundant than that of later generations.

At this time, Lop Nur was still a huge saltwater lake. There were also some freshwater lakes of all sizes. There were countless snow on the snowy mountains. Every spring, when flowers bloomed, these snow melted, turning into gurgling water, gurgling down the valleys of the mountain stream.

At this time, people can even develop water transportation in the Western Regions, which is unimaginable in later generations.

It is precisely because this place is so rich that it has been remembered by the forces of neighboring countries, and the same is true for the Central Plains dynasty.

Speaking of war, Luo Yong also agrees that unification can promote exchanges and development between local governments more than division. The impact and significance of those truly successful unification wars are often very far-reaching.

But the war is also very cruel, especially when the forces of all parties are in a tug of war. Even if they win, they may not be able to achieve true annexation.

The Western Regions are so far away from the Central Plains. In the middle, there is only a Hexi Corridor connected. The northeast of this Corridor is Xueyantuo, the northwest of the Corridor is Western Turkic, and the south of the Corridor is Tubo.

Under such a complex situation, if the Tang side had military strength, they would definitely have to deal with Xue Yantuo and the Western Turks first. Songtsen Gampo married Princess Wencheng two years ago. The relationship between the Tang and Tubo became friendly, but the people in the court must also be very clear that such friendship is difficult to inherit from generation to generation.

If these problems are not solved, it will be difficult to defend even if the Hexi Corridor is cut off, and the territory that was previously captured in the west will become an isolated island and be swallowed by silk whales from other forces.

Such a war cannot bring any actual benefits to the Tang Dynasty, but it requires countless soldiers to fill it with their lives, bringing disasters to the local people in vain.

Look at the time, it is the spring of the 18th year of Zhenguan. If history has not changed due to Luo Yong's arrival, Li Shimin would send troops to Luoyang to attack Goguryeo this year.

Although the place of Goguryeo is not big, Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was basically trapped in the hands of Goguryeo. If Li Shimin could send troops to take it down at this time, it would naturally be a bit glorious.

This time, Li Shimin not only led the army in person, but also brought the crown prince Li Zhi with him.

Li Shimin was also an excellent general in the past. In recent years, the country was strong and the generals of the Tang army were invincible and rarely suffered a battle.

Only after he became a king for many years, he was probably no longer suitable to be a general.

This is the emperor and the crown prince. Once something happens, the whole country will fall into chaos, causing the soldiers in the army to be restrained and there is no way to let go of their hands and feet to fight.

Later, seeing that the situation was not good, the army withdrew and the group returned to Chang'an City in a dilemma. Li Shimin was still much more restrained than Yang Guang, so he found a step by himself and did not fight against Goguryeo.

Luo Yong discussed matters with Tang Jian this day. After talking about the main topic, Luo Yong said, "I heard that the saint had set up a Lingyan Pavilion earlier. I wonder if he began to miss the half-life of his former military horses?"

"Who knew." Doctor Tang took a bite of hot tea and sighed: "Goguryeo and Baekje work together to attack Silla, and the saint seems to be very enthusiastic about this."

Doctor Tang is always able to grasp the key points, but in his opinion, it is better to leave the affairs of Chang'an City to the people in Chang'an City to worry about, and they still have their own things to do now.

Although Tang Jian is still holding the title of Guanglu Dafu, he only has one serious position, that is, the president of Changle Academy.

This time, Luo Yong proposed to arrange a team to go to the Western Regions, and Tang Jian was also very supportive.

He hoped that the Central Plains dynasty would one day incorporate all Turkish, Tubo, Goguryeo into China's territory. He and Luo Yong focused on managing the Western Regions and could play a great role at that time.

However, the king seemed to be crazy at this time, and he kept staring at a small Goguryeo, which was really worrying.

In the east, he wanted to fight Goguryeo, and in the west, he wanted Guo Xiaoke to fight those small countries in the Western Regions. It looked like he wanted to pick soft persimmons to pinch them.

I wonder if the earlier rebellion case of the prince finally damaged the king's emotions and made him weak.

The weakness of a king is definitely not a good thing for a country, and Tang Jian also hopes that he is just thinking too much.

What Tang Jian discussed with Luo Yong this day was about Guo Xiaoke. They had a little unhappy with Guo Xiaoke about the biogas lamps earlier. Tang Jian planned to go to Gaochang in the next two days.

Although Guo Xiaoke is greedy for merit and money and is a bit domineering, he is not very bad. He is one, one, two, and is more relaxed in his work and does not like to make conspiracies. Generally speaking, it is still worth dating.

Earlier, Guo Xiaoke sent someone to ask for the method of making biogas lamps. Luo Yong didn't give it, so he wouldn't give it. He didn't plan to give it now, but this does not mean that they must not get along well. There are always other ways to do it.

A few days later, Tang Jian took several of his students and guards to Gaochang City.

There are very few scholars in this era, and those who have the opportunity to study receive elite education. They are both literary and martial, and riding horses and shooting archery is no problem. Occasionally, they are very competent as a guard.

Their group took wooden carriages all the way, first to Dunhuang, and then from Dunhuang to Gaochang.

On the side of Gaochang City, when Guo Xiaoke heard that Tang Jian came in person, he asked someone to hold a banquet to receive him. Tang Jian was a capable man after all, and his family was powerful. Guo Xiaoke couldn't guarantee that he would come to help him one day. Even if he was a little angry about the biogas lamp before, he could not do it too ugly at this time. However, he was not so enthusiastic at this banquet.

"Why, is Guo Dupu still angry about the previous incident?" After drinking for three rounds and saying some polite words, Tang Jian got to the point.

"I'm angry or not, no one cares about it." Guo Xiaoke said.

"How come no one cares?" Tang Jian smiled and said, "Look, I'm going to apologize to you today?"

"Why didn't Na Luo use it himself? He asked Doctor Tang to come here in person?" Guo Xiaoke said.

Guo Xiaoke was indeed not very angry with Tang Jian. His status, status, knowledge, demeanor and family background were all there, and it was rare that he was not flattering the emperor. To be honest, Guo Xiaoke, a man from a rash background, admired him a little.

Besides, this incident is indeed not so annoying to Tang Jian. Guo Xiaoke is angry with Luo Yong. He, a current official, doesn't even take him as a Shangguan seriously.

"He is just a coffin board. Why are you angry with him? I am always in front of him every day. If I hadn't been able to see it openly, he would have been angry to death." Tang Jian said and poured wine for Guo Xiaoke again: "Come on, eat wine and drink."

While drinking, he was also very envious of Daluo Yong: "That coffin board is not popular for a day or two, otherwise he would have been thrown into Changle County to be a small county magistrate..."

After hearing these words, Guo Xiaoke felt a little relieved. Even the emperor dared to argue with the coffin board. It was nothing strange to do so now.

But when it comes to this unpopularity, Guo Xiaoke is also worried. After all, he, Guo is also a typical example of unpopularity...

As he ate this wine, Guo Xiaoke poured Tang Jian bitterly, saying how difficult his current situation is, and there is no war to fight. He has a lot of strength and has no place to use his skills!

The emperor was already a little dissatisfied with him. The last time he replied to his official documents, he had already criticized him for his words, saying that Hexi is now rich and told him not to seek comfort.

Alas... he is not greedy for comfort. He is like being in trouble. He can't make any achievements. The emperor is unhappy and may be able to solve him.

Tang Jian expressed deep understanding and sympathy for his situation, and then told him that even if Luo used the biogas lamp to make this situation, he would not care about anything.

"Did you hear that railway tracks are being built between Chang'an and Luoyang?" Tang Jian said to Guo Xiaoke.

"Of course I heard of it, but what does it have to do with me?" Guo Xiaoke waved his hand and expressed that he was not interested in this topic.

"The Zheng family in Xingyang got news from Luo Yong early and purchased a lot of iron ore in advance. Recently, the railway tracks in Chang'an and Luoyang were built, and it was time for a lot of iron to be used. The Zheng family didn't know how much money they earned just by selling iron." Guo Xiaoke said.

"It's a pity that the mines here are all small mines." Speaking of this, Guo Xiaoke also felt a little regretful.

At this time, Tang Jian told Guo Xiaoke an old story: "Last spring, when I was making friends in Jinchang City, I saw an old Taoist. The old Taoist told me that in the mountains southwest of Jiuquan, there was an ore vein where ore could be seen everywhere. There was ice and snow in winter, and only in summer could it be in just a few months. When I looked at the tone and expression of the man, it seemed like a serious matter..."

When Guo Xiaoke heard this, he immediately felt enlightened: "Seriously? Are there really mineral veins in Jiuquan?"

"It should be." Tang Jian nodded and said, "I just don't know where it is. If you have the intention, why not wait until after the summer of this year and send your subordinates to the mountains to search."

Guo Xiaoke was very moved. He and Tang Jian were not close or related, and had no friendship before. He did not expect that the other party could tell him such important news.

Tang Jian said that this was nothing, and that the iron ore in the mountains was not so easy to find. If he really found a large mine, then Guo Xiaoke could also make contributions to the court. Without military achievements, he would also be a contribution to finding a large mine.

Speaking of which, the reason why they can stay so peacefully in Hexi is precisely because Guo Xiaoke is here to stay. Luo Yong also said that if the mining area of ​​Guo Duhu wants to use lampshades produced in Changle County, he will sell them at a cost price.

Soon, Tang Jian and others returned to Changle County.

Guo Xiaoke started to organize a team to search for mines in the mountains. He asked his eldest son to lead the team himself, and he couldn't wait until the summer. At this moment, he wanted to go over. If the mountains could not enter, it would be good to be familiar with the terrain in the surrounding areas first.

Guo Xiaoke and his son reminded: "I heard that there are so many dangers in the mountains. Be careful not to lose your life. Whether you can find the mineral veins this time is not only related to whether you Aye, I can communicate with the saints, but also to the future of my Guo family..."

If there is indeed a large mineral vein hidden in that mountainous area, then the people of the Guo family will really be developed this time.

In this way, it is not that important for those who have made military achievements but not for military achievements. It is not easy to see the men from big families. Even if they don’t have any military achievements, they will still be prosperous in Chang'an City.

In this way, Guo Xiaoke had originally wanted to find some trouble and took the opportunity to start the war, so he completely stopped.
Chapter completed!