Chapter 8, Doubt

Wang Ju is quietly waiting outside the east gate of the stockade

Later, the peace negotiations with the Song and Xia were regarded with great disdain. However, the truth behind those negotiations was that after several years of war between the Song and Xia, the national finances could no longer sustain the burden. Wang Yaochen calculated that the military expenditures in Hebei, Hedong, and Shaanxi amounted to 11,970,000 in the previous year, and 9,300,000 in the following year. Just in these three regions alone, the loss in one year was 11,000,000. Moreover, how many regions did the Song Dynasty have? If calculated this way, after several years of war, the total losses for the Song Dynasty could reach two to three hundred million.

Red Holy Land

However, the soldiers at the city gate had already granted passage, and Zhao Niannu sat up

No, did you not see the convoy in front?

"Something came up." Zhao Niannu quickly went inside. She took a string of cash and gave it to Old Man Xia. Wang Ju also immediately went in, and there were still people from Zhu Qingdong's family in the city.

Upon hearing the second character "殿" pronounced, Wang Ju finally felt a bit puzzled, wondering what this "殿" was, "electric"?

"That young man has gone to sleep. Should we go up?" one of them asked

The mere quantity of 100,000 stones of blue salt can yield a net profit of over 200,000 guan for the Western Xia. Salt itself is not expensive; its high value is a result of the Song Dynasty's salt monopoly. If the Western Xia benefits, the Song Dynasty's salt administration will incur a loss of 200,000 guan. Thus, the total impact amounts to 400,000 guan, leading to widespread opposition among the ministers.

In the midst of the towering mountains, several dark figures were also watching them

The two women exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of regret in their eyes. The mistress's lips moved slightly, but the young woman shook her head, signaling her not to speak

Suddenly, he thought of an animal, the turtle

But these Qiang people put down the heads, and Shao Liangzuo was taken aback

The security officer, known as Jün, happens to be Shao Liangzuo

What should be done

The expression of frustration in the mistress's eyes grew more intense, and her lips moved slightly, as if silently saying, if we had done the same that day, even if it were just a night run, nothing would have happened

Wang Ju disregarded their feelings and simply lay down to sleep

This is the amount on the surface, but in reality, there are layers of collection by officials, which ultimately led to the outbreak of several small-scale peasant uprisings, and the savings accumulated by the state before the war were all depleted

... ...

Some stop to rest, while others continue to travel through the night under the moonlight, especially those caravans that cannot be exposed.

Money can make the devil push the mill, can you not handle this little matter?

They are riding in an ox cart

At that moment, Zhao Niannu suddenly leaned down to adjust his clothing. From a distance, it seemed as if the two were nestled together, and waves of the woman's fragrant body scent continuously wafted into Wang Ju's nostrils

I will give you money; you go to Zhao'an Village and buy a donkey, then follow along

It's so late, where can I buy a donkey

A convoy of vehicles wound its way out of the Zhao'an stronghold, and the cargo on the vehicles was not substantial; it was unclear what was being transported, but the speed was quite fast

The convoy noticed someone, but upon seeing that they were an elderly person and a *picture* book, two women, and a half-grown boy, they paid no further attention. In fact, because the clothes of these individuals were somewhat tattered and dirty, they even assumed they were a family.

Moreover, several envoys displayed cowardice, refusing even to go to the Xingqing Prefecture of the Western Xia, remaining only in Youzhou. They then accepted some bribes from the Western Xia and shamelessly allowed Li Yuanhao to propose various conditions. The court granted 130,000 bolts of silk, 50,000 taels of silver, and 20,000 jin of tea in a year. For the Qianyuan Festival, they returned 10,000 taels of silver and 10,000 jin of silk, along with 5,000 jin of tea. For the Hezheng Festival, they returned 5,000 taels, with 5,000 each of silk and tea. Each year, they granted 5,000 taels of silver and silk for winter clothing, 2,000 taels of silver for birthdays, and 1,000 bolts of fine clothing, totaling 255,000. Additionally, they agreed to "return to ease the capital," allowing the passage of 100,000 shi of blue salt each year.

Two women simultaneously chuckled softly

It is easy to imagine the capabilities of this knowledgeable military.

Yun'er, you must not cry any longer

Perhaps this is the noble demeanor of the divine, Wang Ju thought to himself with self-mockery. Suddenly he said: "Let's go"

"One must not be disrespectful to the lady of the hall," Yuner exclaimed.

Monkey Three, you are to return to the camp immediately to report to Master Yu. Water Old Two, you must endure some hardship and follow closely; do not lose track.

Wang Ju stared at Baota Mountain

Oh, that is a good thing

Therefore, what we see is that at the time of the imminent Liao-Xia War, the court, in this excellent opportunity, instead entered into an incredibly humiliating agreement

He hurriedly let these Qiang people in

"Is it possible that you have acquaintances in Yanzhou and *Tu* Book?" Wang Ju immediately sat up straight...! ... This implies that this Lady Zhao is lying!

Another dusk has arrived

However, how many common people know the truth

It seems that this Lady Zhao is a sensible person, but why did she choose to relax at the border of Song and Xia? I thought I had encountered a fool, Wang Ju pondered in confusion, yet at this moment he was already seated in a luxurious carriage

As the horse-drawn carriage headed south, the entire Yan Prefecture stirred up a hornet's nest

Ultimately, the negotiations between the capital and Qingyan came to an inconclusive end. Despite the lackluster performance of several envoys, a significant amount of Qingyan continued to be openly sold in the border markets. It was not until the incident involving the encroachment of the Cangzang and the invasion of the Quxie River that the court officially issued a comprehensive ban on Qingyan

In the future, I will speak to you.

Young master, please rest assured. You have saved my life, and I shall repay you with my utmost loyalty. I will not harbor any ill will towards you.

However, Wang Ju soon became suspicious again

"Yes, Your Highness... Lady." If the character for 'Your Highness' were written out, Wang Ju would become suspicious; however, only a single character was uttered and quickly retracted, which Wang Ju did not anticipate.

I am too tired; I haven't closed my eyes since yesterday morning until now

My lady, you should also take a rest

The ox cart finally arrived at Yanzhou City. Although it was only a little over one hundred miles, this speed was already considered quite fast. Of course, there was one thing that could be faster, several times faster: horses. However, where could they find horses, and besides, few of them knew how to ride.

Zhao'an Village is located on the front line, but not at the very forefront; rather, it is situated in the middle between the security forces and Yanzhou. This is an era characterized by low speed and efficiency. The journey from Yanzhou to the security forces requires seven or eight segments, which amounts to over 200 li. Each segment is 30 li, meaning that a typical cumbersome caravan can only travel 30 li in a day. At such a slow pace, it would take seven or eight days to cover the distance of over 200 li.

In remembrance, although it has long been a case of things being different from people, he gazes at the city defenses on the mountain, with walls and towers, almost entirely constructed on the mountaintop, forming a solid defense around Yanzhou. In ancient times, how much manpower and resources would it have taken to build them

You all change your clothes; I will go out to find a carriage

Indeed, there was a young maid inside, who was lying in the room crying

The envoys were Shao Liangzuo, Zhang Shiyuan, Zhang Zishan, and Wang Zhenglun

"Lady Zhao, what are you doing?"

However, upon arriving here, her heart settled slightly, and her every move exuded an indescribable grace

Looking at the lights in the village, the three of them felt somewhat drowsy

The young woman nodded slightly and lay down fully clothed. Her lover sat in the car, gazing at the vast mountains under the dim moonlight.

After resting for just one night, the four set off again at the fifth watch of the next day. Wang Ju had originally intended to explain, but the young woman was very cooperative and did not ask any questions.

It is a little monster

The old man Yu Che, guided by Zhao Niannu, arrived in front of an inn. A big uncle (the attendant) looked at them in surprise: "Madam Zhao, what has happened to you?"

The child said she should not be so unaware of the world and run outside

She said: "He is still a child"

Wang Ju said with a chuckle: "Ladies, you have come to understand the hardships of the world, haven't you"

On that day, he sat in the military office, and outside, it was reported that many Qiang people had killed a group of bee thieves and had come to claim their reward

Wang Ju continued to stare at her

Wang Ju instructed the coachman to hang back at the rear of the convoy

Therefore, it was necessary to conduct resupply at Zhao'an Village, which led to the establishment of various shops such as inns, taverns, and guesthouses

Do not make a sound, I see an acquaintance

However, the two women watched as Wang Ju bought some buns in the stockade, then filled a water pouch with water, and instructed the driver to take the cart out of the Zhao'an stockade, remaining silent throughout.

The young woman smiled faintly

Lady Zhao, you rest, I will also rest. Concubine, you keep watch for the first half of the night, and I will take the second half, allowing Old Summer to rest for a while as well

Behind each fortress in Shaanxi, there will be a suffix such as "zhai," "zha," or "bao." Although "zha" and "zhai" are pronounced the same, their meanings are certainly different. "Zha" is constructed of stone, "bao" is made with rammed earth walls, and "zhai" is built with wooden palisades. This is the most fundamental distinction. However, over time, the three terms have gradually become confused, especially "zha" and "zhai." If there is a distinction, it lies in the difference between civilian and military use. Some "zhai" and "bao" are specifically designated for military purposes, while others house many civilians and include numerous commercial areas, such as Qingjian City in the northeast of Yanzhou, where commercial and civilian use outweigh military use.