Folks often say that a jump from the left eye will lead to wealth and misfortune from the right eye. In the golden autumn of October, when Li Xiao and his family were eating crabs, bad news came.

Galdan, who was defeated by Alabutan, defected to Wu Sangui and led Wu Sangui's army to raid the Ili Valley and reoccupy this most humid and vast oasis in Central Asia.

The Ili Valley is called the Eye of Central Asia, because the lack of water in Central Asia's Ili is definitely an accident. Everyone knows that Ili was taken back by Zuo Zongtang in later generations, but what everyone doesn't know is that Zuo Zongtang only took back half of it.

The Ili River Valley is even less than half of the Ili River Valley in terms of area.

Water is the source of life, especially in Central Asia. Whoever controls water resources controls Central Asia. Unfortunately, Wu Sangui got ahead of Li Xiao in this Central Asia grab.

"The Ili Valley is too far away from the Ming Dynasty, even from Hami, which we control. We are not strong enough to put it there. Even if we force it, the logistics will be under great pressure." Zhang Huangyan is now the cabinet.

The second assistant, his status is second only to Sun Chengzong.

The old fox's analysis of the war situation is very reasonable. It is impossible for the Ming Dynasty to send troops to recapture the Ili Valley, at least not now.

"It's already October, and winter is coming soon. Even if you want to go to war, you can't do it now. There are not many roads in the Western Region. In winter, heavy snow will block the mountains in some places, making it even more difficult for you. Even if you say that in the Ili Valley

The geographical location is important, at least we cannot send troops this year."

Sun Chengzong also disagreed with Li Xiao's idea of ​​sending troops!

There are now three people in the cabinet, two to one, and Li Xiao's proposal was ruthlessly rejected.

"Okay, I won't send troops this year. Then next year, I will send troops to the Ili Valley." Li Xiao felt that if Zuo Zongtang could reach Ili, the generals of the Ming Dynasty should have no problem. Zu Dashou is a good choice, because the Fourth Division

Due to his lack of military merit, he has always been looked down upon by the other three divisions.

Zu Dashou has come to Beijing twice and wants Li Xiao to give him some combat missions. Whether it is to go to the western regions to fight the Mongols or to go to the south to deal with local indigenous people, he does not think the enemy is too weak.

"No problem, we will send troops to the Yili Valley next year. By the way, we will take a few garrison divisions to farm there. Last year, the Yellow River flooded again, and a large number of victims in Henan were left unaccounted for.

Places like Kaifeng and Lankao are actually not suitable for farming. The terrain there is low, and the Yellow River swells when it rains heavily, turning it into a state of Zeguo. The imperial court plans to evacuate more than 900,000 people from there. You think it's okay?" Zhang Huangyan

He looked at Li Xiao with a smile.

From the opening of the old fox's mouth, Li Xiao knew that he was holding back bad intentions. If they wanted to fight such a battle that wasted labor and money, the two old foxes would have jumped up to oppose it. The reason is very simple, most of the country's money is invested

Go to local construction. Military expenditure...! No money!

He agreed so happily today because he was holding back to let Li Xiao resettle the millions of victims in the Yellow Flood Area.

"Shandong, Heze, Dongming, and Shan County were also affected by the disaster. The number of people affected by the disaster is over 1.1 million. You may want to resettle some in the Western Region. We cannot use such a large area.

It's also a waste." Before Li Xiao could react, Sun Chengzong put down his teacup and said slowly.

Li Xiao felt that he had fallen into a trap. These two old foxes were not here to talk to him about the Western Expedition. They were here to talk about resettling the victims.

"The imperial court used 20% of the national treasury to provide disaster relief, and today's disaster has finally been overcome. However, the imperial court cannot provide early subsidies every year. Now it has arranged for the victims to go to Guanzhong. Then they will take the train to Yumenguan and Hami. etc.

When you march westward, take them with you along the way. When you encounter a place with abundant water and grass, leave some people and settle them."

Li Xiao felt that the mouth above Sun Chengzong's white beard was opening and closing, spraying venom.

You have to bring two million victims with you to fight. What the hell is this war? That’s what Li Zicheng would do!

"Last year in Guanzhong...!" Li Xiao felt that he had to fight, otherwise he would go to war with millions of victims, and the endless problems would torture him crazy.

"Guanzhong has made arrangements. Some people have immigrated from Sichuan, and some people have immigrated from the two lakes. Some people have immigrated from Shanxi and Henan. Now the government has no mature land to distribute to outsiders. The policy given by the imperial court is very good. Rent will not be collected for three years.

Distribute farm tools. Farmers are willing to go!

In addition, Xi'an is recruiting 100,000 workers from various places. This has solved the livelihood of many people. Sun Chuanting did a good job this time."

Sun Chengzong, that old bastard, praises his students every chance he gets.

"These people will be classified as military households. From now on, the civil affairs of the imperial court will not be able to control them." Li Xiao was so angry that he gritted his teeth. It was obvious that he did not agree to resettle these refugees. He wanted to go on an expedition next year, which was a dream. The two old foxes would come up with something

Eight hundred reasons not to allow myself to go.

Of course, the most unexplainable reason is lack of money. If you have the ability, you, Li Xiao, can pay for the expedition yourself.

Li Xiao didn't have the ability, so he could only hold his nose and accept the terms of the two old foxes. At most, he would get a little more benefit for himself.

"Okay! No problem, as long as you don't mind, it's okay if you don't recognize them as people of the Ming Dynasty."

As soon as Zhang Huangyan's words came out of his mouth, Li Xiao was immediately discouraged. Facts have proved that Li Xiao still underestimated the shamelessness of this old fox.

"The imperial court needs to supply them with food from now until the end of next year!" The food issue must be arranged well. There are more than two million people. If there is no food, there will be a huge commotion, so big that no one can bear the consequences.

"This is natural. Not only will the supply be supplied this year and next, but the supply will also be halved the year after next. This supply will not stop until five years later. What about reclaiming wasteland! You can't work when you are hungry!"

Li Xiao nodded, which could be regarded as a knock on the two old foxes.

"Okay, I agree to this matter. Also, I want to march south, and I want my second son to go fight against Sri Lanka." Li Xiao sat down on the sofa angrily, and said his second purpose angrily.

"This is not okay! It is a taboo for the country to spend time on expeditions. Now that the country has just suffered a disaster and the debt for disaster relief has not yet been settled, how can I have money for you to go to Sri Lanka?" Zhang Huangyan held up his sleeves and sternly said.

"Sri Lanka is too far away. I have trouble finding it on the map. Our Ming Dynasty only has such a large population. What will happen even if we capture you? No one will occupy it. In a few years, it will not belong to the Indians." Sun Chengzong also advised.

Li Xiao.

Li Xiao knew that these two old foxes had negotiated. They were very afraid that Li Xiao would be as aggressive as Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in history. Although he conquered a large territory in the end, he would deplete the country's power to a dangerous level and bring huge consequences to future generations.

crisis.

"I will resettle 50,000 Caobang immigrants in Sri Lanka. These are all authentic Chinese Miao people. This is okay."

"Brother Xiao, the war is fierce and dangerous. I know you want to conquer a huge territory, but you can't swallow a lion in one bite. A snake will die if it swallows an elephant." The old fox finally showed his fox tail.

"Okay! To attack Sri Lanka, I don't have to pay a single silver coin from the court. But if you think about it clearly, once the job is done, I won't hand over a penny of the captured money."

Sri Lanka is known as the country of gems, and the sapphires and rubies produced there are of the highest quality. Moreover, using Sri Lanka as a base, Wu Sangui can be harassed to an unlimited extent, preventing him from focusing on running the Ili Valley.

Moreover, the attack on Sri Lanka can be regarded as revenge for Wu Sangui's invasion of the Ili Valley.

The two old foxes looked at each other, and they knew that Li Xiao was determined to fight this battle. Even eight cows could not bring Li Xiao back from what he had decided in his heart.

Attacking the Ili Valley can also support him with logistical supplies, but now the Ming Navy has no rivals in the Indian Ocean. Landing operations are very mature. If Li Xiao really wants to do it, no one can stop him.
Chapter completed!