Chapter 414: The Second Generation in the Army
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the unrest in Xiliang was actually closely related to Sili.
The most direct reason is that the fertile land of Guanzhong has become barren due to long-term cultivation.
There was a food shortage in Guanzhong, and Xiliang, which had always relied on Guanzhong for food supplies, naturally lost its basis for survival.
As for transferring grain from Yizhou...
The Road to Shu is difficult to understand.
The grain that Tian Ze once transferred from Bingzhou had to be transported from Youzhou thousands of miles away and then transferred, not to mention the cost.
In order to achieve strategic goals, this may be acceptable in the short term, but it is impossible to do so in the long term.
Therefore, the construction of Sili became the key to the rise of Xiliang.
Whether out of his emphasis on Chang'an and Sili or for the development of Xiliang, Tian Ze made the restoration of the fertile land of Guanzhong his top priority.
However, Tian Ze still adhered to the principle of "it is better to have something yourself than what your parents have", and organized some willing people from Xiliang to open up a large amount of fertile land around Xiliang.
There is no need to produce too much grain, as long as it can be combined with meat and achieve basic self-sufficiency without relying on the power of other states and counties.
In theory, Tian Ze's move should be able to quickly win back the hearts of the people.
But the people of Xiliang are not ordinary people.
It has experienced wars for many years and is a place where Han and Hu people live together.
Although they were quite grateful for this, they did not completely submit to it.
The most obvious reaction was that the amount of spiritual energy gathered by Tian Ze did not increase much.
After learning the reason, Tian Ze was speechless.
There are actually people who only remember to be beaten but not to eat.
It was not enough for him to defeat Gongsun Zan, he also had to subdue the Qiang people.
But he couldn't just lead a large army to wipe out most of the Qiang people.
Population is so precious now, and the Qiang people can be said to be the closest to the Han people among the surrounding ethnic groups. It is not difficult to assimilate them. They are all excellent sources of soldiers and herdsmen.
After much thought, Tian Ze realized that he still had to find a capable general with a temperament that matched the Qiang people to conquer these Qiang people.
"How are Zilong and Ziyi?" Chen Gong asked.
Cheng Yu shook his head: "Zilong and Ziyi are too gentle and not familiar with the Qiang people."
"What about Shoucheng?" Zhang Zhao asked.
"Shoucheng has Qiang blood and is the descendant of General Fubo. He is indeed a good candidate. But his martial arts skills are a little lacking, and his personality is a little too steady." Cheng Yu said.
"We need someone with a proud temperament, excellent martial arts, and connections with the Qiang people." Tian Ze pondered for a moment.
"How is Meng Qi doing now?"
Hearing what Tian Ze said, Cheng Yu was slightly stunned, and then immediately understood what Tian Ze meant.
"Meng Qi has been following Liao Hua in the north to fight against foreign tribes. I heard that he performed very well and even had a fight with Lu Bu. Lu Bu took a fancy to him and wanted to take him in as his apprentice."
"But this kid just isn't happy about it. He has been picking fights with Lu Bu many times, which has really annoyed Lu Bu." Guo Jia said jokingly.
"Isn't this kid the best candidate?" Tian Ze said with a smile.
He watched Ma Chao grow up and become successful.
After confirming his character and ability, he was trained as a leader among the second generation of generals under his command.
Today's Ma Chao is no less capable than his original historical counterpart, and is even more rational and intelligent.
Tian Ze did not obliterate his nature, but also gave him some compulsory courses to prevent this genius from growing crooked. As for the candidates described by Cheng Yu, Ma Chao is undoubtedly the best choice.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu nodded slightly.
That's what he meant.
After determining who would rule the world, Cheng Yu's focus was no longer limited to the present, and the training of the next generation of capable people had already been put on the agenda.
Tian Ze has many generals under his command. Although there are some cases where a father is as good as his son, the overall quality of these second-generation military personnel is still very good.
In particular, Ma Chao and Ma Dai, sons of Ma Teng, Guan Ping and Guan Xing, sons of Guan Yu, Zhang Hu, son of Zhang Liao, and Ling Tong, son of Ling Cao, have already made their mark under Tian Ze and gained a certain prestige.
These young generals are naturally talented, have received a good education, have excellent all-round qualities, and have experienced many trials and tribulations on the battlefield. Now they are more than qualified to be generals.
"Your Majesty is right, but I don't know if Mengqi's martial arts can convince the Qiang people." Chen Gong frowned.
Although this matter is a military matter, it concerns the people's hearts and governance of Xiliang, and he cannot ignore it.
Since Tian Ze decided to move the capital to Chang'an, all tribes took quick action, and Chen Gong followed closely behind.
The first thing he faced upon arrival was the issue of the governance of Sili and Xiliang.
Especially the governance of Xiliang is extremely difficult. If you want to control the Qiang people who are all muscle on their heads, you can't just rely on appeasement. You must have an iron-blooded approach. The breakthrough point can only lie in the military.
"Call that kid Mengqi over and let Zilong weigh him. If he can last ten rounds against Zilong, he will have passed the test." Tian Ze said nonchalantly.
Today, Zhao Yun has become the benchmark of martial arts under Tian Ze.
And this benchmark is extremely stable and comprehensive.
As long as you can last ten rounds against Zhao Yun in normal condition, you will be a first-rate general.
The decree is as fierce as fire.
Following Tian Ze's order, Ma Chao, who was fighting with Liao Hua on the northern grassland, immediately rode south without stopping.
Following Liao Hua for the past two years, Ma Chao has indeed learned a lot and his temperament has become more stable.
Unlike Ma Chao, who was gifted and reached the peak as soon as he debuted, Liao Hua was a typical late-stage general who was used to being the early bird.
Although there were no particularly eye-catching operations in the battle, it was extremely standardized and meticulous without any mistakes.
At first, Ma Chao was quite disdainful of this, but after experiencing several actual combats, Ma Chao also understood the meaning of it.
These seemingly cumbersome and redundant operations often play an extremely important role in wartime, reducing a large amount of combat losses silently.
Whenever he and Liao Hua split their forces to fight, he was often able to defeat the enemy the fastest, but his casualties were much greater than Liao Hua's.
Although the arrogant Ma Chao did not like Liao Hua's fighting style, he absorbed all of Liao Hua's good experiences to make up for his own shortcomings.
Ma Chao, who had attended military school, was very clear about his strengths and weaknesses.
At the moment his talent awakened, Ma Chao became even more determined to take the path he wanted to take, a path that was no less promising than Guan Yu's.
But like Guan Yu, he has huge flaws, which need to be made up for bit by bit by Ma Chao.
This is what Liao Hua is best at.
Before leaving, Liao Hua gave him a final word of advice: "Meng Qi, your talent and character are destined for you to be the strongest and the most powerful."
"But if you are too rigid, you will break easily."
"If you want to follow this path like General Guan, you must have the strongest strength, leaving no loopholes, and not giving the enemy any chances."
(End of this chapter)
