In Xihe County and Shang County, Huangshui and Liangzhou border area, the forces of Liangzhou’s ruler, Feng Zhao, the Shao Dang tribe, the Beihe tribe, and other tribes of Qiang intertwined with each other. The situation was even more complicated with the Xiongnu in the north, and chaos sometimes occurred.

The first thing Wei Shao did from the time he took over Bingzhou last year was to set up troops in the Xihe wilderness, building a fortress and gates for 20 miles. Zhang Jian, Li Chong, and Wei Liang guarded the area, showing how determined he was to stabilize the area.

The situation in this area was under his control from the middle of last year to the end of the year, and all parties were safe and sound. However, at the beginning of this year, the Shao Dang tribe of Qiang attacked Shang County with its cavalry. They quickly repulsed the attack because they had been on guard without suffering major damage. They suspected that Feng Zhao of Liangzhou was involved in the incident, so Wei Shao personally came from Youzhou to quell the situation.

A few days ago, Wei Shao finished his duty in Xihe County and wanted to return to Jinyang. Before leaving, he took a small group of his followers with him and went to the area of the Great Wall to survey the terrain. Unexpectedly, they encounter hundreds of Feng Zhao’s men, and the arrows rain down on him.

Due to afraid of losing Gongsun Yang, Wei Shao escorted him to retreat first. Accidentally, he was wounded in one of his arms by a poisoned arrow. After returning, he collapsed. Once he laid down, seven or eight days had passed.

At night, the river banks in Xihe wilderness were dark, and the military camp was silent. One could only hear the sound of patrolling soldiers’ footsteps.

In Wei Shao’s tent, the candlelight was bright. Zhang Jian, Li Chong, Wei Liang, and other generals who came to visit had left. Wei Shao looked slightly paler than usual but still in good spirits. He was not lying down, but sitting behind the desk, talking with Gongsun Yang under the candlelight. A three-foot square sheepskin map laid out on the desk in front of him. Wei Shao’s eyes fell on the map.As Gongsun Yang talked, a plan emerged before Wei Shao’s eyes. Destroying Feng Zhao, who had always been Xing Xun’s minion, then conquering Xihe, so he could pass through Yumen and open up the way to the west. Most importantly, it can isolate the traffic connection between the Qiang and Xiongnu.

From the military perspective, this was the priority.

After eliminating the hidden danger in the rear, he can fearlessly move south with his troops.

“…… What makes Liangzhou soldiers so brave? Among them, the 20,000 are the Qiang and Hu soldiers. Feng Zhao tempted them to enlist in the army.” Gongsun Yang spoke passionately.

“Thirty years ago, when Li Gong became the Protector of Qiang, Shao Dang, and many other Qiang tribes admired him. He persuaded them and made them surrender. Longxi has been safe for dozens of years. Unfortunately, Li Gong was slandered and died unjustly in the court prison. History said that the Qiang valued righteous officials. The Qiang and Hu people originally admired loyalty and courage. They respected honest officials, but after the migrations, the different customs and language barrier made them incompatible with the Han. They became defensive. Moreover, the official assigned by Imperial Court as Qiang Protector, other than Li Gong, only bore the name. No one except Li Gong could perform the duty of protecting them. Instead, they instigate separation. They were greedy and cruel, which led to intense conflict and sometimes rebellion, and even attack the county.”

Wei Shao listened attentively.

“The most urgent task for the Lord is to stabilize the border. Appease the Qiang people and make them loyal. Once the Qiang people return to their hearts, Feng Zhao is not a threat. Without Feng Zhao, there will be no Liangzhou soldiers for Xing Xun. He will lose one of his minions, so there is nothing to fear of him!”

Gongsun Yang also said: “In the Qiang and Hu people, the biggest tribe is Shao Dang and Beihe. While the Shao Dang army is strong, the leader of the Beihe tribe is highly respected. Everyone in the Huangshui area knows and respects his name. Only the Shao Dang tribe carried out the attack on Shang County last month. The Beihe tribe was not involved in it. Lord can start with the Beihe tribe. If Lord trusts me, I would like to go to Beihe on your behalf to convey your intentions. As long as Beihe is submitted, the rest of the Qiang tribes, such as Chun, Zhanlang, Zhong, etc., will follow suit. For the remaining Shaodang, even if they don’t surrender, how can they resist the Lord’s army?”Wei Shao immediately shook his head: “This is an excellent plan, Sir. But you don’t have to go into danger yourself. I will send another messenger.”

Gongsun Yang said, “Lord had sacrificed his life for this lowly servant. Fortunately, you are lucky. Otherwise, I would have died to take the responsibility! It is only a trip to Huangshui on your behalf. Just a few words of wisdom, what is the risk? I don’t feel comfortable if someone else goes. The Lord’s master plan is the most important. Please agree.”

Seeing Wei Shao hesitate, Gongsun Yang smiled and said, “Later, after we suppress the Qiang and Hu people, Lord can appoint a trustworthy person to act as the Qiang Protector to carry out the responsibility of a protector. If the western border is peaceful, you can plan for great things. You can extend your prominence to the western area!”

A light flashing in Wei Shao’s eyes, he smiled and said. “Then, I’ll trouble you.”

Gongsun Yang said, ” It was my responsibility, so why do I have to be troubled?”

Wei Shao felt some emotions, pressed his hands on the desk, suddenly rose, and said: “If the appeasement can be successful, I will give great merit to you!”

He suddenly felt dizzy before the words left his mouth, and his body swayed a little, but his movements were minimal. He soon stabilized and continued to talk and laugh, but Gongsun Yang had caught it in his eyes. He hastily got up to support him, saying, “It is not early. The Lord has not yet recovered from illness. It is better to rest early. I will leave now.”

Wei Shao pushed away his hand, laughing: “I am not a woman who can collapse from the wind. It was only a flesh wound, and I had recuperated for many days. Why do you have to do this? I have long been well, but you always like to make a fuss, forbid me to do this, forbid me to do that ……”

He suddenly seemed to think of something and said, “Since there is nothing more to do here for the time being, I’d better leave tomorrow and go back to Jinyang. If there is any urgent matter, send an urgent report via fast horse.”

Seeing that Gongsun Yang seemed about to speak again, he interrupted with a wave of his hand, “No need to persuade me anymore. I know how my health is. Besides, it is convenient to travel from here to Jinyang. I will leave tomorrow morning.”

……