At noon the next day, Lu Qicai, Zhe Weizhong and the officials who promoted the imperial appointment went to visit King Cao. After the meeting, Lu Qicai introduced Zhe Weizhong to King Cao. King Cao was obviously in a good mood and even took the initiative to help Zhe who was paying his respects. Wei Zhong smiled and said a few words to reminisce about the past, but he had never seen Wei Zhong before. However, Zhe Weizhong had told Lu Qi that King Cao was a person with higher eyesight. When he entered the palace to see the emperor in Kaifeng Mansion, King Cao looked at him with an obviously cold expression, but the prince acted very friendly and smiled slightly. Overdone, Zhe Weizhong's evaluation of King Cao was a snob. After discussing the etiquette, King Cao was invited to travel, so he still took a car, but there was no woman in the car. After leaving the palace, King Cao looked out of the car window and found that the streets in the city were deserted. He could only occasionally see some men wearing sheepskins walking by. The scene was the same as what he saw when he came. This phenomenon shows that the streets in the city are deserted. The population of the state is not large. Of course, it may be cold weather and people are reluctant to go out. After leaving Wuwei City, the scene outside was a land covered with thin snow and extremely few trees. Lu Qi rode on horseback on the left side of the car, sometimes explaining the geography and customs of Liangzhou to King Cao. King Cao listened silently in the car. I am not interested in going on a winter tour, so I would rather be happy in a warm palace, hugging a beautiful woman. However, King Cao also understood the importance of understanding Hexi, so he did not resist Lu Qi's initiative to invite him. He also enjoyed Lu Tianfeng's flattery to him. He further thought in his mind that his father used the method of containment to rule the country. If it was his turn, We really can't just rely on Zhao Kuangyin, we can use Lu Tianfeng to check and balance Zhao Kuangyin. In addition, he returned to Kaifeng Mansion and went to Zhang Yongde's army to win over Zhang Yongde after the year. King Cao was originally very angry with Zhang Yongde and resented Zhang Yongde for supporting the establishment of the fourth brother as the crown prince. He always felt that his father valued martial arts and neglected civility, and His military ability is far better than that of his fourth brother. Without Zhang Yongde's strong support, his father would have made him the crown prince. However, Zhang Yongde was a stubborn old man and an elder uncle. King Cao did not have the confidence to win over Zhang Yongde's generals. However, he felt that Zhang Yongde's subordinate generals could win over him. After all, he was a prince. As long as he was given the temptation of benefits, he could naturally win over the morale of the army. Surrender. The carriage walked along the Shiyang River for a long time. King Cao suddenly called to stop the carriage. Naturally, Lu Qi got off the horse and walked to the bank of the Shiyang River with King Cao. The others did not follow because they were interested. "Lu Shangshu, this Hexi area is really vast and sparsely populated." King Cao said. "After all, Hexi is a bitterly cold place, not as livable as the Central Plains. His Highness should be unaccustomed to being in Hexi." Lu Qi said with a smile. King Cao nodded, but Lu Qi said again: "The Central Plains is more livable than Hexi, and Jiangning is more livable than the Central Plains. However, the summer in Jiangning is probably not as livable as Kaifeng Mansion." King Cao was startled, then nodded and said: "Jiangning is a good place." "Your Highness, I wonder how the war in Jiangnan is going? Has there been a breakthrough?" Lu Qi asked. He really didn't know the situation in Jiangnan. "There is no breakthrough. The military force marching south of the Yangtze River has been occupying Runzhou. According to Marshal Zhao, the military force marching south of the Yangtze River is insufficient. It is not advisable to advance rashly. A step-by-step strategy should be adopted." King Cao replied. Lu Qi nodded and said: "I know that the Jin State has a lot of military power, but I didn't expect that it would continue to confront the Zhou army and not attack." "General Zhao said that it is very wise for the Jin State not to attack. If the Jin State takes the initiative to attack, , he would be able to frustrate the Jin army and then counterattack to seize the territory. In addition, the Jin state's confrontation and lack of attack may have hidden dangers of military instability, so they did not dare to take the initiative to attack. Marshal Zhao meant to conquer Run first. As a strategic base, Marshal Zhao plans to recruit 100,000 troops in Runzhou, and your Majesty also supports the request," King Cao replied. Lu Qi was worried after hearing this. Zhao Kuangyin's step-by-step strategy was indeed the best way to deal with the Jin State. He first managed Runzhou as a bridgehead for attacking the south, and also used Runzhou's human resources to supplement the military strength, forming a disguised war strategy. Raise war. If Runzhou is managed well, it is possible to raise an army of hundreds of thousands. The reason why Runzhou was poor in the past was due to the decadent rule of the Tang Dynasty. Most of the output from Runzhou was used to support Jiangning nobles and the literati class. , Li Guozhu is the most luxurious literati. "Lu Shangshu, Marshal Zhao takes great care of your family home in Jiangning. He made a new plaque for your house 'Princess of the Stone Kingdom' and also had people protect your family property. It can be seen that Marshal Zhao cares about you." I care a lot." King Cao said with a smile, his words had a deeper meaning. Lu Qi frowned after hearing this. He understood the meaning of King Cao's words, which meant that Zhao Kuangyin valued him. However, Lu Qi could understand Zhao Kuangyin's intention, which was clearly to use his reputation in Jiangning to promote The people of Jiangning were under the rule of Zhou. "I'm grateful for Marshal Zhao's care." Lu Qi responded with emotion, nodding. King Cao¡¯s face trembled slightly after hearing this.Next, he became more and more wary of Zhao Kuangyin. He felt that Zhao Kuangyin was really good at winning over people's hearts. Lu Tianfeng now held heavy troops in Hexi, especially tens of thousands of cavalry. If he colluded with Zhao Kuangyin, then It is definitely a disaster for the Great Zhou Dynasty. "Now, Shangshu Lu is not inferior to Marshal Zhao. Especially when he has repeatedly opened up territories in the west, his achievements are higher than Marshal Zhao." King Cao praised with a smile. "Your Highness, you can't say that. Marshal Zhao is a pillar military minister who has served the Great Zhou Dynasty for many years. How can he be compared with me? Moreover, I have invaded Hexi and Beiting, but I know that the people in Hexi and Beiting are so vast. The total population is only 20% of that of Runzhou. Runzhou is a place of rich cultural heritage. Even if I continue to capture the four towns of Anxi, it will not be able to compare with Marshal Zhao's achievements." Lu Qizhengrong retorted. King Cao nodded after hearing this, and felt that what Lu Tianfeng said was reasonable. No matter how vast the territory was, without a population it would be a desolate and miserable land. However, Runzhou was indeed a large population and far richer than Hexi, so it was based on the standard of gaining war profits. In terms of merit, Zhao Kuangyin's enterprising merits are better than those of Lu Tianfeng. "You can say that, but I think that Lu Shangshu's meritorious service should also be awarded the title of county king." King Cao said with a smile. Lu Qiyi was startled, shook his head and said: "Your Highness should not say nonsense. If word spreads, Your Highness and his ministers will be in trouble." "I am just talking to Lu Shangshu, how can others know." King Cao said with a smile. Lu Qi hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Highness said this. Doesn't it mean that you can teach me?" King Cao looked at Lu Qi and said calmly: "In this land west of Hexi, if you can make the king of Xiliang County, then You will become the legitimate ruler of Hexi. I hope you can support me." Lu Qi shook his head after hearing this and said, "I understand what your highness means, but I don't want to participate in the struggle between the crown princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I have made it clear to His Highness King Ji, so please don¡¯t expect your support. I will only recognize the emperor¡¯s imperial edict.¡± King Cao raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°You have made it clear to King Ji, King Ji. Have you asked for support? " "Don't get me wrong, Your Highness, His Highness King Ji has not asked me for support. It's just that His Highness King Ji once discussed with me that if someone rebels in the court, His Highness King Ji will ask me if I will send troops to assist the king. He said that he would not take the initiative to send troops, because King Qin could easily cause the consequences of threatening the emperor, and if I send troops to King Qin in Hexi, the military strength in Hexi will easily get out of control. After all, the military strength in Hexi is almost all from the Fan tribe." Lu Qi answered calmly. King Cao nodded after hearing this and said: "So, you will not support me." "Your Highness, if I support His Highness in ascending to the throne, then I will have no way out and will always be charged with treason. Therefore, I will I will only support the imperial edict. That prince has become the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty, so naturally I should support him." Lu Qi replied calmly. King Cao was silent, and Lu Qi saluted again: "I would like to advise your highness, if you want to fight, try to fight from the palace, and don't hope for the support of foreign troops, otherwise, the great Zhou Dynasty will easily be in chaos." King Cao nodded and said: "What you said is considered loyal." "What I said is loyal. I have made progress in Hexi. But if Hexi does not have the power and strategic support of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Hexi will fall into civil strife and foreign war. Dangxiang and Tubo The reason why they dare not attack Hexi with all their strength is because of Zhou's intimidation and containment," Lu Qi responded calmly. King Cao nodded and said, "It's good if you can hold your ground." "I can only promise that I will not go against His Highness." Lu Qi said respectfully. King Cao nodded calmly. In fact, he was very satisfied with Lu Tianfeng's words. Of course he would not be stupid enough to ask Lu Tianfeng to send troops to Hexi. What he valued was the five thousand Shizhou military strength that went to Kaifeng Prefecture. Now he has obtained Lu Tianfeng's friendly attitude. , he could use Lu Tianfeng's name to win over the generals of the Tiger Wing Left Army.