Chapter 1565: Advance Payment

Under Yun Zheng's questioning, Wumuli told Yun Zheng the source of the news.

In the winter, they captured a barbarian who accidentally broke into their territory.

Because their tribes on the northern border had been invaded by the northern barbarians many times before, they had a deep hatred with them.

Their people originally planned to skin and pull out the tendons of the barbarian, but the barbarian wanted to save his life in exchange for an important piece of information.

Because they were often invaded by northern barbarians, the people in their tribe also understood the barbarian language.

After some inquiries, they finally got the news from the barbarians.

After receiving this news, Wumuli was worried that the northern barbarians would attack the Mongols, so he quickly sent people to secretly investigate the place mentioned by the barbarian.

In the end, they confirmed what the barbarian had said.

Over there, there were indeed nearly five thousand troops conducting training.

Moreover, the training was carried out in the cold winter with heavy snow.

However, they could only confirm that someone was practicing there.

As for whether Yun Li and Hai Landuo were there, they didn't know.

After all, he only sent three agile men to investigate, but facing the thousands of barbarian troops, the three men did not dare to get close at all.

After listening to Wumuli's words, Yun Zheng couldn't help but think secretly.

There is indeed a high possibility that the third brother ran away to the northern barbarians.

As for how Hailanduo ran to the northern barbarians, he didn't know.

But since the barbarians are training their troops, they must want to take revenge on him.

The only reason Lou Yi and Lao San got together was to take revenge on himself.

They are still training troops in the snow, obviously wanting to take advantage of the winter to launch revenge.

It seems that Lou Yi and his men are not stupid. They know that they are no match for us when the weather is warm, so they want to launch an attack in winter.

Exploit strengths and avoid weaknesses!

Well, this is very important news indeed.

If they are not prepared at all, they will most likely suffer losses when Lou Yi and Lao San lead their troops to launch a surprise attack in winter.

"The king knows."

Yun Zheng smiled, "This news is very timely. I will also report it to my father! If the news is true, I will give you another credit!"

Wumuli was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude immediately.

Afterwards, Yun Zheng ordered Ji Ran to host a banquet to entertain Wumuli.

After the dinner, Yun Zheng called Ji Ran to his room and told him what Wu Muli had said.

"If the northern barbarians want to attack, they should only attack Guizhou or Andong Protectorate, right?"

Ji Ran gave his own judgment.

"more or less!"

Yun Zheng nodded gently, "But you don't need to worry too much about this matter. I will ask others to handle it! You just need to take precautions in advance in Menghu and Zhen and He states."

"Yes!"

Ji Ran accepted the order.

"What do you think about what Wumuli said about the situation in the Mongols?"

Ji Ran was not a general leading an army, and Yun Zheng no longer discussed war matters with him.

Ji Ran thought for a moment and replied, "I do have an idea, but I wonder if it is feasible."

"Talk about it."

Yun Zheng looked at Ji Ran with interest.

Ji Ran replied: "If the Mongols are also incorporated into Daqian, I think we can first move most of the Mongols' troops to Zhen and He states to solve the problem of insufficient population in Zhen and He states!"

"Don't you want the Menghu territory anymore?" Yun Zheng asked with a smile.

"Yes, of course!"

Ji Ran answered without hesitation: "But you can ask for it in a few years! Anyway, those lands cannot be taken away. They are my Daqian's lands. It's just that there are not many people there at the moment..."

Ji Ran’s idea is very simple.

Although the Mongols were not numerous, they could not support so many people.

Instead of doing this, it would be better to move most of the people to Zhen and He states and develop these two states first.

In this way, those who stayed in Menghu could obtain more resources.

After these two states develop, we will then develop towards Menghu.

This can also be considered as promoting national integration.

To put it bluntly, even if the Menghu territory was occupied by others, with Daqian's current military strength, it can take it back at any time.

Ji Ran personally believes that Zhen, He states and Menghu are all places with great potential!

But now, concentrating manpower to develop one place is the best option.

If Zhen and He states developed and had sufficient food, they would be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort when expanding towards Menghu and it would also reduce the transportation losses of food and materials.

Listening to Ji Ran's thoughts, Yun Zheng couldn't help but think silently.

Ji Ran’s idea does make some sense.

In war, we all know to concentrate superior forces to attack the enemy. The same is true for governing a place.

However, there are some hidden dangers in doing so.

If Zhen and He states are well developed in the future, no one will be willing to go to the impoverished Mongolia.

Unless you can find abundant resources there.

Or, carry out forced population migration again.

But then again, let alone Daqian, even the cold places in his previous life were not inhabited by many people.

It is human nature to choose the best.

After thinking silently for a while, Yun Zheng made up his mind: "Then follow your idea. At the same time, we must send people to follow Wumuli back to Menghu to carefully investigate the situation there! We can send more people to focus on investigating various mineral deposits!"

As long as there are mineral deposits, industrial development can be carried out.

With industry, people will naturally gather there.

"Yes!"

Ji Ran gladly accepted the order.

"Also, report this matter to Father!"

Yun Zheng ordered again: "After investigating the situation over there, you can exaggerate it a little in front of Wu Muli. As long as we know the real situation, it will be fine!"

Proper exaggeration?

Ji Ran was stunned for a moment, then reacted.

This was done intentionally to give Wumuli more credit for surrendering his land.

This is also a disguised way to win over Wumuli's heart.

"I understand!"

Ji Ran smiled.

"Also, your rank should be raised."

Yun Zheng said seriously again.

"what?"

Ji Ran was stunned and immediately shook his head and said, "I have done nothing meritorious, how can I..."

"Listen to what I have to say!"

Yun Zheng interrupted Ji Ran, "This king intends to directly let you hold the rank of the third rank! However, this is an advance payment of your official rank. You can't even think about getting promoted within five to seven years. But for other rewards, this king will not be stingy..."

Now with the addition of the Mongols, although the number of people under Ji Ran’s rule is not large, the territory he governs is not small.

To his left was Beihuan, and to his right was Andong Protectorate.

Lian Hesheli was an official of the third rank.

If his official rank is not raised, he will not be able to control the situation.

However, although Ji Ran had made contributions, his contributions were not great enough to allow him to be promoted directly from the fourth rank to the third rank.

Therefore, the current official titles are all given to him in advance to facilitate him to better govern the territories under his rule.

He needs to explain the situation to Ji Ran first.

This will prevent Ji Ran from feeling unbalanced when he doesn’t get promoted for many years in the future.

After understanding Yun Zheng's intention, Ji Ran no longer refused and bowed to express his gratitude.

"Just know it yourself!"

Yun Zheng smiled, "I will leave for Andong Protectorate tomorrow, so I'll leave this place to you!"

"I will definitely live up to my official position!"

Ji Ran answered solemnly...