Zhao Yao calculated the time; by now, Liang Run and the others should have opened a shop in Wusun.
In Wusun, besides the Wusun people, there are quite a few people from the Central Plains, as well as many from other countries in the Western Regions. As Liang Run put it, Wusun is a big melting pot, with people from everywhere.
Oh, there are some Xiongnu people too. They fled to Wusun to escape trouble. As soon as Liang Run and the others arrived in Wusun, they heard a lot about the Xiongnu.
Just recently, the new Modu Chanyu failed in his attack on the Qiu Lin Tribe.
The Qiu Lin Tribe united with the Han Tribe to resist the new Modu Chanyu’s attack, delivering a heavy blow to his knights.
The knights sent by the new Modu Chanyu to attack the Qiu Lin Tribe were not his most elite. He underestimated the Qiu Lin Tribe, dispatching his second knight legion, only to be heavily defeated by the Qiu Lin and Han Tribes.
Soon after, the new Modu Chanyu sent his most elite knights to attack the Qiu Lin Tribe once more. This time, the Qiu Lin Tribe joined forces with the Lang Clan Tribe, and together the three tribes triumphed over the new Modu Chanyu’s forces.
The new Modu Chanyu’s army suffered heavy losses. He had initially planned to unite with the Hu Yan Clan, Lan Clan, and Xubo Clan he had previously brought under control, to attack the Qiu Lin Tribe. However, he didn’t anticipate that the Hu Yan Clan would defect.
Fearing that the remaining Lan Clan and Xubo Clan might also defect, the new Modu Chanyu had to temporarily abandon plans to attack the Qiu Lin Tribe. He planned to bring back the defecting Hu Yan Clan, but he didn’t expect them to ally with the Qiu Lin Tribe instead.
The alliance of the Qiu Lin, Han, Lang, and Hu Yan Clans posed a significant threat to the new Modu Chanyu.
When Liang Run wrote this letter, the four tribes were preparing to unite and attack the new Modu Chanyu.
Upon reading this, Zhao Yao murmured in his heart: I wonder if the four tribes have already started fighting the new Modu Chanyu. He hopes the four tribes can eliminate the new Modu Chanyu, so the various Xiongnu tribes won’t have to be merged for a while. However, the new Modu Chanyu has some skills; he might not be easily eliminated.
Hopefully, this battle will last a while, ideally resulting in mutual destruction, so that all the Xiongnu tribes will stay calm for a time and the Great Zhou’s borders will remain secure for a while.
In his letter, Liang Run told Zhao Yao that other countries in the Western Regions, seeing the good relations between Wusun and the Great Zhou, also have the idea of befriending the Great Zhou, but they are currently observing. They fear the Great Zhou will be like the previous Xia Dynasty.
Reading this, a thought suddenly popped into Zhao Yao’s mind. In the history of the dreamed world of Zhao Yao, there was a Silk Road, also connected to the Western Regions.
Zhao Yao stroked his chin, with a thoughtful expression, perhaps the Great Zhou could also create a Silk Road, and establish good relations with the countries of the Western Regions; this way, it would not only earn money but also ally to guard against the Xiongnu.
However, before creating a Silk Road, it would be wise for his second uncle’s merchant team to do business with the countries of the Western Regions, to show the goodwill and sincerity of the Great Zhou to the Western Regions. In this way, the countries of the Western Regions will be particularly willing to establish good relations with the Great Zhou in the future and then cooperate to build a mutually supportive Silk Road.
Speaking of a Silk Road with the Western Regions, Zhao Yao thought of the maritime Silk Road.
The maritime Silk Road holds greater benefits. To establish a Silk Road, a fleet is necessary first.
Ships must be built, then a fleet organized to go to sea and trade with countries along the coast, just like in Zhao Yao’s dreamed world with Zheng He exploring the Western Ocean.
The fleet must be built, and the Western Ocean must be explored. He needs to ponder this carefully.
Zhao Yao decided to write a letter to his eldest uncle, to thoroughly inquire about the situation in Qingzhou and the maritime conditions there.
Oh, he should also have his eldest uncle send him a few birds from Qingzhou, so he can ask them about the sea conditions there.
This matter must be handled immediately.
It would be great if he could personally visit Qingzhou, but unfortunately, he is still a child, and his annoying royal father won’t allow him to go.
Wait, he could sneak there secretly.
No, if his mother consort finds out he sneaked to Qingzhou, she and his annoying royal father will surely kill him when he returns from Qingzhou.
About building a fleet, aren’t the people from Yangzhou quite skilled? There are many rivers there, and lots of boats.
"Uncle Eight, does the Liang family have their own fleet?"