286: Chapter 286 Shang Ziling's Heart Flutter

In the Imperial Study of Xianyang Palace, Zhao Fusu was staring absentmindedly at a massive map hanging on the wall.

The Hexi Corridor was named for its location west of the Yellow River and its corridor-like shape. It stretched from northwest to southeast, spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers in length, with a width ranging from a few kilometers to nearly a hundred, reaching nearly 200 kilometers at its widest point in the north and south.

The land area of the Hexi Corridor was vast, but Gobi, deserts, and mountains occupied most of it. Land suitable for agricultural development was limited to the oasis plains in the central part of the corridor. Furthermore, the scarcity of water resources in the Hexi Corridor restricted the large-scale development of agriculture there.

The strategic value of the Hexi Corridor outweighed its agricultural value.

In ancient times, the Hexi Corridor had always been a territory contested by the School of Military Strategy.

If the dynasties of the Central Plains wanted to take the Western Regions, they had to pass through the Hexi Corridor.

If the Xiongnu and other nomadic tribes of the grasslands wanted to take the Western Regions, they also had to pass through the Hexi Corridor!

Although the Hexi Corridor was not suitable for agriculture, its mineral resources were abundant. Proven reserves included 66 types of minerals across more than 330 various deposits, with a potential economic value of approximately 312.8 billion yuan.

The primary minerals in the Hexi Corridor included coal, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold, silver, petroleum, chemical raw materials, as well as non-metallic minerals, metallurgical non-metals, and building material non-metals.

The mineral deposits in the Hexi Corridor were not only diverse and large in reserves, but the grade of some mineral types was also very high.

The retained reserves of nickel, cobalt, selenium, and platinum group metals—namely platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium—as well as molding clay, ranked first in the country.

Whether it was for conquering the Western Regions or developing industry, he had to seize the Hexi Corridor and establish commanderies and counties to manage it.

The primary ethnic group living in the Hexi Corridor was the Qiang people.

The predecessors of the Qin people were the Huaxia People, who originated from the Yellow River basin. With agricultural production as their primary way of life, they possessed a more advanced civilization and social organization.

The Qiang people were an important ethnic group in ancient western China, possessing their own unique culture and traditions.

Their origins could be traced back to ancient times, primarily active in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Gansu, Qinghai, and other regions. The Qiang people relied on nomadic herding as their main lifestyle, possessing strong mobility and combat effectiveness.

When the Greater Yuezhi were powerful, the Qiang people submitted to them.

When the Xiongnu became powerful, the Greater Yuezhi were driven away by them, and the Qiang people's territory was incorporated into the domain of the Right Worthy King.

The Qiang people also submitted to the Xiongnu people.

One 'Kun' year ago, Zhao Fusu defeated the Xiongnu Kingdom.

The Xiongnu Kingdom subsequently split into the Northern Desert Xiongnu Kingdom and the Southern Desert Xiongnu Kingdom.

Logically, the Hexi Corridor should have been assigned to the territory of the Southern Desert's Right Worthy King.

However, the current Southern Desert Right Worthy King's tribe was formed through the integration of the Jintu Tribe, Qinglan Tribe, Liefeng Tribe, Chiyanju Tribe, Shuangzong Tribe, and Lingyu Tribe.

Their strength was limited, and their reach could not yet extend to the Hexi Corridor.

This resulted in the Greater Yuezhi taking advantage of the vacuum; they had staged a comeback and reclaimed control over the Hexi Corridor.

Zhao Fusu rubbed his chin with his fingers.

To take the Hexi Corridor, he would have to defeat the Greater Yuezhi and the Qiang leaders.

To thoroughly secure the Hexi Corridor, besides stationing troops, a large number of immigrants would be needed to change the demographic structure of the region.

Only when the population of their Great Qin exceeded that of the Qiang people would they truly have complete control over the Hexi Corridor.

"His Majesty the Head of State, the leader of the Shang Family has been brought here."

He Zhi spoke with a bow outside the door.

"Enter."

Zhao Fusu snapped out of his thoughts.

"He Zhi pays his respects to His Majesty the Head of State!"

"This lowly woman pays her respects to His Majesty the Head of State!"

Shang Ziling did not dare to look at Zhao Fusu.

With a hurried glance, she only knew that the man before her was not the old fogey she had imagined, but a young man who was remarkably handsome.

Shang Ziling's heart fluttered. She couldn't help but lift her head to steal another look.

"Oh?"

Zhao Fusu let out a soft sound of surprise. He had not expected the leader of the Shang Family to be a woman, let alone a mixed-race woman with purple eyes!