I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 550 Western Region
In fact, the army led by Xu Huang and Zhang Fei was not large. After all, although there was an oasis in the Hexi Corridor, the area of ​​the oasis was limited and the grain output was limited, and it could not support a large army.

Therefore, including the troops of Xu Huang and Zhang Fei, plus the troops to be recruited from the various counties in Hexi, there were only more than 5,000 troops.

But the two of them were not afraid at all.

That night, after Xu Huang and Zhang Fei had inspected the camp, they sat opposite each other. Zhang Fei carried a book with him. Seeing Xu Huang's curiosity, he explained, "Recently, I have read the records about the Western Regions. In the past, Ban Dingyuan led 2,000 elite soldiers to pacify Shule and stabilize the Western Regions. Now we lead 5,000 elite soldiers, so why worry about the unrest in the Western Regions?"

After hearing this, Xu Huang said to Zhang Fei, "When Ban Dingyuan was in the Western Regions, whenever he led troops to suppress rebellions, he would always receive support from the troops and grain of the various countries in the region, and he was invincible. Later, Ren Shang, who succeeded Ban Dingyuan, showed no kindness in the Western Regions, and only wanted to stop killing and gain military merit. Although he had more than 10,000 soldiers, he was defeated at some point."

Zhang Fei listened for a long time and finally understood what Xu Huang meant. He said with some dissatisfaction: "Gongming's words are too boring. If you want to persuade me not to be greedy for merit, just say it directly. Am I the kind of person who ignores the overall situation for the sake of military merit? Without your reminder, would I still be as greedy for merit as Ren Shang?"

Xu Huang looked at Zhang Fei, who had no intention of lowering his voice, and thought to himself, "It's hard to say."

However, he immediately apologized to Zhang Fei on the surface, saying, "Don't blame me, Yide. I did misunderstand you. After all, this is my first time to take on such an important task, and I am somewhat nervous. Don't hold it against me, Yide."

Zhang Fei said, "Since you are so sincere, let's forget about it. We have been colleagues for many years in Liangzhou. Don't you know my temper? Just say what you want to say!"

Xu Huang responded immediately after hearing this. It was precisely because he knew Zhang Fei that he spoke of this at this time. Zhang Fei could understand the hint, which was actually no different from speaking directly.

Zhang Fei said loudly again: "Don't worry, Gongming, I will help you! We work together, these clowns in the Western Regions are nothing to worry about!"

Xu Huang also knew that Zhang Fei was not a completely reckless man. Especially when fighting, he would sometimes come up with some strange but useful ideas. He nodded in agreement when he heard this.

The main general and the deputy general reached an agreement. They set out from Wuwei County, bringing with them the troops and horses that had been prepared in advance by the four counties of Hexi, and incorporated them into the ranks while marching.

Arrange subordinates, train formations...

The number of troops also increased.

After walking for a while, they arrived at Dunhuang County.

"Lord Zhao, what is this?" Xu Huang looked at the cavalrymen prepared by Dunhuang County in front of him. This scene was really beyond his expectations.

It’s not that the cavalrymen are not strong enough or their numbers are insufficient...it’s that there are too many of them.

Dunhuang County had the largest population among the four counties in Hexi, even more than Wuwei County in the east.

Because Liangzhou was vast and sparsely populated, and in order to ensure the stability of Liangzhou, the wind of measuring land did not blow here. But Liangzhou's foundation was here, and the number of Han people was generally limited. When Xu Huang and Zhang Fei saw the white-haired Dunhuang prefect Zhao Qi personally taking them to meet the Dunhuang County cavalry of more than 2,000 people, they were extremely shocked.

According to the original plan, although Dunhuang County needed to send the most troops, it only needed 1,300 soldiers and horses. In this way, the troops of each county combined with their own troops would have more than enough of 5,000 cavalry.

Moreover, since leaving Yumen Pass, the area can be said to be uninhabited, and the distance is still far, so it is difficult to arrange for civilians to transport food and supplies from Dunhuang County. Therefore, there are nearly a thousand people, mainly Qiang people, who are responsible for managing the horse-drawn carriages, donkey carts, etc. for transporting food and supplies. If these people are counted, there will be 6,000 people.

But now there are nearly a thousand more soldiers and horses in Dunhuang - these people eat what the horses chew... The original thousand people were already a little stretched to transport food and grass, and now there are more people and horses.

Again, with the strength of the counties in Liangzhou, even with several years of accumulation, the number of troops they can send to the Western Regions is limited.

Xu Huang and Zhang Fei were naturally happy to have extra troops.

But sending troops only requires recruiting people, while there are many more things to consider when arranging logistics.

Dunhuang Governor Zhao Qi pointed at the soldiers in the parade ground and said with a smile: "Since the news of the attack on the Western Regions Governor's Mansion came, I have been prepared. In the past, because the road to Hexi was cut off, we had to withdraw from the Western Regions. Now that we return to the Western Regions, if we are humiliated and do not respond... How can we destroy the cause created by our ancestors with great difficulty?"

"The majesty of the Han family cannot be violated!"

Zhao Qi continued to introduce: "In addition to the originally planned 1,300 cavalry, the remaining 1,000 cavalry are all the sons of heroes from various families in Dunhuang who came here on their own initiative. I hope the General will make good use of them."

But the baggage problem was still unsolved, so Xu Huang asked, "Lord Zhao, these baggage..."

Before he could finish his question, Zhang Fei said, "Gongming, why should you be so anxious? Since Lord Zhao has prepared extra troops to accompany the army westward, how could he not have considered the issue of baggage?"

After saying that, Zhang Fei smiled politely at Zhao Qi.

Zhao Qi couldn't tell for a moment who Zhang Fei was speaking for, but he was well prepared and answered immediately: "Don't worry, General Zhonglang. These heroes will bring more food and grass for use. In addition, due to the chaos in the Western Regions in the past few months, the trade routes have been cut off again. Many merchants from various countries in the Western Regions have stayed in Dunhuang... He has screened out some who are not suspected of being spies, and they will help share some of the transportation of food and grass."

Perhaps anticipating Xu Huang's problem, Zhao Qi emphasized: "Since they have arrived at the army, they should be dealt with according to military law. The Lieutenant General need not worry about it. Merchants also have a fixed number of goods. If the Lieutenant General finds something wrong, he can deal with it!"

Xu Huang was not a complete military man. As the Protector of the Qiang, he had been involved in a lot of governance work over the years.

Soon he understood why these heroes of Dunhuang County were willing to join, because the land output of Dunhuang was limited, and the real benefits came from the commercial benefits brought by Dunhuang's unique geographical location. Now the situation in the Western Regions was chaotic, and the commercial interests they had finally recovered were interrupted. It would be strange that they were willing to join!
But he knew that although this series of tasks seemed simple, the required reputation and execution were indispensable to complete it.

After hearing this, Xu Huang bowed to Zhao Qi earnestly.

Finally, after completing the final baggage supply in Dunhuang County, nearly 7,000 troops, accompanied by Zhao Qi, Dunhuang County officials, and the elders of Zhengzhong, marched west out of Yumen Pass.

Prefect Zhao Qi stood on the city wall of Yumen Pass and watched the army leave.

The last time a Han army of this scale marched into the Western Regions was when Ban Chao’s son Ban Yong served as the Chief of the Western Regions.

The person responsible for leading them this time was still Suo Zhan, one of the Five Dragons of Dunhuang.

On the way, he, as the chief clerk of Dunhuang County, introduced to Xu Huang and Zhang Fei: "Hundreds of years ago, there were thirty-six countries in the Western Regions. After wars and divisions, there were still fifty-five countries in the Western Regions a few decades ago. There is no definite number to date, but there are always more than thirty countries. Most of them are small countries with a population of less than ten thousand. Among the countries in the Western Regions, those with an army of more than one thousand can be called a big country."

"The one that deserves praise is Shanshan. Among the countries in the southern part of the Western Regions, Shanshan is the closest to Dunhuang. The Western Regions Chief Secretary's Office is established here, and it is also the place we will go to first."

"Shanshan has 60,000 to 70,000 households and more than 5,000 soldiers. After the two tribes of Cheshi united and attacked together with the Xianbei, the Western Regions Chief Secretary's Office and his subordinates disappeared, and Shanshan has surrendered to the Xianbei."

"However, Shanshan has been repeatedly plundered by the Xianbei and Cheshi, and its people are resentful of the Xianbei. Once the royal army arrives, they will definitely submit!"

Suo Zhan said it with certainty. Shanshan, and Haitou City, where the Western Regions Chief's Office was supposed to be located, not far from Loulan City, was exactly the primary target of Xu Huang and Zhang Fei's trip.

In order to fight the Xianbei, they needed a rear base and a place that could temporarily and continuously supply food and grass.

Zhang Fei said, "I remember when Hu Changshi was in charge of the Western Regions, he did not bring many soldiers with him due to the limited national strength. But it should not be a problem for him to unite the countries in the southern part of the Western Regions to fight against the Xianbei, right?"

Suo Zhan explained: "Although Shanshan is a big country, it is still not as big as Khotan and Shule to its west. These two countries and Yanqi and Qiuci to its north all have 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers... And this country is submissive to the Han Dynasty on the surface, but in fact, seeing that the royal army has not arrived in the Western Regions for a long time, it chose to make peace with the Xianbei privately."

As for the remaining Suo Zhan, there was no need to explain, Zhang Fei already knew it.

Even when the Han Dynasty controlled the Western Regions, the two major Western Regions powers, Shule and Khotan, would change their attitudes towards the Han Dynasty due to changes in rulers and power, let alone now.

Suo Zhan was born in Dunhuang County and was familiar with the nature of the countries in the Western Regions. He continued, "Now that the royal army has arrived in the Western Regions, it is different from before. In my humble opinion, once the royal army arrives, all the countries will surely follow!"

For the countries in the Western Regions, they will help whoever is stronger.

Trying to get the Western Regions to send troops to fight against the Xianbei just by relying on the name of the Han Dynasty might work for a while, but it won't last long.

Hu Zhen does not have the prestige that Ban Chao had in the Western Regions. This is the difference between charging for me and charging with me.

……

Just as the army was marching towards Loulan City, Mi Fang had already stayed in Qiemo City in the south of Shanshan State for a long time.

Qiemo City was originally part of Qiemo State, a small Western Region country with a population of over a thousand people and mainly engaged in farming. It was located on the southern trade route from Shanshan to the west. Later, Qiemo State was incorporated into Shanshan, leaving behind the name Qiemo City.

In the past few years, when the trade routes to the Western Regions were open, this place became prosperous again.

But now, as the Xianbei people took control of the Shanshan Kingdom and increased the taxes collected along the way, many caravans with a mixed population gathered in this southern city that the Xianbei people had not yet taken control of.

Mi Fang was doing business in the Western Regions and had some good friends there. On this day, he left the city lord's place and immediately returned to his residence.

"What's the situation?" Someone in the courtyard asked hurriedly when he saw Mi Fang coming.

Mi Fang shook his head, not looking too optimistic: "It's not optimistic...According to the news from the merchants, a rebellion broke out in the east of Luoyang, and there has been no news of the royal army going out to fight."

"It's a pity that these Shanshan people are unwilling to help me with all their strength. Otherwise, even if I can't get help from Qiuci and Yanqi, I will still be able to fight against the Xianbei people!"

After hearing this, Mi Fang consoled him, saying, "At least the Shanshan people still dare not offend the Han Dynasty, so they took the risk to rescue the Chief Secretary and placed him here."

Judging from Mi Fang's tone, the person talking to him was Hu Zhen, the Chief Secretary of the Western Regions.

But Hu Zhen didn't feel comforted at all after hearing Mi Fang's words.

He lamented, "I only regret that the men who followed me died at the hands of the bandits, and I cannot avenge them!"

Seeing this, Mi Fang told Hu Zhen another piece of bad news: "I just met the city lord, who said that the Xianbei people have come to Qiemo City. They will be gentle to the Hu merchants, but will be ruthless to the Han merchants... The city lord advised us to go west."

"We have to pack up quickly and leave here before the city lord changes his mind and offers us to the Xianbei people."

Hu Zhen was also a decisive person. Upon hearing this, he put aside his feelings and agreed with Mi Fang's judgment.

When Mi Fang and the caravan were packing up goods and supplies, someone suddenly came to report that Shanshan soldiers had arrived outside the yard.

Mi Fang and Hu Zhen, who came after hearing the news, looked at each other and both thought of a possibility.

Hu Zhen clenched his sword and said angrily, "If they dare to betray us... I have observed that there are only three or four hundred soldiers in the entire Qiemo City. As long as we kill their general, we may have a chance to capture the city!"

Mi Fang was somewhat suspicious as to why the city lord changed his mind so quickly. Immediately, he received a notification that it was the city lord who came in person?

Hu Zhen secretly signaled to Mi Fang that if anything unexpected happened, it would be a good idea to capture the leader first!
Almost immediately, dozens of Shanshan soldiers arrived at the courtyard with the city lord. The city lord had a smile on his face and opened his arms warmly to hug Hu Zhen, but when Hu Zhen looked cold, he withdrew his arms in disappointment.

But he kept smiling, and said to Hu Zhen and Mi Fang: "I just got the news that the Han army has finally arrived!"

"And, it's not two or three thousand, it's seven or eight thousand!" The city lord stretched out his two hands exaggeratedly and gestured.

These are seven or eight thousand elite Han soldiers! One of them can defeat four or five Shanshan soldiers.

Thinking of this, the city lord's smile towards Hu Zhen and Mi Fang became even wider.

He felt that he had been very respectful to both of them during this period, so he shouldn't have been rude in any way... right?

The city lord continued, "My king has decided to unite with the Han army to drive out the Xianbei people and counterattack the Cheshi Kingdom. I wonder if the chief secretary would like to go and meet the army now? I am willing to send someone to escort and lead the way!"

After hearing this, Mi Fang looked at Hu Zhen.

He first asked, "Do you know who is the general leading the army?"

The city lord shook his head and said, "I don't know their names, I only know that one is surnamed Xu and the other is surnamed Zhang."

Mi Fang immediately thought of Xu Huang and Zhang Fei. Yes, these two were the most likely to be sent out to quell the rebellion. Thinking of this, Mi Fang let down his guard and suggested to Hu Zhen: "After all, those two generals are not familiar with the Western Regions. Why don't the Chief Secretary meet up with the reinforcements as soon as possible?"

Hu Zhen had been feeling very depressed for a long time. Now that he heard that reinforcements were coming, he could no longer hold back and immediately responded, "Don't wait any longer. Let's set off immediately!"

He wants revenge!

(End of this chapter)