Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 548: Reasons for War
After much thought, Zhao Mu came up with a very far-fetched and ridiculous reason, which was that the Uighurs of Xizhou intermarried with the Liao Dynasty with the intention of doing something bad to the State of Qi.

Although the reason was ridiculous, the morale of the Qi army reached its peak after Zhao Mu announced that he would lead the army in person.

After all, in the hearts of all the Song Dynasty soldiers, Zhao Mu was their military god. So after a simple pre-war mobilization and a simple oath-taking ceremony in Lingzhou City, Zhao Mu set out from Lingzhou City with 30,000 cavalry.

Zhao Mu made sufficient preparations for this Western Expedition. He prepared a total of 80,000 troops for this expedition against the Gaochang Uighurs.

Among them, 30,000 cavalry set out from Lingzhou City, and 20,000 cavalry had already arrived at Suzhou and Guazhou. There were also 30,000 infantry who had been preparing on the Dunhuang Yumen line for many days.

Zhao Mu still fought on two fronts this time. He personally led 30,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry out of Yumen Pass to attack Gaochang. The cavalry in Guazhou and Suzhou crossed the Qilian Mountains to attack the grass-headed Tatars and the yellow-headed Uighurs, allies of the Gaochang Uighurs, to prevent them from cutting off their retreat.

As for the remaining troops of Qi State, they were all transferred to the north to guard against the invasion of Khitan, while Zhao Mu's most elite Iron Buddha Army was left to defend the capital Lingzhou City.

After making the arrangements, Zhao Mu led his army out of Yumen Pass.

The Western Region Uighurs were also very sensitive to the movements of the Qi army during this period. Although they did not send any envoys, they were prepared to defend themselves when they saw that Qi had significantly increased its troops at Yumen.

But their preparations were somewhat redundant for Zhao Mu.

Because many of the troops led by Zhao Mu this time were mixed with the old Xixia troops who did not want to leave and stayed in Qi. These people's combat effectiveness in desert and grassland environments exceeded that of the Song army under Zhao Mu.

As for the new troops trained by Zhao Mu, Zhao Mu would naturally not use these rookies to fight, but let them replace other garrison troops.

Moreover, the weapons and equipment of the Qi army were much better than those of the Uighurs, and they also had the help of guides from the Mingjiao and the Lingjiu Palace.

In less than three days, the army sent by the Western Region Uighurs to fight was defeated by Zhao Mu.

Soon, the army of Qi State occupied Datun City, an important southern town of the Western Region Uighurs, seized the water source of Puchang Sea, and opened the first gateway of Qi State to Gaochang, Yizhou City (Hami).

After ensuring that his logistical supplies were not affected, Zhao Mu personally led the cavalry straight to Gaochang City.

A few days later, they arrived at the city of Gaochang. Before the Western Region Uighur King could escape, he was surrounded by Zhao Mu's 30,000 cavalry. And the follow-up infantry was also on the way with siege equipment.

That night, Zhao Mu was waiting quietly in his tent when a servant outside the tent came to report, "Your Majesty, the Uighur envoy wants to see you!"

Musa was pouring tea for Zhao Mu. Zhao Mu looked at Musa and asked, "Musa, do you think we should meet this messenger?"

Zhao Mu did not bring Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju with him on this expedition to the west. After all, the environment in Xizhou was harsh, and Zhao Mu did not want to bring them along to suffer with him. So he left them all in Lingzhou City.

But Musa, as a native of Gaochang, had the opportunity to come back and visit, so she certainly didn't want to miss this opportunity. Zhao Mu considered that he might need an interpreter or something, so he brought her to serve him personally. Musa replied: "In my opinion, there is no need to meet them. But since they are here, it doesn't hurt to meet them. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of my trip?" Musa couldn't help but smile.

Zhao Mu said, "Well, for the sake of my beloved concubine, I will make an exception and see him this time." Then Zhao Mu looked at the attendant and said, "Call him in."

After receiving the order, the servant turned and left.

Zhao Mu also sighed at this time and said: "Since the war started, we have successively captured Datun, Yizhou and other places. Now we are at the gates of Gaochang. The Uighur King just remembered to send an envoy to ask for an audience. I really don't know what he is thinking."

Musa smiled and said, "Oh! It's not that he didn't send any messengers, but the messengers he sent were all robbed and killed by my men."

"Ah? Is there such a thing? Why did you do this?" Zhao Mu asked.

Musa said, "No, I'm afraid that my king might be soft-hearted and agree to their request for peace. In fact, after they were defeated in our first battle outside Yumen, the Uighur King had already sent out envoys. But I used my sister's right-hand order to order the Mingjiao disciples hiding in Gaochang City to closely monitor Gaochang City. If any envoys are sent, they will be killed on the spot."

At this point, Musa sighed and said, "Alas! But I didn't expect that I would be so self-defeating. The successive killings of the messengers have caught their attention. We, the people of the Ming Cult, originally wanted to help you open the city gate by cooperating with the outside forces. Now they have sealed three of the city gates. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to wait for those siege weapons to arrive."

Zhao Mu said with a smile, "It doesn't matter. It just takes a little more time. We are marching straight ahead, and this time our speed is even faster than when we conquered Xixia before. It has greatly exceeded my expectations. I have already sent an envoy to inform Xixia. Xixia also sent me a fast horse to inform me that Helian Tieshu has led 20,000 Tangut cavalry to help in the war to wipe out the Yellow-headed Uighurs. When we conquer Gaochang City and get the benefits, we will give some to my father-in-law."

While the two were talking, the Uighur envoy walked into the tent.

The Uighur envoy said in broken Chinese: "Uighur envoy, greets His Majesty the Prince of Qi!"

Zhao Mu looked at the bearded man in front of him and said, "Sir, please don't be polite. Just say whatever you want to say."

The Uighur envoy then asked, "We are here at the order of our Majesty to ask His Majesty the Prince of Qi. The Uighurs have always been on good terms with the Song Dynasty, and have paid tribute to us over the years. Why did His Majesty the Prince of Qi send an unknown army to invade us?"

Zhao Mu laughed after hearing what the Uighur envoy said, "Haha. Your Excellency is wrong. I believe you have seen the banners of the army that attacked you this time. Although I am a minister of the Song Dynasty, this Western Expedition has nothing to do with the Song Dynasty government. It is completely independent of my Qi State. You told me that you are on good terms with the Song Dynasty government, but what does this have to do with my Qi State?"

The Uighur envoy was stunned when he heard what Zhao Mu said. He then asked, "Why did Qi invade us? Please tell me, Lord!"

Zhao Mu really felt that the envoy in front of him was a little bit stupid. Since ancient times, strong countries have swallowed up weak countries. What other reason is needed for this?
You are weaker than me, and you lag behind me, which is the best reason. Although you may not be beaten if you lag behind, that is just because I don't want to beat you today.

However, in order to show his justice, Zhao Mu said: "It's very simple. You Uighurs accepted the marriage proposal from Liao without my permission. You married Liao without my permission, and this alliance is not in the interests of Qi. So in order to prevent you from joining Liao in the future, which is detrimental to Qi, I have to take the initiative."

(End of this chapter)