Author: Gongsun Wujiu

In January of the first year of Hou, the first round of expansion of the Han army in the Western Regions was successfully completed.

At this point, the Han Army in the Western Regions already had five fully-staffed military corps and four under-manned military corps.

Zhang Yue and Geng Shu were stationed in Luntai, and they had the most powerful troops, with tens of thousands of cavalry and two thousand officers and men.

In addition, there are six thousand cavalry from Yiyi, and eight thousand soldiers from various countries.

Guo Kai's troops were stationed in the city of Shoujiang in the west, with four thousand cavalry and one thousand two hundred officers. The other countries had two thousand troops.

The Han Jiang tribe moved to Duixu Valley (Urumqi) and began to build the city.

The army has three thousand cavalry, two thousand officers, one thousand soldiers from various countries, and one thousand righteous cavalry.

Ma Han's troops moved to Yanqi, and now they have expanded to 5,000 people, with 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 officials.

Zhao Guanghan, Zhao Yi, Han Ye, and Wu Tong also each have four songs, but each song has less than 150-200 people.

The successful completion of the first step of the plan excited everyone in the Han army in the Western Regions.

Zhao Yi, Han Jiang, Zhao Guanghan, and Wu Tong all requested that the second round of military expansion be carried out in advance.

Zhang Yue summoned Guo Kai, Han Jiang, Geng Shu, Pan Hong, Pang Yi, Cai Ting, Yang You and others for discussion.

"Don't worry, sir, there will be no problem in terms of military expenditures. Luntai alone can support all the military expenditures of the Han army in the Western Regions..."

Due to the prosperity of Silk Road trade and the rapid development of Luntai commerce, Pan Hong already had huge wealth in his hands, so he was full of confidence.

Cai Ting also said confidently, "The food and grass reserves are also sufficient..."

But at this time, Pang Yi said with a troubled face, "Your Majesty, there is no shortage of all kinds of weapons in the general camp, but the armor required by the soldiers is far from enough..."

Zhang Yue heard this and asked, "How many armors are there in Mr. Pang's office?"

Pang Yi said, "The inventory is now empty. There are only more than 2,000 old leather armors and only more than 300 new cotton armors left. If we expand the army again, it will take at least nine months to equip all newly recruited soldiers with armors..."

At this point, he paused and continued, "This is still a situation where a war does not happen. Once a war occurs, a large amount of armor will be needed to supplement the losses..."

Zhang Yue nodded in understanding, then turned to the others and asked, "What do you think?"

At this time, Cai Ting said, "My subordinates believe that the second batch of expanded armies will mostly be defensive troops, and the missing armor can be replenished slowly. There is no need to rush..."

Yang You also supported, "What Cai Gong said is true. When I was in Zhangye, I was also without armor... We should form an army as soon as possible..."

Pan Hong said at this time, "In fact, there is no shortage of armor in the Western Region. There must be more than 9,700 pairs of armor in various barriers..."

Zhang Yue shook his head and said, "Each barrier is the foundation of the Western Region, and its arsenal cannot be touched lightly."

When Pan Hong heard this, he did not mention the barrier arsenal.

Zhang Yue thought for a moment and then asked Cai Ting, "Mr. Cai, how much grain is there in the Western Regions now?"

Cai Ting quickly reported a figure, "The king currently has four million dan of grain and 16 million dan of wild grass in various places in the Western Region...enough to maintain the needs of the army!"

Pang Yi was surprised when he heard this, "There is so much food and grass..."

Zhang Yue thought about it in his mind and said, "It would be better to increase the reserve by 500,000 stones!"

Cai Ting nodded and said, "Are you worried that the Huns will invade in large numbers?"

Zhang Yue said with a serious face, "Not only the Xiongnu, but the Kangju people are also ready to take action, and their ambitions are not small..."

Pan Hong heard this and asked, "But is there something new in Yarkand?"

Zhang Yue did not hide anything, "The day before yesterday, Liu Yi sent people to report that he defeated and infiltrated the Kangju people a hundred miles northeast of Shache City and rescued more than 400 stragglers..."

When Yang You heard this, he said bitterly, "This clown in Kangju should be punished by the army!"

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "This is natural. Anyone who dares to offend our big man will be killed no matter how far away he is... But now that the soldiers are not ready... we have to let them live a little longer..."

Pang Yi looked ashamed when he heard this, "This is all the fault of the subordinates who are doing things unfavorably..."

Zhang Yue consoled him, "What does this have to do with Pang Gong? Without Pang Gong general to set up camp, we wouldn't have the strong armor and powerful soldiers we have today..."

Several other people also comforted Pang Yi, and Pang Yi felt slightly relieved at this time.

After everyone's discussion, the Han army in the Western Regions carried out the second round of military expansion ahead of schedule.

However, the scale of the army expansion this time was much smaller. According to the plan, only 5,000 people were recruited, with half of them being infantry and cavalry.

…

When the Western Region was undergoing the second round of military expansion, Zhang Yue's report requesting the opening of the Western Region Protectorate and ten new sets of cotton armor were sent to Ganquan Palace.

Since the New Year, the emperor's health has become worse and worse.

However, after receiving the report from the Western Regions, the emperor still insisted on convening a large court meeting.

"Today we are discussing the matter of protecting the Western Regions. All the ministers can speak freely..."

After the emperor finished speaking, the ministers expressed their opinions one after another.

The Kansai Collective naturally supports the establishment of the Western Region Protector. Once the Western Region Protector is established, the strength and influence of the Kansai Collective will naturally be greatly enhanced.

Moreover, once the Western Region Protectorate is opened, it means that the Han-Hungarian war will continue, which is also conducive to gaining military glory.

Different from usual, this time the virtuous Fangzheng and the Kanto people also strongly supported the Western Region Protector.

The issue suddenly changed from whether to establish the Protectorate of the Western Regions to the status of the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

Although the Kanto collective supports the establishment of the Western Region Protector, they try their best to suppress the status of the Western Region Protector.

According to them, the Western Region is a barbaric and despicable land, how can it be compared with the inland counties.

The status of the Protector of the Western Regions is second to that of the inland counties.

"Your Majesty, I think it is appropriate for the Western Region's Protector to be a Cavalry Commander and Protector..."

"I think it is inappropriate. The Western Region is vast, and the Protectorate should be led by generals..."

"Your Majesty, the Western Region is desolate and useless...it is more suitable than a job of two thousand stones..."

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Western Region is on the right side of the Xiongnu, and its status should not be too low. It should be the same as the other counties..."

The emperor suddenly said, "Li Guangli, what do you think?"

General Li Guangli of the Second Division bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Western Region is the key to the war between the Han and Hungarians, and important ministers should be the protectors of the capital..."

The emperor was noncommittal upon hearing this. Then he turned his attention to Huo Guang.

"Huo Guang, what do you think?"

Huo Guang stood up and said, "I know very little about the Western Regions... Please give me your Majesty's judgment!"

The emperor moved his body with difficulty at this time.

"Come here, read General Weiyuan's memorial to you..."

Upon hearing this, Zhonghuangmen immediately stepped forward and unfolded a silk book.

"I will report to you after my death... The Han Dynasty has been running the Western Region for ten and three years... Today, the number of households in the Western Region is 500,000 and 90,000... There are 34 million acres of fertile land... 30,000 cavalry, 20,000 officials... Money and food

…”

By the time Zhonghuangmen finished reciting, there was already a huge uproar in the palace.

The contents of Zhang Yuezou's book are beyond most people's expectations.

Especially the Minister of Kanto who just compared the Western Region to a desolate land.

"Your Majesty, I impeach Marquis Yunyang for bullying the emperor..." At this moment, a discordant voice appeared.

The emperor opened his mouth and saw that it was Dr. Lu Yanguo.

"Where is Tingwei!"

"I'm here!"

"Doctor Lu Yanguo slandered the minister... the whole family sent Luntai..."
Chapter completed!