Five days passed in a blink of an eye. After Yuan Shu took the oath of surrender, he took the Ying Yang Army, the Suppression Army, and the Xianbei Cavalry as the vanguard, with a total of 80,000 cavalry. He left Liangzhou and advanced towards Yihe Duwei City, where he would enter.
The first stop in the Western Region,
Yuan Shu led the Guard Army, the Polu Army, the Huwei Army, the Xianden Army, the Winged Tiger Army, and the Zhenxi Army, and shot the five armies of 170,000 troops as the central army.
There are 20,000 Bingzhou cavalry, 10,000 Wuhuan cavalry, 10,000 Xiongnu cavalry, and 20,000 Xianbei cavalry. A total of 60,000 cavalry forms the two wings of the army.
Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou and Yanzhou have 200,000 civilian regiments as the rear army.
The five armies from the front, center, left, and back, totaling 510,000 troops, marched out of Liangzhou and headed toward the Western Regions.
After Yuan Shu left, Xun You again recruited 50,000 cavalry and 50,000 militiamen in Liangzhou and Bingzhou. A total of 100,000 troops and horses began training in Liangzhou, ready to support Yuan Shu at any time.
The Eastern Han Dynasty, which was in its final stage, had no deterrent effect on the Western Regions at all, and with the eastward invasion of the Kushan Empire and the continuous infiltration of the Xiongnu and Wusun, the country no longer recognized the Eastern Han Dynasty, but only recognized its king.
The cavalry under Zhao Yun marched across the world and directly reached Yihe Duwei City. Although this place used to be the place where the Han family garrisoned troops, as time went by, it was gradually occupied by Pu Lei.
However, they only had a few hundred troops stationed there. Facing Zhao Yun's army, they could not resist Zhao Yun's army, so they surrendered directly to the city. Yiwu, once one of the strongholds of the Eastern Han Dynasty in the Western Regions, returned to Chinese rule.
After capturing Yihe Duwei City, Zhao Yun's next step was to directly divide his troops into two groups. Yan Xing led 20,000 Lu suppressing troops and 20,000 Xianbei cavalry. A total of 40,000 troops went north to continue the attack on Pulei.
Zhao Yun led 30,000 Yingyang troops and 10,000 Xianbei cavalry, and also 40,000 troops to attack Cheshi Kingdom.
The Cheshi Kingdom is one of the ancient kingdoms in the Western Regions. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Cheshi Kingdom experienced a coup and was divided into two. The rear Cheshi Kingdom had completely defected to the Xiongnu, while the front Cheshi Kingdom surrendered to the Eastern Han Dynasty.
However, with the advent of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the front chariot divisions, with the support of the Xiongnu, had occupied the rear chariot divisions.
Now there are 10,000 households in the two divisions of Cheshi Kingdom, a population of nearly 50,000, 15,000 soldiers, and 5,000 Huns garrisoned, a total of 20,000 soldiers and horses, and no one dares to do so in their area
Provoked the little overlord.
Yihe Duwei City in Pulei was occupied by Zhao Yun's army. Soon the news of the comeback of the Han people spread in the Western Regions.
The Pulei Kingdom is just a small country, with only more than 150,000 people and only 5,000 soldiers. It is simply difficult to resist Yan Xing's suppressing army.
In the end, the king wanted to surrender, but was still killed by Yan Xing, and then supported the new king to ascend the throne. The Pulei Kingdom was completely attached to the Chinese Empire.
After taking the Pulei Kingdom, Yan Xing headed west from the Pulei Kingdom, preparing to encircle the Cheshi Kingdom with Zhao Yun.
After the Cheshi Kingdom got the Chinese cavalry to kill them, they immediately organized all the troops and horses in the country to prepare for defense, and sent people north to the Xiongnu to ask for help from the Xiongnu King.
Cheshi Kingdom is not big, but it is very important. When the Eastern Han Dynasty regained control of the Western Regions, troops were stationed in Gaochang in front of Cheshi, and the Western Regions Chief Shifu and Xusi Xiaowei were set up, so this place was also known as
Yuan Shu designated it as the first logistics point to attack the Western Regions.
Since it is to be used as a logistical hub, absolute security must be ensured. As a vanguard, Zhao Yun must not only capture this place, but also defeat all the Huns in the north.
Otherwise, once your army advances and the Huns return, it is likely to cause a devastating blow to you.
Zhao Yun and Yan Xing's troops were divided into two groups and advanced hand in hand. One attacked the front of the chariot division, and the other went straight into the rear of the chariot division. Yuan Shu led the army on a long road to the capital city of Yihe.
"Your Majesty, the new leader of Pulei Kingdom would like to see you."
The leader of Pulei Kingdom was just canonized by Yan Xing. After he announced his submission to China, he brought his people to Yihe Duwei City to wait for Yuan Shu's arrival.
"Yan Xing is very fast. Please invite him to see you."
Yuan Shu nodded. The most effective way to deal with these wallflowers in the Western Regions was to show their strength. Naturally, they would not dare and would not resist if they showed their swords.
"Pu Lei Guo Gong Shan Pu pays homage to His Imperial Majesty."
Gong Shanpu knelt on his knees, put his face on the ground piously, and spoke Chinese to show his respect for Yuan Shu.
"Plain body."
Yuan Shu nodded. He had to say that Gongshan Pu's attitude was impeccable, and Yan Xingxuan deserved it.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty."
Gong Shanpu kowtowed again and then stood up, but still lowered his head and did not dare to look at Yuan Shu, because he was too humble and was afraid that if he raised his head, it would be a crime of disrespect to Yuan Shu, the proud man of heaven.
"I heard that you gathered all the camels in the country and sent out all the troops in the country to help me attack westward?"
Yuan Shu smiled slightly, a light flashed in his eyes,
After Yan Xingce established the new king, he reciprocated the favor. Not only did he provide a lot of food and grass, he also gathered all the camels in the country and led the remaining two thousand camel soldiers to support Yuan Shu in his westward march.
This cattail is a bit interesting.
"Since the Pu Lei Kingdom has pledged its allegiance to China, it should naturally obey the orders of China. Conquering the Western Regions is the national policy set by His Majesty. Gongshan Pu will do his best."
Gongshan Pu knelt on the ground again and saluted Yuan Shu.
"Ding dong, congratulations to the host for regaining Shan Pu, the lord of Pu Lei Kingdom."
The system prompt sounded, and Gongshan Pu also appeared in front of Yuan Shu with 85 points of loyalty.
"85 points of loyalty is pretty good."
"If you come, I will reward you with a hundred taels of gold and fifty pieces of silk and satin from Gongshan. You will be allowed to join the Western Expeditionary Army and be temporarily under the command of General Zhang Fen."
Yuan Shu was also very happy for a person who sincerely surrendered to him. After all, this was a good start. Although the Pulei people only had more than 10,000 people and the soldiers only 2,000, was this what Yuan Shu wanted?
hehe.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty."
Hearing that Yuan Shu allowed him to join the Western Expedition, Gongshan Pu was relieved and once again put his face to the ground to show his loyalty.
You must know that compared with Yuan Shu's Western Expedition army, your troops are like fireflies competing for the brightness of the bright moon.
Someone can just stretch out a finger and push him to death, and he, the leader of Pulei Kingdom, may be replaced at any time.
Now Yuan Shu can allow himself to join, which proves that his position is not risky for the time being.
Yuan Shu glanced at Gongshan Pu, but he didn't expect that he simply agreed to the other party's request, and his loyalty had risen to 90 points, which made Yuan Shu a little confused.
"Go down."
"promise."
Gong Shanpu left Yuan Shu's house, and Tian Feng entered.
"His Majesty."
"Well, sit down."
Yuan Shu nodded to Tian Feng and motioned for him to take a seat next to him.
"Have you met the leader of Pulei Kingdom?"
Tian Feng smiled at Yuan Shu. Although the leader of Pulei was just a small leader, his introduction was very good and he set an example for other countries in the Western Region.
"Well, I have a humble attitude and I know Chinese, which is quite good and can be cultivated."
Yuan Shu also smiled. If the leader of the Pu Lei Kingdom really wants to be like this all the time, he can be cultivated.
"oh?
Your Majesty’s intention is to support the Lord of Pulei and make him our support in the Western Regions?”
Seeing that Yuan Shu recognized Gongshan Pu so much, Tian Feng also understood what he meant, which was to support Pu Lei State and become his own support in the Western Regions.
"These are all things for later. Although Gongshan Pu's attitude is okay, Pu Lei's country is weak after all. Even if it wants to support it, it is not easy. Let's look at it later. Besides, I must win the Western Region.
When the immigration to the Xianbei grassland is completed, the immigration to the Western Regions will begin."
Yuan Shu shook his head slightly. Pu Lei Country was really small and sparsely populated. Even if he wanted to cultivate it, it would not be that easy. After all, if he wants to become a big country, population is a very important factor.
As for population, apart from plundering, the only thing we can do is work hard and be self-reliant. However, if you want to make a country stronger by having children, it will take at least ten or twenty years to bear fruit, which is not easy.
"Your Majesty, whether you want to control the Western Regions, immigrate to the Western Regions, supply food and grass, or dispatch troops and horses, transportation is indispensable. I suggest that roads be built immediately.
First, the supplies behind us can arrive quickly.
Secondly, it will be very convenient for the empire to rule the Western Regions in the future.
After the Sanlai road is opened, it will also deepen the connection between the Western Region and the country, and it will also facilitate business exchanges.
If we can immigrate after coming here, the road will be smooth and it will create some convenience."
Tian Feng glanced at Yuan Shu and directly suggested to him to build a road.
"Well, you are right, but there is a problem now. The Western Region is vast and sparsely populated. The most important thing is the lack of water. If we recruit civilians to build roads now, I am afraid that the Western Region will not be able to afford it. If we cannot use local materials,
Then it must be transported from within the empire, which will consume a lot of money for the empire."
Yuan Shu also knew that if he wanted to get rich, he should build roads first, but the current situation is that he has already sent half a million troops to the Western Regions. If he recruits civilians to build roads, it will be a big expense. He is afraid that the empire will bear it.
Can't live.
"Your Majesty, this is actually not a problem. The army is heading west now, but the countries in the Western Regions do not need many soldiers and horses. The 200,000 militiamen in the rear army are of no use at all now.
We might as well temporarily transform them into a construction corps, responsible for building roads in the rear. This will not add new burdens to the empire, but also prevent these labors from being wasted."
Since Tian Feng could think of building roads and bridges, he could naturally see that the current situation in the Western Regions was not suitable for recruiting civilians from the country, so he also came up with alternative strategies.
That is to convert the 200,000 militiamen in the rear into a construction corps, so that they can make full use of their resources before the war begins.
Moreover, road construction is not as complicated as it is now, because there is no asphalt or cement at all. All they have to do is rammed earth, fried earth, and burned paper floor tiles. These simple and arduous tasks are enough.
"Well, what you said is also a solution. In this way, immediately send a telegram to Jushu and Xun You, asking him to quickly dispatch professionals to the Western Regions.
There is another thing. If you want to rule the Western Regions, the most important thing is to control the water sources. Let him immediately send skilled explorers and descendants of the Mohist family to the Western Regions to create a unique water extraction and irrigation system for the Western Regions.
Prepare for the future development of the Western Region."
