“Although people are the foundation of a country, this cannot hinder the implementation of national policies!”

Nangong Yiyu's expression was resolute, without a trace of sadness on his face. "According to the original plan, a trade agreement between Daxia and Loulan must be reached by the end of this year. Only then, in the spring of next year, can we continue to connect the two Silk Roads, traveling north and south."

"You and I both know that although the seven vassal states have signed this trade agreement, do they truly accept it in their hearts? In my opinion, not necessarily. They are more intimidated by our military might!"

"As you say, if Loulan is truly fully aware of our national policy, then there's probably a certain country involved. They're watching from the sidelines. If we can't annihilate Loulan with lightning speed this time, I'm afraid they'll become disloyal again. Breaking the agreement is like a spark that could start a prairie fire."

Zhuo Yixing did not deny Nangong Yiyu's statement, because he, Meng Changping and Zhuo Bieli also thought so after discussing it.

Daxia needs to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, but Meng Changping and Zhuo Bieli believe that the chicken must be killed, but the people must also be saved.

"Ji Yungui of the Tianji Pavilion has already issued an order. We will investigate which country leaked our secrets to Loulan sooner or later. But now, listen to me. I know Nangong Yan is in Loulan. I am not only here to rescue Nangong Yan, but also to rescue those twenty negotiating officials!"

"They are officials appointed by our dynasty, shouldering the emperor's orders! They represent the emperor! Therefore, none of them can die! And we must not let the officials under us feel disheartened."

"But..." Nangong Yiyu looked up at Zhuo and his group, "The dangers of this trip are unpredictable. After all, it's a small-scale operation. If we are exposed, won't our soldiers lose their lives in vain?"

Zhuo Yixing smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Guan Xiaoxi went there in person. He was trained by Marshal Bai Yulian himself."

Nangong Yiyu took a deep breath and looked out at the deep valley covered in snow. After a while, he suddenly asked an unrelated question, "Old Zhuo, where do you think His Majesty is now?"

"How should I know? Across the vast ocean, sailing so far, there's no way any news could be transmitted back. Just wait, by this time next year, or perhaps the year after, Your Majesty will surely return with honor. By then, the Silk Road on land will have been opened, and the Maritime Silk Road will probably have been established as well."

After saying this, Zhuo Yixing stood up, patted his aching back, and sighed, "I'm getting old. My body is really not good enough to keep up with your majesty's pace!"

"I wonder how many coastal nations Your Majesty will establish trade relations with. What if Your Majesty conquers another nation or two across the sea? What use can we, old bones, make?"

"We must help His Majesty maintain his current kingdom. In the future, there will be even more vast territories... When His Majesty returns, we should abdicate and let the wise take over. After all, the world belongs to the young. You and I are truly old, so please don't slow down the pace of Great Xia's development!"

After saying this with great emotion, Zhuo and his group walked away. Nangong Yiyu looked at Zhuo and his group's backs and found that they were walking a little unsteadily. He stood up and walked back, only to find that his steps were also a little unsteady.

Yes, I'm old.

But Daxia is still young.

…

…

An urgent military order was issued directly from the Ministry of National Defense to Guan Xiaoxi, commander of the First Army of the Daxia Army.

He just frowned and read it twice, then looked at the map of Loulan carefully and issued an order that Yu Dinghe didn't quite understand - he asked Yu Dinghe to bring 500 hot air balloons!

Guan Xiaoxi then summoned Yu Dinghe's troops from the Second Division. Without even explaining the operation, he took Yu Dinghe and the Second Division away from the base. The soldiers put on their armor and mounted their horses, galloping wildly in the wind and snow towards the Kingdom of Loulan thousands of miles away.

Five days later, Guan Xiaoxi arrived at Dingfang Mountain.

In the general's tent, Guan Xiaoxi summoned the two brothers Yu Dingshan and Yu Dinghe. Yu Dingshan placed a map of Loulan City sent by Tianji Pavilion on the table.

"Loulan City's defenses are very tight," Yu Dingshan explained to Guan Xiaoxi, pointing to a map. "It's not easy to enter Loulan City in disguise. The four city gates are heavily guarded, and we need to check our travel permit."

"The King of Loulan has mobilized 300,000 troops to garrison Loulan City. It would be unlikely for a small force to force its way through."

"So, I'm thinking of asking the Tianji Pavilion to investigate whether there are any sewer pipes or secret passages leading from the city to the outside. Our best bet is to sneak into the city through these secret passages. However, a prison break will inevitably alert the defenders, so how can we escape unscathed..."

Yu Dingshan shook his head and said, "I don't have any good ideas yet."

Guan Xiaoxi carefully examined the map, thought for a moment, and looked towards Dingfang Mountain. "How high is this mountain?"

"About a thousand feet."

"How far is this mountain from Loulan City?"

"About two hundred miles."

Guan Xiaoxi's eyes lit up, "Let's go climb the mountain."

The brothers Yu Dingshan and Yu Dinghe were stunned. What time was it? Shouldn't they quickly devise a rescue plan? How could the commander have the leisure to go hiking?

Guan Xiaoxi didn't explain. He smiled and said, "Anyway, we have to wait for news from the Tianji Pavilion. Besides, the King of Loulan wouldn't dare to actually kill our people. Let's go. There's no rush."

Under the protection of three hundred guards, the three men left the military camp and actually climbed the thousand-foot-high mountain.

Standing on the top of the mountain, Guan Xiaoxi held up the telescope and looked into the distance. Of course, he couldn't see Loulan City from here, so he put down the telescope after a while.

He stood on the top of the mountain, occasionally stretching out a hand, as if feeling the wind on the top of the mountain.

"How is Auntie doing lately?"

Yu Dingshan quickly replied, "Mother is doing well in Chi Le Chuan, but...she seems much quieter than before. It might be because my younger sister married far away in Mozhou, and she has fewer people to talk to."

"Here's what I'm thinking. You two brothers are of marriageable age...do you have a girl you like?"

The brothers lowered their heads shyly, "Not yet."

"Fighting is one thing, getting married is another. Both are extremely important and cannot be delayed. For your mother's sake, I think you should find a suitable woman as soon as possible, get married, and have more children. That way, your aunt's life will be more fulfilling."

"Um."

"If it's inconvenient for you to find a spouse, I'll help you find one after I return."

"Thank you, Commander!"

Yu Dingshan glanced at Guan Xiaoxi and thought, you are already thirty years old, but you are still not married, right?

Guan Xiaoxi seemed to have seen what Yu Dingshan was thinking and laughed, "You don't know, I'm getting married soon too."

"Whose girl is this?"

"Tuoba Feng's eldest daughter, Tuoba Yu, is expected to return to Chi Le Chuan for a drink next spring, if there is no war."

"good!"

Guan Xiaoxi withdrew his hand from the air and said, "Let's go back to the camp. I have a plan."