After Wang Tiezhu left, Yinji leaned wearily against the back of his chair.
Over the past two years, he has learned a lot from Zhao Muyun: military strategy, political tactics, and political maneuvering... but only when he actually sits in this position does he realize how difficult it is.
Every decision could affect the lives and deaths of millions; every oversight could render Master's hard work futile.
"Young Prince, please have some hot tea." Pei Lun personally poured the tea. "The Grand Commander entrusted Xijing to you, which is both a sign of trust and a test. It is already quite remarkable that you were able to think of showing strength externally while maintaining stability internally."
Yinji smiled bitterly: "I was just doing what my master taught me. He said that in chaotic times, strength is fundamental, while people's hearts are the variable. With strength, people's hearts can be won over; without strength, people's hearts will surely scatter."
"The Grand Commander is absolutely right," Pei Lun remarked. "While Xijing appears calm on the surface, undercurrents are surging beneath. Yang Yan, Li Jingang, His Majesty, and even the powerful families in the court are all watching and scheming."
"All we can do is hold our ground and wait for the battle in Longyou to be won."
"The war in Longyou..." Yinji looked westward, "I wonder how General Wu is doing now."
......
Longyou, a hundred li north of Yematan.
Wu Shangzhi's western expeditionary force is resting and reorganizing.
After the great victory at Broken Valley, Wuhan launched several attacks, but suffered heavy losses and fled.
He finally realized the strength of the Yin army; 15,000 Yin soldiers were not someone he could defeat.
However, he did not want to return empty-handed, so on the advice of his strategist, he turned his attention to the Western Regions.
They couldn't defeat the Great Yin, but they had no trouble dealing with the small kingdoms of the Western Regions. Not allowing them to return like this would be a real loss of face.
This aligns perfectly with Wu Shangzhi's strategic intentions, as Zhao Muyun originally intended for him to seize the opportunity to re-establish his rule over the Western Regions.
So the 15,000-strong army pursued them calmly and steadily. After resupplying themselves by meeting up with Guo Xiaoti and Shi Yong in Suzhou and Guazhou respectively, they caught up with Wuhan's main force in northern Guazhou.
In the central command tent, Wu Shangzhi looked at the latest intelligence report with a furrowed brow.
"The Uhan army and the Northern Di troops left behind joined forces, totaling about 50,000, and retreated into Black Wind Valley. The terrain there is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack."
Guo Luo pointed to the map: "Further west of Black Wind Valley is Jade Gate Pass, and beyond that is the Western Regions."
Wu Shangzhi said decisively, "Then let's give them a push, but we need to change our tactics. We can't let them plunder the Western Regions at will, otherwise our strength will recover quickly."
"Our only concern now is that the Tartars might divide their forces to hold Black Wind Valley, while the main force moves into the Western Regions. If that happens, we'll have to launch an attack. Therefore, we cannot allow the Tartars to hold Black Wind Valley!"
Guo Luo immediately shook his head and said, "According to our scouts, they have already deployed 10,000 men here. If we want to catch up, we can only break through Black Wind Valley."
Xi Sheng scratched his head: "But Black Wind Valley is easy to defend and difficult to attack. A strong attack would result in heavy casualties. We only have 15,000 men. We can't afford to fight like that."
Liu Yi suggested, "Why don't we use cannons to bombard them? We can blast the cliffs down, block the valley entrance, and trap them there."
“That’s not a good idea.” Wu Shangzhi shook his head. “The scouts reported that the walls of Black Wind Valley are made of solid rock, which can’t be breached by cannon fire. Moreover, there is a water source in the valley, so they won’t be trapped to death.”
The generals remained silent.
The problem at hand is indeed a headache.
Just then, a voice came from outside the tent: "Report! Someone from the Western Regions has arrived!"
Then, a man dressed as a merchant from the Western Regions was led in.
Wu Shangzhi recognized the man's face immediately; it turned out to be An Dehai, one of the first merchants to arrive in Shuozhou from the Western Regions.
Previously, when Wu Shangzhi followed Zhao Muyun from Shuozhou to Longyou to rescue Pei Lun and Shi Yong, it was An Dehai who provided the necessary assistance for the march.
"General Wu, how have you been! It's only been a year, and you've already become a commander-in-chief. Congratulations!"
"Manager An, it's you!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Wu Shangzhi learned the purpose of An Dehai's visit.
It turns out that An Dehai had a good relationship with the king of Loulan, and Loulan happened to be located at a key node on the two trade routes connecting the north and south of the Western Regions. Merchants traveling between the two countries paid taxes, stayed overnight, and ate and drank, which made Loulan very wealthy.
However, the Northern Di, having suffered a defeat in Longyou, did not return to the grasslands but instead came to the Western Regions, which made the King of Loulan uneasy.
The king knew that Andehai had an extraordinary relationship with the Yin army, so he wanted to ask the Yin army for help through Andehai.
“We are about to pursue this Tartar group, but they are heavily guarded in Black Wind Valley ahead. It will take some time to break through!” Wu Shangzhi said helplessly.
"General Wu, have you forgotten how I got here?" An Dehai laughed.
"Oh dear!" Wu Shangzhi slapped his forehead. "Could there be another route?"
“That’s right, I came from Loulan, bypassing Black Wind Valley by going through Devil City,” An Dehai said. “If General Wu wants to take this route, I can lead the way.”
"However, this road is quite rugged, and warhorses will have difficulty traveling it. General Wu should take this into full consideration."
"Devil City?" Lin Yuan gasped.
"I've heard that the place is full of quicksand and yardang landforms, with extreme temperature differences between day and night, and is known as the 'land of death.' It would be too risky for a large army to cross it."
“That’s true! However, our caravan guides can avoid the risks,” Andehai affirmed.
"High risk, high reward."
Wu Shangzhi suddenly stood up and nodded: "Being able to march is enough. We will circle around to the rear of Black Wind Valley and launch an attack, attacking from both sides to annihilate the Tartars in Black Wind Valley."
He looked around at his generals and said, "That's settled then! I'll lead the team myself, and the crossbowmen and long-handled swordsmen will follow me to the rear!"
"Once the Tartars in Black Wind Valley are thrown into disarray, Guo Luo, you will be in charge of commanding the attack, and we will attack from both sides."
Guo Luo immediately said, "General Wu, why don't I lead the team to take a detour?"
"No, the Heavy Cavalry Battalion can't do without your command!" Wu Shangzhi shook his head. "It's settled then!"
"Order: Tomorrow, the crossbow battalion and the long-handled sword battalion will travel light, carrying only necessary weapons. Heavy equipment such as ballistae will be left behind."
"yes!"
With the military order issued, the soldiers of the two battalions began their intensive preparations.
The Devil City is no joke; it's scorching hot during the day and freezing cold at night, with countless dangers such as quicksand, poisonous scorpions, and water scarcity.
But morale is high.
After the great victory at Broken Heart Valley, the soldiers had full trust in Wu Shangzhi and confidence in the new equipment.
Moreover, there was also An Dehai, a merchant who frequently traveled between the Western Regions and Hexi, to act as their guide.
That night, Wu Shangzhi wrote a second battle report to Zhao Muyun, reporting the pursuit plan and the decision to cross the Devil City.
The messenger set off again.
Wu Shangzhi stepped out of the military tent and looked up at the starry sky.
The night sky in Longyou is exceptionally clear, with the Milky Way like a ribbon and stars like grains of sand.
He recalled a phrase Zhao Muyun often said:
"A man born in a chaotic world should take up a three-foot sword, drive out the Tartars, seal the wolf's lair, establish unparalleled merit, and leave his name in history."
"The Western Regions will be reopened by me, Wu Shangzhi!" he murmured to himself.
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