Upon hearing Xie Zhiyu's question, Chou Chan turned to look at the Kucha envoy at the entrance of the main tent, and then said:
"Your Majesty, would you please take the envoy from Kucha away and treat him properly?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhiyu waved to the guards, who understood and released the Kucha envoy before leading him out of the tent.
What are you trying to say?
After the Kucha envoy left, Xie Zhiyu looked at Chou Chan with a solemn expression.
He didn't know whether Chou Chan truly had some ideas, or whether the Han dynasty was using him to convey some message.
"Your Majesty, according to intelligence provided by the Han army, the Kingdom of Kucha has been vigorously strengthening its military since last year. Now, there are 20,000 troops stationed in the city, and the food supplies are plentiful."
Furthermore, faced with our overwhelming army pressing in, all the nobles in Kucha will surely fight to the death to defend it.
If you add the guards and private soldiers of those nobles, at least 30,000 troops can be gathered in the capital of Kucha.
Although our army has siege equipment provided by the Han army, it is unlikely that we can take down the desperately resisting Kucha in a short period of time.
If the Wusun, Dayuan, and other kingdoms send troops to aid us, our army may find itself in a passive position..."
After listening to Chou Chan's words, Xie Zhiyu also fell into deep thought.
After a moment's thought, Xie Zhi asked, "What you said makes some sense. So what do you think we should do?"
Chou Chan said, "Your Majesty, I believe that if we want to attack Kucha with peace of mind, we must first stop the reinforcements from Wusun and other countries!"
Xie Zhiyu frowned: "Should we send troops to intercept and kill them?"
Chou Chan smiled and said, "That won't be necessary. I have a plan to sow discord. You only need to ask Kucha to send troops to attack Wusun together with our army."
This will not only eliminate any possibility of an alliance between them, but also divert their garrison troops, reducing the difficulty of our attack!
"Great idea!!"
After hearing Chou Chan's plan, Xie Zhiyu's eyes lit up and a smile appeared on his face.
Immediately, Xie Zhiyu looked outside the tent and shouted, "Bring the envoy from Kucha up here!"
"yes!"
The guard outside the tent responded and then quickly left.
Soon, the Kucha envoy was brought back to the main tent.
Looking at the trembling Kucha envoy, Xie Zhiyu's lips curled up slightly.
"Is your king truly willing to accept all of our army's conditions?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, as long as it is within our capabilities, you may name your terms!"
Upon hearing Xie Zhiyu's question, the Kucha envoy immediately assured him.
"That's good!!"
Xie Zhiyu chuckled lightly, then said, "I have led my army here only to occupy a place for my people to live and work. It doesn't matter where it is."
"Now that your ministry has shown such sincerity, it wouldn't be unreasonable for me to change locations..."
Upon hearing this, the Kucha envoy's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is wise. Rest assured, our country can provide all the provisions and supplies needed for your army's march, and we will also present you with generous gifts!"
Xie Zhiyu waved his hand: "Food and supplies are definitely necessary, but I have another condition!"
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
Xie Zhiyu said in a deep voice: "As you know, in the Western Regions, apart from your Kucha, only Wusun and Dayuan can support my 60,000 troops and 50,000 people."
Now that I have spared you, I have no choice but to attack them.
However, my current military strength is insufficient to conquer two countries simultaneously. Therefore, I need your country to send some soldiers to assist my army in attacking Wusun and Dayuan..."
"Well..."
Upon hearing that Xie Zhiyu wanted them to send troops to attack Wusun and other countries, the envoy from Kucha hesitated.
He knew perfectly well that his main purpose in coming to negotiate was to buy time.
If he agreed to the Xiongnu's demands, it would inevitably lead to Kucha cutting itself off from the Western Regions.
"What? Is Your Excellency unwilling to agree?"
Seeing the Kucha envoy's hesitation, Xie Zhiyu's face immediately turned cold.
The Kucha envoy trembled: "Your Majesty, this matter is beyond my ability to decide; I must consult my king!"
Xie Zhiyu said in a deep voice, "Alright, but I will only give you two hours. If you do not reply by then, I will immediately attack the city!"
"Yes, I will certainly convey Your Majesty's words!" The Kucha envoy quickly agreed.
"Alright, let's go back now!"
Xie Zhiyu chuckled lightly, and as he spoke, he waved to the envoy from Kucha.
"This humble servant takes his leave!"
Upon seeing Xie Zhi wave to him, the Kucha envoy bowed and then withdrew.
Watching the departing figure of the Kucha envoy, Xie Zhiyu also turned to look at Chou Chan and said in a deep voice: "Pass down the order to have 30,000 subordinate soldiers advance to within 300 paces of the east gate of Kucha."
And have the catapults launch their attack half an hour early, to give them a good scare!
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Chou Chan responded loudly, and then quickly walked out.
It was very chaotic, so the Kucha envoy returned to the palace and reported Xie Zhiyu's two conditions to the King of Kucha.
"Your Majesty, I believe we should consider the conditions offered by the Xiongnu!" The Right Chancellor advised as soon as the Xianbei envoy finished speaking.
The King of Kucha nodded with a look of interest, and was about to speak when the Left Prime Minister stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, this is a divisive tactic by the Xiongnu. We must not fall for it!"
"If we send troops out, we will not only offend the Wusun and Dayuan kingdoms, but also leave our city defenses vulnerable. If the Xiongnu take the opportunity to attack, we will be left without reinforcements or internal defenses, truly at their mercy!"
The Right Chancellor stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Xiongnu have also said that they have come here only to occupy a place to live. The environment of Wusun, Dayuan and other countries is far better than that of our country.”
Perhaps they came here to coerce our army into helping them.
Furthermore, our relationship with states like Wusun is not that close. What if they, under the guise of reinforcements, are preparing to annex our country after our army and the Xiongnu have both been weakened?
"this……"
Upon hearing the words of his two ministers, the King of Kucha hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Now he faces only two questions: whether the Xiongnu will keep their promise and whether the Wusun and other states will genuinely offer assistance.
"Your Majesty, the Wusun Kingdom has a deep historical connection with the Han Dynasty. The current King of Wusun is a descendant of Princess Jieyou of the Han Dynasty. If the Xiongnu people really cooperate with the Han Dynasty, Wusun will surely receive a message from the Han Dynasty."
If we rely on the Wusun for rescue, I'm afraid there's little chance of success.
Just as the King of Kucha was pondering this, the Right Chancellor once again offered his advice.
"That makes sense!"
Upon hearing this, the King of Kucha immediately realized what was happening.
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