West of Wusun City.
Li Ru tightened his cotton coat, looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky above, and frowned slightly.
It's already November, and the weather is getting colder and colder. If we can't wipe out that Dayuan cavalry in time, we'll have to wait until next spring.
At this time, dozens of oasis towns in western Wusun had been reduced to ruins by Dayuan. If the immigration and resettlement could not be completed within this period, it would definitely delay the spring planting next year.
If spring planting is delayed, Wusun's grain production next year will decrease by at least 30%, and famine is very likely to occur.
At that time, the Xianbei would not only be unable to replenish their supplies, but would also have to allocate a portion of their own military rations to aid the disaster victims. As a result, the westward march would be delayed for at least four years.
This was absolutely unacceptable to Li Ru.
After all, the journey westward is long and arduous, and any delay of another year could lead to unpredictable accidents.
Therefore, it was of particular importance to annihilate the Dayuan cavalry in a short period of time and to complete the reconstruction of western Wusun by the beginning of next spring.
Of course, what Li Ru found most unacceptable was that Dayuan, under the banner of the Han Dynasty, had committed the cruel acts of killing, burning, and looting, which had seriously tarnished the prestige of the Han Dynasty.
If we wait until next year to wage war, the Han Dynasty's infamy will likely have spread far and wide, potentially shaking its rule in the Western Regions.
"It's going to snow soon, we need to hurry!"
Li Ru muttered to himself, then ordered a general beside him, "Immediately dispatch a thousand scouts to extend the patrol range to fifty li. Make sure to find out the location of all the cavalry of Dayuan!"
"Understood!"
The deputy general shouted, then spurred his horse away to relay Li Ru's orders.
Soon, a thousand scouts, divided into groups of twenty, dispersed in a fan shape to search for traces of the Dayuan cavalry.
Li Ru then took out a map, began to examine it, and pondered his next move.
Soon, Li Ru set his sights on an oasis thirty miles west of Wusun City.
According to the map, this is a large town capable of accommodating 10,000 people and connecting to other towns in the south, north, and west.
To the west of the oasis lies a vast plain, ideal for cavalry battles.
After determining the marching location, Li Ru led his army at breakneck speed toward the oasis.
At noon, Li Ru's army stopped behind a hill ten miles east of the oasis.
Meanwhile, the scouts who had been sent out to investigate gradually returned to the army.
"Sir, according to the scouts, the Dayuan cavalry consists of four routes, located thirty li to the west, twenty li to the southwest, thirty li to the northwest, and twenty-five li to the south, respectively. Each route has approximately two thousand cavalrymen..."
Upon hearing the report from the subordinate general, Li Ru also took out a map and marked the locations of the four routes of Dayuan cavalry.
"Sir, what do you think? Should we also send some troops out?"
"No need!"
Li Ru raised his hand: "These Dayuan cavalry groups are at varying distances. If our army splits up to attack, it will definitely alert the two groups that are further away. It would be better to gather them together!"
"Gather together?"
The adjutant was slightly taken aback: "Sir, according to reports, these Dayuan cavalry units attacked separately from the start, probably only for plundering, and probably won't gather together, right?"
Li Ru smiled slightly: "Needless to say, the branch heading due west is definitely aiming for this oasis ahead."
The northwest branch had no oasis towns nearby, so they either came here along the way or retreated directly. The southeast branch did the same.
Only the branch heading due south might encounter the Xiongnu if they went further south. They wouldn't go there; they would either go east or come here in the same direction…
The adjutant asked doubtfully, "Sir, there are not many oasis towns left. What if they retreat directly?"
“No way!” Li Ru said with certainty, “Greed is like a boulder rolling down a mountain. Once it falls, it won’t stop until it hits the ground. These Dayuan people will definitely not let go of this last large tribe.”
The adjutant asked, "Sir, what should we do then?"
Li Ru: "Send out scouts to cut off communication between their various teams. If possible, impersonate their messengers and lure them to gather here."
"Sir, the southwest and northeast routes are relatively easy to deal with, but the team heading due south is flying Camorra's flag, so they should be his confidants. It will be difficult for our people to fool them!"
"As for this team..."
Li Ru paused, then pointed to the marker of the Dayuan cavalry to the south: "There is a fork in the road to the east of this troop, leading southeast and this way. You can send someone to the fork and put up a sign on the road leading this way that reads: 'Xianbei cavalry ambush ahead!'"
"Sir, what's wrong with you...?"
The subordinate general looked at Li Ru with some confusion. He had clearly been thinking of annihilating them completely, so why was he suddenly giving them a warning on the road?
Li Ru smiled and waved his hand: "Warfare is about deception and understanding people's hearts. Do as I say!"
"Yes, sir!"
Although he didn't understand the meaning of Li Ru's words, the general thought they were very impressive, so he didn't ask any more questions and hurriedly went down to arrange the actions of the marquises.
After the adjutant general left, Li Ru summoned a messenger and instructed him: "Pass down the order to send three thousand men to the western part of the tribe ahead to set up camp and raise the banner of Wusun as a feint, so that the Dayuan cavalry will not dare to make any rash moves!"
The remaining soldiers shall remain hidden here, and shall not light any fires or make any loud noises. All horses shall have nets placed over their muzzles!
"yes!"
He acknowledged the order and then rode away.
Soon, three thousand soldiers rushed towards the oasis.
The people of the oasis tribe were startled by the sudden appearance of the cavalry. They were relieved to see that the cavalry did not plunder but instead built a camp to the west of the tribe.
As dusk fell, a camp large enough to accommodate five thousand people was completed. The camp was filled with banners, giving the impression of a well-equipped army. In the center, a large Wusun banner fluttered in the wind.
Thirty miles to the west, in an oasis, the second prince of Dayuan, Kemora, sat behind a table, his eyes fixed on a map on the table. His gaze was fixed on the place where Li Ru and the others were.
Just then, one of Camorra's guards walked in.
"Your Highness, as you instructed, the messenger has been dispatched."
Camorra looked up upon hearing this: "Has there been any news from back home?"
"Your Highness, the eldest prince and a group of ministers have all submitted a petition to Your Majesty, requesting that Your Majesty severely punish you for your unauthorized military action. Fortunately, the list of the looted goods has already been delivered to Your Majesty, which is why Your Majesty has not been angry!"
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