Looking at the map, Li Ru pondered for a moment, but ultimately shook his head inwardly.
Winter is approaching, and waging war would be too costly. It would be better to occupy that camp first, rest and recuperate, and then attack Dayuan next spring.
Having made up his mind, Li Ru immediately looked up at Camora.
"I have decided to send someone to take you back to that camp. You will stay there and guard it well, awaiting my message at any time!"
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing that Li Ru intended to let him go back, Camorra hurriedly nodded in agreement.
The next day, under Li Ru's arrangement, eight thousand Xianbei soldiers changed into the clothing of Dayuan cavalry and headed towards the Dayuan camp with Kemora. Li Ru's entourage, along with several instructors and staff officers, accompanied them.
Li Ru then led the remaining two thousand men, carrying the spoils of this trip, toward the capital of Wusun.
After Li Ru returned to the Wusun capital, he was once again warmly welcomed by the local people.
Now, the heads of eight thousand Dayuan cavalrymen are piled up on an open ground south of Wusun City.
Now, the people in the capital city all know about the atrocities committed by these Dayuan cavalrymen. They are naturally very grateful to Li Ru and others who led the army to avenge their compatriots, and a sense of security and identity rises in their hearts.
Upon returning to the government office, Li Ru wrote two letters detailing his expedition and the arrangements for Dayuan and Kushan, which he then sent to Yuan Shao and Helian respectively.
Subsequently, Li Ru began to work on the reconstruction of the land destroyed by the Dayuan cavalry.
Li Ru then ordered notices to be posted, recruiting the city's residents to relocate to the oasis towns west of the capital to resume production.
In the notice, Li Ru also promised the people that in addition to allocating houses and land, he would also provide each relocated person with food and seeds for the winter and the following year's planting, and each person would also receive a sum of money to purchase necessary necessities.
After learning about the contents of the notice, the people of Wusun City responded to the call and prepared to move to the oasis towns in the west.
Although moving out might mean losing their status as city residents, for the lower classes, it's better to settle down in the oases, farm peacefully, and live a carefree life than to struggle for survival in the city.
Furthermore, Li Ru's army's success in annihilating the invading Dayuan cavalry in just a few days demonstrated the strength of the force to the people, eliminating any concerns about their safety.
Soon, after several days of recruitment, more than 40,000 Wusun people signed up, expressing their willingness to move out.
As promised, Li Ru distributed grain, seeds, and a sum of money to each of these people and sent troops to escort them.
After all, Li Ru had once served as a county magistrate, so he was quite adept at handling these matters.
In just five or six days, the relocation and resettlement were arranged perfectly, and production can be quickly resumed next spring after the relocated people have arrived.
Of course, after the Wusun people moved out, a large number of houses in the city were vacated, which could be used to accommodate the Helian and Xianbei herders who were about to arrive, which can be said to be killing two birds with one stone.
Meanwhile, He Lian, who was on his way, was overjoyed to receive news that Li Ru had captured Wusun and annihilated the invading enemy from Dayuan. He urged his men to quicken their pace.
...
November 10th.
He Lian's main force was already no more than fifty miles away from the Wusun capital.
Li Ru also began to busy himself in preparation for He Lian's arrival.
"Sir, something terrible has happened!!"
Inside the government office, Li Ru, who was working, frowned upon hearing the commotion outside. He put down the official documents in his hand and looked out.
A messenger rushed in and bowed to Li Ru with his hands clasped: "Sir, our army clashed with the Xiongnu army yesterday!"
Li Ru raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What is the situation regarding our casualties?"
"In response to your question, sir, our army suffered over a hundred casualties. We are not entirely sure about the Xiongnu side, but they have lost at least eight hundred men..."
"Ha! It seems that this Xie Zhiyu is unwilling to accept that Wusun has been occupied by our army!"
Upon hearing the messenger's report, Li Ru chuckled and then ordered, "Pass down the order to have the army advance south and drive the Xiongnu out of Wusun territory!"
"Yes, sir!"
The messenger agreed and then quickly ran outside.
...
In the royal city of Kucha, inside the Kucha royal palace, after receiving the battle report from the front, Xie Zhiyu was so angry that he kicked over the table in front of him.
"Can anyone tell me when these Xianbei people arrived in the Western Regions? And how did they manage to conquer the Wusun so quickly? Where did they get their equipment?"
Xie Zhi's angry roar echoed through the hall, causing the Xiongnu nobles who had come to discuss matters to tremble.
A man stepped forward and reported to the king: “According to the scouts, in June of this year, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty fought a decisive battle with Tan Shihuai at Juyan and sent troops to sweep across the grasslands. All the grassland tribes, including the Xianbei, were driven out of the grasslands!”
"June?"
Xie Zhiyu frowned: "Impossible. If it were just Xianbei cavalry, that would be one thing, but they would still have herdsmen to carry them. How could they have reached the Western Regions in such a short time?"
It should be noted that it took them a full seven months to reach the Western Regions, while the Xianbei people traveled an even farther distance and took two months less. It seems highly improbable.
"Your Majesty, all of this is a conspiracy by the Han Kingdom. Long before the decisive battle, the Han Kingdom sent troops to the grasslands and drove away those herders in advance."
Moreover, when the Xianbei people migrated westward, the Han government along the way continuously provided them with aid and assistance, which allowed them to continue their journey without distraction…
Xie Zhiyu's expression shifted: "This big man is actually taking such good care of the Xianbei people?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Moreover, when the Xianbei people entered Cheshi, the Han Dynasty held a negotiation with them, and it was Liu Yu who personally intervened."
"No wonder. With the support of the Han Dynasty, it's not a big deal for the Xianbei to take over Wusun. It seems that all the armor and weapons worn by the Xianbei belong to the Han Dynasty as well?"
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Xie Zhiyu immediately understood the key point.
"Yes, Your Majesty, it seems that the Han Dynasty is doing this to use the Xianbei to contain us in the Western Regions, seize our territory, and limit our development..."
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhiyu frowned even more deeply: "These Han people are really insidious. They actually used the same old tricks they used to deal with grass here. Do they want to wipe us out completely?"
And those Xianbei people, the Han Dynasty only gave them some benefits, yet they willingly obeyed the Han Dynasty's commands and opposed us. They are utterly weak!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
