Soon, four Imperial Guardsmen left Gaochang with Li Ru's letter and sped towards Luoyang.
The post stations along the way were all treated with utmost care and hospitality, with no time was wasted, so that the letter could be delivered to Luoyang as soon as possible.
On the other hand, after four days of recruitment, more than 40,000 Han Chinese youths who had moved to Gaochang responded to the call of Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu and others and joined the ranks of the temporary Han army.
Yuan Shao also ordered that they be provided with military uniforms and weapons, and raised the Han army banner, marching in a grand procession toward Kucha.
Although these young men were called commoners, they had received militia training for a period of time during their farming in the Western Regions in order to gain a foothold and be ready to be conscripted at any time.
Therefore, although the troops were not as orderly as the regular Han army when they marched, they were still quite disciplined and their advance and retreat were orderly.
November 22nd.
Shortly after Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu, and others led their temporary army to set off, the vanguard led by Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si also arrived in the territory of the former Kingdom of Kucha.
Not far ahead is a small town with a population of about five thousand.
The town streets were bustling with people. The men, carrying various treasures from their homes, were exchanging them with passing merchants for the supplies they needed.
The women, with their children in tow, followed behind the men, happily carrying various supplies home.
The peaceful and tranquil scene there seemed quite out of place with the destruction of Kucha.
Several Gaochang soldiers who were responsible for gathering information were surprised, but they quickly relayed the news to Dong Zhuo.
"Hmm? These Xiongnu people didn't loot?"
The speaker was Guo Si, who seemed somewhat surprised that the Xiongnu had spared the town.
“Yes, this town is the only way to Kucha. There’s no reason for the Xiongnu to let it go,” Li Jue chimed in.
Dong Zhuo, standing in front, waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "There's nothing to be alarmed about. If the Xiongnu want to establish themselves and develop here, they naturally won't destroy and plunder everywhere like before."
It's far better to spare the people of this town and collect taxes from them long-term than to rob them all at once.
"Hmph, it seems these Huns are indeed up to no good. They want to establish themselves and develop here?"
"Exactly, doesn't he know that the Western Regions have been the territory of our Great Han since ancient times?"
Upon hearing Dong Zhuo's words, both Li Jue and Guo Si revealed a hint of disdain.
"Not bad, you two have made quite a bit of progress to be able to say such things!"
Upon hearing that Li Jue and Guo Si, known as the "Two Fools of Liangzhou," could utter such words, Dong Zhuo couldn't help but offer a word of praise.
Li Jue smiled and said, "We're getting old. If we don't keep improving, we'll really fall far behind the younger generation!"
Dong Zhuo waved his hand: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Order the whole army to continue advancing!"
Guo Si was slightly taken aback: "Uh, General Dong, are you planning to attack this town?"
Dong Zhuo raised an eyebrow: "Of course, otherwise how could we put pressure on Xie Zhiyu?"
Guo Si: "But the Xiongnu have already let them go. If we attack them again, it will only tarnish the reputation of the Han army..."
Before Guo Si could finish speaking, Dong Zhuo interrupted him: "Hey, you must know, winning hearts and minds is the best strategy, conquering cities is the worst!"
"Um?"
Guo Si paused for a moment, then turned to look at Li Jue beside him, as if asking what this meant.
Li Jue shrugged, indicating that he didn't know either.
"Full speed ahead! Destination: the town ahead!!"
Just as Li Jue and Guo Si were exchanging words, Dong Zhuo's order was already being relayed.
Soon, a thousand Imperial Guard cavalrymen led the way, galloping towards the town.
The Imperial Guards, rushing along, kicked up clouds of dust, which startled the people trading in the town.
"Enemy attack!!"
"Run!"
The town's residents were terrified by the sudden arrival of the cavalry.
Although the Xie Zhiyu who had passed by earlier did not rob them, it did not change their fear of the unknown enemy.
Just as the townspeople were panicking and preparing to flee, a thousand Imperial Guards cavalrymen arrived near the town and split into four groups, blocking all four exits.
"We're doomed, we're surrounded!"
"what to do?"
"..."
Seeing the cavalry blocking all four exits, the townspeople all looked on in despair, and some women and children even cried out in fear.
No one knew how the cavalry, who had suddenly rushed in and surrounded the town, would treat them.
"Everyone, don't be afraid. They are Han soldiers, the Imperial Guards of the Han Emperor. They will not harm you!"
"The Han army is a benevolent and righteous force; they will not plunder the people!"
Just as the townspeople were in a state of panic and confusion, several merchants on the street suddenly shouted loudly.
These merchants were all from the Han Dynasty, and were naturally very familiar with the distinctive uniforms of the Imperial Guards.
"Han army?"
"I've heard of the Han army; they've killed quite a few of our people in the past!"
"You know nothing! In the past, the Han army only killed kings and nobles. They never killed ordinary people like us!"
Upon hearing that the troops outside the town were the personal guards of the Han emperor, the townspeople breathed a sigh of relief and began to whisper among themselves.
After all, the Han Dynasty still had a good reputation in the past, making it more believable than nomadic tribes like the Xiongnu.
As expected, under the watchful eyes of the town's residents, the Imperial Guard soldiers blocking the town's exit simply dismounted to rest and did not take any other action.
Seeing this, the town's residents were completely relieved.
Before long, the soldiers of Gaochang, led by Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si, also arrived outside the town.
"Excellent! It seems that the reputation of our Han army is truly impressive in the Western Regions!"
Looking at the town's residents who remained quiet despite the army's siege, Dong Zhuo smiled.
Li Jue and Guo Si exchanged a glance, vaguely understanding what Dong Zhuo meant by "winning hearts and minds."
Afterwards, Dong Zhuo, along with one hundred of his personal guards, walked into the town with Li Jue and Guo Si.
...
In the open space in the town, Dong Zhuo stood on a makeshift platform, his gaze slowly sweeping over the residents who had been summoned to the platform.
Dong Zhuo stepped forward, tucked in his round belly, and then shouted, "Fellow villagers, have you ever seen those Xiongnu people?"
"I've met you!"
"I passed through here not long ago!"
In response to Dong Zhuo's question, the town's residents also spoke up.
"Then do you know why the Xiongnu, who have always made a living by plundering, have not attacked you?" Dong Zhuo asked again.
Upon hearing this, the residents were taken aback and looked at Dong Zhuo with some confusion.
"Let me tell you, the reason why the Xiongnu haven't plundered you is entirely because of our Han army!"
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