"What you say makes sense, sir. As long as we can ascend the throne, any price is worth paying!"
Upon hearing Xi Zhicai's suggestion, Damoti nodded with a look of interest.
Seeing Damoti nod, Xi Zhicai smiled to himself and then said, "Your Highness, I am not very capable, but I am willing to go and negotiate with the Xianbei and Xiongnu. I will surely be able to persuade them to come and help us!"
"With you, sir, taking action, that's wonderful!!"
Seeing that Xi Zhicai had volunteered, Damoti smiled happily.
After resting for a night, Xi Zhicai led Dian Wei and several men sent by Damoti towards Mohan City early the next morning.
As dusk approached, Xi Zhicai and his party arrived at the camps of the Xianbei and Xiongnu.
Li Ru also ordered a banquet to be set up in the central military tent and personally received Xi Zhicai.
"Wenyou, it's been so many years, you look so haggard!"
Looking at Li Ru's slightly weathered face, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but sigh, recalling the scene when Li Ru left Luoyang.
Li Ru waved his hand: "Only my physical appearance has aged; my heart remains the same as before!"
"Wenyou's steadfastness is truly admirable!"
Xi Zhicai said with a respectful expression, then raised his wine glass: "Wenyou, I'd like to offer you a toast!"
"Brother Zhicai, you're too kind, please!"
Li Ru smiled slightly, then picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
After a few drinks, Li Ru smiled and looked at Xi Zhicai: "I've already seen Brother Zhicai's plan. You must have come here for other reasons, right?"
"Everything can be hidden from Wenyou!"
Xi Zhicai smiled, but his expression turned serious: "According to Your Majesty's plan, the Great Han needs to accumulate for five more years before it can send an expeditionary force to attack the Kushan Empire after it has wiped out the Eastern Qiang."
Within these five years, we must keep the Kushan Empire constantly embroiled in conflict.
As things stand, with the backing of two powerful families and the Buddhist religion, the Third Prince Damoshi will soon be able to raise a large army and become the strongest.
Therefore, while Wen You leads the army to assist Damoti, he should prioritize attacking the Third Prince, especially the Buddhist sect, and ideally, wipe out all the old-fashioned monks!
Li Ru: "Zhi Cai, don't worry, I know what to do!"
"That's good!"
Xi Zhicai nodded, then added, "Also, during the campaign, Wen You can use the Second Prince's name to plunder the Kushan people, but remember, try not to kill too many people!"
"clear!!"
Li Ru nodded in agreement.
The two then discussed in detail the upcoming three-way battle.
With Jia Xu's assistance, the eldest prince has no problem occupying the capital and southern Kushan territory; the third prince, with the military support of the Han Dynasty, can also establish himself in the east.
Therefore, the first thing the two planned to do was to help Damothi establish a firm foothold and seize control of the northwest and west of the Kushan Empire, so that he would have the resources to compete with the other two princes.
As Li Ru and Xi Zhicai exchanged their words, the tripartite division of the Kushan Empire was thus established.
The next morning, the two sides held a symbolic peace talk.
Xi Zhicai, representing Damoti, signed an alliance treaty with Li Ru on the condition of two million shi of grain, three hundred thousand bolts of silk, five hundred thousand taels of gold, and two hundred thousand slaves.
The two sides agreed that the Xianbei and Xiongnu would send 40,000 troops to assist Damoti in his struggle for the throne for a period of one year. At that time, regardless of whether he succeeded or not, the Xianbei and Xiongnu would withdraw their troops and cede the northwest land to Damoti.
Lanshan Pass.
"Hahaha, excellent! Sir, you are indeed remarkable. You actually managed to persuade the Xianbei and Xiongnu to send troops to help us!"
Damoti was also very excited when he saw the alliance treaty that Xi Zhicai brought back.
In the Kushan Empire, no one knew the fighting prowess of the Xianbei and Xiongnu better than him.
Although the two units only had 40,000 cavalry, these 40,000 cavalry were equivalent to an army of 200,000.
Xi Zhicai also said with a smile: "Your Highness, just in case, I have also made arrangements with the Xianbei and Xiongnu to let them use your banner and the pretext of suppressing rebellion to harass the eastern region of the Third Prince."
In this way, they can be relied upon to stall the Third Prince's development.
This would free you up your resources to first establish a foothold in the western region, acquiring your own territory, before leading a large army to seize the capital.
In this way, the great undertaking can be accomplished!
"Excellent, excellent, sir, this plan is brilliant!"
After hearing Xi Zhicai's plan, Damoti's eyes lit up and he repeatedly praised it.
"It's so good to have an advisor by my side, otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to succeed!"
With these thoughts in mind, Damoti's gaze toward Xi Zhicai grew even more intense.
Subsequently, under Xi Zhicai's leadership, Damoti ordered the opening of the Lanshan Pass, allowing the Xianbei and Xiongnu to enter the pass and beginning the handover of some supplies.
After several days of negotiation and preparation, Damoti ordered his army to raise the banner of "punishing the rebels" and led his army south, intending to pass through Xishan Pass, 200 li away in the south, and occupy the western region first.
Li Ru, on the other hand, led 40,000 Xianbei and Xiongnu cavalry, under the banner of Damoti, and marched eastward.
After more than ten days of marching, Damoti's army of 150,000 finally arrived at Xishan Pass at the end of April.
At the same time, dozens of officials in the central government who supported Damotti also came here with their families.
Damothi was overjoyed to see the fleeing nobles and officials.
With these people joining me, I'm one step closer to success.
Subsequently, on Xi Zhicai's advice, Damoti officially proclaimed himself king at Xishan Pass and formed a new court based on the noble officials. Xi Zhicai was also appointed as his military advisor.
While ordering the declaration of his kingship to be sent to various places, Damotei left 50,000 troops to guard the Western Pass, and then led the remaining 100,000 troops to take over more than 100 cities of varying sizes in western Kushan.
Meanwhile, the eldest prince also led an army of 200,000 to the capital.
Upon learning that the officials of the other two factions had fled, the eldest prince sent troops to pursue them while simultaneously preparing to declare himself king.
After several days of preparation, and following the burial of the old king, the eldest prince was crowned king and moved into the palace.
Subsequently, with Jia Xu's help, the eldest prince brought the royal guards under his command.
After finishing all this, news of Damoti's coronation as king at Xishan Pass reached the capital.
Upon hearing this news, the eldest prince was furious and immediately ordered preparations for war, and began recruiting soldiers to launch a military campaign.
Meanwhile, the third prince, Damoshi, who had fled to eastern Kushan, also received news that his two older brothers had successively become kings.
Not to be outdone, Damoshi, with the support of the two major families and his officials, declared himself king and began to recruit soldiers on a large scale.
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