On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Wusun people...
By this time, spring plowing had been completed, and large tracts of farmland outside Wusun City were covered with lush green crops.
Cao Cao, dressed in coarse cloth, walked among the fields with his generals Xu Chu, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Hua Xiong.
Looking at the vibrant scene around him, Cao Cao's face revealed a smug smile.
After the devastation caused by the Xianbei, not many men remained in Dayuan.
Therefore, almost all of these farmlands outside the city were cultivated little by little by Cao Cao and his soldiers.
Although his main responsibility here was to lead the troops and guard the area, he also took over many local administrative affairs.
Leading troops to cultivate land and restore production was another major achievement of Cao Cao in this region.
Cao Cao's approach enabled the local garrison to become self-sufficient, greatly alleviating the supply pressure on the imperial court.
In response, Liu Yu, who was the Protector-General of the Western Regions, repeatedly submitted memorials to the court, praising Cao Cao highly.
If it weren't for Cao Cao's superior military capabilities, Liu Hong would have already transferred him back to Luoyang and groomed him as a future chief minister.
Cao Cao, who was walking at the front, inspected his achievements while glancing at Liu Shu beside him.
"Staff Officer Liu, what's the situation in Kangju?"
"General, Kangju has been cleared out. The remaining food and supplies are enough for 500,000 people to use for three years. Currently, 100,000 able-bodied men have gone there and are building roads, canals and other facilities."
The first batch of officials have also taken office and begun surveying the land and pastures.
Protector-General Liu Yu also issued a conscription order, and it is estimated that by the end of the year, the number of people going to Kangju for construction will increase to 300,000.
Furthermore, several prominent businessmen have already gone to Kangju to prepare for matters such as setting up factories and workshops!
The only problem right now is that there aren't enough young women.
Most of the women in the Western Regions have already been betrothed to young men who have immigrated here…
Upon hearing Liu Shu's report, Cao Cao grunted and glanced in the direction of the Kushan Empire: "As for the women, there's no need to worry. They'll be here soon!"
Liu Shu, who was standing to the side, nodded and said nothing more. He naturally understood the meaning behind Cao Cao's words.
Just two days ago, Cao Cao received letters from Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, and Yuan Shao, gaining a general understanding of the current situation of the Kushan Empire.
In the coming years, the Kushan Empire will be embroiled in civil war, and Cao Cao's mission is to use the discarded weapons in his army to generate military funds while simultaneously undermining the Kushan Empire's resources.
Just then, a scout on horseback arrived near Cao Cao along the official road.
The scout dismounted and saluted Cao Cao: "General, a Kushan army has arrived at Wusun City. They say they are from the Third Prince's faction and wish to see you!"
"They've finally arrived!"
Cao Cao chuckled lightly, then turned to look at the generals behind him: "Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu, Hua Xiong!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Xiahou Dun and the others responded in unison.
"You and your men are to immediately assemble the army and await orders, and also bring along all the old and worn-out military equipment that has been transported from various places!"
"Here you go!"
The group excitedly agreed and then turned to head towards the camp not far away.
"Officer Liu, immediately notify Governor Liu and have him send men to the border between the Kushan and Wusun regions to prepare for receiving the Kushan women!"
"Here you go!"
Liu Shu agreed and quickly headed into the city.
Cao Cao then looked at the scout and said, "Go and tell the Kushans that I have official business to attend to and that they should wait for me at the guesthouse!"
"Here you go!"
The scout then jumped onto his horse and strode quickly toward Wusun City.
After giving all the instructions, Cao Cao hummed a little tune with a smile on his face as he continued to inspect the fields, admiring his harvest.
"Should we bring back a few Kushan women for Father this time?... Ah, never mind, Father is getting old, I'm afraid he can't... I'll take on the task myself!"
As he walked, Cao Cao kept muttering to himself.
The guards following behind couldn't help but twitch their lips when they heard their general muttering to himself.
In the following days, Cao Cao either strolled leisurely among the fields or stayed at home, indulging in intimate moments with his newly acquired concubines.
The messenger sent by Damochius, after repeatedly failing to gain an audience, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
As for Cao Cao's reasons for doing this, one was to give the other side some time to gain the initiative in the negotiations, and the other was to buy some time for Li Ru.
Meanwhile, Li Ru's troops had penetrated deep into the heart of the eastern region. While destroying farmland and driving away the people, Li Ru also issued an extermination order targeting the Buddhist monks.
Upon receiving this order, the Xianbei and Xiongnu cavalry, who had been holding back blood for a long time, were also extremely excited.
Therefore, as soon as Li Ru issued the extermination order, 40,000 cavalrymen were divided into ten groups and carried out a thorough search and destruction of the temples in the areas they passed through.
As the state religion of the Kushan Empire, Buddhism had temples throughout the Kushan territory, if not all over the country, but at least in every city.
Because the economy of the eastern region was relatively prosperous, and the Buddhist sect fled eastward with the third prince.
The number of monks in the entire area is also enormous.
In just a few days, tens of thousands of monks from six or seven temples had their heads cut off.
Of course, all the monks who were slaughtered were members of the old sect of Buddhism.
Although the new and old factions, led by Hachi, had been evenly matched in their struggle, that was limited to the capital city. Throughout the Kushan Empire, the old faction still wielded considerable power.
News of the Xianbei and Xiongnu's actions also reached the Eastern Capital.
The old sect leaders of the Buddhist sect, who were hiding in the eastern capital, demanded that all monks from various places evacuate to the eastern capital, while also constantly urging the third prince to send troops to attack the invading Xianbei and Xiongnu.
However, the Third Prince has now placed all his hopes on the Han reinforcements, so how could he dare to send troops to fight against the Xianbei and Xiongnu?
The senior members of the old sect of the Buddhist sect were also displeased with the Third Prince's indifference. They privately approached Hachi, hoping that the two sides could reconcile and work together to resist the slaughter by the Xianbei and Xiongnu.
After all, they had experienced the fighting prowess of the new disciples firsthand.
Hachi readily agreed to the demands of the old-fashioned people.
Hachi then dispatched the five thousand disciples he had brought with him to rescue monks in various places.
Hachi's selfless actions won him the favor of many old-school monks.
May 12th, Wusun City.
After Xiahou Dun and others had finished assembling the army, Cao Cao, who had been hiding for a long time, finally showed up and received the envoy sent by the third prince.
"General Cao, please save the people of Kushan!"
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