Liu Hong believed that with Xun You in charge, Dunhuang, the pivotal city connecting the Han Dynasty with the Western Regions, would surely achieve great development. It would then attract merchants from various countries in the Western Regions and further expand the Han Dynasty's influence in the Western Regions through Dunhuang.
This will greatly assist the Han Dynasty in its future conquest of the Western Regions.
That's why Liu Hong dispatched a caravan escorted by the Imperial Guards to the Western Regions, using Dunhuang as a transit point to establish direct contact with the Western Regions.
At the same time, Duan Jiong dispatched elite troops from Xiliang to disguise themselves as soldiers of a prefecture and state and station them in Dunhuang. The purpose was not only to guard against the Yuezhi people, but also to let those people from the Western Regions and other foreign lands witness the powerful military strength of the Han Dynasty, so as to achieve a deterrent effect.
"Commander Zhang, Dunhuang was once an important passage connecting the Western Regions. This street was once so prosperous and bustling, but now it has become like this!"
Walking along what was once the most bustling commercial street in Dunhuang, seeing the many empty shops on both sides and the occasional pedestrian, Li Jue couldn't help but feel deeply moved by the desolate scene.
Zhang Ji nodded. "Yes! Since the Qiang people's rebellion, the military focus of Liangzhou has shifted to Jincheng and Zhangye counties, leaving no time to attend to this place. As a result, Dunhuang has few soldiers and generals, and can barely defend the city. Furthermore, bandits roam the area outside the pass, and no merchants from the Western Regions dare to come here anymore! Our Han caravans can't get through either!"
There isn't much arable land in Dunhuang, and in the past, the prosperity and wealth of Dunhuang relied on collecting commercial taxes.
"However, since Prefect Xun arrived, many workshops have sprung up in the south of the city, and the lives of the people have improved considerably! It's a pity that those goods can only be sold within the territory, and the profits are not high!"
Li Jue asked curiously, "Prefect Xun? Could you be from the Xun family of Yingchuan?"
"Indeed, it is Xun You from Yingchuan. He has passed His Majesty's test and arrived here. Although he is young, he is a rare talent for governance!"
Zhang Ji nodded, his words filled with praise and respect for Xun You.
"Haha~ The more talented people like this, the better. That way we can go out and fight with peace of mind!"
Li Jue laughed heartily twice. After being trained by Duan Jiong, he now clearly understood the importance of managing the rear. He admired these talented people who could govern a region.
At this point, Zhang Ji couldn't help but shake his head slightly and sigh, "Ah~ Yes, if it weren't for the existence of those bandits who blocked the trade route between Dunhuang and the Western Regions, Dunhuang City wouldn't be in such a state."
"Oh! What are the origins of those bandits? Have they ever crossed the border?"
Li Jue couldn't help but look at Zhang Ji and began to inquire about the bandits outside the pass, seemingly very interested.
Zhang Ji said, "The bandits are a very complex group, including Qiang people, Yuezhi people, Xiongnu people, and some bandits from various Western Regions countries. Their scale is not very large, but there are several bandit groups that roam around Dunhuang, and they have all been repelled by my nephew's troops."
Li Jue couldn't help but ask, "Oh? Your nephew? You mean Zhang Xiu, who studied under Tong Yuan?"
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