"That's right. I heard that it was because Goguryeo killed those brothers and the eunuchs who delivered the imperial edict that His Majesty personally led an expedition to destroy Goguryeo."
Dong Zhuo nodded in agreement, a hint of excitement appearing on his face as he spoke of personally leading the expedition.
Nearly two months had passed since Liu Hong issued the imperial edict to personally lead the expedition and set off with his troops. Everyone was aware of this, and while they were excited, they couldn't help but feel a little regretful that they hadn't been able to participate.
Xun You smiled and said, "That's right. Not only now, but Ban Dingyuan also destroyed many of them back then. Therefore, these countries in the Western Regions are still afraid of them."
"And what about the brothers who went to that chariot?"
After listening to Xun You's analysis of the situation in the Western Regions, Lü Bu couldn't help but inquire about the last group of troops.
Xun You laughed and said, "The Cheshi is divided into two parts. The front Cheshi is located northwest of Gaochang and is on good terms with the Han Dynasty; the rear Cheshi is located southeast of Wusun and often interacts with the Xiongnu. There are deep conflicts between the two parts."
Once the northern Cheshi killed Han soldiers, the front Cheshi would use this as a pretext to join forces with Wusun to attack the rear. If war broke out, the north wouldn't have enough troops to attack Shanshan, so the soldiers heading to Cheshi would be safe.
"Therefore, Xun believed that the best outcome would be for our Han army to launch a westward expedition after the states of Cheshi and Jingjue had conquered Shanshan and defeated them in one fell swoop."
At that time, the kingdoms of the Western Regions, filled with fear, will surely send our brothers home willingly, and we will be able to smoothly take over a kingdom without a ruler. With Shanshan as our outpost, we will restore the Han Dynasty's control over the Western Regions.
Upon hearing Xun You's analysis, Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, and Huang Zhong suddenly understood.
"We military men are ignorant of these matters. If it weren't for Prefect Xun's painstaking efforts in explaining the advantages and disadvantages today, we would have almost jeopardized His Majesty's important plans..."
Huang Zhong also stood up, looking ashamed, and apologized to Xun You. Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo also bowed in greeting.
“Generals, we all serve His Majesty, we must not do such a thing.”
Xun You's expression also turned serious, and he quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
After exchanging pleasantries, Dong Zhuo laughed loudly, "Haha~, Prefect Xun, you are a guest from afar. Today we have arrived in your territory, so you must treat us well."
"That's only right, generals, please!"
Xun You chuckled lightly, then ordered a grand banquet to be held in the prefect's mansion, where he entertained the officers and soldiers with wine and meat, and also sent meat to the soldiers in the camp.
That night, the entire prefectural governor's mansion was filled with the noisy sounds of soldiers drinking and playing drinking games, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
The banquet lasted until late at night before it ended. Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo, Huang Zhong, and the others, having eaten and drunk their fill, returned to their respective residences and began to sleep soundly.
Thus, under Xun You's arrangement, Lü Bu and his men feasted for three days in a row, while the army showed no sign of moving.
This greatly worried Mu Lang, the envoy from Shanshan Kingdom. He went to see Huang Zhong, Lü Bu, and others every day, but was unable to do so.
On the morning of the fourth day, Mu Lang arrived at the courtyard where they were staying.
Even as the sun rose high in the sky, no one came out, and Mu Lang paced anxiously back and forth in the courtyard.
Perhaps because he was awakened by hunger, Dong Zhuo, with his large belly, yawned and walked out of the house after noon.
Seeing this, Mu Lang quickly stepped forward and asked urgently, "General Dong, when will the Han army be able to set off?"
"Depart? Depart for what purpose?"
Dong Zhuo looked at Mu Lang with a dazed expression, giving the impression that he had not yet woken up from a dream.
"Send aid to our country! Our country is trapped and in imminent danger..."
"Oh, you'll have to ask Prefect Xun about that. If he doesn't provide us with food and clothing, how are we supposed to get out of the pass?"
Before Mu Lang could finish speaking, Dong Zhuo yawned again, turned around and walked into the house, slamming the door shut on Mu Lang outside.
"I..."
Seeing the tightly closed door, Mu Lang was slightly taken aback. He wanted to knock and ask what was going on, but he didn't dare. He could only sigh and head towards the prefect's mansion.
"Prefect Xun, now that the army has arrived in Dunhuang, why are you delaying the dispatch of troops?"
As soon as Xun You appeared, Mu Lang couldn't wait to ask the reason.
"Oh, Envoy Mulang, please don't be impatient. Sit down and let me explain slowly..."
Xun You, however, smiled broadly and gestured for Mu Lang to sit down before continuing the conversation.
Seeing this, Mulang had no choice but to kneel on a soft cushion in the guest area.
After taking his seat, Xun You sighed softly, "Alas, Envoy Mu Lang, as you know, an army marches on its stomach. The amount of provisions needed for a force of ten thousand is no small matter."
Furthermore, given the freezing weather, a large amount of warm clothing is needed, which will require gradual preparation.
If we are unprepared and hastily send out troops, I fear that the army will suffer heavy losses and become ineffective before even reaching Shanshan. This responsibility is one I cannot bear.
Mu Lang hurriedly asked, "Then how many days will it take Prefect Xun?"
Xun You frowned and did some calculations, then held up two fingers and shook them: "It will take at least two months."
"Two...two months?"
Upon hearing that it had been such a long time, Mu Lang's expression immediately turned sour.
"Prefect Xun, my king is now besieged by an army of 50,000. I fear he cannot hold out for more than two months. I beg you, Prefect Xun, to have pity on the people of Shanshan and send troops as soon as possible."
After saying this, Mu Lang stood up, looked at Xun You with pleading eyes, and then bowed.
"Hmph~".
As soon as Mu Lang finished speaking, Xun You couldn't help but snort coldly, his eyes fixed on Mu Lang.
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