After the Xiongnu migrated westward, Tanshihuai led the Xianbei army back to Tanhan Mountain for rest and recuperation.
After repeated battles with Xie Zhiyu, Tan Shihuai's soldiers were extremely exhausted and no longer able to launch attacks against the Yuwen and Murong tribes.
The western grasslands have temporarily settled down, but war is about to break out in the eastern grasslands.
The Yuwen and Murong tribes also led their assembled 40,000 cavalrymen in a grand procession toward the Northern Wuhuan, who were stationed near Hulun Lake.
Meanwhile, Tuolü, Chen Qing, and others led the Red Ribbon Army to continuously nibble away at the small and medium-sized tribes under the Murong tribe.
Mid-August of the sixth year of Jianning.
Upon learning about the situation on the grassland, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh.
He never expected that Tan Shihuai would let Xie Zhiyu go.
Now that Xie Zhi has moved west, the Western Regions will surely be in great chaos, and the interests of the Han Dynasty in the Western Regions will also be severely affected.
Liu Hong closed his eyes slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he pondered what to do next.
Before long, Zhang Rang rushed in from outside the hall and bowed to Liu Hong.
"Your Majesty, the Director of the Drama Bureau and the others have arrived!"
Liu Hong opened his eyes: "Let them in!"
"yes!"
Zhang Rang agreed and then quickly ran outside.
Before long, Xi Zhicai, Zhong Yao, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhou Yi, Zhang Zhao, Sima Fang and others followed Zhang Rang into the hall.
After the emperor and his ministers exchanged greetings, Liu Hong handed over intelligence about the grasslands to Xi Zhicai and the others.
"Your Majesty, this Tan Shihuai is indeed quite capable. He actually came up with this method to distract our Great Han and buy him time to develop. What a clever plan!"
After reading the intelligence, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but praise Tan Shihuai.
Liu Hong smiled. "Then, Zhi Cai, how does our Great Han Dynasty think it should respond?"
Xi Zhicai's expression turned serious: "When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits!"
Liu Hong raised an eyebrow: "Tell me your thoughts!"
"Your Majesty, Tan Shihuai's plan was indeed good, but unfortunately, he underestimated the strength of our Great Han."
Today, our great Han Dynasty has begun to cultivate land in Shanshan, Jingjue, Xiaowan, Cheshi and other countries, and has stationed troops there. In addition, hundreds of thousands of young men have settled down there.
"To think that the fleeing Xiongnu could conquer the Western Regions is nothing short of a pipe dream."
Liu Hong smiled and nodded: "That's right, but I'm afraid that's not what you really think, is it?"
"Nothing can be hidden from His Majesty!"
Xi Zhicai smiled and then said, "Your Majesty, Tan Shihuai is trying to use Xie Zhiyu to stir up trouble in the Western Regions and distract our Han Dynasty so that he can create an opportunity for himself to unify the grasslands."
What he didn't know was that the establishment of the Dunhuang Camp by the Great Han Dynasty was not to regain control of the Western Regions, but to completely annex them.
However, some Western Region states have been wavering, outwardly submitting to our Han Dynasty while harboring malicious intentions. Our Han Dynasty is currently unable to launch a distant expedition, and has no choice but to resort to the means of dividing and winning over.
Now that the Xiezhi have entered the Western Regions, we might as well use them to help our Great Han Dynasty destroy those countries and completely eliminate the hidden dangers in the Western Regions.
At that time, the Western Regions will only have the Xiongnu as their sole enemy, which will be far easier than facing other states.
Liu Hong nodded: "That's true. Now that the Xiongnu are helping us destroy the Western Regions, our Han Dynasty can indeed save a lot of energy."
However, this would also strengthen the Xiongnu, making it much more difficult for our Han Dynasty to deal with them.
Xi Zhicai laughed and said, "Your Majesty, our Great Han Dynasty cannot allow the Xiongnu to run rampant. We still need to unite some countries to fight against the Xiongnu."
In this way, we can simultaneously deplete the manpower of the Xiongnu and the Western Regions. Once they are nearly exhausted, our Han Dynasty can then launch an expedition in the name of the royal army to rescue the Western Regions.
At that time, the Han Dynasty will be the savior of the people of the Western Regions, and it will be perfectly reasonable to bring them under the rule of the Han Dynasty!
"Hmm, that's a good idea!"
Liu Hong smiled and nodded, then turned to Tian Feng and the others: "What do you all think?"
Tian Feng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that although Zhi Cai's plan is a bit vicious, it is the most effective and can be implemented!"
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai's lips twitched. "Since you approve of my plan, why do you call me ruthless?"
Tian Feng replied expressionlessly, "No, one thing at a time. I can approve of your plan because it benefits the Han Dynasty, not because I approve of your ruthlessness!"
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai's face twitched: "You, Tian Yuanhao, you..."
Halfway through her sentence, remembering Tian Feng's personality, she turned her head to the side and said, "Hmph, I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Since Dong Zhuo left, Tian Feng has reverted to his original appearance. If Xi Zhicai were to argue with him, he would probably be driven mad with anger.
Seeing that Xi Zhicai had been humiliated in front of Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhou Yi, and the others couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Liu Hong smiled and shook his head: "Alright, let's get back to business!"
Everyone straightened up and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Just now Zhicai said that we need to unite the several countries in the Western Regions to fight against the Xiongnu. This requires sending a suitable person. I wonder who you all think would be more suitable?"
Upon hearing Liu Hong's question, Xi Zhicai and the others began to ponder.
The first person everyone thought of was Chu Qian, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department who drafted the Treaty of Shanshan.
But upon closer reflection, everyone secretly shook their heads.
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