"Ding Yuan has amassed an army of about 100,000 to seize Zhangye?"
"Is the Loulan Kingdom facing a dual threat from the Northern Xiongnu and the Yuchi Xianbei?"
Jin Yichuan, his face covered in dust and sand, reported the military situation on the west bank of the river to Liu Wei.
From Zhangye to Juyan Lake is more than 100 li, and from Juyan Lake to Shuofang Wuyuan is another 600 to 700 li.
Who knows how many fast horses Jin Yichuan killed, but he arrived at Liu Wei's place in just three days.
This made Liu Wei uneasy as well.
I never expected the military situation in Hexi and the Western Regions to become so serious.
It was originally thought that Xue Rengui would follow behind Yuchi Xianbei, capturing Dunhuang and Jiuquan as he went.
Now, Ding Yuan has caught wind of the commotion and is getting involved too.
Moreover, Ding Yuan was even able to gather an army of 100,000.
It seems he has quelled the rebellions in Jincheng and Wuwei, incorporated many rebel troops, and greatly increased his strength.
Xue Rengui commanded 1,900 Xuanjia cavalry and 4,000 Baipao cavalry, plus auxiliary troops, totaling just over 10,000.
With superior numbers and overwhelming force, even if the Xuanjia cavalry are brave and invincible, this might be the first effective confrontation between the two armies.
Once the enemy discovers that there are heavily armored cavalry, they will rack their brains to find ways to deal with them.
The second battle, however, will not be so easy.
"Will Ding himself lead the troops, or will someone else do it?"
Liu Wei thought of a crucial question.
"The scouts did not find out who the enemy's commander was, but they saw that the enemy army consisted of both Han and non-Han peoples, and had a large number of cavalry that stretched out in an endless line."
Jin Yichuan told him the truth.
With both Hu and Han people present, it goes without saying that the Qiang cavalry from Xiping had also been conquered by Ding Yuan and ordered to fight alongside him.
There were Han Chinese infantrymen with bows and crossbows, and also Hu (non-Han) cavalry.
If it wasn't Ding Yuan personally leading the army, then it was either Zhang Yang or Lü Bu, or both of them.
Liu Wei frowned as he thought of Lü Bu's unparalleled fighting prowess.
It is unknown whether Xue Rengui could defeat Lü Bu.
"Alright, Brother Jin, you've worked hard. Go back and rest now."
"Someone, summon the strategist to come here immediately for a meeting."
Liu Wei immediately gave the order.
Zhangye controls the throat of Hexi Corridor and connects to the newly captured strategic location of Juyan Lake.
Although Zhangye has already controlled the crossroads of Juyan Lake, it has effectively strangled the Hexi Corridor.
As long as Zhangye is held, then Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and the Western Regions will naturally be under Liu Wei's control.
Even if Ding Yuan took his complaint to the emperor, it would be to no avail.
This was the territory that Liu Wei drove away and recovered from the Yuchi Xianbei.
Liu Wei was also assassinated by assassins sent by Empress He, which enraged him.
His capture of the three prefectures west of the Yellow River would at most temporarily quell his anger.
In short, what's ingested can't be vomited up.
Zhangye cannot be lost!
Liu Wei decided to personally lead the expedition.
He summoned Yao Guangxiao to arrange for him to oversee matters related to the rear.
"My lord, is it absolutely necessary for you to go? Could you send another general to reinforce General Xue?"
Yao Guangxiao rushed over, and upon hearing Liu Wei's decision, his opposition wasn't so strong.
However, he still hoped that Liu Wei would not go.
The battlefield is unpredictable; staying in the rear and strategizing offers a higher level of safety.
Who should we send?
Li Su is certainly not up to the task. Liu Du and Pugu Huaiyu are both from different ethnic groups. They are good at charging into battle, but they are not good at holding down a stronghold on their own.
There's no need to buy another green-quality general from the system shop right now!
Liu Wei, however, planned to recruit a red-quality general to support the Northern Protectorate.
"Great monk, this time, I must go."
"This army of 100,000 is not the cavalry of foreign tribes such as the Xiongnu and Xianbei, but the army of the Han Dynasty."
"If I were to appear there, they would not dare to attack rashly."
With a solemn expression, Liu Wei took out the seal of the Cloud King's Palace and said, "The military situation is urgent. Great Monk, you shall carry out my orders!"
"I estimate this trip will take at least ten days and at most half a month. Everything in the rear will be entrusted to you. Cai Yong and Wei Ji can assist you."
"While I am away from Wuyuan, I will report to you on the important military and political affairs of the three governors, Liu Du, Li Su, and Zhang Xun, and you will have full authority to make decisions!"
"Zhang Liao is leading an expedition to Dongsheng. You will provide support and oversee operations from the rear."
"Great monk, could you please guard the three prefectures of the Hetao region for me, and ensure that the major projects such as land reclamation, city construction, breeding, and road building proceed in an orderly manner?"
Seeing Liu Wei's arrangement, Yao Guangxiao no longer objected and solemnly accepted the seal, saying:
"Since my lord has made up his mind, I will certainly protect the three prefectures of Hetao so that my lord can focus on his work without any distractions."
Liu Wei continued, "Great monk, Prefect Zhang sent troops to Dongsheng for two reasons: first, to completely eliminate the remnants of the Xiongnu within his territory; and second, to obtain the salt from Qingyan Marsh and the iron ore from Dongsheng."
"These two mines are of great importance. You'll have to put in a lot of effort."
Yao Guangxiao had previously heard Liu Wei mention the iron mine in Dongsheng, and that there was also a limestone mine in Dongsheng.
This is the raw material for making cement, the "miracle material" for road and city construction that Liu Wei mentioned.
This was the first time he had ever heard of such a material, which, when mixed with water and sand in a certain ratio and dried in the wind, could be as hard as a rock and would not decay for a hundred years.
Right now, with his road and city construction projects in progress, this is exactly what he needs!
"Rest assured, my lord, these resources are the core of our strategy of stockpiling grain and building high walls."
With resources like salt, iron, and coal in hand, plus potato seeds currently being cultivated, and hybrid rice and corn to be planted next spring.
Yao Guangxiao is full of hope for the economy next year.
Now, the main thing is to avoid being a liability or a hindrance in military matters.
"You don't need to worry about Governor Zhang's Yunzhong. After you train a new person, you can transfer him to the central government to assist you!"
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