Three Kingdoms King of the North

Chapter 539 Restarting the Trade Route

It was already evening when Han Zhan returned to the city after inspecting the fifteen communication platforms.

As soon as he returned to the front of the mansion, Chen Dao came to report to Han Zhan: "My lord, you are finally back. The military adviser and the long history have been waiting in the mansion for a long time."

Knowing that Guo Jia and Xun Yu were waiting for him in the mansion, Han Zhan quickly handed over the reins of the horse in his hand to a soldier, and followed Chen Dao to the meeting hall quickly.

When Han Zhan entered the conference hall, he found that not only Guo Jia and Xun Yu were there, but also Xun You, Tian Feng, Xu Shu and others who hadn't visited for a long time were also there.

The people who were chatting saw Han Zhan walking into the conference hall, they hurried forward to greet him, and after crossing their hands and saluting, they said in unison: "The subordinates are waiting to welcome the lord back to the mansion!"

"Exemption!" Han Zhan waved his hands at his subordinates and said, "Everyone, please sit down."

After the counselors were seated, Han Zhan, who was eager to understand the affairs of the court, looked at Xun Yu and asked anxiously, "Chang Shi, did the envoy of the Great Qin Kingdom meet His Majesty today?"

"Report to my lord!" Hearing Han Zhan asking himself, Xun Yu quickly stood up and replied, "This morning, my subordinate led the envoys of the Great Qin Kingdom to meet His Majesty."

"What do you say, Your Majesty?" Han Zhan was eager to know the attitude of Han Xiandi, to see if the other party intends to reopen the Silk Road. After all, the decision of the imperial court will have a decisive impact on his next strategy.

"Your Majesty immediately asked the ministers what they thought of this matter after hearing the intention of the envoy." Xun Yu said to Han Zhan: "The Taiwei, Taifu, and ministers all said that the trade route can be reopened. In order to persuade Your Majesty , They also specifically mentioned the past when Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian as an envoy to the Western Regions."

"Oh, Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions?"

Xun Yu was worried that Han Zhan was too young to know about Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions. After all, it was an old story 300 years ago. There used to be a nomadic tribe living in the Qilian area. When they captured the land of Wusun, a neighboring country, they clashed with the Xiongnu. At the time of the old Shangshan, they were completely conquered by the Huns. The old Shangshan killed King Yuezhi , and cut off his head to make a wine vessel. After the national calamity, the Yuezhi people were forced to move westward to the Western Regions, drove away the original Cypriots, and re-established the country. But they did not forget their homeland, always He was preparing to avenge the Xiongnu, and he really wanted someone to help them to attack the Xiongnu. Based on this situation, Emperor Wu decided to join forces with the Da Yuezhi to attack the Xiongnu together. So he ordered the selection of talents and sent them to the Western Regions.”

Although Han Zhan knew about Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, since Xun Yu brought it up, he didn't interrupt, and patiently listened to the other party's 300-year-old story.

"In the second year of Emperor Wu Jianyuan, Zhang Qian was ordered to lead more than 100 people from Longxi, with a surrendered Hu Rentang Yifu as a guide and translator. When they went west and entered the Hexi Corridor controlled by the Huns, they unfortunately ran into the cavalry of the Huns. Everyone They were all captured. After learning that Zhang Qian was an envoy of the Han Dynasty, the kings of the right side of the Xiongnu immediately sent people to escort them to the court of the Huns and hand them over to Shanyu, the son of the old Shang Shanyu.

Shan Yu, a military official, learned that Zhang Qian and his party were going to go to the Western Regions, so naturally they would not be allowed to pass, so they were detained and placed under house arrest.In order to win over Zhang Qian and dispel his idea of ​​going to Yueshi as an envoy, Shan Yu used all kinds of coercion and temptation, and even married Zhang Qian to a Hun woman and gave birth to a child.

But Shan Yu's approach failed to achieve his goal.Zhang Qian's "do not disgrace the emperor's order" and "hold the Han Festival without losing", he never forgot the sacred mission entrusted to him by Emperor Wu, and did not waver in his will and determination to serve as the envoy of the Han Dynasty.

In the sixth year of Yuanguang, Zhang Qian, who had been under house arrest for ten years, found that the Huns had relaxed their surveillance.Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, he decisively abandoned his wife and children, led his entourage, escaped from the court of the Huns, and continued westward to Da Yuezhi. . "

Seeing that Han Zhan was listening with gusto, Rob hurriedly approached him and asked in a low voice, "My lord, it's already getting late. I think all the adults haven't had dinner yet. Would you like to order the kitchen to prepare the meal?"

When Han Zhan was reminded by Rob, he immediately realized that he hadn't considered the problem well. It was getting late, but he let all his counselors go hungry to accompany him to listen to Xun Yu's story, and quickly told Rob: "Rob, immediately order the kitchen to prepare Meals, this Marquis will entertain the ministers here."

After Rob left, Han Zhan said politely to Xun Yu, "Dinner will be delivered soon, Chang Shi, please continue."

Xun Yu nodded, and continued: "... This kind of escape is very dangerous and difficult. Fortunately, Zhang Qian and others stayed in the Huns for ten years, not only knowing the road to the Western Regions in detail, but also learning how the Huns lived. They wore Hu clothes and were difficult to be seized by the Huns, so they passed through the areas controlled by the Huns smoothly.

But when they were trapped by the Huns, the situation in the Western Regions had changed.With the support and instigation of the Xiongnu, Wusun, Yuezhi's enemy, attacked Yuezhi in the west.The Yuezhi people were forced to continue to move westward, entered the Guishui area to conquer Daxia, and built another home on the new land.

After Zhang Qian learned about this situation, he did not head northwest after passing Cheshi Kingdom, but turned southwest, entered Yanqi, went westward along the Tarim River, crossed Kuqa, Shule and other places, crossed Congling, and reached Dawan.

After Zhang Qian arrived in Dawan, he explained to the king of Dawan his mission to the Yueshi and all the encounters along the way. He hoped that Dawan would send someone to see him off. Show your thanks.The King of Dayuan had heard about the prosperity of the Han Dynasty in the east, and wanted to communicate with the Han Dynasty, but was hindered by the Huns.

The unexpected arrival of the Han envoy made him very happy, and what Zhang Qian said made him even more tempted.So he fully agreed to Zhang Qian's request, and after warm hospitality, he sent a guide and interpreter to send Zhang Qian and others to Kangju.Zhang Qian and others passed through Kangju and arrived in Daxia.With the help of Daxia Kingdom, they finally came to Da Yueshi.

But what is unexpected is that during the ten years when Zhang Qian and others were trapped by the Huns, the Da Yuezhi, who was attacked by Wusun, has now moved to the Amu Darya River.Since coming to the Amu Darya River and submitting to Daxia by force, the new land is very fertile and rich in products, and it is far away from the Xiongnu and Wusun. The danger of foreign enemies has been greatly reduced. King Da Yuezhi changed his attitude. Wu Wudong was also an enemy of the Huns.

When Zhang Qian proposed to them, they had no intention of avenging the Huns.In addition, they believed that the Han Dynasty was too far away from the Da Yuezhi. If they jointly attacked the Xiongnu, they might not be able to help them in danger.Therefore, Zhang Qian and others stayed in the Yuezhi for more than a year, but they still failed to persuade the Yuezhi people to ally with the Han Dynasty and attack the Xiongnu.

Zhang Qian stayed in Da Yuezhi for more than a year, but he could not get any results, so he had to leave for home in the first year of Yuanshuo.On the way home, Zhang Qian changed his marching route in order to avoid the area controlled by the Huns.It is planned to pass through the Qiang area so as not to be blocked by the Huns.So after crossing the Congling Ridge again, they did not take the north road they came on, but changed to the south road, from Shache, through Khotan and Shanshan, and entered the Qiang area.But unexpectedly, the Qiang people had become vassals of the Huns. Zhang Qian and others were captured by the Huns cavalry again and detained for more than a year.

At the beginning of the third year of Yuanshuo, Shan Yu, a military official, died, and his younger brother, King Zuoguli, made himself Shan Yu, and attacked the prince Yu Shan who was the military official Shan Yu.Yu Shan failed and fled.Taking advantage of the civil strife among the Huns, Zhang Qian fled back to Chang'an with his Hun wife and Tang Yifu.This is Zhang Qian's first mission to the Western Regions.Starting from the second year of Emperor Wu's Jianyuan period to the third year of Yuanshuo's return to the Han Dynasty, it lasted 13 years. "

After Xun Yu finished telling the story of Zhang Qian's first mission to the Western Regions, Han Zhan couldn't help applauding.Regardless of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, later generations are familiar with it, but the specific process is unknown to Han Zhan. Xun Yu's narration is equivalent to giving him a history lesson.

"After listening to Chang Shi's words, the Marquis realized how difficult it was for Zhang Qian to open up the trade routes in the Western Regions." Han Zhan said, "Nowadays, a good opportunity to reopen the trade routes has finally appeared. Naturally, it cannot be taken lightly. give up."

"My lord is wise!" Xun Yu waited for Han Zhan to finish speaking, and immediately said with an excuse: "It was not easy for the ancestors to open up this trade route. Now that an envoy from the Great Qin Kingdom has come here on his own initiative, it is time to reopen the trade route. Listen, Your Majesty." After discussing with all the courtiers, he decisively decided to reopen the trade route, and send a caravan to the west after the beginning of spring."

Han Zhan nodded, and asked solemnly: "I wonder who His Majesty is going to send to be responsible for forming the caravan and preparing the goods?"

"The new Shaofu Kong Rong Kong Wenju!"

"Your Majesty knows people well. If you want to reopen the trade route, Kong Wenju is indeed the best candidate." As soon as Han Zhan said this, he saw Rob enter the meeting room again, followed by a group of servants carrying trays, He hurriedly raised his voice and told the other party: "Rob, I think you adults must be hungry, so hurry up and order people to put on a banquet, don't neglect."

Chapter 540 Pacifying the Northern Territory (End of the book)

In April of the third year of Chuping, Shaofu Kong Rong was ordered by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to lead a caravan of 5000 people. Under the protection of [-] elite soldiers, he went west with Antonio, the envoy of the Great Qin Kingdom, to open up a new relationship with the Great Qin Kingdom. trade routes between.

In May, Han Zhanbiao played Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, appointed Xu Shu as governor of Bingzhou, Tian Feng as governor of Bingzhou, and sent Dianwei to lead five thousand soldiers to escort the two to Shangdang to take office.

In June, Xu Shu, Tian Feng, Dian Wei and others arrived at Shangdang with their troops.Shangdang prefect Zhang Yang learned that the new governor of Bingzhou had arrived, so he went out of the city thirty miles to meet him.

In the same month, he secretly befriended Yuan Shao, the prefect of Tudun Bohai Sea, and sent troops north to attack Gongsun Zan.

Gongsun Zan led the attack, and the two sides fought in Zhuo County, south of Ji County.

Although Yuan Shao had powerful generals like Yan Liang and Wen Chou under his command, as well as advisors from Shen Pei, Xin Ping, and Xin Pi, Gongsun Zan was assisted by the three brothers Liu Bei.The two sides fought for a month, and each had a winner or loser, and no one could do anything to the other, so they confronted each other in Zhuo County.

In July, Wuhuan Shanyu Tadun dispatched his generals Nanlou, Su Puyan, and Wuyan to attack Xuantu County, Changli County, and Liaodong County at the same time, forcing Gongsun Zan to mobilize troops to meet them.

Aware of Gongsun Zan's division of troops, Yuan Shao immediately launched a new offensive.Gongsun Zan, who was short of troops, was no match for Yuan Shao, so he had to abandon Zhuo County and return to Ji County to hold out.Taking advantage of Gongsun Zan's fear of going out to fight, Yuan Shao sent Yan Liang, Shen Pei, Xin Pi and others to attack Lelang County and Daifang County.

In October, Lelang County, Daifang County, Xuantu County, Changli County, and Liaodong County were all in Yuan Shao's pocket, while Gongsun Zan's territory was only left in Liaoxi County, Youbeiping County, and Yuyang County. County, Shanggu County, Fanyang County, Dai County and other places.

Seeing that nearly half of the territory in Youzhou had fallen into his own hands, Yuan Shao felt that Gongsun Zan's power was over. In addition, Liu Yu, the shepherd of Youzhou, died of illness.

The news of Yuan Shao's self-in charge of the Shepherd of Youzhou soon spread to Yecheng, and Han Zhan summoned his subordinates to discuss the matter.

Guo Jia suggested to Han Zhan, and presented Gongsun Zan as the new Youzhou Shepherd to Han Xiandi, asking him to fight Yuan Shao to the death.After the two were defeated, they would send troops from Jizhou to destroy Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan.

Han Zhan adopted Guo Jia's suggestion and asked Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to appoint Gongsun Zan as the new Shepherd of Youzhou, and let him and Yuan Shao fight against each other and attack each other.

Gongsun Zan was appointed as Shepherd of Youzhou by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, so he dispatched troops from Jixian County in an attempt to retake the five counties occupied by Yuan Shao. From then on, the two sides began to attack each other for two years.

In March of the fifth year of Chuping, after two years of fighting each other, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao became exhausted.Seeing that Yuan Shao was still unable to take down Gongsun Zan, Ta Dun led his troops back to his royal court.

Knowing that Tadun had led his army back to the north, Guo Jia advised Han Zhan that the time was ripe to capture Youzhou and he could formally send troops to Youzhou.

In April, Han Zhan led Guo Jia, Jushou, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong and Zhang He, and led 15 troops to leave Jizhou, and went to Bohai County in a mighty way.

In order to fight Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao had already dispatched all the soldiers and horses in Bohai County.Wherever Han Zhan's soldiers and horses passed, they were all waiting for the wind to surrender.Han Zhan easily occupied the entire territory of Bohai County without a single soldier.

Knowing that Bohai County fell, Yuan Shao couldn't help but turn pale with shock, and quickly ordered Yan Liang to lead [-] troops to meet him.Although Yan Liang was skilled in martial arts, he was a man of courage and intrepidity, and was beheaded and killed by Huang Zhong outside Zhuo County.

Knowing that Yan Liang died in battle, Yuan Shao knew that Han Zhan's attack could not be stopped, so he listened to the persuasion of Shenpei and Xin Ping, and led the troops back to the east, preparing to let Han Zhan's soldiers and horses fight Gongsun Zan to the death, so he could sit comfortably. View from the wall.

Seeing Yuan Shao's soldiers and horses fleeing far away, Han Zhan continued to march northward to attack Ji County, where Gongsun Zan was standing firm.

Gongsun Zan mobilized soldiers and horses from Dai Commandery and Yuyang Commandery to reinforce him, and prepared to fight Han Zhan outside Jixian County to the death.

On the third day of May, Han Zhan's 12 troops and Gongsun Zan's [-] troops fought a scuffle outside Ji County.Regardless of Gongsun Zan's large number of soldiers, after two years of melee, all veterans with combat experience were almost dead, and the recruits that were improvised were no match for Han Zan's experienced soldiers.