The World of Yellow Sky

"After the military parade, the faces of the several envoys were very dignified. Some small countries in the Western Regions have privately sent people to contact the officials of the Ministry of Rites, wanting to attach themselves to our army and expressing their willingness to attach themselves."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been grouped into the Ministry of Rites, so Yang Ji also changed his name.

"Since the abolition of the original Protectorate of the Han Court, the Western Regions have been in war. Big countries annexed small countries, merged vertically and horizontally, alliances rebelled, and all kinds of things happened. The envoys of those small countries wanted to invite Ming Gong to pay attention. Set up the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and the envoys of Jingjue Kingdom will be in it."

"Reset the Protectorate of the Western Regions?"

Heaven obeys people's wishes, Xu An originally wanted to temporarily open up trade routes and open up a way to make money, but he did not expect that there would be countries in the Western Regions willing to take the initiative to help.

Now there are countries in the Western Regions that support the establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and there are even countries that are willing to belong to them. According to this calculation, the establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions should not receive too many obstacles.

Yang Ji still called Xu An Minggong, although the court councilors called them kings, but in normal times, Xu An specially stipulated that everyone should use the original address, after all, he was used to it.

Yang Ji took a letter from his sleeve and held it up with both hands.

"This is based on some information obtained from the dictation of those envoys. It is the approximate number of troops, the size of the territory, and the number of cities of the countries in the Western Regions. Although it is not necessarily accurate, it is also of reference value. set."

Without Xu An's words, Xu Hong, who was standing under the steps as a guard, had already stepped forward, took the letter from Yang Ji, and then climbed up the steps to deliver it to the desk in front of Xu An.

Xu An unfolded the document, frowning slightly.

Seeing Xu An frowning slightly, several cabinet ministers in the Xuanzheng point also became curious about the information written on the document.

Of course, Yan Zhong was not among the suspicious people.

Seeing Xu An's expression, he knew that Xu An was just confused and didn't feel any pressure.

I have to say that Yan Zhong guessed right, Xu An is really puzzled now.

He had read the "Han Shu" written by Ban Gu, which described the Western Regions. It was the Western Han Dynasty. At that time, the population of the countries in the Western Regions was not large, and their military strength was not strong.

But what he didn't expect was that after hundreds of years, the development of the countries in the Western Regions was almost stagnant, and even regressed...

"Hanshu Biography of the Western Regions" records: "Shanshan Kingdom, whose real name is Loulan, Wang Zhinicheng, went to Yangguan for 570 miles, and went to Chang'an 12 miles. There are [-] households, [-] mouths, and [-] soldiers. Nine hundred and twelve people."

The current Shanshan Kingdom only has more than 3000 soldiers, so I am afraid that the population has not increased much.

"Han Shu Biography of the Western Regions": "Jingjue country, Wang Zhijingjuecheng, went to Chang'an 820 miles, 480 households, 360 500 people, [-] victorious soldiers.

The population of Jingjue Kingdom has increased a bit, and there are more than 1000 soldiers in the army.There are almost 7000 registered persons.

Even so, the Jingjue Kingdom only has more than 1000 soldiers, but in the Western Regions, the Jingjue Kingdom is already considered a big country...

The rest of the small countries are even worse. There is even a country with only one earthen city and a population of less than a thousand people, but it calls itself a country.

The strength of the troops in Kucha and Khotan is unclear, but I am afraid that they will not be too much. Although the envoys of the two countries did not contact the officials of the Ministry of Rites in private like other countries, after watching the military parade, the envoys of the two countries are all His complexion is ashen, and he is submissive when facing the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

The ratio of soldiers to people in these countries is ten to one, or even lower, and the quality of the soldiers is not high. Because of the conditions in the Western Regions, their armaments are not very good, and they don't have new harnesses.

Xu An now has some confidence in the caravan's trip to the Western Regions. Zhang Liao brought the five thousand Wuxiang Battalion, and he may be the overlord in the Western Regions.

However, the information from the Ministry of Rites made Xu An hesitate a bit. Since the power of the countries in the Western Regions is not strong, it can be considered to directly establish the framework of the Protectorate of the Western Regions this time.

Xu An picked up the document submitted by Yang Ji and asked Xu Hong to pass it on to everyone in the hall.

After watching it, everyone felt the same as Xu An. The power of the countries in the Western Regions is indeed not strong, so it's no wonder that those small countries wanted to join forces after watching the military parade.

They had never seen so many cavalry, and they were fully armed elite cavalry.

"What do you think about the re-establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions?"

One person judges the disadvantages, and two people judge the advantages. Xu An did not make a judgment alone.

As the cabinet is a consultant, Xu An naturally will not treat it as a display.

"There were originally 36 countries in the Western Regions, but now they are attacking each other and annexing each other. There are not many countries left. Years of wars have made their national power not strong, and the western countries should not be strong."

Yan Zhong bowed slightly and gave a salute, then stepped forward and walked out of the queue. Although he was gradually getting old and his back was slightly bent, his eyes were still clear at this time.

"Although it is stated that the opening of the Silk Road is to increase the revenue of the national treasury. It is reasonable to say that it is not appropriate to go to war now to rest the people, but I think this is a good opportunity to open the Western Region Protectorate."

"Please also ask Yan Gong to explain in detail."

Seeing Yan Gong's words, Xu An immediately said respectfully.

"The walls of the Western Regions are short and the ponds are shallow, so it is not difficult to attack. The countries in the East are weak in combat power. Even if they all unite, they will not be able to defeat the soldiers of the Wuxiang Battalion. The Wuxiang battalion protects each other and surrenders without fighting. You only need to reveal a little intention to reset the Western Regions Protectorate, and threaten them with force, and the countries in the Western Regions will never dare to refuse."

"The Western Regions are originally the land of China, and its country is nothing but a vassal of China in the past."

"Under the Putian, is it the king's land; on the shore of the land, is it the king's ministers."

Yan Zhong said calmly with a dignified expression.

"The so-called countries are nothing more than a group of ridiculous ministers. Our army is powerful. We can transfer soldiers from Liangzhou internally, and cavalry from Xianbei externally. It is easy to relocate the Western Regions. Why should we think about it?"

"Whoever dares to disobey will be killed immediately!"

Chapter 738 Soldiers Enter the Western Regions, Reset the Capital Protection

Yan Zhong didn't care about the countries in the Western Regions at all, and he looked down on the 36 countries in the Western Regions.

In the palace, Jia Xu and Xu You also took it for granted, and didn't feel that there was anything wrong with Yan Zhong's words. Only Wei Lu, Yang Wei, and Ge Zhou, the three cabinet ministers who were born in the Taiping Road, had expressions on their faces. Some dignified.

Xu An raised his eyebrows slightly, and he had already figured out the key points in an instant.

Yan Zhong's contempt was not without reason. Since Emperor Wu, nomadic tribes in the northern grasslands have declined, and the Governor of the Western Regions was established.

After the founding of Guangwu, although the nomadic tribes in the north became rampant again, in the second year of Emperor Yongyuan of the Han Dynasty, Dou Xian, the chariot general, fought against Beidan in Jiluo Mountain and defeated them.Xian then climbed Yanran Mountain, went to the fortress for more than three thousand miles, and carved stones to record the achievements of the Han Dynasty, and also to record Weide.It's for Yan Ran.

The Dongyi, Nanman, Xirong, and Beidi all served as guests, and dared not violate the border.

Tribes such as Wuhuan and Xiongnu belonged to the Han Dynasty, Goguryeo, Nanman, Baiyue, etc. bowed their heads and proclaimed their vassals, and the countries in the Western Regions have basically been under the control of the Han court.

In June of the second year of Yanping (107), because of the turmoil in the Western Regions, the Han court dismissed the Protector of the Western Regions and sent troops to welcome Duan Xi and others, as well as Yiwulu and Liuzhong Tuntian officials to return to the mainland.Since then, the Han court has no longer installed the Western Regions.

But not long after, in April of the second year of Emperor Yanguang of Han'an (123), because the Northern Huns repeatedly attacked Hexi with Cheshi, the Han court appointed Ban Yong (Ban Chao's youngest son) as the chief historian of the Western Regions and left Tunliuzhong.Ban Yong defeated the northern Xiongnu, restored the peace of the Western Regions, opened the Changshi Mansion of the Western Regions, and settled the mansion in Liuzhong.

Because of the turmoil in Liangzhou, the Western Regions also cut off contact with the Central Plains. The Han army, which lost its supplies and logistics, had no choice but to abandon the Western Regions Protectorate and retreat to Yumen Pass. More precisely, at this time, it should be called the Western Regions. Shifu.

The military forces of the countries in the Western Regions are weak, and people from powerful families like Yan Zhong, Xu You, and Jia Xu didn't take it seriously at all.

In fact, it is no wonder that in the last years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the national power was so weak, the princes who ruled one side could easily defeat the surrounding foreigners.

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the heroes fought for hegemony, it was difficult for the surrounding foreigners to intervene. Wuhuan in the three counties, the Qiang people in Liangzhou, Xianbei in the north, and the Xiongnu in Bingzhou were nothing but subordinates to the princes in history.

Although the Xianbei and other tribes had a moment of glory, they were fleeting like a meteor.

Nanyue killed the envoys of the Han Dynasty, and slaughtered nine counties; the king of Wan killed the envoys of the Han Dynasty, and the North Que of Touxian; North Korea killed the envoys of the Han Dynasty, and killed them immediately!

Chinese people have always been extremely proud. They believe that the location of their country is the center of the world, and they are the masters of the world.

In the war against foreign races, Huaxia has not lost, but everyone believes that the final winner will be Huaxia.

"Book of the Later Han Biography Biography of the Southern Huns": "Han Bing prestige, the total rate of all nations, the sun and the moon shine, all are concubines. Different customs and barbarians, no relatives, obedient rewards, rebels punished , The effect of good and evil is the same for Huhan and Zhizhi."

Han Bing prestige, the general command of all nations, the sun and the moon shine, all are concubines, this is the true portrayal of China at this time, and it is also the true thought of all Chinese people.

"Since this is the case, then this trip will not only reopen the trade route, but also reopen the Protectorate of the Western Regions!"

Xu An is a good follower, since Yan Zhong and others have confidence, he doesn't think that the elite cavalry under his command will encounter any danger in the Western Regions.

When Wei Ting reopened the Western Region Chief History Mansion, there was no record of any major difficulties encountered.

"However, since this is the case, sending Wen Yuan to the Western Regions is somewhat inappropriate."

Xu An was a little hesitant. Zhang Liao was good at attacking, but not good at defending. Zhang Liao had always been dispatched by Xu An as a vanguard in the army.

In the battle against Wuhuan in the three counties, the commander in chief was actually Liu Shi, but Zhang Liao suddenly beheaded Su Puyan, the king of Khan and Lu in Wuhuan, who became famous, which covered up the merits of Liu Shi's command.

Since the Protectorate of the Western Regions was to be re-established, it would be inappropriate to send Zhang Liao there.

"Although Wen Yuan is brave, the situation in the Western Regions is complicated. Although our army is strong, if we want to pacify the Western Regions at the lowest cost, we cannot rely on force alone. It is right to combine grace and power."

Xu You walked out of the queue at this time and echoed.

However, although Xu You echoed his words, he did not immediately advise to recommend candidates. He knew the importance of such an important position as the Protector of the Western Regions. Xu An actually had a decision in his mind. Take the initiative to remonstrate.

Having been an official under Xu An for so long, he also understood some of Xu An's behavior style and temperament.

"Ziyuan said something like this, he must have a draft in his heart, do you know if there is anyone to recommend?"

However, Xu You's careful thinking did not escape Xu An, so Xu An naturally didn't mean to point it out, but continued to ask Xu You's words.

Xu You pretended to ponder for a moment, then said.

"General Guo Tai used to lead tens of thousands of yellow scarves in an orderly manner in Wangwu Mountain, and led them to grow and develop. General Tai is decisive, so I think it is most appropriate for General Guo Tai to lead the troops to the Western Regions to reopen the Protectorate of the Western Regions."

"With General Guo Tai's ability, stabilizing the Western Regions is nothing more than a piece of cake."

When rewarding all officials, Xu You remembered very clearly that Guo Tai was appointed as the general who conquered the west by Xu An.

General Zhengxi, from the word Zhengxi, Xu You misunderstood Xu An. In fact, Xu An had already decided in his mind who would be handed over to the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

Xu An was not surprised to hear that Xu You recommended Guo Tai.

It is completely different from the Xu You who was arrogant in the original time and space, who repeatedly uttered wild words because of his own merits, and was finally killed because he angered Cao Cao.

The plan to assassinate Han Lingdi was revealed, and he was chased by the embroidered emissary to nowhere, and almost died in the mountain temple.

All the way from being appointed as an envoy of the gods, serving as an internal affairs order, to stepping up to the Zhongzhou chief envoy step by step with his military achievements, the government order of Zhongshufu, the cabinet ministers, and all kinds of experiences in Taipingdao, Xu You has long since taken off his experience. The frivolity and arrogance of the past.

"However, General Guo Tai doesn't have much experience in leading cavalry combat. The Western Regions are vast and only suitable for cavalry combat. If General Wen Yuan is replaced, he needs to send a few cavalry generals as supplements. The ability to change."

"Ziyuan is right."

Xu An nodded slightly, and he understood Xu You's meaning in an instant, and heard the implication.

Since Zhang Liao could not be the chief officer of the Wuxiang Battalion and was replaced by Guo Tai, Guo Tai, who lacked cavalry combat experience, naturally had to bring one or two cavalry generals.

Xu You wanted Yan Liang and Wen Chou to go to the Western Regions. Now that the fighting in other places has ceased, it is absolutely impossible to use troops in a short period of time. So if you want to get military merit and promotion, there is only one place in the Western Regions.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou are only titled generals now, and they hold fifth-rank military positions. There are already many fourth-rank generals in other departments.

The development of the Jizhou family headed by Xu You is indeed a bit slow, which is not very beneficial to the balance.

Now that the Liangzhou faction in Taiping Dao is a little too inflated, Xu An is not going to send any generals from Liangzhou to the Western Regions to suppress the rebellion.

Because of Yan Zhong's relationship, the Liang and Bing factions are indeed getting closer, and the Bingzhou faction including Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Li De, Hao Zhao and others also need to be suppressed.

The influence of the Liang and Bing factions in Taiping Dao is almost as far-reaching as that of the Yellow Turban Army in Taiping Dao.

"Yan Liang and Wen Chou are brave and good at fighting. This time they are going to the Western Regions, so they are temporarily transferred to Guo Tai's command."

Xu You's face was slightly happy, and he didn't fully control his expression, but he immediately lowered his head again, bowed his hands respectfully and retreated into the queue.

"Wenhe, what's your opinion on going to the Western Regions to reopen the Protectorate of the Western Regions this time?"

Xu An's gaze swept across Yang Wei, Wei Lu, and Ge Zhou, without asking them.

Wei Lu and others were elected to the cabinet for the sake of balance. They were born in the old Taiping Road, not from a powerful family. Although they have been trained in the National Academy, the National Academy taught them basic geography and their knowledge of the Western Regions and other places. There are still no people from powerful families like Yan Zhong, Jia Xu, and Xu You to understand.

Jia Xu held the wat board in his hand, and was not ready to speak at first, but Xu An had already called the roll, so he hesitated for a while and stood up.

"Previously, the Western Regions were abandoned by the Han court because of the Qiang rebellion in Liangzhou, and the Changshi Mansion of the Western Regions was also abolished. Now, Duke Ming once again sent an army to the Western Regions to open up trade routes and reset the Western Regions. Most of the countries in the Western Regions The country knows the severity and chooses to surrender."

"Only since the second year of Yanguang (123) when the Han Court re-established the Changshi Mansion of the Western Regions, the countries of Qiuci, Shule, Khotan, and Shache came to join, and the Changshi Mansion of the Western Regions was re-established by the Han Court to reoccupy the Western Regions. But Wusun and Dawan to the west of Congling no longer belong to the Han."

Jia Xu changed the subject and talked about the situation in the Western Regions before.

"The reason why the countries in the Western Regions once welcomed me to Huaxia and requested to open the Protectorate of the Western Regions was because the Xiongnu forced their tyranny in the Western Regions and were unpopular."

The Xiongnu occupied Mobei, Monan and the Western Regions at the beginning. The vast land can be said to be the largest in the world. The Huns had a large number of slaves in the interior. They set up "boy servants and captains" in the Western Regions for the purpose of extorting slaves and property from all countries.

"Book of Later Han·Ban Yong Biography" records: "Prepare for rent, increase its value, and be strict with expectations."

After the Han opened the Western Regions, the situation was very different. The countries did not need to pay taxes to the Han tribute.

At the same time, China's advanced culture at that time, as well as gorgeous silk, exquisite porcelain and various commodities made the countries in the Western Regions look forward to it. The opening of the Silk Road also made their countries rich, so the countries in the Western Regions are doing their best to maintain Protectorate of the Western Regions.

Therefore, the countries in the Western Regions "disliked the Xiongnu" and "admired the Han".Whenever the Han Dynasty did not set up a guardian in the Western Regions and the Xiongnu's power came back, all the countries in the Western Regions looked forward to it, and even sent envoys to the court to request the re-establishment of the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

It's just that, in fact, some changes have taken place...

"In the first year of Yuanjia (151), King Huyan of the Northern Huns led more than 500 riders to Kou Yiwu, and Sima Maokai of Yiwu sent [-] soldiers to fight against King Huyan in Puleihaidong, and they were all killed. King Yan then attacked Yiwu Tuncheng. In summer, Sima, the prefect of Dunhuang, rescued more than [-] officials and officials from Dunhuang, Jiuquan, and Zhangye. .”

Jia Xu is from Wuwei County, which is not far from the road to the Western Regions, so he is very familiar with the history of the Western Regions.

After being defeated continuously, the Northern Xiongnu continued to move westward, and now they have completely withdrawn from the Western Regions. All countries in the Western Regions have independent powers, so the struggle among them has become more intense.

Now that the Protectorate of the Western Regions has been reset and returned to Huaxia's control, there will definitely be some people who are dissatisfied.

Wusun in the north and Dawan in the west are both top-notch national powers in the Western Regions. Most of them will not choose to surrender again, just like they did not choose to surrender when Ban Yong regained the Western Regions.

"If Wusun doesn't surrender, don't worry about it for the time being. He lives in the north of the Western Regions. Although our army took advantage of the victory of the Western Xianbei and collected a lot of territory, it is still not a problem. After many years of confrontation, they have been in a stalemate with the Western Xianbei. No less, even being suppressed, it is enough to show that its military strength is not strong, and the Wusun envoy is also present in this military parade, and after returning to the country, he definitely dare not provoke our army lightly."

Jia Xu pondered for a while, and continued to speak.