Water Margin people

A white pigeon flapped its wings and landed in the pigeon house on Liangshan Mountain.

Someone immediately brought clean water and food to the white pigeon, and took the letter out of the bamboo tube on the pigeon's leg.

The letter was sent to the Shangshufang, and Xiao Jiasui, who was on duty, immediately began to decipher it and then presented it to the emperor Sun Lei.

"Your Majesty, Yelu Dashi gathered the four Khans a few days ago to prepare for an expedition to the east next year!"

Xiao Jiasui watched Sun Lei report.

"The Four Khans?"

Sun Lei asked with a frown.

"Ibrahim, King of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate."

"King Mahmud of the Western Karakhanid Khanate."

"Ajis, King of Khwarezm."

"Bilege, the King of Gaochang Uighurs."

Xiao Jiasui said.

"Just four rabble."

Sun Lei took the letter and read it, saying with disdain, "These so-called Khans can't even beat Yelu Dashi, and they still want to come to the Central Plains? Isn't this courting death?"

"Your Majesty, these people are a mob, but we can take advantage of their initiative!"

Xiao Jiasui said.

"What do you mean, Mr. Xiao?"

Sun Lei put down his red pen and asked, he felt dizzy from reviewing memorials these days and didn't want to use his brain at all.

"Your Majesty, since the enemy has taken the initiative to attack, there is no need for us to send troops on a long expedition. We can just wait for them to tire themselves out in the Western Regions."

Xiao Jiasui said.

"Rest and wait for the enemy to tire? That's a good idea. But not moving at all is not a good idea either, as it will make the enemy suspicious!"

Sun Lei nodded and said that the distance of thousands of miles was also a headache for him. There were no cars, trains, airplanes, or even convenient roads, which made marching and logistical supplies difficult.

During this period, Sun Lei carefully studied the affairs of the Beiting Protectorate and Anxi Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty.

It was discovered that although the Tang Dynasty was powerful, it was unable to really supply these remote protectorates.

The Beiting Protectorate was maintained by taxes paid by various ethnic groups in the Western Regions and taxes and tributes from passing merchants.

The Anxi Protectorate was even worse. The Tang Dynasty had almost no actual control over this place. It only controlled a few cities such as Suiye. In most other places, it was just a place where foreign races surrendered. In the end, the Anxi Protectorate was lost because of the betrayal of foreign races.

Therefore, Sun Lei calculated that there were only two ways to march west. One was for Genghis Khan to lead many horses with one man, use light cavalry to attack, fight to support the war, and rely on continuous war looting for supplies.

However, this tactic has an important flaw, which is that it cannot withstand the wear and tear of war, resulting in both casualties among soldiers and overdraft of soldiers' combat effectiveness.

The final defeat of Mongolia was actually related to distance. The army on the Western Expedition had been away for a long time, and its combat effectiveness had been greatly depleted. Taking food locally also caused complaints from the locals. The land was barren for thousands of miles, and although they won battles one after another, the strong crossbow would eventually run out of power.

The other is the Tang Dynasty's tactics against the Anxi Protectorate, which relied on several cities to radiate the surrounding areas and rely on each other. This not only ensured the supply routes, but also provided mutual support.

However, this method also has problems. That is, it is necessary to ensure that there are no problems within the Central Plains Dynasty, and the external enemies must be weak enough. Otherwise, the long distance will cause information to lag and support and supplies to be inadequate.

But foreigners can never be trusted; they can easily betray or even stab you in the back.

"How about this, let the Mongolian and Wanggu tribes rest and then continue to pursue the Naiman tribe. Yumen Pass should also start to station troops in a big way and make a show of marching west."

Sun Lei thought for a moment and said, these things have to be done, and Yelu Dashi should be very clear about the principle of striking first and gaining the advantage.

The war was very severe for both sides. Qi's westward expedition was intended to take over the Western Regions and make Qi a super dynasty comparable to the Han and Tang dynasties. This was a key step in stabilizing Qi's regime and the best achievement to silence the world's gossips.

For Yelu Dashi, there must be no problems in the Western Regions ruled by the Gaochang Uighurs. This was one of the four khanates under his command. If it was attacked, he, as the Khan among Khans, had to fulfill his duty as the ruler's guard. Otherwise, the other khans would become disloyal and the Western Liao Dynasty would be likely to split.

"I mean the same thing!"

Xiao Jiasui nodded.

"Let's go to the Ministry of War!" Sun Lei nodded and took Xiao Jiasui to the Ministry of War. Today was a normal working day, and the generals would work in the Ministry of War except for training troops.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

When everyone saw Sun Lei coming, they all stood up and saluted. There was no need for these generals to go in for training troops, as the officers and veterans under their command could do it.

"No need to be so polite. It looks like the New Year is coming soon. I'll tell you about the Western Expedition in advance."

Sun Lei looked at everyone and said.

"Western Expedition!"

The sleepy Lu Zhishen woke up instantly. When it came to sitting in the hall and commanding officials, that was harsher than whipping him, but when it came to fighting, he became a hundred times more energetic.

"Your Majesty, when will the troops be dispatched?"

Wang Jin also asked excitedly.

"Coach Wang, I'm afraid you can't go this time."

Sun Lei looked at Wang Jin and smiled.

"Coach Wang, you've already led the troops out for a walk, now it's our turn!"

Du Fu said with a smile.

"Yeah yeah!"

The others were shouting that Wang Jin had led his troops to the south last time.

"Your Majesty, this Western Expedition is of great importance. I am willing to go!"

Wang Jin quickly fought for it. Compared with the Western Expedition, pacifying the chieftains was almost insignificant.

"It's not because of the previous war, but because you guys are newly married. If I send you to the west, you may not come back for a year or two!"

"Besides, even if you and my sister-in-law are willing, won't I scold me behind my back?"

Sun Lei said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, this...ah..."

Wang Jin is a filial son, and his wife is a quiet and filial woman. Naturally, they will not stop Wang Jin from making achievements. But his mother is different. She is watching him every day, waiting for her grandson to be born. If she wants to go, she will chase him away with a stick.

"Haha."

Everyone burst into laughter. Wang Jin was already in his early forties. It might have been fine if he hadn't married before, but now that he was married, his mother would definitely be in a hurry to get married.

"Don't be discouraged. The troops will be transferred over slowly after the New Year. You still have two months. If you can plant the seeds, I will let you go!"

Sun Lei said with a smile while looking at Wang Jin and others.

"Coach Wang, I heard that Doctor An Shen has a secret recipe!"

Deng Fei pulled Wang Jin aside and said with a smile in a low voice.

These words immediately attracted many people to come over. These were all people who had married this year but still had no children.

"In the next two months, you need to start selecting soldiers and preparing a list of supplies. In addition, everyone needs to make a report on the upcoming war. I will arrange you according to your report."

Sun Lei looked at everyone and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone said in unison.

"Brother, I don't need it!"

Lu Zhishen didn't like this and looked at Sun Lei.

"Go find Taoist Master Gongsun, Taoist Master Qiao, Fan Rui, and Monk Dao Ji. You have other tasks to do."

Sun Lei looked at Lu Zhishen and said. (End of this chapter)