Water Margin people

"How many shells?"

Yue Fei looked at Ling Zhen and asked, artillery guns and firearms are good things, but the problem lies in the shells and bullets, if there is not enough ammunition, these weapons are no better than fire sticks.

"The production of artillery shells is a bit slow. We only have 5,000 shells at present. We can only produce another 5,000 shells for the expedition next year!"

Ling Zhen spoke.

"Only 10,000 rounds?"

Yue Fei was somewhat dissatisfied, as these shells were not enough to fight a few battles.

"This shell is different from previous ones. The process is a bit complicated and the production volume cannot be increased."

Ling Zhen said helplessly that due to the steel material, the production of gun barrels is very high now, but the ammunition is not so good.

"We'll send them to the front line one after another later!"

Sun Lei said that the most important thing about ammunition is safety, so it is understandable that it is produced more slowly.

After inspecting the various novel inventions and creations, Sun Lei led everyone away. The generals went to the army to train, while Sun Lei went to the palace.

"Your Majesty, the latest military report is that Sun Li led his troops to raid Puchanghai, killing thousands of enemies and burning their food supplies. Now the enemies in Puchanghai have retreated to Gaochang City."

Zhu Wu reported to Sun Lei a military newspaper that had just been delivered.

"Well, Sun Li really can't sit still."

Sun Lei smiled.

"The New Year is coming soon, so sending back some good news will also help to celebrate."

Zhu Wu said with a smile that he could guess what Sun Li was thinking. Delivering good news during the New Year would help to increase one's presence. The general Wu Yong stationed in Japan was also doing the same thing.

"Okay, let's spread the word and make the people happy."

Sun Lei nodded and said that the whole country should naturally celebrate after winning the battle.

"Your Majesty, these are some strategic ideas for the Western Expedition sent by the army!"

Zhu Wu brought up another thick stack of memorials.

“It’s very positive!”

Sun Lei said with a smile that normally when these brave generals were asked to study, there were always people who refused, but when it came to leading the troops in battle, they became more active.

Sun Lei took the memorials and began to read them.

Zhu Wu was on the side handling military affairs. This year, many people were vying to join the army, which was a difficult matter to handle because Qi's army was already large enough and it was impossible to recruit everyone.

"This is a good memorial, Liu Qi!"

Sun Lei said with a smile while holding a memorial.

"Your Majesty, this man is a soldier from Desheng, Northwest China. He has been serving in the Western Army and later joined the Qi army. He participated in the war to pacify Xixia last year and only reported to Liangshan City this year."

Zhu Wu looked at the name on the memorial until Sun Lei wanted to ask about this person's situation.

"Look!"

Sun Lei handed the memorial to Zhu Wu.

Zhu Wu took it quickly. A memorial that was praised by Sun Lei must be extraordinary.

"Hexi Corridor!"

When Zhu Wu saw it, he immediately understood why. In his memorial, Liu Qi did not say what he thought about the war on the front line, but instead emphasized the logistics supply lines, the most important of which was the Hexi Corridor, which was the lifeline.

"This guy has some vision. Others are thinking about how to capture cities, but he is the only one thinking about the logistics supply line. He also emphasized that we must be wary of the Tibetans. Because of the Qi epidemic, we cannot fight the Tibetans on the plateau."

Sun Lei nodded.

"Your Majesty, we must be on guard now. Tubo is now in a period of tribal division, but it is hard to say whether they will join the war. It is a plateau with barren land. It is their habit to go down the mountain to plunder. During the Tang Dynasty, Tuyuhun even gathered foreign tribes to attack Chang'an."

Zhu Wu said quickly.

"Go and call this man over. I have something to ask him!"

Sun Lei nodded and turned to the rest of the memorial. He wanted to ask Liu Qi some details. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Wu took the order and went to the military headquarters.

……

Gaochang.

Balbu returned to Gaochang City with his army. The news of Puchanghai's defeat had spread, but no one in Gaochang discussed it.

Everyone was discussing the death of Xiao Dakin, the Junior Supervisor of Western Liao. The news had spread throughout Gaochang that the Qi army raided Gaochanghai and killed the Junior Supervisor of Western Liao.

Balbu breathed a sigh of relief, the fact that no one cared about his loser was the best outcome for him.

"Khan!"

Balbu saluted Bilego.

"Well, sit down!"

Bilego looked at Balbu and nodded, but he did not ask Balbu why he was defeated.

The others were all very surprised and didn't understand why the Khan didn't blame Balbu.

Bilego asked everyone else to leave, leaving only Balbu.

"It's done cleanly enough."

Bilego looked at Balbu and asked.

He did not mention any current affairs, but Balbu knew that he was asking about the killing of Xiao Dakin and blaming the State of Qi. This matter must not leak out, otherwise the entire Gaochang would be doomed.

"All traces have been cleared! The soldiers are my people, and they are all trustworthy!"

Balbu said.

"Well, very good. I have another task for you. Take those people to Tubo!"

Bilego looked at Balbu and said.

"Tibet?"

Balbu was very puzzled. The relationship between the Gaochang Uighurs and Tubo was not good. Sometimes there were even frictions and small-scale wars.

"Yes, you need to contact the Tibetan tribes and ask them to fight against Qi together! This is a letter from Juer Khan!"

Bilege took out a letter and said, if it were just them, the barbarians of Tubo might not pay attention to them, but it would be different if it was Yelu Dashi of Western Liao, because Western Liao was the most powerful country in the West.

"Khan, those Tibetans have been hiding on the plateau and won't come down. Why are you trying to contact them this time?"

Babur was very puzzled. Ever since Tuyuhun split into the Tubo tribes, these people rarely left the plateau.

"When there is enough benefit, they will come down. Tibet is very important for the war. Look at this."

Bilego came to a cowhide map.

"The Central Plains is thousands of miles away from us. It is not easy for us to attack the Central Plains, and it is not easy for the Central Plains to attack us. But if a war breaks out, the Central Plains will definitely station troops at Yumen Pass, and we need Tubo to attack here!"

Bilege pointed at the Hexi Corridor and spoke.

"Attack their supplies!"

Balbu's face was full of surprise. If the Central Plains wanted to rush to the front line to provide support, they could not bypass the Hexi Corridor. As long as this corridor was cut off, the enemy's front-line troops would be dead.

"The people of the Central Plains are weak and cannot go up to the plateau. The last time they pursued Li Qianshun, they turned back halfway because of the Qi epidemic. As long as the Tibetans join the battle, Qi's neck will be strangled."

Bilege smiled and said that the people in the Central Plains could not do anything to the Tibetans, but the Tibetans could come down the mountain to plunder at any time.

"Yes, King Khan!"

Balbu bowed and accepted the order.

"Going to Tubo is the only way to be safe!"

Bilege looked at Balbu who was going away and said calmly, "How can we ensure that the news will not leak out with so many people? We can't kill all these people. The only way is to transfer them to a very far place. When the war breaks out, even if the matter is exposed, Yelu Dashi will have to put the overall situation first and dare not hold them accountable." (End of this chapter)