The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

The fourth year of the reign, on the eighth day of the fourth month.

The capital city, the Purple Palace, the Hall of Martial Virtue.

This hall is not the Wude Hall of the old Li Tang palace, but a side hall for deliberation newly built by Yi Huawei in the Ziwei City. It has a simple and solemn style and is mostly used for the discussion of important military and national affairs.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn. Emperor Hua, Yi Huawei, sat upright behind his imperial desk. Although he was dressed in ordinary clothes, his long reign as emperor and ruler of the four seas exuded an even more profound aura. Below him were key ministers such as Duke Zhenguo Song Que, Lady Yin of the Yin Kingdom Zhu Yuyan, Duke An of the Kingdom Lu Miaozi, and Duke Wei of the Kingdom Li Jing.

In addition, there was another woman in the hall who attracted much attention. She wore a dark red palace dress embroidered with golden phoenixes, her hair was piled high and adorned with pearls and jade, and her face was exquisitely beautiful with a touch of bewitching and sharpness. She was Wanwan, who had been conferred the title of Consort, but still held the positions of Governor of Yizhou and Duke of Shu.

Even now, Wanwan still favors red attire, but her habit of going barefoot has become much more restrained in the palace, only done on specific occasions or in private. Her beauty remains undiminished, but her brows and eyes have acquired a greater sense of authority and composure befitting a person of high status. Only when she occasionally raises her eyes does a fleeting glint of purple light in the depths of her pupils remind people that she is still the successor of Yin Kui, a woman of profound magical arts and ingenious wisdom.

During her three years guarding Sichuan and Chongqing, she not only governed the southwest region in an orderly manner and successfully resisted and deterred the repeated provocations of the Tubo and Tuyuhun, but also used the resources of Sichuan to train an elite army skilled in mountain warfare. Her own martial arts cultivation seemed to have improved on the basis of the Heavenly Demon Great Art, and her aura became more rounded and unpredictable.

"Since last winter, Murong Fuyun of Tuyuhun has repeatedly invaded the borders of Liangzhou and Shanzhou, robbing merchants and killing our border people. He has also taken in the remnants of Dou Jiande and Liu Heita's troops, and his provocative intentions are obvious. This spring, his activities have become more frequent. Scouts report that he seems to be gathering troops and plotting to seize our Hexi region."

Wanwan stepped forward gracefully, her voice clear and melodious: "Murong Shun is ambitious but incompetent, indecisive, and his state affairs are mostly controlled by nobles and Bon shamans. His national strength has not yet recovered after the defeat at Yingchoujian. His so-called alliance with Tibet is more of a bluff. The Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo is busy quelling internal strife and vying for supremacy with Zhangzhung, and has no time to look eastward. His so-called ferocity relies mostly on the terrain and nomadic habits. If our army is well-prepared, selects good generals and elite troops, and strikes with thunderous force, we can defeat them in one fell swoop. Moreover... his national teacher, Dorje Gyaltsen, uses Bon esoteric arts to bewitch the border people, which is incompatible with the way of our Holy Sect and is also a source of trouble. Your Majesty, I am willing to take command of the western expedition to clear the western border for Your Majesty, open up trade routes, and also vindicate our Holy Sect."

Song Que interjected, “The Tuyuhun occupy a strategic position in Qinghai and the Hexi Corridor. The terrain is high and steep, and the people are fierce and swift. In the past, the Central Plains were in turmoil, and we had no time to look westward, which allowed them to grow stronger. Now that our country’s internal affairs are stable, and our army is well-trained and our supplies are plentiful, this scab must be eliminated. If we allow them to cause trouble, not only will trade routes be cut off and Hexi be in turmoil, but we also fear that they will collude with the Turks and become a threat to our heartland.”

Zhu Yuyan sneered: "Murong Fuyun is nothing but a clown. The real trouble is his strange and unusual people from the Western Regions and Tibet, as well as some desperate men from the remnants of Dou Jiande and Liu Heita. If we send a large army to conquer him, they may use the terrain to their advantage and make it difficult to achieve a complete victory."

Yi Huawei turned his gaze to Wanwan: "Wanfei, you have guarded the Shu region for three years and are most familiar with the situation in Tuyuhun and the southwest. What do you think?"

Wanwan replied, “Your Majesty, Tuyuhun is indeed a major threat. Although its country is small, it is well-defended due to its strategic location, has elite cavalry, and has also taken in traitors from the Central Plains, making them familiar with our dynasty's tactics. They should not be underestimated. However, they also have fatal weaknesses: internally, they are not a unified force. Murong Fuyun is old and suspicious, and his sons are vying for the throne; their economy relies on plunder and the revenue from trade routes between the East and West, making their foundation shallow; moreover, because they are located on a plateau, logistical support is extremely difficult, which is conducive to quick battles and makes it difficult to sustain a long-term war.”

"During my three years in Shu, I have ordered the four generals Feng Zhen, Sina, Jiao Luofeng, and Chuan Mouxun to secretly explore several hidden mountain paths leading north from Shu, passing through Songzhou and Fuzhou (the area around present-day Jiuzhaigou), crossing the Minshan and Xiqingshan Mountains, and directly reaching the heart of Tuyuhun, Qinghai Lake. Although this route is extremely dangerous, it can be used to take advantage of the situation and bypass the heavily guarded Hexi front line of Tuyuhun."

Looking at Yi Huawei, a sharp glint flashed in Wanwan's eyes:

"Your Majesty, I request permission to lead an army of 100,000 to conquer Tuyuhun in the west! Of these, 50,000 will be elite mountain troops trained in Shu, commanded by four great generals, specializing in traversing mountains for surprise attacks and sweeping through the terrain; the other 50,000 will be elite cavalry and infantry troops gathered from Guanzhong and Longyou, personally commanded by me, advancing from Liangzhou to draw away the main force of Tuyuhun. With both routes advancing simultaneously, combining surprise and conventional tactics, we must ensure that within a year, we utterly annihilate Tuyuhun, bringing Qinghai and the Hexi Corridor into the territory of our Hua Dynasty!"

An army of 100,000, with a one-year deadline! The tone was undeniably grandiose. However, everyone in the hall knew Wanwan's military prowess and was even more certain that her three years of preparation in Shu were no exaggeration.

Yi Huawei pondered for a moment, then looked at Song Que, Li Jing, and the others. Song Que nodded slightly: "Consort Chen's plan is bold and meticulous, and highly feasible. The terrain of Tuyuhun is unique, and it needs a commander like Consort Wan who is familiar with mountainous terrain and skilled in cunning tactics. The Privy Council, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works should do their utmost to guarantee the required troops, provisions, and equipment."

Li Jing also said, "For the army that is being held back from the front, I would like to recommend a general to assist Consort Wan. In addition, we need to guard against the Turks taking advantage of the situation and strengthen the vigilance of the northern border troops."

Yi Huawei finally made the decision: "Approved! Consort Chen is hereby appointed as the Grand General of the Western Expedition, with full authority over the pacification of Tuyuhun! 50,000 troops from Shu and 50,000 troops from Guanzhong and Longyou are to be transferred to her command. The Privy Council, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works shall immediately coordinate military supplies without fail! In addition, the elite 'Shadow' troops shall be dispatched to accompany the army to scout enemy positions and clear obstacles."

After speaking, Yi Huawei looked intently at Wanwan: "Wanwan, this battle concerns the peace of the western border for a hundred years, and it is also an opportunity for you to prove your ability to command a large army. I am in Luoyang, waiting for your report of victory."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust!"

Wanwan knelt on one knee, her voice resounding, her eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

For a concubine of imperial status to lead a large army on an expedition is a rare occurrence in history. However, Yi Huawei has always been unconventional in his personnel choices. During her three years in Bashu, Wanwan not only governed the southwest with remarkable efficiency, defending against the Tuyuhun and Tubo, but also effectively integrated the local Qiang, Miao, Yao, and Yi tribes. Her four generals—"Monkey King" Feng Zhen, "Beautiful Concubine" Sina, "Elder" Jiao Luofeng, and "Wind General" Chuan Mouxun—all developed into first-rate military leaders, and her own martial arts and strategic acumen were unparalleled. It was the perfect choice for her to lead the army.

...............

June of the fourth year of the reign.

The western expeditionary army rallied and assembled in Shanzhou (present-day Ledu, Qinghai), a key town in Longxi. The army numbered 100,000, banners fluttering, swords and spears gleaming in the sun. Among them were approximately 40,000 elite troops brought by Wanwan from Sichuan, including a large number of mountain infantry skilled in climbing and resistant to high altitudes and cold (mainly composed of Qiang, Miao, and Yi ethnic groups) and an elite mountain cavalry force; 60,000 elite infantry and cavalry were drawn from the Longyou and Hexi border armies, mostly veterans adapted to high-altitude warfare.

The four Shu generals each led an army: "Monkey King" Feng Zhen led 10,000 Qiang soldiers as the vanguard, responsible for reconnaissance, clearing the way, and raiding;
"Meiji" Sina led 8,000 Yao soldiers and some Yin Kui sect experts as the central surprise force, responsible for using poison, infiltration, and dealing with enemy shamans and special targets;

"Big Brother" Luo Feng led 12,000 Miao soldiers as the left army, mostly armed with heavy axes and broadswords, and was responsible for attacking and breaking through enemy lines;
"Feng Jiang" Chuan Mouxun led 10,000 Yi mountain cavalry as the right wing, responsible for maneuvering, flanking maneuvers, and pursuit.

Xu Shiji commanded the main force of the central army, numbering over 50,000 men, while Wanwan personally led over 10,000 imperial guards and core experts from the Yin Kui Sect to oversee the central army.

The army set off in a mighty procession, heading west out of the Qilian Mountains and into the eastern part of Qinghai, which was controlled by the Tuyuhun.

In July, I first entered Qinghai.

Tuyuhun was clearly prepared. Murong Shun adopted the advice of the Grand Preceptor Dorje Gyaltsen and did not engage the Chinese army in a direct confrontation at the border. Instead, he implemented a scorched earth strategy, withdrawing border tribes and livestock to the rear and sending out a large number of light cavalry to harass the Chinese army's supply lines. Taking advantage of the familiar terrain and the harsh and changeable weather (the plateau often experiences hail, sudden rain, and dense fog in the summer), he continuously delayed and wore down the Chinese army.

Feng Zhen's vanguard repeatedly engaged in small-scale skirmishes with the Tuyuhun cavalry, with victories and defeats on both sides. However, the Tuyuhun cavalry were familiar with the terrain, striking and retreating swiftly, making them difficult to capture. Even more troublesome was the Bon shamans sent by Dorje Gyaltsen, who used the unique natural environment of the plateau to perform bizarre witchcraft—creating localized fog to disorient people, inciting small blizzards and hailstorms to attack camps, using trained falcons and mastiffs to harass the troops, and even spreading rumors that the Chinese army was a "demon army," causing barren grass and poisonous water wherever they went, thus shaking the will to resist of the scattered tribes along the way and also impacting the morale of the Chinese army.

Wanwan, who was in charge of the central army, had anticipated this. She ordered all troops to be on high alert, send out more scouts, and choose locations with water sources and easy defenses for marching and encampment. At the same time, she ordered Sina to lead the "special forces" to launch a proactive attack.

Sina's Yao soldiers were skilled in stealth and poison in the mountains, and combined with the Yin Kui Sect's concealment and assassination techniques, they quickly captured several active Tuyuhun shaman squads. The Yao people's "Thousand-Thread Gu" and various strange poisonous miasmas, combined with the Yin Kui Sect's Xuanbing Jin and Tianmo Yin, caused these shamans, who were adept at natural witchcraft but had limited close-combat abilities, considerable trouble. After several swift and decisive elimination operations, the Tuyuhun shaman harassment significantly decreased.

Meanwhile, Wanwan adopted Xu Shiji's advice and did not rush to engage in a decisive battle with the main force of Tuyuhun. Instead, she proceeded steadily and gradually. Upon conquering each territory, she established temporary military posts, cleared roads (with particular emphasis on protecting water sources), pacified the surrendered tribes (providing them with grain, salt, and tea, and announcing exemptions from some tributes), and dispatched envoys fluent in the Qiang and Di languages ​​to promote the new policies of the Hua Dynasty and undermine the foundation of Tuyuhun's rule.

In August, the army approached the eastern shore of Qinghai Lake.

The Tuyuhun had finally reached a point where they could retreat no further. The lush grasslands around Qinghai Lake were one of their core pastoral areas and a gateway to their capital, Fushi City. Murong Shun assembled approximately 80,000 cavalry, and with the assistance of Dorje Gyaltsen and numerous shamans, arrayed them on a vast grassland east of the lake (the area of ​​later Riyue Mountain), attempting to use their cavalry superiority to engage the long-trotted and somewhat exhausted Hua army in a decisive battle. Wanwan personally observed the battle from the front lines.

The Tuyuhun cavalry swept across the mountains and plains, their horses and men neighing, their momentum overwhelming. At the front of the formation, a group of Bon shamans, dressed in strange clothes and adorned with bone ornaments, were performing a bizarre dance, beating leather drums, and shaking ritual bells. A primitive, savage, and oppressive spiritual field spread out, attempting to intimidate the Chinese army.

"Little tricks."

Wanwan pursed her lips slightly and said to Sina beside her, "The shaman is in your hands. Feng Zhen, Jiao Luofeng, Chuan Mouxun, prepare for battle according to the established plan."

"Yes!"

The war drums sounded. The Tuyuhun cavalry launched the first charge, ten thousand horses galloping like a flood bursting its banks, stirring up clouds of dust.

The Chinese army was well-organized, with crossbowmen in front, archers next, and spearmen forming a line behind. However, just before the Tuyuhun cavalry entered crossbow range, the Bon shamans in the formation suddenly let out a series of sharp howls, simultaneously throwing various ritual implements and medicinal powders into the air!
In an instant, a thick, pungent, blood-red mist suddenly rose from a large area in front of the battlefield! This mist not only interfered with vision but also caused hallucinations, dizziness, and even skin ulceration! The Tuyuhun cavalry seemed to be prepared, their mouths and noses covered with strips of cloth soaked in medicine, and they charged straight into the blood mist without slowing down!
"Fire the arrows!" the Chinese general ordered urgently.

The arrows, once fired into the blood mist, were far less effective. Some of the front-line Chinese soldiers inhaled the poisonous mist, and unrest had begun to break out.

Just then, from within the Hua army formation, Sina Qing shouted and waved her jade hand, sending countless silver powders, invisible to the naked eye, flying out and merging into the blood mist. At the same time, the Yao ethnic witch and the female disciples of the Yin Kui Sect behind her chanted in unison a melody that was both ethereal and strangely captivating.

The silver powder hissed upon contact with the blood mist, rapidly neutralizing and purifying the poisonous fog. Meanwhile, the ethereal melody, like an invisible vortex, began to absorb and disrupt the mental energy fields that the shamans had gathered!
Dorje Gyaltsen's expression changed, and he tried to increase the intensity of his magic. However, Wanwan moved.

She did not leave the formation, but simply raised her right hand slightly, her five fingers blooming like orchids, and gently brushed towards the direction where the shamans were gathered.

"Heavenly Demon - Soul Stealer!"

An invisible yet incredibly sharp mental attack, as if traversing space, instantly pierced the core of the mental network jointly maintained by the shamans! This strike was not a brute force collision, but rather precisely targeted the weakest "nodes," like a master butcher dissecting an ox!

"Pfft!" "Ah!"

Several shamans simultaneously coughed up blood, collapsed to the ground, and their mental energy fields instantly became disordered and collapsed! The remaining shamans also suffered a backlash, and their formation was thrown into chaos.

The blood mist quickly dissipated. The Tuyuhun cavalry, having lost their magical cover, were completely exposed to the powerful bows and crossbows of the Chinese army!
"put!"

This time, arrows rained down like a storm upon the charging Tuyuhun cavalry! Men and horses fell, screams of agony filled the air, and the momentum of the charge was halted.

"Kōra-feng! Press up on the left flank! Kawamura! Flank on the right flank and cut off their rear!"

Wanwan calmly gave the order.

Jiao Luofeng led his fierce Miao soldiers like tigers descending the mountain, crashing into the Tuyuhun cavalry formation from the flank. They wielded heavy axes and broadswords, engaging in close combat and causing chaos among the Tuyuhun cavalrymen. Meanwhile, Chuan Mouxun's Yi cavalry swept around the battlefield like a whirlwind, heading straight for the Tuyuhun army's rear supply lines and command center.

Feng Zhen's Qiang soldiers specifically used lassos and short spears to attack the horses' legs, creating chaos.

Xu Shiji commanded the central army to advance steadily, with crossbow bolts flying incessantly and spears like a forest.

Although the Tuyuhun army was brave and fierce, their tactics were simplistic. With their witchcraft broken and their command disrupted, they gradually crumbled under the disciplined and coordinated attacks of the Chinese army. Seeing the situation was dire, Murong Shun, under the protection of Dorje Gyaltsen and his personal guards, hastily retreated to the western shore of Qinghai Lake.

In this battle, the Chinese army won a great victory, killing and capturing nearly 20,000 people, seizing countless cattle, sheep and horses, and taking control of a vast pasture on the east bank of Qinghai Lake. Their advance was aimed directly at Fusi City.

From September to March of the following year.

Murong Shun retreated to Fusi City and its surrounding strategic locations, relying on the harsh winter weather and snowstorms to build deep trenches and high walls, employing a scorched-earth policy in an attempt to wear down the Hua army. The winters on the Qinghai Plateau are extremely harsh, with blizzards and severe supply difficulties.

Instead of launching a direct assault, the Hua army divided its forces to garrison key locations already occupied, constructing winter fortifications. Simultaneously, small elite units were dispatched to continuously harass the Tuyuhun rear, intercepting their supplies and mopping up any remaining enemy forces. Wanwan and Li Jing used the winter to further integrate the annexed Qiang and Di tribes, acquiring local guides and support, while awaiting subsequent supplies and spring reinforcements.

Dorje Gyaltsen attempted several times to use the frigid weather to unleash large-scale witchcraft, creating blizzards to trap the main force of the Chinese army, but each attempt was thwarted by Wanwan and Sina, who were well-prepared. The Yin Kui Sect's extremely Yin internal energy and bizarre techniques, to some extent, were more suited to the mental and energy confrontation in such extreme environments than Bon witchcraft.

In the fifth year of the establishment of the dynasty, in April, spring returned to the plateau.

After a winter of rest and replenishment, the Hua army's strength was restored, and it was better adapted to the high-altitude environment. The Tuyuhun, on the other hand, suffered from low morale due to a winter of siege, shortage of supplies, and intensified internal conflicts.

Wanwan decided to launch a final all-out offensive. Her forces were divided into three routes: Xu Shiji led the main force of 40,000 men in a feigned attack on Fusi City; Chuan Mouxun led 20,000 cavalry to bypass the city from the north and launch a surprise attack on the Tuyuhun royal family's pastures and logistics base; she herself personally led 20,000 elite troops from Fengzhen and Jiaoluofeng tribes, guided by Qiang soldiers familiar with the trails, to traverse snow-capped mountains and dangerous passes, outflank Fusi City to the southwest, and launch a surprise attack on its weakest point in defense!
Murong Shun concentrated his main forces on the east to defend against Li Jing, neglecting defenses in the rear. Suddenly, Wanwan's surprise attack appeared and breached the southwest gate of Fusi City in one fell swoop! The city was thrown into chaos.

Li Jing's main force seized the opportunity to intensify its offensive. Chuan Mouxun also successfully burned down a large number of Tuyuhun's supply bases, forcing its peripheral reinforcements to be unable to return in time.

The street fighting lasted a day. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Murong Shun attempted to emulate Dou Jiande by self-immolation in the palace, but was captured alive by Feng Zhen and Jiao Luofeng who rushed in just in time. Dorje Gyaltsen led the last group of shamans and assassins in a desperate resistance, but was personally killed by Wanwan on the Bon altar by a combination of the Heavenly Demon Double Slash and Sina's deadly poison.

In the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Dingding, in May.

With the fall of Fusi City, the Tuyuhun Khan Murong Shun was captured, and the Grand Preceptor Dorje Gyaltsen was killed in battle. The resistance forces were essentially wiped out. Wanwan, in the name of the General Who Conquers the West and the Imperial Consort of the Hua Dynasty, declared the Tuyuhun Kingdom destroyed. The Qinghai Protectorate was established in its former territory, with Chuan Mouxun temporarily acting as Protector-General, assisted by Feng Zhen and Jiao Luofeng. 30,000 troops were left to garrison the area, implement the laws of the Hua Dynasty, pacify the various tribes, and develop animal husbandry and the tea-horse trade.

After nearly a year, Wanwan led an army of 100,000 across the snowy plateau and finally eradicated the Tuyuhun regime, which had been entrenched in Qinghai for nearly a century.

The news of the victory reached the capital, causing a stir throughout the court and the country. Emperor Hua issued an edict praising the generals and soldiers who led the western expedition, and each received a reward. (End of Chapter)