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Xuanwei Headquarters.

The main hall floor was covered with a dark red woven carpet from Shule. A large rosewood chair inlaid with jade sat at the head of the table to the north, covered with a snow-white bearskin cushion. On either side were smaller guest seats. Large-scale maps of the Western Regions and the Kingdoms West of the Pamir Mountains hung on the walls, their depictions of mountains, cities, and military forces meticulously detailed. The incense burner emitted calming sandalwood, dispelling the dust and animal odors often found in the borderlands.

Yi Junze sat upright in the main seat, with Bai Qing'er standing quietly to his left behind him. Her aura was almost imperceptible, with only her calm eyes occasionally sweeping over the people below. Xue Rengui sat to the right, at the head of the table, his back straight and his posture respectful.

Yi Junze did not have Xue Rengui perform the tedious etiquette of court audiences. Instead, he ordered someone to serve tea. The servants presented him with top-quality Longjing tea from Jiangnan, its aroma clear and refreshing, making it especially precious in the arid Western Regions.

"Lord Xue has served the western frontier with great merit and hard work. My father has specially ordered me to bring some gifts to comfort the soldiers on the border."

Yi Junze spoke in a clear and calm voice, and gently raised his hand. A Xuanwu Guard behind him stepped forward and placed a sandalwood box on the tea table next to Xue Rengui.

Upon opening the box, a rich yet not pungent medicinal aroma wafted out. Inside the wooden box, hundreds of slender-necked white jade bottles were neatly arranged, each with a red label bearing the five elegant characters "Yi Qi Gu Yuan Dan" (益气固元丹).

Xue Rengui was a discerning man. Just by looking at the quality of the jade bottle and the faint glow of the pills, he knew that this was no ordinary wound medicine or Qi-cultivation aid issued to the military. Rather, it was a top-grade pill, truly refined by a master alchemist, with miraculous effects on increasing internal strength and strengthening the foundation of one's constitution! The value of such a large quantity of top-grade pills was immeasurable, and more importantly, it represented the emperor's favor and attention.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Xue Rengui rose from his seat once more, knelt on one knee, and said with barely suppressed excitement, "Your Majesty, on behalf of the soldiers of Anxi, I kowtow to thank you for your divine grace! I kowtow to thank you for your generous gifts! Your Majesty and Your Highness are so considerate; even if we were to give our lives, we could not repay even a fraction of your kindness!"

Wang Yan, along with several high-ranking officials and captains who were standing outside the hall, also knelt down and said in unison, "We thank Your Majesty for your grace! We thank Your Highness for your generous gift!"

All of them were from military backgrounds and knew that such elixirs could save lives or help one break through cultivation barriers in critical moments; they were truly priceless treasures. The Crown Prince's "heartfelt intention" was more real and heartwarming than a thousand words of encouragement.

Yi Junze smiled slightly, like a spring breeze brushing across a frozen lake, instantly making people feel close to him: "Minister Xue and all the soldiers, please rise. You are far from your homeland, guarding the borders of the country and spreading your prestige to foreign lands in this wild land. You are the empire's strongest bulwark. A few pills are just icing on the cake. The real merit is forged by your blood and sweat."

His sincere and unpretentious tone moved everyone present, making them feel that the long journey and the hardships on the battlefield were all worthwhile.

After everyone was seated again, Yi Junze changed the subject and got to the point: "Minister Xue, when I left the capital, the latest intelligence from the Council of State Affairs and the Ministry of War regarding the area west of the Pamir Mountains was only three months old. We only knew that the Arab offensive was fierce, the Sassanid defeat was inevitable, and King Izdegerd had fled east. What is the current situation? Where is the Arab vanguard? What is the morale of the people in Merv?"

Xue Rengui's expression turned solemn; he knew this was the core purpose of the Crown Prince's personal visit. After briefly gathering his thoughts, he reported in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, according to what my subordinates have 'heard' and what the border scouts have been investigating for days, the situation has indeed taken a sharp turn for the worse."

"General Ziad, under Mu'awiyah, the governor of the Abbasid Caliphate, personally led his elite 'Khorasan Legion' of about 20,000 men to a location 120 li west of Merv half a month ago. He is currently integrating the scattered troops that have previously conquered various cities and is also using the surrendered Persian soldiers and tribal vassals who have submitted to him. His total strength is probably over 50,000. His scouts and cavalry have approached within 30 li of Merv and have made occasional contact with our outer outposts. No large-scale conflict has occurred yet, but their provocative intentions are becoming increasingly apparent."

"On the Sassanid side... King Yazdegerd was ambushed and killed seven days ago at an abandoned post station by local nobles with ulterior motives, in collusion with remnants of the Western Turks, while fleeing to Merv. His entourage was almost entirely wiped out. His son, Prince Peroz, with less than a hundred remaining soldiers, arrived yesterday at an abandoned beacon tower thirty miles east of Merv and sent a messenger to deliver a blood-written plea for help to me."

Xue Rengui took out a copy of a parchment scroll written in both Persian and Chinese characters from his bosom, which Wang Yan accepted and respectfully presented to the Crown Prince.

Yi Junze took it, his gaze quickly sweeping over the words written in blood—scribbled yet filled with despair and pleading—his expression remaining calm and unwavering.

Xue Rengui continued, “Within the city of Mulu, the Persian nobles and wealthy merchants have already fallen apart. About 30% have already fled west or north with their valuables; 40% remain indoors, observing the situation, and may be secretly colluding with Ziyad; the remaining 20% ​​are mostly those who have close ties with our Chinese merchants or have profited under the empire's protection, and tend to seek our dynasty's protection, but dare not openly express their stance. The Sogdian and Hephthalite merchants in the city mostly adopt a fence-sitting attitude, only seeking to preserve their lives and wealth. Ordinary people are fearful and helpless, the market is desolate, and the number of refugees is increasing daily.”

"Currently, the Xuanwei headquarters has 300 Xuanwei Imperial Guards, and 1,200 elite cavalry from the Anxi Protectorate stationed at Mulu for assistance. All are fully armored and armed, relying on the headquarters and three interconnected fortified camps outside the city for defense. Supplies and arrows can last for three months, and water is plentiful. However, if Qi Yade launches a full-scale attack at any cost, the enemy outnumbers us, and we fear it will be difficult to hold out for long. Moreover…"

Xue Rengui hesitated slightly: "Moreover, since the imperial court has not issued a clear decree, I dare not start a war with the Qi Yade tribe on my own. At present, we are only maintaining a deterrent standoff."

He clearly presented the current enemy-friendly situation, the balance of power, logistical support, and the biggest predicament to the Crown Prince.

Yi Junze listened quietly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the rosewood chair. He made no comment on Xue Rengui's handling of the situation, nor did he show any concern for the tense situation. He just seemed to be deep in thought.

“Ziyad… the Khorasan Legion…”

Yi Junze repeated the two words in a low voice, as if he was pondering their weight: "Mu'awiya's right-hand man. He came not only for Mu'lu, but also to the east to test the bottom line of our dynasty, and perhaps... to cut off the profits of the Silk Road."

His analysis was incisive, directly exposing the economic and strategic ambitions behind the Arab military actions. Xue Rengui admired him; although the Crown Prince was deep in Luoyang, his understanding of the forces in the Western Regions was quite profound.

"Prince Peroz..."

Yi Junze put down the blood-written letter and looked up at Xue Rengui: "What does Xue Qing think of him? And what about this blood-written letter?"

Xue Rengui pondered for a moment before cautiously replying, “Your Highness, Prince Peroz is young and fled here in haste, losing almost all his troops. He has not yet established prestige among the old Persian nobles and can hardly be considered a ‘rare commodity.’ His blood-written letter is poignant, but… it is vague. Apart from promising perpetual tribute and submission, there are no concrete and enforceable terms, nor can it offer any immediate assistance. Keeping him might give Ziad an excuse to attack; abandoning him… would damage the empire’s noble cause of ‘reviving the extinct and continuing the broken line,’ and might also discourage the Western Regions from submitting.”

Xue Rengui's analysis was very practical, pointing out the limited value and potential risks of Peroz. Yi Junze nodded slightly, agreeing with Xue Rengui's pragmatic judgment. He picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and moved with elegant composure.

"Reputation is sometimes more important than practical benefits, especially in a place where everyone is watching. However, there are some things to consider when using this reputation."

Yi Junze put down his teacup, his tone still calm: "Minister Xue, send someone to 'invite' that Prince Peroz to the headquarters. Remember, it's 'invite'. Etiquette must be observed, but there's no need to be too ostentatious. I... wish to meet this last bloodline of the Sassanid Empire."

Xue Rengui's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject obeys the decree! Wang Yan, you personally lead a team of guards, carrying my token, to the post station, and politely 'invite' His Highness Prince Peroz to move to Xuanwei Residence. Be careful to guard along the way and do not cause any trouble."

"Yes!" Wang Yan accepted the order and hurried away.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the lingering scent of sandalwood incense. Yi Junze's gaze returned to the huge map on the wall, his eyes slowly sweeping from Merv to Ctesiphon, then further west to Syria and Egypt, finally settling back on the Pamir Mountains, back on the vast territory of the empire.

Bai Qing'er remained standing still like a statue, as if everything was irrelevant to her.

Xue Rengui stood with his hands at his sides, his mind racing. His Majesty and the Crown Prince seemed to be paying far more attention to the situation in the Western Regions and even further west than he had imagined.

Yi Junze didn't seem in a hurry to discuss the upcoming Persian prince or the imminent Arab army. He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and turned his gaze to Xue Rengui, who remained seated with respectful posture below him. His tone was casual and gentle:
"Minister Xue, is this Longjing tea to your liking here?"

Xue Rengui was slightly taken aback when the Crown Prince started with such a casual topic. He then bowed and replied, "Your Highness, this is a top-quality tea from Jiangnan. Its aroma is elegant and refreshing. The Western Regions are dry, and people often quench their thirst with milk tea and dairy products. To be able to drink such a refreshing tea is truly a great pleasure."

Yi Junze nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Xue Rengui's slightly rough hands with distinct knuckles, marks left from long-term handling of weapons and reins.

"Throughout my journey, I have observed that the customs and products of the Western Regions are vastly different from those of the Central Plains. The local diet consists mainly of beef, mutton, cheese, and baked flatbread, while fruits and vegetables are scarce. Lord Xue, have you and your soldiers adapted well to your new surroundings? Are there any outbreaks of disease or acclimatization issues in the army?"

Xue Rengui felt a warmth in his heart. The Crown Prince was indeed meticulous and cared about the hardships of the lowest-ranking soldiers.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xue Rengui said solemnly, “When we first arrived in the Western Regions, many soldiers did suffer from stomach problems or felt unbearably dry. Therefore, the headquarters and the army set up a special ‘medical officer camp’ to treat the wounded and guide the soldiers to adapt to the local environment—for example, teaching them how to identify local edible wild vegetables, how to use brick tea and dried tangerine peel to regulate their stomachs, and how to care for their skin, mouth, and nose during the dry season. During the transport of provisions, we also tried to include some easy-to-store pickled vegetables and beans. Now, most of the veterans have adapted. However, fresh vegetables and fruits are still a luxury, mostly supplied to wounded soldiers and high-ranking officers.”

He paused, then added, "As for epidemics, fortunately, although this place is dry, it is less prone to the miasma of the south. There are only occasional eye and respiratory diseases caused by sandstorms, as well as dysentery caused by unclean drinking water. The medical officers' camp is equipped with appropriate medicines and strictly enforces the rules of boiling drinking water and cleaning the camp, which has greatly reduced the incidence in recent years."

Yi Junze listened attentively, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm, smooth jade cup: "Hmm, prevention is better than cure, good. The soldiers are far from home, guarding the borders for the country, and their health is fundamental. Among the pills I brought, there are some that can clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and strengthen the body's foundation. Minister Xue can distribute them as needed."

"On behalf of the soldiers, I thank Your Highness once again for your grace!"

Xue Rengui was about to get up and bow again, but Yi Junze stopped him with a look.

"No need for such formalities."

Yi Junze waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the guards standing solemnly outside the hall: "I observe that the guards under Minister Xue's command are full of energy and disciplined. Their posture and steps are all in accordance with the methods of battle formation, which shows that they have been training diligently on a daily basis. I wonder how Minister Xue usually trains his troops? The situation in the Western Regions is ever-changing. Shouldn't the tactics be adapted to the local conditions?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Rengui's spirits lifted slightly, and he straightened his back even more: "Your Highness is wise. The Western Regions are vast and sparsely populated, with scattered cities and towns, and include deserts, Gobi, oases, and mountains. Cavalry is far more effective than infantry. Therefore, when I train my troops, I prioritize mounted archery and long-distance raids."

“Every morning, there is a half-hour training session on horsemanship and horse control, including slashing, thrusting, and archery on horseback, as well as special skills such as riding without a saddle and controlling the reins in dangerous situations. In the afternoon, small-team tactics are practiced, such as reconnaissance, flanking maneuvers, encirclement, pursuit, and counter-ambush. Every ten days, there is a large-scale drill that simulates various situations such as encounter battles, sieges, defenses, and dealing with harassment by nomadic cavalry.”

As Xue Rengui spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "As for adapting to local conditions... to deal with the light cavalry harassment favored by the Arabs or Turks, our army will strengthen the training of combining powerful bows and crossbows with chariot formations; when marching in the desert and Gobi, we need to pay special attention to finding water sources, identifying directions, and emergency plans for dealing with sandstorms; in the mountains, we will strengthen the infantry's ability to climb, scouts infiltrate, and set up ambushes. I also often summon the local brave warriors and guides who are familiar with the local terrain to explain to the soldiers the terrain, the distribution of water and grass, and even the customs of various tribes, so as to ensure that we know ourselves and our enemy."

Yi Junze nodded repeatedly, clearly admiring Xue Rengui's military strategy: "Military tactics are not fixed, just as water has no fixed shape. A good general is one who can adapt to changes in terrain and enemy. Minister Xue understands this principle well."

The tone shifted again, tinged with curiosity: "I've heard that Minister Xue possesses a 'Zhenyue Halberd' personally bestowed by His Majesty, weighing eighty-one jin, which is difficult for ordinary people to wield. Just now, when I entered the camp gate, I seemed to see some new marks on the training ground. Minister Xue, have you been practicing diligently every day?"

Xue Rengui was surprised that the Crown Prince had noticed even this detail, and his admiration for the Crown Prince's observational skills grew even stronger. He respectfully replied, "Your Highness is insightful. I do practice my halberd every morning without fail. Weapons are the hands and feet of warriors; if they are not used for a long time, they will become rusty. Moreover, the 'Zhenyue' halberd was bestowed by His Majesty, so I should be even more diligent in order to live up to His Majesty's grace and be able to defeat the enemy in battle."

"What a fine example of 'living up to the Emperor's grace and defeating the enemy in battle'!"

Yi Junze praised her, a faint smile flashing in his eyes: "Martial arts cultivation is like rowing against the current. Xue Qing's achievements today are inseparable from talent, perseverance, and opportunity. May I ask where Xue Qing's master is? And what level of the *Primordial Qi Technique* have you reached?" (End of Chapter)