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Chapter 1280 Western Expedition
During training, Lin Hao used the Qi and Blood Restoration technique on these soldiers, giving them the ability to recover their physical strength indefinitely. As a result, the training effect was excellent, and their strength naturally increased significantly.

In addition, the Western Regions are now well-fed with meat and grain, so their nutrition is adequate. Furthermore, Lin Hao has been brewing nourishing soups for them to replenish their vital energy, which has resulted in this group of terrifying warriors who have surpassed the limits of the Tang army.

The military exercise was a great success. Not only were the Uyghur soldiers completely devoted to the Tang Dynasty and dared not have any other thoughts, but the leaders of the surrounding small tribes also strongly requested to join the expedition against the Karluks.

In fact, they originally wanted to join the Tang army, but they were worried that this battle would not be easy to win, since the Karluks had become increasingly powerful in recent years.

Having previously defeated the combined forces of the Tang Dynasty and the Uyghurs, and with the Uyghur general leading the troops this time being an unknown figure, they were understandably worried.

As previously arranged, Guo Xin personally commanded the Western Route Army, with the main force of the Anxi Army as the core, supplemented by some troops from the surrendered tribes.

They recaptured Shule, one of the four towns of Anxi, and guarded the vital passage for the Tibetans to cross the Pamir Mountains and head north.

After succeeding, they immediately notified Lin Hao, and then headed north to join forces with their staunch ally, Ferghana (Dayuan), to attack Suyab, the western center of the Karluk rule.

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"The Karluks, a people of three clans, occupy strategic locations, are treacherous and have repeatedly invaded our territory..."

After receiving news that Guo Xin had captured Shule City, Lin Hao immediately conducted a routine pre-battle mobilization. He then led the Northern Route Army, which included the elite Hanhai Army he had personally built, the Uyghur cavalry under Du Wenguang and Adiegudulu, as well as the Shatuo and various Hu servant armies under Chang Shouzheng.

Heading west from Luntai, they plunged into the heart of the Karluk territory, the strategically vital Ili River Valley, a region rich in water and grass, seeking a decisive strategic battle against the main Karluk forces.

Of course, with Lin Hao and Guo Xin on their expedition, someone would need to stay behind. So, Yang Xigu, the Grand Protector of Beiting, was stationed in Luntai to coordinate the transport of provisions and military equipment from the rear.

They also closely monitored any unusual movements that might occur in the eastern Tibetan region to ensure the safety of the allied forces' flanks and rear.

Lin Hao led the Northern Route Army northward, encountering Karluk tribes along the way, and their advance was unstoppable.

The Karluks were clearly unprepared for the Tang army's swift and fierce advance. In haste, the Karluk Yabghu had no choice but to gather all his elite troops and set up a decisive battle formation on the banks of the Ili River, the mother river of the Ili Valley.

On the vast grassland, the two armies faced each other, and war clouds loomed overhead.

Lin Hao stood under the central command canopy, observing the formation of the Karluks. He didn't say much, but waved his command flag, and all the soldiers deployed in turn.

The first to attack were the flanks. Chang Shouzheng's Shatuo cavalry and the Uyghur cavalry commanded by Gudulu and Du Wenguang, like two arrows released from a bow, crashed into the flanks of the Karluk army from the left and right.

The sound of hooves thundered and arrows rained down. The two sides' cavalry clashed instantly. Men shouted and horses neighed, and knights fell from their horses one after another. Blood quickly stained the green grass along the banks of the Eli River.

This was merely a diversionary tactic, intended to disrupt the Karluks' formation and wear down their morale.

Seeing that his flanks were under pressure, the Karluk Yabghu became increasingly anxious and decided to break through from the center to directly attack the core of the Tang army.

He personally led his most elite royal cavalry, forming a dense charging formation, like a turbid wave, roaring towards the central army of the Hanhai Army where Lin Hao was located.

"Form ranks!" Lin Hao said calmly.

At the front of the central army, the Mo Dao (陌刀) troops, who had been waiting in full battle array, moved at the order. Hundreds of Mo Dao soldiers, tall and long-armed, clad in heavy armor, were on the move.

They gripped their massive blades tightly, and under the sunlight, the Mo Dao Forest reflected a chilling light, exuding an invisible killing intent.

The elite Karluk cavalry drew ever closer, the tremors of their horses' hooves striking the earth clearly audible.

However, when they rushed closer and saw the array of Mo Dao swords that resembled a moving iron wall, the warhorses instinctively sensed a deadly threat.

The charge slowed involuntarily, and the cavalry even became restless, attempting to veer off course. The momentum of the cavalry charge was momentarily halted by this steel jungle.

In that split second, the Mo Dao team moved!
"Go!" the squad leader roared.

"Ha!" Thousands of Mo Dao soldiers responded in unison, their voices echoing across the surrounding area.

They marched with heavy, orderly steps, like mountains advancing. Their gleaming broadswords were raised high, then, with a piercing whistle that tore through the air, they swung down fiercely!

No skill involved, just pure power!

A flash of blade, and both men and horses were annihilated!

The Karluk cavalry at the forefront were cleaved in two, horse and rider! The following cavalry were unable to stop in time and crashed into the thicket of blades, turning into a rain of blood.

The Mo Dao was wielded like a highly efficient killing machine, leaving only severed limbs and dead warhorses in its wake.

The elite charge that the Karluks had placed high hopes on was shattered like waves crashing against rocks before the Mo Dao formation.

The Karluk soldiers behind witnessed this scene and were terrified. They fled in panic, howling as they ran away, and the morale of the entire army plummeted instantly.

Lin Hao's sharp eyes caught this decisive opportunity.

"Mo Dao Team, disperse!"

With the command flag moving again, the Mo Dao formation, as solid as an iron wall, quickly and orderly parted to both sides, making way for a passage.

"Heavy armored cavalry, charge!" Lin Hao mounted his horse, personally raised his long spear, and took the lead.

The heavily armored cavalry, who had been poised for battle, surged out of the passage like a flood bursting its banks.

Clad in iron armor and their horses in armored harnesses, they brandished long spears and sabers, and with unstoppable force, they fiercely pierced into the Karluk central army, which was in chaos due to the defeat of their vanguard!

The torrent of steel instantly tore apart the Karluk formation. Lin Hao took the lead, his long spear sweeping away all who stood in his way.

The charge of the heavy cavalry was devastating, and the Karluk central command system was completely overwhelmed and fragmented.

The generals couldn't find their soldiers, the soldiers couldn't see their flags, and the entire army descended into chaos.

At this moment, the Shatuo and Uyghur cavalry on both flanks also took the opportunity to intensify their offensive, cooperating with the central army to penetrate and encircle the Karluk tribes that had been divided.

The battlefield situation became completely one-sided, turning into a one-sided massacre and pursuit.

As the sun set, the sounds of fighting along the banks of the Elizabeth River gradually subsided.

By this time, the Lianhe River had been stained dark red, and the battlefield was littered with corpses, with tattered flags stuck askew in the blood and mud.

The Karluk soldiers who had miraculously survived were utterly dejected and threw down their weapons, kneeling to surrender.

In this battle, the Karluks suffered a near-total annihilation of most of their main force, with tens of thousands killed or captured. Their most elite royal cavalry was almost completely wiped out, severely weakened, and their backbone was completely broken.

The brilliant victory at the Battle of Elishui quickly laid the foundation for the overall success of the Western Expedition.

Meanwhile, good news also came from Guo Xin's side: his western army had joined forces with Prince Ferghana and marched north to recapture the strategic city of Suyab without bloodshed.

The Karluk forces suffered a devastating blow, and their remnants fled eastward, retreating to a narrow strip of land between the Suyab and Ili rivers.

Lin Hao then ordered Guo Yuanzheng to lead a thousand heavily armored cavalry, and Chang Shouzheng to lead the elite troops of the Shatuo tribe, to pursue the remnants of the Karluk tribe.

Having captured the Ili River Valley, Lin Hao oversaw post-war arrangements in the face of this vast new territory.

The Tang Dynasty now has a limited population under its direct control, making it impossible to completely rule such a vast land. However, Lin Hao cannot continue to exercise a loose, indirect rule as before.

Therefore, Lin Hao moved the seat of the Western Regions Governor's Office here to directly govern the Ili River Valley. In the future, once the Hexi Corridor is opened up, more Han people will be introduced to populate this fertile land.

Of course, the valleys on the periphery were also granted to the leaders of the auxiliary armies who fought the most bravely and loyally during this western expedition.

"This place is here for you to rest and recuperate!" Lin Hao said to the tribal chiefs who were kneeling and thanking him.

"However, you must remember the laws of the Great Tang Dynasty, live in harmony, help each other, and if there is any dispute, you should report it to the Grand Protectorate for arbitration. You must not attack each other privately!"

"Those who have rendered meritorious service to the Tang Dynasty and whose loyalty is unwavering may one day be included in the Tang register and enjoy eternal honor."

These tribes are of comparable strength, neighboring each other and mutually restraining each other, making it difficult for any one tribe to become dominant on its own.

The Tang Dynasty, meanwhile, sits atop it, playing the role of the ultimate arbitrator.

With just a slight hint of their intentions, other tribes would be happy to purge the disloyal from the Tang Dynasty.

This system both appeased the meritorious auxiliary troops and ensured the Tang court's absolute influence in the region. As the number of Tang people in the area increased in the future, they would naturally integrate into the Central Plains civilization.

As for Suyab, which was the former territory of the Anxi Protectorate, it was garrisoned by troops sent by Guo Xin.

By uniting with Ferghana and surrounding pro-Tang tribes, the Tang Dynasty's rule in the region was rebuilt, strong military pressure was maintained on the fleeing remnants of the Karluk tribes, and the region also served as a strategic buffer between the Tang and the Abbasid Caliphate in the west.

The distribution of spoils further solidified the alliance's stability, while the Uyghurs acquired most of the wealth, livestock, and some high-quality pastures accumulated by the Karluks.

Du Wenguang, Gudulu, and other Uyghur generals returned laden with spoils, their faces beaming with joy.

This battle not only brought them great personal benefits, but also brought Princess Xian'an, who sent them and spearheaded the alliance with the Tang Dynasty, to the peak of her prestige.

A ruler who can lead a tribe to great benefits naturally possesses a powerful appeal on the grasslands.

For example, as long as the Tang Dynasty remains powerful, they will become its most loyal supporters.

Especially those like Gudulu, who witnessed the fighting power of the Tang Dynasty firsthand, had their pride born of victory instantly extinguished, and thus developed a deep awe for the Tang Dynasty.

The demonic Mo Dao troops on the banks of the Elizabethan River, and their invincible heavy armor cavalry, evoked their past memories and became an inescapable nightmare in their minds.

"Fortunately, the Tang Dynasty is an ally, not an enemy, otherwise~!" Gu Dulu felt a chill run down his spine.

All unrealistic ideas about challenging the Tang Dynasty and Princess Xian'an's status vanished at this moment.

To be an enemy of such a terrifying army is tantamount to suicide. They might be able to join forces with others to overthrow Princess Xian'an's control, but what about the Tang Dynasty behind Princess Xian'an?
Therefore, maintaining a strong alliance with the Tang Dynasty and supporting Princess Xian'an, who could sustain this alliance, became their wisest and only option.

Those vassal armies who received land as a reward were even more grateful to the Tang Dynasty and filled with fervor.

The strength and fairness of the Tang Dynasty, as well as its promises regarding "Tang citizenship," gave them hope for the advancement of their ethnic group, and their desire for war soared to unprecedented heights.

After settling matters in the Ili River Valley, Lin Hao immediately led his men to the shores of Rehai (Lake Issyk-Kul).

It was here that Lin Hao's Northern Route Army and Guo Xin's Western Route Army victoriously joined forces.

Behind them was Suyab, a city that had recently raised the banner of the Tang Dynasty.

Guo Xin and Lin Hao stood side by side on the top of Suyab, gazing eastward. Behind them lay the vast western region of the Western Regions, which had just been pacified and was no longer a major threat.

The Shatuo had already submitted, and the Karluks' backbone was broken; this area had become a buffer zone in the direction of the Black-Clad Arabs.

In the western and northern directions of the Western Regions, at least in the foreseeable future, there are no longer any deadly enemies that could threaten the survival of the Tang Dynasty.

"Since the An Lushan Rebellion, Hexi has been isolated, and we have been trapped in the Western Regions for nearly forty years!"

Guo Xin stroked the mottled city wall, his voice tinged with excitement, and said, "Now that the western border is pacified and the Northern Di have submitted, it's time!"

Lin Hao's gaze pierced through mountains and rivers. Hearing this, he smiled and took over the conversation, saying with a touch of emotion:
"Yes, now there are no forces to the west and north of the Protectorate that can threaten our Great Tang!"

"The Hexi and Longyou regions have been in the hands of the Tibetans for far too long. Now that the threats from other directions have been completely eliminated, it is time to lead our army back to the east!"

Originally, the only threats to this area were the Shatuo Turks and the Karluks. Now, the Shatuo Turks have surrendered, and the Karluks have just suffered a crushing defeat, so both threats have been eliminated.

As for the Tibetans south of the desert, they cannot attend to this area for the time being, so they only have one direction to attack.

At this moment, the newly erected Tang-character flag on the city wall of Suyab allowed this important western town, which had been far from the Central Plains for decades, to finally hear the sounds of the Tang Dynasty again.

Lin Hao, Guo Xin, and others did not rush to return east, but stayed there for more than a month to consolidate their gains.

The city's defenses were carefully repaired, the remaining defeated Karluk soldiers were repeatedly wiped out, and order was gradually restored to the surrounding area.

At the same time, an unprecedented fervor for the eastward expedition surged within the victorious allied forces.

Prince Bahan was the first to find Lin Hao and Guo Xin, excitedly volunteering for the battle:
"Your Highness, Grand Commander! I humbly request to lead the army to join the royal army on the eastern expedition!"

"Since my grandfather's time, I have longed for the Tang Dynasty. Chang'an is the holy land of our dreams. If I can follow the royal army to open up the road and see the magnificent Chang'an with my own eyes, I will have no regrets in this life!"

As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with longing for that legendary Celestial Empire.

It must be said that for people of this era, the Tang Dynasty was truly a beacon in their hearts, and their hearts were filled with boundless longing.

In fact, not only Prince Ferghana, but also Uyghur generals such as Gutlug and Du Wenguang arrived together at this moment.

The bountiful harvests from the Ili River Valley made them accustomed to the benefits and they became even more aware of the immense advantages that could be gained by following the banner of the Tang Dynasty.

"Grand Commander! The Tubo of Hexi are also our Uyghurs' sworn enemies! I humbly request that the Grand Commander allow us to continue serving, and we will be the vanguard to break through the Tubo camp!" Gutlug spoke earnestly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Having witnessed the terror of the Mo Dao Brigade, he knew that only by closely attaching himself to the Tang Dynasty could he gain more merit and wealth.

The numerous tribal leaders of the Western Regions' auxiliary armies were even more afraid of being left behind and ending up on someone else's dinner table.

In their view, being able to fight alongside the Tang Dynasty was like sitting at the dinner table; it was not only an unparalleled honor but also a way to share in the benefits and the safest guarantee.

Once abandoned, not only would they lose face, but they might also be seen by surrounding tribes as being rejected by the Tang Dynasty, which would then lead to a group attack.

They flocked to the central command tent, knelt down, and tearfully begged to join the army on its eastward advance.

Faced with such high morale, Lin Hao and Guo Xin exchanged a smile and naturally agreed to further expand the scale of the allied forces.

Thanks to the land reclamation efforts of the past two years, we are now fully confident in our logistical support.

In addition to the large amounts of gold, silver, livestock, and grain seized from the Karluks, the agricultural settlements in Tingzhou and other places also began to produce a steady output, providing a solid material foundation for the army's eastward expedition.

Wheat was ground into flour and baked into storable flatbreads and naan; some livestock were slaughtered and made into jerky, while others accompanied the army as mobile meat stores.

The massive allied forces, carrying the afterglow of victory and ample supplies, departed Suyab in a grand procession, embarking on their journey back to Luntai.

The army returned triumphantly to Luntai, where they received an even warmer welcome.

Also brought back with the army were a large number of Han Chinese descendants who had been rescued from the rule of the Karluks.

Their faces were gaunt and their clothes were tattered, but a glimmer of hope rekindled in their eyes.

Lin Hao ordered that these people be properly resettled, with land and houses allocated to them, and then that the prisoners be used to restore their youth.

At the same time, they helped them establish families, enabling them to settle down in the Western Regions and become a more solid foundation for the rule of the Tang Dynasty.

Meanwhile, the workshops in Luntai were already operating at full capacity, utilizing the coal and iron resources of the Western Regions to continuously produce new military equipment and armor.

Before setting off, Lin Hao had craftsmen design a suit of armor with about half the defensive strength of the Tang army's standard iron armor. He planned to distribute this second-best equipment to the loyal and reliable auxiliary troops who had performed well in this western expedition.

Although this armor was not as good as the armor of the Tang Dynasty, it was still far superior to the armor and weapons originally equipped by the auxiliary troops.

The tribal warriors, who were completely unaware of this, were overjoyed to receive such excellent equipment.

Touching the cold armor plates and sharp blades felt like acquiring a priceless treasure.

Lin Hao, the Grand Commander, actually equipped them with the finest armor of the Tang army, an armament they had never dared to imagine before.

This alone was enough to make them completely devoted to the Tang Dynasty.

Lin Hao's main concern was that the spread of technology would make these Hu tribes powerful again.

These secondary equipment not only enhanced the combat effectiveness of the auxiliary troops, but also ensured that the Tang army always maintained a generational advantage.

Therefore, it is essential to keep the core smelting technology and the best equipment firmly in the hands of the Tang army, rather than, like Li Er, actively using these technologies to empower these Hu people.

Just as the army was preparing for battle, Kang Huai'en, weary from his journey, returned to Luntai with his Sogdian caravan, bringing with him the latest intelligence from the Hexi Corridor.