Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 149 No one else's business
Liu Che was also in a dilemma as to who to appoint as the general and who could truly take on the heavy responsibility of handling the complex situation in the Western Regions.

It seems that Huo Shan is the most suitable one. Logically, it seems that letting Huo Shan lead the army is the best solution.

It was just that whether it was out of personal feelings or fear of risks, it was difficult for him to make a decision. So now he could only take a step back and choose to mobilize troops first, which might be a better choice.

Huo Shan had been away from home for many years, and even a strong body couldn't bear it. Huo Qubing didn't dare to forget the lesson he had learned, and he was afraid that Huo Shan would follow in his footsteps, and it would be too late to regret it.

This was the general reserved for Liu Ju. Any emperor who wanted to control power could not do without a reliable general. There was no need to worry about Huo Xian's age, background, loyalty, etc.

Moreover, in Liu Che's mind, Huo Shan was prepared to fight against the Xiongnu, and now he had a chance to destroy the Xiongnu. If Huo Shan was injured, he really couldn't afford it.

Liu Che looked at Wei Qing and asked, "General, if you were to lead the army, how would you defeat the Che Division?"

Wei Qing observed the sand table and said, "Your Majesty, I think Cheshi is said to have thousands of victorious soldiers. But in my opinion, it would not be difficult to destroy a city or a country."

Although there were twists and turns in the previous battle against Dayuan, which made many people realize that the Western Regions should not be underestimated. However, no one thought that what General Wei Qing said was arrogant, but the truth.

Wei Qing continued, "Cheshi is a small country after all. Although they have cavalry, they certainly dare not leave the city to fight. In my opinion, besieging Cheshi is a bad idea. If we directly break into the city, Cheshi's troops will have difficulty in deploying."

Liu Che smiled and nodded in agreement, saying, "The Cheshi have few soldiers and they really don't dare to go out of the city to fight in the field. If they resist to the end, it will be nothing more than harassing me during the march."

Huo Xian naturally joined the topic, "The cities of the Western Regions are not high, nor are they very strong, so there are many ways to break into them. Their city gates are not like the four gates of our Han cities, so we can just block the gates and kill them."

Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and said, "I have read the military report about your attack on Dayuan. Dayuan's Guishan City is also divided into inner and outer cities. I am afraid there is also a urn city. If you had not broken through the outer city and cut off the water supply, they would have been able to continue to hold on."

"That's different. Dayuan is different from Cheshi. Cheshi is similar to Luntai, the one destroyed by General Ershi." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Your Majesty, believe it or not, it would be easier for me to destroy Cheshi."

Wei Qing frowned and looked at Huo Xian, saying, "Use gunpowder again? That's one way! But you should bring more cavalry. Cavalry is not easy to attack the city."

Liu Che also said, "It is not easy to besiege Cheshi. They have a lot of baggage, cattle and sheep in the city, and they live by the lake so they don't lack water."

"I've already said that to break the city, we just need to defeat ten with force." Huo Xian said simply, "I have an absolute advantage in military strength. I'll first rain arrows on the army to break its spirit, and then we'll attack the city."

Wei Qing said with some dissatisfaction, "This way we can break the city, but the casualties will be great. This is not appropriate. You can dig a tunnel first and get closer. Once the city collapses, you can break the city."

Liu Che also suggested, "If there are more trees, build more siege weapons, which can also break the city. After breaking the city, block the gap and surround and kill."

The others were stunned, Gongsun He was a bit better and could understand, but Liu Ju and others were a bit confused, the three of them were already deducing tactics and strategies in front of the sand table, not paying any attention to others.

Wei Qing looked at Huo Xian and said, "You said before that if we attack Cheshi, I'm afraid other Western Region countries will also send troops. You have to be careful of being attacked from both sides."

Liu Che added, "If the Cheshi people are trapped and waiting for reinforcements to arrive, you must divide your troops to fight the enemy. If you attack from both inside and outside, you may be defeated. Bring more infantry, as they will be used when attacking the city."

Huo Xian said quickly, "We haven't reached Cheshi yet, so it's hard to say how the battle will go. But if I send troops, and Loulan doesn't send troops with me, I will destroy Loulan first!"

Liu Che's eyes lit up, and Wei Qing also laughed after thinking about it carefully. It turned out that Shan'er was very brave.

Liu Ju and others were dumbfounded. Cheshi was already in chaos, and it also involved other Western Regions countries. But Huo Xian seemed to think that the enemies were not enough and even had his eyes on Loulan.

Liu Che thought for a while and said, "It's hard to say about Wusun. They have always been wavering and vacillating between Qin and Chu. It's hard to expect them to send troops this time."

"It doesn't matter if they don't send troops. I will find a reason for them to send troops to guard against Kangju." Huo Xian said with a smile, "Junxumi is still worried that his uncle will take away the position of Kunmo. He has more than 10,000 soldiers and horses."

Wei Qing shook his head and said, "Junxumi is unreliable. He just wants to sway between the Han and Xiongnu and side with whoever is more powerful."

"I know that there are many pro-Xiongnu people in Wusun." Huo Xian said truthfully, "I just asked him to help keep an eye on the reinforcements from Kangju. I don't expect the Wusun people to actually send troops to fight."

Huo Xian's words made sense to Liu Che and Wei Qing. However, no matter how reasonable they were, the Han Dynasty's control over Wusun was limited, and Liejiaomi and Junxumi, grandfather and grandson, might not necessarily do things according to the Han Dynasty's wishes.

"That Wusun Dalu is originally dissatisfied with Junxumi, I want to see if he dares to send troops." Huo Xian said with a smile, "If I kill him, I can also use ten thousand war horses to fight the Xiongnu." Although he had a Ferghana horse, it did not mean that Wusun horses were not good. If there were really more than ten thousand Wusun horses, the confidence to fight the Xiongnu would be increased.

Liu Che was silent for a while and thought, "Liejiaomi definitely doesn't want to see this situation, but Junxumi is happy to see it."

Huo Xian also thought so. "So Wusun can still make some plans. If I really destroy Cheshi, Wusun will benefit. Wusun can be a little stronger, but not too strong."

Wusun could be a great Xiongnu country, but in the interests of the Han Dynasty, Wusun must never become a superpower among the countries in the Western Regions. That would not be in the interests of the Han Dynasty.

There is no such thing as so much gratitude and favor between countries. In the final analysis, it is just some exchanges of interests. Wusun needs the Han Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty also needs Wusun, so now it seems that the two sides have some tacit understanding.

But if the Xiongnu were really destroyed, Wusun might become the next target of the Han Dynasty. If the Han Dynasty weakened, Wusun might think of sending troops to rob the Han Dynasty of its money and food.

The reality is so simple. At most, Huo Xian spoke too bluntly and did not know how to embellish it a little.

If the Han Dynasty really wanted to send troops to attack Wusun, it must be because Wusun was at fault first, and the Han Dynasty would have to make some counterattacks!
Wei Qing pointed at the sand table and said, "If that's the case, you can't trust Wusun completely. If they don't surrender to the Han Dynasty, they will definitely not be willing to fight with all their strength. At most, you can delay them. You still have to pay attention to dividing your troops in time to attack the enemy."

Liu Che agreed with this statement and emphasized, "Even if you force Loulan to join the war, I'm afraid they won't fight to the death. Don't let them take important positions, just send troops. When the time comes, Han envoys will spread the word, making it difficult for Loulan to surrender to the Xiongnu again."

Look, this is Liu Che.

Huo Xian had just been thinking about forcing Loulan to join the war, and the emperor wanted to leave Loulan with no choice but to surrender to the Han Dynasty.

But if you think about it, it is completely understandable. Once Loulan sent troops, it basically meant a complete break with the Huns.

In the Western Regions close to the Han Dynasty, Loulan would become the first Western Region country to be controlled by the Han Dynasty.

This is of great significance, even if Loulan seems to be pro-Han now. But don't forget that the Western Regions are the traditional sphere of influence of the Xiongnu, and various countries are still threatened and controlled by the Xiongnu's servants.

If the plan goes well, Loulan will become a precedent and break the situation of "no unity" in the Western Regions.

This so-called unification naturally means to completely incorporate the Western Regions into the territory of the Han Dynasty. After all, the Han government has a relatively mature ruling philosophy.

In terms of ruling methods, emphasis was placed on the construction of political institutions, and the inland political, economic, military, and cultural systems were flexibly implemented in border areas.

This time, it is not just to teach Cheshi a lesson, or to take advantage of the situation to deter or strike other Western countries.

The greatest significance of this expedition is to strive to firmly control at least one or two countries in the Western Regions, let other Western Regions countries see the strength of the Han Dynasty, and begin to eliminate the Xiongnu's forces in the Western Regions.

War is just a continuation of politics. Huo Xian naturally understands this truth and does not think there is anything wrong with doing so. The Western Region must be taken, which is extremely important to the Han Dynasty.

It is not just about the stability of the border, etc. Don't forget the current exchanges of merchants from all ethnic groups in the Western Regions. The Silk Road is not just a casual talk. It brought a lot of good things to the Han Dynasty, which is also a real benefit.

Liu Che pointed at the sand table and said, "Xian'er, look here. Shanshan can also be attacked. If the Xiongnu are unwilling to send troops, it is best to take Shanshan. In this way, Dunhuang, Loulan, Shanshan and Cheshi can be connected into a line, and the court will be able to control Wusun better in the future."

Wei Qing said, "You have set up three military farms in the Western Regions before, and there is some food in the past two years. If there is a war, the court's follow-up supplies can be sent there immediately."

"I still want to try to force them out and see if I can force the Huns to come out." Huo Xian said, "This time I will need at least 10,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry. By then, the Huns will have to fight even if they don't want to."

Liu Che and Wei Qing both fell silent. Huo Shan was right in thinking so, but forcing the Huns to fight was definitely not an easy task.

Liu Che suddenly said, "Let's talk about the subsequent troops later. The court will naturally dispatch troops. But in the early stage, only 10,000 cavalry can go first, otherwise the garrison will be destroyed."

Liu Ju and others were now just staring blankly, as if this war had nothing to do with them.

The emperor, the general, and the general of the cavalry, these three people spoke one after another, not giving others a chance to interrupt. The route of the troops, tactics, troops or strategies, etc., were decided just like that?
How did the war become like this?

(End of this chapter)