Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 90: Food and Drink to Welcome the King's Army

The army set out smoothly and orderly out of Yangguan and slowly entered the Gobi Desert.

Huo Xian, who was escorting the baggage, looked at Chen Ju and said, "Uncle Chen, what do you think of this place?"

"They look the same to me." Chen Ju said nonchalantly, "I walked through the desert with the general back then, and they look the same to me."

Feng Dan said, "My Lord, I think Uncle Chen is right. They all look the same, how can you tell them apart?"

"You can only protect the Lord, but you can't do anything!" Chen Ju immediately began to lecture him, saying, "Don't show off your abilities in the future. Just listen to the Lord!"

Liu Zhengnu and Zhao Congxiao both nodded repeatedly. They were all subordinates of Marquis Guanjun, and they were taught since childhood to protect the marquis.

Huo Xian took a sip of water and said, "Let's walk another ten miles and then prepare to set up camp. The weather is a bit hot, so don't get too tired."

Huo Xian then looked at Ren An and said, "Kill some cattle and sheep, and don't feed them grass or water for the ones you choose to slaughter."

The army had to bring enough baggage for a long expedition, and many of the cattle and sheep were used as food reserves, so they were slaughtered when it was time to slaughter them, and Huo Xian did not hesitate to do so.

"And the flour, ask the kitchen to prepare it quickly." Huo Xian continued to remind, "Let the boys have something good to eat today. It's not easy on this journey."

It is definitely not okay to eat meat and fish every day, but it is okay to eat meat occasionally.

Huo Xian brought a lot of food, some flour, etc., so his army would not have to worry about running out of supplies or food for the time being.

"Sir," a messenger came running over and said, "The General said there are sand piles ahead, which can protect us from the wind and sand."

Bailongtan was a test for the army, but it was just a small test, and Huo Xian and others did not feel too much pressure.

As for morale, there is nothing much to say. We have been marching all the way. Don't expect morale to be particularly high at this time, but it will not be low either.

As the army continued to advance westward, there were naturally some non-combat casualties, but this was all expected and Huo Xian and others could accept it.

After all, it is necessary to overcome some harsh natural environments. A disease, acclimatization, etc. may take one's life.

Huo Xian was a little numb. The march lasted for more than a month, almost all in the desert, which was a huge test for him.

Suddenly, a scout in front of us came running, "Report to the general, General Ershi sent someone to report that his troops have reached Loulan."

Huo Xian smiled on his tired face and said, "Let General Ershi's troops rest outside Loulan City until my army can join us."

Although the troops were divided into two groups, Loulan was a key location, and the real division of troops began here.

Chen Ju came over and said, "My Lord, General Ershi is quite capable. He arrived before us."

"Uncle Chen, I am not happy with what you said." Feng Dan said unhappily, "His troops were ahead of us. Besides, your Excellency is kind and allowed General Ershi to take the familiar route."

Zhao Congxiao and others nodded in agreement. They said that Li Guangli's leading his troops to Loulan first was not due to his real ability, but was only because he set out early and the Lord showed him special favor.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "I wonder if the King of Loulan has made any progress. I have no intention of attacking Loulan yet."

This is the truth. There is no point in attacking Loulan. Although Loulan had served as the eyes and ears of the Xiongnu many times before and attacked and robbed the envoys of the Western Han Dynasty. After being subdued, the prince of Loulan was sent to the Han Dynasty as a hostage.

Loulan also sent a prince to the Xiongnu to indicate that it would strictly maintain neutrality between the Xiongnu and the Han.

Last year, Loulan closed its city gates and refused to provide Li Guangli with supplies and drinking water. It is unknown how these people will make a decision this year.

Huo Xian was overthinking it. When he led his army to approach the Kingdom of Loulan, the King of Loulan personally led his people out of the capital city of Qianni and brought with him delicious food, wine and beautiful women.

The King of Loulan, who had once jumped back and forth between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, was full of humility and welcomed the royal army with pots of water and baskets of food.

Huo Xian was enjoying the wine and food, and asked, "I heard there are Xiongnu people in Loulan, where are they now?"

The Xiongnu was originally a slave regime, and they set up servants and lieutenants in the Western Regions to monitor the various countries and plunder various materials. In the various countries in the Western Regions, there were also Xiongnu troops stationed.

The King of Loulan said quickly, "We heard that the Han army had arrived, and the Xiongnu people all fled."

After listening to the translator's narration, Huo Xian just smiled. It is possible that the Huns really fled, but it is also possible that the King of Loulan did not dare to offend either side, so he let them go in advance.

Seeing that Huo Xian was in a good mood, the King of Loulan continued, "General Huqi, Loulan is a small country with few people. It is difficult to support tens of thousands of troops. I beg the general to have mercy on us."

This is what the King of Loulan was thinking. His country was just a small one with a population of more than 10,000 people. How could it afford to feed and drink tens of thousands of troops, not to mention the countless livestock?

Huo Xian smiled and said, "Our army will rest for five days. You just need to provide food. Send someone to bring us drinking water and feed our livestock."

It would be a lie to say that the King of Loulan was not distressed. He had just entertained General Ershi, and now here came a General of the Cavalry who he dared not provoke. General Ershi was just like that. Last year, the city gates were not opened, and General Ershi just wandered outside the city for a while before leaving.

But this time it’s different. An envoy came earlier and made direct threats.

The King of Loulan was indignant, but he endured it. The one who led the troops this time was the General of Cavalry, the son of the Grand Marshal, the General of Cavalry, who was the nemesis of the Huns.

Moreover, this cavalry general captured Zuo Xian Wang last year, and even his deputy general is the son of Xie Ye Hou. A few years ago, the King of Loulan was captured by Zhao Po Nu, and it's scary to think about it now.

Looking at the two women beside him, Huo Xian was a little puzzled. "Is there a deviation in aesthetics? It's not like there's a Nazha every five steps and a Reba every ten steps."

Forget it, don’t worry about it too much. These two women are quite pretty.

After taking a break, Huo Xian called the officers together and said, "General Ershi, the march has been going smoothly. Your troops should continue to move forward. You can arrange the baggage. I don't think there will be any problems."

Li Guangli immediately smiled and complimented, "The countries in the Western Regions are afraid of the general's majesty. If the countries along the way can provide some supplies, our army will not have to worry about supplies when marching."

This is flattery, but it is also the truth.

The baggage they brought with them was sufficient, and with some supplies from countries along the way, there was no need to worry too much.

"Of course there are small countries in the Western Regions like Loulan, but I'm afraid some of them are afraid of the Xiongnu." Huo Xian became serious and said again, "Remember, the next country that doesn't provide baggage, you will destroy it."

It’s not that Huo Xian is cruel, but he can’t be merciful at this time.

If we really show kindness at this time, perhaps some other small countries in the Western Regions will follow suit and continue to close their city gates and refuse supplies.

By that time, even if the army's baggage seemed to be abundant, it would still be a burden.

So when encountering a smart country like Loulan, it would naturally follow the kingly way. The Han Dynasty was still trying to win over the countries in the Western Regions.

But if you encounter someone who is blind, you must establish your authority. Not only to lay the foundation for this expedition to Dayuan, but also because you will have to arrange for some people to settle in the Western Regions.

Without some reputation, not only the Huns would not be afraid, but even the countries in the Western Regions would not be submissive.

Li Guangli could naturally understand all of this. Now when he reviewed some of his decisions, he felt regretful. He did not have the arrogance and decisiveness of the Champion Marquis, which resulted in him losing many troops along the way.

But there is nothing that can be done about it. What Guanjun Hou dares to do, Li Guangli may not dare to do.

It is true that the march is difficult, but so far everything is going relatively smoothly.

The army suffered little loss, and the baggage and other supplies were sufficient for the time being. The most important thing was the attitudes of the Western Regions countries, which made Huo Xian very satisfied.

The King of Loulan is not an isolated case. Some countries in the Western Regions have already sent envoys here.

This means that the Huns' garrisons have been driven away. This may be a way for the Western Regions to flatter themselves and avoid offending anyone. After all, if the Han army reaches the cities of those Western Regions and captures the Huns' garrisons, they will definitely not show mercy.

These Western Regions countries said they could open the city gates and supply supplies, but they also hoped that the Han generals would have mercy and not ask for too much supplies, otherwise these small Western Regions countries would not be able to afford it.

"Grand Herald, I have said long ago that blindly showing favors may not necessarily bring good results." Huo Xian looked at Hu Chongguo and said proudly, "Seeing the might of our Han army, these Xiongnu people are now convinced."

Hu Chongguo flattered him and said, "It is also because the general's reputation has spread to the Western Regions that other countries dare not disobey."

Chen Ju and others were proud of it. Their own monarch was so powerful that when they heard his name, the countries in the Western Regions became obedient.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "My reputation does have some effect, but the court has sent more troops this time. With a strong army, these people will not dare to disobey."

Huo Xian then said seriously, "Order the Western Regions to send envoys to Chang'an. You need to hurry up on this matter."

This was also one of Huo Xian's tasks. Before this, even though the countries in the Western Regions had sent some envoys to Chang'an, many of them were not convinced in heart, or they just went for the benefits of the Han Dynasty.

But things are different now. The Han army has already pointed its spearhead at the Western Regions, and these Western Regions countries must show more sincerity.

Hu Chongguo cautiously suggested, "General, if we send envoys now, I'm afraid some people will wait and see. Wouldn't it be better to wait until my army returns victorious and then order the Western Regions to send envoys?"

Huo Xian looked at Hu Chongguo and said, "This year I will send troops, and I only need them to provide some supplies. When I return next year, they will be responsible for all supplies along the way. The envoys we send now are nothing more than the nobles of small countries. Next year, when I destroy Dayuan and show my power in the Western Regions, should they send their princes to our Han Dynasty?"

Looking at Huo Xian, Hu Chongguo shuddered in his heart. This champion marquis might not only be the nemesis of the Xiongnu, but also the nemesis of the thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions.

Although Marquis Guanjun now seems to be tolerant of the countries in the Western Regions, that is only because he has no shortage of baggage and does not want to carry too much baggage.

By next year, the countries in the Western Regions will not just feel heartbroken, they will really be bleeding heavily!
(End of this chapter)