Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 850 Some are happy, some are sad
The smoke from the drill ground had finally dissipated, but the smell of molten iron mixed with gunpowder, and the earth-shaking noise, were still etched into the minds of everyone in the observation team.

Below the viewing platform, people began to walk out in twos and threes. The Vice Minister of War from the Tang Dynasty, who had arrived with his back ramrod straight as a spear, now had his back visibly slumped, his face ashen and his eyes vacant. He didn't even see General Liu of the Northern Han bowing to him in farewell. He was helped by his attendants, stumbling and unsteady, onto the carriage.

Old Liu could still stand steadily, but his steps were heavy and stiff. He walked to the front of his own troops, looking at his subordinates who were still craning their necks to look towards the training ground, their faces still showing fear. His cheeks puffed out, and in the end, he said nothing, only squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth: "Go!"

The envoys from the small kingdoms of the Western Regions fared even worse. The old general from Khotan, supported by others, was still trembling uncontrollably, repeatedly muttering, "Not by human power...not by human power..."

The envoy from Shule collapsed into his seat as soon as he got on the carriage, clutching his chest and finding it difficult to even breathe.

Xia Lin stood on the high platform, squinting as he watched the group disperse, their expressions blank. The smirk on his lips finally vanished. He turned to Zhuo Heng and Sun Jiuzhen, who were following behind him, and said calmly, "The stage has been set up for them, and the show is over. Now it's up to them to go back and spread the word."

Zhuo Heng frowned slightly: "Senior brother, isn't this kind of intimidation too harsh? I'm afraid it will backfire."

"Crucial?" Xia Lin chuckled, patting Zhuo Heng on the shoulder. "Zhuo Heng, I told you you're too kind-hearted. If we don't completely crush their wishful thinking, they'll think they still have a chance and will still try to pull some tricks behind our backs. Isn't this much better? Let them know clearly and plainly that if they want to play with me, they have to follow my rules. Want to overturn the table? They'd better think twice about whether they can withstand me demolishing their house."

He paused, then continued, "Pass the order down to all battalions to resume normal training, but raise the alert level by one level. In particular, double the number of scouts sent out towards Li Tang and Northern Han. They're in a state of confusion right now, and there's no chance that some fools might try to take the risk and probe our defenses."

"Understood," Zhuo Heng and Sun Jiuzhen replied in unison.

Xia Lin waved his hand and strolled back to the central command tent on his own, humming an off-key tune.

The news of the observation group returning to their respective territories spread like wildfire throughout the Western Regions, and naturally reached the ears of Third Sister, who had just settled in the Anxi Protectorate.

Inside the exquisite palace, Third Sister looked at the pale-faced Vice Minister of War, whose voice trembled uncontrollably, and her fingers, holding the teacup, tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Your Majesty, the Wei army's firearms are not merely sharp, they are... devastating. Their infantry advance and retreat with perfect precision, as if controlling their own arms, something that cannot be achieved through ordinary training. I... I personally witnessed the Blue Army simulating the Xia Lin tactics, with ten thousand cannons roaring, rockets blotting out the sky, and infantry charging like a surging tide... If the Royal Army... if the Royal Army were to engage them in open battle, I fear... I fear they would have little chance of victory." The Attendant knelt on the ground, his voice trembling with sobs.

Third Sister remained silent for a long time. The only sound in the hall was the occasional crackling of the candlelight. Having served in the military for half her life, she knew from the report what kind of "invincible" ideological imprint Xia Lin had placed on them today.

She waved her hand, signaling the exhausted minister to step down.

The palace doors closed, leaving her alone. Third Sister leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and rubbed her throbbing temples. She had considered Xia Lin's difficulty, but she hadn't imagined the gap between them was so vast it was despair-inducing—a chasm that tactics or courage couldn't bridge.

"Using one tiger to devour another... Now that tiger has become a monstrous beast that devours people." She muttered to herself, her voice filled with helplessness: "Changsun Wuji, your plan has put the Tang Dynasty on the brink of destruction..."

At this moment, she was even somewhat glad that she had come in person. If she hadn't been at the front lines to keep order, the mere news of this martial arts exercise would have been enough to cause an uproar in the court and completely sway the already wavering Western Region states to side with Wei.

"Issue the order." Third Sister opened her eyes, a hint of clarity and decisiveness returning. "All troops in Anxi, guard the passes strictly. Without my order, not a single soldier is to leave. Also, in my name, send a congratulatory gift to Xia Lin, saying that the Emperor of Li Tang congratulates the Prince of Jinling on his achievements in the Western Regions. And also question him on my behalf about why he did not come to see me in person."

She had to remain calm, at least outwardly. She couldn't let Xia Lin see that the Tang Dynasty was showing signs of weakness.

At the same time, she also needs time to reassess her approach to dealing with the State of Wei and the various states of the Western Regions.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the Northern Han camp was so oppressive and gloomy that it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it.

Old Liu locked himself in his command tent, refusing to see anyone. Outside, suppressed growls and the sounds of things shattering could be heard. The generals gathered outside, exchanging bewildered glances, their faces a mixture of relief at surviving and deep fear. "Damn it… back on the grasslands, we thought Prince Xia was ruthless enough when he led us to fight the royal court, but I never imagined he'd be even more ruthless now…" a veteran general who had participated in the battle muttered, "Is he even human?"

"General, should we stick to the original plan and wait for them to fight each other?" a lieutenant asked cautiously.

"Compete? What a load of crap!" another hot-tempered general spat. "Can't you see? Our numbers are barely enough to fill their teeth. Trying to pick the peaches? Don't end up losing your head instead of getting the peaches!"

"Shut up, all of you!" The curtain of the command tent was suddenly flung open, and Old Liu stood at the door with bloodshot eyes and his chest heaving violently: "Issue the order! The entire army retreats fifty miles! Without my order, anyone who dares to take a step forward will have their head chopped off!"

He was panting heavily, staring westward toward Shanshan City, his eyes filled with an extremely complex mix of emotions. There was fear, anger, and even a hint of awe that he himself was unwilling to admit.

"Xia Lin...you son of a bitch...ugh!" He finally just cursed harshly, then turned around and crawled back into the tent.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the Tang and Northern Han dynasties, the small kingdoms of the Western Regions reacted much more directly and quickly.

After hearing the old general's tearful report, the old king of Khotan nearly slid off his throne. He rubbed his forehead, took a long pause, and then weakly addressed the princes and ministers below him: "What are we waiting for? Quickly, bring out the finest jade, the fattest lambs, and the most beautiful singing and dancing girls from the treasury! Send them to Commander Xia! Be respectful! Tell them…tell them that Khotan will always be the most loyal vassal state of Wei, and is willing to follow Commander Xia's lead!"

The situation was much the same in Shule, Kucha, Yanqi, and other kingdoms. When the envoys returned and embellished their accounts, the royal families of these kingdoms were terrified. Although they all knew that this exercise was not aimed at them, but rather at the Tang and Northern Han dynasties, who wouldn't be frightened by such a thing?

Previously, the balance of power had been completely tilted between the Tang Dynasty and the Wei Dynasty.

For a time, the official road leading to Shanshan City was bustling with tribute missions from various countries, their camel bells ringing even more frequently than those of merchant caravans. The tributes were dazzling, and the words spoken were humble to the point of being beneath their notice.

The reception area of ​​the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps immediately became busy.

Looking at the mountain of gift lists and the obsequious smiles of the envoys, Zhuo Heng couldn't help but sigh to Xia Lin, "Senior brother, isn't your 'deterrence stick' a little too effective?"

Xia Lin was admiring a piece of top-quality mutton-fat jade that Yutian had given him. Hearing this, he didn't even look up: "Isn't this good? It saves so much breath and bloodshed. They'll be scared and obedient. Only then can we peacefully carry out construction, grow cotton, grow grain, mine, and build roads here! You have to understand, even a dog's mother needs a leader, let alone these bastards."

He put down the jade, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling streets of Shanshan City, which had regained its vitality: "In the Western Regions, a thousand explanations are not as effective as a single display of force. Now they understand the principles, and they've seen the power of force. Next, it's our turn to step in and let them taste just how sweet it is to follow us."

He turned to Zhuo Heng and smiled, "Notify the Chamber of Commerce that we can increase exports of commonly used goods to these countries. As for the price, it should be 10% lower than the market price. Also, dispatch medical teams to begin patrolling these countries. Wherever the medical teams are, it will be as if I were there myself. Those who want to take advantage of this chaos to annex other countries will have to think twice. Also, aren't they short of craftsmen and technology? Send them! Send our people to teach them how to build irrigation canals and how to grow high-yield crops. They need to truly benefit from this before their hearts are truly won over."

"I understand." Zhuo Heng nodded: "But... the Li Tang and Northern Han will never be satisfied with this."

“Of course they won’t give up.” Xia Lin walked back, picked up the jade again, and rubbed it between his fingers, his eyes deep. “But after this scare, they will at least quiet down for a while. This period is our opportunity. We should seize the time to consolidate our base in the Western Regions. By then, even if they recover, they will only be able to watch helplessly.”

He paused, his tone slightly mocking: "Besides, didn't our Third Madam send me a congratulatory gift? It's only right to reciprocate, so I have to think of something to give back, so as not to be impolite."

To be honest, Xia Lin almost couldn't resist the allure of the beauties from the Western Regions; they were truly stunning...

But he was no longer the young Xia Lin, and he could no longer let the small head control the big head. None of these women knew if there was a Daji mixed in with them. Moreover, if he really had problems with his lifestyle, then the entire Northwest Construction Corps would be doomed after he left, because if the commander-in-chief was messing around, why couldn't they?
He just scrolls through his phone in his room late at night, searching for keywords. Lately, he seems to like searching for Sun Yiyu's scandals; he's actually quite good-looking...

(End of this chapter)