The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 450: Han or Luo, which is greater?

Meanwhile, Liu Li was sent on a mission to the Western Regions, determined to make a name for himself there.

After several twists and turns, he finally received an invitation from the King of Kucha and was able to enter the palace.

The moment I stepped into the Kucha Royal Palace,
An exotic scent, a blend of spices, leather, and a certain air of authority, wafted over me.

Although the palace is not as grand as the Han palace, it has its own unique style.

The dome is high and wide, and the murals are richly colored.

It depicts images of hunting, war, and deities.

It is full of powerful and wild beauty.

The King of Kucha sat on a throne covered with a magnificent Persian carpet.

Wearing a golden crown and a brocade robe.

He had a rugged face and shrewd eyes.

Upon seeing Liu Li enter, he immediately put on a warm smile.

He stood up to greet them, his words filled with utmost politeness:

"His Highness the Prince of the Celestial Empire's presence truly honors my humble abode in Kucha!"

"Your Highness has had a long and arduous journey. I wonder if you are settling in comfortably in Kuqa?"

"If you have any needs, please just ask, and I will do my best to meet them."

He waved to the maids to serve him fine wine and various fruits and snacks, his attitude seemingly very attentive.

However, Liu Li keenly noticed this.

Beneath that enthusiastic smile lay a barely perceptible hint of perfunctoriness and eagerness.

It was as if they hoped the meeting would end as soon as possible and that they could see this uninvited guest off.

He sneered in his heart but remained expressionless.

He returned the greeting with a slight bow, and after exchanging a few pleasantries,

So he decided to stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."

Liu Li spoke in a clear voice, his gaze calmly meeting the King of Kucha.

"My purpose in coming here is not only to express the friendly trade relations between the Celestial Empire and Kucha."

"There is one more matter concerning the peace and tranquility of the Western Regions, which I need to discuss with Your Majesty."

The King of Kucha's smile froze slightly, feigning confusion:

"Oh? What is it that Your Highness is referring to?"

Liu Li's tone turned serious:

"I have heard that Your Majesty has detained hostages from several countries, including Shanshan, Shule, Yanqi, and even Shache, in the palace."

"The kings of all nations longed for their sons."

"And as a result, we are subject to your country's control, and our diplomatic relations are not autonomous."

"This is not the way to maintain good neighborliness, and it also goes against the principle of peaceful coexistence among the Western Regions advocated by the Celestial Empire."

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to release the hostages from various countries."

"It will reunite families and bring peace and harmony back to the Western Regions."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

The King of Kucha's smile faded, but he had not yet spoken.

One of his burly, arrogant ministers could no longer contain himself and shouted sternly:
"The envoy from the Celestial Empire is mistaken!"

“The hostages from various countries voluntarily stayed in my Kucha to learn etiquette, so how can you say they were ‘detained’?”

"This is an internal matter for Kucha and other countries, no matter how powerful the Celestial Empire may be."

"How can we arbitrarily interfere in the internal affairs of other countries? This is not the proper etiquette of a superior nation!"

If such a serious accusation were slapped on an ordinary envoy, he would probably be intimidated.

However, Liu Li had anticipated this question, and his expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied:

"...This minister is too kind."

"The kingdoms of the Western Regions yearn for Han assimilation."

"They voluntarily send envoys to pay tribute, acknowledging our Great Han as their suzerain, and yearning for the protection of the Celestial Empire."

"Since the Celestial Empire has received tribute from them, it has an obligation to safeguard the rights and interests and stability of these nations."

"This is the sect leader's responsibility, not an interference in internal affairs."

"In contrast, your country, relying on its strength, has detained the heir apparent of another country without cause."

"It caused the father and son to be separated, and the ruler and his subjects to be uneasy."

"Such behavior is truly contrary to etiquette and law, and disrupts harmony in the Western Regions!"

"If this causes unrest among the nations, trade routes will be cut off."

"What benefit would it bring to Kucha or to the Celestial Empire?"

His words were reasonable and well-founded.

It not only highlighted the responsibility of the Celestial Empire as the suzerain state, but also pointed out the harm caused by the actions of Kucha.

It also implies the potential consequences of non-cooperation.

The minister who had raised the issue was speechless and blushed with embarrassment.

Seeing Liu Li's sharp words and resolute attitude, the King of Kucha became even more unwilling to agree.

Releasing protons is tantamount to cutting off one's own arm.

This weakened Kucha's control over neighboring countries.

However, he was well aware of the Han Dynasty's formidable strength and dared not openly break off relations.

He then tried to stall for time again, forcing a troubled expression on his face:
"What Your Highness says is not without reason."

"However... this matter concerns the relations between several countries and involves a wide range of issues, which cannot be decided immediately by me alone."

"We still need to summon all the ministers to discuss this in detail..."

"Perhaps Your Highness would like to rest at the guesthouse for a few more days, so that I may..."

Before he could finish speaking, another minister, Benus, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, spoke up.

Seemingly seeing through the king's thoughts, he immediately stepped forward and spoke:
"Your Majesty is absolutely right!!"

"Releasing the protons is a matter of great importance; how can a decision be made hastily?"

"We need to take a long-term view and weigh the pros and cons."

"The esteemed envoy from the Celestial Empire has come a long way and must be weary. Why not return to the guesthouse and rest in peace?"

"We will discuss and come up with a plan before reporting it to Your Highness."

His tone was respectful, but his eyes held a hint of barely perceptible smugness and evasion.

Liu Li understood.

The King of Kucha and Bainus, working in concert, still wanted to delay.

He said no more, but gave the King of Kucha and Bainus a deep look, then cupped his hands and said:
"In that case, I will await Your Majesty's good news."

"I hope Your Majesty will prioritize the overall situation in the Western Regions and not disappoint me and the envoys from other countries."

Having said that, he took his leave.

Upon returning to the inn where he was staying, Liu Li immediately summoned Chen Tai and Zhuge Ke to discuss the matter.

"The King of Kucha showed no sincerity, and Bainus and others were even obstructing things and delaying the process."

“We have been here for more than ten days. If we stay any longer, things may change.”

"If they secretly mobilize troops or place us under house arrest, then all will be lost!"

Liu Li frowned as he analyzed the unfavorable situation before him.

Zhuge Ke, young and impetuous, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, offered his advice:
"Your Highness! Now that we've entered the tiger's den, why not emulate Ban Dingyuan's heroic deeds?"

"With only thirty-six men, he roamed the Western Regions, killing those who refused to submit, and finally brought order to the region!"

"We also have more than thirty men who dare to die!"

"Why not take advantage of their unpreparedness, storm the palace, and kill the King of Kucha in one fell swoop!"

"At that time, Kucha will be leaderless and will inevitably descend into chaos."

"Whoever dares to harm the prince of the Celestial Empire will have to submit to your orders!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Tai's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly objected:

"Yuan Xun's plan is far too dangerous; it must not be done!"

"When Ban Chao lived, the prestige of the Han Dynasty was greatly restored."

"The Northern Xiongnu forces have also been driven out, and their situation is different from ours today."

"We are envoys of the Celestial Empire, representing the dignity of the court."

"To kill a king in a foreign land is a grave injustice and utterly disrespectful!"

"Moreover, Kucha has an army of 20,000, and its capital, Kucha, is heavily guarded."

"There are only thirty or so of us, and our strength is far inferior to theirs."

"To attempt this risky move is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock; it is utterly unwise!"

"If things fail, not only will our lives be in danger."

"This will further enrage Kucha, causing it to completely turn to the path of opposing the Celestial Empire."

"The situation in the Western Regions is out of control!"

"At that time, Your Highness and we will all become traitors to the nation!"

Although Zhuge Ke was unwilling to accept Chen Tai's rebuttal, he knew that Chen Tai's words made sense.

He couldn't help but become impatient and said:

"This won't do, that won't do!"

"Are we just going to sit here and be slaughtered at will?"

Liu Li pondered for a long time, his gaze gradually sharpening, and he slowly said:

“Xuanbo’s words are sound, and Yuanxun’s ambition is commendable.”

"However, killing the King of Kucha would be too big a target and too risky."

"How about... finding a hen to scare the monkey?"

He glanced at the two men and said, “Today in the palace, that minister, Benus, repeatedly obstructed us.”

"He harbors the deepest hostility towards the Celestial Empire and appears to be a trusted advisor to the King of Kucha."

"If we eliminate it, we can deter the King of Kucha."

"Let them know that our Celestial Empire is not only capable of appeasement, but also of swift and decisive action!"

"It can also clip its wings without immediately triggering a full-scale conflict, leaving room for maneuver."

Chen Tai pondered for a moment, then nodded and said:

"Your Highness's plan is indeed a good compromise."

“Killing Bainus will both establish our authority and make the King of Kucha understand our purpose.”

"I am also capable of making a difference within its capital!"

"Making them hesitant to act may force them to comply."

"However, actions must be carried out with utmost secrecy, and mobilization must be carried out with caution, so that no information may be leaked."

With the plan settled, Liu Li summoned his more than thirty carefully selected warriors to a secret room.

These people were mostly young men from humble backgrounds who aspired to make a name for themselves.

Some were also loyal family retainers of Liu Li.

Liu Li surveyed the crowd, his expression solemn, and said in a deep voice:
"Gentlemen! You have followed me on a long journey of thousands of miles to this remote western region. What is the purpose of your visit?"

"He simply wants to take this opportunity to make a name for himself."

"So that one day his wife and children may be granted titles and honors, and his family may be prosperous and glorious!"

Upon hearing this, everyone held their breath and focused their attention.

Liu Li's tone shifted, becoming serious:

"But do you know that?"

"Our Great Han Dynasty has lost control of the Western Regions for decades!"

"In addition, there have been domestic disputes and frequent wars in recent years."

"As a result, the powerful states of the Western Regions, such as Kucha before us, are no longer as submissive as they once were."

"They even harbored contempt and refused to submit to the emperor's rule!"

"Today, the King of Kucha is being disrespectful and intends to detain us here."

"Delaying the inevitable is a sign of ulterior motives!"

"If their evil scheme succeeds, we will be like lambs falling into the jaws of wolves, our lives in the hands of others."

"Let alone fame and fortune, even the thought of returning to one's homeland intact is a pipe dream!"

"Gentlemen, we are now at a critical juncture of life and death."

"What do you all think should be done?"

The crowd had long harbored resentment towards Kucha's neglect, and now, upon hearing His Highness's analysis...

They felt a deep sense of empathy, and a sense of shared hatred and a do-or-die spirit permeated the air.

They roared in unison, their voices low but filled with determination:
"We are now in a perilous situation; our life or death is entirely up to Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, whatever your command, I will gladly die for!"

Seeing that the morale was good, Liu Li felt reassured and said confidently:
"Excellent! You gentlemen are indeed loyal and courageous men!"

As the old saying goes, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

"The only way to turn the tide now is to strike unexpectedly and catch them off guard!"

"Tonight, we will take advantage of the darkness and use fire as our signal."

"Raid the residence of Bainusi, the minister of Kucha who has repeatedly opposed our Celestial Empire, and take his head!"

"When the King of Kucha hears this, he will surely be terrified."

"At that time, we will release the protons, and they will submit to our command. Then everything will fall into place naturally!"

"In this way, we can not only escape our predicament."

"Moreover, we can achieve unparalleled feats and spread the might of our great Han Dynasty in the Western Regions!"

He made detailed arrangements:
"The strong wind tonight will be just what I need!"

“Yuan Xun, you lead ten men, carrying war drums, and sneak to the hidden place behind the Bainus residence.”

"Upon seeing the fire in the front yard, they vigorously beat the drums and shouted loudly, creating the momentum of a thousand troops!"

"Xuanbo, you lead the rest of the men, each armed with knives, spears, bows and crossbows, and lie in ambush on both sides of the mansion gate."

"Once the guards in the mansion rushed out in panic, we shot them with bows and crossbows and slashed them with swords and spears."

"We must annihilate them all, leaving no one to escape!"

"I personally led a few men to set fire to the front yard with the wind at our backs, and then stormed into the mansion, heading straight for Bainus!"

"Gentlemen, you must remember that your actions must be swift and decisive, like thunder and lightning, without any mistakes!"

Everyone accepted the order and began their preparations.

They were eager to get started, waiting for the night to fall.

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

The howling winds and swirling sandstorms presented an opportune moment for action.

At midnight, Liu Li and his group were like ghosts in the dark.

They approached the heavily guarded mansion of Bainus without making a sound.

As planned, Zhuge Ke and his drummers quietly took their positions.

Chen Tai's ambush troops also disappeared into the shadows on both sides of the mansion gate.

Seeing that the time was right, Liu Li's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he shouted in a low voice:
"Do it!"

He personally lit the grease-soaked torch and hurled it with all his might at the yurt and woodpile in front of the Bainus residence!
The strong winds fanned the flames, and the fire instantly rose up, spreading rapidly and turning half the sky red!

Almost at the same moment the fire broke out, behind the mansion, Zhuge Ke and others vigorously beat the war drums!
"Dong dong dong——!"

The drums thundered, accompanied by the desperate shouts of the crowd:
"kill--!"

"The heavenly army has arrived; those who surrender will not be killed!"

In the still of the night, the sound was terrifying, as if a thousand troops were attacking!

The guards in the palace of Bainus were awakened from their sleep.

Flames shot into the sky, and shouts and clamor filled the air, instantly plunging the place into chaos.

They panicked, thinking it was a night attack by the Han army.

Some tried to put out the fire, while others blindly rushed outwards.

"Fire arrows!"

Upon seeing the guards rush out, Chen Tai immediately gave the order.

The crossbowmen lying in ambush never missed their target, and the guards charging ahead fell to the ground, all struck by arrows.

The remaining ambush troops seized the opportunity to rush out with knives and spears, blocking the gate of the mansion and engaging in a fierce battle with the panicked guards.

Liu Li then personally led several elite troops, like a tiger descending the mountain.

He charged straight into the sea of ​​fire and chaos, heading straight for the inner chamber where Benus was!

Encountering resistance along the way, Liu Li, with his exceptional skills, personally killed three Kucha guards.

Blood-stained robes only added to their imposing presence.

His men also fought bravely and killed.

In an instant,
More than thirty guards in the mansion were either killed or burned, and all perished.

In the chaos, Liu Li finally found Bainus in the inner room, who was pale with fright and trying to escape under the bed.

Without any mercy, he swiftly brought down his blade, and the powerful minister of Kucha was instantly decapitated!

Mission accomplished, Liu Li, without lingering, immediately gave the order:

"withdraw!"

Taking advantage of the chaos and the darkness, the group quickly made their escape.

They disappeared into the alleyways of Kuqa City.

They returned to the inn, cleaned up the traces, and acted as if nothing had happened.

The next morning,

The news of the burning of Bainus's residence and his murder spread like wildfire throughout the entire Kucha royal palace!

Upon hearing the news, the King of Kucha was so shocked that he jumped up from his throne.

His face was deathly pale, and cold sweat poured down his back!

"Wh...what? Benus...was killed?"

"And right under the noses of the Celestial Empire's envoys, their residences were raided at night, their homes burned down, and their heads were chopped off?!"

He couldn't believe his ears.

There was an uproar in the court.

One minister, enraged beyond measure, stepped forward and roared:

"Your Majesty! The people of the Celestial Empire are going too far!"

"How dare they openly murder a high-ranking official of our nation within our capital!"

"This is an utter disgrace! They clearly don't take our Kucha seriously!"

"Your Majesty, I request that troops be dispatched immediately to surround the Han embassy post station."

"Capture Liu Li and his group completely and punish them severely as a warning to others!"

However, what it felt most was fear.

The sudden fire and deafening commotion last night left all the ministers feeling lingering fear.

They did not know how many troops the Han Dynasty envoy had brought.

I wonder if I'll be the next one to be ambushed in the middle of the night and beheaded.

An atmosphere of fear and insecurity pervaded the imperial court.

"No! Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"

Another minister advised in a trembling voice, "Since Liu Li is a prince, he must have bodyguards who are willing to die for him."

"Last night's events have proven their audacity and ruthlessness!"

"If we rashly capture them, we risk driving them to desperate measures, which could lead to further complications!"

"Furthermore... if it truly has the support of the Han Dynasty army behind it..."

"If we capture and kill the prince, how can the Han emperor let this go?"

"When the entire nation's army comes to attack, my Kucha... will be in grave danger!"

The ministers echoed their sentiments, all saying that it was not advisable to confront them head-on.

The priority should be to release the protons and send away this "demon".

The King of Kucha listened to his ministers' fearful advice and looked at their bewildered eyes.

The last glimmer of hope in my heart was shattered.

He slumped back onto his throne, let out a long sigh, and seemed to age ten years in an instant.

He finally waved his hand weakly.
"That's enough...that's enough..."

"To completely antagonize the Celestial Empire for the sake of a single Bainus is not the act of a wise man."

"It seems... the only way is to release the princes of various countries and let this Third Prince leave satisfied."

"Only in Kucha can we enjoy peace..."

"Send word to summon His Highness the Crown Prince of the Celestial Dynasty to the palace."

When they met again, the King of Kucha's attitude had completely changed.

His face was devoid of any arrogance or perfunctoriness, only showing reverence and ingratiation remained.

He respectfully said to Liu Li:

"Your Highness, I have given this matter of releasing the hostages, which we discussed the other day, much thought."

"I believe that what Your Highness said is truly wise and insightful, and will contribute to the long-term stability of the Western Regions."

"I have decided to immediately release the hostages from Shanshan, Shule, Yanqi, and Shache, and hand them over to Your Highness to take back."

"I, Kucha, wish to be forever subservient to the Celestial Dynasty."

"I will strictly adhere to the duties of a vassal and have absolutely no disloyal intentions!"

Liu Li sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he showed a look of satisfaction:

"Your Majesty's ability to understand the greater good and the bigger picture is truly a blessing for Kucha and a boon for the Western Regions!"

"After I return to the Chief Secretary's residence, I will certainly submit a memorial to the court to highlight Your Majesty's achievements."

Having achieved his goal, Liu Li did not linger and quickly left Kucha City with the released princes from various countries.

After this incident,
The news of the Han Dynasty's third prince's swift and decisive execution of the powerful minister of Kucha spread like wildfire throughout the Western Regions.

Liu Li's reputation soared.

After leaving Kucha, Liu Li did not return to the Western Regions Prefectural Office.

Instead, they decided to strike while the iron was hot and continue to persuade the Western Regions to form a coalition.

To increase efficiency, he divided the team into three groups:
He ordered Zhuge Ke to lead ten men westward to the countries of Shule and Gumo.

He ordered Chen Tai to lead ten men southwest to the countries of Khotan and Pishan.

He then personally led the remaining men, along with the most influential prince of Shache, straight to another powerful kingdom in the Western Regions—Shache.

Upon arriving in Shache Kingdom, Liu Li instructed the Shache prince to go to the palace first to report.

When the King of Shache saw his beloved son, whom he had lost and found again, he wept with joy.

Their gratitude towards Liu Li was beyond measure.

He personally went out of the palace to greet Liu Li, took his hand, and said excitedly:

"Your Highness of the Celestial Empire! You braved all dangers to rescue my son from the den of tigers and wolves in Kucha."

"This kindness and virtue is like being given a second life!"

"Your Highness is truly an outstanding person of the Celestial Empire, a Chinese hero, possessing both wisdom and courage."

"Xiao Wang is utterly impressed!"

After a few humble words, Liu Li seized the opportunity to propose the idea of ​​integrating the Western Regions coalition to jointly resist powerful forces and maintain peace along the Silk Road.

He also indicated that this was the intention of the imperial court in Luoyang.

The Luoyang court pointed out that the various states in the Western Regions, due to their independent governance, were ultimately a disorganized mess.

But if countries can unite and work together to form a coalition, they can achieve great things.

This will enable us to maintain long-term peace and stability in the Western Regions and jointly protect the Silk Road.

Liu Li also specifically stated that the Western Regions Allied Forces were only responsible for protecting the Silk Road and did not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

At this moment, the King of Shache had immense trust and admiration for Liu Li, and immediately agreed without hesitation:

"Your Highness has worked tirelessly for the peace of the Western Regions; how can I, a humble prince, lag behind?"

"Our kingdom of Shache is willing to give its all and obey Your Highness's orders!"

"Your Highness may command all the troops in our country!"

"Once an order is given, none will disobey!"

Meanwhile, Zhuge Ke and Chen Tai's two routes also made good progress.

They relied on Liu Li's established reputation in Kucha and his status as an envoy of the Celestial Empire.

In addition, Chen Tai's composure and wisdom, and Zhuge Ke's quick wit and sharpness.

They successively persuaded more than a dozen Western Region states, including Shule, Yutian, Gumo, and Wensu. News continued to pour in.

When Liu Li received the news of victory from Zhuge Ke and Chen Tai in Shache Kingdom.

The total number of allied troops he could directly mobilize, provided by various countries in the Western Regions, had reached a staggering 20,000!
Although this unit comes from different countries, their equipment and training levels vary.

Language barriers also exist.

However, its political significance and potential fighting power are enough to change the power structure of the Western Regions.

It became a sword hanging over the heads of restless forces such as Kucha.

Liu Li stood on the observation deck of the Shache Royal Palace.
Looking out at the vast Western Regions, I felt a surge of pride and joy.

He knew that he had taken the first step in his conquest of the Western Regions.

……

In the western regions during winter, the north wind is biting.

The swirling sand from the Gobi Desert casts a hazy, yellowish veil over the landscape.

However, the seat of the Western Regions Prefectural Government, located at a crucial point on the Silk Road, was filled with a warm atmosphere that was completely different from the severe cold.

When the Third Prince Liu Li and his entourage returned, weary from their journey but full of high spirits.

Chief Secretary Zhang Ji had already led his men to welcome them outside the city.

Looking at the Western Regions allied army behind Liu Li, whose members were dressed in different styles but were disciplined and in high spirits.

And the envoys and generals from various countries who treated Liu Li with respect and even a sense of awe.

Zhang Ji was deeply shocked.

He had initially thought that the prince was young and impetuous.

It was already quite an achievement that this trip was able to persuade one or two countries and stabilize the situation.

Unexpectedly, in just a few months, they were able to unite all the countries.

They have assembled such a formidable force!

"Your Highness!"

Zhang Ji strode forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with heartfelt admiration.

"Your Highness's journey has brought glory to foreign lands and united various nations."

"For achieving such an unparalleled feat, I... am filled with the utmost admiration!"

"Even Ban Dingyuan in his day was no better than this!"

Liu Li dismounted, personally helped Zhang Ji up, and said humbly:
"...Jingzhong, you flatter me."

"This is not the achievement of one person alone, but rather the result of His Majesty's divine might and the soldiers' valiant efforts."

"We also rely on Jingzhong to stabilize the rear and ensure uninterrupted supplies."

"The situation in the Western Regions has been initially stabilized, but everything needs to be rebuilt, and the follow-up matters are even more crucial."

After entering the mansion and taking a seat,

After serving hot cheese to ward off the cold, Zhang Ji couldn't wait to ask:
"Your Highness has returned victorious, your might shaking the Western Regions."

"But I wonder... what are Your Highness's plans next?"

"Should we continue the military campaign to subdue the remaining unconquered states, or..."

Liu Li held the warm ceramic bowl in his hands, but his gaze was already fixed on the map of the Western Regions hanging on the wall.

His tone was calm and firm:
"The art of war lies in stopping war."

"Now that the states have just submitted, our military might has already been established."

"However, to ensure long-term peace and stability in the Western Regions, force alone is not enough."

"I believe we should seize this opportunity to vigorously revitalize the Western Regions!"

"Adapt to local conditions and make good use of the geographical advantages of each country."

"The system integrates resources in the Western Regions to improve people's livelihoods and facilitate trade routes."

"If all nations can benefit from it, then the people will naturally be loyal and the foundation will be solid."

An interested look appeared in Zhang Ji's eyes:

"Your Highness has great foresight! But I wonder how exactly this should be implemented?"

Liu Li walked to the map, pointed to various places, and began to speak eloquently:

"The first priority is to consolidate the foundation and strengthen military preparedness."

"Only by firmly controlling the coalition can we ensure our voice and deter any wrongdoing."

He pointed to Kucha, saying, "Kucha, with its advantageous location near the Tianshan Mountains and abundant iron ore, is the best in the Western Regions."

"They can be ordered to undertake the supply of most of the iron materials for the Allied forces."

The finger moved toward Shule, "The artisans of Shule are highly skilled, especially in forging."

“They can be ordered to gather skilled craftsmen and specialize in forging and repairing weapons and equipment for the Allied forces.”

He then looked at Zhuge Ke, who was standing to the side:
"Yuan Xun, you are skilled in military formations, so I will entrust you with full responsibility for training the soldiers."

"We must ensure that the allied forces are under unified command, highly trained, and have formed combat capability!"

"Ke, I obey! I will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust!"

Zhuge Ke solemnly replied.

"As for people's livelihood," Liu Li glanced at Zhang Ji, "Jingzhong, the Chief Secretary's Office should allocate special funds to build water conservancy projects."

"Drawing snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains to irrigate the oasis."

"We encourage all countries to develop agriculture and animal husbandry according to their local conditions."

“Pine trees and melons can be widely planted in places like Shanshan and Khotan.”

“Yanqi and Weixu have abundant water and grass, and can vigorously develop animal husbandry.”

"Since Cheshi and Yiwu are strategically important, we should encourage merchants and travelers and improve the post stations..."

"Make the best use of resources and talents."

"Only when the people live in peace and prosperity and trade routes are unobstructed can the Western Regions truly prosper."

"To become the secure western border of our great Han Dynasty, not a burden."

This series of punches left Zhang Ji deeply moved.

Having spent a long time in the Western Regions, he was well aware of the distribution of resources and the strengths of various countries in the area.

But no one has ever been like Liu Li.

For a country of such high standards to conduct such a systematic and efficient integration and planning.

This is no longer a simple matter of appeasement and control, but rather a genuine attempt to integrate the Western Regions into the empire's economic and strategic system!

"Your Highness's plan is well-thought-out and hits the nail on the head!"

"Your Majesty... I have suddenly understood!"

Zhang Ji sincerely praised, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to assist you in implementing this policy!"

With Liu Li's strong promotion and the coordination of the Western Regions Prefectural Administration.

A development plan for the Western Regions based on resource integration and complementary advantages has begun to operate at high speed.

Iron ore from Kucha was continuously transported to Shule, where the artisans kept their furnaces burning day and night.

The coalition forces were equipped with sophisticated weapons and armor.

The Chief Administrator's Office organized laborers to build irrigation canals and karez wells in oases of various countries, expanding arable land and pastures.

With better protection and convenience for traveling caravans, the Silk Road became increasingly busy.

The various kingdoms of the Western Regions, which were originally independent and even at war with each other,

It was organized effectively for the first time.

The advantageous resources of each country flow like trickles into Liu Li's grand plan.

It burst forth with astonishing vitality!
In just three months, the Western Regions have undergone remarkable changes.

Orderly and prosperous in commerce.

The allied forces were strong and well-equipped, presenting a thriving and prosperous scene.

It was deep winter, and all things were dormant.

Liu Li, however, decided to take this opportunity to test his control over the Western Regions.

This also cleared obstacles for further opening up trade routes to the West.

He set his sights on the Kingdom of Dayuan, west of Kucha.

The Kingdom of Dayuan was famous for its Akhal-Teke horses.

It is a country with considerable national strength, and its geographical location is relatively remote.

They have always maintained an ambiguous and distant attitude towards the Western Regions Prefectural Government.

It is the only country among the Western Regions that has never explicitly expressed its submission.

Liu Li did not mobilize a large army, but led a coalition of 5,000 elite troops from countries such as Kucha, Shache, and Shule.

Banners fluttered and armor gleamed.

They traveled westward, heading straight for Guishan City, the capital of the Dayuan Kingdom.

The army was at the city gates, their momentum overwhelming.

The King of Dayuan stood atop the city wall, gazing at the disciplined and well-equipped allied army outside the city.

And with the flag in the army representing the prince of the Celestial Empire, he already understood the disparity in strength between the two sides.

He sighed deeply, knowing that resistance was tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock, and would only bring about annihilation.

After weighing the pros and cons, he made a wise decision—to open the city gates.

He personally led his civil and military officials, holding official seals and military tallies, out of the city to surrender.

Liu Li sat upright on his horse and accepted the surrender of the King of Dayuan.

After entering the city,

In the former palace of the Dayuan king, Liu Li summoned the Dayuan king, whose face was filled with fear.

“King of Dayuan,” Liu Li said in a calm tone, yet with an undeniable air of authority.

"Since you know you are powerless to resist the might of the Celestial Empire's army, why didn't you send an envoy to the Chief Secretary's residence earlier?"

"To show their willingness to submit, rather than waiting for the emperor to lead a large army here before they will surrender?"

"Don't you know that if you had submitted earlier, you could have been like other countries?"

"Sharing the benefits of the Silk Road while avoiding the ravages of war?"

The King of Dayuan prostrated himself on the ground, explaining with a wry smile:
"Your Highness, please understand that it was not my intention to slight the Celestial Empire."

"The truth is... there's another reason!"

"Oh? What's the trouble you're facing? Please speak freely."

The King of Dayuan raised his head and said cautiously:

"Your Highness, to the west of my Great Yuan, there are still vast lands and powerful kingdoms."

"One of these empires was called Kushan."

"Its strength was formidable, its territory spanned thousands of miles, and its population was vast."

"It's said to be no less than ten million!"

"The strength of its nation and the superiority of its military might are probably... probably not much less than that of the Celestial Empire."

“Our Great Yuan... has long since submitted to them, paid tribute, and received their protection.”

Therefore... he dared not easily submit to the Celestial Empire again.

"So as not to anger our western neighbor and bring trouble upon ourselves."

"Kushan?"

Liu Li frowned slightly; he had heard of this name before.

However, the details were unclear. "Could there really be such a powerful country in the West?"

The Kushan Empire was a superpower spanning Central and South Asia.

As the King of Dayuan said,

Its territory stretches from the Iranian border in the west to the middle reaches of the Ganges River in the east.

It stretches from the Syr Darya and the Pamir Mountains in the north to the Nabata River in the south.

The population had already exceeded ten million by 100 AD.

Around 200 AD, the Kushan Empire reached its zenith.

Its population is probably no less than 15 million.

It is undoubtedly one of the major superpowers in Central Asia.

The Kushan Empire is widely recognized as one of the four major powers in Eurasia at that time.

It is ranked alongside the Han Dynasty, the Roman Empire, and Parthia.

Chen Tai, who had a remarkable memory, immediately stepped forward and whispered to Liu Li:
“Your Highness, what the King of Dayuan said is true.”

"The Kushan Empire rose from the five Yuezhi tribes and is now indeed the hegemon of the West."

“In the past, when Ban Dingyuan was managing the Western Regions, he intended to send an envoy, Gan Ying, to travel west and explore the road to Daqin (the Roman Empire).

"Desire to establish trade relations with Western powers."

"However, Gan Ying's journey to Parthia was blocked in the Persian Gulf."

“The Parthians falsely claimed that the sea was treacherous and the voyage was long, so Gan Ying had no choice but to return.”

"From this point on, there was direct exchange between our two great civilizations, East and West."

"It was almost completely cut off, which is a regrettable thing for all time."

The mention of "Great Qin" by Chen Tai aroused longing in everyone present, including Liu Li.

That legendary empire that stood alongside the Han Dynasty at the eastern and western ends of the world.

Its prosperity, its systems, and its products have long been known through the few words spoken by merchants and travelers.

It was shrouded in mystery and charm in the minds of Han Dynasty scholars.

Daqin is Rome.

Although later generations are eager to discuss whether Rome or the Han Dynasty was more powerful, and who would win if the two super empires fought each other.

But if people at the time had known, they probably would have just laughed it off.

The reality is that the two superpowers, one in the East and one in the West, are in a state of mutual respect and admiration.

The Romans greatly admired the Han Chinese, and the Han Chinese also greatly admired the Romans.

They even compared the Romans to the Chinese.

It's important to know that the people of the Han Dynasty were extremely confident, to the point of being narcissistic.

However, the Han Dynasty people compared the Romans to the people of the Celestial Empire, which shows how much the Han Dynasty admired the Romans at that time.

Rome yearned for Eastern silk, while the Han Dynasty was also curious about Western glass, gold and silver artifacts, and exotic animals.

It is worth noting that Roman glass is not the same as modern glass.

In ancient times, it was called the Flowing Light Jade.

However, Roman glass did indeed lay the technological foundation for the development of the modern glass industry.

It's no wonder that Liu Li and the others longed for Rome.

Because no one from the Han Dynasty would forget that sentence in the Book of the Later Han:
"The Qin Kingdom is rich in gold, silver and rare treasures."

"There are luminous jade, bright moon pearl, horn-scarring rhinoceros, coral, tiger amber, glass, jadeite, vermilion, and blue-green."

With so many dazzling treasures, anyone would yearn for them.

One of the deeper intentions behind Prime Minister Li's strong advocacy for opening and maintaining the Silk Road.

The hope was to break down barriers and strengthen ties with the West, especially with Rome.

Liu Li pondered for a moment, then said to the King of Dayuan:

"……I see."

"However, the heart of the Celestial Empire lies in peaceful trade, not in conquering other countries."

"Unimpeded Silk Road and shared benefits are the right path."

"Although the Kushans are strong, our great Han Dynasty is willing to coexist peacefully with them and exchange goods."

"King of Dayuan, could you please introduce me to the Kushan envoy?"

"I wish to personally express the goodwill of the Celestial Empire to them and discuss the grand plan of the Silk Road."

Seeing that Liu Li's attitude was sincere and not feigned, the King of Dayuan quickly agreed:

"If Your Highness has such intentions, how could I not do my utmost?"

"I will immediately send an envoy to Kushan to convey Your Highness's message."

However, a few days later.

The reply brought back by the King of Dayuan greatly disappointed Liu Li and his party.

He even felt angry.

The King of Dayuan, looking troubled, reported:

"Your Highness, the Kushan envoy... declined the request for a meeting."

He said... he was too busy with affairs to come east.

"what?!"

Zhuge Ke, young and impetuous, could not contain himself and angrily said:

"Outrageous! The prince of our Celestial Empire has condescended to request an audience."

"How dare those barbarian envoys be so arrogant and disrespectful?!"

"According to etiquette, they should be the ones coming to pay their respects to Your Highness!"

"This is clearly an insult to the dignity of our Celestial Empire!"

Chen Tai also looked displeased and said in a deep voice:

"...That is indeed extremely rude."

"The Kushans' actions are far too arrogant."

Although Liu Li was not angry, his brows were deeply furrowed, and he felt that things were not so simple.

Seeing that the Han envoys were all angry, the King of Dayuan hesitated for a long time before finally stammering out the truth:
"Your Highness, angels, please calm your anger..."

"In fact, the Kushan envoy's refusal was probably..."

"It wasn't entirely because of arrogance."

"There is another reason for this."

"What is the reason?" Liu Li pressed.

The King of Dayuan composed himself and slowly said:

"Your Highness is aware of the silk and exquisite lacquerware produced in your country."

"And rare spices from southern places like Jiaozhi, in the western countries."

"Especially that distant Great Qin, how popular is it?"

“The nobles of that country take pride in wearing Chinese silk.”

"Its value...is almost equal to that of gold!"

Liu Li nodded:

"...I am also aware of some of this matter."

"This is precisely the important reason why our dynasty vigorously protects the Silk Road and is eager to communicate with the West."

“But Your Highness, do you know?” the King of Dayuan changed the subject.

"Where do these precious goods from your country need to pass through to finally reach Da Qin?"

Liu Li, being exceptionally clever, immediately realized:
"You mean... the key to trade transshipment lies with the Kushans and Parthia?"

"Your Highness is wise!" the King of Dayuan affirmed. "That is indeed the case!"

"To be precise, the land trade routes to Daqin were mostly controlled by the Parthian and Kushan states."

"Your country's goods, whether they travel south or north, are all available."

"Ultimately, most of them had to pass through the hands of these two countries before finally reaching Qin."

"These two countries rely on their monopoly of the key to trade between the East and the West."

"They extract heavy taxes from it and make huge profits from the price difference."

"Only in this way can the wealth and power of its empire be maintained!"

He paused and lowered his voice.

"There are rumors among merchants that a piece of fine Chinese silk has been transported to Daqin (the Roman Empire)."

"Its price is almost equivalent to the salary of a Qin soldier for decades!"

"Decades' worth of salary?!"

Upon hearing this, even though Liu Li was a prince and accustomed to wealth, he couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

He looked shocked. "The profits are so huge?!"

This profit far exceeded his expectations.

Chen Tai added from the side:

"Your Highness, this is not a one-time benefit."

"It flows endlessly, like a surging river!"

"No wonder Prime Minister Li often said, 'The benefits of commercial warfare can sometimes surpass those of war.'"

Zhuge Ke also sighed:
"Only today do I realize that Prime Minister Li's strong advocacy for trade was indeed a far-sighted and insightful decision!"

"If we had known this earlier, perhaps... many wars could have been avoided."

Seeing that they understood the key point, the King of Dayuan said again:

"Do you angels know that a hundred years ago—"

"Why are the Parthians obstructing your envoy Gan Ying's journey to the west, even resorting to lies and intimidation?"

Chen Tai sneered:
"Naturally, we do not want our dynasty to establish direct diplomatic relations with the Great Qin."

"So as not to cut off their source of income and prevent them from enjoying the huge profits of this monopoly."

"...This is one of them."

The King of Dayuan nodded, then his expression became even more solemn.

"However, as far as Xiao Wang knows, there may be another, deeper concern."

"Oh? What other concerns do you have?"

Liu Li and the others were all intrigued.

The King of Dayuan looked around at everyone and slowly said:
"Imagine the Qin and Han dynasties, separated in the east and west."

"All of them have a vast territory and a population of hundreds of millions."

"It is a superpower with the most advanced civilizations in both the East and the West."

"And Parthia and Kushan, though also great powers."

"However, compared to the Han and Qin dynasties, it was clearly weaker."

"If...if two superpowers at opposite ends of the world were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers."

"They actually contacted each other directly and exchanged information."

"Even...forming an alliance."

"So, what will be the situation for Parthia and Kushan, caught in the middle?"

"Can they still comfortably enjoy the benefits of this trade transit?"

"How could its national security not be under tremendous threat?"

"Therefore, obstructing direct east-west transportation is also out of consideration for their own survival and safety!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Li, Chen Tai, Zhuge Ke, and the others exchanged bewildered glances.

For a moment, they were speechless.

This is something they had not given much thought to before.

They only considered it from the perspective of the Celestial Empire, believing that establishing diplomatic relations with Rome was a win-win situation.

However, it never considered the perspective of intermediate countries like Parthia and Kushan.

For them, this move may mean a squeeze on strategic space and the arrival of an existential crisis.

Silence fell over the hall.

Outside the window, the cold winter wind of the Western Regions still howled.

However, Liu Li's heart was stirred by this distant international game, which caused even greater turmoil.

The exchanges between East and West were far more complex than he had imagined.

It involves enormous interests and deep-seated strategic fears.

After a long silence, Liu Li finally spoke.

His voice carried a hint of weariness and deeper contemplation:

"What I heard today was a huge amount of information, and I need to digest it properly."

"Gentlemen, please return to the inn to rest for now."

"Regarding communication with the West... allow me to consider it carefully and make further plans."

Everyone bowed and took their leave, each lost in their own thoughts.

Opening up a path to the West does not seem to be something that can be easily achieved simply through military force or goodwill.

The intricate web of interests and geopolitics behind it forms an invisible net that covers the vast Eurasian continent.

Liu Li's campaign to manage the Western Regions faced a completely new and more complex challenge.

……

(End of this chapter)