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In the spring of the eighteenth year of the prosperous era, the Western Expeditionary Army finally arrived at its destination.

It took two full years to travel from the sixteenth year of the prosperous era.

For two years, the land army marched westward, traversing the Hexi Corridor, crossing the Jade Gate Pass, and passing through places where only camel bells and sandstorms could be heard.

On the Gobi Desert, it's hot enough to bake an egg during the day and cold enough to freeze a person at night.

When the sandstorm comes, the sky darkens and you can't see anyone even if you're face to face.

Initially, the railway only extended to Suzhou; beyond that, the tracks stopped.

Fortunately, for the rest of the journey, there were the newly developed coal trucks from the Academy of Sciences…

Those big coal-fired machines, equipped with rubber wheels, could run on sand. Although they weren't fast, they were much better than horse-drawn carriages.

A truck can carry dozens of people or several tons of supplies.

Otherwise, relying entirely on foot and horses would take at least three or four years.

However, the Railway Department of the Great Zhou Dynasty continued to build and extend new railways.

From Suzhou westward, the railway tracks were laid meter by meter, crossing the Gobi Desert, traversing mountains, and extending towards the Arab world.

Chu Shijian, the Vice Minister of Works, personally led a team of tens of thousands of laborers, laying out the ground section by section.

They followed the army, and wherever the army fought, the railway was built.

A new steam locomotive is also under development.

The Royal Society's engineers say the next generation of locomotives will be twice as fast as the current ones.

At that time, it might only take a month to travel from the capital to the Arab world.

A combined force of 150,000 Khitan and Jurchen troops led the way, followed by 50,000 elite national defense troops.

The procession stretched for hundreds of miles, with no end in sight.

Looking down from above, the winding procession resembled a giant dragon, slowly swimming across the Gobi Desert.

Someone died on the road.

Some died from illness due to the change in environment; others died in battle after encountering bandits or fighting; still others fell behind because they could no longer walk.

Over the past two years, tens of thousands of people have died by land.

But wherever the army went, it conquered everything.

Some of those small kingdoms in the Western Regions surrendered at the mere sight of them, some fought desperately and were then destroyed, and some simply vanished without a trace.

Those who were willing to submit were conscripted into the auxiliary army and fought alongside the Great Zhou against the Abbasid Caliphate.

Therefore, although the Western Expeditionary Army suffered continuous losses, its actual strength was getting stronger and stronger.

By the time they reached Talas, they already had 250,000 men...

The combined forces consisted of 150,000 Khitan and Jurchen troops, 50,000 elite national defense troops, and 50,000 auxiliary troops from the Western Regions.

Wang Yanjun rode on horseback, walking in the middle of the group.

Two years of wind and sand have made him dark and thin, with his face covered in cracks, but his eyes are still so bright, like two stars embedded in his face.

"Commander, Talas is just ahead." Deputy Commander Murong Yanzhao pointed into the distance, his voice tinged with excitement.

Talas.

This is the place where Gao Xianzhi of the Tang Dynasty suffered a defeat.

More than a hundred years ago, the Tang army was defeated by the Arabs here, and the Western Regions changed hands. The Central Plains dynasties never set foot on this land again.

Wang Yanjun reined in his horse, gazed at the land, and remained silent for a moment.

As the sun sets, it paints the walls of Talas in a golden-red hue.

That city may not look big, but everyone knows that more than a hundred years ago, a battle that changed history took place here.

“More than a hundred years,” Wang Yanjun murmured.

Murong Yanzhao asked, "Commander, what are you thinking about?"

Wang Yanjun shook his head: "It's nothing. Send the order to set up camp. Wait for news from the navy."

The land army set up camp in Talas and waited for half a month.

The camps stretched for miles, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

Some soldiers were drilling, some were repairing their weapons, and some were chatting together.

Those Khitans and Jurchens, who used to dislike each other, have now become comrades-in-arms, spending their days together boasting.

Xiao Tianyun sat on a rock, wiping his knife.

Wanyan Helibo leaned over and handed him a pot of water. "Old Xiao, do you think the navy can reach it?"

Xiao Tianyun took the kettle and took a sip: "It will arrive. I heard about General Zhang when I was in the capital; he's very reliable."

Wanyan Helibo nodded: "That's what I'm worried about. The sea is so vast, and the ship is so small, what if..."

Xiao Tianyun glared at him: "What if what? Steamships are much more stable than sailboats. Besides, General Zhang brought thirty warships and fifty transport ships. What storm can't they withstand?"

Wanyan Helibo gave an awkward laugh.

……

Two weeks later, the news finally arrived.

The scout rode into the camp at full speed, dismounted, and knelt on one knee: "Report—the navy arrived half a year ago! General Zhang landed in the Persian Gulf and has already occupied seven ports! He has also captured and established military bases along the way."

Wang Yanjun suddenly stood up.

"it is good!"

The navy actually arrived six months ago, since sea transport is more convenient.

Zhang Yongde led a naval force of 50,000 men from Quanzhou southwards.

After crossing the South China Sea, passing through the Strait of Malacca, and traversing the Indian Ocean, they finally landed in the Persian Gulf.

That route was longer and more dangerous than the land route.

Naval bases should be established in strategic locations along the route, as the army needs to be resupplyed at all times.

Fortunately, steamships are faster and more stable than sailboats.

Thirty steam-powered warships and fifty transport ships, in a magnificent procession, covered the entire surface of the Persian Gulf.

Where had those local warlords ever seen anything like this?
Those iron ships billowing black smoke could move on their own without sails or oars.

The ship also has cannons; one shot can blast down half a wall.

Those cannons were dark and pointed towards the shore, ready to spew fire at any moment.

The local kings were so frightened their legs went weak. "What...what kind of monster is this?"

The translator told them, "Warships of the Great Zhou."

"Great Zhou? Where is Great Zhou?"

"To the east, in a very, very far place. Even farther than the Tang Dynasty."

What are they doing here?

The translator shook his head: "I don't know. But it's best not to mess with them."

The local kings nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Yongde stood on the flagship, gazing at that unfamiliar land.

The sea breeze made his cloak flutter, and he squinted as he looked at the scene on the shore.

"Send the order to land."

Fifty thousand naval soldiers landed in the Persian Gulf, established camps, built ports, and awaited news from the land army.

On the day of the landing, Wang Huan stood next to Zhang Yongde and asked, "Commander, are we not waiting for the land route?"

Zhang Yongde shook his head: "No need to wait. Let's attack first. Capture the port, establish strongholds, and when the land forces arrive, we can advance directly. After all, our navy also needs a stable supply line."

Guo Shaoqian asked, "What about those local kings?"

Zhang Yongde thought for a moment: "Ignore them for now. As long as they're not in the way, let them live their own lives. If they are..."

He paused, then said, "Just fight."

"promise!"

……

When news of the naval operation reached Talas, Wang Yanjun finally gave the order.

"Set off."

An army of 250,000 men marched westward in a mighty force.

The first battle was the attack on Talas.

The city of Talas was garrisoned by 20,000 troops, all of whom were servants of the Arabs.

The commander was a Persian named Abdullah.

He stood on the city wall, looking at the dark mass of Zhou troops outside the city, his hands trembling.

Xiao Tianyun led the Khitan cavalry at the forefront.

Those Khitans grew up on horseback for generations, and their horsemanship was unparalleled.

Previously, they marched south to seize the Central Plains; now they march west to seize the Abbasid Caliphate.

After traveling thousands of miles, we were finally ready to fight.

Their eyes were all red.

Abdullah sent cavalry out of the city to meet the enemy.

The Arab cavalry charged out, and the two armies clashed.

Swords flashed and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

After fighting for an hour, the Arab cavalry could no longer hold out and turned to flee.

Xiao Tianyun chased after him, getting carried away with the killing.

He rode his horse, brandishing his sword, shouting as he chased after them, "Chase them! Don't let them get away!"

They chased the enemy for thirty miles, killing two thousand men, before finally withdrawing to their camp.

The next day, the siege began.

The National Defense Army set up field artillery and bombarded the city walls.

Those cannons were the latest developments of the Academy of Sciences, lighter and easier to carry than before, but without diminishing their power.

After a day and a night of bombardment, three large breaches appeared in the city wall.

On the third day, Zhou Jun rushed in through the breach.

The street fighting lasted for three days.

The Arab mercenaries fought desperately, but they could not hold out.

The Khitans and Jurchens charged ahead, while the National Defense Army held the rear, surging in wave after wave.

Abdullah was cornered in a courtyard in the city.

He looked at the Zhou soldiers who had surrounded him, at the knives and guns pointed at him, and remained silent for a long time.

Xiao Tianyun parted the soldiers and walked up to him.

To lower or not to lower?

Abdullah looked at him, then at the menacing Zhou soldiers.

"It's gone down."

Talas, take it.

When the news spread, the small towns and states along the way were terrified.

Some surrendered directly, some packed their belongings and ran away, and some didn't even have time to run before being trapped in the city by Zhou's army.

……

Three months later, the land army advanced to Samarkand.

Samarkand, a major city for the Arabs in the east, was garrisoned by 50,000 troops.

The city walls were high and thick, and the moat was wide and deep. The city had ample food supplies, and the commander was a tough nut to crack, named Khalid.

Wang Yanjun did not rush to attack the city.

He stood on the high slope, gazing at the city, and remained silent for a long time. "Order to set up camp. Await news from the navy."

Murong Yanzhao asked, "Commander, shall we not fight?"

Wang Yanjun shook his head: "No rush. Samarkand has high walls and thick walls; a direct assault would result in too many casualties. Let's wait for new information from the navy. If the Arabs are too busy fighting, then we can attack."

Pan Mei nodded: "The commander is right. Let's wait."

……

The navy is indeed making progress as well.

Although communication is inconvenient, both sides are making efforts.

After landing, Zhang Yongde did not rush to attack inland.

Instead, he led his fleet westward along the coastline, conquering port after port.

Those ports were important trading posts for the Arabs.

Those that had ships were sunk by steam warships.

Those without ships were occupied by Zhou's landing troops.

They attacked seven ports in one month, eliminating all the Arab strongholds on the east coast of the Persian Gulf.

Then, Zhang Yongde left 5,000 men to guard the port, while he led 45,000 men to advance inland.

Their target was another major Arab stronghold—Mallu.

Merv is located southwest of Samarkand, and the two cities are strategically positioned opposite each other.

If one of them attacks, the other can send troops to its aid.

Wang Yanjun and Zhang Yongde, having made contact, quickly agreed that one would attack Samarkand and the other would attack Murgh, striking at both sides simultaneously to force the Arabs to be caught off guard.

……

In the autumn of the eighteenth year of the prosperous era, two routes were launched simultaneously.

The sound of cannons roared beneath the walls of Samarkand.

The sound of cannons roared beneath the walls of Mulu.

Khalid stood atop the city wall of Samarkand, looking at the dark mass of Zhou troops outside the city, his face ashen.

"Where are the reinforcements? Any news from Mulu?"

The scout knelt on the ground: "Reporting to the general, Mulu has also been surrounded. The Zhou army's navy landed from that side, catching Mulu completely off guard."

Khalid was stunned.

Was Mulu also surrounded?

Then what's the point of providing aid?
Samarkand was defended for two months.

Mulu stayed there for a month and a half.

Both cities fell one after the other.

When Khalid was captured, he was covered in wounds and bleeding profusely.

He was brought before Wang Yanjun, forced to kneel on the ground, but refused to bow his head.

Wang Yanjun looked at him: "Will you surrender or not?"

Khalid raised his head, his eyes bloodshot: "I believe in Allah and will not punish infidels."

Wang Yanjun was silent for a moment, then said, "Then kill them."

Khalid was pushed out and beheaded.

……

The Caliph of the Arabs was named Abu al-Jaffar.

He sat in the palace in Baghdad, listening to the battle reports from the front lines, his face turning pale.

"Samarkand has fallen? Khalid is dead? Merv has fallen too?"

The envoy knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head: "Yes...yes, Your Majesty."

Abu Ghafar slumped in his chair.

The Arab army, at most, numbered only 300,000.

They were scattered in various places and could not be gathered together in a short period of time.

By the time they all gathered, the daylilies would be too cold.

"What...what should we do?"

The ministers were arguing amongst themselves.

Some suggested seeking peace, some suggested holding out to the death, some suggested moving the capital, and some suggested organizing a large army to launch a counterattack.

Abu al-Qafal was exasperated by their arguing. "Enough!"

Then he stood up, his face full of disappointment and anger, and ordered, "Gather the nation's forces and meet them in battle in Baghdad."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

……

In the spring of the nineteenth year of the prosperous era, the two armies joined forces at the gates of Baghdad.

With 250,000 troops and over 40,000 naval personnel, the total force of nearly 300,000 surrounded Baghdad.

Wang Yanjun and Zhang Yongde met outside the city.

Both of them had lost weight and gotten darker, but their eyes were still bright.

Wang Yanjun patted Zhang Yongde on the shoulder: "You've worked hard."

Zhang Yongde shook his head: "You guys are the ones who have a hard time. We travel by boat, while you walk."

The two smiled at each other.

"I heard that your navy has set up military bases along the way?"

"Yes! The navy needs to replenish its coal and food supplies, and it also needs to recruit auxiliary troops along the way."

"Haha, great minds think alike! We also fought our way here, after all, the Ministry of Works and Railways needed a stable situation."

"Commander Wang, once the railway reaches Baghdad, it will be much easier for us to return to the Central Plains."

"It will be soon! His Majesty has always been thinking of us."

……

Inside Baghdad, Abu al-Jaffar stood atop the city wall, his legs trembling as he looked at the dark mass of Zhou troops outside the city.

The Zhou army's camps stretched for dozens of miles, their banners obscuring the sun, and their weapons like a forest.

Hundreds of cannons were aimed at the city wall, their dark muzzles like eyes, coldly staring at the city.

"What...what should we do?"

No one could answer him.

Someone suggested, "Your Majesty, let's sue for peace."

Some objected: "Surrender? How much land would we have to cede? Baghdad is our capital. If we lose Baghdad, the Abbasid Caliphate is finished."

"What can we do if we don't sue for peace? We can't win! Three hundred thousand men, how can we fight them?"

They were arguing fiercely.

Below the city walls, Wang Yanjun gave them no time to argue.

"Attack the city."

The cannon fire lasted for seven days and seven nights.

On the eighth day, the city wall collapsed.

Zhou Jun swarmed in.

Abu Ghafar trembled as he listened to the shouts of battle outside the palace.

The sounds grew closer and louder, surging in like a tide.

He really wanted to run, but he couldn't escape.

Zhou Jun has already stormed into the palace.

He was trapped in a side hall, hiding in a corner, trembling like a frightened child.

Wang Yanjun parted the soldiers and walked up to him.

To lower or not to lower?

Abu al-Jaffar knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

"Angel, I've...I've descended..."

Wang Yanjun looked at him and shook his head with a disdainful expression. "Why didn't you do this earlier?"

The Arabs were destroyed.

……

By the time the news reached the capital, twenty years had already passed since the golden age began.

Suning is having lunch.

On the table were a few simple dishes... a plate of cured meat, a plate of green vegetables, and a bowl of hot soup.

He had just picked up his chopsticks when Grand Secretary Zhao Pu pushed open the door and entered, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

"Your Majesty! Good news from the western expedition!"

Suning took the battle report and read it through.

Baghdad fell, and the Abbasid Caliphate was destroyed.

Abu al-Qafal has been captured and is being escorted to the capital.

The Western Expeditionary Army set up camp on the spot, awaiting further orders.

Suning put down the battle report and remained silent for a moment.

Zhao Pu asked, "Your Majesty, what should we do?"

Su Ning thought for a moment, then said, “Issue an imperial decree that the Western Expeditionary Army shall be stationed on the spot and that prefectures and counties shall be established. Baghdad shall be renamed Xijing Province, and a Xijing Governor’s Office shall be established to take over the administration. Samarkand, Merv and other places shall be established as prefectures and counties, just like in the interior of the Great Zhou.”

"Those who are willing to come back will be rotated in batches. Those who are willing to stay will be given land and houses so that they can live in peace."

"Accelerate the construction of the railway to the Abbasid Caliphate, and at the same time expand the railway capacity. Add a double track to the railway from the capital to Suzhou. Continue building from Suzhou to Samarkand, and then from Samarkand to Baghdad."

Zhao Pu noted everything down. "Your Majesty, what should we do with those Arabs?"

Su Ning said, “Just like the grasslands. Those who are willing to submit will be treated equally. Those who are unwilling will be given travel expenses to leave. But there is one condition—they must learn Chinese characters and speak Mandarin. Those who cannot speak Chinese characters and Mandarin cannot become officials, engage in business, or own land.”

Zhao Pu nodded: "Your subject understands."

Suning stood up and walked to the map.

My fingers continued westward from Baghdad, tracing those unfamiliar places.

Further afield, there's Rome, Egypt, and even further into Europe.

Zhao Pu stood to the side, watching his fingers, and asked softly, "Your Majesty, shall we continue?"

Su Ning was silent for a moment. “Fighting is not the goal. What I want is to extend the rules of the Great Zhou to every corner of the world.”

"Let everyone in the world speak the same language, write the same characters, use the same money, and abide by the same laws."

"By then, there will be no more Khitans, Jurchens, or Arabs. Only the Great Zhou will remain."

"So, the next step is to digest the results of these four years, and we can't afford to have any problems with digestion."

Zhao Pu took a deep breath. "Your Majesty is wise."

In fact, Zhao Pu and the ministers in the cabinet were worried that Su Ning would get addicted to fighting and then continue to advance westward recklessly.

We must understand that the battle lines are already stretched very thin. If we don't stop and process the situation quickly, something really serious could happen.

...(End of this chapter)