Hidden in the court

"Ruyan, you come to write for me, just write as I say."

Ji Mingshang instructed Ruyan, and then began to say:

"My dear brother, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you very much. Um..."

I just said a few polite words and then I felt that they were too awkward to speak. I coughed twice and adjusted my words.

"Old Zhao, my life has been getting worse and worse since you went back. Ji Liancheng's Zhongdeng is coming back soon, and I can't work any longer.

There have been a lot of things going on these days. You still remember Su Xiao and Su Mengyang, he is Nangong Lin's biological son, and he should be the crown prince in a few days. And your little brother Xie An, I saw him in Chang'an a few days ago. Was this your instruction? Couldn't you have informed me? If I hadn't been there at the time, how much could I have missed?

Also, if Fatty Han were to die, I tell you, it would be miserable. That kid from the Hu family, oh, he's a princess now.

Most importantly, what the hell are you doing in Qing'an City? The girl has chased me to my house, why don't you come back to see her?

If you don't come back, just call me back or I'll move my whole family over there. I'll eat your food, live in your house, and spend your money...

I'm telling you the truth, this piece of shit is killing me. If I hadn't gotten married yet, I would have given up the dark side and joined the light side right away.

Remember to come home often. If you can’t come back, I’ll chop down the sycamore tree in the yard for you.”

After saying this, he gave the order without caring whether Ruyan and Zhao Yao, who were confused, could understand it or not.

"It's done. Let's fly it over to him."

……

Chang'an City

Xihe Huchen stood in front of his brother, looking aggrieved.

"Brother, how long do we have to wait? My knife is almost rusty these days, and my men have no place to use their strength."

"Stop talking nonsense. You asked me to study but you didn't. You asked me to practice martial arts but you didn't. The soldiers under me train every day. Who is as enthusiastic as you?"

"No, the old soldiers were laid off a while ago. Some are on the border, or they went back home to farm. Now they are all new soldiers who have not fought much. Besides, I am afraid that they will only train and wet their pants when they go to the battlefield."

"Then there's no need to go. You take the new soldiers to the Western Regions. How much can you guarantee about the terrain, distribution, and food?"

"Brother, tell me the truth, do you want to conquer the Western Regions? Without further ado, let me lead 3,000 light cavalrymen, and in two years, no, one and a half years, I will conquer all 36 countries in the Western Regions for you."

"Get lost, go to training, and we'll talk about it in court tomorrow."

Xihe Huchen was scolded because some small countries in the Western Regions have been causing trouble recently.

They robbed merchants from the North, detained them for no reason, and then threatened the North. They were sure that the North would not start a war because of this. What a joke! There is no one living in this place, the environment is so bad, and there is not much money. Only the North would send troops to fight.

The thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions are Qiuci, Yanqi, Ruoqiang, Loulan, Jingjue, Qiemo, Xiaowan, Ronglu, Mi, Qule, Pishan, Xiye, Puli, Yinai, Shache, Shule, Weitou, Wensu, Yuli, Gumo, Bilu, Wutanzi, Bilu Houguo, Shanhuan, Pulei, Pulei Houguo, Xiqiemi, Jieguo, Huhu, Shanguo, Cheshi Qianguo, Cheshi Houguo, Cheshi Weidu Kingdom, Cheshi Houcheng Kingdom, Wusun, Dayuan, Parthia, Dayuezhi, Kangju, Kokand, Kanjuti, and Wuyishanli.

Although they were called the Thirty-Six Kingdoms, they were actually no more than tribes scattered across the desert. The few cities that existed were basically built of rammed earth and were just tiny pieces of land.

The largest state, Qiuci, had a population of only 80,000 and a military force of 20,000. Smaller states, such as Xiaowan, had a total population of less than 1,000, and Shanhuan had a total population of just over 100.

However, there are still some wise people in the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. For example, those closer to the North, such as Ruoqiang, Loulan, Jingjue, Qiemo, Yuwen, Jianmi, Shanhuan, etc., expressed their willingness to form a lasting friendship with the North and even help the North to expedition to the Western Regions.

"That's it, what's the reason not to fight?"

Xihe Huchen obviously did not give up on the expedition to the Western Regions, so he found his father Xihe Tu.

"Father, if you only need to give me three thousand soldiers, I will definitely conquer the thirty-six kingdoms."

"Alright, alright, stop bragging to me. You're just bored and want to make a contribution. Do you really think we don't want to fight? I can tell you, the battle is set. Go back and get ready."

"Eh."

Xihe Huchen was a bit stupid, but he was not a fool. The environment was bad, and the material dispatching was necessary. But he only cared about how to fight. As long as the army was on the march, he only cared about conquering cities and plundering land.

As for the allocation of materials, that is other people's business.

Early the next morning

Today's morning court is a little different. In response to the joint resistance of the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions, the North still needs to respond.

Xihe Tu sat on the dragon throne, with his two sons standing on his left and right.

After a long silence, Xihe Tu finally spoke: "You have heard about the Thirty-Six Kingdoms in the Western Regions. Many countries, led by Qiuci, secretly detained our merchants in the north and said they would cut off their business with us. What do you think we should do?"

The ministers below had heard about this matter to some extent, and many people's caravans and goods were detained in the Western Regions, and everyone had some personal grudges involved.

At this time, Xin Yunian, the Minister of Honglu Temple who had been promoted to a full-time position, was the first to stand up.

"Your Majesty, the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions are truly barren and desolate, with hungry people and poor land. Our dynasty is strong and obedient to the will of heaven. We are moved by the suffering of the people and come to the Western Regions to do business. We cannot bear their suffering and lend a helping hand. However, the Western Regions countries are not only ungrateful to our dynasty, but have detained our merchant team for no reason. It is true that poor mountains and bad waters produce unruly people. At this time, we should hold their leaders accountable, or send troops to conquer them to enhance our country's prestige. If our dynasty does not pay attention to this matter, it will encourage their arrogance and cause endless troubles."

Xin Yunian finished speaking in one breath, neither humble nor arrogant, with ups and downs. The civil officials nodded repeatedly, and the military generals were excited.

I understand now. Otherwise, you, Xin Yunian, would not have been able to get promoted. If you are good at speaking, you should say more.

"What about others? Do they have the same idea?" Xihe Tu asked again.

"Lord Xin is right. I second your opinion."

"I second the proposal."

Minister of Revenue Qian Duo stood up and said, "The Western Regions are mostly deserts with a harsh environment. If we send troops, it will be very complicated. It will be a waste of time and effort, but it will be useless. We should focus on accountability and avoid starting a war."

As the Minister of Revenue, Qian Duo knew what these places were like. War was very expensive, and the farther the war was, the more expensive it was. Moreover, fighting in the Western Regions was really not worth the cost.

After he finished speaking, a burly man with a full beard came out from the ranks of generals.

"What Lord Qian said is not without reason, but the Western Regions are a land of barbarians. If we only hold them accountable, it will only encourage their arrogance. I still advocate war."