We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

At Wolf's Throat Fortress, the battle quickly shifted from a siege to street fighting.

The soldiers of Shazhou were clearly more familiar with this kind of fighting in a confined space, and their hatred for the Tibetans also fueled their fighting spirit.

The mixed squad led by the deputy general of the Qing army firmly controlled the high points of the city wall, using crossbows and muskets to support the mopping-up operation.

The two sides cooperated perfectly, causing the morale of the Tibetan army to collapse and they cried out for their fathers and mothers.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Gar had no choice but to flee in panic to a secret passage in the rear fort under the desperate protection of his personal guards.

However, the situation at Wolf's Throat Fortress had already been thoroughly investigated by Qing Army scouts, and the exit of the secret passage was blocked by Cao Shou's squad.

As soon as Garr emerged from the secret passage, he saw Cao Shou, wielding a large sword, grinning maliciously at him.

Although his personal guards were loyal and brave, fighting desperately, they were soon killed by Cao Shou and his men.

Gar could only fight desperately with his scimitar in hand, but weakened by wine and women, he was no match for Cao Shou.

After only a few rounds of fighting, he had several wounds on his body, and was eventually knocked unconscious by Cao Shou with the back of his sword.

When he was dragged in front of Zhang Yi, covered in blood, it was almost dawn.

The shouts of battle within Wolf's Throat Fortress had largely subsided, leaving only sporadic resistance.

Seeing the Tibetan general who had once made the soldiers and civilians of Shazhou grit their teeth, now lying on the ground like a dead dog, Zhang Yi felt little pleasure.

Gar looked on in disbelief: "Huanren, how is this possible... how could you send so many people out?"

Zhang Yi stood with his hand on his sword, looking at him coldly: "Now we are the people of Qing!"

"The Qing army?!" Gar's pupils contracted sharply, and he instantly realized something. "The Qing army has reached the Western Regions?"

"Don't you Huan people have a blood feud with the Qing people? Huan was destroyed by Qing, yet you still serve the Qing emperor?!"

Zhang Yi gave him a sympathetic look.

Although this Gar also spoke fluent Xia language and was clearly familiar with Central Plains culture, he was ultimately not a Central Plains person.

The rise and fall of dynasties is the destiny of the Central Plains civilization. Being destroyed by another Central Plains cultural power is not a true loss of a country, but rather a case of the victor becoming king and the loser becoming villain.

To be destroyed and ruled by a foreign race—that is the true meaning of a nation's demise.

Zhang Yi was too lazy to explain the difference to a Tibetan. Following Li Che's prior instructions, he publicly announced the crimes of Gar over the years, including robbing merchants, massacring slaves, and resisting the royal army.

He then ordered: "Behead him and hang him at the fortress gate. His head will be sent to the Western Regions countries later."

Cao Shou excitedly cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir!"

A flash of light, and the obese head rolled off.

Even at the very last moment, Gar's eyes remained wide open in defiance.

He never understood why Shazhou City, which had not surrendered to the Tubo for twenty years, surrendered as soon as the Qing army arrived.

It's clear that Daqing was the mortal enemy that destroyed their country!

Seeing this, Zhang Yi let out a deep breath.

For so many years, Shazhou had only defended and never attacked; this was the first time he had taken the head of an enemy leader.

This feeling is completely different...

Fighting to the death to defend the city is only for survival; killing the enemy, making meritorious contributions, and expanding territory are the true colors of a man.

This is what a man should do!

"Take stock of the spoils, treat the wounded, open the Tibetan granaries, and distribute all the spoils except for military supplies to the merchants and slaves who are stranded outside the fortress."

"Proclaim to them: The Great Qing army has returned, the tyrants have been executed, and the trade routes will be restored."

Zhang Yi issued orders in an orderly manner.

Outside the fortress, merchants and slaves who thought they were doomed watched in astonishment as soldiers from Shazhou carried out grain and heard the interpreter announce it loudly.

When they saw Gar's bloody head hanging on the flagpole, they were overjoyed.

The Tibetan dynasty's control over the Western Regions was essentially one of exploitation, offering no benefit whatsoever to the local states.

The Central Plains dynasties, on the other hand, focused on business, connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions through trade routes to facilitate the exchange of goods.

Although the people of the Western Regions remained silent, all the elders reminisced about the era when the Great Huan Dynasty brought order to the Western Regions.

Although the Huan people were also arrogant and domineering, at least their intention was to do business with them, rather than to burn, kill, and plunder.

Now... is the Great Huan Dynasty coming back?

. . . . . .

The smoke from Wolf's Throat Fortress didn't dissipate until the afternoon of the third day.

After the seizure and inventory were completed, grain, furs, medicinal herbs, and various goods squeezed from merchants were piled up like mountains, including a small amount of gold dust and jade.

After Gar's head was displayed for three days, it was simply treated with lime and placed in a wooden box, which was later circulated among various countries.

The captured Tibetan soldiers numbered about four hundred, mostly wounded and slaves; the regular soldiers mostly died from firearms attacks.

The day after the battle, Li Che moved into the outer perimeter of Wolf's Throat Fortress. His 30,000 men camped on nearby high ground, but their banners were fluttering and their military bearing was solemn.

The caravans and slaves who remained outside the fort had received their rations, but most of them still dared not stray far, anxiously watching the Qing army camp.

Several daring caravan leaders were brought before Zhang Yi.

“There is no need for panic, everyone,” Zhang Yi reassured, following the instructions given by Li Che. “The Garrison has wreaked havoc on the trade routes and defied the royal army; they have already been brought to justice.”

"From this day forward, Wolf's Throat Fortress shall be taken over by the Great Qing Royal Army. Merchants and travelers shall pay taxes in accordance with the law, and there shall be no extortion, plunder, or oppression."

"You may do as you please, or you may stay here to trade; it is entirely up to you."

The merchants were skeptical, but when they remembered the head of Gar hanging on the gate, they were eventually convinced.

The news spread like wildfire to Khotan, Kucha, and even to other city-states in the Western Regions.

After doing all this, Li Che received Zhang Yi in the main tent of the military camp.

"What about the casualties?" Li Che asked.

"The Shazhou Division suffered 37 dead, over 80 seriously wounded, and about 100 lightly wounded," Zhang Yi said in a low voice.

The overwhelming advantage of firearms greatly reduced the cost of a frontal assault.

Li Che nodded; this price was within expectations.

The main reason was that the soldiers of Shazhou harbored too much hatred for the Tibetans, and they often acted aggressively during the attack; otherwise, the casualties would have been even lower.

"The dead will be generously compensated, and the wounded will be treated with all their might. The Shazhou Division has won its first battle. The merits of the soldiers will be recorded truthfully and will be rewarded after the battle."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Yi quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

He hesitated slightly, then asked, "Your Majesty, those firearms...?"

Li Che looked at him and smiled, "How powerful is it?"

Zhang Yi took a deep breath and said frankly, "This is astonishing. I never imagined that a city could be breached and a stronghold destroyed so swiftly."

He recalled the power of muskets and cannons, his eyes still filled with shock.

“Even the most powerful weapons depend on the right people,” Li Che said calmly. “Your unit can select a group of clever, loyal, brave, steady-handed, and meticulous soldiers to be trained by instructors specializing in firearms.”

"Don't rush things. First, familiarize yourself with the rules, then practice the techniques. The Shazhou Division will also have its own artillery and musket battalion in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi immediately perked up.

He knew very well that firearms and cannons were the foundation of the Qing army, and that entrusting them with such weapons was a great trust from the emperor.

Zhang Yi immediately replied, "This humble general will select the best soldiers and train them diligently!"

Li Che nodded slowly, then changed the subject: "Wolf's Throat Fortress has been captured, and a corner of the gateway to the Western Regions has been opened, but Tibet is still deeply rooted in the Western Regions."

He pointed to the vast area west and south of Wolf's Throat Fortress on the map: "First and foremost is Khotan. The head of Gar and my proclamation to reassure the people should already be causing discussion in the capital of Khotan."

Xu Jiezi replied, "King Yuchi Yao of Khotan has been quite dissatisfied with the increasing taxes levied by Tibet and its interference in internal affairs in recent years. His country is a devout Buddhist and has a long-standing relationship with our Central Plains."

"However, there are also nobles in the country who are pro-Tibetan, but their military strength is weak and they are used to being two-faced."

“Then we must force him to stop sitting on the fence.” Li Che pointed to the location of the western city of the capital of Khotan. “Next, the Shazhou Army need not attack any more major cities. I will give you two targets.”

Zhang Yi straightened his back: "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

"Firstly, 150 li west of Langhou Fort, there is a Tibetan military town called 'Yemayi'."

"This place is an important food and fodder supply point for the Tibetan Empire north of Khotan. The garrison is not strong, but its location is crucial."

"Take it down, burn its granaries, seize its livestock, and then release half of the captured Tibetan soldiers who were farming there, letting them escape towards Khotan."

“Tell them that the royal army will only punish the ringleaders and will not question those who were coerced. If they continue to serve Tibet, there will be no leniency next time.”

"Secondly," Li Che pointed south, "northeast of Khotan, beyond the Kunlun Pass, there is a Tibetan-established tax checkpoint and outpost called 'Shiqi Pass,' which controls the narrow path from Khotan to Qiemo."

"This place is strategically important and difficult to attack by force. However, according to veterans and merchants from Shazhou, the garrison commander is greedy and often levies taxes privately to enrich himself. He also has conflicts with the border tribes of Khotan."

Li Che looked at Zhang Yi: "I do not want you to launch a strong attack on Shiqi Pass. I want you to surround it without attacking, and cut off its water and supplies."

"At the same time, we sent veterans from Shazhou who were familiar with the local situation to infiltrate the border tribes of Khotan and the area around Shiqi Pass to spread the news."

"It is said that the Tibetan garrison commander embezzled the transit dividends that should have been handed over to the Khotan tribes and intended to harm the tribal chiefs who were dissatisfied with him."

Zhang Yi instantly understood: "Your Majesty intends to provoke conflict between the Tibetan and Khotan border tribes, and provoke Khotan to take action?"

“That’s right.” Li Che nodded. “The Western Regions fear Tibet like a tiger because Tibet is powerful and ruthless.”

"Now that the Tubo Kingdom has suffered setbacks on its eastern front and its strongholds in the western regions have been captured one after another, its dominance has been shattered."

“We will then demonstrate our power and appease them, adding fuel to the fire of their internal conflicts... If the King of Khotan is not stupid, he should know how to choose.”

Yu Daliang, standing to the side, asked in bewilderment, "Our Great Qing army is invincible. Why not just march straight in and destroy the Tubo if they dare to block us, and destroy Khotan if they dare to block us!"

The other generals remained silent, but they inwardly agreed with what Yu Daliang had said.

The Shazhou army of 5,000 men captured Langhou Fort in one night, a completely different situation for the Tubo.

The fact that the Tibetan Empire was able to dominate the Western Regions demonstrates the weakness of the military strength of the various states in the Western Regions.

Li Che brought 30,000 elite troops this time, which was enough to crush all the other countries with sheer strength, so there was no need for these schemes.

Regarding Yu Daliang's question, Li Che only smiled and replied with four sentences:

"The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to disrupt their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the worst is to besiege their cities."

"It would be easy for the army to sweep through, but it would ultimately require our soldiers to fight desperately. People die in war."

"Just like the attack on Wolf's Throat Fortress, although the number of soldiers killed or wounded was not large, they were still born of mothers and fathers."

He looked at the generals in the tent and continued, "More importantly, if we rule the Western Regions by force and fear, Daqing will only become the next Tubo, and will eventually be lost."

"What we need to do is a long-term plan that will last for centuries, to make the Western Regions countries truly submit to us, so it is important to provoke a direct conflict between the Western Regions countries and Tibet."

The generals were not fools; with a little guidance from Li Che, they all understood the deeper meaning.

Your Majesty wants to both prevent the Qing army from losing troops in battle and make the Western Regions countries grateful to the Great Qing.

This desire to have it all is truly somewhat 'greedy'...

Of course, the so-called greed is from the enemy's perspective. From the perspective of the generals, they naturally admire and are secretly pleased that their emperor has such wisdom.

Throughout history, countless emperors have sacrificed the lives of their soldiers to achieve their own great feats, all for the sake of saving face.

The fact that their own emperor cared more about the practical interests of Daqing than their own reputation was definitely a good thing for his subordinates.

"General Luo, I am giving you 10,000 elite troops to advance slowly towards Yemayi, to serve as a backup for the Shazhou Army."

"This humble general obeys!" Luo Yueniang solemnly replied.

"Zhang Yi," Li Che said finally, "the Shazhou division will rest and resupply briefly before setting off in five days."

"Yema Station needs to be fast, Shiqi Pass needs to be slow; you can judge the timing yourself."

"All I want is a result, which is to let the people of Khotan see clearly that Tibet cannot protect them."

“Yes!” Zhang Yi’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he already had a plan in mind.

Luo Yueniang, however, understood the implication in Li Che's words and couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what about you?"

Li Che calmly said, "I am preparing to leave."