In the summer of the twenty-fourth year of the Apocalypse, in northwest Persia, at the foot of the foothills of Lake Rezaye northeast of Lake Rezaye, there was the city of Tabriz. This was an ancient city built 1,300 years ago and was once the central city of the Azerbaijanis.
.After it was conquered by the Persians, it was also known as the important town of the Persian Empire in the northwest and an important passage into Asia Minor and the Caucasus.
The Great Cannibal conquered Persia, and it was also known as the military location where the Abbasids and other Moslem dynasties ruled Persia.
Today, it is still quiet. Groups of birds fly over the city from time to time. The round-pointed temples shine golden in the sun. The melodious sound of chanting, accompanied by the flapping of the birds' wings, sways outside the city.
Passed on slowly.
Outside the city, there are endless camps one after another, with hunting flags fluttering like a lush forest. The Phoenix Nirvana flag, the green dragon, the Black Tortoise, the white tiger, the four beast flags on the yellow background of the Suzaku, and hundreds of thousands more
Flags of each regiment.
On the foothills east of Tabriz, dozens of telescopes look at the city in the distance.
"City of Tabriz." Zhao Si put down his telescope and murmured.
Everyone also put down their telescopes one after another and started talking among themselves.
"Father, why don't we use tunnel excavation and gunpowder blasting to capture the city of Tabriz?" Zhao Geng, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but ask.
"Tunnel digging and gunpowder blasting were used by our army in Yinsfahan City last time, and the effect was very good. Father, why don't we use them this time?" Zhao Ting, who was standing on the other side, couldn't help but asked in agreement.
"Third brother is anxious to rush to Constantinople to propose marriage. Eighth brother, why are you in such a hurry?" Zhao Si replied with a smile.
Zhao Ting chuckled, and Zhao Geng also laughed, but he smiled sheepishly.
"Father, I have never even met the princess of the Eastern Roman Empire, so why are you in a hurry?" He defended in a low voice.
Zhao Si looked at him with a smile, listened to his explanation, and then said: "Sieging a city is not only about the gains and losses of a city and a place, but more importantly, deterrence and showing our dominance."
"Tabriz is an ancient city and an important city in western Persia. It plays an important role in the hearts of Persians, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Turks and cannibals. We dug tunnels and blasted with gunpowder. We repeated it once, but it was not enough.
Shocking! I have come all the way here, how can I give these locals an impressive appearance?"
After saying that, he turned to ask Liu Ziyu.
"Yan Xiu, where is Liu Fa?"
"Your Majesty, Liu Sima led the North Route West Expeditionary Army and has already marched towards the southeast in Abkhazia. There are steep mountains and dangerous mountains there, and there are various Azerbaijani tribes blocking the progress, so the progress is not going very smoothly. According to the latest intelligence, they are moving towards
Capture Darban and prepare to enter the Alan region."
"Alan area?"
"It is the triangle area between the Kura River and the Ara River. It is only separated from Persia by the Ara River. After crossing the Ara River, it is less than two hundred miles away from the city of Tabriz."
"That will be soon. Liu Fa is a veteran general. I will hand over the North Road and West Expedition Army to him. Don't worry. The eldest brother and the second brother are with him, so there is no trouble."
"Your Majesty, Liu Sima's letter was full of praise for the Duke of Lu and the Duke of Yue. He said that the two were willing to serve as Zuo Lieutenants, each leading a company, dedicated to their responsibilities, and worked hard without complaint. And only a few people in the army knew the names of the two Dukes.
identity."
Zhao Si smiled, "Liu Fa knows my temperament and knows how to say good things to my eldest brother and second brother. I work hard and do my duty with all my heart. I am satisfied with this. If he talks about eldest brother and second brother, he takes the lead and has made many meritorious deeds.
On the contrary, I feel uncomfortable. I have never personally led a soldier, so I just need to be a student and study seriously. What credit do you want to win? Don't cause trouble and harm everyone!"
Zhao Si said while looking at Zhao Geng and Zhao Ting.
Liu Ziyu smiled beside him and said: "Liu Sima is the father-in-law of Duke Lu, so he will naturally turn to him."
"Haha, I am also the father-in-law, and I know what I feel like. Su Jiwen is from Su. He is my eldest prince-in-law. He curses and dislikes him, but when it is time to protect him, I still have to protect him. If I don't protect him,
What should I do with my eldest sister and grandson?"
Zhao Si sighed and shook his head, waved his hand, was silent for a while, and then asked
"Well, Yanxiu, how many people have we moved from Beiyingzhou?"
"Two hundred and fourteen thousand six hundred people."
"Where is Nanyingzhou?"
"Only fifty-nine thousand people."
Zhao Si was silent for a while and said: "After this western expedition, the eldest brother and the second brother will embark on a thousand-mile sea journey to Yingzhou. The Lu and Yue countries, I have sealed their fiefdoms thousands of miles away.
We need them to fight against all odds. As a father, I am somewhat incompetent."
After saying that, he turned to Zhao Geng and Zhao Ting and said: "It is your great fortune to be born as my children, and it is also your misfortune. The great fortune is that you can be rich and prosperous for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, if you want to create a career, you need to
Bear more responsibilities than others. Third brother, I also told you that your fiefdom, Duke of Chu, is in Persia."
Zhao Si paused and continued: "Third brother, you follow me on the westward expedition, crossing the Dayue River (Amu Darya River), Khorasan, Tocharo (formerly Ghaznavids, Gur Kingdom area, including
Most of Afghanistan), Sistan, Insfahan, Fars, Kerman and other places, you can see with your own eyes what it is like."
Zhao Geng nodded silently.
Zhao Si continued: "The place of the Four Wars, the real place of the Four Wars. However, there are many ethnic groups. Green, Mani, Jing, and Buddhist sects are mixed together, which is complicated and chaotic. And the Congling Xuanfu of the Song Dynasty
The main task of the company is to cooperate with the Zhuque Banner and establish Guishang County in the Shenhe area. The support given to you is not much."
"This western expedition that I, the imperial commander, personally conducts, is to act as a weeder. Anyone who refuses to accept the king's rule will be killed. Build a few more temples, build a few more skeleton forests, and I will be the villain..."
Zhao Geng said quickly: "Father, my sons and ministers dare not..."
Zhao Si interrupted him unceremoniously, "What do I fear from being a villain? After the Western Expedition, I slapped my butt and returned to the Central Plains. After they swore and cursed me, can I lose a few pounds of meat? By that time
You come out to clean up the situation and focus on benevolence and comfort. People are so mean. You treat them extremely cruelly and suddenly change your face and become kind. If they are grateful to you, it will be much more effective than if you apply benevolence for no reason."
Speaking of this, Zhao Si said in a profound voice: "Only when you know the extreme evil can you appreciate the value of kindness. Third brother, you have to grasp it well. I hope that your Chu Kingdom will be the Southwest Ping Fan of the Song Dynasty forever for generations to come.
"
"Actually, there is no need to be nervous. The overall situation will be arranged in the future. To the east is the Song Dynasty, needless to say. To the west is the Eastern Roman Empire, your father-in-law's family. They need you to ensure the smooth flow of the Eastern trade routes and bring them a steady stream of wealth.
.I also need you to cooperate with them in the east to suppress Dashi and the Turks. Therefore, the alliance between you and your son-in-law is solid."
"It's just that there are always some people in this world who are greedy for profit and don't act according to common sense. Third brother, your own strength is your biggest reliance, you know?"
Zhao Geng nodded solemnly, "Father, I will remember this."
At this time, the attendant Liu Qi came over and reported: "Your Majesty, the former enemy commander, General Yang, has something to report."
"Wei Zhong comes to see me if you have something to do. Okay, I'll go over right away. Third brother, eighth brother, you guys go back to your camp first, and then go to the Chinese army's tent to attend the military meeting."