The Western Expedition Army has spent more than half of its month-long rest outside the city of Gistan.
During this period, hundreds of thousands of troops conducted military and horse training step by step every day to adapt to the local soil, water, and climate.
Before the Western Expedition, although the skin color of the soldiers did not look white and tender, it was much fairer than it looks now.
Nowadays, the complexion of hundreds of thousands of army officers is like bronze, full of masculinity.
In this short period of more than half a month, soldiers and horses from various departments successively detained more than 30 caravans in total.
90% of the caravans were from Dashi and Tianzhu traveling to the countries in the Western Regions for trade, and the other 10% were from the Romans and Egyptians.
It is a pity that neither the officers of the dragon, nor the officers of the Western Regions, or even the caravan guards temporarily recruited to accompany the army, knew nothing about the words spoken by the caravan leaders of Rome and Egypt.
In order to avoid exposing the traces of the Western Expeditionary Army, Nangong Ye and others, although they did not abuse the merchants from various countries in the thirty caravans, also restricted their freedom.
They also sent soldiers from the Western Regions who knew the dialect of the Dashi Kingdom and Tianzhu to seize the caravans in the camp and make insidious inquiries about the situation in the two countries.
However, the businessmen from several countries, who had already been frightened by the 800,000-strong military camp that stretched for dozens of miles, revealed very little useful information.
In the large tent of the Chinese army, many generals gathered together.
Zhang Kuang threw the stack of rice paper in his hand onto the table.
“Everyone, our scouts who disguised themselves as a caravan and went to Gistan City have sent back the first batch of information.
According to the information they obtained by luring the cannibals in the city with large sums of money, the number of defenders in Gistan City is about 20,000, and the city lord is a guy named Aigela, who is about forty years old.
It is said that he is an old man who loves beauty and is insatiable.
As for how the 20,000 garrison troops were divided into elite and auxiliary troops, due to language communication problems, the scout brothers did not investigate in detail. The guards from the Western Region caravan who followed them were also very talkative.
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There is only so much information that can be explored at present.
Now the scout brothers have left Gistan City and are continuing their in-depth investigation toward Mulu City and Khorasan City farther west.
If nothing else happens, the second batch of information should be able to reach us before we finish our rest and officially march into Gistan City.
The general information is all there, you can circulate it and take a look.”
Everyone gathered around a piece of rice paper and carefully examined the information on it.
After a long time, many generals sneered one after another: "Shuai Zhang, a big border city like Gistan only has 20,000 troops, so the strength of this black-clad giant is not that great either!"
“The general also feels this way. If we only have 20,000 troops, our army may not necessarily need the main force of the Chinese army to capture the city of Gistan. Our vanguard troops alone are enough to destroy their city and kill them!”
Nangong Ye handed the rice paper in his hand to Wanyan Chizha, and glared fiercely at several generals who somewhat underestimated the enemy.
“How do you know the strength of the Dashi Kingdom’s troops before they engage in battle? Have you forgotten the principle that a arrogant army will be defeated?
Even if there are only 20,000 garrison troops in the city of Gistan, you still have to be very alert when you follow Zhang Shuai to attack the city.
If anyone underestimates the enemy and increases the number of soldiers lost without reason, I will take the place of Commander Zhang and take charge of your military affairs first."
“Yes, we know we were wrong!”
Not only did Zhang Kuang not feel dissatisfied because Nangong Ye Yuezu scolded his generals on his behalf, he actually nodded with satisfaction in his eyes.
Even if Nangong Ye hadn't spoken first just now, he would have reprimanded these generals for underestimating the enemy.
You must know that underestimating the enemy without reason is always a taboo for military strategists.
“Nangong Shuai, how is the situation over there? Have the scouts who went to Tianzhu sent back any news?”
Nangong Ye shook his head silently: "No information has been sent back yet, but this is understandable.
Our location is too far from Zala City, a border town in Tianzhu, and we have to go around Tocharo City, a border town in the southwest of Dashi Country.
As long as they guarantee their own lives, I will be satisfied if they can send back general information about Tianzhu before we formally divide our troops and march to hunt down the thieves."
He nodded arrogantly and looked around at the generals in the tent.
“You have all read the intelligence. In the remaining time, we will continue to work on a two-pronged approach as before, training our troops to adapt to the soil and water here, and sending scouts to investigate the intelligence of the two countries.
Until all the soldiers and horses have fully adapted to the soil and water here, they can immediately launch their troops to attack the city."
“We accept the order.”
“Let’s continue training!”
“With your order! We must retreat!”
While tea was being served, the crowded Chinese army tent was instantly emptied out, leaving only a few key commanders.
Hu Yanyu put the rice paper in his hand on the table: "The general feels that relying solely on the investigation of the scout brothers is not enough to understand the situation of the two countries.
The most important breakthrough has always been the merchants from Dashi and Tianzhu whom we seized.
When they were first detained by us, they were so flustered that they could not speak clearly. It was possible.
Now that so many days have passed, we have not done anything to embarrass them, and their minds should have calmed down long ago.
Therefore, General Mo suggested that in the next ten days, a breakthrough must be made among the businessmen of these two countries."
Wanyan Chizha nodded in agreement: "I have discussed this matter privately with King Rongwei.
If we really can't get any useful information due to language communication difficulties, then forget it, but we have recruited so many caravan guards who understand the language of Dashi and Tianzhu, so what if we can no longer get useful information from the mouths of these merchants?
It's our own problem.
I suggest you try using inducements first, and if that doesn't work, use torture or coercion.
They all came from the mainland of Dashi and Tianzhu, so it is impossible that they could not provide any useful information.
Date, the kings of Tianzhu and Tianzhu even killed the people of our Dalong caravan in order to rob them of their gold and silver goods.
After we detained them, we did not behead them on the spot, which was the utmost kindness and righteousness.
Just tell me honestly, otherwise, besides dead people, I won’t believe that there are people with mouths that can’t be pried open.”
Looking at Wanyan Chizha's fierce and arrogant eyes, Nangong Ye looked at each other with hesitation in their eyes.
“What do you guys think?”
“I second my opinion about Governor Huyan and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wanyan.
After experiencing the initial panic, these barbarian caravans have calmed down a long time ago. If they can't ask for any useful information, they are just pretending to be confused because they understand!
Once we officially enter, it will always be a disaster to stay.
After all, we are not as familiar with the terrain as they are. Once they take a shortcut and bring our news back to their court before we approach the city, our plan to surprise the two countries will be in vain!
There are many soldiers who are experts in torture. As long as they speak harshly, their lives will be worse than death even if they are not killed.
But just like Deputy Commander Wanyan said, try to induce him first, and if that doesn’t work, then use torture and coercion.”
“The last general agrees with Governor Yun’s wishes.”
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
All the important generals agreed, and Nangong Ye and Nangong Ye hesitated for a moment and nodded gently.
“Okay, let’s do what we just said. At night, we will find a way to get Tang Lushi and Shen Lushi who are accompanying the army and their deputies drunk, and then secretly take the detained businessmen outside the camp.
As long as you can extract information, you can use the methods at your disposal."
“What Zhang Shuai said is the worst possible outcome. If there are other means by which they can provide information, try not to kill them.
Those involved in this matter must keep their mouths shut, otherwise it will be difficult for us to communicate with each other in the future when the teacher returns to the court!"