Chapter 854: The Protectorate of the Western Regions
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The 100,000-strong Western Expedition Army led by Liu Mingzhi left Yumen Pass and slowly headed towards the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions.
According to historical records, the Thirty-six Kingdoms of the Western Regions, which is also the Xinjiang region in later generations, covers an area of approximately 1.66 million square kilometers. The 400,000-strong army is motionless as a mountain, and when it moves, it is like a dark cloud.
Once there were more people, the march became extremely slow. Liu Mingzhi's estimate that it would take about three months for an army of 400,000 to reach the Western Region was by no means unreasonable.
How can it be that it is so easy to get to a place that does not offer free shipping in future generations? The estimated three months or even longer is not impossible.
The main battle force of 200,000 people, with only the cavalry Liu Mingzhi, came out from the six guards in the northern border with 100,000 cavalry. Facing the cavalry from the Western Regions, Liu Mingzhi felt unsure if he did not bring more cavalry.
This expedition to the Western Region will be an evenly matched battle. It may last for one year, two years, or even seven or eight years, and it is difficult to draw a conclusion early!
"Commander, the scouts reported that there are no people in the fifty miles ahead, and there is no enemy!"
"Continue to investigate, day and night, in batches!"
"Got the order!"
The army spent a month in a boring march, but the soldiers were not dissatisfied at all, because Liu Mingzhi instilled in them the importance of the Western Regions more than once during the five months.
They went on the Western Expedition not to kill, but to regain the glory that once belonged to the sons of the Han family.
The driving force of the Western Expedition army was not the Liuzishuai flag hanging high on the banner, but the whistling flag of the Western Region Protectorate in the wind.
The night before the expedition, the commander-in-chief solemnly promised the three armies that the flag of the Western Region Protectorate must be re-established on the territory of the thirty-six countries in the Western Region.
Once the soldiers were tired, they would look up at the banner of the Western Region Protectorate and feel instantly filled with pride.
"Commander, the golden eagle of the capital sends a message!"
Liu Mingzhi, who was studying the map in the carriage, was startled and frowned slightly. The golden eagle of the capital?
Could it be that something terrible happened to the capital?
"Pass it up!"
"yes!"
Song Qing opened the door curtain of the carriage and went straight in. Holding a bamboo tube in his hand, he placed it in front of Liu Mingzhi: "His Majesty's golden eagle delivers a message!"
Liu Mingzhi raised his brows and looked at the bamboo tube on the low table with some confusion: "His Majesty has finally come out of seclusion?"
Song Qing shook his head in confusion: "I don't know, let's read the content first and then talk about it!"
Liu Mingzhi checked the fire paint on the bamboo tube and took out the letter paper and started reading it. Mu Ran Liu Mingzhi's palms tightly clenched the letter paper in his hand with a look of disbelief on his face.
"The Dragon Fleet is going to the Western Ocean!"
"Sailing to the Western Ocean? When will we have a fleet?"
Liu Mingzhi signaled to Song Qing not to talk and that he needed to be quiet. Seeing this, Song Qing naturally didn't say anything and sat quietly aside waiting for Young Master Liu.
Liu Mingzhi looked at the letter in his hand again and frowned: "No wonder His Majesty does not allow anyone to enter Jing'an Palace. It turns out that His Majesty is not in Jing'an Palace at all, but has gone to the sea!"
"Your Majesty went to sea?"
Liu Mingzhi's face became embarrassed when he suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a hint of ambiguity in what he said. Fortunately, Song Qing didn't understand the meaning of going into the sea, otherwise he would have turned blue with fear.
Liu Mingzhi fully explained to Song Qing the matter of more than six million yuan being paid out by Li Zheng in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Song Qing nodded clearly: "Are you saying that His Majesty is not doing repairs in Jing'an Palace in the palace but is personally supervising the construction of sea ships?"
Liu Mingzhi handed the letter to Song Qing: "Everything is based on the letter. See for yourself. I don't know if the Ministry of Revenue can handle the steady supply of food and grass for the 400,000-strong army plus the goods and silver prepared for the voyage to the West!"
Song Qing was reading the letter, and Liu Mingzhi got out of the carriage on his own initiative, looked at the clear blue sky, and let out a long sigh.
"Xiao Jin, please bring my horse over. My waist hurts a little from sitting on it!"
Murong Ran, who was sitting on the frame, jumped up. A moment later, Mr. Liu's BMW Fengxing was led by Murong Shan.
Liu Mingzhi jumped on his horse, glanced at the teams that were divided into countless queues and stretched for seven or eight miles, and rode slowly to one side with a look of relief.
Compared with whether the national treasury could support the consumption of the Western Expedition and the consumption of the Western Ocean, Liu Mingzhi was more worried about the quality of the ships.
The vast sea is not on land, and there is no room for any sloppiness. The whole army will be wiped out with just one move. The sea is always ruthless at any time, and it will never treat you just because you are a son of the Han family.
Show mercy.
Liu Mingzhi told Li Zheng that the number of people who sailed to the Western Ocean was 25,000. If something happened to the ship, these 25,000 people would be enough.
Song Qing also jumped out of the carriage and jumped on his horse, looking at Young Master Liu in confusion: "His Majesty actually asked you to find a general officer for the Western Ocean? Although you were born in the water town of Jiangnan, the rivers and oceans
The sea is nothing compared to it, this is no small matter!"
"Brother, have you seen the ships of our Yellow River Navy and Yangtze River Navy?"
"Of course I've seen it before, what's wrong?"
“How is the quality?”
Song Qing shook his head: "It's hard to say, but I believe in Dalong's skill as a skilled craftsman. All my armor is made by them! There has never been any mistakes!"
Liu Mingzhi breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the setting sun in the distance with a smile on his lips.
"Yes, I think too much. I should trust Dalong's skilled craftsmen!"
The ship Li Zheng personally supervised must have gone through sailing tests, otherwise he would not have received this letter. At least in his own impression, Li Zheng was definitely not a hot-headed emperor.
Since he received the letter, it means that Li Zheng must have thought it through carefully.
"Let's not talk about this for now. Your Majesty also understands what he means. It is your intention to sail to the Western Ocean. You must also be responsible for the affairs of the fleet commander. All 100,000 naval troops from the south of the Yangtze River are transferred to Haijin Town for training. Select
There are 25,000 men ready to set sail and go to sea. The navy has never fought in the vast sea. The choice of this chief military officer is a top priority. He has a fortune of 20,000 men and his life on his shoulders!"
Liu Mingzhi frowned and felt hesitant in his heart. An Gouer spent three years in the East China Sea with a few hoeers to learn navigation skills. Liu Mingzhi had no doubts about his navigation skills.
However, it was hard to say how capable the army was. Whether An Gouer could serve as the commander of his fleet of nearly 30,000 soldiers was constantly swirling in Liu Mingzhi's mind.
Liu Mingzhi, who had been pondering for a long time, made up his mind and decided to let An Gouer serve as the chief military officer. No one is born to fight, including himself.
Isn't it different now that I've been tempered? I've been fighting since I was a little kid and now I'm leading an army of 400,000 people out of Yumen Pass to conquer the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions. Why can't I pacify Gou'er if I can?
Besides, there are several people from Hoehe to assist, so as long as the deputy general An Gouer is selected, he can definitely take on the heavy responsibility of the fleet's chief military officer.
After thinking about this, Liu Mingzhi dismounted, jumped into the carriage, and began to study ink, pick up a pen, and write.
The army was still marching toward the Western Regions in mighty force. Ten days later, Liu Mingzhi stood on the carriage frame and stared at the golden eagle circling away in a daze.
"Jiang He, eldest brother has given you a vast ocean of unparalleled achievements. Don't let me down!"