Ten days later, the team sent to Rome finally returned to the concession. There were more than thirty people including guards when they went, but only two came back. Among them, the scribe who served as the envoy, his head
They were brought back in a wooden box, and the others had already been killed by the Qin people.
The two countries were fighting without killing the envoys, and the Han and the Qin were not at war. Caracalla actually did such a cruel act, which made Jia Xu extremely angry. But Jia Xu did not lose his mind. He knew what the Qin people were doing.
It would not stop there. Jia Xu immediately mobilized the military and civilians in the concession to prepare to defend against enemy attacks.
There were only 30,000 Han troops in the concession, plus one thousand of his own escorts, stationed in three new cities. However, in just three days, Jia Xu recruited 50,000 young and strong civilians.
Allocated to various cities and some acropolis on the outskirts of the city. The tribes in the concession have gradually got rid of poverty under the rule of the Han people. The people of these tribes are tough by nature, many of them are natural warriors, and their clan leaders are all in the concession.
As officials, they enjoyed generous salaries. Just as Jia Xu had expected, these people had all joined the Han nationality not long ago and were willing to become citizens of the Han Dynasty. They now share the same enemy with the Han army in the city.
The news spread back to Chang'an, and the entire Han Dynasty was in an uproar. There were more than 20,000 Han merchants, and tens of thousands of families were involved behind them. They died in vain in a foreign country. I don't know how many parents lost their sons, how many wives lost their husbands, and how many children lost their lives.
He lost his father. The whole country mourned and cried.
Liu Xin immediately issued an order to designate this day as a national disaster day, mourning the whole country, and prohibiting all entertainment activities for three days. He himself dressed in plain clothes, fasted for three days, and worshiped each other in the northwest direction every morning and evening.[
Three days later, it was time for the court meeting again. This was a large court meeting, and all officials above the fifth rank in Chang'an were required to attend.
Looking at the gathering of Han elites, Liu Xin said with a sad face: "Everyone already knows about the recent massacre of our Han merchants in the Qin Empire. I have thought about it again and again and decided to conquer it myself!"
At this time, Liu Xin did not know that Caracalla had killed the envoy sent by Jia Xu, otherwise he would never have been able to wait three days, and he would have sent troops to kill him immediately.
Zhang Fei couldn't hold himself back and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Okay! I'm willing to be the vanguard!"
Jushuo hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, you once said that you will no longer lead military expeditions in person. I hope your Majesty can keep your promise."
Liu Xin waved her hand and said: "This time is different from the past. In the past, it was an internal dispute among us big men. This time it is about resisting foreign aggression. Everyone has a responsibility. I must go!"
Guo Jia said worriedly: "Your Majesty, the Daqin people tore up the agreement and suddenly attacked our Han merchants. They obviously had a premeditated plan. If our army goes rashly, we may fall into their treacherous plot. I hope your Majesty will think twice!"
Liu Xin once issued a decree that officials above the fifth rank and their immediate family members were not allowed to engage in business. After hearing the news that merchants in the Han Dynasty were massacred, many officials felt very indignant, but did not feel much grief because their personal
The interests have not been greatly damaged.
When they heard that Guo Jia came out to dissuade him, some ministers already whispered in agreement: "Yes, the ancients said that if you use your troops to attack a distant place, if you hear it, your majesty, please be careful."
Liu Xin said in a deep voice: "I ask you, are those businessmen my fellow citizens? Are the taxes they contributed included in the salary you received? They were brutally murdered in a foreign country, do we have the obligation to seek justice for them?
"
Before waiting for the ministers to answer, Liu Xin had already slapped the table and stood up, saying loudly: "This battle must be fought! I will definitely fight it myself! I invited you here today to discuss how to fight, not to listen to you
Discuss whether we should fight or not!”
Liu Xin also knew that this battle was very difficult to fight. Not only did it require the mobilization of huge troops, but logistical supplies were also extremely difficult. But he also knew that if this battle was fought successfully, no country would dare to bully him at will.
The citizens of the Han Dynasty and the people of those places that were just added to the territory of the Han Dynasty will also be proud of their identity as citizens of the Han Dynasty. This has an extremely important and far-reaching impact on maintaining the unity of the Han Dynasty and spreading the culture of the Han Dynasty.
Among the civil and military personnel standing in the hall, it is not ruled out that some people have the thought of protecting themselves wisely and hope to live a comfortable life, but more people consider the actual difficulties of this battle, so they look forward and backward.
However, the peaceful era of the Han Dynasty has only passed for two or three years. Although there have been some major wars in these two or three years, some small battles still occur from time to time. More importantly, the soldiers of the Han Dynasty still maintain enough bloody spirit.
After hearing Liu Xin's inspiring words, Xu Huang, Zhang Fei and others were already gearing up and preparing for a big fight.
Seeing that Liu Xin had made up his mind, Guo Jia stopped trying to dissuade him and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want a small fight or a big fight?"
Liu Xin was silent for a moment, then sat down again, supported the table with both hands, frowned and asked: "How do you talk about small fights? What about big fights?"
"If it's a small fight, Your Majesty only needs to send a small force of light cavalry to Da Qin, break a few of its cities, and plunder them. If it's a big fight, you need to think long term." Guo Jia paused and continued, "Don't worry about victory.
Think about defeat first. The Qin Dynasty is not comparable to a small country. It can use at least 400,000 troops for this battle, and transporting grain and grass requires 500,000 civilians. Nearly a million people will march thousands of miles away. In case of defeat..."
Dian Wei said impatiently: "Fengxiao, how can you increase the ambition of others and destroy your own prestige! Our Han army cannot attack and win, how can it be defeated?"
"A arrogant soldier will be defeated! When evil comes, you should not think like this." Liu Xin waved his hand, nodded and said, "Fengxiao's consideration is unreasonable. However, I want to tell you that this expedition is indeed dangerous. When we meet on a narrow road, the brave will win, everyone.
You must have the spirit to risk your life and fight to the last ditch, I will not reserve a way out for you!" [
Guo Jia pondered and said: "Your Majesty, are you going to fight? Please accompany your Majesty on the expedition. Sooner or later, I can make suggestions for your Majesty!"
Xu Huang stroked his palm and said: "Yes! We should have a big fight, hurt him, and scare him! Please lead your troops as pioneers, go all the way forward, and never look back!"
Zhang Fei shouted: "Second brother, this pioneer belongs to me, Lao Zhang, you are not allowed to rob it!"
Over there, Zhang, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Guan Yu and others also asked for help, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became lively.
"Fengxiao, you have been in poor health. It's better not to go on this expedition. There are many affairs in the court that need you to handle." Liu Xin raised her hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down, and continued, "The most important thing now is
There are two problems to be solved. One is the strength of the army. Our country has a vast territory and the world has just been peaceful. It is impossible to mobilize all the troops. We must leave enough complete strength. Therefore, this time I only plan to use one, two,
There are three, six or four legions, 350,000 people, the strength is slightly insufficient, let’s see if there is any solution.”
Tian Feng stood up and said: "Your Majesty, according to the news from the Foreign Affairs Office, Da Qin's territory is wider than our Han Dynasty, and its population exceeds our Han Dynasty. It takes 300,000 people to attack a huge country with a population of more than 50 million.
, even if we can win, it will be a miserable victory. I have a plan. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao's subordinates were ordered to disarm and return to their fields two years ago. Among these people, there are also many experienced warriors. Why don't your majesty issue a decree to temporarily recruit them into the army, but
After the war is over, let them return to their hometowns to work in agriculture."
Zhao Yun also raised his hand and said: "Your Majesty, now all the tribes in the grassland have surrendered to our Han Dynasty and are proud to be a part of the Han Dynasty. The herdsmen on the grassland are good at riding and shooting. They will come when they are called, and they can fight when they come.
The help of our army!”
Liu Xin pondered: "According to your words, we temporarily recruited 200,000 old troops to form a rearguard army, and transferred the old clothes and armor and weapons in the treasury to them. In addition, we sent an order to the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes.
They are ordered to mobilize 100,000 young knights to assemble in Qiuci under the jurisdiction of the Western Region Protectorate within a month. However, there is still one problem that needs to be solved urgently, and that is the transportation of grain and grass."
Jushou also frowned and said: "In this way, the troops mobilized by Your Majesty have reached 650,000. The daily cost of the army is huge. In addition, the road is far away. I am afraid that even recruiting 500,000 civilians will not be able to help. This is indeed a
problem."
Zhang Fei said without thinking: "Then recruit one million civilians!"
Liu Xin shook his head and said: "If we recruit so many people, who will plant the crops in the fields? If we don't plant crops, what will the people eat next year? Besides, the drought in the north has not improved yet. Even if we recruit 500,000 people, I don't think so.
Too many. I have an idea, which is to support war with war, but I don’t know if it is appropriate or not.”
Everyone looked at a loss. They had never even heard of what it meant to feed war with war, let alone whether it was appropriate or inappropriate.
Liu Xin explained: "These countries around the Han Dynasty are our friendly neighbors, and the only target of our wars is the Qin Dynasty. In the past year, the Uzbel Fortress, the Turugelt Fortress, and the Han Dynasty in Kangju
The garrison camps and the Han concession in Parthia have already stocked up a lot of food and grass, which can last for a while. If they are really in short supply, they can buy it at a price from other countries along the way. So I think I can only recruit 200,000 civilians..."
For the first time, Jushou interrupted Liu Xin and said repeatedly: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. The army has a large number of people, and the food and grass stored in the front are only enough to last more than a month. If no food and grass can be purchased along the way, hundreds of thousands of troops will face food shortages.
Danger!"
Liu Xin smiled bitterly and said: "This is exactly what I want to say, support war with war. As long as the food and grass are enough to support the army to reach the border of Da Qin, all future food and grass will be provided by the people of Da Qin!"