In order to suppress the attacks from various places that occurred years ago, Zhang Sanpi, the deputy governor of the Zhenjiang Army, dispersed the main forces east of Zijin Pass. Although this effectively achieved comprehensive prevention, it also resulted in the Imperial Guard's failure to respond quickly when the two countries in Loulan and Shule broke out in rebellion.
The troops were severely dispersed. Not only were they unable to resist the rebels with a large-scale combat force, but they were also defeated one by one by two groups of rebel troops along the way.
This was one of the key reasons why the Shengtang Dynasty's Xinjiang Suppressing Army was at a disadvantage when the rebellion in Western Xinjiang first started.
To be honest, Zhang Sanpi, as the current highest official of the Zhenjiang Protectorate, had been aware of the changes in Loulan and Shule beforehand, and he had also specially summoned the Shengtang personnel stationed in these two countries. The imperial envoys asked them to learn about the other party's true situation.
However, the officials all swore to Zhang Sanpi that the two countries of Loulan and Shule were very honest and had no doubts about Shengtang.
Now it seems that if these hateful guys are not bribed by the enemy to deliberately whitewash the peace, then they must be absolute fools who are not aware of the little tricks being done under their noses.
Fortunately, Deputy Protector Zhang is not a loser. Faced with sudden changes, he still made timely adjustments.
The Zhenjiang Rapid Relief Division, which was originally stationed at the King's Court in Chechi, still maintains a nominal strength of 30,000 troops and is the main force of the Protectorate. The backbone of them are the old members of the Long Sword Legion, and their strength cannot be underestimated.
Not long after the chaos broke out, Zhang Sanpi made a keen judgment that the current situation was by no means an ordinary riot, but a nationwide rebellion against the entire Western Xinjiang Ghost Desert. This is definitely not something that one or two battalions in each place can handle. Therefore, he issued an order in time, requiring the soldiers and horses of the Rapid Relief Division that had been dispersed to quickly regroup. At the same time, he led the 40,000 main troops from Anxi Kingdom to the Chechi King City to join the rapid reinforcements.
When the news came that Pishan Kingdom had been captured by Loulan's army, Zhang Sanpi had already reached 70,000 troops, enough to fight.
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Alekjiang used the nine-star blade to cut off a piece of charcoal-grilled beef shank, and stuffed it into his mouth leisurely, crunching and chewing deliciously. Duolun, the leader of the Iron Pigeon Army sitting opposite him, looked at Alek Jiang with a sullen face and said nothing.
Neither of them spoke at this time, and Lao Jianhua and Geerhan on the side were also speechless.
Alik Jiang ate half of the beef leg, then took the towel handed over by the beautiful maid and wiped his mouth. He said with a smile: "General Duolun, I still said what I said before. Che Chiguo is not enough. Don’t worry! With our Loulan army, we can trample it to the ground. There is no need to wait for the Shule people to come. Besides, wouldn’t it be better if our brother Geerhan could ascend the throne earlier? What do you think?”
Alek Jiang winked at Geerhan and smiled.
Geerhan nodded slightly awkwardly, but did not answer the other party's words.
Duolun took a deep breath and said patiently: "Your Highness Alekjiang, I fully believe that the soldiers and horses of the Loulan Kingdom are powerful. However, the current situation has undergone tremendous changes. According to reliable intelligence, the reaction of the Shengtang people Faster than we expected, they had already assembled a large army in Chechi King City. Some time ago, we took advantage of the opponent's dispersed strength and were able to attack the city without any worries, but now this opportunity may not happen again. Yes. So we have to go with plan two."
Alike Jiang snorted coldly when he heard this, and smiled at Lao Jianhua on the side: "That second plan is what you thought of. From the beginning to the end, I didn't see any benefit to Loulan from this matter. Let us turn thousands of miles away and go to that damn place in Crescent Bay to fight the Xinjiang Army. What is your plan for such a bad idea?"
"Otherwise, what should we do?" Lao Jianhua asked calmly, "Your Highness, do you want to have a decisive battle in Loulan City, the capital of your country?"
Alike Jiang was stunned when he heard this, and was about to retort when Lao Jianhua continued: "The main force of the Zhenjiang Protectorate in the hinterland of Ghost Desert is about 70,000 men. They are all elites who have experienced hundreds of battles. Once Full mobilization is no joke. In addition, the Fierce Blade Legion stationed in Liangzhou can rush to assist Western Xinjiang at any time. The two armies combined have nearly 200,000 troops. Your Highness Alekjiang, do you think the Loulan army alone can stop it? Are these tiger and wolf masters like Shengtang?"
What Lao Jianhua said were all ironclad facts. Alekjiang couldn't find anything to refute, so he had to remain silent for a while.
Seeing that his attitude was a little relaxed, Duolun said quickly: "Your Highness, for the current plan, only the four families of Tujue, Loulan, Shule and Geerhan can join forces to put the Zhenjiang Protectorate into an irreversible situation. At that time, , the entire Western Xinjiang Ghost Desert is not our world?"
Alekjiang's eyes rolled wildly, and he turned to ask Geerhan: "Brother, you are from Xijiang, what do you say?"
Geerhan was actually older than Alikejiang, but when he heard the other party calling him brother, he could only respond smoothly: "Brother Alikejiang, Ashina Zhidhan is sincerely helping us Xijiang people. If we want to defeat Shengtang and take back everything we have lost, we must unite as one. This opportunity is really not to be missed."
Alek Jiang chuckled: "Brother, I'm not talking about this, but about our formation of the Western Xinjiang Alliance in the future."
Geerhan was stunned for a moment, and then said quickly: "After the great event is successful, our country, Chechi, is willing to support His Highness Alekjiang as the leader of the Western Xinjiang Alliance!
Duolun also echoed: "Our Great Khan means the same thing. Western Xinjiang is the Xinjiang people's Xinjiang. To drive away the Shengtang people, this land still needs His Highness Alik Jiang to take charge of the overall situation."
"Hahaha——" Alek Jiang looked up to the sky and smiled when he heard this: "Okay! Since everyone praises me so much, we in Loulan Kingdom also have a duty to do so. Let's do what the three of us want. Let's wait for the Shule Army to come and join us. , hold a blood-slaying ceremony to establish an alliance, and then march to Crescent Bay to compete with the Zhenjiang Protectorate!"
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Seventy-five miles east of Zijin Pass, there is a small town called "General Temple". This place is under the jurisdiction of Liangzhou Prefecture, and the headquarters of the Fierce Blade Legion is located here.
Jiangjunmiao Town is a typical military settlement in the Holy Tang Dynasty. The residents in the town are basically military families, and more of them are officers and soldiers of the Fierce Blade Army.
Since the great war between the Holy Tang and the Turks broke out in Western Xinjiang last fall, the Blade Legion did not participate. Therefore, the troops and horses stationed here are fully organized and fully manned, and their combat effectiveness is relatively well maintained.
After Shen Lie left Metasequoia City, he headed east. He originally planned to go to the capital of Anxi Kingdom to report to Zhang Sanpi, the deputy governor of the Zhenjiang Army. Unexpectedly, Deputy Protector Zhang had already led his army to Chechi, and another Deputy Protector Guan Zhan happened to take leave to go back to his hometown of Yuzhou to visit relatives, so Shen Lie had no choice but to continue walking eastward and pass through Zijin Pass. Arrive directly at the base camp of Liangzhou Fierce Blade Army.
The situation in Western Xinjiang was extremely urgent, and he no longer bothered to conceal his true identity. With the Pisces gold medal given by the emperor, he went straight to the Chinese army camp.
All the senior generals of the Shengtang military knew the name of Nilin Division. As soon as they heard that Nilin Chief Shi was coming, Qiao Pingluo, the deputy commander of the Fierce Blade Army, quickly ran to the central military camp to greet him.
"We have just received the news. We heard that there has been a big change in Western Xinjiang. However, there is no formal military order from the imperial capital, so we, the Blade Army, don't know what to do next." Vice Commander Qiao finished listening. Shen Lie's purpose of coming was answered cautiously: "Fortunately, it just so happened that He Shuai happened to be on his way here. As soon as he arrives, the overall situation will be stable."
Shen Lie was stunned when he heard this: "What did you say? Commander He has come to Liangzhou? Hasn't he been bedridden for a long time? Why did he leave the imperial capital at this time and come here?"
Qiao Pingluo was also a little surprised: "Well... Well, the specific reason is not clear to the general. From the news sent by the outpost, it seems that it is His Majesty's intention to let He Shuai come to take charge of the northwest."
"Nonsense! The emperor has always been sympathetic to Commander He, how could he let him drag his sick body to Liangzhou to suffer?!" Shen Lie suddenly became anxious: "Do you know where Commander He is now?"
Qiao Pingluo was startled by his reaction and quickly replied: "Counting the days, it will take about two or three days to reach here. However, He Shuai is unwell and cannot ride a horse, so he may be slow." Some."
Shen Lie suddenly felt a very uncomfortable feeling in his heart: "How many guards did He Jingming bring with him?"
Vice Commander Qiao was confused by the direct question and said blankly: "Ah? He left the imperial capital, how could the general know?"
Shen Lie was so anxious that he grabbed Qiao Pingluo's collar and shouted face to face: "How many soldiers does he have in the imperial capital?"
Qiao Pingluo's big face turned red from suppressing it. While struggling back, he waved his hand towards the guards, indicating that it was okay. Then he replied to Shen Lie: "Don't be anxious, Mr. Chang Shi. He Shuai usually doesn't follow the imperial regulations with his followers. When he went to the imperial capital to recuperate, he only had a hundred or so brothers following him."
Shen Lie let go of his hand and murmured: "I'm afraid something bad is going to happen!" Suddenly, he stared at Qiao Pingluo again: "Immediately gather three thousand soldiers and horses for me, no, five thousand soldiers and horses, follow I’ll go meet Commander He.”
Qiao Pingluo looked at Shen Lie as if he were a fool, and after a long while he said timidly: "Master Shen, I know your identity clearly. However, without His Majesty's Tiger Talisman, the military order from the Ministry of War, and the marching order issued by the Governor's Office, Not to mention five thousand soldiers and horses, even fifty people, the general can't mobilize it for you. Now that He Shuai has arrived, the Blade Army has left the jurisdiction to greet him. These talismans, orders, and festivals must not be missing, otherwise Will be punished for treason."
Seeing that Shen Lie was stunned for a moment and did not speak, Qiao Pinglu continued: "Besides, He Shuai is not outside the customs. From the imperial capital to Liangzhou, the entire journey is within the boundaries of our Holy Tang Dynasty. The inns along the way, The guards and government soldiers are all our own, why do we need to mobilize thousands of soldiers and horses to respond?"
Shen Lie knew in his heart that the Turks, the Western Xinjiang vassal and Xie Guang were secretly colluding with evil intentions. An important part of it was to try to disrupt the entire northwest military system and eliminate the opposition forces in the imperial court.
In this way, the commander-in-chief He Jingming became one of their targets.
Although Commander He was seriously ill and had been bedridden for a long time, he was after all a famous general of Shengtang. He also shouldered the duties of the commander-in-chief of the two armies, the Fierce Blade Legion and the Zhenjiang Protectorate. Once he is allowed to take charge of military affairs again, even if it is just a pretense, the situation in the Ghost Desert of Western Xinjiang may be completely different.
On the contrary, if He Jingming makes a mistake at this time, both the Zhenjiang Army, the Fierce Blade Army, and even the Imperial Capital will inevitably fall into chaos, and the morale of the army will be disturbed.
Therefore, both Shen Lie and Li Jiangyao agreed that He Jingming was very likely to become the target of enemy attacks and plots at this time and was in danger at any time. Now I heard from Qiao Pingluo that when He Jingming left the imperial capital, no matter whether it was the emperor's will or not, he might encounter an accident on the way.
Shen Lie secretly pondered in his mind for a moment, and finally decided to do something special. His face darkened: "Master Qiao, I am the Imperial Commander, Nilin Changshi, a third-level official! Now I order you to summon all the officers here immediately. ,I have something to say!"
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In less than a cup of hot tea, all the officers above the rank of captain of the Blade Legion base camp reported for duty and lined up in front of the tent to wait for orders.
After Shen Lie waited for Qiao Pingluo to introduce his identity to everyone, he only said two words to the slightly confused officers:
"I have received definite information that someone is plotting to kill He Jingming!"
"If you want to save his life, bring your troops and follow me immediately!"
