The moon shines with silver light and the stars twinkle.
The crisp sound of horse hooves beat on the long street, and Li Gan stopped his horse at the main entrance of the Champion House.
There are imperial guards on duty outside the Hou Mansion day and night.
Li Gan, the subordinate on duty, also knew each other. He got off his horse and said, "Is the Marquis in the house?"
The person on duty at the main gate was Guo Mao, the deputy commander of the Hou Mansion's personal guards. He was a little surprised that Li Gan came to the door early in the morning and responded: "Yes.
It's still dark, and the general comes to see the Marquis. Is there urgent military affairs, or is there something going on at the border? "
"neither."
Li Gan said: "Your Majesty sent a decree to let Dong's servant pass through the palace to announce that the Marquis will enter the palace.
Dong's servant went out of the north gate and saw me patrolling the palace gate. The order fell into my hands and asked me to call the Marquis into the palace.
It took me walking this long to realize that it was not a good job to wake up the Marquis at home in the middle of the night. Dong Xu didn't want to come, but I was careless, so I just happened to get in, and the job fell into my hands. "
Guo Mao took a look at the sky. At the beginning of Yinshi, there was still more than an hour before dawn.
It is indeed not a good job for the Marquis to go to court at this time, and he might even be punished.
Guo Mao asked the concierge to pass the news.
Li Gan immediately entered the Hou Mansion.
He came to the junction of the inner house and the outer house. He did not see Huo Qubing, but there were two maids of the princess waiting there: "The general is looking for the Marquis at this time, but something happened?"
Li Gan was the steward of the inner chamber of his immediate superior's house and the princess's personal attendant. Li Gan did not dare to neglect him and said hurriedly: "No, I just called the Marquis into the palace."
The maid hesitated slightly: "The Marquis is not asleep yet...but it is not convenient to communicate."
Li Gan smiled apologetically and said: "Master Hou is really working hard. He is busy with everything and is still awake at Yinshi."
"Since the Marquis is not asleep, it's just right. Please go and tell me that the general is asking for an audience. His Majesty announces that the Marquis has entered the palace."
"Although the Marquis is not asleep, it is not convenient to communicate..." The waitress pursed her lips slightly, looking shy and timid.
After staying up all night, it was not convenient to communicate... Li Ganruo realized something and showed a shocked expression. The Marquis's physical strength...
Huo Qubing heard the commotion and walked out of the inner house neatly dressed: "What do you want me to do, Your Majesty?"
Li Gan secretly took a look, lowered his head and said, "I don't know, I will die. I shouldn't bother you at this time... I'm busy."
Huo Qubing laughed dumbly, raised his foot and kicked Li Gan: "Let's go."
The two quickly arrived at the inner study room of the palace.
But it was the emperor, Dong Zhongshu, Li Cai and others who stayed up all night studying the blueprints for building the Grand Canal.
Half a month ago, Huo Qubing promised Dong Zhongshu on the bank of the Yellow River to help persuade the emperor to build the Grand Canal.
He came back to think about it briefly, and then reported it to the emperor the next day.
The emperor thought about it for several days. During this period, he had many discussions with Dong Zhongshu, Huo Qubing, Wei Qing, Li Cai, Da Sinong, Jiu Qing and other important ministers. He also recruited Xu Bo, a plumber, for questioning.
Xu Bo was a native of Linzi, Qi County. He was the one who was ordered to dig the canal in the sixth year of Yuanguang (129 BC).
At that time, he patrolled along the canal, conducted on-site surveys, erected markers, and spent tens of thousands of workers. It took three years to finally build the canal.
The canal starts from Chang'an in the west, diverts the Wei River to the east along Zhongnan Mountain, and now connects with the Yellow River near Tongguan, with a total length of more than 300 miles. When the canal was completed, the water transportation time from Guandong to Chang'an was doubled. Tens of thousands of hectares of farmland under the canal were irrigated, and the people benefited from it. (See "Historical Records")
This time Dong Zhongshu proposed, Huo Qubing seconded the proposal and jointly submitted a petition to build a grand canal to connect the north and the south.
This is a major project related to the country. After Xu Bo saw the driver, he was sent out by the emperor to conduct preliminary on-site exploration and draw a route engineering map.
To build such a water conservancy project, the cost, time, labor required, etc. must be roughly calculated first.
Until now, it took more than half a month to get some results.
Uncle Xu was very excited and his mind was throbbing.
If such a grand canal could be built through his hands, it would not only benefit the country and the people, but would also go down in history.
He returned from his survey and reported to the emperor.
Dong Zhongshu and others were also called into the palace to discuss matters, and before they knew it, it was already midnight.
The emperor became more interested, then thought of Huo Qubing, and hurriedly asked people to find him, and that's when the scene just happened.
The emperor and his ministers discussed state affairs, and it was already time for the morning court.
Before going to court, the emperor changed the subject: "Qu Bing, Xiu Yi just sent me the information about the battle in Dawan in the Western Region. He said that your subordinates captured the capital of Dawan in half a night and captured its leader alive.
Xiu Yi almost thought that there was an error in the delivery, so he confirmed it before daring to send it to me.
Xiu Yi has made evaluations on the countries surrounding our Han Dynasty. He once judged that Dawan was backed by Kangju and Da Yuezhi, so it would not be easy to capture it. Unexpectedly, the doctor ordered to use troops to destroy the country in the middle of the night. Even I was surprised when I heard about it. "
Huo Qubing said: "Dawan is a small country, and winning in battle is not enough."
"well……"
The emperor smiled and said: "I am very relieved and overjoyed!"
Huo Qubing said: "I did not go to the battle in person. I went to Dawan with three captains and five thousand soldiers and horses. Since Your Majesty mentioned it, I am going to ask Your Majesty for a reward for them."
"I will draw up a decree for you later. You can use it to reward your subordinates." The emperor agreed.
Huo Qubing said: "This battle has just begun. I have other considerations and am waiting for subsequent changes."
The emperor snorted and asked, "If you have any other considerations, please tell me."
Dong Zhongshu, Li Cai and others, as well as plumber Xu Bo, all turned their attention to Huo Qubing.
Uncle Xu was in his early fifties, with gray hair, lean and short, thick black skin, and calloused hands. He was a pragmatic and down-to-earth kind of person.
Wearing a reddish-brown Han official robe, he blinked and looked at Huo Qubing, with a thought in his mind: This is our famous Han general. It is said that he is arrogant and domineering, but he can use troops like a god... He is so young.
Among the generals of the Han Dynasty, it is a consensus that Wei Qing and Huo Qubing use troops to win.
Everyone takes the champion Hou Yongbing to boost their mood, because they don't have to worry about defeat.
At this time, everyone looked interested and listened with their ears perked up.
"After capturing Dayuan and capturing Guishan City, the capital of the country, Governor Zhang of Hexi will also lead his troops to advance from east to west and coordinate with Zhao Anji, Yao Zhao, Fu Luzhi and others who captured Guishan to defeat the entire territory of Dayuan. , and stationed in its territory.
Dawan’s geographical location is quite sensitive.
It is located at the westernmost end of the Western Region, adjacent to the two countries of Daxia and Kangju established by the Dayue clan. "
Huo Qubing briefly analyzed the next strategic intention and said:
"Kangju and Dayuezhi will not be content with letting Dawan fall into our hands, otherwise the border of our Han Dynasty will be pushed to a position adjacent to them, and the two countries will face the threat of our Han Dynasty at any time.
So they will definitely take action later.
But I am sure that they do not dare to start a war, and they just want to test the front of our Han army. "
"I secretly buried the soldiers and horses of King Hunxie and King Tutu north of Wusun to see if I could involve the Xiongnu in a blocking battle.
If the Xiongnu and Shendu enter the situation, plus Da Yueshi and Kang Ju, I will personally go to the Western Regions to preside over the war situation. "
Huo Qubing said: "I was about to ask Your Majesty, Kangju or Dayuezhi, which side should we choose first?"
Highlight it - take it!
Dong Zhongshu listened on one side, thinking about the champion Hou Yongbing, and never seemed to consider that he would be defeated. If he goes to the Western Regions, he wants to defeat Kangju or Dayuezhi in one battle, otherwise he will not use "taking" their country to consult His Majesty.
The emperor also noticed Huo Qubing’s words:
"I have always been at ease when the doctor ordered me to use troops. If the Huns are involved in the war, and I go to the Western Regions, I can use the troops as I like. I am in Chang'an, waiting for your good news."
At the court meeting early that morning, the emperor officially issued a decree to build a grand canal running from south to north in China to control water, promote commerce, and enrich people's livelihood.
At the same time, the emperor also announced that the champion would lead an army to attack Dawan in the far northwest, defeating the enemy in one night. The emperor would also grant the champion 7,800 households with food, a general's crown, and a famous ancient sword.
When the battle is over, the generals who led the troops will also be rewarded.
In the battle last night, after the leader of the Dawan Kingdom was captured alive, all the Guishan City defenders laid down their weapons and accepted the surrender.
According to post-war statistics.
Dawan has more than 300 sacred horses, more than 7,000 first-class horses, 20,000 second-class war horses, and even more horses of other grades.
This is Po Dawan’s biggest gain.
The additional benefit of attacking Dawan overnight and destroying its capital was to make the Western Region more stable and boost the military and national prestige of the Han Dynasty.
The news announced in public at the court spread quickly in Chang'an.
Roshna's residence was visited by several princes from Shule, Wensu and Weitou.
There were also several dignitaries from various countries in the former Western Region sitting around.
"I expected that Dawan would not be a match for Han, but I didn't expect that it would be defeated so quickly. The leader of Dawan was captured alive in less than one night."
"Dawan is so foolish to want to fight against the Han."
"..."
When a group of people were talking and talking, for some reason, they all had a sense of gloating about their misfortune.
The defeat of Dawan made these kings of the Western Regions surrender to the Han Dynasty feel inexplicably happy, even more excited than they were if they had won the battle.
Roshna was also quite surprised at how quickly Huo Qubing defeated Dawan with his troops.
He only sent his lieutenant to lead an army of five thousand and conquered Dawan in one night... Roshna glanced at all the former Western Region lords.
She could probably guess some of the thoughts of these kings.
They were so excited because they were grateful for their original choice.
Previously, the heads of the countries in the Western Regions were somewhat reluctant and resistant to joining the Han Dynasty and losing their position as kings.
But after this time, there is no need to regret it anymore.
What happened to the leader of Dawan proved their choice at that time.
These kings were not laughing at Dayuan, but because of Dayuan's defeat, they were glad to join the Han Dynasty in advance, and even felt a sense of superiority and inclusion that was beyond honor.
There is no harm without comparison.
With contrast, these people feel comfortable.
The human heart is subtle and consistent!
Roshna thought that she had made an appointment with Liu Qing in the afternoon to go to the Champion Marquis's residence, and maybe she could meet the radiant young Marquis, and her heartbeat quietly accelerated a little.
…
Kangju State is located in the northwest of "Two Thousand Miles to Chang'an".
It borders Wusun to the east, Yancai to the west, Dayuezhi to the south, Dayuan to the southeast, and its capital is Beitian City.
The northern part of Kangju is a nomadic area and the southern part is an agricultural area.
There are many cities in the south, which are divided into five small kings. It is the center of the territory.
Kangju is a large neighboring country in the Western Region, with a vast territory and a large population.
It and the Dayue clan sandwiched Dayuan in the south and north.
The Han Dynasty asked Dayuan for horses, and the leader of Dayuan immediately informed Kang Ju and Dayuezhi respectively.
Both parties had plans to use Dawan to test the Han, so they asked Dawan to refuse the Han's request for horses.
The two parties have already made a decision to jointly respond immediately if the Han Dynasty launches troops.
Dawan’s geographical location is very important to them.
The presence of Dawan can serve as a strategic buffer zone to buffer the threats posed by strong men to them.
Huo Qubing had previously carried out a series of operations in the Western Regions, conquering cities and territories, and conquered thirty-six countries in the Western Regions within a few months.
In Kangju, Dayuezhi was adjacent to the Western Regions. Seeing that all the countries were defeated by the Han, how could they not be afraid!
So they made up their minds to keep Dawan to resist the Han attack.
Unexpectedly, while they were still waiting for news, the situation suddenly changed overnight.
When the king of Kangju woke up from his sleep, the minister hurriedly came to report that the country of Dawan had been destroyed and the king had been captured alive.
After hearing this, Lord Kangju was silent for a long time.
Is Dawan just gone?
At the end of November, Kangju united with the Dayue clan and both sent troops, using slogans to expel the Han army and help Dawan restore the country's orthodoxy.
But until this time, the Xiongnu still did not see any movement.
It seems that the fire is not enough to attract the Xiongnu... Huo Qubing looked through the news sent back from Dawan and thought: Do you want to add more fire?
The door opened, and Zhuo Qingke came in from the outside, calling softly: "Master Hou!"
(End of chapter)
