Since the defeat at Wugushan, the entire expeditionary force has been in a state of high tension, suffering both physically and mentally. As one of the main generals and the commander-in-chief of the Hexi Army, one can imagine the pressure that Wang Yansheng has endured. And know.
Expedition to the desert and fighting outside the territory are inherently difficult and dangerous tasks. The arduous march and continuous battles are extremely draining of energy and physical strength.
After all, Wang Yansheng is a veteran who is over fifty years old. He is no longer the unruly and fierce martial arts warrior he was more than 20 years ago. It can be said that during the withdrawal to the west, Wang Yansheng had been holding on to his strength to lead.
After retreating to the southern foot of Jinshan Mountain, the crisis was initially resolved and as soon as he relaxed his spirit, Wang Yansheng fell completely ill. In addition, he suffered some trauma during the battle in Mobei, and there was a tendency for it to worsen.
Far away in Jinshan, conditions are difficult. Although there are a few military doctors still there, there is a lack of medicinal materials. Even if it is temporarily safe, Wang Yansheng will not enjoy good medical treatment.
In the harsh winter of Jinshan, many injured soldiers died of pain and severe cold, and their bones were buried in the green mountains of foreign lands. But Wang Yansheng, it is hard to tell whether it was because of his fate or something else, but he survived.
However, even so, the vitality is severely damaged and fundamentally lacking, and even the root of the disease has been completely planted. In the tent, Wang Yansheng was leaning on a woolen mat. He looked haggard, with a sickly look on his face. His rough face even looked a little ugly and terrifying, and he completely lacked the majestic demeanor of a general.
Some cooked charcoal was burning in the simple stove, and the dim firelight swayed on his face. If he hadn't coughed a few times from time to time, he would have lost his life.
When Yang Ye and Liu Fang entered, there was no reaction. It was not until they noticed Liu Fang that they stood up with difficulty. Liu Fang stepped forward and helped him up personally.
"Old general, please take care of yourself!" Although Wang Yansheng's character and style were not admired by Liu Fang, he still respected Wang Yansheng's strong and decisive character.
Faced with Liu Fang's concern, Wang Yansheng coughed twice, his voice was old and weak, but his tone was not weak at all, and said: "Don't worry, Your Highness! Burying the bones in the green mountains and wrapping the corpses in horse leather is my long-cherished wish, but even if I die, I will die." In Dahan!”
Although the tiger is old and sick, its power has not diminished. Wang Yansheng's heroic spirit remains the same, but it is inevitably a bit tragic. Yang Ye couldn't help but comforted: "Old General, you don't have to be like this. We have also passed the most difficult time. We have escaped the vicious dangers during the exile, and we have survived the severe winter last year. As long as If we work together, we will definitely be able to return to the Han Dynasty!"
Hearing this, Wang Yansheng glanced at Yang Ye and sighed softly: "In the past few months, I have been away from home to recuperate. Although I have not taken care of military affairs, I have some understanding of the situation in the military. The current situation is still difficult and not optimistic. Bar!"
During the period when Wang Yansheng was recuperating, the military affairs of the expedition were entirely managed by Yang Ye. Since they were troops from Hexi and Yulin provinces, the soldiers naturally had their own belongings, and Wang Yansheng also gave him his full support.
Speaking of which, Wang Yansheng was very unconvinced and even a little jealous of Yang Ye, a junior general. However, the so-called conflict was just a battle of spirits. After the bitter battle in Mobei, the friendship between Pao Ze and others fighting side by side was enough. Remove that petty dissatisfaction. Nowadays, the two of them are quite indifferent to each other, and they are at each other's throats.
Seeing this, Yang Ye pondered for a moment, and then said solemnly: "I am just about to discuss with the old general about the next stay of our army!"
"You tell me!" Wang Yansheng cheered up.
Yang Ye said: "At present, the most difficult part of our army is that it is isolated and isolated outside the territory. Supplies are cut off. The soldiers are starving and rely on killing horses to satisfy their hunger to survive the severe winter. However, the problem of food shortage has not been solved yet.
In the past few days, although His Highness Zhao Gong led his army to plunder some supplies, they could not sustain it for long. Relying solely on gathering, fishing and hunting would be a drop in the bucket. Although there are no invincible invaders near the camp, the local tribes cannot be trusted and are potential threats.
You really can’t stay here for long! Previously, the winter was bitterly cold, the roads were cut off, and it was difficult to travel, but now spring has come, and the flowers are blooming. I mean, it’s time to leave for Dahan! "
After hearing what he said, Wang Yansheng nodded gently: "The soldiers have spent the rest of their lives fighting and have been away from home for a long time. It's time to bring them back!"
"The only possible way out at present lies in the south and returns through the Western Regions!" Yang Ye said.
In response, Wang Yansheng frowned slightly and said: "The south is a desert of quicksand. What's more, we don't know anything about the current situation in the Western Region. Going south is also dangerous and unpredictable!"
"But we have no other choice!" Yang Ye said.
Hearing this, Wang Yansheng smiled bitterly and had to admit that this was his original plan when he retreated westward to Jinshan.
"It seems that we are going to have to make a breakthrough again. We can't sit back and wait for death!" Wang Yansheng quickly said with certainty: "Now that you are the coach, I support any decision you make!"
"Thank you, old general!" Yang Ye said: "I have sent Wang Shenqi and Yang Yanzhao to lead people south to explore the way south. Although Jinshan and the Western Regions are blocked by quicksand, they are much shorter than the Mobei Desert! In the camp It’s time to start preparing, as long as we find the way, we can set off immediately!”
"Compared to Mobei, the Liao Kingdom's rule over the Western Regions is much weaker, and it is closer to the Han Dynasty. If we can contact Pule and gain the support of the remaining descendants of the Uighurs, it will be more secure!" Wang Yansheng said: "And the current situation in the Western Region may be better than we imagined!"
Compared to Yang Ye, Wang Yansheng was obviously more familiar with the Western Regions. After all, he and Guo Jin were preparing for war in Hexi, targeting the surrounding areas of Hexi, so he naturally knew more about them.
"The old general refers to General Guo Jin?" Liu Fang spoke.
"His Royal Highness is really talented and has a keen sense of smell!" Wang Yansheng admitted decisively and said: "Guo Jin has a fierce style and leads troops well. Although he only has 10,000 troops to march westward, it is enough to leverage the situation in the Western Regions. This old friend of mine is not He is such an easy person, if he makes a breakthrough in the Western Region, he can easily join our army!"
"If this is the case, then we should go south!" Wang Yansheng's words also gave Yang Ye some confidence.
"General, the young general is back!" The three of them had already decided on their plan, and suddenly heard the soldier's report.
"Let him come to see me!" After hearing this, Yang Ye immediately ordered.
"Chonggui, your father's participation in the battle together is a good story in the Han army! Young Yanzhao is not bad. After this experience, if he can return to the results smoothly, in time, he will become the general of the Han Dynasty!" Wang Yansheng is very rare! He is complimentary, but his attitude towards some of the younger generations of military heroes is still very friendly.
Upon hearing this, Yang Ye reacted like an ordinary strict father, shook his head and said: "It's still far from enough, and he still lacks experience!"
"See your highness, see the commander-in-chief!" Soon, Yang Yanzhao entered the tent and paid homage one by one.
Yang Yanzhao has obviously lost weight, but his energy is still there. Under Yang Ye's careful training over the years, he has become more calm and graceful.
"How was the road exploration?" Yang Ye asked directly.
There was a hint of joy on Yang Yanzhao's face, and he couldn't hide the smile on his lips. He introduced the person who followed him in to the three people and said: "The last general will lead people to explore the road to the southeast and search for more than three hundred miles until they reach the Tianshan Mountains. However, On the way back, I met Wang Duzhi and his entourage. He had important news to report, so we specially led them back to the camp!"
"Does the king know?" Upon hearing this, the three of them turned their attention to the middle-aged man who had followed Yang Yanzhao back to the camp.
The person who came was armed, with a square face, black clothes and black coat, and a weathered face, giving people a deep feeling. He looked tired, but after seeing Liu Fang, Yang Ye, and Wang Yansheng, he was extremely excited.
Facing the gazes of the three men, he bowed and said: "I am Wang Yinwu, the governor of Hexi Province, who is subordinate to the Wude Department. I'd like to see you, Your Highness, and the two generals!"
Hearing him announce his identity, the three of them were a little excited, and Yang Ye stood up directly: "You are from Wude Division!"
"Exactly!"
