plumnovel Chapter 23: A Grand Plan for the Nation: Emperor or Stallion?
Chapter 23: A Grand Plan for the Nation: Emperor or Stallion?
"I understand your thoughts."
With eyes like a hawk, Ying Xuan said in a deep voice, "This battle cannot be delayed."
*Whoosh!*
The eyes of the generals present gleamed with fire.
"Issue an imperial edict."
Ying Xuan stood up and solemnly said, "Zhao Yun, the Marquis of Zhen Ding, is here as an envoy to the Alan and Sakya tribes."
"Three thousand white horse attendants accompanied him, and the leaders of the two tribes were summoned to Bactria for an audience."
"only!"
Zhao Yun immediately stepped forward and accepted the imperial edict.
"Han Xin, Marquis of Huaiyin".
"His Majesty."
Han Xin immediately stepped forward.
"I hereby appoint you as commander-in-chief, giving you full authority to conquer Kangju."
"Shen Tianzi and Yang Hu are at your service."
"Wanyan Chenheshang, Wang Zhen'e, and Deng Qiang led 10,000 loyal and filial soldiers to serve at the front."
"Another 50,000 Parthian prisoners were granted."
"I will have the Embroidered Uniform Guard find a way to send a message to the Protectorate of the Western Regions."
"Summon troops from the Western Regions to the Ili River Valley to cooperate with your actions."
Ying Xuan gave careful instructions.
"only!"
Han Xin, Shen Tianzi, Yang Hu, Wanyan Chenheshang, Wang Zhen'e, and Deng Qiang all responded and accepted the order.
"Duke Liang, Chen Qingzhi, led 7,000 white-robed soldiers to attack the southern cities of the Great Xia."
"Marquis Di Qing of Song, Marquis Wang Yanzhang of Yun, and Marquis Shi Wansui of Sui accompanied him."
"Di Qing was the commander-in-chief, and Wang Yanzhang and Shi Wansui were the deputy commanders. They were tasked with reorganizing the prisoners of the Great Xia Dynasty."
"only!"
Chen Qingzhi and the other three felt a chill run down their spines and responded.
Bactria was once the center of the Macedonian Empire's eastern territories.
After the Seleucid dynasty came to power, a large number of Greeks and Macedonians migrated to this area.
As a completely Hellenized state, the Xia army was exceptionally powerful, unmatched in Central Asia.
They were well aware that the situation they would face upon returning to the Central Plains would be extremely dire.
The mere 80,000 Northern Army troops were a drop in the ocean, and reinforcements were needed. The Great Xia people were the best choice.
"I have decided to personally lead an expedition against Bactria, the capital of the Great Xia."
"You may all go and prepare."
With a wave of his hand, Ying Xuan spoke confidently and proudly.
"only!"
Everyone took their leave and withdrew from the hall.
Only Fa Zheng remained, deep in thought, before saying, "Your Majesty's decision to take a wife today is brilliant!"
'???'
Ying Xuan's face stiffened, and he couldn't tell whether the words were good or bad.
"The news about the Egyptian lady came out some time ago."
"The millions of commoners in the Egyptian provinces, along with the former nobles and officials, were all overjoyed."
"In Anxi Xinping, the millions of Parthians are still living in unease."
"The presence of Lady Anxi will surely put their minds at ease."
"Your Majesty, I dare to offer this advice: Your Majesty is the son of the First Emperor, a member of the imperial family of noble lineage."
"We should open up a large harem to ensure the continuation of our lineage."
"In the future, the sons will be enfeoffed and given their own fiefdoms, just as was the case in the Zhou Dynasty."
"The states with the surname Ying and those with other surnames are mutually supportive."
"The bloodline of the Yan and Huang people will surely occupy every inch of land under the sun."
Fa Zheng stared intently at Ying Xuan.
"Huh!!!"
Ying Xuan shuddered; this guy was treating him like a stud.
"Has Your Majesty considered what would happen after pacifying the Central Asian kingdoms?"
"The travel between Xizhou and the Protectorate of the Western Regions is unimpeded."
"However, the Hexi region and the small kingdom of Wusun are not worth worrying about."
"The Yuezhi numbered in the hundreds of thousands, with no fewer than 150,000 skilled archers."
"Does our Great Qin intend to conquer the Wusun and Yuezhi as it has done today?"
"The Xiongnu are eyeing us covetously. If the two of them were to submit to Modu, wouldn't they become a major threat to our Great Qin?"
Fa Zheng spoke each word clearly.
"What does Xiaozhi mean?"
With a slight frown, Ying Xuan looked somewhat puzzled.
"His Majesty."
"The Hexi Corridor is the only passage connecting Guanzhong and the Western Regions."
"The Yuezhi people have been operating here for over a hundred years, and their roots are deep."
"With the help of the Yuezhi, the road ahead will be smooth sailing."
"Gold, silver, grain, and horses from the Western Regions, Central Asia, and even the Western Continent were continuously sent to Guanzhong."
"The Yuezhi cavalry are no less formidable than the Xiongnu, and the enmity between the two could certainly be used by the empire."
"The Hetao region is as prosperous as Guanzhong, and it also serves as a protective barrier for Guanzhong."
"Only by reclaiming Henan can the empire ensure the stability of Guanzhong, Longxi, Bashu and other regions."
"At that time, we will march east to unify the world and wipe out the rebellious forces of the six kingdoms."
Fa Zheng put forward the military and national strategy that the Qin Dynasty needed most at that time.
"color!!!"
Ying Xuan listened intently and couldn't help but shout his approval.
"I have heard that the Yuezhi king possesses a bright pearl."
"Why doesn't Your Majesty send an envoy to request a marriage alliance?"
"Qin and Yuezhi have a marriage alliance, so why should they be at each other's throats?"
"This example could certainly be replicated elsewhere."
"After destroying the Great Xia, Your Majesty can take a princess of Great Xia as a concubine, which will surely appease the people of Great Xia."
"The princess of Nai-yi-magadha may one day be used as the son-in-law of the Mauryan dynasty to conquer the countries of South Asia."
"The offspring born to these ladies are the key to our Great Qin Empire's firm control over all directions."
Fa Zheng's words were earnest and sincere, every word a gem.
"call!"
Ying Xuan exhaled a long breath, his eyes filled with complex emotions, and said, "The Ministry of Rites currently has no Minister."
"This matter is entrusted to you to arrange."
He knew very well that Fazheng's proposal was the most suitable strategy at the moment.
Since ancient times, marriage alliances have been the best way to resolve relations between countries.
The situation in the Central Plains was changing rapidly, and the Qin Dynasty did not have enough time to waste on conquest.
"only!"
Fa Zheng relaxed and turned to leave the Parthian Palace.
"His Majesty."
A nine-foot-tall figure emerged from the hall, his body as imposing as a mountain, like an impenetrable wall of bronze and iron.
His eyes were firm and resolute, and he exuded an indescribable sense of pressure simply by standing still.
This is Li Cunxiao, the most powerful general of the Five Dynasties, who could rival Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King.
Besides Zhang Juzheng and Han Xin, only Li Cunxiao was an SSS-level general under Emperor Ying Xuan of Qin.
"Um."
Nodding slightly, Ying Xuan said solemnly, "Zilong is leading three thousand White Horse Cavalry, carrying imperial credentials, on a mission to the Sakya and Alan tribes."
"I entrust my life to you."
"only!"
Li Cunxiao responded in a muffled voice.
...............
Western Regions, Ili River Valley.
After conquering the city-states, west Jun Ying Fei established the Protectorate of the Western Regions.
This region, with its mild and humid climate, became a key area for development by the Qin people, bringing together the Meng, Xi, Bai, and Yu families.
The city of Yili, located in the center of the Yili River Valley, became the seat of the Protectorate of the Western Regions.
"Brother, what brings you here today?"
In the Western Lord's mansion, a beautiful young woman, as lovely as a celestial being, was tending to the flowers and plants.
"younger sister."
"The emperor has sent a letter."
Yu Ziqi said helplessly.
Yu Ji's hand suddenly stopped moving.
Five years have passed, and her longing has not diminished with time; on the contrary, it has grown even stronger.
A twelve-year-old girl may not know what love is, but she is now twenty-nine.
Hearing that person's name again stirred up ripples in my heart—bitterness, nostalgia, excitement, and a mix of other emotions.
"Zhao Jiang lived up to expectations and delivered the message to the Western Lands."
"Your Majesty has laid a solid foundation for your empire."
"Ten provinces in the Western Regions, a vast territory, and fifteen million people."
"Not long ago, he ascended the throne in Chang'an after offering sacrifices to Heaven, and announced that he had become the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty."
"The Imperial Guards have brought an imperial edict from Parthia."
"He ordered us to send troops to Kangju to cooperate with Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin."
"His Majesty personally led 80,000 Northern Army troops to conquer Great Xia."
Yu Ziqi told Yu Ji the news in detail.
The Yu family's current wealth and status all come from Ying Xuan, or rather, from his sister.
The million people under the jurisdiction of the Protectorate of the Western Regions never revered him, the Protector-General of the Western Regions, but rather the Lady of the Western Regions.