Chapter 1661: Westward Conquest!

"My little tiger bares his claws and shows his teeth, ready to devour people! Liu Min fought this battle well—though the gains weren't great, it's enough to deflate the Kara-Khanids' arrogant swagger and display the might of our Great Han!" In Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu was in high spirits, his face beaming with joy as he let out a delighted laugh.

Over the past half year and more, Emperor Liu had rarely had such a carefree moment. Now, as he laughed in relief, even the dim winter sunlight seemed to grow brighter.

The light outside filtered in through the windows, falling upon Emperor Liu and illuminating half his face—the joy written there was unmistakably genuine. It had indeed been some time since he had received news worth celebrating.

A report of victory had arrived from Anxi: Prince Wei Liu Min had routed the provocative Kara-Khanid forces outside the walls of Karasahr, beheading over eight hundred and capturing more than five hundred war horses.

"The Point Guard Is Here"

In recent months, following the murder of the envoy mission, the already fragile relationship between the Great Han and the Kara-Khanids had rapidly deteriorated from coldness to confrontation, and now to open warfare.

However, although a full decade had passed since the two nations last clashed in battle, the Kara-Khanids remained wary of the lessons of that time, and thus did not launch a large-scale advance eastward.

Instead, they chose to act cautiously, continuously dispatching small bands of cavalry to harass the borders, raiding villages and pastures around Karasahr, using this to test the Great Han's response.

Perhaps the Kara-Khanid kingdom still harbored a sense of wishful thinking—after all, their envoys had been killed, so the Great Han ought to offer some compensation. They held the moral high ground; even if they sent troops to harass the borders, it was merely a way of demonstrating their stance, and the Great Han should not overreact.

In response to the Kara-Khanid raids, Anxi's initial reaction was also not particularly strong—they merely sent out cavalry to drive off the invaders. The two sides' cavalry fought and skirmished between Kucha and Karasahr, locked in combat for nearly two months.

The Han army's passive and weak performance seemed to bolster the Kara-Khanids' confidence. Finally, in September, under the leadership of their military commander stationed in Kucha, Ariyaman, over three thousand Kara-Khanid light cavalry advanced eastward, raiding Karasahr.

They even gave it a fine-sounding pretext: claiming that in recent months, rebel soldiers and bandits from the Kara-Khanids had been fleeing into Han territory, affecting relations between the two nations, and so they had come specifically to hunt down these outlaws.

Such a provocative act thoroughly enraged Prince Wei Liu Min and the Han army in Anxi. Seemingly to appease the Kara-Khanid forces, Liu Min specially sent envoys to contact them, hoping they would withdraw their troops, while also sending along some wine and meat to reward their soldiers.

Of course, this was naturally a ploy to lull the enemy into complacency. In truth, Liu Min had long since decided to teach these arrogant, self-important Kara-Khanids a harsh lesson. During the earlier disturbances, he had already concentrated troops, grain, and weapons from Gaochang, Luntai, and other places, and with the firm encouragement from Emperor Liu, he had no further burdens to worry about.

Ariyaman's army had, as it happened, walked right into Liu Min's trap. Thus, on the thirteenth day of the ninth month of the twentieth year of Kaibao, Liu Min gathered over ten thousand infantry and cavalry and launched a siege against the border-harassing Kara-Khanid forces.

Having undergone the Mobei expedition, Liu Min was highly skilled in the use of cavalry. He personally led three thousand Han horsemen in a flanking maneuver to strike the enemy's rear. Over the past thirty-plus years of warfare, the Great Han army had long since matured—not only relying on superior weapons, but having also studied tactics and strategy to a profound depth. The combination of infantry and cavalry in open-field battles was their unbeatable reliance; once they deployed their formations, they feared no opponent.

However, the Kara-Khanid army was ultimately not as reckless as they appeared on the surface. They were highly vigilant, spreading their scouts wide, and upon detecting the Han army's movements, they decisively fled.

Therefore, no matter how meticulously Liu Min had planned, he was unable to complete the encirclement as scheduled, and it ultimately devolved into a pursuit battle. The Han army's advantage of combined infantry and cavalry could not be brought into play, and heavy weapons such as powerful crossbows and fire arrows proved useless. They could only rely on numerical superiority and the element of surprise to secure victory. Although they ultimately won and successfully drove off the Kara-Khanid forces, they failed to annihilate them completely, allowing them to escape. At the same time, they suffered over three hundred casualties of their own—something that left Liu Min, the architect of this "counteroffensive against the Kara-Khanids," deeply dissatisfied.

But even so, when the report of victory reached the Eastern Capital, Emperor Liu was still very pleased. Regardless of the process or the losses, at least the outcome was good, and it vented a breath of pent-up frustration from Emperor Liu's chest.

"Issue an edict of commendation! For the meritorious soldiers and officers, promote those who deserve promotion, reward those who deserve reward!" Emperor Liu instructed the Commissioner of Military Affairs Liu Tinghan, who stood in attendance in the hall.

"Yes!"

"What is the current situation in Anxi?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Liu Tinghan was well prepared for this and quickly replied: "Your Majesty, after the Battle of Karasahr, Prince Wei led his forces in a westward push, capturing the small town of Wulei, over two hundred li east of Kucha, and stationed troops there! The Kara-Khanid forces have all withdrawn to defend Kucha!"

"It seems Liu Min intends to advance westward!" Emperor Liu stroked his chin, pondering as he spoke.

At this moment, Crown Prince Liu Yang also spoke up: "Sixth Brother has already submitted a memorial, requesting to lead the forces of Anxi and Hexi in an attack on the Kara-Khanids!"

"Admirable ambition!" Emperor Liu immediately gave his approval upon hearing this: "The Kara-Khanids have now become a blocking tiger on the road—harassing our borders is one thing, but they also obstruct the Great Han's exchanges with the West. This stumbling block ought to be removed!"

"What requests does Liu Min have?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Tinghan clasped his hands and said: "Prince Wei has submitted a memorial requesting support in troops, grain, and weapons—especially cavalry, as well as siege weapons such as fire arrows and catapults. His Highness believes that since the Kara-Khanid army's main fighting strength is cavalry, we must counter cavalry with cavalry, ensure the supply lines are maintained, and at the same time, the westward advance will encounter strong passes and strategic points that will require powerful siege equipment to assist!"

"It seems this small victory hasn't made Liu Min careless—he intends to fight steadily and surely!" Emperor Liu couldn't help but show a hint of a smile: "With this, I can rest easy entrusting him to lead the army to conquer a nation!"

Liu Tinghan said: "According to Prince Wei's analysis, the Kara-Khanid army did not suffer heavy losses in the Battle of Karasahr. Their eastward advance was more like a provocative act, hoping to lure the imperial army westward.

Based on the various military intelligence from the northwest during this period, the Military Intelligence Bureau has also conducted an in-depth analysis and reached a conclusion: the Kara-Khanid kingdom is also actively preparing for war—conscripting troops, stockpiling grain and weapons, and preparing for a great battle with the Great Han!

Within their country, they are also vigorously propagandizing the wealth of Anxi and the Great Han, encouraging their citizens to enlist and join the fight. The Kara-Khanids' ambition is clear for all to see!"

Hearing Liu Tinghan's words, Emperor Liu's brows furrowed, and he said somewhat abruptly: "If that's the case, could it be that the Kara-Khanid kingdom itself was behind the envoy incident?"

But he quickly shook his head, muttering to himself that perhaps the envoy had merely been sent to lull the Great Han into complacency.

"What are your thoughts on the Kara-Khanids' unusual behavior?" Emperor Liu looked at Liu Tinghan.

Liu Tinghan said gravely: "Over the past twenty years, the Kara-Khanids have advanced eastward several times and been thwarted each time—first defeated by the Khitan, then broken by the Great Han. For them to take the initiative to attack eastward again, they themselves feel they lack the strength.

Therefore, we speculate that they intend to defend first, then counterattack. If they can lure the imperial army westward, they can defend from the mountains and strategic passes, using attrition to wear down the imperial army and seeking an opportunity to counterattack.

For the Great Han, Anxi is thousands of li away—beyond the reach of our long whip. Once it suffers a blow, we may be unable to provide support in the short term, giving them an opening..."

"Are the Kara-Khanids really so naive?" Emperor Liu said with some disdain: "Does the Great Han look like it can be led around by the nose?"

Liu Tinghan: "At the very least, a large-scale westward advance by the imperial army might already be exactly what they want!"

After hearing this analysis, Emperor Liu fell silent. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced beneath the map, his footsteps echoing clearly through the hall—each step a sound that struck at the hearts of all present.

After a long while, Emperor Liu turned around, his face full of authority, and issued his command: "Regardless of what schemes the Kara-Khanids harbor, at this point, we fight! A petty little state that dares to challenge the Great Han and invade our territory deserves to be thoroughly dealt with—break their cities, destroy their nation!

Draft the edict: Prince Wei Liu Min is given full authority over the western campaign. The border armies and militia of Anxi and Hexi are all placed at his disposal, and all troops, grain, and weapons he requests shall be allocated!"

"Yes!" Seeing that Emperor Liu had made up his mind, Liu Tinghan could only bow in obedience.

"Sixth Brother is still young after all. Shouldering such a heavy responsibility, to guard against any mishap, might we send an experienced veteran general to assist him?" Liu Yang suggested with some concern.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu glanced at him, thought for a moment, and couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity Guo Jin is ill, Wang Yansheng is too old, and Yang Ye is in the south—otherwise they would be the most suitable candidates."

As time passed, the older generation of generals and commanders were gradually retiring from the stage of history, leaving the increasingly nostalgic Emperor Liu with a frequent feeling of having no one to turn to.

However, the upper echelons of the Great Han were not lacking in elite talents. After a brief moment of deliberation, he instructed: "Let Yang Yanzhao head west as deputy commander of the western expedition."

"The Imperial Son-in-law has long been seasoned on the battlefield, wise and brave—he can ensure success!" Liu Tinghan immediately expressed his agreement.

One Li Jilong, one Yang Yanzhao—these were probably Emperor Liu's two most favored sons-in-law. Both were the cream of the military, commanders of exceptional talent, and had gradually become the pillars of the Great Han army.

Liu Yang also expressed his approval of this, as his relationship with Yang Yanzhao had always been good.

"Since the northern expedition recovered Anxi, the Great Han has maintained a defensive posture. Perhaps by defending for too long, we've allowed others to look down on us, thinking they can provoke us at will. In that case, let's fight a battle. I want to see what kind of ending awaits this state that dares to resist a great empire with a corner of territory!" Emperor Liu's gaze was fixed intently on the Western Regions as he said coldly: "Tell Liu Min to fight well. When he returns in triumph, I will personally celebrate his achievements!"

"Yes!"

"Relying solely on Anxi's strength to destroy the Kara-Khanids may prove insufficient. Have the civil and military officials of Hexi provide full support. If the rear supply lines fail, they shall be charged with treason!" Emperor Liu's dissatisfaction with the Hexi officialdom had still not dissipated, so his words remained barbed: "Also, tell Wang Ming—raising and allocating supplies is Wang Ming's old specialty. I've kept him in his post precisely for this moment. I hope he doesn't disappoint me again!"

"Your Majesty, for the campaign against the Kara-Khanids, we might also contact the kingdom of Khotan. They have long been threatened by the Kara-Khanids over the years. If they raise their army in the south while the imperial army deploys in the east, coordinating the two could also lighten the burden on our main force!" Liu Yang suggested.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu couldn't help but snort derisively: "The Great Han has dealt with Khotan for quite some time now—don't you know their temperament by now?"

Though he held Khotan in some contempt, after considering it, Emperor Liu still agreed.

The decision to attack the Kara-Khanids was quickly made, but Emperor Liu felt that something was somehow off. He looked around the hall, and his gaze fell upon Chancellor Zhao Pu, who had remained silent throughout.

Seeing him standing to one side with an expressionless face, silent, Emperor Liu's brows slightly furrowed before he broke into a smile and asked affably: "Chancellor Zhao, with such a major matter at hand, why has the chancellor not spoken? Without your endorsement, I would find it hard to feel at ease making this decision to go to war!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Pu's expression changed immediately, and he hurriedly responded: "Your Majesty speaks too gravely—this old minister dare not presume! The Kara-Khanids have violated our Great Han, and they deserve to be exterminated!"