Chapter 1687: Steady to the Very End

Night fell, and all was silent. The moonlight, bright and clear, quietly spread across the earth, illuminating the road and guiding the way forward. Liu Min and his party all donned campaign cloaks against the cold, making their way back in silence.

As they neared the Han army camp, Liu Min spoke again: "Now that the Kara-Khanids have retreated in defeat and the situation south of the Tianshan Mountains is settled, what should our army do next? Brother Yuanxian, what are your thoughts?"

Glancing sideways at Liu Min, Yang Yanzhao smiled lightly: "Your Highness has been pondering this matter for some time now, haven't you?"

Liu Min nodded, admitting it directly: "Indeed! However, after much deliberation, I still find myself troubled. One man's counsel is short, two men's counsel is long—I have also sought out the opinions of the generals, but they are not unified, and some are even diametrically opposed.

Some suggest pressing the advantage and advancing north to strike deep into Kara-Khanid territory, seeking to annihilate their state; others counsel caution, suggesting we rest and reorganize while awaiting another opportunity; and of course, there are those satisfied with the current results, who recommend ceasing hostilities altogether!"

"Then which suggestion does Your Highness lean toward?" Yang Yanzhao asked.

Liu Min did not answer directly, but instead looked seriously at Yang Yanzhao: "Everything the generals have said has merit, and it is difficult to decide at once. Thus, I must ask Brother Yuanxian to instruct me!"

In fact, Liu Min had already sought the opinions of nearly all the senior generals in the field headquarters—only Yang Yanzhao remained—and Yang Yanzhao's views were extremely important. Within the western expedition field headquarters, Yang Yanzhao's say carried weight second only to Liu Min's.

Meeting Liu Min's earnest gaze, and sensing the importance he placed on him, Yang Yanzhao felt grateful and said modestly: "Before Your Highness, how dare I presume to instruct!"

Hearing this, Liu Min immediately waved his hand and said heartily: "Such words put us at a distance! In public matters, we are comrades and colleagues; in private, we are kinsmen of the imperial clan. I am sincerely seeking your counsel—speak freely, no need for such modest refusals!"

Since Liu Min had spoken to such a degree, Yang Yanzhao, moved by his sincerity, set aside his somewhat unnecessary caution. After thinking for a moment, Yang Yanzhao said: "Your Highness, since the western expedition began, we have fought hard for months, slain tens of thousands of enemies, and expanded our territory by a thousand li—truly glorious achievements.

However, having fought to this point, the troops are weary, food and equipment are depleted, and casualties number in the tens of thousands. Resting and reorganizing in place is a necessity. The greatest difficulty facing the army at present lies in the supply of provisions—this newly added distance of over a thousand li greatly increases the cost of transport.

Moreover, the newly conquered lands are not yet pacified—remnant foes remain, the people's hearts are not yet won, and public order is unsettled. These must be swiftly cleansed to secure our rear lines. These months of hard fighting and advance have already proven that the Kara-Khanids are unexpectedly difficult to overcome. Even with our glorious victories and the heavy casualties inflicted upon the enemy, annihilating their state will still not be easy.

Their national strength remains unclear, and how much power they still hold within their borders is unknown. To advance north rashly, I fear the enemy would not be pacified before we ourselves collapse. The Tianshan Mountains' barrier is the greatest obstacle before our army. The aggressive course is not advisable—steadiness must come first!"

Hearing Yang Yanzhao's analysis, Liu Min's expression showed little change—clearly, he already had a good grasp of the situation. After pondering for a moment, Liu Min said: "Brother Yuanxian's considerations are fair and level-headed. I too understand that the Kara-Khanids are not a state that can be destroyed overnight.

However, if we seek steadiness and rest, we likewise give the Kara-Khanids time to adjust and prepare. Once they recover from the disastrous defeats at Kucha and Bash, the difficulty of advancing to destroy them will only increase.

The batch of cannons supplied by the Ministry of War has already been tested—their power is tremendous. Though the enemy holds the Tianshan barrier and the perils of the Bedal Pass, if we take them by surprise, there is still a possibility of breaching them.

Such a rare opportunity is hard to come by, and abandoning it would be a pity. Yet the worries of what lies behind cannot be ignored. Truly a dilemma!"

Hearing this, Yang Yanzhao's expression could not help but turn serious. Looking at Liu Min, he thought carefully for a moment before sighing: "To take the risk, or to seek steadiness—one of the two must be chosen. However you decide, I beg Your Highness to think it over carefully!"

Liu Min immediately smiled bitterly: "More than three thoughts! I have already thought it over nine times, ten times!"

Letting out a long breath, Liu Min said: "I spoke with Xiang Deming, and according to him, Hexi has already done its utmost to supply the army to this point. Grain and military equipment have already been drawn from within the passes, and the losses incurred along the way are staggering.

For the sake of this war, the court has already paid a tremendous price. Even merely maintaining the current situation is no easy task. Therefore, I am eager to end the war as soon as possible—destroying the Kara-Khanids is the fundamental solution.

However, to achieve that goal, the current strength of the western expedition army is insufficient—whether in manpower or supplies. And once the scale of the war expands, it would require the northwest to provide even more support, drawing upon more troops, civilians, and material resources.

Though I am reluctant to admit it, we must be wary of exhausting our strength through militarism. We have expanded our territory by a thousand li and recovered all of Xizhou, but aside from glorious military achievements, we have gained nothing practical. These thousand li of land and its people can hardly benefit the army.

Moreover, within the court, attitudes toward the western expedition have grown increasingly ambiguous. The rebellion at Yulin has not yet been quelled, and the northwest remains unsettled."

Liu Min had essentially laid bare his innermost thoughts, reflecting the conflicted state of his mind. He had already become a qualified commander—his vision extended not only to this war, but also to responsibility for the tens of thousands of soldiers, the drain on the Great Han's national strength, and the stability and security of the northwest.

Yang Yanzhao fell silent. With his current breadth of experience, he deeply resonated with what Liu Min had said. After considering for a moment, Yang Yanzhao said: "What Your Highness has said is already most thorough. Whatever decision is made, I will support it wholeheartedly!"

Liu Min looked at Yang Yanzhao with some surprise. This trust, as if entrusting life and death, moved him somewhat, while at the same time making him feel even greater pressure.

Raising his eyes to the sky, the half crescent moon in the pitch-black night had dimmed somewhat. Liu Min's thick brows furrowed deeply as he pondered for a while, then said in a low voice: "Bearing the weight of the entire army, I must consider the future of these tens of thousands of soldiers! The proposal to advance—let us set it aside for now!"

Hearing Liu Min say this, Yang Yanzhao felt an immediate sense of relief. Having proposed the steady course, he naturally did not wish Liu Min to choose an aggressive decision. Compared to the so-called "rare opportunity," he hoped first and foremost to ensure the army's safety.

"Your Highness, in the two battles at Kucha and Bash, we struck the Kara-Khanids hard. Their losses were bone-deep and damaged their very vitality. Even if we give them time to adjust, so long as our army prepares well and accumulates strength, we will surely be able to defeat them again in the future!" Yang Yanzhao said with firm confidence.

"You need not comfort me!" Hearing this, Liu Min likewise wore a confident expression: "I have never doubted our ability to defeat the Kara-Khanids. The greatest obstacle before our army is not the enemy, but this long road and the difficult supply lines. So long as we overcome our own difficulties, the Han army remains unbreakable and invincible under heaven!"

"Your Highness's bold spirit is admirable!" Yang Yanzhao broke into a smile.

Having spoken those bold words, Liu Min's mind seemed to grow clearer. He waved his hand: "Since we have chosen the steady course, the entire strategy of the western expedition must now be adjusted!"

"What does Your Highness have in mind?" Yang Yanzhao asked.

Liu Min's eyes, under the cover of night, appeared especially bright: "Since the greatest difficulty lies in the transport of military supplies, then we must find a way to solve this fundamental problem.

We cannot rely entirely on the court's provisions—transporting every grain of rice and every piece of equipment from thousands of li away costs far too much. We must procure grain locally!"

"West of Kucha, this thousand li of land has suffered greatly from the ravages of war—I fear it would be a drop in the bucket!" Yang Yanzhao sighed.

But Liu Min was resolute, saying directly: "Next, we will focus on two main tasks. First, pacify the newly conquered lands; second, establish garrisons and open up farmland, organizing the local tribes for herding, while the soldiers can also cultivate the land in place.

Since we seek steadiness, then let us be steady to the very end—thoroughly lay the foundation and accumulate ample military supplies and grain!"

Hearing Liu Min put forward such views, Yang Yanzhao could not help but be astonished—this was to turn the Han–Kara-Khanid war into a long-term affair! Yet upon careful weighing, he had to admit that this was indeed the most reliable method. Only by truly implementing the "farming" strategy could the western expedition army's greatest problem be fundamentally solved. The only drawback was that the time required would likely be measured in years.

"If so, this war will inevitably drag on for years on end," Yang Yanzhao remarked with emotion.

But from Yang Yanzhao's tone, it was clear he approved of this approach.

Liu Min said: "This is merely one idea of mine. Once we return to camp, I will summon the generals and we will discuss it together!"

"Moreover, regardless of anything else, Kashgar must be taken, to completely eliminate the Kara-Khanids' power south of the Tianshan Mountains. I'll trouble Yuanxian to personally make the trip. Kashgar is undefended, but the area has not yet suffered heavy war damage—it is the best place for storing grain and raising provisions. We must not let Khotan seize the opportunity!" Liu Min added.

Yang Yanzhao immediately indicated: "This subordinate has long had such intentions. The situation at Kashgar is already perfectly clear—five thousand troops will suffice! Indeed, guarding against Khotan is even more important than taking the city!"