Chapter 1784: A Greeting from Several Hundred Years Later

Lake Isik-Kul was the second-largest lake within the Kara-Khanid realm, second only to Lake Dalin-Kul in the north. High in elevation, extremely deep, unfrozen through all four seasons, and blessed with beautiful scenery. At the same time, thanks to its favorable climate, the basin centered on Lake Isik-Kul was also an important pastoral and grain-producing region of the Kara-Khanid state.

Along the lakeshore, besides Barskhan, there were numerous small towns and villages, like scattered diamonds adorning the pearl that was Lake Isik-Kul. Jile City was situated at the western end of Lake Isik-Kul, close to the capital, and had always prospered. Since the great war ended, the Han army had been stationed there continuously.

Having been on campaign for half a year, whether in arduous marches or hard fighting, from top to bottom they were all exceptionally weary and in need of extended rest. And with the Kara-Khanid Great Khan slain in battle, his army annihilated, and Balasagun fallen, there was no longer any organized force in the entire eastern Kara-Khanid realm capable of threatening the Han army—ample time and a sufficiently safe environment for rest and recuperation.

As a key agricultural and pastoral region of the Kara-Khanid state, grain and meat were naturally in no short supply. During the Han army's advance, the locals had just enjoyed a bountiful harvest, and the towns large and small, along with the common folk, had ample supplies for the Han army to draw upon.

The matter of requisitioning grain was naturally handed to the Khotanese, because Liu Min, still displeased with them over the earlier setback that had plunged the army into peril, regarded them with disfavor. The Khotanese themselves knew this well, and under the leadership of their commander Yuchi Guli, they worked with exceptional vigor and diligence, serving the Han army in procuring provisions.

In the southern campaign, the Han army had suffered heavy casualties, and the Khotanese forces had also taken no light damage. Under the maddened attacks of the Kara-Khanids, they had lost nearly sixty percent of their troops, leaving fewer than two thousand men.

In truth, the Khotanese fighting capability was not so weak. At this stage, the kingdom of Khotan was still in a period of prosperity and flourishing, only that its neighbors were all too dazzling, overshadowing its brilliance. Moreover, the Khotanese army had been compelled by Liu Min to join the campaign against the Kara-Khanids, so their not fighting with full effort on the battlefield was only natural.

However, after a bitter lesson, the Khotanese finally woke up. The battlefield allowed no joking, no room for carelessness. Whether to redeem themselves and dispel Liu Min's anger toward them, or for some other reason, in the subsequent fighting, the Khotanese began to fight desperately.

Especially in the final battle against the Kara-Khanid army at Jile, every man strove valiantly, charging even more fiercely than the Han troops. And truly, they established their merit—the Great Khan Alimsa of the Kara-Khanids was shot and killed by an obscure nobody in the Khotanese army. Of course, he was no longer obscure now; when Liu Min learned of it, he praised his achievement and bestowed upon him the name Li Shehan. Li was also considered the royal surname of the Khotanese state.

Their performance on the battlefield may have had its shortcomings, but off the battlefield, the Khotanese carried out their duties as vassals with great care, dedication, and exceptional enthusiasm—after all, they too could reap benefits from it.

Regarding the burning, killing, and looting committed by the Khotanese, the Han army from top to bottom adopted a tacitly approving attitude. War has no tenderness, and without benefits, even the Han army would lack motivation—let alone these vassals.

All Liu Min needed to do was try to minimize acts that attracted hatred. Though the effect would not be great, since to the Kara-Khanid people, the Great Han was simply an invader. But at the very least, it could make things easier for the sons of the Great Han, give them more time to rest, and keep them from being burdened by those "mundane affairs." And besides military supplies, the goods the Khotanese plundered also had to be offered up a share to the Han army.

The midday sun shone high, casting its light upon the surface of Lake Isik-Kul, which sparkled with rippling waves. Under the strong wind, water plants swayed, and blue waves undulated. From time to time, birds flew past, plunging headfirst into the deep forest. On the distant mountain peaks, the snow-capped summits were strikingly visible, and the towering glaciers stood like a row of giants, guarding the pearl that was Lake Isik-Kul.

The guards rested and let their horses graze by the lakeshore, while Liu Min strolled through the grassland with Guo Yi. His worn campaign robe draped over his shoulders, whipped up by the wind with a rustling sound. The crisp, cold breeze seemed to settle Liu Min's mood as well.

A long, cathartic shout broke the tranquility of the lakeshore—startled birds took flight, and beasts fled into hiding. Laughing heartily a few times, Liu Min pointed at the lake surface, clear as a mirror with fish visible within, and praised: "What a fine lake, fine waters, fine scenery! Even amid campaigning, to enjoy such beauty is a pleasure in itself.

I never imagined that in these deep mountains and remote peaks, this desolate place, there could be such a treasure. Winter is nearly here, yet the scenery remains so lovely—a feast for the eyes!"

Guo Yi stood nearby, his appearance much like Liu Min's—unshaven and unkempt, though of course, on the march, one could hardly attend to such minor details. Still, his mood was equally light, and he responded with a smile: "Since ancient times, beautiful scenery has often been found in places rarely trodden by man.

Even within our own realm, such a large lake would be rare. Without seeing its full extent, I cannot say whether it is larger or smaller than Poyang Lake. But this is indeed a treasure of a place—with a bit of development and use, supporting five hundred thousand people should be no problem! This is even superior to some of the lands in Anxi."

Liu Min nodded at these words, but then said in a forceful tone: "Now, it is the Anxi territory of my Great Han!"

"Your Highness speaks with bold spirit!" Guo Yi praised.

Liu Min bent down, picked up a flat stone from the grass, weighed it in his hand, then turned sideways and hurled it with all his strength toward the lake. The stone shot out, skimmed across the surface, leaving a trail of skips. Liu Min's gaze followed closely, counting from near to far—one, two, three... Before he could finish counting, the calm water had already rippled fully apart.

Once the lake surface gradually returned to calm, Liu Min bent low and picked up another flat stone, handing it to Guo Yi: "Zimei, you give it a try too!"

Guo Yi, hearing this, also grew interested. They were sons of meritorious nobles, and in their youth had all played at skipping stones at Jinming Pool in the Eastern Capital. Now, it felt like rediscovering the joy of childhood.

Guo Yi also threw with force—not as far as Liu Min's throw, but with noticeably more skips. Liu Min, delighted at the sight, immediately said: "Let's have a contest!"

Soon, Liu Min and Guo Yi, the two commanders of the western expedition, were competing in stone-skipping by the lakeshore, while the attending guards found something to do as well—selecting suitable flat stones to hand over.

While tossing stones, Liu Min remarked: "No wonder the Kara-Khanid state was able to rise gradually over the past few decades. They occupy vast fertile lands at the northern foot of the Tianshan, have a unified and powerful central government, a formidable army, and religious faith as an armed force—they had already laid the foundation for their rise.

If they had not pushed eastward too early and drawn the attention of the Great Han—if they had used these decades to continue developing agriculture and herding, expanding their population, and accumulating strength—even the Great Han would have found it difficult to subdue them, let alone fight all the way into their territory!"

Guo Yi nodded: "Anxi is already thousands of li from the capital, and Gaochang is still two thousand li from Balasagun—truly too far. The forces that can be committed to operations in the Western Regions at one time are always limited. If the Kara-Khanids' strength had not been diminished, who could say how the outcome might have gone!"

"This is where the Great Han's mandate of fortune lies—every achievement, every success, is aided by heaven!" Liu Min smiled slightly, his face showing confidence.

"This lake's name needs to be changed. Calling it Isik-Kul is too awkward!" Liu Min suddenly said.

Guo Yi, hearing this, asked: "Does Your Highness have an interest in naming it?"

"Don't the locals have a legend that this is a pearl left by the heavenly gods on earth? This lake is vast and broad—let it be called Pearl Lake!" Liu Min pondered for a moment, then said somewhat uncertainly: "Is that too tacky?"

"Not tacky at all! It captures the essence perfectly!" Guo Yi said.

Liu Min chuckled a few times, then continued: "Besides this lake, all the towns, cities, and mountains we have conquered must be renamed with Han names. The Great Han's rule over this land begins with renaming—we will erase the traces of Kara-Khanid rule step by step! Take Barskhan City, which especially needs to be cleansed. The enemy capital Balasagun shall be restored to the name Suye, and the Chu River changed back to the Suye River."

"Yes!" Guo Yi's expression also turned more solemn: "These matters are quite suitable for Xiang Deming to handle!"

"You're trying to wear out our great steward!" Liu Min waved his hand lightly and laughed: "Better to request more administrative officials from the court!"

As he spoke, Liu Min raised his eyes toward the north. Beyond several mountain ranges lay the location of "Suye City." And in Liu Min's eyes, a trace of reminiscence and longing appeared, as he murmured softly: "Suye—after several hundred years, we have finally returned!"