Chapter 301

The southwest troops of Dun City had engaged in small-scale battles with Chen Feng, and due to prolonged food shortages, they had suffered significant losses. Da Wang could tell from his uncle's occasional heavy expression that the losses were truly substantial.

The remaining southwest troops in Dun City looked worse and worse, and Da Wang didn't dare to look closely. He only had the supply corps bring out their best remaining grain to cook porridge for the long-starving soldiers to have a proper meal.

This Guy still didn't forget to verbally educate Wei Shen, insisting that this grudge be remembered against the Cui Clan and the Four Fat Ones.

Upon hearing that everyone outside had eaten, Da Wang went out for a stroll, while his parents were nearly worried sick.

This time without exaggeration, Dun City truly had over a hundred thousand troops. The daily food and drink for so many people… just thinking about it made Wei Ting Hou feel a chill down his spine.

And Da Wang was still being extravagant.

He fed the starving southwest troops porridge made from crystal-clear white rice, saying their stomachs had been empty too long to handle coarse grain—just listen to him.

"Your Highness, what are your next plans? You have so many people under your command, and this place is far from Youzhou. How long will your remaining supplies last? Have you calculated it, Your Highness?"

"Our supplies should run out very soon. After incorporating the hundred thousand from Jade Gate Pass, we've eaten all the provisions meant for our return journey." Da Wang thought to himself that without cheating, they would have run out long ago. By capturing a city and mixing some of his stored grain into the seized supplies, he had managed to sustain over a hundred thousand people until now.

Upon hearing this, Wei Ting Hou sighed, "Indeed."

"Several commanderies along this route have been picked clean by the Xiongnu. How many days' worth of supplies do we have left now? Or should we go to Changzhou to requisition more?" Compared to Youzhou, Changzhou is much closer.

Da Wang proudly shook his head. "No need. Once my uncle recovers, you all return to Changzhou. Originally, I planned to capture Jade Gate Pass and have my maternal grandfather defend it for me, but now that we have Tang Qian, it's unnecessary. At that time, we'll redeploy half of the fifty thousand Jade Gate Pass garrison to follow me north to guard Shuofang."

Wei Ting Hou shook his head, unsure whether to praise Da Wang's boldness. "Are you really going to leave everything to Old Tang, without assigning any of your Youzhou troops?"

Da Wang, who had no one else to assign, stubbornly replied: "Employ no one you suspect; suspect no one you employ."

Wei Ting Hou still didn't know him?

"Old Tang is just one man. He's guarding Jade Gate Pass, so Shuofang lacks reliable personnel. Let your uncle go there."

Da Wang had gained a hundred thousand troops for free and truly had no intention of troubling his uncle further, causing family separation. The Wei Clan should focus on appeasing the Qiang tribes and Changzhou.

"No need. I also have officers under my command who need training. Several colonels have performed well and are trustworthy in character. Let them try. Before this retreat, I will pave the way for them to strengthen frontier defenses."

"For example?"

"For example, in coordination with the performance of the Western Regions states, we must give them a lesson. Since the grain supplies haven't arrived yet, we'll capture Jade Gate Pass and then go to the Western Regions to borrow some?"

Wei Ting Hou: ……

This is planning to advance into the desert!

"Your Highness, please reconsider. The cavalry and warhorses of Youzhou may not adapt to the desert, and without a topographical map, getting lost is extremely easy. This move is too risky……"

Da Wang thought to himself, "Why no map? I've cross-checked with Bai Yang many times—this land and the land where Bai Yang lived in later times differ only in place names and history; the terrain is the same."

He even possesses a terrain map accurate to three meters. Even the Qiang tribes on the plateau, the southwest army's old enemies, have had their later territories reclaimed into a nation. As for the Western Regions, what place could be inaccessible?

"I have the map, you know. I even have the Qiang tribes' map—I'll give a copy to my maternal grandfather later~"

Whoever asks, it came from Zhao Zhu Ge.

Wei Ting Hou is fundamentally no match for Da Wang. He decided to send his descendants back, while he himself will follow to Jade Gate Pass. If it weren't for this, he wouldn't bother, but now who can let go of these two rascals leading troops to fight the Xiongnu?

Even Old Tang is no longer the Old Tang of before!

Da Wang also followed him.

Time is precious. Staying idle consumes grain even if the army doesn't move. Da Wang, while still having supplies, set out the next day to attack Jade Gate Pass.

Before leaving Dun City, Da Wang disbanded the fifty thousand Chen Clan troops.

All those with official posts were stripped of their positions; high-ranking officers were detained; ordinary soldiers were scattered; new units were rebuilt.

One ten thousand were forcibly given to his uncle, counted as Da Wang's compensation for the southwest army's losses. This time, the southwest army's misfortune is also considered undeserved disaster—they merely rode on his coattails.

This ten thousand can start from the lowest rank of soldiers upon return. Regardless, the Wei Clan's military governance is professional, and they have ways to handle such captives.

The remaining forty thousand, Da Wang plans to take them all back as garrison farming troops. Now Da Wang has plenty of land—just lacking people.

At dawn, the army marched out in formation. Besides the twenty thousand weak from Dun City, the rest followed Da Wang, including Wei Ke, who insisted on coming along.

From Dun City to Jade Gate Pass, a fast horse reaches it in half a day. Da Wang's cavalry sighted Jade Gate Pass by noon.

Da Wang lifted the mask from his face: "Is this the famed Jade Gate Pass?"

This Guy was about to say how dilapidated it was, but seeing Tang Qian's complex expression and glistening eyes, he swallowed his words back.

Well, this broken-down gate standing in the yellow sand is a lifelong guardianship for some.

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"Tang Uncle, I heard the Western Regions states' operation to besiege Jade Gate Pass involved the kingdoms of Shanshan and the Anterior and Posterior Che Shi beyond the Pass. After we capture Jade Gate Pass, should we first collect some interest?"

Tang Qian saw the change of ownership at Jade Gate Pass and inevitably recalled how his twenty years of persistence had come to nothing. The Grand General also died tragically, his chest churning as Da Wang's words pulled him back.

"Interest? How so?"

"After we capture Jade Gate Pass, we'll rest and await the grain and supplies from Zhuti. Once they arrive, we'll launch a swift strike beyond the Pass against the Three Nations, venting our fury!"

Da Wang will not forget the grudge of the Western Regions states and Xiongnu joining forces to besiege the southwest army. Had it not been for the timely news from Changzhou via Zhe Tian, the twenty thousand southwest army, his uncle's cousin, and even his maternal grandfather might have perished in Dun City. Da Wang bears grudges.

These three small states of the Western Regions lie just outside Jade Gate Pass, the closest of all. Even if they suffer misfortune, so be it!

Upon unifying the five commanderies of Beijiang, Da Wang will receive rewards for the five border checkpoint lines. Why would he still honestly build on the original site of Jade Gate Pass?

What kind of person is Da Wang? He'd rather expand the city wall than lengthen the gates of Chang'an!

Da Wang has always dared to think and act, and Tang Qian was utterly shocked.

"Who provoked me! I will make them know—know that my Beijiang Kingdom is not to be provoked! To provoke me demands payment! This time, the northern front remains unresolved; otherwise, no one would even think of escaping. I will strike as far as Dayuan!"

Da Wang has examined maps from multiple eras. Powerful dynasties once established the Western Regions Superintendent's Office in the Western Regions, with territorial maps extending to the Pamir Plateau.

Formerly, he was a prince, and Youzhou was his fief. He couldn't care about the Western Regions then, but now he can—and Jade Gate Pass will soon be his.

"Although they seem useless now, once seized, they'll surely be useful sooner or later." Bai Ge said the Western Regions are suitable for growing cotton—cotton, which his domain desperately needs.

Since Da Wang exhaled 'Beijiang Kingdom,' Tang Qian's thoughts have gone astray, endlessly repeating, 'Beijiang Kingdom… Beijiang Kingdom…'

Da Wang finished painting the pie and saw the audience already dazed. Hearing him mutter 'Beijiang Kingdom' three times repeatedly, only then did they realize he had actually spoken it aloud……

No matter—Da Wang, the bachelor, concluded: "We've unified the five border commanderies; the land we conquered ourselves must have a name, right? Beijiang Kingdom is just a random name—you could also call it North Jin."

Da Wang turned around and said, "I'll just expand this Northern Jin outward, and make Chang'an die of rage!"

"Northern Jin? Wonderful!" First Northern Jin, then later, who knows what will happen.

Da Wang is also the late emperor's own son; Tang Qian glanced at Wei Jia's three brothers not far away, and Changzhou might as well belong to You Wang.

Da Wang's earlier coaxing of him hit the mark; compared to Bai Li Jin, who wholeheartedly advocated peace talks, he still preferred following You Wang, this type of externally tough and ambitious.

Tang Qian watched Da Wang's eyes light up; Wei Shen followed behind his elder brother, glanced over, turned his head, and complained, "Wei Tai Ping is about to swindle Tang Shu into limping~"

Wei Ke stood unmoving like a mountain; he had already grown somewhat accustomed to the way his second brother and Da Wang spoke, and could roughly guess the meaning.

Up close, Jade Gate Pass still looked quite majestic, a sense of desolation sweeping over; if it weren't for the dense swarms of Xiongnu soldiers drilling out from above, Da Wang could have sighed a while longer.

Da Wang fumed: "Pigeon occupies the magpie's nest!"

Wei Shen: "Barbarians!"

Da Wang: "Not worth fearing."

Wei Shen: "Cut him down!"

Wei Ke even gave these two fellows two more glances; strangers might think they were putting on a show.

Wei Ting Hou: "... Old Tang, did they also act like this when attacking Wu Wei City before?" Seemed unreliable.

Tang Qian immediately opened his chatterbox, lavishing Da Wang's praise with extravagant words flung upward without cost, making Wei Ting Hou feel embarrassed to be praised, the child being so outstanding...?

Though said to be cutting him down, Da Wang actually took no action; he led a hundred thousand troops to encircle Jade Gate Pass completely.

Beyond the pass lay the Western Regions, with no civilians awaiting his rescue; having a new plan, Da Wang grew unhurried, intending to rest here and await supplies.

The Xiongnu had already received the news; You Wang led a force of heavenly descent troops all the way, snatching back the cities they had occupied.

Now, the Xiongnu people within Liangzhou had almost all retreated to Jade Gate Pass; they sent word back to the Xiongnu, then the remaining people scattered and regrouped, planning to deal Da Wang a heavy blow at Jade Gate Pass, sending him away in one strike.

Anyone who hasn't crossed swords with Da Wang cannot imagine how formidable a cavalry from the Great Jin could be.

Just luck, or perhaps they used some lowly methods.

Most Xiongnu who experienced Youzhou cavalry's strength died; the living became slaves, scattered and imprisoned; Da Wang planned to bring them all back on the return journey to farm.

The Xiongnu received news through written reports and scout descriptions; their regard for Da Wang was merely so-so, their impression of the Jin people already deeply rooted.

Now the Xiongnu had everything ready, and finally awaited this legendary heavenly force, waiting for Da Wang to charge the pass—yet this fellow began pitching camp!

Da Wang encircled Jade Gate Pass, cut off their supplies, placed the Eagle Riders and Youzhou cavalry at the front, and truly began to rest easy.

He began to concern himself with Youzhou affairs, also caring about the household population censuses of Bingzhou and Yizhou, and where his grain and forage large unit had gone.

Zhuti cannot leave Youzhou; this time, the team leader responsible for escorting the transport is He Guang, and with troops present, Da Wang also felt reassured; hearing that He Guang still had six Lang officials brought by the Chancellor, Da Wang was extremely satisfied.

Someone manages the Western Regions!

Da Wang not only had time to improve his own meals but also time to secretly go and discuss with his White Brother the route for attacking the Western Regions; he was unhurried, while the Xiongnu grew anxious!

The Xiongnu felt that the cunning Jin people's move must surely conceal a great plot—either waiting for reinforcements or something had occurred; they could not follow the Jin people's pace. Moreover, the opposing force numbered over three times theirs, so this time they must strike first.

On the second night after Da Wang honestly set up camp, the Xiongnu secretly slipped out of Jade Gate Pass, planning to launch a surprise attack.

But even without scouts, Da Wang still had Cover Heaven and Bai Ze.

Wouldn't any movement in the entire camp be known to them?

As soon as Jade Gate Pass stirred, Bai Ze opened his eyes, then Cover Heaven began flapping its wings against Da Wang.

Wake up and open that gate~

There's movement outside! Otherwise, if Cover Heaven the Great charges out, you'll have no gate left~

The Cloud-rolling Eagle's wings—just one flap, and it could fly a thousand miles; it lightly flapped, and the small cool blanket Da Wang had deliberately pulled out before sleep to cover himself flew far away to land on Wei Shen's head...

Da Wang dazedly opened his eyes; Bai Ze calmly informed him, "Enemy attack."

To save tents, he and Ling Yin, along with the Wei brothers, shared one tent; Wei Shen was startled by the blanket hitting him, "Well, everyone in the tent is now awake."

Da Wang foolishly repeated: "What enemy attack?"

Bai Ze: "The Xiongnu have come out."

Da Wang: "Out they come... oh! Enemy attack! Cousin, hurry up, enemy attack!" Da Wang finally reacted.

Wei Shen clung to his blanket, feeling life had lost its meaning, standing on the ground, "Good thing I put my armor back on before sleep; some people even changed into pajamas, pulling out summer cool blankets? You hurry up and put on your armor!"

Da Wang remained relatively calm, scrambling to put on his inner robe haphazardly, to the extent that Zhao Ba would want to scream upon seeing it.

He had put it on backwards.

Moreover, he hadn't taken off those pajamas.

Da Wang went through all this trouble because he knew he wouldn't die out there; others slept in armor to guard against Xiongnu, only he slept naked in earnest.

This was the first time Wei Ke had heard Bai Ze speak; these days he had already heard rumors of this, but... hearing it firsthand was still different. He watched Da Wang fumbling with his clothes and running off, his thoughts only then returning, and he stepped forward to help Da Wang dress.

He consistently remained inwardly composed and steady; his household's second son was not like that. Wei Shen was glaring with wide eyes at Bai Ze, eye to eye, "You you you finally spoke again! Say another word?"

Wei Ke realized, they weren't actually nervous about the Xiongnu.

He then relaxed considerably, "Your Highness should also have two personal guards attending to daily life." He automatically overlooked Ling Yin, who was supposed to help Cover Heaven open the gate, that great hero not seeming like someone who would dress a child.

Da Wang didn't care much about these things, "If there are personal guards, just let them live nearby. As long as they protect me well, I don't fuss when I go out; when I return, there are little eunuchs to attend to me."

Wei Ke fastened Da Wang's belt, touched the small knot secured by Da Wang's purple jade button, and smiled, "Yes, you don't fuss." On the day they met, Da Wang still wore the sheep-fat white on his head.

Da Wang:...

Handsome, how did it come to this!?

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Heaven above, yesterday so many rewards and power-ups! Moved! I only just saw it; tonight I'll strive to add more!

Thank you all!!!

Thank you!!!