Chapter 251: Arrangements Before Returning to the Capital

Inside the Tomb of the Loyal Martyrs, the sacrificial ceremony gradually entered its final stage.

Jia Jing stood on the altar, looking at the sea of over a hundred thousand soldiers and countless civilians below, their face like dark water, and their heart could not help but be somewhat moved.

Jia Jing handed the roll of yellow silk to Tang Bin, who received it with both hands respectfully, turned, and walked to the bronze cauldron on the altar.

Jia Jing brought it close to the raging flames, and it burned into a wisp of blue smoke.

Tang Bin's voice sounded for the last time, solemn and dignified:

"Sending the spirit…"

The war drums sounded again, faster and stronger than before, like countless horse hooves galloping across the prairie.

At the same time, the horn blared, its mournful wail low and lingering, never ceasing.

Jia Jing took a Han Army banner from Zhu Que's hand, brandished it atop the altar, their eyes full of solemnity.

Jia Jing shouted loudly:

"Let the battle flag be the guide; may the heroic spirits return home! Souls, return!"

All the over a hundred thousand soldiers fixed their gaze on the battle flag, and shouted in unison:

"Souls, return!"

Boom!

The incense flame inside the bronze cauldron on the altar surged suddenly, the flames flickering, enveloping the cauldron, as if indeed ten thousand heroic spirits rode the wind back.

"May the soldiers be forever at peace!"

Jia Jing faced the Heroic Martyrs Monument, bowed again, and this time lingered in a deep bow before the stone tablet engraved with names.

All the soldiers silently watched them, their eyes full of fervor and emotion.

The Grand General had done so much for them; fighting under such a commander made even losing one's life worthwhile!

And countless civil and military officials of the Northwest bowed their heads deeply!

Jia Jing could not help but think inwardly: today's ceremony by Lord Jing of the State has already won the hearts of the Northwest troops!

This is not a rite for the dead; it is clearly a way to win over the living—who after this can stand against his orders in the Northwest!

Outside Yu Lin Cheng.

The Northwest army camp.

Inside the central army's main tent.

Along both sides of the tent were several rows of nomadic stools, and in the middle stood a massive map table.

The table was covered with a cowhide map, on which red ink marked mountains, rivers, cities, and troop deployments.

After presiding over the ceremony, Jia Jing also met the martyrs' families and the wounded, and did not return to the camp until the afternoon.

By then they had changed into military attire, sitting on a rosewood chair inlaid with turquoise inside the tent.

Their gaze fell on the map region west of Hami within the Hunxie realm, their finger tapping the commander's desk before them, neither hurried nor slow.

Jia Jing contemplated how to fight the upcoming battle against Hunxie so as to most effectively achieve the goal of promoting peace through war.

Now the Northern Yuan royal court has been destroyed, the steppe tribes pacified, and the reorganization of the Northwest border army has entered the right track.

As long as they win the final battle against Hunxie, they can force Hunxie to accept the several peace proposals and conditions presented by the Da Han Empire.

Their intended objectives for this trip to the Northwest are now essentially all achieved, and soon they should lead their troops back to the capital.

As for False Qing, Jia Jing has already ordered Liaodong's Qin Qiong to be the chief commander, leading tens of thousands of cavalry from Liaodong.

Jia Jing will seize the opportunity to launch an attack on the tens‑thousands‑strong army of the Trans‑Erdan stationed by False Qing at the Liaodong border, completely annihilating their forces as a deterrent.

With Qin Qiong's martial bravery and strategy, Liaodong needs no extra concern; Jia Jing believes Qin Qiong will not disappoint them.

And the campaign against Hunxie requires Jia Jing to personally lead troops out of Jiayuguan to deliver a direct strike.

However, Hunxie, now shaken by the Han Army's sweeping blade across the steppe, has already deployed heavy troops on the border, standing in strict formation.

From Suzhou to Hami, beacon towers line the road and scouts abound; a surprise raid is now almost impossible!

"Hunxie's main force on the border is stationed east of Xingxing Gorge, in the Tian Shan plain west of Hami."

"The terrain there is open, suitable for a cavalry decisive battle; if they defend us, we will still launch a surprise attack on their capital like the Wolf Mountain raid."

"But this time, I will annihilate their border main force in open battle, completely shattering their fantasies and lucky‑thinking."

Jia Jing took out a red brush and drew a circle around the Tian Shan area on the map.

The Tian Shan range stretches across the Western Regions, separating the Zhunagur Basin from the Tarim Basin.

The core of the Hunxie Khanate lies in the Ili River valley; the Tian Shan is not only its natural eastern barrier but also its most important granary and lifeline.

Capturing the Tian Shan passes would not only effectively cripple the Hunxie Khanate, but also serve as a strong deterrent to the Western Regions' states!

A flash of resolve crossed Jia Jing's eyes; in their mind the whole plan for the upcoming battle was already laid out.

Defeating Hunxie in this battle is not difficult, but they aim to minimize their own side's casualties.

They also intend to exert maximum pressure on Hunxie, using military action to achieve deeper political goals.

At their rank and position, many times their considerations go beyond a single battle's outcome.

"Lord, among the 200,000‑strong army across the three borders and four towns of the Northwest, we have placed all our own men."

"All of them were personally selected by me from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Bashang Daying, and your personal troops, absolutely loyal soldiers."

"Most of them now serve as mid‑level and junior officers in the Northwest army; with your current prestige in the Northwest border forces, combined with the men we have placed,"

"We can say with certainty that the command of this 200,000‑strong army is now fully in our hands."

Zhu Que entered the tent and reported to Jia Jing in a low voice, his eyes showing a hint of awe and admiration for Jia Jing.

The ceremony Jia Jing presided over today, honoring the fallen soldiers, opened their eyes and deeply moved them.

This single ceremony alone was enough to win the Northwest border army's full allegiance.

It also ingrained Jia Jing's image of cherishing his troops into the hearts of the Northwest's military and civilians, planting his reputation for martial skill and love of soldiers among them.

He believed,

With Jia Jing's unsurpassed military achievements in sweeping the grasslands and his various acts of caring for his subordinates, the Northwestern military and civilians' recognition and submission toward him absolutely surpass anyone else.

Even the imperial court's edicts cannot match a single military order from Jia Jing.

It is no exaggeration to say that Jia Jing has already ignited a divine fire in the hearts of the Northwestern military and civilians, becoming a deity.

Zhu Que even believes that even without planting their people in the Northwestern border armies, it would not affect Jia Jing's control over these 200,000 border troops.

After listening to Zhu Que's words, Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, then lifted the tea cup on the commander's desk and took a sip.

Then he said lightly:

"Mm! I have already petitioned His Majesty, appointing Zhou Yingyuan as Commander-in-chief of Yansui Garrison, Feng Tang as Commander-in-chief of Gansu Garrison, Han Wu as Commander-in-chief of Ningxia Garrison, and Niu Jizong as Commander-in-chief of Guyuan Garrison."

"Guyuan Garrison lies at the junction of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia, is the seat of the Three Border General Headquarters, responsible for coordinating military affairs of the Yansui, Ningxia, and Gansu garrisons, and serves as the nerve center of Northwestern military command."

"When I return to the capital, the Northwestern Three Borders Four Garrisons will continue to be overseen by Niu Jizong for rectification and garrison duties."

The day Jia Jing returns to the capital is not far off; before leaving, he naturally must first arrange all Northwestern military affairs, especially firmly holding the command of these 200,000 border troops in his hands.

He does not have the habit of busying himself for others' sake; instead, he makes wedding clothes for others.

Therefore, Jia Jing not only lets Zhu Que place many of his own people in the military, but also ensures that the commanders of these four garrisons are all his trusted confidants.