Chapter 203: Never Return Until the Western Regions Are Conquered

Qingyang Shuo chuckled and said, "Young Master need not overthink it. Shuo has no national hatred or family vendetta to avenge. Although the Qingyang family's identity and surname are sensitive, those are matters of our ancestors. Since childhood, Shuo has entrusted his heart to the mountains and rivers, never intending to participate in the world's strife. However, my daughter Xi'er has a restless nature, and Shuo had no choice but to entrust her to Young Master."

Liu Zheng was somewhat puzzled: "Sir, actually, I have always wanted to ask..."

Qingyang Shuo smiled brightly: "Most descendants of the Qingyang family fled to Nanyang. In this generation, only Shuo and Xi'er remain in Longyan."

Liu Zheng nodded without saying more.

Qingyang Shuo then continued: "The journey to the Western Regions is of great importance. If it is truly as Young Master said, that Xie Tianyao's five hundred thousand troops all met their doom in the Western Regions, then one can see how mysterious and terrifying those Western Regions are."

Liu Zheng gave a wry smile: "When I went to Loulan last time, I didn't have that feeling."

Qingyang Shuo laughed: "Loulan's geographical location is superior, accessible from all directions, and it is a prosperous capital. With the integration of many of the world's peoples, it has lost some of that alien, heretical mystery."

Liu Zheng was slightly startled.

This Qingyang Shuo truly had a unique perspective.

In fact, Liu Zheng had compared it in his heart before. If one were to be strict about it now, Loulan's territory could actually be considered the center of the current world!

That's right.

The Longyan Dynasty is not the center; the center has always been Loulan.

The Longyan Dynasty to the east, the Persian Empire and Arab Empire to the west, the Mughal Empire to the south, as well as the Russian Empire to the north. And the Western nations that have already begun the first Great Age of Discovery.

The world today is truly magnificent and varied.

And the center of all this is Loulan!

Loulan is not only the center in terms of geography, but considering the transportation methods of this time, if Liu Zheng's Silk Road journey is opened up, Loulan would truly become the center of this world, whether in terms of economy, commerce, or colonization...

Qingyang Shuo does not yet know the current world landscape, yet he can see with such piercing clarity; he truly has a better grasp of the Great Trend of the world than most people. And this Great Trend is not limited to just the Longyan Dynasty.

"Sir..."

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly: "Zheng is only worried that Sir's health is not convenient."

Qingyang Shuo laughed heartily: "Does Young Master think that Shuo is already old?"

Liu Zheng hurriedly said: "I would not dare, I would not dare."

Qingyang Shuo said leisurely: "Shuo just wants to go to the Western Regions to look around and see the local customs; will Young Master not give Shuo the chance? Haha!"

What else could Liu Zheng say? He could only agree.

In his heart, he was deeply moved.

Liangzhou Prefecture.

Chen Ping, who had not been seen for a long time, felt more and more that he had no sense of presence.

"Two hundred thousand, two hundred thousand..."

He sat in the study, gritting his teeth: "It would be better to give this Prefectural Governor position to that Liu Dahao!"

A group of subordinates were as silent as cicadas in winter.

The feeling of powerlessness in Chen Ping's heart was growing stronger.

Once upon a time, he was sent by the Crown Prince to Liangzhou to govern the seventy prefectures of Liangzhou, and his glory was unmatched for a time. Yet now, Liu Dahao, occupying only three of those seventy prefectures, was in his prime, seemingly on par with him, Chen Ping. Especially this Western Regions Commissioner title, which made Liu Dahao infinitely glorious, vaguely overshadowing him.

Liangzhou.

Since ancient times, it has been the gateway to the Northwest. Because the terrain is flat and vast, it was once glorious, an ancient capital for several dynasties. The Yongliang culture is famous throughout the world, and it is the starting point of the famous Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road.

However...

Now this Liangzhou is beginning to slowly slip out of his control. How could Chen Ping not be anxious?

Liu Chang smiled from the side: "My Lord, although that is so, I feel that this father and son of the Liu Family are reaching their end!"

"Oh?"

Chen Ping glanced at him.

Liu Chang smiled dashingly: "Prosperity leads to decline; this is an eternal truth. Two hundred thousand... the Qingzhou Army only has three hundred thousand! What does this explain?"

"The Emperor has dominated the world, yet for over thirty years, he has not set foot in the Western Regions. Why?"

"Those Western Regions are no holy land! My Lord, Liu Chang believes that this is our great opportunity!"

Chen Ping's spirit stirred, his eyes shining: "What do you mean by that?"

Liu Chang gave a sinister smile: "My Lord, officials from Jinghua have already arrived in Yinzhou to thoroughly investigate the corruption and law-breaking of this Liu father and son. Why don't we add some fuel to the fire?"

As he spoke, he put his mouth to Chen Ping's ear and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping's face lit up with joy.

Ma Yong was very melancholy.

He was indeed very melancholy.

He was originally a commoner, but because he had a reputation for talent when young, he married into a wealthy family in Jinghua, only to be ridiculed by the nobles of Jinghua. Ma Yong thought to himself, if he wanted to get ahead, he had to find another way!

In ancient times, a man who married into a wife's family had a very low status.

Since he had already married into the family, what face did he need?

Thus, he thought of a method: every day he would submit a Bitter Remonstrance. Whoever was the most popular in the imperial court, he would impeach them.

He was just looking for fame.

It was fortunate that his father-in-law was the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites; otherwise, he would have been assassinated countless times.

Thus, in this Longyan Dynasty, there was a guy called "Ma One-Remonstrance," attempting to one day become famous throughout the world and leave his name in history by tripping up a big shot.

He impeached and impeached, waited and waited, not knowing how much ridicule he had endured.

Finally.

Today, he waited for his chance!

Prefect Liu!

Famous throughout the world, the dream lover of countless young women, Prefect Liu!

Before he came to Yinzhou, he hadn't been able to sleep for several days and nights.

Was he about to strike it rich?

He was an Imperial Envoy, after all; once he arrived in Yinzhou, wouldn't that wealthy Liu Family father and son have to serve him well?

However.

He was disappointed.

When he arrived, Prefect Liu spoke to him coldly, and Liu Dahao claimed illness and refused to see him.

Ma Yong was furious.

He was an Imperial Envoy!

So, right in front of the Prefectural Office, he read the Imperial Edict, attracting a crowd of the Powerful Clan and commoners, all to give this Liu Dahao a show of force.

Who would have thought...

Just as he thought he was looking majestic, a lump of dog shit, with a *splat*, landed on his face.

Ma Yong was stunned.

He was here to read the Imperial Edict!

What was this? He sniffed it; it smelled a bit foul. Could it be dog shit? So, he licked it, and his expression changed instantly—it really was dog shit!

"Outrageous, simply outrageous! You barbaric lowlifes, you barbaric lowlifes!"

The squad of soldiers he brought with him prepared to use violent measures.

"Get out of Yinzhou!"

"Just based on you, you dare to investigate our Master Liu?"

"Get out!"

"Beat them!"

The commoners were enraged.

What kind of place was Liangzhou? It was the border between the Han and the Qi; the folk customs were fierce, the people were brave and unafraid of death, tall and sturdy, and explosive in temperament. On this patch of land, no one's authority worked!

Master Liu and Young Master Liu were their sovereigns!

And so.

Ma Yong was knocked right off his horse and fled in a panic.

"Lowlifes!"

"Lowlifes!"

"This Yinzhou truly has a rebellious heart! Bring me paper and brush, I am going to report this to the Emperor!"

It was naturally impossible to take all two hundred thousand troops to the Western Regions.

For the past few days, Liu Zheng and Qingyang Shuo had been studying this trip to the Western Regions; to avoid any uncontrollable situations in Yinzhou, at least fifty thousand Yinzhou troops had to be left behind to guard the three prefectures.

Therefore.

There could only be one hundred and fifty thousand.

This simply could not compare to the five hundred thousand troops Xie Tianyao had back then.

But Liu Zheng laughed and said: "An army relies on quality, not quantity. One hundred and fifty thousand is enough."

Liu Dahao, however, was filled with worry: "Son, everything is going so well, why go to that godforsaken Western Regions? Sigh, can I return this title of Jiedushi?"

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes at him.

The purpose of this trip to the Western Regions was to rebuild the Western Regions Protectorate.

Actually, everyone had thought of a Method before. Wasn't the Emperor the Western Regions Protectorate? That was easy; our Yinzhou would go to Loulan and establish a symbolic presence. If Yinzhou could offer a bit of sincerity and profit to Loulan, Loulan could still be negotiated with.

However, at this moment...

An assassination attempt by Sikong Jing had forced Liu Zheng into a dead end.

And so.

Qingyang Shuo suggested that since public anger had already been stirred, they might as well go with the flow, announce it to the world, and conduct a massive recruitment drive, which would also prepare them for future conquests.

Everyone agreed.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the day when all Jiedushi were supposed to return to the capital to report on their duties.

The one hundred and fifty thousand Yinzhou troops finally set sail.

For the army to mobilize, they had spent several months preparing; provisions, heavy equipment, and all kinds of tools had to be fully ready. This was not something that could be settled with just a word.

Early in the morning.

The commoners came to see them off.

Qin Zhangfeng was once again appointed as Pingxi General; he wore black to show his mourning for Sikong Jing.

"Kill!"

"Lads, kill all those barbarians!"

"Go with peace of mind, we old folks will guard Yinzhou!"

"Avenge Lady Qin!"

"Child, your mother and I will try hard to give you a younger brother; do not fear death! Young Master Liu is devoted to the people, and you should repay him with your life!"

The mighty army of one hundred and fifty thousand stretched on, the column so long it almost occupied the entire Yinzhou plain. Along the way, the simple words of the commoners brought tears to one's eyes.

Unlike the last time they resisted the Xiongnu.

This time.

It was the sons of Yinzhou, about to go out and expand their territory!

Regardless of whether it could succeed, even if the probability of success was very low, this was still the first expedition beyond the passes for the Longyan Dynasty in decades.

The entire world.

Was watching at this moment.

The wind blows mournfully, the Yi River is cold; the brave warrior goes forth, never to return.

Liu Dahao, in his capacity as a Regional Commander, mustered his troops and offered sacrifices to the banners, his sword pointing toward the firmament; clad in full military regalia, he was imposing and majestic at this moment.

"Dark clouds over the Qinghai Sea obscure the snow-capped mountains!"

"From the lonely city, one gazes afar at Yumen Pass!"

"A hundred battles in the yellow sands have worn through golden armor!"

"Never to return until the Western Regions are conquered!"

Jiang Xuan waved his hand.

One hundred and fifty thousand armored soldiers chanted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

The common people were moved as they listened. Across the mountains and plains, this poem, which originated from Liu Zheng, rang out with power and resonance; its iron-willed rhythm seemed to have become the military soul of this great army at this moment.

"Never to return until the Western Regions are conquered!"

Heroic and martial.

Solemn and stirring.

The common people refused to leave.

It took a full three to four hours for the one hundred and fifty thousand Yinzhou armored soldiers to disappear into the billowing dust.

"We must protect the Young Master's Yintan City well."

"The Young Master said, this is our Yintan City..."

"That's right, our Yintan City!"

"What about that son of a bitch Ma Yong?"

"Have you eaten your shit today?"

"Go find him!"

【Author's Note】

There are only eight hours left before this month ends, brothers... Can we still push for a wave of tips?