Chapter 689: The Five Countries of Central Asia

The other reserve generals all looked at each other in dismay.

"Water source?"

"This..."

"What does this have to do with the water source?"

These young generals were all completely bewildered.

Qin Zhangfeng looked at Zhai Shiqing encouragingly.

Zhai Shiqing chuckled and took out a map.

This was the map of the entire Central Asia today! Zhai Shiqing pointed to a protruding area on the map; this was precisely the Bukhara Khanate!

He smiled and said, "Alimu's target is here!"

"What?"

"This..."

"Bukhara?"

The group was shocked.

Following that, they all drew a sharp breath together.

So Alimu's ambition was actually set on the Bukhara Khanate!

The Bukhara Khanate was an Islam state in the Transoxiana region of Central Asia. It was the territory of the descendants of the former Central Asian hegemon, Timur, controlling the middle section of the Silk Road trade, possessing many large cities, and having a very high level of economy and culture.

As for the history of Central Asia, it will not be repeated here.

But the centuries of struggle between the Bukhara Khanate and the Khiva Khanate gave the Kokand Khanate the opportunity to break away from Bukhara's control, and thus the Kokand Khanate became independent from the Bukhara Khanate.

During the mutual conquests between these two Central Asian powers, the Kokand Khanate took advantage of the situation to grow stronger, and began to seize cities and lands from these two countries, causing the two old khanates to decline one after another, while the Kokand Khanate began to run rampant in Central Asia.

However.

The struggle between the Kokand Khanate and Bukhara never ceased, yet they were never able to truly devour Bukhara.

There was only one reason.

Bukhara controlled almost all the water resources and irrigation systems in the entire Central Asian region! The water resources controlled by the entirety of Bukhara accounted for about 60% of the entire Central Asian region, ranking eighth in the world! Its per capita water resource ownership ranked first in the world.

The Amu Darya, the Zarafshan River, and the Syr Darya were all under the control of Bukhara, making many countries drool with envy.

Central Asia is located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent and has a typical continental climate. Rainfall is scarce, and the climate is extremely dry. Water evaporation is far greater than precipitation. The desert area exceeds one million square kilometers, accounting for more than one-quarter of the total area of the entire Central Asian region. The problem of soil salinization is serious, the area of desertification is expanding, and the water quality of almost all rivers is tending to deteriorate.

Under these circumstances.

Water sources became something that every country in the land of Central Asia would scramble to seize.

This also made the Bukhara Khanate the target of public criticism.

Whether it was the Mughal Empire, the Khiva Khanate, or the Kokand Khanate, all of them eyed this mountainous country, this country of water sources, with hostility.

The reason why the Kokand Khanate could never develop was precisely because its geographical location was too arid, and its agricultural development was severely restricted.

Surrounded by enemies on all sides.

This was also the situation Bukhara faced today.

"This... are you saying that this Alimu intends to take advantage of our war with the Mughal to target Bukhara?"

Many people were startled by Zhai Shiqing's idea.

Zhai Shiqing chuckled: "This is certain! There is no better opportunity than this, is there? If my Liangzhou Army can pin down the 100,000-strong Mughal army, the Mughal will certainly have no time to attend to Bukhara. At this time, if Alimu and the Khiva Khanate attack Bukhara simultaneously, not only will Bukhara likely be unable to defend itself, but the Mughal will also suffer a great loss!"

Everyone was shocked to hear this.

Qin Zhangfeng also nodded and smiled: "Continue!"

Zhai Shiqing smiled nonchalantly: "General Qin, this subordinate believes that we might as well use their own strategy against them!"

"What?"

Everyone could not help but exclaim.

"Still haven't found them? Still haven't found them?"

Omar had been on the verge of going crazy recently.

A group of people knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, and shook their heads one after another.

"Trash, you are all a bunch of trash!"

Omar was about to lose his mind.

It had been almost two months!

Two months!

The two most important people from the mission from Liangzhou simply could not be found!

How was he supposed to answer for this?

The 50,000-strong army led by Qin Zhangfeng was already on the road and would arrive here soon! If he still could not find Zheng Yue Ru and Lian Guang before the army arrived, he feared that the Liangzhou Army would trample the city gates within days!

Could the Putu Dynasty win?

That was really not certain.

That was 50,000 Liangzhou troops! Even if they could win, the Putu Dynasty would likely lose its competitiveness in the Central Asian region.

This was not the outcome he wanted.

How to curry favor with the Longyan?

This was what Omar had been thinking about in his mind these past few days.

He had to prepare for the worst.

If General Zheng had truly died in the desert, how would he appease the anger of the Longyan?

If she had not died, what concessions should he make to settle this matter?

Currently, the Central Asia Five Countries, the Putu Kingdom, and the Mughal are the most powerful, followed by the Kokand Khanate, the Bukhara Khanate, and the Khiva Khanate. But once the Longyan Army stretches its hand over here, the situation will be different...

Hug the thigh of the Longyan Dynasty!

This is what Omar considers the smartest choice!

"Search!"

"Keep searching for me!"

"Yes..."

Zheng Yue Ru and her companion, on the contrary, were walking less and less hurriedly.

After a few days of impulsive cursing at that scumbag Liu Zheng, Zheng Yue Ru's heart calmed down as well.

She actually knew it too.

The Young Master is under great pressure and has many things to deal with.

With the expansion of Liu Zheng's sphere of influence, there are too many things that require his concern.

On one hand, to prevent the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, it is necessary to manage the Central Asia region.

On the other hand, he himself must also attend to matters in Southeast Asia.

So, although she still felt resentful in her heart, Zheng Yue Ru could also understand.

Putting pressure on the Putu Kingdom in this way is the best choice.

Therefore.

She began calculating the days until Qin Zhangfeng could arrive at Putu, so she slowed down her own pace.

Anyway.

Every day there is food to eat and drink.

And there is someone "protecting" her, so why not enjoy it?

In yet another cave.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, General Zheng, there is dried meat here again, ah, and wine too!"

The excited voice of that fool Lian Guang rang out again.

Zheng Yue Ru could neither laugh nor cry.

Even in this situation, he still cannot see what is going on.

But then again...

The matter of Yintan City supporting these organizations behind the scenes is top secret. Except for Liu Zheng, the Mister, and her, no one would know.

It seems now.

The capability of this Tata Organization is still quite satisfactory to Zheng Yue Ru. Along the way, the two of them still encountered some scattered bandits, all of whom were easily dealt with by these people from Tata.

It was not a waste of the money she spent to build them up.

Zheng Yue Ru leisurely washed up in a small stream near the cave, then returned to roast by the fire.

Her eyes were already somewhat unfocused.

She did not know.

How the situation is over at the Young Master's side...

After all.

The weather has turned a bit cold.