Chapter 1272

The phalanxes, mixed with cavalry and infantry, formed a winding, twisting long dragon that could not be seen to the end.

In front of the army, tens of thousands of corvée laborers were driving carts, carrying large amounts of grain and supplies, preparing to set up camp at the next garrison resting point.

The role of corvée laborers on ancient battlefields was no less than that of soldiers.

"The Art of War" says: An army without supplies will perish, without grain will perish, without reserves will perish.

The Marquis of Huaiyin, the Military Immortal Han Xin, also said: First secure the grain route, then launch a surprise attack.

Grain and supplies have always been the most important of the most important in ancient warfare.

When advancing, one must plan the transport direction and route of supplies and grain in advance.

The direction of the army's march must also follow the direction of grain transport.

When retreating, in order to ensure speed, supplies will go first.

And camps must be built in advance at the garrison locations along the way, and supplies must be prepared.

Generals responsible for escorting grain and supplies must also be extremely trusted generals.

When Cao Cao's army went on an expedition, the person escorting grain and supplies was often his cousin Cao Hong.

Jingjue Kingdom was on the road from the Western Regions back to Liangzhou.

It's just that the direction of Jingjue Kingdom required walking a bit further north.

And on the road to Jingjue Kingdom.

A cavalry unit of about a thousand people was moving toward Jingjue Kingdom.

The general leading the way was Hua Xiong, the main general of the Flying Bear Cavalry.

The cavalry behind him was also the Flying Bear Army.

Duan Yu was followed by five hundred personal guard iron cavalry.

Duan Yu, riding on Little Black, was wearing Dragon Scale Shining Gold Armor and a red cloak.

Beside him, Big Black was hung with the Heaven Dragon Halberd and the Precious Carved Bow, as well as several huge arrow quivers. The arrowheads in the quivers were gilded refined steel arrows, and there were special inscriptions indicating that these were Duan Yu's arrows.

In the direction Duan Yu was heading toward Jingjue Kingdom, there were also teams of people with their heads lowered, wrapped in long robes, and wearing wind-and-sand-shielding hats on their heads.

This group of people formed seals with one hand, held canes with the other, and carried luggage on their backs.

Behind this group of people, a cavalry unit of about ten men was trailing far behind.

When passing by this group of people, Duan Yu tilted his head and glanced.

The gaze under the black iron mask was slightly disgusted.

During the campaign in the Western Regions over the past six months, Duan Yu discovered one thing.

Whether it was Cheshi or the large country of Guizi in the Western Regions, they all had very heavy shadows of Buddhism.

The Great Buddha Temple of Cheshi Kingdom and the Ten Thousand Buddha Caves of Guizi.

These Buddhist teachings that came from west of the Congling Mountains and had spread in the Western Regions for hundreds of years were truly pervasive.

Every country in the Western Regions had their shadows.

These people are like woodworms, clinging to every nation, then feeding on the blood and marrow of the common people to nourish themselves by relying on offerings and preaching doctrines.

Duan Yu had long regarded the future Western Regions as his private property.

How could he allow the existence of these borers?

But killing them was a waste.

He couldn't let these guys suck the bone marrow of the commoners in the Western Regions for so many years for nothing and then let them leave.

Therefore, Duan Yu issued an order.

All Tianzhu monks currently living in the Western Regions were all demoted to penal laborers.

Engaged in the most basic work in various countries.

Mining, farming.

After this order was issued, those Western Region monks who once lived in Buddhist temples and lived on offerings no longer enjoyed offerings.

Of course, after this order was issued, it was not without resistance.

These Tianzhu monks who lived in the Western Regions had developed for hundreds of years, and monks in large countries like Guizi already had their own set of religious protection systems.

It's just that in front of a huge Liangzhou war machine like Duan Yu, it seemed a bit ridiculous and vulnerable.

From Guizi, all the way to Dayuan, this resistance voice was extinguished by Duan Yu again and again.

When turning back from the northern route to the southern route, this resistance voice was already gone.

For these penal laborers who could provide strong labor for the next twenty or thirty years, Duan Yu did not raise his butcher knife again before squeezing out their last bit of utility.

In front of Duan Yu's gaze, a group of earthy yellow buildings could already be seen.

That was the oasis hidden in the desert of the Western Regions, Jingjue Kingdom.

When he heard about the Queen of Jingjue, Duan Yu felt very surprised at the time.

It was not surprising that the person in power in Jingjue Kingdom was a woman.

Looking from the beginning of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Qing Dynasty, women in power were not uncommon.

And among the more than fifty small countries in the Western Regions, such a situation naturally existed.

It was just that when he heard the four words "Queen of Jingjue," he always felt some mysterious colors and fantastical associations.

Coupled with the fact that Duan Yu also wanted to know how Lu Bu got together with this Queen of Jingjue.

So he came to see for himself.

"Lord, ahead is Jingjue Kingdom."

Xun You, whose head was wrapped in a black turban to block the wind and sand, pointed to the location of Jingjue City.

The earthy yellow buildings formed a huge oasis along the river passing through the surroundings of Jingjue City.

Looking from afar, the earthy yellow Jingjue City looked like a golden gem surrounded by green.

Jia Xu, Xun You, Cheng Yu, and little Guo Jia were all following Duan Yu's left and right.

Zhao Yun and Zhao Feng, brothers who served as guards, followed behind Duan Yu with white horses, silver saddles, silver armor, and white robes.

Duan Yu looked toward Jingjue City in the direction Xun You pointed.

"Lord, there is a word... I don't know if I should say it or not." Xun You looked toward Duan Yu with a hesitant tone.

Duan Yu, riding on Little Black, raised his hand slightly and said: "Gongda, just speak freely. It's about the marriage between Fengxian and this Queen of Jingjue, right?"

The people around slowed their pace slightly after hearing Duan Yu's words.

Xun You raised his hand and bowed to Duan Yu, saying: "Lord is wise."

"Last year, the Lord established the Western Regions Protectorate and the Wuji Colonel's Office, and I had many contacts with General Lu."

After leaving Loulan last year, Duan Yu ordered Lu Bu and Qu Yi to cooperate with Xun You and Xi Zhong to stay in the Western Regions to formulate combat plans for the Western Regions and maintain the Western Regions Protectorate and the Wuji Colonel's Office.

"General Lu is indeed a rare good general, but his character flaws are also very obvious..."

Duan Yu nodded slowly and admitted: "Gongda is right. Fengxian likes to boast, and as for his personality... it's a bit arrogant. It's better when he's by my side."

Xun You felt very deeply about what Duan Yu said.

That Lu Bu was not just a little arrogant.

After Duan Yu led his troops away from the Western Regions, Lu Bu often led troops to show off his power in the surrounding small countries.

And those surrounding small countries, fearing Lu Bu's bravery, often flattered him and invited Lu Bu to visit and drink.

Over time, Lu Bu's character became even more arrogant.

Although Xun You served as the Western Regions Changshi at the time, he had no jurisdiction over Lu Bu's troops, so he could only let him do as he pleased.

"If the Lord wants to take General Lu back to the Central Plains, there is no problem."

"But now that the Western Regions have just been pacified, we need great generals and strong troops to sit in the Western Regions."

"And we have to use General Lu."

"If he is left in the Western Regions, especially Jingjue Kingdom, I feel it is slightly inappropriate."

"Especially since General Lu is going to marry the Queen of Jingjue Kingdom..."

"Of course, what I am saying is not targeting General Lu..."

Duan Yu raised his hand and replied: "I am at ease with Gongda's character. I know what Gongda means."

"It is mainly to maintain the long-term stability of the southern route of the Western Regions and avoid favoritism so as not to cause dissatisfaction among other newly surrendered countries."

Duan Yu's words went straight to Xun You's heart, causing Xun You to nod repeatedly.

"Lord, what Gongda said is also what I think."

Cheng Yu said straightforwardly: "If this Queen of Jingjue blows too much pillow talk, General Lu will inevitably be unable to resist. If there is any unfairness, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction."

"I think marrying a Queen of Jingjue is a small matter, but it is best to withdraw both General Lu and this Queen of Jingjue from the Western Regions and return to the Central Plains."

Duan Yu contemplated carefully. ===== CHAPTER 1274 =====