Through the vast Gobi Desert and countless strange-shaped ridges and valleys, on this day, a team of 5,000 Tang cavalry finally arrived at Tuoyun Mountain Pass. It was still endless yellowish and there was no trace of green, which made people tired and irritable.

The altitude here is high and the road is difficult. There are few people along the way. Only occasionally can you see the thick white bones of the dead camels. During this expedition, each of the Tang army carried three horses and a large amount of food and supplies. After walking for four days, they arrived at Tuoyun Mountain Pass from Weitou City.

"Please look there, General!"

Aming pointed to a weathered ruin at the foot of the mountain in the distance and said, "It is the site of the post station that Shangshu Zhang mentioned."

The main general of the expedition for Sailed Ye was Guan Ying, who was famous for his courage and risk. He was dismissed by Wang Siyu when he attacked the Dashi City where Zanpu hid in Tubo. However, Zhang Huan saw that he had perseverance and decisiveness that ordinary people could not reach. The more difficult and challenges he encountered, the more he could use his keenness and decisiveness. Therefore, Zhang Huan promoted him from a small captain to the commander of an army without any restrictions, so that he could stand alone. In fact, this is the tradition of the Western Liang army, with military merit first and talent first.

Guan Ying looked at the site of the station and suddenly asked, "The site is built here, is it said there is water source nearby?"

Aming nodded admiringly, "The general has a delicate mind. From here, there is indeed a spring water, and there is a poplar forest there."

"Okay, I'll bother you to take my team of soldiers to fetch water." Guan Ying waved her hand back and ordered: "Everyone will rest on the spot for two hours."

The Tang army soldiers dismounted one after another, looking for a cool place to rest, while a group of 300-strong Jishui soldiers followed Ah Ming to the east.

This time, Guan Ying did not fall asleep on the ground, and was burdened with the safety of 5,000 people and the heavy responsibilities assigned by the governor, which made him feel a strong responsibility. He once again took out the map hand-painted by Amin and carefully studied the route of this expedition.

After passing through the Tuoyun Pass and going north, it is still the semi-arid Gobi Desert, and there is a desert, which is hundreds of miles of deserted and deserted, which is the most test of people's perseverance. It takes about four days to walk through this most difficult place and you will reach the Zhenzhu River. Then you will reach the vast grasslands. After walking about five days, you will reach the destination of this expedition - Suoye, the fifth military town in Anxi, next to it is the famous Rehai (Isek Lake in Kyrgyzstan today).

Looking at the Thunder Ye Junzhen with a triangle with charcoal brush on the map, Guan Ying couldn't help but feel ups and downs. A few years ago, he was still a little gangster who was stealing and teasing women in the village. He was kicked out of the house by his father and brother. Who would have thought that a few years later he would be a general who led 5,000 troops and would make unparalleled contributions to the country.

'If you can take down the shattered leaves for me, I will grant you the General of the Central Army and the shattered leaves military envoy.'

Thinking of the governor’s motivation for him, Guan Ying couldn’t help but feel excited. He immediately stood up and shouted: “Brothers, get up, it’s time to work!”

The first step in the northern expedition was to occupy Tuoyun Mountain Pass, and first build a simple camp with 800 soldiers stationed. Zhang Huan would then send a fortification camp here to build a castle.

The next morning, a Tang cavalry crossed the Tuoyun Mountain Pass and headed towards the endless Gobi Desert.

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In the Tang army camp, the Dashi merchant who went to Shule had brought back Aros' letter and original words. He refused Agush's order to withdraw his troops. At this moment, Agush's face looked extremely ugly. He never expected Aros to disobey his order. The letter was tightly held in his hand and almost crushed into pieces. If it weren't for the Tang army camp, he would have been furious.

On the side, Zhang Huan quietly looked at the young Dashi nobleman. During the past month of getting along with the Dashi Prince, he had a thorough understanding of his personality and his weaknesses.

It has been almost fifty years since the founding of the country. Their generation cannot understand the difficulties of their fathers starting their own businesses. They are golden-wire birds grown up in the deep palace. They have received a good education. They are far from being able to compare with their parents in terms of talent and temperament. However, their shortcomings are also obvious. They are proud, conceited, noble and unable to bear setbacks, sensitive and sentimental. Rather than saying that he came to Dong to negotiate with Tubo, his real purpose is to come to Dong to write his experiences.

Aros' refusal was expected by Zhang Huan. From the mouth of Damotu, he knew about the situation of the Governor of Tochar. He was over fifty years old and had fought in the West for many years. He indulged his soldiers to loot the city, but he could order the crazy soldiers to stop immediately. From this point alone, the ability of the commander of the Great Food Commander could be seen.

Zhang Huan had no doubts about defeating Dashi. After all, he had the advantage of military strength. After all, he had the most sharp weapon in the world. However, how to minimize his casualties and even allow Guan Ying to gain a foothold in Shuye smoothly is the issue that Zhang Huan must consider.

So, can the young and energetic nobleman in front of him become a key figure in this battle?

"Your Highness, our Eastern sages have another famous saying: The emperor will not accept the orders. I think this is the real reason why General Aros refused to withdraw his troops."

Amin, who was proficient in Chinese, went as a guide, and the translation was another Dashi merchant who was proficient in Chinese. He obviously could not correctly understand the essence of Sun Tzu's art of war, so he simply translated the literal meaning, "The general is outside, and the king's orders are not accepted" became: as long as the general is not in Baghdad and as long as the army is in his hands, he will not pay attention to the Caliph's orders.

Zhang Huan originally wanted to suggest Agush, but he didn't want to plant willows but became shade. The translation of the straightforward meaning suddenly hurt Agush's sensitive heart. His face changed drastically, he stood up and said coldly: "General Zhang, our general of the Great Food is absolutely obeying the Caliph's orders. Please don't make any guesses."

After saying that, he straightened his waist and strode proudly outside the tent. The translator stammered and expressed his meaning. Zhang Huan looked at his back, smiled slightly, and shook his head gently.

That night, Agush left Tang Camp under the escort of more than a dozen followers and returned to Shule.

The Tang army continued to travel west and finally stationed in a small town about two hundred miles away from Shule, waiting for the arrival of the fighter plane. Zhang Huan immediately sent Cao Hanchen as the parade general and led 3,000 light cavalry to explore the road to the Dashi Army's return south.

It was already late autumn in mid-September. The sun was dimming, nature was fading, and the golden color was slowly fading away. Under the cold morning and evening frost, the earth was bleak. From time to time, a black bird flew over his head and screamed harshly, as if telling people that winter was coming.

Since the spring war, nearly 200,000 Tang troops have spent nearly half a year in Anxi. As the end of the year approaches, homesickness begins to arise in the hearts of the soldiers. On September 20, the first snow in the seventh year of Xuanren quietly covered the land of Anxi.

That morning, the fields were covered with white spaces, cloudless, the snow was cruising with its feet, and pink frost flowers hung on the branches. A team of Tang cavalry came from afar and escorted the logistics supplies team to the Tang army camp. The marching Sima Guo Shiqi brought tens of thousands of stones of food. This was a normal transportation of food and grass, but this logistics transportation was different from usual.

Pei Mingyuan came from Longyou again, not only brought home letters from the soldiers, as well as a large number of winter clothes, but also brought news of drastic changes in the court. A month ago, Emperor Li Miao had passed away and pursued the temple name Minzong. Cui Xiaofu, with the support of Pei Jun, appointed Li Mian's grandson Li Yan as the new emperor, and changed the year name to Yong'an. Now it is the first year of Yong'an.

In the tent, Zhang Huan looked grim. He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. This happened suddenly. However, he also understood that this was Cui Xiaofu's move. He established a new king before the end of the Anxi Battle so that she could start the rule again. The new king was only two years old, which means that she had to rule the country behind the curtain for sixteen years. Zhang Huan smiled coldly. Her plan was indeed good. Before he went back, he let the rice cooked with mature rice. He couldn't help but snorted and asked again: "Captain Pei sent someone to Longyou?"

Standing aside were several of his confidant generals. In addition to Pei Mingyuan, another person who came from Chang'an was from the left-handed captain Li Suga, the Japanese student who yearned for the prosperous Tang Dynasty but refused to return to China.

He came to Anxi privately under the pretext of returning to Japan to visit relatives. He brought a letter from Yuan Zai and a lot of insider information about the emperor's death.

Seeing Zhang Huanfa’s question, Pei Mingyuan immediately bowed and replied: “Report to the Governor, when the emperor was seriously ill, the Prime Minister Pei sent Minister Lu to Longyou to discuss the establishment of a new king. The five of us did not express their opinions on the grounds of being of great importance. At the same time, we ordered troops stationed in various places to be on guard and stand by at any time.”

Zhang Huan nodded, "You guys are doing well!"
Chapter completed!