In a narrow sense, the Western Regions are the area of ​​Xinjiang in later generations. They start from Yanze in the east and reach Dayuan in the west, with more than 6,000 miles from east to west. Many places in the Han Dynasty were not so long. This is also the territory that Liu Yi was preparing to annex. No matter how far it was, it would be too late. It can be reached in three days from Chang'an to Wuwei. However, even if the rail cars were laid, it would take more than half a month. This was still a situation where there was no problem in the middle.

The temperature in the north was not too cold in this era. The Western Regions were not as severe as those in later generations. There were also deserts, but it was not as large as it was hopeless.

In the broad sense, Dayuan can only be regarded as the beginning. The European countries going west, such as Daxia, Anxi, Kushan, Kangju, Shindu and the farthest Rome (which should be called Daqin in this era), are all considered to be the land of the Western Regions, and these places are also places where Liu Yi really wanted to open trade.

There are mountains in the north and south of the Western Regions and rivers in the center. Although they belonged to Xinjiang in later generations, in this era, there were city-states and nomadic countries. Whether it was folk customs or languages, although they were collectively called the Western Regions, they were actually not one here.

Since last year Liu Yi pacified Hetao, destroyed the Tuoba Xianbei, and accepted the Huns, the Xianbei in Hexi began to flee north. Obviously, he did not want to be enemies with the current Han Dynasty. The roads from Xiliang to Wuwei and Dunhuang were only connected. Only in this year's time, the track will have the opportunity to pave to Wuwei. Otherwise, if the Xianbei in Hexi did not go, the track would be destroyed by the Xianbei people and could only be paved around the residence. In that case, it would take at least seven days, and there would be no other problems.

This time, Liu Yi returned to Xiliang, with the goal of this generation in the Western Regions. The northern exodus of the Xianbei in Hexi is also a good thing for Liu Yi, at least he doesn't have to worry about dealing with the Xianbei people.

The scenery after crossing the Yellow River is almost the same. Looking through the car window, it is full of sand, giving people a sense of roughness and heroism. Looking around, my mind seems to have become wider.

The setting sun is like a man who has passed his prime. His sharpness is gone, and all that remains is gentle kindness and tolerance, just like himself now.

The bicycle wants to ask the border, and the country passes by Juyan;

The battle of the siege came out of the Han border, and the returning geese entered the Hutian.

The lonely smoke in the desert is straight, and the sun sets in the long river is round;

When Xiaoguan meets the Hou cavalry, they all protect Yanran.

I thought of such a poem inexplicably, and then Liu Yi shook his head and did not show it. After all, it was not his own. He might not have to read it out because of his feelings. Such a feeling may be somewhat guilty. It may be very stylish to others, but from the perspective of a time traveler, it is a bit stupid to plagiarize like this. He has passed the time when he needs such things to decorate himself. Now, no matter where he is at a banquet, no one dares to ask him to write poems when he is unwilling to do so.

After the car arrived in Wuwei, local officials came to greet him.

Liu Yi brought not many people this time. If Wei Yan had not competed his two sons before Liu Yi set off, Liu Yi might have only brought a hundred guards this time.

Guan Xing, Zhang Bao, Zhao Guang and others are already on their own. They are also the mainstay of the Han Dynasty today. It is impossible to go out collectively. Moreover, Liu Yi did not aim for the war this time. The Han Dynasty's energy is now in Cao Wei, not the Western Regions. It is impossible to invest too much energy to start a war in the Western Regions. Before the world is unified, the Han Dynasty can invest money and supplies here, because this Han Dynasty is not short of war now, but it is impossible.

Including the county soldiers in charge of maintaining public security in various places, the Han Dynasty has a force of about 300,000, but these troops cannot be put into the battlefield at once. The public security in various places must be maintained and managed. The Han Dynasty’s current stall is not ten years ago. After obtaining Guanzhong, Xiliang and Hetao, half of the troops to maintain public security in various places have to be used. In the past two years, it has begun to train and recruit new soldiers. According to the court’s plan, in the past three years, 200,000 soldiers will be recruited, but the entire Western Regions must be annexed by force. 100,000 soldiers and logistics transportation. Even if the railcars are now opened in Xiliangjia, the vastness of the Western Regions can catch up with the sum of the Central Plains. If you really want to send troops, you can get the time for the Han Dynasty in one go!

"In other words, Dunhuang is no longer considered the territory of my Han Dynasty?" Guzang, the yamen office, Liu Yi looked at the map given by Wuwei prefect Zhang Yuan and frowned.

"What Sikong said is right. Although our dynasty defeated the Wei army, Xiliang should be considered the territory of our Han Dynasty, but it is too far here. When the Wei Dynasty occupied Xiliang before, Dunhuang said that it was only loyal to the Han Dynasty. Now our dynasty occupied Xiliang, he also said that it was only loyal to the Wei Dynasty. Dunhuang is 1,400 miles away, so it is difficult to gather a large army to conquer, let alone..." Zhang Yuan said bitterly: "Now the total of the troops of the three counties of Wuwei, Zhangye and Jiuquan are only two thousand, so it is extremely difficult to protect themselves."

There are no soldiers or generals. Although Zhao Yun is now swallowing his troops in Lingju, his main energy is in the Western Qiang, and he is temporarily unable to support him.

"In addition, Juyan, a vassal state of Zhangye, has basically been separated."

Juyan?

Liu Yi found Juyan's location on the map, six hundred miles north of Heli Mountain, and there was a desert in the middle, so it was really hard to interfere.

"How is the track to Zhangye and Jiuquan paved?" Liu Yi withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Yuan.

"It has been built to Jiuquan." Zhang Yuan bowed and said, "Sikong, there are 6,000 powerful soldiers in Dunhuang. If you want to take them back, at least more than 10,000 troops will be needed. I wonder if Sikong will come this time..."

"That's all the more than 200 people accompanying him." Liu Yi understood what Zhang Yuan meant and shook his head.

Although there are not many tens of thousands of soldiers, logistics alone cannot be guaranteed. Dunhuang refuses to lay tracks, and his desire to be independent is obvious.

"This..." Zhang Yuan shook his head bitterly. The only thing he was relieved now was probably the only thing that was to move northward in the Hexi Xianbei, so that Wuwei County, Zhangye County and Jiuquan County could be protected from the attacks of the Xianbei people.

Liu Yi didn't say anything either. It was hard for a good cook to cook without rice. If there were no soldiers or generals, it would basically not work if he wanted to take back Dunhuang, which was occupied by 6,000 soldiers.

"Where is this Juyan Kingdom?" Liu Yi clicked on the Juyan Kingdom on the map. This should be a vassal state belonging to Zhangye County.

"Juyan's households are 1,200, and the number of people is about 6,000. If there are any troops, there are about 600 ten years ago." Zhang Yuan thought for a while.

"Ten years ago?" Liu Yi frowned and looked at Zhang Yuan: "What do you mean?"

"Ten years ago, there were still contacts between Zhangye and Juyan, and they would also offer their household registration, but the last time was ten years ago. Now, it is not clear what Juyan is now." Zhang Yuan shook his head and said, "But with Juyan's national strength, if there is no natural disaster or man-made disaster, the change will not be too great."

After all, these are the living conditions, and in ten years, Juyan will not have a sudden surge in population.

"Then try to take back Juyan first and lay the track from Zhangye to Juyan." Liu Yi knocked on the table and said, "Send an envoy to contact me first. I will go to Zhangye and Jiuquan County to inspect it. If you have news, I will immediately repay it."

"The emperor accepts the order!" Zhang Yuan bowed quickly.

Liu Yi didn't stay in Guzang for a long time. After staying for a night, he packed his bags and headed towards Zhangye early the next morning.

This time, we came to the three counties of Wuwei to seek development. Even if the Han Dynasty is unified, the internal tracks are only a matter of laying down the tracks. It cannot demolish and rebuild all the cities, and at most it will enrich the internal weakness. However, if you want to enrich the country, you still have to stimulate and integrate the Western Regions through external trade. This is to prepare for the future of the Han Dynasty to become stronger. Otherwise, if you only focus on such a place, the future will be limited. It is better to look further away.

The situation in Zhangye and Jiuquan is similar to that in Wuwei, and only one track has been laid at present. Liu Yi is planning to lay at least five to integrate resources from the three counties and clear all the cities.

In fact, the situation of the three counties here is different from that in the mainland. Not to mention Erdu or Cheng. For cities like Du, Jiangling, Yueyang, and Xiangyang, there are many counties with tens of thousands of households among ordinary cities. However, in this border area, it is considered a large county. At present, only the three counties can have a population of thousands of households, which is similar to Juyan Country. The total population of the three counties is less than 50,000. It is really vast and sparsely populated. It is not easy to develop, but road construction is not enough. Since Liu Yi is preparing to develop here, he naturally needs to manage the three counties and even Dunhuang well, and infrastructure is indispensable.

After returning to Guzang from Jiuquan, Liu Yi began to plan the three counties, what kind of land is suitable for farming, where is suitable for land reclamation, whether the desert can be used or vegetation improved, how many minerals are found, how to allocate water resources, whether it can be diverted, and where cities can be rebuilt, cement plants and smelting plants, Liu Yi is also planning to build a glass factory. He has been studying glass for many years and can be put into production. In the future, the glass factory may be the supporting industry here, and the glass produced can bring a lot of wealth and resources to these three counties.

"Sikong, the messenger who went to Juyan is back." Zhang Yuan came to Liu Yi and bowed.

"Don't agree?" Liu Yi looked up and looked at Zhang Yuan.

"King Juyan said to consider it." Zhang Yuan said with a wry smile.

Is it considered a kind of tactful rejection? It can also be understood as a tactful price and waiting for the price. In short, the other party is obviously sure that he can't get much troops here, and he feels a little fearless. The sky is high and the emperor is far away. Being a king is more elegant and comfortable than being a vassal state. This is understandable to Liu Yi.

However, no matter how you understand it, Juyan still needs it. Liu Yi has studied the map. Juyan is located very well. It is backed by Juyanze, with abundant water resources. It is not entirely surrounded by deserts, and it has land for farming. It is also a hub for the Tianshan Mountains. If countries in the Tianshan area want to come, Juyan is a must-pass place.

"Prepare some silk, cloth and porcelain for me. I'll go there in Yancheng." Liu Yi stood up and stretched his arms.

"You're going in person?" Zhang Yuan's face changed slightly: "Is Sikong too risky?"

"Adventure?" Liu Yi looked at Zhang Yuan and smiled: "As a caravan, two hundred escorts, let alone Juyan's troops have more than a thousand. Even if there are, my escort team will be enough to deal with it."

His guards had one hundred elite soldiers sent to him by Liu Chan, and the other one hundred were female guards brought back by Lu Lingqi from Yunnan. They were well-equipped and had rich combat experience. Moreover, he went there this time as a business traveler. Even if Juyanguo was unwilling to be a vassal state again, he would not have the courage to detain the business traveler of the Han Dynasty, right?
Chapter completed!