Chapter 62: The Nine Western Regions

  The news quickly reached the Xiongnu's large camp at the foot of Guishan City. When Houtonsanyu heard that Youxianwang had been killed and all the grain and grass on Jiyashan had been burned to ashes, he was shocked and stunned, falling onto the felt carpet, speechless for a long time. Without grain, how could they continue fighting? Moreover, Guishan City was now an even more impregnable fortress. After recovering from his shock, Houtonsanyu had no choice but to order each camp to prepare to withdraw their troops.

  Each camp received news of grain and grass being burned, all were in a state of panic, busy collecting their luggage, preparing to withdraw troops.

  The chaos in the Xiongnu's great camp could not escape Liu Ze's eyes, and Liu Ze had already understood that Guan Yu had succeeded on Jichang Mountain. That night, Liu Ze opened all four gates, and Liu Ze, Zhang Fei, Pan Feng, and Wu Anguo each led an army to launch a surprise attack on the Xiongnu people's great camp.

  As the Xiongnu army's retreat was scheduled for tomorrow morning, soldiers from various camps were busy packing up their belongings, and their minds were no longer here. They didn't even think about defense. After Liu Ze's four armies rushed into the Xiongnu camp, they first set fires everywhere. The Xiongnu soldiers immediately panicked and fled in all directions. In the chaos, soldiers couldn't see their commanders, and commanders couldn't see their soldiers. Everyone was so frightened that they wished they had been born with two more legs to run faster. They fled in a hurry, having no heart or strength to resist, allowing Liu Ze's army to slaughter them at will.

  Hutong Dan had been attacking the city for days and was already exhausted, when he heard the bad news from Jixia Mountain, his spirit was at an all-time low. In a daze between sleep and wakefulness, he heard shouts and sounds of fighting coming from within the camp. Before he could even ask what was happening, his general He Ri burst in and said: "Report to the Khan, something big has happened! The Western Regions Allied Army is here to raid our camp!"

  Hutong Dan suffered a series of setbacks, Guishan City was strongly attacked but not taken, the accumulated grain and grass at Jiyayu were burned, and now the Western Regions Allied Army took advantage of the situation to raid the camp. But as the prairie hero, how could he swallow this breath? With a swish, he drew out his crescent moon curved knife from his waist and shouted: "He Ri, immediately gather all soldiers and horses, launch a full counterattack! If we can't take the city by storm, I don't believe we can't defeat these mobs in a field battle!"

  He Ji could only smile wryly and said, "Report to the Single General, yesterday's grain and fodder were burned, the soldiers' hearts are already in disarray, now they have been scattered by the enemy army, each fleeing for their lives, it is already impossible to command them."

  He let out a deep sigh and hung his head in shame. After roaming the Western Regions for over a decade, he never thought that today would be the day he'd suffer such a crushing defeat. He muttered to himself, "Defeated... I've truly been defeated..."

  The day is urgent, the sound of killing outside the account shakes the sky, and it's better to escort the single leave quickly. He hastily said: "Single, military situation is urgent, please leave quickly."

  Huteng also understood the current situation and set off with He Ri on horseback, under the protection of the guard knights, retreating eastward.

  Zhang Fei, who was in high spirits after killing, saw Houtou trying to escape under the protection of a group of Xiongnu cavalrymen. He shouted loudly and with one spear, he knocked down several Xiongnu soldiers who were blocking his way and charged towards Houtou on horseback. His snow-white horse was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, he had caught up with Houtou's rear guard. With a swift strike of his 8-foot-long snake-shaped spear, he knocked two guards into mid-air and stabbed directly at Houtou's back.

  He was so frightened that his soul flew away, and all he heard was a loud shout behind him. He turned around to see Guan Yu holding up Zhang Fei's spear with his large knife, while shouting: "Black-faced thief, do not harm my lord!"

  Zhang Fei withdrew his spear and took a closer look at He Dayong, saying: "Young man, you indeed have some strength, able to withstand this old man's spear. Good! Let's see how you handle another one of my spears!"

  He Da's face showed no fear as he blocked Zhang Fei's horse and shouted loudly: "Chanyu, hurry up and leave! I'll take care of the rear!"

  Hudun barely escaped with his life and didn't dare say another word, so he whipped his horse and fled.

  Zhang Fei was enraged and wanted to chase after him, but He Ji blocked his way. It seemed that he couldn't catch up with Hulton without getting rid of this roadblocker first. With a loud shout, Zhang Fei used all his strength and thrust his 8-foot-long spear straight at He Ji's heart. He Ji was also a top-notch warrior among the Xiongnu tribe, and he held a large knife in his hand, his face fearless as he clashed with Zhang Fei.

  After fighting for over a dozen rounds, He Yi's strength was weakening. Knowing he couldn't win, he turned his horse to flee. Zhang Fei wouldn't let him escape and with a loud shout, he chased after him like a black lightning bolt. He Yi felt a chill in the back of his heart and when he looked down again, he saw the tip of Zhang Fei's 18-foot spear protruding from his chest.

  When the sky was bright, Hudu had already led the remaining soldiers to escape to Wulong Ridge. The shouting and killing sounds behind him were no longer audible, only the cold wind blowing made Hudu involuntarily shiver. He then discovered that his chest and back had been soaked with sweat long ago. He turned around and asked the guard beside him: "Where is General He Ri?"

  The guard hesitated for a moment and said: "General He Rui is being held back by the enemy general, I'm afraid... it's more likely to be bad than good..."

  He let out a long sigh. A crushing defeat! This was the greatest defeat he had suffered since becoming the Chanyu, in battles against the Han army, the Southern Xiongnu army and the Xianbei army, although there were occasional setbacks, but never such a disastrous defeat, and at the hands of the Western Regions army, which he had never taken seriously. His reputation as a great hero was now lost forever. Was that messenger from the Sun God really sent by the Sun God? Otherwise, where did those ragtag troops get such enormous power to defeat him so thoroughly?

  Soon after, Zuo Xian Wang led a defeated army to Wulon Ridge and met with Hutton, sighing endlessly.

  "Who would have thought that this western expedition would end in such a miserable defeat? What face do I have to return to the grasslands and see my people?"

  Zuo Xian Wang comforted him, saying: "The Khan need not be disheartened. The Han people have a saying, 'As long as the green mountain is there, one need not worry about firewood.' This time we suffered defeat because our army underestimated the enemy. The Khan can regroup his troops and next year launch another western campaign to avenge today's defeat."

  Hu Dong's eyes regained their determination, staring in the direction of Guishan City, he said fiercely: "This revenge will not be repaid, I swear to never be a human again!" Immediately, he ordered the gathering of the remaining soldiers and generals, heading east to cross Wulong Ridge.

  Hudun single was unable to avenge his blood feud in the end, after the Xianbei people received the news of the Huns' defeat in Dawan, they launched a large-scale attack on the Huns. The Huns, who had already been defeated, were unable to withstand the Xianbei's fierce attack. In the end, they had no choice but to migrate westward again, just like they did ten years ago from the Yellow River bend and north of the desert. Hudun single died of illness on the way of migration, and from then on, the Northern Huns disappeared without a name, annihilated in the desolate land of Lake Chanyi.

  The Western Regions returned to the hands of the people of the Western Regions, with only nine countries left from the original twenty-six. After the defeat of the Xiongnu, the nine countries were restored, but there would still be some disputes over the division of territory among the various countries. However, all this was not a problem, as under the participation of Liu Ze, the envoy of the Sun God, the territorial issues between the countries were quickly resolved, although absolute fairness could not be achieved, who dared to disobey the words of the Sun God's envoy?

  General Liu Zhe disrupted the military system, and each returned to their respective countries. However, he required each country to establish a military alliance, where one country would face difficulties, and eight countries would provide assistance. Each country had suffered from fighting alone, so they consistently supported Liu Zhe's request. After this war, they also understood the principle of "when lips are gone, teeth get cold", and only by uniting together to face external threats could the Western Regions countries continue to exist.

  Liu Ze also had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of the nine countries, but he clearly put forward one point: the Western Regions' nine countries must fully guarantee the unimpeded flow of the Silk Road, and not extort or harass passing merchants, ensuring their personal and property safety in the Western Regions. The various countries of the Western Regions attached great importance to Liu Ze's requirements, jointly establishing a silk road management department, setting up post stations, increasing silk road patrols, and actually maintaining the interests of merchants.

  For decades to come, the Western Regions' policy towards merchants was extremely generous, astonishing countless caravans. The Silk Road prospered, and a legend about a sun god's envoy spread from then on.

  Liu Zhi declined the enthusiastic invitation of the nine countries in the Western Regions to serve as the prime minister of the nine countries, and also refused to accept the beautiful women and treasures offered by the nine countries. He only asked the country of Dayuan for a thousand fine-blooded horses and five hundred horsemen, after all, this was his sole purpose for coming to the Western Regions.

  The King of Dayuan (the former Prince of Dayuan had already ascended to the throne) and the Prime Minister ordered that they first express their gratitude to Liu Zhe, and were so moved that they wanted to give him all the heavenly horses. However, since Liu Zhe only insisted on one thousand, they could only comply. They then selected a thousand of the best heavenly horses and gave them to Liu Zhe, among which the vast majority were mares. As for the five hundred horsemen, they were all skilled in raising and taming horses.

  Although Liu Ze refused to take the position of Prime Minister of the nine countries, the nine countries in the Western Regions still presented him with a supreme jade seal carved with the words "Nine Countries' Seal" as a token of gratitude for the great kindness of the messenger of the Sun God. Each country expressed that no matter when, whoever holds this seal can command the nine countries to obey. Liu Ze could not decline and had to accept the jade seal.

  All preparations were made, and Liu Ze had already set off immediately, heading towards Liangzhou. This time on the return journey, he took the northern route, and along the way, the kings of the countries of Wusun, Wensu, Gumu, Qutuo, and Cheshi had all prepared fine wine, coming out of the city ten miles to welcome him, treating him with great hospitality. In this way, after just over a month's journey, the Jade Gate Pass was already in sight.

  From last year to today, a whole year has passed, and everyone saw the vast territory of China, and couldn't help but feel excited. After staying abroad for a long time, homesickness enveloped every heart. The Yumenguan Pass, with its faintly visible gate tower, was so familiar. I'm home! I'm finally home!

  Liu Ze dismounted his horse, turned around and gazed out at the endless dunes of sand, where forty-nine brave warriors under his command were forever buried. They had shed their blood on foreign soil, defending the honor of the great Han nation with their young lives. He let out a loud cry: "Bring me wine!"

  Everyone was startled, having never seen Liu Ze make such a big noise before. Not daring to be slow, he filled a bowl with wine and handed it over to him. Everyone stood quietly behind Liu Ze.

  Liu Ze raised his wine bowl and said loudly: "Forty-nine brothers, I, Liu Ze, owe you an apology. I couldn't bring you back alive to your hometown, but you are all true heroes who proved with your hot blood that the great Han has good sons! Although you were buried in a foreign land, you will forever live in my heart, Liu Ze! This bowl of wine is a toast to you!"