Han Khan

Chapter 152

The soldiers began to move, and each person, led by his own captain, walked towards his seat.

Although the scene looked a bit chaotic, it didn't matter, because these soldiers were already used to such scenes and they knew how to deal with it.

As time went by, the soldiers gradually found their positions and sat down. At this time, Zhang Sheng spoke again:
"Now, please stretch out your hands and pray to the Supreme Haotian! Let us thank him for his protection and gifts together."

The soldiers stretched out their hands, their faces filled with piety.

Led by Zhang Sheng and the priests of each camp, they began to recite the prayer in unison: "Supreme Haotian is in heaven, your glorious name will last forever. The good name of our ancestors is in heaven, and will be passed down forever with Haotian......!"

When the prayer was over, Zhang Sheng announced loudly: "Enjoy your food!"

These words seemed to ignite the passion deep in the soldiers' hearts, and they began to cheer excitedly.

Then, various foods were served and placed in front of the soldiers.

There are beef, mutton, horse meat, naan bread, etc. grilled over charcoal or stewed in iron pots, exuding an enticing aroma. The nearby Uvs Salt Lake provides the Jinhan tribe with sufficient lake salt. Although there are no caravans for foreign trade, at least the supply for these warriors is sufficient.

The soldiers enjoyed the food and talked to each other while eating.

They talked to each other about the heroic deeds of the soldiers in each hundred households who fought bravely against the enemy, discussed Zhang Sheng's generosity, and tonight's food.

At this time, everyone forgot about fatigue and stress and immersed themselves in an atmosphere of joy and relaxation.

To reward these right-wing warriors, more than one hundred cows, three or four hundred sheep, two hundred stones of wheat flour, and more than three hundred barrels of kumis were slaughtered today. These foods, which consumed huge amounts of manpower and materials to prepare, are rare even in Dunhuang and the Central Plains.

But it is indeed very useful in boosting morale, winning people's hearts and rallying the troops.

When Zhang Sheng conquered the Dubo tribe and returned to the camp, he did this. However, he did not do this to all the tribesmen. Only the soldiers who participated in the battle were rewarded with wine and food. The rest of the people did not receive any. They still had to do what they were supposed to do!
Outside the temple camp at the foot of the Golden Mountain, there was a great deal of activity. Although the weather was cold, it could not stop the enthusiasm of the soldiers who had returned victoriously. They feasted happily and enjoyed this wonderful moment.

The delicious drinks and sumptuous meals are mouth-watering; the warm and bright bonfire illuminates everyone's face, bringing endless warmth and joy.

At this moment, even the lowly slaves got some leftovers, which made them feel a little relieved.

Perhaps the emperor's reward of wine to soldiers upon returning victoriously will become a gathering tradition in the culture of the Jin Han people in the future.

Many Jinhan warriors who came from the grassland actually competed in arm wrestling, wrestling, war dancing and other activities, and they had a lot of fun.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Sheng was not surprised. He also understood that these soldiers needed relaxation and entertainment after a hard war.

So, he decided to support them and appreciated their actions.

He clapped loudly, making the whole scene more lively.

Then Zhang Sheng turned around and cast his gaze at Zhang Xibao, who was also sitting cross-legged on the blanket.

He said seriously and solemnly: "Uncle Xibao, now we can talk about the situation of this battle.

Please tell me every detail of your experience, including the enemy's tactics, our losses and our victories! "

Zhang Xibao, who was kneeling, turned around, clasped his hands together and said:

“Your Highness, I, your most loyal servant Zhang Xibao, am honored to have your trust and the honor to lead three regiments of Jinhan warriors.

In this attack on the Ubili tribe, we first destroyed some small tribes around the Ubili camp and robbed their cattle, sheep, livestock and captives to increase supplies and manpower. The Ubili camp is located on a hill northwest of the Golden Mountain and the Western Sayan Mountains. Their camp is divided into three levels, each with a fence and archers behind the fence for protection.

We paid a huge price, including the sacrifice of many prisoners of war, and the desperate fighting of the two regiment leaders Hailat and Luo Wenda, before we successfully rushed into the camp.

Later, I personally led my guards and charged towards the location where Baichaer, the leader of the Ubili people, was.

With the help of Captain Luo and Captain Hailat, we finally defeated the Ubili people.

The Ubili people put up a very tenacious resistance in this battle. Our three Jinhan regiments had 874 casualties, 126 serious injuries, and nearly a thousand minor injuries. There were no casualties in the Royal Guards Regiment!"

At this point, Zhang Xibao looked up at Zhang Sheng, and seeing that His Highness looked calm, he continued:

“After the war, we first captured more than 20,000 people from the Dubo tribe and prisoners of war, a total of more than 25,000 people.

Afterwards, we pursued more than 10,000 fleeing Dubo people.

Therefore, there were about 7,000 Dubo people captured this time, totaling more than 40,000 people!

As for cattle, sheep, horses, camels and reindeer, their number reached more than 300,000.

In addition, there were a large number of weapons, armor, furs, iron materials, and other miscellaneous supplies, totaling 320 horse-drawn carts.

However, the leader of the Ubili people, Baichaer, fled with the remaining 700 cavalrymen.

They fled into the forest, and our scouts have discovered that they followed the Dolus River under the Western Sayan Mountains and went west to the steppes of the Kimak, Kipchak and Karakhanid peoples west of the Golden Mountains.

Zhang Xibao told Zhang Sheng in detail about the battle. Zhang Sheng listened with great interest and nodded from time to time.

Zhang Sheng pondered for a moment and said, "The leader of the Ubili people actually escaped. I'm afraid this guy will return to Jinshan in the future.

But it doesn’t matter. Next year, I, Jin Han, will send troops to the west side of Jinshan Mountain to conquer the grassland there, and there is a chance that I will find this Baichaer.

This victory has yielded a lot of gains. This year, I, Jinhan, will make good use of these people and livestock to strengthen the Jinhan tribe."

Zhang Xibao bowed and said, "Your Highness is wise. The most urgent thing now is to deal with these prisoners of war and spoils of war."

Zhang Sheng turned to look at the soldiers in the camp, who were celebrating happily. A surge of pride surged in his heart, and he said, "You all worked hard in this battle.

Starting tomorrow, all the captives will be organized into groups of ten, one hundred and other households, and sent to graze.

Next year, we will recruit these Dubo people as slave soldiers to conquer the grasslands west of Jinshan!"

As night fell and the stars twinkled, everyone enjoyed delicious food and fine wine, with laughter and joy.

Zhang Sheng stood up, raised his glass high, and shouted to all the soldiers: "This victory belongs to every brave warrior! May the light of His Majesty Haotian shine forever on our Jin Han, and may our tribe be more prosperous!" Everyone responded and raised their glasses to celebrate.

In this warm atmosphere, many maids actually joined in this grand banquet. They danced happily around the blazing bonfire, performing the unique traditional dance of the grassland.

The maids danced gracefully, sometimes like galloping horses, sometimes like soaring eagles, or dancing like elegant swans. Among this group of dancers, Zhang Sheng noticed a special figure - Sarah.

Sarah's beauty was even more charming under the firelight. Her constantly twisting neck and arms seemed to be telling moving stories; her flexible legs were like an elf jumping on the grassland; and the red flower hat with white tassels on her head fluttered left and right as she danced, adding a special charm to her.

(End of this chapter)