Han Khan

Chapter 71: Han Dynasty in the Northern Desert
Zhang Sheng led three battalions of guards and walked at the forefront of the huge Jin Han army.

When they struggled to cross the vast and dangerous Jinshan Gobi Desert, the scene before them made them feel emotional.

Looking around, there are still large tracts of barren wilderness and vast Gobi Desert on top of the huge golden mountain.

Only in the hills and valleys close to rivers can you see high-quality grasslands with lush grass and greenery.

This environment is not much different from that of Dunhuang, but in winter, it will be colder than Dunhuang, and living conditions will become extremely harsh.

But even in such a harsh environment, there are still tens of thousands of people living tenaciously in the Gobi Altai Mountains region of Mongolia in later generations.

As for the Jinhan tribe, after half a month's arduous journey, the army of the Jinhan tribe finally arrived at the southern part of the majestic Jinshan Mountain before the water and food were exhausted.

Zhang Sheng and many of his tribesmen looked back at the road they had come from, with endless emotion in their hearts. This long and arduous journey was finally coming to an end. It also made them full of anticipation for the Great Lakes Basin that they were about to arrive at.

Zhang Sheng looked calm and said to the guards in a deep voice, "We are less than 80 miles away from Xidanbu. Speed ​​up."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The guards hurriedly urged the tribesmen behind them.

At this time, Zhang Sheng saw five or six riders running towards him on the Gobi Desert ahead. They were holding flags embroidered with a golden eagle and the Holy Church's motto. He knew that they were scouts led by Koza who had important matters to report.

Yan only saw the large army of the tribe, and excitedly galloped towards the leader Zhang Sheng.

Seeing several people rushing over excitedly, Zhang Sheng knew that the scout group must have gained something. He believed that with more than 900 elite cavalrymen, no tribe could resist them in this small Gobi Jinshan.

Although Zhang Sheng was still young, he had grown a beard for a year and looked calm and resolute, like a majestic monarch. No one would mistake him for a young man who had not yet been crowned.

Zhang Sheng stroked his chin and looked at Yan Zhi who was running towards him. He also wanted to know what good news could make everyone so excited and anxious.

When Yan saw Zhang Sheng, he immediately knelt on one knee and reported to him:
“Your Highness, yesterday the chief of the Xidan tribe, Zawankade, expressed his willingness to surrender to the Jinhan tribe.

Last night, we took advantage of the darkness and led our people and the warriors of the Xidan tribe, led by Captain Koza, to raid the Jiluo tribe south of Lake Ubusu. We have now captured the people of the Jiluo tribe and occupied their camp."

Zhang Sheng listened to what Yan Zhi said and asked in confusion: "The Jiluo tribe is unwilling to surrender?"

Yan only listened to His Highness's words, and fearing that His Highness might misunderstand, he quickly replied:
"Your Highness, we did not reach Jiluo last night.
It was learned from the leader of the Xidan tribe that the Jiluo tribe and the Guchuwuti tribe did not go to support Gutluyar Khan when his camp at Lake Uvs was invaded by rebels and Tatars.

The leader of the Xidan tribe stationed on the side of Lake Uvs vowed to fight to the death with the Khan and suffered heavy losses.

They were driven out of the Great Lake Basin by the Guchuwuti tribe and bullied by the Jiluo tribe. Even the Abuhan tribe, where Captain Koza originally belonged, was annexed by the Jiluo tribe.

Moreover, the Jiluo tribe has now submitted to the leader of the Guchuwuti tribe.

The two tribes were of the same mind, and we were worried that these rebels would obstruct the Jinhan tribe when they moved to the Great Lake Basin, so we launched a surprise attack at night and did not let a single Jiluo tribe member escape, so as to let the Guchuwuti tribe know about it. "

Zhang Sheng nodded and said, "Get on the horse, don't delay the journey, and set up camp at the Jiluo tribe's camp today.

You did a great job! These traitors should be destroyed and sent to hell, because God will always condemn human betrayal.

The scout group wiped out the Jiluo tribe, but what did they gain? "

Hearing His Highness say this, Yan Zhi felt a little relieved. They had started a war with the Jiluo tribe without receiving His Highness's orders. If they were punished by His Highness, they would have no words to refute.

When he heard Zhang Sheng's question about the captured items, he immediately said excitedly:

"Your Highness, we have occupied the camp of the Jiluo tribe and captured 528 slaves, 224 people from the Xidan tribe, and 811 people from the Aerhan tribe, a total of more than 3600 people. We have not let anyone go, and we are waiting for your Highness to decide their fate.

Then at dawn, we counted the livestock and supplies. The Jiluo tribe had more than 4200 cattle, more than 2300 horses, more than 42000 sheep, 237 camels, more than 3000 furs, 51 sets of iron armor, 252 sets of leather armor, and nearly 1000 sets of bows, swords, and spears. The arrows were of poor quality, mostly bone arrows, so we only let the captives collect those with intact wooden and iron shafts, about 1 arrows. "Yan Zhi replied.

Zhang Sheng was delighted, "You did a great job!"

He turned to look at the team and said in a deep voice: "Speed ​​up the march and make sure to get to the Jiluo tribe camp as soon as possible!"

The large army quickened its pace and advanced towards the camp of the Jiluo tribe.

Zhang Sheng secretly planned in his mind that after arriving at the Jiluo tribe to rest, he would immediately declare war on the Guchuwuti tribe.

Only by seizing the Great Lakes Basin can we gain a foothold in Mobei.

At that time, he would lead the Jin Han people to conquer the tribes around the Great Lakes Basin and conquer more tribes to collect tributes, so that the tribes and people could survive the cold winter.

Otherwise, when winter comes, the Jinhan tribe will have a hard time without a foothold.

Since Guchuwuti had betrayed his uncle, he became his enemy and there was no need for an excuse.

Now that the Jiluo tribe has been defeated by the Jinhan tribe, the people of the Xidan tribe and the Burhan tribe under its control must be reorganized and incorporated into the Jinhan tribe.

The warhorse under him stepped on the grass along the Bulgan River, making a creaking sound, as if it was stepping on water, splashing crystal clear water.

Looking around, the mountains and fields are covered with lush grasslands that stretch as far as the eye can see, like a green ocean.

On the grassland, a large number of streams and rivers crisscross like silver snakes. They flow endlessly and the water resources seem to be about to overflow.

These crystal clear streams and rivers bring vitality to this vast grassland.

Zhang Sheng looked up into the distance and saw the winding and huge Golden Mountain like a giant dragon hovering between heaven and earth.

The top of the mountain is covered with thick snow, which is as white as snow and as crystal clear as jade, sparkling brightly under the sunlight.

At the foot of the mountain, the water in the ditch flows, forming beautiful waterfalls, like a series of colorful paintings.

Looking at the banks of the Bulgan River, the grass is green, like a soft green carpet.

Not far away, the endless grass is like a blanket. When the breeze blows, the grass undulates with the wind and surges like waves. It is so beautiful.

Not far from the banks of the river, the clever grasses stopped their steps and stopped outside the arid Gobi Desert.

Everything here feels magical.

Zhang Sheng was filled with emotion. He stared into the distance and said passionately, "Jinshan! This is the starting point for our Jinhan tribe to achieve its goal of becoming king!"

Zhang Zhongxian slowly approached Zhang Sheng, his face gentle, and he slowly said: "Your Highness, according to historical records, this land was once the territory of the Right Wise King during the Xiongnu period, but it is not the most ideal place in the Mobei region.

Our current location is also not a great choice in the Jinshan Mountains.

The real treasure land should be further north of our Jinhan tribe, which is the big lake basin mentioned by Koza.

There are not only rich mineral resources there, but also sufficient water and salt.

Only by occupying that place can our Jinhan tribe truly rest and recuperate!"

(End of this chapter)