You have truly caused me great suffering!

Upon returning to Jinling, Chen Shao naturally visited Baozhen Temple.

As dawn broke, Chen Shao leaned against the soft couch in front of the table, looking at the report in his hand.

But his mind was not on that at all; it was on the Northwest, thousands of miles away.

The Northwest Fortresses were a top-tier military tactic devised by renowned ministers of the Song Dynasty during the century-long confrontation between the Song and Xia dynasties. Chen Shao used this tactic to destroy the Xia.

After that, the fortified villages became Chen Shao's treasure trove, providing him with food, warhorses, and soldiers. It wasn't until he captured Hedong that he had a second supply station.

The fortress is now very strong.

The arrival of these people from the Northwest is like the villagers who supported you in leaving your village after years of struggling in the city coming to see you.

They were not only warmly received by Chen Shao, but also by many meritorious officials and nobles.

Many people have maintained contact with the Northwest Fortress Village and have numerous relatives there.

Especially at the residence of Prince Xun Jinling, although Old Zhu was not at home, it did not prevent them from visiting the family of their former leader.

In fact, most of the men were trained by Li Xiaozhong, but he was not in Nanjing, and most of his subordinates were fighting in the north.

Unlike Jin Ling, who had already landed safely with her subordinates and settled down in the fertile lands of the Central Plains.

Their arrival made this year especially lively.

At this moment, Chen Shao was also considering the future path of these supporters from the land where the dragon rose to power.

Today, the Northwest Fortress Village boasts a high-quality population with people, horses, camels, grain, salt, and iron, mostly young adults and children, and is expected to continue to grow in the future.

The Luoyang case back then also resulted in the exile of a large number of well-educated gentry families who had been studying poetry and literature for centuries.

If a force develops to a certain point, it will naturally seek greater interests among its members.

Expansion seems to be the only way.

Their purpose in coming to the capital was to gain Chen Shao's support, hoping that the court would send troops to attack the Liao Kingdom.

This is to seize more land and a larger market.

After much deliberation, Chen Shao still decided to pursue trade.

They can easily organize caravans of hundreds or even thousands of camels.

When Wu Jie destroyed the Karakhanid Khanate, the Great Jing had already occupied the Ili River Valley, which is the crossroads connecting the Central Plains, the Mongolian Plateau, Central Asia, and South Asia.

Historically, the rise of the Western Liao Dynasty was largely due to their control over the region.

Just like when the sea was opened up, Chen Shao planned to give up the right to form caravans along the Silk Road.

Previously, this place was firmly controlled by the Guangyuantang caravan, because it was Chen Shao's most important source of wealth, without exception.

The profits from this trade route enabled Chen Shao to rise rapidly and maintain his financial stability without collapsing.

Now, Chen Shao wants to once again benefit the people.

If it were truly fully liberalized, the Northwest might become even more prosperous than the Hedong region.

After all, the Shanxi merchants from Hedong only connected the grasslands and the Central Plains, yet their wealth was already so astonishing.

Moreover, it would be good to let private merchants go to the west to explore the area and find out its details.

Before the Mongol army marched westward, caravans would travel ahead of them.

The imperial court's current focus is actually on maritime transport, and the investment of manpower and resources in the northwest has been greatly reduced.

In particular, the Guangyuantang caravan gradually shifted from the northwest to the southeast coast.

Rather than leaving these gaps to be filled by Arab and Khitan merchants, it would be better to bring in fortified villages.

These northwestern fortresses have everything they could possibly need, and Chen Shao wanted to see just how far they could develop.

Of course, the imperial court also had to send someone to quell the situation.

Chen Shao was about to leave immediately to go to the Funing Palace to summon his ministers and discuss the matter.

The only one dressed properly, Song, quickly dressed him, knelt down to put on his boots, and saw him out.

Before noon, officials such as Li Tangchen, Zhang Xiaochun, and Yuwen Xuzhong emerged from the Funing Palace, followed by military generals such as Han Shizhong, totaling thirteen trusted ministers.

It is conceivable that the matter being discussed this time is of great importance.

The next day, the Secretariat and the Chancellery issued an imperial edict:

Ili is the throat of the Western Regions; only a major town can secure the peace of the distant peoples. A special protectorate was established to pacify the various tribes, facilitate trade, ensure the constant sound of camel bells on the roads, and keep the beacon fires burning eternally on the border.

Established by imperial decree: The Great Jing Ili Protectorate and Silk Road Pacification Commissioner's Office
The location was chosen in Alimali City, the former site of Gongyue City in the Tang Dynasty. The city is well-preserved and still in use today, with a large population.

This place is located on the banks of the Ili River, with abundant water and grass, suitable for self-sufficiency through farming. It faces the Suyab Road and controls a vital passage to the west.

Commander settings:

A Protector-General (rank 3) was appointed directly by the Emperor.

There are two deputy protectors (rank 3), one appointed by the emperor and the other recommended by the local fortresses;
One judge and one registrar, appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, were responsible for documents, taxation, and judicial affairs.

The first Protector-General was Zhang Kejian, and the Deputy Protector-General was Meng Nuan.

Chen Shao privately instructed the caravan to transfer various powers, allowing private caravans to operate on the various trade routes of the Silk Road.

The Protectorate General stationed 30,000 elite troops to control the Guozigou and Khorgos passes.
The Maritime Trade Office was established to collect customs duties (10% of which was levied) and issue "passes" (travel permits).

A bilingual stele (Chinese + Uyghur) was erected in the Ili River Valley, a translation institute was established, and the Dajing calendar was promoted;

Establish a religious mediation office to allow Islam, Buddhism, and Nestorianism to coexist.
Upon hearing the news, the people in the fortified villages still in Nanjing were all thrilled and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Although the war did not break out as desired, trade was opened up and the Guangyuantang caravan was withdrawn, which was equivalent to moving the policy of opening up the sea to the Northwest.

The people of the Northwest, who had long coveted the coastal trade, have now finally gotten their wish.

Just as Chen Shao had predicted, each of their strongholds was no longer the pitiful, weak alliance that had gathered together to resist the Tangut massacre.

Each fortress could organize a caravan of five to eight hundred camels.

Wherever the camel bells went, they became the eyes, ears, and mouthpiece of the Great Scenery.

In fact, since the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains had never taken over this area, and the trade routes with the West had always been controlled by others.

The Song Dynasty was inherently disadvantaged. The Dangxiang and Khitan seized the trade routes, and Hexi and Lingwu were not their territories, so they naturally had no chance to control the trade routes.

The subsequent Jin and Yuan dynasties were not Han Chinese dynasties in the Central Plains; including the Manchu Qing dynasty, they did control the Northwest through several major wars, but they did not allow the Silk Road to develop freely. Instead, they implemented a state monopoly management: they established an "official-merchant" system, allowing Shanxi merchants (such as Dashengkui) and Shaanxi merchants to obtain special licenses and monopolize trade with Russia and Central Asia.
As for the Ming Dynasty, it did avenge its blood feud in the early stages, but its territory stopped at Hami and did not enter Central Asia. It was never able to control the former territories of Anxi and Beiting Protectorates (such as Kucha, Kashgar and Suyab) like the Han and Tang dynasties.

West of the Western Regions (Turpan, Samarkand, Herat) were independent regimes (Timur Empire, Eastern Chagatai Khanate, etc.).

This is why, despite its immense power, Han culture only influenced neighboring countries in the southeast, and had almost no influence in the west.

Later, when Sun Yat-sen established the Republic of China, he even considered making Ili his capital, hoping to extend his influence to Central Asia and Europe.

In other words, only by holding this territory in their own hands could they have the opportunity to let the Han influence blow westward.

Let's get some fresh air in first, then things can proceed more smoothly.
-
The year-end is approaching.

Zhang Kejian did not set off. Chen Shao told him to wait until spring was in full bloom before leaving, and that Meng Nuan would take charge of the situation in the Northwest for the time being.

When Meng Nuan was in Yingzhou, he held the city's administrative center to the death, allowing the Dingnan Army to control the vital route between Yingzhou and Taiyuan.

To be honest, Meng Nuan deserves the most credit for holding Yingzhou back when he was able to stop the arrogant Wanyan Zonghan and his western army.

If Wanyan Zonghan had controlled Yingzhou, he would have been able to attack or defend at will, and the later incident of Han Shizhong's surprise attack on Yunzhou and Datong would not have happened. Now, he is going to guard the northwest, and he is full of ambition.

Another person discovered that neither Meng Nuan nor Zhang Kejian were from the eleven prefectures of Dingnan in the Northwest.

Everyone sees through this but doesn't say anything. The Ili Protectorate has too much power; it's impossible for it to be run by local bullies.

This decree may seem sudden, but it was actually an inevitable consequence of the situation in the Northwest.

It just depends on when it will be implemented.

At this point, it was a natural progression, like a fruit that had ripened and fallen into your mouth.

In this era, the Western Regions and Central Asia were still capable of nurturing great powers.

This demonstrates that its potential remains limitless.

If used properly, it can be just as good as opening up the seas, since current navigation capabilities are not that strong.

The imperial court is currently attacking Jianyili and Zhenla. After this battle is over, who else can it attack?
Heading west became inevitable.
-
If you feel you are living a miserable life, you can take a look at the current situation of the Mongol tribes.

In the Kent Mountains, he was currently gathering a group of shamans in his large tent to pray for him.

They prayed to get through the winter, and then disaster struck, and snowstorms swallowed up the entire Jing army.

This would allow them to return to the pastures and reclaim their land and herders.

It wasn't that Hebul was being absurd; he simply had no other choice.

The Jing people from the Central Plains to the south never stop; they come to attack all year round.

And when they couldn't find anyone, they destroyed the lawn and searched for cellars, and even trained a pack of dogs specifically for this purpose.

No one can withstand this kind of fighting style.

Habril did consider surrendering, but the other side indicated that the opportunity to surrender had already been lost.

The tribe that surrendered along with the Kereit tribe was the only Tatar to escape this conquest.

Their people still graze their livestock, and in the past, in winter, they could only migrate with the water and grass, seeking shelter from the wind in the mountains and streams.

In winter, they even have to hide in snow caves.

Meanwhile, Dajing built many winter camps in sheltered, sunny, and forested areas near water, such as the southern foothills of Yinshan Mountain, the Yellow River bend, and the outskirts of Datong.

Now, all they need to do is drive the cattle and sheep south to the 'winter camp city' built specifically for them outside Dajing Town when winter arrives.

They slaughtered adult livestock to sell, bought grain and large cooking pots, and waited for the spring to come so they could go north to graze their livestock again.

In river valleys and basins, such as the Kerulen River and the Tula River basin, the imperial court also set up post stations and granaries in the traditional winter camps of desert tribes.

The demand for meat, furs, and horses among the people of the Central Plains was also immense, so there was no need to worry about sales.

Because Khabul refused to bow his head, he not only became a wandering ghost, but also a sinner of the entire Mongol tribe.

But he kept gritting his teeth and refusing to admit his mistake.

Because admitting your mistake is useless now.

The only way is to let God punish us, so that we can turn things around.

This is utter despair.
Winter in the desert is harsh and long, with blizzards that can cause people and animals to get lost or freeze to death in an instant.

The Jing army's continued harassment and plundering caused them to lose a large number of herdsmen, frozen meat, and reserves of dairy products.

The number of warhorses dwindled with each battle, and with each man who died a casualty, the number of horses was dwindling.

It can be said that there was no way to go to heaven or earth.

Recently, people have been fleeing and going to surrender on their own.

Habul knew his end was near.

Although the shamans were still performing their rituals and cursing Jingjun to die suddenly, Hebule was heartbroken.

Many of the shamans here are former Jin dynasty refugees, and they harbor an irreconcilable hatred for the Great Jing.

When Khabul took them in, he thought he was going to be the next Wanyan Aguda, but he never expected to end up in this situation.

Now, in Khabul's eyes, these shamans have another great use.

After the shamans finished their dance, someone built a fire in the cave and roasted the rats and rabbits they had just caught, after processing them a little.

The shamans watched longingly, their stomachs growling with hunger.

The Mongolians grilling meat had blank stares, like walking corpses, completely devoid of their former vitality.

Even being cannon fodder in the Jin army camp was not as miserable as it is now.

Although they didn't say it, Hebule always suspected that they resented him behind his back.

Therefore, he no longer trusts his close confidants, and is suspicious and prone to outbursts of anger.

If Jingjun's encirclement and suppression continues, they will only become savages here, and may even kill each other.

"I've made up my mind! I'm coming out of seclusion!"

After Hebule finished speaking, the others looked at him in surprise.

“I know that one of the Merkit tribes has fled further north. Let’s cross the mountains to find them!”

Crossing the mountain at this time? Everyone was filled with fear; in their minds, crossing the mountain at this time was tantamount to courting death.

Frankly speaking, the Mongols do not regard the harsh winter as "punishment from heaven," but rather as the eternal heaven, that is, the law of nature.

In their core beliefs, the Eternal Heaven is an eternal, supreme, impersonal cosmic force, not a moral god;
Disasters do not occur because of human good or evil, but rather they follow the laws of nature, such as the changing of the seasons and the withering and flourishing of plants.
At this time, going out to climb the mountain would be against the laws of nature.

But staying here would also mean certain death.

Khabul stood up and laughed loudly, "I am the most experienced Khan in the entire grassland. I will definitely lead you over the mountains and to the north to rise again!"

"We will conquer even greater grasslands, and there will be endless cattle, sheep, and slaves!"

Although he had reached a dead end, Hebul's voice was still loud and very appealing.

His descendants were the first to come out in support.

Those who have persisted until now are his die-hard loyalists, who have no choice but to follow him.

The key is that it's useless if they don't follow, so Habule brainwashes them every day to prevent them from escaping.

Once they fall into Jing Jun's hands, he described all sorts of horrific methods they would suffer, from boiling oil to skinning alive, as if he had witnessed them firsthand.

Because of his identity and Khabul's prestige, quite a few people actually believed it.

Originally, Habule planned to wait until spring to leave, but it seems they can't hold on any longer.

Setting off at this time of year is indeed a matter of life and death, but staying means certain death.

Whether the Merkits are in the north or whether they can rise again is no longer important.

Survival is the most important thing.

Hebule gave a signal, and his trusted confidant, Anbahai, got up and led a few men with short knives to find the Jurchen shaman.

Their food supplies were dwindling, and if they were to cross the mountains, they couldn't go without food along the way; they couldn't keep eating from rat holes forever. (End of Chapter)