Faced with the Taiping Army who fought to the death to fight the bloody battle, She Nei, who led his troops to charge, couldn't help but sigh that once a person blinded by religious fanaticism was aroused, the passion they burst out was indeed extraordinary. In the current situation where the defeat was obviously determined, he still ignored his life and death in exchange for the safe retreat of his comrades. This is admirable.

But despite the admiration, the cavalry showed no mercy. After all, the team that was enthusiastically mobilized could not compete with the regular cavalry charge. However, they finally won some time for the cavalry retreat behind them, allowing the five thousand cavalry to retreat freely. When the last line of defense was broken, the cavalry of the Taiping Army had already escaped several miles away. With the current strength, it was indeed not enough to completely wipe out the enemy. Seeing that the best opportunity to annihilate the enemy, the infantry ordered the infantry to sweep the battlefield with a regretful order, while ordering the cavalry to follow and pursue, making sure that the opponent could not easily seize the position.

When Yue Shan led the infantry from that regiment arrived, he could only feel unwilling to clean up the battlefield. About 8,000 Taiping Remnants changed their route south on the way to retreat and retreated to Xikang. The rest were all captured by the Northwest Army.

This battle was known in history as the "Quaqiao Pass Victory". The Second Northwest Independent Division wiped out 30,000 Taiping Army, of which 11,000 were captured, and only 8,000 were able to escape. This battle was also regarded as Li Wufeng's first battle to enter the Central Plains. Although his troops only fought back after being attacked, historians in later generations all agreed that no matter what the outcome of the Battle of Quaqiao Pass, His Majesty the Emperor had already made up his mind to conquer Guanxi and the Central Plains, but this battle played the prelude to his vigorous eastward advance.

In the palace in the center of Loulan City, Loulan Capital, he was the only one in the hall, which seemed particularly quiet, and his old face seemed to be much more energetic. Haybal leaned against the throne and carefully recalled the guests he had just sent away. It was of great importance. He did not want anyone to know before considering immaturity. The conditions and requirements put forward by the other party were indeed very touching. Perhaps Loulan would have to get rid of the bonds of fate, but there were unknown risks behind this. One mistake would cause irreparable consequences. He had to think about it carefully.

Standing up, slowly paced in the hall, stroking the long beard under the jaw, but looking unconsciously at the person sitting just now. It was a good opportunity. The question is whether I dare to take this fight?

After sighing softly, Haybal turned his gaze to the window again. The glazed tiles flashed with bright light under the setting sun. How memorable is such a river and mountain, but once he makes a mistake, it may bring disaster to his country.

After thinking for a long time, Haybal still struggled to make a decision. This major event that determines the fate of the country really makes people's minds. I have considered it nearly half an afternoon and still has difficulty making choices. Maybe I am really old and lacking the ambitions of my youth. I shook my head and Haybal showed a self-deprecating smile on his face. Haven't I been cautious and calm and proud? Why have decades passed? Now I think this is a shortcoming?

Forget it, let’s listen to the opinions of Khalid and Abushiyev. Khalid secretly went to a neighboring country on his behalf. A few days ago, he sent a message back and said that it had achieved good results. I hope he could have an unexpected surprise.

Looking at the young man who was a little tired but in good spirits, Haybal felt a little distressed. After more than twenty days of traveling around the four countries, his rosy face turned yellow. Who said he was his son? If he wanted to shoulder the heavy responsibility of Loulan, he had to learn the course of politics and diplomacy. The flowers that stayed in the greenhouse would never grow into big trees.

"Khalid, I know you are very tired, but I want to know the details of your trip for more than 20 days. The letter you sent back was vague in the letter you sent back, so I had to let you give up your rest and tell your situation first." Haybal's loving eyes fell on the young man and said kindly, the old man next to him was Abushiyev, the Minister of State of Loulan, who was relied as his right hand by Haybal.

"It's nothing. Father, Khalid is not a weak woman. This hard work is nothing." A hint of spirit flashed across the young man's face and he replied loudly.

"Well, that's good. Let's talk about your gains this time." Haybal was very satisfied with his son's answer and nodded and smiled.

The young man introduced his mission to several neighboring countries in detail, and focused on explaining the reactions of Kuqa and Bega.

Both of them listened carefully while asking some questions. They obviously valued this secret mission, and everyone hoped to achieve practical results through this mission to make up for the plan to form a joint defense system that was destroyed by the Northwest and Luobei people at the beginning.

"Did the Kuqa really agree with our plan?" Hearing that the Kuqa people readily agreed to the plan to form a joint army proposed by their side, the cautious Minister of State couldn't help but ask again.

"Well, they were very interested in the plan we proposed, and even proposed that three core countries of our five countries could even increase the number of troops sent by the United Army. Even I was surprised at that time." The young man's face turned red, and he was obviously proud of the achievements he had achieved.

Haybal and Abushiyev exchanged their eyes understandingly, nodded at the same time, and the Minister of State pondered for a while before saying, "It seems that the Kuchar people really felt the threat of Li Wufeng. The Bauhinia Pass fortress built by Li Wufeng in the northwest corner may have a lot of stimulation to them."

"Yes, father, I'm also speculating. Later, according to our understanding, many upper-level people in Kuche were very frightened by Li Wufeng's construction of a fortress at his own border. They were worried that Li Wufeng would use the Huanfeng Sect to assassinate Li Wufeng and Li Wufeng's assassination again in the imperial capital Zhongzhou. Therefore, the atmosphere of joining forces with other countries to protect themselves is very strong. I think again, maybe if we don't go to find them, they will come to us on their own initiative. We will hit it off right away." The young man inferred with enthusiasm.

"So what's going on in Bega?" Haybal turned the topic to his neighbors.

"Altai is also very positive, and he also advocates the establishment of a powerful joint army. He also said that if Wusun and Gaochang were not willing to participate, our three countries could still form this army, but he was a little worried about the pressure on Luo Beiren, and hoped that we would seek the understanding of Luo Beiren when establishing this army and explain to them that the establishment of the army was not aimed at them." The young man carefully expressed the opinions of Baica.

"Hmph, Altai is getting more and more timid as he gets older, but he can't blame him. Luo Beiren has always been unreasonable. If it really causes their misunderstandings, it will be a big problem. But I think Luo Beiren may not want to see Li Wufeng expand his power without any scruples. The formation of our army is also a containment of the developing Li Wufeng's forces. This is not a bad thing for them. As for the station of this army, we can clearly promise to be stationed in the southern area to avoid causing Luo Beiren's dissatisfaction." Haybal blinked his eyes and smiled.

"Yes, the troops can move at any time. We promise to be stationed on the southern border, which does not mean that we cannot move to other areas. If something unexpected happens, the troops are originally used to defend the country, so where can we go?!" The Minister of State said firmly.

The conversation between the two taught a vivid lesson to the young man sitting in front of him. What is politics? The exchange of interests and betrayal is called politics. Without intrigue, it cannot be called real politics. It seems that I am still far from this aspect. To learn a lesson well, I still need to experience more.

The attitudes of the other two countries were expected by the two, but the youth's introduction of the pro-Li Wufeng movement in Wusun attracted the attention of Haybal and Abushiyev.

The domestic situation of Wusun Kingdom is stable, and they can understand that they are unwilling to participate in these affairs that are already risky in the near future, but at least the five countries in the Western Regions are in the same regional environment, and are nominally a political alliance. They have maintained a common foreign policy for hundreds of years, and have a dependent relationship in many interests. Now there is a tendency to pro-foreign forces in China, which must make the two sensitive. If the internal divisions are divided and disintegrated, the final fate of the five countries in the Western Regions can be expected.

The hall fell into silence for a moment. The experienced Khaibal and Abushiyev both smelled the strong conspiracy behind this. Needless to say, this must be Li Wufeng's trick. His side was thinking of uniting against the enemy, but the enemy was not idle. Moreover, his actions seemed to be faster than his side, and the amplitude was stronger than his own. He was as powerful as the alliance of the Five Western Regions in one fell swoop. This was simply unpredictable.

Shaking his head, Haybal broke the silence, "There is nothing unusual in Gaochang Country, right?"

"Well, it's okay. They just asked us to understand their situation, but also promised us that we would never favor or turn to outsiders. Please rest assured of this." The young man nodded, his face no longer had the joy he had at the time. He was obviously shocked by his father and the minister of state.

"Oh, to be honest, it is rare for Gaochang to give us such a guarantee. They are under the most direct threat from Li Wufeng, and their national strength is the weakest, but they can also make such a decision. On the other hand, the performance of the Wusun people is really puzzling." The Minister of State sighed, and his originally good mood was defeated by this sudden bad news.

"I was thinking that the opinions of the Wusun people may be related to the unstable status of their current lords. I heard that the deposed prince seemed not willing to fail and had been actively engaged. The domestic force against the second prince ascending the throne and supporting the eldest prince was still very strong. Perhaps this is why the second prince in power hopes to obtain the support of Li Wufeng to maintain the stability of his rule." His voice became much lower, and Haybal said expressionlessly.
Chapter completed!