The old handsome Tang Qiong felt that this style of play was wrong now.

So he wrote a letter and hurriedly informed Tang Zhen, the general of the front-line expedition to the west, Zhao Yi, the commander of the army, Zhang Yunlong, the deputy general of the Xuanjia Yunlu and the deputy general of the expedition to the west, Tang Xu, the governor of Liang Guan and the lieutenant general of the 8th Division, and the general of the general staff and the lieutenant general of the 10th Division:

"Now that the Wuyan Dabu has lost nearly half, although it has voted for Alando, the army's morale is unstable, and it takes this opportunity to wait for the opportunity to move, seeking the opportunity to take the initiative. Before the Donghu people arrived, if they could cripple Alando, it would be the best. Even though Arlando has many tricks, our army has many fierce generals, and it can fight a large-scale war of annihilation. Let him have nothing to do. ”

——

The battle on the Wuwei side is imminent, but the Jiuquan side is very happy.

Kong Xiaoxian, the lieutenant general of the third division, led the whole division of less than 1,000 people, and held a "grand" celebration party to announce the completion of the renovation of Jiuquan City (in fact, it was not completed, it was only a phased celebration, and if you want to complete it as a whole, you may not be able to complete it if you give him another three months). And he also has a plan to take over Dunhuang smoothly before the end of the Wuwei War.

What a credit for defending a city and getting a city back.

Of the four counties in Hexi, two counties were occupied, and there were less than 1,000 soldiers under his command. How much food to save for the country.

However, who will take over Dunhuang?

Dunhuang is in the westernmost part of the Hexi Corridor, there is a feeling of lonely hanging in the Western Regions, and Dunhuang borders, there are three countries, namely Sogdia, Gulan, Aziman, in fact, not far to the north, is the vast steppe, the Huns, the Donghu people, the Ximaotun people, nothing to come to intrude. It's not a good place. Two Hu soldiers attacked, and the first to be broken was Dunhuang.

Therefore, there is a legend in the Shence army that "whoever you want to die, let him defend Dunhuang".

Kong Xiaoxian sat in the hall of the newly built general's residence and asked everyone present who would take the initiative to ask for help.

"I'll go!" Dian Loyal roared fiercely.

"Sit down, O allegiance." Kong Xiaoxian trusted Dian's loyalty, but Dian's loyalty was not a person who could take the overall situation. Let him go, it's not appropriate. The first choice in Kong Xiaoxian's heart was Chen Mu, but Chen Mu was the first general under him, and he was reluctant, and finally felt that Tang Yun, the grain supervisor, was very suitable.

Whether it's identity, level, or personality, it's all suitable.

But at this time, Wu Dongdao, the superintendent: "I think this appointment is none other than Chen Mu." ”

Kong Xiaoxian didn't want to reply directly, so he asked Chen Mu if he had any opinions, even if Chen Mu made up a reason casually, Kong Xiaoxian would support him, and then the matter would pass.

But Chen Mu stood up and said, "Okay." ”

In fact, Wu Dong didn't expect Chen Mu to agree, as the No. 2 person in the Third Division, this eunuch-born supervisor just wanted to talk and find a sense of existence, as for who Kong Xiaoxian sent, it didn't matter much to him, he just sent someone to Dunhuang as a temporary supervisor. Love Book House

Chen Mu suddenly agreed, and Wu Dong felt incredible, and almost laughed bitterly. - You kid is too much of a face-saving kid today.

Why did Chen Mu agree?

He has three things to consider, one of which is particularly important to him.

When he was not busy, Chen Mu chatted with the Sogdian girl, and talked about nitrate and sulfur. From the girl "Abdulaye Condakosia Adidime", I learned that there was a nitrate mine in Dunhuang. Because the girl's name was too long, Chen Mu only called her "Xiaomei". Xiaomei said that her father once went to Dunhuang as a laborer to mine saltpeter ore for the Han people, and the saltpeter ore in Dunhuang was very good and had a lot of crystallization.

After considering it again, Chen Mu felt that the new Sogdian king Alidayi was sincerely befriending the Liang Dynasty, and after returning to Dunhuang, he would not change his mind in a short time. According to Xiaomei, the kings and people of Gulan and Azman are very kind, and they don't like to fight. Originally, the Sogdians did the same, and it was not until the previous king, Alimandan, succeeded to the throne that they began to crusade everywhere. Although the Sogdians greatly expanded their territory, relations with the surrounding countries deteriorated to the fullest. Now that the new king has come to power and begun to ease relations with neighboring countries, Chen Mu feels that it is a good time to go to Dunhuang now.

The last consideration was that he wanted to build Dunhuang into his base. - He himself thinks that this idea is a bit ambitious, but people who do big things often have this "problem". Although it may not be successful, once it does, there are many benefits.

Kong Xiaoxian slurred vigorously, he really didn't want Chen Mu to go, walked out of the mansion, and said to Chen Mu: "Second brother, I know that you support me very much, but I also care about you." Going to Dunhuang, the burden is not light, it is very dangerous. If you don't want to go, you tell me and I'll go somebody else. ”

Chen Mu said: "Big brother, what you said is obvious. That's why it's a difficult task, so I have to go. Otherwise, all the good things will be taken by my brothers, and it will inevitably be said that the third division Zhonglang will be partial. This is not good for the management of the army. ”

Kong Xiaoxian was a little moved: "Second brother, what kind of blessing do I have to know you?" Well, since you must go, I'll prepare five hundred people for you. In addition, when this battle is over, I will definitely apply for you to cancel the word 'temporary' in the 'temporary first brigade'. ”

"Brother Xie bothered!"

"Between our brothers, don't talk about that."

Kong Xiao first gave Chen Mu grain, money, and troops, and sent Chen Mu thirty miles before he was willing to return to the city.

Chen Mu led 500 soldiers, 2,000 laborers, and 200 horses (not counting the 30 in the army) to meet the Sogdian king Alidayi.

Hearing that Chen Mu was here to receive Dunhuang, Ali Dayi was a little troubled, and he said: "Originally, I planned to discuss this issue with your royal family after the fight on the Wuwei side. In this way, I will have the opportunity to meet with the Emperor of Daliang and discuss the matter. Now that you have taken back Dunhuang in advance, what can I do to negotiate with the Liang Dynasty? ”

Chen Mu said: "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood, you haven't figured out the temper of our Liang Dynasty yet, the Liang Dynasty and the opposition belong to the hardliners, and they don't like to be coerced." On the contrary, if the king returns the border town in advance, this full sincerity can be experienced by the Liang Dynasty. In addition, now that you have asked me to take over Dunhuang, this is a great credit to our Third Division. My eldest brother Kong Xiao said first, if the king can agree, he will definitely speak well for the king in the Liang Dynasty in the future. And because of his close relationship with the king, he can win the trust of the government and the opposition and become a general stationed at the border pass. If he becomes a feudal official, the benefits will be too great for you. The so-called strict adherence to business is not the strict observance of the feudal officials? ”

Alidayi was not a man who was easily moved by words, and he still seemed a little hesitant.

Soon after, he said: "If Dunhuang is returned now, then it must be returned to Jiayuguan." But now, in order to prevent Wuyanda from coming back, Jiayuguan is an important pass for us, and I don't want to return it, but I can't return it because of the temporary situation. ”

"It doesn't matter." Chen Mudao: "Return Dunhuang to us first, and the king of Jiayuguan will use it first." When the Wuwei War is over, I guess Wuyanda won't be able to come back. When the time comes, the king will return Jiayuguan. ”