The result of the cavalry was a draw, but the infantry was miserable, with the Bactrian infantry suffering about 8,000 casualties, while the Han army suffered less than 2,000 casualties.

Osidemos was very distressed, these casualties were elite, and they could not be trained overnight.

This time the loss is so huge, I don't know what my family will do with it?

But he can't all be blamed, the Han army has too many new weapons, and he has a vague premonition that the prospects of this war between Guishan and the Han are not good.

After monitoring the combat strength of the real main force of the Kushan Empire, Sima Yi took the initiative to retreat.

Deeply behind enemy lines, they were also at a disadvantage in numbers, and although the firearms of the Central Army were sharp, they relied heavily on logistical supplies.

If there were no shells and grenades, the Han army would not be much better than its opponents if it only relied on cold weapons.

This time, they took the initiative to attack, plundered and destroyed a lot of grain, grass and supplies of the Kushan army, and severely damaged one of their main infantry forces, but they still completed the task relatively successfully.

The Han army withdrew openly into the territory of Dawan, and although the scouts of the Kushan Empire clearly reported the whereabouts of this Han army, none of the Kushan troops dared to go out of the city to pursue.

They have already deeply appreciated the combat effectiveness of the Han army, especially their mysterious and powerful firearms, yes, the word firearms has become widely known.

They are very envious of the wisdom of the Orientals, who can make such a large amount of energy in such a small cannonball and grenade.

Next, both sides entered a brief period of calm, both waiting for their own reinforcements to arrive.

At the end of August, the second batch of reinforcements, under the leadership of Gao Shun, also arrived in Dawan smoothly.

General Gao Shun handed over the troops in his hands to Fa Zheng, and repeatedly emphasized that his current identity is the commander of the Second Garrison Division and the deputy chief of staff of the expeditionary force, and all important decisions are still made by Fa Zheng and Sima Yi.

In this way, the Han army has gathered seven divisions in Dawan, more than 100,000 people, plus 50,000 Kangju allied troops, and 60,000 Western Regions coalition troops, which is also a 200,000 army.

The Kushan Empire on the opposite side had more troops, and according to reliable information, the royal chauffeur of the Prince of Wave finally reached the city of Maracanda.

He was accompanied by a large number of standing armies of the Kushan Empire, as well as reinforcements from many provinces in the west and south, and I heard that the total number of troops had exceeded 300,000 and was still increasing.

Several of the most recalcitrant satrapies and provinces, such as Khorasan and the Western Governorate, have sent troops, and it is not known what kind of backroom deal has been made between them.

I heard that in just a few days, I will take the oath to go on the expedition.

It is necessary to sweep away the armies of Dawan and Kangju first, and then attack the Western Regions, and finally drive straight into Chang'an.

The commander of the Kangju reinforcements was an old acquaintance, General Khumbu.

When Kunbu heard that the Kushan Empire's army was going to clear Dawan and Kangju first, he was anxious and shouted to go back to assist His Majesty the King in resisting the Kushan's attack.

Fa Zheng comforted him, even if the Kushan Empire wanted to attack Kangju, it would have to defeat Dawan's Han army first, they couldn't dare to attack Kangju with so many Han troops behind their butts.

Kunbu wasn't really that stupid, he knew that what Fa Zheng said was reasonable, so he settled down.

Fa Zheng consulted with everyone and believed that before the arrival of the third batch of reinforcements, the Central Army should take a defensive position and use the terrain of Dawan to fight a defensive battle and a war of attrition with the Kushan Empire.

It is necessary to deplete their forces and reduce their morale.

Anyway, it's not a war on the land of the Great Han, and it won't be distressed if it is broken, and Guishan City is so strong, the Guishan Empire has no gunpowder, which is enough for them to gnaw on for a while.

And you can also take this opportunity to learn more about the situation of the main army of the Kushan Empire, like the last time those two cavalry divisions surprised people.

The three infantry divisions plus the Western Regions Coalition Army took on the defensive task, and the two infantry brigades of the Rong 1st Division served as the general reserve.

Although the combat effectiveness of the Western Regions Alliance Army is limited, under the training of the Han army, it is already much stronger than before, at least to help dig a trench and repair a fortification, it is still qualified.

Kangju's reinforcements are all cavalry, and Fa Zheng naturally has other arrangements and will not waste it on defensive positions.

Kangju and the Western Regions Coalition Army have received a lot of assistance from the Han army, and the armor, crossbows, and longbows eliminated by the Han army have been continuously replenished to them, and their equipment level has greatly improved to a higher level.

It didn't take long for the Kushan Empire's army to begin to invade the territory of Dawan.

As Fa Zheng expected, before defeating the Han army, they did not send an army to attack Kangju, but put all their minds on the direction of Dawan.

Of course, Kangju has also carried out a national mobilization and is ready to face the battle.

At the vanguard of the invasion were the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions of the Rawalpindi Corps, the Herat Corps and the Kabul Corps, which had fought against the Han army.

The Kabul Regiment came from the mountains of the Hindu Kush and was an infantry corps dominated by mountain people, a bit like the mountain infantry of the Han army, with 20,000 men.

The Herat Legion came from the western part of the empire, mainly descended from Persians and Greeks, with 10,000 infantry and 3,000 camel cavalry.

This vanguard army of 60,000 people was commanded by the general of the Kushan Empire, Sote, who was the confidant of the Prince of Botiao, so he was entrusted with the important task of vanguard.

Before sending out the troops, he inquired in detail about the previous battles with the Han army, and had a good grasp of the tactics and equipment of the Han army.

He demanded that his Kabul and Herat infantry be issued armor to strengthen their defenses.

However, his reasonable request was rejected by the arrogant quartermaster, who believed that the garbage infantry in these provinces was used as cannon fodder, and there was no need to waste the equipment to be distributed to the regular army of the Empire.

Although Sauter insisted again and again, and brought the lawsuit to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

But because this quartermaster is the prince's uncle and the king's younger brother, he was named a prince and has a high status, and His Royal Highness the crown prince is not too arbitrary.

In the end, he only got 5,000 pairs of armor and 3,000 shields with the mud, which was an explanation for Sauter.

Sauter could only reluctantly accept this result, which was better than nothing.

He divided these armors and shields equally among the two infantry regiments.

For these provincial infantry, who are in fact indeed cannon fodder, it is already a great surprise to get the equipment of these regular troops.

They have not yet fought against the Han army, and they are not yet fully aware of the horror of firearms.

As soon as Sauter crossed the border, the scouts reported that there were defenders in the town ahead, and as they approached to investigate, they were attacked with crossbows.

(End of chapter)