The news of the complete victory of the Han army against the Persian army finally shook the whole world. Within the territory of the Han Dynasty, there was jubilation. From the Son of Heaven to the commoners, no matter what the status of the person, in addition to the excitement, a sense of pride and pride arises spontaneously, irrepressible.

At the beginning, shortly after the Western Expedition army left Chang'an, the imperial court issued an edict detailing the significance and great role of the Western Expedition to the distant continent to all subjects. In this important document drafted by Dongfang Shuo himself, this political ally, who deeply understood the meaning of Yuan Zhao, focused on describing the various rich resources and the huge wealth contained in the vast land of the Western Continent in the subsequent annex.

No matter what kind of feelings, the addition of benefits is always the most important. The so-called "the world is bustling, all for profit." The world is crowded, all for profit. This is by no means an empty phrase.

The development of the Han Dynasty to this day, the wealth accumulated is immeasurable. With the support and encouragement of Yuanzhao, the sprout of capital has gradually appeared. When there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of us, the first reaction of many people with far-reaching vision is to firmly grasp it.

Even those who were still a little hesitant, when the news spread that the Han army swept through with a thunderous storm and wiped out all the Persian army, they did not hesitate to choose to follow.

"Read 10,000 books, travel 10,000 miles", "Good men are determined in all directions", "The world is endless, you should live with this", "Life is not stopped, chase endlessly"...... When these demagogic slogans from whom I don't know come from are spread all over the streets and alleys of the counties and counties of the world, and word of mouth is spread in everyone's mouth, the empire begins to boil in all directions.

As a result, in less than half a month, the line from Yangguan to Yumen Pass became a surging sea of people. Scholars, rangers, merchants, magistrates, and all sorts of special callers...... Before they leave the customs, they are registered and managed separately according to their own wishes. After everything was in order, he began to go to Jiuquan under the leadership of the officials sent by the imperial court.

It is from this time that the journey of nearly 10,000 miles starts from Yumen Pass, travels through the entire region of the Western Regions, and then crosses the plateau and desert to the west until the Western Continent is the end point, which is nearly 10,000 miles away, and has become the most important avenue to communicate the East and the West. It is historically known as the "Golden Road". The name has endured for a long, long time...... Until it was replaced by another, more glorious name.

The base camp of the Han army in Jiuquan has made all preparations for this time. After the end of the war, the soldiers, full of great passion, sorted out a wide square by the river, enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

In this place where blood once flowed, there is no trace of war in sight. Zhang Qian, the Marquis of Bowang, who was in charge of this matter, personally led tens of thousands of soldiers to remove the sand dunes, fill the potholes, and transport clean loess from afar, and tamped the square little by little. Everyone was very serious when they were doing this, sweating under the scorching sun, but no one was tired.

For each of them knew that this was the place where the whole army of the Western Expedition would soon set out. Whether it is to stay or go on an expedition, I don't know how many years it will be before we can meet here. Fellow comrades, don't you cherish it!

What's more, they will be here to witness an exciting time. It is said that the prisoner, known in the Western world as the "King of Kings", will be guillotined and publicly executed here. Such a scene is undoubtedly very rare.

"General Li, if you and the dead soldiers have not died, Quanxia has knowledge, and I hope that when the time comes, I can personally see the ......moment when the head of a king is cut off."

Sima, the protector of the Western Regions, who led people to complete the entire square and the high platform, did not drink the cup of celebration wine, but slowly poured it to the ground and seeped into the loess. Distant mountains and near waters, in the twilight, add infinite sorrow. Many soldiers who fought side by side in the past are buried in the land of the Western Regions, and when this golden road shines in the years, I hope they can be safe.

On the side not far from this square, the monument erected was built by Yuan Zhao himself. The white marble stone seat, finely carved, is the mighty image of the Han cavalry carved by the local skilled craftsmen in the Western Regions. Those high-spirited cavalrymen with rough lines represent fearlessness and indomitable spirit.

The huge monument body of more than ten zhang high is taken from Qilian Mountain. The inscription on the front is the handwriting of the Han Emperor from Chang'an, "Heroic Soul Immortal". And on the back, there are dense names of sacrificed soldiers. From Li Kang, the general of the Western Regions Protectorate, a total of 36,918 people. They were all killed in the Western Regions War, which lasted nearly a year. Engrave a monument and pass it on, and it should be immortal.

"After all, war inevitably kills people. But I hope that no matter how long it has passed, everyone who has sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and the nation will be remembered and remembered in the future...... Their heroic deeds should not be stained with a trace of profit dust, let alone be slandered in the slightest...... The inheritance of the heroic spirit, I think, Lord Taishi Ling should take this responsibility. ”

This is what Yuan Zhao said to Sima Qian solemnly after seeing this monument in person that day. Dahan Tai Shi Ling just nodded and didn't say much about the rest. As an independent historian, one should not be disturbed by any outside opinions. But Yuan Zhao's meaning, he couldn't refuse. It is precisely because of this that the historical inheritance of the Han Empire is full of heroic atmosphere from beginning to end. No matter who you are, as long as you open the volume and read it, you can feel the vigorous and heroic spirit between the lines.

Time flies, and Yuan Zhao is still too optimistic. He originally thought that half a month would be enough, but when everything was basically ready, a month had passed unconsciously. Although the preparations were still a little imperfect, he could not wait any longer. Because of the latest war reports, the situation in the western continent has become a little complicated.

"The Flying Jiao Army that landed in advance encountered such a big predicament? In this way, the remnants of the Persians on the Western continent cannot be ignored! ”

At the military meeting held in the camp of the Chinese army, Wei Qing couldn't help frowning slightly after reading the urgent information handed over by Yuan Zhao. Although he didn't know much about the specific strength of the Feijiao Army, since this maritime army was established by Yuan Zhao himself, it must be extraordinary. And now in the military information in his hand, it is said that the remnants of the nobles of the Persian Empire have gathered many forces on that continent, resurrected, and launched attacks on the landing Han army anytime and anywhere, day and night, causing great trouble to the Han army. In order to prevent the occurrence of greater casualties, they had to temporarily withdraw from the mainland and re-board the warship from the South Branch Peninsula to prevent accidents.

"Huh! The Persians are one of the most tenacious peoples in the world. It's hard to get them to submit completely. The beliefs they have followed since childhood do not allow them to surrender, let alone submit to other peoples. The phrase "all the people are soldiers" is vividly embodied in that place. When foreign enemies invade, even women, children and children may pick up knives and guns and launch a surprise attack from behind. Therefore, I have always advocated that there should be no mercy in dealing with them, and that if possible, we should take resolute measures to completely exterminate this cancer. ”

The dense names on the monument originally made Yuan Zhao's mood a little heavy. Although the battle report written by General Yuan Hengbo himself did not clearly state the casualties of the sergeants, since they had reached the point where they were forced to retreat to the sea, the losses must have been very serious. Therefore, everyone can hear the fierceness in his words.

"The army has long been prepared, and the soldiers are ready to go. It's been a long time since they were waiting for the order from the Yuan Hou! ”

Gongsun Rongnu, who was wearing armor and horizontal swords, stood up and spoke sharply. The other generals also raised their arms and shouted, and they all asked for battle. The honor of the Han Empire rests on them, and no one would choose to retreat at such a time.

Yuan Zhao nodded with satisfaction. The outcome of a war depends to a large extent on the lives of the soldiers. As long as the army of the Han Dynasty can maintain this pioneering spirit for a long time, it will be invincible.

"In that case, go back and stand by! Tomorrow is auspicious, the square swears in the army, and the army officially sets out. ”

The generals agreed, each said goodbye and went back, and the supreme order was conveyed, and the whole army immediately cheered up. In particular, the soldiers who have been confirmed to participate in the Western Expedition are gearing up and eager to set off immediately.

"Sima Zhang, are all matters ready?"

Hearing Yuan Zhao's inquiry, Zhang Qian, the Marquis of Bowang, who was in charge of this matter, hurriedly replied: "Everything is ready by the Jiuquan River, and all the people who come from the Yumen Pass, including court envoys, scribes and scholars, wealthy merchants, and other people...... There are also the royal nobles of the Western Regions, all waiting for the call of the Yuan Hou. ”

"Good! Tomorrow's pledge meeting should be told to the world, so that everyone can understand the significance of this Han Empire's expedition. Of course, there is one more important thing to do before ....... ”

Yuan Zhao glanced back at the direction of his home country, where his blood depended on him, and everything he fought for. Now he is about to embark on a journey of thousands of miles, with hundreds of battles and stormy waves, and in the next many days, his concern can only rely on each other in his dreams.

The long-awaited day has finally arrived. Cloudless and sunny. The monuments erected by the Jiuquan River reflect the solemn brilliance. In the wide square, the king of the Western Continent was escorted to the high platform, and he once again and for the last time saw the conqueror who was about to go west.