In the era of cold weapons, the river can be said to be a natural barrier for military defense, and the former country of the Cheshi who was rooted in the middle of the river was firmly positioned in the position of defense, but unfortunately, even if it occupied the favorable terrain, the river still could not block the flames of war again and again.

It is an important transportation hub, the gateway of the Turpan Basin, the southwest to Yanqi "Yinshan Road", the northwest to Urumqi "Baishuijian Road", north to the Jimisar area of the "Jinling Road" intersection here, this is a treasure land that everyone wants to compete for.

With such an important transportation hub, it is best to firmly control it in his own hands, Ban Zhi does not want to leave unstable factors around him, and has Gao Shun's order to move all the citizens of these small countries inward, which is also to complete the order of the Duke of Wei.

The sudden arrival of the Han Dynasty army frightened the king of the former kingdom of Cheshi. They defected to the Han people after the Han defeated the Huns, and they did not rebel for nearly a hundred years. So the king immediately sent an envoy out of the city to meet the leader of the Han army.

According to the agreed plan, Ban Zhi directly threatened the envoy of the former country of the Cheshi: "Haha, then tell you the reason, first, why has your country not paid tribute for many years?" This is contempt for us; Second, the army of the Celestial Empire has been in Gaochang City for many days, why didn't your country send an envoy to visit you? Third, when the army of the Celestial Empire came, why didn't they welcome it into the city? The king doesn't show his face either, why? You are clearly rebellious! How can the army of the Celestial Empire allow you to go unpunished? ”

The messenger explained: "We have sent envoys to pay tribute, but the roads are blocked and impassable, so we really can't blame us and other small countries. ”

Ban Zhi continued to threaten: "Hahaha, what an excuse! The messenger returns quickly, so that the king will come and surrender quickly, otherwise the day the city will be destroyed, and the people will be slaughtered. ”

The messenger returned and brought the words of Panzhi to the king, who was so frightened that he was about to break down, and it took half an hour for him to recover.

The king hurriedly led his ministers to the city to watch, and saw that the Han army was neat, disciplined, and the siege equipment was complete, and more importantly, the number of Han troops had exceeded the number of people in the city, how to defend it?

Then the king asked his ministers, "What can I do if this is the case?" ”

Everyone looked at the prime minister, the prime minister was helpless, and after thinking for a while, he said: "Your Highness, the minister has three strategies, and the next strategy is to resolutely resist, if the Han army is not conquered for a long time, it will retreat; The middle strategy is to open the door and surrender, resigned to fate; The best policy, escape as soon as possible, if you enter Beishan, then we will be fine. ”

The king began to calculate in his heart that it was impossible to resist resolutely, and now that the Han army had Gaochang City as the foundation, it could hold on for a long time, and if it was to besiege the city, it would definitely be conquered; The middle strategy seems to be feasible, according to the benevolence of the Han people, after they surrender, they will only be reprimanded for a while, and then put back, but he doesn't know what the Han people think now, he doesn't dare to risk himself; As for the best policy, it is the method adopted by the ancestors of the Cheshi Kingdom a hundred years ago, the Han army besieged the city, the ancestors broke through the siege and went north, entered the mountain, and returned to their hometown after the Han army retreated, and the Cheshi country was preserved; And now that the Han army is arrayed on the other side of the South Gate River, they can escape from the East Gate, and when the Han army crosses the river, they will have already run away.

So the king decided to go north, abandon the city, and make a comeback when the opportunity was right.

The king had made up his mind, and everyone began to prepare for their escape.

The only ones who could escape were those courtiers and big families who had war horses and guards, and the ordinary people had no one to take care of, and they were unable to escape.

Gaochang County Magistrate Xu Xiang Xiang Ban Zhi said: "Captain Ban, it seems that our intimidation plan has worked, and they have signs of escaping. ”

"Haha, this time you have made a lot of contributions, and you will definitely report to Duke Wei."

"Fang thanked the captain of the class!" County magistrate Xu Fang said gratefully.

Ban Zhi ordered again: "Yanming, prepare for the pursuit, be sure to kill them all, and all the women are captured!" ”

Yan Xing immediately replied happily, "Yes, Captain!" We will live up to our mission. ”

County Magistrate Xu was eager to make meritorious contributions, and suggested to Ban Zhi: "Captain Ban, Fang is familiar with the local terrain, why don't you be the guide of General Yan Zhonglang?" ”

Ban Zhi thought for a while, and carefully sailed the 10,000-year-old ship, this suggestion was very necessary, so he agreed to his suggestion, and transferred a tun of cavalry from the guards to serve as the escort of the county magistrate Xu, and be sure to protect the safety of the county magistrate Xu.

After the people of the former country of the Cheshi left the city from the east gate, Ban Zhi quickly built a pontoon bridge, and it turned out that the siege equipment they carried were all materials for building the pontoon bridge.

The pontoon bridge was quickly erected, and Yan Xing led 3,000 cavalry to quickly cross the river in pursuit.

Ban Zhi easily occupied Jiaohe City, and more than 4,000 people in the city were expelled from the city, lined up, and then escorted back to Gaochang City; Since then, Jiaohe City has belonged to Gaochang City.

Looking at these chariot masters with high nose bridges, high cheekbones, and white skin, Ban Zhi thought to himself, why did Duke Wei move these barbarians inward?

Due to the difference in aesthetics, Gao Shun still has a special love for these exotic women, which is not enough for outsiders.

The cavalry led by Yan Xing has been fighting for more than ten years, and the war experience and fighting methods are extremely proficient, and most of them are warlike Qiang, Xianbei, Di and other barbarians.

While shouting and charging, while brutally killing, where it passed, the heads of people rolled to the ground, and the slain charioteers were terrified, and the king did not dare to flee again, and hurriedly dismounted and led the people to surrender.

Now Yan Xing's army has also been strictly trained, and he no longer dares to torture and kill those who surrender, and quickly formed a circle in a very orderly manner, trapping the chariot master in the middle.

The king of the former country of Cheshi was depressed, but he didn't expect the Han people to be prepared and pursue so quickly.

The king, ministers, and family members of the former kingdom of Cheshi were escorted to Gaochang City, and after that, they were all escorted to Yecheng; The former country of the Cheshi was destroyed.

Shanshan and Cheshi Qianguo were destroyed one after another, causing a sensation in the countries of the Western Regions, scrambling to send envoys, the southern countries sent envoys to Han Sui, and the northern countries sent envoys to Banzhi.

Yan Xing's first meritorious service was filled with joy in his heart.

Ban Zhi also saw that Xu Fang was better at military affairs than civil affairs.

Therefore, Ban Zhi sent Sima of the First Army to return to Yiwulu City with 2,000 cavalry, replaced Cao Ren with troops and baggage, and wrote a letter to Xu Rong to report the good news, and by the way, please send a few county commanders to come.

Xu Fang was reappointed as the military commander, and Ban Zhi transferred 1,000 cavalry from the headquarters to his jurisdiction.

At this time, only Shanbei sent envoys to the country of Wu Greed, West and Mi, Shan Heng, East and Mi, robbery, Beilu Houguo, Beilu country, Yu Liguo and other eight countries, the population of the large country is as many as a thousand, and the small country has only a few hundred people, Ban Zhi is not surprised by this, but Yan Xing and Cao Ren and others are extremely shocked, a country of hundreds of people, unheard of.

For the time being, Ban Zhi does not want to occupy the Shanbei countries, let alone unite them, and the best way is to continue to divide and rule; However, it was impossible not to increase the influence of the Han people in Shanbei, so Ban Zhi sent Xu Fang to lead a thousand cavalry to envoy the countries of Shanbei to raise the prestige of the Han Dynasty.

Ban Zhi gave Xu Fang a special instruction to be sure to arrive at the Hou City of Wubu to see if there were still Han people stationed there, and if there were still Han people, they would all move to the east and Mizhu City to live.

Xu Fang was worthy of this trip, not only found nearly 500 Han people in the Hou City of Wubu, but also collected more than 400 Han people in the east and Mi eight countries along the way, so according to the requirements of Ban Zhi, he built a city in the east and Mi, opened up wasteland, settled, and named it Dahan City, which was convenient for the management of the Shanbei countries, and also made the eight northern countries more at ease.

After stabilizing the situation in Shanbei, Ban Zhi began to prepare to attack the Shannan countries, so that the northern route could be opened.