487: Chapter 487 Weak Water, a Crucial Passage

After the meeting concluded, the members of the Pioneer Group divided into several factions, just as expected.

Among them was a faction led by Zhao Fusu, and another led by Xiang Liang. Beyond these, other individuals, motivated by various considerations, banded together for mutual support, forming several smaller factions.

Overall, among these factions, those led by Zhao Fusu and Xiang Liang possessed the greatest strength.

"Everyone, I wonder what plans you have for the future?"

Zhao Fusu's gaze was calm yet resolute as he swept it across Zhao Xuan, Tian Feng, Han Zhao, and the others who had joined his faction, asking softly.

He knew well that since these people had chosen to follow him, they must have placed great expectations on him, longing to carve out a world of their own and achieve great things under his leadership in these chaotic times.

Therefore, he would help them well, never betraying their trust in him. He must not let them down, so that they would continue to support him.

"We are willing to follow the Consul General's orders!"

Zhao Xuan, Tian Feng, Han Zhao, and the others said almost in unison.

They knew in their hearts that Zhao Fusu had always been resourceful and shrewd, possessing unique and profound insights into the situation.

In their eyes, Zhao Fusu was like a guiding beacon; following him gave them a goal and the motivation to move forward, so they all expressed without hesitation their willingness to follow Zhao Fusu's arrangements.

"Good."

Zhao Fusu nodded earnestly, his eyes revealing a sense of mission and responsibility.

He understood deeply that the trust and following of these people was not only an honor but also a heavy responsibility.

At present, the primary direction for Great Qin's development strategy was to capture the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. Afterward, Great Qin would launch an offensive against the Northern Desert simultaneously from the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions and the Southern Desert, striving to take the Northern Desert in one fell swoop.

Furthermore, Great Qin's iron cavalry would march north all the way to the Northern Sea.

This Northern Sea was not the distant Arctic Ocean, but the lake that carried historical memories and had witnessed Su Wu herding sheep.

It was the deepest freshwater lake in the world, and during the Tang and Yuan dynasties, this lake had belonged to the territory of the Great Land of China. It was a pity that later, the Slavs, who inherited Mongol blood, had used bloody means to seize it back.

Looking at geographical factors, advancing from the west of Siberia to the east, the terrain was flat and open, a vast expanse, favorable for large-scale military operations.

In terms of geographical advantages, it could be said that both sides were evenly matched, with neither holding an absolute advantage.

However, looking at the route advancing from the Central Plains to the Northern Desert, it was fraught with difficulties.

That was a plateau region with undulating terrain and continuous mountain ranges.

Whether it was cavalry swooping down from heights or large troop formations crossing mountains and ridges, both would consume vast amounts of stamina and food supplies.

Yet the opponent could rest and conserve their strength in the rear, waiting for the exhausted enemy.

Comparing the two, the advantage clearly did not lie with Great Qin.

This was precisely the conclusion Zhao Fusu had reached after careful consideration: to take the Northern Desert, one must first capture the Hexi Corridor and then take the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions.

Only by securing the Hexi Corridor and the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions could Great Qin possess a stable foothold to subsequently launch a powerful offensive against the Northern Desert.

Zhao Fusu had once been a geography class representative; he knew much more about geography than the average person.

In the Hexi Corridor, there was a crucial passage that could lead directly into the Northern Desert plateau, and that was Ruoshui.