503: Chapter 503 Making Up for Regrets from a Past Life!

Along the way, the caravan's horses and wagons kicked up clouds of dust as everyone embarked on this challenging journey full of anticipation.

When they arrived at the Hexi Corridor, they noticed a significant change in climate and topography.

Due to the gradual decrease in precipitation, the landscape here exhibited clear signs of drought.

Unlike the lush scenery of the Great Qin interior, tall and upright trees were no longer visible; they were replaced by vast stretches of perennial shrubs and various herbaceous plants.

The living conditions for residents here were relatively harsh. Lacking modern, convenient tools like induction cookers and gas, they still maintained the traditional method of cooking over an open fire.

Day after day, year after year, their continuous logging had made the already sparse shrubs and herbs even scarcer.

Now, slopes bare of everything but rocks and sand were visible everywhere; looking out as far as the eye could see, it was a desolate sight, giving off a bleak and lonely feeling.

Zhao Fusu keenly realized the importance of water in this arid region, so he was exceptionally careful in arranging his men along the way. Whenever they encountered a source of water, they immediately replenished the water reserves consumed during the journey.

He knew deeply that in this vast, dry land, water was the source of life and the key guarantee for their smooth progress. Every drop of water could determine the survival of the Pioneer Group, so there could be no room for carelessness.

Zhao Fusu looked at the map of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions.

The 'Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions' was a collective term for the many countries in the region west of present-day Yumen Pass and east of the Pamir Mountains. While the specific composition of countries changed across different historical periods, it generally covered several representative nations.

Loulan was located in the western part of Lop Nur. Situated at a vital transportation junction, it was an important node on the Southern Silk Road.

Its capital, Wuni City, had relatively developed irrigation agriculture, and the residents were primarily engaged in farming and animal husbandry.

By now, Loulan had annexed countries such as Ruoqiang, Xiaowan, Jingjue, and Qiemo, becoming one of the seven powers of the Western Regions.

After passing Dunhuang Commandery, one entered the territory of the Kingdom of Loulan.

This Kingdom of Loulan was also the same Loulan from the famous line of poets throughout the ages: 'I shall not return until I have broken Loulan.'

The Kingdom of Yutian was located on the southern edge of the Tarim Basin. Focused on agriculture and planting, it was the largest oasis city-state on the Southern Silk Road. Its capital, Xicheng, had a relatively humid climate and abundant resources, and was particularly famous worldwide for jade mining and processing; the Hetian Jade produced there was of superior quality and highly favored in the Central Plains.

The Kingdom of Qiuci was situated at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, leaning against the Tianshan to the north and facing the Taklamakan Desert to the south. Its capital, Yancheng, was a major power on the Northern Silk Road. Qiuci possessed vast oases, developed agriculture, and a significant scale of animal husbandry.

The Kingdom of Shule was located in the area of present-day Kashgar, with its capital being Shule City. It guarded the intersection of the northern and southern routes of the Silk Road, making its geographical location extremely important as a hub for ancient East-West transportation. Shule had a prosperous commercial sector and frequent trade with the Central Plains, Central Asia, and Western Asia.

The Kingdom of Wusun was a predominantly nomadic nation distributed across the Ili River basin. The Wusun people 'did not till the fields or plant trees, but followed their livestock in search of water and grass,' living a nomadic lifestyle. Their animal husbandry was extremely developed, and they possessed excellent horses. Wusun had a vast territory and a large population, making it one of the stronger nations in the Western Regions.

The Kingdom of Dayuan was located west of the Pamir Plateau and at the upper reaches of the Syr Darya, with its capital being Guishan City. Dayuan was world-famous for producing Ferghana Horses—horses that sweated blood from their shoulders when running, possessing both excellent endurance and speed, and were highly prized by all nations. Dayuan's agriculture and handicrafts were also quite developed, with sophisticated grape cultivation and winemaking techniques.

The Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions included the Outer Northwest.

It was a great regret for the Huaxia People to have lost the Outer Northwest.

Zhao Fusu clenched his fists; he was determined to take the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions to make up for the regrets of his past life!