272: Yuezhi

"Heh heh, what can you do to me?" Dong Zhuo said coldly, looking directly at Wang Li, completely unafraid.

"Enough!" At this moment, a loud shout came from outside the tent. Everyone inside breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it. Li Jue and others behind Dong Zhuo silently lowered their hands that had been gripping their sabers.

Wang Li still stared coldly at Dong Zhuo, who shrunk his neck, looking a bit comical.

"What kind of behavior is this from all of you! Do you still look like Generals at all!" General Meng Tian snapped, then glanced at Dong Zhuo before sitting back down with Fusu.

Seeing General Meng Tian staring at him, Dong Zhuo said somewhat guiltily, "Great General, you're not still thinking of caning me, are you? I'm not the young man I was twenty years ago. If you beat me now, I won't be able to get out of bed for a few days."

"Hmph, you fat man, you're thick-skinned. Even if you get military punishment, it's no big deal," General Meng Tian said coldly.

"Heh heh, it's been twenty years since I've received a caning from you, Great General. As long as the Great General and Gongzi are happy, I'm willing to take a beating.

In ancient times, King You of Zhou, to win a smile from Bao Si, didn't hesitate to play the beacon fire trick on the feudal lords. Today, if I, Dong Zhuo, can win a smile from the Great General and Gongzi just by taking a beating, wouldn't that also become a beautiful story?" Dong Zhuo said with a hint of a fawning smile.

Subsequently, the great tent buzzed with laughter.

General Meng Tian also shook his head, smiling wryly. Dealing with such a stubborn person truly left him speechless.

Then, he straightened his face and said sternly, "Generals, heed my order!"

"This humble general is present!" The Generals immediately rose to their feet, cupping their hands in response.

"We just received intelligence that the Yuezhi cavalry is already stirring. We don't know what deal they've made with Touman, but they've abandoned their disputes and are simultaneously raising an Army.

We haven't even had a chance to deal with them, and they're already planning to combine forces with Touman to attack us from two sides," General Meng Tian said gravely.

All the Generals were now staring intently at General Meng Tian.

"His Majesty's decree has just arrived," General Meng Tian said, cupping his hands towards the south, and then repeated to the Generals:

"Since Yuezhi insists on joining the fun, then we'll fight them too!"

"Understood!" The Generals responded in unison, their expressions excited!

"Dong Zhuo, you will lead the Army from Ordos Loop and go to meet the Yuezhi!" General Meng Tian said, looking at Dong Zhuo.

"Ah... Understood." Dong Zhuo looked hesitant, but eventually responded helplessly.

How could fighting Yuezhi be as meritorious as fighting the Xiongnu? Although Yuezhi was not weak, if he accidentally captured Touman, wouldn't he soar to prominence?

Even if he didn't capture Touman, defeating the Xiongnu cavalry led by Touman would still be more meritorious than defeating the Yuezhi cavalry led by a Yuezhi general.

He was unwilling to go, but since General Meng Tian had given the order, he had no way to refuse.

General Meng Tian, observing Dong Zhuo's every move, understood his thoughts and smiled, "This time, His Majesty's decree is not just to confront Yuezhi, but to annihilate their country! To permanently incorporate them into the Great Qin's territory!"

Dong Zhuo's expression clearly changed upon hearing this, and then his face lit up with wild joy, saying, "Great General, rest assured, This humble general will not fail His Majesty, Gongzi, or your high expectations!

I, Dong Zhuo, will not turn back until I have trampled through the Yuezhi royal palace!"

"Hmm, His Majesty has dispatched Zhao Kuangyin as the Commander, leading four armies of the Garrison Army. You will be the Deputy Commander, and the garrisons of Longxi and Beidi Commanderies will cooperate with your actions," General Meng Tian said.

"Ah? Why is he the Commander and I the Deputy?" Dong Zhuo asked, puzzled.

In terms of strength, he didn't respect Zhao Kuangyin. In terms of status, Zhao Kuangyin was his equal. In terms of the troops under his command, he had six armies, nearly 1.8 million men, while Zhao Kuangyin had 600,000 fewer than him!

Moreover, in his heart, although the Garrison Army was composed of elites from various parts of Great Qin, these elites had never included the Great Wall Legion!

"This is His Majesty's decree," General Meng Tian said gravely, glaring at him.

"Understood!" Dong Zhuo hastily cupped his hands in response.

"Although you two are both Titled Generals, you must distinguish between primary and secondary roles. I don't want to hear about you disobeying orders, or I'll flay you alive," General Meng Tian glared at him again, fearing he would cause trouble.

"Understood! Great General, rest assured! This humble general will never disobey orders!" Dong Zhuo replied, but his eyes were constantly darting around.

"You may go; depart immediately," General Meng Tian said.

"Understood!" Dong Zhuo replied, then cupped his hands and bowed deeply, performing a grand salute, saying:

"This humble general's departure, who knows when I will return. I only hope that you, Great General, and Gongzi, will eat on time.

And the wind and sand here are strong, the climate changes as unpredictably as a woman's temper. Please add clothes on time, and do not catch a cold.

Otherwise, even if I, Dong Zhuo, am fighting on the front lines, my heart..."

"Scram!" General Meng Tian cursed before he could finish.

"Understood!" Dong Zhuo straightened his back and laughed, then bowed to Fusu, who was smiling at him, and led the Generals out.

General Meng Tian rubbed his forehead, then looked at the much emptier great tent and said gravely:

"This time, we cannot defend, or it will give the Xiongnu and Yuezhi a chance to join forces.

Therefore, we must achieve a quick victory and engage them in a decisive battle."

General Meng Tian scanned the Generals, all of whom were brimming with fighting spirit, then said, "Wang Li!"

"This humble general is present!" Wang Li cupped his hands in response.

"You will be the Left Army; cross the river tomorrow!" General Meng Tian said.

"Understood!" Wang Li replied.

He had no dissatisfaction with this decision; as a commander, he also knew that war was constantly changing!

"Yang Wengzi!" General Meng Tian said.

"This humble general is present!" Yang Wengzi immediately responded.

"You will be the Right Army; also cross the river tomorrow, without delay!" General Meng Tian said.

"Understood!" Yang Wengzi replied.

"Zhao Ben!" General Meng Tian finally fixed his gaze on the excited Zhao Ben.

"This humble general is present!" Zhao Ben was ecstatic at this moment; he didn't need to think, the only remaining Central Army must be his!

This immense military merit was finally his turn!

"You will be the Central Army; depart with me!" General Meng Tian said.

"Understood!" Zhao Ben's excitement intensified. Indeed, as the most well-preserved Army among the four great legions, he now wished he could encounter Touman as soon as he stepped out of the great tent and engage him in a real battle!

"Good, prepare immediately after returning to camp. Only bring a week's worth of food. The remaining supplies will be left here for now, and we'll discuss them when we return victorious," General Meng Tian said gravely, then finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Dismissed."

"Understood!" The Generals responded!

After two months of rest, they once again embarked on the great journey of expanding the Great Qin Empire's territory!