The spicy hot pot, after the soup base boiled.
The cook directly slaughtered a large fat sheep.
He Yijike and Lemo ate with their mouths greasy, exclaiming their delight.
Of course, this outcome was not unexpected by Fang Er.
For foodies, there is nothing that a hot pot cannot solve. If there is, then two hot pots.
It's that straightforward.
Alright, we've eaten and drunk our fill. You can handle those people as you see fit. Tomorrow morning, you will accompany this Marquis to Qikou.
Any questions?
Hic—No, hic—no problem!
I—hic—hic—have no problem either!
The two fellows, bloated, kept burping, feeling like they had never eaten such delicious lamb in their lives!
Compared to this meal, the lamb they had eaten for over thirty years was all wasted.
After thanking them again profusely, the two returned to their camp.
Those people owed a blood debt to the citizens of the Great Tang, so Fang Er naturally left it to them to deal with.
The hot air balloons were monitoring the events within the Tiankui tribe's army around the clock.
To Fang Er's surprise, these two fellows were genuinely proactive!
After returning, they immediately worked overtime that night to dig pits and bury those nearly ten thousand people!
Just buried.
Buried.
No trouble arose?
Fang Er looked at Zhang Tian in front of him, unable to believe it.
Reporting to Marquis, your humble subordinate is also confused. Except for the resistance from those being buried, the ones doing the burying acted as if they were burying livestock!
Not a single disturbance!
Zhang Tian's expression was conflicted.
These sons of bitches buried their own companions without any hesitation!
The next morning, He Yijike and Lemo arrived with their guards.
Marquis, those people were dealt with yesterday by your humble subordinate.
Very well, then accompany this Marquis to Qikou!
Give the order, pack up and depart!
Fang Er nodded to the two, then instructed Liu Meng, Zhuzi, and the others.
The army broke camp and set off, with He Yi and Lemo eagerly leading the way.
Marquis, along this road, it will take two days to reach Qikou.
Lemo pointed to the road ahead, his face fawning.
Mm, good. After capturing the other tribes, this Marquis will surely not treat you unfairly.
The road followed the Nozheng River northward.
Along the way, countless small tribes lived along the river. With Fang Er's permission.
Lemo led the Tiankui tribe's forces, pushing forward relentlessly. Unless they were willing to submit to the Great Tang, they would be killed without mercy!
Two days later, upon reaching the vicinity of Qikou, the nearly ten thousand soldiers previously purged and killed by the Tiankui tribe had already been replenished!
In addition, countless cattle, sheep, mules, horses, grain, and supplies were plundered. Lemo and He Yijike were overjoyed.
Fang Er was pleased to see this. A scattered state was not conducive to the management of the grasslands.
No matter how many supplies they plundered, it was still not enough to cover the military expenses this time.
It felt so satisfying!
Marquis, the Qikou yaszak is just ahead. Are we attacking directly or what?
Lemo stood beside Fang Er, bending over, his smile so wide that the wrinkles on his face were almost like chrysanthemum petals.
Fang Er looked at the situation at the Qikou camp through the telescope.
Qikou was backed by the mountains, the Langjuxu Mountains!
Ever since Huo Qubing built an altar here to offer sacrifices to heaven and announce his success, regardless of the changes in dynasties, the rulers of the Central Plains dynasties have always aimed to conquer this place.
The Langjuxu Mountains run from northeast to southwest. Because they can block the cold air from the north, and below them, the Nozheng River, formed by the convergence of snowmelt from the mountains, flows, they became the preferred location for the Turkic yaszak.
The area below the mountains was flat, with countless tents scattered on both sides of the Nozheng River.
The huge yaszak was particularly conspicuous in the telescope, several times larger than the surrounding tents.
That was the residence of the Turkic Khan, and the location of the yaszak was also the capital of the Turks.
It was also the final objective of this northern expedition.
Jieli, half-dead, was brought back to Chang'an by Li Shimin.
Presumably, it should have been occupied by Ashina Bobi by now.
Looking at the massive Turkic camp before him, Fang Er turned to A Yijike.
Do you dare to make a trip to the yaszak?
He Yijike was also quick-witted and quickly understood the meaning of his words.
Marquis, you want your humble subordinate to go and persuade them to surrender?
Fang Er shook his head, his gaze towards Qikou filled with disdain.
Surrender? This Marquis is not that desperate.
Of the eighteen tribes of the grasslands, excluding your two tribes and those previously eliminated by this Marquis, there should now be eleven.
This Marquis will only accept the surrender of six tribes! Those who do not wish to die must show their sincerity according to the three conditions mentioned earlier!
Tomorrow at noon, this Marquis will formally launch an attack. Let them behave themselves!
The losses of the Tiankui tribe have been replenished. If this matter is handled well, this Marquis will permit you to establish the Tiangang tribe!
He Yijike was overjoyed!
He had some minor disappointment when he was ordered to merge his and Lemo's tribes and jointly control the Tiankui. He did not expect to have the opportunity to establish his own tribe so soon.
Marquis, rest assured, your humble subordinate will surely handle this matter for you!
Fang Er smiled slightly and took out a box of cigars and handed it to him.
This is a reward for you. After success, there will be further rewards!
He Yijike accepted the cigar box with both hands, knelt on the ground with a thud, and kowtowed three times.
Marquis, then I shall depart!
Having said that, he stood up, decisively mounted his warhorse, and with a few guards, headed towards Qikou.
After issuing the ultimatum, a cold smile appeared on Fang Er's lips.
Give the order, all hot air balloons ascend!!
Yes!
Zhang Tian was excited. Although he was the regimental commander, he always felt that the sky was his true belonging.
He hobbled down to relay the order.
As for the Fourth Regiment, with Deputy Commander Ma Baoguo present, they would not be a hindrance.
Zhuzi, Ma Chao!
Here!
Zhuzi and Ma Chao stepped forward quickly.
You, the First and Second Regiments, are responsible for blocking the southwest direction of Qikou!
Yes!
Lemo, you will lead the Tiankui tribe to block the northeast direction of Qikou!
Understood!
Tie Lao Ba!
Here!
Quickly set up artillery positions!
Yes!
Wu Yong!
Here!
The safety of the artillery positions, this Marquis will entrust to the Fifth Regiment. Any problems?
Reporting to Marquis, no problems!
Liu Meng! Ma Baoguo!
Here!
The Third and Fourth Regiments will be responsible for mobile operations!
Yes!
All units will contact each other via walkie-talkie and report any situations to this Marquis in a timely manner! Tomorrow's battle will decide the fate of the grasslands!
As per Marquis's order!
Everyone bowed and saluted, taking their respective subordinates and rushing to their assigned areas.
ps: Fifth update