The Western Regions was originally a sparsely populated and sparsely populated place, and I often walked hundreds of miles without seeing a few people. However, the appearance of those fanatics completely subverted Xu Xingxia's impression. In his opinion, the population of this place in the Western Regions is really quite a lot, and tens of thousands of troops can be pulled out casually. There are too many of these fanatics.

Zhang Tianhao suddenly said: "They didn't come to seize this oasis, right?" ”

Xu Xingxia put down the binoculars, nodded thoughtfully, and said in a deep voice: "You guessed right! They came for this oasis. It is estimated that a bloody battle will definitely break out in a while. Their big shots should all have arrived. ”

It is impossible for people who have lived in the desert Gobi desert for a long time not to know the important surname of controlling water sources. This is the best strategy for a soldier who surrenders without a fight. Especially for troops from the interior like the White Army, cutting off the supply of water is definitely the lowest cost and the most effective move. Since the Qin, Han and Tang dynasties, I don't know how many inland armies have encountered the problem of insufficient water sources when they entered the Western Regions. Many armies eventually had to retreat.

When the Ming Dynasty was founded, Zhu Yuanzhang's army did not continue westward after chasing Jiayuguan, and the lack of water was also a very important reason. In the face of the barren desert, in the face of the wind and sand in the sky, and in the face of the unchanged gray and white, the army from the interior is indeed very uncomfortable. To be honest, if you weren't from a nomadic background, it wouldn't be easy to get along in the Western Regions. This is the innate geographical advantage of others.

Thinking back then, the army of the Tang Dynasty could stay in the Western Regions for such a long time, which was already very remarkable. However, many of the main forces of the Tang Army were ethnic minorities. For example, the Qarluq and Turgish people are very familiar with the local climate. In addition, it seems that Gao Xianzhi, Ge Shuhan and other high-level Tang Army leaders are all ethnic minorities.

Until hundreds of years later, Zuo Zongtang recovered Xinjiang Province, but also encountered the problem of insufficient water sources. In later generations, the People's Liberation Army set up a special "well-digging regiment", which was a team dedicated to finding water sources. It is really not easy to find a place with water in the vast desert Gobi. The huge desert Gobi Desert is drought, where is the water? Almost all places where there is water have been recorded.

In fact, when Xu Xingxia was in Hamiwei, he was ready to select some ethnic minorities to form a special Western Regions Legion. The basic structure of the Western Regions Army is based on Han Chinese and supplemented by ethnic minorities. It's like the Bayannur grassland garrison camp under the White Army. The Han Chinese soldiers accounted for about 60 percent, while the Tuyuhun accounted for 40 percent. The commanders of the army at all levels are Han Chinese, and the deputy positions are Tuyuhun people.

Such a composition can ensure absolute control over the armed forces to the greatest extent, ensure that ethnic minorities will not use the armed forces to make trouble, and can also adapt the armed forces to the climatic characteristics of the Western Regions to the greatest extent. In any case, the locals must be very familiar with the climatic characteristics of the Western Regions. With their mentorship, the Han soldiers should be able to adapt quickly.

At the same time, the formation of a special Western Regions Legion can also attract the locals to the command of the White Army to the greatest extent. On the one hand, the power of the white-clothed army is strengthened, and on the other hand, the power of the enemy is weakened. That's the number of locals. Whoever has the most numbers will definitely be stronger. Of course, the so-called wooing is definitely not an unprincipled curry-tuning.

The white-clothed army's wooing is really to use force to pull it over first, and then slowly get closer. If you don't want to get closer, or if you want to do some tricks, then I'm sorry, I have to send you to another world to reflect on it. Although the Western Regions region is vast and sparsely populated and seriously underpopulated, even if half of the people are killed, it will not have any impact on the local area.

Besides, what if it has an impact? With the reproductive capacity of the Han people, the population can more than triple as long as it takes a hundred years of peace. At that time, the interior will definitely be overcrowded, and you will need to find a place to move. Bringing a large number of people from the interior can better control the Western Regions. At any time, there is a lot of strength in numbers.

The best way to make others loyal to oneself is to balance interests in addition to repeated and continuous brainwashing. Only by tying their interests and the interests of the White Army together, will they truly have a sense of belonging to the White Army and thus be loyal from the bottom of their hearts. Otherwise, everything is variable.

For example, the current Tuyuhun people, if you whip them, they will not leave easily. Because, their interests are here in the White Army. In the main force of the white-clothed army alone, there are more than 8,000 Tugu strong. If they leave the White Army, they are nothing, nothing.

…… Zhang Tianhao suddenly said: "It seems that they are ready to do a big job!" ”

He saw through the telescope that the number of fanatics in the desert to the west was increasing. Even when you look through the binoculars, it's black. Except for the human head, there is almost nothing to be seen. I originally thought that 10,000 fanatics were already the upper limit. Unexpectedly, there is still one behind. It is estimated that there are at least 20,000 fanatics in this sortie.

Liu Chuang spit out the sand in his mouth fiercely, and said angrily: "What a fucking evil sect! Where the hell did they come from? How can there be so many people? Are they really as many as three million people? Grass, don't they need to eat and drink Lazar's? ”

Zhang Nai said with a smile: "Boss, is this someone else's home?" In your own home, do you still need to worry about eating, drinking, and Lazar? You think it's us, everything has to be transported from the far hinterland! Luckily, we're close to Liucheng. As long as you take Liucheng, you can replenish a large number of supplies. Hey, speaking of which, I really want to eat roast lamb shank. ”

Liu Chuang scolded with a smile: "It's useless!" When you arrive in Liucheng, you will eat a roast leg of mutton? If it were Lao Tzu, he would definitely eat a roasted whole sheep! Just eat alone, no one will give it! ”

Zhang Tianhao frowned and said, "You two are too rude to speak, the chairman is still here!" You two find a way to get rid of those fanatics first! Otherwise, it is not you who eat the whole lamb, but the enemy who roasts you and eats it! Liu Chuang, you are big, it is estimated that it can be enough for seven or eight people. Zhang Nai, you are small, enough for three people at most. ”

Zhang Nai said unconvinced: "Three people? How can it be? At least five people! ”

Liu Chuang patted him on the shoulder vigorously and said proudly: "If it were me, one person would be able to eat you!" Don't look at how many bones you have! Lao Zhou, did you say? ”

Lao Zhou is the commander of the Lion Cavalry Mortar Brigade, called Zhou Weihong. He turned out to be Yun Qifeng's subordinate and had participated in the battle of Yangguan Fort. After the formation of mortar teams in various units, a large number of officers of the original artillery battalions were released. Zhou Weihong was sent out to the Lion Cavalry. In terms of surname, he is a very well-behaved person and does not smile. Regarding Liu Chuang's words, he just shook his head and expressed his disapproval, but did not say anything else.

Zhang Tianhao glanced at Zhang Nai, and said seriously: "I approve!" ”

Xu Xingxia also looked back at Zhang Nai, and said casually: "It is estimated that they have to brush it well before roasting you!" You're like a monkey right now! ”

Zhang Nai paused and made a big face, and muttered, "Liu Chuang, you are more wastewater...... You're edged and edged, and the average brush can't be cleaned......"

"Huga!"

"Huga!"

Suddenly, there was a terrible hissing in the distance, vaguely the sound of sheep, which immediately attracted all their attention. They raised their binoculars and looked into the distance. As a result, they saw through the telescopes that the fanatics were slaughtering dozens of sheep on the ground, and collecting all the blood of the sheep and putting it in a large vessel. Then, some people in white robes gathered around the vessel, raised their staffs, and chanted as if they were performing some ritual.

"What are they doing?" Zhang Tianhao asked curiously.

"Like praying for victory in battle?" Liu Chuang said uncertainly.

"Probably before I die, eat roast mutton again...... Zhang Nai said vaguely. Every time he mentioned roast mutton, he kept swallowing so much that he couldn't even speak. Suddenly, there was a muffled gurgling sound in his stomach. The deputy commander of the chasers was already hungry.

Actually, the chasers carried a large number of pancakes or something, which could satisfy their hunger. This is the standard military ration for the White Army, which can be stored for at least thirty days. However, due to the need for preservation, many ingredients have been added to these pancakes, and the taste is really not good. In the words of some fighters, it is disgusting to eat and just want to take off your pants and fart. Especially when there is not enough drinking water, eating these pancakes is worse than death!

Along the way, the dry food prepared by the white-clothed army, except for pancakes, was all due to the climate, either spoiled and smelly, or polluted by wind and sand, or could not be eaten anyway. The only thing that can still be eaten is the pancakes (also called naan) that have been specially processed. It's a pity that its taste is indeed ...... Well, Zhang Nai would rather starve than eat these pancakes.

Zhang Nai...... Are you farting in your stomach? ”

"Zhang Nai, hurry up and eat some pancakes with spring water!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh. It seems that after winning this battle, he must be allowed to eat a big roast leg of lamb. Otherwise, I'm afraid that I will continue to talk about it even in my dreams. But having said that, everyone here, including Xu Xingxia, is indeed tired of eating dry naan every day. I really want to change the taste!

(To be continued)