The generals of the Western Regions discussed for a long time, and finally had no choice but to disperse. They had realized that His Highness had not issued any order so far, so they could only carry out the previous order, continue the transformation in the Western Regions, and then train their soldiers who were already as skilled as they could be.
"Mr. Zhang, please take care."
Everyone else has left, but Xiao Shougui still has a question of his own. In fact, Xiao Shougui already knows what to do, but he still has to ask Mr. Zhang, especially from the previous round of analysis, Mr. Zhang is indeed the person who knows His Highness best.
"Does the Protector-General have anything else to say?"
Although Zhang Jiuli was respected by everyone, he never dared to be arrogant. The person in front of him was nominally the highest administrative chief of the Western Regions. If Zhang Jiuli acted like a senior in front of him, it would probably cause some people to be disgusted. Once Li Xiang heard about it, he would probably have to find someone to give him a lesson and let Zhang Jiuli know where his status was. After all, he was still a prisoner.
"Well, in addition to the various policies previously formulated by Your Highness, I believe we are now capable of formulating some new policies. For example, we can allow people from all ethnic groups in the Western Regions to join the army, at least to make them equal to the people of Gaochang. What do you think of this idea, sir?"
In the previous wars, the tribes in the Western Regions also sent some people to participate in the war, but it was a helpless move. The Tang army did not expect them to fight. What they were afraid of was leaving their young people behind. What if our retreat was cut off when we were fighting?
So in that case, you might as well take all their young people away, leaving only the elderly and children in your tribe. Even if you have such an idea, there is no way you can do anything to our transportation lines.
Now the entire Western Regions are safe, so Xiao Shougui had an idea. The Gaochang army now has 70,000 to 80,000 troops, all of whom are helping the Tang army to stabilize the Western Regions. They are also very easy to use. They are more familiar with this area, and all the generals are Han people from the Tang Dynasty. This still needs to be arranged.
Since this is the case, Xiao Shougui has a new idea. Recruiting soldiers from various ethnic groups in the Western Regions is completely different from the previous recruitment. They must be given comprehensive training so that they have a certain level of combat effectiveness. When we fight against the Arab Empire, these people will be able to help us.
"Your Excellency's idea is sound, but the numbers must be strictly controlled. I've read the information before. When we first conquered Gaochang, we only used 20,000 troops. Since then, we've only added 5,000 troops each year. And these troops must be those with healthy parents, wives, and children at home. Your Excellency, please don't forget this. Your Highness has often told us that those who are not of our race must have different hearts."
When Zhang Jiuli spoke, he deliberately lowered his voice. There were many Gaochang soldiers in the surrounding military camps. If they heard what he said, it would affect the image of our Tang Dynasty.
Now there are soldiers of various ethnic groups in the Tang army, and all of them want to become real Tang people. Lobby points are also very important. These people are also working hard to kill the enemy on the battlefield, so that one day they can become a real Tang soldier. Xiao Shougui's strategy must be implemented sooner or later, but it must be implemented carefully, and it must not be too fast. If anything cannot be stopped, then in the end, the one who suffers the consequences will be himself.
"This is a strategy I've recently devised. We're going to first raise an army of 3,000 in the Western Regions. These 3,000 will receive the same treatment and training as the Gaochang troops. We'll start by selecting them from the tribes that previously surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and then we'll slowly radiate outward. What do you think, sir?"
Xiao Shougui knew that this strategy was feasible, but as long as it was about military affairs, he had to get Li Xiang's consent first. Although Li Xiang had said before he left that Xiao Shougui could make the decisions on both military and political affairs, in feudal dynasties, control of the military has always been an extremely sensitive issue.
Take the Western Regions for example. There are more than 100,000 troops from the Tang Dynasty, plus the troops from Gaochang and other tribes, totaling hundreds of thousands of people. In addition to the Cheng brothers, Li Chengyi and Xiao Shougui are also in charge of a part. No one can mobilize all the troops in full. They can only do it by discussing it. This is also for the purpose of decentralization.
Although Xiao Shougui has just established an army of 3,000, as long as you write a memorial to Li Xiang and report to the court, there will be no trouble. But if you train privately and this matter is discovered by the higher-ups, not to mention Xiao Shougui alone, many people in their Lanling Xiao family may lose their heads because of this matter. This is why military power is above all else.
"There's nothing wrong with your strategy, but you must clearly report it to me before you act. Don't rush into anything. Your talent is among the best in the entire Lanling Xiao family. At such a young age, His Highness has entrusted you with such an important task. You must not overdo things."
When Zhang Jiuli was in the Western Regions, Xiao Shouguo never treated him as a prisoner. Instead, as Li Xiang said, he treated this guy as the deputy protector general.
So Zhang Jiuli also returned the favor and had to give some advice. Of course, whether you listen or not is your business. If you don't care about the lives of your entire family, then just do what you think is right. Anyway, the knife of the Tang Dynasty court is sharp enough. If it really comes down, don't blame Li Xiang for being ruthless. Maybe even he won't be able to save you then.
"Thank you, sir."
Xiao Shougui also understood what Zhang Jiuli meant. When people mentioned the Lanling Xiao family just now, they emphasized the tone, so that you can understand that you have not only your own life on your shoulders, but also the lives of hundreds of people in your family. If you really don't want it, then you don't have to write a memorial to Li Xiang.
After Zhang Jiuli returned to his residence, he immediately wrote a report on the matter. One copy was sent directly to the court, and the other was sent to Li Xiang. The letter to the court was somewhat concise, while the letter to Li Xiang was indeed very complicated.
General Mo Lun should have arrived in the capital, right? Zhang Jiuli murmured.
Although this letter was sent a little late, it is possible that it will reach the capital before General Moren. After all, letters travel much faster than people.
