Chapter Seventy-Four: The Rebellion in Dunhuang County

Li Wenyuan’s sudden words left Zhang Juntao utterly bewildered. Camel cavalry? As far as he knew, having just acquired the Shandan military stud farm, the army should not be lacking in horses. So why was there now talk of forming an entire division of camel cavalry?

Li Wenyuan noticed Zhang Juntao’s confusion and realized he had been too hasty. He quickly pointed at the sand table and said, “Juntao, look—do you know what this place is?”

Zhang Juntao followed the direction of Li Wenyuan’s finger and saw that he was indicating none other than the Yabgu’s tent of the Western Turks, the very seat of their royal court. He could not quite grasp Li Wenyuan’s intention, so he answered truthfully, “That is the Western Turks’ Yabgu tent, the heart of their royal court.”

“Yes, exactly. Look, Juntao. Since ancient times, whenever a grand army set out for the Western Regions, it would depart from Dunhuang Commandery, pass through Yiwu, then traverse Gaochang, Yanqi, and Kucha before finally reaching this place. By the time the troops arrived, they would be exhausted from the long march, while the Turks, taking advantage of their home ground, could rest and prepare, leaving our armies returning empty-handed time and again. But imagine if a detachment set out from Shanshan, crossed the Turpan Desert, forced a passage over the North River, and struck directly at the Western Turks’ royal court near Kucha. It would throw their entire army into chaos. Meanwhile, our main force could still advance along the old route, pressing ever westward, driving the Turks north of the Tianshan Mountains. If all goes well, we might even seize the lands south of the Golden Mountains.” Having worked side by side with Zhang Juntao for so long, Li Wenyuan already regarded him as a confidant, and no longer kept his plans secret from him.

Zhang Juntao’s eyes gleamed as he listened. To repel the barbarians and expand the frontiers—this was the dream of every Han man. The glory from such campaigns far surpassed any honor gained by internal strife. Yet, to be realistic, the Turkish royal court was not so easily taken by surprise. Even with three thousand cavalry in a surprise attack, they might not be able to break through the elite Turkish forces guarding the court.

After hearing Zhang Juntao’s doubts, Li Wenyuan waved his hand dismissively. “How three thousand cavalry can overcome the Turkish royal guard—I have my own plan, and you will see in time. What I need from you now is to teach these men to ride camels. They must also master every skill needed to survive the desert: how to find water hidden beneath the surface, how to read signs of approaching sandstorms, and so on. You must ensure they can cross the entire desert unharmed.”

Seeing Li Wenyuan’s confidence, claiming he had a way to defeat an enemy three times their number, Zhang Juntao decided not to question further. Every leader had secrets he could not share with his subordinates; his duty was simply to fulfill Li Wenyuan’s orders to the best of his ability.

When Zhang Juntao nodded his assent, Li Wenyuan continued, “Juntao, there are few people I can trust now. So, apart from training the camel cavalry, leave all other military affairs to Udelu. Take my personal token, withdraw enough gold and silver from the warehouse where the illicit funds are kept, and take craftsmen with you to renovate the Shandan stud farm. There you will find five thousand camels I have prepared for you.”

Before Zhang Juntao could leave, a servant arrived with an urgent dispatch from the frontier. Li Wenyuan opened it and read: Li Gui has seized Dunhuang Commandery and risen in revolt. Yiwu has also joined him and submitted to his rule.

Li Wenyuan frowned, thinking matters had taken a bad turn. In his original plan, Li Gui was only supposed to occupy the newly established Yiwu Commandery, while he would follow in his wake, pacifying each commandery in turn, steadily gaining the population and resources of all seven prefectures in the Western Regions, trapping Li Gui in Yiwu. But now, with Li Gui in control of the populous and resource-rich Dunhuang Commandery, the plan to confine him to a remote corner was doomed. Moreover, with few trustworthy generals under his command, he could only defend a few points. Should Li Gui launch attacks on multiple fronts, he would be forced onto the defensive.

Li Wenyuan handed the dispatch to Zhang Juntao and shared his concerns. Zhang Juntao read it and said, “Rest assured, Chief. Though our strength now is less than Li Gui’s, it won’t be easy for him to come seeking retribution. Just yesterday, Udelu sent word that he has taken Jiayu Pass. This means the western gate of our Zhangye Commandery is now closed to Li Gui. On the contrary, the eastern gate of Dunhuang stands open to us. If we unite the remaining prefectures of the Western Regions, we can at any time march to reclaim Dunhuang and Yiwu. Yiwu is newly established and its defenses are of little concern. Dunhuang may be old, but its fortifications were built to deter nomads lacking siege equipment. If faced with Han troops skilled in siege warfare, it would not hold out for long. So, though we seem to be in a passive position, this is in fact a golden opportunity.”

Li Wenyuan felt as if a veil had been lifted from his mind. “We can use this chance to implement military rule and swiftly reorganize the bureaucracy, as well as justify reforming old troops and expanding new forces.”

Zhang Juntao glanced around to make sure no one was near, then leaned in and whispered, “And Chief, do you really think that after the second failed campaign against Goguryeo, there will not be a third? As long as Li Gui remains in the Western Regions, Yang Guang will not dare redeploy the armies here. The second campaign inflicted even greater harm on Sui than the first. Should Yang Guang launch a third—”

Li Wenyuan finished the thought, “The third campaign would utterly destroy the Sui.”

Zhang Juntao nodded. “Then the empire will shatter, and the warlords will vie for supremacy. I advise you not to be the first to declare independence, but instead nurture the people and train the troops here in the Western Regions. You could hold the land in substance, but claim allegiance in name, and continue to welcome refugees fleeing the chaos in the Central Plains. Only with a large population can we feed a large army. This is the only way to outlast our rivals and prevail in the struggle for the empire.”

“Exactly. We must also build our own loyal forces here. That means the first military examination in the Western Regions, soon to be held, must be flawless.” With Zhang Juntao’s help, Li Wenyuan set about revising his future plans.