A palisade stood on the dusty yellow road, bearing the inscription Nan Ying Zhen.
This was perhaps the most prominent structure in the area, the easiest to distinguish from its surroundings.
Beyond the palisade, the weathered signs of decay were visible on the broken, collapsed earthen walls, riddled with holes. In the northwest, the constant assault of wind and sand affected everything, even houses and city walls.
Thus, many long-neglected houses did not collapse like elsewhere but gradually weathered away. Those with experience in the northwest knew that many houses there resembled haunted dwellings, entirely uninhabitable; anyone entering would almost certainly be buried alive.
This place was slightly better, with all parts remaining relatively sturdy and unlikely to pose any immediate issues. The rudimentary city gate served only as a facade, with no soldiers on guard.
This location had been chosen by the prefect of Ningxia Commandery and the grand generals of the Protectorate to defend against the Romans. It was with these dilapidated houses and walls that the Wei army held off the Roman forces.
Naturally, this was also because the Romans knew a powerful Wei army was behind them, preventing them from launching a full-scale offensive.
This place had once been a small city, but as a more magnificent city was built not far away, fewer and fewer people resided here, leading to its current state.
However, it was precisely for this reason that the Wei army directly selected this location. Had this city not existed, the plans of Kong Li and others might indeed have encountered more complications.
From a distance, numerous low, dilapidated houses could be seen within the city, some being thatched huts, structures akin to temporary shelters. Rather than a town, it resembled a village.
As part of Ningxia Commandery, it was responsible for repelling incursions from the grasslands, always serving as a northern human barrier for the Central Plains dynasties.
This was why the Wei court, despite its perennial dissatisfaction with the Western Army's expenditures, never withheld funds.
This region had been plagued by frequent warfare in the past, and coupled with corrupt governance, it fostered gangs of bandits. Civilians and soldiers alike suffered heavy casualties.
When soldiers from the northwest died or were disabled, their dependents, who relied on military pay, lost their source of livelihood. The Wei court was unable to continue supporting them, and the compensation provided was merely enough to sustain them for a short period, failing to adequately resolve their living situations.
The lives of the dependents in the western regions were also quite difficult. Ministers in the Wei court were only aware that the Western Army's compensation was low and that deploying the Western Army did not strain the national treasury excessively, but they were unaware of the true conditions of these dependents.
Barren farmland, backward economy, frequent disasters, bandits, and the ravages of war. Most of the relocated people lacked strong labor, and the inhabitants here lived extremely challenging lives.
Consequently, the situation in the northwest had always been precarious. However, at this current juncture, these dependents in the northwest had played an extremely significant role.
The conscription of laborers had not been smooth, so these dependents stepped in to perform the duties of laborers, ensuring logistical support for the Western Army, which allowed the Western Army to pose a serious threat to the Romans.
Dust kicked up by soldiers and horses billowed in the autumn wind, and as the gale swept through, the air seemed filled with flying sand and stones.
Countless people moved in swarms, as if the earth had been invaded by migrating ants. Greater battles were still brewing.
...
While the battles on the western frontier raged, another power was observing the unfolding conflict.
Zhao Kingdom, Handan.
The Zhao Kingdom had historically emphasized military strength over civilian affairs, and the living standards of its populace remained at a relatively low level. Few people paid much attention to the finer details of life.
Even some of the high officials and nobles in Zhao did not focus much on these aspects. As a result, at first glance, the architecture within Handan city was uniformly structured, lacking any extraneous ornamentation, appearing remarkably simple to the Wei people.
Within a rather unremarkable house, several prominent Zhao officials were engaged in an argument.
"Hmph! If it were according to my wishes, we should seize this opportunity to deliver a heavy blow to the Wei Kingdom. How else can Wei be so complacent about our Great Zhao? You are all merely covering your ears while stealing bells!" Lian Po said indignantly.
"General, there's no need to be agitated," advised Jianyi Daifu Lou Chang. "We are merely discussing matters."
"Discussing? What is there to discuss?"
Lian Po asked, "If it were according to my proposal, we should march straight in and directly attack Wei."
"General, please calm yourself," said Shang Qing Fei Yi. "The King also finds it difficult to make a decision, which is why he is deliberating carefully. Wei is, after all, a powerful state, and it is difficult to predict the outcome of a conflict."
"What is there to deliberate about?" Lian Po retorted unhappily. "If Wei is defeated, we should seize the opportunity to attack. The sooner we attack Wei, the sooner we gain benefits, and the easier it will be to maneuver afterward.
If Wei wins, then it becomes even more formidable. With Wei's strength so great, it will surely be a formidable enemy to our Great Zhao. Wei has long harbored ambitions to devour the world, yet you all remain in denial!"
Lian Po spoke without reservation, stating directly, "Do none of you remember that the King of Wei still proclaims himself Emperor to this day, intending for all the vassal states to be subservient? Tell me, if Wei has the opportunity to unify the realm, will the Wei people restrain themselves? Humph!"
Lian Po's words caused the faces of those present to fluctuate between green and white. In truth, they all understood Lian Po's point, but having it stated so bluntly made things incredibly awkward.
Did Zhao know of Wei's ambition?
Of course!
The entire world knew of Wei's ambition, or rather, Wei's ambition was shared by many in the world. Every vassal state aspired to become the true overlord of the realm, akin to the former Zhou dynasty.
However, this goal also depended on strength, and Wei's strength clearly made it a strong contender, thus many states harbored fears of Wei. Kuai Shu Ge.
Zhao also feared Wei, but maintaining friendly relations with Wei and temporarily stabilizing the situation was a common consensus among many. If the Wei people were to truly go to war with Zhao, many Zhao people would indeed feel apprehensive.
After all, Wei's reputation was far-reaching, and no one dared to underestimate Wei.
Fei Yi sighed and said to Lian Po, "Old General, it is not that we wish to be on friendly terms with Wei, but rather that our country is currently in a state of hardship and exhaustion. After fighting the Xiongnu for more than a decade, the people have long desired respite.
Wei is not the Xiongnu. Once we provoke this powerful enemy, our Great Zhao might not be able to recover for a considerable time. If we are bogged down by the Wei army, Wei might be able to endure the strain, but our Great Zhao cannot!"
Although the prominent officials of Zhao had not visited Wei, they were aware of its prosperity. In the event of a war, Zhao would naturally not be able to sustain it.
Of course, Zhao was also unaware that Wei was also grappling with its own financial difficulties for military expenditure.