Mars sneered, "The Lionheart King is still unwilling to personally join the coalition, but someone has to take charge of Britain's command, right? However, I understand you've seen through the trick. John is just our puppet."
Attila remained silent for a moment, then said gravely, "The Great Gan is the primary target for the West now. If your Tianri tribe cannot restrain your eastward and southwestward expansion, it will be difficult to win the trust of the Xiongnu Empire and Britain."
Mars impatiently retorted, "Hasn't the Tianri tribe shown enough sincerity? The Great Gan army numbers millions. Even if we push deep into their territory, we might not be able to destroy their nation and exterminate their people in a short time! If our cavalry suffers too many losses, we will completely lose the opportunity to conquer the entire Great Gan."
"That's why I'm preserving the cavalry and letting the infantry take the lead in the assault," Attila replied.
Mars stated sternly, "But if there's no basic trust between the allied forces, what assurance do you have that we can break through Yumenguan first and then invade the Great Gan? Attila, I understand cavalry better than you, but you understand strategy better than I do. From now on, I will be your deputy, responsible for charging into battle, with you as the commander of the allied forces. Don't disappoint me."
Attila's expression finally softened, and he nodded. "The cavalry of both tribes will accept tasks fairly, but no more of those incompetent fools dictating terms. Also, arrange for slaves and artisans to procure materials locally and continuously construct trebuchets, and gather stone projectiles, as many as possible! We have a fierce battle to fight with the Great Gan."
The news of Attila becoming the commander of the allied forces, with Mars willingly taking the position of deputy commander, spread throughout the entire coalition. However, Attila's iron fist allowed no one to object, and he busily arranged various tasks.
Inside the British royal palace, King Richard the Lionheart looked at the box placed on the table, as if talking to himself.
"Saladin is dead just like that?"
A minister exclaimed excitedly, "Utterly defeated! The mere Ayyubid dynasty cannot withstand our allied forces!"
"Why didn't he retreat to North Africa, choosing to die in Cairo instead?" The Lionheart King, with a blank expression, opened the box and his expression suddenly changed.
"Where are his eyes?"
"We don't know! When we received the head from the Xiongnu Empire, it was already like this!" the minister replied.
The Lionheart King's expression was unpredictable, a hint of realization dawning upon him.
"Saladin, did you foresee that your head would be brought before me? What are you trying to remind me of? Cough..."
As he spoke, the Lionheart King coughed several times and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Your Majesty, the entire nation unanimously demands that Saladin's head be made into a drinking vessel!" the minister reminded him.
The Lionheart King waved his hand, dismissing everyone. He took the head and went into a secret chamber, summoning two personal guards.
"Bury Saladin's head with great ceremony on the southeastern coast. Go and behead that Tianri spy who poisoned me. Use his head as a counterfeit."
"Saladin, I apologize. My body can no longer support my ambitions. I only wish to protect England."
A few days later, a drinking vessel made from "Saladin's skull" was hung high at the entrance of the British capital. The military and the people rejoiced, while the Lionheart King's condition worsened.
Deep in the desert, at the border between the southern and northwestern parts of the desert. Great Gan cavalry were patrolling.
Near the southwestern oasis in the northern desert, a Tianri tribe of tens of thousands was stationed.
"Your Majesty, the Great Gan cavalry have penetrated deep into the desert, seemingly intending to advance into the northern desert!"
In the central military tent, the old Tianri King received the message, walked out of the tent, and looked to the southeast, his gaze profound.
"That is where our ancestors suffered a crushing defeat centuries ago. We have never had a chance to return! Now that there are no obstacles to the west, we can fight a decisive battle in the western regions! Reinforce the western regions further and guard against Attila's betrayal!"
"Your Majesty! Disaster has struck!"
Attila in the western region also received the news. These scouts had risked their lives to bypass Yumenguan to gather intelligence from the northern and western regions; only three out of the hundred men sent had survived.
"Your Majesty! The enemy has suddenly built a peculiar road stretching for hundreds of miles. It resembles a imperial highway, but on the road are vehicles that move without the need for livestock, and their tops emit black smoke. They are incredibly fast and tireless..."
As the scouts explained, everyone's faces grew grimmer.
"Attila, now I understand why you were so eager to send troops to Yumenguan," Caesar sighed, admitting inferiority.
This kind of transport capability far exceeded their understanding.
Attila's face was also grim, his brows furrowed, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"We thought our smelting technology could catch up to the Great Gan, and that at least in terms of military equipment we would be comparable. Once they complete such imperial highways between the western and northern regions, they can continuously transport troops to Yumenguan. At that point, we will have no chance of victory..."
The commanders of the Western coalition finally began to panic, arranging cavalry overnight to prepare for a night raid on the Great Gan cavalry camps outside Yumenguan.
At night, Liang Xiao also received news from the northern region: several enemy spies had escaped.
"The enemy discovering the railway might not be a bad thing for us," Qin Feng analyzed. "With the wisdom of their commanders, they will surely understand the impact of the railway's transportation capacity on the war situation. If such railways connect the two regions, it would be enough to cripple their logistics and supply lines. I believe we must guard against desperate enemy raids."
Liang Xiao nodded. "They will certainly come. Attila visited the Great Gan in his younger days and understands its potential. He would never allow the Great Gan to develop stably and improve its weaponry in a peaceful environment. The situation will force them to choose a swift, surprise attack. However, our army must also counterattack with overwhelming force, without any hesitation."
Saying this, Liang Xiao pointed to the territory of the Kushan Empire on the map.
"Within the territory of the Kushan Empire, there are many indigenous peoples. The Gan tribe does not intend to assimilate them, but both sides can coexist amicably as long as they are loyal to the Gan tribe. For this reason, it is even more imperative that we rescue them from the oppression of the Tianri tribe. Thus, these indigenous peoples will regain their freedom, and we will gain more resources for food production, assisting us in conquering the Tianri tribe's sacred land."
"Therefore, if our army fights, it must be to utterly defeat the enemy, or even annihilate them completely!"
The generals were filled with fervor, looking at Liang Xiao's resolute face, their hearts stirred.
No one dared to doubt his boastful words, for millions of foreign soldiers had once met their doom because of him.
The reason Yumenguan had never launched a proactive attack was precisely to achieve the goal of utterly defeating and annihilating the enemy, but it had been impossible.
Once the enemy retreated to the Kushan Empire and entrenched themselves, it would be difficult for them to advance westward and pursue victory, conquering the Kushan Empire.
"Your Majesty! Scouts from the Western Regions have sent news... The Loulan people who defected to the Tianri tribe have disappeared. When they investigated, they found everywhere the traces of shattered bones and scorch marks!"
Including Liang Xiao, everyone frowned.
Had the Loulan people also been eaten by the Tianri tribe?