The Army Snowballed in Size

The King of Yuli immediately agreed to lend Jiang Hao two thousand cavalrymen and provide a month's worth of provisions. Seeing this, the King of Shan Kingdom knew he could not fall behind either. Gritting his teeth, he also agreed to lend two thousand soldiers and provide a month's worth of supplies.

What an unexpected gain. Jiang Hao had originally been satisfied with borrowing a thousand troops from Shan Kingdom, yet they had given him another thousand.

Jiang Hao smiled at the two kings. "Rest assured, Your Majesties. Since you have lent me troops this time, I will ensure that you receive double the returns in the future."

Thus, in less than a month, Jiang Hao had six thousand five hundred fighting men under his command, already exceeding his expectations.

After waiting seven days, the rulers of both kingdoms each sent over their armies, led by their respective princes. This was quite something. Other than Jiang Hao's own troops, every man under his command was a prince from some kingdom. What Jiang Hao had said before about Western Region princes being as common as dogs had truly not been an exaggeration.

Jiang Hao led the allied army onward once more, following the middle route of the Silk Road along the Peacock River toward the Western Regions' most famous kingdom, Loulan.

"Loulan girl, where are you going? The road ahead is too long, the wind ahead too wild. You are the bride in my dreams."

The western wind howled across the desert, while the setting sun hung far above the Tianshan Mountains.

The wind rose, whipping up sand that could blind a man. The army struggled onward. Before long, a scout rode over and reported loudly beside Jiang Hao, "General, Loulan is fifty li ahead. We have already encountered Loulan patrols.