In a vague way, Zhao Junchen and Zhang Shengde reached a tacit understanding.
Zhao Junchen still reused the candidates recommended by Zhang Shengde, but it was only four people. This not only expressed his trust in Zhang Shengde, but also prevented the danger of Zhang Shengde neglecting him. As for Zhang Shengde, he also achieved
Part of the purpose, although not the best result, is acceptable.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen and Zhang Shengde did not discuss this matter again.
When the conversation changed, Zhao Junchen changed the topic and said: "There is indeed a shortage of talents now, but this matter can be postponed. With the four talents recommended by Governor Zhang, it is enough for the time being...
…The most urgent task now is to find a way to solve this year’s intruders. Regarding the current border defense situation, I would like to hear your opinions.”
Having said this, Zhao Junchen frowned again.
After looking through the files and official documents of the three governor-general offices, Zhao Junchen increasingly believed that the situation was not optimistic.
"Today, the Mongolian army is divided into two groups. The Ordos Tribe, Tumut Tribe, Yongxiebu Tribe and their affiliated tribes on the Mongolian right wing have deployed more than 30,000 cavalry in the Hetao area, and there are also 5,000 reinforcements from the Junggar tribe.
Confronted with the two major military towns of Yulin and Datong, there have been repeated provocations and conflicts in the past few days. I am afraid that a large-scale war will occur sooner or later... At the same time, the main force of the Junggar Khanate is gathered in the Otok Banner area.
, with a total of 20,000 people, and another 20,000 servants from affiliated tribes, threatening Shaanxi and Gansu to the east, Ningxia to the south, and Gansu to the west. They also echoed the Ordos tribe and contained the forces of Ningxia, Guyuan, Gansu, and Yulin.
Most of the troops, most of the Mongolian plundering troops these days have come from this direction..."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhang Shengde nodded repeatedly and said with a serious face: "That's right! These two Mongolian armies, plus those scattered and suspected troops, this time the Mongols dispatched a total of ten
There are as many as 10,000 troops! Considering the internal conflicts of the Mongols and the fact that the Mongolian left wing has now become a vassal of the Later Jin Dynasty, which has been relatively honest in recent years, these 100,000 troops are equivalent to the entire strength of southern Xinjiang! I heard that the Junggar Khanate
We have retained some troops deep in the grassland, but not too many."
On the other side, Li Ruan also expressed his opinion with a solemn expression: "With the division and decline of Mongolia, and the invasion of invaders in the past few years, it would be good to have 50,000 to 60,000 cavalry dispatched, and the major tribes in Mongolia are mutually exclusive.
The contradictions are so deep that there was no cooperation during the invasion and plunder, and they just fought independently... But this year, the Mongolian troops not only doubled, but because of the emergence of the Junggar Khanate, they also had the ability to cooperate with each other.
Meaning, maybe there is a unified command, and the Mongols are now forced into a dead end due to consecutive years of natural disasters. If they cannot grab a large amount of food and grass, they will not be able to survive the winter. This also makes them more ferocious, and it is impossible to be like them.
In previous years, it was easy to retreat... Generally speaking, this year's fire screening of invaders is very different from previous years. We must be prepared for a hard fight!
In addition, our family has roughly estimated that in the past half month, the Mongolian cavalry has been dispatched thirty-seven times. All areas of the border have been plundered, with a total loss of 80,000 shi of food and grass. More than a thousand people were killed, and three other people were killed.
Every village was captured by the Mongols... This means that the gains from the Mongols' plundering are not as much as the consumption of their army. Because the northwest has suffered from natural disasters for many years, the people on the border have been extremely scarce, and most of the food and grass are concentrated in the cities of various places.
, no matter how much the Mongols plundered the villages outside the city, they could not get enough food and grass to survive the winter... Therefore, if the Mongols want to survive this winter, they will definitely make big moves next! Maybe...
They will also attack the city!"
Zhang Shengde was a little surprised when he heard Li Ru'an's opinion.
Although these views are not surprising, they would never be expressed without a lot of hard work in advance.
Obviously, Li Ruan is different from the eunuchs who supervise the army in the past. Even if he is not familiar with military strategy, he is at least a discerning person and does not just want to make money.
Seeing Zhang Shengde's unexpected expression, Li Ru'an smiled and explained: "Governor Zhang, since our family has come to the Shaanxi-Gansu Supervisory Army, we naturally did some homework in advance. It is not enough to stay in Huamachi Camp these days.
With ears and eyes... You also know that although the Supervisory Army is a fat job, it is also extremely risky. If the war goes unfavorably, under His Majesty's wrath, the Supervisory Army will also be recruited into the Pure Army. Even if it is for our family
Considering your own safety, you cannot be ignorant."
The so-called Jing Army is an army composed of eunuchs. It is composed of eunuchs who have committed crimes and served as border troops. It also exists on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, and its number is about two thousand.
Zhang Shengde nodded again, expressing his appreciation for Li Ru'an, and then pointed to the map at the back of the lobby and said again: "If I insist on speaking, among these two Mongolian cavalry, of course they are the Mongolians in the Otok Banner area.
The cavalry is much more powerful. This cavalry is mainly composed of cavalry from the Junggar Khanate. It has more people and is actually more harmful! However, the Mongolian cavalry in the Otok Banner area is far away from the hinterland of the imperial court after all.
They have repeatedly sent troops to enter the country to plunder, but the action has not been big... On the contrary, the Hetao area is closer to the hinterland of the imperial court, and is only three to five days' cavalry journey from Zhili, making it easier to threaten the center of the capital. In addition, the Mongolian cavalry in the Hetao area
The movement was huge, there were many signs of army mobilization, and the offensive posture was very obvious, so most of the attention of the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu was focused on this... After all, once Mongolia is allowed to invade Zhili, things will become big."
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he shook his head and said: "In my opinion, the Mongolian right-wing tribes in the Hetao area are certainly more aggressive and seem to be the main direction of the Mongols' attack, but maybe it's just a cover-up by the Mongols! On the surface, they are responsible for containment.
The Dzungarian cavalry may be the real killer move of the Mongols! The Dzungar cavalry seems to be low-key, but it has been repeatedly entering the country to plunder, which may not be a test method and a strategy to tire out the enemy... After all, the Mongols should also know that the imperial court
Determined to defend the Hetao map, Datong Military Town, Taiyuan Military Town, and Yulin Military Town have concentrated the elite forces of the northwest military towns, and have Xuanfu Military Town as backup. The Mongols are not good at attacking difficulties and will never choose a head-on approach! On the contrary
It is the Etuoke Banner area. Although it is surrounded by several military towns in Ningxia, Guyuan, and Gansu, the strength of these military towns is far inferior to that of Datong, Taiyuan, and Xuanfu military towns. The Junggar cavalry is stronger.
So it’s easier to break through in this direction!”
Zhang Shengde said helplessly: "Master Zhao's guess may be true, but no matter what the truth is, the defense in the direction of Zhili must be guaranteed. For the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, even if the Junggar cavalry is allowed to invade the hinterland of Shaanxi and Gansu,
, and we must not let the Mongolian cavalry in Hetao disturb Zhili. Shaanxi-Gansu is a remote place, while Zhili is at the feet of the emperor. The difference is huge!"
Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "Yes, even if you know that the Mongolian army in the Hetao area is only disturbing the enemy, you must strictly guard against it. Therefore, the troops in Yulin Military Town and Shanxi must not be mobilized."