Seeing Zhao Junchen's expression suddenly change after hearing Niu Fude's soft report, and then hurried back to the Governor's Mansion with a solemn expression. Wu Qifan, Zhou Bo, Zheng Jiadong and others beside him knew that something big must have happened, and hurriedly followed him.
Behind Zhao Junchen.
After everyone returned to the lobby of the Governor's Mansion, as soon as Zhao Junchen sat down, Wu Qifan couldn't wait to ask: "Sir, what happened? But there was a change in the border security?"
Zhao Junchen nodded lightly and said: "Don't be impatient. It is true that there is movement from the Mongols, but I don't know the specific things either... Niu Fude, please explain the situation in detail."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Niu Fude stood up and said to everyone, "Your Majesty, my lords, since yesterday afternoon, the Governor's Mansion began to receive intelligence from various places, saying that small groups of cavalry from various places were leaving the Ming Dynasty one after another due to the Mongolian invasion.
Territory, returning towards the grassland, the staff of the Governor's Mansion did not pay attention to this information at first. After all, the cavalrymen invaded by the Mongols were only about a hundred or so, and the scale was very small. Although they disturbed the local people, they also robbed some money and food.
common people, but it will not affect the overall situation..."
All the officials in the lobby nodded, they had also heard the news.
Niu Fude added: "However, just now, the Governor's Office once again received news that the main force of the Junggar Khanate was stationed in Otok Banner, as well as the Junggar Khanate's troops stationed in Hangjing Banner, Yijinhuoluo Banner, and Qingshuihe
, are also moving westward, seemingly intending to head towards the Alxa Left Banner..."
Hearing this, everyone present frowned.
Prior to this, the main force of the Junggar Khanate was actually very particular in the Otok region. It could threaten Shaanxi to the east, Ningxia to the south, and Gansu to the west. It contained Ningxia, Guyuan, Gansu, and Yulin.
The vast majority of the troops in the four major military towns directly threatened the hinterland of Shaanxi and Gansu, and also echoed the Mongolian right-wing coalition forces in the Hetao area. Such an arrangement restricted the Shaanxi-Gansu border troops at every turn, and the repeated intrusions and plunders in recent days also made it difficult for them to do so.
It’s hard to defend against people!
However, if the main force of the Junggar Khanate moves westward, most of its layout advantages will undoubtedly be lost.
If they were stationed in the Alxa Left Banner, they would only threaten Ningxia and Gansu. These areas are remote even within Shaanxi-Gansu. It would also be conducive to the Shaanxi-Gansu border troops to concentrate their forces for defense, and they would also interact with the Hetao area.
The Mongolian right-wing coalition has distanced itself and lost the ability to respond to each other from a distance. In this way, the pressure faced by Shaanxi and Gansu has undoubtedly been reduced a lot.
Thinking of this, everyone in the lobby was puzzled, but they also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter why the Mongols acted like this, it is always a good thing to reduce the pressure on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu.
However, Niu Fude's next words made them feel nervous again.
Niu Fude said slowly and solemnly: "At the beginning, after receiving the news, the staff also had doubts about the Mongolian troop mobilization. However, after detailed discussions, they contacted the Mongolians to enter the country to plunder.
With the small groups of cavalry returning one after another, we believe that these actions of the Mongols are not just ordinary deployment and mobilization, but that they want to gather all their forces in one place, and use the Alxa Left Banner as the starting point to invade Shaanxi and Gansu!
"
As Niu Fude finished speaking, everyone's expressions changed drastically.
It has been more than a month and a half since the Mongolian army pressed into the territory. Although there have been small movements and small groups of cavalry have been sent in to invade and plunder, there have been no major movements.
If the inferences of Niu Fude and other staff are correct, then a war will soon break out in Shaanxi-Gansu!
Everyone knew that this day would always happen, but when it actually happened, they still couldn't help but feel panicked!
According to the intelligence collected by the Governor-General's Office, the total strength of the Junggar Khanate and its vassal and servant armies is more than 50,000, and they are all cavalry with skillful bows and horses. Such an army invades in large numbers and wants to attack them.
Retreating is not an easy thing!
However, Wu Qifan, the prefect of Xi'an, was proficient in strategy. After the initial panic, he quickly thought of something fishy and questioned: "Mr. Niu, are you sure this inference is correct? Why did the Mongols launch an attack from the Alxa Left Banner area?
?It borders Ningxia to the east and Gansu to the west. The nearby state capitals are all remote and economically disadvantaged, and the terrain is not conducive to the Mongolian cavalry. It is completely thankless for the Mongols to attack Shaanxi and Gansu from here, even if
Even if you break through the border defense, there will be no benefit at all. Although the Mongols are barbaric and rude, they are not so ignorant, right?"
On the other side, after Zhou Bo pondered for a moment, he also agreed with Wu Qifan's doubts and said: "Yes, this approach of the Mongols is completely unreasonable... Could it be that all this is just a trick of the Mongols to deceive the enemy?
You want to trick us into dispatching troops to Gansu and Ningxia to garrison, but then they turn back and attack from other directions while our troops are empty?"
Niu Fude shook his head and said: "The only reasonable explanation for the Mongols' large-scale mobilization of troops this time is that they want to gather troops. This is obviously a clear precursor to their invasion! Various signs indicate that the main force of Junggar is indeed moving towards Alxa
The movement of the Zuoqi area does not seem to be a fraud. If all this is just a trick of the Mongols, it will be a loss outweighing the gains for the Mongols. After all, the areas they threaten are not taken seriously by Shaanxi and Gansu. Once Shaanxi and Gansu are
If there is no reaction from the three sides, they will only waste their efforts... However, I don't know exactly why the Mongols did this."
After hearing Niu Fude's explanation, everyone was silent.
At this time, Zhao Junchen slowly said: "I have some guesses about the reasons why the Mongols mobilized troops to Alxa Left Banner!"
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, everyone present was stunned.
During this period of time, when Zhao Junchen presided over the military affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu, he certainly showed extraordinary means and scheming, but he mainly focused on the aspects of strategy, organization, logistics, etc., and his performance in military strategy and tactics has always been lackluster.
, and Zhao Junchen has never concealed his military deficiencies.
Therefore, no one expected that just when they were all wondering about the Mongols' movements, Zhao Junchen would be the first to guess the Mongols' true intentions!
Wu Qifan hurriedly said: "I am stupid, please give me some advice from the Imperial Envoy!"
Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, and then said: "There are some things that you should know now! In fact, after arriving at Huamachi Camp, I have been secretly planning for this year's fire screening of invaders, and I want to prepare for this year's fire screening.
The Mongols laid a trap. Originally, it was just a tentative attempt, and I did not expect the Mongols to fall into the trap. But now it seems that my plan this time has obviously succeeded... In fact, the main reason why the main force of the Junggar Khanate will
The reason for moving towards the Alxa Left Banner is that they want to attack Longnan, Gansu, and all this is to plunder enough food and grass from here to survive the winter!"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, everyone was stunned again.
Wu Qifan felt increasingly incomprehensible and said: "Longnan? Looting grain and grass? But Longnan does not have enough grain and grass to support the Mongols through the winter!"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "Indeed not, but it does not prevent the Mongolians from thinking so!"
*
While Zhao Junchen was explaining his arrangement in detail to everyone, the big shots of the Otok Front Banner on the grassland and Junggar were also gathered in the tent to discuss their next march plan!