The intelligence from the Trilateral Governor's Mansion is not wrong. The Junggar main army and servant troops stationed in Etuoke Banner, Qingshuihe Banner, Hangjing Banner, Yijinhuoluo Banner and other places have now moved westward.
At the same time, the Mongolian generals from these places also rushed to the front banner of Otok to discuss their next plans.
The leader of the Junggar Khanate was named Bagan. He was short and fat, with a face full of flesh. His thick beard and hair were all tied into braids, and his small eyes shone with a vicious and terrifying light.
Today, the Junggar Khanate has unified the Western Region, but its direct army only has more than 35,000 people. Galdan, the great Khan of the Junggar Khanate, was able to hand over 25,000 of them to Bagan to command, and also let him
He was fully responsible for all matters of invading and plundering the territory of the Ming Dynasty, which is enough to prove Bagan's ability and loyalty.
In fact, Bagan is indeed Galdan's loyal dog. In order to complete the tasks assigned by Galdan, he will always do whatever it takes and use any means.
This person's reputation in the Western Regions has reached the point where children can't stop crying at night. He has countless blood on his hands. He has committed tragic acts of slaughtering cities and annihilating tribes more than once!
In recent years, the Junggar Khanate, under the leadership of its leader Galdan, has expanded wildly and achieved great success. It not only unified the Western Regions and destroyed countless countries, but also forced the major tribes on the right side of Mongolia to surrender to them, and nominally occupied the
Half of the Mongolian grassland.
It can be said that today's Junggar Khanate has become the most powerful Mongolian tribe since the Yuan Dynasty!
But behind the endless glory of the Junggar Khanate, there are also many hidden dangers!
Although the territory of the Junggar Khanate has expanded several times, it also needs to feed more people. However, with the advent of the "Little Ice River" period in recent years, although the territory of the Ming Dynasty has suffered from natural disasters year after year, the situation in the Western Regions will only be
What's worse, most of the herdsmen have suffered heavy losses, and now they don't even have food for the winter. Once too many people starve to death, there will soon be a rebellion!
At the same time, the rear of the Junggar Khanate was also unstable. After the Yarkand, Kazakh, Chagatai and other khanates were destroyed by the Junggar Khanate, their remnants still resisted constantly and would attack various tribes in the Junggar from time to time.
!
The most important thing is that although Galdan is the most powerful leader in the history of the Junggar tribe, his method of ascending to the throne is not glorious. His half-brother Cewang Alabutan is the legitimate heir.
After being chased by Galdan, he has been gathering old ministers and soldiers near the Bortala River in recent years, and he will lead his troops to cause rebellion at any time!
As a result, the Junggar Khanate was quite in a hurry.
However, there is a way to alleviate all the hidden dangers of the Junggar Khanate, and that is to plunder enough grain and grass from the wealthy Ming Dynasty territory!
As long as there is sufficient food and grass, the herdsmen will not rebel, the remnants of the khanates will not cause too big a wave, and they can directly instigate rebellion against Arabtan's troops, and all problems will be solved!
It is precisely because of these circumstances that Galdan stayed in the depths of the grassland to suppress the continuous rebellions in various places, but let Bagan lead the main army of the Junggar Khanate to the Ming Dynasty to plunder grain and grass!
Bagan is very aware of these situations and how heavy the burden on his shoulders is!
Therefore, Bagan never dared to slack off.
Bagan knew very well in his heart that the Dzunggar Khanate was currently suffering from too many internal and external troubles, and it was no longer able to engage in a war of attrition with the Ming Dynasty, nor could it bear too heavy casualties, otherwise the Dzunggar Khanate's rear area would become even more difficult.
The country was unstable, so after Bagan led his troops to approach the territory of the Ming Dynasty, he had been very cautious and did not eagerly enter the country. Instead, he continued to send small groups of cavalry to harass and plunder. On the one hand, this was to slightly supplement the food and fodder of the Junggar army.
Consumption, on the other hand, was also to test the layout and reality of the Ming Dynasty's border defense.
Now, after more than a month of preparations and testing, Bagan believed that he was fully prepared. Coupled with Galdan's repeated urging, Bogen finally made up his mind to make a big move in the Ming Dynasty.
In one battle, he managed to grab enough food, grass and property to tide the Junggar Khanate through the crisis!
*
At this time, in Bagan's command tent, the leaders of the Junggar Khanate and the servant army gathered together.
Among them, Qigmunai is the youngest son of Qiyan Siqin, the leader of the Ordos tribe. As the envoy of the major tribes on the Mongolian right wing, he is responsible for the contact and exchange between the Mongolian right wing coalition forces and the Junggar Khanate.
The Ordos tribe has monopolized the Hetao Plain, the richest area on the grassland, for nearly a hundred years, and is the most powerful tribe among the major tribes on the right wing of Mongolia.
Nowadays, although the Ordos tribe is ostensibly surrendered to the Junggar Khanate, it still has a lot of autonomy. As the youngest son of the leader of the Ordos tribe, Qiyan Siqin, Qigmu is not as respectful as others when facing Bagan.
After all the leaders arrived, Qigemu couldn't wait to ask: "Chief Bagan, what do you mean? Didn't we already agree in advance? The coalition forces of the major tribes on the right side of Mongolia are deployed in the Hetao area, and
Your army of the Junggar Khanate is deployed in the Otok Banner area, so that the two armies can respond to each other and help each other. But why do I see your army of the Junggar Khanate starting to move west? After the distance between the two armies is widened,
How are you going to take care of it? Do you want to withdraw? Or do you have other plans without telling us?"
Hearing Zigmu's unceremonious question, a trace of anger flashed in Bagan's fierce little eyes.
However, Bagan did not intend to fall out with the major right-wing tribes in Mongolia for the time being, so he still suppressed his anger, forced a smile on his face full of anger, and said: "Brother Qigmu, don't worry, I
We have no intention of betraying our covenant, and moving our troops westward is just because things have changed."
"What change? Why didn't I know?"
Zigmu snorted softly and asked without giving in.
Seeing that Qigmu did not give him any face, Bagan became even more angry and thought to himself: "After our Junggar Khanate survives this year's crisis, we will definitely conquer all the tribes on the right wing of Mongolia and steal all your women."
, turn all your warriors into slaves, instead of superficial surrender like now... At that time, I want to see if you still dare to talk to me like this!"
He secretly made up his mind, but Bagan still maintained a stiff smile on his face and said: "It turns out that our Junggar Khanate and the major tribes on the Mongolian right wing divided their armies to take care of each other in order to make the Han people worry about one thing and miss the other, and they were overwhelmed.
There is no way to take full precautions. In this case, we can plunder the Han people's wealth and food at will. But after such a long time, you have also seen the results of the plundering of the sons. The Han people also suffered natural disasters. Most of the Han people on the border fled. We
The wealth and food harvested are very little, and they only slightly make up for the consumption of troops and horses... Therefore, if we want to harvest enough food for the winter, the original arrangement is no longer appropriate!"
Having said this, Bagan paused and then said: "But at this moment, I suddenly discovered some abnormalities in the Ming army's border defense! That is, the Han people's defenses in the Shaanxi-Gansu and Longnan regions were extremely tight. Once the warriors of Junggar
When we raid near Longnan, we will encounter unusually fierce resistance... This makes me feel a little strange. After all, Longnan is a remote and desolate land in the eyes of the Han people, and it should never be valued so highly! During this period, even if
It was Junggar warriors who appeared near the Xi'an Prefecture or Huamachi Camp of the Han people, and the resistance they encountered was nothing more than this!"
After hearing Bagan's explanation, all the leaders in the big tent also felt strange.
Xi'an Prefecture is the most populous and economically prosperous area in Shaanxi and Gansu, and Huamachi Camp is the core of Shaanxi and Gansu's military affairs. If the defense in Longnan is as tight as these two places, it means that there is someone near Longnan.
Something that Han people value very much!
Thinking of this, everyone is eagerly waiting for Bagan's explanation.
Bagan took a look at Qigemu, and the smile on his face suddenly became a little malicious, and said: "Just when I was doubtful, Junggar's informant inside the Han people sent me a very important piece of information.
!That is, the Han people hoarded all their disaster relief grain and military provisions in Hezhouwei in Longnan! The grain there is nearly one million dan!"
As Bagan finished speaking, all the leaders in the big account were in an uproar. Some were surprised, some were confused, and some were overjoyed!
Zigmu looked at Bagan with suspicion and said, "Does your Junggar Khanate also have informants within the Han people?"
Qie Gemu's suspicion was not unreasonable. The Junggar Khanate had been exploring the Western Regions before, but it was only in the past two years that it expanded its sphere of influence to the Mongolian grasslands. It gradually came into contact with the Ming Dynasty, and there was no time to bribe the informants.
with opportunity!
In fact, most of the informants and spies of the major Mongolian tribes within the Han people were originally controlled by the Ordos tribe. After all, the Ordos tribe was the richest and bordered the northwest territory of the Ming Dynasty, and would enter the country every year to plunder the people of the Ming Dynasty.
They have a natural advantage in this regard.
For example, the Wang family, a large merchant in Shaanxi and Gansu, has a close relationship with the Ordos tribe. Every year, they secretly cooperate with the Ordos tribe to screen out the invaders. Not only are they responsible for guiding the way and providing intelligence, the Wang family members will also actively participate in the plundering to get a share of the loot.
Soup, after the annual fire screening of invaders, the Ordos tribe will also sell many of the properties they plundered to the Wang family, allowing the Wang family to reap huge profits!
In short, the Wang family is the biggest achievement of the Ordos tribe's penetration into Shaanxi and Gansu over the years!
A few days ago, the Ordos tribe sent a thousand-man cavalry to intercept and kill the Han imperial envoy at the request of the Wang family. Unfortunately, they failed in the end. Not only did they not succeed in killing the Han imperial envoy, the cavalry also ended up only
More than a hundred people escaped and returned, and after the Han imperial envoy arrived at Huamachi Camp, he found out that the Wang family was colluding with foreign invaders, and the entire Wang family was brought to blame!
Qiyan Siqin, the leader of the Ordos tribe, suffered from heartache for a long time.
After seeing Qie Gemu's question, the malicious intent on Bagan's face became more obvious, and he said with a sneer: "We in the Junggar Khanate were able to obtain this informant thanks to the help of the Ordos tribe!"
Zigmu was slightly startled and asked, "What do you mean?"
Bagan ordered the guards around him: "Let that person come in and talk!"
Following Bagan's instructions, the guards quickly led a Han man into the big tent!
After seeing the Han man, Qi Gemu suddenly became frightened and angry. He stood up suddenly, pointed at the Han man and asked loudly: "Wang Quan! It's you! Why are you here?"
It turned out that this Han man's name was Wang Quan, and he was a direct descendant of the Wang family in Shaanxi and Gansu.
This person originally stayed in the Ordos tribe and was responsible for the connection between the Ordos tribe and the Wang family of Shaanxi and Gansu. He had always been well received by the Ordos tribe. However, after the Wang family was eradicated by Zhao Junchen, Wang Quan lost his use value.
The Ordos tribe gradually became indifferent to this man.
But Ziegemu never expected that this person would suddenly appear in Bagan's tent!
Wang Quan trembled slightly when he heard Qie Gemu's question. He neither dared to look at Qie Gemu nor answered his questions. He just showed humility and kowtowed to Bagan respectfully.
, and said in proficient Mongolian: "Little man Wang Quan, come and see the leader of Bagan!"
Bagan looked proud and said, "Mr. Wang, please stand up and speak! Please explain to the leaders about Longnan's affairs!"
Seeing the performance of Bogen and Wang Quan, Qigemu changed again. He knew that the Wang family of Shaanxi and Gansu had probably abandoned the Ordos tribe and turned to the Junggar Khanate!
Although the Wang family's power was eradicated by Zhao Junchen, it is still a centipede insect after all. It still has many connections and influence in Shaanxi and Gansu! In fact, the Ordos tribe has made outstanding achievements in infiltrating Shaanxi and Gansu over the years.
In addition to the Wang family, there are many eyeliners, but most of these eyeliners are contacted by the Wang family!
If the Wang family abandoned the Ordos tribe and turned to the Junggar Khanate, it would mean that all the results of the Ordos tribe's infiltration into Shaanxi and Gansu over the years have fallen into the hands of the Junggar Khanate!
Thinking of this, Qi Gemu's face was naturally livid!
However, just as the Junggar Khanate does not want to break with the Ordos tribe yet, the Ordos tribe does not want to completely break with the powerful Junggar Khanate.
Therefore, although Qigemu was angry at the Wang family's betrayal and the Junggar Khanate's attempts to exploit the enemy, his expression changed for a long time before he finally just snorted angrily and sat down without saying anything more.
On the other side, after hearing Bagan's instructions, Wang Quan quickly said: "Chief Bagan, fellow leaders, my Wang family was originally the richest family in Shaanxi and Gansu in the Ming Dynasty, and has always had close relations with the major tribes in Mongolia.
Every year, we secretly support the Mongolian army. This year, someone from my Wang family has become an aide to the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu. Under his advice, the Han people saw that the Mongolian army was unstoppable, and they were already planning to beg for peace with you.
To this end, they secretly misappropriated the grain and grass provided by the Han court for disaster relief, and also arrested tens of thousands of Han people fleeing the famine, and planned to use the grain and slaves as a price to beg the leaders to withdraw their troops. In this way, the leaders would not waste any money.
One soldier and one soldier can harvest a large amount of food, grass and slaves, enough for the Mongolian tribes to survive this winter safely... All the leaders must know about this plan. All of this is because of the secret promotion of my Wang family.
The respect for the leaders can be learned from the sun and the moon!"
After hearing what Wang Quan said, all the leaders in the big tent nodded slightly.
Then, Wang Quan showed a look of resentment on his face and continued: "However, the Han court suddenly sent an imperial envoy named Zhao Junchen! The appearance of this person ruined a big thing. Not only did he prevent Shaanxi and Gansu
The governors begged for peace, and also wanted to arrest my Wang family members and confiscate my Wang family's property, completely cutting off the foundation of my Wang family in Shaanxi and Gansu! If I don't avenge this revenge, I, Wang Quan, will never be a human being!"
Bagan looked like he shared the same hatred and said: "Mr. Wang, don't worry, the Junggar Khanate will never sit idly by and ignore the Wang family's hatred!"
After saying that, Bagan looked at Zigmu.
Qi Gemu finally knew why Wang Quan abandoned the Ordos tribe and joined the Junggar Khanate. It turned out that all this was to avenge the Wang family! The Ordos tribe was not as powerful as the Junggar Khanate and did not have the ability to retaliate on a large scale against the Ming Dynasty. That's why Wang Quan
I will decisively surrender to Bagan!
As a result, Qie Gemu's expression became even more gloomy!
Wang Quan did not dare to look at Qi Gemu's face, but saluted and thanked Bagan again, and then continued: "However, although Zhao Junchen arrested most of the Wang family members and sealed up most of the Wang family's properties,
But my Wang family has been the richest family in Shaanxi and Gansu for many years. I still have many connections in Shaanxi and Gansu, and I am still well-informed. Everything in Shaanxi and Gansu cannot be hidden from me, Wang.
The eyes and ears of the house!
Therefore, after I determined to avenge Zhao Junchen, I quickly received news that after Zhao Junchen took over the military affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu, he transferred the disaster relief grains supported by the Han court to Shaanxi and Gansu, as well as part of the food and wages of the Han border troops to the river in Longnan area.
State Guard! Not only food, but also tens of thousands of people fleeing famines captured by the governors of Shaanxi and Gansu are now concentrated there!
As far as I know, these grains and victims were originally placed in Ningxia military towns, but Zhao Junchen had no time to deal with them, and he was worried that these grains and victims would be plundered by the Mongolian army, so he moved them south to Longnan, thinking that everything was safe.
, but he didn’t know that my Wang family also has operations in Longnan, and soon received the news. As long as the Mongolian army invades there, I can arrange internal routes to lead the way, and even cooperate inside and outside to break through the Hezhou Acropolis! When we get there
At that time, nearly a million stones of food and tens of thousands of slaves were all at your fingertips!"
Having said this, Wang Quan showed a look of hatred on his face.
In Wang Quan's view, as long as he helps the Mongols rob Longnan's food and victims, Zhao Junchen will face an unprecedented setback, and the court will hold Zhao Junchen accountable. At that time, he can also
The Wang family has taken revenge!
After hearing Wang Quan's explanation, the leaders in the big tent were even more shocked and faintly excited!
Nearly a million stones of grain and grass, and tens of thousands of slaves. Such a rich harvest is enough to get them through this year's cold winter, and it is also enough to make them take risks!
So, a leader couldn't help but ask: "Is this serious?"
Before Wang Quan could answer, Bagan was the first to say: "It should be true! In order to confirm this news, I specially sent three thousand cavalry to raid the Han people's Longnan area. As a result, after the Han people received the news, they couldn't wait to send out
Thousands of troops are supporting Longnan. If Longnan hadn't stored a large amount of food and people, why would the Han people be so nervous?"
Upon hearing Bagan's confirmation, the Mongolian leaders looked at each other.
The atmosphere in the big tent suddenly became heated.
*
And just when Bagan announced his plan to the Mongolian leaders, Zhao Junchen also explained his layout during this period to the officials in Huamachi Camp!