Chapter 289 Three-way Triumph (11) Decisive Battle in the Western Regions (1)
Time flies, and it has entered the depth of winter. In Hami City, where the main force of the Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army and the Han Army gathered, the severe cold outside the Great Wall is like a huge ice network, ruthlessly shrouding the land. On the wasteland outside the city, mountains of snow are piled up
, the strong wind whipped up waves of snowflakes, as if they were going to swallow up the whole world. In this silver-covered world, only the occasional sound of cracking ice broke the silent picture.
On the city wall, the flag of the Ming army fluttered tenaciously in the cold wind. The coat of arms on the flag looked more majestic and solemn against the white snow, as if there was life in it. The soldiers wore heavy cotton armor and thick
They were wearing felt cloaks, hanging steel knives on their waists, or holding spears. Their cheeks were blown red by the cold wind, but their eyes shone with determination, which was their desire for victory and their determination to regain the Han family's homeland.
belief.
In the military camp, the bonfire was burning brightly, making a crackling sound. The firelight jumped on the soldiers' armor, reflecting their resolute faces. They sat around the fire, discussing the upcoming battle and their preparations.
.Everyone’s face was filled with tension and expectation, and their voices echoed in the cold night, converging into a wordless and passionate war song.
The firelight of the military camp formed a sharp contrast with the cold night outside the city, and the blood and coldness were intertwined.
The residents in the city have accepted the rule of the Ming army for more than half a year. Thanks to Gao Pragmatic's extraordinary attention to the supply of materials to the Ming army, the main force of the Ming army has never experienced material shortages, which accordingly greatly reduced the pressure on Liu Qi to strictly enforce military discipline.
Over the past six months, local residents have gradually changed from being afraid of the Ming army to accepting it. And because after the heavy snowfall, the Ming army actually took the initiative to clear the snow for the people and repair the damaged houses. The attitude of the local residents towards the Ming army has also changed.
Accept change as support.
At this time, spring was approaching, and local residents also brought steaming mutton and fine wine to the Ming army. This afternoon, they flocked to the military camp to see off the soldiers who were about to go on an expedition.
At night, the city of Hami is immersed in an atmosphere of chilling and bloodshed. On the city wall, soldiers take turns patrolling, and their figures are stretched out in the moonlight. In the military camp, the soldiers are either talking in low voices or burying their heads in arranging their equipment.
Their faces were full of perseverance and determination. The residents in the city gathered together to pray for the Ming army, hoping that they could successfully conquer the west and regain the Han territory that had been lost for hundreds of years.
These residents may not all be Han Chinese, or even say that most of them are not Han Chinese. However, firstly, they already have a good impression of the Ming army, and secondly, they also know very well that the opening of the Silk Road is of great significance to them——
If the trade route is open, the living route will be open. So now, their expectations for the success of the Ming Army's Western Expedition may not be half weaker than the Ming Army itself.
Today is still the depth of winter, so why are the soldiers and civilians in the city preparing for an expedition? Because some things are known to everyone - such as the timing of the Central Plains Dynasty's expedition to the Western Regions.
Historically, when the Central Plains dynasties entered the Western Regions, they usually chose to send troops in spring. This choice was based on multiple considerations:
First, the condition of the horses: In spring, the horses on the grassland have not yet gained weight. The war horses of the nomadic people are relatively fragile and are not suitable for high-intensity exercise. In contrast, the war horses of the Central Plains Dynasty can maintain their health because they can be fed with food.
Better combat ability, thus gaining an advantage on the battlefield. When the Central Plains Dynasty attacked the nomads in the spring, they took advantage of this weakness of the nomads' horses.
Second, weather factors: The weather gradually warms up in spring, which is conducive to the march and combat of the armies of the Central Plains Dynasty. The northern region is cold, and sending troops in spring can avoid the severe cold, allowing the armies of the Central Plains Dynasty to gradually adapt to weather changes, greatly reducing the number of non-combat troops.
Attrition.
Third, nomadic activities: Spring is the breeding season for livestock, so nomads often need to disperse on the grasslands for grazing and raising young, and it is difficult to assemble in a short period of time to respond to the attack of the Central Plains Dynasty. In addition, sometimes the Central Plains Dynasty army may also
Setting fire to the grassland affects the growth of vegetation and the survival of nomadic people. This action was called "burning wasteland" in the Ming Dynasty.
Of course, this Western Expedition does not intend to burn wasteland. Firstly, the central court, especially Gao Pragmatic himself, has regarded the Western Regions as the land of the Han family, and burning wasteland is equivalent to burning his own land; secondly, Bie lost, located in the northwest of Hami
There are currently two Mongolian friendly troops stationed in Bali, the Tumut Erde Mutu Tribe and the Ordos Tribe’s Boshu Ketujinong Headquarters who finally arrived - you can’t burn the Mongolian grasslands in front of the Mongolian friendly troops, right?
Fourth, logistics preparation: Even if the Central Plains Dynasty equipped a large number of cavalry, it was impossible to give up infantry, which required a large amount of food and grass baggage, so it required a long period of preparation. Winter is a slack period for farming, and autumn food has just been stored. After a winter of preparation
, it is a good time to attack the nomads in the spring of the next year. At this time, the army can reduce the logistical pressure and form a strategic advantage.
At this time, the lights were brightly lit inside the Admiral's Office of the Western Expedition in Hami City. The three generals Liu Wei, Erdemutu and Boshu Ketu were sitting around in front of the map of the Western Region provided by Jinghua, with their eyes like torches, discussing the enemy forces on their respective march routes.
Difficulties in attacking and defending strongholds and their solutions.
Liu Wei first broke the silence: "The terrain of the Western Region is extremely complex, with vast deserts and steep mountains. With Burihatu's ability, he will definitely use these characteristics for defense. But the Chahar tribe of Canyuan ruled the Western Region not long ago
, Yuan Fu and I both believe that even with Burihatu's ability, he may not be able to convince all parts of the Western Region.
Therefore, Yuan Fu has made it clear that we can find ways to overcome these geographical barriers, but as long as our army approaches, they may not be able to overcome the undecided difficulties within them."
He pointed to the Turpan Basin on the map, looked at Boshu Ketu, and said: "Dutong (Although Boshu Ketu is the "Mongolian Jinong" and to some extent the "Deputy Great Khan of All Mongolia", but
His official position in the Ming Dynasty was just the Governor and Tongzhi). According to Yuan Fu's order, your troops will march northwest along the edge of this basin to completely eliminate the remaining hostile forces in Oara and control the surrendered tribes among them.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! However, Yuan Fu also said that this is only an apparent arrangement. In fact, you need to pay more attention to the trends of the Kazakh Khanate. The area you are responsible for is flat.
, we must always be alert to surprise attacks by the Kazakh cavalry.”
Boshu Ketu stared at the map of Kantu closely, with a sharp light in his eyes: "Admiral, please rest assured that our army will wipe out the remaining forces of Oara in one fell swoop like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves." He paused and then hesitated: "
Why did Yuan Fu think that the Kazakhs would attack our tribe? We have no enemies with them, and there have always been conflicts between the Oara tribes and them. Our defeat of the Oara tribe is a good thing for them."
"I'm not sure that the Kazakhs will definitely attack your troops, but..." Liu Wei was a little disdainful of Boshu Ketu's strategic thinking, but he still completely resisted revealing anything and just explained: "Wala has a long-standing grudge against them.
It is true that there is quite a bit of friction between them. But from their point of view, a weak Wala is still a threat to them, let alone now?
There is a threat, and you are to take over the Tumut tribe and enter the pastures of the Oara tribes. It can be said that your footing is not stable and the hearts of the people are not attached. If the Kazakhs have evil intentions, how can they let go of such an opportunity?"
Boshuoketu felt a little resentful in his heart and thought to himself: Liu Wei is blaming me for being late? Humph, how could I have known that you could fight so smoothly in the battle of Bei Shi Bali?
Seeing that Boshu Ketu was silent, Liu Wei did not provoke him much, turned to Erdemutu and said: "Your Highness, according to Yuan Fu's order, your troops will turn south and west along the oasis area at the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain to launch an attack.
Luob, Kriya, Khotan and other places are important strongholds for the enemy. Your cavalry needs to take advantage of its high mobility and low reliance on logistical supplies to quickly cross the desert and Gobi to strike the enemy by surprise.
, and at the same time, it also allows us to partially remove some enemy troops and reduce our military pressure."
Erdemutu nodded, with a confident smile on his face: "Admiral, don't worry, our troops will live up to expectations, penetrate the southern Chahar line, and take Yarkand directly."
Liu Wei took a deep breath and looked firmly: "And I will personally lead the main force of the Ming army to attack from the north. [Note: In fact, geographically speaking, the line of Boshu Ketu is the northernmost, but that line is considered the north.
It is a barrier rather than an offensive line, so the offensive line is regarded as the north and south lines]. Turpan, Aksu, Kashgar and other places are all our only routes.
Due to geographical limitations, we will not make any special tactical arrangements for this battle. We will just attack one city at a time. For this reason, Yuan Fu has given our unit a large number of firearms in more than half a year, especially those used for siege.
The No. 2 heavy artillery is now equipped with forty-two pieces. I believe we can forcefully break through the city all the way and form a joint force with the two of you."
Neither of the two Mongolian generals had anything good to say about his words. Heavy artillery was no better than armor, horse gear, scimitars and arrows. Gao Pragmatic could only be equipped with Liu Wei's Ming army, and it was impossible to give it to them.
Not to mention that Boshu Ketu had a history of rebellion. Even if he was as loyal as Erdemutu, Gao Pinggong only sent Ming army artillery to assist him, instead of directly giving him the artillery and letting him establish the
Artillery Corps. There is no way to explain this kind of thing openly, but everyone has a tacit understanding, and no one is stupid enough to ask - What do you have to ask? Are you willing to hand over the military power to the Ming Dynasty Military Department and the military register?
Hand it over to the Fifth Army Commander's Office?
Although Erdemutu and Boshuketu did not speak, they each nodded to express their understanding. This is indeed understandable. The road to Xinjiang itself is obvious. The southern route has to cross the desert. The cavalry is okay. The main force of the Ming army is because
It is obviously inconvenient to have a large number of infantry. With Burihatu's ability, he can definitely tell that the main force of the Ming army will take the northern route.
Although the northern route lacks the desert as a natural barrier for Burihatu, it also has its own advantages, that is, the cities are denser than those on the southern route, and it can resist city by city. By consuming the Ming army's attack time, it can achieve the strategy of consuming the Ming army.
The purpose of material reserves.
It is obviously impossible for the Ming army to be able to achieve almost "no logistics operations" like the Mongolian army. Therefore, as long as the consumption is excessive, the attack can only be stopped. Even if the consumption is excessive, Burihatu may still be able to seize the opportunity to counterattack.
Based on this highly pragmatic judgment, the two sides must be tit for tat. The Ming army not only requires victory in every battle, but also a quick victory in every battle, because every extra day of delay will increase the huge consumption of another day and reduce its own chance of victory; Chaha
Our army must hold back the main force of the Ming army and keep them in a bitter battle for as long as possible, prolonging the war as long as possible.
Both Gao Pangshi and Burihatu knew that as long as it was delayed until autumn - that is, about the first half of the year, the Ming army's offensive momentum could not be maintained. This was determined by logistics and climate factors, and manpower basically could not change it.
Erdemutu and Boshuketu also knew this truth, so they also knew that the key to this battle was still on Liu Wei's side. After all, Boshuketu's mission was actually to prevent the Kazakh cavalry from entering and causing trouble, while the southern front line
Although Demutu does not need to face strong city defenses, and his main task is to attract some of the Chahar troops, but even if his advance goes smoothly, he will not be able to break through the final strategic target of Yarkand City - which has strong city defenses.
Yes, Kyoka Seisaku has provided information on this point.
Liu Wei paused and continued: "Yuan Fu particularly emphasized that during the attack, we must pay special attention to the smooth communication. To this end, I will arrange special messenger cavalry to ensure that the information between the various ministries is transmitted in a timely and accurate manner.
You two had better make the same arrangement to avoid any accidents."
This was the intended meaning of the question. Erdemutu and Boshu Ketu nodded in agreement at the same time, saying that they would specially arrange messenger cavalry to ensure that they would be in contact with the main force of Liu Wei's army at least once a day.
Liu Wei nodded with satisfaction and added: "Yuan Fu also mentioned one thing, asking us to make full use of the support of the local people. They are familiar with the terrain and understand the enemy's situation, and will be our most reliable allies."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Erdemutu and Boshuketu looked at each other, and the former hesitated and said: "Admiral, I wonder if the teacher has more detailed guidance on this?"
Now that he had opened his mouth, Boshu Ketu spoke more straightforwardly: "The Han people have lost the Western Region for more than 600 years. There are no Han men and women in the Western Region. Master Gao said that he would use the local people... This, the local people
Are you really willing to help?”
Liu Wei smiled and said: "Our army has occupied Hami for more than half a year, and it has been very good to the people during these six months. This news must have spread throughout the Western Regions. In contrast, the Chahar people's entry into the Western Regions is not an invitation.
Come, but it was shot in with a knife and a gun.
According to the information provided by Jinghua, many people in the eastern Chagatai and Yarkand areas were massacred during this process. Soon after, Burihatu invaded Gansu again. In order to concentrate more power, he also
Many local people were recruited to join the army. However, although they looted some supplies from the eastward invasion of Gansu, they were not very profitable overall, which was likely to lead to local dissatisfaction.
Also, the Chahar tribe converted to lamaism a few years ago. This is completely different from the people in the Western Regions. It is difficult for them to urinate in a pot. It would be fine if there were no fierce conflicts on weekdays. Any integration is simply a joke.
With these conditions, Yuan Fu judged that the Chahar tribe's rule in the Western Region is not stable, and we can definitely take advantage of it."
Erdemutu and Boshuoketu suddenly felt something in their hearts, and said to themselves: "Yuan Fu asked us to use both Mongolian cavalry to fight as auxiliaries, instead of attacking the more densely populated northern route. Could it be that there are also sectarian considerations? After all, we
I also converted to Lama..."
Although everyone had their own thoughts, the pre-war deliberations finally reached a conclusion quickly in accordance with the highly pragmatic order requirements. The decisive battle of the Ming Army's Western Expedition finally came to a close.
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