Chapter 289 Three-way Triumph (11) Decisive Battle in the Western Regions (2)
In the depth of winter, Yarkand City is tightly wrapped in a severe cold and chilling atmosphere. The sky shows a deep gray-blue, with occasionally a few snowflakes shining brightly in the weak sunlight. The cold wind howls, as if coming from
The ice fields from the north swept over, bringing with them a biting chill, mercilessly testing the city walls and houses.
The city wall has long been covered with a thick layer of snow, which seems to have put a white cloak on this ancient city. The bricks and stones on the city wall appear more vicissitudes in the cold wind, as if to tell the ruthlessness of history.
The soldiers guarding the city wore heavy cotton armor and fur hats. Their sabers were hung on their waists, and the cold made them even reluctant to touch the handles of the sabers. Their cheeks were already red from the cold, and they were breathing heavily.
The white mist sprayed out was as thick as floating goat's milk.
"When will this freezing weather end?" A Mongolian soldier muttered without concealment: "I heard that the Ming army has begun to gather in Hami... Damn it, aren't they cold?"
The officer walking in front of him turned back coldly and scolded: "What are you yelling at? Even the Ming army is not afraid of the cold, but us Mongolian warriors are afraid of it?"
However, the talkative soldier didn't seem to be very afraid of this man on the mountain. He said angrily: "Okay, Aha (note: Aha, brother in Mongolian), why is the Ming army not cold? Who among us doesn't know? We have
Qian, he is dressed in what is called a three-layered jacket, with a fine cotton-padded jacket on the inside, sewn tightly with fine tussah material to prevent wind. Not to mention the fine cotton armor on the outside, I heard that it is even better.
We can wear double layers! Look at us again... we are so damn shabby."
His superior officer, who was also his brother, said displeasedly: "Why do you talk so much nonsense? Nowadays, you still have a decent cotton-padded jacket to wear. I think back then... hmm, it was not as good as it is now!"
"Hey, let me tell you, Aha, I heard that we bought these cotton-padded jackets from Mingren. Is it true?"
The officer said: "How come it's not true? Mingren's cotton-padded jackets are made very well and are sold cheaper than our own. Wouldn't it be stupid not to buy theirs?"
"But these are for us to wear in the war. Why would they be willing to sell them?"
"How do I know? Anyway, they bought all the cotton, but they sold back the cotton-padded jackets... Maybe the condition for allowing them to buy the cotton is that they have to sell back the cotton-padded jackets, who knows!"
Maybe it was too cold, or maybe the problem was too complicated, and I really couldn't figure it out. This group of Mongolian patrols gradually walked away, and no one continued to talk.
At this time, the shops on both sides of the city's streets were closed, and the door panels were covered with thick snow. Occasionally, the wind blew through, picking up pieces of snowflakes and flying in the air. Except for the Mongolian patrols, there were few pedestrians on the streets.
Hurrying by, you wrap up your clothes tightly and try to shorten the time of exposure to the cold wind. The trees on the roadside have long since withered, leaving only the bare branches swaying in the cold wind.
In the center of Yarkand City, there is an ancient meeting hall, which is a typical sect-style building. All the patterns are various geometric patterns. The roof of the hall is covered with thick snow, and long hangings are hung under the eaves.
Long icebergs. The fire in the hall burned brightly, giving off a warm light.
However, this warmth could not dispel the solemn atmosphere in the hall. Burihatu and his generals sat around the stove, their faces full of seriousness and worry. They frowned and discussed how to deal with it.
The upcoming Ming army crusade.
The night is already deep, and Yarkand City is even quieter. The moon in the sky shines faintly through the clouds, as if silently watching the ancient city. The cold wind still howls, blowing through the city walls, blowing through the streets, and blowing through
Every corner. The entire city seemed to be enveloped in an atmosphere of chilling and uneasiness, and people's hearts were filled with anxiety.
From Burihatu's standpoint, the situation in front of him seemed particularly severe. The Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army had formed an irreversible trend in Hami City, and the cold winter was about to pass, and the pace of spring was approaching. And he,
As the "grand master of all Mongolia", he was facing a powerful enemy from the east - the Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army.
Based on detailed reports, Burihatu had already formed a picture in his mind. At this moment, outside Hami City, the flag of the Ming army was fluttering in the cold wind, as if foreshadowing the coming storm.
Although the residents in the city were initially afraid of the Ming army, as time went by, the Ming army's strict discipline and actions to eliminate harm to the people gradually won their support. Today, these residents even send soldiers to the Ming army.
Without food and wine, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow to Chahar... no, to the headquarters of the last Mongol Khan.
It is unbelievable that the Ming army gained the hearts and minds of the people in the newly conquered lands so quickly. It seems that the Han people's theory is indeed true. This is called wealth can lead to gods. If the conquerors do not bring much killing, but bring
With a large amount of wealth, it seems that the locals do not need to resist... At least, it seems that it is difficult to arouse their will to resist.
Through the recent collection of intelligence, Burihatu has learned that the Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army is not alone. They have sufficient supplies, firm belief and determination, and the support of the local people.
As for himself, he must face enemy pressure from three aspects: the main force of the Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army in the east, the Mongolian army of the Tumote Erde Mutu Tribe and the Ordos Boshu Ketu Jinong Headquarters in the southeast and northeast.
, although these two armies are of the same race as Chahar, it is obvious that they have been at loggerheads with themselves, and are even fighting to the death.
Burihatu knew very well that the terrain of the Western Region was complex, with vast deserts and steep mountains, which were natural barriers that he could use.
However, he also understood that these geographical advantages could not completely make up for the disadvantages in strength and weapons. The strength of the Ming Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army did not lie in their strength, but in their advanced weapons, equipment, and their lifelong dedication.
The terrifying logistics created by Gao Pangpang himself.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Burihatu quietly examined the map of Kanyu in front of him, the Turpan Basin, the Tianshan Mountains, the edge of the desert... Every location may become the focus of the battlefield. He must plan carefully
, using all available resources to resist the Ming army's attack.
However, what he knows better is that this war is not only a military contest, but also a contest of people's hearts and beliefs. He must inspire the fighting spirit of his subordinates and let them understand that this war is for Chahar and Mongolia.
Fight for the final glory!
However, Burihatu suddenly turned his head and looked towards the north, where the Great Khan's residence was. Burihatu's eyes showed deep worry.
There lived the "Great Khan of All Mongolia" and the Khan of the Chahar tribe - Buyan Khan. This was a great Khan in his prime, forty-five years old. However, his body was different from his
The age does not match. To be precise, his current state can almost be described as waning years.
In fact, when Tumen Khan led the Chahar tribe to move westward, he was still very strong as Buyantai Ji, could ride a fast horse, and could shoot a strong bow. Who knew that he would succeed to the throne in just eight years?
Over time, the brave Great Khan was reduced to the point where he needed someone to help him when walking, which even aroused some people's suspicion that he, the Grand Master, was conspiring to frame the Great Khan.
Haha... Yes, they can indeed doubt, or even should doubt. After all, they are also a bloodline of the Golden Family, and they are also people who can be a Great Khan. Now that they have become a Grand Master, what if they go one step further and become a Great Khan?
Anyway, the Great Khan has long been unable to govern. If he overthrows him, he should be killed alive. If he becomes the Great Khan himself, everything he does in the future will be justified. What's wrong with that?
However, that is just suspicion, not reality.
Burihatu himself knew how much he hoped that the Great Khan would be healthy and that the Great Khan could lead the Chahar tribe to restore the infinite glory of the Mongol Empire in the past. As for myself... I don't want to be the Great Khan.
Yes, Burihatu didn’t want to be a great Khan. Maybe it was because he read too many Chinese books, but Burihatu’s goal in life was actually to be Prime Minister Zhuge of Mongolia!
Ridiculous? Maybe, but this is his ideal.
What's interesting is that reality may have played a big joke on him. He wanted to be Prime Minister Zhuge, but the current situation seems to be really about to reach the stage of Tuogu in Baidi City.
Suddenly, he turned his head, looked towards the seat closest to his right, and asked: "Lindan Batur, how are you, Owo, today?" [Note: Owo, transliteration, means grandfather in Mongolian.
.]
In the Ming Dynasty, the left was respected, while in Mongolia, the right was respected. As the Grand Master, Burihatu, the position closest to his right hand side means that this "Lindan Batur" is the most noble person here besides himself.
Yes, Lindan Batur is the last Great Khan of Mongolia in original history - Lindan Khan. But at this moment, Lindan Batur is just a child between nine and less than ten years old, almost the same as when he first ascended the throne.
It was about the same size as Zhu Yijun at that time.
However, his appearance now is completely different from that of Zhu Yijun back then. Compared with Zhu Yijun, who had been a little chubby since he was a child, Lin Danhan is much leaner and his skin is also a little yellowish and black. However, his yellowish and black complexion will not
It gives people a sickly feeling, but it can be seen at a glance that they often ride horses under the scorching sun, which is why they are tanned like this.
Although he was less than ten years old, Lindan Batur had sharp eyes and he was a smart boy at first glance. When he saw Burihatu asking a question, he immediately replied: "Grandmaster Lao asked, there is nothing strange about Ouwo today."
Burihatu nodded and asked deliberately: "You just listened to the tip, do you have any insights?"
"I..." Lindan Batur's eyes dodge slightly, hesitating for a moment before facing Burihatu's inspection again, and replied in a weaker voice than before: "I think the Ming army has a greater advantage than us."
Suddenly there was a suppressed noise in the hall. Burihatu glanced coldly and said, "Did I ask you?" Everyone quickly shut up and acted as if they were listening to the instructions.
Burihatu withdrew his gaze, looked at Lindan Batur again, and said calmly: "You are right, the Ming army's advantage is obviously greater than ours, what next?"
Lindan Batur hesitated for a moment and said: "If we mobilize a large army to fight with them, we may be in trouble."
Are you trying to inflate other people's ambitions and destroy your own prestige? Everyone in the hall subconsciously looked at the Grand Master, hoping to see the Grand Master teach this little Taiji a lesson.
However, Burihatu's face did not change at all. Instead, he nodded and agreed: "The main force of the Ming army, Liu Wei's tribe, has about 50,000 to 60,000 people. Our Chahar headquarters, Na'er. [Note: Na'er, a Mongolian."
The number of soldiers was equivalent to that of the leader's bodyguards. In addition, there were only 30,000 black troops recruited from various places in Yarkand, and more than 10,000 Wala remnants, totaling 100,000. There was really no guarantee of defeating the Ming army in a decisive battle.
"
Everyone in the hall was astonished. What happened to the grand master? He actually admitted in public that our army with superior strength could not defeat the Ming army with inferior strength?
Burihatu stood up and walked slowly: "The Han Art of War says, 'Soldiers are a major issue for the country, the place of life and death, and the way of survival.' If you cannot face up to the strength of the enemy and ourselves, you will think that the Mongolian warriors are self-righteous.
He will definitely be better than the Han soldiers, so he will use his troops recklessly. Once on the battlefield, and the two sides are in close combat, it will be too late to regret."
He paused, looked around at the crowd and said: "In the past twenty years, our army has fought with the Ming army more than once or twice. Do you still think that the Han people are vulnerable? If the Han people are vulnerable, why are we here?
Yerqiang is here?"
Then he turned to look at Lindan Batur again and asked: "Now that the enemy is strong and we are weak, how do you think our army should respond?"
Lindan Batur smiled bitterly and said, "Master, I dare not say."
Burihatu sighed and said, "Your father passed away early, and now Dahan is seriously ill... What is there that you dare not say?"
"Then I'll say it." After all, he was still young. When Boshuktu said this, Lindan Batur said bluntly: "Boshuktu is staring at the Kazakhs in the north, and it will be difficult for the Kazakhs to be like him."
The division had previously expected that it might launch a surprise attack on the old territories of the Oara tribes, thereby threatening the Ming army's food routes.
Erdemutu's men are all Tumote elite cavalry. As the Grand Master expected, I also think that the Ming army will send them to take the south road and detour along the edge of the desert to attack. And there are small towns along the south road, and there is no way for a large army to be stationed.
If our army sends troops to stop him, we will have to fight with him in a decisive battle in the field. The Tumote elite cavalry is by no means an easy person. If our army wants to defeat, I am afraid that it will have to use its main force... Then who will resist the main force of the Ming army in the middle?
?So I think the South Road will definitely fail.
The middle road is the main force of the Ming army. The intelligence report just said that the Ming army in the middle road is well-armed and well-supplied. Unless they are stupid enough to ignore the cities on the way and directly attack Yarkand, otherwise as long as they capture one city after another, in the end we will only
Able to fight them decisively in Yarkant.
The only thing we can hope for is that with the extension of the front line, it will be difficult for them to maintain their current level of nourishment by the time they reach Yarkand, and then we will rely on the city to hold on for a while to exhaust their morale. By then, if
If we can find an opportunity to sneak attack the Ming army's camp, there may be a chance of victory."
Burihatu shook his head and said: "As long as Gao Rixin is still sitting in the Ming court cabinet, the Ming army will not be short of nourishment. Even if they stay under Yarkant City for a year, I don't think they can go hungry."
Lindan Batur argued: "But as long as they attack Yarkand City, we can find opportunities to send elite cavalry to attack their food roads!"
Burihatu said angrily: "Lindan Taiji, do you think Erdemutu is dead? Even if Boshuketu clings to the old land of Wala and does not come to Yarkand, there are tens of thousands of Tumote spirits riding beside him.
, who can cut off the Ming army's food route? You or me?"
Lindan Batur lost all his energy and leaned back in his chair as if collapsed. He pursed his lips and said: "Then there is no way to fight. I think it would be better to go west to Andiyan earlier, or even fight all the way to Samar."
Han, taking Bukhara is also a good inheritance!"
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