Guo Chao put down the newspaper and sighed lightly, his mood somewhat complicated.
How could Duke Wei use his troops like a god? Then where did the recent discussion by Jiangnan scholars and officials that Duke Wei was unfavorable in advancing troops come from?
Many of them were officials who worked in the Ministry of War at that time and said that the imperial court was going to suffer repeated defeats in the northwest.
Lu Boqi, who was on the side, also had a hint of surprise on his face, and said, "Duke Wei has won the battle again."
Guo Chao said with emotion: "This Duke of Wei seems to have never suffered a defeat since he led the army."
Shen Fang looked complicated and said in a low voice: "Since the imperial court has won a great victory in the northwest, there can no longer be any excuses for the supply of rice grains in the south of the Yangtze River. As the two of them said before, the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs can't do it, so now we have to transfer the grain. Give it to Shenjing to calm down the war in the northwest as soon as possible."
Guo Chao looked at Lu Boqi at the side and said, "In this case, I will resign first."
Everyone has won the battle, so it doesn't make much sense to talk about other things now.
After Guo and Lu left, Shen Fang's face darkened.
Then Jia Heng's son won the battle again. Is he really a great military god of the Han Dynasty?
I remember that this was the case last time when he led troops to northern Xinjiang. As expected, we cannot expect him to recover again after being defeated.
Just when Shen Fang's eyes were cloudy and uncertain, a soft voice came from outside, saying: "Brother, is he in the study?"
It was little Zheng's voice.
Shen Fang calmed down, looked at the beauty carrying a food box, entered the study, with a faint smile on her beautiful face, and said: "Brother, I cooked you some Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup, you can try it .”
Since Shen Fang was demoted, he was quite frustrated, and little Zheng often came to comfort Shen Fang. As for his sister, she returned to her parents' home with her child in her arms these days.
Shen Fang couldn't help but look at little Zheng's smiling face and said, "Thank you."
Little Zheng said: "In the past few days, I heard from Mother Wu that the imperial court's war in the northwest is not going well. That person named Jia will be in bad luck?"
With that said, he handed over the bowl of porridge.
Shen Fang paused lightly with the hand holding the spoon and said, "The Duke of Wei just won a victory in the northwest."
Little Zheng: "..."
The smile on his face was frozen, and his mind was in shock.
Shen Fang sighed and said: "Brother and sister, I know that you hate Duke Wei in your heart, but this matter cannot be rushed. You have to take care of it slowly."
"Brother, I know that I am an unlucky person and have already caused my brother to be demoted." Little Zheng looked at Shen Fang, lowered her head and whispered.
Shen Fang said: "It has nothing to do with you. It's the political disagreement between me and Duke Wei."
After pondering for a moment, he said: "We cannot count on a big defeat in war, but sometimes a big victory can be the cause of disaster. Brothers and sisters, please wait patiently."
There is always a time when there is no war, and these great victories have made the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty look like idiots, and even the emperor in the palace...
As time goes by, the monarch and his ministers will become jealous, and the father-in-law and his son-in-law will become suspicious of each other, sooner or later.
Qinghai, Haiyan County
Five or six days have passed since Jia Heng recovered the city, and the new news and memorials about the Mongolian recovery of Qinghai have been delivered to Shenjing by express horse.
In the past few days, Jia Heng was planning to convene the chiefs of the various Mongolian tribes in Haiyan to form a blood alliance and discuss mutual trade matters.
With the recapture of Haiyan, in the past few days, the Heshuote Mongolian tribes began to surrender one after another under the sweep of the Chahar Mongolian Khan Ezhe.
But how to bring these tribes into the rule of Chen and Han? It is obviously not possible to just rely on killing and conquest.
Moreover, if we want to regain the Western Regions and Tibet in the future, there will definitely be more violent resistance.
Fortunately, the Heshuote Mongols did not rule Qinghai for too long. During the previous reign of Chotu Khan in Qinghai, many tribes were in a state of loose alliance with Mongolia.
However, the Heshuote Mongols were of the Borjigit clan and were descendants of the Golden Family. They originally had a legal basis for ruling the Mongolian tribes. After defeating Quetu Khan, they enfeoffed the Badai Ji and united the Mongolian tribes in Qinghai.
Now the Ezhe of Chahar Mongolia is also a member of the Borzigit family, and he is also an authentic direct descendant, so he can raise a banner, but the specific Mongolian tribes still follow the idea of building more princes and less power.
Chen Xiao said softly: "Whether these Mongolians can be trained into elite cavalry similar to the three guards of Duoyan in the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court can stop them."
Jia Heng said: "It's possible to organize and practice, but how to make it return to its original focus?"
Unless we continue to develop the economy, then immigrate to the borders, and engage in intermarriage, there is no particularly good way. The Western Regions have been owned by the Han and Tang Dynasties since ancient times, unless we expel the Oirat Mongols and continue to migrate to Central Asia.
This is a matter that requires considerable political wisdom.
Chen Xiao asked: "There should be news coming from Junggar."
Jia Heng said: "I have asked Xie Zaiyi to send people to check. It is easy for the imperial court to plant a flag for the entire Seven Guards of Guanxi, but it takes a lot of effort to achieve long-term peace and stability."
Since the founding of Chen Han, many battles have been fought in the northwest. The Seven Guards of Kansai have not tried to regain it, but the overall cost of governance is high.
Now his initial strategic purpose is to recover the Seven Guards of Guanxi, so that he can later expand his troops to expand the border and recover Ili and Xueshan.
Chen Xiao said: "By the way, Jinyi Mansion is in Huangyuan. Haiyan is investigating spies and has already informed Heshuote Mongolia. All the spies who cooperated with the siege have been captured and a bunch of them have been uncovered. Xining Mansion has also
Under investigation."
Jia Heng said: "After the mission of eradicating evil is over, Fang Jin's accomplices must also be investigated. I will talk to Jin Xuan later."
In fact, there is another matter, which is the issue of succession to the title of Xining County Prince. Jin Xuan indirectly killed his brother, will he still want the title?
Chen Xiao said: "I've already asked someone to do it."
Then, he looked at the memorial drafted by the young man and asked, "This is your strategy to appease the people in Qinghai."
Jia Heng said: "It's just beginning to take shape. There are silk, tea, pottery and other items in the Central Plains, which can be exchanged for horses from herders, and the price shouldn't be too expensive."
The Han-Mongolian mutual trade was not for trade dumping, but to change the production and lifestyle of ordinary herdsmen and achieve deep economic dependence on the Han.
Then let more Fan tribes learn Han culture and gradually transform them into Xia.
"Brother Heng, are you in the study?" While the two were talking, a girl's charming voice came from outside, it was Ya Ruo.
Jia Heng responded and said: "Here."
There was a trace of sarcasm on Chen Xiao's lips and he said, "How about I avoid it?"
Jia Hengqing coughed and whispered: "That's fine."
Before he finished speaking, he felt the soft flesh on his waist being pinched.
Alas, didn’t you say that yourself? Now you are unhappy again.
Chen Xiao snorted softly, her beautiful face like clear frost, then left the room and glanced at the little Mongolian girl who was obviously wearing makeup.
She also wants to find a woman for her man.
Yaruo didn't pay attention to Chen Xiao, who was striding away in a flying fish suit and an embroidered spring knife. He entered the study room carrying a food box, looked at the young man sitting behind the desk, and asked: "Is Brother Heng busy?
"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "I'm not busy with anything."
"I steamed the butter cakes for Brother Heng. Brother Heng, please try it." Yaruo said softly, opening the food box, and the fragrant butter cakes were steaming.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "I have to try Ya Ruo's craftsmanship."
With that said, he took the butter cake in Yaruo's hand and took a bite. It was crispy and soft in the mouth.
Seeing the young man eating with gusto, the girl's heart filled with sweetness. She looked at the young man with curved eyebrows and bright black grape eyes, and said with a sweet smile: "Brother Heng, I don't know if you are used to eating."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "I'm used to eating. Yaruo, you can eat too."
Yaruo smiled and said, "I ate it when I made it."
Jia Heng finished a butter cake, took the handkerchief and wiped his hands.
Compared with those girls who don't touch the beauty of spring water, Yaruo's cooking skills are good.
"Brother Heng, how many days will it take for Father Khan to come back?" Ya Ruo asked.
Jia Heng took the tea cup aside, took a sip, and said: "It must have been only the past two or three days. The day before yesterday, Fei Ge sent a letter saying that the main force of Heshuote was not found."
Yaruo pursed her pink lips and said, "Brother Heng, will the Junggar tribe in the Tianshan Mountains send people over to fight?"
Jia Heng said: "It's hard to say. If there is still a war, then there will be a fight. Why, Yaruo wants to return to the capital?"
Yaruo's face was slightly flushed, and she blushed with inexplicable embarrassment, and said: "No, just ask Brother Heng."
Jia Heng smiled and said warmly: "I know."
I guessed some reasons, most likely because I wanted to settle the marriage quickly after returning to Beijing.
Although this girl is Mongolian, she may be influenced by Han culture and she attaches great importance to her status.
Jia Heng said, taking Ya Ruo's delicate hand, looking into her slightly shy eyes, and said: "Ya Ruo, when we get to the capital, I will propose to the Holy Emperor in the palace and finalize our marriage."
In fact, Yaruo's marriage was easy to handle, because the surrender of Qinghai Mongolia would make Emperor Chongping realize the importance of Chahar Mongolia in border affairs.
The only thing that may be thought about deeply is that his marriage with Chahar Mongolia seems to have received a boost, but this is from a cautious mentality. From the standpoint of a loyal Han minister, it means that he resorted to all kinds of measures for the sake of the country's justice.
The beauty trap.
Yaruo's jade cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, she lowered her head slightly and said shyly, "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng asked: "Why haven't you seen your brother Agula in the past two days?"
Ya Ruo chuckled and said: "Brother, he has been competing in archery with Uncle Battelle and General Xie these days. But my father has always said that using force is just an ordinary martial artist, and you have to be a wise and brave man like Brother Heng."
good."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Ya Ruo also likes people who are both wise and brave."
"Yeah." Yaruo lowered her head and responded shyly.
Jia Heng took the girl's hand, sat in his arms, wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, leaned into the girl's ear, and whispered: "Ya Ruo, have you missed me these days?"
There seems to be a strange fragrance on the girl's body, and the vigorous vitality is like a rouge horse.
Yaruo's face was as red as the clouds. She quickly held down Jia Heng's hand, her delicate body trembled slightly, and said: "Brother Heng, don't be like this, don't be like this."
Jia Heng said: "Well, it's nothing."
Just as the two were getting intimate, Chen Xiao coughed and said, "Ezhe Khan is back."
Hearing this, Yaruo's heart skipped a beat, she quickly jumped down, stretched out her hand to straighten her slightly messy clothes, and said softly: "Brother Heng, Father Khan is here."
Jia Heng's face looked a little unnatural. He suppressed the soft feeling between his fingers and said softly: "Well, it's nothing. I'm going to see your father."
"Then I'll go there too." Yaruo frowned and chuckled, "I haven't seen my father for a long time."
When her father is away, Brother Heng always wants to bully her.
Thinking of the panic-stricken feeling just now, Yaruo felt a little helpless.
Jia Heng nodded and said softly: "Let's go."
At this moment, Ezhe Khan was sitting on a pearwood chair in the hall, drinking cheese tea. There was a layer of dense sweat on his clear forehead, and he had clearly just returned with his troops.
Having received a military order from Jia Heng a few days ago to be on guard against Heshuote Mongol sneak attacks from Tibet, Ezhe went all the way south and sent a ranger to Qamdo to investigate the movements of Heshuote troops.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, he raised his head and looked at the young man. He stood up and asked with bright eyes, "Mr. Wei Guo."
Jia Heng came closer and said with a smile: "Ezhe Khan has worked hard all the way."
Ya Ruo called out and said: "Father Khan."
Ezhe Khan nodded, looked at his daughter with rosy cheeks, and without doubting that he was there, said: "Yaruo."
Ya Ruo came close enough and said with a smile: "Why is there so much sweat on Father Khan's forehead? Let me wipe it for you."
Ezhe Khan chuckled and said: "It's okay, it's nothing to me."
Jia Heng sat down and asked: "Ezhe Khan, how is the situation?"
"We encountered the troops of the Mongols from the Khoshots, but there was no fighting. The outcome is about to be decided in Tibet. Zangba Khan was defeated. It is only a matter of time before the Kushotes take over Lhasa," Ezhe Khan said.
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said: "After Gushi Khan takes control of Tibet, there should be some time to deal with the aftermath, and he may not send troops."
Ezhe Khan shook his head and said: "I think it's just a matter of time. It will probably be a two-pronged attack and we will attack together."
"There is not much movement in the Hami Guards. After the Junggars destroyed the Turpan Khanate, Baturhun's son Wen Chun is now in charge of Hami. The two armies and horses have long distances to travel. It may take some time to go out.
." Jia Heng said.
E Zhe said: "If the two families agree to send troops, it will take a while. The most urgent task is to pacify the Mongolian tribes in Qinghai as soon as possible."
Jia Heng said: "Ezhe Khan has come back just in time. In the past two days, he has gathered the chiefs of the tribes around Qinghai Lake to hold a blood-breaking alliance. In addition, the tribesmen have come out to assist the army in resisting Junggar and Heshuote. I hope you can
Ezhe Khan acted as a mediator on his behalf."
Given the current urgency of the situation, it is difficult for another war to start, so we are taking the opportunity to appease the internal affairs and actively prepare for war.
E Zhe nodded and said, "Don't worry, Lord Wei, this matter is all on my shoulders."
For him, this is also an opportunity to gather the prestige of the Chahar Mongolian lineage.
Jia Heng said: "It is already noon, and a small banquet has been prepared in the house to welcome Khan Ezhe and wash away the dust."
Yaruo on the side said: "Yes, Father, this journey has been quite tiring."
Ezhe Khan nodded in agreement, and then followed Ya Ruo and Jia Heng to the backyard and started eating wine and food.
After entertaining Ezhe Khan, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao went to the capital camp.
…
…
At this moment, on the other side, the city of Hami, thousands of miles away——
After the Turpan Khanate was wiped out by the Junggars, the Hami Guard also returned to the Junggars, and gradually became the hub leading to the Han Dynasty, the so-called "balanced hub for the exchanges between the barbarians in the northwest."
Hami has become the bridgehead for the Junggar Mongols to intervene in the Kansai guards, and Wen Chun, the son of Batur Hutaiji, is in charge.
A series of light yellow earth castles rise up on the grassy plateau. Countless guards on galloping horses gallop through the vast grassland in groups, and the sound of shouts can be heard from time to time.
Inside the fort, the hall is paved with Persian carpets, chairs made of walnut wood with exquisite patterns, and sheep mats.
On a chair made of gold and inlaid with gems, Wen Chun, the son of Batur Hutaiji, a powerful man from the Junggar tribe, and several generals were entertaining the three Dorji brothers who had come from afar.
Dorji fled all the way to this place, still with a look of shock on his face, and said: "Brother Wenchun, those Han people are so cruel and have harmed more than 50,000 of our brothers. The entire tribe of the Holy Lake is moaning and howling.
"
Wen Chun was about thirty years old, with a rough face and a large beard. He put down the wine glass in his hand, his face was sweaty due to the hot weather, and said: "How many troops did the Han people come this time?"
Dorji hesitated for a moment and replied: "About 100,000."
Wen Chun frowned and said: "There are so many people, why do the Dorji brothers fight with them? Why don't they escape to the grassland?"
This sentence stopped Dorji, and he sighed and said: "The first time the Han people came, there were 100,000 people, and we wiped them all out. Now, we don't take the 100,000 people seriously.
Who knew we would be defeated?"
When Wen Chun heard this, his expression suddenly changed, and the expressions of several generals on the side also changed.
Is Heshuote so good at fighting? Even a hundred thousand Han troops were defeated?
Dorji said: "Last time, because of the help of the Jurchen Yue Tuo brothers, the Han people were cut off by us and lost nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses. Before, the Han people also lost 30,000 soldiers and horses, but
This time the Han people sent their elite troops over, and Duke Wei was as cunning as a hungry wolf. Neither brother Yue Tuo nor I were a match for him, and now he has occupied the Holy Lake."
Wen Chun frowned and said, "Dorji, my good brother, have you told Gushi Khan about this?"
"It has been sent to Father Khan, but there is no reply yet to send to the general." said Sangharza next to Dorji.
Wen Chun paused, sighed, and said: "There are 100,000 Han people. If you want to defeat them, you have to tell Father Khan to send more troops over. I only have 30,000 cavalry here. Father Khan is now in Boxer."
City, it will take some time to get the message there."
"It doesn't matter if you wait for a while." Dorzi thought for a while and said.
Wen Chun comforted and said: "Brother Dorji, this matter is beyond our ability. We can only leave it to Father Khan and Gushi Dahan."
Dorji nodded and said, "Yes, that's what Brother Wen Chun said."
By now, the matter was beyond his control. When his father Khan found out in Tibet, he didn't know how angry he would be.
Wen Chun said: "Let's rest here first, and the people below will entertain you."
Dorji accepted the order and then summoned Hulubuchi and Sangalza.
When the three Dorji brothers left the hall, Wen Chun looked sad and murmured: "The Han army of 100,000 people has just defeated the Heshuote people. It is not easy to deal with."
"Taiji, Heshuote's Gushi Khan still has a lot of friendship with our Khan. If you ignore him, the Khan will get angry." The military commander Lakshen on the side said.
Wen Chun sighed: "How could I not know?"
But this muddy water didn't do them much good.
Just when Wen Chun was weighing the pros and cons, a surprised voice suddenly came from outside, saying: "Big man, Galdan Taiji is here."
Galdan is Wen Chun's younger brother, and he usually has a much better relationship with Wen Chun in Guanxi than his other brothers, Drote Babatur, Sengge and others.
After a while, a young man of thirteen or fourteen years old with a heroic face, wearing a white warrior uniform, accompanied by several guards, came to the hall, and said with a simple smile: "Brother."
"Galdan." Wen Chun came forward, hugged Galdan, and patted Galdan hard on the back. Then he took the young man's hand, looked at it, and said with a smile, "I have grown a lot taller.
?”
Galdan originally studied Buddhism in Tibet. Because his mother was ill, he brought medicine from Tibet to visit his mother. After his mother recovered, he came over this time to visit Wenchun with a batch of fur goods.
The two brothers chatted and sat on the chairs.
Galdan said in surprise: "I just saw Uncle Su He leading a few people to the east."
"You don't know him? That's your brother Dorji. He hugged you when you were a child." Wen Chun laughed and said.
Galdan's eyes lit up and he said in surprise: "I remembered, it's Brother Dorji."
Immediately, he said in surprise: "Why is he here? He looks sad, as if he has suffered a defeat?"
The smile on Wen Chun's face faded and he said: "Those who came here to borrow troops, something happened over there in Qinghai, and the Han people came back again."
"Borrowing troops?" Galdan asked in a low voice, "What happened to the Han people?"
Wen Chun 1510 narrated the incident and said: "The Han soldiers and horses have reached Qinghai Lake, and the next step is to attack us. But I don't know what Father Khan's plan is. I have already sent someone to report to Father Khan."
.”
Galdan said: "Does Father Khan want to fight the Han people?"
"The Han people are endless and have many soldiers and horses. One hundred thousand were killed first, and then another hundred thousand soldiers and horses were sent in less than two months. Once we provoke the Han people, the trouble will be unstoppable." Wen Chun said, his eyes burning.
He looked at the young man opposite and said, "You usually read Han Chinese books at home. Do you think we should fight with the Han people now?"
Galdan said: "Brother, according to me, this battle cannot be fought! At least, it cannot be fought now."
Wen Chun looked at the young man with surprise.
Galdan said: "Brother, we haven't defeated Yarkand yet, and we haven't restored Chahatai's glory yet. We shouldn't make too many enemies and take chestnuts from the fire for others."
Wen Chun said: "What you said makes sense. The Han people are too stubborn. The first time they lost one hundred thousand, and the second time they sent another one hundred thousand. They had to conquer the Heshuote people. But I can't make the decision. I'll wait for my father."
Khan’s letter.”
Galdan smiled and said: "Brother, don't worry. Even if we send troops, the Han army can't afford it. They come from afar and have no food and grass. But we are backed by the desert, coming and going like the wind. When the Han people are tired, we can come again."
If we take advantage of the situation and attack, we can destroy hundreds of thousands of Han troops!"