Chapter 1716 Jia Heng: It’s time for this great Han Dynasty to change its surname to Su
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Dahan, the sixth year of Qiande
The war broke out in the Hami Guards, and the offensive and defensive battles between the two sides lasted for several months. The Handong Left Guards fell to the Junggar tribe.
But the Hami, Shazhou and Chijin Mongolian Guards are the horns of each other and echo each other from afar.
In this way, the war lasted until early June in the summer. Under the leadership of the British Duke, the one hundred thousand soldiers and horses of the Beijing camp who came from the capital of the Han Dynasty finally arrived at the Acropolis of Hami in a mighty manner.
Pang Shili and Jin Xuan, escorted by a large number of personal guards, hurried out of the city, thanked the British Duke Zaiyi as they approached the city, and said warmly: "The British Duke has finally arrived."
While talking, several people walked quickly into the city without stopping, and then the two parties took their seats respectively.
Jin Xuan stared at Xie Zaiyi and couldn't wait to ask: "Young Master, what did King Wei say?"
Xie Zaiyi was silent for a moment and said: "King Wei said that the soldiers and horses from Beijing Camp and Xining should unite to level the Western Region in one fell swoop and plant the flag of the Han Dynasty on this land again."
Xie Zaiyi said in a deep voice: "The Beijing camp has brought a large number of muskets this time. If we make good use of them, we will definitely be able to defeat the Junggar troops."
Pang Shili shook his head and said in a low voice: "The Hongyi cannon can be used to defend the city, but it is inconvenient to carry out of the city for field battles, and it is easy to be scattered by the bandits and cavalry, so it is difficult to guarantee the effectiveness."
Although the red cannons have been made lighter in the past few years and can be transported back and forth by mules and horses, the power is still there, so the cannons are destined to be very heavy.
Facing the confrontation between the highly mobile prairie cavalry, the application of this clumsy red cannon in the war was inappropriate.
Under Xie Zaiyi's thick eyebrows, he said in a deep voice: "The Ordnance Supervisor has manufactured some lightweight muskets for the cavalry to carry, and can accompany the army to bombard the cavalry of Junggar and Yarkand."
Pang Shili looked serious and asked: "Are these guns really so light and can be carried anywhere?"
Xie Zaiyi stared at Pang Shili and said in a deep voice: "In addition, the fusillade muskets have also been installed in the Shenji Camp of the Beijing Camp. This time, the combination of the fusillade muskets and the thunderous thunder is enough to wipe out the enemy invaders and eliminate the remaining enemies."
Pang Shili said: "In this case, even if Junggar and Yarkand have 200,000 troops, they will not be able to withstand our army's attack."
Xie Zaiyi asked: "The soldiers and horses of the Junggar tribe sent cavalry to attack our army's food route. How has the situation between the two sides been in the past few days?"
Pang Shili said loudly: "I, the Xining Cavalry, have been fighting with them for many days. We have suffered casualties on each other, but the food road is not seriously affected."
It can be said that Galdan's strategy of harassing grain roads has failed due to Pang Shili and Jin Xuan's deployment of troops and generals.
Xie Zaiyi nodded and said: "General Pang, we still need to use cavalry to protect the grain roads. We must not expose the grain roads to the iron hoofs of the Junggar people to avoid being trampled."
Pang Shili said: "Don't worry, British public! Although the cavalry of the Junggar tribe are brave and good at fighting, our Xining cavalry and Jingying cavalry have been galloping around the world for many years, and they are no less inferior in competing with them."
Xie Zaiyi muttered: "This battle is related to the peace of our great Han Dynasty for more than ten years. You and I have a very important entrustment from King Wei, so we cannot ignore it!"
Pang Shili clasped his fists and said: "The British Lord, the last general and others are bound to go through fire and water, and I will never refuse."
The generals of Xining Prefecture behind him also clasped their fists to show their determination.
At this moment, Jin Xuan took over the conversation from the side, smiled, and said warmly: "The British prince has come all the way, so please have dinner with us."
Xie Zaiyi responded and then sat down in the side room.
Pang Shili looked with burning eyes under his thick eyebrows and asked: "What are King Wei's expectations for the battle in the Western Regions?"
Whether he can be granted a title of marquis or even a duke depends almost entirely on the attention of King Wei.
Xie Zaiyi was silent for a moment and said: "The territory of the Western Regions has been separated from the country for a long time, and King Wei wants to take it back. As the northwest screen vassal of the country, King Wei once said that those who regain the Western Regions should be generous with their titles, so why should they be stingy?"
After Xie Zaiyi finished speaking, the hearts of everyone present felt warm.
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In the next few days, the Han army sent out a large number of troops. The cavalry equipped with various guns swept across the Gobi Desert, divided into several groups, and approached the tribe where Junggar was located.
And in the military tent where the Junggar tribe is located——
The generals gathered in the military tent, and there were obviously many people talking. It can be said that it was already a mess.
Galdan was wearing a black and cold armor, with a smooth moon-like forehead and high brow ridges. He looked at the general who suddenly ran over from outside and asked: "What did you say?"
"Khan, the Han army's guns are light and powerful. Our army has suffered heavy casualties during this period." A general said loudly with a melancholy look on his face.
Galdan asked urgently: "How many casualties have our warriors suffered in the recent period?"
The general's dark, muscular face had a somewhat unsightly look on his face, and he said, "Khan, our troops have suffered heavy casualties. If this continues, we will definitely not be our opponents."
Kili Siming of the Yarkand tribe said with a hint of panic in his voice: "Khan, what should we do next?"
During this period, not only the Junggar tribe suffered heavy casualties, but the Yarkand tribe also suffered heavy casualties.
Galdan thought for a while and said coldly: "The soldiers retreated to Liucheng, which was retreating to the west. At the same time, they lured the Han army to advance westward, tied up their pockets, and annihilated the Han army in one fell swoop."
When Kili Siming heard this, his unshaven face showed an indescribable look of helplessness, and he said: "This is the only plan for now."
Galdan raised his brows, nodded slightly, then looked at the surrounding soldiers with a solemn expression, and said: "The whole army should be organized and retreat to the northwest!"
At this moment, Galdan did not realize the seriousness of the problem, and did not know that Xie Zaiyi had already divided his troops and cut off the return route of the Junggar tribe's captives and cavalry.
Western Region, Liucheng——
This is the only place to pass when entering Turpan in the Western Regions. Although the city is a little small, it is surrounded by drought-resistant crops such as salix and jujube trees.
It is the autumn season, and the lush vegetation in all directions has turned a little yellow, adding to the mood of desolation and bitter cold in the Western Region where the sky is filled with yellow sand.
At this moment, on the open and wide official road, the sound of horse hooves can be heard, and a large number of military cavalry are approaching Liucheng in a mighty manner.
Above the flag, a black flag embroidered with a wolf flag was shadowy and rustling in the wind, while a large number of cavalrymen were holding long swords, and the bright blades were dazzling in the sunlight.
"No, it's the Han army!" the Junggar soldiers on top of the city shouted anxiously, seeing flaming red flags among the dust rising up.
"Whoosh!" Accompanied by arrows being thrown like rain, many soldiers of the Junggar tribe quickly fell to the ground amid the sounds of "puff" and "puff".
The generals all changed their expressions: "No, the enemy is attacking!"
Then, the sound of "rumbling..." could be heard endlessly.
Along with the roaring artillery fire and gunpowder smoke, a large number of Han troops approached the city like a tide and beat against the city wall.
Tens of thousands of cavalry troops from the Beijing camp surrounded the city wall in a mighty manner. They rolled up a huge cloud of smoke and dust and swept away towards the towering city wall.
A large number of firecrackers carried by the Han army in the Shenji Camp of the Beijing Camp fired towards the city wall with "stabbing" fire. However, when the gunpowder smoke filled the air, the Junggar soldiers above were hit by the firecrackers' bullets, and their burly bodies were bleeding continuously.
, and then let out bursts of screams.
At noon, the cavalry troops from the Beijing camp rolled up their armor and entered Liucheng. However, the flags were not changed on the top of the city, and the wolf totem of the Junggar tribe was still hung.
The leading general from the Beijing Camp was standing on the city wall, holding a telescope in his hand and looking at the vast desert in the distance.
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On the other side, the Galdan and Yerqiang bandits did not know that the back route to Liucheng had been blocked, and they were discussing military matters in the military tent.
"The firearms of the Han army are too sharp. After our army retreated to Turpan first and then divided its troops to advance, we should not confront the Han army in Shazhou." Kili Siming of the Yarkand tribe said.
Galdan's expression was full of annoyance, and he said from the side: "It is really unwise to use one's own shortcomings to attack the enemy's strong points."
I regretted it to the extreme. I should not have fought with the Han army for the city, but should have mainly harassed them.
Ertaiji Kilisiming of the Yarkand tribe looked solemn and said, "How to remedy this defeat now? Our army has fallen into a passive position."
Galdan thought for a while and said: "The most urgent task now is to return to Liucheng to prepare for the future."
At this moment, the soldiers and horses led by the two men had already injured 30,000 to 40,000 people in the previous confrontation with the Han army's cavalry. This was not a small number for an army of 200,000 people.
The casualties were nearly 20%, but there was no progress in the use of troops.
Galdan was naturally unable to bear it.
Kili Siming was silent for a moment and said: "That's all it can do."
Galdan said: "You and I will go to Liucheng to garrison first and send out scouts to investigate the enemy's current situation. We will further observe the situation."
Kilisi Ming responded with a yes and said nothing else. He led a large number of soldiers and approached Liucheng.
Two days later.
"Khan, Liucheng is ahead." At this moment, a general with a big beard and a rough face came quickly from the side and said to Galdan.
However, just as the army approached Liucheng, they heard the roar of firecrackers above the city.
"Xilulu..."
However, they heard the horses kicking together, and then four horses' hooves were raised. Immediately, the neighing sounds of sergeants were heard coming from all around.
Immediately, overwhelming artillery fire poured down on the entire Junggar tribe.
For a time, the Junggar tribe and the Yarkand tribe were in chaos.
Galdan's complexion suddenly changed, his clear, rainbow-like eyes flickered, and he whispered: "No, I've fallen into a trap!"
They wanted to cut off the Han army's retreat, but they didn't want to be cut off by the Han army in advance. As a result, all their food, grass and baggage were in Liucheng.
The Junggar and Yarkand troops were now in chaos under the bombardment of the Han army.
At this moment, with a "squeak" sound, the city gate in the distance suddenly opened, and then a large number of sergeants could be seen pouring out from within the city wall. The Han army cavalry raised a handful of cold sabers in their hands.
Under the sunlight, it is bright and dazzling.
"kill!!!"
Suddenly, the sound of killing shook the sky and reached the sky.
Kilisi Ming's face turned earth-colored, his pupils condensed sharply, and he said: "No! No, this is the main force of the Han army!"
Galdan also noticed the movements of the soldiers and horses on the city wall, and his heart sank to the bottom of the valley. A group of horses were riding on their crotches, and they shouted loudly: "Withdraw! Withdraw!"
In fact, the soldiers and horses of the Beijing camp on the towering city wall were not the main force of the Han army, but a partial division, just pretending to attack as a whole army.
At this moment, the Junggar tribe and the Yarkand tribe were in chaos. Where could these details be discerned? They were fleeing in all directions under the attack of the Han army, leaving behind only pieces of flags and golden drums.
However, because there were not many Han troops in Liucheng, they only pursued them for a while and then withdrew into the city again.
Galdan and Kilisiming, on the other hand, led more than 100,000 cavalry to rush into chaos and fled in various directions.
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After the defeat in Liucheng, the Galdan and Yarkand tribes retreated westward, while Xie Zaiyi and Pang Shili pursued the troops from August to October in winter.
The goose feathers of snow on the Guanzhong land are falling one after another, and the city of Shenjing is covered with a layer of white snow. Under the sunlight, it can be seen that it is dazzling.
In Shenjing City, the Five Cities Military and Horse Division organized a large number of soldiers to clear away the snow.
In the divine capital city, in the wing——
Because the earth dragon was burning, the hot air could be seen billowing in the room, and the warmth was warm. Jia Heng and Chen Xiao were sipping fragrant tea together, and Gu Ruoqing was looking after their children not far away.
It is Jia Rui, the son of Jia Heng and Chen Xiao, and Jia Ping, the daughter of Jia Heng and Gu Ruoqing. Of course, their surnames have been changed to Su Rui and Su Ping at this moment.
Chen Xiao asked with concern: "It has been more than a month since the British Army passed away. Is the war progressing smoothly?"
Jia Heng said: "The Junggar and Yarkand troops are mainly cavalry troops. The troops dispatched by the Beijing camp this time are also cavalry troops. In addition, they have muskets and artillery shells. It should not be difficult to restrain them."
Chen Xiao asked: "Now that the governors of the provinces have been replaced, only Guangdong and Guangxi are left. Do you plan to transfer anyone to serve as governor of the two places?"
Previously, Jia Heng transferred Song Xuan to Hunan as governor, and the governor of Hubei was also Lin Ruhai, and Yu Zhigao moved to the post in the same year.
The governor of Anhui was the same year as Li Shouzhong, and he was succeeded by Deng Cheng, the former chief envoy of Anhui.
Among the local governors, they were gradually replaced by Jia Heng's cronies, and the imperial court recently planned to select a central official to supervise Guangdong and Guangxi to prepare for the coming war in Vietnam.
Today's Han Dynasty has gradually finalized the governor-general system, setting up governors in key places to command governors and three divisions, and to take charge of military affairs.
For example, the Governor-General of Zhili, that is, the Hebei area has been renamed Zhili, and the administrative seat is Beiping Prefecture.
Prince Teng, the governor of Liaodong, was promoted to governor of Liaodong in the winter of the fifth year of Qiande.
As for Fujian and Zhejiang, Jia Heng was not in a hurry to establish the post of governor. In fact, the post of governor of Huguang has not yet been established because there are no suitable officials to be dispatched.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said: "Vietnam is the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties. In the past two years, the tribute to the court has not been as diligent as in previous years. The court should punish you!"
"Then we will use troops next year?" Chen Xiao asked.
Jia Heng said: "We will not use troops for the next two years. We will deal with internal affairs first, and then we will discuss other matters."
The annihilation of Vietnam was only after he ascended the throne. At that time, he ruled the world and could annex the entire Vietnam to China.
Jia Heng said: "In the next two years, when the railway is built to Nanjing, there should be almost less."
In the past five years of Qiande, official roads for cement road renovation have been built to Nanjing, and construction has begun to Beiping Prefecture and Jinan Prefecture, truly forming a highway hub connecting the north and south.
As for the railway from Shenjing to Luoyang, it is still being laid, but the steam locomotives are still being improved, and it has not been fully opened to traffic. There are still many problems, and the ordnance supervision is still improving.
The entire Dahan water conservancy renovation project is also coming to an end. The dikes in the Huaihe River section have been built, while the dikes in the Yellow River section are still under construction.
The land of Sichuan has also healed the pain caused by the war. The new governor of Sichuan, Shi Ding, has begun to repatriate the Sichuan chieftains.
Just when Jia Heng was thinking about side affairs, a maid with a bun in a double bun and a green and beautiful face ran into the mansion and said out of breath: "Your Majesty, the guards in Jinyi from outside are here. It is said that there is an urgent military situation that I want to report to the prince."
Chen Xiao's heart moved slightly, he raised his eyes and glanced at Jia Heng, and said: "The military intelligence report from the northwest must have arrived."
At this time, except for the northwest, there is really no other place where there will be military intelligence reports.
Jia Heng said: "Let's go and have a look together."
Chen Xiao nodded, and while the two of them were talking, they quickly came to the hall.
The person who came was Liu Jixian, the commander of Jinyi City.
As for Qu Lang, in the fifth year of Qiande, he was transferred to Nanjing by Jia Heng as the commander. Apparently, it was because he was unlucky in guarding King Yan, which led to King Yan's suicide.
But in fact, he was tasked with spying on the Chen surnamed vassals in the southern provinces to monitor the movements of the southern provinces.
Liu Jixian couldn't hide his excitement in his voice and said: "Your Majesty, great victory in the northwest! Great victory in the northwest! The British Duke defeated the Junggar and Yarkand tribes. After annihilating 60,000 enemies in Liucheng, he defeated the main force of the Junggar in Turpan. We have defeated Yarkand and Ertai Ji, and have achieved great victory in the Western Regions."
After hearing this, Jia Heng, who was already a little worried, completely relaxed.
Although they were very confident in the strength of the Han Dynasty's troops and horses, after all, the Junggar tribe and the Yarkand tribe led 200,000 troops and attacked the entire Hami Acropolis.
Both armies were cavalry and were skilled in field charges. Even if the Han army could rely on their firearms, they could not guarantee victory.
Now that he has received good news, Jia Heng is inevitably relieved.
A bright smile appeared on Chen Xiao's face as beautiful as snow, and he said: "The great victory in the northwest, I can finally have a good sleep from now on."
During this period, Jia Heng was also worried about local affairs, because this time involved the deployment of up to 200,000 troops, which was called a national war and affected the national destiny.
Unlike previous wars, Jia Heng was not leading the troops this time, so he had no control over what would happen in the northwest.
Once he suffered a defeat and Jia Heng's lofty prestige collapsed, his path to becoming an emperor would be cut off.
Jia Heng was in Shenjing, not leading the troops by himself, so one can imagine his worries.
Under Jia Heng's sword-browed eyebrows, his eyes flashed aggressively, and he said loudly: "With the Western Region recovered, the northwest border will have long-term peace and stability, and the court will have a buffer for dispatching troops and generals. However, in the future, the railway from Shenjing to Yili will be built to consolidate and strengthen the imperial court’s management of the frontiers.”
He also truly realized the territorial map of later Manchu and Qing dynasties. At this moment, the Han Dynasty included Northeast China, Inner and Inner Mongolia, the Western Regions, Tibet, and Taiwan.
If both Korea and Japan were under its control, it could surpass the territory map of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in the previous life.
Compared with the Manchu Qing's policy of restricting the border areas, he used railways and guns to rule and promote national integration, which could achieve long-term peace and stability.
Chen Xiao said: "After the Western Regions are recovered, we can almost prepare for the Zen throne in the spring of next year."
Jia Heng said: "After next year, in the year after tomorrow, which is the eighth year of Qiande, it will probably be that time."
It is already the winter of the sixth year of Qiande, and next year will be the seventh year of Qiande. It is expected that after a year of internal affairs, local affairs will be improved, and then he can logically abdicate as emperor.
It's time for this great Han Dynasty to change its surname to Su.
The war in the Western Region is briefly described, and the protagonist is on the fast track to ascending to the throne.