palace garden, royal garden
Emperor Chongping read the memorial in his hand and slowly put it down. A trace of lightness appeared on his thin and hale face.
Empress Song showed concern on her beautiful face and said softly: "Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongping's eyes were firm and he said in a deep voice: "We must recover the Western Region."
Queen Song: "..."
What does this sudden sentence mean?
Emperor Chongping sighed and said: "Although the Western Regions and Tibet are called barbarian lands by their officials, these places are buffers against the invasion of barbarians from the frontier. They are like moats, preventing the flames of war from reaching our great Han Dynasty." , to create eternal peace for the descendants of my Chinese clan."
Concubine Duanrong on the side said with curiosity on her face: "Your Majesty, what did Ziyu write in the memorial?"
Emperor Chongping said: "Ziyu mentioned the strategy of recovering and governing the Western Regions, and refuted the view that barbarian lands cannot be sustained for a long time. This is consistent with what I said in Hanyuan Hall the day before yesterday."
With that said, he handed the memorial in his hand to Concubine Duanrong and motioned Concubine Duanrong to read it.
Empress Song was also watching from the side, with a trace of doubt in her beautiful eyes. The first line of silver-hook iron paintings that caught her eye could see through the handwriting on the back of the paper.
"I would like to report to Your Majesty, Jia Heng, that the Western Regions are the homeland of the Han and Tang Dynasties..."
The Empress of the Song Dynasty was also a person who read a lot of poetry and books. Now when she read the memorials written by Jia Heng, she felt that they were well organized and every word was exquisite.
After a moment, Queen Song said softly: "Since Ziyu mentioned the difficulty of recovering the Western Regions, then after defeating the Hu people this time, he will not invade the Western Regions?"
Emperor Chongping said: "Since the 16th year of Chongping, the Han Dynasty has fought two consecutive wars, which can be said to have consumed a lot of national power. In addition, the previous great defeat had deprived the elite of the Beijing camp. The imperial court had recaptured the Seven Guards of Guanxi, and the Western Regions could only It will be left to the next time to recover, but Ziyu also mentioned that the Junggar Mongols and the Jurchens may have distant relations and close attacks, and at that time, the matter of pacifying the Western Regions will be more difficult."
At the last mention, Emperor Chongping felt more and more regret deep in his heart.
Nan'an should not have been used incorrectly at the beginning, otherwise, why would we end up where we are now?
Emperor Chongping took the memorial and said loudly: "Dai Quan, the military plane issued an edict to commend the Pingxi army. This memorial will be reported to the residence for the appreciation of the courtiers."
The memorial was published in Di Bao and showed to the courtiers of the Han Dynasty that he was not militaristic and Ziyu was not bellicose and did not care about the lack of national treasury.
The Western Regions must be recovered. Recovering the Western Regions and Tibet in the future will also expand the living space for our Han nation.
Dai Quan should be handed over.
After Dai Quan left the imperial garden, Emperor Chongping muttered: "The military newspaper mentioned that King Wei worked tirelessly to deliver food and fodder to the army."
Empress Song said: "Your Majesty, this is his duty as a minister."
Emperor Chongping said: "I don't know if Ziyu has written a letter home this time. She is in Xianning in the south. I don't know how to talk about Ziyu."
Concubine Duanrong said: "Your Majesty, this is exactly what I mean."
Empress Song said: "Your Majesty, it seems that Mrs. Qin from Ningguo Mansion is about to give birth, and I don't know if Ziyu will be able to make it in time."
Concubine Duanrong originally picked up the tea cup. After hearing this, she looked at Emperor Chongping with her narrow and beautiful eyes, with curiosity in her eyes.
Emperor Chongping said: "Zi Tong didn't tell me, I almost forgot before that Zi Tong rewarded her with something from the harem treasury."
Queen Song responded softly.
As Jia Heng's military reports and memorials were published in Di Bao, the civil and military ministers in Shenjing City who had been silently paying attention to the war in the northwest frontier were shocked.
Duke Wei won another victory in the northwest, expelled the Junggar people and recaptured the city of Hami.
A thought inevitably came to mind. If the soldiers and horses were handed over to Duke Wei from the beginning, how could he have been defeated before?
Especially the family members who were in the Beijing camp before, this idea is even stronger in their hearts.
…
…
Ningguo Mansion
In the wing room of the back house, in the warm pavilion
Since entering September, Qin Keqing is getting closer to giving birth, and her plump and pleasant appearance has become more and more obvious. At this moment, she is sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress, her charming face is like a plant with full petals. Rose flower.
Not far away, Third Sister You and Mrs. You were taking care of Qin Keqing.
The midwife has already moved into the house early and is ready to deal with emergencies at any time.
Qin Keqing put the book he was using to kill time on the small table and gently raised his forehead, seeming a little tired.
At this time, Sanjie You brought a cup of cheese tea and said, "Sister, have a sip of tea."
Qin Keqing said "hmm", took the tea cup and took a sip.
At this moment, grandma said: "Grandma, the servants outside said that the Duke of Guo sent someone to deliver a letter from home to grandma."
Hearing this, Qin Keqing couldn't help but put down the tea cup. Her beautiful and bright jade face was filled with joy, and she asked, "Where is the letter?"
After a while, a nanny came in from outside, handed over several letters in her hand, and said with a smile: "This one is for grandma, and the other one is for grandma You San."
Third Sister You stepped forward quickly, took the two letters from the nanny, turned around, smiled at Qin Keqing and said, "Sister, there are still my letters."
With that said, he came to the beauty sitting on the bed and said softly: "Sister Qin, look at this."
Qin Keqing took the letter, and the envelope said "Wife Qin personally expresses it" and began to open it. He picked up the paper and began to read, with traces of joy rising in the corners of his brows and eyes.
Sanjie You also took the letter written to herself and began to open it. The rose-red aura on Yanye's charming face disappeared.
"My uncle won the battle in the northwest." Qin Keqing smiled, put the letter back into the envelope, and said to the curious eyes of Mrs. You and Second Sister You.
Sanjie You also put down the note with a sense of sadness, and said in a sad tone: "But the letter said that it will take a long time to come back, and I may not be able to catch up with my sister's delivery."
Youshi chuckled and said, "State affairs are important. Let's take more care of him at home so that he can worry less."
Qin Keqing nodded and said: "My husband is busy with the affairs of the court and the country, but the affairs of the court are more important."
At this moment, a nun trotted into the side room and said happily: "Grandma, the queen in the palace sent the female officials out and rewarded them with a lot of things. They filled two large carts."
Youshi smiled and said, "But Qing, you are heavy. Sit here and don't move. I will go outside with my second sister to greet you."
Qin Keqing said softly: "I'd better go over to welcome you in person. She's from the provincial palace. Besides, we're being frivolous."
Third Sister You held Qin Keqing down and said, "Sister, please sit here. When the palace rewards you with things, it was expected. Please be careful not to disturb the fetus."
Seeing this, Qin Keqing could only give up.
After welcoming the female officer into the mansion, Mrs. You and Third Sister You took a gift list and said with a smile on their faces: "My dear, the palace has given a lot of gifts this time."
Qin Keqing said softly: "Let Aunt Cai collect those gifts into the accounting room."
Third Sister You carefully put down the letter in her hand and prepared to go back and read it privately. She said softly: "The princess and the princess have gone to the south now. I don't know if I have written a letter to them."
"Third sister." Youshi glanced at Third Sister You angrily.
What are the princess and the princess doing in such a good manner?
At this moment, not only Ningguo Mansion received the news, but Jia Mu of Rongguo Mansion also learned from the Lin Zhixiao family that Jia Heng had regained the Western Region and won another victory.
Lixiangyuan, in the wing room
Aunt Xue is opening and reading the family letters of her daughter Baochai. Since autumn, Baochai has written letters home to Aunt Xue to report that she is safe. At the same time, she is also replying to Aunt Xue's previous reminder, asking Baochai to seize the opportunity of this great victory in the Northwest. News, confirming the marriage and the appointment of his wife.
Aunt Xue put down the envelope and said with a look of annoyance and pity on her fair face, "Bao girl is too virtuous."
The letter advised Aunt Xue not to make arbitrary decisions in the capital. Even after Jia Heng returned to the capital, she should not ask Jia Heng for the status of Mrs. Gaoming.
Aunt Xue sighed and said softly: "But if you don't fight for these things, are you waiting for them to fall from the sky?"
The person on the side said with joy: "Madam, are you still writing a letter to the girl?"
The Rongqing Hall was also filled with joy, and the faces of several nuns were filled with joy.
Jia's mother sat on an Arhat bed and listened to Jia Zheng's talk about the outside world. A smile lingered on her kind face, and she said with emotion: "Brother Heng has won the war in the northwest again. I wonder when he will come back?"
Compared with Nan An's defeat, Brother Heng has won many games in a row.
Well, it's just that the old concubine from Nan'an's family has never been seen again, and she came over to talk about the matter.
Jia Zhengdao: "It was not mentioned in the newspaper, but colleagues in the Yazhong have discussed privately that it might take another month for Ziyu's squad to return to Beijing."
"This war has been going on for almost three months." Mother Jia sighed and said softly: "It's just that Brother Heng's daughter-in-law is about to give birth, and Brother Heng hasn't come back yet."
At this time, a nun entered the Rongqing Hall and whispered: "Old lady, the queen in the palace has given something to Grandma Heng."
Jia Mu smiled and said, "That's a happy event."
She almost forgot that Brother Heng also had a daughter-in-law, but she was still a princess in the palace.
…
…
Time flies, and five or six days pass in the blink of an eye.
Since the beginning of autumn, when the vegetation has turned yellow and the autumn wind is bleak, the Han troops have been changing their uniforms one after another.
Hami City
As the imperial army moved in, the Hami city became a military fortress, with many cavalry troops coming and going in a hurry, transporting equipment to defend the city.
While Jia Heng was reinforcing the city's defenses in Hami City, he also sent scouts to inspect the northwest direction.
In the official office, the hall
Jia Heng was sitting behind a dark red painted desk, holding a brush in his hand and writing something.
Chen Xiao stepped into the study and said in a clear voice: "The scouts came to report and found signs of the Junggar forward's march. The Junggar troops have arrived at Hami."
Jia Heng put down his brush, and with a sharp look under his sword-shaped eyebrows, he asked: "Where are the soldiers and horses of the Junggar tribe at the moment?"
Chen Xiao said softly: "They are thirty miles away."
Jia Heng said thoughtfully: "Let's go to the top of the city and have a look."
With that said, accompanied by the retinue of Jinyi Mansion Guards, he climbed to the top of the city wall, picked up the monocular telescope, and looked to the west.
But as time passed, smoke and dust could be seen billowing. It was the large cavalry of Junggar, brazenly approaching the city of Hami.
Xie Zaiyi also climbed to the top of the city and shouted: "Commander Jie, that's the Junggar cavalry coming."
Jia Heng looked solemn, put down the monocular telescope, and said in deep thought: "The military appearance is in good order, and the killing spirit is awe-inspiring. Let all the troops in the city be on guard."
Xie Zaiyi said: "Commander Jie, what are the cavalry of Junggar doing?"
Jia Heng said: "Most of these cavalry troops will not besiege the city. In the past few days, our elite cavalry troops have been selected and will be led by you and me."
Xie Zaiyi said: "The selection has been made. The cavalry from Guoyong Camp will be the main force. They are all elites who have gone through the Northern Xinjiang War."
Today's Beijing Camp is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer as weak as it was when the army was first reorganized. In other words, it can be said that it has gradually developed courage in each victory.
At this moment, on the grassland three miles away from Hami City, Baturhun was also looking in the direction of Hami City, and said to Sengge beside him: "Follow me to go there."
The surrounding Junggar Mongol generals took up the reins in their hands and followed Baturhun as they approached Hami City.
Climbing a low hill with yellow autumn grass, Baturhun looked solemnly and looked up at the city of Hami.
This Junggar Khan, who was born in the Liaokuo grassland, had excellent eyesight. He looked at the towering Hami City in the distance, with a look of surprise on his face and said, "The Han army has reinforced Hami City again."
Sengge said: "The Han army wants to stop us in this city."
Baturhun sneered and said: "Heshuote's Dorji fought fiercely with the Han people for a long time without any results, and even got in. We people on the grassland are long-term people on horseback." Da, we should not attack the city with the Han army."
Seng Ge said: "What Father Khan said is true, we cannot engage in siege warfare with the Han people."
Baturhui sneered and said: "The Han people have to eat no matter what. Let's cut off the Han people's food routes first so that they can't defend the city with peace of mind."
Along the way, the Junggar Khan was thinking about the strategy of defeating the Han army, and basically determined that siege would be supplemented and harassment would be the main focus.
Seng Ge thought for a while and said worriedly: "If the Han people send their elite cavalry out of the city, Father Khan, we won't have as many soldiers and horses as they do."
The two sides fought and chased each other on the grassland. It was a real clash of swords and guns, and the competition was about training level and military equipment.
"Then let's fight. Our warriors on the grassland are not afraid of the Han cavalry!" Batur Hui said with a firm gaze under his thick eyebrows.
Seng Ge nodded and said: "Father, my son understands."
Baturhun said: "Let someone go to Hami City to deliver a message, and I will go and meet the Duke of Wei of this big man."
Duke Wei of the Han Dynasty was said to be a young man less than twenty years old.
Hami City
Jia Heng held a monocular and looked at the elite cavalry of Junggar holding a black flag. Immediately, the cavalry surrounded a burly middle-aged man with an old face.
As the Junggar cavalry approached Hami City in full force, the middle-aged man, surrounded by his personal guards, looked at the young man on the top of the city wall and said loudly: "Is Duke Wei of the Han Dynasty on the city? Junggar Khan Baturhun Here, Duke Wei dares to go out of the city to see you?"
This Junggar Khan also briefly read Chinese books when he was young. Now he has carefully considered his words, which seem to be more in line with the speaking habits of the Han people.
Xie Zaiyi said loudly: "Commander Jie, I will draw my bow and give these people an arrow, and kill them to make them so arrogant!"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and whispered: "No, I'll go down and take a look."
If you want to kill such a hero who has risen on the grassland with a cold arrow, it is actually as difficult as climbing to the sky.
Jia Heng changed into the imperial guards and the generals from the Beijing camp, and marched out of the city.
As the city gate opened with a creak, several hundreds of horsemen came from the city gate, surrounding a young man wearing a helmet and carrying armor.
At this moment, Baturhui stared at the young man, and just met the pair of bone-cold eyes.
He secretly thought, no wonder Wen Chun was at a loss, his eyes were like those of tigers and wolves, cunning and fierce.
Jia Heng said: "Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei of the Han Dynasty, is here. Where is Batur, the Khan of the barbarians?"
Baturhun took the reins of his horse, took a few steps closer, and said in a deep voice: "Duke Wei, why did the Han court occupy my Hami?"
Jia Heng's eyes narrowed slightly, and when he heard what Baturhui said, a strange color appeared on his face, and he asked sternly: "Hami has been my hometown of Han Dynasty since ancient times. When did it become your land of Junggar?"
Baturhun said: "Hami has been in the hands of our Junggars for more than thirty years. Before that, it was occupied by Turpan. Han officials and Han troops have never reached Hami city."
Jia Heng sneered and said: "A hundred years ago, the Ming Dynasty established a government system here to shepherd and protect the people. I, the Han Dynasty, provoked the people to punish crimes and established it on behalf of the Ming Dynasty. Of course, Hami City is owned by my Han Dynasty. You bandits have occupied it for a long time. , does it become yours?"
When Jia Heng said this, he said coldly: "Not only Hami, even the Western Regions have been Han since ancient times!"
Baturhun's expression changed, his eyes became darker, and his heart boiled with murderous intent.
The Han people really had the intention to encroach on the Western Regions.
Jia Heng said coldly: "Batur, I would like to advise you to either lead the army back to the Tianshan Mountains immediately, or to surrender without mercy. The land of my great Han Dynasty is not a place where the Dzungars can run wild!"
Baturhun said: "I don't believe this, but you Han people can stay in Hami City forever?"
"The Han people will not be stationed forever, but they can kill all the tribesmen in Junggar. Our Han people are more than hundreds of millions. This year, an army of 100,000 will come to Hami, next year it will be 200,000, and the year after that, 300,000. How many tribesmen are there in Junggar in total? Wait, If you dare to take over here, I promise to kill all the Junggar people in my lifetime!" Jia Heng said loudly.
Baturhun's face didn't look very good.
The Han people are like locusts. If they really have this intention, they can really send many soldiers and horses to attack the Western Regions.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Batur, if you have nothing else to do, please come back."
After talking a lot, he said loudly: "Go back to the city!"
He reined up his horse and turned around indifferently, returning to the city, but there were still cavalry to guard against the approaching Junggar cavalry.
"Father Khan, do you want to rush over?" Seng Lema approached and whispered to Baturhun.
The anger on Baturhun's face suddenly dissipated, his eyes were like a hawk, dark and unclear, and he said in a deep voice: "You see there are strong crossbows and arrows waiting in the city, you can't be reckless, this Han Dynasty Duke Wei is the enemy of my tribe! "
If the Han Dynasty had this person and really continued to conquer the Western Regions, his Junggar tribe might really be expelled from the Western Regions.
Sengge looked solemn and said, "Father, what should we do now?"
Baturhun said: "Go back first and let me think about it."
He suddenly had an intuition that even if he really divided his troops to attack the Han army's rear, it would probably not have any effect.
But since I'm here, I'd better give it a try and at least tell the Han people that Junggar is not someone to be trifled with.
Baturhun said, and Sengge returned to the camp.
Jia Heng also returned to Hami City with Xie Zaiyi and said, "How is the Junggar tribe?"
Xie Zaiyi said: "They can be called elites, but our Han army is no longer what it used to be. Commander Jie doesn't have to worry."
Jia Heng's eyes were dark and he said: "It's not that I'm worried, it's just that this Dzungar Khan is extraordinary and comparable. I'm afraid that this war may end in an unwinnable outcome."
He was actually worried that in the end the two sides would fight, and then each would suffer casualties, and then each would go back to his home.
As Baturhun said, a big man cannot stay in Hami forever.
(End of chapter)
