Hami City
Jia Heng and the King of Wei talked all the way back to the official office, sat down, and the servants offered tea.
Jia Heng asked: "How is Ezhe Khan doing?"
At first, he divided his troops into two groups: north and south. He drove out the Junggars along the way, while Ezhe led 20,000 Chahar elite cavalry and Qinghai Mongolian cavalry. In addition, there were 5,000 Beijing cavalry led by Pang Shili.
More than a month has passed now, and the war there should be coming to an end.
Qu Lang stepped out from the crowd, cupped his hands and said: "Report to the Governor, since the Shazhou War, Ezhe Khan went to the land of Duogansi and fought against Heshuote in Tibet several times. Both sides suffered casualties. He is still there today. During the confrontation, the Heshuote people seem to be watching the situation in the northwest. The Jinyi Mansion in Xining has recently arrested many Heshuote spies who sneaked in to spy on intelligence."
King Chen Ran of Wei asked in surprise: "The Heshuote people are in the snowy area, still watching the war between us and Junggar?"
Jia Heng said: "The Heshuote has a greater impact on the situation in Qinghai than the Junggars. Many of them are the old subordinates of the Heshuote. If the court does not take precautions, they may collude with the Qinghai Mongolians and disrupt Qinghai again." situation."
Wei Wang Chen Ran nodded and said: "What Zi Yu said is not unreasonable."
Jia Heng ordered: "Let me ask about the situation in Qinghai."
Speaking of Qinghai, Yaruo is still in Xining at the moment. He has to make a trip to Xining to meet Yaruo.
In other words, the triumphant army ultimately went from Jiayuguan to Xining, and then took the road from Lanzhou to Shenjing.
At this moment, the border between Duogansi and Qamdo is thousands of miles away from Hami City.
On the vast wilderness, white tents appeared one after another, and from time to time, Mongolian knights wearing cotton clothes and armor came and went.
In the middle, a red and black satin flag with the Chinese character "Han" fluttered in the wind and made a hunting sound.
The Chahar Mongolian soldiers and horses and the Beijing camp cavalry led by Ezhe set up camps under the peaks on the east and west sides, with deep trenches and high trenches, antlers widely placed, and iron caltrops scattered around to prevent the Heshuo people from responding.
At this moment, the scouts led the cavalry to explore back and forth within a radius of fifty or sixty miles in front of and behind the camp.
During this period, Ezhe kept sending out fine cavalry to fight with He Shuote's cavalry, while Pang Shili also provided support.
The Heshuote people were somewhat defeated and had retreated to Qamdo City.
In the military tent, there were crowds of people and generals gathered together.
Ezhe and a group of Chahar cavalry generals were discussing something, and there were also the chiefs of Qinghai Mongolia who were present to listen.
Ezhe said: "A few days ago, Duke Wei attacked Hami City. The remnants of Junggar and Heshuote, about 40,000 soldiers and horses, were also defeated by the Han army at the foot of Shazhou City. After the defeat, Junggar was no longer able to spy on Guanxi. Qiwei, Qinghai and other places, it will be useless for Baturhun to send soldiers here."
The Chahar Mongolian general had a look of joy on his face.
When the Qinghai Fan Chief present heard this, his expression changed, and a trace of fantasy in his heart was shattered.
The Han army fought successively victoriously, especially the Duke of Wei, who was invincible in all battles and invincible in all attacks, which was really terrifying.
E Zhe glanced at the crowd and said: "Now that the Han Dynasty is strong and prosperous, its people are rich, and its military strength is fully restored. When the day comes, we can invade the Western Regions and Tibet. We, the Mongolian clan, want to thrive in the future and no longer suffer from the pain of war. You can’t go against the Han court.”
These words were spoken not only to everyone, but also to the ears and eyes of the army.
At this moment, Ezhe's guards entered the military tent and reported, "Khan, General Pang wants to see you."
Ezhe stood up and greeted: "Everyone, follow me to greet you."
With that said, he marched out of the army tent to meet the general of the Beijing camp, Pang Shili.
Pang Shili was dressed in dark iron-colored armor, his figure was high, and he was followed not far away by several imperial guards in royal robes.
"Your Highness." Pang Shili bowed with his hands raised, and the Jinyi General and the Jinyi Palace Guard also saluted Ezhe.
Because Ezhe was granted the title of King Juemeng by the Han court, and he was also a prince with a different surname to show his closeness.
Ezhe smiled and said, "General Pang, could it be that the Heshuote people in Qamdo have made new moves?"
Pang Shili didn't show off, and said, "It's the Commander-in-Chief who has arrived, flying pigeons to pass the message."
At this time, the captain in Jinyi's voice was excited and said: "Your Majesty, the governor said that Baturhun of Mongolia in Junggar led 50,000 troops to invade Hami. The governor led the army to defeat Junggar and annihilated more than 35,000 enemies. By beheading Batur Hutaiji's son, Dalma, Zhuoliktu, Wen Chun and others, our great man has won another glorious victory against Junggar!"
As soon as these words came out, the Heshuote Mongolian chieftain who was present looked shocked and inexplicable when he heard this.
Junggar was defeated again?
Junggar, who once roamed the deserts and grasslands of the Western Regions, suffered continuous defeats at the hands of the Han army? Isn't it a total loss of 60,000 to 70,000 people?
This tribe of one million people only has one hundred thousand people if they draw one out of ten. Junggar has lost so many tribesmen, which really hurts its foundation!
Ezhe's weather-beaten and resolute face was filled with joy, and he said with a smile: "This is really a happy event! If this news is revealed to the Heshuote people, they will definitely not dare to take a step out of Qamdo!"
Pang Shili said with a smile: "This battle between Jieshuai can guarantee five years of peace in the Western Region. Junggar's 60,000 to 70,000 troops have been defeated. It will not be easy to raise troops to cause chaos again."
I vaguely remember that when I was still in the Beijing camp three years ago, the battle formations in the Beijing camp had been sparse for a long time, and the military discipline was in ruins. How could I have the illustrious reputation of leading troops in battles and making a name for myself now?
At that time, if Wang Jieshuai had not caused trouble in his army, he would not have made great achievements today.
Ezhe said in a deep voice: "Immediately send someone to warn the Heshuote people that Junggar has suffered another heavy defeat and ask them to give up the invasion."
Because of the long journey and the isolation of information and books, the Heshuote Gushi Khan may not have known that Junggar had been defeated, and Ezhe's move was aimed at disintegrating Gushi Khan's will to invade the north.
Qamdo City
The city is built on the mountain, majestic and steep. The blue stones are frozen by the long-term cold plateau climate in Tibet. Their texture and color are cold and hard. When the sun shines down, they have a cold metallic beauty.
This gateway into Tibet is well-equipped with defensive equipment and has become a military fortress where the Heshuote people were stationed to resist the Han army's advance.
These days, Ezhe did not attack the city. The two sides just fought back and forth with their cavalry.
In the city, five townhouses serve as meeting halls——
The Khan of Heshuote Mongolia, Gushi Khan, is sitting in the hall, with the Maitreya Buddha behind him after giving his confession. He is golden, with a big belly and a smile on his face.
"Father Khan, the knights of the Han army have been in high spirits these days, and they seem to be more difficult to deal with." Dayan Eqil (Dayan), the eldest son of Gu Gushi Khan, said.
Gushi Khan said in a cold voice: "There are no Han troops. It's all Mongols who are fighting in the civil war. He, Ezhe, is not a descendant of the Golden Family. He kills his brothers and acts like a dog for the Han people. I want to see what happens to him in a hundred years." Go meet the ancestors of the Golden Family!"
The generals present also cursed.
In the past few days, the Chahar Mongolian cavalry has caused a lot of trouble to the Heshuote people. The level of cavalry and archery in Monan Mongolia is not inferior to that of the Heshuote people.
Ayush said: "Father, if you don't persuade Ezhe again, what's the point of acting like a hawk for the Han people? How can the Han people trust him?"
Gushi Khan said: "Now they don't believe it. Ezhe has recruited many Mongolian tribes from Qinghai and wants to gain a foothold in Qinghai, but they have always been under the supervision of the Han people."
Dayan said: "Father Khan, this Junggar is really incompetent. The sixth brother went to Junggar to bring reinforcements. Tens of thousands of people went to Shazhou and were defeated by the Han people. Wen Chun of Junggar escaped by himself, leaving the sixth brother as a prisoner. .”
Just half a month ago, Ezhe, who had received the message from Fei Ge, informed the Heshuote people in Qamdo that Dorji had been captured in Shazhou, Junggar had been defeated, and Hami City had been recovered by the Han army.
This move did have some effect in destroying the Heshuote people's will to resist. At this point, Heshuote could only huddle in Hami City.
Gushi Khan's face was ugly and his heart was depressed.
If you include Dorji, he already has two sons who have fallen into the hands of the Han people. Damn Han people!
At this moment, a guard wearing a blue tassel felt hat, a leather sheath saber hanging on his waist and a bag of arrows on his back entered the hall. He bowed and clasped his fists and said: "Khan, Chahar's people have sent cavalry troops." , came to the city and said that he wanted to bring a message to the Khan."
Gushi Khan frowned and asked: "What are you bringing?"
The other generals from Heshuote Mongolia looked at each other and were a little confused.
Dayan got up and said, "Father, let me go and have a look."
Gushihan's eyes moved slightly, and a suspicion arose in his heart, and he said, "I will go with you."
Could it be that Ezhe has changed his mind and no longer wants to be a dog of the Han people?
Although he knew that this possibility was slim, Gushi Khan still had some expectations.
Gushi Khan and his son came to the top of Qamdo City in a mighty manner and looked at the nearly a hundred Heshuote Mongolian cavalry not far away.
"My Great Khan said that the Junggar army was defeated outside Hami City. The 50,000-strong army lost 30,000 to 40,000 people. Wen Chun, Dalma, and Zhuoliktu were all beheaded by the Han people."
Suddenly, nearly a hundred cavalry shouted in unison, "The Junggars are defeated." The loud voice spread to Wendu City across the towering city wall, shattering the Heshuote people's will to march.
Gushihan's complexion changed slightly, and he was shocked.
As a medium-sized tribe from the Tianshan Mountains, Heshuote, Gushi Khan was very familiar with Baturhun's son. Hearing the bad news was like a bucket of cold water poured down his head.
Both Gushi Khan and Baturhun were particularly fertile. The former had ten sons and the latter twelve.
At this moment, the two of them felt that they were in the same boat.
If Gushi Khan includes Dorji, he has already lost five sons including Dorji, Hulubuchi, and Sanggarza.
But Baturhun's situation is a little better, and now he only lost three sons.
Next to Gushi Khan, Dayan's face was pale, his lips pursed, and he said in shock: "Father Khan, how come Uncle Baturhun was also defeated?"
Uncle Baturhun has always been undefeated in his heart, how could he suffer defeat? Now that we have lost two battles, we have lost nearly 70,000 to 80,000 people. Who can withstand this?
"Yes, defeated, Junggar was defeated." Gushi Khan smiled bitterly, feeling like he was being weighed down by a big stone and suffocating.
This Han army was obviously defeated by that idiot Dorji before, and looked like it was in vain. Now it is replaced by Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei, to lead the army, and it can win consecutive battles?
Gushi Khan looked helplessly toward the northeast, which was the direction of the Qinghai Holy Lake. His eyes were blank and his heart felt lost.
The Mongolian Khan suddenly thought that he would never return to the holy lake in his life.
…
…
Shenjing City
It has been half a month since Jia Heng last reported that the Pingxi army had won a great victory in Shazhou, recaptured Hami City, regained the Seven Guards of Guanxi, and achieved a complete victory. The city of Shenjing, which was originally boiling with excitement for the victorious Duke Wei, has gradually returned to calm. .
As time passed, discussions about when to withdraw troops once again abounded in the capital.
The main reason is that the national treasury is gradually unable to support it.
At the same time, the Junggar Mongols led the main force to Hami, and the information that they wanted to recapture Hami City was also spread in Shenjing City.
New worries could not help but arise, that is, whether the Han army could still achieve a great victory, and whether the national treasury had adequate supplies of grain and fodder.
It's just that after the Hanyuan Palace was slapped in the face by a good news last time, the current official public opinion in Shenjing City, whether it is the Kedao Yanguan or the Liubu Hall officials, have all remained silent.
They are all waiting for the latest news on the northwest war.
If he wins, he will still be the hero of General Wei Guogong. If he loses...
At that time, a counterattack will brew again, and it will get worse!
This is Wu Xun. It is best to always win the battle, otherwise if you lose the battle, you may be ostracized and slandered by the civil servants.
Palace Garden, Daming Palace
Outside the window, the drizzle and breeze were blowing, and the vision was hazy. The majestic and magnificent palace was tightly locked in the rain and fog, and its outline gradually became blurred.
In the inner study room, the candlelight was bright on a tall candlestick. It swayed in the wind and illuminated a thin figure in varying lengths.
Emperor Chongping was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, with slightly dark cheeks. Under his resolute eyebrows, his eyes were deep. He reached out to pick up the memorial on the table and started reading.
This is a memorial recently delivered by Gao Zhongping, who is in Jiangnan. It roughly describes the progress of the implementation of the new law in Jiangnan.
Following the great victories at Huangyuan and Haiyan in the northwest, and the complete defeat of Heshuote Mongolia, Gao Zhongping began to restart the new method. Although he encountered some resistance, it was not as big as expected, especially the Junggars were defeated again in Shazhou. , the Seven Guards of Guanxi were recovered, and the officials and gentry in Jiangnan were already a little wary.
"Taking advantage of the power of a great victory, we should revise our internal affairs. If it hadn't been for that great defeat, perhaps the new law would have become as popular as in Henan." Emperor Chongping said with emotion, his eyes darkening.
During this period of time, the emperor would always chew on Yan Ye's great defeat in his heart. If it hadn't been for the destruction of 60,000 elites from the Beijing camp and a total of 100,000 troops, not to mention the city of Hami, even the Western Region would have been captured by the Han Dynasty. thing.
And the national treasury will not suffer losses, and he will not... vomit blood and faint, and the dragon body will not hesitate.
"Your Majesty, it's getting late, it's time to pass on dinner." While Emperor Chongping was thinking about what to do, Dai Quan crept forward and called out softly.
Emperor Chongping put down the memorial and asked, "Is there any military report from Ziyu over there at the Military Aircraft Department?"
Dai Quan said: "Your Majesty, I have sent someone to ask questions."
Emperor Chongping pondered for a while and said with emotion: "Zungar has led 50,000 troops to Hami this time. The attack is fierce. The war over Ziyu is not easy to fight."
Even if he still had confidence in Jia Heng, the good news had not yet come, and the overthinking middle-aged emperor was still uneasy.
Dai Quan hesitated for a moment and said consolingly: "Your Majesty, the imperial court has sent over 100,000 troops this time. Their strength is far superior to that of the Fan people. In addition, Duke Wei has won a battle before, so he has the upper hand."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "This makes sense."
Just like the saying in the city of Shenjing, Jia Ziyu can always be trusted in military affairs.
Dai Quan quickly lowered his head and did not dare to respond. Just saying one more word was already a bit risky.
Emperor Chongping composed himself, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Show me in Kunning Palace."
While speaking, Emperor Chongping, accompanied by Dai Quan's retinue, left the inner study.
At this moment, the palace was shrouded in slanting wind and drizzle, with brackets and cornices, and jade steps. The lanterns under the eaves of the Zhuliang Corridor swayed in the wind, creating circles of orange light on the water-stained jade steps.
Emperor Chongping was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, and was escorted by the eunuchs carrying lanterns. He walked all the way between the Zhuliang. At some point, it was raining and dark clouds were rolling in. Thousands of twilight rays were already falling from the sky, gradually making the roof ridges wind like The roof of Canglong's palace was hidden in darkness.
The late autumn of the 16th year of Chongping was a little colder than in previous years.
(End of chapter)
