As the spring breeze blows, the entire Kokand region begins vigorous farming activities. At the same time, a large number of cattle and sheep begin grazing, and the area is full of life.
The Syr Darya River flows through it, bringing a large amount of melted water from the snowy mountains, which nourishes the land and feeds hundreds of thousands of people.
Tens of thousands of Ming troops rested here for a winter, and they were already fat, strong and energetic.
Li Dingguo was riding a horse, stepping lightly on the grass, holding a piece of wild grass in his mouth. Looking at the cattle and sheep all over the mountains, he couldn't help but sigh: "The Fergana Basin has fertile soil and is at the node of the Silk Road. Although the land is small, But it’s very rich.”
"It is appropriate for the imperial court to divide the Bukhara Khanate into two."
"The Bruts and the Bukharas cannot get along, and it would be unfavorable to force them to merge."
Accompanying him was Jia Daihua. He had grown a beard and his whole body had matured a lot. His skin had been blown by the Gobi wind and was already very rough.
Only his eyes were still bright and energetic.
In the Kokand region, there are only two major tribes.
One is an Uzbek, represented by the Minge tribe.
The other is the Brut, the Kyrgyz.
The Minge tribe is small but united, while the Brut tribe is loose but large in number.
In this way, the Ming army struck a balance between the two major tribes, took root in the Kokand region, and served as a logistics base to recruit grain, grass, soldiers and horses.
"This place is under the control of the imperial court for the time being." Li Dingguo said casually: "It depends on when the imperial court will send another vassal king here."
"Then, General Li, our most important thing right now is to send troops to attack the city of Bukhara."
Also riding a horse on the side was Reinhardt, the Great Burke of the entire Kokand map.
He still had that fat belly, the fat on his face was trembling, and his originally small eyes were narrowed into slits, making him look extraordinarily small.
However, compared to the previous philistine, he is now more calm and contented.
Obviously, for Reinhardt, the leap from businessman to consul was not only a leap in class, but also a leap in life.
"How much food is there in Kokand?"
"After the summer harvest, we can probably collect 400,000 shi of grain and 300,000 sheep, which is enough for a 100,000-strong army to go on a two-month campaign."
Reinhard said honestly: "As long as we wait two more months, the army will be able to prepare enough food."
"Where is Bukhara?" Li Dingguo narrowed his eyes and showed a hint of solemnity: "I'm afraid they are also waiting for the summer harvest!"
"They wait for the summer harvest to eat." Reinhard said solemnly: "Bukhara has never considered the Brut people as its own people, so according to my understanding, they will arrive in Kokand before the summer harvest."
"While replenishing food and grass in Kokand, we are preparing to defeat our army."
"Oh?" Li Dingguo's face showed a happy face: "In this way, we will be spared the long-distance attack, and we can wait for our work in leisure!"
"General, no matter how many people come to Bukhara, they are still no match for us."
Jia Daihua also echoed.
Reinhard smiled bitterly and said: "Bukhara regards the Fergana Basin as a granary and will never give up this place easily. Therefore, according to my estimate, it has at least 100,000 cavalry——"
At this time, in the Kokand area, the Ming army's cavalry and infantry totaled only 15,000 people, and even if 30,000 local soldiers were added, it was only half that.
Compared with this, the disadvantage is too great.
"General Li, you'd better summon the troops from Anxi, otherwise things won't be optimistic here -"
Jia Daihua was also a little moved. He looked at Li Dingguo and opened his mouth, but did not say anything.
"I understand." Li Dingguo immediately smiled and said confidently: "So, this war cannot be carried out according to his thoughts."
"If we sit in Haohan, we can only wait for death and be captured without mercy, which is the worst policy for us."
"That's why we take the initiative."
"Huh?" Reinhardt was shocked, his fat body trembling wildly.
Li Dingguo did not look at him, but said to Jia Daihua: "In the past, I raised troops from northern Shaanxi and traveled across the Central Plains. Emperor Chongzhen besieged me in every possible way. The officers and soldiers were countless, but the chaos of thieves continued to intensify."
"What we adhere to is one word, quick."
"Fight quickly and attack slowly. Before the officers and soldiers can encircle them, they will have defeated one of them, and then coerce them to continue fighting, thus winning continuously."
"What you mean is that we should attack quickly before the Bukhara Khanate gathers its troops, and use the fast to defeat the slow."
Jia Daihua suddenly realized.
"That's right." Li Dingguo laughed: "It will take two or three months to recruit one hundred thousand cavalry. Let's attack all the way. When we take the city of Bukhara, we may not even have 30,000 to 50,000 cavalry!"
"I order—"
For a moment, Li Dingguo put away his smile and looked at Reinhardt: "The entire Kokand region must raise ten days of food for an army of 30,000 people within five days."
"I understand." Reinhard looked solemn and agreed without hesitation.
As early as last autumn, the Kokand region recruited 30,000 troops for training, with Ming troops as instructors. It can be said that after a winter of training, they are already in good shape.
In this expedition, 15,000 Ming troops were the main force, while the other 15,000 accompanying troops were the subordinates.
A few days later, five thousand soldiers from the Anxi patrol battalion traveled thousands of miles to garrison Haokand to guard this stepping stone and forward base for the Ming Dynasty.
Li Dingguo led an army of 30,000 men, one man and three horses, and marched southwest along the Syr Darya River.
Along the way, the wind and clouds were rolling, and the small towns and villages all succumbed, as if they were made of paper, with no defense at all.
Although it was a centralized country, the entire Bukhara Khanate had only two large cities, Samarkand and Bukhara, and the rest were divided among small and medium-sized feudal lords.
In a sense, the Astrakhan family is just the largest feudal lord.
In this way, after the central army was defeated, the remaining tribes and slave owners begged for peace and let them go after paying food, grass and money.
Almost like a parade, Li Dingguo led the army to the outside of Samarkand, the second largest city in the Bukhara Khanate and a well-known city in the Transoxiana region.
Located in the Zerafshan River Valley, Samarkand City has a population of more than 100,000. It was the capital of the Khwarezm and Timur Khanates and had great influence.
"Boom——"
Hundreds of years after Genghis Khan's death, the city of Samarkand was bombed again.
But before it was a catapult, but now it is an artillery piece.
The reason why Li Dingguo was not afraid of dangers was because the Shaowu field artillery he brought from Anxi weighed three to four hundred kilograms and could be transported by horse-drawn carriage, making long-distance raids possible.
It just didn't show its power in the Kokand area, but now in the city of Samarkand, which is waiting for help, it finally shows its prowess.
Frankly speaking, no matter how fierce the artillery is, it is just scratching an itch for Samarkand, which has a high city and a deep pool.
But its deterrence is enough to make people timid and frightened.
Ulugh Beg Theological Seminary, Gilia-Koli Theological Seminary, and Sher-Dol Theological Seminary in the center of the city are the top universities in the world of green religion.
Therefore, the text recording Genghis Khan's broken city is also clearly audible.
"The huge stones are like meteors in the sky, constantly hitting the city wall. The sunken walls seem to be crying, but there is nothing they can do..."
The dean gathered all the teachers and students and read aloud the words in these history books. The sound of bombing in his ears seemed to be a reappearance of Genghis Khan's invasion.
Everyone was trembling with fear and their faces were pale.
The fear of death has surpassed everything else.
"Peace, we need peace."
A teacher raised his head and said: "The Mongols once ruled this land. As long as the Ming Dynasty allows us to maintain our faith, it doesn't matter if we dedicate a complete Samarkand?"
These words are so righteous and convincing.
Everyone agreed.
Soon, God's servants threatened the city lord's mansion.
The latter was so frightened that he had to give in.
The gates of Samarkand were opened wide and envoys were dispatched.
"As long as you preserve our finances and security and do not ask us to convert, Samarkand will be open to you."
Li Dingguo felt surprised and unbelievable for a moment, but he had to believe that this was true.
He has no problem with this.
For a time, the city of Samarkand was filled with joy.
…
At this time, Taiwan Government.
After more than ten years of development, Taiwan Prefecture has expanded from the previous four counties to today's six counties, namely Taiyuan County, Penghu County, Tamsui County, Jilong County, Chiayi County, and Changhua County, which was established to annihilate the Dadu Kingdom. county.
As for the population, relying heavily on immigrants from Fujian Province, it has swelled to one million, which can be said to be a rapid development.
It governs Da Yuan County, which is even more prosperous, with a population of 300,000. It can be said to be the number one county in Taiwan.
"Father, we have arrived in Taiwan."
On the wide pier, merchant ships were densely packed, with 20,000 people occupying the entire port. They were constantly coming in and out, and the shouts were constant, so that the heat wave hit you, almost overwhelming you.
Nan Huairen opened his clothes, lay on the bamboo stream, and kept swaying the cattail leaf fan in his hand. Hearing this call, he was shocked: "Really?"
"It's true, Father, get up quickly!"
The sailor said politely: "Everyone is starting to disembark."
"Okay." He quickly packed it up, buttoned it up, and returned to his dignified appearance.
Although the ship was cramped, as a Jesuit priest, he had a high status and had a bedroom no less than that of the captain.
He picked it up, saluted, and opened the door. The sailor was still waiting respectfully at the door.
"Let me help you!" The sailor quickly picked up two large wooden boxes and followed behind.
Nan Huairen thanked him, then walked out of the cabin and came to the deck.
At this time, the captain said hello respectfully: "Good day, my priest."
"Taiwan has arrived, and this long journey is over."
"Thanks to you for arriving in Taiwan safely."
Nan Huairen said politely.
"Thanks to the Lord's blessing," the captain said piously.
"Amen--"
Nan Huairen led the sailors onto the trestle, and what they saw were poor people in short Gua commoners, rich people in long robes, and of course, some Europeans.
"This place is more prosperous than Batavia." Nan Huairen said with emotion.
"There are carriages here that can be hired directly to go to the church."
The sailor smiled and took Nan Huairen to one side of the dock, where a large number of carriages gathered.
Among them, several carriages were driven by tall-nosed Europeans. He shouted: "Go to St. Peter's Basilica——"
"Father, St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in Taiwan."
The two of them got into the carriage, saluted and placed them behind the carriage.
The surroundings of the carriage are hollow, and only the roof is wrapped in cowhide to prevent guests from getting wet on rainy days.
Although the driver is a European, the vehicle still retains many traces of the East, such as gilding and hollow sculptures.
He looked around and saw that the carriages on the road kept to the right, and there was a steady flow of traffic, but there was no blockage.
The crowd, on the other hand, walked on the side line outside the road. Cars and people did not interfere with each other and were in an orderly manner.
Unlike European streets, which are full of dirt and filth, the streets here are paved with bricks and very clean. Whether it is a horse or a donkey, there are cloth bags hanging behind the buttocks, obviously to catch the excrement.
This is a good idea.
The sights on both sides of the street are eye-opening.
Gothic churches, oriental inns, and shops mingle with each other, and Europeans and orientals talk to each other without any hindrance.
This makes Nan Huairen quite novel.
Soon the carriage took him to St. Peter's Basilica.
Once you see it, it's really amazing.
It is as majestic as anywhere in Italy.
After thanking the sailor for his help, Nan Huairen entered the church.
The bishop went out to greet him: "Welcome, Father Ferdinand Welbister."
"You're welcome, Your Excellency."
"I heard that you brought a decree from the Holy See?"
"Yes, this is a response to the Ming Emperor's request."
"Can I know?"
"Of course the whole Jesuit community will know this."
Nan Huairen said seriously.
Immediately, he told the pope’s decree not allowing the Ming Emperor to appoint and remove bishops:
"Although most of the Jesuit priests think they should agree, the cardinal archbishop and the Holy See do not agree with this matter..."
"Hey!" The bishop sighed, his face full of sadness: "What should we do?"
"Your Mightiness?"
Nan Huairen was puzzled.
"Just like there can be only one Holy Roman Emperor in Europe, there is only one emperor in the entire East, including Annan, Korea, Japan, Siam, and the Ming Dynasty, and that is the Ming Emperor."
The bishop sighed: "He possesses power that is unparalleled even by the Pope. He is the most powerful monarch in the world second only to God."
"Today, the Society of Jesus has 300,000 believers in the Ming Dynasty. As long as His Majesty the Emperor gives an order, 99% of the believers will convert."
"Now that Rome has hated this emperor, it will be a huge setback for our missionary cause. A missionary cause that is not good for the entire East will die prematurely."
Nan Huairen was shocked, and the bishop was silent.
The two entered the church and talked in the glorious church, talking about the difficulties of missionary work in the East.
Finally, the bishop sighed: "For such a magnificent church, it would take more than a hundred years to collect the money in Europe, but in the East, it took only less than three years for believers to raise the money."
"Almost one hundred thousand silver dollars, or five thousand louis (French gold coins)."
"Oh, God." Nan Huairen sighed: "The East is indeed the land of gold."
