Perhaps Yesudier also didn't expect that what started as a tentative attack by a small group of troops would eventually drag the entire western half of his grassland into the flames of war.
In the name of revenge, Zhu Di led more than a thousand of his royal guards and Xu Yungong's five thousand cavalry to brazenly invade Wala's sphere of influence. He completely replicated the tactics of the Mongols. The Ming cavalry rushed into the Oara tribe one after another like fire, disturbing half of the grassland.
"Your Highness, this is the third Oara tribe nearby. We only captured more than 20 young men..." In front of the gate of a tribal camp, Zhu Di was riding on a horse, listening to the report of a Ming army general. "Should we also recruit them into the army?"
"Chong, the men will be led by Aduqin, and the women and old people will rush to the east. The Crown Prince of Wei will meet them. Leave the cattle, sheep and property behind to reward the three armies!" Zhu Di said.
These days, he followed the practice of the Mongols in the past, wrapping up the strong men of the conquered tribes in the servant army, so that the number of these Oala surrender troops has reached 7,000. Compared to his own Wang Wei with only a thousand men, it can be said to be extremely dangerous. But Zhu Di's courage was astonishing, and he was not prepared for these rebellions. His magnanimity actually made Abdul Chin respect and fear him.
Moreover, Zhu Di had clear rewards and punishments. After the plunder, he would also distribute the spoils to these surrendering soldiers. Therefore, this trapped surrendering army could still be regarded as supporting Zhu Di.
Of course, it might just be because you haven't encountered any setbacks yet.
"Your Highness, there are fewer and fewer young people in the tribes that have been attacked in recent days." Zhang Yu said to Zhu Di worriedly. "It can be confirmed that Yesudier is also mobilizing young people in the surrounding area... I'm afraid there will be a large army of Oala coming to annihilate us soon."
"It's better if you come." Zhu Di looked very confident. "Now that winter is about to begin today, and Yesudier is still gathering young people at this time, how will those herdsmen survive the winter?"
"The most difficult thing about fighting on the grassland is to find the enemy. If Yesudie'er is willing to do it on his own, he will be playing into my heart. But Yesudie'er will never be so unwise."
"What the general means is, if Yesudie'er's army is surrounding us, how can we resist it? This is the territory of Oara after all, and we are not familiar with the place. Moreover, there are many fathers and brothers who have surrendered the army under Yesudier's command. If the battlefield is In a confrontation, I'm afraid that the surrender of the army will not be relied upon." Zhang Yu said.
Zhu Di pondered for a while and said: "Order the brothers to deal with it as soon as possible. We will not stay here for a long time."
When fighting in enemy territory, being caught is a taboo. The grassland is vast, and even a million-strong army is just a drop in the ocean. As long as they keep moving, it will be extremely difficult to find an invading army.
Even if they were found and surrounded by Yesu Die'er, the nine-border garrison of the Ming Dynasty was not far away. As long as they guarded for a while, it would be too late.
Now winter is about to enter, and the grasslands are covered with snow in winter. The supply of food and grass for the army is inconvenient. Zhu Di does not believe it and dares to raise an army that will overwhelm the country.
A national war is not that easy to start.
On August 20, Zhu Di led his army back south along the Altai Mountains, sweeping through the surrounding tribes along the way. The number of surrendered troops reached more than 10,000, but there was still no trace of the Oara army. At this time, the tribe was swept away, and there were no young people left, and the remaining cattle and sheep in the tribe were also pitiful. Zhu Di was secretly confused and acted more cautiously, staying day and night and never staying in one place for too long.
On August 28, after Zhu Di completed supplies in Yijinai, he confirmed to Xu Yungong, who was guarding Yijinai, that there had been no Oara army attacking recently. He already had some guesses in his mind, so he decided to go to Hami.
On September 15th, Zhu Di marched to the east of Hami, more than 130 miles away, and found out that there was a large army facing off in Hami. After exploring the horse, it was found that it was Haohai Dayu, a man from Walatou who was also in charge of the expedition.
On September 23, after discussing with Zhang Yu, Zhu Di boldly sent out troops and raided the flanks of Wala while the two armies were fighting. Haohai Dayu was horrified and returned to defend himself. Zhu Di took the opportunity to break through the siege of Wala and enter Hami. city.
After entering the city, Zhu Di was extremely surprised to find that the general guarding the city wall was actually a Han!
"I'm so grateful to meet my compatriots here!" The guard wore a Mongolian-style leather armor that he found somewhere, but he gave Zhu Di a Han Chinese fist-cup salute, which seemed a bit nondescript. However, the arrogance in the action could never go away. "If you don't come, I'm afraid we will be lost today."
"Are you from Guanzhong?" Zhu Di frowned. "This is the territory of the Yilibali Khanate. You are so proficient in Chinese, you obviously grew up in the Central Plains...how can you work for the Mongols here?"
"Who said I was working for the Mongols?" The man glared and spoke quite angrily. "Our leader is a serious Han Chinese, but he is working as an ox for the Mongolians. You kid, you are so blind, if I reveal my leader's identity, you will be shocked..."
"There are actually Han people serving as officials here?" Zhang Yu was also surprised. I couldn't help but ask. When asked who their leader was, the guard hesitated again. Zhu Di did not reveal his identity, and only asked him to take him to find the person in charge of this city. This charlatan didn't even recognize his own king's flag, and he didn't know much about it even if he thought about it.
When they arrived at the main building in the city, they saw a monk burying his head in his desk. From time to time, Mongolian and Han generals and officials came in to report military affairs. Then they bowed their heads respectfully and listened to the instructions. The monk gave orders one by one in an orderly manner.
Zhu Di looked on and felt that the monk looked familiar.
The monk finished arranging everything in the city in a few words, then stood up, waved away all the attendants on the left and right, then climbed down the steps and saluted Zhu Di: "I, Daoyan, pay my respects to His Highness King Yan. I haven't seen you for several years. , His Highness is even more heroic."
"Dao Yan?" Zhu Di finally remembered who this person was. "Are you the monk under Fifth Brother?"
This monk in black is none other than Yao Guangxiao, who helped the Ming army destroy the Japanese shogunate. Because of his contribution to annihilating the Japanese, he has been granted the title of Excellent Doctor, and he is indeed qualified to be a minister.
However, this person has always been mysterious. Even in the past, when the imperial court conferred great titles on the Japanese heroes, this person did not show up and was only conferred from afar. Everyone only knew that this person was a close associate of Zhou Wang Zhu Su, but they did not know where he was.
"Why are you here?" Zhu Di was also very happy to meet an old friend in a foreign country.
"I came here to open up territory for the Ming Dynasty." Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together, looking solemn. "But this poor monk is the national master of Hami Kingdom at this time. Please don't let your highness slip out of your mouth after you leave this house..."
"National Master of Hami Kingdom?" Zhu Di was stunned. He didn't know when another "Hami Kingdom" popped up in the world, but he saw Yao Guangxiao blinking, with a tacit understanding.
Zhu Di thought this demon monk was interesting.
Yesterday I was forced to work overtime until ten o'clock... I missed one day, so I'm extremely sorry. The missing chapters will be filled in within the next few days!
(End of chapter)
