Liu Heng stood on the city wall of Dunbao, looking towards the other side of the river in the distance.
On the other side of the river, groups of Mongolian cavalry were cruising nearby. Farther away, there were many more yurts, and herdsmen could be seen driving their sheep around.
"Sir, the Mongols have discovered that we have mobilized troops and horses. There is a large army stationed on the other side of the river." Huang Hong came to Liu Heng and said.
Liu Heng held a monocular in his hand, observing the other side of the river, and said: "Our tens of thousands of troops have been mobilized for such a long time. It is normal for the Mongols to find out. It is not surprising."
From the beginning to the end, there was no hope of hiding the mobilization of the army from the Mongols. The reason why they had to march in pieces was just to let the Mongols discover later that the Tiger Flag was mobilizing the army.
"We caught Shitu by surprise this time. There are not many Mongolian cavalry on the other side of the river. It looks like there are at most four to five thousand people." Zhang Hong said.
Huang Hong on the side nodded and said: "Master Zhang is right. There are only Su Nang's troops on the other side of the river. Although Bu Shitu has sent people to summon all the Mongolian ministries to come for reinforcements, it's a pity that everything was too hasty and short. It’s difficult to gather too many soldiers and horses in the time, and the only thing that can pose a threat to us is the Suang.”
The Foreign Intelligence Bureau is responsible for snooping on information from the Mongolian side, and Qingcheng is like a sieve, with no secrets at all. People from the Foreign Intelligence Bureau continuously obtain all kinds of information from Qingcheng.
In the end, all this information was gathered into Huang Hong's hands.
"When will the troops of the First War Division and the Third War Division arrive?" Liu Heng asked Huang Hong beside him.
Huang Hong said: "The two combat divisions are less than a hundred miles away from here, and they will definitely arrive within two days. Commander Zhang's second combat division set out earlier, so they should be able to arrive before dark."
The Tiger Character Banner placed three military divisions on the grassland.
The First Battle Division is under the command of Chen Xunping, with a strength of more than 18,000 people. The Second Battle Division is commanded by Zhang Hong, who is responsible for garrisoning the forts on the grassland, with a strength of more than 16,000 troops. The division is the fourth combat battalion commanded by Wang Yuncheng. It has only one battalion and is not yet fully staffed.
Jia Liu, the commander of the personal army division, was stationed at Xinpingbao and Lingqiu. This time Liu Heng came to the grassland and did not let the personal army division accompany him, but only brought a team of guards.
"Is the camp ready?" Liu Heng asked.
Zhang Hong took a step forward and said, "Don't worry, sir. Things in the camp have been arranged and our troops can be stationed at any time."
"The weather on the grassland is colder than that in Datong, and the camp is located outside, so we must be prepared for the cold." Liu Heng explained.
Zhang Hong said: "Since a year ago, Lingqiu has been sending stoves over. This time, all the subordinates have used them to ensure that there will be no attrition in the camp due to the cold weather."
Liu Heng nodded.
Winter on the grasslands often lasts longer than in the Ming Dynasty. At this time, the soil in the ground has just begun to melt, and there is still a biting chill in the air.
It is not impossible for the Tiger-Character Banner to wait until the weather warms up completely before using troops against Tumut. If that time comes, all Tumut ministries will definitely be well prepared, which will cause even greater losses to the Tiger-Character Banner.
Today's weather is not going to be warm yet. If troops are suddenly sent out at this time, Bushitu and Tumote's troops are almost defenseless. This is the best time for the Tiger Flag to attack.
"Send the order and let the cavalry of the armored cavalry battalion pass the news of the army's march along the road to ensure that all divisions are assembled within two days." Liu Heng said to Ma Yunjiu beside him.
"Yes." Ma Yunjiu agreed, turned and left.
Liu Heng added: "In three days, prepare to attack Su Nang on the other side of the river and not give the Mongols a chance to gather more cavalry."
"yes."
Many people on the fort wall agreed in unison.
……………………
Across the river.
Among the many yurts, there is one that is much larger than the others.
Inside the yurt, Su Nang sits in the middle.
Behind the low tables on his left and right sides, there were also many people sitting cross-legged, all of whom were noble people from Taiji on the grassland.
"Old Taiji, it's been two days now, why haven't the troops and horses you promised arrived yet?" Su Nang said with an ugly face to Kankantada who was closest to him.
Now there are only a few thousand warriors from his tribe stationed on the river bank. They are panic-stricken in the face of the approaching Tiger Flag army.
Outside Xinpingbao City in Datong, the Mongolian cavalry he led suffered losses in front of the Tiger-Character Banner army and lost thousands of troops. At this time, he was asked to face the Tiger-Character Banner army with a single force. No confidence at all.
"The Great Khan has summoned all the ministries. I believe that after receiving the Great Khan's order, the ministries will definitely come to help as soon as possible. In a few days at most, the reinforcements from each ministry will arrive." Kankantada said.
Su Nang frowned and said: "Old Taiji, you'd better send someone to urge me. It's not that I don't believe that the ministries won't send reinforcements, I just don't believe that Su Nang will agree to send reinforcements from each ministry to me."
Based on the relationship between his three wives and Bu Shitu, he was worried that Bu Shitu would trap him and make him and the Tiger Flag army fight here. In the end, Bu Shitu would reap the benefits by himself in Qingcheng.
"Su Nang, you are overthinking. Now the Tiger Flag is the common enemy of all the Tumote tribes. The Great Khan will not do such a thing that makes relatives hate and hates enemies. Moreover, before coming to you, I have also talked with the Great Khan. I said that as soon as the various troops arrive, they will be sent to you immediately." Kankantada knew what Su Nang was worried about and comforted him.
Su Nang hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "I don't believe him, but I believe you, Lao Taiji, and I hope he won't really do such a thing to harm his own people."
"The Great Khan is the Great Khan of the Tumut tribes. It is not a good thing for the Tumut tribes to trap you at this time. You have to believe that the Great Khan will not be so unwise." Kankantada said.
Su Nang nodded and said, "I will trust you again this time, Lao Taiji."
"Report." A Mongolian soldier wearing leather armor and an iron helmet strode in from outside the yurt.
Su Nang looked at the person and asked hurriedly: "Senaban, is there any movement in the tiger flag on the other side of the river?"
"Reporting to Taiji, it's Mo Rigen, the sentry commander sent by old Taiji, who has returned." Sena said in a loud voice.
Su Nang glanced at Kankantada who was sitting beside him, raised his hand at the end and said, "Bring people in."
"Yes." Senaban turned around and strode away from the yurt.
Not long after, when Senaban returned to the yurt again, he was followed by two Mongolian men wearing leather hats, wearing leather armor, and walking with bow legs.
"I've seen Su Nang Taiji."
As soon as the two people came in with Senaban, they saluted Su Nang who was sitting on the seat.
