At the same time, outside the city of Zhangjiakou, the sun was still shining brightly compared to the snow that had begun to fall on the grasslands.
Although the temperature has started to drop now and everyone is wearing jackets, the bright sunshine still brings a lot of warmth.
At this time, the city gate was open, and caravans and herdsmen were coming in and out one after another.
"I thought this northern grassland was a deserted land before, but I didn't expect it to be so lively!"
At this time, there was a burst of discussion among a caravan that had just left the city and was heading to the prairie.
But this caravan is a little strange, because many of them are going back, but this season they are going to the grassland.
This is very counterintuitive, because no one knows whether we can come back after heavy snowfall in this season.
Although this is the time when animals accumulate body fat before winter, and once spring arrives, they will probably lose a lot of fat. The current cattle and sheep are indeed quite hefty.
But this risk is not proportional to the transaction at all.
Therefore, at this time, many nearby herdsmen who came to the city to exchange cattle and sheep for food and daily necessities looked at this group of strange businessmen with some surprise.
In this season, if you want to exchange cattle and sheep, can you do it in the city?
You really can’t buy from us?
After a while, some herdsmen couldn't help but stepped forward to sell.
"Hey! My friends, do you want to go to the grassland to buy cattle and sheep? I have a lot of cattle and sheep here! They are all good things. Look at this fat body.
If you want more, you can go to our tribe, which is dozens of miles away. It’s easy to find. We also have a lot of good stuff there! "
The herdsman was very eager, and he just happened to be too lazy to go to the city. At worst, he could sell it cheaper to the traders in front of him.
However, the leader shook his head and refused directly.
"Sorry, we have to meet old friends when we go to the grassland."
As the leader spoke, he called on the people to move forward and pass the herdsmen.
"Boss, why do these people look at us so weirdly?"
"I heard that it has started to snow in the grassland. It seems that there will be a heavy snow soon. Anyway, everyone should speed up and try to see the master as soon as possible!"
Chang Wei sighed, they came here at the wrong time.
After all, I have never been to the grassland, and I didn’t expect winter to come so quickly here.
Da da da!
Suddenly, a group of cavalrymen in the distance were smoking their whips. The horses seemed to be equipped with some kind of drive, and they were moving very fast.
The line of cavalry waved their whips and shouted.
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Emergency military situation in the North! Anyone who dares to stop will be killed without mercy!"
Such shouting was repeated continuously. Seeing this, the herdsmen and merchants along the way hurriedly got out of the way and watched the group of people walk away.
"Boss! This..."
"Let's go! We won't rest tonight. We will go straight to the road and take a nap at noon tomorrow!"
Chang Wei looked solemn and quickly urged everyone to speed up.
Although he didn't understand what the military situation in the North was, Chang Wei vaguely felt that something was not good.
After hearing this, everyone did not dare to say anything more and began to drive the horse-drawn carriage and donkey-cart towards the front.
At the same time, the group of fast horses was already crossing the streets and alleys, and the crowds along the way hurriedly got out of the way when they heard each other's roars.
When the cavalry passed by, everyone began to talk in whispers, and they were all curious about what happened.
——
About half a quarter of an hour later, the atmosphere in the Zhangjiakou Dutong Mansion was already tense.
The adjutant stood a little uneasy, even though he was wearing winter clothes, he still felt cold.
"Sir, I think this matter should be reported immediately!"
"Yes! It's time to report it. What happened is beyond my control. I didn't expect these Mongolians to be so bold. It seems they have forgotten what happened last time."
Zhang Li rubbed his brows, feeling that he might be possessed by bad luck.
This new official took office with three things in mind. Before the fire started, the backyard of the property was on fire.
"Since the principal's side now wants to occupy the nominal righteousness, then we will leave it to their diplomats and let their people take over. It would be best if we can use words to make those Outer Mongolians leave."
Zhang Li crossed his hands to support his chin, his face full of helplessness.
Now that finances are tight in all aspects, he, the leader of Chahar, is exhausted.
"Sir, we can indeed leave this matter to those people in the south, but after all, this is our territory. If we don't do something, I'm afraid..."
The adjutant said hesitantly.
"What to do? What to do? There will be heavy snow soon. When we enter the north of Chahar, this will happen in ten days.
Now I heard that there are tens of thousands of troops from Outer Mongolia. How many people should we send there?
Five thousand? Or fifty thousand?
Let alone five thousand or fifty thousand, where will the food and grass come from? "
Zhang Li couldn't help but rubbed his brows in distress as he spoke.
"Grain and grass can be squeezed out, but once it snows, how will the grain and grass be transported there? Will we go to fight or deliver food?"
What Zhang Li said is not unreasonable.
Although he is not a native of Chahar, the local leader who can be appointed here still has some understanding of the situation here.
Once the heavy snow comes, it is not the light snow like in the south, but heavy enough to sink most of the legs.
In that kind of snow, the carriage can barely move, but the car just sits there.
And Zhang Li knew very well that most of his men were from Shanxi.
Although there is deep snow there in winter, it is far from this level. It was cold, too, but not that cold.
Compared with the Outer Mongolian people who have long been accustomed to the severe cold, fighting against the cold is courting death.
Moreover, many of his subordinates are still training in riding skills, and their equestrian skills are not as proficient as those of the prairie people.
If you are not afraid in normal seasons, with the formation of troops and guns, it is really worth it.
But at this time, Zhang Li didn't have the confidence to compete with professional soldiers on the grassland.
I'm afraid it won't be so cold that I can't even hold a gun steadily. If I pay attention to keeping out the cold, wearing too bulky clothes will make it difficult to move.
In short, Zhang Li has given up the idea of going north to defend against the enemy this season.
"But you are right. It's not like doing nothing. Let's let the second and third regiments prepare to set off soon and establish a defense line in the area south of central Chahar.
As long as the Mongolians don't come, if they continue to go south, then give me a hard beating! "
Zhang Li said and slapped the table, looking very imposing.
The adjutant nodded. After thinking about it, he felt that it was a good idea and he could explain it to him.
Although there are hundreds of large and small tribes north of Chahar, they are also a huge resource.
But the situation is different now, and we can only let these hateful Mongolians go for the time being.
If the other party is still entrenched in the grassland in the next spring, it will not be too late to deal with it severely.
"Sir, that's what I said, but Zhao Ming is still in Chabei. Do you think you should send a team of people..."
Speaking of this, Zhang Li then remembered that there was another official in Chabei, both big and small.
"Zhao Ming..."
