Outside Jiayuguan Pass.
The wind urged Huang Sha, who reluctantly took a few steps, made a whining sound of complaint, hid under the weathered rocks, and never left despite the wind.
The sound of horse hoofbeats came from far away. Song Sheng reined in the reins and looked at the vast sea of sand in the distance. He said to Song Xuan beside him: "There is only one road around here for cavalry. The sand in other places is too soft. Cavalry, especially heavy ones, The cavalry cannot move quickly at all. If an enemy wants to enter the pass from here, they can only take this ancient road in front of them."
Song Xuan wiped the yellow sand from the corner of his mouth: "But the roads here are too narrow and are not suitable for large army operations. Sand softness is a problem for heavy cavalry, and it is also a problem for our divine machine guns."
Song Sheng pointed at the increasingly wider sea of sand in front of him, looked towards the northwest, and said: "Yang Rong said that the most suitable place for the decisive battle is in Hami, or even in Bielsbali. He does not suggest that we The decisive battle will take place between Hami and Jiayuguan. What do you think?"
Song Xuan stared into the distance: "Placing the decisive battle in the desert and Gobi between Hami and Jiayuguan will help weaken the combat power of Timur's army. It can even slow down their marching speed and seek opportunities to destroy it." Logistics, and then create opportunities for a decisive battle. Yang Rong's idea is a bit desperate. He wants to invest all resources and strength in Hami. Although this can solve the water and grass problem well, it can also quickly defeat Timur. Sweeping across the Western Region, but this strategy is too risky.”
Hami is very suitable for cavalry combat. The vast grasslands and flat basins will make Timur's cavalry more ferocious. If the main force of the Ming Dynasty were deployed in Hami, they would inevitably have to face the charge of Timur's cavalry in the plains.
Is it really possible to fight infantry against cavalry?
Although Camel City was being built in Jiayuguan, Song Xuan was not sure whether Camel City could really stop the cavalry attack, and his father Song Sheng was probably not sure either.
"Report, the general's document for conquering the west."
A horse galloped from a distance. The messenger dismounted and handed over the document.
Song Xuan took it and threw the wine gourd around his waist. After checking the document seal, he handed it to Song Sheng: "Yes, it's the general's seal."
Song Sheng sat on the horseback, opened the document and looked at it carefully. He couldn't help but take a deep breath and said: "King Yan is forcing Timur to go to war as soon as possible."
Song Xuan looked at Song Sheng, who had a serious face but relaxed eyes, and asked, "Is King Yan using some strategy again?"
Song Sheng chuckled, put away the documents, and looked into the distance: "Timur is a calm and cruel person. He mostly makes decisions before taking action to prepare for Zhou Xiang. I don't know if King Yan's plan can make him lose his mind."
Song Xuan said: "I'm afraid that King Yan's plan is too vicious, and I can't help but send troops earlier!"
Song Sheng glanced at his son and laughed loudly: "You seem to be very prejudiced against King Yan."
Song Xuan grinned: "When I was conquering Annan, I once talked about Zhu Di with Yang Pu. Yang Pu said that King Yan's strategies were like a monster, and most of them were unscrupulous. He also cited the fact that King Yan pretended to be crazy and acted foolishly in Beiping in an attempt to deceive the court."
Song Sheng turned the horse's head: "Yang Pu, Yang Rong, and Yang Shiqi, I heard that there are already three Yangs in the capital. These three people have made great efforts in helping the emperor move the capital to Peking. They may not join the cabinet to worship the prime minister in the future. Can you Don’t neglect these people.”
Song Xuan understood.
Song Sheng urged his horse to run in the direction of Jiayuguan and waved his whip: "After we return, we will arrange for someone to send a message to Timur. As long as this news reaches Timur's ears, he will definitely march eastward in advance. We must hurry up." It’s time to prepare for war, when autumn comes, it should be the time for the decisive battle!”
The sound of horse hooves stirred up yellow sand and rolled it.
Also work hard. In the glorious palace, Shamichagan examined the map, his eyes fixed on the position of Samarkand, and his solemn expression made the people behind him afraid to speak.
"Timur is very likely to march in summer and autumn, and we need to prepare for battle as soon as possible."
Shamichagan turned around and said seriously to Mahama, Yehuomen, Magol and other generals.
Mahama was a little worried: "The time of Timur's Eastern Expedition will not be much different, and it will be winter at the latest. But we still need to study its march route carefully. If we set up defenses everywhere, we will not be able to resist Timur at all." The army should gather the main force and fight decisively with it!"
Shamichagan nodded solemnly: "Yes! This requires us to arrange sergeants to detect intelligence. There are only two possible routes at the moment, that is, Timur leads the army directly from Junggar north of Tianshan Mountain. The second route, That is to march from Ili. The southernmost line of Hashar (Kashgar) and Khotan (Hotan) should not be Timur's choice."
Mahama and Yehuomen nodded repeatedly.
If you take the route from Hashar (Kashgar) to Khotan (Hotian), you will most likely go along the Kunlun Mountains and directly towards Quxian, Anding, and Dunhuang.
Timur is a very powerful enemy with rich combat experience. It is impossible for him to fall into the dilemma of being attacked from both sides and fighting on two fronts.
If you follow Hashar and go north along the Tarim River, you can advance directly to Turpan and other places, but it is too close to Hami and goes directly into the hinterland of Yili. Timur wanted to capture Yili. If you are here, you must divide your forces to fight here, and you may fall into a situation of attacking everywhere and being constrained everywhere.
The southernmost route was inappropriate and an unlikely choice for Timur.
Shamichagan pointed to the Ili River and Tianshan Mountains and said seriously: "I think Timur is likely to open a gap from here and enter our territory to fight."
Judging from the map, this possibility is the greatest. Going further north means that Timur needs to climb a few more mountains. The Tianshan Mountains are not easy to climb. If you can save some distance, absolutely no one is willing to walk more. Ili is exactly the best breakthrough point, and entering from here is the least difficult. It also allows the army to quickly pass through the Tianshan Mountains and enter the plains to fight. This is extremely important for Timur's army, which is dominated by cavalry. Attractive.
"Then put the heavy troops in Yili, Tianshan Mountain and other places!"
Mahama supported.
Ye Huomen thought for a moment and suggested: "Wang's analysis is reasonable, but we have to consider Timur's other options. You must know that Timur's expedition to the east is carrying the main force of the country, and it will destroy the country. When it comes to fighting, you don't necessarily have to choose just one route. If he attacks simultaneously in three directions, the north, south, and middle, but we only place heavy troops in the Yili area, and other places lack protection, will it cause unexpected disasters?"
There was deep worry in Shami Chagan's eyes.
Yes, it is not that Timur fought without dividing his troops. This time it was such a large-scale war that it was normal to attack in several directions. If this is the case, it will be difficult to divide the troops to deal with it even with the current strength.
"He may not dare to divide his troops, right?"
Shamichagan frowned.
Hundreds of thousands of troops, followed by countless logistics and forces. One logistics supply is already difficult. If it is further divided into three logistics and supplied separately, this will be a risky matter for any army.
Seeing that Shamichagan was in trouble, Mahama proposed a solution that would have the best of both worlds: "Why not recruit troops in the Ili area and prepare to intercept on other routes. No matter which route Timur chooses, we will be more If we get the news early, it will not be difficult to mobilize troops to occupy the favorable location."
Shamichagan nodded solemnly: "That's all we can do now."
Just when Shamichagan was about to put away the map, the sergeant hurriedly came over and reported: "Song Sheng of the Ming Dynasty sent a document."
Shamichagan quickly took it and opened it while asking: "Where is the person who sent the document?"
"Outside the hall."
"Let him come in quickly."
Shamichagan opened the document and breathed a deep sigh of relief: "Song Sheng sent a message stating that Emperor Ting has decided to march westward and has dispatched 100,000 elite troops. They are currently on the way. Let us hold on for a while."
"One hundred thousand troops? It seems that the Ming court also attached great importance to Timur. Combined with Song Sheng's army, there should be more than 200,000, right?"
Mahama was no longer so nervous.
Shamicha said with a smile: "It is a good thing for us that the Ming Dynasty is strong. Judging from the current situation, we have a common enemy, and that is Timur! A saying that the Han people often say is that the lips are dead and the teeth are cold. , they will not sit back and watch us be defeated by Timur, and will definitely send troops to help us and jointly resist Timur."
Mahama also laughed out loud and said confidently: "We can completely rely on the power of the Ming court to defeat Timur in one fell swoop, and then take advantage of the situation to leave the Tianshan Mountains, go south to Samarkand, and regain our homeland!"
"That's right!"
Shami Chagan praised.
The sergeant who delivered the document was named Liang Dai. He was an authentic Suzhou native who was familiar with the Western Regions and worked for the Security Bureau.
After Shami Chagan saluted Liang Dai, he quickly asked: "Where are the Ming court's troops?"
Liang Dai raised his head and glanced at the map behind Shami Chagan. Mahama quickly walked over and covered it with his body.
"Based on the days, we should have arrived in Xi'an, the Silk Road during the Han and Tang Dynasties.asxs."
Liang Dai explained.
Shamichagan knew where it was. He calculated the distance in his mind and couldn't help frowning. It was nearly three thousand miles from Xi'an to Jiayuguan, and then to Hami. He might be able to support him within a few miles. He was afraid that it would take four to five thousand miles. Even if the Ming army was capable, it would take one day. It will take nearly two months to walk a hundred miles. This does not include the difficulties of marching, repairs, and logistical problems. A rough calculation shows that it is possible for the Ming army to reach Jiayuguan within two months. But if you want to transfer the main force It will take more time to get to Hami.
Would Timur give himself so much time?
Shamichagan didn't want to sit still and asked, "When can the three thousand muskets, fifty thousand arrows, and five thousand bows that Song Sheng promised us be delivered?"
Liang Dai replied calmly: "Originally, it could be sent to Beishebali in early March, but Hami has been uneasy recently. The queen's grandmother and the leaders of Hami are not willing to let the Ming Dynasty use the road to send military supplies to Yilibaili. Many supplies They were all detained in Hami..."
"That's unreasonable!"
Shami Chagan was furious, feeling that the military resources he had been waiting for for a long time were actually blocked by a woman?
Liang Dai lamented: "Although Tuotuo was the loyal and obedient king of the Ming Dynasty, Hami belongs to the Hami people after all, and the Ming court's words don't count. The grandmother of the Queen of Hami also controls the power of Hami. Song Dusi has dealt with her several times, but she just won't give way. If it weren't for your concern that the Ming Dynasty would control Hami and lose the buffer zone, Song Dusi would have sent troops to attack Hami long ago."
Shamichagan understood Song Sheng's worries. He was afraid that he would misunderstand Daming's intentions and therefore not be able to deal with Hami.
In that case, let yourself help you.
Shamichagan said to Liang Dai: "Wait a moment, I will personally write a letter to King Zhongshun Totuo, please take it back."
Liang Dai naturally agreed.
Shami Chagan wrote a letter with anger, accusing Hami of being inhumane. In order to help Hami, he even dared to touch the Tatars. You actually intercepted the military supplies that Song Sheng gave me behind my back?
I'll give you two choices, either listen to Ming Ting and send military supplies here, or I can go and get them myself...
