Chapter 743 Jiang Qingzhi must die
When two armies confront each other, the most frustrating thing is not failure, but that one's own arrangements are guessed early on by the opponent, who then makes corresponding deployments, causing one's side to return empty-handed.
This was a blow that was almost humiliating.
Sengge saw the shame and anger suddenly burst out in his father's eyes, and he stabbed the knife into the lamb leg with force.
"The Ming army after Datong was in a state of disarray. Even if there were more than 10,000 Ming troops at Luanling Pass, what could they do?" Altan said in a deep voice, "Could it be that the peaceful life over the years has made Biji lose his fighting spirit and courage?"
He glanced at Boutin, the burly second son holding his head high.
Just waiting for his call.
Tuotuo turned around and said, "Let him in."
A sergeant came in, knelt down, and said tremblingly: "Greetings, Great Khan."
Reporting victory was a good thing, but he brought bad news. If the Khan was angry, he might take out his anger on him. There was a precedent for this.
That time, Altan Khan whipped a general who brought bad news half to death.
"Say!"
Altan's voice gradually calmed down.
"Great Khan, after Wan Hu led his troops to Luanling Pass, he discovered that there were more than 10,000 Ming troops." The soldier lowered his head, "Wan Hu originally thought that those Ming troops were old, weak, sick and disabled, but after attacking... he discovered that they were all strong and elite.
Moreover…and the Ming army’s firearms were powerful, and the warriors suffered heavy casualties…After attacking fiercely for half a day, Wan Hu had no choice but to withdraw his troops and wait for the next day to attack again.”
The second day, which is today.
"What firearms?" Sengge asked.
"It's the kind in Datong City." said the sergeant.
Sengge thought of the things thrown down by the defenders. After an explosion, the people around were either killed or injured.
"The Ming army was well prepared." Tuotuo did not mention Jiang Qingzhi, out of consideration for Altan's face.
But everyone knew that this was a move that Jiang Qingzhi had prepared long ago. Just when Altan was about to attack the south as his trump card, he learned that Jiang Qingzhi had prepared a shield long ago.
That feeling of frustration!
Tuotuo just felt the same for a moment and felt extremely embarrassed.
"Great Khan." Meng Xian came in, "The army only has nine days' worth of food left."
The expenditure of an army of more than 100,000 almost made the accompanying officials collapse. As the leader, data was sent to Altan every day.
"Nine days." Sengge asked, "What if we reduce the supply?"
Meng Xian shook his head. "The warriors will notice it. Once they know that there is not much food..."
"Without food, how can those warriors kill the enemy?" Butin sneered.
Everyone was looking at Altan.
The nine-day food reserve may seem like a lot, but once the war reaches a stalemate and drags on for a long time... Altan will be in trouble.
"Jiang Qingzhi is guarding the pass carefully because he knows that Luanling Pass can stop our army's small forces." Altan's voice was still steady, which was admirable. "Once the road to the south is blocked, our army will have no choice but to attack Datong."
Meng Xian said cautiously: "Great Khan, Datong is a strong city, and Jiang Qingzhi has firearms to help him fight, so it will be difficult to attack."
"Is my general also afraid?" Altan smiled, his confidence returning. "Order Biji to attack Luanling Pass at all costs. Also, urge the subsequent food and grass to be transported as soon as possible."
"Yes." Meng Xian immediately went out and gave orders.
Altan was thinking, and when Meng Xian came back, Altan said, "Jiang Qingzhi must be waiting for the army to run out of food and grass. Once there is little food and grass left, this Khan will have two options. The first is to risk going south, but the retreat will be cut off by Jiang Qingzhi..."
Meng Xian said: "And the local Ming army will continue to harass us."
Once the retreat route is cut off, the army's food supply will naturally be cut off.
This is a desperate move.
"Put all your strength to the south... If we fail to capture the city quickly, we will not be able to get food and grass, and the army will be in chaos without food."
Altan whispered, "The only alternative is to withdraw the army."
Everyone in the big tent was silent.
Everyone knew that it was impossible to withdraw the troops.
This trip south has been planned for several years, to store food and grass, train warriors, and send troops to the north to suppress those barbarians and eliminate the threat of the army...
Altan was making preparations for the expedition in an orderly manner. Now that the army had arrived at Datong, a lot of money and food had been spent... and many tribes were eagerly waiting to rush into the colorful world of Central Plains to burn, kill and loot in order to make up for the expenses of this expedition and make a fortune.
Once the army retreats, those tribes will be in turmoil, and the pile of firewood under Altan's butt will be ignited.
So, we must fight!
But how to fight?
Altan summoned everyone to discuss the matter.
"…That's roughly it." Tuotuo introduced the situation. "Now Biji can't quickly break through Luanling Pass, but the army can't sit idle. We must find a way to get Jiang Qingzhi out of the city for a decisive battle."
As for the news that the army only had nine days' worth of food in stock, that was top secret, known only to a few core people.
"Great Khan, why don't we attack the city!" someone suggested, and then someone else retorted, "Datong is a strong city, and Jiang Qingzhi has firearms in his hands. That would be courting death!"
"Then we will drown Datong in a sea of blood and corpses!"
"That's right!"
"Great Khan, attack the city!"
The nobles who would have felt sad if they lost one more warrior under their command in the past, now had no hesitation.
Jineng whispered, "Do you know why?"
Zhao Quan nodded. "There are mountains of money and food in Datong City. As long as we can capture the city, the money and food we get will be enough to compensate for their losses. As for the so-called warriors, are you afraid that we can't recruit them now that we have money and food?"
Amid the chatter, Altan smiled and said, "You are brave, but Datong is a strong city, and the warriors cannot be wasted under the city." "Then change the general." Someone suggested replacing Biji, "Biji has been corroded by fine wine and beautiful women, and he is no longer the brave general he used to be."
"Khan, I am willing to take over from Biji."
Altan still smiled, "Biji, it's still Biji. Wait two more days, and tell Biji that within two days... we will leave Luanling Pass!"
This was a military order issued in public, and it seemed to be exactly the same as the previous private order ordering Biji to attack Luanling Pass at all costs, but this time it was a public order with a two-day deadline.
If it doesn’t go down within two days, then all the blame will be on Biji.
The Khan Altan was still wise and powerful, but just more incompetent than Ji.
Sengge glanced at Buting and saw that his face was flushed. He wished he could rush to Luanling Pass immediately and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
You can't even understand the intention of my father Khan's military order, and you are worthy enough to compete with me?
"Khan, what if it doesn't rain in two days?" asked a noble.
This statement might sound offensive, but everyone looked at Altan at the same time.
If it doesn't rain in two days, Biji's misfortune has nothing to do with us, but what should the army do next?
As the commander-in-chief, Altan must give everyone a direction.
There was more mockery in Zhao Quan's eyes. After joining Altan, he had been persuading Altan to establish a country.
First, a city was built as the capital, which was the foundation. Then the country was established, and with such a great cause in hand, the scattered tribal forces under his command had a name for integration.
Integrate the forces under your command by establishing a country, and then expand... The appeal of expanding in the name of a country and expanding in the name of a large tribe is completely different.
But Altan was repeatedly hesitant and refused many times.
"It's neither right nor justified." Zhao Quan shook his head. If Altan had listened to his advice earlier, with the righteous cause in hand now, how could these nobles dare to question it?
Alda pondered.
The atmosphere in the big tent was somewhat solemn.
After an unknown amount of time, Altan slowly spoke, "If Luanling Pass is not taken in two days, this Khan will raise a large army... and march south!"
There was a sudden sound of people gasping for air in the big tent.
"Khan, if Jiang Qingzhi takes advantage of the situation and sends his troops, our army's retreat will be cut off," someone said.
"This is the opportunity Jiang Qingzhi has been waiting for for a long time!"
"How about we take another look?"
The nobles who had been so passionate before were now as timid as mice.
Attacking Datong City is proactive, but being cut off from the retreat... is passive, and if things go wrong the entire army will be wiped out.
We can’t lose our family fortune!
Altan said calmly: "Jiang Qingzhi is waiting in the city for me to go south or withdraw my troops. Once I go south, he will definitely attack with all his might. If I lead my troops back..."
Altan's eyes sparkled with excitement. At that moment, he seemed to be 20 years younger. "One battle will decide the outcome!"
Everyone was silent.
"Why? With more than 100,000 cavalrymen, are you still worried that you will be defeated by the 20,000 Beijing guards under Jiang Qingzhi?" Meng Xian's timely words brought everyone out of their confusion and anxiety.
"Yes!"
"We should win, but why did I feel a little uneasy just now?"
"That's because we haven't gained any advantage since the war started."
Someone pointed out the origin of this mentality.
Since the war began, Jiang Qingzhi and Altan have been fighting back and forth, and Altan has been defeated in every fight.
Just like that, morale had unknowingly fallen to the bottom. When Luanling Pass blocked the southward detachment, the frustration and confusion suddenly erupted...
Altan was startled and looked carefully, and found that it was Zhao Quan who woke everyone up.
Zhao Quan said: "Even if the 20,000 imperial guards can defeat our 50,000-man army, the Khan still has tens of thousands of troops. If we put all our strength on them, how can Jiang Qingzhi defeat them?"
Zhao Quan walked to the middle. This was his first time to step onto the power center of the Altan tribe. He looked very excited. "All our army's previous goals were to force Jiang Qingzhi to leave the city for a decisive battle. The Khan was wise. He used all his strength to come south to force Jiang Qingzhi to leave the city... The goal has been achieved. We should congratulate the Khan."
Zhao Quan saluted and said, "Our army will win this battle. We congratulate the Khan!"
More than one hundred thousand versus twenty thousand, victory, no, a big victory is a foregone conclusion!
Everyone in the big tent looked at each other.
Someone suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
The nobles burst into laughter.
The generals burst into laughter.
Sengge and Buting burst into laughter...
The corners of Altan's mouth curled up slightly, and he whispered: "Is this Khan confused too? No, what this Khan needs is your self-realization!"
From the beginning of the war until now, he seemed to have taken the initiative, but the dark clouds brought by each setback gradually enveloped his subordinates, causing them to lose their fighting spirit and courage without realizing it.
"Jiang Qingzhi!" At this moment, murderous intent flashed in Altan's eyes... This was the first enemy he encountered in his military career that made him helpless.
In time, when the Ming Dynasty has assembled an army of 50,000, 100,000, or 200,000, Jiang Qingzhi will lead his army out of the border...
Could this Khan be an enemy?
"Jiang Qingzhi must die!"
Altan looked at everyone and suddenly laughed.
"Hahahaha!"
(End of this chapter)
