A vast grassland, a large green mountain range spans east and west. In the west of the Hetao Plain, a new town rose from the ground.

Compared with the mainland, this town is very small in scale. What is most special is that it does not have tall walls. There are only cement houses, forming the most core area of ​​the town in an orderly manner. In the four corners of the town, there are four military camps. These four military camps are all cement walls, and all kinds of defense measures are included in the military camps. There are some differences from ordinary military camps that these military camps are built according to diamond shapes.

In the middle of the town, there is a building similar to that of a military camp. Like a military camp, a Ming national flag is flying. Needless to say, this is an official office.

If you have the patience to observe, you can see that there are actually more soldiers than ordinary people here.

This place is the city on the west side of the Ming Dynasty, Baotou, the city the emperor insisted on building. The official yamen is the Baotou Governor's Office.

At this time, in the back of the yamen, two people were drinking horse milk tea while talking.

One of them looked very strong at first glance, with a big bearded face, and seemed a little depressed. He looked up and said to the gentle and robe official in the main seat: "Master Zhongcheng, he trained soldiers every day but had no battles to fight, and he was almost bored. He was not as good as before. At least he could fight every day!"

"Brother Zhongyong, let's forget about what you say in the back yamen. If you go out and say something, the impact will be bad. I will impeach you!" Baotou Governor Yang Sichang gave a serious face and advised him seriously.

Now the emperor has defeated all the enemies in the north of the Ming Dynasty and the people live and work in peace. This is a good thing, but Zhongyong Bo Mangui shouted that it was not as good as before. Such words would definitely be criticized.

If the two were not familiar with each other before, Yang Sichang would not have reminded him so kindly; of course, this is also related to Man Gui being a rough man and not even knowing a few words. Such words were not much surprising when he said them. But Man Gui's loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and the emperor were obvious to all. It was also because of this that he was named the Emperor's loyalty.

Of course, there is another reason why Yang Sichang is so easy to talk about, which is that he actually thinks so. Although he is a governor, his political achievements can be obtained from the governance area. However, this Baotou is built on an uninhabited grassland and does not have much population. Even if he wants to achieve results, he must have people. At this time, Yang Sichang often felt that a clever woman could not cook without rice.

He always believed that his talents were actually not inferior to the naturalized governor. He just lacked good opportunities. He Hong Chengchou encountered a good time. When the thieves in Shaanxi were in chaos, his father had no generals, so that Hong Chengchou, a civil servant who was just a military preparation, rose with his military achievements, and even achieved the position of naturalized governor for military achievements.

If there is a war to fight now, Yang Sichang believes that he can make military achievements, and only in this way can he be promoted faster. Otherwise, staying in this remote place would be less than the county magistrate of a superior county in the pass, of course, it would be considered in addition to the army.

Therefore, Yang Sichang was actually in his heart, just like Mangui, longing for a war to fight.

Before, when the emperor personally led the army to fight, it was the best opportunity to obtain military merits. However, Baotou was too far away and the grassland was only sent to the other side of Guihua City.

Thinking of this, Yang Sichang sighed in his heart and took a sip of horse milk tea.

Looking at the cup in his hand, Yang Sichang couldn't help but sigh again. He had been unable to drink the things on the grassland before, but after a few years, he was used to drinking!

At this time, he was a little suspicious. When he recommended himself to be the governor of Baotou, was he going the right way or the wrong way?

However, in front of Man Gui, the martial artist, Yang Sichang still maintained his demeanor, put down his cup, and said to Man Gui: "Even in a peaceful and prosperous era, we must train troops. Otherwise, once the war breaks out, how can we defeat the enemy?"

After hearing this, Man Gui did not answer immediately. He drank all the cup of Zhongma Milk Tea, reached out to wipe the horse milk tea hanging on his beard, and then responded: "Sir Zhongcheng, why don't I lead my troops to the north?"

In the north of the Daqing Mountains, there are three major tribes of northern Mongolia living in the north, collectively known as Khalkha Mongols, and have not been conquered by the Ming Dynasty. Now if Baotou wants to have a war to fight, there is only one enemy.

After all, Mongolia in the west had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, and the new Khan Eziertu had a close relationship with the Ming Dynasty. Not only did he train in the new army of the Beijing camp, but after he returned, he bought Daming firearms in large quantities, and the emperor allowed them. Such a relationship would not become hostile in the short term at least.

"No, don't do it randomly!" Yang Sichang heard Man Gui's words and quickly persuaded him, "Our Ming Dynasty is a country of etiquette, and there is no reason to provoke war first."

Whether in terms of legal theory or historical origins, such a faraway place has nothing to do with the Ming Dynasty. If the Ming Dynasty provokes war first, it would be an unrighteous army.

Man Gui was a little indifferent and thought about continuing to bargain and said, "Mr. Zhongcheng, I have my own sense of responsibility for this matter. I will definitely let them make trouble first, and then we will fight back?"

"You led the troops to their place to do this. Do you think the people in the world are stupid?" Yang Sichang heard this, but he felt a little funny. He shook his head and retorted, "Besides, once a war begins, the Khalkha Mongolia is not something that Baotou can deal with. Guihua City has to do its best. Maybe it will be a good idea to dispatch troops from the pass. This is a big battle!"

Having said this, before he finished speaking, Yang Sichang continued: "Khalkha Mongols are different from the Jianlu in Liaodong. They have no place to live. If the Ming army goes on an expedition and they flee, they will not talk about what the final battle will be like, just the consumption of materials on the expedition is astronomical! And these things must be considered by the court and must be submitted to the emperor for permission."

When Man Gui heard this, he opened his mouth and thought, but he didn't expect that Yang Sichang seemed to have become a chatterbox, and he continued to say: "And you didn't notice that the emperor generally does not fight a loss-making battle. After sorting out the wars over the past few years, I found that the wars of our Ming army were mostly profitable. The logistical pressure of the court is not considered a battle. If you want to fight with the Khalkha tribe and consume countless money and food, I think the emperor would not agree."

When Man Gui heard that Yang Sichang disagreed, he became depressed again. He poured out horse milk tea and started drinking it again. However, he did not think deeper. After Yang Sichang mentioned the topic of Khalkha, he kept saying that it was obvious that he had considered this before and spent a lot of effort.

The Houya was quiet for a while, suddenly, Mangui's eyes lit up, and he looked up at Yang Sichang and said, "Mr. Zhongcheng, isn't Eziertu Khan fighting against the Khalkha Mongolia in the west? Otherwise, go and talk to him and ask him to ask for help from our Ming Dynasty. In this way, we can send troops with justification?"

Hearing this, Yang Sichang couldn't help but look at the bearded man with a little attention. This method is at least much better than what he said before, leading his troops to provoke trouble.

He had actually considered this matter before. Therefore, he replied without hesitation: "In this way, who will pay the money and food for my Ming army?"

"Of course I want Eziertu Khan to come out!" Man Gui immediately said, "Where does it come from helping him go to war and we have to pay for our own money and food?"

After hearing this, Yang Sichang couldn't help but think: If Eziertu Khan had said more good things and praised him more, as long as the emperor felt face, the emperor might have really borne his own money and food. However, today's emperor is very pragmatic and absolutely impossible to do such things. Otherwise, he would have sent someone to hint Eziertu Khan.

Thinking of this, Yang Sichang asked Man Gui, "That official asked you, will Eqiertu Khan pay this money and food?"

When Man Gui opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly thought of something, he became dejected again. He shook his head and said, "Then Eqiertu Khan used our military training method and bought a large number of important military and national weapons from our Ming Dynasty. He won consecutive battles, how could he pay and grain for us again!"

"That's the reason!" Yang Sichang nodded and replied, "Unless Eqiertu Khan is defeated and the situation is in danger, he will not be able to spend another money to send troops to our Ming Dynasty."

Man Gui was depressed when he heard this. The news came from the New Year that Eziertu Khan had won consecutive battles, and there was no sign of defeat. The situation was precarious. Now that spring is in full bloom, the grassland is reviving, and it is time to use troops to fight. Maybe, Eziertu Khan sent people to the Ming Dynasty and wanted to buy a large number of important military and national weapons from the Ming Dynasty!

Firearms are different from cold weapons, and the loss is very high. After a flintlock rifle is hit too many times, the chance of blowing the chamber will increase, and the shooting accuracy will also decrease, and it must be scrapped. Of course, it is okay not to scrap, and it will be used until it is scrapped. In addition, gunpowder is a big loss, while western Mongolia does not have the ability to produce gunpowder on a large scale, let alone the high-quality gunpowder provided by the Ming Dynasty.

According to previous practice, western Mongolia was about to send people to come and buy firearms from the Ming Dynasty and replenish gunpowder.

If it were the past, Man Gui would have been very jealous. However, now, I heard that there were some steam engines and some assembly lines in the Ming Dynasty. The output of flintlock rifles has increased, and his subordinates have also begun to equip flintlock rifles. Therefore, he did not mind that the Western Mongolia continued to buy flintlock rifles.

Of course, he didn't know that the price of buying a flintlock rifle in western Mongolia could actually make four flintlock rifles. The flintlock rifles under his command were actually all the western Mongolians who paid for them.

"His grandma, it's really worth it if Eziertu Khan has our Ming Dynasty as his backer!" Man Gui swears and feels very depressed when he heard this.

After hearing his words, Yang Sichang automatically ignored the swear words. He nodded in response to other words, and he still agreed with this.

The Houya became quiet again. Yang Sichang looked up at the sky outside and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Another day was about to pass. Could it be that he had no achievements in this position and could only drink tea, chat with a vulgar martial artist, count sheep, and wait for death?

To be honest, he was very unwilling to accept it. There was no way to imagine the martial arts, so he lowered his head and thought about whether he should ask his father for help and ask more prisoners in the pass to dig holes. However, the transportation in Baotou is inconvenient. Even if the mine is dug out and there are things, it will be very troublesome to transport it to the pass!

After thinking about it, Yang Sichang thought about it, but there was no way.

Or there is nothing to talk about. Man Gui stood up and bowed to Yang Sichang with his fists: "Now the wolf on the grassland is starting to become rampant again. At the end of tomorrow, I will personally lead some people to hunt wolves on the grassland, and turn around and present the head wolf to Lord Zhongcheng!"

There is nothing you can do, you can't be idle, just take it as relaxing.

Yang Sichang nodded, as a response. He actually didn't care about such a wolf-sacrificing thing. What he cared about was political achievements, credit, and promotion.

Seeing this, Mangui turned around and left, and immediately walked out of the lobby.

But who knew that at this moment, the sound of rapid footsteps came from outside, and a Yang Sichang's personal guard appeared in his sight, with a hurried look and walked in quickly.

For some reason, Mangui was happy when he saw this. He immediately stopped and turned around and walked in, wanting to hear what news it was.

"Report to Master Zhongcheng, the Mongol envoy of Weilat was about five miles away to Baotou. He did not receive any urgent reports at night, saying that the Mongol tribes of Weilat were severely damaged and needed reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty!"

Hearing the personal guard's report, Yang Sichang stood up from the chair with a "swoosh" and asked in surprise: "What?"

Man Gui, who had just entered at the door, stepped inside quickly, stood beside the guard, and asked in surprise: "Is Eqiertu Khan a big defeat?"

The two of them had surprise on their faces, but in their tone, they were not worried, but were surprised.

"The specific situation of the battle is unknown, but according to Ye Bucheng's report, it seems that he was defeated miserably." The guard replied, "It seems that Eziertuhan is seriously injured!"

Hearing this, Yang Sichang and Man Gui looked at each other and saw the excitement in each other's eyes.

Yang Sichang immediately walked quickly to the outer yamen and ordered: "As soon as the envoy arrives, he will bring him to see the official immediately, and there must be no delay!"

"As for your order!" The guard agreed and hurriedly left.

Man Gui followed Yang Sichang and grinned, "Master Zhongcheng, Wei Lat's tribes are asking for help. If you send troops, it will be the turn of Baotou, right?"

Geographically speaking, this is true.

However, when the wind came out, Yang Sichang had calmed down a lot and said with a serious face: "Let me listen to the specific situation of the war first. Logically speaking, even if Wei Lat Mongolia was taken away by Gushi Khan, it would not have been defeated in such a crushing defeat. Even Eziertu Khan was seriously injured, right?"

When Man Gui heard this, he was a little stunned. He was involved in marching and fighting, but he was a veteran. He immediately considered it and said, "Okay, let's see how Eqiertu Khan fought this great defeat?"

If he was a fool, he would not have survived now, let alone, he had nothing to do with him in the court before. He had completely gone from fighting in small soldiers and making meritorious contributions and promotion step by step.

The five miles were really not far away for the horse riders, and they arrived in a flash. However, Yang Sichang, Man Gui and others waited for a long time, and after unexpectedly waiting, they waited for the emissary of the Vilat Mongolia.

As soon as he saw this messenger, Yang Sichang understood why it took him so long to take him five miles away. The reason was nothing else. This messenger was at the end of his strength. It was obvious that he was desperately coming to ask for help, and there was no pause on the road, and he was so tired that he was too tired.

In the lobby, the envoy could no longer stand, thanks to the two personal guards from the governor's yamen who helped him.

It was at his suggestion that the personal guard took out a piece of parchment from the envoy's arms and presented it to the governor of Baotou.

Yang Sichang opened it and was shocked. This was a blood letter, written in blood. It was written in Chinese characters, covered with a seal from the Great Khan of the Mongols.

After a moment of looking, Yang Sichang frowned and immediately looked up and asked the messenger who was gasping, "How is Eziertuhan's injury?"

"The Khan was hit by a firearm. Although the lead was taken out, he often fell into a coma. The witch doctor in the clan said that there was a lot of danger!" The messenger held his breath and said this in one breath, then quickly gasped, and then begged, "The Khan begged the Ming Dynasty to send reinforcements quickly, otherwise Wei Lat Mongolia would be in danger!"

Man Gui, who was standing next to him, scratched his head a little. When he heard this, he couldn't help it anymore and interrupted and asked loudly: "What the hell is going on? Why did he beat it like this?"

As long as Man Gui is a Mongolian, he is recognized. It is also for this reason that Emperor Chongzhen has always put him on the grassland as a role model.

The Mongol envoy of Weilat was no exception. He recognized Man Gui and immediately replied: "Khalkha Mongolia and Tsarist Russia quietly colluded together last winter. The ice and snow this year had just melted. When our Weilat tribes had just passed the severe winter and were not prepared, they suddenly came. They caught them off guard. All the tribes suffered heavy losses. Among them, our Heshuot tribe and Junggar tribe were the focus of their raids, so the losses were the worst. Eziertu was seriously injured by Tsarist Russia's firearms."

Speaking of this, the messenger took a breath and added with a sad face: "This time is different from the previous wars with the Khalkha tribes. Whether it is the Khalkha tribe or the Tsarist Russia, they all killed everyone, and even didn't let go of women and children. Especially the Tsarist Russian army is even more inhumane. Now the various tribes of Weilat Mongolia are powerless to fight back, and they all fled in scattered!"

When Yang Sichang heard this, he recalled that Weilat Mongolia actually had two major enemies, one was Tsarat Russia and the other was Khalkha Mongol. However, Tsarat Russia was located further west. In the past, the conflict with Weilat Mongolia was not very big. Unexpectedly, this time, Tsarat Russia actually attacked Weilat Mongolia.

He thought so in his heart, and after asking some more questions, he immediately said: "When I report this matter to the emperor!"
Chapter completed!