After entering the city, at the banquet, the tired Zhang Ronghu showed a happy smile.
I saw sixteen dishes placed on the wooden table.
Chickens, ducks, fish, sheep, dogs, deer and deer are all available. Although it is not luxurious, it is not comprehensive.
In the middle, there is a fish head weighing about ten kilograms, red with chili peppers, and full of appetite just looking at it.
"Qingmulg Lake has a radius of four hundred miles and is rich in products. In terms of luxury, it is naturally not as good as that in the mainland, but in terms of variety, it is not inferior to them."
Xia Henian, as the city guard, smiled and explained.
Zhang Ronghu nodded slightly.
Although the border is still two to three hundred miles away from Qingsang City, Qingsang City is also the northernmost city in Anxi.
Its circumference is ten miles, the city is more than three feet high, it has 500 households, a thousand troops stationed in it, and it governs nearly 3,000 small and large tribes. It is also a county in the interior.
As far as he knew, Qingmulg City reported last year that nearly 20,000 acres of its land had been cultivated, and it was all high-quality irrigated land, with an output of two to three hundred kilograms per mu.
In order to raise cattle, sheep and other livestock, Qingsang City even opened up 3,000 acres of alfalfa pasture, specifically harvesting pasture.
"Qingsang City is an important town in northern Xinjiang, but there are still too few households here."
Zhang Ronghu said while eating the leg of lamb: "The imperial court can only arrange a hundred or so households for you. You have to work hard for the rest and try your best to naturalize those Tatars."
"Now as the guardian of Qingsang City, you can only reach the seventh rank. If you can reach a thousand households, someone will report to the court and promote Qingsang City to a state and move to the fifth rank."
In an instant, Xia Henian's breathing became rapid: "Don't worry, I will keep it for three years, and the number of households will reach 1,000."
"Remember, society is the people who cultivate the land, not the Mongolians who herd cattle."
Zhang Ronghu said in a deep voice.
The territory of Anxi is too large, so it is divided into north and south.
At the same time, because southern Xinjiang is a desert area, the large oases are divided into prefectures and the small oases are divided into counties, with separate commanders and envoys. All commanders are in charge, cooperating with the rule of floating officials.
Northern Xinjiang is also average. There is no government. It just builds cities, farms and manages herdsmen in places with a large population and suitable for farming.
However, there are fewer civilian households in Northern Xinjiang, and more than half of them are members of the military. Therefore, power is more centralized, and the military and civilians are integrated. They are called city guards, and there are no civilian officials to restrain them.
After all, being surrounded by the Mongols requires power to be centralized rather than dispersed.
Therefore, the tax share in Northern Xinjiang is very low. The local government can withhold 70%, and only needs to pay 30%.
The bulk of Anxi's tax revenue is in southern Xinjiang.
Although the oasis is a little barren, the ditches are developed and agriculture naturally flourishes, which also leads to the development of handicraft industry.
Moreover, due to the centralized principle of oasis, tax collection is easier, eliminating many intermediate links.
"Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Xia Henian smiled hurriedly.
Then he saw that Zhang Ronghu had almost eaten, and said again: "I wonder what the official needs to prepare?"
"I'm going north to Zasak. You can find me some guides, transfer horses, and solve the problem of food and grass."
"Yes!" Xia Henian responded.
After Zhang Ronghu rested in the city for a night with his army, he left about 500 people behind on the second day and headed north with only 500 people, one person and three horses, carrying a large amount of food and grass.
Along the way, because of the guide, it was barely smooth. The Ming Dynasty surrendered to the Oirat Mongols, and their majesty remained unchanged.
When we reached the area of Zasak Tuhan tribe, there were more eyes watching nearby.
Zhang Ronghu ignored them. He knew that these were the interests of nearby tribes, and he was hesitating whether to invest.
There are five hundred of them each and three horses. Although they carry supplies on their backs, they are extremely fast. Coupled with armors and muskets, the small tribe waiting to join in is waiting to die.
Then those medium and large tribes will also lose their teeth.
As for whether they offend Ming Dynasty, these people don't care.
After all, it is the territory under the jurisdiction of Zasak Tuhan, and the Ming army cannot find it no matter what.
Furthermore, the grassland is so vast that even Zhasak Tuhan could not find a tribe he wanted to hide from.
Fortunately, when we arrived in the Changjitai area, we met the Altan Wulianghai Banner, which is an important tribe under the command of the Zasak Tuhan tribe.
It has more than 3,000 herdsmen under its jurisdiction, and the tribal leader is also from the Golden Family.
The Ming army's visit surprised him.
When he heard that he was going to visit Jasak Tuhan, he did not refuse and sent someone to inform him first.
After obtaining the approval, Zhang Ronghu and a group of people arrived at Khandagaitu, which is nearly a thousand miles away from Changjitai, near Ubud Sanor Lake.
This is because Zasaktu Khan specifically moved westward. If in the past, the Khan's tribe occupied the Ussuri Terrace area of nearly 2,000 miles away.
Obviously, the battle in the past had frightened Zasak Tuhan and he had to avoid the battle.
Moreover, in order to obtain foreign aid, that is, the support of the Rakshasa people, it is also appropriate to go as far northwest as possible.
When Zhang Ronghu met Jasak Tuhan, his voice, appearance and appearance were very different from what was described.
Norbu was over sixty years old, and the man in front of him who was in his forties, energetic and sweating profusely with energy, was really not as old as recorded.
"It has been three years since Norbu Xian Khan returned to the West. Last year's Xian Khan Wang Shuke also died of illness. Now I, Chenggun Khan, rule the Zasaktu Khan tribe."
Cheng Gun smiled, and the pride on his face could not be concealed.
Zhang Ronghu took a look and immediately understood the general idea.
This Chenggun Khan was definitely not Wang Shuke's son, but probably Norbu's younger brother. He was in his prime and could directly seize the throne of Khan.
"Profuse sweat." Zhang Ronghu didn't panic, he said calmly:
"I wonder if the Great Khan will still submit to me, the Ming Emperor?"
Cheng Gun looked hesitant.
"Is your envoy here to canonize me?"
"Yes and no."
"Although I love the Ming Dynasty, I can't stand a hungry wolf next to me." Cheng Gun did not answer directly:
"The Manchus who are entrenched on the shores of Lake Baikal are eyeing our Zasak Khan tribe, so our tribe has to make friends with the Rakshasa people to avoid their sharp edges——"
The interpreter on the side translated it accurately and naturally, and was also more particular about the words and sentences.
Zhang Ronghu smiled: "The Manchu Qing Dynasty is nothing but withered bones in the graves, lingering on Lake Baikal for several years. That's because I, the Ming Emperor, am too lazy to pay attention to him."
"Now that the Ming Dynasty is as powerful as the sun, all the ice and snow will turn into water, merge into the ground, and disappear without a trace."
"You mean, the Ming Dynasty will deal with the Manchus?" Cheng Gun looked happy, then calmed down.
"That's right." Zhang Ronghu kept an eye on it: "This will happen sooner or later, either next year or the year after."
"If your troops attack the Manchu Qing Dynasty from the flank, our emperor will then canonize you as the Great Khan of the Khalkha Mongol Empire."
"The vast Mobei, thousands of miles away, will be your pasture."
Hearing these words, Cheng Gun's blood boiled for a moment.
Unifying the three tribes of Khalkha, Mongolia and Mongolia is an unattainable dream.
You must know that in Mobei, the Tushetu Khan tribe controls Jebzundamba, with abundant water and grass, the largest number of tribes and land, and the strongest power.
But immediately, he calmed down: "Your country occupies the territory of Sheitu Khan's tribe. When the time comes to destroy the Manchu Qing Dynasty, I'm afraid it will not be able to leave."
"Of course not." Zhang Ronghu said blindly: "At that time, our country will only have the Chechen Khanate and Lake Baikal, and the Tushetu Khanate will be occupied by your tribe."
"The entire Mobei will be divided into two."
"You will become a real Mongol Khan."
These words really made Cheng Gun's blood boil.
In fact, he could not wait to gather his troops immediately and swing his sword eastward to attack the Manchus.
"Your Majesty, please rest first and let me think about it first."
Cheng Gun calmed down and did not agree directly.
When he returned to the sweat tent, several monks and big men had surrounded him, and they were discussing it all.
Obtaining the Tutuxietu Khanate, for the entire Zasak, is no less than reaching the sky in one step and becoming the largest tribe in the entire Mobei.
And they, the nobles, can also have more pastures and land.
"The rules on the grassland are that hunters never make deals with wolves."
Cheng Gun said calmly: "For us, the Ming Emperor is extremely ambitious. They have occupied the Tuxie Tuhan tribe and blackmailed the great lama. They have already gained an advantage in the entire Mobei."
"If the Manchus are eliminated, then their next target will be us."
"Father Khan, are we cooperating with the Manchu Qing Dynasty to attack the Ming Dynasty?"
A big man with a beard on his face said, he is Cheng Gun's son, Shara.
"The Manchus and Qing dynasties always seem to have fewer people than the Ming Dynasty, but don't forget that they are also a tribe on the grassland."
Cheng Gun stood up and looked directly at his son: "They won't be able to hold on to the land acquired by the Ming Dynasty for long, but after the Manchu Qing defeated us, they can naturally occupy the land under our feet."
"The fertile pasture gifted to us by the Immortal God has now been occupied by the Ming Dynasty. If Mobei, this barren place, is lost again, then our Golden Family will have no place to stand."
"I understand!" Sara nodded: "We still have to cooperate with Akito in the end. Even if we don't succeed, there will be no harm."
"No!" Cheng Gun shook his head and sat down on the slightly tough wolfskin chair: "We must cooperate with the Ming Dynasty and the Manchu Qing Dynasty."
"Since the two wolves are eyeing each other, why not let them fight more fiercely?"
"Cewangzabu, my son."
Cheng Gun turned his head and looked at another younger Mongolian man: "Go to the Manchus and tell them the news that the Ming people are about to go north."
"Besides, you have to remember that the eagle on the grassland never loosens its talons until it sees its prey."
"What do you mean?" Cewangzabu was confused.
"Telling the news is just for the sake of friendship. We will form an alliance with them. If there is no benefit, we will not do it."
Cheng Gun smiled and said: "In addition to the future Tuxie Tuhan tribe, I also want you to bring back more weapons and war horses for revenge."
"If you take less, I won't whip you when you come back."
At this time, the boss, Sala, smiled and said carelessly.
"Sala, you go to the Ming people to discuss it and tell them that it is okay to form an alliance, but it must be paid."
Cheng Gun chuckled and said, "Weapons, gunpowder, food and cloth, I'm all short of them here."
"After all, our Zasak Tribe suffered heavy losses last winter. Without supplies, we would not be able to order those tribes to act."
"I understand." Sara patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely come back with more things."
"Greedy--"
After Zhang Ronghu heard the conditions, his expression remained unchanged, but he cursed in his heart.
Five hundred muskets, ten thousand kilograms of gunpowder, ten thousand grains, one thousand rock salt, and five thousand bolts of cloth.
Taken together, the scale of these conditions exceeds 300,000 yuan.
The entire Anxi Province paid only 200,000 to 300,000 yuan in taxes to the court last year.
I simply can't agree to it.
Moreover, if they are really satisfied, the Zasak Khan tribe will definitely increase in strength, which will be detrimental to the imperial court's future plans.
The Mongols, both front and rear, are probably enemies.
"This matter is of great importance. I need to return to Anxi and have the governor personally decide the matter."
"Okay!" Sala grinned and said, "When will the supplies arrive and when will our Zhasakhan tribe send out troops?"
"At the very least, it's an army of fifty thousand."
I also know how to put a fish bait in front to tempt it.
Zhang Ronghu smiled, cupped his hands, and left directly.
Before leaving, he glanced at the Zasak tribe and spat: "It's really greedy."
"If you want a few thousand pieces of cloth, you can be safe in your pocket. Nowadays, the lion's mouth is wide open and there is no fart."
Although he didn't know the governor's thoughts, he knew that Anxi would never be able to come up with the money.
Unless military funds are embezzled.
But for a Zasak tribe, it is simply not worth it.
Returned in vain.
Shortly after he left, several Rakshasa people showed up.
It turned out that these people were hiding because they were afraid of being seen.
"Dear Khan, I wonder what kind of conspiracy those ambitious Ming people brought here?"
Russians with deep eyes and high noses speak authentic Mongolian.
If you talk about it, it is even more authentic than everyone present.
Hearing this, Cheng Gun Khan said casually: "You are too lenient."
"Ten matchlocks."
"This is our business..."
"Fifty strokes——"
"You look down on people so much."
"One hundred shots——"
"Add the necessary gunpowder." Cheng Gun said hurriedly.
"this is necessary."
Cheng Gun briefly stated that the Ming people wanted to form an alliance with the Zasak Tuhan tribe to jointly deal with the Manchus.
"The people of Ming Dynasty were also generous. They promised a thousand guns and ten thousand bolts of cloth, and also allowed me to occupy Lake Baikal and Tushetu Khan."
"This is impossible." The Russian shook his head hurriedly: "The conditions are too generous, and Mingren is so cunning, this must be a trick to deceive you."
"The Great Khan needs to understand that Akito is a bad wolf!"
"I can't help it, the conditions are too generous."
Cheng Gun sighed.
The Russian suddenly said again: "Please give us some time, your Excellency the Governor will bring good news."
"Okay, as soon as possible, who asked me to cooperate with you for many years!" Cheng Gun sighed.
Here, the Russians are back in Kuznetsk.
This place is located on the left side of the Yenisei River. The Governor's Palace was established as early as 1618. It has been an area operated by Russia for many years.
After losing the Lake Baikal region, this place is the closest town to the Mobei tribes.
"Impossible!" the governor snapped: "If I had that much money, I could directly recruit 20,000 Cossack cavalry."