Chapter 998 The decision of Samarkand city - the route of the army
"The Pamir Plateau is so high that even God cannot make the water and grass in this place lush. If we go here, a large number of cattle, sheep and horses will die on the way."
"This problem can be alleviated if a large number of cattle and sheep can be replenished immediately after crossing the Pamir Plateau, but to the east of the Pamir Plateau is the Tarim Basin, and the Tarim Basin is mainly composed of the vast Taklimakan Desert, except for a few
There are no people at all and very little wildlife outside the immediate vicinity of seasonal rivers."
"There are a few tribes near Hashiha (Kashgar) and Yerqiang, but the population is not large, and there are not many cattle, sheep and horses grazing. Even if they are all slaughtered, they will not be able to meet the food needs of the army."
"So I finally decided to bypass the Tianshan Mountains and march through Alashankou."
"The Great Khan is wise!" someone immediately shouted. They were flattering, but they also agreed with Timur's decision in their hearts.
The Tarim Basin and nearby Kashgar, Yerqiang and other regions are no longer the fertile places they were during the Han Dynasty. Originally, inland areas like the Western Regions, which are located in the center of the continent, have poorer self-regulation capabilities than coastal areas.
There have been endless wars here for a long time, so the natural conditions are gradually getting worse and worse. The nomadic people's utilization of resources and environment is not as good as that of the farming people, so relying on the local tribes is completely insufficient to support the food of hundreds of thousands of people passing by.
The severe climate of the Pamir Plateau makes it impossible for the army to cross over with a large amount of baggage and cattle and sheep. Therefore, if this route is taken, the army will suffer heavy losses before it reaches Besli. Even if it is lucky enough to defeat the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, it will not be possible.
There is not enough strength to conquer the Ming Dynasty eastward.
After hearing what they said, Timur showed a slight smile of satisfaction on his face, but it immediately faded away and said to them again: "Since there is no objection to this matter, I will announce the order of the army's expedition."
"Salha, you will lead 20,000 soldiers and 30,000 people recruited from the tribe as the vanguard, and set out on August 13th."
"Yes, Khan." A middle-aged man in his thirties stood up and agreed.
"Shaharu," Timur looked at his fourth son: "You lead 20,000 soldiers and march behind Sarha."
"Yes, Khan." Shaharul, who was not even thirty years old yet and was young and strong, also stood up and agreed.
"Balma, you lead..., Khalil, you lead..." Every time he called on a person's name, the person stood up and put his right hand on his chest in agreement.
Finally, Timur said: "Pilma Heima, you lead 20,000 soldiers and stay in Samarkand."
Suddenly there was a low voice in the audience. Pir Mahama is the eldest grandson of Timur. He has been favored by Timur for a long time. This time he is allowed to stay in his hometown. It seems that he will be the next great minister.
Khan's chosen one.
Timur turned a deaf ear to these voices. Of course he knew that because Pilmahama had not had many military exploits, many people were unconvinced, but he firmly believed that if Pilmahama succeeded to the position of Great Khan after his death,
We must be able to manage the country well.
Somehow, he thought of the emperor of the Eastern Ming Dynasty. The emperor named Zhu Yuanzhang who founded the Ming Dynasty was the only surviving son among the sons of his dead eldest son's first wife who passed the throne to his dead eldest son.
The country is governed well. Pir Mahama will definitely be better than this man named Zhu Yunxi.'
Amidst the voices with various meanings, Pir Mahama, who was already over thirty and several years older than his fourth uncle, stood up slightly excitedly and bowed to his grandfather: "Yes, Khan."
Timur nodded slightly, and then nodded to the civil servants who followed him on the Eastern Expedition: "You two, Manlaha and Feisi, have been on two missions to the Ming Dynasty and are most familiar with the internal affairs and diplomacy of the Ming Dynasty. Follow us.
I will march eastward together. Hukuta, you once went to Wala as an envoy..."
The person whose name was called by him stood up and agreed as usual.
Timur said a few more words and asked them: "If there is anything you don't understand or don't understand, bring it up now. If you don't bring it up now, but you do something wrong again later, I will definitely
Severely punished."
Everyone immediately started asking questions. Timur always kept his word, and if he did something wrong, the punishment would be very severe.
Timur answered everyone's questions one by one. After he finished answering, he glanced around again and finally asked: "Who else has questions to ask?"
"Great Khan, I have a question." Shaharul stood up and asked: "Why on earth did the Great Khan suddenly decide to send troops in advance?"
Everyone immediately looked at Timur, everyone was curious about this question.
"The reason is very simple. In order to prevent the army from conquering his weak country, Shamechagan, a guy who lost the pride of the Mongols, agreed to the Ming Dynasty to send people to build cities in the place he ruled."
"Manlaha and Fesi went to the Ming Dynasty twice before and saw the cities built by the Ming Dynasty all over the country. They thought that the level of their city construction was not inferior to ours in Samarkand. It can be said that they have their own expertise. If the Ming Dynasty people
If you build a city connected to the mountain at Alashankou or Urumqi or other strategically located places, the war will be difficult to carry out."
"I have no doubt that the army can defeat the city built by the Ming people, but there is no doubt that it will be more laborious and time-consuming for the army to invade the Eastern Chagatai Khanate. If we march according to the original timetable, maybe
By the time the army reached Beslopali City, it was already the hottest day. After that, the army had to rest in the Gurbantunggut Basin to replenish its physical strength and vent its emotions, leaving less time for the army to attack Hami.
"
"Hami is the bridgehead for the Ming Dynasty's westward march, and the Ming Dynasty will never give up. The later the army attacks Hami, the more Ming Dynasty troops will reinforce Hami. If it is delayed until the weather turns cold, the Ming Dynasty will not be able to reinforce Hami.
