The Red Mansions

Chapter 1106 Jia Heng: ... escort the capital together! (At the end of the month, please vote!)

Hami
Above the blue sky, there are white clouds. From time to time, a goshawk flies over and disappears into the distance, turning into a black dot.

Jia Heng held the reins of his horse and stared at the soldiers who were still fighting not far away, with a happy expression on his face.

The big man has the winning ticket!

At this moment, Zhuoliktu of the Junggar tribe was leading his own soldiers to fight with the officers and soldiers, while generals Jia Fang and Jia Chang also led their troops to greet the generals and fight with them.

Zhuoliktu held a long spear, and the gun light flashed. At this moment, he swept through thousands of troops. Many of the elite cavalry of the Han army were swept away. They screamed and fell from their horses, letting out howls.

Jia Fang urged the war horse under his crotch. The young man's face was dotted with bloodstains. He clenched the long knife in his hand and killed Zhuriktu, as if he was flying at lightning speed.

Jia Chang on the side also held a long knife and went to help.

At this moment, the Han army's cavalry was dividing and strangling the soldiers and horses of the Junggar tribe. As time passed, the Han army's superior strength gradually became apparent. Groups of soldiers and horses could not resist and fled in all directions.

Jia Heng stared at this scene and did not intervene.

He couldn't take full control of all battles, and he had to give his generals opportunities to perform meritoriously.

……

……

Until late in the evening, the sky was filled with sunset, and the golden-red sunset dyed the entire western sky red.

The shouts of killing gradually subsided, and across the empty and vast battlefield, broken soldiers and broken halberds, as well as horses and cavalry cleaning the battlefield, could be seen everywhere.

In this battle, most of the Junggar cavalry were defeated. More than 4000 Junggar tribesmen were annihilated by the Han army. There were more than 1000 prisoners, mainly [-] wounded soldiers from the Junggar camp. During the real decisive battle, there were only more than [-] prisoners. .

The rest split into dozens of groups and fled to the northwest desert.

In addition, the largest group of Junggar soldiers and horses were also lost, namely Baturhun's soldiers and horses.

Jia Heng also sent several groups of soldiers and horses to pursue him, and the chase started in the vast desert. Blood and shouts of killing resounded in the grassland.

Under the banner of the Chinese Army

Jia Heng held on to the saddle and raised his eyes to look at the fiery red sun setting in the western sky. The sunset glow was bright and gorgeous, and the battlefield was filled with smoke, and the soldiers' groans of pain could be heard from time to time.

Chen Xiao looked at the young man whose eyebrows were like mountains under the sunset, and whose chin seemed to reflect the orange sunset. At this moment, the girl's eyelashes trembled, and her heart was pounding inexplicably.

When men meet good-looking people, they find them pleasing to the eye, and so do women.

Chen Xiao's eyes flashed, and he felt a little happy for some reason. He pursed his pink lips and asked softly: "After this battle, can we take advantage of the situation and enter the Western Region?"

"We have few soldiers and it will be difficult to break into the Western Region." Jia Heng said clearly.

"To wipe out the Western Region, we don't necessarily need many soldiers and horses. We just need to annihilate and expel the active forces of the Junggar people." Chen Xiao said softly with thoughts on his cold face.

Jia Heng turned to look at the delicate and graceful girl, his eyes flashed, and said: "There are still tens of millions of people in the Junggar tribe. If we are pushed too hard, more young men may be recruited as soldiers, and it will be easy to fall into The quagmire, and the temporary change plan involves too much, so let’s go back and count the casualties. After this battle, the soldiers need to rest and recuperate, and it is time to return to the capital."

It's not that he didn't take the opportunity to annihilate the Junggars, but the amount of food and fodder required was quite large. The Han army went out one after another, using 20 troops and horses. If you include the battle with the Jurchens, it can be said that Chongping spent most of the 16th year in The treasury really can't hold on to the war.

Moreover, if we enter the Western Region and go deep into the desert, there are too many unpredictable risks. If we fail again, it will be self-defeating.

Even if you want to invade the Western Regions, you must at least investigate the local geography and the living conditions of the people, and make full preparations before you can take back this ancient land of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

Hearing this, Chen Xiao nodded and said, "That's okay."

The current army is very tired from continuous fighting. If it goes deeper into deserts like the Western Region, there is indeed a risk of defeat.

At this time, as the shouts of killing subsided, Du Feng and Shan Ming, surrounded by more than a dozen soldiers and elite cavalry, ran over and said: "Commander Jie, all the soldiers and horses of the Junggar tribe have been wiped out." .”

Jia Heng asked: "Where is General Xie?"

Shan Ming cupped his fists and said, "Come back to Commander, General Xie has led his elite troops to hunt down the Junggar troops."

Jia Heng frowned and said in a deep voice: "General Shan, you immediately send the cavalry to meet General Xie."

Xie Zaiyi had too few pursuing soldiers and horses. If the Junggar tribe turned back and fought back, they might suffer a loss.

Jia Heng looked at Du Feng again and said in a deep voice: "General Du, you also lead your troops to go to the rescue. You must bring the people back."

Then they assigned soldiers and horses to protect the army, divided into several teams, and went to hunt down the remaining defeated generals of Junggar to prevent them from joining forces.

After a while, Generals Jia Fang and Jia Chang, accompanied by more than a dozen personal soldiers and retinues, came closer, clasped their fists and said: "Commander Jie, all the soldiers and horses of the Junggar tribe have been wiped out, and more than 2000 people have been captured. This is The head of Zorictu.”

The soldiers on the side were picking up Zhuriktu's head, and the Junggar Mongol general had a ferocious face, his eyes wide open at the moment, as if he would not rest in peace.

Jia Heng glanced at Jia Fang and the cavalry behind him, and said loudly: "All the soldiers have worked hard. Food and wine are prepared in the city. The army will return to the city to rest and recuperate."

This victory can be described as heartfelt, especially since it was the first time that the soldiers and horses of the Beijing camp competed with Junggar on a frontal battlefield, and they were evenly matched.

At this point, the Junggar people should no longer dare to covet Hami City for a year and a half.

A year later, after the Han Dynasty's New Deal is launched, he should be able to free up his hands to calmly pacify the Western Regions.

Jia Heng ordered the generals of the Beijing camp to lead a small number of soldiers to clean up the battlefield, and then, surrounded by the guards, he led the Han army back to Hami City.

At this moment, the people in Hami City had already heard the news of the Han army's victory. The bustling crowd stood on both sides of the street, eagerly watching the Han army coming from the city gate.

The sound of the army fighting outside the city even faintly reached Hami City. However, the Han army sent troops to enforce martial law in the city and the people were not allowed to go out freely.

After the Han army won a complete victory, the people came out of their homes and watched the excitement.

In the restaurant, several Han merchants in the city stood in front of the window, holding on to the railing with one hand, looking at the Han army like a sea of ​​red flames with complex eyes.

Li Ren said with emotion: "Who would have thought that Duke Wei would really defeat the people of Junggar."

Zhang Wei smiled and said: "After all, the imperial court has more than [-] troops. It would be surprising if we cannot win."

There was also a hint of emotion on Ma Zhanxin's resolute face, and he said: "It's different. How could the imperial court be so powerful in the past? In the battle in Qinghai in July, the imperial court lost a hundred thousand troops. It seems that the imperial court is really different this time. Now, maybe we can really regain the Western Region?"

Huo Hai nodded, with some emotion on his face, and said: "The imperial court is really different from what it used to be."

Ma Zhanxin cast his eyes on the Han army's column and said, "Duke Wei is here? Huh? Why is Duke Wei lagging behind General Jia Fang by half a horse's head?"

"I think that's not Duke Wei." Huo Hai smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid that General Jia Fang is Duke Wei, and General Jia Fang is someone else."

Li Ren was twirling his beard as if it was about to break, and said in surprise: "This... what is the purpose of Duke Wei's actions?"

Could it be that you can't trust them?But it’s not like hiding your identity, right?

Several other people also looked surprised.

"I don't know." Huo Hai shook his head.

Zhang Weidao: "No matter who is Duke Wei, he treats us the same."

The crowd nodded yes.

At this time, Jia Heng led the elite cavalry of the Beijing camp guard into the fortress, ordered the Beijing camp general to lead the army to the camp to rest, and he and Chen Xiao came to sit down in the hall.

The soldier took the basin, and Jia Heng and Chen Xiao washed their faces. The blood on their faces was washed away. They both felt exhausted, and their stomachs were even more hungry and thirsty.

This battle has been going on since morning.

"Let's have a quick meal first and take a shower later." Jia Heng looked at the girl with a few drops of water on her face and said softly.

Chen Xiao nodded and said: "Fifty thousand Dzungars came this time, we annihilated [-], and about [-] escaped. With the bravery and banditry of the Dzungars, they can still make trouble."

Jia Heng said: "Baturhui took away nearly ten thousand people, and some of the rest should have fled to the desert. When the follow-up pursuit results, we should still be able to kill three or four thousand people. Don't force too much."

After a while, the soldiers served wine and food, which were steaming hot and fragrant.

Jia Heng took the chopsticks and handed them over, and said: "Eat first, report the victory to the court later, clean up your hands, and prepare to return to the capital."

After the war in the northwest is over, we will almost be able to return to Beijing.

The war has lasted for more than half a year since the spring of Chongping 16. If it were not for the continuous blood transfusions from the customs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the big man would have been overwhelmed.

But even so, it was still time to withdraw.

Chen Xiao said: "There is no news from Ezhe in Tibet yet."

Jia Heng picked up the chopsticks and took a bite of the food, and said, "Let Jinyi Mansion use flying pigeons to pass the message and ask."

After the two finished eating, the bodyguard in Jinyi cupped his hands under the eaves and reported: "Commander, the casualties and results of the battle have been counted."

As he spoke, he handed over the book in his hand.

Jia Heng took over the reading and said to Chen Xiao who was standing aside: "In this battle, not only were more than [-] Junggar cavalry wiped out, but Baturhun's three sons were also trapped here. Look, according to the prisoners' account , Dalma, Zoriktu, and Wenchun.”

Chen Xiao received the battle report, his clear eyes flashed, and said: "Our Han army also suffered a lot of losses, with four to five thousand casualties."

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Although this battle is won, the price is not small. I don't know how much money and food will be wasted on pensions. Let's stop here." The war is about money and food.

……

……

In the evening, the western sky is full of sunset, smoke and dust are billowing, people roar and horses neigh from far to near.

Xie Zaiyi led thousands of cavalry to hold on to the fleeing Junggar cavalry all the way. After encountering a group of about 3000 Junggar cavalry, they began to fight.

After Xie Zaiyi hacked a Mongolian general in front of him to death on the spot, he raised his eyes and looked at the battlefield filled with smoke.

At this moment, Xie Zaiyi looked around, the sky and the earth were vast, the wind and sand swept over the vast wasteland and pastures, and deafening sounds of fighting could be heard from time to time.

"Commander, our soldiers must not pursue any further." Wei Chixing, the general of Guoyong Battalion who came with Xie Zaiyi, said.

Another general, Wang Guanghui, also advised: "Captain, our army is tired and our horses are exhausted. If we continue to pursue them, it may be dangerous."

Xie Zaiyi looked at the gradually closing dusk, with regrets in his heart, and said, "It's getting late, so let's go back first."

After all, there are too few soldiers and horses in hand.

Along the way, a thousand cavalrymen dispersed the [-] Junggar rear army cavalry, but unfortunately they failed to capture the Junggar leader.

The cavalry returned quickly and met Shan Ming and Du Feng who came to meet them. The two pine oil torches were like dragons.

Shan Ming looked at the young man covered in blood with admiration and said, "General Xie, Marshal Jie is very concerned about you. General Xie, please go back first."

Xie Zaiyi said loudly: "Go back now."

While everyone was talking, they joined forces and returned to Hami City in mighty force.

And in Hami City, among the official offices——

Jia Heng was in his study at the moment. He picked up a brush and started writing military reports and memorials.

After defeating the Junggar army, it was basically announced that the victory of the Seven Guards of Kansai had been consolidated, and Chen Han had an outpost in the Western Regions.

After Chen Xiao took a bath, he changed into a warrior outfit, held the tea cup, handed it over, and said, "Have a sip of tea."

Jia Heng chuckled, took the tea cup, and took a sip.

"Commander Jie, General Xie is back." At this moment, the deputy Qianhu Li Shu came back from a short distance away and announced loudly.

Jia Heng put down the brush in his hand and said, "I'll go greet you."

With that said, surrounded by a group of royal guards, he strode outside the military tent.

As night falls, the evening breeze is slightly cold, and lanterns are lit on the streets and on the city gate towers, shining brightly on both sides of the street.

The Han army was stationed in Hami City. Because the various ethnic groups in the city lived together and a war was approaching recently, martial law was imposed at night.

Xie Zaiyi looked at the young man, walked a few steps quickly, cupped his fists and said, "Jie Shuai."

Jia Heng came forward to support his arm and said with a smile: "General Xie, you have worked hard all the way. Today's battle is thanks to General Xie for his desperate effort. General Xie should be the first to take the credit."

As the commander-in-chief of the army, sometimes he can no longer charge into battle, and Xie Zaiyi, as a fierce general in the Beijing camp whose force value is only lower than him, can actually fill the gap in the role of a strong general to break the deadlock.

Like a dragon to Xiang Yu.

In today's battle, the whole situation can be opened up all at once, all thanks to the hard work of Xie Zaiyi and the elite of the Beijing camp, otherwise the victory would not be possible so quickly.

Xie Zaiyi said: "The commander-in-chief's words are serious. We, the warriors, have made meritorious deeds on the battlefield and died with our lives. This is just our duty."

"Well said!" Jia Heng praised him and said with a smile: "Let's go to the city first. There is a banquet in the hall to celebrate the generals."

While the generals were talking, they came to the hall with joy on their faces. Jia Heng ordered the chef to prepare the wine and meat, which were already placed in the hall.

Xie Zaiyi first washed his face in the copper basin water prepared by his soldiers. When he sat down, he still said angrily: "It's a pity that Baturhun of Junggar escaped. If he can be killed, the Western Region will definitely be pacified."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Don't worry about it. Going further into the desert, Junggar is more familiar with the road. It is difficult for our army to catch up. We can just wait until next time to capture and kill the leader."

Xie Zaiyi said loudly: "After this battle, Junggar's vitality has been severely damaged. Commander Ji, will you send troops and horses deep into the Western Regions to regain the old land of the Han and Tang Dynasties?"

Jia Heng muttered: "It's not the time yet. Now the army has been fighting for thousands of miles from Qinghai to Guanxi. The soldiers are already exhausted. It's time to call off the troops. Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands of tribes in Junggar. If we go deep into the Western Regions, Our army's food road is long, and there are two kinds of people and land. Once Baturhun repeats his old tricks, our army will be in danger of running out of food."

Xie Zaiyi thought for a while, nodded and said: "It's better to be handsome and considerate."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Let's eat first. I would like to thank the general and all the generals for a drink."

Everyone raised their wine cups, and most of them looked happy.

In this battle, the Han army won a complete victory. After returning to Beijing, promotion to a higher position will definitely be indispensable.

Three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Jia Heng said: "The Battle of Pingxi is now completely over. The next step is to manage the Seven Guards of Guanxi and make it an inseparable homeland of my great Han Dynasty. Thousands of years from now, it will be a feat that will be praised by future generations." .”

Xie Zaiyi, Du Feng, Shan Ming and other generals nodded in agreement.

The Seven Guards of Kansai had been away from the Central Plains Dynasty for a hundred years, and now they are back in the arms of the Han Dynasty. Those present will leave their names in history and it will be just around the corner.

Isn't life just for fame and fortune?

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Generals, you will not come home until you are drunk today."

At this moment, not only Jia Heng in the official office and the generals in the Beijing camp, but also the Han army in the Hami city began to drink and drink together, immersed in the joy of this great victory.

While Jia Heng, Xie Zaiyi and other generals were having a banquet, a bodyguard in brocade clothes came in from the outside and said: "Captain, the head of the slave chieftain has been prepared."

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Put it in the brocade box, and when the army returns to the capital, escort it to the capital together with the prisoners of Heshuote and Junggar!"

Not only were the prisoners of Heshuote and Junggar, but also Nan'an County Prince Yan Ye and... Liu Fang, who was dressed as a woman.

……

……

The moon and stars are sparse, and the wilderness is vast. On the undulating hills, clumps of pasture are blown by the breeze. The grass is blown low by the wind, and the shadows of the branches are whirling.

The clusters of bonfires gradually faded away, and the sound of horse hooves rumbled. As time passed, it gradually became quieter. The night was as cool as water, and it was clearly the time of the twelfth lunar month.

Baturhun was in a sorry state at the moment, holding the horse's bridle with one hand, his face was as pale as paper, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Galdan, let everyone rest, the Han people can't catch up, feed the horses and drink water."

When Galdan heard this, he suddenly felt a sense of trance that was caused by being displaced in time and space. He vaguely remembered that Brother Wen Chun said this last time...

The young man felt sad at the scene, his heart was filled with grief, and tears welled up in his eyes. He suppressed his grief and said loudly: "Everyone, have a rest."

With the clattering of armored scale leaves and the "ouch" sounds of some sergeants, everyone got off their horses and lay on the ground in a mess, panting and greedily breathing in the air.

After running all the way and fighting non-stop, they were already exhausted. As soon as they let out their breath, many soldiers of the Junggar tribe felt sleepy and lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Baturhun also dismounted, his face full of sadness.

At this time, Galdan handed over the dried meat and the jug with cheese tea, and said, "Father, let's have something to eat."

Baturhun took the wine bottle, took a sip, and sighed.

There is a feeling of regret in my heart.

Why did they have to fight the Han army in Hami City for so long?Knowing that the troops are not superior in strength, we should have thought about withdrawing our troops a few days ago instead of delaying it until now.

And when the armies were facing each other, if it weren't for the flanking troops from the south...

By the way, where is Sengge?

Baturhun put down the dried meat, and with a fierce look under his thick eyebrows, he asked in a deep voice: "Galdan, have you seen Sengge along the way?"

Galdan pondered and said: "Father Khan, I have been with Father Khan all the way. I really didn't see Brother Sengge."

Baturhun's face darkened and he said, "He ran away first!"

Galdan was also shocked, feeling the evil aura, and said: "Father Khan, how are you doing with brothers Wen Chun and Zhuo Kitu?"

Baturhun said: "Both of them are strong generals who can stand up to ten. If they want to escape, the Han people will not be able to stop them. I'm afraid..."

Wen Chun's resolute face seemed to appear in front of his eyes, as well as his son Zhuoliktu who never looked back.

Baturhun closed his eyes, feeling sad and holding back the tears.

In fact, there was a vague suspicion in my mind that the two sons would probably not be able to come back.

The Han people and the Duke of Wei, Jia Heng, all have to pay with blood!
(End of this chapter)