stubborn thief

Chapter 785 The Great Wall
A handwritten book was placed in front of Liu Chengzong.

The cover is written in a printed, official script style, with the five characters "Taizhen Kao Jian Lue".

This book was brought back from Thailand by Zhou Riqiang. The author is Zhou Yijing, the Gansu Provincial Inspector who was captured by Liu Chengzong during the Gansu Campaign.

The book refers to the Altai, Taimengwei, and Tomu River basin as Taizhen, roughly covering twelve aspects of the local situation, fortresses, troops, money and grain, fields, cattle and sheep, pacification and suppression, history, post roads, rewards and punishments, tributary system, and maps.

Liu Chengzong didn't even look at the previous volumes; he went straight to the table of contents and flipped to volume eight.

That volume is about historical development.

He wanted to see what kind of history Zhou Yijing could fabricate for that barren land!
Zhou Yijing wrote about this land, 9,900 li northwest of Xi'an, starting with the Gaoche Tiele people of the Qin and Han dynasties, passing through the Xiongnu and Xianbei, to the Karluks who submitted to the Tang Dynasty, and finally to the Ningsu Kingdom of the Yuan Dynasty, and finally forming the Taizhen with Taimengwei as its core in the Ming Dynasty.

The only thing that seems fabricated is the so-called Ningsu Kingdom from the Yuan Dynasty.

However, Liu Chengzong happened to know a little about this Prince Ningsu, and this kingdom was not made up.

There was a Gulu Taiji in the Changliu River area of ​​Helan Mountain. When he went on an eastern expedition, he presented horses, cattle and sheep and was appointed as the commander of the Blackwater Camp. The desert where the Blackwater Camp was located was also granted to the Gulu Taiji.

That vast desert was formerly known as Yijinai Road, which was the fiefdom of Prince Ningsu during the Yuan Dynasty.

This throne was bestowed upon Toqto'a, the Khan of the Golden Horde, for assisting Emperor Wuzong of Yuan in attacking the Chagatai Khanate and the Khovd Khanate.

In the past, Liu Chengzong would have followed the standards of the Central Plains dynasties and considered this a nominal title without any real power.

But things are different now. Liu Shizi has a better understanding of Mongol-style rule. The Yuan Dynasty was the true overlord of the four Khanates.

Which Mongol Khan's territory wasn't rife with rebellions and constant efforts to quell them?
As long as there's no fighting, they're true vassals; if there's fighting, they're called rebels; if they're forced to surrender, they're still vassals—we're all one family anyway.

Chabal, the last Khan of the Khanate of Khovtai, was defeated. After returning to the Yuan Dynasty, he still went to Runing Prefecture to collect the silk tax from the five households that the Yuan Dynasty had given to Haidu. Later, he was even granted the title of Prince of Runing.

Very normal.

Zhou Yijing not only compiled a history of Taizhen, but also a history of the Ruos tribe, with whom they were currently vying for land.

Their ancestor, Chief Yuli, lived in Musk, a place 7,000 li west of Taizhen, and led his people to graze in the area, following the water and grass for food.

After King Ningsu Yue separated and settled in Sarai, Youli rushed to Sarai to submit, married the king's sister, and became the prince consort of the Golden Horde. He was granted the title of Musktabunang and was put in charge of the local taxation of Rus. Relying on King Ningsu's army, he repeatedly conquered territories and annexed neighboring areas, and his power grew.

His descendants rebelled against their superiors, usurped the title of Chahan Khan, whipped their neighbors, and annexed their allies. It was not until the Wanli era that they began to invade Taizhen.

Liu Shizi thought to himself, "This week Zhou Yijing is quite a talent; he made it sound so real."

Judging from this history alone, one might think that Taimengwei has been an integral part of the Central Plains dynasties since the Tang Dynasty.

The same goes for Russo. Although they have different stances, Liu Shizi felt that speaking the truth was not to be blamed.

The environment of the Mongol world in the 14th century was one of the most abstract in world history. A minor incident like a lord's rebellion could not be considered an act of insubordination; at most, it was a case of superiors setting an example for subordinates.

The Khans of the Golden Family are no longer even considered to be rulers; it's highly likely that even if a lord wanted to pledge allegiance to a particular Khan, he wouldn't be able to find one.

The Yuan Dynasty had eleven emperors in more than twenty years, the Golden Horde had eighteen Khans in more than twenty years, the Ilkhanate had four Khans at the same time, the Chagatai Khanate split into east and west, and the Ögedei Khanate was destroyed in internal strife.

Kings fought amongst themselves until their brains were splattered everywhere; sons murdered their fathers, brothers killed their brothers, subordinates overthrew their superiors, powerful ministers held sway, and vacant thrones collapsed. It would be a sign of a madman not to seize the opportunity to betray a lord who had submitted to him.

The biggest winners of Zhou Yijing's book "Kao Jian Lue" are the people in the forest.

For tribes such as the Kyrgyz, Zhou Yijing used force and persuasion to find ancestors for each tribe that no later than the Tang Dynasty.

This created a very strange situation: to the north of the Ming Dynasty, it was all Mongolians; to the west of Taizhen, it was also all Mongolians; but between these two Mongolian regions, from the Yenisei River to the Ertis River, was the entire population of Han Chinese descendants.

After reading the book, Liu Chengzong summoned Zhou Riqiang, Chu Huer, Dai Daozi, and others to the palace.

When they arrived, Liu Chengzong immediately asked, "Is this year very difficult and dangerous for Taimengwei?"

He could tell that Zhou Riqiang's skin had become much rougher, but that was normal; a scholar's skin was hardly able to withstand the Siberian cold wind.

But what's truly surprising is that Chu Hu'er has lost a lot of weight compared to last year, which definitely indicates something big is going on.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Riqiang sighed and shook his head, saying, "It is a bit difficult, but not as dangerous as I imagined. They are just some remnants of the Northern Yuan."

not dangerous.

Liu Chengzong felt disappointed when Zhou Riqiang said those words.

A person's identity is indeed fascinating. Even when Zhang Xianzhong became a civil official, he still possessed a calm and composed demeanor.

Zhou Riqiang, who had only been a military officer for a few years, was like a thrill-seeking war maniac.

To be honest, Liu Shizi initially thought that Zhou Riqiang was insulting him by referring to him as a "remnant of the Northern Yuan".

Seeing Liu Shizi's stunned expression, Zhou Riqiang realized that the person in front of him was not only the Grand Marshal but also the successor to the Northern Yuan Khanate. He quickly explained, "I was referring to those treacherous officials and rebels from Rus'."

"Compared to the Rus', which has been operating for more than 30 years, the Taimengwei has a shallow foundation on the banks of the Tomu River. The tribes in the forest are often instigated to rebel, and the Hexi Altai Tatars often cross the border to plunder. At the beginning of the year, when the Chu general went on a western expedition, he was taken into the swamp and trapped for two months, where he had to eat mushrooms to survive."

Zhou Riqiang shook his head and said, "It was indeed quite arduous."

Liu Chengzong had received battle reports earlier about the fierce attack on Tomsk on Sunday, and he could sense that the war there was different from his understanding.

Hearing that Chu Hu'er had been taken into the swamp by the enemy this year, he instinctively wanted to laugh, but he held it in.

He felt that the war there depended more on geography and climate than on the size of the army.

Therefore, he simply asked, "Albin Tatars?"

"Reporting to the General, these are Tatars born on the grasslands west of the Tom River. They were once subjects of the Khan of Siberia. When the Rus' conquered their country, they were enfeoffed in the northern forests, where they lived by fishing and hunting. They had frequent disputes with the various tribes in the forests who had submitted to the General's office over aquatic products and furs."

As he spoke, Zhou Riqiang glanced at Chu Huer and said, "The river floods in the spring, turning the banks into swamps, making marching and fighting extremely difficult."

Liu Chengzong also looked at Chu Hu'er: "What are the losses?"

Chu Hu'er's Chinese has improved a lot this year. He listened to Zhou Riqiang's story with a stiff neck, but he was not convinced. When he finally heard Liu Chengzong ask a question, he immediately said, "No losses, General, I won!"

Liu Chengzong laughed when he heard this.

It turns out it was a battle across a river. Even if they won the battle, they would most likely be trapped in the swamp during the pursuit, surviving by picking mushrooms, and only returning in a sorry state when the water receded.

This is even more humiliating than losing a battle.

"It's good that you won. Next year, when we fight again, we'll be more familiar with the water conditions... I'll be sitting at home, but the military situation in Thailand will still depend on you."

Liu Shizi couldn't comment on this humiliating defeat, so he changed the subject, saying, "But from what you're saying, Rus's reaction to the loss of Tomsk is completely unrelated?"

"I was also surprised by this at first."

Zhou Riqiang bowed and said, "That's why I suggested that General Chu launch an attack in the spring. Speed ​​is of the essence in war, so we can catch them off guard when they gather their troops." Speaking of this, he was frustrated: "But I never expected that their military tactics are so unpredictable."

This was not the first time Zhou Riqiang had misjudged the movements of the Rus' army.

He was familiar with Liu Chengzong's aggressive and fiery fighting style, and assumed that everyone in the world was so risky in their military operations, always thinking that the enemy would come quickly and urgently.

Even with a thorough understanding of the terrain of Taimengwei and a willingness to be lenient with others, the estimation of time still always went wrong.

The enemy always arrived later than he expected, or even... not at all.

He thought that Rus's army would definitely gather in Thumin, just like Taimengwei, eager to make a big splash this year.

Chu Hu'er couldn't stay in Altai after returning home. He listed the disrespectful behavior of the various tribes on the east bank of the Ob River and wanted to pick out an unlucky one to beat up.

To put it simply, his trip to Xi'an last year, and the wealth and prosperity of Shaanxi east of Jiayuguan, greatly impressed him.

He doesn't even want to go back to Oirat.

Although Chu Hu'er was fierce, he was not stupid. He knew that even his brother, Batur Huntaiji, who commanded a large army, had been humiliated by Liu Chengzong.

At the same time, he had seen the military appearance of Liu Chengzong's army, and he also knew how the Tianshan army marched and fought... It was truly unlike any army he had ever seen.

Chu Hu'er used to think that troops who could use firearms and cannons were nothing special.

Tactically, he skillfully and effectively employed cavalry tactics to encircle and siege gunpowder units.

The high-speed cavalry restricts the enemy's movement, forcing them into their fortifications or strongholds. Then, for several hours or even a day and a night, they harass and lure the enemy into firing from the perimeter.

Gunpowder was a precious resource. According to the Rus' soldiers he had captured, they could only get three to five lead bullets and gunpowder a year. Even when they went hunting in the east, they usually carried no more than ten rounds of ammunition.

Therefore, at most one day and one night, by tricking out three to five bullets, the enemy's morale will be low, and the next day, the fortified defense line will collapse, and thousands of people can be slaughtered at will.

However, for the Tianshan Army, those gunpowder-loving barbarians, a small battalion of only a few hundred men could produce over a thousand pounds of gunpowder in a single battle. The soldiers would even cause trouble after the battle, feeling that there were problems with the military supplies and logistics, complaining that the gunpowder was not being transported in enough.

Liu Chengzong's own main force was even more outrageous.

Zhang Xianzhong once boasted to Chu Hu'er that he used gunpowder to blow up Qianzhou City during its siege, and even mentioned that he had underestimated the amount of gunpowder used, and that the Grand Marshal had recalculated the dosage.

Tens of thousands of kilograms of gunpowder, used in a single battle, destroyed nearly ten cannons on both sides... To Chu Hu'er, this was nothing short of a myth.

Although Liu Chengzong looked at the Marshal's Mansion, it had nothing there.

But for Chu Hu'er, the Marshal's Mansion had everything she needed.

Back in Altai, Chu Huer found fault with everything, and no matter how many cattle and sheep he had under his command, he felt penniless.

Unfortunately, they lacked entrepreneurial skills and only knew how to rob.

Zhou Riqiang and Chu Huer hit it off immediately, which led to the spring military expedition, as they had been holding back for so long.

“Sending troops from Musk to Taimengwei is no less difficult than sending troops from Xi’an to Taimengwei, and their Chahan Khan does not pay attention to the east, so the response is very slow.”

Zhou Riqiang sighed helplessly and said, "According to the prisoners captured by Chu Huer, the last letter from their country last winter said that three thousand new Western French troops would be sent to Qiuming this year... but those three thousand people did not come."

"The Russo Kingdom is somewhat similar to the Ming Dynasty, except that the four sides are reversed. To the west, there are powerful neighbors and enemies who have been at war for years; to the south, there are wooden walls and deer fortifications to guard against nomads, who will invade and plunder every autumn when the horses are fat."

"Two years ago, Chief Luo thought that the Tatars on the southern border were not a concern, but the old enemy on the west was the real threat. So he mobilized the Beijing Garrison and the Ten Battalions of Archers to fight, and also sent troops from the southern border westward."

"However, the war in the west has been protracted and the two sides are locked in a stalemate. Meanwhile, the southern Tatars, with 100,000 archers, took the opportunity to invade and break through the fortified villages to plunder the interior."

"They did not retreat last winter, and their forces once approached their capital, Musk, ravaging villages and plundering children, causing morale at the front to plummet. The border troops mutinied and led their troops back to their hometowns without authorization, resulting in defeat. More than 10,000 soldiers surrendered and defected."

"Including the Battle of Taimeng, the Russians suffered three defeats in one year, losing tens of thousands of soldiers. The chieftain, after much reflection, decided to rebuild the border army in the south and build the Great Wall defense line."

"The three thousand Western-trained soldiers who were originally to be transferred to Qiuming were also transferred to the south, and the east was only used by the chieftains to recruit and appease the river pirates."

"In a year or two, the Tai Meng Guard will not be in such danger, and the commander-in-chief can concentrate on conquering the Central Plains."

Liu Chengzong laughed when he heard this. No wonder Zhou Riqiang said it looked like the Ming Dynasty. What's the difference between this and the Ming Dynasty?
The capital's garrison, the border troops aiding Liaodong, the local chieftains and nobles, the pacification of river pirates, mercenary services, the sound of ten battalions of archers, and the new Western army.

He could be associated with the Shooting Army, the Boye nobles, the Cossacks, and so on.

But putting these words together still made him find it ridiculous no matter how he listened to it.

"They also have a Western-style new army? It seems that Russo also has figures like Xu Xiangong."

From Taizhen Kaojianlue to Zhou Riqiang's narrative, Liu Chengzong could see that Zhou Riqiang, Zhou Yijing, and others had very contradictory views on Ruos.

It resembles both a feudal state and a Mongol tribe.

Liu Chengzong carefully considered Zhou Riqiang's words and slowly shook his head, saying, "They want to build the Great Wall. The world is in constant flux, and this is a golden opportunity that the Western lands have given us. We must not miss it."

Of all the intelligence Zhou Riqiang possessed, the most important was that Rus' was planning to build a Great Wall on the southern border.

In Liu Shizi's view, this is undoubtedly a crucial historical juncture.

What is the significance of the Great Wall?
Such a massive project is beyond the capabilities of ordinary countries or monarchs.

The desire to build the Great Wall indicates a long border and vast territory, with enemies continuously raiding and plundering along the long border.

The ability to build the Great Wall demonstrates that power was concentrated in the hands of the monarch, who could mobilize enormous human and material resources, and whose army could temporarily hold off the enemy.

Repairing the Great Wall might not significantly reduce the military pressure on troops, and could even increase the pressure on garrison troops.

However, the enemy's chances of successfully looting will decrease significantly, and the efficiency of troop assembly in the inner lines will increase dramatically.

At the same time, finance, agriculture and handicrafts will have the opportunity for stable development and will soon achieve a qualitative leap.

Most importantly, once the Great Wall is built, it will form an artificial natural barrier as a border line, which will greatly promote national identity.

Any separatist ruler would have ample reason to push the battle lines to the Great Wall.

"The Taimeng Guard cannot rest easy just because the enemy has been transferred to the south. They will come back sooner or later. Chu Huer should seize the opportunity to swallow up the Hexi Grassland, while the Taimeng Guard should gather more tribes in the forest."

"In addition to the Tianshan Army, I permit Taimeng Guard to recruit prisoners from various prefectures to work in Taimeng Guard, hunt, and capture ten to one hundred sable pelts. Those who are released without punishment will be allowed to defend fortresses and participate in battles and will be rewarded for their merits."

"In addition, we will take you to the Ministry of Works later to see the military equipment and weapons suitable for the Tai Meng Guard. We have gained a lot from this eastern expedition."

"Also, Batur Khuntaiji, have him contact the Torghut tribe that has migrated westward. I intend to provide them with armed support such as muskets and cannons, and have them send nobles to bring back a list of goods available for trade."

"Construction of this section of the Great Wall will be suspended indefinitely!"

good morning!