Tumeng: I am a national advisor in the Golden Family

Chapter 546 Prelude to the Western Expedition

To be honest, Kublai Khan was opposed to Batu's attack on the West and the Kingdom of Hungary.

Over the years, he has also learned a little about these Western countries and understands that the Kingdom of Hungary has formed an alliance with the Eastern Roman Empire and several other small principalities.

Its strength is still very strong, and it has made a lot of money in recent years because of doing business with the East, and its national strength has recovered quite well.

When Zhang Yong marched west to Hungary, he did not annihilate many local troops, but left the troops to Queen Maria. If he really wanted to attack Hungary, it would probably be difficult to conquer it given the strength of the Golden Horde.

In fact, Kublai Khan wrote a letter to Batu, in which he persuaded Batu to deal with the Southern Russia region first, gather the nobles of Northern Russia, and add the military force of the Golden Horde to first destroy the Southern Russia region and unify the entire Russian countries.

In this way, there will be a natural barrier and a strategic buffer zone between the Russians and the West. If they are allowed to control themselves, they can resist the attack from the West. After all, the two sides have been fighting for hundreds of years. If the Russians are not rotten, they will even have the upper hand. (When I checked the history, I found that the founding emperor of the Russians beat many Western countries, then found a sect and believed in himself, recognized the suzerainty of the Eastern Roman Empire, and later married princesses from the Eastern Roman Empire many times.)
Therefore, the most important thing is to first clear the Russian region and stabilize one's rear. Once all the Russian countries are stable, Batu can invite the coalition forces of the Russian countries to attack Hungary together.

At that time, Hungary would still be in great danger under the combined attack from both sides. After all, the Russians were naturally warlike. They were tall and naturally good fighters, and they had been at war with the Kingdom of Hungary for many years. Both sides knew each other.

By then, with the power of Batu's Mongolian cavalry and the cooperation of these Russians, they will definitely be able to quickly conquer Hungary.

Then he would capture Zhang Yong's illegitimate son and use it to threaten him. This illegitimate son could even make Zhang Yong hesitate. Even if he still had to attack him in the end, it would be good to delay him for a while.

At least he could have more time to prepare, but Batu completely ignored his advice and even sent his envoy back.

He was determined to attack Hungary, and even threatened to cut Zhang Yong's son into pieces once he was captured to avenge his eldest son.

Kublai Khan was also very helpless about Batu's declaration. Why are the Mongols so willful? His brothers were like that, his father was like that, and his eldest brother Mongke was also like that.

However, Kublai Khan never thought about it. Wasn't it the same for himself? Wasn't it just a sudden impulse to attack the Chagatai Khanate and establish his own Khanate? Wasn't it just a sudden opportunity?
If Kublai Khan had not discovered that the Chagatai Khanate was weak and had little power, he would not have launched the attack rashly.

"Khan! In my opinion, Zhang Yong's Great Qian Empire will definitely not attack us within three years. I received news from Liaodong that the princes of the Great Qian Empire are leading their troops to attack Goryeo.

Goryeo is indeed weak, but it will take some time, and launching a large-scale war also requires rest and recuperation." A general of the Kublai Khanate said.

Many Mongolian generals in the tent nodded, thinking that what the other party said made sense. After all, Zhang Yong had just established his own country, and it was not suitable to launch a large-scale westward expedition in a short period of time.

"Kublai Khan! I hold the opposite attitude. I think Zhang Yong's Daqian Empire army will attack us within two years at the latest." Another general raised an objection.

When Kublai Khan heard this, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, and then he nodded and spoke.
"Really? Then stand up and tell me your opinion."

He didn't expect that there were generals in his army who shared the same view as him, and believed that Zhang Yong would definitely send troops to attack him, and within a very short time.

"Kublai Khan! I think if I were Emperor Zhang Yong of the Daqian Empire, I would also start this war in advance. The sooner I get rid of my opponent, the better.

Although we have been developing here for almost two years, our foothold is still unstable. The longer we delay, the better it will be for us. "Kublai Khan's young general said.

"Among all the generals, you have a clearer view. I think the same as you do. Zhang Yong will definitely not let us go and will attack us at a very fast speed." Kublai Khan nodded and said.

"Kublai Khan, I have received some news from the Mongolian grasslands, and you should have received it as well. Zhang Yong is recruiting Mongolian cavalry on a large scale and plundering soldiers from other clan princes.

They also mobilized the army on a large scale to stockpile military rations and even built large livestock farms on the Mongolian grasslands. All of this was in preparation for war.

The Daqian Empire’s army will only have one year to rest before launching an attack on us.”

"If that's the case, Kublai Khan, you have to prepare in advance. We, we have to ask Lord Batu for help."

The power of Kublai Khan's Khanate could not withstand the terrifying Daqian Empire. After all, including the vassal armies, their total strength had just reached 100,000, and the real combat troops were only 40,000 Mongolian cavalry.

"Unless the war in the west is over, Batu will never come to support me. Before that, we can only rely on ourselves to strengthen the city's defenses and store more food and grass." Kublai Khan said.

Even if the battle with the West is over, Batu will not come to support him. Why?

The reason was very simple, because he had badly wronged Batu last time, causing Batu to bear the infamy of slaughtering the Golden Family.

He massacred all the royal members of the Chagatai Khanate, but he bore half of the blame and Batu bore half. Batu himself did not get any substantial benefits. How could he not be angry?
Even though Zhang Yong has usurped the throne of the Great Khan of Mongolia, Batu's reputation has not improved much. Now there is no one left in the third generation of the Golden Family.

Otherwise, the other Mongolian kings would not focus their attention on Batu, hoping that he would be able to fight back to Mongolia in the future and regain the honor of Genghis Khan.

But even so, there are still a large number of princes who are not optimistic about Batu. After all, the distance is too far, and with Zhang Yong's current strength, Batu cannot defeat Zhang Yong.

"Let's send another envoy to explain the interests to Badu. If my side is destroyed, he will have to face Zhang Yong directly. Given their relationship, Zhang Yong will not let him go." Kublai Khan sighed and spoke.

There was nothing he could do. The situation was stronger than he was! He had betrayed Batu for his own benefit, but now he had to lose face and ask for help from the other side. But what could Kublai Khan do?

If Kublai Khan had not done that at that time, he would have had to run back to the Golden Horde in disgrace and then serve as Batu's aide.

Kublai Khan finally decided on a strategy and continued to send envoys to the West to ask for help. After Zhang Yong sent out his troops, he requested Batu to immediately lead his troops to assist him in defense.

The Kublai Khanate, which he ruled, was building fortifications along the border and continuing to prepare for war.

No one knows when this war will come, but everyone knows that this war will definitely come.

Zhang Yong in the east continued to accumulate his strength, continued to stockpile food and fodder on the Mongolian border, and mass-produced compressed biscuit powder. This simple and easy-to-carry military ration would become the main ration for this expedition. Soldiers had to carry at least enough rations to last for two years.

"Your Majesty! Please listen to my humble servant. The Daqian Empire you established is now thriving and peaceful. It is not easy to launch a large-scale war, especially an expedition. There is no need to fight this war at all." A cabinet minister knelt in front of Zhang Yong and spoke.

Now that they have finally conquered the world, even the Mongolian grasslands, they should stabilize the internal affairs, let the people recuperate, and completely stop the war. But the emperor wants to launch a large-scale westward expedition.

Various signs have indicated that this Western Expedition will be carried out in a very short time, and some Han civil officials have begun to raise objections.

"This westward expedition is imperative. I have promised the old generals of the Chagatai Khanate, and I have also promised the last Mongolian Khan Guyuk that I will definitely destroy Kublai Khan and Batu." Zhang Yong put down the memorial in his hand, looked at the ministers below, and spoke. "Your Majesty! Although our Daqian Empire is inferior to the Mongolian Empire, we are different from the Mongolian Empire after all. The Mongolians are good at expeditions, but if we go on expeditions, it will be a waste of money and manpower!" Another minister stood up and spoke.

There are many cabinet members, all of whom have gone through layers of selection. All of them have real talents and skills, and only then have they entered their own cabinets and become core ministers. Zhang Yong also knows the opinions they have put forward.

After the Central Plains dynasty was established, it was indeed not suitable to launch a large-scale war unless necessary.

But there was no other way, he had to fight against Kublai Khan, this scourge, and he couldn't leave this scourge of Batu to future generations.

Batu was fine. In the original history, he probably didn't have many years left to live. He died when he was less than 50 years old. He died of illness when he was only 48 years old.

But Kublai Khan was different. He was very durable and even outlived his eldest son. So Zhang Yong did not dare to take Kublai Khan lightly.

"Your Majesty! Kublai Khan only rules a part of the territory in the Western Regions. It is full of deserts and the people are extremely poor.

If we send an expeditionary force to capture that place, it will have a huge impact on the national treasury. This war will not be worth the loss!"

Some ministers really couldn't understand why their emperor was so obsessed with the land in the west. Was the land in the west so good?
The territory you actually control now is larger than the former Liao, Jin, and Western Xia combined. Ruling such a huge empire, the most important thing you should do is naturally to recuperate and accumulate strength for future generations.

“This war was decided when I was still the King of Guanzhong, before I became emperor. I have been preparing for this war, so you don’t need to persuade me anymore.

Moreover, this war will not be as costly as you think. I have prepared sufficient military rations, and there will not be too many Han troops participating in the expedition this time. Most of them are of Mongolian descent. "Zhang Yong said.

Zhang Yong initially planned to have 200,000 Mongolian troops, 50,000 Han troops, and 50,000 civilian laborers as the expeditionary force, for a total of 300,000 troops.

However, the goal of this expedition was not as far-reaching as the second expedition. The plan to destroy the Golden Horde and the Kublai Khanate was the most basic goal.

After that, if possible, the Abbasid Dynasty, the Ayyubid Dynasty and the Mamluk Dynasty would be destroyed.

As for Europe, even if he conquered it, he would not be able to rule it. After all, the distance was too far. This time, Zhang Yong would only fight to the border of the Russians and make his own territory completely adjacent to the Russians.

"Your Majesty! Since you have made up your mind, we will not say anything more. But I wonder if Your Majesty can promise us one thing?" Shi Tianze stood up and said.

To be honest, most of the people in the Hebei Group were also opposed to this expedition, but there was nothing they could do. Since their emperor had spoken, what could they say?

"You go!" After thinking for a moment, Zhang Yong nodded to signal Shi Tianze to speak.

"Your Majesty, if you want to launch an expedition, please do it two years later, because our first four-year national policy will be at the end of its implementation by then. Second, please stay in the capital during this expedition and do not participate in person." Shi Tianze said.

The other ministers nodded to each other and persuaded Zhang Yong to launch the expedition. If you want to launch it, then launch it! But you don't want to participate.

It is not a good thing for a new empire for the emperor to lead the army in person. If you are only away for one or two years, you can let the crown prince to supervise the country, but if the expedition is four to five years or even six to seven years, then forget it.

Our Central Plains Dynasty is not the Mongol Empire! Genghis Khan took his royal court and left at any time, and went out to fight for five or six years.

But you can't. If you leave for five or six years, our entire country will be ruined. The remnants of the Song Dynasty in the south will take the opportunity to rebel, and even announce to the people that the emperor has died of illness on the way to the west. By then, it doesn't matter whether it is true or not.

As long as ordinary people believe it, our country will be in complete chaos, and this is the thing a country fears most.

"Of course I understand this matter. Don't worry, I will not participate in this expedition personally. I will let my son and the generals under my command participate in this expedition." Zhang Yong smiled and said.

He naturally understood the concerns of his ministers. It was a taboo in the Central Plains dynasty for the emperor to go on an expedition.

Even if those wise and capable emperors in history led the army to fight in person, they could only advance as far as the Mongolian steppes. But now the Mongolian steppes are ruled by Zhang Yong, and conquering the Western Regions has never been done before in all dynasties.

Even during the most prosperous period of the Tang Empire, its power only rose to the level of Khwarezm.

Moreover, the newly born country really cannot do without himself. If he suddenly leaves for a year, it would be okay, but if he leaves for five or six years, the whole country will be in chaos. Zhang Yong knows this without even thinking about it.

After all, there are still some remnants of the Southern Song Dynasty in the south, and there are also some remaining Mongolian kings on the Mongolian grasslands in the north. If he goes out to fight, these people will attack him from the north and the south, and the newly established empire might really be in big trouble.

Moreover, Kublai Khan and Batu Zhang Yong did not take each other seriously. As for starting the war in two years, Zhang Yong also agreed. It would be good to have more time to accumulate strength.

Two years later, the resistance forces on the entire Mongolian grassland should be smaller, and the southern region should have been suppressed by themselves.

Even during this period, Zhang Yong wanted to take some time to take his wife and young children for a trip to the Jiangnan area.

After some persuasion from the cabinet ministers, the plan for the westward expedition was finalized and the cabinet began to make continuous preparations for war.

Although it was founded not long ago, the Daqian Empire has enormous potential and this country is rising.

The various detailed information that His Majesty the Emperor brought from the gods and immortals outside the universe, and the seeds brought from other countries, can all increase grain production and enhance the overall national strength.

While Zhang Yong was deciding on the arrangements for the Western Expedition, the number of troops and the time of the expedition, Batu in the west also led an army of 100,000 to the border of the Kingdom of Hungary.

This war started more than half a year ago. After the Golden Horde army set out, it took a full half year to reach the border of Hungary. (It takes more than a year to travel from the capital of the Golden Horde to the Russian country. The distance between the two sides is still very far.)
At this time, on the border of the Kingdom of Hungary, with the approval of Queen Maria, Hungarian generals gathered here. At the same time, Hungary's vassal principalities, the two principalities of Serbia and Croatia, also sent some reinforcements to help resist Batu.

After the Mongol army withdrew, even though Hungary had become a semi-vassal state of Mongolia, it still built a large number of fortifications on the border with the Golden Horde.

These fortifications were built because Hungary feared another Mongol invasion and because of Zhang Yong's suggestion. When withdrawing from the Western Expedition, Zhang Yong had already anticipated that he and Batu would fall out.

Batu might take out his anger on Hungary in the future, so he ordered Queen Maria to build fortifications on the border and station a large number of troops.

After Batu's army arrived, he immediately sent envoys to persuade them to surrender.

(End of this chapter)