Tumeng: I am a national advisor in the Golden Family

The New Year atmosphere was very good. Zhang Yong and his whole family celebrated a great New Year. The entire Daxing Prefecture was decorated with lights and colors, and the whole country was filled with a prosperous and progressive atmosphere.

The entire Daqian Empire was also developing and progressing in an orderly manner. Zhang Yong's various advanced policies, from the tomato seeds, cucumber seeds, and watermelon seeds brought in modern times, had brought about tremendous changes to this era.

The loofahs and other vegetable seeds brought back from the Delhi Sultanate also greatly increased the grain production of the entire Daqian Empire.

During the expedition to Europe, Zhang Yong also collected a large number of vegetable seeds, including cabbage, beets, as well as sheep and large white pigs from Europe.

After these years of hybridization, the meat production of the entire Daqian Empire has also increased. Pork is no longer a cheap meat, but has become a daily meat. And breeding has also begun to become regular.

In several food processing factories, the production of compressed biscuit powder is no longer as simple as frying it before. It is just crushed into powder and then packed in a bag for soldiers to eat on the road, which is still a bit inconvenient.

As steel production increased in recent years, Zhang Yong ordered craftsmen to make some compression molds and then manually compress the compressed biscuit powder.

They became real compressed biscuits. These real compressed biscuits, which were mixed with milk, high sugar, eggs, and even some dried fruits, were the main rations for the army on this Western Expedition.

These convenient military rations can be eaten as long as they are soaked in water. In addition to compressed biscuits, Zhang Yong also prepared a large amount of other foods, such as tomato sauce, when needed.

Set up a large iron pot, add water, pour in tomato sauce, and add some wild vegetables from the grassland, or some dried meat, and you will have a pot of delicious soup.

Dried meat from the Mongolian grasslands, dried mutton, and beef jerky are the main military rations this time. Zhang Yong must ensure that the soldiers have sufficient physical strength.

In addition, the baggage camp that followed the army on the Western Expedition was also home to a large number of family members and herdsmen, who were responsible for logistics and transportation.

Zhang Yong mobilized hundreds of thousands of livestock from several other breeding bases across the country to support this westward expedition as their food.

"How is the military ration preparation going now?" That day, Zhang Yong convened a cabinet meeting and summoned his two prime ministers, all cabinet officials and some important civil and military officials to inquire about Xizhen's affairs.

"Your Majesty! The compressed biscuits, tomato sauce and various dried meats alone are enough to feed the army for two years. Moreover, there are some pickled meats and live cattle and sheep sent as support from other regions. The army will definitely not lack food for at least three years." An official in charge of logistics said.

The main reason why this expedition was decided was because of compressed biscuit powder and tomato sauce. Both of these things are very easy to carry, especially the compressed biscuits.

It tastes delicious, is nutritious, and most importantly, is easy to carry and can be stored for a long time.

Other cattle and sheep provided them with meat, as well as milk, including cow's milk, goat's milk and horse's milk, which the soldiers could use to quench their thirst and fill their stomachs on the road.

"Well! One year after the Western Expedition begins, I need the army to prepare their own food and fodder. At the same time, after the Western Expedition begins, the herdsmen in the rear need to graze on the local grasslands to provide meat for the army.

In addition, the Han people should also find some areas close to water sources to reclaim wasteland and grow some food and grass. "Zhang Yong said.

In a huge expedition, food and grass can be supplied here in the early stages, but once the expedition goes far away, it will be impossible to supply food and grass from the rear.

It's also not realistic. It would be good if 1/10 of the grain could be left after transporting it. The people and animals that transport the grain all need to eat.

Moreover, the horses of the large number of cavalry troops at the front also need to eat concentrated feed. Horses cannot grow fat without night grass. As for war horses, they must be raised in a rich manner.

Therefore, it is necessary to produce some food locally. During the last Western Expedition, Zhang Yong was completely responsible for food and fodder. He reclaimed a large amount of wasteland, planted food, and raised livestock.

But even so, after fighting for a few months, the army on the Western Expedition would need to rest for half a year or even a year before continuing the action.

There was no other way. The amount of food and grass consumed by an expedition was simply too huge, and the number of people on this expedition was no less than that of the Second Western Expedition.

Back then they carried a year's worth of food and fodder. This time, the food and fodder that Zhang Yong prepared for the army on the Western Expedition, all added up, was enough to last for more than three years.

They will have to figure out how to get food and fodder themselves. On the way back from the Western Expedition, Zhang Yong will also start preparing food for them in advance.

"In addition to food, weapons and equipment are also very important. Are you ready for these things?" Zhang Yong looked at the official from the Weapons Design Bureau and asked.

In recent years, the steel production of the Daqian Empire has been increasing year by year. In the past, there was only one Guanzhong Steel Plant and Sichuan Steel Plant, but now there are many all over the country.

Zhang Yong built more than a dozen steel mills in total, and also built weapons and provided high-quality steel for heavy artillery.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! All the Mongolian cavalrymen are wearing the best armor, which is woven from iron sheets and has sufficient defensive power. Each of them is equipped with three sabers. There are also many blacksmiths among the civilians who can forge weapons.

Your Majesty, the recurve bows you provided and designed were also equipped to the Mongolian cavalry." An official in charge of weapons management said.

They have now made the recurve bow that your majesty provided in the blueprints. The bow has a longer range, greater lethality, and is lighter.

Even the arrowheads used in the bows and arrows were specially made, made of iron with blood grooves. Once they hit the enemy, the enemy would die even if the sword was pulled out.

This kind of injury can only be treated with penicillin extracted from the Daqian Empire and allicin, in cooperation with specialized doctors.

"Yes, we also need to arrange for the doctors to accompany the army. I need each of them to be familiar with the medical books I provide, and they must all be able to prepare the appropriate amount of penicillin and allicin." Zhang Yong said.

After years of repeated research and practice, penicillin can now be extracted in the Daqian Empire. It is only the most basic oral form, and its shelf life is not very long.

But in terms of therapeutic effect, it is much stronger than allicin. However, in general, conventional herbal remedies and Chinese medicines plus some trauma treatment methods are still used for treatment.

Allicin is only used during infection. If allicin doesn't work, penicillin will be used.

Weapons and equipment, military medical care, and military food have all been solved. The next thing is the firearms that the army will carry. The reason why Zhang Yong's army is so powerful and able to wipe out the entire Southern Song Dynasty in a short period of time is naturally the sharp firearms.

It was precisely because of the indiscriminate bombardment of artillery and the long-range attack of thunder rockets that the morale of the Southern Song defenders collapsed completely, and the most difficult cities were easily taken down by Zhang Yong.

"Your Majesty! The entire army is equipped with more than 200 heavy artillery pieces, more than 300 artillery pieces, in addition to flying thunder tube cannons, equipped with a large number of explosive packs, and various types and calibers of artillery shells.

There are also various types of mines and the latest muskets, all of which are equipped.

In addition, the newly developed Thunderbolt rockets, which can hit 6 to 7 miles, are equipped with about rockets, all of which will be given priority for use by the Western Expedition Army. "The official of the Firearms Production and Design Bureau stood up, bowed to Zhang Yong, and spoke.

Firearms are naturally the top priority. Their Firearms Production and Design Bureau has always been the focus of attention since it was established by His Majesty. All funds and research and development expenses are the highest treatment.

"Well! This time, there are more than 50,000 musketeers in the Western Expedition Army, and each of these 50,000 people is equipped with a horse for travel.

In battle, they are infantry, so we must send good people to protect them. My one-handed small musket is about to be developed. "Zhang Yong said.

Zhang Yong is also making a small one-handed musket.

"Don't worry, father. I understand." Zhang Dingguan and Zhang Dingxia knelt on the ground together and spoke to Zhang Yong.

The Musketeer Army was his father's ace army. Before, people in the world did not understand the combat effectiveness of the Musketeer Army, but they faced the war against the Southern Song Dynasty.

The power of the musket army was fully demonstrated, but the people of the grassland probably didn't know their power yet, and Batu's Golden Horde probably didn't know either.

His father is asking the gunpowder design bureau to produce a small musket that can be held in one hand. This musket is still in the experimental stage. After the production of this small musket is completed, the cavalry can also be equipped with it. When the enemy is about to get close, a round of muskets can be fired first, which can effectively kill the enemy and scare the warhorse.

My father said that for this Western Expedition, we should be able to produce hundreds of these small muskets to equip the cavalry, which will surely provide great help to the expedition.

But even if not, it doesn't matter. This time, the army heading west is top-notch in terms of numbers, weapons, and military training.

Even if Kublai Khan and Batu gathered all their troops together, they would still be no match for him and his people.

"Are all the troops for the Western Expedition ready?" Zhang Yong asked.

"Your Majesty! Now, hundreds of thousands of troops marching west have gathered in the capital." said a general.

"The Mongolian army on the grassland and the Mongolian army in the Qinghai area have also assembled, and the Xixia army has also assembled."

"Since everything is ready, the army will hold a swearing-in ceremony one month later and set out from Karakorum to begin the Western Expedition!" Zhang Yong stood up and conveyed the final order.

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yong plans to personally send his sons off for this battle. The army will gather in Karakorum. The Mongolian army on the grassland, the Mongolian army in Qinghai, the Western Xia army, and the Central Plains army will all gather there.

In the next few days, Zhang Yong let the children spend some time with their mother, especially the second child.

"Woo woo! Your Majesty! I really can't bear to leave him, I really can't bear to leave him!" After her son left, Famayna threw herself into Zhang Yong's arms, sobbing.

Zhang Yong also reached out and held Famaina in his arms. Strictly speaking, she was his real first woman, the first in this era.

Even Turanlun was introduced to Genghis Khan after he returned from the expedition to the Delhi Sultanate, and Farmaina herself was rewarded by Genghis Khan not long after she arrived in the Mongolian army, and has been following him ever since, and it has been twenty-six or twenty-seven years now.

"I know you are sad, and I know you are upset. You still have a little son. If you think it is not enough, I will try harder and let you have another one." Zhang Yong said.

In recent years, Zhang Yong has been favoring some new women. Only Tulanlun and Xiaoyun can occasionally get Zhang Yong's favor. In recent years, Zhang Yong's new concubines have given birth to many princes for him.

Some of the women who had always followed him, such as Famayna, had not been touched by Zhang Yong for a long time.

"Your Majesty! It would be good to have another child so that I can have something to think about. This is what you promised me, so you are not allowed to go back on your word." Famaina said while nestling in Zhang Yong's arms.

"Hahaha! I am the emperor of this world. Now that I have spoken, there is no reason for me to regret it! Don't worry, I will come to your room every day for the next month." Zhang Yong said.

"Ok!"

"In fact, it doesn't necessarily mean that I will never see him again in this lifetime. I am currently developing a new means of transportation, which is now in the experimental stage. If nothing goes wrong, it will be ready for use in five or six years.

By then, I will build a railway, and it will only take half a month to reach my son's territory. It will take you a month to go back and forth to see him." Zhang Yong said.

The transportation problem has also been the key issue that has always limited me. Now that gasoline has been developed, I also have the drawings of steam and coal-fired trains.

Steel production has also increased, there is no reason why I should not make steam locomotives! After destroying the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhang Yong took out the design drawings of steam locomotives.

First, a steam engine was built as an experiment, then it was converted to burn coal, and now a simple locomotive has been produced. The carriages and tracks are currently under steady construction.

If nothing unexpected happens, the experiment should be able to be carried out by the middle of this year. With the resources and strength of a country, Zhang Yong is much richer than when he was the King of Guanzhong. Many things that Zhang Yong did not dare to do before can now be done.

The advantages of trains are too great. Even the most basic steam locomotive, which is powered by coal, can reach a speed of 40km per hour.

They advanced day and night without stopping, sometimes stopping to allow the train to cool down. Zhang Yong estimated that if it was fast, it would take half a month, and if it was slow, it would take at most twenty days, to reach the West from the Central Plains.

It is not difficult to build a steam locomotive, but the real difficulty lies in laying the tracks, laying a track from the east to the west, and this set of tracks will require professional maintenance in the future.

This is the real trouble. Even building a railway like this may consume a country's steel production.

So Zhang Yong's plan was to build the railway over five years, and his son would build the railway for the western road.

The railway tracks on the Mongolian grasslands were built with money and manpower provided by the eastern and western kings of the Mongolian ethnic groups. Once this railway was built.

This will also be of great benefit to the Mongolian grasslands. At least their cattle and sheep can be sold to the Central Plains at a cheaper price.

As for the maintenance issue, the three sections of railway, the western one is maintained by his own son, the eastern one is maintained by the Daqian Empire, and the one on the grassland is maintained by various Mongolian ethnic groups.

Even some of the artillery towers that Zhang Yong had installed locally were used by the defenders to regularly maintain the railway.

So if nothing unexpected happens, in 5 to 6 years at the fastest, when this railway is opened, Farmaina will be able to take the train to see her son, stay for a few months and then return.

Even as an emperor, he could take a trip to inspect the western territories and the people of the west.

If large-scale railways can be built and combined with steam locomotives, the speed of transmitting information and transporting materials will be increased exponentially.

His rule would also become more stable, and even the division system that Zhang Yong had planned before could take the form of vassal states.

After all, with the advent of trains, military transportation became more convenient, and the ability to control some vassal states became stronger.

The food and fodder transported by more than a dozen train carriages is enough to match the food and fodder transported by hundreds of people driving hundreds of livestock.

Trains only consume coal, and they can even be upgraded in the future. After all, gasoline has already been developed, and we have a ready-made internal combustion engine here.

The engine of the off-road vehicle was once preserved by Zhang Yong. The engine is the core power of the entire off-road vehicle and is also a treasure left by Zhang Yong to future generations.

"Your Majesty, don't lie to me. Even if we fly, it is impossible to reach the West so quickly. It will take a year on the road, unless you let me leave for three or four years to see my son." Farmaina said.

"Hahaha! I'm not lying to you. But it will take some time. We've only just produced one locomotive, and we still need to lay a lot of rails.

This cannot be completed overnight. When the entire project is completed, which will take five or six years at most, I will let you return to Khwarezm." Zhang Yong said.

"Yes! This is what the Great Prophet promised me. You are not allowed to go back on your word!"

"Why would you regret it? Come on, stand up and dance for me."

"I'm old now and I can't dance well anymore," Farmaina said, shaking her head.

I’m old now, I can’t dance as beautifully as a little girl!
"Hahaha! It's okay. I love watching you dance. Besides, your waist is thinner than the little girl's."

A few days later, Zhang Yong led the nearly 200,000 troops that had been assembled and marched to Karakorum. (End of this chapter)