Tumeng: I am a national advisor in the Golden Family

Chapter 556: The Western Expedition to Defeat Kublai Khan
After marching on the vast grassland for more than half a month, Zhang Yong and his army finally arrived at the Mongolian headquarters city of Karakorum.

After arriving in Karakorum, he was warmly welcomed by the local Ogedei family, and the Mongolian people also loved Zhang Yong very much.

As the Mongolian leader for several years, Zhang Yong has brought substantial changes to the lives of the grassland people.

Under such circumstances, some forces that did not obey Zhang Yong have gradually recognized the reality. Now many Mongolian kings want to develop in a more northerly or newer direction to acquire new territories.

Zhang Yong's grassland planting method, livestock breeding method and large livestock sheds give them the confidence to live in more extreme conditions.

Zhang Yong's strategy will work as long as there is sufficient water. Many desert areas are also being managed by Zhang Yong, who plants grass seeds or some drought-resistant plants.

"Sweat!"

"Greetings, Great Khan!" After Zhang Yong arrived in Karakorum, all the generals of the Ogedei family and some princes knelt down collectively.

This time, the entire family of Ogedei will migrate to occupy the lands in the west and the Golden Horde.

As for the eastern land, it no longer has their surname. This is the world where the strong prey on the weak.

Although it is unacceptable and incomprehensible, why Genghis Khan's son-in-law was able to inherit everything from him instead of his children.

But things have already happened, and they can do nothing about it. Zhang Yong has already firmly established himself as the emperor of Central Plains and the Great Khan of Mongolia, and he has done better than anyone else.

Except that he is not a descendant of Genghis Khan, he is almost perfect, but Zhang Yong has the identity of the Golden Family, which is accepted by the people of the grassland.

Having this is enough.

The warriors who once belonged to the Chagatai family have now completely joined Zhang Yong's ranks. These soldiers have only one goal in their minds, which is to avenge their former masters and seek revenge on Kublai Khan.

In addition, all other Mongolian soldiers were Zhang Yong’s latest recruits, and they are all young and strong.

"This time we are heading to the West to build a country, but I also know that it is hard to leave our homeland, so in the future when you enter this grassland in the East, as long as you are willing to come and graze, ordinary herdsmen can move around freely!" Zhang Yong said.

On the Mongolian grassland, only some areas near rivers and lakes can be used to grow crops and reclaim some wasteland. It is best to focus on grazing in other areas.

In the land close to the west, which is about to border the Kipchak Steppe, Zhang Yong also plans to give the land to the Mongols for grazing on this vast grassland.

"Thank you, Khan, thank you for your kindness. You shine on us like the sun in the sky." All the Mongolian nobles were delighted when they heard this.

"Those who don't want to leave can continue to live here and continue grazing. Everyone is still a Mongolian noble." Zhang Yong continued.

Not all members of Ogedei's family will go on this Western Expedition. A large number of them will stay, and those who stay will become citizens of the Daqian Empire.

These words finally calmed down some of the uneasy members of the Ogedei family, as well as some of the kings of the East Road, the West Road, and other nobles.

It would be great to have a piece of grassland for grazing. Now there is a small artillery tower every few hundred miles on the entire grassland. Zhang Yong's army has completely controlled this place.

Moreover, the newly emerged Mongolian ethnic group and the newly emerged Mongolian youth are now more eager to join Zhang Yong's army rather than join the princes or nobles in these small places.

It was just like joining the Khan's army back then, because in Zhang Yong's army, he could get better treatment, more cattle and sheep, more gold and silver treasures, and more women.

After appeasing the people of Ogedei's family, Zhang Yong met with some other Mongolian nobles, especially those of Chagatai's family.

Zhang Yong planned to let them continue to live on the land of Khwarezm, led by his second son. Their presence would also intimidate the local people.

Zhang Yong would not choose the Abbasid Dynasty as the location for the second country. Although he would conquer the land, he would not establish a country there because it was too far from the east. The best choice would be to establish a country on the land of Khwarezm (which is now Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and part of Iraq).
"From now on, all of you will follow my second child. You will be his retainers, his clansmen, and his right-hand men to assist him." Zhang Yong said, looking at a group of generals from the Chagatai family.

"Great Khan! Don't worry, we will be your people from now on and follow your son."

"From now on, your family will be our main family, and your second son will be our master."

"You took us in in the most difficult time and raised us and our families for three and a half years. Now you want to help us avenge our former master. What reason do we have not to follow you?" said a general of the Chagatai family.

"I will give you another 100,000 livestock. You can use them as food on the road or continue grazing on new lands. It's up to you." Zhang Yong said.

"Thank you, merciful Khan."

Zhang Yong had done his best for the Chagatai clan by providing them with a place to graze their livestock.

They had allowed them to live on this land for several years, and now they had to help them deal with the murderer who killed their master and even gave them a large number of cattle and sheep before leaving.

They really had no way to repay this kindness, so they could only use their sabers to protect the other person's son and fulfill his dream.

But before that, they must kill Kublai Khan and avenge their former master.

Hearing this, Zhang Yong nodded with satisfaction and dismissed the generals of the Chagatai family.

In the next few days, the Western Expedition troops arrived one after another, and some vanguard troops had even set out.

"My fellow Mongolians, every time a new Khan ascends the throne, a western expedition is held to demonstrate the Khan's majesty. This time is no exception. The rebellious kings in the west, Batu and Kublai, are also there.

This is our goal this time, and all the nations that Genghis Khan conquered and those that resisted them in the West will be destroyed. "Zhang Yong stood on the high platform, looking at all the Mongolian troops and the Central Plains troops and spoke loudly.

"March west! March west!" All the soldiers let out an earth-shaking roar.

"Cha Tohua! And Bater! Thank you for your hard work, both of you. You are in your fifties, almost sixty, and I have to trouble you to make another trip." When the army began to set out on the Western Expedition, Zhang Yong found his two old subordinates again.

"Great Khan, what are you talking about? As your generals, we should fight for you. If you have an order for us to go to war, how can we not obey you?"

"And Kublai Khan in the west has opposed you eight times and even rejected your kindness. We will definitely destroy him for you. As for this old bone, Genghis Khan could still lead troops to fight when he was our age, and so could General Subutai. Why can't we?" Chatoha said.

"Well! After we return from this Western Expedition, I will definitely not treat you two unfairly. I will leave these young guys to your care." Zhang Yong looked at the two of them and said in a very cautious tone.

"Great Khan! Don't worry. Those Western armies are vulnerable. Both of us participated in the first two Western Expeditions. Their combat effectiveness has not changed much in the past few decades.

However, our combat effectiveness is gradually increasing, and even undergoing earth-shaking changes. Now our army for this westward expedition is much stronger than the previous two westward expeditions." Battelle said.

Isn't it? When Genghis Khan launched the first westward expedition, most of the Mongolian army was still wearing animal skin armor, and they didn't even have armor for the entire army. But now? In just a few decades, the entire army is now equipped with black armor, the sabers they use are better than the previous swords, the bows and arrows have been replaced with recurve bows, and they are even equipped with a large number of firearms, as well as sufficient food supplies.

You know, when the Mongolian army went to war in the past, how could they carry so much food and grass! Genghis Khan was a prologue, looting along the way, and slaughtering every city he captured.

The second Western Expedition would not have been so smooth if it had not been for the participation of their own master. It can be said that it was because of Zhang Yong that the Mongolian army underwent a drastic change.

"Well! Take care! Five years later, when you return from Xicheng, I will hold a welcoming banquet for you." Zhang Yong hugged the two veterans.

After talking with the two veterans, Zhang Yong found Hulagu.

The first time they met was several years ago. At that time, Hulagu came to Daxing Prefecture as a minister to kneel down and pay homage to Zhang Yong.

Now, several years have passed, and he has brought an army of 2 and all his family members to participate in Zhang Yong's Western Expedition.

"Hulagu! This time, the war will be against your own brother Kublai Khan. Can you do it? If you can't do it, I won't force you.

You lead your army to the back and be responsible for protecting the baggage camp. When we destroy Kublai Khan and fight to the west, facing those Western ethnic groups, you can take action. "Zhang Yong said lightly.

"Great Khan! No! Your Majesty! Hulagu is loyal to you. Don't forget that I am still your adopted son. You are my priority in everything I do.

I will listen to whatever you say. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west. If you tell me to go west, I will never go east. If you tell me to kill Kublai, I will kill him. "Hulagu knelt on the ground and expressed his loyalty to Zhang Yong again.

"Well! Remember what you said today. Okay, go! Assist my son well and help him complete this epic westward expedition." Zhang Yong nodded and waved goodbye to Hulagu.

The latter nodded, wiped the sweat from his forehead, left respectfully, mounted his warhorse, and headed west.

Hulagu! You really shouldn't have killed him, you really shouldn't have killed Kulejian. If you hadn't killed him, I could have spared your life and let you assist my son in the Western Regions. Your ambition is too big, but I will treat your family well.

After this Western Expedition is over, you will die of illness! This will be a good thing for you and everyone else.

Zhang Yong did not make a special effort to meet his sons again, as he had already explained everything he needed to.

Zhang Yong made a final war declaration to all officers and soldiers, and then issued the order to march west.

After the grand oath-taking ceremony, the army officially set out on the Western Expedition. Zhang Yong’s two sons served as commanders, and Chatoha, Bater, and Hulagu served as deputy generals.

Guo Kan, Zhang Hongfan, Tulu, and other descendants of Zhang Yong all served as important generals. Other Mongolian leaders and some senior Han army generals would send their eldest sons to participate in the Western Expedition. An alternative Western Expedition of the eldest sons was taking place.

"Head of the family! Our sons have finally grown up and can go out to fight now." Tulanlun felt a little sad watching his sons go away.

"Hahaha! You only have two daughters around you now? I promised Farmaina some time ago that I would give him another child, and you should give me another one too." Zhang Yong hugged his first wife and said.

"Go away, don't you be ashamed? So many people are watching us!" You are already an old couple, and you are still doing this?
"Hahaha! I'll hold my own queen for them to see! This time, we will stay in Karakorum for a few months. I want to be able to receive the latest war reports from the West. I will not return to the capital until Kublai Khan's head is delivered here." Zhang Yong said.

By staying in Khalkhinolh, he could keep track of the movements of the Western Expedition Army at any time and anywhere. Their first target of attack would be Kublai Khan. Zhang Yong must ensure that his two sons could join forces to destroy Kublai Khan, the indestructible cockroach.

You have lived long enough, and I have given you chances, but you, who are a burden to the family, are too stubborn to accept my kindness.

In that case, then you all go to hell! Don't blame me.

"Boss, if I stay here, it won't interfere with your handling of government affairs, right?" Tulanlun said.

"Don't worry! We have cabinet ministers, and some important documents will also be sent to Karakorum. My capital is not too far from Karakorum. And the first railway will go directly to Karakorum." Zhang Yong said.

"It just so happens that I haven't lived on the grassland for a long time, and I miss the scenery of the desert. This time, I will stay here with you for a while." Tulanlun said.

You can also catch up with your sisters whom you haven’t seen for a long time.

Just over half a month after the Western Expedition army set out, the scouts stationed by Kublai Khan in the border areas discovered the massive Western Expedition army.

The army marched westward like a tsunami.

After learning the news, Kublai Khan's scouts, who had not been arranged in advance, did not dare to delay in the slightest and immediately rushed to Samarkand without stopping to tell the Khan of the Kublai Khanate the news.

"Khan! The Western Expedition Army, the Western Expedition Army is coming. They are so powerful that you can't see the end of them at a glance." The messenger knelt on the ground and spoke tremblingly.

"Well! I understand. I have waited for four years. They are finally here. Good! Very good," Kublai Khan ordered.

The war came just as he had expected, but it came a year or even half a year later than he expected.

Zhang Yong was a very cautious person. He must have made sufficient preparations at the entrance of the village and had absolute confidence in destroying himself before he sent out the army to the west.

"I ask you, can you confirm the number of troops in this Western Expedition? Are there any Mongolian princes or nobles who can pass on information to us?" Kublai Khan asked.

A few years ago, Guyuk, the former queen of the Ogedei family, Haimish, contacted him secretly and passed him some of the latest intelligence from the East. Kublai Khan also knew what Zhang Yong had done on the grassland. Now the entire Mongolian grassland has completely depended on Zhang Yong.

Moreover, his rule was very stable. He was a member of the Golden Family, a messenger of God, and performed various miracles.

He won the hearts of the people, and after implementing his policies, the lives of Mongolian herdsmen were indeed better than before.

Kublai Khan had to admit that Zhang Yong's policies were indeed very effective, especially in winning the hearts of the grassland people.

"Khan! Queen Haimisi did send someone to deliver a letter. She said that this time the Western Expedition Army has more than 300,000 people, and their goal is to destroy you with all their strength.

Then, we will divide our troops into two groups, one to attack the Golden Horde, and the other to attack the Abbasid Dynasty in the Western Regions and the Arabian region. "The messenger said.

More than 300,000 troops, this is just the main army, there are hundreds of thousands of relatives in the rear, such a large army, how can they resist it! Can Kublai Khan lead them to victory?
Zhang Yong! Zhang Yong! You really think highly of me, Kublai Khan. More than 300,000 troops have joined together to deal with me and Brother Batu. You actually want to divide the troops. How much do you think highly of Batu!
His army was far inferior to that of the Golden Horde in terms of strength and numbers, but Zhang Yong was determined to destroy him.

"I understand. Give the order to start conscription. All men under the age of 60 and over the age of 15 must serve in the army. If they disobey, their entire family will be killed." Kublai Khan said.

He had previously implemented some benevolent policies towards the local people and gained a certain reputation, but now he had to carry out large-scale conscription and could not care less.

"Immediately send an envoy to the Golden Horde and tell Brother Batu that if he doesn't want to die, he should send reinforcements to help me. Only by combining our strengths can we win. Otherwise, we will be eliminated one by one."

(End of this chapter)