Tumeng: I am a national advisor in the Golden Family

Send out troops! Send out troops! You make it sound so easy, but is it so easy to mobilize the army?

Their Mongolian army is easy to deal with, as they will come at the command of Batu Khan, but it takes time to gather the Turks and the Cumans.

Every time you called them to go to war, if you won the battle and grabbed the spoils, that's fine, everyone would be happy.

But if you lose the battle, or even end up in a draw, it will be a fatal blow to the armies of these grassland peoples.

The army on the grassland, regardless of their ethnicity, actually has a similar basic base to the Mongols.

It is indeed a universal cavalry, but all soldiers have to provide their own weapons and armor. If you don’t have armor, then just wear a set of animal skins on the battlefield!
You have to find a way to prepare your own saber, bow and arrow.

In the battle two years ago, almost all the men among the herdsmen of the Golden Horde followed Batu to fight.

The result was a battle in which they neither won nor lost. They gained nothing and also lost a large number of their own cattle, sheep and livestock.

There are even many herders who have become destitute and have to sell themselves as slaves.

Now that two years have passed and there is no war, these herders have finally recovered a little.

The Golden Horde actually did not have any stable source of financial income. In the past, it relied on the trade routes between the East and the West to make a small profit and entertain the travelers.

The cattle and sheep raised by the herdsmen can also be sold cheaply to these businessmen. Their lives are not rich, but not too bad either.

But in recent years, after the trade routes between the East and the West were cut off, all the disadvantages began to emerge.

What Zhang Yong said back then was right. Once this east-west trade route was cut off, the Golden Horde would be the one to suffer.

In this situation, for the Golden Horde, gathering a large army to go to war would be a battle that would determine the fate of the country.

So we have to be cautious.

"Batu Khan, and all the princes, I know you are in a difficult situation right now. We, Kublai Khan, also know that your Golden Horde is in great difficulty right now.

But you must help us, otherwise we cannot repel this western expeditionary army on the land of our Kublai Khanate.

Then their next target must be your Golden Horde. What will you use to resist them then? "Kublai's envoy seemed to have seen the intentions of all the Golden Horde princes present, so he pointed out the key point of this war.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present fell silent. It was indeed as the messenger said, but sending troops was not that easy!

"Emissary! We all know what you said, and we all understand the pros and cons. I promise that I will help Kublai Khan win this battle.

But you have to let him hold out for at least half a year, and only after that can I send my army to his territory." Batu said.

There is no other way. Half a year is already the fastest speed. It will take a month to gather all the Mongolians in the country.

It would take one to two months to gather the Turks and the Cumans together, so this delay would be at least two months or even three months.

In addition to the distance between the two sides, it would take five months at the fastest, but at least half a year at the slowest, for Batu to reach Kublai Khan's capital with his army.

This is assuming that nothing unexpected happens and all operations go smoothly. If there is even the slightest delay, the army will not be able to arrive as scheduled.

"Batu Khan! In half a year, everything is too late. Our Kublai Khanate was destroyed by Zhang Yong a long time ago.

If you really want to rescue Kublai Khan, you must gather all your troops within fifteen days.

Then set out immediately and arrive at our Kublai Khanate within two and a half months. Our Kublai Khan can still hold on." The messenger said.

Kublai Khan could only hold out for three months at most. After half a year, they would go to collect his body.

“I know your situation is urgent, but I also want to speed things up, and it’s relatively easy to muster our Mongolian army.

But the armies of other nations are not so relaxed. Should I just gather tens of thousands of Mongolian troops to rescue them? " Batu shook his head helplessly and said.

Because of his admiration for Tolui in his youth, he rejected Zhang Yong's kindness many times and stood firmly on Mengge's side.
As a result, he completely offended Zhang Yong. Even later, when he was on the Western Expedition, on the way back, the veteran General Subutai tried to persuade him many times.

He had to find a way to repair his relationship with Zhang Yong, and even suggested a marriage. He couldn't lose face no matter what.

He listened to Lianying's advice, but at that time he was obsessed and wanted to trick Zhang Yong's son over instead of sending his own daughter over.

Now that I think about it, if I had listened to General Subutai back then, the two sides wouldn't have come to this point.

Zhang Yong was very nice to me at the beginning and even gave me advice many times.

It's like when someone from Tolui's family fell into the water, and Batu reached out to pull them, but not only did he fail to pull someone from Tolui's family onto the boat, they ended up pulling themselves off the boat.

Batu once again comforted the envoy sent by Kublai Khan, and then had the envoy forcibly taken away to rest.

"Okay, there are no outsiders here now. My brothers, tell me how we should fight this battle?" Batu looked at his dozen or so brothers, the princes of the Golden Horde.

My good brothers, now is the time to give me, your brother, some advice, and then we can get through this crisis together.

"Hmph! In my opinion, we shouldn't have supported Kublai Khan back then. He betrayed us and launched a surprise attack on the Chagatai Khanate, which led to the loss of the innate barrier between us and the Mongolian headquarters.

He has the same character as his elder brother Mongke. If it weren’t for Mongke back then.

If King Kulejian had not suddenly died on the battlefield of the Western Expedition, our relationship with Zhang Yong would not have become so strained." A prince of the Golden Horde said with a sigh.

If it weren't for Kublai Khan's sudden attack on the Chagatai Khanate, they would not have lost this natural barrier between the East and the West. You know, in name only, the Chagatai Khanate was subject to Mongolia.

Even if Zhang Yong wanted to start a war, he must have a suitable reason. As a result, now they have become Mongolian rebel kings together with Kublai Khan.

It is really funny to say that Genghis Khan's son-in-law and grandson suddenly became the orthodox Mongolians, while Genghis Khan's grandsons became rebels.

"Yes, if we had known this, we really shouldn't have stood on the side of Tolui's family. During the second Western Expedition, we should have stood on Zhang Yong's side." Another prince of the Golden Horde also nodded, agreeing with this statement.

"Hahaha! Now that Zhang Yong's army is here, you're scared? Don't you think about it?
The Ogedei family still stood behind him, but what happened? Didn't he drive the Ogedei family to the west? "A prince of the Golden Horde sneered. He was against Zhang Yong from the beginning to the end.

He was just a member of the Golden Family. His grandfather Genghis Khan was good to him, so he gave him the title of a member of the Golden Family and married his daughter to him.

As a result, he used the title of member of the Golden Family and even usurped the Mongolian foundation.

"That's because Guyuk is dead! If Great Khan Guyuk hadn't died, things wouldn't have turned out like this." A prince of the Golden Horde wanted to make a few more excuses.

"Don't be so self-indulgent. The Ogedei family hates us to the core. Even Ogedei himself doesn't like our family very much. Guyuk is even more of a mortal enemy of our Khan Batu."

"Okay, stop arguing. Let's borrow a Chinese saying: the lips and teeth are interdependent. We can't make trouble at this time.

If we start to cause chaos again, then there is no need for the enemy to attack us, we can just surrender directly. " Batu waved his hand to stop his brothers from quarreling.

At this critical moment, what are you guys arguing about? Don't offend Zhang Yong now. When we tried to offend Zhang Yong, weren't you guys the ones who instigated me? Even destroying the farmland he left behind was your idea.

I am letting you make the decision and find a solution now, not letting you quarrel here!
"Batu Khan! In my opinion, even if we can gather our forces as quickly as possible to support Kublai Khan.

I'm afraid he is in danger and will definitely not be able to fight a decent war. Besides, our army has come from a long way and is exhausted just like Zhang Yong's army in the Western Expedition. We have no advantage at all. Actually, I have an idea." A prince of the Golden Horde said.

When facing these European cavalry, these Mongolian cavalry can be said to be invincible in field battles and crush the opponent, but if they encounter Zhang Yong's westward expedition army,

Then they would no longer be invincible in field battles, and might even be beaten badly, because the opponents would also be Mongolian cavalry, equipped with better weapons than them, and equipped with advanced firearms, and even flying artifacts.

"If we don't support Kublai Khan, he will be killed in half a year at most. Then it will be our turn to face Zhang Yong's westward expedition army." Batu shook his head and said.

He must provide support, no matter how hard, tiring or difficult it is, he must provide support. If Kublai Khan falls, their Golden Horde will also be doomed.

"Brother Batu! Why can't you figure it out? Kublai Khan has no chance of winning. If that's the case, then why should we fight on their land?
You let Kublai Khan bring his 4-plus Mongolian troops to our side and join us.

Together with our own army, 200,000 people will be enough, and the war will be started on our own land.

Our soldiers are familiar with the surrounding terrain, and in a decisive battle on the grassland, even if their weapons and equipment are slightly better than ours, they may not be able to defeat us.

In addition, we can also summon reinforcements from the Northern Rus region and ask the Grand Dukes of the Northern Rus region to organize tens of thousands of troops to come to support us. "Batu's brother smiled and said.

My eldest brother is really confused by the situation. We gathered an army of hundreds of thousands and then launched a mighty expedition to the east.

Instead of going to help Kublai Khan resist foreign enemies, it would be better to let Kublai Khan bring all the Mongolian troops under his command to our side.

If we fight on the land of the Golden Horde, the Grand Duke of Northern Russia, who is relatively close, can come to our support. There are still many troops in the Northern Russia region.

These Russians are very good fighters.

"But in this case, people from Southern Russia can also come to support us! Those people from Southern Russia were supported by Zhang Yong." Someone immediately raised an objection.

"We just had a battle with the Southern Ross region. Although we didn't wipe them out, we did injure a lot of their troops. They probably won't send out any more troops in the short term."

"What about other European countries? For example, Hungary, Eastern Rome, Serbia, Croatia, and Austria."

“These countries are easier to deal with. I heard that the army Zhang Yong sent to the west this time is now trying its best to destroy Kublai Khan.

But after we have fully wiped out Kublai Khan, only half of the army will actually come to attack us, and the remaining half will go to attack more Western YSL countries.

The Catholics in those Western countries will also form a new Crusade. How could they possibly join forces with the Western Expedition Army to attack us?
By then, we will only be facing half of the Western Expedition Army. In this case, our chances of winning will be the greatest."

Hearing this, everyone in the tent's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea if only half of Zhang Yong's western expedition army really came to attack their Golden Horde.

Then it would be the best option for Kublai Khan to lead his army here.

"Well! What you said makes sense, then let's do as you say! We will first send envoys to the Northern Ross region and ask them to gather the army immediately and rush here as quickly as possible.

In addition, let Kublai Khan's envoy return along the same route and tell their Khan if he really wants to join forces with me to deal with Zhang Yong.

Then I will not support him, let him come to our Golden Horde territory, we will deal with Zhang Yong's army here." Batu said.

Kublai Khan! Kublai Khan!

It's not that I don't want to save you. Even if I gather the army now and march at the fastest speed, it will still take five months or even half a year to reach your territory. By then, you will definitely not be able to hold on.

My army must be very tired after the long journey, and when we face Zhang Yong's westward expedition army, I will be in danger of being wiped out.

But if you come to my side with tens of thousands of troops, the consumption will be much less, and the supply of tens of thousands of people will be easy to solve.

All in all, it is the best choice for Kublai Khan to come to his side now. At worst, he can wait until the war is over.

You just need to take back your land. Anyway, you just need to take the army with you. Our base will always be the Mongolian army.

This statement was unanimously agreed by all the princes of the Golden Horde. Everyone felt that instead of launching an expedition to support Kublai Khan, which would be counterproductive, the best option was to meet the enemy on their own land.

Early the next morning, Batu summoned Kublai's envoy and told him his own and all the princes' decision.

"Batu Khan! You, you are not kidding, you asked Kublai Khan to come here, to meet you here." Kublai Khan's envoy widened his eyes and looked up in disbelief. Are you kidding me?
"It is the best way. Kublai Khan's Mongolian army now has only about 40,000 people, and they are heading west.

The amount of food and fodder required is also the least, and I have assembled an army of more than 100,000 and I also need to prepare food for them.

It will take several months, and it will be too late to rush over to rescue. No matter how hard you push, I can't gather the troops in a short time." Batu also told them about his difficulties. It was not that he was unwilling to rescue, but he really had no choice.

"But! But! Batu Khan! Can't you think of a solution?"

"I really have no other choice, otherwise I wouldn't have called you over so hastily.

You must return to Kublai Khan's territory as quickly as possible and tell him my decision, asking him to abandon the locals immediately and come to my side with all his strength.

This time I will also mobilize some troops from Northern Russia to come to help, and then the number of our troops will increase." Batu explained the benefits of all aspects.

Kublai Khan's envoy was obviously still unwilling to give in and tried to persuade him again, but Batu refused to listen and made it very clear.

Either you, Kublai Khan, lead your troops here to help me deal with Zhang Yong, or you fight to the death on your own in your territory!
In the end, Kublai Khan's envoy sighed helplessly, then picked a fast horse and galloped all the way to Samarkand.

At this time, Zhang Yong, who was far away in Karakorum, also received the latest battle report from his son. Kublai Khan's two lines of defense had collapsed, and now they were advancing towards Samarkand, the capital of Kublai Khanate.

"Kublai Khan, let's see where you can run this time. You can't escape this time." Zhang Yong put down the letter in his hand and sneered.

This time, I can finally eliminate you completely, but just in case, Zhang Yong immediately wrote a letter.

Let his two sons lead the army to Samarkand immediately, and some surrounding cities can be left alone for the time being.

Samarkand must be surrounded and Kublai Khan must not be given any chance to escape.

This guy is really good at running, we must cut off his escape route.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and the Western Expedition Army had eliminated Kublai Khan's first and second lines of defense.

After conquering several small towns in succession, they arrived at Samarkand, where Kublai Khan was located.

"This city must be Samarkand, right? It is indeed magnificent."

Looking at the tall city walls of Western-style architecture in front of him, Zhang Dingguan was full of admiration. The last time he led his troops to the west, he did not enter these areas.

, (End of this chapter)