Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

On the surface, Panika shot Kislensky because he was provoked by insults, but in reality, he was using this act to pledge his allegiance to the State of David. Sure enough, upon hearing that he had killed the governor of Irkutsk, Saihan not only did not blame him, but instead trusted him even more.

"Tell me, what's our next move in this battle?" Saihan asked with a warm smile.

"General, after our army captures Selengessk—no—Chukubakhin, the next major Russian town we should attack is Bratsk Fortress. However, Bratsk, along with Ust-Kut to the east and Ilimsk to the north, forms a very strong triangular defense; furthermore, the cities of Balagansk, Oxinsk, and Verkolsk form a straight line blocking Bratsk's path, like a thick wall. It's really difficult to attack," Panika first described the difficulties of attacking Bratsk Fortress, successfully drawing attention to it, then changed the subject, "However, as far as I know, some of the troops stationed in Bratsk and the surrounding fortresses have been transferred to Irkutsk, and some to Chukubakhin, leaving less than two thousand. Even if we arm the Russian civilians in the cities, there will be at most three thousand. We should send troops to attack quickly, otherwise, once Yeniseysk sends reinforcements, it will really be difficult to attack!"

"Then, in your opinion, which city should I capture first?" Saihan asked, staring intently at him.

“Baragansborg is built on the Angara River, which is now frozen over, making it extremely convenient to transport supplies by sled. Moreover, the cities of Oxinsk and Verkhovna Rysk are worried about our army attacking from the other side of Lake Baikal because of the lake's ice, so they will not dare to come to our aid. We can take this city first,” Panika suggested with a smile.

“Very well! I will follow your plan!” Saihan nodded with pleasure. Knowing that the garrison at Bratsk Castle was not large at this time, he immediately ordered Third-Class Hohhot Hougendun to lead two thousand Hohhot warriors and five hundred surrendered Russian soldiers as the vanguard to advance towards Balagansk Castle.

Gendun was the son of the renowned general "The Blue Wolf" Gunbuilden of the Davidic Kingdom. After Gunbuilden's death, according to the system, the title should have been reduced by one rank. However, the Great Khan of Lotus, mindful of Gunbuilden's past merits, specially decreed that the title not be reduced. Deeply grateful for the Khan's kindness, Gendun vowed to repay him with his life. Upon receiving the military order, he immediately led his troops north. The soldiers loaded their heavy loads onto sleds, traveling light on horseback at great speed, reaching the foot of Balagansk Fortress in just five days. As usual, the surrendered general Panika sent someone into the city to persuade them to surrender. Although there were only one hundred Cossacks inside, the defenders were extremely resolute, regarding the messenger as a traitor and hanging him on the city wall.

Killing the envoy was a great disgrace to the Mongols. Looking at the corpse on the city wall, Gendun's eyes turned red. He said to his two sons, Songjin Sengge and Bobei, "The Great Khan has been kind to me and the Toghtod tribe. The Russians hanging the envoy's body on the city wall is an insult to the Great Khan. If we cannot avenge this disgrace with the blood of the enemy, I will have no face to live!"

"We are willing to fight to the death with Eqige to serve our country!" The two sons, inspired by their father's spirit, loudly volunteered for battle.

In the early morning of February 6th, 1674 (the 31st year of the Qianyuan era), the garrison began its assault on the city. Panika, Matsuzin Sengge, and Bobe attacked the east, south, and west gates respectively, deliberately leaving the north gate open for the Russians to escape. The garrison was not only numerous and powerful but also highly motivated. Within half a day, the defenders could not hold out and fled out of the city through the north gate. Unexpectedly, the main force of the garrison was lying in ambush north of the city, completely surrounding the defeated troops.

"Kill all the Rakshasa demons, leave no one alive!" Gendun coldly ordered.

The fall of Balagansk Fortress left the Russian troops in Oxinsk and Verkhovna Rysk in a precarious situation, attacked from both sides. The two cities already had few troops, and the Cossacks lost the courage to hold out. They fled in panic to Bratsk, but were ambushed by the Guards on the east bank of the Angara River. Gendun's warriors from the Tokht tribe killed ninety-three Russian soldiers and captured more than a hundred. He incorporated these Russian prisoners into Panika's surrendered army and then took advantage of the victory to march straight up the Angara River to Bratsk Fortress.

The governor of Bratsk Fortress, Gonzado, commanded 300 musketeers equipped with flintlock muskets and 500 Cossacks. In addition, there were approximately 300 Cossacks each in Ust-Kut to the east and Ilimsk to the north. Upon learning of the approaching garrison, the governor did not order the two cities to support Bratsk; instead, he transferred all the garrisons from those two cities to Bratsk Fortress.

"Hahaha~ This Gonzado is a fool! If he had divided his forces to defend the three cities, I wouldn't have dared to launch a full-scale attack. Now he has actually clipped his own wings. It's as if the Eternal Heaven has helped me succeed!" Upon learning of the Russian army's movements, Saihan laughed heartily. He ordered Second-Class Sainoyan Botasshib to lead 2,000 troops to guard the Angara River and prevent Russian reinforcements from the Rybinsk direction. He also ordered Commander-in-Chief Xidi Xilibatur to lead 2,000 troops to construct fortifications on the west bank of the Angara River to block any possible Russian troops from the Krask Yarsk direction. Saihan himself led the main force to dig trenches, build earthen walls, and plant fences, preparing to surround and trap the enemy in Bratsk Fortress.

Faced with the crisis, Gonzado, the warlord from the Boye aristocracy, lost the courage to go out of the city to fight and could only place his hopes on the Almighty (referring to God).

As the solemn hymns began, his previously chaotic emotions instantly calmed, and he devoutly began his prayers before Pastor Peter Maximov. Maximov had fled from Ilimsk to Bratsk; the pastor had planned to build a church in Ilimsk, but before construction could begin, he was forced to flee to Bratsk by the guards' guns, becoming a fellow refugee with the warlord. "Bang!"

The heavy gates of the governor's mansion were kicked open, and Ankidunov stormed in, furious. This brave Cossack captain, holding the rank of commander in Ilimsk, was already deeply dissatisfied with Gonzado's decision to abandon Ilimsk Fortress. Now, with the guards building extensive fortifications outside the city and the governor ignoring it, he was even more enraged. He roared at Gonzado, "The guards are digging trenches and building walls to starve our army. Is all you know how to do?"

"Uh... um... then what do you suggest we do?" Terrified, Gonzado forgot to reprimand his subordinates for their rudeness and stammered as he asked.

"They went out of the city to attack the guards who were building fortifications, preventing them from completing their work."

"But...that's too dangerous!"

Ankidunov glared at him and said, "If you're afraid, stay in the city. I'll take eight hundred men with me."

“Eight hundred people! No, that’s too many! Taking so many people away will put Bratsk Castle in danger,” Gonzado said, fearing for his own safety, and resolutely refused.

"Then five hundred men!"

Gonzado shook his head again.

Ankidunov panicked, "I'm only taking three hundred Cossacks from Ilimsk fortress. They're all my men, you can't stop me!"

Upon hearing this, Gonzado could only reluctantly agree, "Ankidunov, may God bless you!"

In the early morning of February 27, 1674, under the dim sunlight, Ankidunov led three hundred Cossacks out of the city to attack the guards, where they encountered two thousand men under the command of Wangchuk, a second-class Zasaktu.

Upon hearing the gunfire, Wangchuck remained calm and ordered the vanguard to retreat and lure the Russian army deep into their camp, while the left and right battalions flanked them from both sides, quickly surrounding the small Russian unit. Ankidunov and his three hundred Cossacks were extremely brave, killing and wounding more than three hundred guardsmen, but ultimately they were outnumbered and their entire army was wiped out in the guardsmen's camp.

Upon hearing the news that Ankidunov and his three hundred men had all perished in battle, Gonzado was shocked and made the sign of the cross, daring not to leave the city to fight again. (End of Chapter)