Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

"Your Highness, news from the scouts: the Russian army has fled to Saratov, and Novochelkask and Tsaritsyn are now ghost towns. Shall we continue our advance?" Tu Mianpengchuk of the Agonkhba Manchukuo Prefecture excitedly asked King Lobzang Heshuoqi for instructions.

"Our army should press on with the force of a whirlwind sweeping away fallen leaves!" said the young Lobsang and Shuoqi, full of vigor.

“No! Saratov is only a little over a thousand li from the Russian capital, right next to the Ezil River (Volga River), making transportation convenient. Once our army attacks Saratov, the Moscow army will arrive quickly; although Novocherkas and Tsaritsyn are already empty cities, Russian troops still threaten the flank of Astrakhan in Novorossiysk and Azov; moreover, our army has been fighting bitterly under the walls of Astrakhan for several months, and our food and weapons have been greatly depleted. I think we should postpone our march to Saratov, first clear out the enemies in Volossiysk and Azov, and at the same time replenish our supplies in Astrakhan. After we are fully prepared, we can then march north with all our might and achieve victory in one fell swoop!” Governor Tuyebai of Agunkhba suggested.

Since offering his advice on capturing Astrakhan, Lobsang Khoshuk had come to regard Tuyebai as an exceptional talent, even seeing his hunched back as an embodiment of wisdom. Upon hearing this from his chief strategist, the prince immediately changed his mind, smiling broadly as he spoke, "Tuyebai's words are wise and prudent. Let us first replenish our supplies in Astrakhan, and then march north after we have cleared the enemy from Novorossiysk and Azov."

Lobsang and Shuoqi's army was stationed in Astrakhan. General Shirgen and his deputy Gent were ordered to lead 4,000 cavalry to sweep through Novorossiysk and Azov. Both men were former Manchu generals who had surrendered, and were considered confidants by the Han King, who was half Manchu. The defeat was swift and devastating. With the fall of Astrakhan, most of the surrounding Russian troops fled, leaving Novorossiysk and Azov with few remaining troops, which provided an opportunity for their trusted confidants to distinguish themselves.

Upon receiving the military order, Hilgen and Ghent, unable to contain their eagerness to achieve military merit, led their troops swiftly into battle. At this time, Novorossiysk and Azov had less than a thousand troops remaining, and their morale was low and they had no will to fight. In just ten days, both cities fell into the hands of the Guards.

Perhaps blessed by the Eternal Heaven, King Lobsang and Shuoqi of Han, having replenished their military supplies in Astrakhan, were preparing to march north to capture Saratov when their father sent reinforcements. Enhebatu, the governor of the Oirat, was ordered to lead 10,000 elite troops, along with 50 heavy cannons transferred from the Oirat and the Western Regions, to Astrakhan. This army was originally scheduled to arrive in January of the 31st year of the Qian Yuan era (1674), but due to inclement weather and poor road conditions, it was more than three months later than planned.

With a series of victories and the arrival of reinforcements, how could one not be filled with confidence? Lobsang and Shuoqi rode on horseback to inspect the fifty heavy cannons brought by Enhe Batu. These cannons were enormous, each requiring six oxen to pull, and their dark muzzles were awe-inspiring.

"Good! Good!" The young King of Han raised his whip and pointed it at the giant cannon, shouting his approval. Suddenly, he roared, "Pass on my military order: march on Saratov first thing tomorrow morning!"

Lobsang Khoshuk ordered General Bayar of Samarkand to garrison the newly acquired city with over two thousand troops, while he himself led an army of thirty-nine thousand to attack Saratov Fortress. Based on prior intelligence, the city contained only a few thousand defeated soldiers led by Grand Duke Miloslavsky, and they were confident of victory. However, military tactics are unpredictable, and as the situation on the garrison's side changed, so did the Russian army.

Tsar Alexei I arrived at Saratov Fortress with 30,000 elite troops—yes, elite troops! These 30,000 included 20,000 Boye noble cavalry and 10,000 archers, all the cream of the crop in the Russian army. To reverse the increasingly unfavorable war situation, His Majesty deployed his trump card, especially the 20,000 Boye cavalry, the core strength of the Russian army at that time. In addition, he ordered generals Anzifer, Bogdanovich, Yakovnev, and Kondrati to each lead an army stationed at Kharkiv (west of Saratov), ​​Voronezh (northwest), Tula (north), and Samara (northeast).

His Majesty the Great Tsar had woven a vast net centered on Saratov, confident that if the Guards dared to come, he would capture them all! This Tsar, who had personally led armies against the Polish and Swedish forces, possessed rich combat experience. He arrived in Saratov stealthily, concealing his tracks. Upon entering the city, he immediately ordered the gates closed to prevent leaks and severely reprimanded the repeatedly defeated Grand Prince Miloslavsky, ordering him to atone for his crimes. But after weaving the web, the worms didn't bite! Alexei I had prepared his trap, waiting patiently for the Guards in Saratov for over ten days, only to find the Guards prince refusing to budge from Astrakhan. After careful investigation, it was discovered that he feared the Russian armies in Novorossiysk and Azov would threaten his flank, and had sent troops to attack those two cities first.

"The Prince of Han of Wei is said to be quite young, yet he is so cautious in his military tactics!" Alexei I praised sincerely.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard has captured Novorossiysk and is attacking Azov. Should we send troops to rescue Azov?" asked the Imperial Attendant, Rytishev.

Alexei I shook his head. "There's a saying in Wei: 'You can't catch a wolf without risking your shoes.' To catch a cunning wolf, the hunter needs to keep running and can't be afraid of wearing out his shoes. Novorossiysk and Azov are my two shoes. My dear Rytishev, do you understand?"

"What's there to not understand? You just want to use Novorossiysk and Azov as bait to lure the Guards to Saratov and annihilate them, right? Such a simple plan, how could I not know it?" Rytishev thought to himself, but pretended to be clueless and grinned foolishly, "Your Majesty knows that my mind has never been very sharp. I'm only good at charging into battle, not at strategy. Even if I occasionally have some ideas, how could I possibly fathom your profound wisdom? Just give the order, and I'll bravely charge forward!"

This flattery was incredibly effective, greatly pleasing Alexei I. He gave Rytishev a knowing glare and said with a grin, "You should spend some time studying the military strategies of the Wei Kingdom!"

News of the fall of Azov soon arrived. Instead of being angry, the Tsar was delighted and roared at his generals, "Get ready! The big fish is about to be caught!"

The Guards moved swiftly, quickly capturing Novocherkas and Tsaritsyn, which had been abandoned by the Russian army, and advancing all the way to the outskirts of Saratov.

"Out of the city and into battle formation! I will crush the Imperial Guard in one fell swoop with a righteous and honorable force!" Alexei I ordered triumphantly, believing that his side had the advantage in both troop strength and quality, completely unaware that the Imperial Guard had received another 10,000 reinforcements.

The Battle of Saratov has begun. (End of Chapter)