I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 415 Must Stay in Datong City
Dabansheng Tumed King's tent.

Altan Khan sat in the big tent, counting on his fingers, and said to Bosihar: "There are still six days left in the twenty-day deadline. Are the warriors of each tribe ready?"

Bosihaer quickly replied: "Brother Khan, everything is ready. The warriors have repaired the horseshoes and harnesses, prepared bows and arrows, and swords and armor, and brushed the horses to make them shiny and well-fed. We are just waiting for the Khan to give the order. One hundred thousand Mongolian warriors will follow your banner and sweep away everything."

Altan Khan laughed loudly, and his laughter echoed in the big tent, making people's ears numb.

Lin Taiji and others looked at each other in bewilderment.

Do we really want to go to war with the Ming Dynasty?
Today is different from the past. Since the 43rd year of Jiajing, the nine borders have been reorganized, the combat effectiveness of the Ming army has become increasingly stronger, and it has become increasingly difficult to gain an advantage over there.

Later, he dared to take the initiative to attack, destroyed Xinai, took Kalaqin, and took Luanhe River. Now he is still chasing Tumen Khan. His fighting power is like a different person.

If we really had to fight the Ming army with real swords and guns, everyone's little calculations would be revealed.

This is a bloody battle. What should we do if our troops suffer heavy losses?
Strength is respected on the grassland. If your troops suffer heavy losses, others will covet your people, pastures, cattle and sheep.

Besides, Altan Khan, if you insist on going to war with the Ming army, will you use our troops as the vanguard? Will you use up all our strength and continue to be the Khan of the Southern Desert?
Altan Khan saw the expressions on everyone's faces. After decades of open and covert fighting, he knew what was going on in these people's minds.

As he got older, he became more and more suspicious. He also felt that he was powerless and his control over the departments was weakening, which made him anxious.

This time, he took advantage of the opportunity to capture the Ordos tribe in one fell swoop, and then forced the Ming Dynasty to sign a humiliation treaty, so as to re-establish his own prestige and strengthen his control over the tribes.

The empire that you have worked so hard to build cannot be destroyed in your hands!

"Report!"

"what's up?"

"A Ming envoy has sent a letter. It is from Wang Chonggu, the governor of Xuanda, Shanxi Province, to the Khan."

"Send it up."

Aldan Khan took the letter, read it quickly, and a proud look appeared on his face. He waved the letter in his right hand and looked around at everyone in the tent.

"Wang Chonggu wrote to the Khan, his words were humble, stating that the Ming Dynasty did not want to damage the relationship with Mongolia and start a war again. He was mediating all the matters, and since it concerned other towns in Shaanxi, he needed to ask the capital for permission and beg the Khan for more time.

Haha, these Ming civil servants, they can only change their skin but not their bones! They only seek stability, love leisure and hate war. Everyone, what do you think, should I give him some time?"

Nalin Taiji immediately said, "Great Khan, this Governor Wang usually gets along very well with us. When the Great Khan celebrated his birthday, he even sent someone to deliver a gift.

This favor still needs to be given.”

Several taijis and nayans echoed.

Bosihaer said beside him: "Brother Khan, it is certain that he entered the pass through Jingbian and was taken in by Shaanxi. Wang Chonggu really cannot do anything about it, so he has to submit a petition to their crown prince in the capital.

It will take some time to go back and forth. Besides, we also know the habits of the civil servants in Ming Dynasty. What can be done in one day may take three or four days to complete for you.

Brother Khan, we have waited all these days anyway, so why not give us a few more days?"

Altan Khan glanced at Bosihar and nodded, "Third brother, what you said makes sense. Then I will write back to Governor Wang and tell him that I am not an unreasonable person and give him another ten days."

"Yes!"

Altan Khan then issued another order: "It is a lenient deadline, but we must make full preparations. Order the troops of Yongxiebu to move to Jininghaizi (Huangqihai), and the troops of Ordos to move to Xiahaizi (Daihai)."

"Yes!"

Wang Chonggu soon received a reply from Aldan Khan, breathed a sigh of relief, and handed the letter to Zhang Xueyan.

After reading it, Zhang Xueyan handed it to Ma Fang and turned to ask Wang Chonggu.

"Has the capital replied?"

"The Supervisory Office sent a letter saying that six infantry regiments of the Shenwei Army were dispatched to rush to reinforce. I just received a report saying that the vanguard regiment passed Bao'an Prefecture the day before yesterday."

"How fast!" Zhang Xueyan sighed, "Xiyuan has no other orders?"

Wang Chonggu shook his head in distress: "Except for asking the three towns to strengthen their vigilance and actively defend against the enemy a few days ago, there is nothing else."

After reading Altan Khan's reply, Ma Fang handed it to Wang Daokun.

"I know about the six infantry regiments of the Shenwei Army. They are all firearm infantry appointed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. All members are equipped with the Crown Prince's smoothbore rifles and six-jin and nine-jin field cannons, and their combat effectiveness is not bad. The leader of the troops, Xue Yi, also came from Datong Town. However, in a field battle against the Northern Tartar cavalry, they are more than capable of protecting themselves. Without the cooperation of the cavalry, it is difficult to achieve results."

Wang Chonggu turned around in distress.

"Your Highness, are you still hesitating? He has always been decisive and resolute, so why is he hesitating on this matter? He can't hesitate! Now Altan Khan has deployed 100,000 troops outside Datong Pass, watching covetously.

Even if six infantry regiments and 20,000 new troops were transferred, they would not be able to reverse the situation. From the Yellow River to Xuanfu, there were thousands of miles of borders. Altan Khan was good at using troops and could break through the border from any point.

"It's hard to defend everywhere! With 20,000 new troops and the current troops, we can only defend a few important passes."

Zhang Xueyan said beside him: "Once the barrier is breached, the consequences will be disastrous."

Wang Chonggu sighed, "Yes, once the border is breached, the government and the public will be shocked! Since the 41st year of Jiajing, there has been no bad news about the border being breached in the nine borders for nearly ten years, only good news about the Ming Dynasty showing its power outside the Great Wall.

If we break a precedent, neither you nor I can take responsibility for it.

Now that I have barely gained ten more days, I will submit another memorial to the capital, explaining the key points and not losing the big picture for the sake of small things. As for Huo Yaofeng, I have sent three urgent letters in a row, hoping that he will understand the greater good and give up Qie Jin and others. "

Zhang Xueyan and Ma Fang looked at each other, seeming to want to say something but stopping themselves.

Wang Daokun put down Altan Khan's reply letter, his eyes flickered, and he didn't say a word.

"Report! Urgent news from Yulin, Shaanxi."

"Give me Mr. Huo's reply letter quickly!" Wang Chonggu jumped up, rushed to the door and snatched the letter.

In a hurry, he tore a big hole in the envelope, took out the letter inside and started reading it hastily.

Wang Chonggu's face became more and more ugly. After reading the letter, he slammed the letter on the table.

"Huo Ji, you are such a stubborn and pedantic old man, you are ruining the country!"

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xueyan and Ma Fang asked hurriedly.

"Huo Ji refused to hand over everything in the letter. He swore that Altan Khan would never dare to go to war with the Ming Dynasty, and that he was bluffing and wanted to use the Ming Dynasty's reputation to establish his prestige.

He even said that he had already transferred 13,000 elite soldiers from the border towns of Shaanxi and handed them over to Zhao Ke, the general of Yansui, to be stationed in Fugu on the west bank of the Yellow River, and urgently built a floating bridge to Baodezhou on the east bank. He said that if Altan Khan dared to invade the south, he would immediately lead his troops to help Shanxi, fight Altan Khan to the death, and apologize for his crime!

Why should I ask him to risk his life? He is not the governor of Shanxi, so he can talk without any pain in his waist! "

Seeing Wang Chonggu’s furious look, Zhang Xueyan and Ma Fang didn’t know what to say.

This Huo Ji is also a stubborn person.

Come to think of it, these capable officials and famous ministers who were able to stand out in the suppression of the Japanese pirates in the southeast and achieved considerable political achievements in patrolling the nine borders, which one of them was not a person of strong will and perseverance?

Wang Chonggu turned around quickly for more than ten times, then slowly stopped and said with a sullen face, "Old man Huo Ji, it seems that only the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can make him submit.

I will write another urgent memorial and send it to the capital at an expedited speed of 800 miles, explaining the pros and cons and asking the Crown Prince to issue an order."

Zhang Xueyan asked, "Wang Duxian, is there enough time?"

"It all depends on man!"

Wang Chonggu looked at Zhang Xueyan and said, "Governor Zhang, you should return to Shanxi to guard Ningwu City immediately and inspect the defenses of Pingxing Pass, Yanmen Pass and Ningwu Pass. I will write to Huo Ji and ask him to rush to Piantou Pass immediately after the incident.

You must guard this second line of defense and prevent any northern barbarians from entering the pass and wreaking havoc in the heart of Shanxi."

Zhang Xueyan immediately bowed and said, "As you say! What about you, Governor Wang?"

Wang Chonggu sighed, turned to Ma Fang and said, "Master Ma, we will stay in Datong City and fight Altan Khan to the death!"

Ma Fang smiled and said: "Since a man has pledged his life to the country, I dare not take my tiny body privately. I have been granted the title, and the title will be passed down from generation to generation. I am one with the country, which is enough!
Don't worry, Wang Duxian, as long as I am here, Datong will be here!"

Zhang Xueyan quickly said, "Wang Duxian, let's switch positions. You go to Shanxi Town, and I'll stay in Datong Town."

Wang Chonggu smiled bitterly and said, "Zi Yu, I am not only the governor of the three borders and have the responsibility to defend the land, but I am also a native of Shanxi, and my hometown is behind me.

For both public and private reasons, I must stay in this Datong City!"

(End of this chapter)