I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 418: Altan Khan is very angry, the consequences are serious
Datong is located at the intersection of the Yinshan Mountains, Yanshan Mountains, Luliang Mountains and Taihang Mountains. It is the barrier of the entire Shanxi Province and the gateway to the north. It is also a place of contention for military strategists throughout the ages and is known as the "Key to the North".

The Ming Dynasty established Datong Town and Shanxi Xingdusi in Datong, which governed Tiancheng, Gaoshan, Yanghe, Datong front, back, left, right, center, and Weiyuan guards, and used the mountainous terrain to form the most important barrier between Shanxi and the northern region.

Maoerzhuang is located two hundred miles northwest of Datong Town, between Jininghaizi and Xiahaizi. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Xuandewei was established here, but it was abandoned soon. Now it is a pasture of the Tumed tribe.

Altan Khan stood on a hill on horseback, looking to the south. He could vaguely see gray mountains, rolling and winding, with no starting point or end in sight.

That is the border wall of Datong Town in the Ming Dynasty.

Altan Khan's face turned ashen and his eyes stared fiercely towards the south.

Bosihaer, Nalin Taiji and others stood behind on horseback, holding their breath and not daring to make a sound.

Altan Khan was very angry and the consequences were serious!

"Still no news from Datong?"

"Brother Khan, there is no news!" Boshaer answered cautiously.

Altan Khan's face turned from blue to white, his eyes were filled with murderous ferocity, his right hand was tightly gripping the horsewhip, his knuckles turned white and veins on the back of his hand bulged.

Bosihaer looked at Aldan Khan's back, maintaining an expression of fear and trepidation, but sneering in his heart.

Altan, you have come to this day!
Now you are in a dilemma, let’s see what you will do!
If we brazenly send troops to fight to the death with the Ming Dynasty, both sides will suffer losses in the end. The current Ming Dynasty is not the weak Ming Dynasty in the past.

I'll wait until you recover from your injuries and then I'll take action.

He endured the humiliation and dared not go to war with the Ming Dynasty. He returned to Daqingshan in disgrace, with his face and prestige lost. By then, I could wait for an opportunity to act.

No matter what, the right time, right place and right people will all be on my side!
Nalin Taiji and other taijis and Nayan silently looked at Altan Khan's back, with different expressions in their eyes, and waited quietly for his orders.

"The troops of the Yongxielie and Ordos tribes are still south of Jining Lake and Xia Lake?"

"Yes!" Bosihar answered loudly, "They are waiting there for Brother Khan's orders."

"Order the Yongxie tribe's troops to station at Liangmatai, and send troops to Tiancheng, Gaoshan, and Yanghe guards every day to show off their power and shout insults. The Ordos tribe's troops will station at Tucheng, and also send troops to Datong Youwei every day to show off their power and shout insults.

The Tumed troops entered Yuhe and marched straight to Zhenguanbao."

"Follow the order!"

Zhengguan Fort is located thirty miles north of Datong City, guarding the Yuhe River Valley. It is the northern gateway of Datong City and an important border castle of Datong Town.

At noon that day, the castle guard saw tens of thousands of Tumed cavalry approaching slowly, with clear flags, sharp swords and armor, strict and imposing. They were aggressive and had bad intentions, so he quickly lit a signal fire.

Three streams of black smoke rose into the sky and Datong City soon received the alarm. The military academy quickly reported it to the governor's office.

"Inspector, there are signal smoke signals at Zhenguanbao. There are also signal smoke signals at Baiyangkou, Huyukou, and Tianchengkou in Tianchengwei. There are also signal smoke signals at Shaohukou, Pohubao, and Baoanbao in Youwei."

The staff reported cautiously.

Wang Chonggu's eye sockets were slightly sunken, his cheeks were slightly concave, and his hair and beard were grayer. During this period, he was worried and exhausted, but his eyes were still bright.

"There are smoke signals everywhere!" Wang Chonggu sighed, "Where is General Ma?"

The staff member quickly replied, "In the tower at the north gate of Datong City. Ten days ago, he was living and eating in the tower."

"Where's the right guard?"

"Deputy General Li Xijing is in charge of defense, so there is no danger for the time being."

"Tiancheng, Gaoshan, Yanghe and the three guards?"

"Deputy General Ma Jin is in charge of defense. There are no abnormalities for the time being."

"Did Zhang Ziyu receive any news from Ningwu City?"

"Inspector, there is an urgent letter from Governor Zhang, saying that he is inspecting the defenses of Pingxing Pass, Yanmen Pass, Ningwu Pass, and Piantou Pass, and has also contacted the Shaanxi border troops in Fugu on the west bank of the Yellow River."

The staff looked at Wang Chonggu and continued, "Six regiments of the Shenwei Army, including Jiayin, have entered Datong City. The commander, General Xue Yi, is waiting for orders in the barracks."

"Well, I will summon him later to arrange military defense." Wang Chonggu sighed and looked at the rising sun outside the window. "I have done my best. Now it all depends on God's will."

As the Minister of War, Wang Daokun was entrusted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to occupy a large courtyard in the Datong Town government office.

He sat in the signing room, looking at each piece of intelligence. After reading it, he sighed.

The situation outside Datong Pass is now very unpredictable, but there are actually clues to follow.

But he knew that all this was just his speculation. Even if he presented it to Wang Chonggu, he would not believe it completely, nor would he change his response measures because of it.

The responsibilities on one’s shoulders are different, the positions are different, and the angles of thinking are also different.

"Report!" An attendant reported at the door, "The deputy commander of the Beijing camp, Xue Yi, pays a visit to the master."

"Xue Yi? Come in."

Xue Yi came hurriedly in military uniform and morning glow. When he saw Wang Daokun, he said bluntly, "Minister Wang, I have some information that I need you to verify."

Wang Daokun immediately replied: "Please speak."

The situation in Datong City was turbulent and urgent, but the Weihai Port in Shandong was calm.

The rising sun shines brightly, illuminating the sky and the earth.

Urdaneta stood on the stern deck and watched Li Chao grab a handful of soil from the pottery jar, put it into a small cloth bag, tie the bag into a knot, and then hang it around his neck. He stuffed the small cloth bag into his underwear and pressed it against his chest.

"Lee, is there anything magical about this soil?"

Urdaneta asked curiously in stiff official language.

All naval sailors have their own rituals and customs before going to sea. Although they may be strange or bizarre, their essence is to ensure safety and a safe return.

Is this a unique blessing custom of the Ming people?

Li Chao sealed the pottery jar and handed it to his personal soldier: "Put it away."

He turned around, looked at Urdaneta and said, "This pottery jar contains soil, soil from the Ming Dynasty. There is soil from my hometown Wenling, soil from the capital, and soil from Weihai Port."

"Mud? Does it have magical effects?"

"No, it just makes us feel at ease. Home is where we feel at ease. If I die at sea after sailing thousands of miles, these soils will be buried with me. If I die in Genzhou or Xunzhou, these soils will be buried with me there, with my grave facing the Ming Dynasty."

"Peace of mind? Home is where the heart is." Urdaneta murmured.

I really don't understand the thoughts of these pagans.

"Don't understand? Haha, Lao Wu, you will understand after a while." Li Chao took the erhu from his personal soldier and said, "Brothers, it's time to set sail. We are going to expand the territory for the Ming Dynasty!
I'll play a song for you guys to liven up the atmosphere!"

On the deck and on the mast, the busy sailors complained.

"Admiral, please stop torturing us."

"Bullshit! I'm playing the erhu for you, it's totally a bargain for you."

Li Chao sat down on a stool and played the erhu. The melodious sound of the instrument flew in the sound of the wind and the trumpet.

To the sound of the piano, the main and secondary sails of the "Jiang Wanchuan" were raised, and it slowly started to sail towards the open sea.

The sailors thought the sound of the piano was jarring, but Urdaneta found it interesting and asked curiously, "Lee, what are you playing?"

"A heartbroken song, where can I find a close friend in the world!"

The sound of the piano was passionate and rapid, like a galloping horse, and together with the strong wind, it drove the "Jiang Wanchuan" slowly forward towards the rising sun, faster and faster.

In the Western Garden of the capital, Zhu Yijun stood on the Jingtian Terrace on Tuer Mountain, the highest point of the entire garden, with his hands in his sleeves, watching the morning sun slowly rise over the Forbidden City.

"Your Highness, urgent news, the Qinglong Navy will leave Weihai Port today, first stop at Fanghu Island (Tamra Island), then stop at Tanegashima Island, and then set sail directly eastward."

Zhu Yijun nodded without saying anything.

Another eunuch climbed up panting and reported: "Your Highness, urgent news! Altan Khan's 100,000 cavalrymen, divided into three groups, are heading straight to the border city of Datong Town."

Zhu Yijun looked solemn, and he heaved a long sigh. Looking at the rising sun, he sighed, "Conquering the north and south, conquering the east and the west, this is how our Ming Dynasty has been, shining like the sun and the moon step by step!"

(End of this chapter)