Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 30 The Art of Managing Subordinates: Laying Out a Foothold in the Eastern Desert to Conquer the Later Jin!
The grassland in late spring was lush and green, and a gentle breeze made it ripple like a green ocean. Twelve guards surrounded Jia Yan, listening to his teachings.

“You are the most outstanding young people among the twelve families of Longxi.”

"I believe that you have all come to my side with the important task of reviving your families."

"Therefore, one must think things through carefully before acting, and never be tempted by petty gains."

Jia Yan pointed to the map with one hand and said loudly, "Our dynasty is surrounded by powerful enemies such as the Dzungar Khanate and the Later Jin, who are eyeing us covetously."

"The integration of the various Mongol tribes into the Great Mongol Empire is the most direct threat to the north. This battle must be won, no other reason needed."

"But what about after the war? We need to consider the period when the Mongol tribes are at their most defeated. Will the Dzungar Khanate and the Later Jin take the opportunity to invade and annex the desert steppes?"

"Especially the Later Jin, the Mongol Eight Banners were stationed on the Khorchin grassland and could launch an attack on the eastern desert at any time. After losing the Balin and Khorchin tribes, there was no force in the eastern desert that could stop the Mongol Eight Banners. They were originally Mongols and were good at nomadic life."

"The reason why we only take the Bairin tribe and not the Khorchin tribe is to let the Khorchin tribe take over the Bairin tribe's territory. With the Hulunbuir Grassland, Ujumqin Basin and Xilin Gol Grassland in hand, the Khorchin tribe will definitely increase its strength greatly."

"Don't forget, the Khorchin tribe is the master of the Khorchin grassland, and Arukorchin is just a minor tribe."

'I see! ’

The twelve guards gazed at the clearly defined distribution of power on the map, and their minds were already clear.

If the Later Jin dynasty had not established the Mongol Eight Banners, they would still have maintained a harmonious cooperative relationship with the nomadic tribes of the grasslands.

However, the Later Jin has now undergone reforms and has completely transformed into a single country. The Mongol Eight Banners, Manchu Eight Banners, Han Green Standard Army, and ethnic groups such as Mongols, Jurchens, Han Chinese, and even Koreans have all become a unified whole.

At this time, the threat posed by the Later Jin to the various Mongol tribes far exceeded that of the Great Qian. The Khorchin tribe left their ancestral homeland for the Hulunbuir Grassland on the western side of the northern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains, and they longed to return to the Khorchin Grassland at all times.

With the complete Ujumqin Basin, the Khorchin tribe possessed the finest warhorses. Coupled with the annihilation of the Balin tribe and their control of the entire eastern Mongolia, which was a quarter of the grassland, how could they be content to submit? They would only sharpen their fangs and aim them at the Later Jin.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. After eliminating the threat of the Great Mongol Empire, the Great Qian Dynasty had to consider post-war arrangements. Supporting the Khorchin tribe in eastern Mongolia was the best option at present, which is why Jia Yan did not formulate a war plan against the Khorchin tribe.

"Dong Yong".

"Go and call the guide."

Seeing that his guards understood the deeper meaning, Jia Yan waved his hand and gave the order.

"Yes."

Dong Yong immediately went down to make the arrangements.

A moment later, a burly figure appeared before everyone's eyes. He had an oval face, a pointed chin, prominent cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a head of slightly curly black hair tied into small braids. He was wearing a loose-fitting, long-sleeved, high-necked, right-fastening robe.

"The Great Eternal Heaven is above."

"Your esteemed master, Urtu extends his sincerest blessings to you."

The Mongolian guide prostrated himself on the ground and kissed Jia Yan's boots, his attitude humble and respectful.

“Urtu”.

Looking down at the Mongol in front of him, Jia Yan asked, "Are you from the Bairin tribe?"

"You know best where the Bahrain tribe's headquarters is located. Tell me, how far is it?"

"Honorable master."

Urtu, who came from the Bairin tribe, answered without hesitation: "From our current position, if we head north, we can reach Xilin Gol before sunset. That place has the most abundant water and grass, where the best warhorses and the fattest cattle and sheep graze."

“The horses of the Bairin tribe begin to mate and breed at this time of year. The newborn foals are sent to Ujumqin, where they grow up and mature into warhorses that are selected to become the mounts of the cavalry.”

"Okay, okay."

Upon receiving the definite news, Jia Yan was overjoyed, and all the guards present showed expressions of anticipation.

"General."

All the guards stared intently at him.

"Pass down the order: in a quarter of an hour, the entire army will set off to continue northward."

Jia Yan gave the order directly. "Yes."

The twelve guards turned to relay orders and reassure their respective followers, leaving only Jia Yan and his servant Wu Ritu on the scene.

“Urtu”.

Why did you choose to become a guide?

"Isn't the Bahrain tribe your ethnic group?"

Staring at Wu Ritu, Jia Yan suddenly asked.

"Honorable master."

Urtu raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred, and said through gritted teeth, "The descendants of the Eternal Heaven have no clan. We are wolves living on the desert grasslands. The wealth of the Balin tribe has been divided equally among the chief and his men."

“The herdsmen at the bottom of society are like slaves, with no right to choose. That’s how my fiancée was taken away and I was sold to Daqian.”

"Ah."

Nodding slightly, Jia Yan understood his situation.

After the fall of the Northern Yuan, the Mongols almost completely reverted to their former nomadic lifestyle. A small group of people held power and wealth, while the rest were treated like livestock, and only strong warriors were considered their people.

"I need someone to manage the situation in eastern Mongolia and raise Ujumqin horses."

“My esteemed master, Urtu is your most loyal servant.”

Upon hearing this, Urtu immediately bowed his head in worship, his face filled with longing.

“Urtu”.

"The Bahrain tribe's settlements are mostly inhabited by the elderly, women, and children."

"How to subdue them is your business. I only care about the results, do you understand?"

Jia Yan's face remained expressionless, her demeanor unchanged.

"Yes."

Urtu was overjoyed; he had been given the chance to change his destiny.

Far away in the capital, the military training grounds of the Beijing Garrison were filled with a somber and murderous atmosphere.

The soldiers recruited by the nobles and the elite troops selected from the Beijing Garrison together formed an army of 100,000, with 50,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry ready for battle.

"Sound the drums!"

With a loud shout, a deep, thunderous drumbeat resounded throughout the venue.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The soldiers, shirtless, pounded the drums, their invisible rhythm igniting the passion of the 100,000-strong army.

"Woo! Woo!"

At the same time, the melodious sound of bugles rang out, spreading from the Beijing garrison to the entire capital, attracting the attention of many.

"out!!!"

Niu Jizong, the Grand General of the Northern Expedition of the Great Qian Dynasty and the First-Class Earl of the Zhenguo Prefecture, stood on the high platform and waved his hand.

"Ta-ta-ta! Ta-ta-ta!"

Vanguard General Liu Fang, First-Class Viscount of the Duke of Liguo's Mansion, led 50,000 cavalrymen and galloped out of the training ground ahead of others, heading towards Datong.

Later, General Hou Xiaokang, the first-class viscount of the Duke of Xiuguo's mansion, led 50,000 infantrymen and baggage trains to escort the rear, and the 100,000-strong army embarked on the expedition.

Another 100,000 troops from the Beijing garrison are undergoing a complete transformation under the training of Prince Teng, the military governor of the Beijing garrison, and will serve as the second batch of reinforcements.

(End of this chapter)