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

Chapter 43 Sharpening knives for pigs and sheep: Infighting among the Mongols!
"May I ask, General, who is the Tiger-like Colonel?"

Yue Zhongqi, the deputy commander of Xuanfu, couldn't help but ask.

Not only him, but Nian Gengyao and Zhang Guangsi were also completely bewildered. Weren't the reinforcements that were supposed to come to Datong Town all here? Why was there still a Tiger General leading troops to the northern desert? Nobody knew about this.

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, the others present burst into laughter. While others might not know the identity of the Tiger General, the founding lineage knew it perfectly well.

For this Tiger-like Captain title, apart from the Marquis of Baoling's family, which family among the founding line didn't send out their eldest son? This was their way of showing respect to the Jia family.

'? ? ? '

Seeing this, Nian Gengyao and other border generals were even more confused.

"Jia Yan, the eldest son of the Jia family of Ningguo Mansion, holds the rank of Sixth-Rank Tiger Guard Captain and is authorized by imperial decree to exercise his authority."

Niu Jizong explained, "He set off for the expedition several days earlier than us. Not only do I not know about this, but even His Majesty probably doesn't know that he did these things."

'Whoa!!!'

Upon hearing this, Yue Zhongqi, Nian Gengyao, and Zhang Guangsi all showed expressions of surprise and doubt.

"General."

"Could he be the eldest son of the Jia family, a family with two dukes?"

Nian Gengyao was fond of scheming and had some knowledge of the nobles in the capital, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

Nodding slightly, Niu Jizong continued, "The Tiger-like Captains are currently located north of Yinshan."

"The reason I have summoned you here today is to discuss the suggestions made by the Tiger-like Captain."

"Brother Niu."

Hou Hsiao-kang, with his impetuous nature, blurted out: "What does that kid Jia want us to do?"

The mere title of Jia Yan's eldest son was not enough to command the respect of the generals present, but the fact that Jia Yan had marched over 5,000 li and raided the enemy's home base was enough to earn everyone's deepest respect.

"The Tiger General intends to seize Guihua, cut off the Mongols' retreat, and cooperate with us to subdue the Mongol army entrenched outside Datong in one fell swoop."

"In order to quell the unrest on the grasslands, we can secure decades of stability in the northern border of our dynasty."

'what? '

Upon hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes.

"The Mongols' supplies were all in Guihua City. The reason they could attack Datong with impunity was entirely due to Ping'an Prefecture."

“Ping’an Prefecture has many stone and iron mines. Guihua City used to have a large number of iron workshops, which is also the origin of the Mongols’ weapons.”

“If Guihua City returns to the hands of the dynasty, the Mongols will lose the means to attack. On the contrary, Guihua City guards the entrance to the border, and it is the only way for the Mongols to escape back to the northern desert.”

"Their only option was to go west along the Yellow River and return to the Xitao region where the Chahar tribe lived."

"We only need to send a detachment to block this road to prevent the Mongol army from escaping."

With a glint in his eyes, Yue Zhongqi, the deputy commander of Xuanfu Town, began to explain.

'Whoosh!'

Almost everyone realized the feasibility of this proposal.

In fact, the most important part of Jia Yan's suggestion was to recapture Huihua City. This might be surprising for others, but everyone believed that he could create another miracle for him.

"It seems you all agree on doing this."

Niu Jizong then asked a question.

"For the sake of the nation, this must be discussed."

Liu Fang, Hou Xiaokang, and the others exchanged glances and then stepped forward.

Their purpose in being here is to achieve military merit and restore the glory of the founding lineage. Now that they have the opportunity to accomplish this in one battle, how could they not gamble?
The Battle of Yuancong produced nine marquises, and the results of this battle were no less than those of the Battle of Yuancong. Everyone wanted to become a marquis of the dynasty.

"it is good."

Niu Jizong shouted and ordered, "Where are Yue Zhongqi, Zhang Guangsi, and Feng Tang?" "Your subordinate is here."

Yue Zhongqi, deputy commander of Xuanfu Town, Zhang Guangsi, deputy commander of Shanxi Town, and General Feng Tang immediately stepped forward, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"Yue Zhongqi, you are hereby appointed as the commander-in-chief, with Feng Tang as the deputy commander. You will lead 20,000 troops under the command of Niu Meng, Hou Jie, Liu Yi, Han Qi, Feng Ziying, Chen Yejun, and Wei Ruolan, returning to Shuozhou from the South Gate, passing through Guancen Mountain Road, and advancing around Manhan Mountain to attack Guihua, assisting the Tiger General in retaking Ping'an Prefecture."

"Yes."

Yue Zhongqi and Feng Tang accepted the order without hesitation.

This arrangement gave the founding nobles present some food for thought. Clearly, it was not Niu Jizong's choice, but Jia Yan's, who selected an outstanding figure from the fourth generation of the founding line.

"Zhang Guangsi".

"I hereby order you to lead three thousand cavalrymen to Xitao and seize the Chahar tribe's territory."

“I sent a message to Shanxi Town by carrier pigeon, mobilizing the border troops of Shanxi Town to go north and block the Mongol Tartars who might flee back to Xitao.”

"Yes."

Zhang Guangsi hadn't expected that he had another plan, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Victory hinges on this battle; I urge everyone to unite as one!"

In an instant, Niu Jizong stood up, faced everyone, and his resounding words echoed throughout the city gate tower.

"Yes."

Everyone's expression turned serious, and they solemnly replied.

That day and night, the south gate of Datong Town opened silently, and two armies, under the command of Yue Zhongqi and Zhang Guangsi respectively, advanced along the Sanggan River toward Shuozhou. The Mongols, who had been blocked in the north, were completely unaware that the enemy was splitting up their forces.

A corner of the Mongolian camp, the residence of the Khorchin tribe.

"Abu."

A burly man stormed into the tent, plopped down on the left side of the lower seat, and began gulping down mare's milk wine.

"Battle".

Sitting on the white wolf-skin couch, Surilheke looked at his eldest son with a helpless expression on his old face. His eldest son was brave in battle and highly respected in the Great Mongol Empire, but he was naive and easily angered.

"Abu."

The young man who followed them in was broad-shouldered and ape-armed, with a leopard-like belly and wolf-like waist. He was none other than Surileheke's second son: Narisong.

"That day, the pine."

"Weren't we asking you to participate in the council?"

"Why is Batel so angry?"

Suril and Ke inquired of their second son what had happened at the military conference convened that day by the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Borjigin.

"Abu."

"Don't even mention my older brother, I can't stand it either."

"The Eight Tribes' scouts only have 120,000 men left, and the Khan's 50,000 Kheshig troops are not moving. He still wants us to continue attacking the city."

At this, Nari Song's face was full of anger. This was no longer a battle between the Great Mongol Empire and the Qian Dynasty; it was the Borjigin. Nari was deliberately weakening the strength of the various tribes in order to better rule them.

"How many of us are there?"

With calm expressions, Surile and Ke asked.

"Abu."

"The Red Army scouts under my elder brother's command still number 2."

"Including our clansmen in other scouts and garrisons, the total is about 4."

Na Risong answered methodically.

Among all the tribes, the Khorchin tribe was second only to the Chahar tribe in power. Its members, who were scattered among the scouts and even the Kheshig army, accounted for one-third of the total Mongol force, nearly 2 men. Now, less than half of them remain. This is only because, under the instructions of Surile and Ke, they deliberately concealed their strength. This shows how fierce the Mongol siege has been these past few days!
(End of this chapter)