The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

At the same time, the Field Army presented a wealth of concrete evidence, primarily of Tsarist Russia's economic aggression. Large numbers of Russian merchants penetrated the pastoral areas, often selling goods on credit to Torghut and other Mongolian herders, and then taking the skins and furs as payment. These skins and furs remained intact, yet they became Russian property. The Mongolian market supplied Russia with millions of cattle, sheep, camels, and horses, and millions of kilograms of camel wool annually.

Mongolia became a vital raw material base for Russia's wool, leather, and meat processing industries, exploiting the gap between industry and agriculture to reap the benefits. Russian merchants, meanwhile, flooded the markets in Kulun and Kobdo, evading taxes and secretly dissipating funds. This led to the complete loss of China's foreign trade tax revenue in Mongolia, a dwindling livestock herd, and, naturally, increasing poverty among the Mongolian people.

The second is political intervention, which is all propaganda. The Tsarist Russian government signed several unequal treaties in order to invade the Mongolian region many times, and was strongly resisted by the Mongolian people.

Finally, there was the blatant military invasion of Mongolia! They slaughtered officers and soldiers, ravaged the people, burned temples and destroyed cities, and plundered seals, weapons, and property. The Russian army invaded our land and brutally enslaved us. They murdered the Chinese people and plundered our resources and property, severely infringing and undermining China's sovereignty.

Therefore, revolutionary agitation and patriotic propaganda stirred a huge wave in Mongolian areas, and the reaction was strongest among the Torghut Mongols. First, the Torghut people, having traveled thousands of miles eastward to return to their homeland, felt a deep love for their motherland that is difficult to express in words, a sentiment only those who have returned home can truly understand. Furthermore, the centripetal force and cohesion for the motherland, formed by the entire tribe's return, has become a rock-solid faith.

Second, the ancestors of the Torghut people were forced to return to their homeland because they could not bear the oppression of Tsarist Russia. Generations of ancestors warned the descendants of the Torghut people not to be fooled by Tsarist Russia and to have a deep understanding of Tsarist Russia, believing that Tsarist Russia was an aggressive and predatory country and a symbol of barbarism and cruelty.

The Torghut people believed that Tsarist Russian officials were hypocritical and sanctimonious, and their understanding was astonishingly profound. A Torghut proverb goes, "I would rather listen to the howling of a fox than the Tsar's lies." This demonstrates the Torghut people's deep dislike, contempt, disdain, and distrust of Tsarist Russia and its officials.

The current Jebtsundamba Khutuktu VIII has also called on the heroic Mongols to take up arms to resist the Russian invasion. Although the Kadima Party has diligently undermined the Living Buddha's standing among the Mongolian people, the recent liberation of Mongolia has hindered information flow and inadequate publicity. Furthermore, centuries-old Mongolian customs are not easily altered. For ordinary Mongolians, the Living Buddha's will is their highest will.

Chapter 633:

In Kulun City, inside the Western Front Field Army Headquarters, Zhang Feng and a group of political commissars and staff were studying the battle map together.

"Commander-in-Chief, the Chairman sent a telegram."

A communicator handed the telegram to Zhang Feng.

The content of the telegram was very simple. It was an order from Zhang Yinghao to the Western Front Command to find ways to eliminate the Russian Siberian Saxon Cavalry Corps and cut off the Russians' invading claw with one blow. Of course, there was no very specific deployment in Zhang Yinghao's telegram. It basically put forward requirements and ideas. The specific implementation depended entirely on the specific deployment of Zhang Feng and others. In his previous life, Zhang Yinghao had read many telegrams from Taizu, which often contained expressions such as "appropriate", "or", "please consider it seriously", and "deep understanding". The meaning was to ask comrades on the front line to give full play to their initiative and complete the tasks in light of the specific local conditions. No wonder Zhou Enlai said humorously after the three major battles: "...We did not send people, guns, or food, but we sent telegrams every day and defeated the enemy..."

Zhang Yinghao was well aware of the unparalleled superiority of cavalry on the Mongolian Plateau during this era, and even the fate of the battle could depend on cavalry units. Therefore, upon learning that the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps had advanced alone deep into the Mongolian steppes, Zhang Yinghao immediately recognized this as a golden opportunity. If the Russian cavalry units invading Mongolia were eliminated, the battle on the Western Front would be half won.

The strategy on the Western Front was remarkably simple and crude. The field army's battle plan relied on strongholds like Kulun and Uliastai to draw out the main Russian forces, allowing them to focus their attacks on these defensive positions. This would allow the Russians to wait for their turn, weaken the Russian army's morale, and gradually reduce its manpower. The cavalry, on the other hand, would proactively attack the Russian supply lines, ultimately wearing them down and securing victory.

Therefore, Zhang Yinghao was very clear that in this plan of first defending and then counterattacking, it was very important to destroy the Russian mobile forces. As long as the Russian mobile forces were destroyed, the possibility of the field army's combat plan being successful would be much greater, and even the question of whether the Russian infantry would dare to enter Mongolia was a question.

Previously, the Russian Siberian Cossack Corps had been operating in the northern part of the Mongolian steppes. Apart from small-scale clashes between reconnaissance units, no large-scale battles had broken out between the two sides. However, this time was different. The Russian cavalry seemed to be planning to move south. Without Zhang Yinghao sending a telegram, the comrades knew this was undoubtedly a perfect opportunity. The Russians had come to their door, so how could they not bite them hard? The soldiers on the Western Front had long been envious of the military exploits of Liu Wenxiu and his men. They had won countless victories over there, even going beyond the borders of the country, while they were still digging trenches here. How could they be willing to accept this? Now was the time for morale to rise, and it was time to roar!

"Haha! The Chairman's order has come down, and we can let go. The damn Russians actually came to our door, and it's time to test the results of our work during this period!" Zhang Feng laughed.

Not only were the soldiers eager for battle, but so was he, the commander-in-chief of the Western Front. Currently, the field army was engaged in fierce fighting against the Russians in Northeast China and Outer Northeast China, with hundreds of thousands, even millions, already involved. It was truly a "defending the territory and expanding the frontier," as described in the poem "Loyalty to the Country," a feat worthy of being recorded in history. However, his Western Front remained quiet. The Russians had only declared war in frustration, but hadn't sent a major offensive force. This deeply displeased Zhang Feng. He now possessed a formidable force, prepared for so long, yet had no place to use it. How could he accept this? Now, his opportunity had finally arrived.

"The Chairman is truly a master of foresight. He predicted this war years ago and has been preparing for it ever since. Previously, he's achieved unimaginable victories time and again, shocking both China and the world. His methods are truly divine. This is truly masterful planning from within the tent, yet decisive victory from afar..."

"Yes, the Chairman said that as long as we move our military north to reclaim our privileges and land, war with the Russians will be inevitable, and it will be a large-scale war. It seems to be true..."

"Not only that, we haven't liberated Xinjiang yet, and there's also the invaded Central Asia. Perhaps, as the Chairman said, we're really going to have a century-long war with the Russians."

"In the past two centuries, the Russo-Turkish War has been fought ten times on a large scale in the west. The Qing Dynasty was cowardly and fought twice, but they signed treaties and directly lost a large amount of territory. Now we are truly fighting the Russians for the first time. If we want to end it, it's still too early!"

Everyone laughed after hearing this. There was a reason the comrades were feeling more relaxed. Countless deductions had proven that the Russians' long, serpentine formation along the Trans-Siberian Railway was extremely vulnerable. Now that the field army had essentially liberated Northeast China, they had even deployed troops to Outer Northeast China, achieving excellent results. Before worrying about victory, worry about defeat. Therefore, even if they were defeated on the Western Front, the entire situation wouldn't collapse. Furthermore, they could easily conduct guerrilla warfare on the vast Mongolian steppes, delaying the Russians from advancing into the Mongolian army. Once the Eastern Front had eliminated all the Russians in Outer Northeast China, they could advance westward. With the support of the Western Front, the outcome would still be a matter of counting money in a sack, without losing an inch of territory.

张峰跟着笑了一会，在地图上比划了几下:“命令第5，第8，第12骑兵旅执行1号作战计划。第6骑兵旅和第9骑兵旅,以及第11骑兵旅,执行2号作战计划。”

The Western Front Command had previously drawn up several operational plans against the Russian army in preparation for the invasion. Now that the Russian offensive had begun, the field army could simply begin preparing according to these operational plans until there were any major changes.

Operation Plan No. 1, as it was called, targeted the Russian Cavalry Corps. The Field Army had already grasped the Russian military's situation before the battle began, anticipating that the first troops to enter Mongolia would be Tsarist Russian cavalry units. Furthermore, they knew that the Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps was the elite force of the Russian Governor-General's District of East Siberia. To eliminate this elite unit, the Field Army mobilized six cavalry brigades, a total strength that doubled that of the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps.

These six cavalry brigades were originally operating in the north-central part of the Mongolian grasslands and had been in contact with the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps. The scouts of both sides fought fiercely.

"Yes, Commander."

After a series of beeping telegraph messages, the order was delivered. Zhang Feng saw that his comrades were still excited. Although he understood, after all, they had been constantly receiving reports of victories on the Eastern Front from headquarters, while they hadn't heard anything here, which naturally made the comrades feel suffocated. However, Zhang Feng continued, "Comrades, we have no choice but to fight this war. There is no other way. However, the Tao Te Ching says that weapons are ominous tools, not the tools of a gentleman. When they are used as a last resort, tranquility is the best. Victory is not beautiful, and those who value it are those who enjoy killing. Those who enjoy killing cannot achieve their goals in the world. Good things are on the left, bad things are on the right... Treat it like a funeral. Killing many people is mourning, and victory is like a funeral. Therefore, we should not be happy. War has its own laws. We must seek truth from facts and not underestimate the enemy. Behind every soldier is a family!"

-………-

Chapter 634:

Along the banks of the Orkhon River in the northern Mongolian steppes, the 5th, 8th, and 12th Cavalry Brigades of the Field Army were patrolling nearby. The sky was vast, the grass was lush, and the wind blew the grass low. Soldiers, sabers in hand, galloped across their warhorses, practicing their swordplay. Nearby, other soldiers displayed their superb riding skills, maneuvering freely on horseback, changing positions and firing from all angles.

"Hey, comrades, the command from the headquarters has finally been issued, letting us implement Operation Plan No. 1. I think the task of luring the enemy should be given to our 8th Cavalry Brigade." Lu Zhengyi, acting commander of the 8th Cavalry Brigade, said with a smile.

"Get lost! Didn't we discuss this beforehand? The task of luring the enemy is the responsibility of our 5th Brigade. After we destroy the Russian vanguard, your two brigades will encircle them from the flank and wipe them out in one fell swoop. The 6th, 9th and 11th Brigades will be on guard against the Russian reinforcements." Lu Kaiwen, acting commander of the 5th Brigade, rejected Lu Zhengyi's request without hesitation.

While the mission of luring the enemy was relatively risky, defeating the enemy also meant greater military merit. Soldiers were eager to fight, and landing the first mission represented both their ability and the ability to quickly remove the "code" from their heads. War was the perfect test. Furthermore, if the military wanted to advance, how could they gain recognition without merit? Especially during wartime, military merit was the best stepping stone for officer advancement. Only combat could rapidly develop soldiers, and war was a sharpening stone...

"Haha, I told you. How could this guy Lao Lu give up this opportunity? He will definitely be the first to volunteer to fight!" Wu Gengsheng, acting commander of the 12th Cavalry Brigade, smiled.

Even now, the Field Army still doesn't rate or award ranks to soldiers. The Field Army emphasizes equality between officers and soldiers, and has soldiers' committees. Given the prevalence of feudalism, this is more beneficial than harmful, so currently, ranks are awarded based on rank. All officers and soldiers who have attended military academies and received training understand that after the country is liberated, a major rank awarding ceremony will undoubtedly take place. Whether you'll be a general or a lieutenant, a dragon or a worm, will depend on your military achievements.

Although the field army soldiers were cautious about their impending clash with the fierce Russian Cossack cavalry, these brigade commanders showed no fear. It was as if the enemy they were facing was not the world-renowned Cossack cavalry, but some small fry.

"Everyone, follow the plan. Our 5th Cavalry Brigade will advance to attract the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps. On the banks of the Orkhon River, we will engage in a bloody battle with the Russian army. And after your two brigades receive our signal, they will charge out from the right wing and surround the main force of the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Brigade on the banks of the Orkhon River. I want to completely destroy this Russian cavalry corps here." Lu Kaiwen said.

"Okay! Then let's follow the plan. Damn, the Russian Cossack cavalry is known as the most powerful cavalry in the world, but I just don't believe it. Our troops will definitely be able to pull them down from the altar." Lu Zhengyi also had a firm look on his face, as if he had seen the victory of the battle.

"This is our first large-scale battle on the Western Front. We must win, and win beautifully. Ideally, we can completely annihilate the enemy. This will help inspire the people's enthusiasm for the war of resistance and boost the morale of the soldiers..."

The political commissar's words were quite eloquent, but whether or not we can achieve final victory depends on the soldiers' willingness to fight and whether the plan is consistent with the actual situation of the war.

According to the predetermined combat plan, the 5th Cavalry Brigade left its base and advanced northwards towards the Mongolian steppe, distancing itself from the 8th and 12th Cavalry Brigades and proactively moving forward to attract the Cossack Cavalry Corps.

The changes in the field army's cavalry's movements immediately attracted the attention of the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps. The reconnaissance forces of both sides engaged in an intense exchange of fire.

"General, the latest intelligence is that a cavalry brigade of the field army is less than 40 kilometers away from us. However, they have been lingering along the Orkhon River and have no plans to move further north." A staff officer reported to Major General Alexander Demyanov.

"Damn it! What on earth do those yellow monkeys want to do?"

Alexander Demiyanov frowned slightly. He had led his troops south upon receiving the order, intending to teach the ignorant Chinese a lesson. At this moment, the main cavalry force of the Vanished Field Army had taken the initiative to move out, which undoubtedly gave him a sense of something unusual.

"General, could this be a conspiracy? The Chinese have a large number of cavalry. They may want to lure us to attack their cavalry brigade, and then concentrate their superior forces to encircle and annihilate us." said a staff officer.

"Hehe, you're not scared by those yellow monkeys, are you? Even if they have tens of thousands of cavalry on the Mongolian grasslands, what can they do? We are elite Cossack cavalry, invincible. Only three thousand cavalry are enough to defeat one of their cavalry brigades."

Another bearded general said with disdain. He was a major general in the vanguard of the Russian Army, so naturally he had to cheer up his troops.

"You...if the cavalry under your command were really that powerful, you wouldn't have been defeated by those yellow monkeys in the previous skirmish." The staff officer said with disdain.

The bearded Major General's hairy face flushed crimson, a pain worse than constipation and a hard stool. His Sack Cavalry Division, the vanguard of the Russian Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps, naturally required a reconnaissance unit. However, during the exchange of fire between the two reconnaissance units, the Cossacks were pinned down by the Chinese cavalry, resulting in heavy losses.

The army's scouts, as the first contacts between the two armies, are naturally the most elite combat squads of the army. The fighting between the scouts is extremely bloody and cruel, and it can best reflect the combat effectiveness of the army.

The field army naturally couldn't let the Russian army advance south so easily. Even to convince Russia that the field army was fully prepared for battle, harassment with scouts was necessary. As the two squads fearlessly charged at each other, even though each side consisted of only a dozen men, their resolute demeanor imbued the battle with a tragic quality.

Both sides opened the exchange of fire, though accurate shooting from the jolting of horses proved difficult to achieve. Two or three rounds of exchange sometimes resulted in no casualties on either side. When the distance was too close to continue firing, the reconnaissance cavalry drew their sabers, shouted, and charged at the enemy.

Although Xu Daqiang had been riding since childhood, this was his first time truly engaging in combat with cold weapons. His palms, gripping his saber tightly, were already slick with sweat. Seeing the Russian cavalrymen across from him, their sabers clenched tightly, their faces etched with ferocious fury, Xu Daqiang felt his breath nearly stop. But he continued to charge forward, staring intently at the Russians, ready to die. Meanwhile, as the two horses crossed, Xu Daqiang, following the method he'd practiced countless times, swung his saber blade towards the Russian cavalryman's throat. Almost simultaneously, with the same exact movement, the Russian cavalryman's saber swung towards Xu Daqiang's chest.

The saber clanged against the steel plate mounted on the chest. Although the impact of the relative speed was almost entirely absorbed by the breastplate, Xu Daqiang still felt a powerful force hitting his chest. His body involuntarily wanted to lean back, and even breathing became difficult. However, in the split second when the two horses crossed, Xu Daqiang's sharp saber tip had already cut through the Tsarist cavalryman's throat. Without pausing, the tip of the saber did not pause after slicing the throat, continuing backwards to sever the Tsarist cavalryman's right neck blood vessel, directly severing half of the Tsarist cavalryman's neck before being freed from the Russian's flesh.

Chapter 635: More

This was a result of an information gap and unexpected victory, and it was also the inevitable result of the backward imperialist army of Tsarist Russia, which emphasized absolute obedience between superiors and subordinates and lacked communication. The soldiers of the field army had an internal information sharing system, and there were post-war summary meetings and Zhuge meetings to summarize lessons learned. Instructors also provided specialized training and summarized a series of strengths and weaknesses of the Russian cavalry. Soldiers were naturally nervous when facing the Russian cavalry, but each soldier had a good understanding of the Russian cavalry. In contrast, Tsarist Russia not only lacked training for its soldiers, but also lacked sufficient information exchange. When facing a brand new force like the People's Liberation Army, it would be surprising if they did not suffer losses!

So, a nearly identical incident unfolded between the two cavalry scouts' charges. The Field Army's cuirassiers were well protected, and aside from two soldiers whose arms were severed, no one else was seriously injured, let alone killed. The Russian cavalry, unprepared for the Kadima cavalry's use of steel armor beneath their uniforms, were nearly all struck by the sword. Some were slain instantly, while others had their arms severed. Only a few, fortunate enough or those who hadn't had time to engage the Kadima cavalry at close range, managed to escape. These lucky few escaped death. Seeing their comrades suffer heavy casualties, the Russian soldiers lost their fighting spirit and attempted to flee. The Kadima scouts pursued them relentlessly. Due to the increased intensity and effectiveness of their fire, these Russian scouts were struck by bullets and thrown from their horses before they had even gotten far. Many were dragged long distances by their horses, ultimately leaving them in a bloody mess.

The Field Army has always adhered to a scientific approach to training. In saber duels, they have increased protection for vulnerable areas without compromising mobility. These repeated improvements have led to today's success! Therefore, adhering to scientific principles and a sense of responsibility towards their soldiers, the Field Army naturally puts considerable effort into their training. Since the Forward Party had liberated Tibet and Gansu, there was no shortage of animal hides, so naturally, these hides were prioritized for use by the cavalry. Based on the cavalry's combat style, key areas were treated with special treatments, such as embedded steel plates, which could potentially save a soldier's life in a critical moment.

Zhang Yinghao was well aware that in this era, especially in Asia, there simply wasn't the capacity for the lavish use of artillery. Over 70% of engagements took place within 200 meters, with over 40% occurring within 100 meters and over 30% occurring between 100 and 200 meters. Cavalry, due to their mobility and tradition, were more likely to engage in saber-wielding than gunfire when encountering each other on narrow roads. Therefore, close-range protection became particularly crucial. Soldiers were their most valuable resource, so they preferred to sacrifice a bit of horsepower to protect them.

Every encounter for the scouts involved a bloody and brief slaughter. Even with the protection of breastplates, the Kadima's light cavalry wasn't infallible. The Cossack scouts were well-deserved. After all, the Cossacks were established earlier, had a long history, were well-trained, and possessed tactics superior to those of the Kadima's cavalry. Even when the enemy was caught off guard, the odds were often even, with heavy casualties. Of course, this was also due to the Cossacks' fine traditions, coupled with Russia's poverty and limited cultural level. Complacency and stubbornness were common, and without understanding the changing times, cavalry was doomed to decline, destined to be defeated by mounted infantry. A well-organized cavalry unit, equipped with a modified Gatling gun or even a repeating pistol, could hold a significant advantage in a field encounter.

Of course, the field army's preparations went far beyond this. The automobile industry in the liberated areas had achieved breakthroughs, enabling the rapid production of four-wheeled vehicles. Materials science and internal combustion engines, in particular, had reached world-leading levels. Zhang Yinghao, aware of the future nature of warfare, paid particular attention to these areas and increased investment. Consequently, numerous armored vehicles had already been retrofitted and fitted with iron plates in southern Mongolia. If needed, these armored vehicles would transform into death scythes, reaping the lives of the enemy. Because each vehicle was equipped with a heavy machine gun, these iron-clad vehicles would be a complete massacre against cavalry. Of course, these technologies remained classified, serving as a defensive line to prevent the Russians from advancing into Shaanxi, Shanxi, and even the heartland of the Central Plains. They were also essential safeguards against the Beiyang New Army's harassment.

At this moment, the training of the field armies in Mongolia has not stopped.

"When throwing a grenade, you need to use your upper arm to swing it outward. You can't move your body so much. Not only does it waste energy, but it also makes it easy to eat peanuts..."

"The first step in aiming is to press the butt of the rifle against your shoulder. Make sure you press your shoulder firmly. Then aim and shoot from three points in a straight line. Only the enemy should be in your sights, not anything else. Don't think about a headshot. Hitting the target is victory..."

"When doing push-ups, don't curl your buttocks. Keep all your muscles tense. They're meant to train your muscles. If your muscles are loose, what can you gain from it..."

On the training grounds, the instructors constantly corrected the soldiers' incorrect movements. Though their voices might have been a little hurried and loud, no one was truly angry, much less scolded. The young soldiers followed their commander's orders and conducted physical training. The intense exercise left their faces flushed and their backs drenched in sweat.

Even as a leader, Liu Bugong never relaxed his standards. The PLA's sports science department has conducted specialized research on scientific training. Through extensive data collection and practical observation, a minimum daily training volume has been established. Officers and soldiers at all levels, including Liu Bugong, are required to complete this minimum training volume daily. As Zhang Yinghao put it, the army doesn't need a bulge, and officers and soldiers need to maintain a basic physique. Without a healthy physique and an iron will, officers and soldiers are prone to failing at critical moments if their energy levels are low...

Liu Bugong first did 100 push-ups, followed by 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats, which he called the Four Hundreds. During the break, he stretched his legs, did splits, and did 30 pull-ups, followed by a run of at least 1,000 meters.

Liu Gongbu and his comrades would complete this amount of exercise every day during training. This was the minimum daily exercise requirement for field armies, necessary to maintain body shape and physical fitness, and even during wartime. However, Liu Gongbu held himself to high standards, running at least 3,000 meters daily before taking a cold shower and starting work.

"Lao Liu, when will we start fighting the Russians?" The comrades at the brigade command were eager to know the next military plan.

"Brigade Commander, the soldiers are in high spirits this time. When it comes to destroying the Russians, the newly enlisted comrades are all very excited." The political commissars at all levels at the brigade political commissar meeting were also very optimistic.

"Then I would like to ask, apart from the desire to repay gratitude, how much progress have the Mongolian comrades made in their class consciousness?" Liu Gongbu asked.

"We are making every effort to publicize the principles of overthrowing imperialism, overthrowing the exploiting class, and waging a war of self-defense against aggression..." a political commissar said loudly.

Just as the field army was making final preparations for war, an impatient voice came from the Siberian Cossack Cavalry Corps headquarters: "Okay, stop arguing."

Major General Alexander Demyanov listened to his men's quarrels, and gradually became annoyed. Even though they had stopped arguing, their faces still showed deep dissatisfaction, resentment, and disdain...

Chapter 636:

Alexander Demyanov knew why his subordinates were so disgruntled. Not long ago, he, like them, was a division commander under a corps. The previous corps commander was ordered back to St. Petersburg, giving Alexander Demyanov the opportunity to take over. Of course, he had to use a lot of connections and spend a lot of money to get to the top. However, despite his promotion, his rank didn't rise from Major General to Lieutenant General, which was a bit of a misnomer. It was like having a "deputy" character hanging over his head. So, naturally, the division commanders wanted to replace him. After all, they all knew Napoleon's famous saying: A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier.

Alexander Demyanov naturally knew this, so he urgently needed to fight a good battle and gain military merit so that he could get a chance for promotion. Once he became a lieutenant general, he would be able to suppress these arrogant and powerful generals under his command in terms of military rank.

"We must win this time. This is not only Governor-General Anuchin's request, but also St. Petersburg's. No matter what schemes those yellow monkeys have, we can defeat them. Any little tricks you have, put them away. Anyone who misses the opportunity to fight, or who pretends to obey, will be subject to military law."

"Yes."

Alexander Demiyanov nodded and continued, "Perhaps the cavalry brigade heading north is bait sent by the yellow monkeys. But even if it's bait, so what? We are the great Cossack cavalry. We are absolutely no match for the yellow monkeys, nor for the Mongol cavalry, which has declined for hundreds of years. They want to be bait, so we will eat the bait and see what these yellow monkeys can do to us."

"Yes, General."

The other generals naturally thought it was natural, and they naturally believed that they, the Cossacks, would be able to easily win against this group of yellow monkeys as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

"Orders: The 1st Cossack Cavalry Division will be the primary cavalry brigade attacking the Yellow Monkeys, with the 5th Cavalry Division serving as the reserve. As for the other units, they will circumvent the Yellow Monkeys and attack from behind, while preventing their escape. All directly affiliated cavalry units will be on alert to prevent a surprise attack by the Field Army's cavalry. This time, we must completely and beautifully annihilate this cavalry brigade. Remember, we must annihilate, not crush, but completely wipe out."

Alexander Demyanov thought to himself that if he could completely annihilate these yellow monkeys, he could immediately report his achievement to St. Petersburg, and his promotion would be a piece of cake. And if he won his first battle in Mongolia, it would leave a strong impression on His Majesty. If the Yellow Russian Plan succeeded, then... the future would be limitless!

"Yes, General. My First Cavalry will annihilate these yellow monkeys. They will never return. We will completely destroy them."

Alexander Demyanov nodded immediately. He knew that the Cossacks, besides their bravery in battle, were also known for their brutality. They would mercilessly slaughter any rebellious troops or even civilians, sparing no one. Even in ancient times, Cossacks were capable of fighting behind enemy lines, even in enemy countries, without any supplies. One can only imagine their brutality.

Of course, in reality, the Cossacks, like other fighting nations, were bullies who only feared the strong and bullied the weak. When they encountered weak opponents, they were arrogant and powerful; when they encountered strong opponents, they would become like deflated balls, completely exhausted...

At that time, a Russian cavalry division, at full strength, numbered around 6,000 men, while a field army brigade numbered over 8,000. The field army had a full 2,000 more men. However, for the arrogant Cossack cavalry, this was no problem. They simply ignored the field army's cavalry. In their eyes, the Chinese cavalry was nothing more than a piece of dirt. Perhaps it was because they had not studied Sun Tzu's Art of War, not understanding that war is a matter of vital importance to a nation, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction. Knowing themselves but not the enemy, they continued to act as if they were the best in the world, still reveling in their past glory.

The Russian Siberian Cavalry Corps began to move south. At noon that day, the 1st Cavalry Division encountered the 5th Cavalry Brigade of the Field Army stationed on the Orkhon River. However, the vanguards of both sides retreated immediately after contact.

"Orders: The 5th and 6th Regiments will defend the enemy frontally, with light troops in the front and heavy firepower in the back, and a staggered defense. The 7th Regiment will defend the left, and the 8th Regiment will defend the right. The remaining troops and directly affiliated units will serve as reserves. The artillery will immediately prepare for battle."

Lü Kaiwen immediately issued the order to hold the position after receiving the intelligence from the scouts. Since the battlefield was located on the banks of the Orkhon River, they had no need to worry about the defense of the Ergun River. They only needed to focus on the front, flanks, and rear defenses.

The artillery quickly established their positions, and each company's mortars were deployed along the defensive line. The machine gunners immediately began assembling and setting up their heavy machine guns, creating a crossfire. For the cavalry, the most powerful weapon wasn't the cannon, but these heavy machine guns. As early as the field army's liberation of Yunnan and Guizhou, the Qing cavalry had already experienced the power of crossfire. In Mongolia, the field army had even increased the number of heavy machine guns. While this placed a significant strain on logistics, it was all worth it if they could win the war and destroy the enemy.

If the Russian cavalry accidentally ran into the fire network, it would be a nightmare that would never end. When the brave Cossacks still launched a charge according to their habit, they would realize that cavalry was already an outdated type of soldier.

"Hey, old Russians, now let's see whether your sabers are more powerful or our bullets are more powerful."

Acting Brigade Commander Lu Kaiwen thought fiercely in his heart.

It's not that Lu Kaiwen doesn't want to fight the Russians one-on-one with sabers, but such heroic sentiments are destined to give way to reality. Facts have proved that defensive operations and waiting for the Tsarist Russian cavalry to take the initiative to charge at their positions are the best ways to destroy the enemy's manpower. Once the enemy's attack begins, they can destroy a large number of the Russian army's manpower.

However, the thought of engaging the Russians, especially the world-renowned Cossack cavalry, filled him with a burning passion. The Russian Cossacks had dominated Europe for centuries. If the Field Army could defeat these Cossacks in Mongolia, they would ascend to power on the backs of their fallen lords. The Field Army's might would be known to the world, and it would undoubtedly cause a global sensation. Naturally, Lü Kaiwen would be a key figure in this effort.

Chapter 637: Second Update!!

Unfortunately, Lü Kaiwen was completely unaware that Zhang Yinghao had no intention of publicly announcing the Field Army's achievements, even if they had completely annihilated the Cossacks. Zhang Yinghao was still focused on developing slowly, keeping a low profile, and slowly growing his power. Whether the Field Army's success against Russia was significant or not was ultimately irrelevant to him. As long as the Field Army stood with the people, and the Forward Party stood with the people, there was no reason for complete failure. Even if there was a temporary setback, there was always room for recovery. Development was paramount. Currently, the great powers were facing frequent economic crises and severe overproduction, making it a prime time for them to go on a shopping spree. While announcing the results might boost national morale, prematurely focusing the attention of the great powers on China, and making them realize that a strong China would pose various problems, even so-called threats, was a bad thing.

"General, the Chinese cavalry are setting up a defensive line on the banks of the Orkhon River. They... they seem to be planning to hold their ground there."

A junior officer reported to the vanguard division commander with a puzzled look on his face. For the Cossacks, cavalry was all about mobility; abandoning their mounts and dismounting to defend was a sheer disgrace. In Japanese terms, it was "the fault of your warriors."

"Hold on to the death? What on earth are those yellow-skinned monkeys thinking? Either they fight with us like men, or they run away. What's the point of them holding on to the death?"

"Those yellow monkeys must be plotting something."

"Huh, conspiracy? Maybe. But even if there is a conspiracy, it will be useless in front of us. Our Cossack cavalry can roam across Europe, and now we can also roam across Mongolia!"

"Commander, should we investigate further? If this is an enemy trap, we can prepare a response."

"No need. The main force is right behind us. If we are timid, they will laugh at us. Humph! A single charge might allow us to break through the defenses of those damned yellow monkeys. What I'm wondering now is whether those yellow monkeys have been frightened silly by us."

The field army did not choose a battlefield, but instead began to set up the battlefield on the spot. Generally speaking, large-scale battles like this are usually set by both sides. It is impossible to say that the battlefield is very favorable to one side and very disadvantageous to the other side. This is impossible. After all, the other side is not stupid!

The troops continued to advance, and when the main force of the Russian army arrived at the battlefield, they became even more disdainful after seeing the field army's defense line. The enemy on the opposite side was still digging trenches. As for the field army's cavalry, could they be called cavalry? They could only be called mounted infantry, and their war horses were actually all sent to the safety of the rear. And their so-called enemy soldiers were hiding in the newly dug trenches or foxholes in groups here and there, with a few wooden stakes connected by wire simply erected in front. The Cossack cavalrymen felt that the field army's cavalry was completely disgracing the word "cavalry". The honor of the cavalry was tarnished by the field army's cavalry, making these Cossack cavalrymen feel ashamed. It was really unbearable to watch!

"Haha, this is the Chinese cavalry? The brave cavalrymen actually gave up their horses. So are they still cavalry? They are infantry, right? Chinese cavalry, it's really funny."

Throughout history, war horses have been considered precious. In the world of cavalry, cavalry has always been considered superior to infantry. After all, the cost of maintaining one cavalryman is greater than that of three infantrymen. Furthermore, cavalry has always been superior to infantry in combat effectiveness, and this inertial mindset is difficult to change without further effort.