Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

When Queen Gantian and the generals of Xiliao received the news of the Ming army's attack, their first reaction was that they must have made a mistake.

The expedition to Gaochang from the Hexi Corridor must be to wait for the snow to melt in spring before using troops, and to fight for several months before the snow falls in autumn and winter.

We delayed it until now, and it's going to snow again before the decisive battle.

Because of this, they are defenseless.

After confirming that the military information was true, Xiao Orila and other generals were overjoyed and hurriedly summoned the troops of all the subordinate countries to go out.

However, it was too late in the month at this time, and even if people were sent to recruit immediately, the armies in distant areas would not be able to participate in the battle. Such as Khwarezm, such as Geluolu, such as most of the Western Kara Khanate.

Because it takes time to gather troops and collect food and fodder, by the time these vassal forces actually send out troops, it is estimated that the mountains will have been blocked by heavy snow when they reach the Qihe area (or Congling)!

At least half of the Central Asian troops that Xiliao can recruit will not be able to reach the battlefield within this year.

Xiao Orila naturally couldn't wait foolishly. He personally led the army and civilians in the Gyeonggi area and rushed to Gaochang as quickly as possible. At the same time, troops from various places were ordered to gather quickly. If there is less snow this year, there is a very small chance that they can participate in the war.

In addition, reinforcements from the Naiman tribe in the north came faster. They received Xiao Chala's request for help and quickly went south.

The north wind blows and the white grass breaks on the ground, and the sky is full of snow in August.

There is no snow in the Gaochang (Turpan) area, and the snow season here is relatively late.

However, it snowed in Yizhou (Hami) occupied by the Ming army. The temperature dropped sharply overnight, and the snow became heavier and heavier until it was ankle deep.

The fourth batch of Ming troops who arrived were mainly civilians and brought a large number of cotton clothes and quilts.

Tens of thousands of Ming troops wore cotton-padded clothes and braved the snow to advance towards the border of Gaochang.

Use cavalry to explore the road, use chariots to clear the way, and march three hundred miles in a hurry. Once you reach the border of Shanshan, you will be fine.

In fact, there is no snow in the Gobi desert halfway.

There is very little snowfall here throughout the year, and it often doesn’t snow even in the twelfth lunar month.

Gaochang (Turpan) is similar. Although it occasionally snows earlier, it usually snows closer to the twelfth lunar month.

Shanshan, ancient Loulan country.

"I am willing to put my sword down from my waist and kill Loulan!"

Du Jushi, the interpreter of Honglu Temple, stood in the army, looking at Shanshan City in the distance, drawing his sword and shouting with great excitement.

Aksuhe didn't understand why his translator was yelling, and he quickly asked: "Du, have you ever been here before?"

"I sleepwalked here when I was young, but I didn't expect to see such a scene!" Du Jushi said even more mysteriously.

What scene?

Hungry people everywhere!

The city of Shanshan was also burned down, and the suburbs were looted by rebels. Countless refugees gathered inside and outside the city, starving and waiting for help from kind-hearted people.

This is the most commonly used mode in ancient times to clear the wilderness with strong walls.

Due to insufficient grassroots organization, it is impossible to relocate the people at the bottom. Then just send troops to rob everywhere, rob all the money and food you can see, and leave nothing to the enemy.

Xiao Cha La A Bu’s strategy is obvious——

Not only was he not sure of victory in the field battle, he couldn't even guarantee that he would be able to defend the city. So Yizhou and Shanshan were abandoned, and the main battlefield was located near Gaochang City, extending the Ming army's supply line by nearly a thousand miles in one breath.

In addition, it snowed earlier in Yizhou, making it more difficult for the Ming army to transport food. By then, it would be easier for him to fight.

Chen Ziyi ordered: "The whole army will camp outside the city first. Before setting up camp, drive the hungry people here to the west. Detach two thousand soldiers to protect the civilians, enter the city to clean up the ruins after the fire, and rest for three days to wait for the following friendly forces."

Facing the Ming army's expulsion, the refugees were almost desperate, and their pleas and cries were loud.

Du Jushi no longer had the excitement of "going straight to kill Loulan". He truly felt the cruelty of war and could not face the eyes and expressions of those refugees.

Instead, Aksukh comforted him: "Du, this is how fighting is. Our army's supply line is too long, and there is a section in the middle that is extremely difficult to walk. It is impossible to distribute precious military rations to rescue refugees. It is not us who caused all this, but The Black Khitan army robbed them all."

"Of course I know this... Sigh!" Du Jushi sighed.

He hesitated for a while, then ran to see Chen Ziyi: "General Chen, those people..."

Chen Ziyi interrupted: "Don't let me help."

Du Jushi said: "I saw many women with children among the refugees. It may be possible to save some women and children. When the war is over, women can marry Han children and immigrate. Children can also marry with their mothers. If the stepsons of the Han people are taught to speak Chinese from an early age, they will be able to convert the barbarians into Han people. This will be beneficial to the long-term governance of the Western Regions, and it will be a great achievement to report to the imperial court."

Chen Ziyi thought carefully for a moment, nodded in approval and said: "You scholars are still smart. I will leave this matter to you. I will give you the command of a few local nobles and three thousand soldiers."

"Thank you, general!" Du Jushi bowed and stepped back.

Soon, several small nobles who fled to join the Ming army and three thousand cavalry were transferred to Du Jushi.

He called a few minor nobles over and gave them instructions for a while, then led his army towards the refugees who were being driven west.

Just listen to the little nobles shouting along the way: "You were looted by the rebels and lost your homes and food, all thanks to the hateful Liao people. They can't defeat the Ming Dynasty's soldiers, so they can only vent their anger on you. The Ming Dynasty's heavenly soldiers The master is kind-hearted and can’t bear to see you all starve to death and freeze to death, but the rations of the Heavenly Soldiers master are not enough…”

"Only save young women and children. If you are willing, please say goodbye to your family as soon as possible and follow me back to the outside of Shanshan City to collect food to survive!"

Shouting these words over and over quickly caused a commotion among the refugees.

Some men were making a fuss and wanted to receive food, but the Ming army was too lazy to care. When the troublemakers gathered in large numbers, they rushed over and killed them.

After killing two to three hundred people in a row, the remaining refugees became completely honest.

Then, the crying and howling became louder.

Countless young women and children bid farewell to their families with tears in their eyes, and followed Du Jushi outside the city to wait for relief.

Three thousand Ming army cavalry were always on alert, blocking the roads to block the remaining refugees.

With the help of civilian husbands, these women and children camped alone.

Du Jushi's work was not over yet. He took a few small nobles to deliver food to the women and children.

A pot was set up to cook wheat porridge, and women and children lined up to receive their meals.

Every time a woman came over, the little noble asked: "Who caused your family to be ruined?"

The woman was stunned and didn't know how to answer.

The young noble said: "He is an official from the Liao people. He can't defeat the soldiers of tomorrow, so he bullies you civilians. Do you understand? Who caused your family to be destroyed?"

The woman glanced at the wheat porridge, swallowed her saliva and said, "The Liao people did it."

The young noble asked again: "Who gives you food to prevent you from starving to death?"

The woman said weakly: "Master Han?"

"That's right," the young nobleman said with a smile, "Teach these to your children and ask them to repeat them."

The woman quickly educated her children.

Hungry children learn quickly in order to eat wheat porridge.

Du Jushi watched all this with an expressionless face. Although he offered suggestions to save many women and children, he still felt uncomfortable in his heart.

Aksuhe sighed, not liking this scene very much.

Because he was born a Turkic slave and was kidnapped by the Eastern Roman army since he was a child. He has no memory of his family at all.

Faced with the temptation of food and cruel punishment, he could only pretend to be honest and obedient, and frequently talked about his allegiance to the Roman emperor.

He was so smart and loyal that he finally stood out from a group of slave children and was chosen as the young prince's personal companion. He studied with the prince, practiced martial arts with the prince, and when the prince grew up and succeeded to the throne, he also became a noble master.

Aksukh was indeed loyal to the Roman emperor, but his childhood experience would always be a thorn in his heart.

Gather the women and children, clean up the city, and rest for three days.

The Ming army regained its energy and continued to move forward, leaving only 3,000 men to defend Shanshan City. This has become a stronghold of the Ming army. They want to seize the next stronghold and finally fight in the vicinity of Gaochang City.

After marching for two days, the coach Li Yanxian caught up with him, bringing with him 3,000 brave cavalry and 2,000 light cavalry.

During the Ming Dynasty's Western Expedition, it was announced that it would send 500,000 troops, but in fact, the actual number of soldiers was only 80,000.

Not all of the hundreds of thousands of civilians and auxiliary soldiers left came to the Western Regions. Many of them stayed in the Ming Dynasty and were responsible for transporting grain and grass along the way. They would not even enter the Xingxing Gorge.

After asking about the situation, Li Yanxian sighed: "Xiao Chala is a veteran, but he fought so calmly and ruthlessly. If he dared to defend Yizhou, it would be much easier for us, but this guy actually retreated to Gaochang."

Chen Ziyi said: "From Yizhou to Shanshan, there are many small nobles and their tribes who came to surrender. The Western Liao Jianbi Qingye is unpopular, and the former Gaochang Kingdom nobles are extremely dissatisfied. We can start from them in the decisive battle."

"It's better to rely on yourself than to rely on others. Kill them first and then talk." Li Yanxian said.

…

Gaochang City is not in the urban area of ​​Turpan, but in the south of the Flame Mountain.

In the Tang Dynasty, the surrounding area was mainly used for grazing, but now it has basically become a farming area.

When Li Yanxian rushed to the front line in person, Taiyang Khan of the Naiman tribe also came to the rescue with 8,000 cavalry.

These Naiman cavalry have only a handful of iron armors and even light armors. Most of them just wear leather jackets. Even iron arrowheads were not fully equipped, half of the cavalry still used bone arrowheads.

Taiyang Khan is a hereditary title conferred by the Liao Kingdom on the rulers of the Naiman tribe.

Purely a transliteration, it is also called Taiyanghan and Tayanghan.

"Why did you retreat all the way to Gaochang?" Taiyang Khan asked in surprise when they met.

Of course, Xiao Chala'abu would not show any cowardice: "The Ming army came all the way and retreated from Yizhou to Gaochang, which can extend the enemy's food road for thousands of miles."

Taiyang Khan nodded: "Is this also a way? The elites of Daliao haven't arrived yet?"

Xiao Chala Abu said: "It's almost there."

The Naiman tribe traveled thousands of miles south to support them, so they naturally had to treat them well.

After eating and drinking, Taiyang Khan returned to his military camp, but called his two sons: "I always feel something is wrong. You go to the friendly forces tomorrow to find out what happened before. Remember not to make any noise and pretend. Make a casual conversation."

His eldest son Narheishi asked: "Father is afraid that he will not be able to defeat the Ming army?"

Taiyang Khan said: "If Yelu Dashi is still alive, I am willing to fight to the end for Daliao. But Yelu Dashi is dead. It is difficult for orphans and widowed mothers to do anything, and the generals of the ministries are no longer of the same mind. We are in a difficult situation now, and we can no longer hurt our muscles. If it doesn't work, just surrender to the Ming army."

Although the Naiman tribe was nominally subordinate to the Western Liao Dynasty, and even lent troops to Yelu Dashi to start his own business, the relationship quickly turned cold with the death of Yelu Dashi.

If it weren't for the fact that there were still people from the Naiman tribe serving as officials in Xiliao, Taiyang Khan wouldn't even bother to lead his troops to help this time.