Han Khan

Chapter 74, war begins

In the original Ji Luo tribe camp in the south of Jinshan, several regiment commanders and battalion commanders of the Guards, as well as Zhang Zhongxian of the Priest Camp and others, gathered in Zhang Sheng’s tent.

"I have learned that the leader of the Guchuwuti tribe, Altan Dexuechan, wants to send troops to attack the Hela tribe on the Jinshan Mountain and to the right (west) of the Kobdo River.

When we returned, he had gathered 4,000 cavalrymen from his own army and 2,000 cavalrymen from other armies, and seemed to be planning to annex the Hela tribe in one fell swoop," said the scout.

"You investigated the Guchuwuti tribe in the Great Lake Basin yesterday. Did you find out how many people there are?"

"According to rough estimates, the main force of the Kuchuwuti tribe has at least 6,000 people. Together with the two Tatar tribes of Ulan Gum and Tiersu under its command, there should be more than 10,000 tents, a total of 60,000 to 70,000 people." The scout replied.

Zhang Sheng frowned slightly and thought to himself: The strength of the Guchuwuti tribe should not be underestimated. Attacking at this time may be risky. However, if we miss this opportunity, it will not be easy to capture the Great Lakes Basin before winter comes.

"Do you know how many soldiers there are? Why did Altande Xuechan attack the Hela tribe?"

Koza approached Zhang Sheng and said in a deep voice: “Your Highness, Altan has more than a thousand armored cavalrymen under his command, and he controls the Great Lake Basin.

The reason they attacked the Hela tribe was probably because they coveted their land, which was a hilly grassland and a high-quality summer pasture.

In addition, the Hela tribe controlled the mountain passage leading from the Great Lakes Basin to the western part of Jinshan.

I also learned that in recent years, as the Mongol Shiwei and Oirat peoples continued to migrate from the east,

Moreover, as the population of the Guchuwuti tribe grew, the Great Lakes basin could no longer accommodate them.

To the north were the Dubo tribe of the Wulianghai people and the Huolitumati tribe of the Buryati people.

To the east were the Mongol Shiwei and Oirat tribes.

To the west were the Uighurs who controlled the Hela and Ubili tribes, as well as the west side of Jinshan.

To the south is an extremely barren and deserted place, which is where we are now.

Today, the entire Guchuwuti tribe is almost surrounded by surrounding tribes, and all the tribes are eyeing the large lake basin controlled by the Guchuwuti tribe.

This place was originally the Khan's territory, but it fell into the hands of the Guchuti tribe. When the Khan was killed, the Guchuti tribe must have been behind the scenes fanning the flames.

The ancient Chuwuti tribe wanted to obtain the high-quality pastures in the west of the Golden Mountain and the banks of the Dolus River, as well as have an exit where they could migrate at any time.

The Hela tribe was an obstacle to their migration, so Altan must have wanted to conquer the Hela tribe. "

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Sheng turned to Koza and said, "Send out scouts to closely monitor the actions of the Guchuwuti tribe. Also, have you investigated the situation of the Hela tribe?"

Koza hurriedly ordered Battalion Commander Zhang Jingchong to lead 300 elite cavalry to monitor the Guchuwuti tribe.

Then he responded to Zhang Sheng's question: "Your Highness, we have already investigated the situation of the Hela tribe."

Zhang Sheng looked at him and said, "Tell me about it!"

"The location of the Hela tribe was originally the Langshan Prefecture and Huoba Prefecture set up by the Tang Dynasty in Jinshan. Most of its tribesmen were Naiman people. Their leader was called Erke, and he had more than 4000 households under his command." Koza said.

Hearing this, Zhang Sheng was shocked and asked Koza:
"Well, why did Altan of the Guchuwuti tribe mobilize so many troops and not only send out 4,000 soldiers from his own tribe?

And you ordered another unit under your command to send out 2,000 men, a total of 6,000 people, to attack the Hela tribe, which can only send out 2,000 men at most?"

"Your Highness, the area where the Hela tribe is located not only has fertile pastures, but is also close to the Duoluos River, which has abundant water resources. It is indeed a particularly good pasture on the Gold Mountain. The most important thing is the Hela tribe's camp, as well as iron and gold mines.

Every year, the Hela tribe used the gold and iron ore mined by their tribe to exchange large quantities of armor and weapons with the Gaochang Uighurs on the west side of Jinshan.

Under his command are hundreds of fully armed tribal warriors wearing armor, and the bows and swords they hold are also very fine and sharp. In addition, because the Hela tribe controls the road leading to the west side of Jinshan, they can escape at any time. "

After hearing this, Zhang Sheng suddenly realized.

So that's why they sent so many troops. They were worried about being defeated or letting the Hela tribe escape!

Indeed, whether or not tribal warriors have armor has a huge impact on battle.

If the enemy kills ten of your men, but you cannot defeat even one of them, it is like walking into a trap and being slaughtered. That is why Altan of the Guchuwuti tribe prepared so many troops to attack the Hela tribe.

However, when Zhang Sheng learned that the Hela tribe owned iron and gold mines, his greed was instantly ignited.

It is no wonder that the Tang Dynasty and the Hu people called this mountain range Jinshan (Altai: means Golden Mountain), and it is no wonder that the Turks who served as iron-forging slaves of the Rouran were placed in Jinshan to forge iron for the Rouran.

Gold! Iron! This is the wealth that everyone dreams of! With gold, you can forge countless luxurious items, and even forge it into currency to exchange for the resources you need with other forces;
With iron ore, a large number of sophisticated weapons and sturdy armor can be made, thus arming more brave and fearless warriors.

At this moment, the blacksmith camp is just doing some repair work. If there are more iron ore, Jin Han will be able to forge more weapons, armor and iron arrows.

Zhang Sheng thought to himself: If it were me, how could I not be greedy when faced with my neighbor's ranch with lush grass and endless treasures?

I'm afraid they would choose to snatch it without hesitation. After all, such a temptation is hard to resist.

But considering the current situation and environment of the Jinhan tribe, he suppressed his inner greed.

The current population of the Jinhan tribe, including the six hundred households of Jiluo slaves who were reorganized today, and the 6 tents of Xidan tribe members who surrendered to Jinhan, totals 200 households and nearly 8300 people, but they have no land to settle down.

Moreover, Jin Han's army already has 3600 elite armored cavalrymen, all of whom are out of service. This is sufficient manpower and no more off-duty soldiers can be recruited.

If there are not enough men for the war, they can only recruit the slaves of the 39 centurions to join the war.

Zhang Sheng looked into the distance and thought to himself: If the Hela tribe is annexed by the Guchuwuti tribe, its power will surely expand further, which will definitely not be a good thing for the Jinhan tribe.

However, the Jinhan tribe has just experienced a long migration and the tribesmen are exhausted, so it is not advisable to act rashly...

He did not want to miss this good opportunity and wanted to defeat the Guchuwuti tribe and then obtain the grasslands in the Great Lakes basin so that the tribe members could have pastures to graze their livestock and thereby conquer the surrounding tribes.

If we can't defeat the Hela tribe at this time, can't we defeat the Guchuwuti tribe?
Or when the time comes, when the Guchuwuti and Hela tribes fight each other, it will be my Jinhan tribe that benefits!

After careful consideration, Zhang Sheng ordered the four battalion commanders Zhang Xibao, Yin Shanxiong, Koza and Boniek: "Pass on my order and have the guards of each battalion and regiment be ready and on standby at any time.

We must seize the opportunity and take advantage of the Guchuwuti tribe's expedition to attack their lair.

Tell them that if they win this battle, each guard will receive a share of slaves and a lot of livestock as rewards."

Then he sent a message to each of the slave soldiers, telling them that in this attack on the Guchuwuti tribe, all the people of the Jinhan tribe should march towards the Guchuwuti camp.

As long as we defeat the Guchuwuti tribe this time, the entire Great Lakes basin will belong to the Jin Han people and can be used for grazing.

Every time a slave soldier killed an enemy, he would no longer be a slave. If he killed two enemies, he would be made the head of ten households. If he killed ten enemies, he would be made the head of a hundred households and would be rewarded with felt tents, cattle, sheep, horses and camels.

"As you command, Your Highness!"

Several battalion commanders rushed over to deliver the message.

Zhang Sheng turned to the scout and asked:
"How many people are there defending the Guchuwuti camp now?"

"Your Highness, Altan took away 6,000 troops. Now there are only 2,000 cavalry left in the Great Lakes Basin to patrol and guard the camp."

"How can he be so bold? Isn't he afraid of attacks from the surrounding tribes?"

“Your Highness, the two thousand cavalrymen left by Altan are quite powerful, and they have intermarried with the Dubo and Ubili tribes, and have also formed an alliance with the Tatars.

Even if we lose to the Hela tribe, we can still escape unscathed. Besides, it is impossible for these tribes to take over the entire Great Lakes Basin in one fell swoop."

Zhang Sheng nodded when he heard this.

In this case, the defense of the ancient Chuwuti tribe's old nest in the Uvs Lake Basin was empty at this time.

Zhang Sheng raised his lips slightly, "This is God helping me!
Others cannot conquer the Guchuwuti tribe, so is it possible that my Jinhan tribe cannot be conquered as well?

All the generals obey orders...

(End of this chapter)