Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 493: Sengge Sends Out Troops

From afar, the cavalrymen all over the field seemed extremely powerful, but when you get closer, you can see that these cavalrymen, who were herdsmen yesterday and warriors today, some have armor, some don't. Those who have armor are mostly worn out, and it's obvious that these armors have been through many stories.

However, the cavalry of the Junggar tribe seemed to be more elite. Although most of them were not armored, the soldiers' spirit and vigor were much stronger than those of the soldiers of other small tribes.

"Taiji, the Gurat tribe and the Huite tribe are all here!" A centurion next to Sengge whispered to Sengge.

Sengge looked at the assembled troops and felt somewhat complacent. However, he still asked hesitantly, "Is there any tribe that does not obey my military orders?"

The captain shook his head and said, "No one dares to disobey Taiji's orders."

After hearing this, Sengge nodded with satisfaction and said in high spirits, "Order the leaders of each tribe to come to the big tent to discuss matters!"

Sengge summoned the leaders of various tribes and informed them of the plan to send troops. Then he set up sacrifices and killed animals at the gathering place. The shaman concluded through divination that sending troops was a good sign and that the Lord would return victorious.

Sengge then ordered the army to march eastward, with a total of more than 90,000 cavalry, hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep, and more than 200,000 war horses, launching an overwhelming expedition to the east.

………………

After the Qian Dynasty controlled Guanzhong, the ownership of the Hetao region was still unclear. Meng Jun and the court focused mostly on the Qing court in Liaodong and did not notice the threat from western Mongolia. Therefore, although there was a small number of Qian troops stationed in the Hetao region, Mongolian herdsmen still grazed in many places.

At this time, there was a small Mongolian tribe near Jiuyuan County. The herdsmen were driving cattle and sheep, and the women were cooking meat in an iron pot hung on a wooden stick. A child was squatting in front of the pot, looking at the delicious food in the pot with drooling eyes.

At this time, a small caravan from Guanzhong came to the tribe. Most of the caravan used camels as transportation, and there were also a small number of horses in the caravan.

The small caravan did not carry too many goods, just some tea bricks, some cloth, a small number of iron pots, and even some miscellaneous items, such as children's toys, women's accessories, etc.

However, the caravans rarely came, so the goods were quickly sold out and exchanged for many cattle, sheep, horses and wool.

The leading merchant saluted the tribal leader with a smiling face and said, "I will go back this time and come back in three months."

The Mongolian man put his fist on his chest, saluted, and said, "Anda, come earlier, and bring more tea leaves and iron pots in three months."

The businessman patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, it's no problem!"

Just as the merchant was about to leave, the Mongolian man suddenly stopped the merchant and asked, "Which way are you going, Anda?"

The merchant was a little confused, but he still told the truth: "I have sold all the goods and I am going back east."

The Mongolian man nodded and said, "That's good." Then he looked around inconspicuously and whispered, "Anda, it's best not to go west during this period. It's not safe."

The businessman was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why?"

The Mongolian man came closer and whispered, "I received news that the Western Mongolians are issuing a gathering order to attack Guanzhong. The Qing army has also ordered the tribes in the southern desert to cooperate with the Western Mongolians and provide them with guides and some logistical supplies."

The businessman was shocked. This piece of news was very important and could save his life at the critical moment. If he didn't know it and rushed to the west, he would not only lose money but also his life.

"Okay, okay, I got it. Thank you for your advice, brother!" After the businessman finished speaking, he was moved, so he took out an amulet from his arms and said to the Mongolian man, "Good brother, this is my amulet. It was blessed by a master. It is very effective. I have relied on this amulet to protect me in all these years."

The man waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Anda, how can I take such an important thing? Please put it away."

"It's okay. I'll give it to you. I can ask the master for help again." The businessman patted the Mongolian man's chest and said repeatedly.

The Mongolian man then took it respectfully and put it carefully in his arms.

At that moment, the merchant led his team hurriedly left the tribe. Not long after, two guards rode on fast horses and galloped towards Guanzhong. Once such important news was reported, they would definitely be rewarded.

The Great Wall was an important barrier in the Central Plains against nomads. However, after the Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty's finances almost collapsed. Shaanxi was a poor place, and natural disasters occurred from time to time. Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and a large number of famous rebel leaders in the late Ming Dynasty all rose from Shaanxi.

There were constant civil unrests in Guanzhong, and the Ming army did not have enough money to pay for its military pay, let alone repair the Great Wall. After the Qing court entered the pass, they had already fought their way in from outside the pass, so it was good enough that they did not demolish the Great Wall, let alone pay to repair it. The Qian Dynasty had just taken control of Guanzhong, and had not yet set its sights on repairing the Great Wall, which was a lucrative project.

Over the years, the three sections of the Great Wall and many passes have fallen into disrepair and are badly damaged. If Sengge led his troops to break through these passes, it would be almost impossible to stop Sengge by relying on the Great Wall.

Because these gaps are not in one or two places, but everywhere.

Guanzhong, in the city of Xi'an.

At this time, Lin Shiqi was in the Governor's Office, talking with Guanzhong Governor Du Yinxi.

There are basically no major wars inside the Great Wall now, and Lin Shiqi's main focus is now on suppressing bandits. Although these bandits will not pose any threat to the imperial court, they are a great danger to the local area.

Lin Shiqi was prepared to take drastic measures to completely eliminate the bandit problem that had existed in Shaanxi for decades.

Just at this moment, a person hurried into the hall. The hurried footsteps surprised Lin Shiqi and Du Yinxi.

As soon as they arrived at the lobby, the messenger said in a hurry: "Commander-in-chief, something happened in the west!"

Du Yinxi frowned and scolded, "The world has just been settled, what could possibly happen? Why are you in such a hurry? How can you be so rude! Speak!"

The messenger lowered his head quickly and said, "Information has come from Hetao. A merchant caravan has learned that the Western Mongolians have assembled an army of more than 100,000 and are preparing to invade Guanzhong!"

A hint of surprise appeared on Du Yinxi's face, while Lin Shiqi's eyes lit up.

These days, Lin Shiqi has been having a headache due to the bandit suppression. These bandits are hiding in the mountains. It is extremely difficult to find them. In terms of combat effectiveness, these bandits are no match for the regular army. However, these bandits, armed with some shabby weapons, have worn Lin Shiqi out.

Lin Shiqi didn't care why the Western Mongols suddenly attacked, he only knew that war was coming.