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

Chapter 29 Eight Hundred Elite Cavalry Enter the Grassland, Causing Unrest Among the People!

March 1st, the seventh year of the Yongping reign, on the Xilin Gol Grassland.

"Ta-ta-ta! Ta-ta-ta!"

A group of cavalrymen dressed in black riding outfits galloped across the vast grassland.

They had been traveling north for three days and three nights from Gubeikou along the Bashang Plateau, covering about a thousand miles. Along the way, they passed through alpine meadows and low hills before finally entering this gently undulating grassland.

The striking volcanic landscape reveals a profound sense of history and vicissitude. The vast sky and boundless wilderness, with the wind blowing the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep, evoke indescribable feelings in everyone, including Jia Yan.

"Uh-huh!!!"

As the sun reached its zenith, Jia Yan tightened the reins, bringing his black Hequ horse to a halt.

"General."

Dong Yong, who was following behind, quickly went over.

"Pass down the order: rest on the spot, replenish some fresh water, and eat something."

Looking around, Jia Yan confirmed that they were already in the northern hinterland of the Xilin Gol Grassland, not far from their target, before issuing the order.

"Yes."

Dong Yong immediately turned his horse around and relayed the orders to the troops.

"The commander has ordered us to rest on the spot."

"Wow!"

The eight hundred elite cavalrymen relaxed their tense nerves a little, dismounted one by one, and let their mounts graze on the fresh grass on the ground. They took out their water bags, soaked meat floss and milk powder in them, and swallowed them whole.

This was the "magic weapon" of the Mongol cavalry who once traversed Eurasia for long-distance raids. For the past few days, they had been using this method, switching between three horses, and galloping more than 300 li a day to get here at full speed.

"Get the map."

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Jia Yan beckoned.

"Yes, sir."

Li Qing took out a tube from the side of the horse's belly, carefully took out a marching map, and spread it out on the grass. The map marked mountains, rivers, and freshwater supply points along the way.

"The Bahrain tribe's headquarters is about 1200 li away from the capital. We have been traveling for three days, and today is the fourth day."

"Logically speaking, it should be very close to the Bahrain military base."

As he gazed at the map, Jia Yan's eyes swept over each marked location as he spoke methodically.

"General."

"According to the message from Black Cloud Capital."

"The northeastern part of the Xilin Gol Grassland is the Ujimqin Basin, which is crisscrossed by rivers and rich in water resources."

"The Bairin tribe occupied West Ujimqin, and the Khorchin tribe occupied East Ujimqin."

"Why don't we deal with the Balin tribe first, then head straight for the Khorchin tribe and capture both their strongholds in one fell swoop?"

"Among the tribes in southern Mongolia, the Bairin and Khorchin tribes are the most prosperous. Even if their leaders have taken away a large number of young men, there must still be a considerable number of Ujumqin horses in their garrisons. These are the best warhorses for forming cavalry."

As Peng Li spoke, his large, bronze-gong-sized eyes blazed with intense light.

Not only him, but also Niu Qian, Ma Yun, Shi Rui, Xin Ze and other guards were eager to act, their hearts burning with covetousness. Since ancient times, cavalry has been an absolute deterrent force on the battlefield. The quality of warhorses determines the number and strength of cavalry. The reason why the grassland tribes have always been a major threat to the Central Plains dynasties is that they have always controlled the grasslands and were able to breed a large number of warhorses.

Although the Daqian Dynasty had two capitals and thirteen provinces, it was far inferior to the Ming Dynasty in terms of both territory and potential.

During the early Ming Dynasty, the Ming army controlled Hami Guard and established the U-Tsang Regional Military Commission and Nurgan Regional Military Commission. The Tibetan Plateau and Liaodong were under its control. Whether it was Ili horses, Hequ horses, or Liaodong horses, the Ming army had no shortage of excellent warhorses.

The situation was different in the Qing Dynasty. Outside Yumen Pass was the Dzungar Khanate, the hegemon of Central Asia. Xining Prefecture was completely surrounded by the Khoshut tribe. Outside Shanhaiguan Pass, they only controlled the Liaoxi Corridor. Over the years, the cavalry of the nine border regions have been able to maintain their numbers and combat effectiveness thanks to the trade between Ping'an Prefecture and Xining Prefecture.

Ordinary riding horses in Shenjing cost about 10 to 30 taels of silver, while top-quality Mongolian warhorses started at 100 taels. Horses like those from Hequ, Yili, and Liaodong were simply priceless. The 2400 Hequ horses alone cost Jia Jing at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, which also involved the Jia family's savings accumulated over many years.

The Ujumqin horse is the best among Mongolian horses. In terms of long-distance running ability, it far surpasses the Hequ horse they ride. If they could capture the territories of the Bairin and Khorchin tribes, they could obtain tens of thousands of Ujumqin horses. How could they not be tempted?
"What do you think?"

Jia Yan raised her head and glanced at Dong Yong and Li Qing, who had not spoken.

"I think this is unacceptable."

Li Qing blurted out, "Our main task is to support the battle of Datong. Right now, 300,000 Mongol cavalry are besieging Datong. If anything happens to Datong, even if we break through the garrisons of the Balin and Khorchin tribes, it will be of no use."

"Yes."

Dong Yong added, "The capture of the Bahrain tribe's base was only to obtain enough supplies to continue fighting further into northern Mongolia."

"According to the strategy we formulated before setting off, this campaign will mainly involve the three tribes of the northern desert: first the Bairin tribe, then the Chechen Khanate, the Tushetu Khanate, and the Zasagtu Khanate, who will attack from behind the Mongols, wait for an opportunity, and support the imperial army in recovering Ping'an Prefecture."

"If we waste too much time in the eastern desert, it will only affect the final result, and it will be a loss."

'.'

Peng Li and his guards exchanged glances, somewhat dumbfounded. They hadn't expected Dong Yong and Li Qing to stand up and object.

After all, they only had eight hundred men. Facing three hundred thousand Mongol cavalrymen who roamed the grasslands and were invincible, it was like a drop in the ocean. No one took their previous plans to heart. They just thought that Jia Yan was looking for an excuse to gain military merit. Who would have thought that now it seemed that they had misunderstood.

"Humph."

"At least there are still people who are thinking straight."

Jia Yan snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Those who know us are the army, ordered to rush to Datong's aid. Those who don't know us would think you are bandits, only thinking about plundering the grasslands, taking some cattle, sheep and warhorses back to resell and become rich and powerful."

"Should I thank you for coming up with such a great idea?"

"Don't dare."

The twelve guards all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

"From Shenjing to Xilin Jiuqu, where the Bairin tribe's residence is located, it is about 1200 li."

"From Xilin Gol to the shore of Hulun Lake where the Horqin tribe was stationed, it is 2500 li."

"If that's what you're saying, then yes, we don't need to do anything else. By the time we get back and forth, the opportunity will have passed us by."

"My lord, we were wrong."

Upon hearing this, the other ten guards were all filled with shame.

PS: The Bairin tribe's headquarters was located at Xilinhot, and the Khorchin tribe's headquarters was located at the shore of Hulun Lake (Hulunbuir). The Xilin Gol Grassland and the Hulunbuir Grassland were the core areas ruled by the Bairin and Khorchin tribes, respectively.

The Horqin Grassland was completely controlled by the Later Jin dynasty and handed over to the Eight Banners of Mongolia: Arukorqin Banner, Aohan Banner, Ongniud Banner, Keshiketeng Banner, Kharachin Banner, Naiman Banner, Kulun Banner, and Zhalute Banner.

(End of this chapter)