Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 386 Rebellion in Persia
"put!"

"Boom boom boom——"

In mid-May, accompanied by the fierce sound of artillery in the dry Persian area, a cavalry trying to charge was frustrated almost in an instant.

Thousands of cavalry advanced more than a hundred steps against the bombardment and then had no choice but to retreat again. The target of their attack was the port of Horumus, which had been taken away for more than two months.

When they were defeated, Ursa, who was sitting at the back, broke the pottery cup in his hand in annoyance.

"Why do they have so many artillery pieces!"

Ursa cursed angrily, and the reason why he dared to attack the Ming army was mainly because Khalil sent him a military order.

After Mamahei's death, Ursa undoubtedly turned to Khalil, the only sultan, and Khalil also sent five thousand cavalry to help him.

However, facing the charge of five thousand cavalry, the Ming army seemed to have deployed artillery on the entire port of Horumos. No matter which direction Ursa launched the attack, the Ming army could use artillery to bombard the cavalry trying to attack.

The power of the Ming army's artillery was much greater than that of the Timurid Empire's artillery.

Due to the long distance, Ursa and the others only saw the scene of Hu Ji riding a horse, and nothing further.

But the same thing is that they brought a spear and hung the red sun flag of the Ming Dynasty, which represents the sun, and the white round moon flag, which represents the moon.

While he was furious, a group of soldiers came behind him, and among them there were several people wearing long robes.

"Who are you? How dare you take the imperial flag?!"

"Governor, these are several Chinese people who came from Herat. They claim to serve under Governor Shaharul and came specifically to relieve us."

"Xichang?!" The Tang riders were surprised and reined in their horses. Hu Ji also bowed and took out his badge.

After thinking about it, Ursa didn't feel that he would lose anything, so he said:

Ursa, who was standing in the camp, looked at the port of Horumos, furious with impotence.

"It's not necessary if it's just communication. We have already communicated." Ursa's eyes changed from surprise to surprise to calmness. It was obvious that he didn't think that this one-sided relationship could bring anything to him.

"Except for the first of these conditions, which I can agree to, the noble Sultan will not agree to the other two."

"Okay, I'm looking forward to your performance." Ursa picked up a new ceramic cup and poured himself a glass of wine.

"Even if I can't convince them, I can still bring you useful news."

For civilians, all they can use is the red sun flag with a white background, while only the imperial court can use the dragon pattern flag and the red sun flag with fonts. As for the sun and moon flags, they are one of the flags of the ceremonial guard.

He ignored Hu Ji, and Hu Ji was not angry. Instead, he saluted and left the place. Under the eyes of everyone, he took the few people he brought with him and walked towards Horumus.

He was not worried that Ursa would do anything unfavorable to him, because he was from Shaharul. Even though Shaharul seemed unfavored during Timur's lifetime, he was after all one of the most powerful people in the Khorasan region. host.

There was no fixed national flag in the Central Plains dynasties. The flags of all dynasties were complex and varied, and the same was true for the Ming Dynasty.

"Chinese?" Ursa looked back with angry eyes, and the people under supervision also lifted their hats, revealing their full faces.

"Please tell me, how do you expect me to believe what you say?"

The Ming Dynasty's banners are so complicated that even officials from the Ministry of Rites need to read the manuals, let alone in this Persian region.

After the inspection, Tang Qi got off his horse and bowed: "Wang Chong, the small flag official, has met Baihu officials. Please get on your horse."

Despite being ignored, Hu Ji did not show any dissatisfaction, but smiled softly.

Therefore, when Hu Ji and others showed up the sun and moon flags, the Ming Army position of Khurumos did not launch an artillery attack, but waited for them to slowly approach before sending more than ten cavalry to respond.

On the other hand, after Hu Ji entered the port of Horumos, he immediately felt that everything around him became friendly.

When Hu Ji saw this, he bowed and said, "Hu Ji, the official of the Hundred Household Office of Xichang stationed in the river, has something important to ask to see Zheng Zhengshi and Pingjiang Marquis."

"Damn it! Damn it!"

Hearing his words, Ursa and the generals around him burst into laughter. Ursa laughed to tears: "You should have seen my army."

Ursa gave his bottom line, and Hu Ji responded with a salute: "I understand, you can wait for my news."

Seeing the faces of Hu Ji and others from a distance, Tang Qi, who came to check, also scolded them in Mandarin.

"If you can get them to retreat, then I will personally describe your exploits to the noble Sultan."

"We have a total of 15,000 people here, but even so, we still cannot defeat the Ming army. We even need to be prepared for their counterattacks at all times."

"I am a Chinese under Governor Shaharul, but I am from the Ming Dynasty."

"But before that, I need to tell you that their demands are for us to cede the islands in the sea and for the noble Sultan to apologize and compensate them for their losses."

Because of this, he calmly rode into the port of Horumos in full view of everyone.

The tired Hu Ji introduced himself to Ursa, but Ursa ignored Hu Ji's greeting because he was so weak at the hands of Zheng He and Chen Xuan, and sat on the chair next to him: "Tell me how you can help me. What?"

"Thank you!" Hu Ji was not polite, because he knew that Ursa and the others were watching here, and his move to get on the horse would undoubtedly make them aware of his weight.

In order to avoid the Ming army's artillery, they could only organize their troops three miles away. Once they entered the range of two miles, they would be bombarded.

If Shaharul is offended, Ursa can't expect anyone to save him.

"Hahaha--"

"It won't hurt to try." Hu Ji still had a smile on his face, and also revealed: "I once met Chen Zuo, the son of Chen Xuan of the Ming Dynasty, even though I was just a humble businessman at the time. But I believe I can communicate with them as a commoner of the Ming Dynasty."

"I can help you take back Horumus Port."

"You only need to tell me your needs. As for whether it can succeed, I will find a way." Hu Ji continued to speak, and his confidence made Ursagao look at him.

Thousands of Ming people were walking around in Khrumos, especially the Ming soldiers wearing armor.

They didn't even go deep into the port, but were led to a villa on the edge.

"Pingjiang Marquis and Zheng Zhengshi are inside, please invite hundreds of officials."

Several Tangqi bowed to everyone and then left.

Upon seeing this, Hu Ji dismounted, walked into the villa after being inspected at the door, and saw Zheng He and a 40-year-old general in the bungalow of the main house.

Seeing Hu Ji walking into the house, Zheng He smiled and said, "I just said, we are both from Xichang, how could there be someone with the same name? It turns out it is really you."

"Hu Ji, the official of hundreds of households, has met Zheng Zhengshi and Pingjiang Marquis." Hu Ji saluted with a smile. Zheng He also introduced to Chen Xuan: "This is the son of Hu Lun, Muyang Bo."

"It turns out he is Mu Yangbo's son." Chen Xuan cleared up his doubts. He was still wondering why Zheng He was so enthusiastic. Now it seems strange that he is not enthusiastic.

Hu Lun and Ji Gang, one of them controls Xichang and the other controls Jinyiwei.

There are many Jinyiwei, and they are mainly responsible for inspecting hundreds of officials and the Chief Envoys of the two capitals and fourteenth, followed by the Dusi, and after that, foreign intelligence.

In contrast, Xichang was mainly responsible for foreign intelligence, followed by the Ming Dynasty's domestic Chief Envoy and Dusi intelligence, and finally Baiguan.

Although Xichang seems to have the least restrictions on domestic civil and military officials, it is closest to the East Palace, and it is self-evident what the East Palace represented in the Ming Dynasty.

If Dong Gong hadn't spoken out in the first place, most of the military generals who participated in the Jingnan War during the Jianwen Period would have been detained at home, even if they were not convicted.

However, precisely because of the opening of the East Palace, this group of Jingnan generals were still active in the northwest and southwest of the Ming Dynasty. Not only were their lives saved, but their power was also firmly in their hands.

Even though Ping An and Xu Kai are often not named in memorials, their lives in the northwest and southwest are very nourishing.

Sometimes, Chen Xuan could only lament that his old colleague Yang Qiu had reminded him earlier, otherwise he would not have had the chance to lead the fleet to the Western Ocean.

Therefore, Chen Xuan also showed some enthusiasm for Hu Ji, and after Hu Ji was polite, he went straight to the point and explained Ursa's bottom line, and brought Zheng He and the others news from the north.

"Mamahei in the north was assassinated and died last year, and now Khalil has become the leader of the Timur Kingdom."

"However, although Khalil became the leader of Timur's country, the generals who once supported him did not want another Timur to appear in Timur's country, but wanted Khalil to become a puppet."

"It's just that Khalil's methods are not bad, so they are now in a stalemate in Samarkand."

"I estimate that within two years, civil war will break out in Samarkand, and Shaharul, who is supported by the imperial court, will have the opportunity to ascend to the throne of Timur."

"I have spent two years getting to know Shaharul. If he comes to power, there is no doubt that the Timurid state will start to govern internally rather than externally."

"Once he begins to rule the country, Ming Dynasty will be an economic helper for Timur's country, whether at sea or on land."

"Therefore, once he takes office, the court will only benefit, not disadvantage."

Hu Ji confessed everything he knew, but Chen Xuan frowned and said, "How can there be no disadvantages?"

"If he manages the Timur Kingdom well and makes the Timur Kingdom enjoy long-term peace and stability, then the imperial court will undoubtedly have a new enemy in the west."

"What Ping Jianghou said is right, but he ignored the issue of religion." Hu Ji shook his head and interrupted Chen Xuan, and said to Chen Xuan:
"Shaharu respected Semuhui Islam, which is different from Qinchak in the north, Wala in Mobei, and Tatar."

"In Islam, Kipchak, Oara, and Tatar are all pagans, and religious issues are enough to cause conflicts between the two sides."

"Even if the Timurid Kingdom can maintain long-term peace and stability, their attack direction cannot be the imperial court. The most likely direction is the wealthy Tianzhu, followed by the Western Regions." "Of course, judging from the arrangement of the imperial court, maybe we will also enter Lord of the Western Region, and Shaharul learns that the imperial court is powerful, he will naturally not fight with the imperial court, but will go to Tianzhu and annex the countries in the northeast of Tianzhu, or the Western Persia region that is in rebellion."

"Finally, the internal problems of Timur's country are very serious. Without Shaharul, I doubt that this country will fall apart, because among Shaharul's current sons, I have not found a great talent."

Hu Ji has been paying attention to Shaharul's family for the past two years, and he is very familiar with their family's situation.

Looking at Hu Ji's confident analysis, Chen Xuan touched his short beard: "If this is the case, what do you think we should do now?"

"If the court insists on asking Khalil to apologize, I think you two can directly send troops to capture Timur's coastal areas." Hu Ji said firmly:

"The number of local troops stationed by Timur State in these places is only 50,000 or 60,000. With the strength of the imperial court, it is completely possible to capture the Persian Gulf region belonging to Timur State."

"If Khalil is still unwilling to give in, the court can take Kerden and Shiraz. It will be more difficult to go further inland to Isfahan, but it is not impossible."

As soon as Hu Ji's words were spoken, Chen Xuan's eyes lit up and she looked at Zheng He with burning eyes.

He had long wanted to send troops to attack the city and plunder the territory. After all, that was the real achievement. With these achievements in hand, even if he could not defeat the Duke, he could still become the top among the marquises with this achievement.

"If we want to fight, I can guarantee that with the 20,000 soldiers and horses in our hands, we can fight against Timur's 100,000-strong army."

Chen Xuan gave Zheng He a guarantee, but this was not blind confidence, because he had clearly figured out the strength of Timur's local army in the past two months.

In Chen Xuan's view, the duel between Yusuf, the leader of the Black Sheep Kingdom, and Milan, the governor of Azerbaijan under Timur, was just like novices pecking each other.

As long as he leads the troops to attack, and as long as there are enough civilians to support the logistics, he can attack Isfahan and occupy one-third of the Persian area.

Because of this, he now very much hopes that Zheng He will nod.

Under his gaze, Zheng He thought for a moment before speaking: "It's easy to capture, but how can we defend it? Or who can we leave it to?"

"After all, the military order given to us by the imperial court is to focus on the Western Ocean, and the second is to force Timurid to apologize to the imperial court and become a vassal."

"It can be given to Shaharul." Hu Ji said: "If we say that after Shaharul takes the throne, he will return the territory he conquered to them, then Shaharul will definitely be willing to give the port of Horumos and the territory on the strait to them. Several islands were handed over to the imperial court for management, and they were also willing to establish trade with the imperial court and become vassals to the imperial court."

"After all, many nobles in Timur's country are very dissatisfied with the current policy. Although they have money, they have no channels to spend it."

"The imperial court's porcelain, silk, and tea can use this opportunity to enter the sights of the nobles in the country, and exchange them for gold and silver of sufficient value to be shipped back to the Ming Dynasty."

Hu Ji said this, but Zheng He frowned and said: "We can send troops first, but I still need to ask His Highness for the ownership of this place."

"How long will it take?" Hu Ji asked, but Chen Xuan on the side said:

"From here, we took a boat to Dagula Xuanweisi, and then took a quick land route to Nanjing to deliver the letter. It took almost two months."

"Including the time it takes for the carrier pigeon to fly back to Dagu La and then send back Horumus from Da Gu La, it is basically about three and a half months."

"Three and a half months is almost enough for me to conquer this place."

Chen Xuan's words were all about sending troops. Zheng He also nodded after hearing this: "I don't care about matters on land, but massacres of cities and killing of prisoners are not allowed."

Zheng He was still conservative. After all, what they needed was a Timurid state that relied on the Ming Dynasty, not a mortal enemy.

"Don't worry!" Seeing Zheng He's agreement, Chen Xuan nodded quickly, and Hu Ji also said:

"How many days will the troops be sent out? I will bring the news to Ursa then, so that they can keep their trust in me and see if Khalil will give in."

"It would be best if he can make concessions. If he cannot make concessions, it will have no impact on the court. It is better to gather troops from the South Persia region for them and decide on a decisive battle than for us to search around."

What Hu Ji said was reasonable and well-founded. Although it seemed like betraying intelligence to people who didn't know the military, for the Ming army, since the military reform, they had never lost to the enemy with equal strength.

The enemy's massed forces prevented them from searching.

"Ten days later!" Zheng He said: "If Khalil is still unwilling to apologize to the court and declare himself a vassal after ten days, then the court will send troops to capture the Persian region."

"He may not believe it, but the imperial court must have the strength!"

Zheng He's words were full of heroism. Hu Ji bowed solemnly after hearing this: "In this case, I will report the news."

"I estimate that Timur should have no less than 100,000 troops in the entire Persian region, but 30,000 of them are fighting against the Black Sheep Dynasty in Azerbaijan. Ursa in the north of the city has 15,000, and there should be more in other places. About 50,000 troops.”

Hu Ji gave a rough description of Timur's strength in Persia, and then bowed and left the courtyard.

After he left, Horumus became busy.

The fleet has been docked in Horumus for more than two months. Although the capture of Horumus allowed them to seize supplies worth 200,000 yuan, this money could not cover the fleet's two months' expenditure.

Only by sieging cities and plundering territory and supporting war with war can the fleet's voyage to the West be fruitful.

Because of this, the entire fleet was eager to attack rather than defend Horumus.

Now that the military order was received, everyone was very motivated and began to organize the army.

Ursa did not know their situation and could only learn about Horumus' situation through Hu Ji who returned.

Compared with the cold reception when he set out, Hu Ji received a high-level reception when Ursa walked out of the camp in person when he returned, and a banquet was served after he was received into the camp.

"Is Daming willing to accept our conditions?" Ursa sat in the main seat and asked nervously.

Hu Ji shook his head: "They are unwilling, and I can see from their posture that they are preparing to attack."

"Their army numbered about 20,000 people, most of whom were infantry and only a small number of cavalry."

"I suggest that the governor immediately sends a message to the Sudan and asks the entire Persian region to cooperate with you in the defense. Otherwise, it may be difficult to resist based on the number of troops you currently have."

Hu Ji's words made Ursa feel disappointed at first, and then frightened.

The reason why he dared to lead 15,000 people to camp so close to the Ming army was because he saw that the Ming army had no intention of attacking.

Now after what Hu Ji said, he wanted to immediately order the entire army to retreat to Kelden.

"Have you seen them sorting out supplies?" Ursa asked about the Ming army's logistics just to be on the safe side.

"I saw it." Hu Ji nodded and added: "If nothing else happens, they will launch an attack in half a month at most, maybe sooner."

"Half a month..." Ursa breathed a sigh of relief, came back to his senses and clapped his hands.

At his clap, a guard came up with a small box and opened it.

The box contained golden silver coins, probably no less than a thousand at a glance.

"This is your gift to find out information for us. Please accept it." Ursa motioned to Hu Ji to accept it and continued:

"If possible, I hope you can continue to stay in my army until our war with the Ming Dynasty is over."

"Of course!" Hu Ji would not let go of this opportunity and motioned to the people next to him to come forward and take the small box full of silver coins.

Seeing Hu Ji take over, Ursa breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "In your opinion, should we retreat now?"

"No, that would make it appear that we already know their actions." Hu Ji shook his head and said:

"We can stay here for five days and then retreat after five days."

"Okay!" Ursa nodded, then raised the wine glass and exchanged glasses with Hu Jida.

While they were exchanging cups and cups, the cavalry as messengers were also sent by Ursa.

Five days later, before dawn, Ursa announced his withdrawal to Kelden, four hundred miles to the north, and sent orders to Kelden, Shiraz, and Gwadar to reinforce the city defenses. At the same time, he sent people to send letters to Western Persia. area, alerting Miran Shah who was fighting in Azerbaijan.

For a time, the entire South Persia region changed its offensive and defensive posture, and the armies in various cities began to fall into a defensive posture.

Under Hu Ji's "advice", Ursa adopted the method of strengthening the walls and clearing the country, concentrating the population and materials of all villages and towns in the city.

Even though he was very worried that the city walls in South Persia would not be able to withstand the Ming army's artillery fire, this seemed to be the only way he could do it.

"fool!!"

Fifteen days later, when the Ming army began to attack, Khalil in Samarkand received news about Ursa.

In his opinion, Ursa's method of strengthening the walls and clearing the country was simply stupid.

If the city cannot be defended, most of the local supplies will undoubtedly be obtained by the Ming army, and the Ming army can continue to fight with war.

"Send me a message to Ursa immediately and ask him to move all the small cities south of Kelden and transport them to Kelden."

At this moment, Khalil did not know that the Ming army had launched an offensive, and he was still conducting command from a distance of nearly three thousand miles.

Not only that, after the order, he also ordered to the south: "Let Shaharul of Herat lead troops to support Kelden, and let Milan of Azerbaijan help defend Isfahan."

"Assemble the troops in the Hezhong area. I will personally lead the expedition and go to Persia to repel this Ming army and let them know how far they are from the empire!"

After Khalil said everything, he threw the letter in his hand into the fire and burned it, and walked towards the dark passage...

(End of this chapter)