"They're some innocent."

Liu Changshun poured a large glass of cold beer into his throat, his face flushed red, already a little drunk.

At the time of the purge, the ruthless and ruthless Inquisition judged the Knight Captain, but at this time it showed a bit of confusion and hesitation. The black-clad Knights of Judgment sat on the side, each sipping a cold beer. The captain's words surprised them.

Xu An patted Liu Changshun on the shoulder, "Brother, are you doubting your mission?" ”

"You don't have any doubts in your mind? The scale of the purge is getting bigger and bigger, and more and more people are involved, how many heretics are there that have been executed by our hands? How many fanatical believers have been exiled by us? Many of these people are indeed very problematic, but there are also many people who are actually just ordinary people, and they are exiled and sent from their homeland to the far north and the south of the sky, thousands of miles away. ”

"Brother, you and I are both from military backgrounds, and soldiers take obedience as their duty. We were given orders from above, and we should carry them out. Xu An said.

"But we're not soldiers now, and besides, soldiers are dealing with foreign enemies."

Xu An poured Liu Changshun another glass of beer, "You're right, soldiers are to deal with foreign enemies and defend the country." It is true that we are no longer military now, but what is the Inquisition? In nature, the people in our court are special police, including Jinyiwei and Dongchang, and you and I are clear about what the duties of the police are, and the duty of the police is to maintain internal security and order. ”

"We are retired, we are no longer soldiers, and we are no longer needed on the battlefield of foreign warfare. However, we are now police and we must not forget our duty, and it is our duty to maintain order. The heretics we put to death, the fanatical believers who were exiled by us, did they violate the decrees of the imperial court? Do we salute them before we soldiers? ”

Liu Changshun nodded, "Yes." ”

"Then we didn't do anything wrong, so do you think there is something wrong with the laws of the imperial court?" Xu An asked again.

"There is no problem, if you don't restrict these people, there will definitely be chaos in the future."

"That's fine, and I'm not going to say anything that would rather be indolent, but it's really necessary to be harsh now. Okay, don't hide these in your heart, come, have a few drinks, it's rare to take a vacation, let's have a good drink. After drinking and sleeping, all worries are gone when you wake up. ”

"Thank you, Leader."

"I'm no longer the head of the sect, and now, like you, I'm also the captain of the Inquisition's Judgment Knight." Xu An smiled and picked up the wine glass and clinked glasses with Liu Changshun.

Qinghai.

Zhang Huangyan, a young man in the army who once became famous in the Kunlun Pass, has now been promoted to the rank of right general, and he became a general in his early twenties, and Zhang Huangyan is not the first one. But compared with those original nine-headed birds, the old brothers who followed the emperor in the southern and northern wars at the earliest, Zhang Huangyan, a Xiucai who joined later, was only a small battalion commander when the Han Dynasty was founded, but now he has been quickly promoted to general.

He also became the commander of the field army stationed in Qinghai.

At this time, the young commander of the right general division was leading an elite field division under his command to advance towards the Tibetan area.

This unit, which has been stationed on the plateau for more than two years, has completely adapted itself to the climate of the plateau, sharpened and eliminated, and finally trained this 15,000-strong elite plateau field division.

When they first arrived on the Tibetan Plateau, the climate here gave them endless hardships. It was as if he had carried a hundred pounds of heavy burden, and he could be out of breath when he walked empty-handed, and many soldiers in the Central Plains had difficulty adapting to the climate here, so they had to be transferred out in the end.

But now, the division trained by Zhang Huangyan has completely adapted to this place, and they often train in the field, and even often conduct exercises in full armed gear.

He was confident that even if he was allowed to lead his troops all the way to Lhasa, it would be no problem.

He had an elite field division of 15,000 men under his command and a subordinate unit composed of herdsmen from the Qinghai-Tibet region of 5,000 men. He had yaks, horses, and a new rifled musket, and although rifled musket loading was a problem, and the lead bullet had to be hammered in, both in terms of accuracy and range.

Such rifled spearmen may not necessarily have an advantage against those troops with a large number of flintlock muskets, but they have no problem against the Heshute Mongol army and the indigenous Tibetan army in Wusizang, who are extremely short of firearms and rely on mounted firearms. Rifled guns have an advantage over cavalry units that have few firearms.

What's more, he still has so many artillery. Whether it is a field artillery unit or a mountain grenade light artillery equipped with a platoon, it is a weapon of great destruction that can sweep through the enemy's army.

The biggest problem that prevented the Han from entering Tibet was the climate, altitude sickness and long supply lines.

But now, with the troops trained by Zhang Huangyan that are completely adapted to plateau operations, and in the past two years, the imperial court has built a road from Xining to Yushu, and many castle military stations have been built along the way, and a lot of grain and grass equipment have been transported and stored, which is enough for them to fight a big war.

"Are we going to Lhasa this time?" A staff officer asked.

The field troops of Qinghai suddenly received an order to assemble from the division headquarters, and after the units were assembled, Zhang Huangyan directly ordered them to be deployed.

Up to now, not only the troops below thought that they were going to directly enter Lhasa, but even many staff officers of the division headquarters thought the same.

"The task given to us by the Privy Council is to go out of Qinghai, and it is best to break through the Tanggula Mountains and force them into Tibet, so as to force the Wusizang and Shuote Ministries not to act rashly, so that they cannot go out of Tibet to support Dzungaria."

"Is it to break through Tanggula Mountain, or to break through Nianqing Tanggula Mountain all the time?" The staff officer asked, "Should we cross the Qinghai-Tibet border and stop, or can we march all the way to Lhasa?" If we have the chance, can we take Lhasa directly? ”

Zhang Huangyan glanced at the staff officer, "What you said is indeed a problem, this Privy Council does not have a clear order, and it is up to us to grasp it." ”

As soon as the staff officers heard this, they immediately came to their senses.

"Then let's first draw up a battle plan according to the goal of capturing Lhasa, what do you think?"

"We only have 20,000 people, don't exaggerate, if we go deep alone, we will be trapped, but no one will come to save us. Your Majesty's task for us is to contain Gushi Khan's men and horses, but instead of sending people to rescue us at that time. Zhang Huang said.

"Rest assured, as long as the plan is well formulated, 20,000 people are enough. Our 20,000 horses can defeat 100,000 soldiers in Wusizang. Besides, there is also a division seat for you to command personally. ”

Zhang Huangyan just smiled, he knew very well in his heart that the task given to him by the Privy Council was to suppress the Tibetan border and put pressure on Gushi Khan, and it was never for them to go directly to Lhasa.

There is a big difference between Tanggula Mountain and Nianqing Tanggula Mountain, Tanggula Mountain is on the border between Qinghai and Wusizang, while Nianqing Tanggula Mountain is in Wusizang, and it is Lhasa to cross Nianqing Tanggula Mountain.

If the Qinghai army is just Chen Bing at the foot of Tanggula Mountain, it is only a threat. If it is directly under the Nianqing Tanggula Mountain, it will be a direct attack.

However, Zhang Huangyan also wanted to be able to take Wu Sizang directly.

Lhasa.

Gushi Khan is only a catty. Dressed in velvet, Tulubaihu stepped into the hall.

The 5th Dalai, the 4th ****, and the Tuba Sonam Qunpei, who was appointed by Tulu Baihu to manage administrative affairs, all stood up and saluted, and he returned the salute one by one.

He smiled and nodded to the two religious leaders of Usizang, and finally sat down on the seat of the first Khan, with his sons on the left and right.

Originally, the representative of the Han court in Wusizang should also be present for such an important discussion, but today none of the civil and military personnel of the imperial court in Lhasa were present.

In fact, the Gelug sect was in a precarious position in Tibet at that time, and was seriously threatened by the Zangba Khan, who respected other sects, so he finally had to send people to invite the Mongol army, which greatly respected the Gelug sect in Mongolia, to enter Tibet. At that time, the Heshute Department was also under serious threat from the Dzungars, so the Heshute and the Gelug faction hit it off, and Gushi Khan reached an agreement with the Dzungars to lead the troops into Tibet to protect the Dharma, and the Dzungars were also willing to see the Heshute Department take the initiative to withdraw from Moxi, so as not to lose both, so the Dzungars also deliberately united with the various ministries to send Heshute into Tibet.

Although the Han Dynasty later intervened sideways and sent troops to seize Kang and Qinghai, the Heshute Department finally occupied the former Tibet, Houzang and Ali regions.

Gushi Khan sent troops, successively exterminated Chotu Khan and Baili Tusi and Zangba Khan, and finally controlled the entire Tibetan area, in order to strengthen control, Gushi Khan respected the fifth Dalai at the same time, but respected his master as ****, so that the Gelug sect has two major living Buddha reincarnation systems, greatly weakened the power and influence of the fifth, especially let the two of them hide in the front and hide in the back, but also make the Gelug sect divided into two systems.

In addition, Gushi Khan established the Diba system, appointing local nobles as Diba, who replaced him in managing the administrative affairs of the entire Tibetan region. Nominally, Usizang was ruled by Gushi Khan and the two living Buddhas, but in fact, Diba only obeyed Gushi Khan's orders, and did not listen to others at all about the personnel appointments of the local government.

After that, in order to gain a firm foothold, Gushi Khan took the initiative to send his son to Beijing to ask for attachment, accepted the canonization of the imperial court, and welcomed the officials sent by the imperial court, but in fact, he still did not give much real power to the Han officials.

After a period of peace, Gushi Khan is now facing the need to stand in line.

The Han army in Jiayu is constantly accumulating troops and food, and the intention of using troops in Moxi has been very obvious, and Batur Huntaiji has sent several envoys to come, asking him to prepare soldiers and horses, and go to Tianshan at any time to fight against the Han army.

Tulu Baihu is the Gushi Khan of the Heshute Department, the Protector Khan of the Tibetans, the Wusi Tibetan Marquis of the Han Dynasty, and the Heshute Khan of the Dzungar Khanate.

He stepped on many boats at once, sewing left and right, but now he had to choose a side.

The others also sat down on their own, the fifth generation was ruddy, but he was only in his twenties, he was very young, although he had great influence in Tibet, but in fact, many important affairs were decided by his teacher, **** four generations, including inviting Heshute into Tibet, which was also from his idea.

The fourth world is relatively thin and thin, with short hair on his head, but his eyes are always squinting, but he always reveals a wisdom.

"The Han Chen soldiers in Hexi, intending to use soldiers in Moxi. The King of Dzungar Khan asked us to send troops to the Tianshan Mountains to fight against the Han army, everyone, how do you think we should respond? ”

Tulubaihu faced a few people.

"Theoretically, the Dzungar Ministry also sent troops into Tibet to help us destroy Zangba Khan, and now they are in trouble, and we can't help it." When the fourth **** said this, he turned around again, "However, we have accepted the canonization of the Han again, and now the Dzungar and the Han want to fight, we are caught in the middle, and it is not appropriate to help anyone." I think it is better to send people to reconcile on both sides, to value harmony and not to fight. ”

Damn the old fox, Tulu Baihu thought to himself.

Of course, he wanted to send troops in his heart, no matter what, the Heshute Department and the Dzungars were both members of the Oirath Alliance, they were both Mongols, but the Han was different. He did take the initiative to join the Han, but that was just to prevent the Han from entering Tibet, it was just a delaying tactic, and he did not really surrender to the Han.

If the Han Dynasty really defeated the Dzungar Department, then Heshute would become a lone wolf guarding the Tibetan area, and the Han army could turn around and attack at any time.

He still understands the truth of the cold lips and teeth, and now the power of Dzungaria is very large, as long as Dzungaria can resist the attack of the Han Dynasty and maintain a balance. If the Han wants to enter Tibet, he has to throw a rat bogey.

He glanced at Diba Sonam Gunpei.

Sonam Qunpei immediately opened his mouth knowingly, "The Great Han has nothing to do with Dzungaria, but now he is aggressive. Look at the Han Dynasty in the past few years, using troops everywhere and constantly invading other countries, they will never be satisfied, today he can attack Dzungaria, tomorrow he can invade Wusizang. Don't be fooled by the good things they say on the surface, I think you should have heard that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty has recently carried out a religious purge, countless people have been executed by them as heretics, and many more believers have been exiled for being called fanatics. Think about it, if the Han army enters Tibet, we will probably be declared heretical, and those Tibetans who believe in religion will also be called fanatics. ”

The fourth and fifth **** both frowned.

"It's easy to start a war, but it's hard to end. The Han army is strong and strong, and the Dzungars are also strong, and the two tigers are fighting, so it's better for us not to interfere. King Khan, if we rashly send troops to help Dzungaria, wouldn't the Great Han just find an excuse to enter Tibet? At that time, King Ruo Khan sent troops to Moxi, how can we hold Wusizang? ”

"Since the Han army is already going to move Dzungaria, it is a complete tear of the skin, whether we send troops or not, they will come to fight us, this is a matter of time, rather than so, we should maintain the alliance with Heshute more and more. We don't need to send too many troops, it is enough to have one or two thousand soldiers and horses to attack the Han army in Moxi from the flank. As for us, don't worry too much, the unique geographical climate of Wusizang, coupled with the long distance, is destined to prevent the Han army from using too large-scale army to invade, and we can completely withstand it. ”

The fourth **** reminded him, "King Khan, don't forget southern Tibet, the Bon and other forces that were defeated by us before have now retreated to southern Tibet, Nepal, the main domain, the Zhe domain, the Gate domain, the Luo region and other areas, colluding with the Red Sect, especially they have also received strong support from the Han people, who not only gave them muskets and artillery, but also helped them build an army of 15,000 people. In fact, you should be aware that this army is armed with Han Chinese, even the head of the sect is Han Chinese, and even the officers at all levels are mainly officers sent by the Han Chinese. ”

In the past two years, the Han people in the former and later Tibetan areas do not seem to have shown any intention of fighting for control. But they have a winding path, but they secretly support the southern Tibetan region, and integrate those rebels, Red Sects, Bon Sects, etc., as well as those fugitive nobles, have established an alliance, and there is a strong army.

It's like a sharp knife against their backs.

It is indeed a long distance to enter Tibet from Qinghai or Kang District, and the mountains and rivers are dangerous, and it is difficult to supply in a remote area, but this army in southern Tibet is very close. In particular, that army did not have altitude sickness, was not afraid of the plateau climate, especially they were very familiar with Tibetan areas, even if they had to climb over the mountains from southern Tibet to before and after, but this was not a problem at all for the Tibetan people.

"I don't think the Han people dare to invade Wusizang now, since they want to fight with Dzungaria, they must stabilize us first, otherwise they will have to fight on both sides. Therefore, as long as we do not send troops to aid Dzungaria, I believe that the Han army will not commit Tibet. "The Fourth is still resolutely opposed to sending troops.

"But the rebels in southern Tibet may take advantage of the opportunity to attack." The Fifth Dalai, who had not spoken, said suddenly.

The crowd looked at him.

The fourth said to him encouragingly, "Go on." ”

"We all know that southern Tibet was not very controlled in the first place, and after the defeated rebels withdrew there, they were backed by the Han Chinese, so that we could not send troops to exterminate them. And they have the support of the Han Chinese, and in the past two years they have been integrated, ostensibly under the leadership of the Tibetans, but in fact they are completely controlled by the Han Chinese. But after all, the Han people have always been behind the scenes, and at this time, the Han people must also be worried that we will send troops to support Dzungaria, which will threaten the Hexi Corridor. I think the Han people have always been cunning, they will not passively come to negotiate peace with us, they will definitely strike first. They don't need to take action directly, as long as they let southern Tibet send troops, it will be the civil strife in our Wusi Tibet, and it has nothing to do with them. Even, when they arrive, they may take the opportunity to help them quell the chaos, and send troops into Tibet, at that time, the north and south are attacking, let alone sending troops to aid Dzungaria, it will be troublesome to protect themselves. ”

"The Han people don't dare to do this, so won't they directly push us to the Dzungar side, they are not afraid of fighting on both sides?" One of Gushi Khan's sons asked.

The Fifth shook his head, "Could it be that if the Han army doesn't make the first move, we will really stand on the side of the Han people?" Now that the facts are obvious, the Han people will definitely do it sooner. Besides, after they have the army of southern Tibet, they don't need to send many more soldiers and horses to deal with us, and another 20,000 or 30,000 troops from Qinghai will be enough to involve us and not be able to take care of half of it. ”

Tulubaihu had to admit that what the Fifth said did make sense.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the rebels in southern Tibet were a huge threat, and he slapped his palm on the table, his eyes showing a fierce light, "Since this is the case, then we will be strong first, and send troops to destroy the rebels in southern Tibet first." (To be continued.) )