The Fergana Basin, the most fertile place in Central Asia, has given birth to famous and prosperous cities in history, including Andijan, Kokand, Fergana and so on. Now, the entire Ferghana basin is also the core area of the rule of the Kokand Khanate.

With a population of more than four million, the Khanate of Kokand was the most powerful of the three Central Asian states. Although it was founded only a little more than 100 years ago, it came from behind and surpassed the Bukhara Khanate to become the hegemon of Central Asia. Of course, compared with the surrounding powers of Central Asia, the three Central Asian countries are too weak.

Kokand, located in the central part of the Ferghana Basin, was the capital of the Kokand Khanate. The current Khan of the Kokand Khanate, Muhammad. Gudeya is just a puppet. The strength of the whole country is in the hands of the Grand Mullah Alimukul. It can be said that the current Kokand Khanate is fundamentally a theocratic state. The Great Mullah Alimukul is the supreme being.

In the grand mosque in the center of Kokand, the Grand Mullah Alimukul sits on a woolen blanket, while the commander-in-chief of the Kokand Khanate, Aguba, stands respectfully beside him. And in front of Alimukur are two foreigners with high noses and blue eyes. These two men, from England and Russia respectively, Andeman, the envoy of the Marquis of Dalhousie, the British viceroy of India, and Abram, the envoy of Petrovsky, the governor of Orenburg, Russia.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese's ambitions for Central Asia have been fully revealed. Near Ili, they gathered an army of more than three hundred thousand people. Once these armies marched westward, the Kokand Khanate would not be able to withstand the attack of the Chinese. Said Andman, the envoy of the Marquis of Dalhousie, the viceroy of India.

"If His Excellency the Great Mullah is willing to accept the good intentions of the British Empire. We can help you fight the Chinese! The Special Envoy of Andeman continued. The main purpose of his visit to Kokand this time was to arm the Kokand Khanate and turn the whole of Central Asia into a quagmire of war. And then let the Chinese get into this quagmire of war. In this case, the Chinese Empire would be powerless to threaten India.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Great Mullah, the Chinese are ambitious. In ancient times, the entire Central Asian region was under the sphere of influence of the Chinese. This time, they are making a comeback and will definitely not let go of here. The Kokand Khanate stood in the way of the westward advance of the Chinese. They will destroy the Kokand Khanate at the first time. The envoy of Petrovsky, the governor of Orenburg, Russia, also said Abram.

Russia, defeated by China in the last war, suffered heavy losses. During the war between Russia and the Ottoman Turkish Empire. He was even extorted by the Chinese for a large amount of money to redeem prisoners of war. At the same time, however, the Chinese Empire disposed of a large amount of weapons and equipment to the Ottoman Turkish Empire at a very low price, so that Russia had to pay a greater price to defeat the enemy in the war. For this, Russia holds a grudge. This time. The Chinese Empire intended to expand westward. It also poses a direct threat to Russia. Russia hoped to be able to resist the attacks of the Chinese Empire in the three Central Asian countries.

The big mullah Alimukul hung his head and closed his eyes as if he were asleep. In fact, he was secretly calculating in his heart. He knew that the purpose of these heretics was nothing more than to want the Kokand Khanate to fight against the Chinese Empire in order to protect their interests. But is the Chinese Empire easy to deal with? For that powerful country. Alimukul has always had palpitations.

In the late Qing Dynasty, Alimakul tried to invade China's Xinjiang region. It's just that due to some domestic reasons, the plan was eventually aborted. After stabilizing the situation in the country, he found that the Manchus had been destroyed by the Chinese Empire. The troops of the Chinese Empire were stationed in Ili, and if the troops of the Kokand Khanate invaded, they would inevitably be attacked by the troops of the Chinese Empire. As a last resort, Alimukul had to cancel the plan.

In the end, his judgment was proved to be correct. Even the mighty Russia lost millions of elite troops in the war. If it had been the Kokand Khanate, I am afraid that the country would have been destroyed long ago. The strength of the Chinese Empire made Alimukul almost abandon its eastward expansion. This time, however, the Chinese Empire showed its intention to expand westward, and the Kokand Khanate would bear the brunt of the westward advance of the Chinese* army. Therefore, Alimakul is now thinking not about how to expand, but about how to keep the Kokand Khanate.

"Can Britain and Russia send troops directly to help the Kokand Khanate?" Alimukul opened his eyes and looked at Anderman and Abram. If Britain and Russia could send troops directly, the Kokand Khanate would be much more emboldened.

"No, Your Excellency the Great Mullah. Britain will remain neutral in this war. However, for the sake of justice in the world, we will help the Kokand Khanate to the best of our ability. For example, we can sell a batch of arms to the Kokand Khanate at a very low price! Special Envoy Andeman said. It was simply impossible to send troops directly to help the Kokand Khanate. Although the contradictions between Britain and the Chinese Empire have become more and more intensified, they have not yet reached the point of fighting each other. If Britain really sent troops into Central Asia to fight against the Chinese Empire, then the nature would be completely different.

The kingdoms of Afghanistan and Persia in northwestern India were already under British control. This is their defense against India. If the three Central Asian countries can withstand the attack of the Chinese Empire, then India will be safe.

Alimukul looked a little disappointed and looked at Abram's envoy.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Great Mullah. Russia suffered a crushing defeat in the last war, and we need time to regain our strength. Now is not the time for war with the Chinese Empire! Abram shook his head repeatedly. The last fiasco has cast a shadow in the hearts of the Russians. In addition, two large-scale wars in succession have caused Russia to lose a large number of troops and national strength, and now it is simply unable to confront the Chinese Empire.

"Two envoys, it's too insincere for you to do this!" The commander-in-chief of the Kokand Khanate, Aguba, said with some anger. These heretics obviously wanted to use them as gunmen to resist the mighty Chinese Empire.

"Your Excellency, are you not aware of the current crisis? According to the information we have, the 2nd Army of the Imperial Chinese Army is already making pre-war preparations. It is expected that soon they will go on the offensive. When the time comes, you will not have a choice. But the Chinese Empire must invade you. If you don't want to be destroyed, then you have to resist stubbornly! Special Envoy Andeman said.

Alimukur glared at Aguba, and suddenly, Aguba hurriedly lowered his head and said nothing.

"Two envoys, how many weapons can you offer us? In order to defend the country of the Kokand Khanate, we will organize a huge army! Alimukul said. He knew that the British and Russians would never interfere personally, so he had to think of other ways. The advanced weapons of Britain and Russia were needed by the Kokand Khanate. Otherwise, the scimitar and bow and arrow alone would not be able to withstand the army of the mighty Chinese Empire.

"Your Excellency, Great Mullah, we have stockpiled a large number of weapons in Afghanistan, more than fifty thousand rifles. If the Kokand Khanate needs it, we can sell it to you at a low price! Special Envoy Andeman said.

"Again, Your Excellency the Great Mullah. Russia also has 50,000 rifles in Orenburg, and more than 200 cannons! Abram's envoy also said. These arms were sold to the Kokand Khanate at a low price, although at some loss. But if the Chinese Empire can suffer heavy losses in Central Asia, then it will be worth it.

Subsequently, Alimakul and the two envoys bargained and purchased the 100,000 rifles and 200 cannons from Britain and Russia at very low prices. This is enough to arm more than 100,000 elite troops. You must know that the total strength of the Kokand Khanate is only 100,000.

"Aguba, from now on, recruit more troops. Our country is about to be invaded by the Chinese, and all adult men are obliged to take up arms, protect our country, and defend the glory of Allah! Alimukul said. He knew that this battle was already a must-fight.

"Yes!" Aguba nodded heavily.

At the same time, Alimakur also sent people to contact the Bukhara Khanate and the Khiva Khanate, hoping that in the face of the invasion of the Chinese Empire, the three khanates could unite and jointly resist the Chinese Empire.

In order to buy enough time, Alimakul also ordered that the various departments of the Kokand Khanate strictly restrain their own people, not to complain about crossing the border and provoking the Chinese, thus giving the Chinese an excuse to send troops.

At the end of June 1849, Lieutenant General Zhao Mingfu, commander of the 2nd Army of the Imperial Chinese Army, returned to Ili from the imperial capital of Huaxia City. Despite the ups and downs along the way, he didn't have time to rest and immediately gave an order to prepare for battle. The 3 infantry corps and 2 cavalry corps under the 2nd Army, as well as 20 border brigades, were brought to the highest combat readiness.

At the same time, on the railway from the hinterland of the empire to Ili, trains were running, transporting wagons of munitions to Ili. Grain and the like, in the fertile Seven River Valley, have been able to be self-sufficient after reclamation. Only weapons and ammunition, which need to be delivered from within the country.

The 2nd Army of the Imperial Army had already begun to make pre-war preparations. However, to send troops to Central Asia, the empire needs another excuse. Since ancient times, China has been paying attention to the fact that if the name is not right, it will not be good for it, and if it wants to send troops to Central Asia, it must also have a reason to do it. Fortunately, in Central Asia, where the ethnic situation is complicated, it is not difficult to find an excuse! (To be continued......)

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