The desert wolf smoke, Jin Ge iron horse, and the army out of Jiayu Pass heralded the beginning of the arduous journey. He Meng rode a war horse and looked back at the majestic Guancheng Road: "How many people did the ancients fight for????。 Since ancient times, the Western Expedition has been full of tragic colors, and this majestic border pass has witnessed many thrilling stories. Back then, this majestic border pass was a fortress guarding the west, and now he is once again applauding our expedition! ”

Commander Lin Xiong said: "Commander, how can you be sentimental, this is not what it used to be, we are expanding the territory, what a glory." This border gate has long lost its original function and can only be remembered. "That's right, the glory of the past can only be sealed in memory, but we can't forget history, and the conquest needs the precipitation of historical experience, especially the senior generals must master historical knowledge, otherwise they will make mistakes." Mistakes made in other things can be made up, mistakes made on the battlefield are fatal. ”

Peng Chuan, commander of the 2nd Army, echoed: "The commander is right, the situation of the Western Expedition is more complicated than we imagined, so we must take many unfavorable factors into account, and things outside the battlefield are difficult to predict, and even affect the success or failure of the Western Expedition." He Meng said: "Commander Peng's suggestion is very good, as a senior general, you are not only considering the issue of combat, as the saying goes: Is it high for everyone to gather firewood, and the fine tradition of brainstorming advocated by the president should continue to be carried forward." In my opinion, every time we camp, we discuss together, we can't sing happy songs, we have to keep picking out our own faults, even if it is advisable to make amends. ”

The road to Western politics is completely alone, and the Xinjiang region itself is complicated. The situation of the enemy is unknown, so the correct command of the senior generals will determine the success or failure of this western expedition. When He Meng was in the capital. Deng Zixuan specially taught him face-to-face. The key to whether or not they can successfully gain a firm foothold in Xinjiang is how to implement and implement the ethnic policy, and administrative work is a difficult point for military generals, and how to be able to do it with ease depends on He Meng's ability.

Out of Jiayuguan is the vast next door, in order to reduce the logistical pressure, each soldier in addition to carrying weapons and ammunition. You also have to bring half a month's worth of dry food. The dry food carried by the soldiers of this expedition was all fried noodles, which contained nutrients such as sugar, peanuts, and soybeans, which minimally met the soldiers' calorie consumption. In addition, 10 catties of beef jerky were given to each soldier. As a supplementary calorie for soldiers. In addition, each soldier had to carry a sheepskin coat, and there was no sheepskin coat because of the large temperature difference between day and night between the next door and the desert. The cold of the night was unbearable.

After a 5-day trek. The troops reached the Star Gorge. The journey from Xingxing Gorge to Hami is the vast Gobi Desert, and there is no grass. The important issue of drinking water for officers and soldiers and livestock during this journey was the need to carry sufficient drinking water. There is only one sweet water well in Xingxing Gorge, and so many troops need to draw water, so it can only be done in batches. At the beginning, because of the fetching of water, the various ministries did not give in to each other, and there was a lot of trouble.

Then He Meng ordered that the cavalry troops should be given priority. Then there are artillery units, infantry units, light and heavy units, zuihou are the headquarters and families. The troops who have finished the water should be the first to set off. Therefore, the entire army front was stretched longer. The headquarters of the front army delayed for two days in Xingxing Gorge before going on the road, He Meng rode a war horse, and saw that many graves appeared on both sides, and wooden signs were inserted in front of the graves as simple tombstones, on which the names, places of origin and ages of the deceased were written.

Seeing the commander's face, an operational staff officer said: "Commander, after a continuous long march, the soldiers are not accustomed to the water and soil, and the weak soldiers will inevitably not be able to survive. He Meng blamed himself: "I heard from my wife that hundreds of thousands of troops traveled long distances, and soldiers would get sick, but they did not fall under the enemy's guns and regretfully stayed here." But they are still warriors, because this is also a battlefield, and we are challenging nature. After He Meng finished speaking, he raised his hand and saluted, and all the generals in the headquarters had majestic expressions and saluted the warriors who were sleeping here!

That night, the army camped on the desolate Egobi Desert, and the men of the headquarters began to have dinner, when a group of cavalry roared over, and the first cavalry officer jumped off his horse and raised his hand to salute: "Report to the commander, the division commander has beaten a few yellow sheep and asked his subordinates to send them over." The officer waved his hand, and several soldiers carried down the four yellow sheep from their horses. haha！ Yellow sheep is a good thing, I ate it once on the grassland, and the meat of yellow sheep is very delicious. Go back and tell you the division commander that I smiled at his good intentions. ”

After the officers and soldiers who sent the sheep left, He Meng said to the man: "Tonight, we will have a mutton dinner." Go and find Commander Lin, Commander Peng, and Commander of the Artillery Division, and I want to have a drink with them. Several men were in a hurry and began to collect the sheep. In less than an hour, the 4 sheep were cleaned up. Four bonfires were lit and the whole sheep was roasted. The sheep is not wasted, and the marching pot is stewed indiscriminately. Soon, the smell of meat begins to permeate, making those waiting for a full meal salivating and impatient.

In half a month since Jiayuguan, everyone has eaten beef jerky, and the dry ones have long been tired of eating. He Meng, Lin Xiong, Peng Chuan, and the artillery division commander held the golden mutton of the test and gnawed violently. No one will give in to munching on their heads. "Hey, I said that you guys are about the same, as if you haven't seen mutton for hundreds of years, and this is not inappropriate. Don't forget that I'm in for a treat, and I won't even say a word about Xiexie. He Meng took a sip of wine and made a tiger face.

"Commander, since you are a treat, why are you hypocritical, although we don't look good, but this is to give you face!" Lin Xiong laughed and teased. He Meng looked down at the lamb chops in his hand and said: "I didn't pay attention to this, the leg of lamb was scraped by you, next time there is such a good thing, don't think about coming again." "Commander, after eating this meal, if you want to stew it again, you can rest assured that when you arrive in Hami, our brother will take turns to invite you to eat lamb shank!" Peng Chuan smiled.

"You kid is really good at talking, and when you get to Hami, you will be used to treat you, at the moment things are scarce and expensive, here you stew a bowl of sheep for me, count yourself as bearable." Thinking of the sheep going into the water, He Meng waved his hand, and the man hurriedly brought a military lunch box with fragrant mutton soup. He Meng took a sip and said, "Ah! It's so fragrant, it's really delicious! Lin Xiong wiped a mouthful of oil Wuwu and said, "Commander, let me take a bite too?" He Meng hurriedly brought the lunch box to the side and said, "No, you few people who grab the lamb's elbow are not allowed to drink soup." If you want to drink soup, you can spit out the sheep's elbow. ”

"Commander, you are too unreasonable, how can you not be allowed to drink mutton soup when you eat mutton!" "Commander, didn't you just grab the elbow, next time we can't be humble!" Everyone was gossiping and clamoring. He Mengxu said to the man: "Without my order, they are not allowed to make sheep soup." He Meng looked like he didn't get in the oil and salt. At this time, Deng Xiuhua came over with two military lunch boxes and said: "Don't listen to him, I'm the master of the mutton soup, everyone drinks it with an open belly." ”

He Meng reacted quickly and said, "Since Madame has ordered, I will open the net." At this time, He Meng's youngest daughter came over and shouted, "I am also in charge of letting you eat enough!" When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but daxiao. Suddenly, Deng Xiuhua felt unwell and hurriedly ran into the tent. He Meng was taken aback when he saw this, and hurriedly got up to follow up the tent, and saw that his wife was vomiting on the basin, but nothing came out. "What's going on, what's uncomfortable?" He Meng asked with concern.

Deng Xiuhua straightened up and glared at He Meng and said, "You still have the face to ask that, it's all your sin!" He Meng said confusedly: "Madam, you are unreasonable, I often warn you not to be too tired, there are some things for your subordinates to do, and your energy alone is limited." The president has often taught that you can't work efficiently if you don't enjoy life. It's like if I invite them to drink wine and eat meat, just to relieve them. You are unwell now, I don't care enough to admit it, but is it an exaggeration to say that I have done sin? ”

"It's one thing to say, you men are careless, I'm pregnant, it's not your sin?" Deng Xiuhua glared at He Meng and said with disgust. He Meng was overjoyed when he heard this: "Having a child on the way to the west means that it is a good sign." "But the child didn't come at the right time!" Deng Xiuhua's face was full of sorrow. He Meng understood his wife's feelings, and the health of the officers and soldiers of the army affected his heart. He Meng immediately called the guards and instructed the guards that Madame was unwell and should follow Madame every step of the way, and not let Madame be too tired.

Hami, in front of the division of the Independent Cavalry Division, He Meng jumped off his horse with agility. "Report to the commander, Xiong Lin, the commander of the Independent Cavalry Division, is here to welcome the big frame, please give the commander instructions!" He Meng stepped forward and shook hands with Xiong Lin cordially and said: "You were once a powerful general under Zuo Zongtang, and the president took special care of me and affirmed your immortal achievements in quelling the rebellion in Xinjiang back then. "Thank you for the president's care, from now on to be loyal to the Chinese empire, loyal to the president, and never have two hearts,"

"Do you have any difficulties? Please bring it up! He Meng asked. Xiong Lin said: "After the reorganization of the unit, the officers and soldiers are very high. The subordinates all said that they were equipped with new weapons, and they asked to compete with the strong Russian cavalry. However, many old and downsizing veterans asked to return to their hometowns, and after a few years they were homesick and asked the commander for permission. He Meng said: "They are all heroes, not only let them return triumphantly, everyone will receive a considerable amount of rewards, but also to be properly settled, when Zuo Zongtang's soldiers of the Western Expedition, they will all spend their old age in peace when they return to their hometowns!" That's what the President told me to tell you. ”

Xiong Lin, who had a dark face and a tall figure, said with a little moist eyes: "Thank you for the president's grace, leading the children of your hometown and making meritorious deeds again!" Entering the division headquarters, He Meng said: "Division Commander Xiong, you are familiar with Xinjiang, I want to know about the situation of the Russian army!" Xiong Lin walked to the map and said: "According to the recent reconnaissance situation, the Russian army currently has 4 cavalry divisions and 14 infantry divisions in Xinjiang, with a total strength of about 200,000 people!" ”

Xiong Lin continued: "The southern Xinjiang region, including Dihua, Yili, Tacheng, and Altai, is completely controlled by the Russian army and heavily guarded. Dihua has two Russian cavalry divisions and six infantry divisions, with a total strength of about 100,000 troops. Yili garrisoned a cavalry division, which could be used to reinforce Dihua at any time. Several other infantry divisions were distributed in the Tacheng and Altai regions. The Russian army in southern Xinjiang did not deploy many troops, about only one division of cavalry. ”

He Meng said: "Our western expedition is mighty, and the Russian army probably already knows our situation." Your unit is familiar with Xinjiang, and if you continue to intensify your investigation, the most important thing is that I want to understand the situation in Dihua. ”

(To be continued......)

PS: Despite the harsh natural environment on the way to the west, the officers and men were full of confidence in victory.