In the spring of 1748, it was a good time for the grass to grow and the warbler to fly. www.biquge.info After a winter of dormancy, training and expansion, the steppe army that William had high hopes for finally became an army to a certain extent.

The expeditionary force was organized into a total of two corps, as William had expected. Each corps consisted of two cavalry divisions, as well as two Cossack cavalry brigades. At the same time, it includes a fully mule-horse combat engineer regiment. More than 17,000 people. The two legions numbered nearly 35,000 men.

The 35,000-strong cavalry army carried 300 six-pounder cavalry guns and more than 100,000 war horses, an equal number of pack horses and horses. More than 200,000 cattle and sheep. A total of four Cossack cavalry brigades, in addition to undertaking combat missions, had to act as herdsmen for the army, taking care of the army, grazing these more than 300,000 horses.

The entire Steppe Legion was not so much an army as it was to a huge nomadic tribe.

It's just that, unlike other nomadic tribes, this tribe has no old people, no women and no children. The total army of thirty-five thousand was all grown, strong warriors.

"That's pretty much it. William thought to himself that his Prairie Legion was now in Ruthenia - a land of abundant water and grass, and although the Hereford family had been in business for two years, there was still a lot of land abandoned because there were not enough men and labor. In this case, large tracts of land that had been reclaimed were degraded and turned back into wasteland and grasslands.

Add to this the large pastures that already exist in this area, so not to mention more than 300,000 livestock, even if this number is increased tenfold, Ruthenia can fully withstand it.

"That's pretty much it. ”

In the last few days, William and his father took over many official duties: "In recent times, the empire has been primarily aimed at development. William said to his father. I don't see any sadness or reluctance because of parting.

As a monarch who fights the world on horseback, he has long been accustomed to all this.

"In terms of government affairs, the various ministers of the Cabinet will take care of it. William continued: "On the military side, the General Staff is the same. But you can't say whatever they say - I've left all the information, and you'd better take a good look at it and use it as a comparison, and then you'll understand. ”

"I will. Prince Otto, who looked much older than he had been three years ago, but was in good spirits, nodded, and then replied.

"Well, there's the Cheka agent thing. I have already told you how to contact this organization, as well as the collection of intelligence information, and so on. William continued to say to him: "As long as you can use this power well, you will get twice the result with half the effort." In addition to this, things about the construction of railways cannot be relaxed. ”

"I see. Prince Otto continued to nod calmly. He looked solemn, as if he had listened to everything William had to say.

"So, I wouldn't be able to rest assured without you. In the end, William said to Prince Otto with a little sincerity: "As you know, this is the most important and crucial link in our victory, and we cannot relax in any way...... It's good to have you, no matter what, you're the person I trust the most...... Father. ”

In the end, William chose this title in the end.

“...... Rest assured. ”

Despite his best efforts to hide, William could still see Prince Otto's emotional fluctuations.

"There's no need to worry too much about military matters. William said: "The focus of the Bretons at the moment is also on overseas expansion. Most of them won't start a war. If there were, it would have been just a small conflict at the border.

We will not hesitate to resolutely fight back against these minor conflicts. The people of Breton must be made aware of our strength and of our determination.

Then, there was the Ottoman Empire in the south. Although those dark elves have been taught a lesson before, and they also have wars to fight. But beware of the machinations of these guys. They are the most cunning and fickle race in the world. So, we are more likely to be at war with the Dark Elves than the Bretons. William said to him: "The Cossacks are not very reliable, and I know that. But in the event of a war with the Ottoman Empire, we're still going to need these guys.

Give them a little favor, but not too much. At the same time, we need to let these guys see our power. ”

"You don't have to worry about that. ”

Prince Otto is still the most familiar and confident about military affairs. Of all the things that William said, explained, and entrusted, this is the only one he answered most confidently.

"Then that's it. William said, "There's nothing more to say for the time being." After my expedition, I will send messengers back regularly. Let's write letters to each other. ”

"I will also send messengers on a regular basis. ”

"Finally...... I love you, Father. ”

"I love you too, my child. ”

With these words, William and Prince Otto briefly embraced. Then it was divided. In this way, William had given all the words to be explained, and under the watchful eyes of Prince Otto, all the generals of the General Staff, and all the ministers of the Cabinet, he took his personal Praetorian Cavalry regiment, the Private Praetorian Lancer Regiment and the Private Praetorian Pistols Regiment. The Praetorian Guard Brigade, consisting of a total of 3,000 men, went south.

They will be in the Ruthenian region with the steppe expeditionary force. Then to the east, into the Cuman-Kipchak steppe, and then east, to attack the Uzbek Khanate. In fact, the latter, having defeated two Cossack cavalry brigades, had already entered the territory of the Cuman-Kipchak steppe during this time. A few battles with the steppe nomads and even the Cossacks under the Hereford family.

Although the Herefords ruled the Cuman-Kipchak steppe in a much better way and with greater intensity than the Tartalya Khanate, for a short time, the nomads of the steppe still looked at the problem in the old way.

Some of the guys who dared to resist were bulldozed to the tribe. There are also some guys who see the wind and rudder and do not hesitate to join the army of Uzbeks.

After actually entering this area, the Uzbeks were surprised to find one thing, that is, this area has changed dramatically from what they expected, and has become completely different.

It's not just the growing number of settlements and military stations on the steppes that is a headache. More importantly, they were horrified by the great interest shown by their neighbors, the Russian-Gothic Empire, in the lands of the East.

Even the most knowledgeable and well-informed Uzbeks did not think that one day the Western empire would infiltrate the depths of the steppe with their tentacles, where they would build cities, build strongholds, and even open up farmland. On top of that, they have to build a road that has never been done before.

Only a handful of the most knowledgeable Uzbek chieftains had vaguely heard of what a railroad was. But as long as they say it, then the guys with a little ability will understand-

Path, road, repeat a third time, road.

In any era, roads, transportation are a little element that is closely related to war. The distant empire was ready to spend a lot of money on an unprecedented "iron road", and this road led to the depths of the steppe.

Just think about it a little, then the Uzbek who is not a fool can understand what his neighbor is thinking about.

"What a cavalry unit of Cossacks, it's nothing more than their vanguard, they're testing us. That Caesar of the Russian-Gothic Empire was a greedy fellow like never before. He wants to build an unprecedentedly expensive road to connect his land with the whole steppe - he must first turn all the steppe peoples into his slaves like the Cossacks!"

Just after a little thought, Shaybani Khan figured it out. Immediately afterward, a series of emotions flooded his mind, such as fear, annoyance, anger, and feeling ridiculous and incredible. He lost even the ability to think in a short period of time.

How can this happen, for hundreds of years, thousands of years, it has always been the poor and backward people living in the steppe who have pursued the property of those who live in rich areas, why is it the other way around, why are those who have a large amount of land, a lot of wealth and population, in turn staring at the money in their pockets?

Completely unable to understand the mouth.

But in any case, these guys are starting to get terrified - if this is not a joke, but if it is true, then they are now facing an extremely dire situation. If one is not good, then their entire khanate, everyone will perish.

In a short time, Shaybani Khan even had some idea - his idea was to abandon the fight against the Zoroastrian Empire in the south and change his biggest target and opponent to the Russian-Gothic Empire.

After only a little thought, he gave up on the idea again. Because the other side was too strong, and at the same time too terrifying - before that, Shaybani Khan had fought against Sarida Khan of Tartagalia, and the terrible centaur who used the tactics of the nomadic cavalry with great skill made him admire and fear.

He believed that as long as Sarida Khan was still alive, he would never have made the Tartalya Khanate his goal. He also believed that Sarida Khan was the most powerful of all the steppe and nomadic khans.

Even if he thinks highly of himself, he has to succumb to the upper hand.

And yet, it was that terrible, such a great Khan, who ultimately failed, and he lost to a younger, more terrible, and greater man.