At the beginning of spring this year, on a morning before dawn, Yang Peng quietly left Bianliang and headed west under the escort of a thousand guards and three thousand Xuanjia troops. didn't alarm anyone, and only Yan Ji, Yelu Hanyu, and Zhan Jin Guo were entourage. Earlier, 100,000 soldiers under the direct legion of Yang Yanzhao's subordinate troops stationed in Mongolia left the garrison under the leadership of Yang Gui and marched in the direction of Western Liao.

The army led by Yang Gui consisted of 10,000 Ming iron cavalry, 20,000 assault cavalry, 10,000 Mo sword troops, and 60,000 ordinary infantry. The ordinary infantry of the Ming Dynasty is not different from the infantry in the traditional sense, and the infantry of the regular army of the Ming Dynasty does not have strict differences between crossbowmen, sword and shield hands, and long sought-after hands. The ordinary infantry of a regular army of the Ming Dynasty is often equipped with bows and crossbows and melee weapons, or equipped with bows and crossbows and shields, or equipped with bows and spears. In other words, the regular infantry of the Ming Legion could attack with a bow and crossbow at a distance, and charge in close combat when necessary. The ordinary soldiers of the regular army of the Ming Dynasty are all-round warriors who can attack from a distance and can fight in close combat.

Some people may be a little worried that the Ming side only sent 100,000 soldiers and horses. However, according to Yang Peng's estimates, these 100,000 elite westward expeditions are more than enough. Because the Western Liao side also has hundreds of thousands of troops that can fight against the Crusaders and the rebels of Yeluyilie, it is not for Yang Peng and them to fight alone. According to Yang Peng's plan, the Liao army in the west fended off the rebels of the Crusaders and Yelu Yilie head-on, while he himself led the 100,000 elites of the Ming Dynasty to wait for an opportunity to raid. In this way, if you can't defeat the crusaders, at least you won't lose to him!

Just when the Ming army was actively mobilizing, Xiliao was also mobilizing troops to prepare for the arrival of the crusaders. The news has reached the people, the common people heard that the mysterious West will have a large army to attack, they can't help but panic, the rich families have moved to the east of the Ming Dynasty, and those who have no money stay in the local area to worry, all over the West Liao is a scene of rumors.

Yang Peng and his entourage converged with the 100,000 elites led by Yang Gui in Ningxia, and then marched west together. There was nothing to say about the day and night stay on the road, and it took about twenty days to finally arrive at the capital of Western Liao. The Emperor of Western Liao, no, should be called the King of Western Liao, Yelu Hongjun, personally led hundreds of civil and military officials out of the city to greet him. The people of Xiliao saw that the Ming Emperor personally led the elite to come, and the original worried heart couldn't help but let go, the city was empty of thousands of people, and the people cheered, and the scene was not much better than the people of Bianliang to welcome the triumph of the army. In everyone's concept, the Ming Dynasty is the most powerful empire in the world, and His Majesty the Ming Dynasty is the invincible hero in the world.

That night, Yelu Hongjun held a feast in the palace hall to wash the dust for Yang Peng and his two princesses. Yang Peng sat at the top, Yelu Hongjun and Xiliao Wenwu sat on the right, and Yang Peng's two imperial concubines and generals sat on the left.

Immediately singing and dancing, the monarchs and ministers of Western Liao frequently toasted Yang Peng and the two princesses and other generals, only to see that the banquet was staggered, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

After three rounds of drinking, Yelu Hongjun couldn't help but ask Yang Peng for advice on the strategy of retreating from the enemy.

Yang Peng said: "I want to hear the information you have obtained so far. ”

Yelu Hongjun responded, and immediately rushed to Yelu Zhong, who was sitting next to him, and said, "King Dingbei, it's up to you to introduce your majesty." However, Yelu Zhong was in a daze, as if he had not heard Yelu Hongjun's words at all. Seeing this, Yelu Hongjun couldn't help frowning, and secretly blamed Yelu for being so out of shape in front of His Majesty! Immediately raised his voice and shouted: "King Dingbei!" ”

Yelu Zhong came back to his senses with a shock, and when he saw that everyone was looking at him, he couldn't help but feel at a loss, and hurriedly apologized to Yang Peng: "Your Majesty, minister, the minister didn't rest well last night, so, so ......" Yelu Hongjun reprimanded: "You actually lost your temper in front of Your Majesty, it's really unusual!" Yeluzhong apologized again and again, looking very guilty.

Yang Peng smiled and waved his hand: "It's okay, it's okay, it's a trivial matter, you don't have to take it to heart." ”

Seeing Yang Peng like this, Yelu Hongjun naturally didn't blame Yeluzhong too much, and shouted in a low voice: "Quickly introduce some of the current situation of the crusaders to Your Majesty!" ”

Yeluzhong responded, and hurriedly said to Yang Peng: "According to the report from our detailed work, the crusaders have entered the Khorezm region, with a total of more than ten Western countries participating, led by the Holy Roman Empire, with a total strength estimated at more than 400,000!" According to the time, in two months we should be able to cross the Khorezm Sea (Aral Sea) and launch an attack on us! The civil and military forces of Xiliao whispered, and everyone looked worried.

Yelu Hongjun asked Yang Peng for instructions: "Your Majesty, the enemy army is menacing, and there are Yelu Yilie's rebels and the rebels of the Sticky Baen tribe to respond, how should we deal with it?" Everyone's eyes converged on Chen Xiao's body.

Yang Peng smiled: "Although the enemy army is quite numerous, it is not difficult to deal with, so you don't have to worry." ”

If this is said by another person, everyone must only think that he is a mouthful, but when Yang Peng said this, everyone's feelings are different, and they only feel that most of the original depression and worry have disappeared in an instant.

Yelu Hongjun saw that although Yang Peng was confident, he did not say a specific strategy, knowing that he was worried that there were many people here and afraid that the mechanism would be leaked, so he stopped asking. Immediately, Yelu Hongjun only talked about Fengyue with Yang Peng, and did not involve military affairs, and laughed and laughed constantly, unconsciously until late at night.

……

Yelu Hongjun, who was a little drunk, returned to the palace with the support of the queen. Yelu Hongjun did an embroidery pier, held the queen's slender hand, and said happily: "Although it is a pity to surrender to Daming, but there is no need to worry about any major matters, naturally Daming will carry it for us!" ”

The queen personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to him, and said worriedly: "Although the Ming Dynasty has come to support, the crusaders have more than 400,000, plus the rebels of Yelu Yilie and the rebels of the tribes such as Sticky Baen, and the enemy is more than 500,000, can it be dealt with with the 100,000 Ming army?" ”

Yelu Hongjun took a sip of tea and said with a smile: "Don't forget that we still have more than 300,000 troops!" After a pause, "I estimate that Your Majesty's strategy should be to use our Western Liao army to supposedly hold on to attrition the enemy, and he will lead the Ming elite to wait for the opportunity to raid." Haha, with the combat effectiveness of the Ming Army and His Majesty's unparalleled bravery, it can be said that we have at least six or seven percent of the chance of winning! Don't look at the large number of soldiers and horses of the Crusaders, after all, they came from thousands of miles, and logistics supply is their biggest weakness! The queen sighed.

Yelu Hongjun was very surprised, looked at the queen, and asked, "After listening to my explanation, why are you still worried?" ”

The queen was startled, and hurriedly said, "You are mistaken, how can I be worried." ”

Yelu Hongjun didn't take this matter to heart, and dried the rest of the tea in one gulp, then took off his clothes and pants, kicked off his shoes, and went to bed.

Early the next morning, Yelu Hongjun and Yeluzhong rushed to the big tent of the Ming army to discuss the specific strategy against the enemy with Yang Peng and others.

As soon as the two arrived, Yang Peng smiled and said to the two: "I have good news for you, not long ago, the tribes of Sticky Baen have been declared vassals, and will send troops and horses to deal with the crusaders with us. ”

Yelu Hongjun was overjoyed and exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Sticking to the Grace of the Tribes to abandon the darkness and turn to the light, our chances of victory are greater! Then he asked curiously, "I wonder how the Sticky Grace tribes suddenly changed their attitudes?" Yang Peng said with a smile: "At the same time as I came to Hu Si to cut my ears, I sent an envoy to the Sticky Grace Tribe. Yelu Hongjun understood, and then bowed with infinite admiration: "Your Majesty is powerful, and the clown who jumps off the beam is not looking at the wind!" ”

Yang Peng stood up and walked to the map that had been unfolded, and everyone immediately surrounded him. Yang Peng pointed to the line of Salan, Slander, and Tarasi on the map, and said: "The Crusaders have traveled thousands of miles on an expedition, and it is difficult to supply logistics and baggage, and it is difficult for Yelu Yilie to support the military needs of the 400,000 crusaders, so for them, the sooner they end the war, the better!" This route is the closest route from the west, and the Crusaders will try to attack directly from here! Yelu Hongjun looked at the map and nodded, bowed and said, "Your Majesty is like a god, it will definitely be so!" ”

Yang Peng pointed to the Chuihe River in the north of the desert and said, "Although the enemy is most likely to attack from the line I just mentioned, the north of the desert cannot be unguarded." "There is a big desert in Husi's ears, and to the south of the desert is the Kuzhang River and the Tarasu River basin. This area is very prosperous, and the road system is perfect, so it can be said that it is the only way to come from the west; The northern part of the Great Desert is extremely desolate, thousands of miles of red land, and it is naturally very difficult for the army to advance from here. However, there is a Chuihe River here, which flows downstream through Husi'er and finally flows into Issyk-Kul Lake to the east of Husi'er, so the enemy can go all the way south along the Chuihe River to Husi'er.

Yelu Hongjun nodded, bowed to Yang Peng and said, "If Your Majesty has any orders, the ministers will definitely do it!" ”

Yang Peng said with a smile: "You will take all the soldiers and horses under your command in the Huzhang River Valley, the Tarasu River Basin and the Vertical River Basin. Two-thirds of the soldiers and horses were stationed in the cities, and the remaining one-third were stationed in the Kyrgyz Mountains to provide reinforcements at any time. Just fight your way to resist it, I'm the one to break the enemy! Yelu Hongjun bowed and said, "Obey Your Majesty's will!" ”

Yang Peng saw that Yeluzhong never spoke, and couldn't help asking, "Why has King Dingbei been silent?" ”

Yeluzhong heard Yang Peng's question, came back to his senses, and hurriedly said: "Minister, the minister is just worried that if he is beaten into the national capital by the Crusaders, it will ......."

Yelu Hongjun immediately glared and shouted: "Don't talk nonsense! With the pen here, what can those demon clowns do? It's just to send him to death! ”

Yang Peng looked at Yeluzhong and said with a smile: "It is understandable that King Dingbei is worried. "Jerod is submissive. Yang Peng glanced at the two of them and said, "If you don't have any problems, go down and execute." The two bowed down and retreated.

Yelu Hanyu said to Yang Peng: "Big brother, then Yeluzhong's performance makes me feel a little strange. Yan Ji nodded and said, "I also feel this way, I always feel that this person is a little awkward!" He looked absent-minded at the banquet last night, and he looked absent-minded when he came to discuss the matter today. ”

Yang Peng asked Yan Ji: "Did the local 'Hua Xu' and Jin Yiwei find anything unusual?" ”

Yan Ji shook her head and said: "The concubine has still contacted the person in charge of the local 'Huaxu', everything is as usual, and there is nothing eye-catching." ”

Yang Peng thought for a moment and ordered: "You immediately order the local 'Hua Xu' and Jinyi guards to closely monitor Yeluzhong's every move, and report any situation immediately." Yan Ji promised and hurried down.

Yang Peng looked at Yelu Hanyu and asked, "Is there any report from Aliqi?" "Aliqi, the former first brave general of the Great Liao, was loyal to Yelu Hanyu, and later scattered with Yelu Hanyu after the invasion and followed Yelu Longqing to Western Liao. After arriving in Western Liao, Aliqi was suppressed because he was Yelu Hanyu's cronies, but since the Western Liao surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, Aliqi became the most powerful general in Western Liao, holding half of the soldiers and horses of Western Liao, and the other half of the soldiers and horses were commanded by Yeluzhong.

Yelu Hanyu said: "Aric sent someone this morning to say that he will come to visit me and my eldest brother in the next two days, and I haven't exchanged information with him yet." But there shouldn't be any problems, otherwise Aliqi will definitely send someone to report to us as soon as possible! ”

Yang Peng nodded, sounding the performance of Yelu in the past two days, and he was full of doubts in his heart.

A few days later, Yan Ji hurriedly came to see Yang Peng and said with a smile: "Husband, the matter in Yelu has been clarified." Husband, guess what is it that makes him always distracted these days! ”

Yang Peng and Yelu Hanyu looked at each other and smiled, Yelu Hanyu smiled: "Look at you like this, why do you need the eldest brother to guess, I can see it, there must be no problem, it should be some kind of personal matter entangled in Yeluzhong, right?" ”

Yan Ji gave Yelu Hanyu a thumbs up and said with a smile: "Hanyu, you really deserve to be the brains of your husband, and you can guess it." Then he smiled and said, "But you can't imagine what it is, even if you dream about it!" Let me tell you, that Jereth is secretly dealing with the queen! ”

Yang Peng and Yelu Hanyu were greatly surprised, and Chen Xiao asked: "You mean, Yelu Zhong stole someone else's wife, and this other person's wife is the mother of the country of Xiliao, the queen of Yelu Hongjun?" ”

Yan Ji nodded and said, "That's it." ”

Yang Peng and Yelu Hanyu glanced at each other, and Yelu Hanyu said angrily: "Yelu Zhong is too ridiculous to do such a thing!" ”

Yang Peng frowned and said: "This kind of messy private affair is most likely to cause a catastrophe!" Then he smiled and said: "No wonder he always looks like he can't give up these days!" ”

Yelu Hanyu said: "We shouldn't hide this matter, we should tell Yelu Hongjun and let him deal with it." However, now that the war is imminent, I am afraid that this will disturb the internal affairs of the Western Liao Imperial Court, and make this war give birth to countless variables in vain. My opinion is that after this war is over, I will tell Yelu Hongjun about this matter, and Yelu Hongjun will deal with it. ”

Yang Peng nodded thoughtfully and said, "It should be so." Then he said to Yan Ji: "Remove all the people who are watching Yelu." Yan Ji clenched her fists and promised.

At this moment, Li Lang, the captain of the secret guard, rushed in and reported: "Your Majesty, Yelu Hongjun, the king of Western Liao, has come to ask to see Your Majesty. ”

"Yes, please."

Li Lang answered and ran down, and after a while, I saw Li Lang leading Yelu Hongjun in. When everyone saw Yelu Hongjun's anxious look, they knew that there was news of a crusade nine times out of ten.

Yelu Hongjun met with Yang Peng and the two maidens, and then said urgently: "Tanma has just come to report that the enemy's vanguard has arrived in the Khorezm Sea (Aral Sea)." The minister felt that the situation was urgent, and he had come to ask His Majesty for instructions. ”

Yang Peng and the two women glanced at each other and said, "The enemy's speed is much faster than we expected!" Then he asked Yelu Hongjun: "Have you done all the things I told you to do?" "Returning to Your Majesty, everything has been done, all 370,000 troops have been arranged in place according to Your Majesty's orders, and 60,000 soldiers and horses of the Sticky Baen Tribes have also been deployed to the Vertical River Valley as a backup for Aliqi."

Yang Peng nodded, and said to Yelu Hongjun with a smile: "Since everything has been arranged, there is nothing to worry about." Now just wait for the enemy to attack. ”

"Yes." Immediately, Yelu Hongjun asked with some concern: "Your Majesty, there shouldn't be a problem in this battle, right?" ”

Yang Peng smiled: "I said don't worry, don't you believe my words?" ”

Yelu Hongjun hurriedly said; "I'm not worried, it's just, it's just ......"

Yang Peng walked up to Yelu Hongjun, hugged him on the shoulder, patted him, and said, "Leave the rest of the things to me, what about you, just stay in the palace and accompany your wife!" Remember, women, no matter how much you love you, you also need companionship! ”

Yelu Hongjun didn't know why His Majesty suddenly said such a thing, and hurriedly bowed down to promise.

After sending Yelu Hongjun away, Yang Peng couldn't help but shake his head when he looked at Yelu Hongjun's back, and muttered: "It's really sad for a man to do this job!" Both women felt the same way. Yan Ji asked her lover, "Husband, the enemy has crossed the Khorezm Sea, and presumably he will attack Salan soon, should we take action?" ”

Yelu Hanyu smiled: "Don't be so impatient, now it's just the enemy's striker, and we don't need to make a move." ”

Yang Peng said with a smile: "Hanyu is right, when the enemy's large army arrives, it is time for us to take action." ”

At the same time, thousands of miles to the west, the Crusader armies, dominated by the Holy Roman Empire, were marching eastward. This time, the goal of their eastern crusade was changed to Western Liao. Speaking of which, the reason why Catherine, the empress of the Holy Roman Empire, launched this holy war was mainly because Yeluyilie, who had surrendered to Chengcheng, told Catherine and the human and military forces of the Shinra Manchu Dynasty that the Western Liao Empire was incomparably rich, far better than Tianzhu. Not long ago, the crusaders led by the Holy Roman Empire swept through the richest part of Tianzhu, and the participating countries certainly made a lot of money, and the participating soldiers all became rich overnight, and the crusaders benefited from Tianzhu far more than the previous crusades from the Arabs combined.

Therefore, when the Shenluo monarch heard that Xiliao was even richer than Tianzhu, how could he not be moved? So the court unanimously passed a resolution to immediately form a crusader against the heresy called Western Liao. Driven by huge interests, the crusaders were quickly formed, and this time all Western countries, including England, sent troops except for the French Empire and Rome, which did not send troops to participate, and under the temptation of huge interests, more people chose to believe that the HRE was the orthodoxy of the kingdom of heaven. An army of more than 400,000 men set out in winter, entered the Khorezm region after the beginning of spring, and then continued eastward.

The Crusaders marched mightily, winding between the mountains and hovering over the wilderness, with smoke and dust billowing and could be seen for dozens of miles. But if you look closely, you will see that the crusading army seems to have been divided into two very different parts. Among them, the more than 100,000 troops walking in the middle, the armor is distinct, the flag is surging, the formation is rigorous, the sword is as strong as a forest, only the rumbling footsteps are heard between the marches, there is not the slightest noise, and there is a fierce murderous aura faintly revealed in the billowing smoke and dust, this is obviously a well-disciplined and well-equipped elite division that has been in battle for a long time! A black double-headed eagle banner waved in the wind, and it turned out that this unique elite was the HRE army!

Corresponding to the HRE army is the coalition army of more than 20 Western countries, the voice is noisy and noisy, the team is sparse, compared with the HRE army, it is like a rabble.

A fast horse galloped from the front, until he was under the handsome banner of the Shinra, and faced the middle-aged general with a noble expression and a calm expression: "Generalissimo, Yelu Yilie led the army to converge, and he has reached the place of more than thirty miles ahead. It turned out that this middle-aged man was the Generalissimo of the Holy Arachon, that is, the commander of the Crusades, named Karn, and one of the generalissimos of the Holy Roman Empire, with the same status as Gude, who had led the Crusaders to sweep Tianzhu before.

Karn snorted, and then instructed his generals, "Pass the order, and all armies prepare for battle." The cavalry marched separately from the infantry. The generals answered the promise and went down one after another to give the order. Looking at Karn's order, it is obvious that he is not at ease with Jeruiel! In fact, this is Karn's character. Karn's personality was completely different from Goode's indomitable and explosive character, and he was very cautious, and he gave orders in this way, not so much because he didn't believe in Jere, but mainly because of his character. Always make sure that everything is safe at all times.

Although the commanders of the crusaders of other countries were very unimpressed with Karn's orders, the world has always been the most powerful side to speak for the truth, so although the commanders of the countries did not think so, no one dared to disobey Karn's orders.

Half a day later, the Crusaders joined up with more than 50,000 men and horses led by Jereil. Since Jereel had surrendered to the HRE, as soon as he saw Karn, he immediately dismounted and bowed to him, and blessed the HRE Empress Catherine.

After all, what happens next, let's see how it will be broken down next time.