Ten days after Battelle and Caitsk got married. In the tent of the tribe's camp, Jinhua Hatun was discussing with the leaders.

In just ten days, Yanqi City has also been breached by the invading army of Agubai. The surviving people of the tribe who assisted in defending the city, under the leadership of Su Kaizhalen, the leader of the Zabu Sur Banner directly under the Khan Banner, carried the children of the soldiers who defended the city and returned to the tribal camp after hardships.

Jinhua Hatun felt that Su Kaizhaleng could escape and return to the tribe, and it must be the same as the Battle cavalry, which had a lot of difficult and tortuous experiences. She asked Su Kaizhaleng and said:

"The Kokand army has surrounded Yanqi City like an iron bucket, and if you can return to the tribe with the surviving men and horses and these children, you must also have eyes from the sky and the blessing of the Bodhisattva! Tell us about what happened in Yanqi City? ”

Su Kaizhaleng really escaped death, thinking back on these things that had just passed, he couldn't help but feel palpitations, and his mood was extremely heavy! Reply says:

"Back to Hatton! First of all, ten days ago, General Wen's reinforcements who rushed from Urumqi were ambushed by the Third Army of the Kokand Army in the Yushugou Pass, and the whole army was annihilated! A few days after the city of Korla was breached, the first army of the Kokand army Haigula came to the outside of Yanqi City, joined up with the third army that had previously besieged Yanqi City, and began to storm Yanqi City with all its might...... Together with the defenders, we were less than a thousand, and we didn't have enough heavy firearms. The Kokand army bombarded the city with artillery supplied by the British, killing and wounding many people, and almost all the houses were razed to the ground......"

Qi Qige brought over a bowl of water and handed it to Su Kaizhaleng. Su Kaizhaleng took a sip of water, calmed down, and continued:

In the end, they received an ultimatum from the Kokand army, saying that if they did not surrender, they would blow up the embankment of the Kaidu River and flood the city...... Master Tu had already realized that Yanqi City would definitely fall, and before the city was broken, he ordered us to preserve our strength and use the secret passage of the arsenal under the military government yamen to withdraw from Yanqi City...... General Ouyang Xiong, with the remaining sergeants, fought to the death with the Kokand army outside the city in order to cover our transfer, and all of them were killed! ……”

Zabudaiji's heart trembled! Ouyang Xiong is the deputy commander of the garrison camp in Yanqi City, a person with a white flag, and a close friend of Zabu Taiji for many years. He asked eagerly, "Are you sure?" ”

Su Kaizhalen nodded...... Zabutaji closed his tear-filled eyes in agony.

"Master Tu concentrated all the civil officials and family members in the Yanqi Mansion, and the underground of the Mansion is the powder magazine...... When the Kokand army attacked the palace, Lord Tu personally lit the fuse of the powder magazine...... "Su Kaizhaleng was already crying, "When we went out of the city from the secret passage, Lord Tu only handed over a few children to us......"

The atmosphere in the big tent became even more solemn. The hearts of Jinhua Hatun and the leaders seemed to be pinched hard, and they were very uncomfortable!

Lama Mucheng recited silently, praying that the heroic souls of the soldiers who died in Yanqi City would enter the Pure Land of Heaven as soon as possible......

Suddenly, outside the tent, there was a herald's shout.

The heralds entered the horde and reported, "Report to Hatun!" Three Kokand soldiers begged to see outside the camp! ”

The leaders looked at each other, feeling that the Kokand invaders were coming too quickly.

Jinhua Hatun pondered for a moment and ordered, "Please let them in!" ”

The herald was ordered to go out of the account. Inside the big tent, the leaders looked grim.

The leader of the invading Kokand army, Said, entered the Great Horde. He looked arrogantly around the leaders on either side, and then said proudly:

"Your Majesty Hatun! On the orders of the Great Khan of my family, I have come to inform Your Majesty and the subjects of the Turghut tribe that your Great Qing Kingdom has been completely defeated by the army of my Kokand State! Now the land under our feet has belonged to the 'Hongfu Khanate' established after the conquest of our Khanate's army. You have the privilege of being subjects of my 'Khunfu Khanate'......"

Everyone glared at this disgusting, ugly figure, and their fists clenched.

"As subjects of the Khanate, you have united with other enemies to attack the advance team sent by the Khanate, assisted the army of the Great Qing State in fighting against the army of our Khanate, and took in the defenders and families who fled in the cities of Korla and Yanqi. It shouldn't be! My Great Khan was merciful and generous, and decided not to blame the past! Now, inform the Turkut tribe of the following......"

Said cleared his throat, took out a piece of paper that he had prepared in advance, and read it aloud:

"Within the first or two days, hand over the soldiers of the Great Qing State who fled from Korla City and Yanqi City, as well as all their families, and let them be disposed of by our 'Hongfu Khanate'. In the second and two days, I will ask Jinhua Hatun to go to Yanqi City to meet my Great Khan and discuss the plan......"

"Wait!" Sanjimeren interrupted Said, "The Turghut tribe has a hundred years rule: when the Khan king goes out, Hatun cannot leave the tribe. What do you mean? ”

"Don't worry! Listen to me finish reading...... In the third and seventh days, 2,000 military horses, 800 camels, 200 carts of military rations, and 1,200 carts of forage were raised. To replenish military supplies! ”

After reading the paperwork, Said continued to say loudly: "If the above-mentioned tasks are not completed within the time limit, the army of our Khanate will take further action!" ”

Battle and Su Kaizhalen were furious and wanted to draw their swords and come forward to theorize, but Zabudaiji hurriedly stopped them......

Zabudaji turned to Saeed and said, "Do you know that the drought on the steppe has been going on for several years? We can't get what you want, not to mention seven days, even for a year......"

"It's your business! I am only responsible for conveying the will of the Great Khan to you. What should you do if you see for yourselves? Said said with his head held high.

Lama Mucheng wanted to take the opportunity to test the appetite of these people and their attitude towards the tribe, so he asked Said:

"Your Excellency, Officer! The meaning of the Great Khan of your country is: If we can gather all the things you have listed in the future, and send them to your country; Then our tribe and your country will live in peace and harmony. Can it be understood in this way? ”

It depends on your faithfulness and specific response...... When His Majesty Hatun meets my Great Khan, all this will have an answer! Said said arrogantly.

Lama Mu Cheng turned around and approached Jinhua Hatun and whispered a few words...... Jinhua Hattun nodded.

Lama Mucheng walked up to Said and said, "Your Excellency, please tell your Great Khan, and we will discuss his request as soon as possible and reply within two days." Please come back! ”

Said raised his head and said arrogantly: "Farewell!" With that, he turned around and walked out of the big tent.

Lama Mucheng sent Saeed and his entourage out of the camp......

The sudden arrival of the Kokand people, especially the so-called "ultimatum", made the leaders very angry! It feels like this is a blatant provocation and an insult to the entire Turghut tribe.

Jinhua Hatun asked everyone to calm down, and they all thought about what countermeasures they had, and everyone began to discuss.

Lama Mu Cheng thought for a while, and said with some concern: "I think...... leave the families of the fallen soldiers behind, and hand over the soldiers; Then he gave them a portion of the horses and the grain. It's more appropriate to stabilize them first. It's best to take it slowly......"

"I'm against it!" Zabudaiji immediately interrupted Lama Mucheng's words, "We Turhut tribes are all men who stand up to the sky. How can there be any reason to send friends and brothers into the wolves for the sake of their own safety? Moreover, they are heroes who defend their families and the country. Although, for the time being, the state is not free to deal with these thieves; However, in the future, the army will come, and it will be a matter of time before the land is recovered! ……”

He glared at Lama Mu Cheng, spread his hands and asked, "If we do this now, we will not only be ashamed of our ancestors!" At that time, what face did we face the world? ”

Lama Mu Cheng was a little anxious, and hurriedly defended: "The Kokand people are already killing red-eyed wolves!" With our current strength, fighting them is equivalent to hitting a stone with an egg, and the entire tribe will suffer! Please think twice......"

Battle couldn't listen anymore, and Zhengse said, "Great Lama! You are the best warrior in the grassland. Bodhidharma Patriarch taught martial arts not only to strengthen the body, but also to uphold justice! Especially to deal with these thugs who have broken into our homes......"

"I'm not afraid of them, I'm afraid that the whole tribe will suffer......"

"I can understand the Great Lama's concerns. However, even if we have a head-on conflict with them in the future, the vast Tianshan Mountains and Bayinbrook grasslands are our natural rear. No one is more familiar with the mountains, rivers, grass and trees of our hometown than we are......"

"They have tens of thousands of horses, countless foreign guns and cannons......"

"We have the heavily guarded Balentai Fortress, the Chahan Wusu Fortress, as well as a number of dangerous passes such as the Eagle's Beak Pass and the Tianqiao Pass, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the ridge Daban, which can completely resist and block the enemy from penetrating. Even if we can't wipe them out completely, we can protect ourselves......"

Battle paused, his expression became heavier, and he continued, "Besides, even if we did everything exactly as they wanted. They will never let us go...... Because to them, we're all aliens......"

"So what do they want?"

"The places they occupy have slaughtered almost all the innocent people who do not obey them! In Kashgar, Shache, Hotan, Aksu, Kucha, and Korla, tens of thousands of people were slaughtered by them in every town, and blood flowed like a river! ……”

"Amitabha! Are they not afraid of retribution and hell? ”

"Did you know? Their goal is to create an extremist state that Britain can control, and to make it a tool to contain the survival of other countries. The people who worship the Buddha and the people of all ethnic groups who do not submit to them must fall to the ground! May I ask Lama Mucheng, can we agree? ”

Listening to Battle's description, Lama Mu Cheng was speechless, and felt a little ashamed in his heart.

Zabtaiji agreed with Battle and said loudly:

"I agree with Battle! Let's not forget that the two cavalry teams led by Batel and Su Kaizhaleng were able to return to the tribe safely, which was exchanged for the lives of General Zhong Yun and General Suo Gang of Korla City, Master Tu of Yanqi City, and the Ouyang brothers......"

He was already a little choked, "These heroes and heroes are in order to protect their families and defend the country, in order to leave their blood for our tribe; For the sake of the people of Korla City and Yanqi City, they will not be slaughtered by enemy artillery as much as possible. They rushed to the Kokand thugs with the belief of death, and perished with the robbers! …… This is an earth-shattering, weeping heroic feat! ”

Zabtaiji looked at Lama Mucheng and asked bitterly, "If we now succumb to these thugs and make a deal with these devils who have invaded our homeland, how can we comfort the souls of those heroes in heaven?" ”

Lama Mu Cheng seemed to wake up a little and nodded.

Sanji Meiren analyzed: "Agubai's strategic intention has become increasingly clear, and he must want to cross the Tianshan Mountains and directly attack the heart of Xinjiang - Ili and Urumqi. Quickly swallow the entire Xinjiang ...... in the shortest possible time

"The large number of mysterious black-clothed people that we and Leader Xu eradicated in the Heavenly Wolf Valley a few months ago have already been confirmed to be the advance team sent by Agubai. They just mentioned the advance team again. The task of this advance team is to reconnoiter and understand the defense deployment of Urumqi and Ili, as well as the carrying capacity of the troop transport channel. Mapping and destruction of large glaciers and major water sources in this area.

"This is a very insidious chess game set up by Aguba in order to achieve the goal of quickly occupying the whole of Xinjiang as soon as possible. Because of this situation at that time, Urumqi and Ili were safe and sound, and millions of people near the river basin were spared......

"If we give in to Aguba now, Ili and Urumqi will lose our last barrier. At that time, Agubo will definitely fight again with the idea of blasting the big glacier and poisoning the water source, and Ili and Urumqi will be self-defeating! …… The stakes are high, and we must proceed with caution! ”

After listening to everyone's analysis and discussion, Lama Mu Cheng felt that his proposal was indeed a little inappropriate! In that case, not only will it not necessarily save the tribe, but it may also cause even greater disasters! But he couldn't think of a way to "get the best of both worlds", and he had no idea for a while, and said to Jinhua Hattun in shame:

"It's true that what I just proposed was ill-conceived...... Please Hatun decide! ”

Jinhua Hatun said calmly: "What we see and hear now, all the news confirms that the Kokand robbers have no conscience at all and have no humanity!" Everywhere they went, they brutalized the living and poisoned the people, and the elderly, the weak, women and children were not spared...... Since there is a calamity from heaven, we cannot escape it. Now there is no perfect solution, but to face it calmly! …… It's a good idea! You go and invite General Zhao here, and everyone will discuss it together. ”

Qi Qige responded, and hurriedly went out of the account to find Zhao Tiefeng......

After Zhao Tiefeng's arrival, after some careful planning, everyone finally determined the response plan.

Jinhua Hatun explained to Zabu Taiji: "You go and prepare some special products from the grassland, and go to Yanqi City on my behalf to meet the commander of the Kokand army, Agubai." First of all, what tricks does this 'Central Asian butcher' want to play? What are the big things to discuss? The guards left behind by the Khan will move with you...... Be careful and act when the opportunity arises! ”

Zabudeji responded, already knowing what to expect.

Jinhua Hatun explained to Battle and Zhao Tiefeng: "The next offensive goal of Agubai's army must be to first take our fiefdom, and then go northwest to attack the military and political center of the imperial court in Xinjiang, the Ili General's Mansion; Or go directly due north and attack Urumqi.

"According to the current situation of friend and foe, our Bayingolin has become the last barrier between Ili and Urumqi; Our homeland has become a necessary place for Aguba's strategic offensive. The Balentai Gorge is the only entry route connecting Ili and Urumqi.

"Proceed as quickly as possible to the fortress of Barentae to check the state of preparedness there, and at the same time check along the route whether the stones, rolling logs, and arrows at the main passes of the Eagle's Beak and the Overpass are adequately prepared. Be prepared to meet the enemy as soon as possible! ”

Battle and Zhao Tiefeng responded solemnly, ready to set off immediately.

Jinhua Hatun also arranged to Gulu Zabu, the leader of the Central Banner, and said: "The main direction of Aguba's attack should be in the Barentai Grand Canyon. However, there was another possible way for them to attack the 'Ili General's Mansion', which was to send an army from Kucha, which they had already occupied, to cross the Tieli Daban and enter the Bayinbrook grassland.

"At the same time, the main cavalry will be sent from us into the Kaidu River valley, and the next step will be to attack Ili. This possibility cannot be ruled out. So, you rush to the Tsakhan Usu fortress as soon as possible and check the readiness of the defense there.

"At the same time, check the condition of the 'beacon towers' in various places along the line, and let them pay attention to the people and herds that have been transferred into the mountains."

Guruzab responded: "Okay! I'll set out for the Tsakhan Usu Fortress now. ”

Jinhua Hadun then told Lama Mucheng and the other leaders:

"The situation is very clear to everyone. Once the battle broke out, the tribal battalion could not withstand the attack of tens of thousands of Aguba's army, armed with foreign guns and artillery. Please start now, and arrange for everyone to move towards Bayingbrook Grassland...... Some of the cavalry can take the first step to protect the elderly, children and women, and the families of the army in Korla City and Yanqi City will go together......"

After a little thought, Jinhua Hatun added: "In addition, the tribal armory and supply station will also be transferred to Bayinbrook as soon as possible...... At the same time, it will be a protracted war to continue to send people to places like Ili to procure as much iron, gunpowder and food as possible. Be sure to prepare early! ”

Lama Mucheng and the leaders understood the difficult choice of Jinhua Hatun very well, and they were even more aware of Hatun's firm determination to prepare for a long-term confrontation with the enemy.

Everyone responded in unison: "Yes!" Harton! So they divided up and prepared to go.

Qi Qige asked softly: "Since we are getting more and more dangerous here, should we send someone to send the little prince to Bayinbrook Grassland first?" ”

Jinhua Hatun's heart sank! It is true that I haven't had time to think about how to arrange this youngest son Zhuo Ketu, who is not yet three years old, but this is related to the eternal survival of the entire tribe, and it is by no means a trivial matter!

She muttered to herself, "Let's wait until we talk......"