A month after the Khan King entered Beijing. Mount Erbin has entered a hot summer.

Although the mountain flowers of Bayinbrook are still blooming; But the haze that shrouded the grassland became thicker and thicker. At this time, the muzzle of the "Ili Garrison Army" of the Tsarist Russian army was already faintly visible.

Tribal hospitals, supply depots, and scouts, as well as the old, weak, sick, disabled, women and children in the tribe, have all been transferred to the Heavenly Wolf Valley. Because it was not easy to transfer raw materials, the armory was temporarily left in Bayingbrook.

Jinhua Hatun led the main cavalry of the tribe and remained in the Bayinbrook grassland, ready to deal with the attack of the Tsarist army.

Two hundred kilometers away, in the Valley of the Heavenly Wolf. Battle, Sukaizhalen, and Ahsan Kundu began to implement the matters of strengthening the defense of the Heavenly Wolf Valley one by one. The fortifications and fortresses at the east and west valley mouths were renovated and strengthened; The defense capability of the two Taniguchi has been further improved.

At this time, the Heavenly Wolf Valley was about 100 kilometers away from the three cities of Urumqi, Dabancheng, and Tuoxun that had been captured by the Agubo invading army, and the threat of attack always existed; And the Bayinbrook steppe, which is also within the range of the artillery of the Tsarist Russian army, is facing an attack by the Tsarist army from the direction of Ili at any time.

Aguba also incorporated a large number of defeated troops that had fled from the Kokand Khanate mainland into the mobile strike corps of Yanqi and Korla; The containment of the Barentai Gorge and the Kaidu River Valley has been restored and strengthened.

The troubled Turghat tribe fell into a treacherous situation surrounded by wild wolves and evil tigers; There is no safe place to stay. The survival situation is extremely worrying!

Wei Xiao, the chief trainer of the Boy Scouts, led everyone to build a simple "Boy Scout Training Camp" and a simple "Tribal School" in the Heavenly Wolf Valley.

The children who were gathered together were divided according to their age: all children under the age of 14 entered the "tribal school" to learn about culture and agriculture and animal husbandry; Those who have reached the age of 14 are placed in the "Boy Scout Training Camp", where they mainly practice archery and archery, and practice hard to kill the enemy, followed by cultural classes.

Because the "tribal school" lacked teachers with a certain cultural foundation, Wei Xiao was forced to go to the podium in person to teach the children to read and write; The main focus is on the "tribal school".

The matter of the "Boy Scout Training Camp" was handed over to Dorji. Let him train with Gao Shan, Qi Feng, Niman, Sang Lan, and Gu Li, the seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy scout "instructors", with this group of fourteen or fifteen-year-old children.

But this Dorji, because Master Zhixin went to Beijing with King Khan; It's as if he's lost his heart and soul! I can't keep my spirits up.

The training thing felt fresh and energetic two days ago; After two days of excitement, I felt that the work of leading people to learn art and become masters was not easy to do and boring. But he didn't have a chance to go to the battlefield and show his strength, so he was listless all day long......

this day. Dorji sent Gao Shan, Qi Feng, and Niman to take a group of boys to practice basic skills; Let Guli and Sanglan take a group of girls to practice the long whip. Lying on the grass by himself, absent-mindedly thinking about his thoughts.

Sang Lan saw that Dorji was unwilling, and said to Gu Li: "Look at the appearance of the six gods of Dorji. Now someone really needs to nod him and make him sober! ……”

"Then there you go!" Guli said.

"How's that going to work? As soon as I talk to him, I'm anxious! He only listens to you......"

"My words? That's no words! Don't bother with so much idleness......"

Battle, with a cavalryman, came quickly. When Dorji saw it, he quickly spit out the grass in his mouth and got up to greet him.

"Brother! You're looking for me? Dorji asked.

"Hmmm! Come and see you! …… If Master Zhixin is not here, you will 'herd the sheep'? ”

"Hey! How can you 'herd sheep'? are all stepping up their training...... Elder brother! What's the matter? Tell me about ......"

"It was a bit of a problem. I see you're really nervous about training, so forget it! Don't mention ......."

"Hey! Don't be nervous! Don't be nervous! …… Is there something we need to do? I'm just a little bit idle, and I really want to find something to do. Tell me, what do you need us to do? ”

"Really?"

"Really! How could I lie to you? It's really uncomfortable! Dorji shouted eagerly at Battle.

Battle looked at Dorji and said solemnly, "That's okay! …… I am going to take the cavalry team to Bayingbrook for a trip to replace the next group of cavalry and wounded who need to rest, and go to the Valley of the Celestial Wolf to rest and heal. But the people left in the Heavenly Wolf Valley are not only guarding the east and west valley entrances; I also have to take care of the grain grown on the newly cultivated land in Cherry Valley, and there is a bit of a shortage of manpower. It would be great if you could participate in the patrol and defense of the two valleys......"

"Okay, okay, okay! We can't do anything big, this patrol job is just right! Dorji nodded hurriedly.

"Then it's decided?"

"It's set, it's set! …… However, you have to talk to Brother Wei Xiao, right? ”

"That's for sure. I won't be like you...... Not a spark of decency! Battle glared at Dorji.

Dorji nodded excitedly.

After the Agubo invasion army and the British mercenaries jointly took all the military towns on the northern edge of the Tianshan Mountains through a frenzied attack; Aguba's ambitions swelled even more. He personally sat in Tuoxun and prepared to take Tacheng and Brento Sea in the north of the Junggar Basin and Hami and Balikun in the east in the near future; Control the entire territory of Xinjiang, including the entire Junggar Basin and the Eastern Tianshan Mountains.

However, the territory has expanded a lot; But the huge military expenditure made him a little unbearable. He began to feel the crisis of reality and long-term worries; While racking their brains to raise military spending, they also wanted the British Empire to increase the supply of arms and financial support.

Agubo called Lieutenant Colonel Bigg and spoke his thoughts in front of Kubri, Akimuhan and other leaders.

After listening to Aguba's request, Bigg pondered for a moment, and his face was sad. Said slowly:

"The British Empire is a capitalist country and never deals at a loss. It provides you with guns and ammunition and financial support in the early stage, and that is to achieve the 'strategic buffer country plan'. That is, to create a buffer zone around the perimeter of British India, the largest colony of the British Empire. This strip resembles a kind of fortress, or at least an impassable obstacle; It can block the power of Tsarist Russia and the Qing Empire from the buffer zone. to ensure the security of the British Empire's national interests in British India, while strengthening its control over the buffer zone......

"As a friend of Your Majesty, I tell you the truth. The politicians of the British Empire felt that His Majesty had now occupied almost all of Xinjiang; The goal of the British Empire's 'strategic buffer state plan' has been basically achieved. It's time for the 'Hongfu Khanate' to repay the British Empire! Arms aid at this time will inevitably be reduced to a certain extent; Fiscal support will shrink in the same way. The next step is for them to reach out and ask you for money, instead of them giving you money! ”

Aguba was stunned! He slapped the table and jumped up and said loudly, "Joke! Ask me for money? What the fuck logic is this? At the beginning, it was said that everyone would take what they needed, and it would pay for it and provide arms; I'm going to give my life. What I want is the territory of Xinjiang, and what it wants is the results of the toss and the right to trade in Xinjiang. Now the purpose of your British Empire has been accomplished; But my 'Hongfu Khanate' also paid a heavy price. Want to change your previous agreement now? ”

Kuburi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is angry! I think it's Lieutenant Colonel Bigg who hasn't finished his sentence yet, or hasn't said it thoroughly. I don't think the current British Empire has any intention of parting ways with our 'Hongfu Khanate' soon......"

Agubai was still angry, and shouted loudly: "Parting ways? All right! me off, I can stand on the side of Russia at any time. When the time comes, see if it's me uncomfortable? Or is it uncomfortable for the British Empire? ”

Aqimuhan also hurriedly came up to play a round and said softly: "Your Majesty! I also think that what Lieutenant Colonel Bigg said should be a few politicians in the British government, and he does not represent the British government. I think Lieutenant Colonel Bigg has something to say, but he hasn't finished speaking......"

"Lieutenant Colonel Bigg is reminding us," Kubri took over, "that the time has come to fully integrate the areas we occupy and to look more like a sound, intact independent nation." Conclude a 'treaty of trade and friendship' directly with the British Empire as soon as possible, sort out various tax items and tax rates, expand and stabilize tax sources, and expand military spending ......"

Bigg nodded, agreeing with Kubry's interpretation of what he was saying. He continued:

"That's what I meant. Now that the whole territory of northern and southern Xinjiang has been conquered and controlled, and the 'Hongfu Khanate' has been truly established, it should be carried out to the governance of the khanate. The core of governance is to establish a financial system that can support the normal operation of the state apparatus. In particular, it is necessary to maintain sufficient sources of military spending to cope with the inevitable military operations.

"If we were to be more specific, we would use an analogy. In addition to taxing cotton, grain, melons and fruits in Korla, Yuli, Luntai and Aksu, Kashgar, and Hotan; It is also necessary to dig deep into the resources of such a vast territory. Including gold mines, jade mines, coal mines, copper and iron mines in various places...... Of course, the most important thing is the gold mine. The demand for gold in the world today is very large, and the demand for gold in the British Empire and British India is also huge. Gold is the world's most important hard currency; If you get gold, you get military spending! ”

Aguba had obviously lost his breath and asked instead, "Then where are the gold mines distributed in the realm under our control?" ”

Bigg continued: "All of Xinjiang. The largest known gold mines, mainly in the Altai Mountains. In Mongolian and Kazakh, 'Altai' means gold, and Altai means 'golden mountain'. However, this is not under our control. The second largest gold mine is in the Ili West Tien Shan, which is in the hands of the Russians. The gold mines on the territory of the 'Hongfu Khanate' are mainly distributed in the Southern Tianshan Mountains near Kashgar and the Middle Tianshan Mountains near Korla-Hora Mountain. ”

Aqimuhan hurriedly said: "Five years ago, we heard that there was gold in the Hamangou in the Hora Mountain, and we also searched there. However, no gold was found in Hamangou. ”

Bigg waved his hand and said solemnly: "According to the intelligence analysis obtained by Mr. Sha Ao's two expeditions, there are two main parts of the Zhongtian Mountain: the part between the Kaidu River and the Barentai Grand Canyon in the north is called 'Erbin Mountain', and the part between the Kaidu River and the Luntai Dina River in the south is called 'Hora Mountain'.

"The Hamangou you went to last time was a small ravine in the Hora Mountains closer to Korla, not the main valley of the Hora Mountains. The main valley of Mount Hora is called 'Hora Gully'. And the entrance to this valley is the seven star passes that five years ago, General Haigula led the cavalry of two legions to fight a decisive battle against the main cavalry of the Turghut tribe......"

As soon as he heard the mention of the great duel between Turghut and the Seven Star Passes, Aguba's heart instantly evoked that painful memory. Moreover, it was also the place where his favorite third son, Cruckold, died in battle. He immediately corrected and said:

"Isn't it just the cavalry of the two legions, the Guards Cavalry Division of Yunus and your artillery team are also on the battlefield? Wasn't the Kubri military division also present? ”

Kuburi sounds a little frightened! I blamed Bigg in my heart, and now I bring it up again. This was the most fearful and sad thing for Aguba—not only did he lose his soldiers, but he also lost his favorite third son, Kedakel. He was also most afraid that because of this incident, Aguba would also record an old account for him that would be settled sooner or later. He hurriedly asked Bigg in confusion:

"How can you be sure that there is a gold mine in the 'Hora Gully'?"

Bigbi stroked his hands and proudly introduced: "According to Mr. Sha'ao's expedition records. On the cliff wall in the Hora ditch, many cave Buddha statues from more than 1,000 years ago were found, and the scale was much larger than the Seven Star Buddha Temple. Mr. Sha Ao concluded that the boundary of more than 30 kilometers from the Seven Star Buddha Temple to the Thousand Buddha Caves in Huolagou is the administrative center of the ancient Yanqi Kingdom. And into the Hora ditch, you can directly lead to the highest peak of the Hora Mountain, which is nearly 5,000 meters above sea level, the Edel Peak.

"Not far below the south side of Edelpeak is an ancient city that dates back thousands of years. Mr. Sha Ao believes that this ancient city should be the location of the 'Western Regions Protectorate' established by China more than 1,000 years ago...... Mr. Sha Ao analyzed the results of the mountain range, geological conditions and ore samples brought back from Holagou, as well as the investigation of the people in the villages in this area; It is basically confirmed that there is indeed a gold deposit in Hora Gully. However, there is no way to confirm the location of the gold mine. ”

Aqimuhan listened to it with relish, but he was also a little puzzled, and said slowly:

"I've heard that the process of gold mining or gold panning is complicated! Even if there is a gold mine, it will definitely take a long time from mining, grinding and washing to actually getting the physical gold. It's impossible for us to send people to open the mountain to mine, right? Besides, we don't have anyone who knows how to do this, do we? ……”

Kubri shook his head and said, "Hey! Sending people or hiring people to open the mountains for mining is the last resort. The gold mines mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Bigg are thousands of years old; There must be people running these gold mines, and the key is that we need to find them. ”

Aqimuhan said: "Your Majesty! From Yanqi, Korla to Luntai, the entire Hora Mountain is under our control. The men and horses of the Turgots whom we feared were now all in Bayinbrook, fighting against the Russians; It was when they were most uncomfortable that it was impossible for them to go to the Erbin Mountains to make trouble. At present, it should also be safe to enter places such as Hora Ditch. The fourth prince brought Huri and his 'tax police corps' to be stationed in Korla, can you let the fourth prince send some people to investigate and see what is going on? ”

Agubo gasped thoughtfully and said, "Hmm! Just stop talking nonsense. Let's start with this Hora ditch in Hora Mountain, and start searching for gold. Now inform Captain Huri that according to the situation mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Bigg, send a team of men or he himself to see the situation. However, make it clear to him that they are not digging mountains and mining. The purpose of letting them go is, first of all, to find the operators of the gold mines, and those who may be hiding the gold; Use force to collect the gold you have available. ”

Bigg added: "Yes! It is to gather the existing gold in our hands and use it for our use. This is an all-powerful asset, which can be used as a gold reserve for the 'Hongfu Khanate' to support the issuance of currency by the treasury, and can also be used to replenish military spending and purchase arms and equipment directly in any country...... It can also be used as a medium to connect with the financial system of the British Empire, and to connect with major banks to obtain more considerable economic assistance. In the future, it will lay the foundation for the formation of a three-dimensional deep integration between the 'Hongfu Khanate' and the British Empire in the military, economic, cultural and diplomatic fields. Make the 'Hongfu Khanate' gradually become a world-class power that plays a pivotal role in Central Asia! ……”

Aguba felt very comfortable with these words of Bige. think he said what was in his heart; The resentment in my heart just now has completely dissipated...... However, it also reminded him that he could not leave his fate entirely to the British; Instead, we should go left and right, and make our "bargaining chips" for dealing with the British, so as not to be "controlled by others" everywhere. He asked Bigg tentatively:

"Lieutenant Colonel Bigg! There was no longer a problem with the British Empire's preparations for the establishment of consulates in Kashgar and Urumqi. Just include the terms of the 'friendship treaty' between the two countries that will be signed. But now, the Russians have also come to contact them several times, and they also want to set up consulates in Kashgar and Urumqi, and set up commercial representative offices in Korla and Turpan. Moreover, the "Treaty between Russia and Kashgar (Draft)" drafted by the Russians has already been delivered to us. The article sets the tariff at '2.5%' on all goods traded between the two countries. To sign this treaty or not to sign it? I'd like to hear your opinion? ”

Bigg's face was embarrassed, and he hesitated for a while and said, "Your Majesty! You asked me to answer this question, which really made me a little embarrassed...... As a representative of the British Empire, I should do everything in my power to prevent you from entering into this treaty. Moreover, I can list many, very realistic reasons for keeping you away from the Russians! It was also a manifestation of the national will of the British Empire. But, as a friend of Your Majesty! But I support you in signing this treaty with the Russians as soon as possible......"

Agubo slammed his spirit! Excitedly said, "Tell me your reason? ”

Bigg took a sip of water and said seriously: "The signing of such a 'treaty' with the Russians must be something that the British government does not want to see, because doing so will dilute the practical significance of the 'strategic buffer country plan' and lay a hidden danger for the future balance of great powers......

"But, for Your Majesty! Now before the government of the British Empire, a 'treaty of commerce' was signed with the Russians. Significant! First, it can alert some politicians in the British government not to underestimate the existence of the 'Hongfu Khanate' and to continue to provide arms and financial support to form an 'unbreakable' relationship.

"Second, trade with Russia can increase the tax revenue of the 'Hongfu Khanate' and improve its financial capacity. Third, in the long run, the signing of the 'Treaty of Commerce' with the British Empire and Russia at the same time, with the recognition of the sovereignty of the 'Hongfu Khanate' by these two powers, is an effective deterrent to the possibility of the Chinese army's adventurous recovery of Xinjiang in the future. It created the preconditions for diplomatic intervention and even military intervention by the British Empire and Tsarist Russia in the future to protect the sovereignty of the 'Hongfu Khanate'. ”

Aguba nodded, believing that Bigg's analysis was very pertinent.

Kubri said with some concern: "Now the 'treaty' with the British government has not been signed, so we will sign it with the Russian government first." Will it cause the British government to be angry and stop providing arms and equipment and the financial support it had promised? ”

"It's a real possibility," Bigg said. Then it depends on Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Gladstone, do they have a longer-term vision? Have you ever subdued the courage of the politicians in the British Parliament? ”

Kubri was still a little confused and wanted to discuss it further. But just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by Aguba with a wave of his hand.

"Don't go too far! The focus of the current study is to collect the gold as soon as possible, and other matters will be discussed later. As long as there is enough gold in hand; At any time, in any direction, we can be invincible! ”

Aqimuhan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty! Now that I'm here, there's nothing to do. I want to go back to Korla now; Assist the Fourth Prince and his 'Tax Police Corps' in the seizure of gold from Hora Gully. ”

Aguba nodded and said, "Hmm! OK. Do such a big thing! It should be guided by an elder like you. You take a cavalry regiment back to Korla, and together with Yinshang Huli, you will collect the gold from the mountains of Hora well! ”

Aqimuhan immediately responded: "Yes! Your Majesty! I'll do my best. ”

Aguba said to Kuburi again: "The Kuburi military division is responsible for the gold seizure near Tuoxun, Turpan and Urumqi. Also informed Berkhuri of the 'rear army' that the gold seizure operation was carried out simultaneously in Kashgar and Aksu! ”

Kuburi quickly responded: "Yes! Your Majesty. I arranged ...... immediately"