Late autumn and October. The main force of the Western Expeditionary Army began to attack the city of Manas, an important northern Xinjiang town defended by tens of thousands of elite enemy troops.

The city of Manas has two cities, north and south, forming a horn trend. Both cities were high in walls, fortifications, and powerful in firepower. This is also the last nest of the Agubo invading army and the British mercenaries in northern Xinjiang.

The desperate enemy army is engaged in the "battle of the trapped beast". Desperately resist with strong fortifications; And look at the right time and fight back wildly. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the offensive of the Western Expeditionary Army.

After several waves of all-out fierce attacks, before taking a corner of the city, the Western Expeditionary Army had already lost commanders Li Dahong, Yang Biyao, and general soldiers Feng Guizeng, Xiong Youlin, Zhang Dafa, Du Shengrong, Si Shidao, and adjutant generals Lu Huiguang, Hu Huiqun, Xu Xueming (Xu Xuegong's eldest brother) and Xu Xueyi (Xu Xuegong's younger brother), and more than 1,000 soldiers were killed......

At this time, the Turghat tribe sent Batel, Li Jie Kundu, Ashan Kundu, and Bayinqing to lead the strengthened Turghat cavalry and the adult Dorji "Boy Scouts" across the South and West Mountains of Urumqi to Manas, and galloped to the aid of the Western Expeditionary Army to attack the city. The Ili general Rong Quan, who also brought the defenders of Tacheng to the city of Manas to help in the battle.

The Western Expeditionary Army mobilized the elite forces of various departments, built forts, dug tunnels, and attacked day and night! After two months of all-out assault and heavy cost, the north and south cities of Manas were finally conquered with difficulty......

The "Battle of Manas" was the most tragic battle of the Western Expeditionary Army in Xinjiang. Two commanders, five commanders, and more than 100 generals below the deputy general were killed; More than 1,900 sergeants were killed in battle, and the wounded were not counted.

In this battle, more than 15,000 Aguba's invading army were annihilated, including more than 300 British mercenary artillerymen. seized large quantities of food and munitions; More than 30,000 people were rescued.

At this point, the Western Expeditionary Army had uprooted all the strongholds of the Agubo invading army and the British mercenaries in northern Xinjiang, and the main force of the enemy army was basically wiped out. All military towns in northern Xinjiang (except Ili) have been recovered.

At this time, Li Jian also took the main force of the vanguard cavalry of the Western Expeditionary Army, the "Dong Zi Battalion", to participate in the tragic battle to capture the city of Manas, and his left arm was wounded by artillery fire during the charge.

As soon as the battle was over, he wrapped his wounded arm and asked his soldiers to bring a few jars of "old rice wine" from his hometown to the camp of the Battelle cavalry. At this time, Xu Xuegong also came to visit the Turghut soldiers and was in the Battelle camp.

When Bayinqing saw Li Jian, he was surprised and delighted! Hurry up to introduce to you the adventures between Li Jian and King Khan at the foot of Wolf Mountain nine years ago, in front of the ancient temple in the Alxa Desert and the "Xinjiang Covenant".

When it comes to King Khan, everyone is sad!

Li Jian was full of regret, sighed and shook his head and said: "Without the enlightenment of King Khan, I would not have been able to come to Xinjiang." Now I have come to the battlefield in Xinjiang at the request of the Khan, but the Khan died young, and the yin and yang are separated, which is a pity! …… However, the spirit of the Khan in the sky knows that our army of the western expedition is like a bamboo, and his last wish to restore the land is about to be fulfilled; Even the rifles used in the equipment of the Western Expedition army also relied on the gift he gave back then, and he will be very happy! ……

"Bayinqing! I prepared these hometown rice wines when I entered the camp of the Western Expeditionary Army a year ago. I want to enter Xinjiang and drink and reminisce with King Khan on the battlefield in Xinjiang...... Now, please go to the Khan King's spirit on my behalf to set up a wine and sacrifice to my friends, and talk about the feelings of farewell. When the Xinjiang Dangkou is finished, I will personally go to the grassland to worship the spirits and sweep the graves......"

Bayinqing should take it down; He hurriedly sent people to find Gao Shan and Qi Feng.

When Dorji saw that someone came to call Gao Shan and Qi Feng, he felt that there must be something good. let Niman and Qi Feng support him, drag the injured leg with a stick, and follow him together; Find out.

Bayinqing asked Gao Shan and Qi Feng first, do you remember the general of the Western Expeditionary Army in front of you? The two of them took a closer look and shook their heads in confusion.

Bayinqing asked Li Jian again, do you remember these two young men who are in their early twenties? Li Jian also took a closer look, and then shook his head.

Bayinqing smiled strangely and said, "Nine years ago, you were not only their great enemy, but also their great benefactor...... If you hadn't led people to hunt them down at the foot of Wolf Mountain, we wouldn't have the reunion we have today......"

He said with emotion: "This swaying has been nine years. All of us are really fateful! King Khan is in the spirit of heaven, and he sees us working together to kill the enemy on the battlefield in Xinjiang! He will be very happy that his prophecy has come true now! ……”

Li Jian nodded and said, "King Khan is indeed a god!" He could foresee that nine years later, we would fight against the Kokand and the British on the battlefield in Xinjiang...... Without his enlightenment, I am afraid that I would still be further and further lost, and I would not be where I am today...... The Berdan rifle you gave me at that time, he also foresaw that it could be used on the battlefield against the invading army today.

"Did you notice? More than half of the rifles used by our Western Expeditionary Army are Chinese-style 'Bodan rifles' that imitate this kind of gun, and they are powerful, long-range, and accurate, and more than 100,000 have been built. The role of this on the battlefield is decisive! How could this battle be fought without these guns? I couldn't even imagine it. This is equivalent to the Khan King, who saved the lives of thousands of soldiers in advance......"

Everyone nodded deeply.

Xu Xuegong saw that Gao Shan and Dorji were injured, so he hurriedly asked Battle: "Are they seriously injured?" ”

Battle smiled and said, "These two boys have a big life! During the siege, one was shot in the shoulder; A hole in the skin of the cannonball was cut in one thigh. Fortunately, it was all bruises, only a piece of flesh was lost, and no bones were hurt......"

Saying that, I couldn't help but feel sad again, "The two brothers, Xueming and Xueyi, it's a pity to sacrifice!" Seeing that the thieves were about to be swept away and the world was peaceful, they ......"

Xu Xuegong's heart, although he was still feeling sad about the loss of two more brothers; But the bitter wind and rain of the past ten years have made him firm into steel. No more sorrow and tears...... During this decade, in hundreds of battles large and small against the Aguba invading army and British mercenaries; The eldest brother Xu Xuexin, the second brother Xu Xuezhong, the third brother Xu Xuexiao, the fourth brother Xu Xuedi, and the fifth brother Xu Xuece died in battle. Now, the eldest brother Xu Xueming and the younger brother Xu Xueyi have died on the battlefield of Manas again. These brothers all sacrificed their lives for the country at the prime of life, how can it not be regrettable? There are nine brothers and sisters, and now only Xu Xuegong and little sister Xu Xueying are left.

Xu Xuegong sighed and said slowly: "Get rid of the robbers who broke into the homeland and drive away the evil wolves who came to the grassland, how can you not bleed?" …… They sacrificed their lives for the country and died a well-deserved death. A few brothers and eldest brothers, walking together under the Nine Springs, will not be alone...... Is Xueying still adapting to your place? ”

As soon as Battle heard the mention of Xu Xueying, he immediately came to his senses! Said excitedly:

"Xue Ying and Catherine, and these four. Now they are all senior instructors in the 'Boy Scout Training Camp' and 'Tribal Academy'. These and their Zhixin 'masters' are responsible for teaching martial arts and practicing riding and archery; Xue Ying and Catherine are responsible for teaching culture and history. You're busy......"

After the main force of the Agubo invasion army and the British mercenaries in northern Xinjiang was defeated, the comparison of the forces of the enemy and us has undergone significant changes. The enemy's numerical superiority in numbers has been completely lost.

Several of the enemy's main army corps stationed in various cities in the northern frontier were all devastated. After Haigula's "Advance Army", Nurdong's "Native Army", Yunus's "Flank Legion" and Patila's "Ancient Pasture Battalion Garrison" were completely disabled, the remnants of the army all fled to the front line of Dabancheng, Tuoxun, and Turpan.

In addition to the remnants of several legions and the garrison of Daban City and Turpan, Agubo also had Haji's "Guards Regiment" as a strategic reserve and his youngest son's "Tax Police Corps" in Huli.

He was ready to continue to organize these remnants of the defeated army, and use Daban City, a natural barrier across the Tianshan Pass, and Tuoxun and Turpan, two strategic fortresses that had been in operation for many years, to carry out a decisive battle related to his fate.

This was also advocated by his British military adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Bigg. To be more precise, it was the British government that demanded that he must block the Chinese army here; In this way, we will continue to give the British government the necessary time to come forward to "mediate" and buy the necessary time.

In mid-April of the second year of the Western Expedition into Xinjiang (1877, the third year of Guangxu). The snow and ice melt, and the spring flowers bloom. The main force of the Western Expeditionary Army set out from Urumqi and approached Bancheng. The battle to recover southern Xinjiang officially began.

Daban City is the most dangerous pass of the Middle Tianshan Mountain on the way to march into southern Xinjiang. After several expansions by the invading army over the years, it has become a huge strategic defensive fortress with tall and strong walls, complete fortifications, and strong defensive firepower.

The commander of the enemy's advance corps, Haigula, personally commanded the defense of Dabancheng after retreating from the ancient pasture to Dabancheng. The remnants of Hygula, plus more than 5,000 horses and horses of the enemy defender of Daban Castle, Aydel, had more than 8,000 infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

Five days of fierce fighting. The defenders of Hygula and Aiydel could not resist the fierce offensive of the Western Expeditionary Army and fled. Aiddell was killed in battle, and Hygura was defeated and Toxun was defeated.

In this battle, more than 5,000 people of the invading army of Aguba were annihilated, including more than 200 British military instructors, mercenary artillerymen, and special forces of the mountain company.

A large number of horses, munitions and munitions were seized. The Western Expeditionary Army suffered minor losses of its own; The war horse of the main general Liu Jintang was hit by enemy artillery fire, but fortunately he was only slightly injured.

Late April. The Western Expeditionary Army began to set out from Dabancheng and advance simultaneously along official roads and mountain trails to Tuoxun and Turpan......

The two important military towns of Tuoxun and Turpan were the last two largest and strongest strategic fortresses of the Agubo invading army and the British mercenaries, defending the entire southern Xinjiang from north to south.

As the commander of the invading army, Aguba was well aware of the strategic position of these two fortresses. He knew that if the Chinese army could not be stopped here, Yanqi and Korla would be lost; Once Yanqi and Korla, the two central areas and choke points of northern and southern Xinjiang, are lost, the gateway to the entire southern Xinjiang will be opened. In the future, the "Hongfu Khanate" that he painstakingly managed will collapse! There is no longer a firm foothold.

Therefore, he personally sat in Tuoxun and commanded Haji's "Guards Legion" and the remnants of the troops withdrawn from the Northern Xinjiang Battlefield and the Dabancheng Battlefield; Together with his fourth son, he was brought to Huli's "Tax Police Corps" and was determined to defend the Tuoxun-Turpan line. Prepare to fight with the Chinese Western Expeditionary Army here! This was also a clear directive given to him by the British government.

Considering that Turpan's defense was relatively weak, he sent the remnants of Yunus's flank corps to Turpan to support Patila, who retreated to Turpan; Strengthened the flank defense of the main battlefield of Tuoxun......

Aguba's coach in the big tent. Aguba, Lieutenant Colonel Big, Kubri, Nurdon, Haji, and Yinshanghuli were listening to Haigula, who had retreated from Daban to Tuksun, recounting the battle.

Before Hygura could finish, Aguba had lost his patience and interrupted Hygula. He reprimanded loudly:

"Don't stress how powerful their cannons are! More than 5,000 defenders of Daban Castle in Aidel, plus the men and horses of your advancing legion alive; It is comparable to the military strength of the Western Expeditionary Army commanded by Liu Jintang. He is attacking upwards, and you are above the passes; Condescending to the top of a strong fortress, take advantage. And your artillery is no less than theirs, it should be them who have suffered heavy casualties! …… But you rely on the advance legions of the natural danger, and the defenders of Aidel; He threw away his armor and fled in embarrassment! What's going on? Moreover, Aiedel also lost his life. That's the point of your explanation! ”

Hygura hurriedly explained: "After we were surrounded by them. They did not charge directly, as they did in the city of Manas; Rather, for three days in a row, non-stop shelling of our positions with artillery. Their artillery is even more powerful than our British-made artillery. Our fortifications were almost completely blown up; More than a dozen city walls were also completely blown down. In the end, our ammunition depot was also hit by artillery fire and exploded......"

Bigg hurriedly asked, "You mean, their artillery is more powerful than our British artillery?" ”

Hygura replied with great certainty: "Yes! The caliber, range, accuracy, and power of these guns are better than our British-made guns. Not only artillery, but also the rifles they are equipped with are also very powerful; Especially the shooting accuracy and range, much stronger than our Enfield-style rifles! I think this gun is the same as the 'Bodan rifle' used by the Turks! They are all standard rifles equipped by the Russian army......"

Aguba continued: "In this case, how many rounds of foot, riding joint shock did you organize? ”

Khygura replied: "Under the cover of our artillery fire, a coordinated charge of two rounds of infantry and cavalry was organized; However, before they could engage the opposing cavalry, they were completely suppressed by their gun fire and forced back...... In addition, there is a special case. Xu Xuegong, who is now the commander of the 'Zhenwu Battalion' of the Great Qing Army, also participated in the attack on Daban City. Xu Xuegong was well aware of the fortress structure of Daban City and the nearby topography. Therefore, the Chinese army is not only powerful in gun fire; The arrangement of troops is also just right. We can only be beaten passively......"

Aguba yelled, "Enough! As the great general of the 'Hongfu Khanate'! Can you say such things to excuse yourself? It's shameless! Don't talk about ordinary cities, that is, compared to ancient pastures and Manas; The defensive advantage of Daban Castle is also very obvious! But in the end, let you fiddle with such an embarrassing ending. What a shame! …… Although the ancient pasture land and Manas were lost, the Chinese also paid a huge price! But you are in Daban City, with the most dangerous passes, natural dangers, and the strongest fortified fortresses; Even Liu Jintang, Jin Shun, and even Xu Xuegong's fur was not injured. How do you explain that? ”

Haigula's eyes lit up! hurriedly gestured and said: "Our artillery fire hit Liu Jintang's mount and knocked Liu Jintang to the ground; It's just a little bit like they'll be able to reimburse their lord! ……”

Aguba continued to roar, "That's it! Failing to kill him is tantamount to working in vain! …… In the presence of Turgot, you have been throwing away your armor; You always had an inexhaustible reason for that. Now, in front of the regular Chinese army; You're losing your troops and fleeing in embarrassment! There are also endless excuses. Do you still look like a bit of a soldier? ……”

Haigula, who was forced to be anxious, hurriedly explained: "Father Khan! There's one more thing I'd like to explain. My advancing legion, which has been severely damaged in the ancient pastureland, has indeed been crushed! When I arrived at Daban City, I didn't slow down. However, defending Daban Castle, there is not a single deserter in my advancing corps! The defenders of Lovely Idel, speaking of more than five thousand horses; But on the night of the Chinese army's shelling of Daban, hundreds of people fled the fortress...... Another part, surrendering directly to the Chinese army, leaked the state of the fire configuration of the fortress. Two days later, before our artillery group could exert its might, the artillery positions were completely destroyed by Chinese artillery fire...... These circumstances, Lieutenant Colonel Bigg can ask the living British instructor for confirmation! ”

Bigg has been synthesizing information from all sides to evaluate and analyze the combat strength of China's Western Expeditionary Force and the current battlefield situation. The more he listened, the more he felt that the development of the situation was very unfavorable to his side; As a result, he lost confidence in winning the decisive battle in Tuoxun. He hurriedly asked Agubai:

"Your Majesty! The current situation is very bad for us! Not only do they have a combat force of the same size as ours, but they also have weapons and equipment on par with ours. It's quite dangerous to get trapped here by them! In that case, do you still plan to fight them here in Tuksun? ”

Agu Bohuo stood up, grimacing, and stubbornly shouted: "Remember, everyone! The decisive battle in Tuoxun must not be shaken! ”

Bigg choked on this. He looked at Agubo suspiciously, and sighed softly. He knew in his heart that although the remaining soldiers of the current Aquba army were not too small, there were also British mercenaries like him to help; But it was no longer the opponent of China's Western Expeditionary Army. Now it's just the end of the crossbow, barely holding on.

Kubri looked at Bigg and said worriedly: "If we lose Tuoxun again now, Turpan will definitely not be able to keep it." Then Yanqi, Korla, and even Kucha and Aksu have no danger to defend, and they will definitely fall into the hands of the Chinese. Where do we stand? The consequences are unimaginable! ……”

Bigg hurriedly explained: "The decisive battle with the Chinese in Tuoxun and Turpan is also the idea of the imperial government. I hope that here, I can block the Chinese army, at least drag the Chinese army; Give the empire's good offices, mediation, and buy time. But, as a friend of His Majesty! I also want to make an independent judgment based on the situation on the battlefield......"

Kubri shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Lieutenant Colonel Big." The current Chinese do not take your British Empire in their eyes at all! Your so-called good offices, mediations, notes, and representations do not work at all and will not help! …… As you said, the British government had already begun to mediate before the Chinese's western expedition to Xinjiang had even entered Xinjiang. But now two years have passed, Jimusa, Gumudi, Urumqi, Hutubi, Manas, and the entire northern Xinjiang are gone, and now Dabancheng is also lost. Your British government is still sending notes and making representations...... I feel that this is not a sincere mediation or mediation, but watching the fire from the other side! ……”

Bigg hurriedly waved his hand and interrupted Kubry's speech. He angrily pointed at Kubri and shouted:

"Stop, stop, stop! …… Please, don't doubt the efforts and determination of our British government! …… Three years ago, Duke Forsyth was acting as a British envoy to sign the Treaty of Kashgar with our 'Zhedeshar Khanate' on behalf of the British government. Whether it was the former 'Zhedeshar Khanate' or the current 'Hongfu Khanate', the British government recognized the sovereign status of the Khanate. and has been fulfilling its obligations under the Articles, including the supply of weapons to the Khanate, the training of the Khanate's army, the sharing of intelligence and the sending of mercenaries to assist the Khanate in its war......"

Kubri shook his head again, "What's the point of saying this?" At this point, where is the sovereignty of our 'Hongfu Khanate'? Where are the boundaries? ”

Bigbi crossed his hands and continued to defend: "In order to make the Great Qing State recognize the sovereign status of the 'Hongfu Khanate', Minister Wittoma put pressure on the Chinese government on behalf of the British government two years ago and proposed a solution...... At that time, two arcs were drawn and Xinjiang was divided into three parts: starting from Manas, including Manas, Hutubi, Urumqi, and more than 1.1 million square kilometers of land south of the line from Gumudi to Jimusa, which belonged to our 'Hongfu Khanate'; Ili to the west of Manas belonged to Russia; Tacheng and the Brento Sea were still owned by the Qing Empire...... For now, this is still the best solution! ”

Kubri was also impatient, and retorted: "Make such a plan, draw two broken lines, there is a fart!" Chinese they don't want to, the British are helpless...... I think that since the Chinese are unwilling to give in, the British government should directly start another war against the Great Qing Kingdom! British warships should sail into the inland waters of the Qing Dynasty again. The British army should have entered the city of Beijing again, as it did sixteen years ago! Last time I burned the Old Summer Palace, this time I should burn the Forbidden City of the Chinese! Only then can the Chinese be made to bow down to orders and have decisive significance! …… Now, if we fall; The British Empire's 'buffer state plan' designed to colonize India was about to come to naught at the same time. We're done at the same time! ”

Bigg waved his hand again and said, "Mr. Kubry! Please don't be impulsive! The matter of territorial demarcation with the Qing Dynasty was not only the intervention of our British Empire; We also need the support of our allies. This of course also includes Russia's participation in ......"

Haigura also became agitated and shouted: "Russia? Are you still thinking about Russia now? You want to give it Ili, but the Russians are now helping Chinese against our 'Kokand Khanate'...... The grain of the Chinese army in Xinjiang was provided by the Russians. If there is no grain for the Russians, sell it directly to the Chinese in Xinjiang; With their own transportation capacity, grain and grass will have to cross the Gobi Desert, which is simply a 'Arabian Nights'! The 100,000 troops of the Great Qing Kingdom, not to mention the war; Even if it's sightseeing, you will never be able to get here! ”

Kubri added: "And more! In the past two years, the British government has only paid lip service to the Chinese government, and has not taken any meaningful practical actions. As a result, time and valuable 'bargaining chips' were wasted. Now, the Chinese army has swept across the entire northern frontier. It is all the less likely that they will ignore the so-called good offices, representations and demarcation plans of your British Government......

"The Russian government had declared war on the Ottoman Empire a few days earlier; The tenth war between the two countries has begun. The attention of both the Russians and the British will certainly immediately shift to the Balkans. The matter of our 'Hongfu Khanate' is even more ignored. Chinese will attack more recklessly...... By the time the British government comes to its senses, it's too late! ”

"Don't fight anymore! ......" Aguba interrupted the argument with a wave of his hand. He solemnly said to Bigg: "Mr. Bigg! I would like to remind the British government: the Kokand Khanate has been taken into the hands of the Russians and no longer exists. My 'Hongfu Khanate' is now the only partner of the British Empire in Xinjiang. The Chinese army is approaching the city, what should we do next? I'd like to hear your specific thoughts. ”

Bigg took a breath and said, "The most critical issue now is how to reach an agreement with the Chinese and Russians to demarcate the border as soon as possible?" This is the core issue. This problem is solved, and Chinese will naturally stop attacking...... In this way, I now also learn from the traditional practices of the Chinese and propose the following three policies: 'upper, middle and lower'. If Your Majesty and all of you agree to one of these strategies, I will at once send an urgent telegram to Minister Wittoma; According to this plan, we should step up the operation and not delay it any longer. Is that okay? ”

Aguba nodded, motioning for Bigg to continue.

"The best policy is to abandon Tuoxun and Turpan, which are still in our possession, and to keep only all the territories west and south of Yanqi and Korla. That is, with the Middle Tianshan Mountain as the boundary, the north of the Middle Tianshan Mountain belongs to the Chinese and Russians, and the south of the Middle Tianshan Mountain belongs to our 'Hongfu Khanate'. The reason why I regard this plan as the 'best policy' is because I think it is more likely to be accepted by all parties at present......

Aguba interrupted Bigg's words and waved his hand, "This is impossible! …… You say next. ”

"The middle policy is: Dabancheng, Tuoxun, and Turpan will still belong to our 'Hongfu Khanate,' including all territories west and south of Yanqi and Korla, and belong to the 'Hongfu Khanate;In addition, the northern Xinjiang region and the area east of Qiketengmu belong to the Chinese and Russians."

Aguba, along with all the enemy leaders, listened and did not speak; Neither nodding in agreement nor firmly disagreeing.

Bigg felt that Aguba might still be a little "unwilling" to give up the territorial claims of the entire northern frontier; However, the harsh reality made him lose enough confidence and insisted on occupying northern Xinjiang. He felt that Aguba was still hesitant and would not immediately express his support or opposition, so he simply said what he thought was the "next step":

"The next step is to continue to operate according to the original demarcation scheme. Starting from Manas, including Manas, Hutubi, Urumqi, Gumudi and Jimusa, more than 1.1 million square kilometers of land south of the country belong to our 'Hongfu Khanate', and Ili to the west of Manas belongs to Russia. Tacheng and Brento Sea in the north to Balikun and Hami in the east are still owned by the Qing Dynasty...... The reason why I use this plan as a 'next policy' is because according to the current war situation in Xinjiang and the current international situation, the Chinese are unlikely to accept this plan. Please consider it and make a decision as soon as possible. ”

Neither Aguba nor the leaders were silent, and they were all lost in thought; The atmosphere began to get awkward.

Agubo and the leaders have obviously realized that with the current situation in Xinjiang, it is impossible for the other side to accept the conditions listed in this "next policy". However, in the "best policy", he was indeed unwilling to give up the entire northern Xinjiang, including Tuoxun and Turpan in his own hands.