After deciding to set off, Mu Yunyan, Wang Qinggu, Zhang Le, and others immediately instructed their soldiers to begin packing their belongings.

Immediately afterwards, the 4th Cavalry Division and the 6th Infantry Division headed north.

Yellow sand filled the sky, and dust billowed everywhere.

The entire sky looked as if it were covered by a layer of yellow smoke.

Fortunately, they had compasses and local guides.

We traveled northeast along the road for four or five days, heading towards the back of Saihantala.

...

Meanwhile, south of Saihantala, Du Zhanjun, commander of the 5th Cavalry Division, and Li Lanhe, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, led their troops toward Saihantala.

"Commander Li,"

Du Zhanjun, seated on horseback, looked at Li Lanhe beside him and asked, "How far are we from Saihantala?"

"It'll be soon!"

Li Lanhe looked around and said, "My scouts just came back and said there are still more than twenty li to go. I estimate that if we go a little further ahead, we'll be able to spot the grassland bandits' scouts!"

"oh!"

Du Zhanjun took a deep breath and said, "It seems we need to slow down."

As he spoke, Du Zhanjun looked at the staff officer beside him and instructed, "Give the order to be on high alert!"

"yes!"

The staff officer responded.

Once the order was relayed, the 5th Cavalry Division and the 7th Infantry Division slowed their advance considerably.

When they arrived at a place about ten miles away from Saihantala, Du Zhanjun, Li Lanhe and others stopped and began to dig trenches and set up tents around the area.

The artillery regiment of the 7th Infantry Division also erected its cannons in the camp, aiming at the outer perimeter. The machine gun regiment also set up its machine guns, maintaining a strong defensive posture.

Although they had reached the outskirts of Saihantala, this battle was to annihilate all the grassland bandits here.

Therefore, their initial task was to hold back the main force of the grassland bandits!

To accomplish this mission, we must naturally prepare for a protracted battle here.

Therefore, camps, trenches, and the like all need to be built.

However, shortly after the arrival of the 7th Infantry Division and the 5th Cavalry Division, the news was discovered by the Khan's army of the steppe bandits of Saihantala.

Inside Saihantala's military tent.

Karhana Beile sat on a futon, holding a wine cup, drinking hot milk wine, his eyes shining brightly.

“Beile,”

A general entered the military tent, knelt on one knee, and said, "The large army south of Saihantala has already set up camp, about ten miles away from us."

"oh?"

Karhana Beile raised his head, stared at the general, and asked, "Is it that 20,000-strong force?"

"Yes, Baylor!"

General Wu Yinqi nodded and said, "That's the one. Ten thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry, and they are also carrying cannons and other weapons."

"knew."

Khalhanabele nodded and said, "It's just cannons. We encountered them during the Eastern Expedition. They're nothing to worry about! Besides, we have over 100,000 men this time. Are we afraid of a mere 20,000?"

"You're right, Prince!"

General Wu Yinqi said, "However, some time ago, scouts in the east also discovered a large army of 20,000 men, consisting of 10,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. They are expected to arrive in Saihantala within the next two days!"

"I know that too."

Karhana Beile nodded slightly and said, "We discovered this force yesterday. Besides these two large-scale troops, are there any other large-scale troops around?"

"That's all for now, Prince."

General Wu Yinqi shook his head and said, "Recently, scouts have been sent out for seventy or eighty miles, but no signs of other large-scale military operations have been found."

"oh!"

Karhana Beile's expression turned solemn. He slowly nodded and said, "These Da Gan troops are cunning and treacherous. It's best to be cautious. We've already spread out for seventy or eighty li, but that's not enough. Send scouts out for one hundred and fifty li, and keep a close eye on the Da Gan troops! Especially to the south and east, be careful of Da Gan reinforcements coming from behind!"

"Don't worry, Prince, I'll arrange it right away!"

General Wuyinqi quickly responded.

Immediately, Wu Yinqi left the area and ordered the scouts to expand the reconnaissance range.

Inside the military tent, Khalhanabele frowned, seriously considering the current situation.

Two large military forces, totaling 40,000 men, have been discovered around Saihantala.

Although his forces were not large, Khalkha Beile was still extremely cautious.

After all, he had spent the entire previous year in the Eastern Expeditionary Army, and had fought against the Dongning Army and the Dagan Army many times.

They were very clear about the strength of their opponents.

Even though this place is in the Gobi Desert, without mountains or forests to block the way, the terrifying firearms of the Dongning Army still made Khalhana Beile feel uneasy!

Fortunately, the majority of the troops he brought this time were elite cavalry.

Moreover, there are no mountains or forests blocking the way.

Given a wide field of vision, elite cavalry can charge into the enemy ranks in less than a quarter of an hour.

Then they will be able to achieve victory!

Thinking of this, Karhana Beile felt a little better.

"Pass the message down,"

Looking at his entourage, Khalhanabele instructed, "All soldiers, take good care of your warhorses, as if they were your own parents! This is the key to our victory!"

"yes!"

The attendant quickly responded.

"in addition,"

Suddenly, Khalhanabele remembered something and added, "These damned big guns are good at night fighting. We must keep watch after nightfall. If we spot any movement of the big guns, we must immediately issue a warning. We must not let the big guns succeed!"

"Yes, Prince!"

The attendant quickly responded.

Karhana Beile then considered other matters and gave instructions to his attendants one by one.

After giving the instructions, everyone in Saihantala got busy.

Saihantala was a relatively large tribe with many herders. After Karhana Bele's tribe arrived here, they also built chevaux-de-frise and deer stockades around the area.

Karhana Beile even ordered the digging of some trenches.

Since his first encounter with the Dongning Army two years ago, Karhana Beile has become very familiar with these Dongning soldiers.

He knew that although these seemingly insignificant defensive fortifications could play a significant role in critical moments.

Therefore, Khalkha Beile tirelessly ordered his soldiers to build these defensive fortifications around the area.

After giving his instructions, Khalhanabele even put on his coat and went outside to check on the surroundings.

After nightfall, Khalkha Beile also ordered the grassland bandits on duty in the camp to be on high alert and guard against a night attack by the large army.

These tasks may seem tedious, but they are of paramount importance.

It wasn't until late at night that Khalkha Beile finally felt somewhat relieved and went back to his tent to sleep.