Chapter 1189: The Fistful Son of Shi Dakai (Second update, please subscribe)
Ningyuan City, the headquarters of the Imperial Army Advisory Group.
The heater in the group leader's office was burning very brightly, even making the room seem a little stuffy. Advisory group leader Huang Peichuan and deputy group leader Fang Honglin sat at either end of a low table. On the table were a wooden chessboard and glazed black and white chess pieces. Huang Peichuan played with the black pieces and Fang Honglin played with the white pieces.
The chess skills of both of them are similar, and they fight back and forth without any hesitation.
What time is it now?
Is now the time to play chess leisurely?
Suddenly, the office door was hurriedly pushed open, and everyone's eyes were instantly focused on it.
Lieutenant Song Guodao held a telegram in his hand, stood at attention and saluted as calmly as possible, then said word by word:
"Intelligence confirmed that as of February 8, the Roman Empire had assembled two full divisions and several auxiliary troops in the Turkestan Governorate, with a total strength of about 35,000 troops. Lieutenant General Nikolai Pavlovich Ignatiev had already set out from Tashkent and was advancing towards Khujand."
"In addition, as of February 7, the Roman Empire demanded that the Kingdom of Heaven withdraw from Kokand on the grounds that Kokand was its protectorate, otherwise it would take a series of measures."
Fang Honglin put down a piece slowly and said:
"In the past few months, we have tried our best to persuade the Russians, but they are unwilling to accept the fact that Kokand has been occupied by us. Now that they have already investigated and mobilized their troops, it is unlikely that we can talk about peace."
Jiang Wei on the side said slowly:
"I think we still have the advantage. If the Russians take the initiative to attack, it won't be a long expedition, but attacking a well-fortified fortress may not necessarily give us an advantage. Besides, from a practical point of view, the Kingdom of Heaven also has the advantage."
Huang Peichuan nodded:
"Jiang Wei is right. We originally overestimated the strength of the Russian army. But in reality, the Russian troops in Central Asia are all second-rate troops with second-rate equipment. In addition to the two reorganized divisions trained by us, the other ten adjustment divisions of the Heavenly Kingdom were also trained by our instructors. Their equipment is all the same, the Type 70 rifles... Well, they still have the strength to fight, but the key is that they lack manpower."
Insufficient troops!
In fact, the lack of troops was not due to other reasons, but because Gansu had a small population. During the Hui Rebellion, several million people were lost. When Shi Dakai occupied Gansu, the population was less than 15 million. 15 million is a lot, but in fact, in the Western Regions and other places, although there have been immigrants for ten years, the population is only more than 2 million. Although most of them are young and strong soldiers, no more than 20 divisions can be deployed for combat.
The Western Region is so vast that it cannot be defended with only twenty divisions.
"Even if we mobilize all the military settlements now, we don't have that many weapons. We are located inland and the communication between us and them depends on airships. Airships can't transport many weapons, and the Empire will not turn against Rome because of Shi Dakai. With such a long supply line and increased consumption during the war, by then the weapons and ammunition will be exhausted, and the elite troops will suffer heavy losses. On the contrary, we may not be able to defend the Western Regions."
After listening to the team leader's analysis, everyone nodded in agreement, and Fang Honglin asked the team leader about their next plans.
"What to do next? You ask me, and I also ask the country. However, things have come to this point, and the storm is coming. It seems that the Western Region will inevitably have to go through a difficult war to defend the country. Regardless of whether the advisory group stays or leaves, I hope that everyone will perform their duties conscientiously and do a good job of the work at hand. Everyone must remember that although we are soldiers of the Empire, the Ming Dynasty and China are one family. The Western Region is our Chinese homeland. If it is invaded by a foreign country, we should be loyal as soldiers."
…
The Russians are coming!
For Shi Dakai, who had been marching and fighting for half his life, he did not feel nervous after receiving this information. He immediately summoned his subordinates to make defensive deployments and of course also invited the advisory group. As early as when they crossed the mountains and attacked Kokand, they had already formulated a targeted defense plan, and now they were just implementing it according to the plan.
After completing the deployment of the troops, Shi Dakai suddenly turned to Huang Peichuan:
"Captain Huang, I remember you once said that Russia is an ally of the Ming Dynasty. Now that Rome has invaded Ningyuan, will you still stand on Ningyuan's side? Just like you once promised me!"
Shi Dakai stared at Huang Peichuan. In the past few years, his cooperation with the empire had been very close. Even the reason why he sent troops to Kokand was because of the "instructions" of the empire.
Of course, as the Wing King of Heaven, the reason why he cooperated with the empire was not only because of guns and cannons, but the more important reason was that he knew that he was powerless to fight against the modern army of the Tang Dynasty. Kokand... no, Ningyuan, was a way for him to leave a retreat for the Shi family.
And this retreat is Ningyuan. He has even made up his mind that once the Kingdom of Heaven is destroyed, he will proclaim himself the King of Ningyuan. Then what? Of course, he will ask the Empire to confer the title.
In fact, Shi Dakai had no ambition at all. His biggest ambition was to make the Shi family rich and prosperous.
Huang Peichuan bowed respectfully and said:
"Lord Yi, as the Empire has promised, as long as the situation permits, the Empire's military assistance to your country will not be interrupted, and the Empire's military advisory group will remain here. The Western Regions are China's Western Regions, and the Ming Empire is also a member of China. It is absolutely impossible to see any country encroach on our Chinese land."
Huang Peichuan's answer made Shi Dakai very satisfied. If Huang Peichuan had talked about something like interests, he would not have believed it. However, he believed in the "Huaxia" he mentioned, and the empire always needed to save its face.
"Well, Captain Huang, please rest assured that as long as I am still alive, I will never allow the Russians to get involved in the Western Regions!"
Then Shi Dakai said without further ado:
"Captain Huang, you will be fighting with my army from now on."
Huang Peichuan bowed slightly:
"It is an honor for me as a Chinese soldier to be able to defend the land of China. Of course, I am also happy to serve King Yi."
Shi Dakai nodded repeatedly:
"Captain Huang, although I am in the Western Regions, my heart is in the Ming Dynasty. I will definitely defend the Western Regions for China and the Ming Dynasty."
Why do you say this? Of course, it's to show your loyalty. After all, you are also a child of the Ming Dynasty.
"The King of Wings is loyal and righteous."
Huang Peichuan said again.
"In addition, the first batch of military aid from the empire will arrive soon. Please rest assured, King Yi Qiansui, the empire's support for you will never change!"
After confirming that the support of his allies would not change, Shi Dakai breathed a sigh of relief and then said.
"Thank you for the assistance from the Heavenly Dynasty. When I have the chance in the future, I will go to Zhongdu to thank Your Majesty in person!"
(End of this chapter)
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