I

Page 753

The fifth railway, Tianshui-Lanzhou-Wuwei-Zhangye-Jiuquan, has been built outside Jiayuguan to strengthen the connection between the inland and the Western Regions.

These five railways are planned to be completed within 40 years, and I don't know if Zhao Han can live for that long.

Isn't American silver imported too much?

Putting money on the railway can not only alleviate inflation, but also absorb the surplus labor force in the north.

Anyway, Zhao Han created a few railways that are not connected to each other, and they are all relatively flat sections.When technology improves in the future, future generations will extend and connect the railway, and even build the railway to the grassland area.

Zhao Han went back to the palace with his wife and children, but there was a Mongolian prince by the river, watching the steamboat in silence for a long time.

This Mongolian prince is called Ayuqi, and he lived in the Zhungeer tribe in his childhood. His grandfather was the Zhungeer Khan.Then he went to Tibet with his grandfather to worship the Buddha, and then under the leadership of his grandfather, he crossed the entire Kazakh grassland and came to the lower reaches of the Volga River and the coast of the Caspian Sea to live.

More than a year ago, Ayuqi brought [-] followers and planned to return to Tibet to visit his teacher (a certain unspeakable lama) through the Kazakh Khanate, and by the way, he took some monks to the Caspian Sea to preach.

When he arrived in Qinghai, he realized that Qinghai-Tibet had changed.

So he asked his deputy to go to Tibet, and he brought people to Nanjing, claiming to be from the Turghute Department to ask for a seal.

The Han soil is really rich, and the Han people are really powerful!

A Yuqi watched the street scene all the way, and followed the officials of Honglu Temple to Zhongshan Temple to stay. After a few days, he was finally received by Emperor Zhao.

"You guys are actually Oirats?" Of course Zhao Han knew "The Legend of Heroes Returning to the East", but he was still surprised that a group of Mongols actually went to the Caspian Sea to graze.

The protagonist of "Heroes Returning to the East" is Ayuqi's grandson.

Ayuqi said: "Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor, we are the Torghut Department of Oara Mongolia."

Zhao Han asked again: "Do you really live in the lower reaches of the Volga River?"

Ayuqi corrected: "Your Majesty, the Volga River is what the Russians call it, and we Mongolians call it the Ezile River."

"How's the situation over there?" Zhao Han asked curiously.

Ayuqi said: "The Russians are very strong in the middle and upper reaches, and they also built castles in the lower reaches. We have been fighting the Russians for a long time. The Russians are weak in field battles, but the castles are very difficult to deal with. Some Cossacks are Russian accomplices. There are also some The Cossacks, our allies, join us in fighting the Russians."

The Cossacks, who were enemies of the Torghuts, mainly operated in the Volga River Basin.

The Cossacks allied with the Torghut Ministry mainly operated in the Don River Basin.

Ayuqi continued: "I was on the way to Nanjing, and I heard that His Majesty is also at war with Russia. The roots of the Mongols are in China, and the Mongols are willing to be the pioneers for Your Majesty, and they will never die with the Mongols on the Ezile River!"

The words were so funny that Zhao Han almost laughed.

From Jiayuguan to the Volga River, there is a distance of [-] miles, and it is all nonsense to say anything, and it is purely a show to obey the Chinese emperor.

Of course, Zhao Han was very happy to be able to disgust Tsarist Russia, and decided to give Ayuqi a thousand muskets as a gift.

After all, Ayuqi's grandson led his tribe back east in history, and half of the 17 people died on the way.

I would rather die half of the time than return to China, and refuse to accept the rule of Tsarist Russia, which shows how cruel the oppression of Tsarist Russia is.

Chapter 1009 [Light up the map of Central Asia]

Zhao Han obviously attached great importance to A Yuqi, not only kept him in the Forbidden City for dinner, but also called the crown prince and grandson to come.

"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince, greetings to His Highness the Grandson!" Ayuqi was very excited, and his affection for Zhao Han was infinitely high, and he felt that it was the right time for him to come to Nanjing this time.

Zhao Kuanghuan was also very approachable, and he actually bowed his hand to the Mongolian prince in return.

"Grandpa...hug!" Emperor Taisun Zhao Shixuan raised his hands.

Zhao Shixuan is four years old this year. He is the second son of the prince, but he is the eldest son.

Zhao Han picked up his grandson, put him on his lap and fed him with a smile.

Ayuqi raised his glass to Zhao Han first, and then he respected the prince, describing the situation in Central Asia in detail: "More than 200 years ago, the Khan of the White Horde Khanate was killed, and the White Horde Khanate collapsed. The descendant of Shuchi's youngest son, Abri Haier Khan ascended the throne. This person has been in power for 40 years and has laid a vast territory. The name of the country is the Uzbek Khanate. The people directly under Abli Haier Khan are craftsmen, farmers and businessmen. They are collectively called "Uzbeks". .The tribes living in the Kipchak steppe are called 'Kazakhs'."

Zhao Han suddenly realized, and finally figured out the origin of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

The merchants and craftsmen in Datong China only went as far as the Yinli River Basin, and they really didn't know much about the situation in Central Asia.

Ayuqi said: "Up to now, the Uzbek Khanate has been destroyed. The Kazakhs migrated to the Seven Rivers Basin and established the Kazakh Khanate, and the grasslands under their control continued to grow. The Kazakh Khanate was divided into three jurisdictions, Dayuzi, Zhongyuzi and Xiaoyuzi. At its peak, the country had a population of one million and 30 people who controlled strings. But now it has been divided, and the three Yuzi are in charge of their own affairs."

Zhao Han just fed his grandson and asked the prince to communicate with A Yuqi.

Zhao Kuanghuan asked the palace servants to bring the globe and asked, "Where are the three jades?"

Ayuqi touched the globe for the first time and was shocked when he got it in his hand. After careful confirmation, he said: "Small Yuzi is in the west of the Kazakh Khanate, Middle Yuzi is in the northeast of the Khanate, and Big Yuzi is in the south of the Khanate. This is the Khiva Khanate , this is the Khanate of Bukhara."

At this time, the Kazakh Khanate covered almost half of Central Asia, but it was also mixed with two other Khanates—the Aral Sea and its surrounding areas belonged to the Khiva Khanate, and Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and southeastern Uzbekistan belonged to Bukhara Khanate.

The Bukhara Khanate was established by the Uzbeks. It has been at war with Persia for hundreds of years, and it has to cross the border to Persia to plunder from time to time.

Small Yuzi is located on the east coast of the Caspian Sea, Zhongyuzi is next to the northern Xinjiang region, and Dayuzi is next to the southern Xinjiang region of Xinjiang.

Zhao Han glanced at the globe while listening to Ayuqi's narration.

The map of Central Asia is finally lit up.

Zhao Han suddenly asked: "How is your relationship with Kazakh Sanyuzi?"

"Oirat Mongolia has been at war with the Kazakhs for more than 100 years," Ayuqi said, "but our Torghut tribe was pushed out by the Oirats and moved westward, so we are still friendly with the Kazakhs. This time I brought 500 people from the tribe. China was not attacked by Kazakhs on the way.”

Zhao Han asked again: "Did you bring the golden seal bestowed by Daming?"

Ayuqi said: "No, I must bring it next time."

"You don't need to bring it, I'll send someone to get it and get a new seal for the Turghute Department," Zhao Han said, "I will make your father king..."

"Your Majesty," Ayuqi interrupted in embarrassment, "my grandfather is still alive."

Zhao Han immediately changed his words: "Canonize your grandfather as the king of Torghut, named the county king, and the prince of Zhibi. When you go back, go with the canonized envoy of the Celestial Dynasty."

Ayuqi said: "Your Majesty, I have seen many new crops in the Celestial Dynasty, such as potatoes, corns, and sweet potatoes. I heard that all of them can produce high yields. Please give me some grain seeds."

"Yes." Zhao Han agreed.

At this time, the Turghut Department did not grow much food.

It was not until Ayuqi succeeded to the throne that farming and commerce were encouraged, and his strength quickly reached its peak.

It's a pity that he met Peter the Great. Russia was also developing rapidly at that time, and the Turghut Khanate became a dumping ground for Russian goods.Russia sells goods to Ayuqi at high prices, and imports grain from Ayuqi at low prices, and is cut miserably by industrial scissors.

In Ayuqi's later years, the status of the two countries was no longer equal, and the Turghut Khanate had to obey the tsar in name.

After asking a lot of specific information, Ayuqi was taken away from the Forbidden City by the guards.

Zhao Han hugged his grandson and asked, "Do you know why you supported the Turghut Ministry?"

Zhao Kuanghuan replied: "We make friends at a distance and attack at a close distance. The Torghut Department is thousands of miles away from the Chinese Empire, and by supporting it, we can contain Russia. When the Chinese Empire recovers the Western Regions, it will border on Kazakhstan. The Torghut Department can also contain Kazakhs in the west."

"That's right, there is this level of consideration," Zhao Han said, "and there is also the religious consideration. The Torghut tribe believes in Buddhism. Its north and west are Orthodox, and its east and south are Islam. In terms of religion, The Torghut tribe is surrounded by groups. The stronger the Torghut tribe, the more Buddhism can spread around. Remember, the problems in the Western Regions are largely religious issues.”

"My son, please remember." Zhao Kuanghuan said.

Half a month later, the Ministry of Rites engraved the golden seal, and China's canonized envoy followed Aqiyu to the Caspian Sea.

The deputy envoy is Pang Anguo, the adopted second son of Pang Chunlai, who is also an orphan of martyrs.This kid stumbled and stumbled to graduate from middle school and went to Jinling University at his own expense, but he still couldn't get a university diploma.

Fortunately, the system did not take shape in the early years, so I took advantage of the loopholes and became a small official.

He has no other skills, but he has a good language talent, and he has mastered both Latin and Mongolian, so he was promoted by Zhao Han to be an official in Honglu Temple.

Zhengshi's name is Xie Yuan, who was born in the first Jinshi of the Datong New Dynasty, and can also speak fluent Mongolian.

When Ayuqi and the envoys arrived in Lanzhou, it was already late autumn, and the first snow had already fallen.They spent the winter in Lanzhou, and continued on the road in the spring of the following year, accompanied by a thousand Datong cavalry.

Troops must be sent to follow, otherwise the envoy may not come back.

Historically, Ayuqi's envoy came to China for the first time, with the intention of sending his nephew, mother and sister to worship Buddha in Tibet, and then went to Beijing to meet Kangxi.This time there were 500 cavalry escorts, and there were no problems going back and forth.

So Ayuqi sent a regular mission, which was grandly received by Kangxi, but the mission disappeared on the way back, most likely being intercepted and killed by the Kazakhs.After all, the escort this time has too few troops, and with the goods rewarded by Kangxi, it may be killed by the jealous Kazakhs at any time.

After passing Jiayuguan, it is the territory of Yaerqiang Kingdom.

Xie Yuan was so excited that when he was passing through Dunhuang, he asked the guide to take him to Yumen Pass to pay his respects.

Looking at the desolate and dilapidated small town, Xie Yuan said to Pang Anguo: "Why should the Qiang flute complain about the willows? The spring breeze does not cross the Yumen Pass. This is the homeland of China, and we have to continue to regain lost ground."

Pang Anguo said with emotion: "I also learned to ride and shoot, but unfortunately my father (Pang Chunlai) didn't let me join the army."

"Da da da da!"

More than a hundred cavalry rushed forward, and the actual controller of the Hami area, Muhammaitisha Hezhuo, came with his son Ebedura.

"Hamibeke and Zhuo Muhan Mai Tixia of the Yarkand Khanate, pay homage to the envoy of the upper kingdom!" Muhan Mai Ti Xia and Zhuo dismounted and gave Xie Yuan a big gift.

Xie Yuan smiled and helped: "Please get up quickly."

Muhanmaitixia and Zhuo glanced at the Datong cavalry, and found that there were only a thousand cavalry, and they did not bring any civilians, so they immediately felt relieved.

These Datong cavalry are all one man and two horses.

Armor was carried by horses, food by camels.In addition, there are some attendants, such as military doctors, veterinarians, auxiliary soldiers, etc., all of which are not large in number.

Erbedura secretly observed the equipment of the Datong cavalry, but it was a pity that they were all tied to the horses, so it was really hard to see what they looked like.The historical king of Hami had a strong desire for control, but he had little ambition. He only wanted to occupy Hami as the local emperor.

Everyone was invited to Hami to eat melons, and Ayuqi was also entertained.

During the banquet, Muhan Mai Tixia and Zhuo cried bitterly: "Rong Bing, the angel of the Shang Kingdom, the Heshuo Special Department has been going south for years to plunder, and the people of Hami are miserable. When the angel returns to Nanjing, he must Bingming Your Majesty, and severely reprimand and restrain him." Those damned Heshuot Mongols."

"Definitely." Xie Yuan nodded.

Stayed in Hami for a few days, used Datong silver dollars, bought some supplies, and then continued to set off westward.

The northwestern area of ​​Hami is obviously much more desolate.

Even if there is some land that can be cultivated, there are not many people in sight.This was robbed by the Heshuo Special Department. The descendants of Gushi Khan were driven out of Qinghai-Tibet by the Datong Army, successfully occupied the Balikun Ranch, and mixed with the original Heshuo Special Department. Hami Burke had only passive defense Power.

If this robbing continues, Hami's livelihood and finances will be robbed.

Turpan in the front is similar, also being robbed by the Heshuo Special Department and unable to take care of itself.

On the night of being received by the Governor of Turpan (Prince Yarkand), Xie Yuan said to Pang Anguo: "The cities in Turpan and Hami are quite prosperous, which shows that they have made a lot of money from business. But the countryside is sparsely populated, and the price of food in the city is expensive. , I am afraid that there will be food shortages from time to time. At most three to five years, the Heshuo Special Forces will probably be able to capture these places."

Pang Anguo said: "The Yarkand nobles in Turpan and Hami all live in big houses and wear luxurious clothes. They are all extravagant and dissipated. Now they are doing business with our country and stuck on the Silk Road. The more money they earn, the worse they will be in war. However, the Mongols in the north were often hit by snowstorms in the freezing weather, so they could only continue to go south to plunder. As one goes down, the Yaerqiang Kingdom will be destroyed sooner or later."

"The fall of Hami and Turpan is the best time for our country to send troops," Xie Yuan said.

Pang Anguo nodded and said, "That's right. The religion and language of the people here are different from those in Mongolia. I'm afraid the Mongols will have to work hard to put down the rebellion if they take over the territory. When our army leaves Jiayuguan, the Mongols will be like a rootless weed. Easy to beat."

Chapter 1010 [Someone gave the emperor a girl again]

The envoys and Ayuqi continued westward, and when they arrived in the Aksu area, they found that the division of Yarkand had reached an irreversible point.

The governor of Aksu, as the king's confidant, actually supported himself and did not obey anyone's orders.

The King of Yarkand, who nominally owns half of Xinjiang, was blocked in Yarkand City (Yecheng County) at this time and could not get out.And it was his son Jolevas who blocked the king.

Passing Kashgar, Yao Levas personally greeted him.

After the wine was hot, Yao Levas said at the banquet: "Your Excellency, my father is already unpopular. Please ask the emperor of the Celestial Dynasty to canonize me as the new king of Yarkand."

Xie Yuan said in an official tone: "It is inconvenient for the Celestial Dynasty to interfere with the internal affairs of Yaerqiang. Your father, after all, is the king conferred by the Celestial Dynasty. Unless he dies, it is impossible for the Celestial Dynasty to confer a new king."

Yao Lewas was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "I see."

This guy has long wanted to fight a decisive battle with his father, and after the envoys left, he mobilized his troops and planned to go to the city of Yarkand in the coming year.

King Abdullah Khan, when he heard that his son was collecting food, immediately responded severely - kill his own grandson and granddaughter!

Yao Levas has only one son and one daughter, and they all live in the city of Yarkand. If they are all killed, there will be no future.

It's a human drama, the son wants to lead troops to attack the father, and the father kills the grandson and granddaughter so that the son will never have an heir.

Hearing that his sons and daughters were killed, Yao Levas couldn't wait for the next year, and he didn't care about the lack of food and grass, so he even led his troops to the city of Yarkand.

The king and the prince fought for hegemony, while the rest of the governors watched.

In fact, it was the Kashgar army that went to fight the army in Yecheng County, and the total number of troops participating in the battle barely exceeded [-].

Abdullah Khan was unfortunately defeated and was forced by his son to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He "died of illness" within two months of departure.

Montenegro sent Hezhuo to flee to Aksu with the little prince, and the governor of Aksu supported the little prince as king.The two kings of Yarkand coexisted and started a more intense civil war, completely ignoring the Mongols' invasion south.

……

After Kashgar, it is the territory of the Kyrgyz people, which is the Kyrgyzstan of later generations.

The people of Kyrgyzstan did not establish a country, and have been repeatedly beaten by surrounding forces for hundreds of years.But no one has killed them all, and they all regard this place as a subsidiary force, and at this time they nominally submit to the Zhungeer Ministry.

To get here, of course, he went to Suiye City to pay his respects, Xie Yuan paid homage to Li Bai there.