HLnovel Chapter 643
Chapter 643
In this situation, the Ming emperor's approval of him became particularly important.
"Thank you, General Lin."
Dada Buhua solemnly performed a Mongolian greeting to Lin Lu.
"Thank you all for your hospitality, but I am under imperial orders and cannot stay any longer. I must take my leave now."
Lin Lu bowed to the crowd.
"General Lin, you're too kind. You're too kind."
Xie Pi waved his hand and said.
After saying this, Lin Lu mounted his horse. Gone was his previous gentleness; he now exuded an aura that inspired fear. Dada Buhua and the other Mongols, upon seeing Lin Lu, felt as if they had been transported back to the time when they were chased by Lin Lu's troops and fled in panic.
The Mongols also mounted their horses and carefully followed behind Lin Lu. Lin Lu headed straight for the outskirts of Datong City and handed over two of the Mongols to Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian respectively.
Where are Zhao Mengjing and Hu Ruzhen?
Inside the tent, Lin Lu spoke solemnly.
"The general is here!"
Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian stepped forward one after another.
"I am entrusting these two guides to you, and ordering you to advance to the Yarkand Khanate within eight days. Can you do it?"
Lin Lu said sternly.
"can!"
Zhao Zhenji and the other person exchanged a glance, their attitudes resolute.
Datong is about 1,500 li away from Wuhai. At the maximum marching speed of the Tiger Legion and the Black Tortoise Legion, they can advance about 200 li per day. The eight days that Lin Lu gave is already considered extremely harsh.
However, in military campaigns, speed is of the essence; even a delay of half a day can lead to countless unforeseen events.
Of course, the Tiger Legion and Black Tortoise Legion could increase their speed significantly for short-distance advances, but for long-distance marches, the horses' endurance had to be considered, and their speed had a limit.
"Set off immediately without delay."
Lin Lu gave the order.
Upon hearing this, Hu Zongxian and his companion put on their helmets and went outside the tent to begin organizing their troops.
Lin Lu then led the remaining Mongols all the way to the camp of the Datong Garrison troops.
When Lin Lu was stationed in Datong, all the garrison troops were under his command. Everyone there, from generals to soldiers, knew Lin Lu.
"This humble servant greets the General!"
When the soldiers on duty at the outer sentry tower of the military camp saw that it was Lin Lu, they hurriedly came to Lin Lu and saluted respectfully.
"I have been ordered by the Emperor to take over the garrison troops of this unit."
As Lin Lu spoke, he took out the military tally and imperial edict given to him by Jiajing. Although Lin Lu could freely enter and leave the military camp even without taking anything, that would raise suspicions of him holding military power for himself.
Upon seeing the military tally and imperial edict in Lin Lu's hands, the two sentries knelt down.
"Lead the way."
Lin Lu did not read out the imperial edict; these two soldiers were not qualified.
Upon hearing this, the two sentries stood up and led Lin Lu's horse into the camp.
"This humble general pays his respects to the general."
In the military camp, whether they were generals or captains, they all saluted Lin Lu.
"Summon the army. I am here by imperial decree to conquer the Yarkand Khanate. You shall all follow me on this expedition."
Lin Lu waved the imperial edict and military tally in his hand.
Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly went to gather the army, and soon, an army of 30,000 was assembled.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Half a year ago, I dispatched Meng Wenxuan to lead a Ming Dynasty delegation to the Yarkand Khanate, intending to establish friendly relations. Unexpectedly, the Yarkand Khanate harbored wolfish ambitions. Despite Meng Wenxuan's courteous treatment of the Yarkand Khanate, he was betrayed and killed. Upon learning this news, I was devastated. Meng Wenxuan was a loyal minister and general of my Great Ming Dynasty, yet he died inexplicably in a foreign land. I cannot tolerate this. I have decided to conquer the Yarkand Khanate to avenge Meng Wenxuan!"
Lin Lu read the imperial edict aloud.
Originally, all that was needed to mobilize troops was a military tally. The reason Jiajing wrote this imperial edict was to boost morale. The reason Meng Ji had to die in the Yarkand Khanate was to make it legitimate and justifiable. With a legitimate cause, the army would be united and invincible.
Conversely, if the cause is not legitimate, the morale of the army will be low, but the soldiers of the Yarkand Khanate were motivated to defend their homeland, so their morale was naturally high.
With this shift in power, even if the Yarkand Khanate could be destroyed, it's uncertain how many more troops would be lost and how much more time would be wasted.
If attacking the Yarkand Khanate wastes a lot of national strength, what about continuing westward? It would likely face opposition from countless people, which is definitely not what Jiajing and Zhou Chu wanted to see.
Jiajing's goal was never just the Yarkand Khanate, but to continuously expand the Ming Dynasty's territory westward.
"Brothers, the Yarkand Khanate killed our Ming envoy. Should we avenge him?"
Lin Lu put away the imperial edict and shouted excitedly.
During Lin Lu's brief silence, some soldiers in the 30,000-strong army who hadn't clearly heard what Lin Lu said had already learned the contents of the imperial edict through word of mouth. At this moment, these soldiers were filled with righteous indignation, and upon hearing Lin Lu's words, their blood surged instantly.
"Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"
The 30,000-strong army shouted in unison, creating an extremely powerful and imposing atmosphere.
Lin Lu pressed down her hands, and the army quieted down.
"Since you want revenge, then come with me to conquer the Yarkand Khanate, destroy it, and make them understand that the might of the Great Ming Dynasty cannot be offended!"