Botuo Bald Mountain, with its high peaks and dense forests, made the fifteen thousand-strong Hui Te Army's march difficult.
Looking at the 'long snake' winding its way forward, Sultan felt a swell of ambition; over the years, thanks to his efforts, the tribe had grown stronger and stronger!
"Great Taiji, east of Botuo Bald Mountain are the two cities of Subashi and Tuokesun, and northeast of Tuokesun is Turpan City," Du Qianhu Ba'er Si reported.
"Okay, order the entire army to lie in wait within Botuo Bald Mountain, and after Turpan's main army marches south, we will emerge from the mountain to attack them," Sultan said calmly.
Having led armies multiple times, he now possessed the calm and composure of an excellent Commander.
"Great Taiji, your feint is brilliant! Your servant is impressed," his trusted Thousand-household Alatan Cang exclaimed in admiration.
For this attack on Turpan, Sultan employed a feint, sending Du Qianhu Tuoli with three thousand troops to advance via Chalish, feigning an attack on the city of Kunmish to the south of Turpan, in order to draw out Turpan's garrison.
He himself lay hidden in Botuo Bald Mountain.
He would wait until the enemy's main force was diverted to the south, then strike directly at Turpan City.
Chalish has flat terrain and the convenience of the Haidu River for transport, so it's likely that Abdullah Khan will think Chalish is my main direction of attack.
Once the enemy's main force leaves Turpan City, the opportunity for battle will arise!
"Order the soldiers to kick up more dust, making it look like a large army is here," the veteran General Tuoli stroked his long beard and calmly ordered.
He then called for Thousand-household Dash, "Although it is a feint, Commander also wants you to put on a show."
"Yes, Du Qianhu," Dash led a thousand cavalry directly to the foot of Kunmish City.
The city was defended by Turpan Prince Ismail.
Seeing that the enemy was not numerous, he looked at his subordinate, Ibraim, and said, "You lead two thousand elite cavalry out of the city and defeat the enemy."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ibraim led two thousand troops out of the city, originally thinking that his forces, being far superior to the enemy's, would surely win.
Unexpectedly, although the enemy had fewer men, they were all seasoned veterans, and their attack was irresistible, breaking Ibraim's formation.
Ibraim himself was cut down by a Mongol Hundred-household.
"horei ~ horei ~ horei," cheers echoed below Kunmish City.
"Damn it!"
Ismail stood on the city wall, watching clearly.
Young and impetuous, he was about to lead his troops out of the city for revenge when he suddenly saw dust rising and the Hui Te's 'main army' arriving outside the city.
Teams and ranks, roaring like mountains and seas, they came overwhelming.
"Not good, this must be the Mongol main force coming out in full strength, quickly send someone to report to Great Khan!" the Prince exclaimed, abandoning his plan for revenge.
After receiving the plea for help from his younger brother, Abdullah Khan was greatly annoyed.
Not long ago, Sultan Mahmud expelled his brother Sultan Ahmad Khan, took control of Yarkand City, and declared himself Khan.
This Sultan Mahmud Khan was arrogant and haughty, suppressing the powerful minister Khoja Shadi of the Black Mountain Sect.
Shadi Khoja invited him to send troops to cleanse the court and reinstate Sultan Ahmad Khan.
This was an excellent opportunity!
If seized well, he could unify Yarkand.
He readily agreed, mobilizing his army, and preparing to march west to Yarkand to seize power.
Unexpectedly, a powerful enemy had invaded.
Kunmish City is a military stronghold and must not be lost.
The matter of unifying Yarkand could only be postponed.
He summoned his trusted General Wulu Heji, "Commander will go to rescue Kunmish City.
You, Anivar, and Sadiq will jointly defend Turpan; there must be no loss!"
"Great Khan, Turpan City is the foundation.
How can you leave it lightly? As for Kunmish City, sending a detachment to rescue it will suffice," Wulu Heji advised.
"In that case, the war will drag on for a long time, affecting My plan to unify Yarkand," Abdullah Khan waved his hand, insisting on going personally.
He left quietly, taking twelve thousand troops with him.
"Great Taiji, General has received news that Turpan's garrison has left the city and gone south," in the dense forest of Botuo Bald Mountain, Hada, the Thousand-household responsible for intelligence gathering, brought Sultan the long-awaited news.
"Excellent! Turpan's grapes are ripe!" Sultan laughed heartily and ordered the army to come out of the mountain and capture Turpan City.
The Hui Te Army arrived at the foot of Subashi City.
Fifteen thousand troops surrounded this small city, making it impenetrable.
"Set up the cannons!"
At the command of Harik, the Artillery Thousand-household, the artillerymen quickly made their camels lie down, fixed them, and operated the small cannons on the camels' backs.
These 'Tuotuo Cannons', two to three feet high and three inches in diameter, could be fired from camelback.
They were the latest product developed by the arsenal in Yingsuo River City, lightweight and easy to carry.
In addition to the 'Tuotuo Cannons', there were also ten heavy cannons, two to three feet high and five to six inches in diameter, placed on carriages and fired from wooden frames.
These heavy cannons were purchased from Bukhara.
"Great Taiji, General's cannons are ready, please give your orders," Harik rode his horse to Sultan's side to request instructions.
For this campaign, the Hui Te Army was equipped with ten heavy cannons and forty 'Tuotuo Cannons', an unprecedented investment!
Sultan was also in an unprecedented good mood and joked with Harik, "Harik, your name means 'creator', let Commander see your creation!"
"Great Taiji, just watch!" Harik saluted and galloped away.
The defending General Queni was inspecting the city wall of Subashi, preparing for the coming battle.
For a long time, he had been accustomed to this kind of close-quarters, ant-like siege.
The expected ant-like siege did not happen.
Instead, there was an overwhelming rain of projectiles.
"Chirp ~ Chirp ~ Chirp ~"
The projectiles fell like rain, exploding among the defenders.
Queni, meaning 'sun', never saw the sun of tomorrow again.
Like Subashi City, Tuokesun City was also a small city, with a garrison of fifteen hundred.
The difference was that there were three small bronze cannons on the city wall.
"Fire!" the defending General Reheman ordered the cannons to fire.
The three small cannons fired in rotation.
"Fire!" Harik also ordered his subordinates to fire back.
Fifty cannons were indeed more effective than three, quickly overwhelming the cannons on the city wall.
Deputy Metropolitan Military Commissioner Suhe climbed onto the city wall along the scaling ladder.
"Kill!" With one swing of his axe, Queni's body was split in two.
In the Western Regions, Turpan City was considered a large city, built of earth and stone, much stronger than small cities like Subashi and Tuokesun.
Inside the city were four thousand defending soldiers left by Abdullah Khan for Wulu Heji.
In Turpan, Wulu Heji was known as the 'Wise General'.
He was worried about Abdullah Khan taking away the main force of the garrison and urged the defenders to strengthen the city's defenses almost every day.
Upon receiving the alarm, he immediately, along with Anivar and Sadiq, conscripted the city's residents to assist in defending the city.
Because the city was relatively strong, the fierce cannon fire only left the city pockmarked but could not collapse the city wall.
Sultan did not delay and ordered the attack on the city.
Over ten thousand Mongol warriors pushed various siege engines and charged directly at the city wall.
Below the city wall, gunmen and archers fired at the city wall, covering their infantry's assault on the city.
"Bring my saber!" Sultan drew his 'Ilite' precious saber, and the dadu was moved forward.
Seeing the dadu move forward, the Hui Te Army's morale was greatly boosted, and they rushed onto the city wall.
Anivar and Sadiq died; Wulu Heji fortunately escaped, and Turpan City was breached.
