The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 644

The troops of Datong Garrison, as well as the 20,000 troops transferred by the Ministry of War to Lin Lu, were mostly infantry. Their daily marching speed was limited, averaging only 50 li per day. This was on relatively flat terrain; if it were mountainous terrain, the marching speed would be greatly reduced.

As a result, it would take Lin Lu more than a month to reach the Yarkand Khanate after leading his army from Datong.

The Yarkand Khanate was established by Said Khan in the eighth year of the Zhengde reign. It has been fourteen years since its founding. In the second year of the Zhengde reign, Mahmud died. After Mahmud's death, the Mongols west of the Tatars were plunged into a long period of civil war.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Said Khan rose to power. In the eighth year of the Zhengde reign, Said Khan seized Kashgar, Yarkand and Khotan from Abazaqir and formally established the Yarkand Khanate.

Although Said Khan is just over forty years old, his health has deteriorated due to years of warfare. When Said Khan was young, his father died early, and he was raised by his mother. After Said Khan established the Yarkand Khanate, he was extremely filial to the Queen Mother.

Meng Ji saw this as an opportunity, which is why he kept fabricating stories about Empress Dowager Wang. He even created several scandalous stories about her and had them written in Mongolian. He even paid someone to copy them out. In that book, Said Khan didn't even know who his real father was.

This was intolerable to Said Khan. Said Khan was a follower of Islam, and after establishing his state, he continuously promoted Islam in the Yarkand Khanate. He had tolerated Meng Ji's behavior time and time again, but Meng Ji's repeated transgressions on his sensitive points finally became intolerable to him, and he had Meng Ji killed.

Meng Ji's remains are still hanging on the walls of the Yarkand Khanate, to demonstrate the inviolable authority of Said Khan. The Ming Dynasty delegation wanted to take advantage of the situation to steal back Meng Ji's remains, but Said Khan had anticipated this and sent people to guard them closely. Seeing that there was no opportunity, the Ming Dynasty delegation had no choice but to return to the Ming Dynasty to report.

This time, Jiajing ordered Lin Lu to conquer the Yarkand Khanate and gave him an order: no matter what, he must bring back Meng Ji's remains so that he could return to his roots.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Our people have received news that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is furious after learning that Meng Ji died here. He has already dispatched an army of 50,000 to wage war against us."

The prime minister of the Yarkand Khanate came before Said Khan, his face full of worry.

"Cough cough..."

Saidhan's cough has been getting worse these days, and he can clearly feel that his health is deteriorating. He probably doesn't have many years left to live.

"What's there to be afraid of? The capital of the Ming Dynasty is more than 2,000 li away from us. Even if they start their troops from Datong, it's still 1,500 li away. With such a long battle line, how can the Ming Dynasty guarantee its supply line? Let alone the current Ming Dynasty, even the Yongle Emperor back then, what could they do? The distance they could attack on the grasslands was limited."

Said Khan was not in a hurry when he heard this. The reason he dared to kill Meng Ji was because he knew this. In his eyes, the Ming Dynasty was still the same Ming Dynasty as it was ten years ago. Its generals were corrupt and had no fighting spirit. Even if the Ming Dynasty dared to use force against him, not to mention the long supply line, did the Ming Dynasty have any famous generals now?

At the very least, I've never heard of Said Khan.

"Your Majesty, times have changed. The strength of the Ming Dynasty has greatly increased. In recent years, the Ming Dynasty has completely conquered Tibet, and the Mongols east of Ulanqab have also been completely conquered. The Great Khan must not be complacent."

The Prime Minister said with some helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Said Khan sat up straight. This was the first time he had heard such information. The Yarkand Khanate was too far from the Ming Dynasty, so many news items were extremely delayed.

When did the Ming army set off?

Said Khan realized the seriousness of the matter and looked at the Prime Minister with a solemn expression.