Chapter 1041: The Arrival of an Era of Expansion

On October 20th, after the heavy snow, the sky resembled a sapphire spread across the heavens, its blue captivating the heart.
Once Lake Baikal froze, the uneven patterns beneath the ice resembled bubbles, making for an intriguing sight.
There are also some places where the ice is slightly higher, revealing a sea blue color. Under the sunlight, it emits a sparkling and translucent luster.
It is so beautiful that it seems unreal.
The wind has stopped, and the snow has ceased.
Governor Gavril of Irkutsk City is drinking vodka and shouting, "Has the reinforcement sent by the governor arrived for us?"
"Sir, we haven't arrived yet."
"Not yet! They want us to go south again, but won't provide any troops. We can't fight this battle!"
"Sir, it is said that the Mongolians in the west have been dealt with by the Ming Dynasty. Now, the governor intends to reinforce the west, so we may not receive any reinforcements here."
"Damn it! Then let's not go south anymore. We will wait for the reinforcements to arrive before we proceed south!"
"Commander." Vice Commander Ajev said, "According to some reports, the Ming army has built a city in the south. Our soldiers have also seen some Ming soldiers hunting in the forest. We should inform the governor about the situation. Ming Dynasty might attack us, and the governor may send reinforcements!" Translated: "Damn it! Then let's not go south anymore. We will wait for the reinforcements to arrive before we proceed south!"
"Hahaha, my friend Ajie, you're right. I can't believe I didn't think of that. I'll immediately write a letter to the Governor, indicating that the army is attacking. If those damn reinforcements don't arrive soon, we're done for. If Moscow starts questioning, it won't be my problem!"
"Chief, I'm serious, the Ming army might really come."
"Ajayev, relax." Gavrilov took a big sip of his wine, his face turning red. "We're far from the Ming army's castle here, and it's a snowy day. Who would fight in such weather? It's impossible!"
At this moment, Wang Shen used a telescope to look ahead, and the outline of a castle emerged behind the pine forest.
"We're very close now, so let the boys be prepared."
"Understood!"
In the forest ahead, seven Russians were hunting, chatting and laughing.
Wang Shen whispered, "Send 20 people over there and eliminate them!"
Immediately, twenty Ming soldiers sneaked around from the back and the team leader, at the forefront, swiftly led them towards the forest ahead. Translation: "
Stepping on the snowy ground, making a creaking sound.
The seven Russians quickly heard the noise and were surprised to see twenty strangers approaching. Immediately, they raised their rifles.
But found there was no bullet loaded!
"Quick! Damn it!" The Russian cursed and quickly loaded the gun.
However, it was too late. The Ming army swiftly approached, already loaded with bullets, and 20 individuals successively fired their guns in that direction. Keep all @ matches.
The sound of gunfire immediately rang out in the woods, and all seven Russians were hit and fell to the ground, screaming in pain.
The noise alerted the guards on the tower ahead.
Wang Shen said, "Everyone, follow me immediately!"
After eliminating the few remaining small enemies, the Ming army swiftly headed towards the city of Irkutsk along the same route as before.
They brought a total of 10 cannons.
Due to heavy snowfall, it was extremely challenging to transport the cannons.
Fortunately, there were many people, and the artillery was barely pushed all the way.
The Ming army had sufficient insulation facilities, with thick and good-quality cotton jackets.
The alarm bell rang inside Irkutsk city, and the Russian guards on the city tower shouted loudly: "The enemy is attacking the city!"
Fifteen minutes later, the Ming army's cannons were set up about two miles in front of the city gate.
The Ming army slowly began to load the cannonballs.
"Fire!"
Boom boom boom...
The sound of cannons echoed as the iron cannons hit the walls of Irkutsk, causing chunks of rubble to fly.
Startled by the sound of gunfire while drinking vodka, Gavril jumped up from his chair.
"What's going on? What happened!"
"Report! Sir, it's the Ming Dynasty! The Ming Dynasty has attacked!"
"What!"
Gavriila exclaimed angrily, almost jumping up, staring wide-eyed and shouting, "Gather everyone, I want to show the Ming Dynasty some color!"
The Russian soldiers inside the city quickly gathered, and as Gavriila was just running out, a soldier swiftly approached, saying, "Sir, the enemy has breached the city gate!"
Quick! Rally together!
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw several iron balls falling from the sky.
One of the iron balls happened to hit a soldier, with a loud bang, smashing his shoulder, splattering blood and bone fragments, causing the people around to shout in fear. Note: The "@" sign used here indicates the start of a new line or paragraph in the original text.
A strong smell of blood spread, and Gauffre's wine completely woke him up.
"Sir, the west gate has been breached, the enemy has invaded!"
Sound of gunfire and the screams of our own men came from the west gate. (Message translated to English while keeping all "@")
Gabriel immediately nodded and rushed forward.
However, he was not running towards the west gate of the city, but towards the east gate, and he was running very fast.
Within no time, a thousand Ming soldiers quickly infiltrated the city, and the few hundred Russian defenders were simply not enough to resist. In just half a day, this castle, built by the Russians, was captured.
Gavril and the remaining dozens of people hurriedly left the city and headed north before continuing west towards the Governor's Palace to report the situation.
After eliminating the Russian fortress, the Ming army did not continue advancing but instead stayed in the same place.
Russia does not have a large number of troops in this area. The main objective of the Ming army is not to defeat Russia but to completely assimilate this region.
It is said that the Imperial Coal Mining Bureau mentioned that there are many coal mines in this area, but it is unclear who specifically made this statement. However, Your Majesty has mentioned it.
Who specifically said this?

Besides the travelers, who else would know about the large coal mines near Lake Baikal when even Russia in this era doesn't know about it?

At the same time, we are gradually establishing bases and can deploy troops in the West Siberian Plain, where several bases can be built.
The West Siberian Plain has abundant oil fields, and once the industrial age enters the era of internal combustion engines, there will be a continuous supply of oil.
Of course, this is a matter that happened a long time ago.
But at the moment, the strategic deployment is like this.
October 22nd, Moscow.
The first Tsar of the Russian Romanov dynasty, Mikhail, was seriously ill, and the prominent nobleman Morozov became the regent.
"Your Majesty, there is military news coming from the East. To the south of the West Siberian Plain, the Mongolians were defeated by the Ming army, leaving a large blank area. General Habarov is currently mobilizing a large-scale army to march southward, and he is reaching out to us for money."
The weakened Tsar on the sickbed said weakly: "Let him go and rob on his own, we have no money. However, we can issue a conscription order to encourage more unemployed vagabonds to go to the East, to some extent, we can help him."
“Your Majesty, I will do as you said and issue the announcement right away.”
“Morozov.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Is there anything else you need?”
“My health is failing, and I need a physically strong successor to take my position. I have designated Aleksey (father of Peter the Great) for this role, and you must assist him well.”
“陛下，你不会有事的，上帝保佑您。”
【作者题外话】：最近在准备新书，大家淡定哈，有时候可能就两章，新书什么时候发，等我通知。