Chapter 406: A drop in the bucket

Xiao Jing almost stopped standing after hearing this.

At any rate, he managed to return to the room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies and told Wei Bin and Chen Kuanyi what he knew. The two of them couldn't help being shocked and said, "Does Mr. Lai Guo really have a back-up plan?"

Xiao Jing said, "The information about sending troops to Liaodong is not accurate. Your Majesty has not said much to our family, but it is expected that it is the time of autumn harvest. In addition to the preparations for the establishment of Nuergandusi, troops will be deployed in northern Liaoning and other places." Uncle Xinxin, he is the most leisurely, right?"

Chen Kuan sighed, "The so-called leisure, it is better to say that he is the only one who has done nothing but wasted money and made no progress. He is useless wherever he goes, but from northern Liaoning. Rushing to aid Ningxia is unlikely to be timely."

Wei Bin also hurriedly said, "I haven't heard anything about sending troops from Liaodong recently, not even news about the mobilization of grain and grass."

Among the three ceremonial supervisors, Wei Bin has the greatest influence in Liaodong, but that is also the past tense. After Zhang Yu and others, the governor of Liaodong, were replaced, Liaodong is now basically Zhang Zhou's territory.

But there is still a bit of the old department, and the news channels are also open to him.

Xiao Jing said, "His Majesty will arrange the arrangements for money, food and materials from the Beijing camp. Maybe this battle also involves Jizhou. We don't know the details."

Chen Kuan and Wei Bin also felt Xiao Jing's helplessness.

After the rise of Zhang Zhou, even the Supervisor of Ceremonies was no longer the emperor’s most trusted “person”. It was not once or twice that the Supervisor of Ceremonies found out later, and they also understood why Xiao Jinghui Standing with the civil servants to check and balance Zhang Zhou is not necessarily to show how awesome Xiao Jing is, or to compete for power. He just wants to balance the relationship between the several parties so that Zhang Zhou will not become bigger.

But now

Everything seems to be in vain.

"Mr. Lai Guo, is he making any moves now?"

Chen Kuan asked, and then realized that he might have asked inappropriately. He added, "Use troops on all sides. It doesn’t matter if Duke Lai Guo is not in the border area, and others are not in the north. Now that the matter of impeachment against him has passed, His Majesty is not in a hurry to recall him back when he is using troops."

Just say, This is not like our Majesty's style.

If you have anything to do, ask Bingkuan. Now that Bingkuan has escaped unharmed despite being attacked by a group of people, and he is still allowed to stay in Nanjing, how can you ask your Bingkuan if you have anything to do?

Xiao Jing sighed, "The prince is also in Nanjing. I guess the Laiguo Guild will go back with the prince. Now we don't even know what your majesty asked him to go to Nanjing for, so we'd better not worry about it. We'll go back and inform the household minister Zhou." The Minister also said that recently the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu and the Minister of the Ministry of Industry may have to be replaced together. The Minister of the Ministry of Hubu is known to be Zhong Zhong. His Majesty the Minister of the Ministry of Industry has not yet asked the courtiers for their opinions. Please pay more attention and it is best to find one."

"Those who can ventilate." Wei Bin said, "Understood. In fact, Wang Zongyi, the admiral of Shanchang in Yizhou, or Wang Ji, the secretary of household affairs of Jingcang, the governor, are both acceptable."

Wang Zongyi was squeezed out by Zhang Zhou before. The governor of Yizhou Shanchang was only a minister. Although Wang Ji was the minister of the household department, it was only a part-time job. His identity was more similar to the left minister of the household department. During the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, the governor of Jing The warehouse reserve also carries the title of Shangshu.

Wang Zongyi and Wang Ji were not appointed as ministers of the Six Northern Dynasties in history, and they both ended up serving as ministers of the Six Northern Dynasties.

For these three officials, they knew that they were relatively on the fringes of civil servants and could easily be co-opted.

"Go back and take the opportunity to walk around. Don't go there in person. Your Majesty will pay attention to our movements at this time. I hope your Majesty will not be obsessed with the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry, or it may not be for Duke Lai. What people have prepared." Xiao Jing sighed.

Probably.

Once Zhang Zhou intervenes, the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry is likely to be reserved for "someone".

It’s hard to say who it is.

Chen Kuan asked, "Why wasn't it prepared for Duke Lai?"

Xiao Jing said, "No, your Majesty has been reading examples about Yang Shan and Wang Ji recently. It is obvious that they are There is nothing wrong with wanting Duke Lai to serve as Minister of War."

"Then" Wei Bin glanced at Chen Kuan and nodded when he saw that Chen Kuan had no expression. "Send someone when you get back."

Ningxia Town.

Although Zhu Feng set off from the capital and Yang Yiqing left from Nanjing, they arrived almost at the same time, and Zhu Feng only arrived one day earlier than Yang Yiqing.

After Yang Yiqing arrived in Ningxia on a starry night journey, he did not bother to rest. He was about to start a battle against the main force of the little Tatar prince. He even did not know much about the current preparations for the war in Ningxia, but the emperor's The decrees came one after another, and even the top civil servants in the court were full of expectations for him. He could feel the invisible pressure.

"Yang Junmen, you may not know that there are not many troops and horses that can be dispatched around Ningxia Town. There are not even tens of thousands of individual cavalry, and they are still scattered in various cities. In the fortress town of Yuanguan, if there is a hasty mobilization, only three thousand can be mobilized."

The person who reported the situation to Yang Yiqing at the military meeting was Song Lan, the former commander-in-chief of Ningxia, and now Zhu. When Feng arrived, Song Lan became the deputy commander-in-chief.

Song Lan himself did not have a title, but served as the commander of Ningxia West Road.

Before, he was the deputy of Duke Zhu Fu, and now he is the deputy of Zhu Feng. The father and son of the old Zhu family took turns to be his commanders, but when asked who he wanted to work with, he naturally wanted to follow Zhu Feng. , just because Zhu Feng is famous, it is easy to get famous.

Yang Yiqing said, "It is not necessary to send out cavalry."

Zhu Feng said, "But if we don't send out cavalry, we will use a mixture of infantry and cavalry to compete head-on with the Tatar cavalry." "Yes"

"Isn't there the mighty gunpowder and the mighty cannon?" Yang Yiqing looked at Zhu Feng.

He obviously didn’t want to rely entirely on new firearms. These words seemed to remind Zhu Feng that you should stop singing against or even badmouthing in such military meetings, even if Zhang Zhou and Wang QiongI won't tolerate your faults when others spoil you.

As the commander-in-chief, you are only responsible for executing military orders. You are not responsible for issuing orders, and you are not allowed to participate in decision-making.

Yang Yiqing taught Zhu Feng a lesson, and as expected, his prestige among the generals instantly increased. If even Marquis Anbian dared to face the reprimand, he must have real ability. Otherwise, why would Marquis Anbian Just swallow your anger like this. Not to mention that military generals have to listen to civil servants. Since ancient times, generals have been at odds with each other frequently, not to mention that Anbianhou has won the trust of the emperor and Duke Lai.

Yang Yiqing said, "There are not many troops and horses this time, so they are broken into pieces. Troops must be sent to all border passes and divided into two groups. The cavalry is responsible for guarding the area of ​​fifty miles back and forth from the pass, while the infantry We have to go thirty miles outside the city and ensure that the Tatars don't plunder the area around the pass."

The generals present could not help but look at each other.

The Tatars have tens of thousands of cavalry, even if it is less than the 50,000 reported by outsiders, but there is no problem at all if they have 30,000 or 40,000. Even the Tatars are divided into pieces to plunder. , but there were at least five thousand to ten thousand cavalry along the way.

That's it, what are the few people in each pass city for?

If the Tatars invade within fifty miles of the suburbs of a certain pass, and the men and horses sent out to protect the autumn harvest at the pass will still be If you dare to fight head-on but fail, why not retreat to the pass and watch the Tatars wreak havoc

"General Zhu." Yang Yiqing suddenly said.

Zhu Feng reacted for a moment and then realized that this was calling him. He still looked a little dull and said, "Yes."

"You personally lead the elite cavalry of Ningxia Town. In conjunction with gunpowder and powerful artillery, four thousand infantrymen roamed around the passes." Yang Yiqing issued the military order.

"This" Zhu Feng wanted to say, are you asking me to die?

But he held it back in the end because he was not familiar with Yang Yiqing before this meeting. , he only went to meet Yang Yiqing in a courtesy ceremony, which was at best the second meeting between the two.

"Yes." Zhu Feng also accepted the order directly.

When Yang Yiqing came up, he wanted to mobilize soldiers and horses from all over Ningxia Town to drive away the Tatars in the so-called "break them into parts".

After the military meeting, in addition to sending out the cavalry, the general's order was reported everywhere, and even the officers and soldiers of the Ningxia garrison began to make arrangements to follow Zhu Feng out to "fight guerrillas."

In general, wherever there is a gap, Zhu Feng will fill it.

After the military meeting, Zhu Feng did not go with Song Lan and the others. Not only was he not familiar with Yang Yiqing, he was also not familiar with the local generals. He was a strange general in a strange place. Without a clear understanding of the situation, he had to fight an unprepared war under the pressure of the emperor.

The people on Song Lan’s side didn’t understand the situation after attending the meeting.

"General Song, look at what Yang Junmen is going to do. He just left the city gate like this. I'm afraid he will be chased by the Tatar cavalry. If he is not careful, he will lose his troops and generals.". " Qianhudao, one of his subordinates named Li Shuan.

Li Shuan is so anxious because he is among the group of people who followed Zhu Feng out of the city.

Song Landao: "You don't do this. Did you know that actually Yang Junmen is not a direct descendant of Duke Lai, but Marquis Anbian is? ”

“We know this. "Not only Li Xun was talking, but people around him were also interjecting.

The sphere of influence in the central court and the soldiers in the northwest are somewhat clear.

Song Lan said coldly, "Then your majesty He has high expectations for the local soldiers in Ningxia. At this time, Yang Junmen knew that the attack strategy was inappropriate, but he still had to send troops. If he handed over the authority to command and manage the army to Anbianhou, wouldn't the responsibility be removed? "

"No way," Li Xun said, "If the army is defeated, what good will it do to Yang Junmen? Shouldn't it be to put aside the past grudges and face the powerful enemy together?"

"Humph snort. "

Song Lan is obviously not the kind of general who obeys orders. He looks very sinister. This may be related to the fact that he has read books and been baptized by the Four Books and Five Classics.

Song Lan said, "After all, we are It’s best to do things as you’re told, so that the blame doesn’t fall on you. Everyone, I would like to advise you, keeping your sons and daughters by your side and saving your own life is more important than anything else. "

When Yang Yiqing came to Ningxia this time, the only "one of his own" available to him was the guest he brought over, Wu Ying, who is now the governor of the governor's Yamen.

Wu Ying's age He is older than Yang Yiqing. He was born in Juren and worked as a local evangelist in his early years. He has been in Shaanxi for many years. Yang Yiqing discovered and hired him back when he was the deputy envoy for teaching in Shaanxi.

"Ying Ning." Ah, if you send people out like this, I'm afraid you will be criticized. "Wu Ying and Yang Yiqing have always been regarded as friends.

Because Wu Ying is from Shaanxi and speaks with a strong Guanzhong accent.

Yang Yiqing said, "Count on the soldiers and horses of Ningxia Town. , great things are difficult to accomplish. I have written many times on the road to Mr. Qin, who is in charge of trilateral military affairs, asking him to send troops to coordinate, but now I have not received a reply. Now that I have taken office, it is time for me to ask him for troops, horses, and food. ”

Wu Ying was also helpless.

The battle was about to begin. There were not enough men and horses, and they were still scattered. Now they actually wanted to cram in and follow the three troops stationed in Yansui. The commander-in-chief asked for troops and supplies

"Alas"

Maybe Yang Yiqing also felt that this battle came too hastily, he said, "Let's make a show and do it. I know clearly that the soldiers and horses in Ningxia have no intention of decisive battle and no high morale to fight, but I also understand that Your Majesty is eager to defend the enemy. In the past few years, the pattern of border towns has changed. Even the generals below are paralyzed, thinking that they can fight against the enemy on the battlefield. The Tatars decide the outcome. "

Wu Ying said, "Just don't be affected by them. ”

“ Even His Majesty thinks so, what else can I do? But you should also know that the most powerful troops of the Tatars have always been the headquarters of the little Tatar prince, but in recent years, the Tatars have What has the little prince lost?"

Yang Yiqing lamented in many words, "In recent years, no major victory against the enemy has occurred on the three sides, and Ningxia is on the three sides.To the west of Ningxia, it is almost isolated from the pass. In addition to being invaded by Tatar invaders in recent years, does Ningxia have any commendable achievements?"

Wu Ying thought about it and said, "I want to say "Marquis Weining"

This has to mention Wang Yue's "Helan Mountain Victory".

Yang Yiqing said, "So I also want to learn from Wang Weining." "

"Ying Ning, what do you mean?" Wu Ying opened her mouth.

It should be said that when Wang Yue was the trilateral commander, he sent troops from Ningxia to Helan Mountain and sent troops The number of horses was only over 10,000.

The ones used by Wang Yue were also broken into pieces. Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Yansui and the commander of the capital, Zhu Jin, led 2,000 troops out of the south road; Ningxia guarding eunuch Zhang. Li Jun, the commander-in-chief and commander-in-chief, led 2,000 troops out of the middle; Zhang An, deputy commander-in-chief and commander-in-chief, and Hao Shan, the right prisoner and supervisor, led 2,000 troops out of the north route.

Wang Yue's headquarters was in the middle.

Yang Yiqing said, "What Wang Weining and Wang Xinjian can accomplish, why can't I fight in Ningxia? This is probably the best and only opportunity in my life."

This is why she has to bite the bullet and rush forward.

As Yang Yiqing entered Ningxia, he made up his mind His military strategy and strategic ideas soon spread throughout the court.

Zhu Youtang didn't mind Yang Yiqing's troubles.

Because of what Zhang Zhou had done in the past two years. The several major victories he presided over seemed to outsiders to have been achieved through "fudges", and none of them were achieved seriously.

"Send people to spread Ningxia's military strategy to Nanzhi. Li, let Bingkuan take a look, and then send the letter back with a fast horse. "Zhu Youtang himself didn't make too many comments, and he didn't bother to listen to the ministers' opinions. It would be better to ask Zhang Zhou directly.

Xiao Jing reported Zhu Youtang's handwritten letter and Yang Yiqing's memorial Wait, take them together, and then find someone to send them to Zhang Zhou.

He was also thinking, if Zhang Bingkuan is really indispensable in this battle, why not call him back? Why would you want to ask him for his opinion?

In Nanjing City

Zhu Houzhao has been very wild these days, wandering around everywhere.

I also went to attend cultural gatherings, listen to music and operas, and go sightseeing around. This was a hardship for Xu Jing and other Jinyiwei who were responsible for the secret surveillance.

Yang Peng was in Nanjing and could not get Zhang. Zhou's deployment was also secretly helping to protect Zhu Houzhao. When he learned that Zhu Houzhao often went to crowded places and often escaped from the sight of his guards, he was also very anxious.

Finally, he waited for the emperor. He finally had an excuse to visit Zhang Zhou.

On this day, Zhang Zhou had just visited Yingtian Mansion and met with Yang Peng in the Yamen of the Ministry of War in Nanjing.

"Ningxia Army. . "Yang Peng took Yang Yiqing's memorial and the emperor's letter and handed them to Zhang Zhou.

After Zhang Zhou read it, he just nodded.

Yang Peng said, "Master Zhang, please hurry up. Please give me some advice, Your Majesty.Still waiting for next time. "

Zhang Zhou frowned and said, "Let me think about it. Send a message from here to the capital. No matter how fast the horse is, it will take three or four days, so why be impatient?"

Yang Peng lowered his head.

Zhang Zhou said, "Yang Yingning has the spirit of adventurism, but it is a bit unrealistic. "

"What?" Yang Peng's eyes widened.

"Don't you want to evaluate it? Come on, find someone to record it. "Zhang Zhou greeted.

"No, you tell the younger one, he can remember it. Yang Peng said, "Maybe you can write it yourself so that His Majesty can agree with it more." Are you talking about unrealistic tactics?"

Zhang Zhou stood up and said, "Logically speaking, I shouldn't deliberately evaluate a general who uses troops on the border. He will not accept military orders abroad. He has the power. Make appropriate strategic arrangements, and in terms of military management capabilities, he may not be inferior to me. There is no need for me to deny the arrangements he makes based on the actual situation. "

"Yes. "

Yang Peng thought to himself, you said he was unrealistic, but you still said you didn't deny it

Zhang Zhou said, "But the problem is that he has too few available troops. I understand that he wants to imitate Wang Weining and use his unique military skills in exchange for taking the initiative in the situation. But Wang Weining relied on his reputation to fight, but Yang Yingning did not. "

Yang Peng said, "Isn't there Marquis Anbian?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "So he sent Zhu Zhijie out as a vanguard." "

"Really?"

Yang Peng then carefully read Yang Yiqing's previous report, and then he seemed to understand. It turned out that Yang Yiqing told the emperor that he was going to send Zhu first after arriving in Ningxia. Feng sent troops to fight guerrillas, not letting Zhu Feng be used as cannon fodder, but as a vanguard

The rhetoric changed, and in an instant, it felt like Yang Yiqing had changed from a master of blame-shifting to a capable soldier.

No.

Zhang Shike made it clear that Yang Yingning was unrealistic.

Zhang Zhou said, "Let's take it as a win. Maybe the little Tatar prince is really afraid of this pair." , led the troops to withdraw on their own."

"Ahem, it seems that Master Zhang is not very optimistic about this battle. "Yang Peng said.

"There is no way to be optimistic. "Zhang Zhou said, "I told you before, if you ask me to face such a situation, I can't do anything. Fighting based on reputation is not the right way after all. In this case, unless I was given 20,000 cavalry and 500 artillery pieces, I could drive away the 50,000 elite troops of the little Tartar prince, otherwise it would be a drop in the bucket. "Please remember to bookmark, the latest and fastest website without anti-theft and free reading