Chapter 487: Force him to come

In the Yanwu Hall, Zhang Zhou has not come for many days. He came this time with Li Rong.

A special "guest", or a new member, came to the Yanwu Hall that day. He was Lu Wan, who had just returned from Liaodong. He returned to the capital this time to report on his work, and the emperor had not yet given any instructions. He delegates new errands.

“I’ve met Zhang Butang.”

Lu Wan looked very respectful when he saw Zhang Zhou. Although he was not Zhang Zhou’s student, Zhang Zhou had shown him kindness, so He also showed the attitude of a junior. Even though he was already in his forties, in an officialdom accustomed to ranking based on seniority, Lu Wan already seemed to have lowered his stature in front of Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou greeted him with a smile.

There were Zhu Feng and several generals on the side, and then Zhang Zhou asked the generals to lead them back to the school grounds of Yanwu Hall. Zhang Zhou seemed to want to talk to Lu Wan alone, and Li Rong on the side He and Zhu Feng did not leave.

Zhang Zhou said, "Lu Zhongcheng must have heard about the war in Ningxia. Now the northwest is the time to recruit people. You can transfer to the towns in the northwest at any time."

The governor of Liaodong transferred to the towns in the northwest. After all, he should be a governor, but there are no vacancies in the towns in the northwest. Lu Wan obviously has no intention of going to the northwest to be a governor. What he wants now more is the position of Minister of the Sixth Department of the Capital, although he himself knows that it is not enough. achieve this status.

In terms of merit, there is still a gap between him and Wang Qiong.

Li Rong on the side also smiled and said, "Lu Zhongcheng has just returned from Liaodong, and it will inevitably be hard to go to the northwest. We should also make arrangements to talk to the officials about the situation in Liaodong in the court after entering the court. Nowadays, the government and the public are also very concerned about Liaodong. "

The censor of the northwest region returned to Beijing. He could have just reported his duties to the Ministry of War, but based on the previous war in Liaodong, Lu Wan actually had to take up his post in the court. If necessary, you can even go to see the saint to report your work.

Lu Wandao said, “Before returning to Beijing, I had an affair with Han Chong, the newly appointed governor of Liaodong. Although I had explained the affairs in detail at the time, on the way back to Beijing, I recalled the omissions in the northwest in the past two years, and specially I compiled it in a form and reported it to Your Majesty. Here is the memorial. I also asked Zhang Budang for guidance."

As he said this, Lu Wan took out something that looked like a memorial. It will be handed over to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou smiled and waved his hands and said, "You are a little out of line. If you want to play whatever you think of, you don't need to ask my opinion. Eunuch Li, what do you think?"

Li Rong smiled and said, "It's not impossible for Mr. Zhang to give Zhang Zhang an eye first. This is not the case. Lu Zhongcheng is afraid of omissions."

"It's better to say goodbye." Zhang Zhou said, "He just came back from Liaodong. There are many As Eunuch Li said, it is better to talk about it in public. Now we are only talking about training generals in the Yanwu Hall. As for Lu Zhongcheng's next arrangements, it also depends on His Majesty's arrangements."

"Yes." Li Rong also smiled.

After Lu Wan returned to the capital, his position was obviously still very awkward. He could not be the minister of the Sixth Ministry, but he was only appointed the governor of the inner three passes. However, Zhang Zhou did not seem to disclose this to Lu Wan. message plan.

When Zhang Zhou met Lu Wan, Lu Wan followed Zhu Feng to check out the renovation of various facilities in Yanwu Hall. After all, Lu Wan had stayed in Yanwu Hall. It was considered that the old man was back. Yanwu Hall and There had been earth-shaking changes before he took office in Liaodong.

When Li Rong was getting along with Zhang Zhou in private, he curiously asked, "Why didn't Mr. mention the inner three passes to him? Logically speaking, he should have taken up his post right away."

Zhang Zhou said, "I think his expectations for the official position may be too high."

"This" Li Rong heard. It seemed that this was not a compliment to Lu Wan, but more like a compliment to Lu Wan. A criticism of quick success.

Li Rong said in front of him that such words could easily reach the emperor's ears. Zhang Zhou's evaluation of Lu Wan seemed to be intended to reach the emperor's ears through Li Rong's mouth. .

Zhang Zhou sighed and said, "Eunuch Li, do you think there is anything wrong with the few people I recommended to the court, especially the people who were used in the towns of Jiubian?"

" This"

Li Rong continued to smile bitterly, even pretending to be confused.

Zhang Zhou said, "Before, I didn't have much reputation in the court. The government and the public were not familiar with me. I have been in the court for less than three years, and now I am already in a high position. Even now, I am not familiar with me." They have been criticized a lot. And most of the people I recommend are new scholars or people who have not shown much talent in the past. Why do you think they should accept my proposal and follow my instructions to fight?"

"No." Zhang Zhou He shook his head and said, "They are capable and independent, and they are even ambitious about their career. It is precisely because they have this ambition that they are willing to work side by side with me. If I can't give them what they ask for, do you think they will still try their best? "

"Ah" Li Rong looked even more surprised.

Zhang Zhou’s words clearly put people like Lu Wan and Wang Qiong into the group of people who are “eager for quick success”.

Zhang Zhoudao said, "It is not bad to pursue an official career, but I am afraid that after they have achieved success, it will be difficult to maintain a normal mind. It is impossible to beat them with my hands. They are serving His Majesty." , His Majesty should use both grace and power, what do you think?"

"Yes." Li Rong smiled bitterly.

He thought to himself, no wonder His Majesty has recently begun to reward Wang Qiong with jade and Ruyi. This trick of combining affection, kindness and power was reminded by Cai Guogong.

Zhang Zhou sighed, "I have given them all I can give them. They relied on me as well as themselves to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield. Now it's time for them to find their own way out. I don't want to form cliques. So I will try my best not to interact with them in the future, and Eunuch Li will also bear witness for me."

"I understand"

Li Rong thought to himself, this Cai Guogong knows very well. He also knew the disadvantages of forming a clique, and he also knew that others had long regarded Wang Qiong and Lu Wan as members of his faction. When he used these people, he presumablyIt can be said that it is far-sighted to recognize that this group of people are very pursuing fame and wealth, and to stop appropriately.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty has mentioned before that he may have to summon the Governor of Lu alone, and then your Majesty will assign him an errand. This is an errand assigned by your Majesty, and has nothing to do with the Ministry of War or me, so he is Whether I continue to be the governor of the three inner gates or stay in the capital and Yanwu Hall is entirely up to your Majesty. I am just an idler."

"That's what Bingkuan really said."

Zhang Zhou could obviously form a party and praise Lu Wan and others in front of the emperor, but Zhang Zhou chose a very strange path, that is, he clearly recommended Lu Wan and others, but he Discuss the merits and demerits of these people with the emperor.

Xiao Jing was thinking, those who didn’t know thought that Governor Lu had offended Zhang Banxian, so why did he still “slander” him in front of His Majesty?

Li Rong said, “That’s true. ”

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, “Bingkuan told me when he was using these people that only those who are eager for official positions and who are difficult to advance to high positions quickly through ordinary channels will listen.” When ordering and dispatching people, it is not about whether they are greedy for merit, but whether they are capable."

Now the eunuchs understood that Zhang Zhou had already laid the groundwork for the emperor to treat the king. The character of Qiong, Lu Wan and others seemed to have been well known for a long time.

“I have always felt that asking them to obey Bingkuan’s orders would make them more united. Maybe Bingkuan was too concerned about the courtiers’ malicious slander against him, so that he would not form a party. . . Look at Bingkuan. Is anyone close to him besides Zhijie?"

Zhu Youtang's words made several eunuchs fall into reverie.

It’s just Zhu Feng

As for Zhu Feng’s character, it was unclear in the past, but now they know it very well. This kid has no ambition at all and is just waiting to die.

If a so-called powerful minister or a sycophant is surrounded only by Zhu Feng who is just waiting to die, it can only mean that this powerful minister is just an opponent in the eyes of people with ulterior motives. In essence, he is just a conscientious person. Just a capable minister.

"With so many things happening in Liaodong, Lu Wan must have doubts after returning to the capital. In this way, after tomorrow morning, let him go to Shangting Office, and I will meet him there."

Zhu Youtang decided on the details of meeting Lu Wan.

Instead of summoning you to Qianqing Palace, you go directly to the Shangting Office. This is equivalent to telling Lu Wan that you have organized the defense of the Inner Three Passes. After returning to the capital, no matter whether you are the Sixth Minister or not , at least it will make you worth listening to, so that you can become a powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty.

When Xiao Jing heard this, he was inevitably a little conflicted.

The Shangting Department is equivalent to the second cabinet system of the Ming Dynasty. Now a little-known Lu Wan has a chance to join the Shangting Department, which will make Xiao Jing feel that he is being sorted out. right.

Xiao Jing asked for instructions, "Your Majesty, would you like to send someone to tell him in advance to let him know something about his errand? If there is anything he doesn't understand, he can be asked to listen to Cai Guogong's opinions."

Zhu Youtang yawned as he spoke.

Obviously Zhu Youtang is tired again.

Even these eunuchs have discovered that Zhu Youtang's body seems to be a bit "not as good as before" recently. He gets tired at every turn. It is more on the mental level that he is always unable to deal with court affairs. Spirit.

That night.

Inside the theater.

Zhang Zhou sat down with Zhu Feng, and Zhu Feng expressed his own "unique" opinions on the situation in the northwest.

"The Tatars are coming fiercely. Uncle Xinjian should be allowed to lead the troops. He can find traces of the Tatars on the vast grassland. He wants to put the Tatars into the passes of the Ming Dynasty. , he went to clean it up, it’s not a big deal. I’m afraid others can’t do it”

Zhu Feng still admires Wang Shouren very much.

Having seen Wang Shouren’s abilities with my own eyes, I regarded Wang Shouren as the second Ming God of War after Zhang Zhou.

What surprised Zhang Zhou was Zhu Feng’s understanding of the situation in the northwest. He could actually think that others were really incompetent. This meant that Zhu Feng was aware of the urinary behavior of traditional northwest generals.

It is very rare.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty has his own arrangements for the northwest battlefield. You have cooperated with Ningxia Governor Yang Yiqing, how can you think that he can't do it as well?"

"This" Zhu Feng has to do with He chose to avoid answering such questions, "Brother Zhang, isn't it up to you to make the decision? You can speak to His Majesty and His Majesty will listen."

Obviously, although Zhu Feng worked with Yang Yiqing, Zhu Feng also I think its level is not good enough.

But Zhu Feng seemed to see that Yang Yiqing's ability was just like that.

From Zhu Feng’s point of view, if Yang Yiqing is really capable, why didn’t he lead the troops himself and let me go? It ended in a disastrous ending. I want to apologize to the court. He He even tried to stop me and even spoke to me in an official tone

I expect this kind of person to guard the key passes of the Ming Dynasty

"No." Zhang Zhou shook his head, "I have to listen to your majesty this time. Because the expedition to the Hetao battle was drafted by His Majesty, and I didn’t even participate in much of the planning. I just mentioned to Your Majesty that the Tatars might come from Huamachi. As for how to fight next, it depends on the local generals. "

Zhu Feng asked tentatively, "Brother Zhang, when are you going to personally lead the army to fight? If the little Tatar prince fails this time, I'm afraid it won't happen in the future."

Zhu Feng lowered his head and said nothing.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Recently, your father has reported to the court, expressing his determination to go to the border town to serve the court. You should learn more from your father."

"What?" Zhu Feng said. Blinded.

His father finally got his wish and returned to Nanjing to serve as a garrison minister. He actually offered to go to the border town. Could it be that he is crazy?

Zhang Zhou sighed with emotion, "Even Your Majesty understands that the future of the Ming Dynasty's military lies in border affairs. Whoever can make contributions in border affairs will be able to stabilize their position of power in the future. However, those who stay away from border affairs will decline sooner or later, regardless of their current prosperity. . In fact, your father hopes that you will pick up the pillars of your family. If you don't do it, he will have to do it himself." "Isn't there still my brother?" Zhu Feng wanted to pass the responsibility to Zhu. Lin.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "The military also talks about seniority and reputation. It's all about seniority. Do you think it will take many battles for your brother to join the army and establish his prestige?"

Obviously he is just a stick, and has never wanted to stand out. As a result, he is now being pushed to the top. Now he is almost morally kidnapped, and he has to go to the battlefield even if he doesn't.

"Lu Wan will meet the emperor tomorrow. Your Majesty may arrange for him to be the governor of the inner three passes. If you are willing to serve the court, you might as well go with him and give you a general military officer and a few Is it okay if the generals from Mingyan Martial Hall go together to train troops?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Zhu Feng thought for a while and couldn't help but nodded.

At any rate, Nei San Pass does not seem to be a frontline battlefield now, and considering the distance between San Pass and the capital, this march is not too difficult.

Zhang Zhou said, "In that case, the task can be completed in as little as ten days and a half, and you can come back in a month or two. I'll wait to greet you in the capital."

The Imperial Court It is still operating for the defense of the capital, and in the northwest, because of Batu Monk's border, troops are being deployed everywhere.

April 25, night.

Thirty miles north of Shigou City, the main force led by Yang Yiqing has arrived, and the total number of Yang Yiqing’s infantry and cavalry is only twelve thousand. Before they are about to arrive at Shigou City, It has been learned that Shigou City is still under the control of the Ming Dynasty, which means that although the Tatars came in this direction, they did not occupy this isolated city.

Ningxia looks lonely and desolate at night.

Yang Yiqing ordered the three armies to be stationed. At the same time, he also learned about the movements of Zhu Hui's troops. Two groups of troops sent by Zhu Hui were led by Wu'an Hou Zheng Ying and Xiangcheng Bo Li Ao respectively. Two thousand soldiers and horses on each side of the two groups have arrived forty miles east of Shigou City.

The Tatars were relatively scattered, and on that day, the Tatars had already begun to gather in the direction of Shigou City.

The Tatars have more than 30,000 elite soldiers, even if they are scattered, they are enough for the three people of the Ming Dynasty to drink a pot. However, perhaps the Tatars are afraid of the firearms of the Ming Dynasty, so that the distance between the two sides is no longer close. To thirty miles, DantarThe Tatar soldiers and horses still did not take the initiative to launch an offensive.

That night, it was approaching midnight.

Most of Yang Yiqing's troops have begun to rest, and they are on the alert, while Yang Yiqing is still listening to the battle reports from various scouts.

The army must be ready to fight at any time. Yang Yiqing seemed very cautious because he now knew that Zhu Hui was still one hundred and fifty miles away, and with Zhu Hui's marching speed, it would take three or four days to get here. , and Zhu Hui seemed not interested in this battle to encircle and annihilate the wolves in the prairie.

The only people Zhu Hui can help him with are the four thousand soldiers and horses of Li Na and Zheng Ying.

Not enough.

"Mr. Yang, the situation is not good now. The Tatars are approaching Shigou City from the east, and there is a gap in the northeast of Shigou City due to disrepair. If the Tatars attack overnight, there will be no more than one or two. In an hour, Shigou City will be captured." Ningxia Commander-in-Chief Guo Jun was describing the situation on the front line, "There are less than 300 defenders in Shigou City, and there is only one cannon in total. The soldiers are not willing to fight."

After all, Shigou City is not in an important position in the pass. It is only used as a fortress for inland defense.

Ningxia’s military budget has been tight in recent years, which is also due to the reform of the salt policy and the changes in grain development. This has led to a large-scale reduction in the land area of ​​commercial villages in various places in the northwest. However, like Shigou City, After the surrounding land becomes deserted, the number of farmers will decrease, and we can only wait for the government to allocate funds to build the fort

In terms of efficiency alone, I am afraid that even if we apply for several years, we will not be able to apply to build the fort. Money and food.

And in terms of local priorities, naturally they would not think of building an earthen fort two hundred miles away from the pass. It is not easy to station three hundred soldiers inside.

Yang Yiqing said, "Shigou City can be abandoned."

Guo Jun said, "It means putting the Tatars into the city and aiming at the target."

Even Guo Jun knows tactics. Now that Ming Dynasty has powerful firearms, what they are most worried about is not being able to find the target, or that the Tatars will not stop and fight you, but if they "give" Shigou City If you let the Tatars enter the castle, it would be equivalent to having a target.

Yang Yiqing nodded and said, "The Tatars know that it is difficult to defend Shigou City from natural hazards and the city defense is still very lax, but they are still not in a hurry or busy looting people, animals and property everywhere. They understand that it is impossible." It is not easy to move them to Shigou City with Shigou City as a solid defense."

What you can think of, the enemy can also think of.

The Tatars are good at mobile warfare. With weapons at a disadvantage, how could they stuff themselves into a bunker and serve as targets for the Ming Dynasty artillery?

Guo Jun said, "But There is no other way now. There are not enough soldiers and horses. We have to wait for the main force of Baoguo Duke to arrive before we can form a strong attack. However, we are also afraid of the Tatars taking the initiative to invade. Fortunately, it is said that Uncle Xiangcheng and Marquis Wu'an are also here. They only brought light troops and few artillery pieces. If they rush into battle, they will be unable to accomplish anything."

That's what Guo Jun meant., we are here in full force.

But the two vanguards sent by Zhu Hui appeared to be very fragile. When fighting the Tatars, it was no problem to send cavalry, but they did not bring many cannons or, in other words, Zhu Hui He felt that artillery was his talisman and was unwilling to hand over more artillery, especially heavy artillery, to other groups.

Then it will appear that Yang Yiqing's neighbor clearly has four thousand Ming cavalry as reinforcements, but they lack the most effective weapons, so Yang Yiqing has to count on himself.

Yang Yiqing said coldly, "The purpose of Baoguo Gong may be to let the Tatars retreat in the face of difficulties, and he has no intention of fighting to the death with the Tatars. This battle cannot wait for him, tomorrow This battle must start early in the morning."

"Tomorrow morning"

Guo Jun felt it was a bit difficult and reminded, "Master Yang, the number of artillery and muskets in our army is huge. Not much. The losses in Huamachi are extremely serious. Mr. Qin didn’t allocate too much to us. If we want to fight the Tatars without giving them artillery and muskets, this battle will not be easy.”

Yang Yiqing said, "No matter how lacking it is, it's better than the Tatars not having any, right? Compared to two or three years ago."

Guo Jun said, "But the Tatars have crossbowmen. We are experienced in combat. Although they still don't know the number of firearms in our Shenji camp, it is not difficult to guess. If we have enough firearms, the Tatars will not retreat after winning Huamachi. It must be the Tatars who dare to come. You have nothing to fear."

Yang Yiqing said sternly, "Your courage is the one who asked me to fight. Now you have to retreat."

Guo Junyi gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's use the firearms. Let's all gather together and conduct a night raid, what do you think?"

"No," Yang Yiqing said, "If you want to fight, you must also fight openly and openly. During the day, you must organize your troops and then fight, the more you carry out night attacks and sneak attacks. The more the Tatars understand that our army has no ability to fight head-on, and given their caution, you think a night attack at this time will be very effective."

Guo Jun nodded helplessly.

Yang Yiqing is still very clear-headed. It is useless to try to take advantage of others at this time, so he can only fight head-on.

But the problem is that they don’t have enough firearms on this side, and the two vanguard troops on the opposite side are in the same situation. The total number of troops and horses is less than half of the Tatars. If they encounter Tatar stragglers, they can still fight, but now they can’t. Batu Munch's main force, no matter how you look at this battle, Ming Dynasty dare not say that it has an advantage.

Yang Yiqing said, "This battle is related to the prestige of the Ming Dynasty. As long as we can hold on in the first battle and delay it for two or three days, Duke Bao will come even if he doesn't want to. He is also waiting for us to retreat, so There will be no responsibility for him. But if we fight and he watches from the other side, no matter whether our army wins or loses, he will have no face to gain a foothold in the army." Please remember to collect, the latest and fastest anti-theft free reading on the website