Liu Yan looked at the eunuch, smiled and clasped his fists and said, "I don't know my father-in-law's name yet."
"Haha, the Zajia is just a little servant of the Supervisor of Ceremonies. The head of the town can just call him Xiao Shunzi of the Zajia. This trip is just to help the Ministry of War run errands."
Liu Yan said: "Is there a purpose?"
The eunuch said: "Then please ask the mayor to take over the order."
Although Liu Yan was very reluctant to kneel to a eunuch, he could only pretend to be so. As soon as he knelt down, he saw Xiao Shunzi taking out the imperial edict and reading it out in a measured tone.
The content of the imperial edict is very simple, that is, the slave thieves increase their troops in Jinzhou. Now that Jinzhou is in danger, Emperor Chongzhen has issued an edict to recruit elites from all parties to prepare to send troops to rescue Jinzhou.
"Haha, sir, please get up quickly."
Two Jinyi guards came forward to help Liu Yan, but Liu Yan sighed slightly in his heart: "This battle between Songjin and Jin is still looking for me, I can't escape!"
Liu Yan received the imperial edict, and Xiao Shunzi said: "Master, the military situation is urgent now. Please lead the troops north as soon as possible to join the army coming out of the customs in the capital."
Liu Yan nodded and said, "That's natural. It's just that when a large army goes on an expedition, it consumes a lot of money, food and equipment. I wonder what the regulations of the imperial court are?"
"What a joke! When I am asked to send troops, I must first provide benefits. Killing the Tatars is definitely obligatory, but we cannot let my new army soldiers go to the battlefield hungry!"
Liu Yan said in his heart.
Xiao Shunzi said: "Don't worry, Lord General. This battle is related to the safety of the country. Your Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War to raise food and wages. He will never treat the soldiers badly. It's just that during this gathering time, Lord General, please hurry up... "
"It's easy to say. Within five days, this town will lead the troops to set off, and my father-in-law can report truthfully."
"Haha, that's good, then the Za family will feel at ease."
As Xiao Shunzi was about to leave, Liu Yan wanted to persuade him to stay and at least have a meal, but Xiao Shunzi was determined not to eat and left directly after finishing his errands.
Then Miao Shao, Chen Xun and other commanders, as well as Wang Wenzhen, Zhang Lei and other shogunate ministers arrived one after another. Everyone was shocked when they saw the imperial edict in Liu Yan's hand.
Liu Yan looked at everyone and said, "Since everyone is here, let's have a meeting."
Everyone sat down, and Liu Yan took out the imperial edict and said to everyone: "Now the army of slave thieves has sent troops again and is attacking Jinzhou, Liaodong day and night. Your Majesty has issued an edict, ordering me from Qinglai Town to send troops to join forces with elites from all walks of life to help Jinzhou and fight with the slave thieves. decisive battle!"
When Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Chen Xun and other generals heard that they were about to fight the Tatars again, they suddenly became excited and cheered.
Qian Qian said loudly and arrogantly: "Okay! Now let those dog Tatars see how powerful my artillery camp is. Let's see if I don't kill them!"
But on the other side, Wang Wenzhen, Zhang Lei, Yue Ming and other civil servants frowned. Everyone looked at me and I looked at you. Finally, Li Jiwen stood up and said: "Sir, fighting outside the border is not as good as encircling and suppressing Zhang Xianzhong and others." Not only do Li Zicheng and his like have a longer front line and difficulty in supplying supplies, but once the battle becomes too strenuous, it will be even more difficult for the army to withdraw, so we must be cautious."
Hu Zongming said: "Jinzhou has been besieged by the Tatars for several months. In my opinion, if the Tatars wanted to capture the city of Jinzhou, they would have defeated it long ago. How could they wait for reinforcements from the imperial court? In my opinion, this is a siege by the Tatars. The usual tactic of clicking for help!”
Wang Wenzhen said: "I think so too. The terrain outside the pass is flat, and there are no cities or fortresses to rely on. The advantages of the slaves and thieves will be fully utilized. Even if our army is strong, what about the friendly forces? Once the friendly forces are defeated, they will inevitably be implicated. Our army will inevitably suffer when the time comes."
Liu Yan knew that Wang Wenzhen, Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming were telling the truth, but he had to go to this battle.
If according to history, all 130,000 elite soldiers of the Ming army were defeated in the Battle of Songjin, the countdown to the demise of the Ming Dynasty would begin. As a result, there will be no eggs left under the overturned nest, and Shandong will also be implicated.
Liu Yan's current strength is not yet able to fully control the entire Shandong. If the Ming Dynasty fails prematurely, Liu Yan will not have enough time to develop his strength, and it is empty talk to save China.
Therefore, supporting Jinzhou and repelling the slave thieves is what Liu Yan must do at this stage.
"The battle of Jinzhou must be extremely dangerous. The imperial court has begun to gather all the elites that can be mobilized from various places. This has already staked the fate of the Ming Dynasty. And what about the slaves and thieves? I think the slave chief Taiji is the same, and he will definitely bet on it. The destiny of the nation is slaves and thieves.”
Liu Yan looked at the crowd and said loudly: "This battle will be a battle that determines the life and death of the Ming Dynasty and the slave thieves. Our Qinglai Town New Army must not be absent! In this battle, we are not fighting for one family. We are not fighting for the Ming Dynasty, but for the common people of the Han family in the world, and for the future generations of China. Even if we die nine times, we will not regret it!"
Everyone's blood was boiling at this time, and all the doubts in their hearts turned into smoke and dust. They all clasped their fists and said, "We are willing to accompany the general to fight against slaves and bandits. Even if we die nine times, we will not regret it!"
Liu Yan then ordered, in the name of the chief military officer of Qinglai Town, to collect money, food, and military equipment from Qingzhou Prefecture and Laizhou Prefecture, and transport them to Jinan Fucheng first for hoarding.
At the same time, Liu Yan drew up a list of personnel who would accompany the army on the expedition. In addition to the commanders of each battalion and other generals, the Minister of Medical Affairs, Bao Xuezhen, the Deputy Minister of War, Xun Jingyun, the Chief of the Intelligence Department, Wu Guojin, and the Director of Exploration Cao, Wang Yang, also went with the army.
A large number of doctors and craftsmen were recruited, and various supplies began to flow into Jinan Fucheng. The tense atmosphere of the coming war began to spread throughout Qinglai Town.
After the meeting that day, the commanders of each battalion rushed back to their bases. Liu Yan ordered the new troops of each battalion to arrive at Qingzhou City within five days to assemble, and then the whole army went north to Jinan Fucheng to collect the money, food and materials stored there. Convergence.
Miao Shao and Chen Xun also reluctantly said goodbye to Xiu Niang and Chen Jiangshi, and then returned to the army to prepare for the expedition.
As for Liu Yan, although Wang Yunhe, Shang Shan and Ruoshui were worried, they did not dare to show it. They were afraid that Liu Yan would be distracted, so they had to hide their worries in their hearts and try their best to take care of Liu Yan's daily life and diet every day. Take good care of Yan before setting off.
It's the fourth day in a blink of an eye.
At this time, all the battalions of the New Army had arrived in Qingzhou Fucheng one after another. The camps in the north of the city were lined up with flags fluttering.
Although the cold wind was still blowing at this time, the soldiers of the new army were all wearing brand-new mandarin duck jackets, and the measures to keep warm were in place. In addition, the daily food was often meaty, so the chill in early spring was nothing and did not stop them at all. The enthusiasm of the New Army officers and soldiers in gathering and training cannot be restrained.
In the General Military Mansion, Liu Yan summoned the commanders of each battalion and the Minister of War Tian Huixu to inquire about the status of the soldiers and equipment of each battalion, as well as the transfer of supplies.
The commanders of each battalion stated that all battalions of the New Army are now fully staffed. In addition to the money, grain, and military supplies that are being transferred to Jinan Fucheng, each battalion also carries some grain, grass, and military supplies, which can supply at least one soldier. Required for ten days of camp.
Tian Huixu then said: "Don't worry, sir, three batches of money and food and five batches of troops have been shipped out in the past few days. The money and food are enough to feed the soldiers for two months, and the troops are enough to fight more than three major battles." Consumed.”
Liu Yan said: "Very good. But after the army sets off, the Ministry of War will continue to transfer money, food and military equipment to Jinan Fucheng. The Battle of Jinzhou will not end in a short time, and this battle is destined to be a fierce battle. For money, food, and military equipment, The demand is very high. With the situation of the imperial court, I’m worried that the army’s supplies will be cut off!”
"What!"
Everyone was shocked, this was no joke, maybe the entire army would be trapped outside the customs!
Liu Yan looked at everyone and said: "So we have to make two preparations. On the one hand, we continue to hoard money, food and military equipment. Once the frontline supplies are cut off, this town will send heavy troops to withdraw and transfer money, food and military equipment. At the same time, when we reach the Jinzhou front line, this town will also We advocate covering the back road, this is the bottom line!"
How did the Ming army lose in the historical Battle of Songjin? It was because Hong Chengchou's formation was top-heavy and pressed all the main troops and horses on the front line. The troops on the rear food road were sparse. The Qing army cut off the rear route. The 130,000 elite troops collapsed directly and were chased away by the Qing army.
Liu Yan led his troops into the war to save the situation and to buy more development time for himself, rather than to play with Hong Chengchou's heartbeat.
"If Hong Hengjiu doesn't listen to his advice, then I will do my own thing. Anyway, more than 80,000 soldiers will be dispatched this time. The rest of the Ming army only has 130,000. I myself have more than 80,000. Who dares to stop me!"
Liu Yan had made up his mind at this time. With eighty or ninety thousand strong troops in hand, he would naturally have the strength to compete with Hong Chengchou. You have to risk your wealth to gamble, but I have to play it safe.
Seeing that the preparations of all the battalions were in place, Liu Yan said: "Let's disperse today. Let's go back and prepare. Tomorrow the army will set off early and head to Jinan Fucheng."
"yes!"
Then Liu Yan called for Wu Guojin and said: "The Intelligence Department has just been established, and we are not very familiar with the situation outside the customs. Naturally, we can't talk about any intelligence. So before the army sets off, this town wants you to lead some people." Let’s take a step first and go to Jinzhou to find out the news.”
"Remember, when you go this time, you must preserve your strength first. Either you can find out, or you can't find out, and don't fight head-on with the army of slaves and thieves."
Liu Yan pointed to the map on the table and said: "After the army goes to the capital and gathers all the troops, it will leave through Shanhaiguan. You leave people on standby at Shanhaiguan. When the army leaves, you will lead the people there to fight with them. Meet in this town.”
Wu Guojin clasped his fists and said, "Yes! I will take the people out today."
"Bring more money and plant some hidden stakes outside the pass if it's convenient."
Wu Guojin said with a smile: "I understand. Your Excellency is really proficient in Jin Yiwei's methods. Your subordinates all think that you are also from Jin Yiwei."
Liu Yan smiled and said, "Okay, let's get ready."
"yes."
After everything was deployed, Liu Yan's tense nerves relaxed instantly. Everyone left one after another to prepare. Liu Yan came to the yard alone, breathing in the cool air, and the fragrance of the early spring soil mixed with the floating lunch. The aroma made Liu Yan feel a rare sense of tranquility in his heart.
"I hope there will be no more wars in the future and we can live such a peaceful life every day."
Some people died, but not completely...
