Yu County and Gong Yonggu camp.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the military distribution map with a solemn expression, while Gong Yonggu stood aside quietly with some uneasiness.
It turned out that just now when Gong Yonggu was discussing military affairs with his generals He Zhen, Dong Qi, Xu Wenpu and others, a soldier suddenly came in to report that there was a Jinyi guard outside the door asking to see him.
Gong Yonggu thought it was a messenger sent by Wu Mengming, so he didn't pay attention. He just asked the soldiers to bring the messenger in. He never expected that it was Zhu Yuanzhang who came.
He was shocked and was about to salute, but Zhu Yuanzhang said that Pingxihoudi stopped him.
Later, Zhu Yuanzhang asked He Zhen and others to leave the tent on the pretext of discussing important matters with him, and asked Zhang Dabiao to stay outside the tent.
When Gong Yonggu saw this, he thought Zhu Yuanzhang would reprimand him. Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say a word after that and had been studying the military distribution map for nearly half an hour.
"Ping Xihou, what do you think of the current situation?"
Just when Gong Yonggu was a little restless, Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly sounded.
Gong Yonggu was stunned for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, because Gao Jie and Ma Jinzhong fell into Li Guo's ambush the night before last, they lost seven to eight thousand men."
"Although it doesn't have a big impact on the overall situation, morale is a bit low. Wei Chen is looking for an opportunity to fight a counterattack to boost morale."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at him, then looked down at the picture, and asked at the same time: "Then how are you going to fight back?"
Gong Yonggu did not see any emotion in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and said cautiously: "Now that the rebels are strong and the defense is strong, it will be difficult for us to succeed in a forceful attack."
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang again, and saw that the other party was still looking at the distribution map, so he continued: "I heard that Yuan Zongdi had gone north, and wanted to take this as an opportunity to show fear, lead his troops to retreat, and retreat in Wei The county set up an ambush.”
"Because there are many ancient castles and many forks in Yu County, as long as we prepare in advance and concentrate our superior forces to attack the scattered rebels, we should be able to win."
Zhu Yuanzhang drew on the map again, then looked up and said: "This method is also feasible, but the location of the ambush needs to be discussed, because the rebels once occupied Yu County, and they may know the situation here better than you."
"If after you retreat, he does not divide his troops to pursue, or simply does not pursue, what are you going to do? Are you going to give up Yu County so easily?"
Gong Yonggu was stunned when he heard this, and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with some embarrassment.
In fact, he also thought about this, but if he didn't set up an ambush here, he would not have a good ambush point after exiting Yu County, which was why he was worried.
At this moment, because of Zhu Yuanzhang's inquiry, he revealed this immature plan.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw that although Gong Yonggu's plan was not perfect, it was much better than before, so he suggested: "Ping Xihou, there are two problems in your plan that need to be solved."
"The first one is the plan to withdraw the troops. Although you gave the reason for the withdrawal, it is not sufficient because Yuan Zongdi is chasing Zuo Liangyu northward. Perhaps Zuo Liangyu is weaker than Yuan Zongdi, but he is It’s not that we don’t have the strength to fight.”
"Moreover, Li Ruolian and Huang Degong have defeated the Li bandit's defense in Zhending and will arrive in Shanxi soon. Therefore, if you retreat suddenly, the rebels will definitely become suspicious."
Hearing this, Gong Yonggu felt as if he was enlightened. He understood immediately, pondered for a while, and then said: "Your Majesty, Gao Wencai once sent a letter saying that Li Thief seems to intend to unite with the Jurchens. If I use the Jurchens' southern invasion as an excuse, I will return to the army." How about protecting the capital?"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "This method is feasible, but the Jurchens want to attack the capital. Don't the rebels attack the capital? If you retreat with the whole army, I'm afraid he will still be suspicious."
Gong Yonggu said with some embarrassment: "If I don't all return to the teacher, wouldn't the people left behind be in danger?"
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Ping Xihou, the kindness of women is the most taboo when marching and fighting. You have to know that no matter whether you win or lose a battle, people will die as long as you fight. It just depends on the number of deaths."
Hearing this, Gong Yonggu gritted his teeth and nodded vigorously, saying: "Your Majesty said, in this case, I will leave 30,000 soldiers and horses as bait. When the rebels come to attack, I will cooperate inside and outside to defeat them in one fell swoop." Rout."
Although Zhu Yuanzhang felt that this method still had flaws, he was afraid of damaging Gong Yonggu's confidence, so he changed the subject and said: "If you want to keep 30,000 troops, who are you going to let stay?"
When Gong Yonggu heard this, he was immediately stunned.
Because since Gao Jie and others were defeated by Li Guo, there have been many rumors slandering him in the army. Some said that he was not good at leading troops, some said that his qualifications were dull, and some even said that he deliberately took advantage of the rebels. Hands weakened the strength of Gao Jie and others.
All these factors, but not all, caused Gao Jie and others to complain a lot about him.
Later, conflicts arose between the two sides due to soldiers disturbing the people. Fortunately, Wu Sangui intervened and the matter was resolved. However, Gao Jie and others no longer respected him as much as before.
If he asked Gao Jie and others to stay behind this time, they would not be willing.
But if his troops stayed behind, he would not be able to explain to Zhu Yuanzhang if something went wrong.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but frown.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "This is the second question in your plan. How can the generals counterattack if they have different ideas?"
When Gong Yonggu heard this, it was like a thunder exploded in his mind, and his face turned pale instantly.
He hurriedly knelt down and apologized: "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment and almost caused a catastrophe. Please forgive me!"
Zhu Yuanzhang saw that his body was shaking constantly, and he was obviously under great pressure. Thinking that he had pushed Gong Yonggu to this position, he felt a little unbearable for a moment.
So he stepped forward to help Gong Yonggu up and comforted him: "Ping Xihou, you don't have to blame yourself too much. We have said before that no one is born to fight. Xu Da, Tang He and other generals all learned from blood. Trained in fire."
"So as long as you are willing to work hard, and with my guidance from the side, you will be able to defeat the rebels."
Gong Yonggu was very frightened in his heart. After hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, he remembered the previous battles at Zhangyi Gate, Chaoyang Gate, Juyong Pass and so on. He regained some confidence in his heart and bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty. However, I am not very qualified. Please ask Your Majesty." Guidance!”
Seeing that his expression had softened, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again: "Ping Xihou, you don't have to worry too much. We have brought you a gift this time, which can solve the disagreement between the generals."
When Gong Yonggu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's empty hands, he was a little surprised and said: "I have little talent and little knowledge, and I didn't see your majesty's gift..."
Before he could finish speaking, He Zhen's slightly angry voice suddenly came from outside the tent: "Ping Xihou, I have something important to report!"
Gong Yonggu was stunned for a moment, and seemed to understand. Then he heard Zhu Yuanzhang's voice: "Da Biao, let General He come in."
