On a high ground in Yantai Mountain Village, Qinhuangdao, Wu Laoliu looked at the few tiger warriors who were exploring the road in front of him, then at the dozens of people patrolling around and the calm-looking Zhu Yuanzhang, and he couldn't help but reveal a trace of anger on his face. A look of worry.
Because this was the first time that he was independently responsible for Zhu Yuanzhang's safety, he was a little panicked when he received the order.
Fortunately, he had plenty of time at the time, and with Shen Zhanran's guidance, he made all the arrangements for his trip south.
Later, he heard that Zhang Dabiao had quietly rushed to Henan, and he felt even more relieved.
Unexpectedly, not long after they set off, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly turned his horse around and said he was going north.
Wu Laoliu was shocked when he heard this.
Because at that time, the five hundred tiger warriors who died had already gone south, there were only about twenty people in their party.
However, since Zhu Yuanzhang had spoken, Wu Laoliu did not dare to disobey.
When he suggested that Zhu Yuanzhang move forward slowly so that he could mobilize manpower to protect him, he was rejected by Zhu Yuanzhang.
In desperation, he had no choice but to take the remaining six of the eighteen cavalry and fifteen tiger warriors to follow Zhu Yuanzhang northward.
He originally thought that Zhu Yuanzhang was going to Datong, but he never thought that Zhu Yuanzhang would bypass the capital and go straight to Shanhaiguan.
Seeing this situation, Wu Laoliu tried to dissuade him many times, but in the end he endured it.
Because based on his own observations and the stories of Zhang Dabiao and others, he knew that Zhu Yuanzhang did not like his subordinates to be meddlesome. He only had to do his job as instructed, otherwise he would be reprimanded.
It's just that as the person responsible for protecting Zhu Yuanzhang's safety this time, if he cannot protect Zhu Yuanzhang's safety, he will also be derelict in his duties.
Because according to his understanding, in addition to the Jurchens watching outside the Shanhaiguan Pass, there was also a lot of unrest inside the Pass, with talk of surrender spreading everywhere.
There are even rumors that Wu Sangui was ready to surrender under Zu Dashou's persuasion.
If this matter is true, then Zhu Yuanzhang's going here is tantamount to throwing himself into a trap.
Although he felt that Zhu Yuanzhang's trip to Shanhaiguan might be able to change the current situation.
But as Zhu Yuanzhang's bodyguard, he first wanted to ensure Zhu Yuanzhang's safety.
Wu Laoliu hesitated for a while, walked lightly to Zhu Yuanzhang's side, and whispered: "Your Majesty, this place is less than fifty miles away from Shanhaiguan. Are we going to Shanhaiguan?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was looking towards Beidaihe in deep thought. When he heard Wu Laoliu's words, he looked back and said, "What, are you afraid?"
When Wu Laoliu heard this, he immediately puffed up his chest and said loudly: "I'm not afraid, I'm just worried..."
As he spoke, his body bent slightly again, his voice lowered involuntarily, and he whispered: "I am worried about His Majesty's safety."
"You must know that there is no peace in Shanhaiguan right now, and His Majesty's escort has gone south. If only a few of us go, I'm afraid..."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "Didn't you already notify Zhang Erhu that they are coming? We are very relieved that you are here!"
A gleam of joy flashed across Wu Laoliu's face, and then he said with some worry: "Although I informed Brother Erhu, it was Zheng's albatross who sent the message this time."
"Although Brother Erhu said that this albatross was tamed by Zheng and that male and female albatross can sense each other, I always feel that this is a bit unreliable."
"Furthermore, Brother Erhu and the others are far away in North Korea. Even if they receive the letter, they may not be able to arrive in time. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said: "You don't have to worry about this. Duke An Guo is a calm man. Since he asked Zhao Erhu to send this thing, I think it is reliable..."
"who?"
Suddenly, the patrolling soldier let out a sharp roar.
When Wu Laoliu heard the sound, he immediately held the handle of the knife tightly and stood in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Brother Erhu!"
When he saw Zhao Erhu and his party emerging from the grass below, he immediately screamed and ran forward.
However, he only ran a few steps, then hurriedly stopped and retreated to Zhu Yuanzhang's side.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, walked forward slowly to meet Zhao Erhu and said, "You guys came so fast. Could it be that Duke An Guo has already led his army?"
Arrived in Jurchen territory? "Z.br>
After Zhao Erhu bowed and saluted, he replied: "After Duke An Guo accepted Tian Jianjun's suggestion, he asked Zheng Hongkui..."
It turned out that not long ago, when Tian Shuying took the initiative to talk to Liu Wenbing about attacking the Jurchens, Liu Wenbing had already guessed that this matter should be Zhu Yuanzhang's intention, but he had some doubts in his heart.
Because at that time, although Kong Youde and others were defeated, they still had eight or nine thousand soldiers and horses, and they were all warriors who had been fighting for a long time.
In addition, North Korea also has more than 10,000 naval troops, and the total number of troops on both sides is nearly 20,000.
In terms of numbers alone, the Ming Navy did not have much advantage.
Furthermore, the Jurchens came out in droves this time, Shengjing was too empty, and it was most likely a conspiracy.
He had already reported these situations to Zhu Yuanzhang. With Zhu Yuanzhang's talents, he should not be allowed to send his army northward at this time.
Although he had doubts in his heart, he thought that this was Zhu Yuanzhang's intention after all, and finally agreed to Tian Shuying's proposal.
Soon afterwards, he learned through Wang Shoulin's intelligence network that Wang Shoulin and Li Sanbao had been wiped out. He immediately understood and immediately purged the remaining one thousand Tianjin navy.
After clearing out the female cadres, Liu Wenbing led his army to attack Kong Youde and the North Korean Navy.
Because Kong Youde and others were very cunning, the gains from this battle were not great.
In order to avoid worries, Liu Wenbing decided to lure the snake out of the cave.
He pretended to go north, leaving Zheng Hongkui, Zheng Sen and others to defend Kong Youde.
Kong Youde was eager to restore his reputation. After receiving the news, he was a little moved.
However, he was also cunning and worried that this was Liu Wenbing's conspiracy, so he did not act.
Kong Youde waited for three days in a row, and after confirming that Liu Wenbing's army had gone away, he united with the North Korean Navy to counterattack. Unexpectedly, he was ambushed by Liu Wenbing.
It turned out that after the last war, Liu Wenbing captured a lot of warships, so after he pretended to go north, he asked his generals to take some empty ships northward, while he led his army secretly back to Jianghua Bay, preparing to ambush Kong Youde.
After this battle, Kong Youde lost nearly fifty warships and more than 3,000 horses. From then on, he hunkered down in Jianghua Bay and never dared to come out again.
Upon seeing this, Liu Wenbing knew that Kong Youde had nothing to worry about. After leaving some empty ships to bluff, he prepared to lead his army northward.
At this time, Tian Shuying proposed to stay in North Korea. Liu Wenbing knew that she was worried about Zheng Hongkui and others, but when they were marching, they were most afraid of disagreements between generals.
Moreover, if Tian Shuying stays behind, Liu Wenbing will inevitably divide his troops to protect her safety, which will be detrimental to the subsequent war.
At this time, Zheng Sen took the initiative to ask to go north with the army, and asked Jin Xuan to stay in North Korea to assist Zheng Hongkui in blocking Kong Youde and others.
After some negotiation, Liu Wenbing and others finally agreed to Zheng Sen's request, allowing Li Guozhen, Jin Xuan, and Zheng Hongkui to lead the army to stay in North Korea, while the others followed Liu Wenbing northward.
When the army was halfway through the march, Liu Wenbing was about to ask Tian Shuying and Zhao Erhu to take 5,000 people back to Tianjin Port. When he received a message from Wu Laoliu, he said that Zhu Yuanzhang had gone north and asked Zhao Erhu to escort him.
When Liu Wenbing saw the letter and knew that Zhu Yuanzhang had a plan, he urged Tian Shuying and Zhao Erhu to go.
But Tian Shuying believed that she was a supervisor and should accompany the army. After rejecting Liu Wenbing's proposal, she suggested that Zhang Huangyan and Zhao Erhu go.
After these days of getting along with Liu Wenbing, he knew that Tian Shuying was tough-minded and well-mannered. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he agreed to her suggestion.
After Zhao Erhu accepted the order, he wanted to rush directly to Tianjin Port, but Zhang Huangyan thought that it was too far to go to Tianjin Port and he would definitely not be able to catch up with Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhao Erhu heard what he said and felt that what he said was reasonable, so he led his army to Qinhuangdao.
Unexpectedly, when they went to Qinhuang Port, they accidentally discovered a lot of Western fleets.
In order to avoid exposing their whereabouts, the two of them discussed and asked Zhang Huangyan to lead the army to monitor, while Zhao Erhu led a dozen people ashore through Beidaihe and came to report to Zhu Yuanzhang.
After listening to Zhao Erhu's story, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered in his heart. Just as he was about to speak, he saw three people walking from a distance.
A man dressed as a Taoist priest stopped talking and asked Wu Laoliu to invite the three Taoist priests.
Wu Laoliu was stunned when he heard this, and then walked over quickly.
