Chapter 060 Governor of the Southern Army
Chen Cao quickly put down his chopsticks and handed over his hands: "Master, please speak..."
Xu Hongji waved his hand: "The first thing is that now you are also a noble Lord of our Ming Dynasty. The dignified Uncle Dingwu is considered a member of my noble family. Before you had no title, you were still considered a noble. I am a member of the Duke of Wei, but now that you have been granted a title, even though you are an earl, you are also a noble, and you can still be on an equal footing with me, Xu Hongji."
"Uncle..."
Xu Hongji waved his hand to tell Chen Cao not to interrupt: "My meaning is very clear. Although your status is different now, you should also remember that you are still the one who went out to my Duke Wei's house. Do you understand?"
Why didn't Chen Cao understand? What Xu Hongji meant was as if he was a child of a family that was separated from the Duke of Wei. No matter what your status is in the future, as long as you separate from the family, you will be considered a member of the Duke of Wei. But as long as the Duke of Wei has No matter what the demands or difficulties, I, as a 'family son', have to take care of them.
That's good, at least Chen Cao is already independent in some matters or forms. Even if he takes care of it, it is his duty. Thinking of this, Chen Cao stood up, knelt down and kowtowed to Xu Hongji: " Chen Cao remembers the teachings of the father-in-law..."
"Okay, get up." Xu Hongji raised his right hand: "From now on, you, Yaozhong, must do your best. If you have any difficulties in the future, our government will not be able to take care of you. But if I, the Duke of Wei, If you are in trouble, you have to do your duty.”
Chen Cao kowtowed again: "Chen Cao must remember the great kindness of the Duke. No matter what happens in the future, he will never abandon the Duke of Wei."
Xu Hongji looked at the butler beside him, and when he saw the old man nodding his head in a very sophisticated manner, he turned around and said loudly: "Well, that's it, YCIS, get up. In the past, when you set up your own business, you must be careful."
Chen Cao then stood up, and then held his hands in his hands: "Master, put it down, Chen Cao will definitely save it."
"Sit down..." Xu Hongji pressed his hands, and then asked someone to take out the official document: "This is the decree issued by the Economic and General Secretary of the imperial court. In Jinling, where we arrived last night, the Fifth Army Governor's Office sent an official document early this morning. There are also documents from the Ministry of War inside.”
Chen Cao took the official document from the butler's hand, opened it and took a look. There were three books in total. They were an official document jointly signed by the Beijing Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Governor's Office, an official document jointly signed by the Nanjing Ministry of War and the Fifth Army Governor's Office in Nanjing, and the last one. It was an official document stamped with Xu Hongji's Nanjing garrison seal.
"Sir, Eunuch Wu made a few remarks yesterday. I didn't expect him to arrive, but it was urgent." Chen Cao closed the three official documents and put them aside.
Xu Hongji said sternly: "The situation in Guangning is extremely urgent. The imperial court has asked Ji Liao Jing Lue Gao to send 30,000 troops to Ningyuan to assist in the defense, and also dispatched Qin Liangyu from Sichuan and more than 20,000 chieftains from Guangxi to go there. These are still two News from a month ago. Now that the imperial court has asked you, as Uncle Dingwu, to mobilize the southern army to aid the Liao Dynasty, you must not be careless."
"Chen Cao saved it," Chen Cao answered and then asked, "Then when I go, who will be in charge of me in the end?"
"Sun Chengzong, the governor of Liaodong..." Xu Hongji said word by word: "Back then, Xiong Tingbi had a disagreement with Wang Huazhen and was dismissed from his post. Now in the past two years, the court has revived Xiong Tingbi again. I don't know what you have in Yaozhong. view?"
Chen Cao thought of Wu Chun's words and asked, "Could it be that the adults in the court want to use the two of them to support the situation?"
Xu Hongji nodded with a sneer: "These civil servants are more powerful than the others when fighting for power. But at the critical juncture, they are quick to blame each other."
Chen Cao simply didn't expect that Xu Hongji would use such a novel word as 'blame-throwing', and he didn't dare to praise him, so he said in a deep voice: "Could it be that they all saw clearly that Guangning can't defend it?"
Xu Hongji shook his head: "Although I have spies in Liaodong, all I know is the local military situation. I am not interested or involved in their struggle. The only thing I can give you is that there are at most three people you can trust in Liaodong. .”
"Please give me some advice, sir." Chen Cao clasped his fists.
Xu Hongji exhaled and said: "Beside Sun Chengzong, the deputy commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan, Man Gui, the commander-in-chief of Liao Zhen, Li Ruzhen, and the deputy commander-in-chief of Pidao, Mao Wenlong."
These names are like thunder. How could Chen Cao not know the origins of these people? He was convinced. Even Xu Hongji said that these three people were trustworthy, so the historical records must not be that bad.
"My lord, I don't know what the court means specifically..."
Xu Hongji looked at Chen Cao and said: "Nurhachi has been besieging Guangning for four months. I heard that he is inviting the Mongols, specifically the three guards of Ulliangha."
"Duoyan Sanwei?" Chen Cao frowned.
"Exactly," Xu Hongji nodded: "Although the three guards surrendered to our Ming Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Wen, they have never obeyed the discipline. Now they are taking advantage of the internal and external troubles of our Ming Dynasty to flirt with Jianlu. I think Nurhachi must have been unable to besiege for a long time. He must be in Wait for the three guards of Wuliangha to send out troops."
Chen Cao took a breath of cold air. He was still frightened before he came out of seclusion. If he came out of seclusion, he might not know what would happen.
"The official document from the Ministry of War is clearly written, asking you to set out within the month after receiving the official document, and you must arrive in Guangning before July 15th." Xu Hongji pointed to the official document Chen Cao put on the table: "There are still two more Genius June, you have plenty of time.”
Damn it, how can we have time with the execution capabilities of the guards' troops?
"Sir, please go ahead and eat. Time waits for no one. I have to go to the military camp to make preparations first."
Chen Cao picked up the official document and was about to leave. Xu Hongji stopped him and asked the housekeeper to hand over a document for troop deployment: "It is stamped with the seal of my Nanjing garrison. It is up to you where to mobilize the troops."
There is a reason why Xu Hongji is so generous. Chen Cao's success is related to the reputation of his Duke of Wei. Who doesn't want to make his subordinates feel proud?
Chen Cao paid a visit and then went out. He hurriedly left with Zhao Xin who was bragging to someone at the concierge. Seeing Chen Cao's hurried look, Zhao Xin thought something big had happened: "Uncle, something big has happened."
"Go to the military camp first."
Song Che's life was relatively boring, but Chen Cao still reminded him that he might go to Liaodong within three years of Tianqi, so in addition to training on weekdays, he returned to his new home in the city.
"Sir," a soldier sent a message: "Commander, oh no, uncle is coming to the military camp."
Song Che had already received a message from Xin Zhao, and also knew that Chen Cao had received a knighthood, and was preparing to go up to celebrate tonight. Little did he know that Chen Cao was here himself, so he put on his clothes and hurried out of the barracks, taking the initiative to greet him.
"Shi Xiu..." Before he could get close, Chen Cao shouted loudly: "Go and summon Qi Xianzong and Bei Tianhua to discuss important matters."
Seeing Chen Cao's appearance, and the fact that Chen Cao would reveal some of his thoughts when drinking, Song Che immediately thought that Chen Cao was being forced to rebel, and hurriedly turned around and asked Qi Xianzong and others to come to the camp to discuss matters.
When several people rushed into the camp in a hurry, Chen Cao was sitting in the main seat drinking tea. Song Che was confused and asked: "Yaozhong, what happened?"
"There's no rush," Chen Cao put down his tea cup: "We'll wait until the navy's people arrive. I asked Xin Zhao to send someone to pass the news before."
People from the Jinyiwei system arrived one after another. After waiting for almost an hour, Chen Maoxiu and Zhao Tianlin, the navy commanders, arrived.
When Chen Cao saw that everyone was almost here, he coughed, and the camp became quiet: "Everyone, this is an official document from the imperial court. Read it one by one."
Zhao Xin passed the official documents from the Ministry of War to them one after another, and Chen Cao continued: "The imperial court ordered me to arrive in Guangning before July 15th, in order to deal with the war against the rebel leader Nurhachi."
"It's only forty-five days?" Chen Yongsu handed over his hand: "Uncle, you should also know the execution ability of those guard troops. From gathering to Liaodong, it takes less than two months."
The people below all nodded, and Chen Cao also knew the problem: "I know, that's why I asked you to give me some advice. With more people, we are more powerful. Our southern soldiers are no better than our northern soldiers. Many soldiers in the past were acclimated to the climate." Habit, this war is in a hurry, so there is no time to mobilize the troops from the surrounding provinces. Can you tell me which of the nearby troops can be mobilized?"
"The imperial court only gave 30,000 troops," Song Che interjected: "Does that mean that apart from our right guard and navy, only three guards can be mobilized?"
"No," Chen Cao shook his head: "The Navy does not count..." On the surface of everyone's confusion, Chen Cao explained: "This battle in Guangning is unusual. I was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Southern Army. I must have Sun Chengzong definitely asked me to perform the mission as a soldier. In other words, we have to fight the Tatars on land. Navy officers and soldiers are not used to land battles. If they are attacked by the Tatar cavalry, I am worried that I will not be able to defend and collapse. Furthermore, I will pay for the salaries of the navy and right guard, and there is no intention in the official document to let the navy go into battle."
Zhao Tianlin frowned: "Uncle, what you mean is to mobilize soldiers from the other five guards except Right Guard, and then use naval warships to sail to Liaodong."
"Look," Chen Cao pointed at Zhao Tianlin: "Why do you need to worry about things that Zhao Tianlin can think of? That's what I mean. Nowadays, the navy has many warships, and they transport troops by sea. If you go, you can reach Liaodong in up to twenty days. Shixiu, what are the seaports in Liaodong?"
"I'm afraid the only place suitable for landing warships is Lushunkou on the Gaizhouwei side, but it was occupied by Tatars last year." Song Che said.
No one here knows what is going on in Liaodong better than Song Che. Chen Cao frowned: "If we take the sea route, it will be faster, but we must attack Lushun and the Gaizhou Guard behind us. If we take the land route, although it is safe, we have to wait for the time." If we can't catch up, the soldiers of the navy and right guard are basically firearms troops now. We might as well land at Port Arthur and catch the Tatars by surprise. What do you think?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then all raised their hands: "But it depends on my uncle's orders."
"Okay," Chen Cao slapped the table: "Zhao Xin, take the official document from Wei Guogong and immediately mobilize the Yangzhou Guard, Dahe Guard, Zhenjiang Guard, Songjiang Guard and other five guards to assemble at the ferry in their respective defense areas and tell them about the naval warships We will set out in five days to pick them up one by one. Also, please pass on my military order. Whoever dares to delay the time at the above-mentioned guard station will be dealt with by military law. In addition, eight hundred miles will be sent to Guanhaiwei urgently to send a letter to the Guanhaiwei, asking them to take a boat to the Yangtze River estuary to assemble. It’s time to set off with our troops.”
"Yes..." Xin Zhao handed over his hands and ran out immediately.
"Listen," Chen Cao said seriously: "The officers and soldiers of the Nanjing Right Guards and the Navy will be ready immediately. The quartermaster will give the two guards soldiers three months' pay, and the whole team will set off tomorrow."
"yes..."
Chen Cao immediately went to the workshop of the military camp and found Bi Maokang: "Master Bi, I will lead the team to set off tomorrow. Time is tight. I am not worried about the muskets. How is the cannon?"
Bi Maokang immediately replied: "Ten Hongyi cannons can be used, with a thousand rounds of solid ammunition and a hundred and twenty rounds of shells." Bi Maokang said a little ashamed: "My lord, I will tell you the truth. Although the money and food given by your lord are enough, But the manufacturing process of flower bombs is really time-consuming.”
"One hundred and twenty rounds are enough," Chen Cao said, not wanting to embarrass Bi Maokang, and asked: "How about mortars?"
"One was newly built, and the other had cracks after the last test. It was placed in the warehouse and only used ten rounds."
Mortars are difficult to make. This kind of gun is a new type of artillery and cannot be produced in such large quantities. Chen Cao could only force it, so he asked again: "Are there any other useful firearms?"
"I can't tell you what I'm famous for at the moment. I wonder which one my uncle will use?" Bi Maokang said and went to find a booklet to read.
"Forget it, it's too late," Chen Cao stopped him: "Stop searching, pack all the firearms in our inventory, the kind that can kill people, and we will set off with Youwei tomorrow. By the way, which one have you packed?" The cracked mortar will be repaired and will be shipped away with the new one tomorrow."
"Uncle, it's easy to explode..." Bi Maokang stopped him.
"No matter what, I won't let them fire two cannons when the time comes. Don't worry, the cannonballs are only ten, right?"
Bi Maokang still wanted to persuade but found that Chen Cao had gone far away, so he shook his head helplessly, and then hurriedly went to do business.
"Sir, the only thing added to the can now is steamed buns." Wu Liangju held up his hand.
"How many?" Chen Cao asked with a frown.
Wu Liangju also hurriedly looked at the booklet: "Because we are not marching to fight, we can only maintain the number of soldiers on the right guard for ten days."
Chen Cao immediately ordered: "We will vigorously produce from now on. After the completion, I will let the navy officers and soldiers be responsible for the transportation."
"I obey my orders..."
Chen Cao arranged for two hours in a row and walked out of the military camp at almost dusk. At this moment, only Xu Kaixian was with him: "Follow me to the Bai Mansion."
When Chen Cao rode his horse to the Bai Mansion, he was rejected. Bai Magnolia was not at home, and he went to visit a friend. Chen Cao felt lonely for a while, and then he and Xu Kaixian went to Shen Ji Grocery Store.
"Uncle is going to Liaodong?" Shen Zhuangling looked surprised.
"Your news is really good. My uncle Feng's imperial edict only arrived yesterday." Chen Cao lifted up his belt and wiped Shen Zhuangling's dirt on her skirt: "It seems that I really underestimated you."
After Shen Zhuangling became Chen Cao's wife, she became even more friendly with Chen Cao. She was not in a hurry to take care of her own filth, and helped Chen Cao put on his robe: "Those who do business in the slave family must be well-informed, otherwise How do you get business?"
Chen Cao smiled evilly and looked her up and down, then pinched her chest hard: "When I come back from Liaodong, I will ask Duke Qian for you to come to me."
"I won't go," Shen Zhuangling said arrogantly: "My uncle's family is full of wives and concubines. If he goes away, he will no longer have the status of a slave family."
"No more joking with you." After Chen Cao finished dressing, he stared at Shen Zhuangling who was taking care of her lower body with silk and said: "Do me a favor and transport me some food. It will be enough to feed 30,000 people for a month." , the sooner the better, you have the final say on the price.”
"So much?" Shen Zhuangling frowned: "We need nearly three thousand dan of food, and I only have one thousand dan in the warehouse."
"I don't care what method you use. You have to get me 3,000 shi of food within five days of the grain ship. I'm pressed for time and have to leave."
As Chen Cao was about to leave, Shen Zhuangling pulled Chen Cao over and said, "I'm a pro-slave."
Chen Cao smiled crookedly: "Interesting..."
Damn...
"It must be done well..."
