Not long after the Japanese pirates retreated, the New Year will soon come.
The people of Hailing did not suffer much loss in this Japanese pirate incident, so after the Japanese pirates retreated, they still had to live their lives, and the city soon had a festive atmosphere.
But is this really over?
No.
Zhang Jingxian was transferred to the Huining Chi Taibing Preparatory Road. Although his duties were not much different from those of the Huaiyang Coastal Defense Road, and his rank was not improved, he was sent to the Imperial Academy by a son, which was regarded as the imperial court's recognition of his role in this Japanese pirate incident. Yes, it was handled appropriately.
Huining Chi Taibing prepared the road and was stationed in Chizhou Prefecture in Nanzhi, managing the five prefectures of Huizhou, Ningguo, Chizhou, Taiping, and Anqing, the six counties of Guangzhou and Jurong, and the health posts of Xin'an and Jianyang.
It can be said that this position is much more important than the previous Huaiyang Coastal Defense Road in terms of jurisdiction and troops.
The most important thing is that Chizhou, where Huining Chi Taibing Road is stationed, is just below Luzhou Prefecture where Hefei is located.
The imperial court's intention could not be more obvious. It is to let Zhang Jingxian, who has the ability to lead troops, to encircle and suppress the White Lotus Sect in Hefei City!
Zhang Jingxian received the transfer order and immediately went to find Xu He in person.
"Lingsheng, do you know the imperial order?" Zhang Jingxian asked Xu He eagerly as soon as he sat down.
Xu He naturally knew about it. Not long ago, Xu Song wrote a letter and mentioned this matter in the letter.
The war in Luzhou Prefecture was very unsatisfactory. Not only were the guards useless, but they were also riddled with holes by the White Lotus Sect. The original plan of the imperial court was to capture Hefei years ago and wipe out the rebellion.
But now, not only are the rebels unable to be exterminated, but the White Lotus Sect's rebellion is getting stronger.
Some rebels went north to invade Shiliang Town and peeked at Chuzhou and Fengyang Prefecture.
Some of them went south to the Lujiang River and turned eastward to Tuqiaohe Town, threatening the Yangtze River water transport along the Yangtze River.
Tuqiaohe Town is on the north bank of today's Tongling, where the Yangtze River bends southward, making it a very important strategic point.
The navy that originally supported the rebels finally surfaced. When the rebels just arrived at Tuqiaohe Town, the original Huining Chi Taibing Bei Dao dispatched guardsmen from Guichi to the east and north by boat, preparing to wipe out the rebels. Help the rebels who went south to threaten the Yangtze River.
Unexpectedly, the thieves recruited a large number of naval forces from nowhere. After passing the Genko Port, the official ship turned around and was caught off guard on the river to the north. More than 3,000 people were damaged and a large number of ships were destroyed.
After this battle, the imperial court was temporarily unable to organize ships and troops to attack, but the responsibility needed to be shouldered.
No, the original Bing Beidao was brought to Beijing for questioning, and Zhang Jingxian took his place.
Knowing that Xu He had learned about his transfer, Zhang Jingxian suddenly became depressed.
“The wind and rain blow in the lonely city for three days, but in the small city people only have vegetables.
The water is far away and the mountains are long, both belong to jade. The body is idle and the mind is suffering from the pain of pounding a hoe.
The old man comes from a nearby house to collect the net. When I come to the deep water, I don’t envy the fish.
There are no traces between the pitch and fall, and I have returned to the dusk window to read the remaining books! "
When Xu He heard him reciting this poem, he knew in his heart that the person in front of him was in a dilemma.
This poem is called "Three Days of Wind and Rain in Chikou" and was written by Huang Tingjian in the Song Dynasty.
Huang Tingjian had been a professor of the Imperial College in Beijing for seven years. He stayed in Beijing for three years and was granted the title of magistrate of Taihe County in Jizhou, which later became Taihe, Jiangxi Province. In the autumn, he left Bianjing for Jiangnan.
On the way, he was stranded in Chikou due to wind and rain, which is now Guichi, Nanzhili.
I was inspired by the scene and wrote this poem.
The meaning of the poem couldn't be more obvious, it's a bit of a retreat.
But why did Xu He say that Zhang Jingxian was entangled.
Because he was transferred to Huining Chi Taibing Beidao, he was stationed in Chizhou for office.
Chikou is a small town at Jiangkou not far from Chizhou.
The imperial court here was heavily guarded and it was an important strategic point in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
You said that Huang Tingjian wrote this poem when he passed by, saying that he no longer wanted to work and wanted to go home. This is understandable.
Before you took office, you have already thought of Chikou, and you have obviously studied the position of Huining Chi Taibing Beidao.
Thinking of this, he smiled and said: "Congratulations, sir, the court relies on you, this is a good thing. Why do you have such a disgusting thought?"
Zhang Jingxian smiled bitterly and said: "Liangsheng, in front of others, I am the military commander, don't you know my background?"
"If it hadn't been for you and the group training this time, I would have ended up no better than the former Huining Chi Taibing Dao!"
"Now the thief is in Luzhou Prefecture, which is under my jurisdiction, and can threaten Chizhou and Anqing at any time. This is because someone put a knife to his throat. What's the use of a scholar like me?"
Speaking of this, Zhang Jingxian's eyes were full of worry, and he sighed and said: "Although I have the desire to hang up my crown, I am afraid of what others will say. Now that I am burning inside and outside, I can only come to Liangsheng to help me come up with ideas!"
When Xu He heard this, he still admired Zhang Jingxian.
A high-ranking official of the fifth rank admitted in front of a young boy like him that he was cowardly and afraid and did not dare to take up his post.
This shows that on the one hand, they really regard you Xu He as one of their own, and on the other hand, they also trust you, Xu He, and they sincerely come to you for advice.
Don't take it seriously as for hanging up your job and leaving. Han Chuang has studied hard for so many years and now he is resigning and going home? Most people will not be willing to do so.
Since Lao Zhang had already reached this point, Xu He did not hide it and took out a map given to him by Xie Kun and unfolded it.
He pointed at Chizhou Mansion on the south bank of the Yangtze River and said: "Sir, the thieves are now in the north of the Yangtze River and have taken control of Tuqiaohe Town. Although this is a strategic location and makes the court very uncomfortable, it also exposes a problem."
Zhang Jingxian leaned forward and said, "Speak loudly, I'm all ears."
Xu He said: "Although the Tuqiao River is the throat of the Yangtze River waterway, compared with it, the more important ones are Digang in Taiping Prefecture, Chikou in Chizhou Prefecture, and Gongyang in Anqing Prefecture."
"After your Excellency takes office, heavy troops should be stationed in the three places, so that the Yangtze River can be controlled and the rebel navy can be contained in the Tongling area. Do not move lightly!"
When Zhang Jingxian heard this, he nodded repeatedly: "My heart is in a mess, and with just a little light, it's like clearing the clouds and seeing the sun!"
Xu He smiled and continued: "The imperial court has dismissed the soldiers and prepared the way for you to take over. If you have the conditions, you can boldly propose it!"
"I'm still hesitating, I don't know what conditions to put forward?" Zhang Jingxian said distressedly.
"The Xin'an, Jianyang and other guards in your hands experienced the Battle of Tuqiaohe and suffered a lot of casualties. In addition, the guardsmen are no longer available. Your Excellency can take the opportunity to propose and recruit new regiment training!"
"The original two guards were stationed in the three places mentioned just now! Another thousand people were sent to each station to guard Baishi Mountain in the north of the Yangtze River in Taiping Prefecture and Fushan in Anqing Prefecture!"
Zhang Jingxian frowned and said: "These two places are far apart, what does the bright sound mean?"
Xu He said: "Your current military strength is not enough to knock off the claws of the rebel rebels heading north, so we must control them from spreading southward."
"Tuqiao River is the stronghold for the thieves to move south. However, although there are anti-thief naval forces to support them, as soon as they move, the officers and soldiers from Baishishan can move in and directly cut off their escape route. As for the officers and soldiers in Fushan area of Anqing, Advance into Lujiang, wait for the chance to capture Lengshuiguan, and threaten Chaohu!"
Zhang Jingxian suddenly understood after hearing this.
"Liangsheng's move is to force the thieves in Tuqiaohe to retreat first!"
Xu He said with a smile: "Otherwise the river is blocked, and the court will not be able to give you time to prepare your army and horses!"
Zhang Jingxian said: "Then what?"
"Then we set up a team training at Chikou, seize the opportunity to go from the north of the river to Baidang Lake, pass through the Luosu River and join the 1,000 men and horses at Lengshuiguan, and go straight to Hefei!"
"How to fight specifically?"
Xu He smiled and shook his head and said, "Then it's up to you to adapt to the situation! I'm just talking on paper!"
Zhang Jingxian let out a long breath and said: "It's a pity that Liang Sheng will go to Beijing after the new year. Otherwise, please accompany me there so that you can sit back and relax!"
