Under the scorching sun, tens of thousands of troops were camped for more than ten miles to the west of Jinan and by the canal more than 20 miles north of Liaocheng. It was Li Yan, Huang Degong and others who led the main troops heading south. Although they were traveling non-stop, the weather was hot. There are many foot soldiers and the pace is a little slow, but there is nothing we can do about it.
Under the shade of a tree, Li Yan just came out of the water, dried himself off and even blew the hot wind. He frowned and looked into the distance: "It's too hot. If you move in a hurry, you will hurt the soldiers and the horses."
Huang Degong put down the water bag in his hand and couldn't help but curse: "Damn it, it's so cold in winter and so hot in summer. At this moment, I just want to soak in the water and don't want to go anywhere."
"Why don't you get another two ounces of wine to make you feel more comfortable as a bitch?" Ma Ke came over and scolded with a smile. Huang Degong laughed: "You can have wine, bitch, I've been very tired recently..." He rolled his eyes. , looked at Ma Ke and Wu Weiying: "Liaocheng is ahead. If we don't enter the city in time... cough cough cough."
Seeing the way he winked, Wu Weiying cooed at Li Yan, which made it clear whether he could pass the test.
As expected, Huang Degong sighed and looked lonely, and asked casually: "General Li, can you go into Liaocheng to get some wine?"
"No, the governor gave an order before he left. He was not allowed to disturb the people during the march, and he was not allowed to enter the city unless necessary." Li Yan looked at a few people with a smile: "This is not that I am unkind, but it is hard to disobey military orders."
Chicken feathers serve as arrows. Huang Degong cursed in his heart, but laughed: "Okay, it's not too late to have fun when you get to the end of the field."
"The land? That's thousands of miles away. General Huang can't bear it." Wu Weiying is old-hearted and has a wretched smile on his face. Huang Degong disagreed: "There's no need to go so far. When we get to Xuzhou, why can't Gao Jie act like a landlord?"
Yes, everyone suddenly realized that the little eunuch must win over Gao Jie when he hires people, and Gao Jie is eager to hug his thighs and naturally goes up to the pole to please the little eunuch. It is their honeymoon period now, and when they come to Gao Jie's territory, they must treat all kinds of guests, and everyone naturally Can get some light.
When everyone was looking at each other and thinking about good things, they suddenly saw a few horses approaching in the distance, and they couldn't help but frown. Could it be that there was trouble in Jinan.
Just a few days ago, Chang Yu sent an order to send a team of troops to Jinan to take over the food and salary. It was said that the amount was huge. Li Yan sent two fierce generals, Ji Jike and Hao Yaoqi, to take charge of the escort, but he was still afraid that something would happen. After all, there are many thieves in Shandong, and there is no precedent for robbing officials, silver, and grain.
"Report, General Li. Wu Sangui is ten miles behind. Please see the general!"
Wu Sangui? Li Yan and others were stunned!
What happened to him? If Li Yan had some psychological foreshadowing, after all, Chang Yu had briefly mentioned this matter to him, but Huang Degong, Ma Ke and others were completely stunned, which was really unexpected.
Ningyuan is the gate of the Ming Dynasty. Among the most important, Wu Sangui did not guard the gate and actually sent troops south?
What happened!
This matter is difficult to explain, and it is impossible to explain. Wu Sangui is like a mute who cannot explain the pain of eating Coptis chinensis. He has been holding back the anger since he was in the capital, but has no way to vent it, so he just rushes on his way.
His five thousand soldiers and horses were all on iron cavalry. It was a bit exaggerated to travel a thousand miles in a day, but it was not difficult to travel more than a hundred miles. He actually caught up with Li Yan and others a few days after leaving camp.
Wu Sangui and Huang Degong Ma Ke were both old acquaintances. They had also been in contact with Li Yan during the Ningyuan War. Wen came to meet him in front of him. Although he felt a little embarrassed, he also knew that these people were now the confidants of the little eunuch. Even if he hates the little eunuch so much in his heart, he still has to do what he can on the surface, at least maintain friendly relations with these generals.
"Old Wu, why did you follow south if you didn't guard Ningyuan?" Huang Degong was straight-minded and asked immediately. Wu Sangui shrugged: "We are generals and we obey orders. The emperor may think that I have no progress in that mountain corner." So let me follow a few uncles and masters to develop my skills."
"Bah, your mouth is really damaging!" Huang Degong laughed and scolded: "Seriously, why did you go south?"
Wu Sangui said seriously: "I am really acting according to the order. At present, there has been peace outside the pass and there has been no war for at least a few years. The imperial court's strategic focus is on the Yangtze River Basin. I am afraid that the main force of the small governor will not be able to catch it, so I have been asked to add fuel to the fire."
"Then... you are here, who will be in charge outside the customs? Although the Tatars suffered a disastrous defeat this time, we cannot take it lightly! The court may be too careless in this way." Marco said worriedly.
There was no trace of displeasure on Wu Sangui's face, and he smiled and said: "Ningyuan is the most important gate of the country. How can the court not make complete preparations? Now that my uncle is in charge, the Tatars can't even think of setting foot on it."
Your uncle? Huang Degong and others were startled, then horrified: "Zu Dashou? He's back?"
"Yes!" Wu Sangui nodded: "A few days ago, the little governor personally exchanged it from the Tatars, yes, in exchange for Azig."
As soon as he came back from the trade, he was entrusted with an important task and took charge of Ningyuan? Not only Huang Degong, Ma Ke and others were surprised, but Li Yan also found it incredible. They looked at each other in confusion. Wu Sangui looked at his words. It seemed that this matter was done secretly by the young eunuch and Emperor Chongzhen. These people were also kept in the dark, thinking about this. A little more comfortable.
Under the shade of the tree, Wu Sangui, Li Yan and others sat on the ground, chatting about various topics in the past few days, and they were all talking.
"Where is the young governor at this time?" Wu Sangui asked curiously.
"I'm begging for food," Huang Degong said casually. Wu Sangui looked confused: "Begging for food?"
"These tens of thousands of mouths need to eat and drink every day. The imperial court is unable to cope with it all because the little governor is going around blowing the wind," Li Yan said with a bitter smile. Only then did Wu Sangui understand: "Then, where are you begging for food now?"
Li Yan shook his head: "I was in Jinan a few days ago. I don't know now. Maybe I am in Yanzhou or Xuzhou."
"Jinan? Isn't that Liu Zeqing's territory? Isn't the young governor begging for food from him?" Wu Sangui said with a half-smile but not a smile: "I'm afraid even if the bowl is broken, I won't be able to get a bite."
Hey hey hey, Li Yan, Huang Degong and others laughed in a similar way. Wu Sangui was confused and a little weak when he laughed: "Is it possible that I guessed wrong? Liu Zeqing is famous for being a master who can only get in but not get out..."
"That guy is indeed a master who can only get in and out, but the young governor is a master who can never escape." Li Yan said with a smile: "And Jinan not only has Liu Zeqing, there is also a vassal king..."
"That King of De, is so poor..." Wu Sangui said for a moment, then looked at Li Yan and said, "Could it be the little governor..."
"Not only did I get it, but the pot was full," Ma Ke said seriously, "Eight hundred thousand dollars in salary, tens of thousands of stones, grain and grass..."
ah! Wu Sangui had a big mouth and didn't come back for a long time.
How could the little eunuch be so capable? What method could he use to get so much from a tough rooster and a poor lord?
I don’t know how King Nade was willing to help with all his money, but he was certain that Liu Zeqing must have fallen into his scheme. Wu Sangui was sure in his heart, because even a shrewd person like himself would be plotted by the little eunuch, not to mention that stupid guy with a lot of money.
"Prince Lu of Yanzhou Prefecture has just assumed the title a few months ago. His little governor, who has no money or food, even comes to ask for it. He probably won't be able to get in. He should go to Xuzhou now," Wu Sangui said calmly after regaining his composure.
Li Yan and others agreed.
Immediately everyone discussed the march. It was still seven or eight hundred miles away from Xuzhou. The weather was hot and most of the troops were infantry, so the march was slow. Wu Sangui, on the other hand, was all cavalry. Although he could go first, his food and grass supply was limited. problem, so they discussed going south, and finally decided to go with Li Yan and others first, and listen to the little eunuch's decision after arriving in Xuzhou.
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