Chapter 778. Integration (3).

Style: Historical Author: InsectsWords: 3220Update Time: 24/01/12 07:43:40




In the lobby of the Governor's Mansion, before Zhao Junchen appeared, He Zhang, Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi were talking to each other.

He Zhang was a well-known frontier hero, and Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi were not mediocre people. One of them admired and deliberately made friends with them, while the other admired and deliberately got close to them. It was natural for them to talk to each other. It's a harmonious atmosphere.

The four of them are all military attachés of the border army, and now it is the time when the invaders are invading, so the topic naturally revolves around the current border defense situation.

"Since this period of time, the Mongol Tatars have become more frequent and have repeatedly invaded various places in Shaanxi and Gansu. In my opinion, this is just to test the strength of the border defense forces in various places. It is obvious that the Mongol Tatars are unwilling to give up and want to do something. It’s a big move. It’s going to be very difficult to get rid of the invaders this year, so we have to be prepared for a big fight.”

As he spoke, He Zhang frowned and looked serious.

Zhang Cheng nodded in agreement, his face full of worry, and said: "Yes, there have been disasters in Shaanxi and Gansu for many years, and the situation on the grasslands will only get worse. If the Mongols want to survive the winter safely, they can only enter the country and rob our Ming people. If In previous years, after a month of massive plunder, the Mongolian Tatars had gained a lot, were satisfied, and were ready to return home. However, the situation this year is completely different from previous years. The people on the border have no food and are still waiting for relief from the court. , there are even many border villages fleeing famine. Although the Mongols have been invading continuously in the past month, they have not grabbed much food at all, which is not enough to support them through the winter... Therefore, they seem to be taking the initiative now, but in fact they have Being passive and having no choice but to continue to invade and plunder, the people on the border have certainly suffered, but they themselves are gradually getting tired!"

He Zhang said: "During natural disasters, grain and grass are either scattered in the hinterland of the imperial court or concentrated in border cities. If the Mongols want to plunder enough grain, they have only two options. One is to go deep into In the hinterland, go to the south of Shaanxi and Gansu to plunder; the second is to capture a city in Shaanxi and Gansu, not just an ordinary county town, but at least plunder a state or prefectural city to harvest enough food for the winter..."

Zhang Cheng nodded again and said: "Go deep into the hinterland to plunder food and grass. The environment is unfamiliar and enemies are on all sides. It is easy for us to cut off our retreat. The Mongols will never dare to take risks! Therefore, the Mongols only have one option left, and that is Break the city and plunder! General He just said that the Mongolians' repeated small-scale invasions during this period are to test the strength of the border defense forces in various places. I deeply agree! I am afraid that after the Mongols learn about the deployment of border defense forces in various places in Shaanxi and Gansu, they will Looking for attack targets! Sieges are not the Mongols' strong point, but they have no better choice at the moment! Therefore, if we follow the trend and guide us, we may be able to predict the Mongols' next move in advance, and then sit back and wait. , catching the Mongols off guard!"

He Zhang's eyes flashed, and he looked at Zhang Cheng with even more admiration.

He Zhang had also thought of this method. He originally planned to make suggestions after meeting Zhao Junchen today, but he didn't expect that Zhang Cheng had thought of the same thing.

But He Zhang did not think that Zhang Cheng had taken away his credit, and he remained calm. He just asked: "This is a clever idea, but I wonder if Zhang Baihu mentioned it to the imperial envoy Zhao?"

Zhang Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then said hesitantly: "Two days ago, I did make a suggestion to the Imperial Envoy!"

He Zhang asked quickly: "But I don't know what the imperial envoy Zhao thinks?"

Zhang Cheng smiled bitterly and said: "The Imperial Envoy also thinks that the idea of ​​humble duty is a good one."

"Then what?" He Zhang was stunned and asked.

Zhang Cheng shook his head and said: "No. Then, the Imperial Envoy just said that the idea of ​​humble duty was a good one, but he neither expressed his acceptance nor refuted it. He just said, 'This idea is very good', and then changed the subject and talked about it. Regarding the matter of the new war soldiers, I asked Bingzhi to leave soon after, and seemed unwilling to talk more."

After hearing Zhang Cheng's explanation, He Zhang couldn't help but frowned and stroked his short white beard with his hand.

Zhao Junchen's reaction reminded Zhang Cheng of his experience in Guyuan Military Town - over the years, after He Zhang made a certain suggestion to Guyuan Commander-in-Chief Fang Zhenshan, Fang Zhenshan's reaction was very similar to Zhao Junchen's. He praised him, and then talked about him, but he just wouldn't adopt He Zhang's suggestion.

Could it be that Zhao Junchen and Fang Zhenshan are the same kind of people?

Originally, after He Zhang saw Zhao Junchen's tough attitude towards war, he thought that Zhao Junchen might get along well with him because he had the same stance. However, after hearing what Zhang Cheng said, some doubts arose in his heart.

He Zhang was a well-informed battlefield veteran, while Zhang Cheng was a martial arts scholar with both civil and military skills. Therefore, when the four of them were talking, He Zhang and Zhang Cheng were the main ones, while Liu Manniu and Li Pi were just talking. I listened and couldn't get a word in at all.

However, after seeing He Zhang suddenly fell into silence, Li Pi rolled his eyes and suddenly said: "Based on his humble position, the Imperial Envoy has great talents and strategies. Since he came to Shaanxi and Gansu, every step has been foresight and planning. Far-reaching, never made a mistake, not only controlled the overall situation of Shaanxi and Gansu in a short period of time, but also created a new army of powerful combat soldiers out of thin air. Under the methods of the imperial envoy, not only all parts of Shaanxi and Gansu were Expressing submission, everything in the Huamachi Camp is in order, and the soldiers' morale is boosted and their fighting spirit is strong. This is all unimaginable in previous years! The Imperial Envoy must also have a well-thought-out plan for this year's combat matters. The plan has been decided. I have deep faith in the Imperial Envoy in my humble position. I just need to follow His Majesty’s orders. We are just middle- and lower-level military attachés, so why should we think too much about it?”

While speaking, Li Pi deliberately amplified his voice.

Obviously, Li Pi estimated that Zhao Junchen would show up soon, and hoped that Zhao Junchen would hear what he said, which was all about flattering Zhao Junchen.

After finishing speaking, Li Pi looked towards the lobby door from the corner of his eye.

Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen still did not show up, so these words were in vain, and a trace of disappointment flashed in Li Pi's eyes.

He Zhang glanced at Li Pi and naturally saw Li Pi's little thoughts.

Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi each have their own strengths and are considered rare talents, but He Zhang despises Li Pi the most. He only thinks that Li Pi first drew Liu Manniu and Zhang Cheng into a small circle. Squeezing out latecomers, and now trying every possible means to flatter others, and only trying to find ways to gain advantage, they are not kind people.

However, He Zhang thought about it secretly, but did not rush to beat Li Pi. After all, He Zhang has not yet officially commanded the new army, and is not Li Pi's immediate boss. Everything will have to wait until Zhao Junchen is officially appointed. .

Therefore, He Zhang agreed with Li Pi's point of view and said slowly: "Indeed, Li Baihu's statement is reasonable. Imperial Envoy Zhao may have other plans! I came to Huamachi Camp today and what I saw Everything is an eye-opener for me. Now the morale of the Huamachi camp is available, and a new army of soldiers is about to be formed. If we fight against the Mongols in the future, they will definitely be surprised. The imperial envoy Zhao is indeed extraordinary!"

Li Pi smiled and said: "General He, you're welcome. Just call me ruffian. All my colleagues in the army who are close to me call me that."

He Zhang nodded, but turned to Liu Manniu, who was silent, and asked, "Does Liu Baihu have a good opinion on the current border defense situation?"

Liu Manniu still looked calm and taciturn, and replied: "I only know how to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. I don't have any high opinions. I just obey the orders of the Governor's Mansion! I only hope that I can kill more on the battlefield." Some Mongol Tatars.”

Liu Manniu's views were similar to Li Pi's. They both resolutely followed Zhao Junchen's orders and had no personal ideas.

However, the two people's views may seem to be the same, but their starting points are completely different. Li Pi followed the order to flatter others, but Liu Manniu followed the order out of his duty as a soldier. They are not the same.

Therefore, despite seemingly having the same point of view, He Zhang's reaction was quite different. He nodded repeatedly in appreciation and said, "Although Liu Baihu has no ideas, he can be called a model for the frontier army. If all the frontier soldiers were like Liu There are only a hundred households, so the Mongolian Tatars are nothing to fear!"

In this way, the conversation between the four of them went quite smoothly.

Especially Zhang Cheng, Liu Manniu, and Li Pi admired He Zhang even more after this conversation.

According to rumors, although He Zhang was a brave general in the border army, he had always been arrogant, stubborn, and disobedient. He often disobeyed orders and even directly clashed with his superiors. However, after this conversation, Liu Manniu and Zhang Cheng However, the three of them, Li Pi and others, found that He Zhang's character was very different from the rumors. He was not only humble and courteous, but also kind to others, and did not appear to be stubborn or unruly.

However, just when the three of them secretly lamented that the rumors were not credible, they did not know that they were about to see He Zhang's stubborn and unruly side.

However, just as the conversation between the four of them came to an end, they heard footsteps coming from outside the lobby.

As the soldiers outside the door shouted: "The imperial envoy has arrived~", they saw a young and handsome man leading a group of civil and military officials into the lobby.

This young and handsome man is naturally Zhao Junchen.

After seeing Zhao Junchen finally appear, He Zhang, Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi quickly stood up to greet him.

However, before He Zhang could kneel down, Zhao Junchen quickly walked up to He Zhang, held He Zhang's arms and said with a smile: "General He, you are finally here. I have been waiting for you for a long time! With Mr. He With the help of the general, I have greater confidence in defeating the Mongols! It’s just that I am busy with military affairs in Shaanxi and Gansu today and I was unable to greet General He in person. I hope General He will not be surprised!"

If it were other people who saw Zhao Junchen helping him up, he would naturally stand up. However, He Zhang was different from ordinary people. He actually ignored Zhao Junchen's support and continued to kneel down on one knee, asking Zhao Junchen seriously. Junchen performed a military salute and said: "He Zhang, the humble Hedong garrison officer, came to Huamachi Camp to receive orders and pay homage to the imperial envoy Zhao!"

Although He Zhang is not young, his body is still strong. If he insists on saluting, Zhao Junchen will not be able to stop him.

Seeing He Zhang's statement, a glint flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.

Zhao Junchen helped He Zhang up as a means of wooing and showing favor, but He Zhang refused to accept it and showed a business-like attitude, but he was obviously unwilling to accept Zhao Junchen's wooing.

"This He Zhang is indeed a tough nut to crack as rumored..."

Zhao Junchen thought secretly.