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This time the army went to war. In addition to Zhao Junchen, who was in charge of military affairs, there were two other civilian officials accompanying the army. One was Shaanxi Inspector Zhou Bo, who was responsible for recording merits and demerits, and the other was Wu Qifan, the prefect of Xi'an, who was responsible for logistics distribution.
When Zhao Junchen was walking in the coffin, Wu Qifan was riding beside him.
While riding, Wu Qifan had a strange expression. Although he understood Zhao Junchen's intention of riding in a coffin, he always felt that this approach was a bit unlucky.
It's late autumn now, and it's still a bit hot at noon, but the autumn breeze in the evening is quite cool.
"A sneeze! A sneeze!"
Zhao Junchen just sat cross-legged on the coffin. After a long time, his body was inevitably stiff and his blood was not flowing smoothly. In addition, the autumn wind continued to seep into his body, and he couldn't help but sneeze twice in a row, which seemed to be some symptoms of wind chill.
Wu Qifan quickly suggested: "Your Majesty, the autumn wind is getting colder. If you sit on the coffin for a long time without moving, you will easily catch the wind and cold... You are now in charge of military affairs. If you get sick, the future war situation will be out of control. For Just in case, you’d better travel in a sedan, even if it’s on horseback, it would be better!”
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "Of course I understand these principles... But I did this to boost morale. The soldiers are looking at me now, how can I give up at will?... Don't worry, it's just a little cold. That’s all, I can still hold on!”
Seeing that Wu Qifan wanted to persuade again, Zhao Junchen said: "What's more, we have already discussed the future war plan at Huamachi Camp, and further finalized all the details and backup plans in Haiyuan City. Even if I will not be able to preside over the battle due to illness in the future, but there will not be any chaos... Compared to my body, the most important thing now is the morale of the soldiers. The three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu have been fearful of the enemy over the years and have not fought for a long time. After such a large-scale war, the soldiers are inevitably afraid, so I must give them confidence! In the final analysis, the Mongols are only better in their bravery and brutality. In other aspects, they are not even as good as ordinary border troops. As long as the soldiers are brave Kill the enemy, and we will never lose this time!"
Wu Qifan sighed softly, knowing that he could not make Zhao Junchen change his mind, so he said nothing more and just asked for a pot of hot soup from the surrounding guards, and then handed it to Zhao Junchen.
This is what Zhao Junchen is most satisfied with about Wu Qifan. This person is not as stubborn as the Qingliu people. If he disagrees with his boss, he will not be too insistent on his own opinion, let alone hold back, but will silently help. The boss improves the plan and maximizes the success rate of the plan.
Such an official may not be able to act alone, but he will definitely be a reassuring executor.
After taking a few sips of the hot soup, Zhao Junchen felt much warmer. He nodded to Wu Qifan and said thanks, "Speaking of which, the reason why we were able to successfully convince Guyuan Military Town to act in accordance with the plan this time was also thanks to Mr. Wu's secret cooperation! Otherwise, It is not easy to send the main force of the border troops from Guyuan Military Town to the battlefield to fight the Mongols!"
What Zhao Junchen was talking about was naturally the dispute over the direction of the battle that occurred after Zhao Junchen arrived in Haiyuan City.
In fact, Zhao Junchen, Wu Qifan and others had already reached an agreement before leaving Huamachi Camp. The argument that occurred after arriving at Haiyuan City was just a scene. Zhao Junchen had determined that Guyuan Military Town must be conservative. , were unwilling to engage in a decisive battle with the Mongols, so they let Wu Qifan and others take the lead in expressing a similar attitude, and also took the opportunity to become the leader of the conservatives... In this way, when Wu Qifan and others changed their stance, coupled with Fang Zhenshan's By actively cooperating, Guyuan Military Town could only act in accordance with Zhao Junchen's plan.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's praise, Wu Qifan remained low-key and said, "It's all because of your clever calculations, the Imperial Envoy. I just acted according to the Imperial Envoy's plan."
Just as the two were talking, they saw Zhou Bo and Fang Zhenshan riding horses together.
After arriving at Zhao Junchen's side, Zhou Bo reported in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Envoy, I have just received news that Qi Bin's new army has crossed the Weishui River and arrived at the north bank of the Weishui River this afternoon. It is expected to enter the prisoner guard in two days. Within the territory!”
After hearing the report, Zhao Junchen looked relieved, nodded and said: "Qi Bin's new army is well-trained and well-equipped. They are among the strongest troops in Shaanxi and Gansu. As long as they enter the Poluwei territory, they can defeat the Mongolian coalition forces." Drive a nail into the rear and completely cut off the Mongolian coalition's retreat! ...For such an important task, I am afraid that only Qi Bin's new army is the most suitable!"
Zhou Bo added: "In addition, the new warrior army and the cavalry team from Guyuan Military Town have also entered the territory of Gongchang Prefecture, and will soon be able to fight against the troops of the Mongolian coalition staying behind."
Zhao Junchen looked worried this time and said: "The cavalry's task this time is very difficult. Not only must they distract the Mongolian coalition and cover the actions of the other armies, they must also deliberately defeat the Mongolian coalition when they fight against it. More wins than less. It is not easy to grasp the scale of both putting pressure on the Mongolians and making them dismissive... I just hope that Mao Jiadong can act more realistically and not make the Mongolians suspicious."
Zhou Bo said with relief: "General Mao has a calm and sophisticated character, and his cavalry skills have always been extraordinary. He must have lived up to the trust! Please rest assured, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"
Zhao Junchen nodded slightly and asked, "Have all the messengers sent to Gansu military towns been dispatched?"
This time, Fang Zhenshan raised his hands and replied: "In order to ensure that the military orders of the Imperial Envoy can be conveyed smoothly, I have arranged five waves of messengers to go to Gansu Military Town. Now they have all set off! The Guanxi garrison in Gansu Military Town has always been Shaanxi-Gansu. As long as the most elite troops on the three sides appear on the west side of the Mongolian coalition, it will be impossible for the Mongolian coalition to break through to the west!"
Zhao Junchen looked ahead - that was the direction of Gongchang Mansion - with a serious expression on his face, and said slowly: "I just hope that the Gansu Military Town will not delay the delay! Otherwise, there will be a gap in the encirclement this time, that is, It’s impossible to annihilate all the Mongols!”
Wu Qifan said: "Don't worry, Imperial Envoy. Some time ago, you sent Zhang Cheng and Li Pi to lead a new army of soldiers to Gansu to conquer those officials who disobeyed military orders. All the civil and military officials in the Gansu military towns have seen the majesty of the Imperial Envoy. and means, they certainly don’t dare to neglect! What’s more, after Zhang Cheng and Li Pi’s missions are over, they are now stationed in the Gansu Military Town on standby. With their supervision, the Gansu Military Town will not dare to easily disobey orders. Got it!"
Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and said, "I just hope everything goes well!"
Although he had been fully prepared and all aspects of the plan had been discussed in detail, Zhao Junchen still felt a little uneasy as the war was about to come.
After all, Zhao Junchen had almost no war experience, and this war was still a big gamble for Zhao Junchen. Zhao Junchen invested too many chips on the gambling table, so naturally he was worried about gains and losses.
Several civil and military officials around Zhao Junchen obviously felt Zhao Junchen's emotions, and gradually fell silent.
Regarding this war, they were even more unsure than Zhao Junchen.
After seeing everyone suddenly become silent, Zhao Junchen knew that his performance had affected their confidence. He quickly warned himself that he would never do this again in the future, so Zhao Junchen put on a confident and calm expression and said: "My lords, there is no need to worry, I just hope to complete the battle now! Our military strength We have more troops and better preparations. We are still fighting at home, and there is absolutely no possibility of defeat! Even if the future war does not go smoothly, the worst result is that the Mongolian coalition forces break through and escape, but even so, we have driven the Mongolian coalition forces out of the Ming Dynasty. Territory is not considered a failure! If everything goes well, we can even achieve extraordinary feats, and you and I will both become heroes of the imperial court, so there is nothing to worry about, don’t scare yourself!"
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, everyone's expressions finally became much calmer.
Then, Fang Zhenshan asked Zhao Junchen for instructions: "Your Majesty, the sky is getting dark now. The soldiers are not used to traveling all night, and we will soon enter the territory of Gongchang Mansion. There are Mongolian patrol horses everywhere. It’s easy to expose your whereabouts...Look, are we camping nearby tonight?"
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he nodded and said: "Let's camp nearby! After setting up camp, we will send several groups of exploration horses to the direction of Gongchang Mansion overnight. We must find out the current detailed situation of Gongchang Mansion!"
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