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Zhao Junchen still had a vigorous and resolute style. After arriving at Xuanhua Mansion, he immediately gathered all the main civil and military officials in Xuanfu Military Town to discuss the defense layout of Xuanfu Military Town.
When Zhao Junchen was in Shaanxi and Gansu, he could be said to be a man of his word and dictatorial. But now in Xuanfu Military Town, it is different. He just plays the role of a meeting host, showing a good-natured appearance and making decisions. The opinions of local officials were fully considered and everything was done through consultation.
This is because the Xuanfu Military Town is too close to the capital and is closely watched by Emperor Deqing. Zhao Junchen can infiltrate secretly, but he dare not make any big moves openly, otherwise it will attract Deqing. The emperor further suppressed and suspected him.
The disadvantage of this approach is that the efficiency is too slow. For the sake of their own interests, officials will fall into endless quarrels and debates on many things, and many arrangements gradually become mediocre as they argue with each other.
In this way, until the afternoon of this day, many things were still unresolved.
Just when Zhao Junchen was getting impatient, something unexpected happened!
While several high-ranking military attachés were arguing over a batch of ordnance, a Qianhu from Xuanfu Military Town hurried over with a panicked expression.
After rushing into the room, this Qianhu reported loudly: "Dear sirs, there was a sudden movement on the Jurchen side of Jianzhou. They sent two separate troops, each with about 3,000 soldiers and horses, and bypassed Dabai. Fort and Junzibao are heading towards Xuanhua Mansion and Juyong Pass... We still don’t know the true intentions of the Jianzhou Jurchens. After they invaded our town’s defense zone, they did not take the initiative to provoke a war. The frontline soldiers did not know it for a while. Please tell me how to deal with it!"
After hearing the report from this Qianhu, the expressions of all the civil and military officials in the room changed drastically!
They had no idea that Jianzhou Jurchens would choose this time to raise troops to invade and provoke wantonly!
Moreover, the size of the Jianzhou Jurchen army and the targets they selected this time exceeded everyone's expectations.
During this period of time, the Jianzhou Jurchens would occasionally send small teams of troops to invade the defense area of Xuanfu Military Town to harass and test, but each time they only had three to five hundred people, and at most they only had about a thousand people. Where are the six or seven thousand soldiers and horses like this time?
The saying that "the Jurchens are invincible if there are not even ten thousand Jurchens" is a myth, but the Jianzhou Jurchen army is indeed one of the most elite armies in the Far East in this era.
Completely different from the Mongolian tribes that have completely degenerated and actually need to use animal bones as arrows. The technology of Jianzhou Jurchen forging armor is very perfect. The army is not only well-equipped, but many Jianzhou Jurchen warriors can even wear armor. Three layers of armor; completely different from the Ming Dynasty's army, which was uneven and weak in fighting spirit. Their fighting style was also extremely fierce and brutal. They were proud of dying on the battlefield and ashamed of being cowardly in battle. They were regarded by most Ming Dynasty soldiers as Charge into battle is an act of risking death, but it is just ordinary for the Jianzhou Jurchens.
Now that the Jianzhou Jurchens have dispatched six to seven thousand troops at once, the Xuanfu military town is naturally under great pressure.
The most important thing is that the target of the Jianzhou Jurchens sending troops this time is also extremely sensitive. Xuanhua Mansion is the core of the Xuanfu military town, and it is exactly where Zhao Junchen and others are currently located. This makes everyone present fall into confusion. It is a dangerous place; Juyongguan is the northern barrier of the capital. Once it is breached, you can drive straight in and invade the territory of Beizhili. No one will be able to bear the responsibility at that time!
So, after receiving the news, everyone was in chaos.
Zhao Zicheng immediately gave an order loudly: "If you pass on the order, all cities and fortresses must close their doors tightly and defend to the death. We must not allow Jianzhou Jurchens to break through the defense line..."
However, before Zhao Zicheng could finish the order, Zhao Junchen suddenly asked with a cold face: "How many available troops can Xuanhua Mansion mobilize in the shortest time?"
Zhao Zicheng was slightly stunned. He didn't know what Zhao Junchen was asking for, but he still replied: "Xuanfu Military Town is the northern barrier of the capital. It has the largest number of troops among the nine sides, with more than 150,000. At the core of Fujun Town, nearly 30,000 troops are stationed. Leaving aside the necessary defense forces, more than 15,000 troops can be mobilized in a short period of time..."
Zhao Junchen, on the other hand, completely lost his peaceful appearance, but said in a deep voice: "Since our available troops are five times as many as those of the Jianzhou Jurchens, after the military order was conveyed, various garrisons rushed to our aid. What’s the point of shutting the door and waiting for reinforcements when we have the advantage of fighting the main battle? From my point of view, we must fight this time! Beat them back hard!”
Everyone was stunned when they heard what Zhao Junchen said.
They have long heard about Zhao Junchen's various deeds in Shaanxi and Gansu, and they have also known that Zhao Junchen is a militant with a tough attitude, but now they know that Zhao Junchen is more than just a tough attitude? Just a crazy attitude!
General Gao Yang immediately admonished: "Mr. Zhao Ge, you only fought against the Mongolian Tatars in the past, but you didn't know that the Jianzhou Jurchens were far more powerful than the Mongolian tribes. There has always been a saying that they are 'invincible'." , when fighting them, it’s okay to defend the city, but it’s extremely difficult to take advantage of it in a field battle! If our army attacks rashly, it will be extremely risky!”
On the other side, Liu Heng, the prefect of Xuanhua, also hurriedly advised: "Mr. Zhao Ge, now that the imperial court is negotiating with the Jianzhou Jurchens, it is not good to start a war like this, right? Although the Jianzhou Jurchens have raised troops to invade our territory this time, But we didn't attack the fortress or start a war. It was probably just a test and pressure. If we overreact, I'm afraid the consequences will be unmanageable, so it's better to be cautious..."
After hearing everyone's advice, Zhao Junchen laughed angrily and said: "It was the Jianzhou Jurchens who took the initiative to invade our territory, and you still want to tolerate it? It's just because the Jianzhou Jurchens are so powerful that you don't dare to take the initiative. Attack? In this case, why does the imperial court support soldiers like you?
Magistrate Liu was right about one thing! The Jianzhou Jurchens chose to send troops at this time to test and exert pressure, hoping to use this method to take the initiative in subsequent negotiations! It is precisely because of this that we must fight back with a stronger attitude! Even if you can't beat him, you must show your attitude of never showing weakness! What's more, it may not be defeated!
Negotiations between the two armies were originally meant to be fought and negotiated at the same time, and fighting was used to promote talks! If one party dares not fight, then what he will lose in the negotiation will probably far exceed what he loses on the battlefield! I am the negotiating envoy of the imperial court, but I am unwilling to do things that would cost the country, humiliate the country, and be infamy for thousands of years. Therefore, my attitude is very clear, that is, fight! Must fight! "
Having said this, Zhao Junchen turned to look at Zhao Zicheng, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, who had a gloomy expression, and sneered: "After I met with Commander-in-Chief Zhao, the first thing I said was that the Xuanfu military town is our negotiation. Where is the confidence, General Zhao also swore to this cabinet at that time, saying that he will definitely escort this negotiation of this cabinet... What? When the matter comes to a close, General Zhao is actually timid? "
Although Zhao Zicheng has various shortcomings, he has always thought highly of himself, but he has never lacked arrogance. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he immediately blushed and said immediately: "It's just a matter of time." It’s just the Jurchens in Jianzhou, how many times have I beaten them over the years? It’s my grandson who is scared! So what if I have to fight them openly like this?"
After saying that, Zhao Zicheng stood up, looked around at the generals present, and said loudly: "Comrades, I plan to personally lead the army to the battlefield to drive away the Jurchens from Jianzhou. Who among you is willing to accompany me to the battle?"
After Zhao Zicheng finished speaking, General Zhang Jie stood up immediately and said: "The final general is willing to follow General Zhao into battle!"
Gao Yang hesitated for a moment, then stood up and clasped his fists and said, "I'm willing to take a humble position!"
Following Zhang Jie and Gao Yang's lead, several Qianhu military attachés stepped forward one after another to ask for a fight.
After Zhao Zicheng nodded lightly, he didn't say much. He just led the military attachés to leave the room and went to mobilize troops and generals to fight against the Jianzhou Jurchens.
Seeing Zhao Zicheng's performance, Zhao Junchen first nodded with satisfaction, then shook his head slightly, and said in a low voice: "It's a commendable ambition, but it's just too reckless... As the commander-in-chief, I personally lead the army into battle. That’s all, but before going to war, we should always make arrangements for the defense layout of Xuanhua Mansion and the support of nearby garrison troops, right?”
After saying that, Zhao Junchen also stood up, but he personally came forward to command the several military attachés who stayed in the room. First, he rearranged the defense of Xuanhua Mansion, and then ordered several garrisons around Xuanhua Mansion to be ready to support Zhao Zicheng at any time. .
After the war between Shaanxi and Gansu, and Zhao Junchen already knew the situation of the Xuanfu military town very well, he was very handy at this time, and everyone was convinced.
After doing all this, Zhao Junchen returned to his seat and sat down. He no longer said anything, just closed his eyes and rested, quietly waiting for the battle report from the front line.
The civil and military officials who stayed in Xuanhua Mansion were completely unable to predict the outcome of the battle on the front line. They were all a little panicked at first, but after seeing Zhao Junchen's performance, they gradually calmed down.
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In fact, Zhao Junchen's calm performance is just a disguise.
He used the provocation method to let Zhao Zicheng and others lead troops to fight against the Jianzhou Jurchens, which was only out of political considerations, not military considerations.
From a political perspective, in order to gain a negotiating advantage for the court, this battle must be fought! Moreover, the party most eager to negotiate now is the Jianzhou Jurchens. They may have raised troops this time to exert pressure and test, and they may not really have the determination to go to war. Therefore, after seeing the Xuanfu border troops taking the initiative to fight, the Jianzhou Jurchens , nine times out of ten, they will take the initiative to withdraw their troops, and they may not have the courage to destroy the current peace talks.
It was precisely because of this consideration that Zhao Junchen took the initiative to fight.
But Zhao Junchen also knows that the battlefield is always full of unpredictable factors. If the general who leads the Jianzhou Jurchen army is also a madman with a tough attitude, this battle may really break out. At that time, from a military perspective, Xuanfu Military Town did not have an advantage.
Therefore, underneath Zhao Junchen's calm appearance, he was actually worried in his heart.
When Zhao Junchen was on the border between Shaanxi and Gansu, he secretly counted the true strength of the major military towns. The figures were shocking. Guyuan Military Town should have 130,000 troops on its books, but the actual strength was only 80,000; The accounts of Ningxia Military Town should have 80,000 troops, but in fact there are only 50,000 troops; the Gansu Military Town should have 100,000 troops on paper, but the actual strength is only 60,000; the Yansui Military Town should have 100,000 troops on paper 110,000 people, but in fact only 70,000 people... The difference between the accounts and the actual situation was all deserters and empty pay - Zhao Junchen did not dare to lift the lid on this matter until he left Shaanxi and Gansu. .
Xuanfu Military Town is close to the capital and is not as corrupt as the three border areas of Shaanxi and Gansu. However, the situation is not much better, and the actual military strength is 30% lower. Zhao Zicheng led 15,000 border troops to fight this time, but the actual number Ten thousand would be considered good, but considering the difference in combat power between the enemy and ourselves, the outcome of this battle is indeed unpredictable, and the possibility of defeat is even greater. Even if we win, it will be a tragic victory.
But for the sake of subsequent negotiations, Zhao Junchen must take risks at this time. Military must serve politics, and military considerations must give way to political factors. This is true at all times and in all countries!
In order to resolve his worries, Zhao Junchen began to consider another issue and tried to divert his attention.
"According to Zhao Zicheng and the others, before I arrived at Xuanhua Mansion, although the Jurchens of Jianzhou often sent small groups of soldiers and horses to invade the territory to harass and test, they were only three to five hundred people each time. Why did I just arrive at Xuanhua Mansion? The Jianzhou Jurchens suddenly sent an army ten times larger than usual with an aggressive force? Is this just a coincidence? Or is it that the Jianzhou Jurchens received the news of my arrival in Xuanhua Mansion in advance, so they wanted to give me a warning? ?
If it is the latter, does it mean that there is an informant of the Jianzhou Jurchen hidden in the Xuanfu military town? Well, this is not a surprising thing. Since there are people on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu who are secretly colluding with Mongolia, and Shanxi merchants in Shanxi also make their fortunes through border smuggling, there will be people here in Xuanfu Military Town who are captured by Jianzhou Jurchen. Bribing is a matter of course... Alas! The nine sides of the imperial court are really in complete ruin...
But since I came to Xuanfu Town in person, I couldn't remain indifferent. I had to dig out all these informants! kindness! This matter cannot be handled through the local officials of Xuanhua Prefecture, otherwise there will be no results, and good people may be wronged... But fortunately, I have many arrangements in the Xuanfu Military Town, so I can do it alone! "
In this way, time flew by as Zhao Junchen secretly planned.
In the blink of an eye, it was already midnight, and as the sky was getting darker, good news came from the front line. It was said that Zhao Zicheng led the army to successfully repel the Jianzhou Jurchens, and ushered in a great victory!
Of course, the so-called "great victory" is just an official claim for credit, because Zhao Zicheng did not kill any enemy in this battle. The situation was just as Zhao Junchen expected. Jianzhou Jurchen saw the Xuanfu border troops After sending out troops to fight, they quickly withdrew their troops without any actual contact between the two sides.
However, this did not prevent Zhao Zicheng from regarding this battle as his great military exploits, and believed that the Jianzhou Jurchens took the initiative to retreat because they were afraid of their own reputation.
Therefore, when Zhao Zicheng led his troops back to Xuanhua Mansion that night, his attitude was very triumphant. He only regarded himself as a famous general in the world. After searching the world's military attaches, I am afraid that only Guan Wuyuan could compare with him.
Seeing Zhao Zicheng's proud look, Zhao Junchen naturally complimented him a few times and said that he would definitely ask the court for credit for Zhao Zicheng, which made Zhao Zicheng even more proud.
In this way, Zhao Zicheng listened to the praise of others and praised himself at the same time. After being complacent for a while, he suddenly thought of something, took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhao Junchen, saying: "Zhao Zicheng Mr. Ge, this is the retreat of the Jianzhou Jurchens... Oh, I mean, when the Jianzhou Jurchens were repelled by my army, there was a letter left behind. Just looking at the words on the envelope, I need you, Mr. Zhao Ge. Open and read it yourself!”
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, then reached out to take the letter, opened it and looked at it.
But I saw that there were only a few words written in this letter.
"The battle between Shaanxi and Gansu is awe-inspiring, and my heart longs for it; I hear that you are coming in person, and I am overjoyed to see the hero; three days later, under Jishan Mountain, I am eagerly awaiting your arrival;"
The signature is Aixinjueluo Xuanye.
After seeing the content of the letter, Zhao Junchen smiled half-heartedly and said: "The calligraphy skills are really good, but also arty... But for the current situation of Jianzhou Jurchen, such a leader may not be a good thing! Times have changed. , the environment is different, you don’t know how people will change!”
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In the last chapter, Gao Yang was written as Gao Shun, which made a big joke. It has been revised. Please forgive me.
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