"That's true. We were accidentally ambushed in our first fight, and then were hit by his artillery, which caused our rout. But the intelligence said that the rebel didn't know what was wrong with him. After the first fight with us, he Pull them back and destroy them all." Sitku said happily.
"Is there such a thing? Why would he do this?" Li Shiyao asked in disbelief when he heard what Sitku said.
"Yeah, don't say you don't believe it. I didn't want to believe it when I first received the information. But the situation is like this, and there is really no way to explain it. I can only say that my Qing Dynasty is prosperous, and that kid has a brain convulsion. Otherwise, there is really no explanation. So many cannons were destroyed immediately, and it makes me heartbroken just thinking about it."
Sitku couldn't think of a question to ask Li Shiyao, so he had to answer him in such a rogue manner.
"This..." Li Shiyao really wanted to curse at Sitku's shameful answer. But I had no choice but to continue asking: "Could it be fake news he released? To deceive all of us?"
"From the intelligence point of view, it is unlikely. After all, almost everyone in their Zhilian Mountains knows about this matter, and it has become the basis of their various speculations. But it is also possible as you said. Since ancient times, more predictions are better than less predictions. , it’s better to count him as having artillery.”
Sitku also responded carefully. After all, if he said the wrong thing in this matter and caused the failure, he would have to take the blame.
"Hmm...not bad." Li Shiyao agreed with Sitku's words. If you budget too much, you won’t panic if something goes wrong.
"So, the rebels are thieves with guns and artillery? Now they are huddled in the Zhilian Mountains in Wuzhou, Guangxi?" Li Shiyao asked again with certainty.
"That's right." Sitku replied
"Then what do you two adults want to do when they come to my place?" Li Shiyao looked at the two and continued to ask.
Li Shiyao didn't show any anxiety. After all, he was no longer a young boy. Anyone who could get into this position had certain means.
When Yang Yingju saw Li Shiyao asking this, he knew what he wanted to do. It's just that the longer things drag on, the worse it will be for him. He has no choice but to step back and say: "I want to come over and find out how long General Li will send troops to encircle and suppress these rebels now that he knows about them?"
When Li Shiyao heard what Yang Yingju said, he thought in his mind: "The old man is still hot. If this old guy says this, if I don't send troops, I will delay the military flight."
"The troops sent to encircle and suppress the rebels must be encircled and suppressed. However, since the general took over temporarily, he also had a hurried understanding of the affairs of the garrison general. I didn't know the information about this group of rebels before..." Li Shiyao said while shirking responsibility.
"I wonder what General Li thinks?" Yang Yingju heard what Li Shiyao said and asked anxiously
If Emperor Qianlong had not issued an imperial edict to Yang Yingju, Yang Yingju would not be afraid of Li Shiyao's excuse. However, now Emperor Qianlong has issued an imperial edict to punish him. This is no small matter.
If Yang Yingju doesn't make some achievements, there's no telling how he might step down or even be imprisoned. So he couldn't help but not be anxious. Even if he knew that dragging Li Shiyao would not make things easier, he was still prepared to retreat.
"Sending troops, I will definitely send troops. This is my responsibility, and I will never leave my position without a meal. But sending troops is not just a piece of paper. There should not be a few troops sent this time. It requires money, food and wages, etc. All of these need to be transferred to the Ministry of War, and the process will take at least two months!"
Li Shiyao estimated that it didn't mean that he was not active, but that the steps were cumbersome.
"More than two months? No, even if I can wait, the emperor will not wait." Yang Yingju thought in his mind, so he said to Li Shiyao:
"General Li, see if this works. You must first mobilize your troops and prepare to encircle and suppress Zhang Rui's rebels. As for the money and food, I will raise them first. When Zhang Rui's rebels are wiped out, then Then apply to the Ministry of War. It will be easier to transfer them back when the time comes." Yang Yingju said after discussion.
When Li Shiyao heard what Yang Yingju said, he was also thinking about it. This is not impossible. After all, the deployment of troops can be done by oneself without any paperwork from the Ministry of War.
Isn’t my concern about food and salary? Since Yang Yingju promised him to solve it, it's not that he can't accept it.
Even if you apply to the Ministry of War at this time, they will discuss it and then transfer it to the Ministry of Household Affairs. The time that passes in between will be two months at the earliest.
That way, counting the time, it just happens to be the Chinese New Year. There will definitely be no fighting during the Chinese New Year, and it will probably take another two months.
The rebel Zhang Rui has now developed into this. If he is given another half year or so, won't he become stronger and more difficult to encircle and suppress?
When the emperor finds out and blames him, he will not be much better off.
Thinking of this, Li Shiyao also became interested.
After all, at this time, he still hopes to do something practical to repay the king's kindness.
"Governor Yang said this, things will be easier to handle. You and I are the ministers of the Holy Emperor, so naturally we need to share His Majesty's worries. How can such a traitor be allowed to go unpunished and ignore the power of our Qing Dynasty?" Li Shiyao had a plan in his mind. , and answered Yang Yingju seriously.
"General Li's words make sense." Yang Yingju felt relieved when he heard that Li Shiyao was willing to send troops to suppress the bandits.
After all, the Chinese New Year is only two months away. If we don't send troops at this time, there will definitely be no war during the Chinese New Year.
Now that the emperor has issued an edict to hold him accountable, trying to delay it for a few more months is no different than courting death.
As long as Li Shiyao is willing to send troops, he can find excuses to escape the crime if he wins.
If you win, everyone will be happy.
Even if you are defeated, you can't blame me, Yang Yingju. I have already given all my assistance to Li Shiyao, haven't I? This battle was fought by him, and I was not able to participate in the military affairs.
Naturally, Li Shiyao didn't understand what Yang Yingju was thinking. Or maybe he understood and didn't pursue it.
From Li Shiyao's point of view, it was impossible for him to lose, but to such an idiot with no knowledge or culture at all.
Even if there is a group of rabble behind these mud-legged people who are shouting "anti-Qing and Fu-Ming" all day long.
"How can the military power of our Qing Dynasty be blocked by a bunch of mud-legged people like you? Be obedient and become my military merit!" Li Shiyao thought in a good mood.
"That's right. Although I am no longer the general of the Guangzhou garrison. But I have served here for nearly ten years. I have not left yet and still have feelings for Guangzhou. If I can help, please ask General Li. You're welcome." Sitku also followed Yang Yingju and said
When Li Shiyao heard what Sitku said, he couldn't help but complain in his heart: "What a shame. If you have feelings, you should kill Zhang Rui. Instead of waiting for me to come and trick me into coming in, and now you still want to get some credit."
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief of Siteku." Li Shiyao smiled at Siteku and said, and then asked Yang Yingju what he said to Siteku:
"I wonder how much you two adults think is appropriate for me to send troops this time?"
