"Mr. Zhang, don't mind. This Yang Hanlin probably didn't mean to show off his face. As far as our family knows, he still attaches great importance to filial piety."
When he came out to the carriage, Xiao Jing found that the Yang brothers had entered the yard, and couldn't help but comfort Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "If I had minded, I wouldn't have followed Eunuch Xiao to see him."
Let Yang Tinghe be grateful for his kindness? It seems a bit difficult, and Zhang Zhou is not ignorant of current affairs.
But he just likes to hang out in front of Yang Tinghe.
I just like to see you, Yang Tinghe, being prejudiced against me but unable to do anything about me.
Xiao Jing said: "When he returns to Sichuan and sees his old mother on the sick bed and knows your husband's good intentions, he will be grateful to you."
"Alas!" Zhang Zhou sighed, "If I can help, I should know what is wrong with his mother. Since I don't know, the most I can do is let him go back and see his mother for the last time."
Xiao Jing said with a look of admiration: "You are still magnanimous, knowing that he is so ungrateful, and still reminding him, but it is a pity that he... Alas! You must obey fate. With his mother's age, many things are difficult to change. "
"Um."
Zhang Zhou nodded.
Even if he knew that Yang Tinghe's mother was about to die, it was very likely that Yang Tinghe's mother would not be there when Yang Tinghe arrived home, and it was uncertain whether he could see her one last time.
Even though he came to Ming Dynasty, he couldn't save everyone. Zhang Zhou was also thinking, should this be considered a good deed?
…
…
Liaodong, Ningyuan, March 27th.
War reports from all over the surrounding areas arrived like snowflakes in the hands of Chief Military Officer Zhu Feng. Zhu Feng had just finished a military meeting, and then a bunch of war reports came in, overwhelming him.
With his ability, he is obviously not suitable for this kind of pre-war preparation and mobilization. Fortunately, Wang Qiong has been helping him take care of it.
"Mr. Wang, you are really the rock in the army." Even Zhang Yong, who had always been above his head before, couldn't help but praise Wang Qiong, who was hardworking and uncomplaining.
At first, Zhang Yong looked down on Wang Qiong, a household doctor who had not yet risen.
But when he discovered Wang Qiong's ability, he had to put away his arrogance. Now Zhang Yong could also see that even if Zhu Feng had the emperor and Zhang Zhou behind him, he was still a second-generation ancestor who could not achieve great things. At critical moments, people like Wang Qiong need to come out to support the scene.
A group of people went to the top of the city.
It was noon at this time. Zhu Feng took a telescope and looked for a long time, but he didn't see any trouble.
Zhang Yong reminded: "Uncle Anbian, didn't you report it? Di Yi is still more than thirty miles away from Guancheng in Ningyuan. If we send troops now, it may be too late. I am afraid that they will rob someone thirty miles away." After that, he left, and when the time comes, he will be impeached by the censor. If you meet Di Yi and don't go in, I'm afraid..."
Zhang Yong didn't have the nerve to scare Zhu Feng too much.
Even if the cavalry of the Three Duoyan Guards are not close to Ningyuan City now, if you know that Di Yi is there but do not send troops, and then Di Yi robs people and animals, you will be out of luck.
It's useless for you to have the emperor and Zhang Zhou as your backers.
Perhaps because you have taken refuge with the emperor and Zhang Zhou, the civil servants will be even more rude to you.
Zhu Feng said: "But Brother Zhang didn't ask me to send troops. He asked me to wait at the top of the city, saying that the opportunity would be presented to me."
"ah?"
Zhang Yong was also shocked.
Can you help people to this extent? Is Zhang Zhou stupid, or has he never seen the cruelty of border wars?
"This... Uncle An Bian... we don't know what to say. Did you also see the battle at Pianguan? That was also prophesied by Mr. Zhang. At that time, how Weining Hou and the soldiers lured the enemy deep, No matter how unexpected it is, you are personally involved in it... This will have to wait until Di Yi comes to your door... Isn't it a bit..."
Zhang Yong didn't know how to persuade this "little fool".
You are such a good boy, you do whatever Zhang Zhou asks you to do, right?
When something goes wrong in a relationship, you take the blame... No, we take the blame together. What would happen to Zhang Zhou without him?
At this time, Wang Qiong led Ren Liang, Qian Ying and others to the top of the city.
"Uncle An Bian, the barbarians are here, are we still afraid to move in? If something goes wrong, I'm afraid I will be held responsible! The decree just issued this year is that if people and animals are plundered in the place, they will be reported in summary and ten people will be hidden." If you do the above, you will be dismissed from your post and sent to jail. Don’t you know that? Don’t let these people wipe your ass when the time comes..."
After all, Ren Liang was the leader of the three armies guarding Liaodong, and he had been polite to Zhu Feng before.
But now the Duoyan Three Guards have really come to kill, but Zhu Feng is just guarding the city and doing nothing. This will make the officers and generals of the Liaodong system feel that your level as an airborne general officer is no more than this. , are you the only one who can be a coward? We wouldn't take that seriously, would we?
Wang Qiong said: "Eunuch Ren, regarding matters before the army, Uncle An Bian's opinion should come first."
Wang Qiong saw that Ren Liang actually wanted to fight for the command. If he had merit, Ren Liang wanted to take it himself, but if he was at fault, he wanted to pass the responsibility to Zhu Feng.
As a civil servant, Wang Qiong had extraordinary insight. He could see through Ren Liang's little thoughts at a glance, so he reminded him like this.
Ren Liang said impatiently: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask you, do you have the final say in the affairs of the army, or does An Bianbo have the final say? Does it mean that if the three armies stay in the city and do not come out, what will happen? He led the barbarians to plunder the surrounding area of Ningyuan and left in a hurry. If the court holds him accountable, will you and Uncle Anbian bear the responsibility?"
Wang Qiong was frowning and wanted to explain a few words, but was blocked by Zhu Feng.
"Eunuch Ren." Zhu Feng still said with a childish and nervous look on his face, "Now that the enemy has not reached the city, we are not in a hurry to send troops. Can't we wait until they get closer?"
Qian Ying said in a sarcastic tone next to him: "Uncle Anbian, aren't you just joking? You're already twenty or thirty miles outside the city, so you're not even here yet?"
"hold on!"
Zhu Feng was also numb.
I was thinking, there is nothing I can do. No matter how far the artillery range is, I can't hit it more than twenty miles, right? Why don't I wait until the three guards of Duoyan reach a place two miles away from the city before I can put it to good use? If you push the artillery cart out... it would be too dangerous. Brother Zhang didn't let me do it, so I will continue to wait.
…
…
Ren Liang, Qian Ying and others went down to the city with angry expressions.
Even Wang Qiong could feel that the soldiers on the city were very hostile to them, and Zhang Yong next to him was embarrassed to look at those soldiers.
You were sent by the emperor to defend against the Hulu, but when you encountered the enemy, your choice was no different from ours. You just stayed in the city to watch the scene, and you called it "wait a little longer" to wait for your grandma to die. ah.
If we don't fight again, all the Hulu will run away.
"Uncle Anbian, don't worry, because we have taken precautions in advance. In the past ten days, we have notified all parts of Ningyuan. There will be no scattered people outside the city gate. Even if the three guards of Duoyan come, they will not be able to plunder people and animals." Wang Qiong comforted him. .
Zhu Feng raised his head and looked into the distance, with a look of self-blame on his face and said, "But if the seedlings in the field are destroyed, I am also to blame."
"Ouch!"
When Zhang Yong heard it, it was okay.
Uncle An Bian, do you still know how to be compassionate? It seems that you are still a capable minister who cares about the people and the world at heart.
Wang Qiong glanced at Zhang Yong and then continued: "Bo Anbian is overly worried. Ningyuan is stationed outside Guancheng. There are not many farms here. They are all based on city fortresses, like Ningyuan City. Such a strong fortress divided into the inner city and the outer city, with the current strength of Duoyan's three guards, it is still difficult to attack."
Ningyuan City was the Ming Dynasty's fortress outside Shanhaiguan. The main city was divided into two circles, the inner and outer. The inner city was five miles in circumference, and the outer city was nine miles in circumference. Each had four gates. However, this city was later destroyed by the earthquake in the second year of Longqing. It was destroyed in the middle, not Guancheng when the Ningyuan victory occurred later.
Zhang Yongdao: "Even if this city is easy to defend and difficult to attack, we can't hide in it, right? His Majesty let us win the battle, but he didn't let us be here!"
Wang Qiong looked at Zhu Feng helplessly.
Even though he had previously supported Zhu Feng and supported him in front of others, the problem was that he, Wang Qiong, did not think that staying in the city was a good tactic. He notified everyone around Ningyuan to evacuate to the city. If the three guards of Duoyan did not invade Ningyuan, would it be possible? Won't they plunder the surrounding fortresses along the way?
Zhu Feng asked: "If we do this, will it increase the enemy's arrogance?"
"Haha." Zhang Yong said with a smile, "Do you need to say that? I estimate that the Tatars will be under the city walls in two days."
"That's good."
Zhu Feng answered simply: "Let's wait on the top of the city. If they want to escape, we will send cavalry to chase them. We must clearly detect the enemy's situation and notify them back as soon as possible."
Zhang Yong glanced at Wang Qiong, meaning you don't have any objection after hearing this?
Wang Qiong asked: "But I have never seen Uncle Jianchang and Uncle Jiang. Where are they?"
Zhang Yong was thinking in his mind, I really lost my fame in a lifetime. I got it from Zhang Zhou during the Pianguan Pass. Today, I will probably fall in Ningyuan. It is true that "Zhang Zhou succeeds and Zhang Zhou loses." He said coldly: " Who knows where they have gone? They are probably defending the city at this time!"
…
…
At this time, Chen Rui and Zhang Yanling were really not defending the city.
In their view, as long as they don't send troops, it doesn't matter whoever defends the city. And Chen Rui is currently hosting a banquet in his tent for Zhang Yanling to drink, and his purpose is very simple... to get Zhang Yanling to lead the troops out of the city to fight with the three guards of Duoyan.
"...Old man Chen, are you crazy? The man named Zhu has not asked us to send troops, so you are thinking of sending troops? Besides, if you tell him to send troops, are you talking to me like a bird?"
Zhang Yanling drank two glasses of wine and was in a good mood. After hearing Chen Rui's words, he suddenly became angry.
How did you, surnamed Chen, figure out that I am a master who dares to lead troops out of the city to fight the Tatars?
Besides, aren't you, Chen Liangjiu, most afraid of confronting the Tatars?
What?
Now that I have changed my gender, I drank hot wine and became a bloody person? If you want to go all out on your own, why are you looking for me?
Chen Rui sighed: "I have actually understood that Uncle Anbian is not a person who can do great things. On the contrary, Uncle Jianchang, you are brave and resourceful..."
"Pfft!" Zhang Yanling almost spit out the wine in his mouth, "Old man Chen, don't think I can't hear that you are mocking me!"
"No, this is the truth. Look at him. He is young and has no ability at all. He only relies on his backers. Does he look like a general officer who can lead troops seriously?"
etc.
Zhang Yanling frowned when he heard this, "Chen, are you referring to someone else?"
I don’t have the ability to rely solely on my backers...isn’t this just me?
Chen Rui said: "If we lead the troops out, the three guards of Duoyan will be fooled and they will definitely flee. Then you and I will gain merit. When you return to the court, you will play with His Majesty and the Queen, and the merit will be there. You will be promoted to Jianchang." Hou is no problem either."
"oh."
No matter how stupid Zhang Yanling is, he probably understands.
You, Chen Rui, think you should go into the army with me. Apart from the fact that we are both deputy commanders and have to work together, you also think that I have a sister who is a queen, right?
"Old man Chen, don't you have a close relationship with Zhu Zhijie? Why do I hear that you want to drag me into committing crimes?" Zhang Yanling put down the wine glass and said with a sneer.
Chen Ruixin said this was a bad thing, could he even hear this?
Who told that boy Zhu Zhijie to be ignorant?
I want to marry him and give my daughter to him, but he actually refuses my kindness?
And this guy actually cowered in the city when he encountered the enemy, and said that Zhang Bingkuan ordered him to do this?
Could it be that Zhang Bingkuan asked him to come to Liaodong not to trick Zhu Zhijie, but to trick me and the Zhang family relatives together... Otherwise, why did the three of us come out to lead the troops? How do you think the combination of the three of us leading troops... is also very strange.
Now it seems that I was right at first. Zhang Bingkuan and Wang Weining were wearing the same pair of trousers, so he didn't want me to fall into a trap.
So we can't fall into the trap. We need to get Zhang Yanling together and lead the troops to fight out. Anyway, those are the three Duoyan guards. As long as our army arrives, there is no reason for the three Duoyan guards to fight us. Besides, even if we fight, we won't necessarily lose.
I'm just afraid of the sieve of fire. I'm not even afraid of the little Tartar prince. How can I be afraid of the three guards of Duoyan?
"Aren't you a relative? The queen would like to tell your majesty that even if we fail to send troops, at least we have courage..."
Chen Rui thought to himself, since Zhang Yanling has a brain, I won't hide it.
Showdown.
That's right, I just like that you have a sister who is a queen. Who can you do it with? Zhu Feng has a backer, but yours is even bigger! Moreover, you and the Queen are direct relatives. If something happens, the Queen will definitely turn to you, and His Majesty will also turn to you.
Are Zhu Feng and Zhang Zhou direct relatives?
"I'm sorry, as long as this city gate is stable, I will guard it here. I came to Liaodong to get a military position and military honors. You want me to lead the troops out of the city? Humph! No way!"
Zhang Yanling is not stupid.
Want me to lead the troops out with you? Go ahead and dream of your spring and autumn dreams!
Even if I die in the city, I will never step out of the fortress. Even if the enemy enters the city, I will still break through with the protection of my personal guards... Who makes my life, Zhang's, more valuable than yours?
"you……"
Chen Rui felt a sense of regret in his heart.
Even if the commander-in-chief Zhu Feng is unreliable, Zhang Yanling is also unreliable.
There is really no place for me to be a hero.
…
…
The news that Duoyan's three guards had committed Ning Yuan's crime reached the capital in just one day.
The main reason is that Liaodong is only about 600 miles away from the capital, so the news can be transmitted very quickly.
Zhang Zhou was still "practicing gymnastics" at home that day.
This is the "wedding night" of Zhang Zhou and Wang Mingshan. Zhang Zhou was admitted to the imperial examination first and then later. When he was in high spirits, there were always discordant voices ringing outside: "... Master, someone from the palace is here, saying... If there is any military information in Liaodong, you must go out and take a look."
It was Han Qing who came to inform in person.
Maybe even the maid knew that today was a good thing for Zhang Zhou and she couldn't disturb him casually.
If his master is angry about this, even if he doesn't punish him directly later, he probably won't look bad, so it would be more appropriate to let his second wife do it.
As for Wang Mingshan... she is already the third wife. At present, it seems that she is still the "young lady". In terms of background, Wang Mingshan is taller than Jiang Pingyu, who was born as a first wife, but Wang Mingshan does not seem to have any airs.
"hold on!"
Zhang Zhou was also annoyed.
It's only half the good thing, why do you have to be called out to talk about military affairs?
Excuse me.
Inside this room, there is a "military emergency", and it is nothing more than murdering parents.
…
…
Xiao Jing in the main hall was very anxious.
As Zhang Zhou expected, the three guards of Duoyan attacked Ningyuan, and the attack was fierce. They wanted to fight a decisive battle with the Liaodong army of the Ming Dynasty, but Zhu Feng didn't make any marching movements. This is not a big deal... The key is you Zhu Feng You even stupidly reported to the court that you planned to wait for the three guards of Duoyan in Ningyuan City...
Are you, Zhu Feng, short-sighted?
Even if you want to do this, there is no need to say so.
I came here to notify Zhang Zhou and asked him to go and consult about military affairs. However, Zhang Zhou was still at home consummating his marriage with Wang Mingshan...
Although Xiao Jing didn't know what Zhang Zhou was doing in the inner courtyard, asking him to wait outside made him very anxious.
finally……
Zhang Zhou showed up anyway.
Judging from Zhang Zhou's face, Xiao Jing felt that Zhang Zhou's temper was not very good, as if his sudden intrusion had ruined Zhang Zhou's good deeds.
"Eunuch Xiao, was Liaodong defeated?" Zhang Zhou asked in a questioning tone when he came up.
"No...no..."
Xiao Jing sighed, "Mr. Zhang, you must have figured it all out, right? The barbarians invaded Ningyuan, and Ningyuan's guard general Zhu Feng reported that he was ready to defend the city gate. Does that mean that the barbarians are going to invade the city gate?"
Zhang Zhou sat down and took a sip of tea. Even if it was herbal tea, it didn't matter.
I just felt very anxious.
"How powerful is the Duoyan tribe, dare to attack Liaodong Guancheng? But I can't say for sure, maybe they just can't think about it?" Zhang Zhou gave an ambiguous answer.
Xiao Jing said: "Then you should follow our family and go into the palace to talk to His Majesty."
Zhang Zhou asked: "The news I heard now should be from the day before, right?"
"This...yes." Xiao Jing thought for a while.
Although it was delayed for less than a day, it was delayed for more than two hours before it reached Zhang Zhou. It was not yet the decisive battle. The matter was reported to the emperor first and then sent to Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou said: "Then tomorrow morning..."
"You still have to go to the court." Xiao Jing said, "But if everything goes well and there is a war between last night and this morning, then..."
"Oh, it's not that early. If a war breaks out, it will have to be tonight or tomorrow at the earliest." Zhang Zhou said, "I said it before the end of March."
Xiao Jing nodded and said: "That means that after you enter the palace tomorrow morning, you will make it clear to His Majesty?"
"Well." Zhang Zhou stood up and said, "Then I won't see Eunuch Xiao off. I have some things to do here..."
"What's the matter?"
Xiao Jing looked concerned.
Zhang Zhou said: "Using the ji for divination, measuring the heaven and fortune..."
"Then don't dare disturb Mr. Zhang, please." Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing realized that this was not some kind of magic circle to help Zhu Feng achieve a great victory, right?
Zhang Zhou thought about it for a while.
Was it wrong for me to say that I was holding the Qi?
The sound is just different.
(End of chapter)
