There was no suspense. Zhu Youtang unilaterally informed Zhang Zhou about sending troops to Weininghai.
After the three cabinet ministers and Ma Wensheng came out of the Qianqing Palace, their faces were solemn but not too anxious. On the contrary, Zhang Mao, who used to look relaxed and calm when discussing matters in front of the palace, had a very ugly face this time.
However, due to the previous estrangement between civil servants and military officials, Liu Jian and other civil servants would not discuss the gains and losses of Zhang Zhou's rise with Zhang Mao afterwards.
You, Wu Xun, have to walk the path you chose with tears in your eyes.
"Zhang Bingkuan controls the military affairs of Xuan Dapian Pass and other departments. It is only a matter of time to go to war, and the victory or defeat should have been predicted."
Liu Jian made a comment in front of Ma Wensheng.
It expresses the cabinet's attitude towards this matter.
"Um."
An old politician like Ma Wensheng can naturally understand the profound meaning of Liu Jian's words.
When Zhang Zhou was sent by the emperor to serve as the commander-in-chief of Xuanda, he should have thought that he might provoke a war. He could not be expected to continue to practice artillery and troops. Even if Zhang Zhou did not take action, the tribes in the grassland would not let you do it. Ming's army is wreaking havoc on our own territory.
It's just that Zhang Zhou took action too early and used troops too "unexpectedly", but in general it did not violate the policy of using troops since Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty.
That is to exchange for the highest benefit at the lowest cost.
Although the Ming Dynasty was mainly on the defensive in the northwest during the Hongzhi period, there was still a precedent of Wang Yue dividing his troops to attack the Helan Mountains. After the battles of Pianguan and Ningyuan, the prestige of the Ming border troops was lifted, and the initiative advocated by the emperor itself was also It has not violated the changes and needs of the border situation.
Under this premise, Zhang Zhou did not raise his troops to fight against Dayan Khan, Huoshii, Yibulu, etc. to complete a frontal battle, but only used a sneak attack to attack the base camp of Huoshii...
This is in line with Daming's interests.
If you win, you will gain a lot and directly change the pattern of the grassland. If you lose, you will only lose 3,000 cavalry...
In the Ming Dynasty, achieving a "great victory" would involve considerable losses.
The victory reports of the Ming Dynasty were always based on the number of enemies killed. The imperial court would not publicize how many losses it suffered, because in almost every so-called great victory, the losses of Ming soldiers were higher than those of the Tatars. It can be said that It was a great victory achieved with piles of corpses. If this situation is publicized to the outside world, who in the Ming Dynasty's frontier army will dare to fight tooth and nail? How to maintain people's national pride?
The loss of three thousand soldiers and horses is not an unacceptable thing in the eyes of these cabinet elders and the Minister of War.
There is another meaning in Liu Jian's words.
Zhang Zhou's victory would be beneficial to Ming Dynasty and desirable.
Zhang Zhou lost, and the emperor said that he would not be held accountable, but it would break the absolute respect for him by everyone in the Ming Dynasty, which was also advisable.
Either way, we don’t lose.
On the contrary, what we should be worried about is that this guy has won a big victory, and the interests of the nation and the country can be used as victims in a situation involving the ebb and flow of partisan struggles.
This is called politics.
…
…
After the three cabinet members returned, Li Dongyang immediately went to the Hanlin Academy to meet Wang Hua.
Wang Hua was a little surprised that Li Dongyang came to him, because he had recently been helping to organize the "Da Ming Hui Dian", and the final draft had been submitted once, but the emperor had not yet given his approval.
Once the "Da Ming Huidian" is written, Wang Hua will also receive an official promotion as a Hanlin lecturer.
The completion of the "Da Ming Huidian" was a carnival for everyone in the Hanlin Academy. After all, a Qingshui yamen like the Hanlin Academy usually didn't have much opportunity to make meritorious deeds and receive rewards.
"Dehui, I'm not here to talk to you about repairing books, but about your son Bo'an."
Li Dongyang also made it clear.
Wang Shouren is a rising star that I admire, and even the orthodox civil servants of the Ming Dynasty admire. What did your Wang family do? It’s okay to ask Zhang Zhou to transfer Wang Hua to the Yanwu Hall. Now that the Ming Dynasty is sending troops to Weininghai, you actually want your son to be a civil servant accompanying the army?
Of course, Li Dongyang couldn't tell him directly about sending troops to Weininghai. He could only make indirect inquiries about Wang Shouren's recent friendships and political stance.
Wang Hua sighed: "Speaking of which, I have been somewhat neglectful in my discipline of Bo'an. In the past few years, he has been traveling around to study and prepare for exams. He failed the exam twice, and his character has also changed a lot."
Li Dongyang interrupted Wang Hua and asked, "I'm asking him about his views on the military and politics of the northwest."
Wang Hua shook his head: "He told me that he admired Wang Weining in his heart, especially Wang Weining's surprise attack on Weininghai. He took the initiative to organize the funeral... but it seemed to have something to do with Bingkuan. He said that Bingkuan had asked about it. If he wants to attend the funeral, he will agree to it."
"Zhang Bingkuan?"
Li Dongyang frowned.
After listening to Wang Hua's words, he immediately realized that Zhang Zhou had a close relationship with Wang Shouren.
If this is the case, it is not surprising at all that Wang Shouren recommended Wang Yue's surprise attack on Weininghai, and Zhang Zhou, as a friend, asked Wang Shouren to coordinate the strategy of this surprise attack on Weininghai.
"Has Bo'an ever mentioned his admiration for Wang Shichang to others?" Li Dongyang asked, "What about his personal relationship with Bingkuan?"
Wang Hua sighed: "Bo'an once told me that he didn't know why Bingkuan knew about his enthusiasm for military affairs. He didn't inform him in advance about investigating the martial arts hall, but he still accepted the order. As for Wang Weining's funeral, , it was also Bingkuan who took the initiative. He and Bingkuan usually have no personal relationship, and it is said that... they have never sat down and talked once."
Wang Hua is also very careful.
He could tell that maybe Li Dongyang was concerned about his son getting close to Zhang Zhou.
Although Zhang Zhou is now a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy and will probably become a bachelor, Zhang Zhou himself is not tolerated by orthodox civil servants, and he cannot say how close the relationship between his son and Zhang Zhou is.
Li Dongyang asked: "Did Bo'an tell Bingkuan that he admired Wang Shichang's aura and Wei Ninghai?"
Wang Hua shook his head: "I don't know. But...does it matter?"
"he!"
Li Dongyang was a little speechless.
You can't tell Wang Huaming that Zhang Zhou really wants to use your son to surprise Weininghai. If Wang Bo'an didn't say it himself, then it can only be calculated by Zhang Zhou?
"Bin Zhi, if you have any questions, I can write to Quan Zi and say that he is preparing to go to Daming Mansion. Call him back and you will know." Wang Hua was afraid that his son would get into trouble.
This is what fathers do.
While she hopes her son will be well, she is also afraid that her son will get into trouble. She wants to be a nanny, but what she says and does often seems to her son to be incomprehensible.
In Wang Hua's opinion, allowing Li Dongyang to ask him about Wang Shouren alone would be a big disaster.
Li Dongyang was a little helpless and was about to leave, but he still told him: "No need to ask him, I don't think he will be back for a while. You will naturally know what he is going to do in a few days! Alas!"
"this?"
Wang Hua was also a little confused.
No matter how scheming you are, Li Dongyang, you suddenly come to me to say such unclear words. What is your purpose?
Even if my son goes to attend Wang Weining's funeral, it is still an errand sent by the court. Who has he offended?
…
…
Wang Shouren arrived at Xuanfu on the morning of the day he sent troops, which was May 30th, the day after Zhang Zhou formulated his tactics.
When Zhang Zhou invited Wang Shouren to the governor's Yamen and told him about sending troops to Weininghai in front of Tang Yin, Wang Shouren shook his head first.
It wasn't that he wasn't willing to do it, it was just that he didn't understand what Zhang Zhou was going to do.
"Let Bohu tell you the details." Zhang Zhou smiled.
It's time to practice Tang Yin's eloquence.
When you, Tang Yin, were a scholar, you were eloquent and unruly, but when it comes to major military matters, you have to rely on your words to tell Wang Shouren exactly what you heard yesterday and to persuade him. Accept the job.
It just depends on how talented you are.
Tang Yin first told Wang Shouren the general content of yesterday's meeting. When he mentioned that the Fire Sieve headquarters was on the north side of Weining Sea, Wang Shouren's eyes fell on the map hanging on the side, nodded and said: "Even if it is not based on God's speculation, just Judging from the current situation, this is indeed very possible. But has Ye Bu Sui discovered such a situation?"
Tang Yin looked back at Zhang Zhou.
I mean, either you say it?
But seeing Zhang Zhou smiling and saying nothing, Tang Yin understood that Zhang Zhou was asking him to "keep up the good work," and he said, "There is no information that is not collected at all hours of the night."
Only then did Wang Shouren realize that everything was just Zhang Zhou's words.
Tang Yin said: "Three thousand fine cavalry, with Wanquan Youwei as the commander and deputy commander of the army, Ma Yi, guarding the Zhongguan Cao Shun, supervising the army. Currently, Bo'an... You came to go out with the army. You left the fortress from Wanquan Youwei. After Xinghe and Daqingshan, go to the upper reaches of the Dongyang River, and go straight to the north bank of Weining Haizi, and make a surprise attack. It is agreed that after three days and four nights, the surprise attack will be carried out. If you encounter Di Yi heading west, you will chase him quickly and return within five days."
"Yes." After hearing this, Wang Shouren felt that it was quite reliable, and he asked, "So, there are no traces of Hulu activities around Daqing Mountain now?"
"this……"
Tang Yin's eyes were looking towards Zhang Zhou again.
I'm still thinking, why do you, Wang Boan, have so many problems?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Last year, Daqingshan was used by the herdsmen of Yibula tribe. However, after the drought, the water around Daqingshan dried up seriously and the grassland degraded. The Yongxiebu tribe of Yibula tribe moved west towards Xiashui Haizi And went...with the intention of being trapped. After the two battles of Pianguan and Ningyuan this year, Dayan Khan moved his tent to Ordos to prevent the Mongolian right-wing troops from being trapped. This is how the war started."
“Is the road feasible?”
Wang Shouren is obviously more assertive than Tang Yin.
After discovering that there were no major strategic problems, he became concerned about whether this path would be good or not.
"this……"
Tang Yin didn't know how to answer.
Zhang Zhou had said before that this road was not easy to walk, but he didn't know exactly why it was so difficult.
At this time, it seemed that it didn't matter whether Tang Yin was there or not. Zhang Zhou said: "Daqing Mountain is the middle section of Yin Mountain. If you have to pass through Daqing Mountain to enter the northern foothills, the road is rugged and difficult to navigate. It may take you a few days. But after passing Daqing Mountain, you can reach the The terrain in the upper reaches of the Dongyang River is relatively flat, and it takes time to cross the Lubao. Once you get to Weining Haizi, you can ride your horse and drive your troops straight in."
"What about the retracement?" Wang Shouren asked.
Tang Yin grabbed the opportunity this time and said, "Just go back the way you came!"
"Um?"
Wang Shouren obviously felt that Tang Yin's words were a bit unreliable.
Why did you go back the way you came?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "To the outside world, we are going back the same way we came. But if the surprise attack on Weininghai is a complete victory, a large number of people and livestock will be captured. It will be impossible to go back the same way. I will personally lead the Chinese army there. From the southern foothills of Daqing Mountain, across the Dongyang River to Maoerzhuang, you can just go south from Weininghai!"
Tang Yin was surprised and said: "Isn't the place where the front flag of the Manguan Ai tribe is located in the south of Weining Sea also in Mao'erzhuang?"
Wang Shouren nodded and said: "If this war succeeds, there will be a Tatar prince in the west of the Manguan Angi tribe, and a Yongxiebu tribe and a Tumote tribe in the south, not to mention the border officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty. No matter how powerful they are, No matter how many troops were stationed around Ninghaizi, they had to withdraw westward to join the main battle troops of the tribe."
"That's what I mean." Zhang Zhou felt that it would be better to talk about military affairs with Wang Shouren, because he wouldn't have to waste his breath.
Wang Shouren had a clear understanding of the situation on the grasslands, the rules of war between the Tatars and the Ming Dynasty, and the essentials of marching and running the army.
It's okay to say that Wang Shouren is familiar with the art of war, or that Wang Shouren was also a warmonger with little talent when he was young. Now if you give him a lever, how can he not know how to climb up?
Could it be that Wang Shouren also thought that he could fulfill his lifelong ambition by hanging out in the officialdom for decades and wait until he was in his forties or fifties before he had the opportunity to work in Jiubian?
If you have an opportunity, seize it.
This is true for Zhang Zhou, and so is Wang Shouren.
Because the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty followed the old-fashioned rules of seniority, it was very unfriendly to young and energetic young people like Zhang Zhou and Wang Shouren who had just entered the officialdom.
Wang Shouren continued to suggest: "It will be crucial for Datong to send troops. I wonder how many troops Datong Town will send?"
Zhang Zhou said: "At least two groups, each with 5,000 soldiers and horses, mainly to respond to each other from a distance, to pave the way for you to withdraw troops from Weining Hainan. I have already informed Datong Governor Hong Han and asked him to send troops to cooperate."
"Will he listen to you?"
Wang Shouren was also very rude when asking questions.
Although you, Zhang Zhou, are the general secretary of Xuanda, Ma Zhongxi looks down on you when you first arrive. Why do you think that the Hong Han Society will only follow your lead?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "You don't need to listen to me, just listen to the holy edict."
"oh."
Wang Shouren figured it out immediately.
It seems that Zhang Zhou was the leader in sending troops this time, but there was a "backer" behind Zhang Zhou, and Zhang Zhou represented the emperor.
Ma Zhongxi is the kind of loyal minister who doesn't rub his eyes, but Hong Han is relatively mediocre. He is probably the kind of person who Wang Shouren looks down upon who relies on his qualifications to get into power. However, Hong Han himself has to listen to the emperor's orders. .
"In addition, Pianguan will send 10,000 troops to coordinate from the left. Qin controls the platform in Yansui, and may also send 20,000 troops to respond. This battle does not seek to regain the Hetao, but it can make the tribes on the grassland dare not Close to the border of Ming Dynasty.”
When Zhang Zhou said this, Wang Shouren seemed to feel relieved instantly.
"I am willing to take orders and go!"
Wang Shouren immediately raised his hands and said.
Obviously Wang Shouren also heard that Zhang Zhou was not bragging. If Zhang Zhou was just a new scholar, he would not be able to mobilize the people from the nine towns.
But Zhang Zhou has two men with great military exploits. After Wang Yue's death, the entire northwest system was in some confusion. Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng, who were the most able to frighten the Tatars, turned out to be Zhang Zhou's people, and Zhang Zhou I was directly in charge of the Xuan Mansion. In addition, Qin Hong was not too picky about Zhang Zhou. Zhang Zhou also had the support of the emperor...
Zhang Zhou is the chief instructor of Yanwu Hall, the developer of new artillery, and is responsible for casting cannons for the imperial court...
With this layer of halo, even Ma Zhongxi can't do anything to Zhang Zhou. Now Zhang Zhou has to use the four towns of Xuanfu, Datong, Pianguan and Yansui to coordinate and complete a raid on Weininghai. Is it really that difficult? ?
Of course Wang Shouren would feel...this is the right way for me!
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Brother Bo'an, as long as you are willing to go, I am worried about who will cooperate. Since you choose to go, it is not too late to leave tonight. But before you go, we have to study new weapons. .”
"Cannon?" Wang Shouren was puzzled.
What weapons can you bring me?
Zhang Zhou said: "Ordinary cannons are too heavy to be carried by light soldiers in a surprise attack. I happened to have recently studied some lightweight cannons. Each one weighs only sixty or seventy kilograms. It can be carried on horseback, but its range is not far. , only about a mile away and easily accessible.”
Tang Yin stared when he heard this.
Didn't they agree to attack with light troops and win with cold weapons and at most some firecrackers?
How could you bring the cannon over?
The artillery mentioned by Zhang Zhou is actually a simple smoothbore howitzer. It is not a multi-piece cannon. It has high air tightness, but the barrel is thin and the caliber is small. The craftsmanship of this kind of indigenous artillery is not complicated. Without the power of a pure steel cannon body and yellow gunpowder, this kind of cannon in the Ming Dynasty could only be used as a large firecracker for about a hundred meters. It would not have much power if it fired an iron ball. It all depends on whether it can hit it. allow.
But after Zhang Zhou's technical improvements, this kind of gun already has the attributes of the Franco machine gun, that is, shotguns and flowers.
Except for the shorter range, everything else is pretty good.
It is used to suppress medium and close firepower. It has a longer range than ordinary crossbows and a large coverage area. It is especially effective against cavalry assaults.
…
…
Zhang Zhou took Wang Shouren to see the new cannon.
Wang Shouren was also surprised that Zhang Zhou could bring out something new at this time.
"Before the afternoon, I will give you a demonstration. They are all from the Yanwu Hall. In the future, I will teach the lieutenants how to use it." Zhang Zhou smiled, "As for the gunners you brought over this time, they are all old acquaintances. Yanwutang may be from the Jingying Shenji Camp. There is no difficulty in dispatching, and I can understand all flags and flares."
When Wang Shouren saw it, he saw that this was so considerate.
Not to mention the new lightweight cannon, the people still employed were the same people from Yanwutang who usually help fire the cannons. Everyone looked familiar and they had even talked to each other.
"I'll show you another kind of firecracker."
Zhang Zhou asked someone to bring over a new firecracker.
When Wang Shouren held it in his hand, he felt something was different. This was because there was no gap for the fuse, but instead there was a trigger and other things he had never seen before.
"The previous match-rope blunderbuss required ignition and could not be used for emergency situations." Zhang Zhou said, "It is summer now, and there may be rain in the grassland, so the use of match-rope blunderbuss is limited."
"This type is a flint gun. As the name suggests, flint is used to ignite fire inside. Just move it here. It can fire two projectiles at a time, and the filling is more cumbersome. I only have two hundred here, and they are all standard projectiles. I call them For bullets.”
"Because it is a short musket, its range is not far, about fifty to a hundred steps. It is used to kill at close range. It is the weapon of choice after rushing into the enemy camp and before entering hand-to-hand combat."
"This thing will continue to be improved in the future. This time we sent out troops in a hurry, I can't prepare much for you. Take it with you for self-defense."
When Wang Shouren heard this, he took the flint gun in his hand and couldn't put it down, as if he had found a new favorite.
He had been completely impressed by Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou's thoughtfulness has already reached his grandma's house.
(End of chapter)
