It took Zhang Zhou and his entourage an entire afternoon and the first half of the night to stuff all the soldiers, horses, captives, and livestock into Yanghekou. Because Yanghekou was too small to accommodate them all, many prisoners had to be taken to Yanghekou. There are two acropolises, Hewei and Tianchengwei.
For local generals, just settling so many captive people and animals is a very difficult matter. There does not seem to be that much pasture in the border areas of the Ming Dynasty to house so many cattle and sheep.
As for the soldiers and horses Zhang Zhou stayed in Yanghekou.
The soldiers marched one after another and were already exhausted. They set up temporary camps and most of them fell asleep early.
The spying on grassland intelligence did not stop, and he did not rest at night. That night, he investigated the situation of the Huoshan headquarters clearly, but Huoshan was stationed in Maoerzhuang and did not go south again.
It was dark the next day.
With his tired body and relaxed mood, Wang Shouren saw Song Xian and others in the camp handing over defense matters. Wang Shouren also waited for Song Xian and others to leave the camp and return to the tower before coming in to find Zhang Zhou.
"Bo'an, are you up so early?" Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Shouren with a smile.
Wang Shouren raised his hand as a greeting.
When they came here, the two parties still had a working relationship. Regardless of their official positions, they were at least Jinshis in the same year. One was a recent scholar and the other was a Jinshi from an orthodox official background. It seemed that they had different paths and did not work together.
But after experiencing the grassland group, Wang Shouren gradually regarded himself as one of Zhang Zhou's group.
Wang Shouren said: "I keep the situation in the grassland in mind. I always wake up after a short sleep, fearing that something will happen and I won't be able to deal with it in time."
Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded.
It would be better to say that Wang Shouren basically regained his energy when he slept on the carriage on the grassland. Suddenly, after just two days and two nights without rest, his body was still a little uncomfortable...
Before, I had been resting irregularly for seven or eight days. It had only been two days and two nights, and my body still felt like it could resist again. And because I was back within the borders of the Ming Dynasty, I was completely relaxed mentally, so I wasn't so sleepy.
"Huoshii's troops are stationed at Mao'erzhuang. They will not advance or retreat. I guess they don't dare to invade Datong like Yisima Yin suffered the defeat at Weininghai. Huoshii's spirit has been defeated by you."
What Zhang Zhou mentioned was the once heroic leader of the grassland. In the 16th year of Chenghua, Taishi Yisi Mayin encountered Wang Yue and Wang Zhi leading troops to sneak attack Weininghai. He was so angry that he led troops to attack Datong Town and was guarded. Fan Jin, the commander-in-chief of Datong, was repulsed because Batu Mengke was still young at the time, and almost all the state affairs in the grassland were handled by Yisi Mayin.
Yisimayin once occupied Batu Munch's mother and was once a powerful figure in the grassland generation, but it ended dismally and died due to civil strife.
There was no one else around. Of course Wang Shouren would not take credit in front of Zhang Zhou. He said, "It should be said that Zhang Zhitai used his troops well."
"Haha, you are still too humble." Zhang Zhou smiled.
While the two were talking, Sun Shangqi's voice came from the door: "Sir, Wang Xi, the commander-in-chief of Datong, has led his troops twenty miles away. He has sent fast horses to inform him and asked to come to the tent to see him."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "He came quickly enough. When he comes, come and see me."
Hong Han, the governor of Datong, did not come, but Wang Xi, the chief military officer, came first.
Wang Shouren originally wanted to ask Zhang Zhou if he had not rested or if he had gotten up early, but now that someone from Datong was coming, he could not ask any more questions.
Zhang Zhou yawned and answered Wang Shouren on his own: "I didn't rest last night. I'm sleepy. I'll receive this man. You can tell him about the use of troops later."
"Isn't this... inappropriate?"
Although Wang Shouren dispatched Ma Yi, the former commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, on the grassland, he asked himself that he had no interaction with Wang Xi, the commander-in-chief of Datong. Would Wang Xi listen to what he said?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "This man has no great talent. If he doesn't listen, tell me and I will relieve him of his duties."
Wang Shouren felt awkward.
Zhang Zhou's words sounded like he had a lot of trust in him, but I always felt that Zhang Zhou had a domineering attitude, and it was the kind that was exposed. He wanted to beat the sieve of fire into a colander, and he said he wanted to promote him to be governor, and he also said he wanted to step down. The position of a general military officer who did not participate in the war...
Before the change, Wang Shouren could only think that Zhang Zhou was overly favored and too flattering.
But now he could suddenly understand Zhang Zhou's state of mind.
Without prestige, it is difficult for a person to gain a foothold, especially in a place like the northwest, where wolves are everywhere. It is said that the grasslands are full of hungry wolves, but now even fire sieves have been beaten into obedient rabbits. Perhaps Zhang Zhou is more afraid of this. As a Ming side general who even looks for trouble behind his back.
When Wang Shouren understood this, he had to learn more.
He can't gain a foothold in the northwest just by relying on military strategies on the battlefield, so he needs to show some "overlord spirit".
To put it simply... I am awesome and Hong Hong, if you don't accept it, try it!
This trick doesn't work well against the Confucian officials in the court, but it seems to be very effective against the border generals in the northwest.
…
…
Wang Xi then came to see Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Xi.
In recent decades of the Ming Dynasty, two Wang Xis have held the position of Datong's general soldier. One of them served in the town during the Chenghua period and died in office in the first year of Hongzhi.
The other one is Wang Xi, who is in his forties, but is a famous doctor in the Ming Dynasty. He once wrote ten volumes of "Yilin Lei Zheng Ji Yao". Historically, in June of the 13th year of Hongzhi, he Due to his inability to resist the fire-swept border invaders, he was recalled together with the governor Hong Han. He was convicted in December of that year. However, Hong Han was deprived of his post and lived idle while he was sent to Zhenfan, Shaanxi to guard the border. From then on, his political career Totally destroyed.
It is also a duty-related crime. In history, Ma Yi, who was dismissed from office after being accused of corruption and bending the law by Ma Zhongxi, just "lived in idleness", and the difference came out.
Zhang Zhou had a bad temper when facing Wang Xi.
He said coldly: "Commander Wang has arrived at the right time. If the pursuers of Fire Sieve arrive, we can take the opportunity to collect the body for me."
As soon as Wang Xi heard this, he knelt down in front of Zhang Zhou and said with a respectful look on his face: "Master Zitai, please forgive me, but I will obey the orders of Hong Zhongcheng. It is the order of Master Zhongcheng. If you encounter barbarians when you leave the pass, If we get close, we will have to lead our troops back to the pass, and we must not be reluctant to fight."
Zhang Zhou sneered: "Then have you met a barbarian?"
"Never... never." Wang Xi tried his best to defend himself, "But the sentinel came to report that the fire screen had already deployed troops in Mao'erzhuang, so they had to retreat."
Wang Shouren couldn't stand listening, and frowned and said: "Wrong, the fire sifting of Chen Bing in Mao'erzhuang happened yesterday. Why did you encounter the fire sifting when you sent out troops?"
"Maybe... the battle report is wrong." Wang Xiben also wanted to use today's incident to fool Zhang Zhou.
But now I know it’s not easy to fool me.
Because now outside the pass, there are Ming Ye Bu Sushou everywhere, and Huo Si doesn't seem to dare to go south. The Ming border troops, including Ye Bu Sushou, are all hardened.
I'm just probing the intelligence under your eyes, Huo Si, and I have a clear view of the grassland situation. I'm asking you, what can Huo Si do to us?
Zhang Zhou said: "Just because of a wrong battle report, you almost made three thousand soldiers of the Ming Dynasty unable to return home. Do you know your guilt?"
Wang Xi immediately kowtowed, almost breaking his head: "I hope you will forgive me. I am thinking of the stability of the Ming Dynasty... please forgive me..."
He kept saying he was sorry, but no one knew whether he was sincerely repentant or not.
Wang Shouren looked at Zhang Zhou and suddenly understood how important it was to be a superior. At this moment, he was even thinking about how he would be a governor and how he would manage the border areas in the future.
These are all “learning” opportunities.
Wang Shouren would not have thought about this kind of thing before, but now he can see that he, like Zhang Zhou, is a new scholar. Within a few days of entering the officialdom, he also has military merits. To a certain extent, After obtaining a certain level of qualifications and prestige, all that's left... is to copy the gourd.
Compassion does not command troops.
"I will argue with you about your matter, but not now." Zhang Zhou said, "Now that the fire sieves are arrayed in Mao'erzhuang, are you willing to take the blame and make meritorious service?"
"ah?"
Wang Xi fainted as soon as he heard this.
Does this mean you want me to lead the troops to fight against the fire sieve?
Zhang Zhou said: "Looking at you like this, you don't have the slightest intention of acquitting yourself and doing meritorious service."
"No... the general is willing to serve, please give me a chance, Master Tai." Wang Xi was deeply unhappy, but he still wanted to show his belief in killing the enemy bravely and fighting bloody battles.
While he was talking, Ma Yi came in from the door of the tent. He came on Zhang Zhou's order. When he saw Wang Xi kneeling on the ground with a bearish look on his face, still pretending to be unwilling, he felt a little disgusted in his heart.
I have all served as general soldiers. Although I am not a good bird, I am afraid of being compared with others.
You are still a coward.
Ma Yi finally toughened up, and now she can look down on her colleagues.
Who told me to go to Weininghai and make meritorious deeds?
Zhang Zhou said: "I didn't ask you to send troops to Maoerzhuang. To put it bluntly, I don't have enough cannons. I need some iron or something to recast the cannons. How many can Datong Town provide?"
"Um?"
Wang Xi didn't understand.
After going around in circles, you actually asked me for iron and baggage?
Wang Shouren urged: "If I ask you a question, answer it quickly. Now resisting the fire sieve is the top priority. You can't distinguish the priorities, right?"
Unknowingly, when Wang Shouren spoke, he seemed to be singing along with Zhang Zhou.
Even the tone of voice is somewhat similar.
Zhang Zhou couldn't help but glance at Wang Shouren.
It seems... Wang Shouren has a bit of "ruffian spirit" in him. Isn't it because you, Wang Shouren, and I have imitated him?
The reason why I speak like this is because I usually behave like this and have this tone in front of the emperor. And if you still want to be a philosopher or a "half-saint" in the future, you don't have to learn from me.
Wang Xi was not familiar with Wang Shouren's personality, nor did he know Wang Shouren's changes, but now he knew that Wang Shouren was very powerful. Could it be Yi Yu who could lead troops to surprise Weininghai? He said hurriedly: "Any general who can be dispatched by the General Military Office will do his best."
"Then transfer him here." Zhang Zhou said.
Wang Xi said in confusion: "Master Zitai, this...Yanghekou, is this place?"
Zhang Zhou said: "What? You don't look down on Yanghekou? In the 14th year of Zhengtong's reign, he first broke through the Ming Dynasty defense line and entered the pass through Yanghekou, which caused drastic changes later. The terrain here is so important, where would I go if I didn't station here? Humph! Wherever my people are, that’s the front line!”
Wang Xi’s brain is a bit weak.
In his opinion, the area facing Maoerzhuang was obviously more dangerous, and Yanghekou seemed to be a bit biased against the Huoshi headquarters stationed in Maoerzhuang.
Ma Yi on the side said: "As long as Master Zhitai is in Yanghekou, the Tatars will not dare to invade. Don't you understand this?"
Ma Yi also wanted to show off her abilities by speaking with an accent and looking full of momentum.
The deputy commander-in-chief was stunned to tell him the style of the commander-in-chief.
"Yes, yes. General... Do you want to go back and make arrangements now?" Wang Xi asked for instructions.
Zhang Zhou seemed to be tired. He glanced at Wang Shouren and said, "I'll leave the rest to Wang Zhongcheng to take care of you. By the way, although Wang Zhongcheng is only the head of the Ministry of War now, I have already reported to the imperial court and appointed him as the capital emperor." Shi Lai is guarding the border pass. As the General Secretary of Xuanda, I have the authority to temporarily appoint supervisory officials. He is not stationed in a corner yet. When the war advances, the imperial commission will naturally come."
"Yes Yes."
Only then did Wang Xi know that this awesome Wang Shouren had become the nominal governor.
Moreover, Zhang Zhou said that to be a governor, one does not have to be the governor of Datong or the governor of Xuanfu. It is also feasible to create one's own governor of Yanghekou during wartime. Who makes Zhang Zhou the nominal supreme commander of the Xuanda realm? official?
Of course, I, Mr. Zhang, have the final say on how I appoint officials under my command.
…
…
Zhang Zhou yawned and went back to the inner tent to rest.
Wang Xi still didn't know the ropes, so why did Zitai, who had previously looked so aggressive and wanted to kill someone, suddenly act like a ruffian, not caring about his image at all, and just leave like that?
Even if you have not been in the officialdom for a long time, you are also a Jinshi and the number one scholar in the Ming Dynasty. You should be as concerned about your image as those officials who are a Jinshi, right?
Wang Shouren saw that Wang Xi was looking in the direction of Zhang Zhou's departure in a daze, and reminded him: "Zhang Zhitai set out from Xuanfu and marched continuously to Maoerzhuang to relieve the besieged generals of the Ming Dynasty who attacked Weininghai. It can be said that it was You have done your duty, and you have not rested since the journey. In comparison, look at your generals in Datong Town. They can get there just a hundred miles away, but they are still afraid to move forward."
"Yes, yes. Wang Zhongcheng, your lesson is correct, isn't this general... never had the chance to listen to the teachings of these two powerful men, Zhang Zhitai and you? It will definitely not happen again in the future!"
Wang Xi can now see that Wang Shouren is Zhang Zhou's spokesperson.
It's a bit difficult to curry favor with Zhang Zhou, because Zhang Zhou doesn't even care about people like Baoguo Gong and Zhang Heling carrying shoes to Zhang Zhou. How do you think you, a Datong military officer without a title, are nothing?
It would be more effective to curry favor with a newly emerging governor like Wang Shouren.
Wang Shouren said: "You don't have to go in person to dispatch pig iron, grain, grass, and baggage. You can just send someone. I will also greet Hong Zhongcheng with a handwritten order."
"you……"
Wang Xi almost wanted to say, you seem to be just a governor, right?
And in terms of official position and qualifications, why do you directly communicate with the governor of Datong by handwriting?
"It's Zhang Zhitai's handwriting." Wang Shouren added.
"Yes Yes."
Only then did Wang Xi realize that he had to put away his arrogance as soon as possible, otherwise just by saying the wrong thing, he would easily be unable to curry favor and get a slap on his forehead.
Wang Xi learned the lesson this time and took the initiative to ask: "Then Wang Zhongcheng, how to set up defenses? At this time, I only brought three thousand cavalry, all of them are elite... If we cooperate with the troops of Tiancheng Guard, Yang He Guard and others, we can temporarily More than 7,000 cavalry and foot soldiers can be mobilized, which adds up to... more than 10,000."
Wang Shouren shook his head: "If you are not an elite soldier, it will be of no use after you leave the pass. How can you fight the fire sieve head-on?"
"this……"
Wang Xi was complaining in her heart.
Feelings: The soldiers from your Xuanfu are elite soldiers, and the soldiers from our Datong Town are all cowards, right? There is no such regional discrimination.
"Now that Zhang Zhitai is personally in charge, the so-called formation of troops is more to show his majesty. It is best to embroider a few more flags of the Ming Dynasty. It is best to arrange them along the pass. The cavalry is patrolling in front of the pass. It is also Don’t be afraid of being discovered by the Di Yi scouts, or even show them! Then they will retreat without a fight."
Wang Shouren made arrangements.
Since Zhang Zhou asked him to prepare troops for Wang Xi, he should follow Zhang Zhou's wishes.
He understood that this was also a test given to him by Zhang Zhou.
Wang Xi said: "That platform...or Wang Zhongcheng, when will you lead the troops to fight Huo Si?"
Wang Shouren frowned and said: "If you want to retreat, why do you need to fight in person? Destroying the fire screen will be of great help to the pattern of the grassland? This is the time of internal chaos in the grassland. We can just sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers."
Fuck you uncle!
Wang Xi wanted to curse after hearing this.
Why didn't you say before that you wanted to sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers and tigers? They directly sent troops to attack Weininghai, and asked our Datong Town to cooperate in sending troops. Now that we have finished attacking Weininghai, do we remember that we want to be fishermen? Are emotions just playing tricks on us?
"Although the strategy of dispatching troops has been decided by His Majesty, the specific strategy of using troops shall be based on the actual situation on the front line. Zhang Zhitai and other border officers must assess the situation, just like your Datong Town retreated after dispatching troops."
Wang Shouren was blocking Wang Xi's mouth.
It was your Datong town who disobeyed the emperor's orders and retreated after sending troops. Now you still dare to question the correctness of the emperor and Zhang Zhou's northwest strategy?
Needless to say, His Majesty and Zhang Zhou, even me, you have no right to question.
Whoever has the military merit will be tough.
Not convinced?
Wang Xi sighed: "The fire sieve has been harassing my border all year round. Now I have the opportunity to destroy it in one fell swoop and scare the wolves on the prairie. If we let the opportunity go... it would be a pity."
Wang Shouren shook his head and said, "Didn't you hear what Zhang Zhitai said when he left?"
Which sentence?
Wang Xi thought about it for a while, and found out that Zhang Zhou had said a lot of things before, and they all seemed to be innocuous. He would either reach out to me to ask for baggage, or scold me, and also said that he would be held accountable afterwards...
"There are not enough cannons, and there is not enough gunpowder in the Weiwei Tian. If there are enough, why don't you stay in the pass? Mr. Wang, if the Ming Dynasty wants to send troops, it must also consider the actual situation. As a soldier, you can just follow the orders. How to use the troops? It's not something you should consider." Wang Shouren said.
Wang Xixin said, you are not the governor of Datong, why should you command me?
But he immediately put aside his arrogant attitude and said with a smile: "The general will be willing to serve."
Ma Yi said: "General Wang, it is very important to obey orders. When I am on the grassland, I only obey orders to achieve a great victory. Your task now is to use the materials in Datong Town to assist in the work. The court will have its own Don’t make your own decisions when awarding rewards. If an order comes from the Hongjun Sect, you should also know clearly whose order should take precedence."
"Of course it's Zhang Zhitai." Wang Xi said, "Oh, and you, Wang Zhongcheng."
(End of chapter)
