After the imperial order was issued, the coalition forces of Wang Shouren and Wang Qiong withdrew to Maoerzhuang and joined forces with more than 10,000 troops from Datong. They had already formed the strength to fight the Tatars head-on.
The Tatars did not advance, and the three parties of Datong, Piantou Pass and Nurgandusi had no further plans to plunder the grassland. Everything calmed down first, and Wang Qiong had to withdraw his troops back to Piantou Pass in a hurry.
"Bo'an, if there is no sign of Tatar troops mobilizing in the past two days, we will withdraw our troops into the pass and back to the Piantou Pass. The stability of the Ming Dynasty border area depends on you and me, so we can't slack off."
Wang Qiong’s intention was not to allow the Tatars to take advantage of the Piantou Pass, and even to prevent the Fire Sieve from coming back. After all, Wang Qiong brought out most of the elite troops in the Piantou Pass this time, and now the Piantou Pass Instead, it became the weak link in the Ming Dynasty's Nine Borders.
He could not leave the pass he was ordered to guard in order to rush to Wang Shouren's aid.
Wang Shouren said: "From what I have seen, there are constant internal disputes among the Tatars. I don't expect them to rush southward at this time."
Wang Qiong sighed: "It's hard to say."
In fact, Wang Qiong knew that the possibility of a Tatar invasion was very low without Wang Shouren's reminder.
If Batu Meng dares to attack Piantou Pass, let alone the fact that the city of Piantou Pass has been rebuilt, and the heavy artillery, long-range artillery, and yellow gunpowder left in the city, the Tatars are afraid to avoid it. , actually dare to come and attack Guancheng of the Ming Dynasty?
You have all fallen into the inferior position in field combat. If you still dare to attack the enemy, it is no different than seeking death.
Moreover, the combined forces of Wang Qiong and Wang Shouren can bypass the Piantou Pass at any time and reach Batu Meng's rear.
In front of Wang Shouren was a map. He pointed at it and said: "I have analyzed the current defense situation in the northwest. The current number of new artillery in Pianguan, Datong and Xuanfu is enough to guard the passes. However, the distribution of the various forts is still insufficient. Evenly. The further west you go, the fewer new guns you equip, and the lower the deterrent effect."
Wang Qiong smiled and said: "The front line of Xuanda University has always been cultivated by Lai Guogong, and the three sides and other places have not penetrated. It is monolithic."
Speaking of this, Wang Qiong is somewhat fortunate.
Working with Zhang Zhou is a "good job" in the northwest.
And if Qin Hong follows the current trilateral system, the situation will be bad. For example, Yang Yiqing, the governor of Ningxia, will basically find it difficult to retain his official position after this battle, let alone the possibility of being dismissed from office and facing charges.
"Bo'an, do you think, if we want to march into the grassland next, which direction should we go from?" Wang Qiong asked with concern.
In fact, Wang Qiong also knew very well that with Wang Shouren's current achievements, it would be easy to rise above him, not only in terms of title, but also in civil service.
He only occupied the position earlier than Zhang Zhou and made achievements earlier, but at best he was just an "old bone" in Zhang Zhou's camp.
Wang Shouren said: "This is beyond my consideration. It's too far-term."
Wang Qiong asked: "Do you think it's not the time to level the Su grassland yet?"
"Yeah." Wang Shouren didn't shy away. "Although the new firearms are powerful, the Tatars have been studying tactics in the past two years to try to overcome the shortcomings of the weapons. The grasslands are vast and sparsely populated. After entering the grasslands, it will be difficult to find Tatars." Even if the main force of Tartar is found, it will be difficult to promote a decisive battle. After everything is prepared, we have to advance step by step into the grassland. The land on the grassland is difficult to cultivate, so that long-term peace and stability cannot be achieved, and it is useless."
Wang Qiong smiled and said: "You are still open-minded, then listen more to His Majesty and see how the court will arrange it in the future."
…
…
Wang Qiong originally wanted to help Wang Shouren stabilize the situation in Maoerzhuang and then leave.
But before he could lead his troops and leave, the imperial edict had been issued to appoint Wang Shouren as the governor of Datong. After Wang Shouren was appointed on the spot, his immediate task was to be responsible for completing the follow-up work of building the city pass in Maoerzhuang, and it was included in the edict. , the emperor mentioned the need to ensure the stability of the Weining Sea front line.
Wang Qiong originally thought that Wang Shouren would be promoted to "Xuan Da General System" or something like that, or be transferred back to the northwest.
At the very least, there should be an improvement in title.
However, the emperor did not seem to feel that promoting Wang Shouren to a title of governor of Datong was just a regularization of Wang Shouren's previous status as temporary governor of Datong. He did not even give the meritorious Ming soldiers the rewards they deserve. The things obtained on the grassland were used as rewards, which meant that the court did not want them.
Distribute it however you want.
Wang Shouren originally planned to withdraw his troops back to Datong, and then try to go to Liaodong to continue his plan to pacify northern Liaoning. In this case, he could only stay in Maoerzhuang to observe the movements of the Tatars at any time in order to prepare for making a decision. Some military arrangements.
Wang Qiong immediately came to him to say goodbye.
Wang Shouren personally sent Wang Qiong's troops away. Outside the half-built city wall of Mao'er Village, Wang Shouren and Wang Qiong were having a farewell drink.
"We have to work together at Xuanda University again. As you said, this remote pass should be stable. Even if the Tatars still want to invade, I guess they will still go through Gansu and Ningxia."
Wang Qiong had a friendly smile on her face, but she was still a little disappointed in her heart.
There is no room for two tigers in one mountain.
Zhang Zhou's two most powerful military leaders and civil servants, Wang Shouren and him, are now staying in Xuanda.
As the saying goes, it's me but not him. Since I can scare the Tatars at Piantou Pass and prevent the Tatars from attacking Xuanda, why should Wang Shouren stay? Does that mean he's better than me? More capable of intimidating the Tatars?
Then transfer me. I can go to Liaodong to pacify the Jurchens, or I can go to Ningxia to replace Yang Yingning.
Wang Shouren lowered his eyebrows and said thoughtfully: "I always think that your Majesty's expectations for Xuanda are not limited to building a city in Mao'erzhuang."
"You mean..."
"Is it possible that His Majesty still wants to make some contributions on the front line of Xuanda University?" Wang Shouren said, "I have never thought that it is a good idea to wait until everything is ready before pacifying the grassland. On the contrary, it is when the preparations are slightly insufficient. , the chance of winning will be higher, and after this battle we should take advantage of the situation to drive the Tatars to Mobei!"
"hehe."
Wang Qiong did not answer what he considered to be a bit of a coward.
Wang Shouren is still too young. It may be because of Wang Shouren's adventurous spirit, or because Wang Shouren is too eager to be like his idol Wang Weining, always thinking of making a blockbuster success.
For Wang Qiong, strategic victory is important, but a steady and steady attack is equally important.
"After three or two years, although the Ming Dynasty has many artillery and powerful weapons, the Tatars will also seek countermeasures, and even the Tatars will complete internal annexation and unification. When they send troops to the grasslands again, they may be trapped by the terrain and fall into A dilemma.”
Wang Shouren has his own good reasons.
After everything is ready, sending troops again is of course the best result and the safest.
But if you plan to forge artillery for two or three years, are the Tatars just stagnant?
What if the Tatars develop more powerful tactics and find a strategy to defeat the Ming Dynasty's firearms? Or if the Tatars begin to take advantage of the geographical location and other advantages, they will play roundabout ways with the Ming army's invasion of the grasslands, and finally defeat the Ming Dynasty's army. The army collapsed...or the Tatars completed a surprise attack at some point, robbed some of the Ming Dynasty's firearms, or even completed imitations...
The longer time passes, the more surprises will occur.
"Bo'an, your concerns are reasonable, but you have forgotten who will be in charge of military affairs in the future Ming Dynasty. It is Duke Lai."
Wang Qiong's words were very serious, "You can think of it, but can't Duke Lai think about it? Although you have made great contributions in this battle, you must also learn to be humble. After all, the person your Majesty trusts in your heart is always Duke Lai. In the future, you will enter the army Most of the plans for the grassland were made by Lai Guogong. When people from all walks of life attack the grassland, the Tatars will have no way to escape, and the only way is to surrender to the Ming Dynasty."
After hearing this, Wang Shouren nodded and said, "I hope so. Farewell to Wang Zhongcheng."
"Haha, the same goes for you. We will meet again."
…
…
Wang Shouren stayed in Datong, but he did not need people to stay in Maoerzhuang.
He will immediately detach some of his troops to coordinate with the Datong troops to garrison Maoerzhuang, and he will first go to Datong to complete the handover of duties.
When he entered the pass of the Ming Dynasty, more rewards were issued by the court, most of which promoted the official positions of the generals below. Guan Jing, the general who cooperated with Wang Shouren in sending troops in this battle, has been promoted to "Commander of Nu'er Gandu Division" "Shi", he is a third-grade military officer, and he is also the governor of the city.
As for the generals below, they all have their own rewards.
Wang Shouren had not yet arrived at Datong Fucheng, but Cao Shun, the eunuch of Datong and an old acquaintance, came out of the city to greet him personally and complimented Wang Shouren in every possible way.
Cao Shun was a "meritorious figure" who cooperated with Wang Shouren to complete the surprise attack in Weininghai. The so-called meritorious service was only a small amount of time when it was not helpful and did not have many constraints, but when it came to making suggestions at critical moments, it was almost nothing.
"The prestige of the Major General has now spread throughout the northwest. Everyone says that the Major General was Wang Weining when he was alive. Just after Wang Weining left, a Major General Wang came. The soldiers of the Northwest are really blessed. The Hulu dared not invade from now on. The leveling of the grassland is just around the corner.”
Cao Shun was complimentary, but Wang Shouren obviously did not accept this trick.
"The Major General has been away for less than a year. To the soldiers, it seems as if they have been looking forward to your return for the past ten years. Also, when you were away, the coal mines in Datong were operating so smoothly, so good You don’t know how much coal there is, there is not even a trace of smoke when burning it, and the soldiers are all saving coal for the winter.”
Cao Shun was transferred to Datong as a guard eunuch. One of his errands was to help Zhang Zhou look after the coal mine.
When civil servants are watching, it is more likely to commit theft. Although Cao Shun is not a positive character, fortunately, this kind of person is still fearful enough. Moreover, the emperor's orders are there, and he still knows when he is a rat. Somewhat restrained.
Wang Shouren said: "According to the order of Duke Lai, Datong should be responsible for the smelting of iron ore collected from Zhangjiakou and other places. I wonder how to proceed?"
"this……"
When Cao Shun mentioned these things, he seemed very embarrassed, "It's not going well. It's not that I don't want to do it, but it's hard for both sides to argue. You also know that Duke Lai Guo is not in the northwest recently, and he is not even in the north. He has disappeared. , just relying on his people to operate here, there will always be many people thinking of going to mine mines."
Wang Shouren said coldly: "Does anyone even dare to covet Lai Guogong's mine?"
"Alas! It's not coveting, it's just causing some trouble. There is not enough charcoal in the army, so now it is replaced by coal. But it also makes the soldiers better. Now they have coal for the winter, and everyone has stopped complaining. In the past two years, The troops in the northwest are paid in a timely manner, and this is all thanks to you, Duke Lai and Uncle Xin Xin."
As Cao Shun spoke, he suddenly came forward and said, "The officials and soldiers below have a lot of filial piety, but there is no way to send it up. Our family must give it to you, Uncle Xinjian, so you can use it as you please. "
Wang Shouren is really awesome now.
Although he was respected in Datong last time, in the eyes of most people, Weininghai's victory could not be repeated, which meant that Wang Shouren's achievements were more like a flash in the pan.
But this time, things were very different.
Over the course of a year, Wang Shouren fully proved his military prowess. Everyone realized that he was the most powerful military general in the Ming Dynasty after Zhang Zhou. How could he not fawn over him?
As for that Anbianhou?
Now more and more people are realizing that there is a fundamental difference between those who rely on relationships and those who rely on their true abilities.
"It has been nine months since Maoerzhuang was built, why is the progress so far so slow?" Wang Shouren asked accusingly.
Cao Shun said with a disapproving smile: "Without money, how can it be so easy to build a city? The court won't give it approval, so we rely on local financing. We don't even have salt. They said it was going to be changed to Liang Kaizhong, but so far Datong has not If any salt merchants come, the salt will be shipped from the capital, and we just watch the excitement."
"We can't afford to offend those princes and nobles in the capital, and you don't have to worry about it, Uncle Xin Xin. Your Majesty didn't say how long it will take you to build Mao'erzhuang. That place is an isolated city. The transportation of grain and grass is a problem. In the future, the grassland will be leveled. , it’s just an outpost at most, it doesn’t matter.”
…
…
News of the great victory on the grassland was spreading rapidly to the north and south of the country.
A few days later, it reached Nanjing. At the same time, there was an edict from Zhu Youtang calling Zhang Zhou back to the capital, specifically mentioning that Zhang Zhou should escort Zhu Houzhao to the north... Probably Zhu Youtang was not worried about his son. If only Yang Peng I was really afraid that Zhu Houzhao would use his power to coerce him and cause him to "disappear in place".
"Sir, you are so awesome. You killed more than 10,000 people in the great victory on the grassland! After I found out, I feel like I am flying!"
Zhu Houzhao also learned the news from Liu Jin and ran all the way to Zhang Zhou to inquire about the situation.
At this time, Zhang Zhou was meeting with Wei Guogong Xu Yan who came to congratulate him, as well as the Nanjing co-guard Huairou Bo Shi Zan who accompanied Xu Yan, and behind him stood Yang Peng, the admiral of Dongchang.
Originally, Yang Peng had the highest status among several people, but with Zhang Zhou's light reflected, Yang Peng, as the owner of Dongchang Factory, was very low-key in Nanjing City. Not to mention meeting Xu Er and Shi Zan, even meeting Yingtian Mansion. Yin Wuxiong, he was always polite.
"See the prince." Xu Yan and others were not qualified to visit Zhu Houzhao directly. It was an honor to see him by chance, and they quickly saluted Zhu Houzhao.
It can be regarded as a familiar face in front of the Ming Dynasty prince.
Maybe he will be appreciated by the prince in the future and entrusted with important responsibilities after he ascends the throne.
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said: "You're welcome, I'm here to see you sir. You all know about the great victory in the north, right? It was the result of Mr. Zhang's strategizing. Wang Shouren was also very powerful. It was Mr. Zhang's discerning eye and selection from the crowd. I heard that this person is very reckless and dares to fight in the Tatar hinterland with thousands of people. You must learn more."
Learn from Wang Shouren's recklessness?
Xu Er and Shi Zan thought about it for a while and realized that they really couldn't learn this.
Who knows how Zhang Bingkuan could appreciate a Jinshi in the same year? And he cultivated this long-established son of the Ming Dynasty's number one scholar into a famous general? The strange thing is that, logically speaking, Wang Shouren, as the son of Wang Hua of the traditional civil servant faction, could not be won over by Zhang Zhou.
"Mr. Zhang, please tell me how you won this battle. I know too little. Do you want to hear it too?" Zhu Houzhao looked at Xu Yan.
"Yes." Xu Yan said with a smile.
Yang Peng came forward and said, "Your Highness, it's like this..."
"Did I talk to you?" Zhu Houzhao looked unhappy.
The prince is going to discuss the use of troops with his husband. Why are you, a eunuch, joining in the fun? Admiral Dongchang? That is also the gatekeeper of our old Zhu family. Don’t you have any awareness?
Zhang Zhou laughed and said: "The prince is ridiculous. I just fulfilled a little responsibility and proposed to create pressure on the Tatars. As for Xin Xinbo's detailed plan to send troops, it was all done by him personally. I really don't dare to take credit. After all... The process of this battle, the minister, the prince, and the Duke of Wei all knew about it through the imperial court's orders."
"Aren't you good at calculating on your fingers? Do you dare to say that you won't win without calculating?"
Zhu Houzhao's eyes widened.
Zhang Zhou said: "It is impossible to do things that are determined by heaven. It depends on manpower. It all depends on the bloody battle of Xinjian Bo and six thousand soldiers. It is said that the rear herdsmen of the Tatar tribe were figured out by Xinjian Bo. Through interception and pursuit, he forced the Tatars Only through a decisive battle can we achieve this victory."
"You must have figured it out!"
Zhu Houzhao smiled.
As if to say.
Sir, don't hide it. I don't know what level Wang Shouren is. He certainly can't figure it out. You must have reminded him.
Zhang Zhou really couldn't remind him of this.
Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "The prince misunderstood. I wrote to Uncle Xinjian and told him some situations, such as the cavalry carrying light cannons into the grassland, as long as they can avoid the battle as much as possible and take advantage of them to kill the enemy by surprise. There are also Pulling each other off, creating opportunities to fight with them, etc... But I never mentioned to Xinjianbo about where the main Tatar force and the herdsmen in the rear are."
"There's none?"
Zhu Houzhao seemed difficult to understand.
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Master Zhang, even if you give me a hint, I'm sure Uncle Xin Xin will know about it, so you don't have to be humble."
"Haha." Xu Yan just smiled and didn't help.
Shi Zan was surprised when he saw it.
What's happening here?
Duke Lai Guo didn't even admit that the credit was his, but the prince and Duke Dongchang actually insisted on giving him the credit? It seems that everyone in the imperial court feels that the first success of this battle lies with Duke Lai... But it is clear that Duke Lai has not been in the capital for the past two months...
The way the Ming Dynasty achieved miraculous achievements on the battlefield, could someone come thousands of miles away to pick fruits?
(End of chapter)
