Zhang Hong saw the surprise in Zhang Sancha's eyes and said with a smile: "I didn't expect it! Our Second Battle Division has captured so many important border forts and cities in such a short period of time, and has even approached Datong. Town."
"I really didn't expect that the border troops here in Datong are so useless." Zhang Sancha sighed with emotion, and then said, "Occupying so many border forts and cities, I'm afraid the troops must be stretched thin!"
Hearing this, the smile on Zhang Hong's face paused, then he shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "You are right, the troops are indeed not enough, otherwise the settlement city would have been taken by now."
The Tiger Character Banner was different from other peasant uprisings in that it did not blindly and endlessly expand the army. In order to ensure combat effectiveness, even when there was a shortage of soldiers, captured officers and soldiers were not rushed into the ranks.
A large number of prisoners were sent to the grassland in batches, which also made the Second Battle Division, which was already insufficient in strength, even more stretched.
"As soon as the proprietor received the official letter you sent, he immediately sent our first combat division and personal combat division. Together with your second combat division, Datong now has about 50,000 tiger-character flags. soldiers and horses." Zhang Sancha said with a smile.
Zhang Hong nodded vigorously and said solemnly: "With these 50,000 troops, I believe Datong will be captured by our Tiger Flag soon."
"Haha, if Datong can't be taken down with so many soldiers and horses, you and I won't have the shame to see the boss again." Zhang Hong laughed loudly.
He is confident about winning Datong.
Zhang Hong asked: "When will the other teams of the Personal Military Division and the First Military Division arrive? I am waiting for the arrival of the army to send troops to capture Datong Town Mansion and capture the King of Dai in the city alive."
The support soldiers who had just arrived at Xinpingbao were just the vanguard of a large force, with only a few thousand people.
"We should be able to arrive the day after tomorrow at the latest." Zhang Sancha said.
Zhang Hong thought for a while and asked: "Has the Military and Political Department appointed the commander of the army? It's not that I want to fight, but Chen Shizheng and Jia Shizheng are both masters. If they can't distinguish their priorities, it's easy for them to fight on their own. situation."
"I know what you are worried about, don't worry, you will know everything when the army arrives." Zhang Sancha smiled and gave it a try, but did not immediately tell the three military divisions the identity of the commander after they reunited.
Zhang Hong glanced sideways at Zhang Sancha and said, "You're still trying to get away with me. If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask anymore. Anyway, when the other two combat divisions arrive, the matter will naturally come to light."
"It's not that I'm trying to show off, but I can't say it for the time being. Let's go back to Xinpingbao first." Zhang Sancha greeted and followed the team forward on horseback.
Zhang Hong led his men on horseback to catch up.
"There is one more thing I have to ask you. Don't hide it." Zhang Hong rode a horse and walked side by side with Zhang Sancha.
Zhang Sancha said with a smile: "There is nothing we can't talk about between us. If you have anything to say, just ask. I promise to tell you everything you know."
"Okay, I'll ask directly." Zhang Hong said, "The personal soldier division is usually stationed in Qingcheng. Why did the personal soldier division be sent here this time?"
Hearing Zhang Hong ask about the personal soldier division, Zhang Sancha's playful smile disappeared from his face, his expression became serious, he looked around, and then whispered: "We will talk about the personal soldier division when we get back."
"Okay." Zhang Hong nodded.
Although Zhang Sancha didn't say it directly, he could guess some.
The person who came with the military division was probably either the proprietor or Li Shuheng, the deputy director of the Military and Political Department. Only one of these two people came to Datong to command the battle in person, so there was no need for these three military divisions to appoint commanders.
The army arrived outside Xinpingbao City and entered the camp that had been prepared.
Zhang Sancha followed Zhang Hong into Xinping Fort.
Inside the Lieutenant General's Mansion in Xinpingbao City.
Zhang Hong and Zhang Sancha were seated separately as guest and host, sitting in the signing room where Zhang Hong usually worked.
"Deputy Master Zhang, please drink some water." Zhang Hong's guard filled some hot water in a teapot and brought it to Zhang Sancha.
Then he poured half of the tea jar into it and gave it to Zhang Hong.
Steam was rising from the teapot. Zhang Hong covered the outer wall of the teapot with his hands and said, "Okay, there are only a few of us here, you can say it!"
He asked about the personal division again.
"You are so smart, even if I don't tell you, you should be able to guess something." Zhang Sancha looked at Zhang Hong and said, while picking up the teapot and blowing on the hot air inside.
Zhang Hong said: "We have dispatched personal military divisions, but we have not appointed the commanders of the three combat divisions. Either the proprietor is here, or Deputy Director Li is here. But who it is, please give me an accurate answer."
"Proprietor." Zhang Sancha whispered two words.
However, Zhang Hong's expression suddenly changed and he said: "Nonsense, how can we let the proprietor come at this time? It's too dangerous. Why don't you persuade the proprietor."
"Why didn't I persuade him? I tried to persuade him all the time, but the proprietor insisted on coming and no one could persuade him." Zhang Sancha said with a grimace.
At this time, Zhang Hong turned to look at his guard and said: "Remember, what you just said must not be spread out."
"Yes." The guard stood at attention and agreed.
Zhang Hong then said to Zhang Sancha: "Once such a big thing as the proprietor coming to Datong is leaked out, there is no guarantee that the court will not jump over the wall. If something happens to the proprietor, we people will never be able to redeem ourselves."
"Not many people know that the proprietor has come to Datong. Only officers above the rank of battalion commander in the accompanying army know about it, and there are people from the Intelligence Bureau secretly protecting him. There must be something big going wrong." Zhang Sancha said.
Zhang Hong said: "There are not many imperial soldiers and horses left in Datong, and it will be difficult to defend against our Tiger-Character Banner's offensive. So I am most worried that the imperial court will use some despicable means if it knows that the proprietor is coming to Datong."
"Don't worry, Chen Dali will definitely protect the proprietor tightly and will not give the court an opportunity to take advantage of it. From now on, you and I just need to wait quietly for the arrival of the proprietor and the army." Zhang Sancha said with relief. Zhang Hong.
"Well, it's useless to say anything now. We can't let the proprietor go back." Zhang Hong sighed.
Zhang Sancha said: "Okay, let's get something to eat first. I've been hungry for a long time, so you have to prepare some dishes for me. The march has been too fast these days, and all I eat is dry pancakes and salted fish. "
"Go prepare two dishes, and remember to bring the bottle of wine I saved." Zhang Hong ordered his guards.
The guard turned around and left the holding room to prepare the food and drinks.
Zhang Sancha said with a smile: "That's right, you still have wine here. To be honest, I haven't had any wine in half a month, and the wine bug in my stomach has made a big fuss."
"Don't worry, I'll give you all my bottle of wine." Zhang Hong also smiled.
Although the Tiger Flag sells alcohol, drinking is prohibited in the military. Only during holidays and festivals, a few sips are allowed, but drunkenness is not allowed.
Zhang Sancha had marched all the way from the grassland again and had no chance to drink. He had nothing to do but slept and ate in the open all the way, just to get to Datong quickly.
