"Governor Xian, the general has something to say." Wei Cheng glanced at Li Xiaozhong who was standing aside.
Xing Youwei knew that there was something inconvenient to say, so he waved his hand to Li Xiaozhong and said, "Take him down to rest."
There were guards nearby who stepped forward and took Li Xiaozhong away.
"Bring me my handsome pipe." Xing Youwei told the attendant beside him, and then turned to Wei Cheng, "I'm gone, you can talk now."
Chang Sui put some tobacco in it, and then handed the pipe to Xing Youwei with both hands.
Wei Cheng stepped forward, bowed slightly, and whispered: "The general believes that Du Xian must not retreat at this time. Since the imperial court appointed Du Xian as the commander of the army, it is hoped that Du Xian can destroy the Liu thief in Xuanda. As soon as the supervisory army was defeated, the governor returned to Juyongguan. Even if the defeat in Yongning had nothing to do with the governor, the court would think that the governor was incompetent. If the supervisory army was fabricating something, it would be extremely detrimental to the governor. "
Hearing these words, Xing Youwei looked thoughtful.
Wei Cheng continued: "If Du Xian can capture Bao'an Prefecture, the situation will be different. Even if he fails to hold on in the end, compared with the Supervisory Army, it is enough to let the court know that the failure in suppressing thieves is not due to Du Xian. Yongning's side Of course, our defeat cannot be blamed on you, Du Xian."
"Even Guan Ning's 50,000-strong army was defeated. Although I have more than 50,000 soldiers and horses around me, they are still inferior to Guan Ning's 50,000-strong army. How do you ask me to take Baoan Prefecture?" Youwei agreed with Wei Cheng's method in his heart, but he didn't think that his 50,000 troops could easily win Bao'an Prefecture.
Wei Cheng saw that he was a little moved and said: "The 50,000 imperial soldiers and horses in Yongning are the most elite soldiers and horses in the Ming Dynasty. No matter how powerful the thieves are, tens of thousands of soldiers and horses will be needed to defeat Guanning's soldiers and horses." , or even more troops and horses will do. If the general’s prediction is correct and there is a shortage of thieves in Baoan Prefecture, Du Xian should be able to feel it along the way.”
Xing Youwei nodded.
When the army entered Baoan Prefecture, there was not even a decent resistance. He was originally puzzled. Now that he knew what happened in Yongning, the situation in Baoan Prefecture was explained.
Wei Cheng added: "With the strength of Guan Ning's 50,000-strong army, even if they were defeated by the bandits, the bandits would still be uncomfortable. They would not be able to dispatch the same troops and horses to support Baoan Prefecture in a short period of time. This is the opportunity to supervise the constitution." "
"You mean to take advantage of the gap between the rebels in Baoan Prefecture to capture Baoan Prefecture City? But have you ever thought about what to do once the rebels react and block the army in Baoan Prefecture City?" Xing Youwei asked. He caught fire and ignited the tobacco in the pipe. He took a puff in his mouth to let the tobacco in the pipe burn.
Wei Cheng said: "It is easier to defend a city than to attack it. As long as we capture Baoan Prefecture City and prepare enough food and grass, we will be able to defend Baoan Prefecture City for three to five months."
"You can do this after holding on for three to five months. Once you are surrounded by bandits, it will be impossible to retreat to Juyong Pass." Xing Youwei was unwilling to take this risk with his own life.
Wei Cheng saw him retreating and said quickly: "Du Xian, don't underestimate these three to five months. As long as Du Xian takes Bao'an Prefecture, the imperial court is likely to continue to send troops to reinforce. In the future, there may not be a chance to regain Xuan Mansion in one fell swoop. To say the least, , even if the imperial court does not send reinforcements, Du Xian will return to Juyongguan from Baoan Prefecture at any time, and he has an explanation to the imperial court, and the defeat in Yongning is even less likely to involve you, Du Xian."
"How to retreat? With such a huge target of 50,000 troops, are you blind to think that you are a traitor?" Xing Youwei snorted, thinking that Wei Cheng was out of his mind.
However, Wei Cheng said: "The goal of 50,000 troops is a bit too big, but Du Xian can leave the 50,000 troops in Baoan Prefecture and leave with some troops."
hiss!
Xing Youwei took a breath when he heard this.
He stared at the Acropolis in front of him with wide eyes.
He didn't expect that the other party would be so bold. He treated the 50,000-strong army as an abandoned son and threw it away without any hesitation.
"What do you want?" Xing Youwei looked at Wei Cheng and asked.
He didn't believe that Acropolis had planned so much for him, but he wanted nothing else.
After being an official for so many years, he knows one truth: there are no saints in the officialdom, and everyone has their own purpose behind their actions.
"The general is not willing to see Du Xian being slandered by villains." Wei Cheng said with all his heart.
Xing Youwei picked up his pipe, took a puff of cigarette, then opened his mouth and slowly spit it out, saying, "To be honest, I don't want to hear these false things."
He didn't dare to do what Wei Cheng said before he understood Wei Cheng's purpose.
"The general really doesn't want others to blame Du Xian for the defeat." Wei Cheng bowed slightly forward and then said, "There is also a little selfishness. If Du Xian can secure the position of Governor Xuan , please also ask Governor Xian to speak kindly to the last general, and leave the last general to serve as the commander-in-chief in Xuanda."
When Xing Youwei heard the purpose of Wei Cheng's request, he frowned slightly and said, "Is that the request?"
"The general will assure the governor that this is the only selfish thing he has." Wei Cheng bowed and said.
Xing Youwei twirled his beard with his hand, thought for a moment with a serious look on his face, and said: "Okay, if you can help me to destroy the Liu thief, I will speak favorably for you to the court if you leave a big announcement."
"I would like to thank Governor Xian." Wei Cheng knelt down in front of Xing Youwei with a happy face.
Xing Youwei laughed loudly, stretched out his hands to support Wei Cheng, and said at the same time: "Commander Wei, please get up quickly. You are the most trusted person under my command. I have already had this idea of keeping you in Xuanda University. It's just that Until Thief Liu is eliminated, I won’t be able to reveal it to you in advance.”
"Please rest assured, Du Xian, the general will do his best to serve Du Xian." Wei Cheng promised almost as if he was swearing.
Xing Youwei helped Wei Cheng up, patted Wei Cheng's arms with his palms, and said with a smile: "I am on an errand for the imperial court. I am only representing the imperial court."
"Do things for the governor, and do errands for the court." Wei Cheng repeated.
Xing Youwei nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, hurry up and march! I have to get to Baoanzhou City early."
"There is one more thing, I hope the governor can approve it." Wei Cheng did not leave immediately, but asked for something.
Xing Youwei frowned, thinking that Wei Cheng was still asking for conditions, and his face suddenly showed dissatisfaction, "Tell me, is there anything else?"
With that said, he turned around and sat back in the sedan.
"Although Guan Ning's 50,000-strong army was defeated in Yongning, Deputy General Li still escaped with some of his troops. The general thought that Governor Xian might as well take this opportunity to give him an order, ordering him to lead the army immediately. The troops come to Baoan Prefecture, so the commander-in-chief can get a Guan Ning army for free." Wei Cheng looked at Xing Youwei.
Hearing these words, Xing Youwei knew that he had misunderstood Wei Cheng, and the smile returned to his face, and he said: "Just do as you say, that Li Xiaozhong will take my handsome general back with him."
