When Governor Lu Xiangsheng left the Cabinet Office with a slightly heavy step, his enthusiasm on the way to Beijing Qin Wang had almost cooled down. Now the only hope left for him is to strive for success this afternoon. At the meeting, he persuaded the cabinet minister Yang Sichang and the chief military officer Gao Qiqian, but even Lu Xiangsheng himself did not dare to have high expectations and could only try his best.
Governor Lu Xiangsheng rode his horse on the streets from Daming Gate to Xidan. He saw many refugees who had fled into the city to escape the Tartars. Most of them were thinly dressed and shrunk in groups on both sides of the street. Under the eaves of the shop, to avoid the increasingly cold autumn wind, from time to time, people would stretch out their trembling but thin hands to beg for passers-by, begging kind-hearted people to give them some food.
This situation only added to the inner annoyance of the governor Lu Xiangsheng, and he hurried back to his mansion in the capital.
The servant Gu Xian helped Lu Xiangsheng take off his court clothes and said softly to him: "Just now, Yang Tinglin from the Hanlin Academy came to see Master Yang. Seeing that he couldn't wait for him to come back, he went back to the mansion. Before leaving, he told the villain to report Sir, he has something important to discuss with me face to face."
"Ah, I got it." Lu Xiangsheng felt a little tired and simply agreed, then said: "If any other guests come to visit, please tell me that I haven't slept for days and I feel physically exhausted. It's not suitable to see guests today. Please Let them visit again later."
Although Supervisor Lu Xiangsheng is obviously much older than Yang Tinglin in terms of official rank, he has always respected Yang Tinglin in his heart, thinking that he is a knowledgeable, courageous, and strong-minded person, and he also has true heart. knowledge.
After pondering for a while, Lu Xiangsheng ordered Gu Xian again: "Send someone to report back to Mr. Yang and tell him that after I have a short rest, I will go to Andingmen to discuss matters with Mr. Yang Ge and Gao Jianjun. Ask him to wait in the mansion for a while. , when I come back I will definitely go to your door to receive advice in person."
Lu Xiangsheng, who had changed into civilian clothes, ate some food and wanted to sleep for a while, but when he thought about the war and defense against the prisoners, he felt depressed and irritated, and he couldn't fall asleep. He only fell asleep for a while, and then he suddenly sat up. , calling his servant Gu Xian to come over and help him get dressed, ready to leave for Andingmen.
As soon as the governor Lu Xiangsheng walked to the gate of the mansion, he saw an old man rushing over from the side of the gatehouse regardless of the obstruction of the gatekeeper on duty. While saluting him, he said: "Old Master, Dongzhao I came here to pay my respects and hope to have a chat with you, Grandpa!"
Lu Xiangsheng had no choice but to stand still and look carefully. He was suddenly surprised and happy. He rushed forward and grabbed the sleeve of the old man's robe and said, "Ah, where did Mr. Yao come from? It's really unexpected!"
"Going back to my grandfather, Dong Zhao came to Beijing to handle his affairs. It happened to be that the Donglu invaded Jifu. I planned to return at starry night, but because I heard that my grandfather came to Beijing to serve the king, I have stayed in the capital until now, waiting to pay my respects." Yao The old gentleman bowed his hands and replied.
Lu Xiangsheng looked particularly happy to see Mr. Yao. While talking, he pulled the sleeves of the old man's robe and invited him into the inner hall to talk: "Okay, okay. Mr. Yao, please come inside and talk."
…
It was the fourth day of October in the eleventh year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty.
A few miles east of Changping City, at the Xuanfu Zhenqin King's Army Camp, Zhang Cheng, the Qian Commander of the Cavalry under the command of Xuanfu General Zhang Yan, was sitting in his military tent.
The four sentry commanders under his command were sitting at the lower positions on the left and right sides. The captain of the personal soldiers, Chen Zhong, was still standing behind Zhang Cheng, his body upright, his hand on his waist knife, and his face was solemn.
In the military tent, there was a sergeant standing in front of Zhang Cheng. He was wearing a double-breasted iron-cotton armor. He was quite burly and stood respectfully with his hands down.
"Cheng Dashan, please report today's outpost investigation to Mr. Qian." Outpost Commander Chen Zheng sat in the first position on the left side and said to the standing sergeant.
Cheng Dashan clasped his hands in his fists and reported with a solemn face: "Mr. Qian, today I am taking two elite cavalrymen from the first team of my Outpost A Corps to go out to Shunyi for reconnaissance. They are about forty miles away in the eastern suburbs of Changping. Outside Lugezhuang, Tartar horsemen were found."
Zhang Cheng was sitting behind a makeshift table made of wooden planks, looking at Cheng Dashan with bright eyes, and asked: "How many people and horses are riding on the captives? Is there any fighting?"
"Reporting back to General Qian, there are 13 Tartar horsemen and about 20 army horses, mules and horses. Our troops and the bandits exchanged fire for several times. Three of our troops were hit by arrows, and none of them were seriously injured. The bandits One of the Jingqiu was hit by an arrow and fell off his horse, but unfortunately he was snatched back by thieves." Cheng Dashan reported truthfully.
Zhang Cheng sat firmly behind the desk and said, "Okay, please step aside first."
After Cheng Dashan withdrew, Zhang Cheng lowered his head and thought for a while, then said: "The captives have always been rampant. Usually three or four of them would dare to go deep into our hinterland to investigate and plunder. How come there are as many as thirteen today?" "
Wu Zhizhong, the commander of the right sentry post, interjected: "Could it be that the bandits have plans for me in Changping?"
Outpost Commander Chen Zheng thought for a while and said: "According to the existing information, most of the cavalry are gathered in Tongzhou, and there are also most of the cavalry activities in the direction of Dongzhimen and Chaoyangmen. Logically speaking, most of the cavalry should not move to Changping at this moment. This way."
Zhang Cheng looked up at the people in the tent and said in a deep voice: "Most of the Cavalry will not come to Changping for the time being, but there may be a small group of Cavalry guerrillas who will harass us in the direction of Changping to see the strength of our army."
After Zhang Cheng finished speaking, he looked around at the people in the tent, and then continued: "Let's do our damnedest to kill the Tartars."
Hu Dake, the commander of the rear sentry, was a little worried and asked: "General, do you want to ask the general for instructions? If we send troops without permission, I'm afraid..."
Zhang Chengluo turned to look at Hu Dake, thought for a moment, shook his head and waved his hands and said: "No, the general has gone to Yang Shuai's tent to discuss matters. We are just leaving the camp to scout, so there is no need to trouble the general."
Hu Dake and Chen Zheng looked at each other and smiled.
"Just sir, if we attack the Tartars, will we lure most of the Tatar cavalry to Changping?" Zhang Guangda, the commander of Zuo Senshao, asked.
Zhang Cheng said directly without thinking: "We are just leaving the camp to scout. If we happen to encounter the Tartar sentries, we will kill them all. As for most of the Tatars, it would be better if we lure Chang Ping away." Having said this, Zhang Cheng arched his hands in the direction of Changping City and then continued: "The governor, Marshal Lu, is about to fight the captives. We can rely on the strong city to fight against the captives. It's a good fight." You rats know how powerful my Xuan army is."
"Haha...haha..." There was laughter in the military tent, and the heroic spirit of Xuan Da's frontier army was fully displayed. After all, they were battle-hardened frontier soldiers. Although they knew the ferocity of the captives, they were not like those in Beijing. Camp is so scared.
Wu Zhizhong looked at the other people, then turned to Zhang Cheng and said, "Master, just tell us how to fuck!"
Zhang Cheng's eyes flashed as he looked at the generals in the tent, and said in a majestic tone: "Each sentry will leave one armor at the camp, and pay attention to patrolling. The rest will form a team and follow me to leave the camp and go to the direction of Wanggezhuang to scout."
"Yes, please give the order, sir!" Everyone in the tent replied in unison.
