In Changping, in the inner room of Governor Xuanda, Governor Lu Xiangsheng was talking with Hanlin Yang Tinglin.
Lu Xiangsheng sighed and said: "Oh, brother, I don't know. It's really hard to explain! Although there are 50,000 reinforcements from the King of Qin from all walks of life, there are only more than 20,000 under my command."
"Why?" Yang Tinglin asked in surprise.
Lu Xiangsheng felt a little regretful and said in a deep voice: "The 30,000 Guan Ning cavalry have been allocated to Superintendent Gao."
"This? Is this the emperor's intention?" Yang Tinglin couldn't believe it, why were the troops divided?
Supervisor Lu Xiangsheng put his hands on the charcoal brazier to grill, and slowly told Yang Tinglin in detail what happened today when he and Supervisor Gao Qiqian separated their troops.
"Alas!" After saying that, he sighed in frustration.
Yang Tinglin stared at Lu Xiangsheng blankly for enough time to have a cup of tea, but he was speechless.
After a long time, he stood up from the chair, stamped his feet, and said angrily: "It seems that this splendid country of the Ming Dynasty will be buried in the hands of traitors sooner or later and sent to the Eastern captives!"
Lu Xiangsheng was silent and did not make a sound. He stared at the red-hot charcoal in the charcoal stove and did not raise his head for a long time.
As the leading military minister of the current dynasty, Governor Xuanda commanded the elite border troops of the Ming Dynasty. Having fought against rogue bandits and Tartars for many years, he had a very clear understanding of the current situation. The rogue bandits may not have the intention to steal the country, but the Eastern However, Lu was ambitious and had always coveted the beautiful rivers and mountains of the Ming Dynasty, always thinking of taking over the Central Plains.
However, even in his current position, he feels powerless to make decisions in the court.
Lu Xiangsheng even believed that as a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty, he would rather die of hatred than allow himself to publicize the faults of his "king father" in front of others.
At this moment, Lu Xiangsheng noticed that his servant Gu Xian was quietly looking at him from outside, but did not dare to come in. He knew that the food was already ready.
So, he raised his head, smiled at Yang Tinglin and said: "Brother Boxiang, after serving as a Beijing official for several years, you are still the true character of a scholar. When discussing state affairs, you are still as tragic and generous as before. Okay, let's have a meal first. Well, after dinner, let’s listen to the higher education.”
Yang Tinglin also came back to his senses and said: "Ha, I forgot about food while we were chatting. Sir, I have one more thing, should I talk about it?"
"Brother, it's okay to talk," Lu Xiangsheng said.
Yang Tinglin looked at Lu Xiangsheng and asked with some expectation: "I heard that a young general under your command actually killed more than a hundred slave thieves. Can I call him to see him?"
"Hahaha," Lu Xiangsheng said with a hearty smile, "What's wrong with this? Brother, please take a seat first and wait for me to call him over."
As he spoke, Lu Xiangsheng arranged for his soldiers to go and summon Zhang Cheng to meet him. He also held Yang Tinglin's hand and prepared to walk into the dining room together.
Yang Tinglin said to Lu Xiangsheng, "Sir, how about we move to the window to take a look at King Qin's military appearance, and wait for this young general who bravely kills slaves and thieves?"
Lu Xiangsheng said with a "haha" smile: "Why not? This person is also liked by my brother. Not only is he brave and fearless, but he is also calm and steady. His future achievements may be higher than those of you and me."
"Oh, if that's the case, I can't wait." Yang Tinglin felt a little inexplicable excitement in his heart. He was used to the mediocrity in the court, and he really wanted to see the energetic side of Ming Dynasty.
Not long after, Zhang Cheng hurried to the governor's cabin and was led into the cabin by a soldier. He saw the governor Lu Xiangsheng and a middle-aged scribe standing in front of the window. They looked out the window at King Qin's palace that stretched for dozens of miles. The army camp.
Zhang Cheng took a closer look, and saw that the middle-aged scribe was standing sideways, with a rather thin figure. He looked to be around fifty years old, with a beautiful beard hanging down on his chest, and he looked a bit aloof like a scribe.
When Zhang Cheng saw the governor Lu Xiangsheng turning slightly, he hurriedly bowed his hands and said, "General Zhang Cheng, pay homage to the governor."
"Come on, Zhongchen, I would like to introduce to you, this is Mr. Yang Tinglin, the Imperial Hanlin at that time." Lu Xiangsheng had already seen Zhang Cheng and introduced Yang Tinglin jokingly.
Yang Tinglin watched carefully and saw that the young general in front of him seemed to be around twenty years old. He had a rather handsome face and a tall and powerful figure. He was wearing a double-breasted chainmail, an iron tassel helmet, and a thick woolen cloak. He looked very handsome. It's heroic.
Yang Tinglin couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "What a young hero, a great general in border towns!".
Zhang Cheng was shocked when he heard that the governor Lu Xiangsheng introduced the person next to him as Yang Tinglin.
He knew about Yang Tinglin. In the original history, when the Qing troops entered the fortress, Yang Tinglin impeached Yang Sichang, the Minister of the Ministry of War. He was recommended as the head of the Ministry of War and sent to Lu Xiangsheng's army to praise the machine maintenance.
Soon, Lu Xiangsheng died in Jiazhuang in battle, and Yang Tinglin survived because he was on an envoy. When Yang Tinglin, who had narrowly escaped death, reported to Lu Xiangsheng the twists and turns in his army, Yang Sichang accused him of deceiving the emperor and was demoted to foreign officials.
After Li Zicheng captured the capital, Yang Tinglin cried endlessly, so he recruited troops in Jiangxi to serve the king. Then the Qing army went south. Yang Tinglin left home and went to Ganzhou, recruiting loyal and brave soldiers from all over the world, and organized a tens of thousands of anti-Qing troops. In the end, he was outnumbered and sacrificed his life. Martyrdom for the country.
In the second year of Yongli in the Southern Ming Dynasty, King Gui posthumously awarded Yang Tinglin the title of Shaobao Xingan Bo, with the posthumous title Wenzheng.
Zhang Cheng felt respectful, bowed and said: "Zhang Cheng, I have paid homage to Mr. Yang of Hanlin."
Yang Tinglin said with a smile: "What kind of Hanlin is it? If you don't tie the chicken with your hands and waste the country's money, it's better to be like you, using your life in the killing field and killing slaves for the country."
Before Zhang Cheng could say anything, Supervisor Lu Xiangsheng pulled Yang Tinglin toward the dining room. Zhang Cheng had no choice but to follow them into the dining room together.
In the dining room, several staff members of Governor Lu Xiangsheng were waiting to have dinner with Yang Tinglin.
Zhang Cheng wanted to sit at the end of the table, but Master Yang of Hanlin insisted on dragging him to sit beside him. Zhang Cheng had no choice but to sit next to Yang Tinglin, which attracted the envy of several staff members.
The banquet was not sumptuous, and there were no delicacies, but it was acceptable. We did not talk about the war against the prisoners, but just casually chatted about the insignificant and interesting things in the court.
Only Yang Tinglin was very concerned about Zhang Cheng's slave-killing battle at the horse farm. While eating, he kept asking about every detail of the battle, nodding his head in approval every time, and his eyes gradually changed when he looked at Zhang Cheng.
After dinner, Lu Xiangsheng invited Yang Tinglin into the inner room to talk in detail, and Zhang Cheng asked him to leave knowingly. Yang Tinglin just wanted to meet this slave-killing hero. Now that he had seen it, he also asked about it in detail about the Battle of Mafang, so he There is no hindrance.
After Zhang Cheng left, Lu Xiangsheng invited Yang Tinglin into the inner room. After the two sat down, he solemnly asked Yang Tinglin: "Brother Boxiang, the affairs of the country are very difficult every day. Although I dare not say that the country has been prosperous for three hundred years. He will be ruined at the hands of our generation, but the situation in front of us is indeed very critical. Do you have any good ideas?"
Yang Tinglin was silent for a moment, then showed a wry smile from the corner of his mouth and said: "I have an alternative humble opinion, but I always feel that if I say it, adults may not be willing to accept it. Even if I adopt it, it will be difficult to implement it, so I better not say it. For the best."
"Brother, what do you think? Please tell me." Lu Xiangsheng asked eagerly.
Yang Tinglin confidently said to Lu Xiangsheng: "I think that your Excellency may be able to lead the troops southward and induce the Donglu to pursue them all the way to the boundaries of the three prefectures in southern Jinan. Then he can summon the people of the three prefectures. Not only will there be no shortage of food and grass, but also the people of the three prefectures will be summoned." Soldiers and horses will also gather everywhere.
The public once governed the three prefectures, and the people still remember his kindness. The elders of the three prefectures in Jinan will surely respond to the news and help the public to fight against the powerful invaders.
This move not only saves the country but also protects the family for the people of the three prefectures in Jinan. They will definitely fight for the public. "
Lu Xiangsheng shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Brother Boxiang, your high opinion is indeed feasible. I know this very well. However, I cannot do this."
"Alas, I also know that this matter is dangerous for the army, and I am afraid that it will be falsely accused by those who wield power in the temple. However, if war is really unavoidable, you should cherish yourself and be useful to the country." Yang Tinglin's words were extremely sincere. Said to Lu Xiangsheng.
After finishing speaking, his eyes noticed the statue of Guan Gong hanging in the middle of the wall. Next to the statue was Yue Fei's "Man Jiang Hong" written by Lu Xiangsheng himself. The handwriting was beautiful and powerful.
The date signed below is yesterday. In addition to the Yangwen seal "Xiang Sheng", there is also the Yinwen Xian seal: "The doctor has no acquaintances outside the country."
Yang Tinglin forced a smile and said: "Even if Yue Wumu is resurrected now, he may not be able to show his ambitions. He just leans on the railing and roars in vain. His ambitions must be fierce."
Lu Xiangsheng sighed and said: "Brother Boxiang, you see, as soon as I got here, I felt strange. On the screen behind the hall, there is Mr. Wenshan's "Song of Righteousness" written by an unknown person, and Guan Gong happens to be hanging in this bedroom. Like, like this is where I'm going to end up."
"Sir! You are concerned about the safety of the country, why do you say such ominous words?" Yang Tinglin heard this and said to Lu Xiangsheng anxiously.
Lu Xiangsheng sighed and said, "Oh, maybe this is just the fate of heaven!"
"Ah?..." Yang Tinglin was speechless for a moment.
Lu Xiangsheng said with some sadness: "My brother has been engaged in military campaigns in recent years, but the more thieves are suppressed, the more the captives are defended, and the stronger they become. Today, slaves are entering the army in large numbers, and the capital is in danger. Although he is called the governor, he cannot fight, so why report it? Heaven's grace comes down to comfort the soldiers and the people. Isn't it just destiny that the situation is like this?"
"Since Mr. Lao is the commander-in-chief of King Qin's army, there is still room for improvement, so why are you so discouraged?" Yang Tinglin encouraged him sincerely.
They talked about other things, sighing now and then.
At about midnight, Yang Tinglin stood up and said goodbye, because he had to go to the palace to attend the morning court tomorrow, and it was really inconvenient to delay further.
The governor Lu Xiangsheng also knew that he could no longer keep him, so he called his servant Gu Xian to bring out wine and drank a few glasses with Yang Tinglin.
Lu Xiangsheng himself has a bold temperament and a large drinking capacity, but since his father passed away and during the mourning period for his father Ding You, he has never had a drop of wine on his lips. Today, he was afraid that he would not have the chance to see Yang Tinglin when he came, so he drank a few glasses with him.
When they were saying goodbye outside the palace gate, he held Yang Tinglin's hand tightly and said: "Brother Boxiang, please tell our old friends in the capital that I, Lu Xiangsheng, will never let down the grace of God, nor will I let down all of you friends and the millions of people in the capital." Sincerely hope!"
Yang Tinglin also held Lu Xiangsheng's hand tightly and refused to let go for a long time.
Suddenly, he remembered something and took out a cylindrical object from the sleeve of his robe, about a foot long, wrapped it in silk cloth, and said to Lu Xiangsheng: "I almost forgot, I have specially prepared something and given it to you in advance for military use. "
Lu Xiangsheng took it and took a closer look. Inside the silk cover was a "Telescope", which was quite well made. He held it in his hand and said, "This thing is indeed practical, but I already have it. Let me keep it for myself."
Yang Tinglin handed over his hands with emotion and said: "I happened to get this thing by chance. Considering that it should be useful to you, I gave it to you in advance. What's the use of keeping it for yourself? Since you already have this thing, I trouble you to give it to the brave warrior. I’m a slave to you, little General Zhang Cheng.”
After Yang Tinglin finished speaking, he mounted his horse and drove away. Fifty elite pro-army troops arranged by Lu Xiangsheng escorted Yang Tinglin all the way to the outside of Desheng Gate.
