Ten miles south of Xinhe County, Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Sutian Village, is stationed at Biaoying.
Lu Xiangsheng was sitting on the Tukang. He had just handled some military affairs. With a tired look on his face, he suddenly looked at Yang Tinglin and said, "Boxiang, do you understand? We are almost at the point of desperation."
He did not wait for Yang Tinglin to answer, and continued with some frustration: "I have led troops for many years and experienced hundreds of battles, and I have never encountered a situation like today.
Look, the soldiers are hungry and cold, as skinny as firewood. They have been marching for days and are exhausted, but they have no supplements, and they are always ready to fight as slaves.
The soldiers all knew very well that they were waiting to die, either from the swords of slaves or from hunger and exhaustion.
Nowadays, what keeps the soldiers from scattering is just the last bit of loyalty to the emperor and the desire to serve the country. However, the court not only fails to encourage morale, but also uses various means to undermine the morale of the army and discourage the soldiers' desire to serve the country.
If this continues, I'm afraid some people will take desperate risks, but it's almost enough to ask a group of people to make a noise and leave without the whole army disintegrating.
Boxiang, the situation is changing, what should we do? "
When Yang Tinglin heard this, he jumped down from the kang and said with some worry: "I am also worried that the army will not be able to hold on for a long time.
When the two armies are facing each other, life and death depend on their breathing. How can we make the soldiers fight with fear?
There is only one way at present, which is to move troops to the three prefectures in southern Jinan, collect food and grass, rest and recuperate the army and horses. After ten months, the soldiers will recover and the morale of the army will be restored, and then we can find the enemy for a decisive battle.
Otherwise, if a hungry and tired man becomes the enemy of tigers and wolves, he will inevitably be destroyed. What good will it do to the country? "
Lu Xiangsheng just smiled bitterly and shook his head, his face was quite sad, but he did not say anything.
Yang Tinglin looked at him and continued with some eagerness: "Although the three prefectures in Jinan have suffered from banditry and drought, they are not completely broken, and the people's hearts have not been completely lost.
Jiulao, if you can move your army between Guangguang and Shun, and call on the soldiers and people, not only will the shortage of food and grass be alleviated, there will be no fear of shortage, but righteous people will also gather from all directions.
In the past, the Jin people also went south. At the foot of the Taihang Mountains, righteous people formed a stronghold to protect themselves and fight against the golden thieves.
However, the Southern Song Dynasty court decided to negotiate for peace, which made Yue Shaobao's Northern Expedition aborted. The elders in Taihang Mountains and southern Hebei Province all cried bitterly and despaired of their hatred for eternity. Every time they spoke, they gnashed their teeth and felt heartbroken.
My Lord, I have been encouraged by Yue Shaobao all my life. Why not inherit Yue Shaobao's legacy and contact the elders of the three prefectures in Jinan to fight against the strong captives together?
For the scholars and people of the three prefectures in southern Jinan, this proposal is not only about saving the country, but also protecting the family. They will definitely respond to the news and fight as a pioneer. "
Yang Tinglin's suggestion was indeed the best policy from a purely military perspective under the current situation, but this did not move Lu Xiangsheng's heart. Instead, his impassioned expression moved Lu Xiangsheng deeply.
Lu Xiangsheng remained silent and pondered for a long time. Then he sighed and said: "Boxiang, what you mentioned is indeed the best strategy, but I can't use it. I can only use the worst strategy and send people to find Liu Mianzhu among the real guards." , to make Qin Ting cry."
"Since it's the best policy, why not use it?" Yang Tinglin asked in confusion after hearing this.
"Don't you understand this?"
Lu Xiangsheng suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He stood up and walked back and forth for a few steps with his head lowered on the edge of the Tukang. superior,
Shu and Jie are fighting each other, looking around inside and outside the court, looking for all the dangers, and blaming each other on me. Now, my brother is taking charge of military affairs temporarily as a punishment for crime, and he often doesn't know when he will be arrested.
If I move to Guang and Shun at this time, the imperial court will definitely accuse me of being timid in the face of the enemy. In less than ten days, the Tiqi will come. Instead of dying in the Western Market, why die on the battlefield? "
"Nine elders, even if the ninth elders are willing to sacrifice their lives on the battlefield, what benefit does this have to the country?"
Yang Tinglin was quite shocked and worried about Lu Xiangsheng's words.
"As long as I have a clear heart and live up to the emperor's holy grace, that's enough."
Lu Xiangsheng's heart was filled with grief and indignation, and a trace of gloomy emotion was stagnant in his chest. He tried his best to control himself and prevent tears from rolling down from the corners of his eyes.
He turned his back to the candlelight to prevent Yang Tinglin from seeing the tears in his eyes and pacing back and forth again.
Yang Tinglin was also upset. He punched the small table with his fist and said loudly: "Is it possible that our Ming Dynasty's 200-year foundation will be destroyed in the hands of these people?
I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it…”
Lu Xiangsheng turned around abruptly and shook his head at Yang Tinglin to stop him from talking.
He was not worried for himself, but worried that Yang Tinglin would be too angry and would say something dissatisfied with the court. If it spread in the future, someone with a heart would add to it and report it to the court.
He couldn't help but walked closer to Yang Tinglin and said, "Brother Boxiang, I want to ask you to go to Zhenbao and his party. How about it?"
"Of course I'm happy to serve. But do you want me to cry to Mianzhu about Qin Ting? In my opinion, this may not be useful!"
Yang Tinglin readily agreed, but he did not have any hope for this trip.
"Let's take care of the personnel and let fate dictate. When you were in the capital, you had some contact with him. Now, if you tell him the difficulties in the army truthfully, you may be able to impress him. I said that this is the last resort. But now this is the only way.”
Lu Xiangsheng stood there, staring blankly at a small window.
"When will we leave?" Yang Tinglin asked.
"The matter is extremely urgent, so the sooner we set off, the better. You have been working hard for days. How about taking a rest tonight and setting off again at five o'clock tomorrow?" Lu Xiangsheng's words were quite urging.
Yang Tinglin thought for a moment and then said: "Since the military situation is urgent, why wait until tomorrow? I will leave tonight and ask the Nine Elders to write a handwritten letter. I will show my face to Mianzhu and then use my words to express it."
"Brother Boxiang, you'd better rest for one night and start again tomorrow morning." Lu Xiangsheng said.
"No need. If the matter is urgent, we will leave tonight." Yang Tinglin said eagerly.
"So, there is Brother Lao Boxiang!" Lu Xiangsheng cupped his hands to Yang Tinglin to show his gratitude.
Around the third watch, Yang Tinglin took Lu Xiangsheng's handwriting and set off under the escort of four personal guards assigned to him by Lu Xiangsheng.
Lu Xiangsheng kept sending him out of the camp gate, holding hands and saying goodbye to each other.
Yang Tinglin galloped his horse for a few steps, feeling a little uneasy. He turned the horse's head again and told Lu Xiangsheng: "Mr., the safety of the country is at stake. You must not risk everything. Jinan is my old rule, and it has a long-standing reputation." , the people's support can be used, but nothing can be done. We must advance to Jinan and wait for a turn."
Lu Xiangsheng nodded and said: "Brother, go quickly. You don't have to think about your brother. Since a man pledged his body to the country, how dare he own his seven-foot body? He is benevolent and righteous. It is our wish to die to repay the kindness of the king. I will give it to my brother." I think he has young ears."
