Hong Chengchou's persuasion and pleading finally made Liu Zizheng unable to insist on his words any longer. He said in a serious tone: "I was determined to return to the capital. However, after listening to the governor's persuasion, I can only stay temporarily and take the risk." Yaishi follows the governor around.
If there is any suggestion, we must not hide it, and we must wholeheartedly advise the governor. "
Hong Chengchou bowed deeply again and said: "Thank you very much, sir, for staying and helping me. The student will immediately report to the Ming Dynasty and grant him the post of military affairs."
But Liu Zizheng shook his head and refused and said: "The military affairs of the governor are heavy. Don't bother to work for me. Zizheng is willing to serve in white and engage in planning. As soon as the war in Liaodong is over, he will leave the army immediately. He still has to return to the Buddhist temple in Xishan to continue annotating the military books. "
Hong Chengchou knew that Liu Zizheng was stubborn, so he no longer forced him and said: "Okay, as you wish, I will temporarily keep the white clothes in front of the army to praise military affairs.
It's just that if you have a court title, you are a royal minister, and it will be more convenient for you to speak and do things in the army. Forget it, let's not talk about military affairs for now, and we will think about it after we get to Ningyuan.
Another point is that if you can successfully break the siege of Jinzhou in the future, the imperial court will definitely reward you heavily. "
When Liu Zizheng heard this, he just said lightly: "This is a matter of great importance to the safety of my family and the country. Why should I ask for reward from the court?"
That night, Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, held a banquet at Chenghai Tower to welcome Liu Zizheng.
Since he had traveled day and night, he was tired from the journey and had a few extra glasses of wine. After the banquet, Liu Zizheng slept well in the reserved room upstairs.
Hong Chengchou told his staff and generals not to disturb Liu Zizheng, and everyone dispersed to prepare for breaking camp and setting off tomorrow.
…………
Since the army was about to set off, everyone got up very early on the second day, and Hong Chengchou's generals took care of the camp start. He and Liu Zizheng waited for breakfast in Chenghai Tower.
Liu Zizheng had a conversation with Hong Chengchou, and then he saw many poems on the walls of Chenghai Tower. Among them were poems written by Sun Chengzong, Xiong Tingbi, Yang Sichang, Zhang Chun and other officials of the Ming Dynasty. After reading them, he recalled many old events in Liaodong. .
He stood in silence for a long time in front of the "Man Jiang Hong", his thoughts rushing like a tide, but he never said that this was the poem he had written. Li Song was by his side, but he didn't know it.
Just when Liu Zizheng stopped to watch the poem inscribed on the wall, Hong Chengchou came over with several staff and asked Liu Zizheng to also write a poem.
Liu Zizheng modestly explained that he had not written poetry for a long time, and only one poem from the old days, Qi Jue, still had some meaning. Then he picked up his pen and wrote a poem from Qi Jue on the wall:
"The prancing horse has bent its bow for twenty years, and Liaoyang's worries have faded into the cold smoke.
It was raining at midnight outside the monk's window, and he began to write a note on the "Combat Chapter" of the military book. "
Everyone in Chenghai Tower praised this poem for its generous and sad meaning. Those who had not personally experienced the Battle of Liaoyang would never have such deep emotions.
Hong Chengchou also said: "Although the emotion is deep, it is just too desolate!"
He vaguely felt in his heart that he was about to go out to fight, and it would be unlucky for Liu Zizheng to write this poem, but he did not express his thoughts aloud.
…………
At 3 o'clock in the morning, the army had already had breakfast and was gathering and waiting. With the sound of cannons, each battalion started to leave the customs one after another, and headed for Ningyuan along the spacious official road on the Liaoxi Corridor.
Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, led the civil and military officials and entourage in the camp and the cavalry of Supervisory Biao Camp out of the customs together.
Because he thought that Liu Zizheng was old and was traveling at starry night, and his physical fatigue had not been relieved, he asked him to rest in Chenghai Tower for a few days before meeting him in Ningyuan City.
Liu Zizheng did feel quite tired and suffered from slight dizziness, so he agreed to stay here temporarily until his body recovered before heading to Ningyuan to meet him. Hong Chengchou left some guards and servants to take care of him in Chenghai Tower. .
Liu Zizheng still insisted on sending Hong Chengchou out of Dongluo City, Shanhaiguan. They came to Huanxi Ridge in the southeast, faced the morning glow and looked down at the slowly advancing army, stretched into a long queue, and headed north.
Hong Chengchou said to him: "I hope Mr. Liu will rest for a while at Chenghai Tower and then go to Ningyuan so that we can discuss military affairs together. When we say goodbye today, do you have anything else to say to me?"
Liu Zizheng said: "I think Zhang Ruoqi will definitely arrive in the next few days. He will not stay here. He will definitely rush to Ningyuan. The governor must be cautious in the short term. When the situation of the slaves and thieves is not clear, they must not rush into Jinzhou. Under the city!"
Hong Chengchou said slightly worriedly: "What if Zhang Ruoqi brings another edict from the emperor urging me to go to war immediately?"
Liu Zizheng said in a firm tone: "The imperial court is thousands of miles away. As long as the governor can negotiate with the supervisors in good faith, no matter what, we must keep prudence in mind, but we can only maintain a stalemate with Jiannu for a few months, until the slave thieves are exhausted." , it will be easy to win.”
Hong Chengchou sighed and said, "I know the truth of this, but I'm afraid the emperor won't wait!"
"well!"
Liu Zizheng sighed and said: "I am also worried about this! But if it only delays the arrival of a few months, the capital can still wait."
Hong Chengchou said with a sad face: "If the situation in Liaodong is unfavorable, the students will only die!"
After listening to Hong Chengchou's words, Liu Zizheng was touched in his heart and couldn't help but shed a few tears. Hong Chengchou also had a sad face and sighed deeply.
Liu Zizheng no longer sent him far away. Just when he was urging Hong Chengchou to go down the ridge, he saw several fast horses rushing all the way. Hong Chengchou was shocked again and worried whether there was another imperial order coming from the capital.
Before those knights could get close, they shouted: "My lord, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Xuan Town, Zhang Cheng, has sent you a letter on horseback."
Hong Chengchou's heart fell back to its original position. When the soldiers approached, he took the letter and read it carefully. After reading it, he handed the letter to Liu Zizheng for viewing.
But at this moment he said: "Zhang Cheng also suggested in the letter that I should try my best to delay the advance, take every step, and strive for victory steadily, and not rush forward easily, thinking that the slaves will take advantage of me. But the situation is like this, how can I wait? ?”
While listening to Hong Chengchou's words, Liu Zizheng quickly read the letter and then said: "Zhang Cheng is only the deputy commander in chief, but how can he lead more than 10,000 soldiers to aid Liao?"
Hong Chengchou raised his eyes to the west and said, "I only met him once in March of the twelfth year of Chongzhen's reign, at the court meeting after driving back the invading prisoners.
Although I don’t know much about this son, in the eleventh year of Chongzhen’s reign, the performance of this unit during the war against the invaders was indeed remarkable. In addition to his young age, his ability in fighting alone was indeed extraordinary. Comparable to those generals with false reputations. "
After a brief pause, he continued: "What's even more rare is that this son has always had a loyal heart. After King Qin's meritorious service, he was not arrogant and could think of asking himself to garrison all the way. He only had more than a year to do it. Thousands of powerful troops.
In the previous campaign to suppress Henan, he saved the crown prince of Fu Domain, defeated Li Chuang's fierce flames at the gates of Kaifeng City, and chased the thieves for hundreds of miles. This was actually the only commendable thing in the campaign.
It is precisely because of this that I strongly requested the Ministry of War and the Emperor to mobilize troops from this department to Liao to assist Jin to increase the chance of victory! "
But Liu Zizheng said: "He is young and in a high position, and he is favored by the emperor. Zizheng is afraid that he will be arrogant and domineering and will not be easy to lead!"
