"Commander, are the intruders going to attack Luoyang again?"
Zhang Guangda looked at Zhang Cheng and continued to ask: "The intruder is disgusting. He is really just like weeds in the wild. If we disperse him this year, can we gather a group again next year?"
"Wild fire, in spring."
Wei Zhice continued at the side: "I remember that there is such a poem in Bai Letian's "Bai Shi Changqing Collection"."
As he spoke, he began to read leisurely:
"The grass on the Lili Plain dries up and flourishes every year. The wild fire cannot burn it out, but it grows again when the spring breeze blows.
The distant fragrance invades the ancient road, and the clear green meets the deserted city. I also sent the king and grandson away, full of love. "
Zhang Guangda didn't quite understand what his poem had to do with what he was talking about about breaking into a thief. He couldn't help but ask: "We are talking about Wei Xiucai, we are talking about the difficult matter of breaking into a thief. How come you started reading a poem?" , what does this have to do with the intruder?"
Wei Zhice smiled when he heard this and was about to explain, but Zhang Cheng was already waiting for him to speak: "Quangda, Zhice means that thieves are like weeds in the wilderness. You have set them on fire this year. It looked like they were all piles of ashes.
But when the spring breeze blows like this next year, a new crop of weeds will grow. Isn't this very similar to the situation of rebellion?
Since the uprising in Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province, he has been defeated and dispersed by our army more than ten times, but he has always been able to survive in desperate situations and avoid being chased by the army. Not long after, he came back again, and once again. More tenacious than ever.
From this point of view, it is indeed a different kind of thieves. In my opinion, it is far more dangerous than the two thieves Xian and Cao. If you have the opportunity to fight with him again, you must be careful and don't be careless. "
"Yes. The last general has been recorded!" Wei Zhice and other generals responded in unison.
Zhang Guangda seemed to be very concerned about the intruder. He continued to ask: "Commander, don't we plan to save the Kaifeng people?"
Zhang Cheng smiled when he heard this and asked: "Now, our war in Liaodong is pending, and this place is more than a thousand miles away from Kaifeng. Even if we can fight against the Tatar thieves within a few months.
But the soldiers have been away from home for several months, and they always have to go back to Xuan Town to rest and recuperate. As for Kaifeng City, you have seen the thickness of its walls with your own eyes last time. I think they will not be easily attacked by intruders. Well, there is no need to worry too much. "
Everyone felt that what Zhang Cheng said was reasonable, and it was obvious to everyone that the Kaifeng city wall was strong. Even if the intruders came back, they might not be able to break through it.
Zhang Cheng continued: "Kaifeng is not as good as Luoyang. The king of Zhou is virtuous and knows the importance of things. Moreover, all the officials in the city are talented and can do their jobs with sincerity. It is indeed rare, especially General Chen Yongfu. veteran.
His son Chen De, the guerrilla fighter, is more capable, and he is also destined to us. I think it is possible to write a letter and let Chen Zhong's Miuhe camp wait for an opportunity to reinforce it. It is still considered. "
He turned to look at Wei Zhice and said to him: "Zhice, you will write the letter to Chen Zhong. You must pay attention to him and wait for opportunities for reinforcements. Don't force them.
The only ones we can mobilize in Henan Province are his Mihe camp and the Yang brothers' militia in Mangshan, which are still useful. The guards and Huaibing soldiers Ji Youci and the Huaiqing prefect He Chongwu's standard camp are all newly built and have not yet recruited men and horses. Complete, cannot be called.
Therefore, everything must be done with caution. It is not easy for me to bury his strength in Henan Province. I must not use all my talents to avoid ruining my overall situation. "
"Here. Zhi Ce has written it down."
"Oh, by the way. There is one more thing. Wang Yuanjing's banknotes are related to everything, but they are on track. Please ask about this in your letter and urge Wang Yuanjing to arrange all the affairs there as soon as possible. Come over here quickly, I have a lot of paperwork here and I urgently need him to handle it."
"Here."
On this side, Wei Zhice responded and stepped back, and Zhang Guodong said: "Commander, is there any new decision at the Rufeng Mountain Military Conference?"
Zhang Cheng shook his head slightly, then sighed again, and then said slowly: "We have not yet made a decision. The governor and the generals all thought that the Tatars had temporarily retreated. Although they do not know why, apart from the death of Duduo and the defeat on the Western Front, , I am afraid that there are also some internal problems.”
Guo Yingxian was a man who couldn't lie down. At this moment, his injuries were a little better, and he was also discussing important matters in the military tent. At this time, he asked: "What problems will there be among the Tatars?"
"Hahaha……"
Zhang Cheng laughed and said: "Old general, the Tatars are not monolithic. How can there be no disputes?"
He then continued: "The most difficult thing in the world is something that involves people. As long as there are people, there will be disputes, which are nothing more than a struggle for interests.
Although the origins and causes are different, at the root, they are all for power and profit, and nothing else. "
Guo Yingxian was still puzzled. He said doubtfully: "What do these Tatars have to fight for? When their mother comes back, our Ming Dynasty will grab a lot of money, and everyone will be extremely rich."
Seeing him say this, everyone in the military tent had a hateful expression. Zhang Cheng also said to everyone: "Humph. Don't look at how happy he is today, we will make a list for him in the future. The Tatars are robbing today Sooner or later, we will have to spit out double the amount of whatever was gone."
"Yes, we have to let him vomit it back for us." Zhang Guangda immediately agreed.
Zhang Guodong asked again: "Commander, what are our plans for these days?"
"Nothing else. Be on guard, strengthen sentries, and find out the Tatars' movements first."
Zhang Cheng then added: "Let our sentries go deeper, especially the east bank of the Xiaoling River. It is best to sneak across. If we can intercept the letters between the Tatars and Shenyang, that would be the best.
However, in this case, it is not easy to retreat, but you need to be extra careful. "
…………
It was supposed to be a night with a full moon, but for some reason, the night sky was completely dark, especially with the lights everywhere.
Dark clouds cover the moon, which is not a good sign. Looking up, not only the moonlight is not visible at all, but even the starlight that originally filled the sky is nowhere to be seen.
Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty wore a pure white mink fur cloak and stood on a high platform under the dragon flag, feeling extremely lonely in his heart.
For three consecutive days, the epistaxis had tortured him to the point of exhaustion, especially the concern and longing for Hai Lanzhu, which was even more painful for him.
Today, when the nosebleed subsided, he wanted to catch the late autumn night wind with Goshiha by his side. However, when he raised his eyes and looked up, there was darkness all around, just like his mood at the moment.
He, who was already very depressed, suddenly felt a sense of boredom in his chest, and a sweetness surged up from his chest and abdomen again. Huang Taiji seemed to be unable to stand still, and started to shake.
Fortunately, the eunuch serving on the side, Geshiha, had quick eyesight and quick hands, and quickly rushed to help him, so that he did not fall down.
Huang Taiji knew that his body was already very weak and that this mouthful of blood could no longer spurt out. He stabilized his body with the help of two eunuchs, Geshiha.
Then he took a deep breath and suppressed the sweet smell that was rising in his chest. However, as a result, his chest couldn't help but turn purple, and his face gradually turned purple.
After a long time, Huang Taiji said softly: "Go and ask Mr. Fan to come."
An eunuch, Geshiha, responded softly, then turned and left. Under the high platform, there were more than ten attendants holding lanterns, and they quickly left after being ordered.
At this time, a gust of night wind blew, and Huang Taiji, who was already very weak, could not help but shudder. The eunuch behind him, Geshiha, also felt sad in his heart.
He couldn't help but stepped forward to persuade him: "Your Majesty, the night is cold, let's go back to the palace and wait for Mr. Fan."
Huang Taiji seemed not to have heard his persuasion. He still looked up at the dark sky, as if waiting for the dark clouds to disperse and the bright moon to reappear.
After a while, Huang Taiji said softly: "Go back."
Huang Taiji had just returned to the imperial palace when Fan Wencheng, a bachelor of the Secretariat of the Imperial Academy, rushed over. After greeting Huang Taiji, he sat on a chair nearby.
Although Huang Taiji was the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, he was completely different from the old Khan Nurhachi. He attached great importance to the Han people and Han culture.
After he secured the throne of the Later Jin Khan, he tried his best to promote the integration of Manchu and Han. He first selected and appointed a group of Han officials, then raised the status of the Han generals who surrendered to the Han, and then divided the Han people within the territory to form a banner. Managed individually.
In this way, the Han people who were plundered in the early days were advantaged.
Their original life was like hell, unable to control their own life or death. Although they were the personal slaves of the Tatars in each banner, they were actually worse than animals.
Huang Taiji's move rescued them, and this made them grateful to Huang Taiji. Not only did they work hard at farming, but they also practiced hard even when they joined the Han Army Banner.
Especially when they participated in various wars, they also performed very bravely, not much different from the real Tatars of the Eight Banners of Manchuria.
The most rare thing is that they regard Huang Taiji as their benefactor and are only loyal to Huang Taiji. They are like Huang Taiji's own private soldier.
At the same time, Huang Taiji also showed special favor and trust to a group of Han civil servants such as Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanwo. Whenever he was in doubt about something, he would consult them.
This is because, in Huang Taiji's mind, all the Manchu princes, Baylors, and other civil servants and military generals have personal friendships. Although everyone is loyal to him, they will inevitably consider themselves. .
However, Han officials and generals such as Fan Wencheng and Ning Wan had no foundation in Manchuria and were not fully accepted by other banner lords and princes. They were almost equivalent to second-class citizens of the Qing Dynasty.
Emperor Huang Taiji was the only one who trusted them. It was precisely because they did not have the ability to get involved with other established interest groups, so whenever they made suggestions, they could always stand from Huang Taiji's perspective.
In the hearts of Fan Wencheng, Ning Wan and other Han officials and generals, Huang Taiji was their only master. Their loyalty to Huang Taiji meant they were loyal to the Qing Dynasty, and vice versa.
At this moment, when Huang Taiji saw Fan Wencheng sitting down, he couldn't help coughing a few times before he said, "Mr. Fan, I have been hesitant about a few things, and I would like to ask you to help me clarify my doubts."
Fan Wencheng hurriedly stood up and paid homage: "Your Majesty is extremely intelligent, brave and wise, no one can match him. Since he became emperor, he has been strategizing and fighting vigorously. Looking at the kings of the previous dynasties, there are few who can match him."
The fact that I can encourage Your Majesty is actually a blessing gained from my previous life. Whenever Your Majesty asks, I dare not make excuses and will tell you everything I know. "
Huang Taiji nodded slightly. He seemed to be a little exhausted, so he lay down on the imperial couch and asked softly: "Mr. Fan, the war in Jinzhou has entered a state of anxiety. Sir, do you have any good ideas to resolve it?"
Fan Wencheng lowered his head and meditated for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the war in Jinzhou should be done quickly rather than later. I should try my best to win the battle quickly. If it is delayed for a long time, the pressure on food and fodder will increase sharply, and it may be difficult to maintain."
Huang Taiji nodded and asked, "Sir, do you have any good ideas?"
Fan Wencheng seemed to have been prepared for it. He replied without hesitation: "I think that we can take advantage of the retreat on the western front to show the enemy's weakness and lure them to advance. In this way, we can find an opening to attack him, or take advantage of him to cross the border." Attack, or send out surprise troops to cut off the food route, and secretly attack the rear route.
Once the Ming army is in chaos, our Qing warriors can take advantage of the situation and fight out. It is not difficult to defeat the enemy in one battle. As long as one part of the Ming army is defeated, the other battalions will be in panic and it is not difficult to completely defeat them. "
Huang Taiji's spirit became worse and worse. He closed his eyes slightly and sighed softly: "I think the same thing, but the Ming army seems different from the past, and they can't get into my hands.
Especially Zhang Cheng, who came from Xuanfu, has repeatedly frustrated the morale of our army. It is really hateful! "
When talking about Zhang Cheng, Huang Taiji seemed to be immediately interested. He opened his eyes and asked Fan Wencheng, "How much do you know about Zhang Cheng?"
Fan Wencheng no longer stood up to salute this time, and responded as if he was just chatting at home: "I don't know much about Zhang Cheng. I only know that he rose to power in the second year of Chongde, when our warriors invaded Mingdi. It is also a guerrilla.
I never thought that after only three or four years, he was already the commander-in-chief of a town. Our Qing warriors were killed one after another at his hands. He must have something special about him. He could not be used by me and could not be kept. "
A cold light flashed in Huang Taiji's eyes, and he said bitterly: "Zhang Cheng, if he was a guerrilla, he could be killed on the battlefield. Now that he has become the commander-in-chief of a town in the Ming Dynasty, let's invite the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to Come and get rid of him for me."
After he finished saying this, he closed his eyes again and said leisurely: "You don't have to worry about this matter. I will arrange for Li Shutai to handle it."
Huang Taiji then added: "I have one more thing, and I would like to hear your opinion, sir."
Just when Fan Wencheng was confused, he heard Huang Taiji say softly: "I want to return to Shengjing, but when the war in Jinzhou is in full swing, a general is needed to stay here to preside over it.
Prince Li is old and frail, his energy is not as good as before, and he is not qualified for the job. However, Prince Zheng is prudent and Prince Rui is smart. I plan to choose one of them to stay in charge of the war in Jinzhou. "
When Huang Taiji said this, he opened a slit in the corner of his eyes, looked at Fan Wencheng sideways, and asked: "In your opinion, among the two of them, which one is more suitable to stay?"
Fan Wencheng was shocked when he heard this. He stood up in a panic and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, no!"
