One day later, the Judgment Department worked with the other two analysis departments to produce the "Analysis and Deduction Book of Bai Changqing's Recent Behavior" which was one inch thick and appeared in front of Wang Jian.
After reading it twice, Wang Jian nodded and was satisfied with the official document. Then he printed a copy and deposited the original copy in the archives. He personally took the printed copy and reported it to the imperial envoy of Jingxi Town. Yamen, the face is made of ginger.
Unlike Shen Hao, Wang Jian did not receive any preferential treatment in the Jingxi Town Fushi Yamen. He was not even qualified to enter the tea room and could only wait in a side room at the back door. If he hadn't taken the warrant given to him by Shen Hao, he wouldn't even be able to stay in the side room.
After meeting Jiang Cheng, he handed over the paperwork and was rejected after a few simple inquiries. Jiang Cheng would not say another word to him, let alone express his views on this document directly.
Wang Jian was already used to Jiang Cheng's attitude and didn't feel anything was wrong. His own position was too low, so it was normal that he couldn't get into Jiang Cheng's eyes. But he was very satisfied if he could show his face directly. This is thanks to Master Shen for giving him the opportunity.
Wang Jian left the Zhenfu Envoy Yamen, but Jiang Cheng walked back and forth in the government room with this newly handed document, feeling uneasy.
After thinking about it in his mind for a while, Jiang Cheng did not print the newly obtained document and return it to the archives. Instead, he put it directly into the storage bag, and went straight out after rejecting all the subsequent matters. After the town governor went to the Yamen to report to Pang Ban.
Even though he reported that it was an urgent business, he was stopped and waited in the tea room for half an hour. The guard's explanation was, "The commander has something important to deal with. Unless it's urgent, please wait a moment."
Having said that, Jiang Cheng naturally wouldn't think that the matter in his hand was urgent. But what Jiang Cheng didn't expect was that he saw a man wearing a dark green civil servant's robe on the way to Pang Ban's mansion after getting permission, and he also recognized this man: Wen Mingju, the left minister of the Ministry of War.
Wen Mingju raised his hand towards Jiang Cheng without any hesitation and greeted him generously. However, Jiang Cheng had to go to see Pang Ban, so the two of them didn't talk much and separated after each bowed.
Why is Wen Mingju commanding the Yamen? And it seems that Pang Ban was meeting him before?
While thinking in his mind, Jiang Cheng knocked on the door and was called into Pang Ban's mansion.
As soon as he entered, he saw Pang Ban standing in front of a three-foot-long topographical map. From time to time, he marked distances on the topographical map with his hands, looking at it very seriously. Although there was no name on the map, Jiang Cheng was familiar with the terrain on it, and knew that it was a map of barbarian territory, but it looked far more detailed than what was stored in Xuanqing Guard.
"Come, take a look at this map, the latest and most complete." Pang Ban smiled and called Jiang Cheng over, while he turned around and picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. Pointing to a small red dot with many lines and text notes in the upper right part of the map, he continued: "This place, Jianchuan, is said to be the most difficult place at present.
According to the news coming back from the front line, nearly 40,000 lives have been lost in Jianchuan so far. The barbarians seemed to have regarded this as the main breakthrough point. Not only did the army press forward, but they also frequently organized small groups to infiltrate, almost piercing through the Jianchuan defense line several times.
Tsk tsk, it's hard for Zuo Yuliang. With such a long supply line and Jianchuan's undefeable terrain, he still can't retreat. "
From his words, Jiang Cheng could tell that Pang Ban did not agree with Zuo Yuliang's overall strategy.
Jiang Cheng was not surprised either. He has been in the military for a long time, and Pang Ban also has a lot of experience in the military. Although the two of them cannot be called "famous commanders" or "generals", they are definitely knowledgeable. Zuo Yuliang's military strategy of preferring to extend the front line rather than retreat even one step may seem tough, but in fact it is a dangerous move.
Even though Zuo Yuliang may have other plans based on the information sent back by Shen Hao about the 30,000 soldiers stationed in Xiaochuan and then suspected of disappearing into the sea of ten thousand miles of bamboo, taking risks is taking risks, and the most taboo thing for military strategists is taking risks.
Pang Ban continued: "Now Zuo Yuliang's main formation has moved south from Zhuohuo Pass to Wuhu. This can be regarded as shortening the military line, but supplies are still a problem. I can't understand this trick of his. What about you? Have you figured out anything?"
"My subordinates thought that Marshal Zuo might have some tricks up his sleeve. The news from Shen Hao was that more than 30,000 soldiers were suspected of entering the Ten Thousand Miles of Bamboo Sea..."
Pang Ban waved his hand to interrupt Jiang Cheng's words, shook his head and said: "I also read that information, based on what Xu Hongzhao did before. It is estimated that someone from the Ministry of War found the line, and after touching it a few times, he thought it was feasible. Then he resorted to a dangerous move. But putting your treasure on such a thing... is not safe!"
Jiang Cheng was so wise that he didn't speak any more.
After a while, Pang Ban asked Jiang Cheng what his purpose was today.
Jiang Chengsui took out the document that Wang Jian reported before and handed it to Pang Ban, saying, "Sir, this is the latest deduction from Blackwater. I think it is interesting. Please take a look."
"Huh?" Pang Ban glanced at Jiang Cheng and couldn't help but wonder what allowed Jiang Cheng to use the word "interesting".
Jiang Cheng stood at the edge with his hands tied.
Pang Ban quickly flipped through the document, reading ten lines at a glance, but for Pang Ban, he would not miss a single word. After flipping through it quickly, he closed the document and put it aside, tapping the cover lightly with his hand.
"Haha, you are right, this is indeed interesting."
"My lord, do you agree with Heishui's deduction?" Jiang Chengbao came up only to agree with the logic in the document, but he didn't really deduce the facts. He didn't know clearly. When he handed it to Pang Ban, he was just following the procedure. Secondly, it can be regarded as asking Pang Ban for confirmation. If you were to ask who among the Xuanqing Guards was most familiar with the situation in the temple, it would be Pang Ban.
"Yeah." Pang Ban didn't shy away from it and admitted it directly. He indeed agreed with the deductions derived from Bai Changqing's behavior in this document. Then he said: "Bai Changqing is very smart, especially his keen observation of the general trend. At the same time, he is one of the few civil servants who knows current affairs. Such people are cautious and would rather taint themselves than keep a distance from Ye Lansheng and the others. What is it that scares him so much?"
"The people in Blackwater don't know yet. They say they lack intelligence support for analysis. It is estimated that we will have to wait until the Ministry of Accounts issues a tightening strategy for money and food before we can have a basis for further deductions."
Hearing this, Pang Ban pointed to the paperwork on the table and said: "The Black Water that Shen Hao has done is very good and has already achieved good results. He has also relied on Black Water to handle many cases. However, there are still limitations. We can’t just focus on what’s in front of us. A lot of experience from previous wars with barbarians cannot be used as a reference this time, because the situation has changed too much.”
"Sir, what do you mean?" Jiang Cheng didn't quite understand.
“Although the shortage of money and food is the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue, it is not necessarily the Ministry of Revenue that takes the lead in this matter.”
