Chapter 71 Fu Zhong asks for a tassel
Southwest front,
The war in the southwest has been going on for more than a month.
However, the biggest difficulty in this section is the march.
The so-called 300,000-strong army, if you include civilians, is only a lot more. But the number of soldiers on the front line will not exceed one hundred thousand. Without him, whether it’s from Sichuan to here or from Hunan, it’s a long way to go, with high mountains and vast abyss and sparsely populated areas. Even if there are some people, they are all local toasts. There are very few people who can be conquered.
Therefore, most of the 300,000 troops are maintaining the logistics line. Only a hundred thousand people actually fought.
However, this was enough for Liang Wangjun.
Although the armies of both sides have not yet joined forces to fight. But there were small contacts before that. Mu Ying was the vanguard of the army. He built roads across mountains and rivers and built bridges. When he encountered places where the Yuan army was stationed, he also cleaned them up. This was a testament to the strength of the Yuan army.
What should I say?
Mu Ying is considered experienced in many battles. They also fought against Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng and Bei Yuan back then. They had not fought such an easy enemy for a long time.
The military strength of the Ming Dynasty reached its lowest point before the Red Scarf Army uprising. Then, in the repeated tug of war with the Red Turban Army, many generals who were useless were eliminated, and many capable generals stood out. For example, Wang Baobao.
Being able to lose both sides with Xu Da, Wang Baobao will be listed among the famous generals in the world, and there will be no problem in his determination.
It can be seen that Beiyuan's combat effectiveness still has some reservations after ups and downs.
But King Liang's side was different. King Liang had never experienced a war. The biggest battle was with Xia Jun. Ming Yuzhen's department was part of the Tianwan Dynasty, and it became independent only after Chen Youliang usurped the throne. But he only dared to stay in seclusion. But this year Xia's army was not as good as Chen Youliang's. Although Chen Youliang's troops were Zhu Yuanzhang's biggest enemies, they were most capable of fighting the navy. In other aspects, it may not be comparable to the Yuan army on the grasslands today.
Coupled with the rebellious behavior of King Liang himself, the strength of King Liang's army was probably slightly stronger than the local army of the Yuan Dynasty during the Red Scarf Army period. Compared with the Ming army, which was so grand during the founding of the country, it is no match at all.
It seems that Liang Wangjun also knew this and had long given up all peripheral defenses in Qujing. They only guard Qujing City and several dangerous places outside the city.
When Fu Youde came here, he expected the enemy to observe the formation and did not attack directly. Instead, they stopped for ten days in a row to regain their morale. Let the soldiers take a rest after a long journey. The second is to choose a method to defeat the enemy.
Fu Youde discussed with the generals for several days. Finally, we decided on a strategy to defeat the enemy, and the breakthrough point was at Baishi River.
The task of breaking through Baishijiang was handed over to Mu Ying.
Baishi River is not far from Qujing City. The river is not wide and can be forded. Compared with other dangerous places, it is much better. But Liang Wangjun also knew this. Therefore, they set up camp across the Baishi River, took care of them with strong bows and crossbows, and gathered all the ships. The Ming army was left without boats to cross the river.
Although it is possible to ford the crossing, if you really do so, you will undoubtedly be a living target under the enemy's strong bows and crossbows.
Not to mention, once it hits water, all bows, arrows and firearms will become useless. Said before. The bow and arrow are compound bows. Once they hit the water, the sinews will become weak due to water absorption, and the range will not be very far.
See this situation. Mu Ying assigned tasks to his generals. Said: "The enemy's attention is all on the Baishi River, but the upper reaches of the Baishi River are difficult and dangerous. I will draw the enemy's attention here with the army. I will choose another thousand households and break into the other bank from the upper reaches. Pull out the camp on the opposite side and open the way for the army to build a pontoon bridge. .”
"Which of you is willing to take on this important task?"
One of the young generals said loudly: "Report to the Marquis of Xiping, the general will have something to say."
Mu Ying took a look and realized it was none other than Fu Zhong.
Perhaps for mutual trust on the battlefield, Fu Youde placed Fu Zhong under Mu Ying's command. Of course, maybe it was Fu Youde's cultivation of Fu Zhong. After all, Muying is a pioneer. Although the troops are only 10,000 or 20,000 people. But before the large army, all units of the army must first engage the enemy. If the opponent is very strong. Muying will face a series of tough battles. They will even light up their own deployment. But now the war is coming. Fu Youde also knows what kind of person the other party is.
Based on Fu Youde's experience, the credit for this battle lies with the vanguard. Of course, Fu Youde is in charge of the entire army, and he will still get his due credit. However, many generals in the rear army may not be as capable as Mu Ying. But he can no longer make meritorious deeds.
After all, Muying's forward was designated by the palace.
Fu Youde can also do something for his son. Put Fu Zhong under Mu Ying's command. On the one hand, let Mu Ying understand that he, Fu Youde, is determined not to do any tricks on Mu Ying. At the same time, if Fu Zhong is under Fu Youde, it will be difficult to do anything for promotion. At least show that you are not selfish.
But it's different under Mu Ying's command.
Muying does not need special care. While Mu Ying's troops contributed the most to pacifying Yunnan, shouldn't Mu Ying give Fu Zhong some credit? After all, although the army conquering the south has no merit and hard work. But the hard work of different troops is also different.
Mu Ying said: "Speak."
Fu Zhong said: "The last general is willing to issue a military order. Sneak across the Baishi River and open the way for the entire army."
Mu Ying frowned slightly.
This situation made Mu Ying a little embarrassed. Although Mu Ying did not treat Fu Zhong specially, Mu Ying did not want Fu Zhong to die under her command. Before this, Fu Zhong had always been honest. And why is this happening now?
Mu Ying didn't know. Fu Zhong was holding a fire in his heart at this moment.
This fire is the hatred of seizing his wife.
Zhu Yuanzhang selected He Xi as the consort of Princess Anqing, now that it has been finalized. The prince is preparing to build the Prince Consort's Mansion. Naturally, this news will not be kept secret. It spread all the way to the army. Naturally, it also reached Fu Zhong's ears.
This is also inevitable.
What are you most worried about when a general is leading troops outside? Not the enemy in front of you, but the changes behind you. Any general who goes on an expedition will place personnel in the capital to inform the army of the latest changes in the capital. Therefore, the news also reached Fu Zhong's ears.
Fu Zhong also remembered Fu Youde's reprimand to him: "The reason why His Majesty chose He Xi instead of you is that you are just the son of my Marquis of Yingchuan, and He Xi can create a world for himself, just because He Xi is good at ordnance." His talents are enough to make him qualified to be the Minister of Industry. And you, without me, would be nothing more than an ordinary general."
"What you have to do now is not to blame others, but to reflect on it."
"Think carefully about how to make a career, and don't let others look down upon you. As long as you can make a career, your father and I will be willing to marry you despite my old face. It should be noted that Your Majesty does not only have one daughter. .”
"Have a good time and do your job."
Although Fu Youde said it, Fu Zhong was still unwilling to give in. If there is any personal relationship between him and Princess Anqing, there is none at all. The palace is strictly forbidden. Without Queen Ma's nod, it would have been difficult for He Xi and Princess Anqing to meet each other. Not to mention anything else.
The same is true for Fu Zhong, even he is not as good as He Xi. He Xi finally lives in the palace.
But this has nothing to do with feelings. He was determined to win Princess Anqing before. If He Xi admits that he is also pursuing Princess Anqing, he also admits that He Xi is a man. But He Xi pretended to be innocent in front of himself. The back foot will hold the beauty back.
"Despicable villain." Fu Zhong labeled He Xi.
The more this happened, the angrier he became. The angrier he gets, the more meritorious he will do.
Mu Ying pondered for a moment and said: "The army has no joke."
Although Mu Ying is troubled by Fu Zhong's special identity, when fighting, fighting is always the first priority, regardless of whose son or grandson you are. Mu Ying actually also thought about how to attract the opponent's attention. Naturally, they have to send people to feint attack. Create opportunities for the army to bypass the upper reaches.
But this mission will cost many people their lives. Even the leading general might be killed in the Baishi River.
If Mu Ying was given the choice, he would naturally not assign such a task to Fu Zhong. But Fu Zhong took the initiative to ask for a fight. Even if Fu Youde came, he, Mu Ying, would take care of him.
Although Fu Youde is the boss, Mu Ying's foundation has always been in the palace. From this point of view, Mu Ying respects Fu Youde, not fear. Moreover, Mu Ying also understood that while the army was outside, the generals in the army had a good relationship, which was not good. It doesn't work if the relationship is too bad.
Let Fu Zhong choose the path he wants to pursue.
Fu Zhong said: "General, I don't dare to lie about this kind of thing. I just ask the Marquis of Xiping to give me some support."
Mu Ying said: "What do you want?"
Fu Zhong said: "I want the entire army's steel crossbows. And a thousand pairs of rattan armor."
"I will give you a thousand steel crossbows in the army. Within three days, you must step on the other side." Mu Ying said, "Otherwise, military law will be dealt with."
Although it was said that military law would be dealt with, Mu Ying also left some room. It probably won't cost Fu Zhong his life, but there will probably be problems with all Fu Zhong's official benefits, and even the inheritance rights of the Marquis of Yingchuan.
Fu Zhong said: "The last general will take orders."
Mu Ying asked Fu Zhong to return to the army, although he arranged for a deputy general to lead thousands of troops around the upper reaches of the Baishi River. After arranging all this, he personally wrote a letter to Fu Youde. Let us know what's going on here.
The nobles during the founding period of the Ming Dynasty were of the highest quality in the Ming Dynasty.
Fu Youde was stunned when he saw Mu Ying's letter. Feeling a little dizzy. Fu Zhong is his eldest son and his carefully trained successor. It would be a lie to say that Fu Youde doesn't care about him. So when he heard the news, he felt a little dizzy.
But Fu Youde knew better that if he wanted to gain a foothold among the arrogant soldiers, Fu Zhong needed military exploits. Only military exploits could allow Fu Zhong to gain a foothold in the Ming Dynasty. Not just taking shelter under Fu Youde's disciples.
And what is military exploits?
It is a battle that others dare not fight, but I can fight and win. I dare to take on tasks that others are afraid of, and I can do them well. And there is no way to fight without killing people.
Fu Youde did not stop him, but ordered the people around him. Said: "If there is a letter from the eldest son, please submit it immediately."
If Fu Zhong regrets it. Even if Fu Youde shows his old face, he still has to intercede for his son. But Fu Zhong firmly chose this path. He could only wish.
For a moment, Fu Youde was extremely conflicted. Should he be a minister without illness or disaster, or should he let his son inherit his own path and fight his way out of the blood and fire?
