"Captain Cao, Dongchang and I, Jin Yiwei, each sent their men out to explore the hundreds of miles around the official road.
But our people each explored their own, and finally exchanged information and checked each other's omissions to fill in the gaps. What do you think? "
After Li Ruolian finished speaking, Cao Huachun pondered for a moment and whispered: "Should we ask the emperor to ask the warrior camp to come back?
Or maybe one of the four Tengxiang guards will be transferred to Li Ting to scan the acupoints once according to the information we have received? "
"No, it's not that His Majesty hasn't thought of this kind of thing. Since he didn't say it, we'd better not make any claims and just do our part."
"Okay, we have to be fast. This matter must be kept strictly confidential before His Majesty announces it, and the people sent out cannot reveal it!"
"good!"
After Li Ruolian responded, the two left quickly.
In Dongnuan Pavilion, Chongzhen stood in front of the Ming Dynasty map, his eyes moving back and forth on the map, as if he was calculating something.
When he came back to his senses, Wang Chengen whispered: "Your Majesty, Commander Li Ruolian of the Imperial Guards, please see me!"
"Li Ruolian?"
Chongzhen was a little stunned. Didn't he just leave? Why did he come back? Did he just fall asleep standing up and how many hours had passed now?
"My companion, how long have I been meditating?"
"Your Majesty, it will take about two-quarters of an hour!"
"Two quarters of an hour!"
Chongzhen muttered to himself: "Let him in!"
After a while, Li Ruolian came in, his face looked a little solemn. After saluting, he glanced at several eunuchs and maids in Dongnuan Pavilion.
Upon seeing this, Wang Chengen waved his hand and everyone exited Dongnuan Pavilion.
There are only three people in Dongnuan Pavilion: Chongzhen, Li Ruolian and Wang Chengen.
"Your Majesty, news has just come back from Jiannu."
Chongzhen was shocked, and Li Ruolian immediately said: "Your Majesty, the Jinyi guards who went deep into the slave establishment discovered that Shengjing and the frontline troops frequently changed defenses, and a large number of supplies were transported to the frontline.
But what is incomprehensible is that although the number of people withdrawing each time is not necessarily more than the number of people entering, in general, the number of people withdrawing is more than the number of people entering.
Moreover, former army coach Amin withdrew from the front line, and his specific movements are unknown.
Secondly, we monitored several caravans from Shengjing carrying large amounts of supplies into the grassland. The leader of the group was Fan Wencheng.
Because the distance was too far, I couldn't see clearly. "
Chongzhen frowned after hearing the news. He couldn't figure out what was going on, but he was keenly aware that Jiannu seemed to be up to something.
Are we going to attack Ningyuan again?
But it shouldn't be. The attack just failed and morale was greatly reduced. Now it's time to regain morale.
After thinking for a moment, Chongzhen looked at Wang Chengen: "My dear companion, tell Fang Zhenghua, Cao Wenzhao, and Sun Chuanting to enter the palace quickly!"
Wang Chengen immediately went to make arrangements, and only Chongzhen and Li Ruolian were left in Dongnuan Pavilion.
Li Ruolian whispered: "Your Majesty, I still have news."
"The Jinyi Guards of Zunhua City also sent back a secret message. According to their secret investigation, Jia Weiyao, the prefect of Zunhua City, and Ma Sigong, the official minister, are suspected of having an affair and establishing slaves.
However, His Majesty has given instructions, and I dare not make any big move to conduct a thorough investigation. I have secretly ordered the Jin Yiwei to remain silent. "
After hearing this, Chongzhen's eyes were full of murderous intent. Sure enough, someone in Zunhua City had an affair with a slave.
Historically, in the second year of Chongzhen, Huang Taiji entered Zunhua from Xifengkou and directly approached Zunhua on October 27th.
But the strange thing is that there was no attack on the city. After waiting for four days, the reinforcements led by General Zhao who ambushed Santun Camp (Jizhou Military Town on Jiubian) were killed.
In the next hour, the Santun camp, which was heavily stationed, was broken. Then Zunhua was opened by the internal forces, and Zunhua fell.
If we look at the records, the internal officers may be Jia Weiyue, Ma Sigong, the chief minister, and the commander-in-chief of the Santun camp.
Qianshi is the deputy of the envoy, and is responsible for the tasks of raising education, delivering posts, clearing troops, patrolling, and preparing troops.
According to his responsibilities, opening the city gate is really within the scope of his responsibilities.
"Your Majesty, according to my investigation, Jia Weiyao, the prefect of Zunhua City, is the son of Jia Yingyuan, the Minister of War, who was posthumously gifted by the imperial court.
Jia Yingyuan was a Jinshi in the 41st year of Jiajing reign. He successively served as deputy historian of Shanxi, censor of Youqiandu, right minister of the Ministry of War, and assistant minister of military affairs on the left.
He was capable and decisive in his work, he was dedicated to the public affairs, and he had a good official reputation. He was finally arrested for slander and returned to his hometown. He was posthumously awarded as a gift.
Unexpectedly, his son would have an affair with a slave, which was really a trick of fate. "
"As for Ma Sigong, he slowly climbed up from the grassroots level. He still has some abilities, but he is flattering, greedy and lustful, and his reputation is not very good."
Chongzhen pondered for a while and looked at the map: "Li Ruolian, is there only one official road from Xifengkou to Zunhua and Jimen?"
"Return to Your Majesty..."
Without waiting for Li Ruolian's answer, Wang Chengen entered Dongnuan Pavilion and said that Fang Zhenghua, Cao Wenzhao and Sun Chuanting were waiting outside.
Chongzhen had no choice but to pause his inquiry and call three people in.
The three of them entered Dongnuan Pavilion, and at Chongzhen's signal, Li Ruolian recounted the matter.
The three of them looked thoughtful. After a moment, Sun Chuanting whispered: "Reduce the number of troops and increase the number of troops?"
"Yes, it means reducing the number of troops and increasing the number of troops."
Cao Wenzhao also responded immediately.
Seeing the doubtful look on Chongzhen's face, Sun Chuanting said: "Your Majesty, the so-called reducing troops and increasing firepower comes from the "Historical Records: Biography of Sun Tzu Wu Qi". It is used to confuse the enemy.
Although a large amount of supplies entered the front line, creating the illusion that the front line was about to attack the Ming Dynasty,
In fact, when the defense was changed, some troops were withdrawn. For example, when the defense was changed to 30,000 people, in fact, 40,000 troops were withdrawn. "
"Combined with the caravan entering the Mongolian tribes, I can conclude that perhaps Jiannu really wants to conquer the Mongolian tribes and use Mongolia to bypass the Jinning defense line and attack other parts of the Ming Dynasty."
Chongzhen was shocked. History was indeed following its original trajectory.
Historical records indicate that in mid-February of the first year of Chongzhen, Huang Taiji led his elite troops to raid the Dorot tribe to which Chahar belonged in Aomulun.
Perhaps, the Jian Nu had already begun to attack various grassland ministries, but the people from Jinyiwei and Dongchang did not go deep into the Jian Nu's rear and could not figure out the truth, resulting in a delay in transmitting information in a timely manner.
It seems that Huang Taiji is determined to use Mongolia to bypass the Jinning defense line and attack the Ming Dynasty.
Well, it's just what he wanted.
Chongzhen glanced at everyone and said, "Li Ruolian stays, while the others wait outside the door."
After everyone exited Dongnuan Pavilion, Chongzhen whispered: "Li Ruolian, answer the question I just asked!"
"Your Majesty, there is indeed only one official road. Although there are some small roads, only some woodcutters and villagers can go there. Horses and carriages cannot go there."
Chongzhen nodded: "You have to do four things next.
First, send someone to explore all the official roads and trails on the road from Xifengkou to Jizhou, make clear notes on the situation, and be quick.
Second, see if you can arrange for someone to appear as someone close to Ma Sigong.
Third, send people to check the commander-in-chief and generals of the Third Tun Camp to see if there are any problems, and still make sure not to alert the enemy! "
"Fourth, immediately verify whether the Jiannu are attacking the Chahar tribe or making friends with the Mongolian tribes, check the movements on the Jiannu front line, and report any news immediately!"
"I obey the decree!"
After watching Li Ruolian leave, Chongzhen stared at the map again for a long time: "Big companion, let Fang Zhenghua, Cao Wenzhao, and Sun Chuanting come in, and send word to Marquis Zhongzhen to see me."
