Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 236
"Lu Qing's words are very much in line with my wishes. Dividing troops is a big taboo for military strategists. This is the first intention of sending troops next year! Also, according to what I have heard, the slave chieftains have sent troops to conquer Horqin, Chahan and other Mongolian tribes since more than a month ago. As expected, the intention is to acquire young and strong Mongolians for military expansion; if they are not effectively dealt with, they will form combat power in a few years, and the officers and soldiers will pay more sacrifices when conquering Jianzhou! Therefore, we will go out next year It is imperative!"

After the beginning of spring in the tenth year of Chongzhen, regardless of the still cold weather in the Northeast, Huang Taiji ordered the Eight Banners of Manchuria to send heavy troops to attack the Mongolian tribes, plundering people, livestock, grain and grass materials to supplement the so-called Qing Dynasty, which was increasingly scarce in various materials.

This is the information provided by the Four Seas Trading Company last month.Because the Eight Banners' strategy has gradually extended to the west, some tribes outside the side wall that have normal trade with the Four Seas Trading Company have begun to move west or north to avoid the plunder of the Jianzhou Eight Banners.

Under Zhu Youjian's instruction, the Four Seas Trading Company will also provide them with some daily necessities such as food, salt, Chinese patent medicines, and iron pots in the trade with these tribes, which makes the life of these tribes gradually easier.Since you can get supplies without looting, why risk your life to fight against Ming people?
Zhu Youjian has ordered the Four Seas Trading Company to suspend its transactions with the Mongols outside the wall to avoid possible dangers, and has ordered the Ministry of War to publicize the border towns such as Da and Yansui to strengthen their guard against possible raids and looting by Jiannu.

"Since my emperor has decided to march to the north next year, and the matter of serving as the commander-in-chief of the flank has been decided, then please ask my emperor to appoint the commander-in-chief of the northern expedition so that he can make early plans and determine the detailed strategy of using troops; I intend to stay in the capital temporarily and wait for me. After the emperor decrees to appoint the head coach of the Northern Expedition, he will go to Xuanda!"

Lu Xiangsheng was determined to oppose Zhu Youjian's personal conquest, even at the risk of making the emperor unhappy, he wanted to stop it from happening.

Wang Chengen couldn't help giving Lu Xiangsheng a thumbs-up: Master Lu is forcing the emperor to express his opinion.According to the contributions made by the University Scholars, the emperor has to sell face to this important minister, and he is also thinking about the safety of the country, not for personal gain, so the emperor has no reason to be angry.

As long as the head coach of the Northern Expedition is appointed, the emperor has no reason to personally enlist.

The commander of such a major event as the Northern Expedition must be an important official of the court. If you decide to be the commander and you still want to conscript yourself, will it embarrass this important official?

"Ah, this...haha, the northern land has been in a drought for a long time, and today's happy rain came at the right time, haha! I heard that Lu Qing's bravery is extraordinary, and the weapons he used in battle weighed more than a hundred catties. I'm very curious. Is this rumor true or false?"

Zhu Youjian changed the topic with a haha: It's not that I want to conscript myself, but for the sake of making this book more enjoyable, I have no choice but to do so.

"My emperor is the king of a country, how can I trust the words of fools in the market! I usually use more than a hundred catties of big swords to build my strength, and the long swords I use in battle are only more than ten catties! Since it is difficult for my emperor to determine the choice of the coach of the Beizheng, The minister recommended Hong Hengjiu for this position! In terms of strategy and decision-making, he is several times better than the minister; Sun Baigu in Shaanxi can be his deputy. Zheng, my emperor can sit back and relax! I also ask my emperor to make a decision as soon as possible!"

Lu Xiangsheng dismissed Zhu Youjian's naive behavior of interrupting at all, and directly and bluntly launched his own candidate for the coach, further putting pressure on the emperor.

In fact, Lu Xiangsheng's proposal coincides with Zhu Youjian's. Both Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting are the best candidates for the Beizheng coach.The abilities of the two are comparable, but Hong Chengchou, who is about to take office in Jiliao, will have the advantages of geographical advantage and harmony, and his handling of affairs is more tactful. .

If Hong and Sun were to lead the battle, with one upright and the other paired, one singing the red face and the other singing the bad face, under both soft and hard tactics, the group of generals would not be able to obediently obey orders.

Xue Lian, Marquis of Yangwu, and Shichun, Bowei of Xuancheng, will participate in the war as the supervisor of the army and the superintendent of food.

Although the two have shown extraordinary abilities in reorganizing the Beijing camp in a few years, Zhu Youjian will not hand over the command of the army to them. After all, there is an essential difference between training and the real battlefield. A small error in judgment may lead to the failure of the entire campaign.

As for the strength of the various officers and troops participating in the war, it goes without saying that the Yongwei Battalion and the Jingying Battalion are elite soldiers with strict discipline and obeying commands; Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong and other generals are all under Hong Chengchou's command For many years, it is also handy to use; the Qin army is a powerful army created by Sun Chuanting, and the loyalty and bravery of the white soldiers are needless to say. There is basically no problem with these few officers.

Although He Renlong in history had the notoriety of abandoning his general and taking the lead in fleeing for his life, that happened when the entire Ming Dynasty was already defeated, the building was about to collapse, and the hearts of the officers and soldiers were so scattered that it was irreversible.Judging from the performance in the present world, He Renlong, Zuo Liangyu and other generals with bad reputations in history still played a very important role in the entire war to wipe out the thieves, and there are no bad reviews. The Northern Expedition they are just flanks and coordinators will not affect the development of the entire battle situation, so they can be used with confidence and boldly.

Seeing that Lu Xiangsheng was so resolute in stopping his own conquest, Zhu Youjian had to compromise in the end, and this loyal minister had to go down the stairs, didn't he?
"Since Lu Qing is insisting, I can only follow the good advice and let go of my own conquest! The candidate recommended by Lu Qing is very appropriate. I will let people know about Hong and Sun Erqing so that they can make early preparations for the next year's war! Lu Qing Don't spread the news about the Northern Expedition, in order to prevent it from being detected by interested people!"

"I obey the order! My Emperor Shengming!"

Lu Xiangsheng finally felt relieved, since the emperor personally accepted that he did not plan to conscript himself, he could finally go to Xuanda to take up his post with peace of mind.

Wang Chengen on the side finally let go of his heart: the emperor is no longer as suspicious and stubborn as before.

After being left by Zhu Youjian for a simple lunch, Lu Xiangsheng bid farewell to the emperor and left the palace. Zhu Youjian sent it all the way outside the palace, and just stood on the steps outside the palace gate to watch Lu Xiangsheng leave.

The first rain in the ten years of Chongzhen has been falling non-stop. Looking at Lu Xiangsheng's thin but tall back under the umbrella held by Xiaohuangmen, Zhu Youjian's heart suddenly warmed up, and he shouted: "Lu Qing, take care of me!" !"

In the spring of next year, Lu Xiangsheng will lead tens of thousands of cavalry across thousands of miles into the enemy's rear.This battle is extremely dangerous, and accidents on the battlefield will happen at any time. Deep in his heart, Zhu Youjian is very worried about the safety of this loyal minister, and he is afraid that this time will be the last time for the two of them.

Lu Xiangsheng, who had already walked dozens of steps, heard the voice from behind, paused, and slowly turned around, ignoring the rainwater accumulated on the green brick floor, slowly knelt down on the ground, and bowed his hands to him. Zhu Youjian, who was saluting, kowtowed his head three times, stood up and walked into the rain curtain, the rain mixed with tears slowly slid down his face.

The blissful rain at the turn of spring and summer lasted for two full days, which greatly eased the drought in the Northland.

On the second day after the rain stopped, the ground on the official road was a little dry, so Lu Xiangsheng took Lu Xiang and the others out of Desheng Gate and went straight to Xuanfu.

Just a few days after Lu Xiangsheng left the capital, a convoy of more than [-] carriages arrived outside the Chongwen Gate of the capital.Dozens of knights with helmets and armor were the first to open the way. Two knights galloped at the front holding wooden plaques. On one wooden plaque was written "Imperial Commander Ji Liao" and on the other was written "Dongge University Scholar" "Hong", Hong Chengchou, who is about to supervise Ji Liao, returns to Beijing to see you.

Compared with Lu Xiangsheng, who never likes ostentation, Hong Chengchou's entry to Beijing is extremely high-profile.

In fact, this is the most normal behavior in the officialdom of Ming Dynasty.

A seventh-rank magistrate needs someone to clear the way when he travels. As one of the top scholars in Daming and a senior official of the first rank, if you are too low-key, someone may say that you have ulterior motives.

Hong Chengchou, who is well aware of the psychology of people in the officialdom, naturally would not make such a naive mistake. Surrounded by his own soldiers, the famous Hong Hengjiu made his debut.

　Pig's feet, as ordinary people in later generations, will not be as ruthless as a real emperor, so it is inevitable to show their true feelings, so please don't complain.

　　Knowing the question of armored knight 888, in fact, I intend to write Lu Xiangsheng to death on the battlefield. The important thing in war is sacrifice. , not very sensational.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)