Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 256 Meeting
"Uncle Chang, why do we need to be so courteous? Young Fu is really worrying too much. The imperial court has no doubts about Liaoxi. The Holy One intends to urge Honggong to make achievements in Ningjin, so Honggong discussed with a certain , determined to seize Yizhou, so as to eliminate the troubles of Jinzhou, and to reassure the heart of the sage. Considering that the Ningjin officers and soldiers have been out of battle for a long time, and they may lack the will to fight when facing the enemy, Hong Gongcai went to the court to ask the court to send a brave guard battalion Going out to help each other. Honggong is going to Jinzhou to discuss with Shaofu about Ning Jin’s officers and soldiers watching the battle. The eldest uncle should go back and report to Shaofu. If there is nothing wrong, it is best to meet Honggong, so as not to be harmful to Shaofu. Comment on the biography out!"

Shen Shiyu glanced at a box made of rosewood brought by Wu Sangui. A faint golden light radiated from the open box, and there were 500 taels of gold inside.

What he said about inviting Ning Jin's officers and soldiers to watch the battle was just an official rhetoric, and the real meaning was to ask Jinzhou to send troops.Otherwise, could it be that Ning Jinjun really just watched from the sidelines when guest troops like the Yongweiying were fighting Jianlu?

"Duke Shen has always treated Sangui like a nephew, and please accept a little bit of affection for Sangui. Sangui will rush back to Jinzhou to report to his uncle, so as not to misjudge the situation in Jinzhou! Gong Shen, Sangui bids farewell!"

After Wu Sangui clasped his fists and saluted, he went out and hurried away with his own soldiers on his horse. He consciously left the box of gold ingots in Shen Shiyu's room.

Now that he knew the goal of the imperial army this time, he had to go back quickly and persuade Zu Dashou to cooperate, or else he would really confirm the rumors that Jinzhou was connected with Jianlu.If this is the case, once the court makes a fuss about it afterwards, the ancestral family can only go back to Daming except to sit and wait for death.

Jinzhou is only forty miles away from Songshan Mountain, and it only took Wu Sangui more than an hour to go back and forth on horseback.When he rushed back to Jinzhou, he saw a large group of cavalry galloping outside the city, and the city was full of soldiers and generals in armor.The gate of the city was only half open, and a group of soldiers on duty were strictly checking the merchants entering and leaving the gate.

Seeing this scene, Wu Sangui was a little bit dumbfounded: My uncle was really scared out of his nerve by the court, and he made such a big battle to embolden himself.

"That Mr. Shen really said that? Uncle, you are also someone who has seen the world. Do you think the imperial court sent troops here this time, really not to deal with us?"

Zu Dashou, who had been waiting for Wu Sangui's return in the study, still had a dubious expression after hearing Wu Sangui's recitation of Shen Shiyu's words, but his tense body had already relaxed.

"Uncle, Mr. Shen is the most trusted person of Governor Hong. My son knows him very well, and he will never lie to me! My son thinks that uncle should meet with Governor Hong to plan how to capture Yizhou; Hai'er thinks that I, Ning Jin, should obey the orders of Governor Hong, and go all out to cooperate with the guest army, and rely on this campaign to dispel the rumors about Ning Jin from the outside world, so as to restore the trust of the Holy Majesty and the imperial court!"

Wu Sangui said calmly.

"Uncle, what the third brother said is very true! We have fought against Jiannu for decades, and retreated all the way from Liaodong to Jinzhou. How many soldiers died at the hands of Jiannu? This is a bloody feud! This time the imperial court sent us to fight The officers and soldiers come here, we have to let the guest army see that the Jinzhou army is not a master who eats the imperial court for free! This time I will take my men to battle!"

Zu Kuan stood up and shouted loudly.

"You bastard! How can Jiannu be as easy to deal with as a thief? Don't you fucking think that after a few victories in the pass to suppress the thieves, your tail will go up to the sky! Fighting will kill people, we spend a lot of money The death of one of the supported children is equivalent to throwing away a lot of money! Our ancestors are all dead, and our ancestors still rely on them? Your uncle has his own opinion on how to plan this matter, and if you talk too much, I will beat you to death!"

Zu Dale raised his eyebrows, pointed at Zu Kuan's nose and cursed angrily.

Seeing his father getting angry, Zu Kuan had to sit down reluctantly, but was still muttering in a low voice.

"The eldest uncle said that Hong Hengjiu is coming to Jinzhou. Brother, did you see him or not? The imperial army wanted to take Yizhou, and it was obvious that it was Liwei! Do you think we should send someone to secretly inform Yizhou, and let them have it early?" A defense?"

Seeing Zu Dashou sitting there silent for a long time, Zu Dabi couldn't help asking.

"Second uncle, is this inappropriate? Don't forget that we are still ministers of the Ming Dynasty. Even if we have some contacts with Jianzhou on weekdays, it is only for profit. This time it is a matter of military and state affairs. Such actions are tantamount to collaborating with the enemy. It is the same serious crime of killing the family as treason! Uncle, think carefully about it!"

What Zu Dabi said made Wu Sangui very disgusted.It's nothing more than doing some shady things with Jianzhou to earn money. It's also for the benefit of many people in Liaoxi. I don't know if I'm dead or alive.

If you want to die yourself, don't drag others down!Do you still think that the money earned for so many years is too little?If you let the imperial court know about the traffic slaves who are about to fight, how many people will have to be buried with you!Wu Sangui cursed secretly in his heart.

"I'd better meet Hong Hengjiu. Uncle Chang is right. Our family has earned a lot of property over the years, but we have to spend our lives to make money! Seeing that the emperor seems to be like a wise king, Daming also Turning the corner, we have to be ignorant of current affairs! This time, let's spend some capital, and let the court see the majesty of our cavalry! No matter how powerful the court officers and troops are, they are nothing more than pawns. In field battles, if we don’t have our cavalry leading the formation, no matter how good the infantry can fight, they won’t be able to withstand the charge of Jiannu and Tartar’s cavalry!”

Zu Dashou, who had been thinking for a long time, finally opened his mouth and made a decision.

What my nephew said is correct, no matter what, western Liaoning is still the land of Daming, and all the people present here are also ministers of Ming, so you can't turn your elbows outward at critical moments, right?Over the years, I have accumulated a wealth of family property, which can be said to be too much to spend in a few lifetimes. What I have to consider now is how to keep this wealth.The capture of Yizhou was an opportunity to express loyalty to the imperial court. As long as one's body is relaxed, there are enough merits in hand, and there are important ministers in the court to speak for Liaoxi, then the emperor can't kill him for no reason, right?

At around noon that day, when Hong Chengchou came down to a place five miles away from Jinzhou under the escort of his own soldiers, Wu Sangui was entrusted by Zu Dashou to make a special trip here to welcome Hong Chengchou's arrival.In order to show Hong Chengchou the strength of Jinzhou, Zu Dashou dispatched all his servants and his generals.On both sides of the official road, the knights in helmets and armor all pointed their horses towards the official road, forming an airtight passage.The soldiers on the horse had different expressions, some were arrogant, some were humble, some were curious, some were admiring, they watched Hong Chengchou and his party pass through in silence.Flags of various sizes fluttered in the wind, and the long line stretched all the way to the gate of Jinzhou.

"Zu Shaofu has lined up such an array, I am quite flattered! Hahahaha! Uncle, who is stronger or weaker than yours? I heard that Jianlu's armored soldiers are extremely sharp. Compared with Jianlu how?"

Hong Chengchou, who was used to seeing big scenes, rode calmly on his horse, looking at the Ning Jin cavalry soldiers on both sides from time to time, and in his heart he disdained Zu Dashou's playful behavior, which further lowered his evaluation of Liaoxi.

"Teacher, these are Ning Jin's strong army, which is almost as different from the humble army, slightly inferior to the Jiannu Jiabing! Slightly stronger than the Tartars!"

Wu Sangui, who was half a horse behind Hong Chengchou, replied honestly.

"Although the Jianlu Eight Banners armored soldiers are beneficial, they are nothing to fear in the eyes of this official! Because the number is very small, it cannot be replaced if one is lost. What's more, they are huddled in the bitter cold of Liaodong, and the supplies are scarce. To plunder Chinese craftsmen and craftsmen to work for them, their defeat will be instant! Just look at this battle to seize the city. Since our emperor sent a strong army, it seems that he has the ability to rely on it. It’s not too much to lose more!”

Wu Sangui didn't dare to answer, so he could only pretend to listen.Shen Shiyu next to him smiled and changed the subject: "Mr. Hong, I don't know how many cavalry Zu Shaofu can send out to help out this time. There are [-] soldiers from the brave guard battalion, coupled with thousands of cavalry, and [-] captives from Yizhou. Is it my enemy! I am afraid that the Jianlu will see our army is strong and will not go out of the city to fight. I heard that the heavy arrows shot by everyone in the city will be damaged if our army ants go to the city. I am afraid Your Majesty blames me for losing troops and generals!"

Hong Chengchou said with a smile: "As long as we can wipe out the Liaodong Jian captives, no matter how many sacrifices we make, it's a trivial matter! When we see Zu Shaofu, we can discuss how to use troops. I think Shaofu will have some sincere words to teach me!"

During the chat, the majestic and tall Jinzhou City was in sight. A large group of civil servants and generals stood in the open space outside the south gate. Before Hong Chengchou approached, a group of generals knelt on one knee and marched to pay respects. He bowed and saluted.

After everyone saluted, Hong Chengchou stood up and dismounted. Fang Yizao, the governor of Liaodong, cupped his hands with a polite smile on his face: "I have been feeling cold in the past few days, and I have not accompanied Hong Gong to patrol the place. I am rude and rude! Shaofu's waist and legs are inconvenient, no It is beneficial to go, and I want the next official to declare a crime against Hong, and the young master is now at the Governor's Yamen to wait for Hong Gong to come! Hong Gong please!"

Hong Chengchou bowed his hands slightly and returned the half-respect: "It's okay! Young Master has lived in the bitter cold for many years, and he will inevitably suffer from hidden diseases. I will go to visit here, and please Zi Yuantou to lead the way!"

　Thanks to book friend Kai Kai Lingyun for tipping that this account is no longer used.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)