serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 171
It was raining heavily outside.

There was silence in the cabinet room.

Chief Assistant Song Chengliang was standing in front of the window, looking at the endless rain outside.

Wang Hetang sat there drinking tea silently.

Jia Yucun, the left servant of the Ministry of War, stood beside Wang Hetang with his head bowed.

A chilling thunder blast made Jia Yucun tremble all over.

Song Chengliang turned around slowly, looked at Wang Hetang, and then said to Jia Yucun, "Go back."

Jia Yucun looked at Wang Hetang.

Wang Hetang waved his hand: "It's none of your business, go back."

Jia Yucun: "Yes." After speaking, he hurried out.

Looking at the disappearing figure of Jia Yucun, Song Chengliang walked back to the desk and sat down, "This battle ruined half of the imperial court's troops in Anhui, especially the [-] Xiyi muskets dispatched from the Beijing camp, all fell into the army. In the hands of the rebels, there will be endless troubles!"

Wang Hetang put down the tea bowl, stood up, walked to the window, looked at the rain curtain outside and said, "An elite group of more than ten thousand people suddenly appeared behind Wang Ziteng. There are articles here."

Song Chengliang: "Prince Teng has become the common enemy of the rebels of the Cao gang and the wealthy families."

Wang Hetang pondered for a while: "I know."

Song Chengliang: "You should persuade Your Majesty, it will be difficult to turn back if this turmoil continues."

Wang Hetang stood there in a daze for a long time, his mouth moved, and finally turned into a sigh.

At this moment, Dai Quan's voice came from outside the door: "Shou Fu, Ge Lao, Your Majesty welcomes you!"

Song Chengliang stood up, "Even if we don't re-appoint generals, we still need to mobilize superior troops to pay them off." He said, striding out.

Wang Hetang shook his head and followed out.

In the upper study
There were two memorials written by Jia Hu and Eunuch Zhao side by side on the imperial case, an hour later than the military newspaper.

Emperor Jianwu sat on the dragon chair without saying a word.

The contents of these two memorials are similar, and they said two things, one was about the Zhasaktu Khan and Tuxietu Khan tribes, and the other was about going deep into the Chahar Grassland to pursue the remnants of the Manchu-Qing coalition forces.

Comparing the two memorials, Eunuch Zhao was describing two things objectively, while Jia Hu gave a detailed explanation, especially why he rejected Uncle Zhongqin's suggestion.

It makes sense, but it doesn't always feel that simple.

At this time, Dai Quan walked in quickly.

Song Chengliang and Wang Hetang followed in and said in unison: "See Your Majesty."

Emperor Jianwu waved his hand and asked Dai Quan to hand them the two memorials.

The two read the two memorials in exchange, contemplating them carefully.

After a while of silence, Emperor Jianwu spoke first: "There is nothing to say about the weapons and equipment. I don't think Jia Hu is wrong. You greet the officials below. I don't want to hear any rumors."

Song Chengliang and Wang Hetang replied in unison: "Your Majesty is merciful!"

Emperor Jianwu nodded, and then said: "For the matter of the covenant, you go back and discuss it, and then write a report. As for the garrison at Daligang'ai Ranch, I don't think it is necessary. This is obviously a strategy of the Mobei Mongolians. .”

The two were startled for a moment, then showed admiration, and said in unison: "Your Majesty is holy!"

A smile appeared on Emperor Jianwu's face, "I want to hear what you think about Jia Hu's refusal to send troops to chase after the remnants of the Qing Dynasty?"

Both Song Chengliang and Wang Hetang pondered.

Emperor Jianwu: "What's wrong?" He looked at Song Chengliang.

Song Chengliang was in a dilemma, hesitated for a while, and then said: "Although I don't understand military strategies, I also understand the truth that arrogant soldiers must be defeated. Jiahou stated in his memorial that this battle did not wipe out the Manchus and Mongols. The main force, the opponent still has [-] to [-] main cavalry.

However, our army suffered a lot of losses, and they were all exhausted soldiers. The soldiers were fierce and dangerous, and a little carelessness might lead to the defeat of the army.The country, the country, and the country are all tied to this battle, and the overall situation should be the most important thing. "

Emperor Jianwu knew that Song Chengliang was reminding himself, so he turned his attention to Wang Hetang.

Wang Hetang's face became serious, and he said solemnly: "Now the imperial court is using troops on four battlefields at the same time. The imperial court can bear the biggest defeats in Liaodong, Huai'an, and Anhui, but the Yongwei Battalion cannot be defeated. If the Yongwei Battalion If the war is defeated, Shanxi and Xuanfu will not be protected, and the entire north may be dragged into the flames of war.

When to send troops and which troops to transfer, I think Jia Hou will report to His Majesty. "

Emperor Jianwu couldn't hold back anymore, and the two of them sang together, reminding themselves that Jia Hu should not be held accountable for privately exposing the [-] Datong cavalry.

However, the right to deploy the frontier troops has always been in the hands of the emperor alone. If Jia Hu is not dealt with this time, will he be more unscrupulous in the future and mobilize other frontier troops at will?
Is it possible to deal with Zhao Yi who sent troops? !

As if he could see what the emperor was thinking, Wang Hetang went on to say: "The situation at that time was complicated, and Jiahou was also on the verge of death, so he had to act according to what I thought. On the surface, this matter can only be pretending to be confused, and he should give Jiahou credit normally, and then His Majesty Point it out to him in the secret decree, he will naturally be grateful to Huaide, regroup his troops, and end this war as soon as possible."

Emperor Jianwu took a deep breath, "I understand."

Song Chengliang immediately said: "Cavalry is still the main force in grassland warfare, which greatly restricts the combat power of the Yongwei Battalion. After this battle, the cavalry of the Yongwei Battalion suffered a lot. Can Jiahou be sent from Shanxi and Xuanfu? The land recruited young and strong men from good families to form cavalry to supplement the lost troops."

Emperor Jianwu didn't show his expression: "How much does the chief assistant think is appropriate?"

After Song Chengliang heard this, he was stunned for a while, but he had to answer. He thought for a while: "Expand the cavalry of the Yongwei Battalion to [-] or [-], reduce the number of troops from the infantry battalion, and keep the total force within [-]."

Hearing his words, Wang Hetang twitched his eyes, but didn't speak.

Emperor Jianwu thought for a moment, and said: "Then expand to [-], let Jia Hu defeat the Manchus as soon as possible, and end this war."

Song Chengliang: "Yes." After hesitating for a while, he said: "The matter in Anhui should have a result. I think that we should mobilize heavy troops to quickly wipe out the rebels entrenched in Luzhou Prefecture."

Emperor Jianwu smiled lightly, and said: "I have decreed to mobilize [-] elite Jiangnan battalions, [-] Jiangsu patrol battalions and [-] Henan soldiers to cooperate with Anhui guards to wipe out the rebels in Luzhou Prefecture."

Song Chengliang hesitated again, and said: "The combat power of the patrol battalion is low, and I'm afraid it will drag down the Jiangnan battalion."

Emperor Jianwu's eyes flashed: "Then transfer all the 5000 troops of the Jiangnan camp stationed in Jiangning and Zhenjiang."

Song Chengliang breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes."

Emperor Jianwu picked up a list from the left side of the imperial case: "This is the list of meritorious personnel recommended by Jia Hu. They are all officers below the guerrilla generals. If there is no problem, let the Ministry of War handle it quickly and send the appointment documents to the front line as soon as possible. "

Shanxi
Shuoping Mansion, Youyu.

Since the news of the official army's victory over the Manchu and Qing allied forces came, the county town less than [-] miles away from the tiger's mouth has returned to its former calm. Jia Lian in casual clothes walked aimlessly on the street with his servant Zhao'er , followed by four guards carrying swords.

At this moment, a fast horse galloped over from the street and stopped in front of Jia Lian. Immediately, the man was Jia Hu's personal soldier, got off the horse and whispered something in Jia Lian's ear.

Jia Lian's eyes lit up: "Let's go back to the barracks." He walked out of the city quickly.

At this time, a window on the second floor of the nearby restaurant was pushed open, and a young man in a brocade robe was standing in front of the window. It was Yang Yansheng who had escaped from the capital.

Looking at the back of Jia Lian going away, Yang Yansheng snorted coldly. After Daxing was severely injured by the cavalry of the Yongwei Battalion, he went directly to Suiyuan City. After discussing with Yongqi, he brought people from the White Lotus Sect. When they got here, they waited for an opportunity to burn the grain and grass transported here.

However, before he could find an opportunity, the Manchu and Qing allied forces were defeated by Zhou Jun, and they didn't hold on for a day. To be exact, Prince He Shuorong was driven into the prairie by Jia Hu in less than three hours deep.

Thinking of this, Yang Yansheng's heart ached, he turned around and walked to the table, took a sip from his wine glass, and then walked out of the private room.

(End of this chapter)