The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Yansui Town resident, Yulinwei.

On February 19th, Wang Qiong learned that Liu Jin was about to pass through Yansui and go to Ningxia.

Shenying, the chief military officer, stood behind Wang Qiong and said cautiously: "The decree has been issued. With Pingluhou, the chief military officer of Datong, as the general, more than 3,000 elite cavalry will be dispatched to Ningxia. However, there is no movement in Datong yet, but The Lieutenant Commander arrived first, Master Junmen, how do you think we should deal with it?"

Wang Qiong said: "Although Ningxia is a land on three sides, the soldiers and horses stationed at Huamachi are not under my command. I will not pay attention to their arrangements."

Wang Qiong is still more sensible.

He was in charge of three borders, and most of the military affairs in the northwest were under his command, but the problem was that the defense of each place was not very tight, so he could not get credit for it, but he would not make mistakes because of it.

But the troops in Huamachi were different. He was a soldier specially sent to the northwest by the emperor, and Huamachi almost belonged to the "enclave" on three sides. He was convicted in the battle, and now the main troops stationed in Huamachi are the soldiers and horses brought by Zhang Mao.

What Wang Qiong means is that they are a group of people directly under the emperor's control. I am only responsible for supervision and am not responsible for their battle plans and actions.

Shenying said: "As far as the general knows, after the Tatars invaded Huamachi, their soldiers and horses were still active in Hetao and other places, and they are still active. If the Tatars attack again, Huamachi will be lost. I'm afraid Everywhere else will be affected.”

You don't want to take care of it?

Except for Huamachi, all other places are within the scope of your responsibility, Wang Qiong. Even if you don't want to take care of it, you will be forced to take care of it.

Wang Qiong glanced at Shenying and asked, "What do you mean?"

Shenying said: "There were more than 2,000 local Ningxia generals stationed in Huamachi. After the British minister was transferred back to Beijing, the Ningxia governor had transferred more than 2,000 soldiers and horses away. Although there are still some who are stationed in Huamachi. With over 10,000 soldiers and horses, our combat power is no longer what it used to be."

Wang Qiong nodded.

He knew very well that the main force under Zhang Mao was divided into three parts. One part was transferred from the capital. It had the fewest people but was actually the least capable and had not experienced actual combat.

The second part is the soldiers and horses that Zhang Mao recruited from Datong, Piantou Pass and other places along the way after setting off from the capital. Although these people are considered border troops and have certain actual combat capabilities, the problem is that they are not allowed to return to their hometowns for a long time. This person has long lost the desire to fight, which means he is stationed in another place and is under great psychological pressure.

The third part is the people of Ningxia.

Six or seven thousand people from Ningxia were transferred sporadically, and were later transferred away again and again because Ningxia had no obligation to station all the elites in a flower pool.

Many of the local soldiers and horses in Ningxia had the experience of following Yang Yiqing to achieve a great victory in the Yellow River War, and their troops had sophisticated weapons and full fighting spirit.

This group of people was transferred away, which had a great impact on the defense of Huamachi.

Shenying said: "Probably the imperial court felt that the troops stationed in Huamachi were enough now, so it did not send too many soldiers and horses to accompany Mr. Liu, and only asked for three thousand more elite cavalry from Datong. Now there are no more troops. I'm afraid the Tatars will invade."

Wang Qiong shook his head and said: "The Tatars have already invaded Huamachi twice. With their exhausted soldiers and horses, they are not expected to come again during the spring famine. As for Eunuch Liu, even if he does enter the Acropolis, he will follow him He said that I was busy with official duties and had no time to meet him, so I ignored all my requests for troop deployment and money and food."

Although there is some friendship between Wang Qiong and Liu Jin, it is not very deep.

So Wang Qiong's principle is that I won't break up with you, but if you want to use me to obtain resources to help you achieve fame, don't even think about it.

……

……

Liu Jin did have some connections to help her plan her trip to Ningxia in advance.

The reason for bringing Zheng Sui's people along was also for this reason.

He originally thought that Wang Qiong was the chief instructor of the Yanwu Hall, and he had once supervised the Yanwu Hall. This friendship alone should be very deep, so he wanted to discuss more politics with Wang Qiong when passing by Yulinwei. Resources, he heard on the way here that Huamachi was short of soldiers and food.

"Father, don't worry. I will go to the city to deliver a message to you. Just wait for the good news."

Zheng Sui was born in Qianhu, a royal guard, and was very familiar with the friendship between Liu Jin and Wang Qiong. He felt that this was a good opportunity for him to curry favor with Wang Qiong, so he took the initiative to invite Ying into the city.

Liu Jin nodded with satisfaction and said: "As a guard official, we should not enter the city casually. It's up to you."

Then Liu Jin calmly waited for the "good news" at the post house outside the city.

As a result, after waiting for two days, Zheng Sui did not come back, but Liu Jin was afraid of delaying his trip. This was the longest rest period he had along the way, which made him panic.

The boy said: "Sir, didn't you say that you have to work hard along the way? If you keep waiting like this and the court comes to urge you, you will have to demerit me because you haven't arrived at the town station."

"Do you have to say it?" Liu Jin was very dissatisfied, "Zheng Sui looks very smart and capable, why is he so procrastinated in doing things? Or..."

Liu Jin was actually aware of some things, but he didn't want to delve into them.

Because he thinks Wang Qiong won't be so ruthless, right?
The waiter asked directly: "Will that Wang Shilang definitely give you face?"

"Otherwise?" Liu Jin said, "When our family was in the capital, we single-handedly held down a pavilion elder. Admiral Yanwutang, do you think you are an ordinary petty official? Wait a minute."

At this time, Liu Jin had begun to lose confidence.

……

……

Liu Jin still waited for Zheng Sui to come back.

After Zheng Sui saw Liu Jin, he quickly kowtowed and apologized: "I'm humble and incompetent. I asked to see Mr. Wang several times, but was turned away. It wasn't until today that I met Mr. Shen, the chief military officer. He said... Mr. Wang will not meet." Your special envoy also said..."

"What did you say?" Liu Jin frowned.

"He also said that people who are different should not conspire against each other." Zheng Suidao said.

Liu Jin was surprised and said: "How come our family doesn't agree with the Taoist named Wang? Is this really what he said?"

Zheng Sui had some hesitation on his face, but he still said firmly: "Lord God indeed said so."

When Liu Jin heard this, his nose almost became angry.

"Oh dear Wang Qiong, is our family here to establish friendship with him? We have no military connection with him. We are just passing by and kindly say hello to him, but he is so negligent? And... ...To hurt others with your words?" Liu Jin gritted his teeth, feeling like he wanted to tear Wang Qiong into pieces.

The boy asked: "Master Wang, do you care so little about friendship?"

Liu Jin sneered and said: "Then Mr. Wang must have felt that our family's knocking Xie Yuqiao down has ruined his reputation. After all, he is also a member of the Yanwu Hall, and he will be afraid that others will say that he is in cahoots with our family. ”

Zheng Sui said hurriedly: "I think Mr. Wang may... have other reasons."

"Are you still speaking for someone named Wang?" Liu Jin said angrily, "Who are you talking to?"

"No... the villain is just talking nonsense." Zheng Sui seemed to be relieved.

Liu Jin said: "It doesn't matter. At worst, our family will pretend that we don't know this person. We haven't begged him now. If he wants to come and beg our family in the future, let's see how we look at him! Let's go!"

The boy asked: "Master, where are we going?"

"Where else can we go? To Huamachi of course! We have been delayed here for several days. If we are scolded by the superiors, will we still die? Nowadays, the military is the most particular about military aircraft. The superiors stipulate how many days to arrive. Our family Not only do you have to arrive, you also have to arrive early!”

Liu Jin is a person who strictly demands himself.

In particular, he felt that he did not have much military merit and it would not be easy for him to gain a foothold in the military.

Zheng Suidao: "I will go and prepare a car for you, father-in-law."

……

……

The news that Liu Jin left Yansui reached Wang Qiong that night.

"Left?" Wang Qiong frowned and said to Shenying, "He stayed outside the city for three days, but I don't know why? Does he have some military affairs that he must discuss with me?"

Shenying said: "He has arrived at the Flower Horse Pond, and the rise and fall of his troops should have nothing to do with you, sir. Why don't you...find someone to ask?"

"No need." Wang Qiong said, "Everyone has left. It's a good thing that he went to Huamachi earlier. I always feel uneasy lately."

"grown ups……"

Wang Qiong frowned and said: "The news I have received during the recent nights is too fragmentary, but there is no battle report from Datong. Originally, with Wang Boan's ability and his decisiveness in doing things, the military plane would not be delayed. The court followed He mobilized three thousand Datong soldiers and horses, but he has not yet mobilized them. He always feels that something is unusual. "

Shenying said: "Last time Uncle Xinjian mobilized troops for the British Lord, his efforts were not thankless. He is probably also jealous."

Wang Qiong shook his head and said: "As a general, if you act based on your will, you will never be able to accomplish great things. Based on my understanding of Bo'an, he will definitely not do what you said. The delay in troop deployment is probably due to the Tatars starting spring. There may be some movement, but we haven’t noticed it yet.”

Shenying said: "In the land of Yansui, the focus is to guard against the invasion of the Tatars in the Hetao. But now there are our soldiers and horses in many places in the south of the Hetao. The Tatars have not dared to invade for several years, even at night. If you don’t receive the news, you have to go further.”

"Alas!" Wang Qiong sighed, "Originally, a strong military front is a good thing, but it will also bring some consequences. As you said, Yansui seems to be far away from the front line of the battlefield now, but everywhere on this border, Where is the frontline battlefield? Pianguan? Or Ningxia?" Shenying also looked at the map and said, "Maybe it's Datong."

Wang Qiong shook his head and said: "Datong is not on the front line now. There is Maoerzhuang up there, and there is Weining Sea to the north. The Tatars don't even dare to move around Weining Sea now, so how can Datong be on the front line? As for Xuanfu...Oh! I can’t understand it anymore.”

Shenying asked: "Could it be Ningxia? Or Huamachi? Your Majesty has sent troops to garrison at Huamachi after all."

Wang Qiong said: "Tatars have invaded Huamachi twice. It is possible. But don't the Tatars know that Ming Dynasty has accumulated heavy troops in Huamachi? What's the point of his invasion? He didn't get any benefits both times. He Will you come again for the third time?”

"Yes." Shenying said, "The Tatars should no longer have the courage to invade. Wherever they invade, they are asking for trouble."

"Yes." Wang Qiong nodded and stretched out his hand to indicate that Shenying could leave first.

Then he stared at the map again, as if trying to find some key information.

……

……

Liu Jin started from Yansui and headed towards Huamachi non-stop. He had to sleep in the open air along the way. After only two days, he was already miserable.

"If you keep persisting, you will be there." Liu Jin took advantage of lunch time this day to stand on a big rock and look into the distance.

Zheng Sui came over and said with a yellow face: "My father-in-law, you are precious. The wind and sand in the northwest are too strong. Why don't you go to the tent and rest first? Wait until the wind subsides before leaving. At worst, we will have to walk a little further after nightfall."

Liu Jin said: "There is no village in front of us, no store in back, and we can't even see any herdsmen. We are stationed in the wild. Isn't that standing under a dangerous wall?"

Zheng Sui said with emotion: "My father-in-law, you are really talented. I have seen so many people who claim to know military skills, but I have never seen anyone with such courage as you."

"Just our family? Still brave?" Liu Jin frowned.

He didn't want to accept this flattery.

Zheng Suidao: "It is said that those who are born in the army like a villain will be exhausted from traveling day and night, but my father-in-law, you can... Only with you can the borders of the Ming Dynasty be stable. The villain is willing to follow you and make contributions to the Ming Dynasty." "

When Liu Jin heard this, it seemed that there was some truth to this.

I am not good at anything else, but when it comes to fear of death, I am still relatively strong.

In such a hurry, firstly, I risked delaying my journey and being killed by the emperor's decree; secondly, I was afraid that if I walked too slowly on the road, I would be encountered by Tatars or a large number of bandits, and my death would be even worse. .

But in his heart, he still had some sense of responsibility, because he knew very well that he had no military merit.

"gone!"

Liu Jin slowly walked down the stone.

Before he could get off the stone, someone suddenly pointed in the distance and said, "Father, there is sand and dust! It looks like...cavalry."

"Tatars?"

Liu Jin's expression changed instantly.

No longer so calm and relaxed.

"For battle, get ready!" Zheng Sui was a little panicked now and quickly called for men.

Then the group of people carefully identified it on the stone, and Liu Jin also took out his ancestral telescope to take a closer look, and then he breathed a sigh of relief and said: "It seems to be just a fast horse passing the post. Stop the person first and ask what's going on."

……

……

After Liu Jin had a false alarm, she felt that she should hurry to Huamachi.

Then the scout was also pulled to Liu Jin's side.

"What's going on?" Liu Jin asked.

"This is a major military matter. How can it be asked by ordinary people? Do you want to rebel?" The person who sent the battle report was still a little arrogant.

Zheng Suidao: "Do you know who this is? Eunuch Liu is the commander of the town appointed by the emperor, and the head of a place."

The other party said: "It turns out to be Eunuch Liu, do you have proof?"

Liu Jin then took out his big seal.

Only then did the other party believe it and hurriedly said: "You are being rude. There are Tatar activities around Huamachi. General Song and others were afraid that the Tatars would invade again, so they sent fast horses to Yansui to ask for help. ”

Liu Jin frowned and said: "There are Tatar activities in Huamachi. Shouldn't we ask Ningxia for troops? How can we ask Yansui for help?"

"It seems... because... Yansui's side is higher level." Zheng Sui tried to analyze.

Liu Jin said: "Where are Datong's elite soldiers? Are they here?"

"Not here," the other party said.

When Liu Jin heard this, his heart dropped and he said: "Our family thought we were walking slowly, could it be that we were walking fast? The elite have not arrived, are there any fast horses out to meet them? With Tatar activities, it will not be easy for our family to enter the city!" Is there anyone else? Send a message to our family and ask the city to send troops to greet them. "

"Father, I'm afraid this is..."

Obviously this is not a matter that a captain who delivers orders is qualified to decide.

Liu Jin looked bitter.

Zheng Sui said next to him: "My father-in-law, don't be anxious. The Tatars are just showing signs of activity. I think there are over 10,000 Ming troops stationed in Huamachi. How can the Tatars have a chance? As long as we go along the pass and be careful all the way, we should Don’t worry too much.”

"Yes, yes." Liu Jin seemed to feel a little relieved after hearing this.

But when Liu Jin looked around again, he felt that these people didn't even have the ability to adapt.

The boy said: "Sir, how about we withdraw to Yansui first?"

When Liu Jin heard this, he became anxious and said angrily: "Our family just came out from there, and we are told to run away after hearing the news? That means our family is seeking death! Now we have to go even if we don't want to go! The commander-in-chief has not arrived, and the governor has censored the history." There are no arrangements. If our family doesn’t go, wouldn’t it mean that we don’t even have a backbone?”

As soon as these words came out, even Zheng Sui and others felt that Liu Jin's image was a bit lofty. ,

How talented are you, Liu Jin, that you can actually say such responsible words?
Liu Jin said: "Hurry up and give the order. Don't rest for these two days. Except for necessary eating, drinking, and sleeping, hurry up and get to Huamachi's station! Then send someone to tell Wang Qiong that if he does this this time If you don't send troops, don't say... we will impeach him!"

Zheng Sui reminded: "This... doesn't seem to work."

"Whether it works or not, that's what our family said! Aren't you the messenger? Bring our family's letter with you!" Liu Jin said.

The captain who sent the order said: "Father, you can't mess with the rules. This is a military matter, and you can't send private messages."

Liu Jin sneered and said: "Our family is the chief of the defense of a place, and sending messages is for the stability of the place. Who said it is a private message? Our family still uses seals, you can just pass it on!"

"Yes!"

The captain who sent the order was also helpless.

Why are you so unlucky? Probably because I didn't read the almanac when I went out, I unexpectedly met such a fatal master.

……

……

Liu Jin had made up his mind to rest after entering the Ming Dynasty's city fortress, but he was also afraid of death to the extreme.

But he also feels that this is both danger and opportunity.

"Our family has traveled to northwest Liaodong so many times, and this is the first time that we have the opportunity to meet the Tatars. It is the first time that we have the opportunity to make contributions, but we must seize the opportunity." Liu Jin was a little excited.

The boy said: "Sir, are the Tatars easy to kill?"

Liu Jin frowned and said: "Do you think they are cattle, sheep, pigs and dogs? You can kill them casually?"

The boy wondered: "Since it's not easy to kill, wouldn't it be best not to encounter it? If you encounter it, it will be easy to be unlucky."

Liu Jin said: "Some soldiers hope that they will never meet a Tatar in their lives, but our family belongs to the prince, and the prince longs for human relations on the battlefield. If our family can make contributions and return home, we will be able to hold our heads up in front of the prince in the future." . Others are afraid of death and don’t want to fight, but even if we are afraid, we have to rush forward sometimes.” (End of Chapter)