King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 474 Sincere Cooperation

Yang Longshan talked non-stop, with only one theme, which was to look for opportunities head-on and defeat the main force of the Junggar people.

This is also in line with Ning Huanxiang's views, so during Yang Longshan's narration, Ning Huanxiang affirmed a few words and added some opinions at the same time.

Zhu Jinghong naturally agreed with their ideas, because it is true that the Junggar people are the source of the problem.

The two of them reached an agreement, and Wang Ziteng knew that his idea was impossible, but he was not disappointed because Yang Longshan's view was indeed reasonable.

As generals, they have only one purpose, and that is to win the battle for the emperor. As long as they can win, they will get support.

After confirming his idea, Ning Huanxiang asked the foreign generals to leave, leaving only the guards, Jingying, Dusi and Xingdusi.

These talents are truly our own people. Next, we have to discuss specific combat plans, and only these people can participate in it.

Of course, it's just participation. Generally speaking, generals at the Wei level are not qualified to speak at this time.

"The Junggar people are cunning and insist on entangled and confrontation with us, but they are always unwilling to fight a decisive battle with our army. Their intention is to drag us down..."

"They can afford it, but we can't, so we have to take the initiative to attack!"

Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Ning Huanxiang continued: "What I mean is that all the cavalry units are gathered together and divided into two units to advance forward in turn. They will look after each other and support each other in the event of an attack..."

His meaning is very clear, that is, to actively push forward and compress the strategic space of the Junggar people, so that they can force the opponent to fight decisively.

The plan sounds good, but it also faces various problems, and these are the areas that need to be improved.

For example, the biggest problem is, how to ensure the logistics when the army goes deep into the army?

There is no point in going too close, and going too far will lengthen the supply line. How to ensure the safety of the grain and grass line has become an important part of the discussion.

The final result of the discussion was that the Beijing Infantry and Gansu Dusi, plus the bodyguards and pro-army, were responsible for logistics, and the rest of the cavalry were sent to the front line.

Of course, this is a relatively general arrangement, and the specific operation needs to be broken down, but that is the next thing.

However, after hearing this discussion, the two commanders of the Beijing Infantry Army and several of the guards were very dissatisfied.

Especially Jiang Qingsheng and others, they were sent to the northwest in order to test the new army's tactics, but now they are assigned to the logistics to test it.

Not to mention staying on the second line, it is impossible to obtain the so-called military merits. You can only pick up the leftovers from behind.

"Governor, Your Excellency... I have come here under the order of the Emperor to put down the rebellion and test the tactics of the new army. Your Excellency, you are putting us in the rear. I am afraid that this is not in line with His Majesty's will!" Jiang Qingsheng stood up and said.

Jiang Qingsheng also came from a distinguished family in Dingguo. Although he has been reduced to a first-class man, as the commander of the bodyguards and troops, he still speaks with confidence.

Of course, the biggest confidence he dared to question Ning Huanxiang directly came from Zhu Jinghong.

As the leader of the training of the Northern Fourth Guards, Zhu Jinghong put too much expectations into this new army. In order to witness the Northern Fourth Guards killing all directions with his own eyes, he even jumped into the lake to show his ambition.

With such strong feelings, Jiang Qingsheng and others were certain that Zhu Jinghong would never sit back and watch the North Four Guards being treated coldly.

"Commander Jiang, we are also acting according to the order, and everything is focused on the overall situation of suppressing the rebellion!"

Ning Huanxiang's expression was stern. He knew that Jiang Qingsheng and others relied on him, and as the coach, he would never be threatened by this.

In order to maintain his dignity, Ning Huanxiang spoke in an extremely stern tone.

When commanding a battle, it is most taboo to send orders to many places, so Ning Huanxiang must strictly prevent this.

Therefore, even if Zhu Jinghong speaks in person, he will not worry too much. He clearly distinguishes between public and private affairs.

As the main force of the Beijing camp, Ning Huanxiang arranged to protect the logistics. The two commanders of the Beijing camp were also very aggrieved.

But now that Jiang Qingsheng was criticized, the two of them could only hold back their words.

"uh-huh……"

The sound coming from the scene made Ning Huanxiang immediately nervous. What he was most worried about happened.

"Thirteenth Master, do you have any advice?" Ning Huanxiang asked with a smile on his face.

Seeing that Zhu Jinghong was about to speak, Jiang Qingsheng and others felt relieved, feeling that they had forgotten to get rid of the logistics post.

"Governor Ning, I think your opinion is right. The Junggar people are indeed a serious danger and they should be defeated first. Then the situation in the northwest will naturally be controllable!"

Zhu Jinghong agreed as soon as he opened his mouth. Who made Ning Huanxiang feel at ease? He was afraid that this man would dismantle him in public, in which case his majesty as the governor would be ruined.

However, Zhu Jinghong changed the topic and said: "I just have a little opinion, and I hope Governor Ning will consider it!"

Realizing that Zhu Jinghong might have different views, Ning Huanxiang suddenly became alert and said with a smile: "The Thirteenth Master has an opinion. I should listen attentively. If it is helpful, I should adopt it!"

This in turn means that if it's useless, it's nonsense, and it's up to him, Ning Huanxiang, to decide whether it's useful or not.

"The Junggars mainly rely on cavalry, but I don't think...our army must use cavalry to resist them!"

Instead of using cavalry to fight cavalry, is it possible to use infantry to fight? Not to mention whether you can win them, you can't even outrun them...

Thinking of this, Ning Huanxiang has decided in his heart that Zhu Jinghong's opinion is worthless and he only needs to refute it.

"Thirteenth Master, our army now has a large number of cavalry. If we don't fight with them... we can't use infantry, right?"

"Isn't this just sacrificing one's strength and using one's shortcomings, which is a waste of martial arts!"

Although there is only one cavalry guard in the Beijing camp, most of the troops from the chieftains of various tribes and alliances plus Xingdusi are cavalry, and their military strength is not weaker than that of the Junggars.

Therefore, using cavalry against cavalry is indeed an upright way of fighting. Even Jiang Qingsheng and others cannot directly refute it, and can only use the so-called holy will to suppress Ning Huanxiang.

"Governor Ning, please listen to me first!" Zhu Jinghong replied calmly.

He did not follow the rules of procedure at all. Normally, he should answer Ning Huanxiang's question before he could continue.

Although Ning Huanxiang was dissatisfied with this, he said helplessly: "Thirteenth Master, please tell me..."

"I want to fight. Although the enemy has high fortresses and deep ditches, those who have no choice but to fight with me must attack and save them... I'm afraid you all know the truth of this better than me!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly and calmly.

Not to mention, this sentence is quoted very appropriately. It was Sun Tzu who proposed this theory. It was originally based on the strategy used by the two sides to find a breakthrough when the war between the two sides was at a stalemate.

"Does Governor Ning know where the enemy must be rescued?"

"Please give me some advice from the Thirteenth Master!" Ning Huanxiang looked humble, but in fact he didn't take it seriously.

"We are worried about the transshipment of grain and grass, and so are the Junggar people. We rely on Yumen Pass, but they rely on Hami City!"

"They don't dare to attack Yumen Pass, but we can attack Hami City directly!"

As an important town in the east of Junggar, Hami City is indeed high-walled and deep. It stores a large amount of grain, grass and military equipment, and uses it as the core to supply all Junggar armies.

Therefore, Hami City is indeed a place that Junggar must save.

"Thirteenth Master, you know that Hami City is nearly a thousand miles away from Yumen Pass..." Ning Huanxiang already wanted to laugh at this moment.

Ning Huanxiang admired Zhu Jinghong's imagination for running thousands of miles away and attacking a fortified city like Hami. Normal people would not have such outrageous ideas.

"Although it is a thousand miles away, if we march on foot, even if we travel forty miles a day, one month will always be enough!"

"The army must recruit more pack horses, bring enough food and grass for two months, and then use cavalry to roam around, so that it can rush to Hami safely..."

Zhu Jinghong's opinions are completely opposite to Ning Huanxiang's.

The former uses cavalry to assist infantry, while the latter uses infantry to assist cavalry.

Objectively speaking, Zhu Jinghong's idea of ​​traveling thousands of miles to attack the city seemed too outrageous, so Ning Huanxiang had no intention of asking any more questions.

"Thirteenth Master, fighting is not about riding horses and going out thousands of miles away to attack a city. Not to mention our army's laborious expedition, the enemy's soldiers are well-fed and ready to work. How can our army defeat the enemy quickly?"

"And traveling thousands of miles away, it is difficult to supply food and grass. If the army cannot attack for a long time and the morale of the army is chaotic, destruction is not far away..."

Having said this, Ning Huanxiang stood up and saluted and said: "Please, Thirteenth Master, remember the teachings of the Holy One and do not act willfully!" In order to prevent Zhu Jinghong from interfering randomly, Ning Huanxiang could only use his trump card.

"I'm just suggesting that Governor Ning don't think too much about it!" Zhu Jinghong added, and then he didn't say more.

Zhu Jinghong was so understanding that Ning Huanxiang felt at ease again, so he continued to explain his views.

It can be heard that Ning Huanxiang is well prepared. The so-called use of cavalry for the main attack also includes various considerations, which sounds very feasible.

After some narration, Ning Huanxiang glanced at Bei Siwei and others, and said solemnly: "Everyone... as long as you participate in this battle, you will contribute to the Ming Dynasty. On the day of victory and triumph, this governor will meet Repay credit to everyone!”

"But if anyone has second thoughts and refuses to carry out military orders, I will severely punish him!"

"Do you understand everything?"

These last few sentences are a warning to everyone. Ning Huanxiang is ready to kill and establish his authority.

"I will obey your orders!" everyone replied.

Next, there is a more specific combat deployment, who will be mobilized to that position, and who will undertake what tasks.

Everyone issued military orders, but Zhu Jinghong remained silent from beginning to end.

In a meeting like this, Ning Huanxiang wanted to demonstrate his authority. There was really no need for him to confront him head-on. He could just come down and continue to explain and persuade.

About half an hour later, all combat arrangements have been agreed upon, and the discussion has come to an end.

Everyone stood up and left. Zhu Jinghong was about to leave, but he was stopped by Ning Huanxiang.

"You go first, I have something to say with Master Thirteen!" Ning Huanxiang said to everyone.

So everyone left, leaving only Zhu Jinghong and Ning Huanxiang.

"Thirteenth Master, the North Fourth Guards may be unwilling to do so. I'm afraid something will happen!"

Ning Huanxiang was confident that he could control all the other generals, even those in the Beijing camp. After all, he had also served as the chief military officer of the Beijing camp.

But he was the only one who lacked the experience of being a bodyguard and a member of the army. He, Ning Huanxiang, was powerless against these close ministers of the emperor.

They are indeed fighting under orders, but now they are placed on the second line. Even if this lawsuit goes to the imperial court, the four northern guards will still have something to say.

Wanting these people to obey, Ning Huanxiang thought of Zhu Jinghong. He knew that this man could control that group of people.

"The military order has been issued, why can they be unwilling? Governor Ning is worrying too much!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

If military orders alone can make the generals obey, then it will not be difficult to lead the troops into battle.

"Thirteenth Master, if they are unwilling, it will not be helpful to the war situation. I cannot ignore this matter!"

"If I miss the battle because of this and betray the trust of the Holy One, I will never be able to atone for my sin by dying!"

Stopping and looking at Ning Huanxiang beside him, Zhu Jinghong couldn't help but say: "Okay, okay, if you have something to say, just say it directly, why bother going so far!"

Ning Huanxiang squeezed out a smile, and then said: "You have a lot of dealings with them. If you can give some advice...I think you can persuade them!"

Turning his head, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "That's not necessarily the case!"

Ning Huanxiang boasted: "With the reputation of the Thirteenth Master, how dare they make mistakes!"

"Then let me... give it a try?" Zhu Jinghong gradually changed his tone.

"Thank you Thirteenth Master!"

Even if this matter was discussed, Zhu Jinghong gained a little gratitude, although it was basically useless.

After parting ways with Ning Huanxiang, Zhu Jinghong returned to the camp and saw the pro-army and Beijing camp generals there, apparently waiting for Zhu Jinghong's return.

Zhu Jinghong was very happy when he thought of telling him something, which offset some of the unhappiness he felt during the discussion.

"See you Thirteenth Master!" Everyone came to Zhu Jinghong and saluted.

After signaling everyone to get up, Zhu Jinghong asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Master Thirteen, I have something to say!"

"Go into the tent and talk!"

Although it was July, it was already freezing outside, so it was naturally much warmer inside the tent.

After entering the tent, Zhu Jinghong motioned for everyone to sit down, and then asked people to make tea for them.

"Thirteenth Master, what you just said about running a thousand miles is really feasible?"

Zhu Jinghong replied: "A Thousand Miles Attack... It is said to be a rush attack, but in fact it can also be said to be a strategy to lure the enemy!"

"Think about it, if they attack with a partial force, it will be difficult to achieve success, but if their main force attacks, we can fight a decisive battle in advance!"

"Do you think...what I said makes sense?"

At least it was not completely unreasonable, so everyone nodded one after another, waiting for Zhu Jinghong to continue.

Zhu Jinghong continued: "If we use cavalry to transport food and grass, it will not be difficult to bring enough consumption for two months, so the key question next is whether we can defeat the city of Hami in the remaining month!"

"You four guards plus the two guards from the Beijing camp have at least 500 artillery pieces. With 20,000 to 30,000 rounds of artillery shells... it will be enough to plow the city of Hami!"

Tens of thousands of artillery shells were all smashed into the city of Hami. This dismissal shocked everyone, and in the end they just sighed that their own structure was too small.

Little did they know that this tactic would have a well-known name in later generations, and it was called "If you reach it, I will blow it up."

"Even if 20,000 or 30,000 are not enough, then bring more. The Ministry of Industry and the Bureau of Military Affairs are working hard to build it, and we don't lack such labor!"

Of course there is no shortage of things like cannonballs, but the key is that these things cost money, and Emperor Zhu Xianming preferred to save money.

After what he said, the attack on Hami became more complicated, which made everyone even more itchy.

If you can make a contribution yourself, and make such a great contribution, who would be willing to do it for others.

While everyone was thinking, Zhu Jinghong changed the topic and said: "Okay... these are all my wishful thinking. It is not easy to implement things according to this. Just listen!"

"Now that Governor Ning has made a plan, you should cooperate sincerely to implement the agreed combat strategy!"

"We are all serving the imperial court and the Holy One. No one should be close to each other inside or outside, let alone hold any grudges or outright intentions!"

In the last sentence, Zhu Jinghong was extremely serious and his attitude of admonishment was sufficient.

But he knew that these dissatisfactions stemmed from their own interests. As long as they could not make contributions, this kind of mentality would be difficult to disappear.

What Zhu Jinghong wants is not for them to be good children, but to arouse emotions when necessary to achieve his purpose of being "forced" to take command.

So next, he just needs to wait for the opportunity.

Once the battle situation progresses slowly or even reverses, it's time for him to perform.

And Zhu Jinghong is confident that that day will come.

Even if he doesn't come, he must come if he creates opportunities, otherwise he will really come to watch the fun.

As everyone expressed their opinions one by one, Zhu Jinghong finally felt at ease, and then he asked everyone to leave. These people had to return to their headquarters to lead the troops.

(End of this chapter)