Ming Empire

Chapter 65
Datong town supervisor Zhang An picked a time to meet with Cao Yue alone.

Cao Yue knew that Zhang An must be looking for him for killing Wu Ming in public, so after meeting him, he also straight-forwardly said about it: "Eunuch Zhang, you are here today to accuse me of killing Wu Ming in public despite your request. Is it clear?"

"That's not it," Zhang An shook his head, and said with a wry smile, "Wu Ming violated military discipline and fled timidly, which almost led to a big defeat. Such a general should have been killed before the battle to correct military discipline. Talk to Cao Zongbing about something else."

After the military affairs were basically settled, Cao Yue, who originally wanted to take a break, suddenly became interested when he heard what Zhang An said, and asked with a smile: "I wonder what Zhang Gonggong wants to say to me?"

"Does General Cao know that before this battle, Wu Ming secretly reported to the imperial court that you recruited such a large-scale new army because you wanted to stand on your own to rebel?" After saying this, Zhang An stared at Cao Yue .

Hearing Zhang An say such words at first, Cao Yue was taken aback, his thick eyebrows were frowned, and his handsome face flushed, and he panted and asked Zhang An: "Eunuch Zhang, is Wu Ming really playing like this?"

"That's right! The imperial court has received Wu Ming's report. Wang Gonggong once sent a letter to the Zajia to ask the Zajia to investigate the matter." At this point, Zhang An moved closer to Cao Yue and said mysteriously: " But the miscellaneous family knows that Cao Zongbing has no such thoughts at all, everything you do is for Datong's defense, to avoid Datong's disaster when Jiannu comes to attack, how can it be for self-reliance?"

"Thank you, Eunuch Zhang, for your trust and understanding," Cao Yue said, with a self-deprecating smile, "Maybe I am too young, simple-minded, and want to become fat with one bite, so...heh, I also think that I can do things with a clear conscience. , but I didn’t expect that someone would speculate with an unusual heart.”

"Cao Zongbing, Wu Ming's memorial has been submitted to the Long Live Lord's desk, and the Long Live Lord is also planning to send someone to investigate this matter. It is not up to you or me to decide what the truth is. I hope you can understand!" Zhang An As he spoke, he hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice: "Today, Zajia wants to ask Zongbing Cao to spare Wu Ming's life. It's not that he wants to offend your authority, but he is just afraid that you will kill Wu Ming to prove that you are You wanted to kill people to silence your story, so you stood up and asked. Sigh, if the court really sends people to investigate, Wu Ming is dead, and it will be even more difficult to clear your suspicion."

In fact, when Cao Yue first heard about this, he showed his undisguised surprise, which made Zhang An trust him a little more.Cao Yue didn't know about this, otherwise he wouldn't be so surprised.After all, this young man is young and hasn't experienced much, so it's impossible to cover up his thoughts deeply.

"That's how it is," Cao Yue pretended to be suddenly enlightened, and patted himself on the head, "Why didn't Eunuch Zhang remind you earlier, otherwise I'll save Wu Ming's life for a few more days and let him confront me in public. Sigh , the regret is over!"

"Cao Zongbing, don't worry, the miscellaneous family will definitely write a memorial to explain the situation immediately, and explain the matter for you. I believe that Wang Gonggong will also help you say a few good words in front of Long Live Lord. This time you have suffered a heavy blow in Datong City. Before the start of the war, an early warning was issued to remind the capital to beware of Jiannu's attack. I believe that Long Live Lord will understand the reason and will reward you instead of punishing you!"

"Then I would like to borrow the auspicious words from Eunuch Zhang." Cao Yue pretended to be relieved, got up and saluted Zhang An respectfully: "I also thank Eunuch Zhang for reminding me, Cao Yue is very grateful. During this period of time, thanks to Eunuch Zhang Only with your help can all the soldiers of the first battalion be replaced with new equipment. No matter how His Majesty punishes Cao Yue this time, I will definitely report this matter to the court and ask for credit for my father-in-law. Father-in-law deserves the most credit for today's great victory! "

"Oh, Mr. Cao is too polite. How can the Zajia have any merits?" Zhang An hurriedly stood up and returned the gift, "The Zajia knows that Cao Zongbing is a practical person, so the Zajia will naturally support him. Unlike Wang Pu, who only wants to make money. Not only is the imperial court's military salary greedy, but he is also working hard to find other benefits. Well, I won't bother Cao Zongbing today, and the miscellaneous family will go first. If Cao Zongbing has anything to do, just send someone to pass it on!"

"Then thank you, Eunuch Zhang!" Cao Yue didn't persuade him to stay, and sent Zhang An out of Xingyuan.

After Zhang An left, Cao Yue pondered for a while, but didn't worry too much.He believed that he commanded the Datong Army to severely injure the people who built the slaves. Such a great achievement could silence many people.Cao Yue believed that Emperor Chongzhen would not be so naive. Just based on Wu Ming's memorial, he suspected that he really wanted to rebel.

But Cao Yue also knew that after this incident, he had to be careful and prepare himself for the future, and he must not let Emperor Chongzhen hold his lifeline.The people around you must never leave untrustworthy people, otherwise the crisis will arise at any time.

It was already evening, Cao Yue was tired after a day of stress.However, he still didn't rest, but immediately ordered the soldiers around him to pass Zhao Tai, Cao Jie and other generals over to discuss today's battle and make a summary.

After the defeat of Jiannu today, Cao Yue did not make the soldiers chase too far.One is that they are afraid that the main force of the slave establishment will come back to help and inflict heavy damage on the chasing Datong army; the other is that they are concerned about the weather. If they cannot return to Datong before dark, there may be serious non-combat attrition in the freezing cold; He has his own careful thinking, and does not let other state capitals know the combat effectiveness of his troops in detail.

In addition, other state capitals believe that they have already made preparations, and they will not be caught off guard if they build slaves and defeat troops to cross the border.

Cao Yue also had another careful thought, that is, he wanted Emperor Chongzhen and those ministers in the court to feel the sense of crisis of Jiannu soldiers approaching the city, so as to reflect the great significance of his defeating Jiannu, and let these people recognize that he did what.

Of course, even without these reasons, it would be impossible for Cao Yue to lead his army to chase Beijing.Without the court's King Qin's order, even if he led his army to pursue him because of an emergency and left his defense zone, he would still be criticized by some ministers in the court.Cao Yue has already seen the strange thinking of the ministers in the court, so let these people feel the sense of crisis brought about by the Jiannu invasion.

What Cao Yue didn't know was that on the second day after he commanded the troops to defeat the Han army led by Geng Zhongming under the city of Datong, the Jiannu Jingqi led by the Zhebai who had split up with Duoduo had already killed them quickly. To the city of Beijing.Chebai avoided all the cities on the road and came straight to Beijing.

And the men and horses led by Duoduo have also traveled near the Juma River not far from Beijing. They burned, killed and looted all the way.

Although it was said that the imperial court had ordered the Beijing camp to prepare for defense after receiving the urgent report from Datong from Cao Yue and others, when they saw Jiannu cavalry appearing at the foot of Beijing, the emperors and ministers of the Ming Dynasty, including Emperor Chongzhen, All were shocked.

(End of this chapter)