The Great Wall built by the Qin Dynasty was stronger than iron, and the soldiers did not dare to cross Lintao.
As a dangerous pass, most of the sections of the Great Wall are built against mountains, making them ideal for overlooking.
Whether it is Yingbao City, Guancheng, enemy towers, piers, or even the pass called Xifengkou under Qi Jiguang, he can see very far.
The wall of Xifengkou is five feet high, three feet wide and one hundred feet long. It is made of stones stacked from the inside to the outside. In the center there is a one or two foot high tower called Wangri Tower.
Qi Jiguang stood in front of Wangri Tower, stroking a metal copper pipe in his hand, and repeatedly placed it in front of his eyes, directly facing his right eye, as if he was peering into the pipe.
Soldiers patrolling nearby.
A scout sentry cruising not far away.
The rolling Yanshan Mountains are covered with heavy snow.
As far as the eye can see... there is a vast expanse outside the Great Wall.
The already broad field of vision can actually be seen further when peeking into the tube!
What a good thing.
Qi Jiguang put down the telescope and put it in his hand, then rolled up a piece of cloth and wiped it, looking like he couldn't put it down.
He is not old, only forty-six years old, but his face looks a bit vicissitudes of life.
Fortunately, even though he has been in the military for many years, his figure has not been assimilated into a burly figure. Apart from his tanned skin, his facial features are upright and his manners are measured, making him look quite Confucian.
At this time, a burly general, wearing a strong sword and wearing a cold wind and a chilling air, walked up to Qi Jiguang.
The four guards turned sideways and gave way to each other. The visitor leaned over and bowed: "Qi Shuai, I asked the sentinels to explore the area, but they didn't even smell the smell of Tatars. They ran really damn fast."
When Qi Jiguang heard this, he seemed to have expected it and didn't say anything.
I picked up the telescope again and looked outside the fortress, and happened to see three or five sentries returning, heading towards the pass together.
While watching, he said: "These days, Dong Huxu has been visiting the leaders of various tribes of Tuman Khan, Chi Laohai, Huataiji, Sanghu, Tu Mei... I don't know how many people have been gathered."
"It's been snowing for the past two days. I'm afraid several troops have joined forces to explore the reality of our army."
"Not only at Xifengkou, but also at Qingshankou last night."
"Ready to make a move!"
The Duoyan Guards were sandwiched between the Tuman Khan and the Ming Dynasty. Their combat effectiveness was average, but they had an old skill in tangled up manpower and attracting bandits to invade.
This is also why it is said that "To defend Ji, we must pretend to belong to the barbarians and serve as sentinels; when the barbarians invade, we must pretend to belong to the barbarians and serve as local guides."
Last night, outside Xifeng Pass, people and horses were moving, as if there were enemies riding on horseback.
Fortunately, he was discovered by the defenders.
Wang Zhiyu, who had extensive experience in defense, immediately organized his troops to guard the pass, and was ready to go. He immediately sent a message to Ji Zhen.
Fortunately, everything was fine until dawn.
However, listening to Qi Jiguang's tone, it was obvious that he was not the only one who conveyed information about the enemy.
A look of regret appeared on Wang Zhiyu's face, and he rubbed his neck with his teeth bared: "I really don't know how to write the word "death."
"It's a pity that I was careful with you last night and didn't dare to kick him out, otherwise I might have caught my tongue."
The cavalry came and went like the wind. After a short delay, they disappeared without a trace.
This is also the reason why he dared to go to the Great Wall to spy.
If I check again at this time, of course I can't even smell it.
Qi Jiguang knew that this was a ruthless soldier speaking cruel words, and there were countless things he could do.
But he still told Wang Zhiyu again to strengthen his defenses and be more vigilant.
The latter quickly expressed his stance and resolutely implemented it, and was then sent back to rectify his armaments.
Qi Jiguang shook his head and led the adjutants and soldiers who followed Jizhen down the tower.
Zhang Gong, the deputy commander-in-chief of Jizhen who came with Qi Jiguang, said in a deep voice: "There have been three wars this year!"
"At the beginning of March, Chang'ang and Dong Hu of Duoyan Guard gathered tens of thousands of troops and knocked at the entrance of Xifeng Pass."
"In June, as soon as the assembled guest soldiers withdrew, the enemy took the opportunity to invade the entrance to the courtyard and the cave platform."
"In September, enemy news came again from Damao Mountain and Xiaohekou."
"Even in winter, there are still sentries and scouts."
“It’s almost impossible to nap!”
It was also during the battle in June that he, Zhang Gongcai, was awarded the rank of deputy commander because he "valiantly resisted the blockade and even prevented a cavalry from getting close."
It can be said that there have not been such frequent wars for several years since Ying Ke invaded the border area in the first year of Longqing.
Qi Jiguang shook his head: "This is not the case when the Yuan Dynasty is changed."
"If we guard against thieves for a thousand days, we can only stop them with troops."
Having said this, Deputy Commander Zhang Gong's expression changed.
After he signaled his soldiers to go further away, he whispered to Qi Jiguang in a rather sneaky voice: "Commander Qi, I heard that the Central Committee asked whether to send troops to Duoyan Guards. Governor Liu's memorial has been sent to Beijing today. What are we doing here?
explain?"
"Qi Shuai, anyway, my idea is that there is only a thousand days to be a thief, but there is no truth to a thousand days to guard against thieves."
The Governor Liu he refers to refers to Liu Yingjie, the Governor of Jiliao, who has an overview of Jiliao's military and political affairs.
Logically speaking, he is the immediate superior of all the officers and soldiers in Ji Liao.
But at the end of last year, for some unknown reason, the Central Committee inexplicably promoted Qi Jiguang to the rank of Zuo Governor, taking charge of Jizhou and overseeing military training in the four towns.
This governor is of course different from Liu Yingjie, the governor of Jiliao who was a scholar.
Liu Yingjie was a civil servant who was in charge of the military and political affairs of Jiliao.
As for Qi Jiguang, this is considered a special privilege and is still limited to the military.
As for the purpose of the Central Committee's doing this, it is even more clear - after the Central Committee specially awarded Qi Jiguang, he also explicitly ordered Liu Yingjie, the governor of Jiliao, to sit in Liaodong and supervise the military and administration of Jiliao.
This elevated Qi Jiguang in terms of status and prevented him from being too controlled by Liu Yingjie. In fact, it also divided Ji Liao into two people and separated them.
In other words, not to mention Liaodong, at least the military affairs in Jizhen are now led by Qi Jiguang in name only.
This unconventional method of promotion was obviously favored by someone in the central committee.
More obviously.
Now that the cabinet is planning whether to use troops against Duoyan Guard, it actually takes the initiative to send a letter to ask the military officials for their opinions!
This was really unexpected in the Ming Dynasty, which used culture to suppress military power.
However, precisely because of this, Governor Liu Yingjie inevitably felt conflicted.
Although they were wary of the "big man" behind Qi Jiguang, they would not embarrass Qi Jiguang in official matters.
But the face of Corporal Li Xian from before was no longer the same.
After receiving the letter from the Central Committee two days ago, Qi Jiguang was afraid that Ji Liao had different opinions and would be laughed at by outsiders, so he took the initiative to communicate with Governor Liu and prepared to unify the opinions and submit the report together.
Unexpectedly, Liu Yingjie didn't reply at all.
Not only that, today he sent the memorial directly into the capital without saying hello.
After hearing what Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Gong said, Qi Jiguang's worry flashed away.
He knew very well that in the Ming Dynasty, if military officials really wanted to make achievements, it would be impossible without relying on civil servants.
Even though he is frequently getting banned, Liu Yingjie has a lot of ways to control himself. Even if it is a bullet, he cannot resist it.
We still have to find a chance to repair the relationship.
Otherwise, it would be a lifetime regret to waste all your passion for serving the country for such a trivial matter.
Qi Jiguang's thoughts were slightly distracted.
But there was no sign of it on his face, he still looked like he was strategizing, signaling to Deputy Commander Zhang Gong to stay calm.
He pondered for a moment: "The situation of Duoyanwei... Since Governor Liu reported it alone, there should be no deviation from the truth. Let's just repay it according to the truth."
"As for sending troops you said..."
Speaking of this, Qi Jiguang shook his head: "The Mongol Khan is probably happy to see this."
Duoyanwei was not always the mortal enemy of the Ming Dynasty.
Before the Gengxu Revolution, the leaders of the three guards, the governor, and other officials "paid tribute from Xifeng every year as usual."
This was probably because Duoyanwei was massacred and plundered by the Tuman Khans and had to surrender to the Ming Dynasty - "They were massacred and plundered every year, but they could not be attached to the outside world in the end."
In fact, because Duoyanwei was entrenched in a nomadic place, "the mountains stretch for thousands of miles, and the mountains are surrounded by rivers, which are naturally dangerous." It once became a natural barrier outside the Ming Dynasty to protect it from the Tuman Khan.
's attack.
Even after the Gengxu Rebellion, the Mongolian right-wing troops were stationed in Duoyanwei, but the Duoyanwei tribe was still conciliatory and unwilling to lead the way - "Since the Gengxu Rebellion, the Mongolians especially settled in the vicinity of the herdsmen and loved their wives.
The envoys know that the road is tortuous and the danger is not deep."
When did the situation change?
The high officials in the court might be indifferent, but Qi Jiguang knew it all.
That is since the Mongol Khan succeeded to the throne in the thirty-seventh year of Jiajing.
From that time on, the left and right wings of Mongolia reached a consensus and joined forces to annex Duoyanwei.
Chen Dahan and Huang Taiji joined forces and plundered the horses, cattle and sheep of Duoyan tribe; under the pretext of marrying a girl from the Duoyan tribe, they were able to flee the Chaohe River for a long time - "with the intention of threatening the three guards to return home, and then
It can be seen that he even wanted to conquer the Ming Dynasty with his guards."
It was also after this year that when Ji Zhen's official document discussed the situation, it finally changed from Duoyan Wei's "naked scorpion snake, the situation is uncertain" to "the foreign barbarians were all coerced, and the tribes moved far away, either as guides or as guides.
Just plunder.”
In the thirty-eighth year, Duoyanwei served as a dog for the Mongolian right wing, and served as Kunduliha, the younger brother of Anda Khan. His son Xinai Huangtaiji served as a guide, and led tens of thousands of people to attack the Jizhou fortress.
In the 40th year, Duoyanwei once again acted as a dog for the Mongolian left wing. Together with Tuman Khan and other troops, tens of thousands of people broke through Qiangziling, plundered Tongzhou, and killed countless people.
It was not until the first year of Longqing that the leader of the Duoyan Guards, Yingke, was driven by Tuman Khan and died from a firearm when he violated the customs again.
Finally, the blood feud between the two sides became deeper and deeper.
This is naturally what Tuman Khan is happy to see.
That's why Qi Jiguang said that if he sent troops to attack the nest, he might play into the hands of the Tuman Khan.
Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Gong couldn't help but frown when he heard this.
After a while, he started to smack his mouth in frustration: "Then what Qi Shuai means is that he doesn't agree with the use of troops against Duoyan Wei?"
After saying that, he seemed to feel that his tone was not very good, so he quickly added: "Hey, brothers will listen to you anyway. If you give me an accurate message, I can go back and make arrangements in advance."
After Qi Jiguang gained the support of the central government, he was able to command more than 81,200 main soldiers and more than 60,000 guest soldiers in Ji Town. In addition to official rank, he relied more on prestige!
As a famous hero who fought in both the South and the North, Qi Jiguang's reputation was earned.
Even though Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Gong smelled the smell of military glory and was ready to make a move, when he saw that Qi Jiguang had other ideas, he immediately expressed his support.
Qi Jiguang heard this but did not answer.
As if he had already made a plan, Qi Jiguang looked deeply and slowly said: "Use troops! We must use them! But we can't just focus on one corner!"
After hearing this, Zhang Gong scratched his head and was confused.
Qi Shuai is good at everything.
It's this Confucian general's behavior that makes people intolerable.
It's just a man who writes a lot of military books. He always hides his deep meaning in his words and refuses to let go until he reaches a conclusion. Even at the critical moment before the war.
There is no one who comes from the military background!
Qi Jiguang knew that the man was unhappy, but he did not explain it.
This was in response to the Central Committee's inquiry. Since only he and Governor Liu were asked, the details could not be revealed easily.
But his meaning was actually expressed very clearly.
Even before that, Duoyanwei invaded Knock Pass several times.
The central government still issued many rewards and sent people several times to express to him that as long as he no longer led the way for Tuman Khan, mutual trade could be opened.
Although the posture is a bit humble, the effect is naturally there.
Nowadays, most of the differences of opinion within Duoyanwei are based on this matter.
Dong Hu, the uncle of the leader Chang'ang, took control of the army on the grounds that Chang'ang was young and firmly supported the Tuman Khan. By frequently invading Jibian and knocking on the pass three times a year, he had already won the support of the Tuman Khan.
.
The leader, Chang'ang, followed the wishes of the people and gained the firm support of the property owners in Duoyanwei, intending to annex the Ming Dynasty and open up mutual markets.
This is the essential reason for Duoyanwei's split behavior.
Especially after March, the emperor issued an edict allowing Chang'ang to come forward and start mutual trading.
The overt and covert struggle between the two has become increasingly obvious.
In this case, Duoyan Wei cannot be killed indiscriminately.
Instead, we must quickly behead Dong Hu, and then support Chang'ang, open mutual markets, restore order in Duoyan Guard, and use Duoyan as a barrier again, and even as a springboard to attack Tuman Khan!
Qi Jiguang would explain these matters to the emperor and the cabinet in his memorials.
But there is no need to declare it casually in broad daylight.
Before Qi Jiguang walked down the Great Wall, he glanced outside the Great Wall again, his eyes were extremely high, and he murmured: "Since the Central Committee is interested..."
"The confrontation between the Emperor and the Mongol Khan has just begun. There will be many military exploits from General Liu in the future."
Qi Jiguang thought of the news he heard recently.
Wang Chonggu entered the cabinet... drilled the capital camp... reissued military pay... and even now planned to use troops against Duoyan Wei.
The new emperor looks like a martial artist in a trance.
If this is really the case, there are too many places where we can make great achievements, including the Japanese in the south, the Tatars in the north, the barbarians in the east, and the barbarians in the west!
For the long-term plan, the first examination paper of the center must be answered well!
…
There is Aomu Forest slightly south of Hetao and Laomu Forest slightly north. There are Donglu native barbarians stationed here.
Tuman is Tumen, the fifth-generation grandson of Dayan Khan and the eldest grandson of the little prince, who is also the current Great Khan of Mongolia, Boer Jijin·Tumen.
The Tuman Khans stationed themselves in ten thousand households in Chahar and nomadically lived in the Xilamulun River Basin.
It's about five or six hundred miles away from Jibian.
The headquarters has 60,000 people in charge, including the other two 10,000 households under its actual control, and has an army of 100,000.
Even if the outside Mongolians saw such a behemoth, they would not dare to breathe easily.
Not to mention the Jurchen foreigners who came to do business in advance.
Nurhachi carefully followed the family elders and warriors, looking around curiously.
The Mongol Khan's camp was located on the vast grassland.
The sweat tents, relatives, cronies, and generals' accompanying tents were laid out inside and outside, forming a core circle in the center of the grassland, and no idlers were allowed to enter.
From time to time, messengers and cavalry hurried in and out to convey military information.
Not far from the camp, a team of well-trained cavalry was practicing. The sound of horse hooves and the sound of horns were intertwined and could be heard in the distance.
No strangers are allowed to enter, but it is full of mystery and power.
Nurhachi felt that his whole mind was being hooked.
It's a pity that he just comes to sell goods with the family and has no status. He is not allowed to even walk around at will, let alone watch closely.
Nurhachi is a Jurchen, and his ancestors were Wanhu in the Wanhu Mansion in Oduoli in the former Yuan Dynasty, so they naturally had a lot of glory. Unfortunately, after six generations, their family fortunes have long since declined.
In addition, his biological mother died early and his stepmother is in charge of the family.
Good things don't happen to him, but he is indispensable for the hard work of traveling thousands of miles away.
Compassionate with him was Kanggulu, who was born a wild species.
Kanggulu stood on a step, listening to the cavalry screaming in the distance.
He turned around and headed towards Nurha Chidao excitedly: "Kabuto! Listen! There are so many rides!"
"If our tribe has so many horsemen, and the Mongols hire us in the future, I will have to charge three times the price!"
Kanggulu is different from Nurhachi. Although the latter is also suffering, he still did a good job in enlightenment in the ten years before his mother died.
The former are born as wild species that are not to be seen, and their knowledge can only be so.
Nurhaci shook his head and said seriously: "Ahhun, if I have so many riders, I will be Temujin!"
Kanggulu was stunned for a while after hearing this.
After a while, he burst into laughter.
I couldn't help wiping the tears from my eyes, waving my hands and saying, "Okay, okay, then you are Temujin."
Temujin, also known as Genghis Khan, needs no introduction to what a character he is.
Who would have expected that Nurhaci would think of this person in a delusional way.
Seeing that his words were taken as a joke, Nurhachi smiled.
But I couldn't help but think about it in my heart.
Hearing that the leader of the Southern Dynasty was still four years younger than him, he was given the title of emperor and had hundreds of thousands of soldiers at his command.
If I also have this background, no, even a small part!
Give him tens of thousands of horses, and he will definitely have a showdown with these so-called Wanli Emperors, Tuman Khan, and Anda Khan!
Thinking of this, Nurhachi looked at his tattered clothes again.
I couldn't help but shook my head.
The two of them stood outside the tent, chatting for a while, waiting for the elders of the family to discuss business.
The yurt behind him is made of thick wool felt, with bright patterns and tribal symbols on the top.
Nurhachi rubbed his hands from time to time and looked at the tent with some longing... He really wanted to go in and get warm.
The sun shines on the snow-covered grassland, shining with dazzling luster.
It made the two of them somewhat warmer.
Nurhachi was rubbing his hands when he suddenly heard movement in the distance.
He looked up and saw several iron cavalry galloping past, heading straight into the circle in the center of the tent, where the Mongolian sweat tent was located.
Kanggulu on the side also looked over curiously.
He was surprised and asked: "Isn't this the leader of the Wuliangha tribe, Dong Fox?"
Wuliangha is the name of the tribe. In the Ming Dynasty, it was also called Duoyanwei.
Nurhaci also nodded, obviously recognizing Dong Fox.
Just because the tribes of the two relied on Dong Hu's breath and made a living under his crotch - after the first year of Yongle, the guards of Daning's capital were either moved or abolished, and the same was true for Jianzhou where Nurhachi was located. From the east to Xingzhong and west
As far as Daning, it has become the pastoral area of ​​the Ulliangha tribe.
Kanggulu looked around, moved closer to Nurhachi, and lowered his voice and said: "I heard that Duoyanwei is planning to give the southerners a big one next year."
"Dong Fox went everywhere to make connections. In addition to the surrounding Mongolians, he even hired many people from our tribe."
"The reason why I came to see the Great Khan now is probably for this matter."
Nurhachi shook his head without looking back: "Definitely not. Dong Fox is planning to plunder the Ming Dynasty. It should be the order of the Great Khan."
"I'm here to ask for help at this time. I'm afraid I've been defeated many times this year and this winter has been difficult, so I'm here to ask for something from the Great Khan."
Kanguru couldn't help but frown.
Every time I say something, I have to be rebutted by one or two words.
A little too annoying.
Kanggulu was unhappy and didn't want to speak, so he turned his head dully.
Nurhachi didn't pay attention at all.
He stared intently at Dong Hu and the group of people.
I saw him show off his power in front of ordinary people, and then he was respectfully invited in.
He couldn't help but look envious.
He doesn't expect the tens of thousands of cavalry he thought of before, even if he is given dozens of cavalry...
After his father died, he wouldn't be the one being bullied by his stepmother, but his stepmother should obediently crawl into his bed!
The southern scholar-bureaucrats are right. A true man must have military power and power in order to be respected by others!
And at the same time.
Dong Hu, who had just entered the Great Khan's Tent, was not as respected as Nurhaci thought.
In the sweat tent, there was a thick blanket on the ground.
Dong Fox's burly and muscular body crawled on the blanket.
Kneel down and bow respectfully: "Blessed by the Immortal God, I pay my respects to the great Khan."
The sweat tent is spacious and bright, with weapons and animal skulls hung on the walls.
There is a stove on one side, and the fire is blazing, emitting bursts of heat and the aroma of food.
In the center of the sweat tent, on a bed covered with furs, a majestic, tall and majestic man was sitting astride a horse and a golden sword.
His face was covered with beards, and his knees were covered with something like animal skin.
"I heard that in the Ming Dynasty, General Bian translated you as Dong Fox." He lowered his head and rubbed the fur on his knees for a while, then casually threw it in front of Dong Fox, "This piece of fox fur is just a gift to you.
"
When Dong Hu heard this, not only did he not dare to pick him up, but he looked frightened.
Cold sweat in the middle of winter.
Tuman Khan put his hands on his knees, leaned forward slightly, and stared at Dong Fox with squinted eyes: "I am very happy with your attitude, but I am very dissatisfied with the progress of your work."
"It's been four years, and you still haven't subdued Chang Ang. You even caused a lot of trouble in the tribe the month before last."
"Dong Fox, do you want to peel off your own skin and give it to me in return?"
There's one more, it'll be later
Chapter completed!