Guo Dajing had already thought clearly on the way here. Liu Ce, the governor of Jiliao, came in a hurry. He probably wanted to get a small share of the military exploits and save his own life and even the hair on his head.
Otherwise, Liu Ce would not risk being attacked and killed by Jianlu and rush to Zunhua before King Qin's army. After all, he did not understand the situation of the war, and Cao Huachun did not send a messenger.
This is a big piece of fat. King Qin's army is stationed in Jizhou, waiting for the Dongjiang Army to defeat the Jianlu. They can also pick up some of the Jianlu who will retreat through this detour.
If the Dongjiang Army is defeated and Jianlu seizes the pass, King Qin's army will have no responsibility, let alone any danger. It will be the same credit as recapturing the city behind Jianlu.
But they never expected that the Dongjiang Army not only won a great victory, but also that the Jianlu prisoners were not able to retreat along the same route. Some of those who fled westward were pushed back by the special operations battalion, and they didn't even get any leftovers.
Defeat is not terrible, and death is a necessary awareness for soldiers. But if you don't dare to fight in the face of the enemy, in the words of later generations, you just don't dare to show your sword, what is the use of such an army?
Guo Dajing did not have much of a good impression of King Qin's army, which was following him from afar. Although there were various reasons, such as insufficient food and salary, and the low status of soldiers, these were not convincing enough reasons.
The most important thing is that there is nothing in my heart that I want to protect with my life!
Guo Dajing saw the energetic soldier standing outside the yamen, standing straight in the cold, and gently chinned his head, showing an appreciative smile.
The soldier bowed and saluted, his face showed excitement, and he said loudly: "I have seen the general."
Smiling again, Guo Dajing walked into the governor's Yamen with sonorous steps.
"General Guo is back." Cao Huachun stood up with a smile on his face and extended his hand to indicate to the side, "This is Mr. Liu, the governor of Jiliao."
Liu Ce is over middle-aged and well-maintained. He has three strands of beard under his chin, thin eyebrows and big eyes. He looks like a gentleman.
Guo Dajing bowed and cupped his hands, "Master Liu, you will be polite."
In normal times, even if Guo Dajing was a deputy general, he would still pay homage to Liu Ce, the governor of Jiliao. There was not much difference in rank, but who made one of them a civil official and the other a military general?
But now, Liu Ce really doesn't dare to be arrogant. Not only are the Dongjiang Army here, all under the command of Guo Dajing, but also because of this great victory, General Guo Dajing is at the top of his game.
What's more, Liu Ce came here to ask for help from Guo Dajing, and even Cao Huachun was polite to him. How could he dare to boss him around and act like a civil servant?
With a smile on his face, Liu Ce actually returned the salute and said: "General Guo is so powerful that he is worthy of being the most powerful general of the Ming Dynasty. Liu has been famous for a long time, and seeing him today, he is indeed worthy of his reputation."
"Master Liu, you are ridiculous." Guo Dajing is neither humble nor arrogant. His confidence is the momentum of victory, and he is a brave and capable army behind him.
Cao Huachun laughed and said: "Master Liu has some things to discuss with General Guo. The Za family is a little tired. Let's take a rest first."
"Eunuch Cao, please help yourself." Guo Dajing bowed to see him off.
Liu Ce also bowed and said: "Eunuch Cao has worked hard."
After sending Cao Huachun away, Guo Dajing and Liu Ce sat down again. He didn't say much and waited quietly for Liu Ce to speak. Obviously, Cao Huachun had received the benefit or had a good impression of Liu Ce and wanted to help him.
It's not impossible to help, such as sharing the merits of the war, saying a few nice words in the memorial, and adding Liu Ce's name to the list of meritorious service.
But Guo Dajing would not help in vain. His military exploits were not his own, but those of the Dongjiang Army soldiers who fought bloody battles. Even if they were to part with some, they would still be of considerable value.
Liu Ce gave a helpless smile, cupped his hands, and said: "I am facing a difficult situation now. Although Yuan Chonghuan was the one who caused the murder, I still cannot escape the imperial court's punishment. Therefore, I would like to ask General Guo for help..."
It's not impossible to give you a hand. Guo Dajing looked calm. Listening to Liu Ce's story, he felt that there was indeed room for maneuver.
With Cao Huachun and his own memorial, Liu Ce had the impression that he had made meritorious service to atone for his crimes in Chongzhen, and at least his life could be saved.
Even if civil servants retire and return home, they are still gentry and can live a very comfortable life.
After listening to Liu Ce's request, Guo Dajing frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said to Liu Ce: "Guo is very sympathetic to Mr. Liu's difficulties. From a personal perspective, it is definitely no problem to help within his ability. But..."
Liu Ce had hope in his heart and hurriedly said: "If General Guo has any difficulties, just ask. If I can do it, I will never refuse."
Guo Dajing smiled bitterly and said: "Although Guo is the commander, he still has to report to Marshal Mao after he goes back. The same is true for many generals. I gave Mr. Liu three to five hundred heads. I can make the decision, but I am afraid that he will not be able to do anything after he goes back."
The law explains.”
Liu Ce nodded, showing a very understanding look, and said: "The imperial court's reward silver is fifty taels for each Donglu head. Naturally, I will not calculate it like this, but I am also short of money, so I can't add too much."
many."
After a pause, Liu Ce lowered his voice and said to Guo Dajing: "I heard that the Dongjiang Army lacks war horses. This time I led more than 2,000 cavalry to Zunhua. I can give 1,500 to the Dongjiang Army."
A glimmer of light flashed in Guo Dajing's eyes, showing a rather moved expression.
Liu Ce had hope in his heart and said: "In addition, I will personally donate another 10,000 taels of military expenses."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "Since Mr. Liu is so generous in helping, it will be easy for Guo." After saying that, he thought for a while and stretched out four fingers towards Liu Ce.
Liu Ce's eyes lit up. Four hundred heads were already beyond his expectation. According to the strength of his army, it was quite credible. If there were more, anyone could tell it was fake.
"In addition -" Guo Dajing scratched his head in embarrassment and said under Liu Ce's uneasy gaze: "After landing at Qinhuangdao, our army rushed to Zunhua. All the food consumed was requisitioned with IOUs along the way.
Please also ask Mr. Liu to help return it to its original owner."
Liu Ce felt relieved and said sternly: "The Dongjiang Army's requisition of IOUs is also a matter of urgency and it does not violate military discipline. I am responsible for returning the money to the meritorious soldiers. It is my duty to return it."
"Thank you, Mr. Liu." Guo Dajing bowed his hands in thanks and said: "The food consumption for returning to the army does not need to be requisitioned, but can be obtained from seizures. As well as the wounded soldiers, captured livestock can also be used to pull the carts."
"That's how it should be." Liu Ce said without hesitation at all: "How can we treat soldiers who fought bloody battles harshly? But if there is any need, General Guo can use it from the capture."
Guo Dajing was in a good mood after having solved the last possible troublesome matter. He came closer and said: "In that case, Guo will rewrite the memorial now and record the achievements of Lord Liu and his troops in intercepting and defeating the fleeing Jianlu at Shimen.
List it."
"Thank you, General Guo." Liu Ce cheered up. This was a good reason. He had lost more than a thousand horses in a bloody battle, and he could explain everything.
As for the return of the requisitioned goods, and the Dongjiang Army taking some of the grain and livestock from the seizures, it is nothing at all. He has his own way to fill this hole.
Guo Dajing sold his head for a good price and made friends with Liu Ce, so that no civil servants could impeach the Dongjiang Army for plundering people's capital.
Mainly those gentry and landlords who were forcibly requisitioned. These guys will definitely be able to get close to the civil servants, and they may use this to criticize them.
They didn't care that the Dongjiang Army came all the way to attack the captives. They only knew that grain and livestock were requisitioned with an IOU. They would only feel sad for their own losses.
How did Kong Youde rebel? The trigger was just a chicken from the official gentry's family.
Guo Dajing was naturally guarded and wary of civil servants. Especially when it came to speaking out about officials, making things up out of thin air and spreading rumors and slander were their specialty.
If Liu Ce is dying, he reports that the Dongjiang Army secretly hid millions of captured property. Even if Chongzhen does not have an attack for the time being, there is no guarantee that he will not have a grudge in his heart, which will cause trouble to Dongjiang Town in the future.
Therefore, since it is a business, Guo Dajing can make a lot of money, but he is not willing to offend them easily. If Liu Ce can still stay in Jizhen, Qinhuangdao builds a wharf and buys horses from outside the customs, maybe it can be used.
And 1,500 war horses, 10,000 taels of silver, plus the grain and livestock obtained from the seizure, are much more than the 200,000 taels of silver reward.
Moreover, Cao Huachun obviously had a tacit understanding with Liu Ce, and Guo Dajing also gave Cao Huachun a lot of property, but he didn't want to make Cao Huachun feel bad again.
Hello, hello, hello everyone. In the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty, Guo Dajing also followed the locals and just wanted to return to Liaodong as soon as possible and safely.
At this time, smoke was already curling up in the city, and smoke was much thicker than before in every house and courtyard.
Food was distributed and made into dry food, which was not only food for the people on their way back to their hometowns, but also part of it for the Dongjiang Army officers and soldiers on their way back.
Not only food, but also horse meat will be roasted to provide more energy for soldiers and civilians to return to their homes faster.
Sister Wu's voice became clearer and clearer, and there were more smiles on her face. After meeting the admirable General Guo, a few words of dialogue seemed to completely eliminate her entanglements and worries, and her whole body became more relaxed.
"Really?" Guihua's eyes were wide open, with an expression of disbelief, looking at Sister Wu who was kneading the dough hard, "General Guo is really so young and so approachable? He, he has killed many people.
Thousands of Buddhist slaves?”
"Everyone who builds a slave should die." Sister Wu raised her sleeves, wiped the sweat on her forehead, and added: "What does this have to do with General Guo's approachability? We are not his enemies."
Osmanthus blinked her big eyes, smiled a little shyly, and said, "Sister Wu is right, but I thought wrongly."
Xiaoqin was flipping pancakes in the big pot nearby and said: "Sister Wu is so lucky. I only glanced at General Guo from a distance and couldn't even see his face clearly, let alone talk face to face.
"
Sister Wu's face showed excitement and a bit of pride, and she said: "It's really good luck. Just when I was out to pick up food, I ran into General Guo on inspection."
Guihua's face was full of envy and she said: "Sister Wu has seen the world. If I were there, I would just kneel down and kowtow, and I wouldn't even be able to speak."
"General Guo is not scary, you know it now!" Sister Wu comforted: "Next time we meet, you don't have to be so afraid. You can say whatever you want."
Guihua stuck out her tongue, her eyes sparkling, and she said mischievously: "But I still don't dare, and what I say will definitely be stuttered, so it's better not to say it."
Sister Wu laughed and handed the spread pancake to Xiaoqin, while Osmanthus fetched firewood to light the fire. The three of them cooperated very well.
The large pot set up was baking pancakes, exuding bursts of fragrance, and the flames were warm, which also dispelled the chill from people's bodies.
The dozen or so women who had just been resettled were helping with the work regardless of their fatigue. Sister Wu arranged it properly, and all they received were relatively easy jobs.
Qiaoying was busy non-stop, not just limited to what was assigned to her, but also took the initiative to help this and that, which soon attracted Sister Wu's attention.
"Your name is Qiaoying?" Sister Wu seemed a little tired, flexing her arms and calling Qiaoying to help.
Qiaoying nodded and kneaded the dough, skillfully and diligently. While she was doing it, she asked hesitantly: "Sister Wu, are you going to Liaodong?"
"Yes!" Sister Wu did not hide it and said with a smile: "Do you have this idea? If there is anything you don't understand, just ask me."
Qiaoying looked at the warm gaze, the corners of her eyes were a little moist, and she lowered her head slightly to hide it.
After a while, Qiaoying calmed down and asked Sister Wu.
Go home, but your home is gone, or you have no face to go back. Fortunately, there is a way arranged by Dongjiang Town, which is also a good choice.
………………
go home?!
I felt the same way about Huang Taiji and the fleeing Jianlu. Especially Huang Taiji, his heart felt even more desolate.
The disastrous defeat outside Zunhua City, the fierce bombardment with thousands of arrows, and the fearless attack of the Dongjiang Army's cavalry, coupled with the first defeat of the brothers Mang Gurtai and Dorgon, finally broke the fighting spirit of the Jianlu.
Huang Taiji finally realized the helplessness of being defeated and the fear of the enemy pursuing him.
Repeated counterattacks, or interceptions, could only slightly slow down the pursuit behind him, but they caused fewer and fewer cavalry around Huang Taiji.
Finally, Sony led Qianqi to set up a formation at a narrow spot on the road to block the attack, which finally gave Huang Taiji a relatively long time to escape, but there were only less than 500 men and horses left around him.
The cold wind kept blowing on his face, which hurt like a knife, but Huang Taiji seemed to be unconscious. Only the speed of the horse under him was constantly slowing down.
The roar of muskets became fainter and fainter, but the battle was still going on fiercely, but it was getting farther and farther away, and it became less and less clear.
Huang Taiji no longer had to think too much about the fate of those who loyally guarded Sony and others. Death in battle was their unavoidable outcome.
The enemy not only wanted to charge cavalry with swords, but also cavalry with muskets on their backs. The number of troops was increasing, and it was really not something Sony's thousand men could resist.
A big gamble ended miserably, making Huang Taiji both angry and regretful. He had already won a lot, but he lost everything in the last round of stud. The huge gap was still difficult for him to accept.
.
If... if... Huang Taiji closed his eyes in pain. Unfortunately, without if, there would be no chance to remedy the situation.