Ten miles south of Xinhe County, Lu Xiangsheng's supervisory camp is stationed in Sutian Village.
Lu Xiangsheng was sitting on the Tukang. He had just handled some military affairs. With a tired look on his face, he suddenly looked at Yang Tinglin and said, "Boxiang, do you understand? We are almost at the point of desperation."
He did not wait for Yang Tinglin to answer, and continued with some frustration: "I have led troops for many years and experienced hundreds of battles, and I have never encountered a situation like today.
You see, the soldiers are hungry and cold, as skinny as firewood. They have been marching for days and are exhausted, but they have no replenishment, and they are always ready to fight as slaves.
The soldiers all understood very well that they were waiting to die, either by the swords of slaves or thieves, or by hunger and exhaustion.
Nowadays, the only thing that keeps the soldiers from scattering is the last bit of loyalty to the emperor and the desire to serve the country. However, the court not only fails to encourage morale, but also uses various means to undermine the morale of the army and discourage the soldiers from serving the country.
If things continue like this, I'm afraid some people will take desperate risks, but if a group of people can make a noise and go away without disintegrating the whole army, that's pretty much it.
Boxiang, the situation is changing, what should we do?"
When Yang Tinglin heard this, he jumped down from the kang and said with some worry: "I am also worried that the army will not be able to hold on for a long time.
When the two armies are facing each other, life and death depend on their breathing. How can we make the soldiers fight with fear?
There is only one way at present, which is to move troops to the three prefectures in southern Jinan, collect food and grass, and rest the army and horses. After ten months, the soldiers will recover and the morale of the army will be restored, and then we can find the enemy for a decisive battle.
Otherwise, if a hungry and tired man becomes the enemy of tigers and wolves, he will inevitably be destroyed, and what good will it do to the country?"
Lu Xiangsheng just smiled bitterly and shook his head, his face was rather sad, but he did not say a word.
Yang Tinglin looked at him and continued with some eagerness: "Although there are some bandits and drought disasters in the three prefectures in southern Jinan, they are not completely broken, and the people's hearts are not completely lost.
If you, the Nine Elders, can move your army to a large area and call upon the soldiers and people, not only will the shortage of food and grass be alleviated, there will be no danger of shortage, but righteous people will also gather from all directions.
In the past, the Jin people also went south. At the foot of the Taihang Mountains, righteous people formed a stronghold to protect themselves and fight against the golden thieves.
However, the Southern Song Dynasty court decided to negotiate for peace, which made Yue Shaobao's plan of the Northern Expedition come to nothing. The elders in Taihang Mountains and southern Hebei Province all cried bitterly and despaired of this matter, which they regretted for eternity. Every time they spoke, they gnashed their teeth and heartbroken.
My Lord, I have been encouraged by Yue Shaobao all my life. Why not inherit Yue Shaobao's legacy and contact the elders of the three prefectures in Jinan to fight against the strong captives together?
For the scholars and people of the three prefectures in southern Jinan, this proposal is not only about saving the country, but also protecting the family. They will definitely respond to the news and fight to advance the cause of justice."
Yang Tinglin's suggestion was indeed the best policy from a purely military perspective under the current situation, but this did not move Lu Xiangsheng's heart. Instead, his impassioned expression moved Lu Xiangsheng deeply.
Lu Xiangsheng remained silent and pondered for a long time. Then he sighed and said: "Boxiang, what you proposed is indeed the best strategy, but I can't use it. I can only use the worst strategy and send people to find Liu Mianzhu among the real guards."
, to make Qin Ting cry."
"Since it's the best policy, why not use it?" Yang Tinglin asked in confusion after hearing this.
"Don't you understand this?"
Lu Xiangsheng suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He stood up and walked back and forth for a few steps with his head lowered on the edge of the Tukang.
superior,
Shu, exposed and attacked each other, looked around inside and outside the court, hiding all dangers, and blamed each other on me. Now, my brother is even more willing to take responsibility for the crime and temporarily controls the military affairs. I often don’t know when to arrest him.
If I move to Guangshun at this time, the imperial court will definitely accuse me of being timid in the face of the enemy. In less than ten days, the Tiqi will come. Instead of dying in the Western Market, why die on the battlefield?"
"Nine elders, even if the nine elders are willing to sacrifice their lives on the battlefield, what benefit does this have to the country?"
Yang Tinglin was quite shocked and worried by Lu Xiangsheng's words.
"As long as I have a clear heart and live up to the emperor's holy grace, that's enough."
Lu Xiangsheng's heart was filled with grief and indignation, and a trace of gloomy emotions swelled in his chest. He tried his best to control himself and prevent tears from rolling down from the corners of his eyes.
He turned his back to the candlelight to prevent Yang Tinglin from seeing the tears in his eyes and pacing back and forth again.
Yang Tinglin was also upset. He punched the small table with his fist and said loudly: "Is it possible that our Ming Dynasty's 200-year foundation will be destroyed in the hands of these people?
I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it…”
Lu Xiangsheng turned around abruptly and shook his head at Yang Tinglin to prevent him from continuing.
He was not worried for himself, but worried that Yang Tinglin would be too angry and would say something dissatisfied with the imperial court. If it spread in the future, someone with intentions would add to it and report it to the imperial court.
He couldn't help but walked closer to Yang Tinglin and said, "Brother Boxiang, I want to ask you to go to Zhenbao and his party, how about that?"
"Of course I'm happy to serve you. But do you want me to go to Mianzhu to cry for Qin Ting? In my opinion, this may not be useful!"
Yang Tinglin readily agreed, but he did not have any hope for this trip.
"Let's take care of the personnel and obey fate. When you were in the capital, you had some contact with him. Now, if you tell him the difficulties in the army truthfully, you may be able to impress him. I said that this is the next best thing.
But now this is the only way.”
Lu Xiangsheng stood there, staring blankly at a small window.
"When will we leave?" Yang Tinglin asked.
"The matter is extremely urgent, so the sooner we leave, the better. You have been working hard for days, so how about you take a rest tonight and leave again at five o'clock tomorrow?" Lu Xiangsheng's words were quite urging.
Yang Tinglin thought for a moment and then said: "Since the military situation is urgent, why wait until tomorrow? I will leave tonight and ask the nine elders to write a handwritten letter. I will show my face to Mianzhu and then use my words to express it."
"Brother Boxiang, you'd better rest for the night and start again tomorrow morning," Lu Xiangsheng said.
"No need. If the matter is urgent, we will leave tonight." Yang Tinglin said eagerly.
"So, there is Brother Lao Boxiang!" Lu Xiangsheng cupped his hands to Yang Tinglin to show his gratitude.
Around the third watch, Yang Tinglin took Lu Xiangsheng's handwriting and set off under the escort of four personal guards assigned to him by Lu Xiangsheng.
Lu Xiangsheng kept sending him out of the camp gate, holding hands and saying goodbye to each other.
Yang Tinglin galloped his horse for a few steps, feeling a little uneasy. He turned the horse's head again and told Lu Xiangsheng: "My lord, I am concerned about the safety of the country and the dynasty. You must not risk everything. Jinan is my old rule, and I have a good reputation."
, the people's support can be used, but nothing can be done. We must advance to Jinan and wait for a turn of events."
Lu Xiangsheng nodded and said: "Brother, go quickly. You don't have to think about your brother. Since a man pledged his body to the country, how dare he own private property with his seven-foot body? It is our wish to die to repay the kindness of the king. As for my brother,