In Ningyuan City, Liaodong Province, in the lobby of Governor Ji Liao's residence, everyone's spirits were lifted, and they were waiting to watch a wonderful show.
The governor, Hong Chengchou, had just finished his trick of killing chickens and making monkeys, and with extremely strong momentum, he suppressed a few people's criticisms of Liaodong's military.
Just at this moment, Zhang Cheng actually mentioned the Xingshan grain road again.
Although Zhang Cheng's words were also very clever. He first talked about the shortcomings of slaves and bandits, then agreed with Governor Hong's military plan to advance the army, and then mentioned the importance of food routes out of concern for the safety of the army.
But in the eyes of everyone, this is already a bold move!
Just when everyone was full of criticism and waiting to see how Hong Chengchou would deal with Zhang Cheng's misfortune, they saw Hong Duchen saying with a smile, "The whole army is advancing, especially the food and grass. It affects the morale of the army. This is what General Zhang is worried about."
The key to my army."
Everyone in the hall was astonished. They had just sternly reprimanded Zhang Dou, but why did he have to lecture Zhang Cheng again?
In fact, Hong Chengchou was already very angry. He cursed secretly: "A young boy who dares to question my military strategy is really ignorant of life and death!"
But he also knew in his heart that Zhang Cheng was favored by the Holy Master, and his own soldier Chen Xinjia was supporting him, but he could not take it lightly.
Not to mention Zhang Dou, since the military supervisor Zhang Ruoqi existed as Chen Xinjia's military spokesperson in Liaodong, he also did not dare to underestimate Zhang Cheng. The more people couldn't figure it out and the more elusive he became, the more powerful he became.
Zhang Cheng exists in this way in Hong Chengchou's eyes.
Therefore, it was impossible for him to distract the general with the most troops from him just for this matter, not to mention that he had just scolded Zhang Dou to remind Zhang Ruoqi and let out that bad breath.
While everyone looked surprised, the governor Hong Chengchou said with an elegant and gentle smile: "General Zhang's ability in running the army and fighting wars needs no introduction. His outstanding achievements are proof.
I wonder what you can teach me about the Xingshan grain road?
Zhang Cheng stood up and clasped his fists and saluted: "Zhang Cheng is a warrior. It is his duty to lead troops to fight for the country, but he dare not ask for credit for it. Today, I only have some superficial opinions. I would like to ask Governor Hong and you to correct me."
After he bowed and sat down, he continued: "According to previous sentinel inspections and torture of Tatars, the slaves and thieves changed their ranks this time. Only the old, weak and tired soldiers were withdrawn, and their strong and brave soldiers were still stationed outside Jinzhou.
, plus the soldiers who came with the slave chief Dorgon, the number was about sixty to seventy thousand.
The most worrying ones are the nearly ten thousand soldiers and horses led by the three thieves Kong, Geng, and Shang. Not only do they have numerous firearms, but they also have sixty red cannons, which were recently made by the Tatars, so they should not be underestimated."
After hearing what Zhang Cheng said, everyone in the hall looked stern. Everyone had fought against slaves and bandits. Although they were not as good as in field battles, they could still maintain a balance of power with the help of firearms and cannons.
But if, as Zhang Cheng said, the three thieves Kong, Geng, and Shang really brought an army of nearly 10,000 firearms, plus 60 red cannons, then the situation would really not be optimistic.
Zhang Cheng continued: "Based on my humble opinion, our division will rush into Songshan with strong troops and strong soldiers. If we can push back the slaves with one blow, not only will the siege of Jinzhou be relieved, but we may also be able to take advantage of the situation to cover up the enemy and force the troops to force Yizhou."
It can be known.
However, in military terms, we always have to consider the worst case scenario. If our army gathers in Songshan, our first attack will be unfavorable, and we will be in a stalemate with Nu.
He will definitely bring reinforcements from the rear, and it is even more likely that the slave chief Huang Taiji will come in person, and even gather all the slave soldiers in the country to attack Jin.
His words made everyone stunned. After thinking about it carefully, everyone felt that this possibility was not impossible!
I heard Zhang Cheng continue to say: "If the slave thieves are at odds with our master, they will inevitably not make a big fuss in the direction of Xingshan.
If they use most of their slave soldiers to fight fiercely with our division in Songshan and fight against our army, and then send another group of captive cavalry to come along the Nvnu River and attack fiercely all the way, how long can the defenders of Xingshan be able to hold on?
Moreover, after the slave thieves captured the cavalry, a large group of handymen Aha accompanied them and dug several long trenches outside Xingshan Fort to block our division's food route.
What does Governor Hong think?
All the officers and generals in the hall felt a chill in their hearts. If it were as described by Zhang Cheng, then the food route would most likely be completely cut off by slave thieves. From this point of view, the defenders on Xingshan were indeed too few.
some.
Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, also immediately fell into deep thought.
At this time, a strange voice sounded. It was Ma Ke, the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan Pass. He said with a sneer on his face: "Commander Zhang's words are a bit sensational. How can slaves and traitors come to invade the country?"
Zhang Cheng said seriously: "The military strategist said, 'As a general, you should worry about defeat before thinking about victory, so you can fight a hundred battles without danger.' When we march to fight, we must consider every possibility!"
However, Ma Ke continued: "In this way, as General Chen said just now, our army will be divided when it enters Xingshan. General Zhang, there is a saying that a divided army is weak. The defeat of Sarhu
It's right in front of you, you must be on guard."
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "If the food route is controlled by slaves and thieves, and the morale of the army is shattered, it will also end in a huge defeat."
Ma Ke smiled and said flatteringly: "I finally feel that the possibility of the grain road being enforced by General Zhang is very small, so I will support Governor Hong's proposal."
Bai Guangen, the commander-in-chief of Jizhen, also said carelessly: "We haven't yet found out exactly how many slave thieves there are.
General Zhang said that slave thieves would come to attack Xingshan
Hehe, it is indeed sensational. When the slaves and thieves don't come, the soldiers are divided again. Aren't they delivering food to the Tatars?" His rough voice echoed in the lobby, and then the burly man even more
He shook his head and laughed wildly: "You bitch, you're so ridiculous!"
He slapped his thigh hard, making a loud "pop" sound. His behavior was so rude that all the civil servants across from him frowned.
Zhang Cheng, however, only smiled. He would not be as knowledgeable as this man and lose his own worth.
"Hmph!"
Chen Jiugao couldn't stand how others treated his brother. He snorted loudly to express his extreme dissatisfaction with Bai Guangen. Of course, he also meant to show his kindness to Zhang Cheng.
I saw him shouting loudly: "I think General Zhang's concerns are very reasonable. Fortresses such as Xingshan really need to be guarded by more generals.
Wang Pu, the commander-in-chief of Datong, also said: "Oh, have you started engaging in 'criminal crimes' again?
General Zhang only considered the safety of our army's retreat, and it was really a precautionary measure. How come it has become a discussion among some people about dividing the troops? I really can't even understand what people are saying."
The marshals in the lobby suddenly divided into three factions. Since Yang Guozhu, Zhang Cheng, and Wang Pu belonged to Xuanda, he naturally wanted to express his support for Zhang Cheng's side and believed that to prepare for a rainy day, heavy troops should be left to guard the retreat.
.
However, Tang Tong, the commander-in-chief of Miyun, and Bai Guangen, the commander-in-chief of Jizhen, did clearly support Ma Ke's opinion and believed that there was no need to keep more troops in Xingshan. They unconditionally supported Hong Duchen's military strategy and seemed to have come specifically to fight with Zhang Cheng and others.
Generally speaking.
Then there are Wu Sangui, Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, Zuo Guangxian and other generals who are concerned about matters that have nothing to do with them. They are all old subordinates and confidants of Governor Hong Chengchou, so they naturally support Hong Chengchou in their hearts.
Military strategy, but he did not express his position on the surface.
Seeing the fierce debate among the generals in the hall, Hong Chengchou couldn't help but frowned and looked at Zhang Cheng with complicated eyes.