"Everyone, please discuss how to implement our army's next step strategy."
Zhang Cheng, the commander-in-chief of the Xuan Mansion, was sitting at the top of the Chinese army's tent, looking at the generals below and asking them to discuss the next step for the returning reinforcements.
The generals have long been accustomed to this style of discussion. Based on the current findings, they are discussing where to fight next. The generals are still discussing while eating, and everyone expresses his or her own opinion.
Although Guo Yingxian has participated in many military discussions, it is obvious that he still has not adapted to the situation of this kind of military discussions.
Like him, among the elite cavalry he led, there was also a guerrilla general from Datong Town and a captain from Shanxi Town. They also neither understood nor adapted to this kind of military discussion method where they could speak freely, and seemed very restricted.
and restraint.
However, the Xuanfu generals have long been accustomed to this, and they speak enthusiastically without any restraint.
After they first analyzed the current situation, they expressed their own opinions. Some believed that they should take advantage of the victory to attack and defeat as many small groups of the Tatars as possible while their forces were still scattered but not yet reunited.
Some people think that since our army has returned to reinforcements, it has won consecutive victories, and its morale is strong. It is urgent to find the main force of the Tatar thieves and defeat them in one fell swoop. In this way, Xingta will have no worries.
Zhang Cheng saw that the generals were maturing day by day, and everyone was thinking actively and speaking enthusiastically. However, due to the winning streak, everyone seemed to look down on the Tartars, which was not a good sign.
He coughed twice and said: "We have been ordered by Governor Hong to return to Tashan in Xingshan, so naturally we will try our best to defeat the invading Tartars. However, although the Tatars' cavalry were frustrated at the foot of Changling Mountain, their troops are still strong.
Although the army is defeated, it still has the strength to fight.
I am naturally very pleased that you are eager to fight, but you must not underestimate the Tartars too much. You must know the principle of "a proud soldier will be defeated".
Although our army has repeatedly won against rogue bandits and Tartar thieves, they have been wreaking havoc inside and outside our Ming Dynasty for many years, and they must be capable. Although we were lucky enough to win, we cannot underestimate the enemy's ability."
Zhang Cheng knew that although the generals were a little arrogant at this time, it was only based on the strength of the Xuanfu army and their consecutive victories. If he spoke too bluntly, he was afraid of affecting the morale of the soldiers in each battalion, so he just
Click till then.
Seeing that all the generals had silently accepted it, he continued to express his judgment on the current situation.
"At the moment, although the captive cavalry were defeated and retreated at the foot of Changling Mountain, and the false king Duduo killed and slaughtered our soldiers, the Tatars who invaded Xingta were more than this group.
Not counting the captive cavalry who were digging trenches everywhere, there were thousands of fine Tatar cavalry under the Xingshan Fort. According to reports, there was another group of Tatars who attacked the Gaoqiao but it was not broken.
Thousands of soldiers and horses continue to attack, but the main force of the captive cavalry has gone south, and their trace is still unknown."
Guo Yingxian raised his own question at the right time: "When the Tatars invade Gaoqiao, they must first break through the two fortresses of Dongqing and Daxing. What's more, there are soldiers and horses of General Zuo stationed on Wudaoling. How can the Tatars be allowed to pass easily?"
Although the discussion among the generals just now was very comprehensive, they did not pay too much attention to the Tatar bandits attacking Gaoqiao. Only Lin Fangping suggested that a cavalry should be sent to relieve the danger of Gaoqiao and explore this group.
The movement of the Tartar bandits and captives.
At this moment, when everyone heard the question raised by veteran Guo Yingxian, they couldn't help but think about it secretly and pay attention to it.
Zhang Guangda then asked: "Is it possible that this group of captives secretly bypassed Dongqing and Daxing Second Fort without General Zuo and others knowing about it?"
But Chen Zheng shook his head and said: "It stands to reason that it shouldn't be the case. There are no longer a handful of Tatar thieves, and the cavalry army of more than ten thousand captives is so powerful. Dongqing and Daxing Forts are guarding the main road, and Commander Zuo is in the middle of the attack. Why?
Let the Tatar thieves bypass it easily!"
Zhang Guodong also said: "Is it possible that the Second Fort of Dongqing and Daxing has been attacked by Tatar thieves, but the incident happened suddenly and we haven't received the report yet?"
It was not until this moment that the generals of the Xuanfu government paid attention to the Tatars and their cavalry who were attacking Gaoqiao.
Seeing the generals discussing seriously here, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but nod his head to express his satisfaction. After a moment, he spoke again: "Although it has not been confirmed yet, I estimate that Dongqing and Daxing Forts must have fallen into the hands of the Tatars.
Since Zuo Guangxian was on Wudaoling, he was probably unable to protect himself at this moment. In this way, the Tatar army dared to invade Gaoqiao. Even after surrounding Gaoqiao without breaking it, they continued southward and penetrated deep into the rear of our army.
Let’s think about it, everyone, where is the most likely place for the captives to invade from the high bridge heading south?”
"Tashan?"
Guo Yingxian blurted out: "Is it possible that the Tatar thieves want to invade the center and left?"
"Won't."
However, Lin Fangping affirmatively denied: "Tashan is stationed by General Liu of Liaodong, and taking Tashan will not be of much benefit to the Tatar thieves. It is not necessary."
Chen Zheng also echoed: "Yes, Tashan Fort is at the strategic point of Ningyuan Guard. Unless the Tatars have the strength to attack Ningyuan Guard, it is not necessary if they just want to cut off the Xingshan grain road."
"The Tatar thieves really want to cut off our army's return route and cut off the food route. All they have to do is dig trenches between Xingshan and Tashan. In this way, if our army wants to stop them, they must go out to fight with the slaves outside the city.
, playing right into his heart.
But there is no need to invade Tashan!" Zhang Guodong was also very sure of Lin Fangping's opinion.
"Beacon Hill is Beacon Hill."
Veteran general Guo Yingxian was reminded by several people and suddenly screamed. He continued loudly: "Most of the military rations shipped by the imperial court are stored in Bijia Mountain. The Tatars came all the way and even crossed the high bridge to the south. Could it be that they wanted to sneak attack on our army's important food storage area?"
!”
At this moment, everyone in the military tent started talking again. Although they knew that there was still a section between Bijia Mountain and the mainland that was blocked by the sea, there was another big drawback there, which was that it was sometimes deeper and sometimes shallower due to the ebb and flow of the sea.
Looking at the generals in the military tent, Zhang Cheng seemed very leisurely. He took a sip of hot water before waving for everyone to stop.
"I also believe that what the Takahashi Tatars are after must be my hoard of grain on Beacon Mountain."
Zhang Cheng then continued: "However, our current investigation shows that a group of Tatar bandits crossed the high bridge and headed south. However, we have no idea what the strength of their troops is and which banner of the Tartar bandits is the main one.
That’s why you must not be careless.”
He paused for a moment before continuing: "I decided to send an army to march under the Xingshan Fort, drive back the captive cavalry there, recapture the surrounding small forts, and open up the passage blocked by the Tatar thieves.
There is only one elite cavalry, galloping across the high bridge in the direction of Bijia Mountain, exploring as they go, ensuring the safety of Bijia Mountain, which is an important place for storing grain."
Chen Zheng stood up and clasped his fists and said, "Commander, I will go and save Xingshan."
When Zhang Guodong saw Chen Zheng taking the initiative to ask for a fight, he couldn't help but become anxious and hurriedly stood up and clasped his fists: "Commander, the Chicheng Battalion is willing to rescue Xingshan Fort."
Both of them were very self-aware. When they heard Zhang Cheng mentioned sending cavalry to gallop across the high bridge, they knew they had no chance, so they rushed to save Xingshan Fort.
Zhang Cheng saw that the two of them were actively asking for battle, but he smiled and waved for them to sit down, and then said: "The soldiers of Dushi Camp are guarding Changling Mountain. We have been fighting fiercely for days. We should take this time to take a good rest."
The implication of his words has already eliminated the possibility of Chen Zheng going to fight, so how could Chen Zheng be willing? He said anxiously: "Commander, the Chicheng Battalion rushed back to Xingshan to aid. They have been traveling for days and after two battles, the soldiers are also very tired.
It’s the most important time to rest.”
"It's good that the soldiers of Dushi Camp have such a desire to fight!"
Zhang Cheng first praised Chen Zheng, and then said: "However, after days of fierce fighting, the soldiers of Dushi Camp are indeed very tired and have suffered heavy casualties, so they need to rest more.
Although the Chicheng Battalion also suffered a lot of casualties, it was its duty to be ordered back to aid Xingshan this time. Therefore, Zhang Guodong should lead the Chicheng Battalion and the left part of the chariot to aid Xingshan Fort."
After he finished speaking, he continued to speak warmly to Chen Zheng: "Besides, you still have important things to do. The civilian men and military leaders who are staying on the mountain now, regardless of whether they are Liao citizens or not, as long as they meet the recruitment requirements of our Xuanfu, they can
Recruit you in the Dushi camp and register.
Furthermore, the wounded soldiers in Chicheng Camp must also stay on Changling Mountain to recuperate. Your Dushi Camp has a heavy responsibility, and you must guard it strictly and not be negligent in the slightest."
"Here!"
After hearing what Zhang Cheng said, Chen Zheng knew that there was no room for maneuver, so he had to respond loudly.
Zhang Cheng nodded to express his satisfaction. Then, he ordered Zhang Guodong to lead the Chicheng camp and the left part of the chariot to assist Xingshan. In order to prevent the captive cavalry from being difficult to deal with, Guo Yingxian's Xuan Dajing cavalry was sent to Datong Town.
Shanxi Town's fine cavalry was left to Zhang Guodong to command.
He himself led Guo Yingxian, Zhang Guangda, Lin Fangping, Huang Baozhong and other cavalry units to rush to Gaoqiao to search for traces of the invading Tatar cavalry there.
Finally, Zhang Cheng even warned the generals: "This time, if we can stop the Tartar thieves' plan to cut off our food routes, the Liao Dynasty will be worry-free. At most, we will have a stalemate with the Tartar thieves for a few more months, and we will see the outcome.
Everyone, on this occasion of the decisive victory of the war, you should move forward bravely and fight to the death!"
Zhang Cheng even announced that the soldiers of each battalion would rest for a day and set out according to military orders early tomorrow morning.
…………
When the Ming Dynasty's aid division to the Liao Dynasty was in the Songshan area, it was fighting to the death with the Tatar army mobilized by the Qing Dynasty.
The rebel king Li Zicheng and other bandits were secretly plotting a very important military operation. In order to prepare for the second attack on Kaifeng City, they actually wanted to wipe out the Ming Dynasty officers and soldiers gathered in Henan.
In the early August of the fourteenth year of Chongzhen, Fu Zonglong, the newly appointed Governor of Shaanxi and the Three Borders, was forced by Emperor Chongzhen to lead his army to leave Shaanxi and begin to march towards Henan.
Just before he left Shaanxi, Wang Qiao, the newly appointed governor of Shaanxi, came to practice it for him.
Wang Qiaonian, whose courtesy name was Suixing, was a native of Sui'an County, Yanzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. He was a Jinshi during the Tianqi period. He was first appointed as the head of the Ministry of Punishment, and later served as a doctor in the Ministry of Punishment, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, and even served as the Deputy Envoy of Military Preparation in Denglai.
He was also a civil servant who claimed to have some knowledge of military affairs. Not long ago, he was promoted to the position of censor of Youqiandu and was the governor of Shaanxi.
At this moment, he knew that Fu Zonglong's expedition to Henan to suppress the bandits was met with misfortune, mainly because of insufficient preparations, lack of troops and horses, and lack of food and fodder. It was entirely under the emperor's pressure that he had to force his way out.
Fu Zonglong, on the other hand, was more aware of his own situation: the military training was in ruins, the generals were arrogant and domineering, and military pay, food and grass were very scarce.
How can such troops and horses destroy the "rogue bandits" who are at the height of their power?
In his view, not only was it almost impossible to exterminate the "rogue thieves", but it was also extremely difficult to protect one's own safety.
Especially since the intruders broke into Luoyang, they are no longer what they used to be. Not only are there a large number of people, but in July this year, they joined forces with another giant thief "Cao Cao" Luo Rucai, adding more than 100,000 people out of thin air.
People and horses are like tigers with wings.
However, today's emperor is eager to "suppress thieves" and has a bad temper. He has completely ignored his excuses. Imperial edicts and warnings from the Ministry of War are coming one after another, and the urgency of pressing is getting worse day by day. He does not consider the actual situation in Shaanxi at all, nor does he care about the situation in Shaanxi.
Allow him ample time to reorganize his troops.
Fu Zonglong knew that the troops leaving Tongguan would be in danger, but he did not dare to openly disobey the "imperial edict".
When Ba Shang said goodbye, he held Wang Qiaonian's hand and said with tears in his eyes: "This rush to suppress thieves under orders is really like feeding a tiger with meat."
Wang Qiaonian said with emotion: "My lord, there is no need to worry, just go ahead with peace of mind. If your lord's battle is unfavorable, Qiao Nian will follow you out of the confinement to help your lord."
The two of them naturally understood the meaning of these words, but they just looked at each other and shook their heads and sighed, saying nothing more.
…………
Fu Zonglong had previously learned that the bandits were training troops in the Funiu Mountains, so he led 30,000 to 40,000 officers and soldiers not to go through Tongguan, but through Shangzhou, Neixiang, and Dengzhou.
Then quickly advance eastward along the border area between southern Henan and Huguang, preparing to join forces with Baoding Governor Yang Wenyue's troops in the Xincai and Runing areas north of Guangzhou to join forces to suppress the enemy.
He made a large circle in this way to avoid being blocked by intruders when his troops left Tongguan and marched into Luoyang.
In fact, Li Zicheng, the King of Chuang, had already received his revenge. He immediately led a group of thieves to pursue him in southern Henan. Finally, in mid-August, he caught up between Xiping and Suiping, where he temporarily stationed himself, preparing to look for opportunities to attack Fu Zonglong.
Ministry officers and soldiers.
As for Shaanxi, Fu Zonglong, the governor of the three sides, and Yang Wenyue, the governor of Baoding, had already exchanged secret letters and agreed that the armies of both sides would first meet up in Xincai in southern Henan before making further arrangements.
Although the two governors were dedicated to "suppressing the intruders", and the emperor's edicts and war warnings were as urgent as sparks of fire, they did not dare to rashly fight against the intruders.
According to detailed reports from the government and army, it was learned that Li Zicheng, king of the Chuang Dynasty, was preparing to attack Kaifeng City again. However, it was only because of the arrival of the two of them that Li Zicheng postponed his plan to march to Kaifeng.
Now, he is leading the main force of the rebel army to station in Xiping. During the period of Suiping, he is preparing to destroy the armies of their two governors first, and then advance to attack and open the sealed city.
It was precisely because of this that Fu Zonglong and Yang Wenyue agreed that once the armies successfully reunited, they would first avoid the attack of the intruder Li Zicheng, move to Xiangcheng, and then go north to Chenzhou.
In this way, we can avoid directly fighting the rebels, and can also contain Chuang and Cao's army from the side, so that they dare not attack Kaifeng with all their strength. At the same time, they can gradually move closer to Kaifeng to restore the emperor's order.
However, at dusk on the day when the armies of Fu Zonglong and Yang Wenyue met in Xincai, a troop of thousands of light cavalry troops was rushing from the northwest.
There were beads of sweat on the horses and dust on their legs. This cavalry team was very neat and tidy. Not a single cavalry galloped into the wheat fields and trampled the crops. It seemed to be slightly different from the official cavalry!