Chapter 258: What I stole today, I will pay back twice in the future
"Commander, are the intruders going to attack Luoyang again?"
Zhang Guangda looked at Zhang Cheng and continued to ask: "The intruder is a nuisance. He is really just like weeds in the wild. If we disperse him this year, will we be able to gather him again next year?"
"Wild fire, in spring."
Wei Zhice continued: "I remember that there is such a poem in Bai Letian's "Bai Shi Changqing Collection"."
As he spoke, he began to read slowly:
"The grass on the Lili plain dries up and flourishes every year. The wild fire cannot burn it out, but it grows again when the spring breeze blows.
The distant fragrance invades the ancient road, and the clear green meets the desolate city. I also send the princes and grandchildren away, and the flowers are full of farewell love."
Zhang Guangda didn't quite understand what his poem had to do with what he said about breaking into a thief. He couldn't help but ask: "We are talking about Wei Xiucai. We are talking about the difficult matter of breaking into a thief. How come you started reading a poem?"
, What does this have to do with the intruder?"
Wei Zhice smiled when he heard this and was about to explain, but he heard Zhang Cheng waiting for him to speak: "Quanda, what Zhice means is that thieves are like weeds in the wilderness. You have set them on fire this year.
It looked like they were all piles of ashes.
But when the spring breeze blows next year, a new crop of weeds will grow. Isn't this very similar to the situation of rebellion?
Since the uprising in Yan'an Prefecture, Shaanxi Province, he has been defeated and dispersed by our army more than ten times. However, he has always been able to survive in desperate situations and avoid being chased by the army. After a short time, he has come back again, and has been replaced again.
More tenacious than ever.
From this point of view, it is indeed a different kind of thieves. In my opinion, it is far more dangerous than the two thieves Xian and Cao. If you have the opportunity to fight with them again, you must be careful and don't be careless."
"Yes. The last general has taken note of it!" Wei Zhice and other generals responded in unison.
Zhang Guangda seemed to be very concerned about the intruder. He continued to ask: "Commander, don't we plan to save the Kaifeng people?"
Zhang Cheng smiled when he heard this and asked: "Now, our war in Liaodong is pending, and this place is more than a thousand miles away from Kaifeng. Even if we can fight the Tatar thieves within a few months.
But the soldiers have been away from home for several months, and they always have to go back to Xuan Town to rest and recuperate. As for Kaifeng City, you have seen with your own eyes how thick the city walls are last time. I think they will not be easily attacked by intruders.
Well, there’s no need to worry too much.”
Everyone felt that what Zhang Cheng said was reasonable, and it was obvious to everyone that the Kaifeng city wall was strong. Even if the intruders came back, they might not be able to break through it.
Zhang Cheng continued: "Kaifeng is not as good as Luoyang. The king of Zhou Dynasty is virtuous and knows the important things. Moreover, all the officials in the city are talented and can do their jobs with sincerity. It is indeed rare, especially Chen Yongfu, the commander-in-chief."
veteran.
As for his son Chen De, who is more capable in guerrilla warfare, he is also destined to us. I think we can write a letter and let Chen Zhong's Miuhe Battalion wait for an opportunity for reinforcements. It may still be considered."
He turned to look at Wei Zhice and said to him: "Zhice, you will write the letter for Chen Zhong. You must pay attention to him and wait for opportunities for reinforcements. Don't force them.
The only ones we can mobilize in Henan Province are his Mihe camp and the militia of the Yang brothers in Mangshan, which are still useful. The guards and Huaibing soldiers Ji Youci and the standard camp of Huaiqing prefect He Chongwu are all newly built and have not yet recruited men and horses.
Complete and cannot be called.
Therefore, everything must be done with caution. It is not easy for me to bury his strength in Yu Province, so I must not use all my talents to avoid ruining my overall situation."
"Here. I've written down the policy."
"Oh, by the way. There is one more thing. Wang Yuanjing's affairs related to the river banknote are on the right track. Please ask about this in your letter and urge Wang Yuanjing to arrange all the affairs there as soon as possible.
Come over here quickly, I have a lot of paperwork here and I urgently need him to handle it."
"Here."
On this side, Wei Zhice responded and stepped back, and Zhang Guodong said: "Commander, has there been any new decision at the Rufeng Mountain Military Conference?"
Zhang Cheng shook his head slightly, then sighed again, and then said slowly: "We have not yet made a decision. The governor and the generals all thought that the Tatars had temporarily retreated. Although they do not know why, except for the death of Duduo and the defeat on the Western Front,
, I’m afraid there are some internal problems.”
Guo Yingxian was a man who couldn't lie down. He was recovering from his injuries and was discussing important matters in the military tent. At this time, he asked: "What problems will there be among the Tatars?"
"Hahaha……"
Zhang Cheng laughed and said: "Old general, the Tatars are not a monolithic people. How can there be no disputes?"
He then continued: "The most difficult thing in the world is something that involves people. As long as there are people, there will be disputes, which are nothing more than a struggle for interests.
Although the origins and causes are different, at the root, they are all for power and profit, and nothing else."
Guo Yingxian was still puzzled. He said doubtfully: "What do these Tatars have to fight for? When they come back, our Ming Dynasty will grab a lot of money, and everyone will be extremely rich."
Seeing him say this, everyone in the military tent had a hateful expression. Zhang Cheng also said to everyone: "Humph. Don't look at how happy he is today, we will make a list for him in the future. The Tatars are robbing today
Sooner or later, he will have to vomit out double the amount of whatever is gone."
"Yes, we have to let him vomit it back for us." Zhang Guangda immediately agreed.
Zhang Guodong asked again: "Commander, what are our plans for these days?"
"Nothing else. Take strict precautions, strengthen sentries, and find out the Tatars' movements first."
Zhang Cheng then added: "Let our sentries go deeper, especially to the east bank of the Xiaoling River. It is best to sneak across. If we can intercept the letters between the Tatars and Shenyang, that would be the best.
However, if this is the case, it will not be easy to retreat, but you need to be extra careful."
…………
It was supposed to be a night with a full moon, but for some reason, the night sky was completely dark, especially with the lights everywhere.
Dark clouds covering the moon is not a good sign, and when I looked up, not only was there no moonlight at all, but even the starlight that once filled the sky was nowhere to be seen.
Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty wore a pure white mink fur cloak and stood on a high platform under the dragon banner, feeling extremely lonely in his heart.
For three consecutive days, the epistaxis had tortured him to the point of exhaustion, especially the concern and longing for Hai Lanzhu, which was even more painful for him.
Today, after the nosebleed subsided, he wanted to blow the late autumn night wind with Goshiha by his side. However, when he raised his eyes and looked up, there was darkness all around, just like his mood at the moment.
He, who was already very depressed, suddenly felt a sense of boredom in his chest, and a sweetness surged up from his chest and abdomen again. Huang Taiji seemed to be unable to stand still, and started to shake.
Fortunately, the eunuch serving at the side, Geshiha, had quick eyesight and quick hands, and rushed to help him, so that he did not fall down.
Huang Taiji knew that his body was already very weak and that this mouthful of blood could no longer spurt out. He stabilized his body with the help of two eunuchs, Geshiha.
Then he took a deep breath and suppressed the sweet smell that was rising in his chest. However, as a result, his chest couldn't help but turn purple, and his face gradually turned purple.
After a long time, Huang Taiji said softly: "Go and ask Mr. Fan to come."
A eunuch, Geshiha, responded softly, then turned and left. Under the high platform, there were more than ten attendants holding lanterns, and they quickly left after being ordered.
At this time, a gust of night wind blew, and Huang Taiji, who was already very weak, could not help but shiver. The eunuch behind him, Geshiha, also felt sad in his heart.
He couldn't help but stepped forward to persuade him: "Your Majesty, the night is cold, let's go back to the palace and wait for Mr. Fan."
Huang Taiji seemed not to have heard his persuasion. He still looked up at the dark sky, as if waiting for the dark clouds to disperse and the bright moon to reappear.
After a while, Huang Taiji said softly: "Go back."
Huang Taiji had just returned to the Imperial Palace when Fan Wencheng, a bachelor of the Secretariat of the Imperial Palace, rushed over. After greeting Huang Taiji, he sat on a chair beside him.
Although Huang Taiji was the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, he was completely different from the old Khan Nurhachi. He attached great importance to the Han people and Han culture.
After he secured the throne of the Later Jin Khan, he tried his best to promote the integration of Manchu and Han. He first selected and appointed a group of Han officials, then raised the status of the Han generals who surrendered to the Han, and then divided the territory of the Han people into a banner.
Managed individually.
In this way, the Han people who were plundered in the early days were advantaged.
Their original life was like hell, with no control over life or death. Although they were the personal slaves of the Tatars in each banner, they were actually worse than animals.
Huang Taiji's move rescued them, and this made them grateful to Huang Taiji. Not only did they work hard in farming, but they also worked hard in training even if they joined the Han Army Banner.
Especially when they participated in various wars, they also performed very bravely, not much different from the real Tatars of the Eight Banners of Manchuria.
The most rare thing is that they regard Huang Taiji as their benefactor and are only loyal to Huang Taiji. They are like Huang Taiji's own private soldier.
At the same time, Huang Taiji also showed special favor and trust to a group of Han civil servants such as Fan Wencheng and Ning Wan. Whenever he was in doubt about something, he would consult them.
This is because, in Huang Taiji's mind, the Manchu princes, Baylors, and other civil servants and military generals all have personal friendships. Although everyone is loyal to him, they will inevitably consider themselves.
.
Han officials and generals such as Fan Wencheng and Ning Wan had no foundation in Manchuria and were not fully accepted by other banner lords and princes. They were almost equivalent to second-class citizens of the Qing Dynasty.
Only Emperor Huang Taiji had great trust in them, and it was precisely because they were not yet able to get involved with other established interest groups, so whenever they made suggestions, they could always stand from Huang Taiji's point of view.
In the hearts of Fan Wencheng, Ning Wan and other Han officials and generals, Huang Taiji was their only master. If they were loyal to Huang Taiji, they were loyal to the Qing Dynasty, and vice versa.
At this moment, when Huang Taiji saw Fan Wencheng sitting down, he couldn't help coughing a few times before he said, "Mr. Fan, I have been hesitant about a few things, and I would like to ask you to help me clarify my doubts."
Fan Wencheng hurriedly stood up and paid his respects: "Your Majesty is extremely wise, brave and wise, and no one can match him. Since the time when he was emperor, he has been strategizing and fighting hard. Looking at the kings of the previous dynasties, there are few who can match him.
The fact that I am able to encourage Your Majesty is actually a blessing gained from my past life. Whenever Your Majesty asks, I do not dare to prevaricate, and I will tell you everything I know."
Huang Taiji nodded slightly. He seemed to be a little exhausted, so he lay down on the royal couch and asked softly: "Mr. Fan, the war in Jinzhou has become anxious now. Is there any good way to resolve it?"
Fan Wencheng lowered his head and meditated for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, I believe that the war in Jinzhou should be done quickly rather than later. I should try my best to resolve it quickly. If it is delayed for a long time, the pressure on food and fodder will increase sharply, and it may be difficult to maintain."
Huang Taiji nodded and asked: "Sir, do you have any good ideas?"
Fan Wencheng seemed to have been prepared for it. He replied without hesitation: "I think that we can take advantage of the retreat of the troops on the western front to show the enemy's weakness and lure them to advance. In this way, we can find an opening to attack him, or take advantage of him to cross the border."
Attack, or send out surprise troops to cut off the food route, and secretly attack the rear route.
Once the Ming army breaks into chaos, we, the Qing warriors, can take advantage of the situation and rush out. It will not be difficult to defeat the enemy in one battle. As long as one part of the Ming army is defeated, the other battalions will be in panic and it will not be difficult to completely defeat them."
Huang Taiji's spirit became worse and worse. He closed his eyes slightly and sighed softly: "I think the same thing, but the Ming army seems different from the past, and they can't get into my hands.
Especially Zhang Cheng, who came from Xuanfu, has repeatedly frustrated the morale of our army, which is really hateful!"
When talking about Zhang Cheng, Huang Taiji seemed to be immediately interested. He opened his eyes and asked Fan Wencheng, "How much do you know about Zhang Cheng, sir?"
Fan Wencheng no longer stood up to salute this time, and responded as if he was just chatting at home: "I don't know much about Zhang Cheng. I only know that he rose to power in the second year of Chongde, when our warriors invaded Mingdi.
It is still a guerrilla.
I never thought that in just three or four years, he was already the commander-in-chief of a town. Our Qing warriors were killed one after another at his hands. He must have something special about him. He cannot be used by me and must not be retained."
A cold light flashed in Huang Taiji's eyes, and he said bitterly: "Zhang Cheng, if he was a guerrilla, he could be killed just on the battlefield. Now that he has become the commander-in-chief of a town in the Ming Dynasty, let's invite the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to
Come and get rid of him for me."
After he finished saying this, he closed his eyes again and said leisurely: "You don't have to worry about this matter. I will arrange for Li Shutai to handle it."
Huang Taiji then added: "I have one more thing, and I would like to hear your opinion, sir."
Just when Fan Wencheng was confused, he heard Huang Taiji say softly: "I want to return to Shengjing, but when the war in Jinzhou is in full swing, we need a general to stay here to preside over it.
Prince Li is old and frail, his energy is not as good as before, and he is not qualified for the job. However, Prince Zheng is prudent and Prince Rui is smart. I intend to choose one of them to stay in charge of the war in Jinzhou."
When Huang Taiji said this, he opened a slit in the corner of his eyes, squinted at Fan Wencheng, and asked: "In your opinion, which one of the two of them is more suitable to stay?"
Fan Wencheng was shocked when he heard this. He stood up in a panic and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, no!"