It turned out that the expanded Timur army was now short of food and grass, so he sent nearly 10,000 reconnaissance cavalry to search for food and grass. Because of the construction of two stone cities, the land around Lanzhou City became almost a barren land. In desperation, the Yuan army's reconnaissance cavalry finally
They formed a group to search far away, and finally met the Ming army who was reinforcing Lanzhou.
When the 20,000 Ming army was still one day away from Lanzhou, Dakui discussed with Xue Xian. The 20,000 Ming troops would not arrive in Lanzhou, but would disguise themselves as Yuan soldiers to attack and expand Timur's two cities. There were Yuan Ting's troops in Stone City.
It is also a place for garrisoning grain. If the two stone cities are captured, Timur's army will really have no way to expand its territory. Xue Xian thought over and over again that it was inappropriate, because the purpose of this trip was to reinforce Lanzhou, not to capture the city.
.Expanding Timur's army's supplies and supplies were all in two stone cities. How could it not be protected by heavy troops? If the siege was not successful and the troops were lost, wouldn't it be that stealing a chicken but losing a lot of rice?
Xue Xian went around and said what he was thinking, but he was very concerned about Da Kui's face. Da Kui didn't take it seriously and followed the large group of people into Lanzhou City.
The first thing Dakui did after entering the city was to take a shower and change clothes. After days of traveling and fighting, Dakui was indeed tired.
Yang Xiaohu, Meng Ge, and Ou Dachui were all very happy to see Da Kui back. Unexpectedly, Da Kui went back to his room to take a bath and change clothes, then fell asleep and slept until dark before getting up.
Dakui asked about the situation in the city, and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. There were less than 10,000 soldiers in Lanzhou city. In the past few months during the expansion of Timur's army to attack the city, nearly half of the people who helped defend the city died in Lanzhou city.
There were more than 10,000 people, especially ordnance and supplies, and the cost of defending the city was the highest in the history of the Ming Dynasty. This shows how fiercely Timur's army attacked the city and how tragic the battle was.
In the evening, a banquet was held at Da Kui's residence. All the generals in the city except the captains and above on duty were present. Zhang Wen and Xue Xian discussed ways to defend the city during the banquet. Da Kui didn't take it seriously. Zhang Wen
Seeing the strange expression on Da Kui's face, he couldn't help but ask: "Master Zhang, regarding the current situation in Lanzhou, do you have any advice?"
Dakui drank a glass of wine to moisten his throat first, and then said: "The expanded Timur army is now confronting the marshal's 200,000 troops at Shen'eryu. His two stone cities must be empty. I want to kiss him
Lead the troops and capture the two stone cities. This will cut off and expand Timur's food route, and more importantly, seal his retreat when he is defeated."
Zhang Wen thought for a moment and was speechless, but Xue Xian said: "Now our Lanzhou garrison totals more than 30,000 people. It is indeed the best strategy to capture the enemy's Shicheng, but what if we can't capture it for a long time?" As soon as this statement came out, all the generals present went to their own places.
The words are consistent.
Da Kui knew that these people did not seek merit but no fault, so he asked Zhang Wen, who had been silent, "I wonder what General Zhang wants?"
When Zhang Wen asked, he had to answer: "Master Zhang doesn't know something. We have been fighting hard in Lanzhou for several months, and our troops and horses are exhausted. Besides, we have no siege equipment, and the two stone cities are tightly defended, so we are really powerless."
What else Dakui wanted to say, Xue Xian added: "When Mr. Zhang was outside the city, he discussed with me the matter of disguised as Yuan soldiers to capture the city. The general thought it was really inappropriate. If he was discovered, how would it end?" Dakui heard this.
Yan couldn't help but feel a little angry. Meng Ge and Ou Dachui who were beside him were about to get angry when they saw Da Kui's unkind expression. Fortunately, Yang Xiaohu and Master Feng stopped him and a dispute was avoided.
After drinking for three rounds, Dakui actually smiled. No one understood why, Dakui smiled and said: "Although I am the supervisor of the army, I don't want to interfere too much with the military affairs. From now on, the city defense will all depend on the two generals.
It’s a lot of hard work.”
Zhang Wen and Xue Xian saw that Dakui finally gave up the idea of attacking the city, and they were relieved. Unexpectedly, Dakui continued: "Now that there is no Yuan army attacking the city, I, a high-ranking first-class official, must have some skills if he wants to go out.
Isn't it majestic?" After hearing Dakui's words, Zhang Wen and Xue Xian were immediately confused and did not understand what Dakui was going to say.
Dakui said to Zhang Wen: "General Zhang should know the imperial court's laws very well."
Zhang Wen quickly clasped his fists and said: "How dare you forget the rules set by the emperor?"
Dakui nodded in approval and said: "Yes, that's right. I'm here to ask you. What is the etiquette used by all the officials in the dynasty when they travel?"
Zhang Wen thought for a while and then replied: "When the emperor travels, he is escorted by a hundred thousand imperial guards. When the prince travels, he is accompanied by ten thousand armored troops. The important ministers in the dynasty are reduced by half according to their rank."
Dakui chuckled and said: "As an officer of the first rank, I always need five thousand escorts when I travel. General Zhang, do you think so or not?"
Only then did Zhang Wen understand what kind of medicine was being sold in Dakui Gourd. He immediately defended himself: "Your Excellency, I don't know. Unless it's an official mission, a first-class imperial official's honor guard can only cost two thousand."
As soon as Dakui set the table, he laughed loudly and said: "Two thousand is two thousand. Come to see me early tomorrow morning."
Zhang Wen and Xue Xian were immediately dumbfounded. Could it be that the supervisor is crazy?
After talking about the business, Dakui left first after he had had enough wine and food. Meng Ge and Ou Dachui also left the table afterwards.
That night, Dakui and Meng Ge secretly discussed with Ou Dachui and Yang Xiaohu. Meng Ge and Ou Dachi were responsible for guarding the north and south gates of Lanzhou City. Tomorrow they would leave the city through the north gate after receiving the troops. Yang Xiaohu was
In order to increase military supplies, it is natural to know how many weapons and armors of the Yuan army are in stock.
After all the plans were settled, they went back to their rooms to sleep peacefully. The next morning, Dakui got up and changed his clothes, then washed up and went out.
The morning sun in the city was much warmer than outside the city. All the snow on the streets turned into water, and the ground was wet and muddy. Da Kui stood in front of the door and was dumbfounded. There was no honor guard on the streets.
Waiting until Jinchen, there was still no one coming, and Dakui couldn't help but get angry. At that time, he went straight to the garrison. Zhang Wen went to patrol the city, and only Xue Xian was there.
As soon as they met, Dakui said angrily: "Where are the two thousand honor guards you promised me? You go back on your word and you don't even take me seriously!"
Xue Xiancheng was frightened and quickly replied: "Sir, please calm down, General Zhang Wen has not broken his promise. He promised to bring two thousand honor guards to the house tomorrow morning. If you don't believe me, ask them." He pointed to the busy people.
One of the several captains, Qianhu, stepped forward and clasped his fists towards Dakui and said, "My lord, please calm down. I will be here at the banquet last night. Your Majesty is indeed talking about tomorrow and not today."
When Dakui heard this, the anger that had been suppressed in his chest rose up, and Lao Gao almost roared: "Tomorrow comes tomorrow, how dare you play tricks on me?" Before anyone could come to comfort him, Qian stood opposite Dakui.
The household has been kicked far away.
"Go and call Zhang Wen, I'm waiting for him here!" Dakui was almost furious and gritted his teeth when he spoke. The Qianhu didn't dare to neglect, got up and walked out of the hall.
It happened that Zhang Wen's voice came: "Oh my, what happened to make Mr. Zhang so angry?" As he spoke, Zhang Wen entered the garrison hall with several followers.
Dakui didn't go around in circles, walked up to Zhang Wen and asked with a cold face: "Where is my guard of honor?"
Zhang Wen was stunned and looked at Xue Xian. Xue Xian secretly waved his hand to Zhang Wen with a sad face. Zhang Wen had no choice but to say sincerely: "Sir Zhang, the first priority in the city this time is to consolidate the city defense, but how can we fail to do so?"
Are you going to send someone to guard the ceremony?"
Dakui sneered and said: "It is a great achievement for you to be able to defend Lanzhou. There is no need to take risks anymore. Are you right?"
"This..." Zhang Wen was speechless after being told what he was thinking.