Yang Zaixing reported the sneak attack to Chen Qing. He blamed himself and said: "I was too eager for merit and refused to listen to Wang Duo's repeated persuasion. In the end, all three thousand brothers were killed, and Cao Qing also died tragically. This is a humble duty."
This responsibility makes me extremely sad."
Chen Qing was silent for a moment and said slowly: "We are the commander-in-chief. One decision can determine the life and death of thousands of soldiers. Therefore, we must be careful when considering issues and listen to other people's opinions. However, if we make a mistake in a decision, we must hold the commander-in-chief accountable.
Responsibility, no one will dare to make decisions in the future, so there is no need to pursue responsibility. No one dares to say that he is a victorious general. Since he is on the battlefield, every soldier must have the consciousness of dying in battle. I think failure is not shameful.
The key is to learn lessons and not make mistakes again and again. I have seen this. If you surrounded and annihilated 50,000 enemy troops, you did a good job and deserve praise."
"It's just General Cao Qing."
Chen Qing waved his hand to interrupt him, "I will explain the situation to Cao De. His nephew died fighting against the Jin Dynasty. He died a worthy death. I will explain it to the Cao family. Don't blame yourself anymore. Again, learn from it."
lesson."
"I have learned my lesson. I am really nervous about encircling and annihilating Han Chang's army. I am afraid that he will escape back to Daming City."
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "To be a qualified general, the most important thing is to be able to control the battlefield situation and the timing of the battle. Just like you said that in the battle to encircle and annihilate Han Chang's army, the timing is really difficult to grasp, or in other words, there are also
There is some luck involved, because Wan Yanchang did not send troops to respond. If he had sent troops, the encirclement and annihilation would probably fail. Do you understand what I mean?"
Yang Zaixing nodded, "I understand, I still didn't grasp the timing well. It was a little late. Fortunately, I was lucky!"
"That's right. You should have a bottom line for when to send troops. I think the bottom line is in Xiangzhou. No matter whether I send troops to support or not, you must launch an attack on the border of Xiangzhou. Once you enter Daming Mansion, it will be difficult to say. The opponent will
Reinforcements will be coming to meet you."
"Remember your humble position!"
Chen Qing immediately called Wang Duo, praised him, promoted him to one rank, and rewarded him with a thousand taels of silver.
At night, the northeast corner of the Western Army's camp shines like daylight. Hundreds of craftsmen are busy assembling heavy trebuchets. This is the heavy trebuchet that has just arrived. There are forty-eight in total. It is the latest trebuchet developed by the Western Army.
The 80-pound weight can throw a stone 350 steps away, which is 50 steps further than the old trebuchet.
Don't underestimate these fifty steps. The development craftsmen tested various materials and made more than twenty optimizations before increasing the number by fifty steps, which just happened to avoid the enemy's crossbow arrows.
The second major feature of this batch of heavy-duty trebuchets is that they are relatively easy to install and fit very well. As long as they are installed in place, there is basically no need for adjustment.
Chen Qing also inspected the installation of trebuchets. He pointed to a row of tall trebuchets next to him and asked: "Are they all installed here?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, they have been installed, fifteen in total!"
"It's so fast!" Chen Qing was very surprised. Fifteen of them were installed in one afternoon.
"Exactly! These trebuchets are relatively easy to install, and we have enough manpower. They can all be installed tomorrow morning."
Chen Qing was overjoyed. He thought it would take at least three or four days to install it, but he didn't expect it to be installed overnight. He asked again: "How long will it last after one installation?"
"About thirty times, but I recommend updating leather goods every twenty times."
Chen Qing came to a giant trebuchet with wooden wheels underneath that could be pulled forward by oxen.
At this time, a soldier came to report: "Your Highness, the leader of the Cui family wants to see you!"
Chen Qing nodded, "Invite him to sit in the big tent for a while!"
The Cui family is naturally the Boling Cui family. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Boling Cui family was one of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes in the World. Although it had declined by the Song Dynasty, a starved camel was bigger than a horse. The Boling Cui family still existed in Hebei.
Has great influence.
Even Wan Yanchang valued the Cui family, and his aide Cui Jiu was an important figure in the Cui family.
Although the Cui family works for Wan Yanchang, Chen Qing has no intention of angering the Cui family. He knows very well that a big reason why these families have survived for thousands of years is that they understand current affairs and the general trend, and they will never be loyal to any one person.
The court is only loyal to its own family.
In the guest room, Cui Yuan was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his hands. Cui Yuan was the leader of the Cui clan and Cui Jiu's eldest brother. He was about fifty years old. He also served as the general magistrate of Bozhou in the Northern Song Dynasty. After the fall of Hebei, he resigned.
Returned to his hometown. However, the Kingdom of Jin refused to let go of the Cui family. It invited them to serve as officials several times and even threatened them with genocide.
Reluctantly, the Cui family put forward a condition, that they could only serve as staff and not as officials, and the Kingdom of Jin accepted it. In the eyes of the Jurchens, there is no difference between staff and official positions?
After consultation with several important Cui family figures, it was finally decided to let Cui Jiu serve as Wan Yanchang's staff. Five or six years later, Chen Qing in Sichuan and Shaanxi has become more and more powerful and has continued to expand eastward. At this stage, even a fool can see it.
It can be concluded that Chen Qing's replacement of Zhao Song is the general trend.
The Cui family is also a little anxious. If they don't show some sincerity, the Cui family will not have a share in the new dynasty.
So when he learned that Chen Qing was also in Daming Mansion, Cui Yuan quickly came to see him.
At this time, a soldier reminded Cui Yuan that His Highness King Yong was here. The curtain was lifted and Chen Qing quickly walked into the tent and said with a smile: "You have kept Cui Yuan waiting for a long time!"
Cui Yuan quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Bo Ling Cui Yuan meets His Highness King Yong!"
Chen Qing smiled and waved, "You're welcome, please sit down!"
The two were seated separately as guest and host, and the soldiers came in and served them tea.
Cui Yuan said apologetically: "The information is relatively limited. I didn't know that His Highness was in Daming Mansion. I only got the news yesterday. Otherwise, I would have come to see him long ago."
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "During war, it is better not to get too close to the battlefield, as there will always be danger."
"Your Highness is right. It is human nature to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. For example, this time Daming City released people, I heard that 70% of the people have fled the city. Everyone is afraid of being affected by the war!"
Chen Qing thought for a while and said: "Last year in the imperial examination, I remember that a Jinshi named Cui was admitted. His native place is Boling, Bozhou, but he is a descendant of your family?"
Cui Yuan smiled and said: "Your Highness is talking about Cui Lian, who is Quanzi, my youngest son, and he passed the exam in 19th place."
"Not bad! If he can get into the top twenty, he is an outstanding talent. If I remember correctly, he must be working in Henan Prefecture!"
"Your Highness is absolutely right. He is currently the head of Gong County, Bo, and the family fully supports him to become an upright and capable official who can move up step by step."
Chen Qing took a sip of tea and asked lightly: "Is Cui Jiu still in Daming Mansion?"
Speaking of business, Chen Qing meant to hint to Cui Yuan that Cui Jiu is still with Wan Yanchang! Who is the Cui family loyal to?
"Your Highness, you don't know. Cui Jiu is my younger brother. The family made the decision six years ago to let him go and work with Wan Yanchang. This was also a tactic that the family had to adopt in order to protect themselves. He didn't want to go, but
He sacrificed his reputation for the safety of his family. Just two days ago, he asked his son Cui Hao to leave the city and return to his family, and he also wrote a letter to His Highness."
After saying that, Cui Yuan took out a thick letter and handed it to Chen Qing. Chen Qing took the letter and looked at it carefully. In addition to a letter, there was actually a map inside. Chen Qing read the letter first. The letter described Wan Yanchang's story in detail.
Conflict between intention and abus.
Wan Yanchang wanted to withdraw to Liaodong with 80,000 Jurchens, and Chen Qing also realized it, but he was just guessing after all, and Cui Jiu's letter confirmed this.
Cui Jiu also pointed out the biggest weakness of the Jin soldiers in the letter, which is the fodder for the war horses. The food can last for three months, but the fodder and black beans for the horses can only last for twenty days at most. If they can be burned,
Jin Bing couldn't stay in the fodder yard for a whole day.
Chen Qing opened the map and saw the location of the forage farm.
