The governor of Shaanxi, Zhang Shengde, is much younger than the governor of Shanxi, Li Xun. He is only in his early forties. He has a handsome face, rough and dark skin, and bright eyes full of shrewdness. He is also more powerful than Li Xun.
Official prestige.
After riding his horse to a hundred meters in front of Zhao Junchen's team, Zhang Shengde dismounted and hurried towards Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen put on all the airs of an imperial envoy and still sat on the horse, quietly observing Zhang Shengde's every move.
Zhang Shengde's body is strong and energetic. Although he has been galloping on horseback for a long time, he still does not feel much fatigue, and his steps are still steady and strong when walking.
Soon, Zhang Shengde arrived in front of Zhao Junchen's horse, saluted respectfully and said, "I am the governor of Shaanxi Province, Zhang Shengde, here to welcome the imperial envoy!"
As Zhang Shengde finished speaking, the two hundred knights behind him also knelt down and saluted Zhao Junchen, and said in unison: "Welcome to the Imperial Envoy!"
Zhao Junchen originally planned to show Zhang Shengde's dignity for a while, show his majesty as an imperial envoy, and express his dissatisfaction with the northwest officialdom. However, when he saw the knights behind Zhang Shengde saluting him one after another, considering that he would still be in the future
If you want to find a way to establish prestige among the northwest frontier army, you can't treat these soldiers too coldly. Finally, he said: "You don't need to salute, please stand up and speak."
After Zhang Shengde straightened up, Zhao Junchen looked at Zhang Shengde deeply, and then asked: "Governor Zhang came here specially to greet this imperial envoy? But how did you guess the imperial envoy's itinerary?"
Zhang Shengde still had a respectful attitude that made it impossible to find any fault, and replied: "After hearing the news of the imperial envoy's arrival, I speculated that the two itineraries the imperial envoy would most likely choose, one is from Taiyuan.
The Prefecture passes through Pingyang Prefecture and enters Shaanxi-Gansu Province, then passes through Yan'an Prefecture, heading northwest, and finally arrives at Huamachi, the residence of the governors of the three sides. The advantage of this route is that it is relatively safe, but it takes a lot of time, and the other route
One route is directly from Taiyuan Prefecture into Shaanxi-Gansu-Shaanxi-Gansu territory, and then passes through Yulinwei to reach Huamachi. It is already wartime, and although this road is full of dangers, it can save more than half of the time."
Having said this, Zhang Shengde's expression showed a trace of appropriate admiration, and he said: "Then, the official further speculated that just because it is now the time of war, the imperial envoy, you are a role model for serving the public. In order to
Save time and arrive at Huamachi as soon as possible to take control of the overall situation. You will inevitably choose the second route without fear of danger, and this is the place that Mr. Zhao must pass through, so Xiaguan rushed here immediately and temporarily stationed himself nearby.
In a village fort, many reconnaissance cavalry were sent to patrol the nearby roads day and night. After discovering Master Zhao's whereabouts, the official came to greet him immediately. "
Zhao Junchen nodded again and said: "You are really thoughtful... Now it is war time. You dare to come here to greet me with only two hundred guards. It is also very brave!"
After saying that, Zhao Junchen's expression softened a little. After looking up at the sky, he said: "It's already after midnight in the afternoon. Where is the village where you are stationed, Governor Zhang? Let's take a rest there tonight."
Zhao Junchen really wanted to ask Zhang Shengde whether the appeasement plan had been stopped, but this plan was still secret and related to the reputation and popularity of the court. Zhao Junchen did not intend to let too many people know about this matter, seeing that there were many others around him.
The border troops were unaware of this, so Zhao Junchen did not ask immediately, and was prepared to wait until he summoned Zhang Shengde alone after entering the station to ask for details.
Zhang Shengde obviously understood what Zhao Junchen was thinking, and without any delay, he immediately nodded and said: "In that case, please come with me, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy."
After saying that, Zhang Shengde mounted his horse again and led Zhao Junchen's team back to the original route.
At the same time, the two guards were merged into one team, with a total of nearly 600 people, all of whom were cavalry.
As he moved forward, Zhao Junchen asked Zhang Shengde: "How is the border defense situation between Shaanxi and Gansu now? When I was in Shanxi, sporadic Mongolian cavalry had appeared near the Shanxi defense line, and several border villages were attacked.
There have been plunders, but large-scale wars have not yet occurred, so what is the current situation in Shaanxi and Gansu?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Zhang Shengde looked a little serious and said: "Imperial Envoy, you also know that the defense lines on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu are much longer than those of Shanxi, and they are located in the extreme northwest, which is related to the rear of the Mongolian army.
Road, as long as Shaanxi and Gansu are still capable of counterattack, the Mongols will not dare to invade eastward. In the past years, the Mongols have to suppress the resistance and defense of Shaanxi and Gansu before they invade Shanxi.
, Zhili and other places... Therefore, compared with Shanxi, the situation on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu is much more serious. Fighting occurs almost every day. Although it is still in the trial stage, the Mongolian invasions are not only becoming more and more frequent,
The scale is getting bigger and bigger, and Shaanxi and Gansu are already feeling a lot of pressure."
Having said this, Zhang Shengde looked around and then lowered his voice and further explained to Zhao Junchen: "According to the intelligence, the Ordos Tribe, Tumut Tribe, Yongxiebu Tribe and their affiliated tribes on the right wing of Mongolia have surrendered to the Junggar
The Khanate has now gathered 23,000 troops in the Hetao area, as well as 7,000 reinforcements from affiliated tribes, and 5,000 reinforcements from the Junggar Khanate. They are always ready to move. To the south is the Yulin Guard of Shaanxi and Gansu, and to the south is the Yulin Guard of Shaanxi and Gansu.
To the east is the Datong Military Town in Shanxi. I am afraid there will be a large-scale war in the future... In addition, the main force of the Junggar Khanate is gathered in the Otok Banner area, with a total of 20,000 people, and two people from affiliated tribes.
Thousands of servants join the army, threatening Shaanxi and Gansu to the east, Ningxia to the south, and Gansu to the west, and echoing the Ordos tribes, which seems to be to contain the forces of Shaanxi and Gansu... In addition, the current dynamics of several major tribes on the left side of Mongolia are unknown. These tribes are located in
We should know more details about several military towns in Datong and Xuanfu to the east of the grassland."
After hearing what Zhang Shengde said, Zhao Junchen frowned and thought for a moment, then asked: "So, what kind of defense methods are used by the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu now?"
Zhang Shengde answered as if he knew everything, and said: "Nowadays, the military towns and guard posts in various places are already heavily guarded. The imperial court's reinforcements from all over the country have been stationed at the defense line one after another, strengthening the strength of each guard post, and the central government's
All the 50,000 imperial guards from the capital were stationed in Dingbian County. Firstly, it was to protect the safety of Huamachi, where the governor was stationed. Secondly, Dingbian County was in an important position. It could contain the main army of the Junggar Khanate to the west and to the north.
We can resist the plunder of the Ordos tribe at any time, and the elite men of the Forbidden Army are most in need."
Zhao Junchen thought thoughtfully and said slowly: "It seems that although the Junggar Khanate has become the overlord of the grassland this year, it has not really controlled the entire grassland... The main army of the Junggar Khanate acted alone, and the Ordos tribe
, the large right-wing tribes such as the Tumote Tribe and the Yongxiebu Tribe also acted alone. The two sides seemed to cooperate and respond, but in fact they still secretly guarded each other. I am afraid that the large right-wing tribes in Mongolia only surrendered to the Junggars on the surface.
Khanate, but did not lose its autonomy! As for the major tribes on the left wing of Mongolia, they did not cooperate with the actions of the Junggar Khanate at all. Obviously, they have not yet surrendered to the Junggar Khanate... The Junggar Khanate is said to have an army of 60,000 to 70,000 people.
Now, only 20,000 people have been sent, probably because we need troops to subdue the various Mongolian tribes."
Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen's eyes couldn't help flashing with thought, thinking that this situation might be an opportunity.
On the other side, Zhang Shengde obviously guessed what Zhao Junchen was thinking and said: "Xiaguan has served as an official in Liaodong for nearly ten years and has a little understanding of the tribes on the left wing of Mongolia. These tribes are headed by the Chahar tribe.
The Chahar Khanate claims to be Mongolian orthodoxy. The current Great Khan Batutu is a direct descendant of Genghis Khan. In his eyes, the Junggar Khanate is just a group of lowly civilian slaves. Naturally, it is impossible for him to bow his head... As for the rest of the Mongolian left wing
The tribe is now controlled by Houjin, and they cannot arbitrarily switch to the Junggar Khanate...
Of course, everything is as the imperial envoy said. Although the Dzunggar Khanate has been aggressive and dominated the western and desert deserts for more than a year, the time is still short after all, and it is impossible for the major tribes on the right wing of Mongolia to completely surrender, especially the Mongolian tribes.
The Ordos tribe has dominated the Hetao area for many years and has always had a profound foundation. It is not easy to make the Ordos tribe completely surrender."
After hearing what Zhang Shengde said, Zhao Junchen looked at him differently again.
This person is very knowledgeable about the various tribes in Mongolia, and he has solid evidence for his advance and retreat. He is indeed a person with real abilities.
After taking another deep look at Zhang Shengde, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "So, in Governor Zhang's opinion, will this situation be an opportunity for us?"
Zhang Shengde smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid it won't be easy. If it were normal times, we could secretly sow discord, deepen the conflicts between the two sides, and promote internal fighting between the two sides. But now that there have been natural disasters in the grassland for many years, the Mongolians have lost their winter food, and everyone has
They are all thinking about going south to plunder, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are working together as one. If they want to use a divorce tactic at this time, it will be difficult for the other party to take the bait!"
Zhao Junchen frowned and pondered for a moment, then said: "It is difficult, but it may not be impossible to give it a try."
Zhang Shengde was about to say something when Mao Jiadong suddenly drove his horse to the side of Zhao Junchen, pointed forward and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, it seems that something has happened."
Zhao Junchen was slightly startled, and looked in the direction Mao Jiadong pointed, only to find two scouts running towards the group of people quickly, and shouting something at the group, looking very anxious.
A few miles behind the two scout cavalry, there was a large amount of smoke and dust, which seemed to be a scene caused by the running of a large group of cavalry.