In the lobby of the Governor's Mansion, before Zhao Junchen appeared, He Zhang, Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng and Li Pi were talking to each other.
He Zhang is a well-known frontier hero. Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi are not mediocre people. One of them admires him in his heart and deliberately makes friends with him, while the other side admires and gets close to him deliberately.
Naturally, the atmosphere is harmonious.
The four of them are all military attachés of the border army, and now it is the time when the enemy is being invaded by fire, so the topic naturally revolves around the current border defense situation.
"Since this period of time, the Mongolian army has become more frequent and has repeatedly invaded various places in Shaanxi and Gansu. In my opinion, this is just to test the strength of the border defense forces in various places. It is obvious that the Mongolian Tatars are unwilling to give up and want to make some big moves. This year's
When the invaders are sifted through fire, it will definitely be difficult to do good, so we must be prepared for a big fight."
As he spoke, He Zhang frowned and looked serious.
Zhang Cheng nodded in agreement, his face full of worry, and said: "Yes, there have been disasters in Shaanxi and Gansu for many years, and the situation on the grasslands will only get worse. If the Mongols want to survive the winter safely, they can only enter the country and rob our Ming people. If
In previous years, after nearly a month of plundering, the Mongolian Tatars had harvested a lot, were satisfied, and were ready to return home. However, the situation this year is completely different from the past. The people on the border have no food and are still waiting.
The imperial court provided relief, and even many border villages fled the famine. Although the Mongols have been invading continuously in the past month, they have not grabbed much food at all, which is not enough to support them through the winter... Therefore, they seem to be taking the initiative now, but in fact
Being passive, we have no choice but to force ourselves to continue entering and plundering. Although the people on the border have suffered, they themselves are gradually getting tired!"
He Zhang said: "During natural disasters, food and grass are either scattered in the hinterland of the imperial court or concentrated in the city. If the Mongols want to plunder enough food, they have only two options. One is to go deep into the hinterland.
, go to the south of Shaanxi and Gansu to plunder; the second is to capture a certain city in Shaanxi and Gansu, not just an ordinary county town, but at least plunder a state or prefectural city in order to harvest enough food for the winter..."
Zhang Cheng nodded again and said: "Going deep into the hinterland to plunder food and grass, the environment is unfamiliar, and we are surrounded by enemies on all sides. It is easy for us to cut off our retreat. The Mongols will never dare to take risks! Therefore, the Mongols only have one option left. Then
That is to break into the city and plunder! Just now General He said that the Mongolians' repeated small-scale invasions during this period were to test the strength of the border defense forces in various places. I deeply agree! I am afraid that after the Mongols understand the layout of the border defense forces in various places in Shaanxi and Gansu, they will
It's time to find an attack target! Sieges are not the Mongols' strong point, but they have no better choice at the moment! Therefore, if we follow the trend and guide us, we may be able to predict the Mongols' next move in advance, and then wait for work.
Just wait and catch the Mongols off guard!"
He Zhang's eyes flashed, and he looked at Zhang Cheng with even more admiration.
He Zhang had also thought of this method, and originally planned to make suggestions after meeting Zhao Junchen today, but he did not expect that Zhang Cheng had also thought of it.
But He Zhang didn't think that Zhang Cheng had taken away his credit, and he remained calm. He just asked: "This is a clever idea, but I wonder if Zhang Baihu mentioned it to the imperial envoy Zhao?"
Zhang Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then said hesitantly: "Two days ago, I did have a suggestion to the Imperial Envoy!"
He Zhang quickly asked: "What does the imperial envoy Zhao think?"
Zhang Cheng smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy also thinks that the idea of a humble position is a good one."
"Then what?" He Zhang was stunned and asked.
Zhang Cheng shook his head and said: "No. Then, the Imperial Envoy just said that the idea of humble position was very good, but he neither expressed his acceptance nor refuted it. He just said, 'This idea is very good', and then changed the subject and talked about it.
He told me about the new war soldiers and asked him to leave soon after, as if he didn't want to talk more."
After hearing Zhang Cheng's explanation, He Zhang couldn't help but frowned and stroked his short white beard with his hand.
Zhao Junchen's reaction reminded Zhang Cheng of his experiences in Guyuan Military Town over the years. Over the years, whenever He Zhang put forward his suggestions to Guyuan Commander-in-Chief Fang Zhenshan, Fang Zhenshan's reaction was very similar to Zhao Junchen's. First,
He started to praise him, and then talked about him, but he would not adopt He Zhang's suggestions.
Could it be that Zhao Junchen and Fang Zhenshan are the same kind of person?
Originally, after He Zhang saw Zhao Junchen's tough attitude towards war, he thought that Zhao Junchen and he would have a common position. However, after hearing Zhang Cheng's statement, he had some doubts in his heart.
*
He Zhang was a well-informed battlefield veteran, while Zhang Cheng was a martial arts scholar with both civil and military skills. Therefore, the conversations between He Zhang, Zhang Cheng, Liu Manniu, and Li Pi were mainly focused on He Zhang and Zhang Cheng.
, Liu Manniu and Li Pi just listened and couldn't say anything at all.
However, after seeing He Zhang suddenly fell into silence, Li Pi rolled his eyes and suddenly said: "The Imperial Envoy has great talents and strategies. Since he came to Shaanxi and Gansu, everything has been planned and far-reaching. From then on,
Without making any mistakes, not only did he control the overall situation in Shaanxi and Gansu in a short period of time, he also created a new army of powerful soldiers out of thin air. Under the imperial envoy's methods, not only did all parts of Shaanxi and Gansu express their submission,
Everything in the Huamachi Camp is in order, and the soldiers' morale is greatly boosted and their fighting spirit is strong. This is all unimaginable in previous years. In the future, when fighting the Mongols, the Imperial Envoy must have a well-prepared plan.
, that’s why I have no comment on Brother Zhang Cheng’s suggestion. I have deep faith in the Imperial Envoy. I just follow the Imperial Envoy’s orders, so why bother thinking about it?”
While speaking, Li Pi deliberately amplified his voice.
Obviously, Li Pi estimated that Zhao Junchen would show up soon. These words were all flattering to Zhao Junchen, hoping that Zhao Junchen would hear his attitude.
After finishing speaking, Li Pi looked towards the lobby door from the corner of his eye.
Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen still did not show up, so these words were in vain, and a trace of disappointment flashed in Li Pi's eyes.
He Zhang glanced at Li Pi and naturally saw Li Pi's little thoughts.
Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi each have their own strengths and are considered rare talents. However, He Zhang despises Li Pi the most. He only thinks that Li Pi first attracted Liu Manniu and Zhang Cheng.
Those who engage in small circles, and now they are trying every possible means to flatter others, and are obsessed with finding tricks, are not kind people.
However, He Zhang thought about it secretly, but did not rush to beat Li Pi. After all, He Zhang has not yet officially commanded the new army, nor is he Li Pi's immediate boss. Everything will have to wait until Zhao Junchen is officially appointed.
Therefore, He Zhang agreed with Li Pi's point of view and said: "Indeed, Li Baihu's statement is reasonable. Imperial Envoy Zhao may have another plan! When I came to Huamachi Camp today, everything I saw was true.
This is an eye-opener for me. Now the morale of the Huamachi camp is available, and a new army of soldiers is about to be formed. If we fight against the Mongols in the future, they will definitely be surprised. The imperial envoy Zhao is indeed extraordinary!"
Li Pi smiled and said: "General He, you're too polite. Just call me ruffian. All the comrades who are close to me in the army call me that."
He Zhang nodded, but turned his gaze to Liu Manniu, who was silent, and asked: "Does Liu Baihu have a good opinion on the current border defense situation?"
Liu Manniu still looked calm and taciturn, and replied: "I only know how to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. I don't have any great ideas. I just obey the orders of the Governor's Mansion! I just hope that I can kill more on the battlefield."
Some Mongolians."
Liu Manniu's views were similar to Li Pi's. They both resolutely followed Zhao Junchen's orders and had no personal ideas.
However, the two men's views may seem to be the same, but their starting points are completely different. Li Pi followed the order to flatter others, but Liu Manniu followed the order out of his duty as a soldier. They are not the same.
Therefore, despite seemingly having the same point of view, He Zhang's reaction was quite different. He nodded repeatedly to express his appreciation and said: "Although Liu Baihu has no ideas, he can be called a model for the frontier army. If all the frontier soldiers were like Liu
There are only a hundred households, so there is nothing to fear from the Mongolian Tatars!"
In this way, the conversation between the four of them went quite smoothly.
Especially Zhang Cheng, Liu Manniu, and Li Pi admired He Zhang even more after this conversation.
According to rumors, although He Zhang was a brave general in the border army, he had always been arrogant and stubborn, and would not obey discipline. He often disobeyed his superiors' orders and even directly clashed with his superiors. But after this conversation, Liu Manniu,
Zhang Cheng and Li Pi discovered that He Zhang's personality was very different from the rumors. He was not only humble and courteous, but also kind to others, and he did not appear to be stubborn or unruly.
However, just when the three of them secretly lamented that the rumors were not credible, they did not know that they were about to see He Zhang's stubborn and unruly side.
However, just as the conversation between the four of them came to an end, they heard footsteps coming from outside the lobby.
As the soldiers outside the door shouted: "The imperial envoy has arrived~", they saw a young and handsome man leading a group of civil and military officials into the lobby.
This young and handsome man is naturally Zhao Junchen.
After seeing Zhao Junchen finally appear, He Zhang, Liu Manniu, Zhang Cheng, and Li Pi quickly stood up to greet him.
However, before He Zhang could kneel down, Zhao Junchen quickly walked up to He Zhang, held He Zhang's arms and said with a smile: "General He, you are finally here. I have been waiting for you for a long time! With Mr. He
With the help of the general, I have greater confidence in defeating the Mongols! It’s just that I am busy with the military affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu today and I was unable to greet General He in person. I hope General He will not be surprised!"
If other people saw Zhao Junchen helping him weakly, they would get up. However, He Zhang was different from ordinary people. He ignored Zhao Junchen's support and still knelt down on one knee, gave a military salute to Zhao Junchen and said:
"He Zhang, the humble Hedong garrison officer, came to Huamachi Camp to receive orders and pay homage to the imperial envoy Zhao!"
Although He Zhang is not young, his body is still strong. He insisted on saluting, and Zhao Junchen could not stop him at all.
Seeing He Zhang's statement, a glint flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.
Zhao Junchen's false support to He Zhang was a means of wooing and showing goodwill, but He Zhang refused to accept it, but he was obviously unwilling to accept Zhao Junchen's wooing, saying that the relationship between the two was just business.
"This He Zhang is indeed a tough nut to crack as rumored..."