Chapter eight hundred and sixty nine. Potential (seven).
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After about another quarter of an hour, the Ming army finally set up their camp, and the follow-up matters of cleaning up the battlefield were basically completed.
Then, following Zhao Junchen's instructions, high-level civil and military officials in the army gathered in the commander's tent to discuss the next action plan.
As the officials entered the commander's tent one after another, Zhao Junchen was still sitting on the main seat with his eyes closed and concentrating. The officials who entered the commander's tent did not dare to make a sound to disturb him, but silently found their respective positions to stand.
After all the civil and military officials had arrived, Zhao Dali, who was standing behind Zhao Junchen, bent down and reminded him softly: "Your Majesty, everyone is here."
Zhao Junchen slowly opened his eyes and glanced around the people in the tent. He saw that all the officials in the tent were also focusing on Zhao Junchen. Their expressions were different, either solemn and tired, or solemn and tired.
There was joy and excitement, but not many people looked pessimistic.
Most of the officials now know the statistics of the results of the two battlefields of Zhenning Acropolis and Xiaochuan River - just as He Zhang said, these two battlefields were only a tragic victory in terms of results, but they were still victories after all.
It's the most glorious victory between Shaanxi and Gansu in the past century! From a strategic perspective, the significance of this victory is even more significant!
Therefore, although the frontline soldiers suffered heavy losses, the attitude of the high-level civil and military officials in the army became more optimistic.
Even Zhao Junchen could see many officials looking at him with admiring and fanatical eyes, but he didn't know whether their behavior was sincere or just to take the opportunity to curry favor with Zhao Junchen.
But in any case, the reason why this battle was won was all because of Zhao Junchen's firm main battle and proper command, especially Zhao Junchen's personal show of taking risks and luring the enemy on the battlefield on the south bank of the Xiaochuan River. Zhao Junchen's current position in the army
His reputation is so high that if some officials really have feelings of admiration for Zhao Junchen because of this, it would not be a surprise.
At this time, everyone in the tent saw Zhao Junchen open his eyes. He Zhang and Wu Qifan, who were standing at the top of the civil and military officials, looked at each other and planned to lead all the officials to salute Zhao Junchen.
However, before they could make any move, Zhao Junchen had already raised his hand and said: "Now that everyone has arrived, let's start discussing our army's next move... Everyone is extremely lucky in today's war. At this time
There’s no need to be too polite, everyone just sit down and talk.”
Zhao Junchen has always had such a vigorous and resolute attitude since he led his army into Gongchang Mansion, so everyone was not surprised when they heard Zhao Junchen's statement, and just sat in their respective positions.
After everyone was seated, Zhao Junchen turned his eyes to He Zhang and ordered: "General He, please explain the statistics of the results of this battle to all the adults, and also let everyone understand the current battle situation."
After He Zhang nodded, he stood up and said to everyone in the tent: "On the two battlefields of Xiaochuan River and Zhenning Acropolis, our army has invested a total of more than 57,000 troops, and the Mongols have invested 25,000 troops.
More than a thousand people. After the bloody battles of the soldiers, our army finally wiped out almost all the Mongolian cavalry in the two battlefields. In total, more than 15,000 Mongolian cavalry were beheaded and more than 7,000 were captured. Only more than 1,500 Mongolian cavalry were lucky.
Most of the Mongolian cavalry who escaped were Chagatai cavalry. At the same time, our army also captured more than 13,000 Mongolian horses, more than 8,000 iron weapons, and more than 40 carts of food and grass..."
As He Zhang finished speaking, everyone in the tent suddenly became excited.
Before that, they had already found out the approximate results, but now after hearing the official summary, their feelings were completely different, and most people still couldn't hide their excitement.
"Very good!"
"Our army has achieved a great victory!"
"This battle will definitely go down in history!"
"This is all due to the wise command of the Imperial Envoy!"
Before He Zhang could finish speaking, many people cheered.
Seeing the performance of everyone in the tent, He Zhang frowned slightly and continued: "However, our army also suffered heavy losses after this battle, with a total of 21,000 casualties, and more than 3,000 people were injured.
Seriously injured, there are only 32,000 available troops left! Among them, the dead and wounded soldiers in Guyuan Army Town total more than 14,000, accounting for the vast majority. The casualties of the Forbidden Army reinforcements are also nearly 5,000. The combat soldiers
The casualties of the new army were more than 3,000..."
When he told the number of casualties on his side, He Zhang's expression was quite heavy, and he couldn't help but turn his head and glare at Fang Zhenshan again.
However, in accordance with Zhao Junchen's instructions, He Zhang did not accuse Fang Zhenshan of his crimes in public, and the civil and military officials in the tent were all veterans of the officialdom, but they did not know how to investigate further.
However, most of the civil and military officials in the tent did not pay much attention to these casualties on their own side, and were still excitedly discussing the significance of victory in this battle.
For them, the injuries suffered by the soldiers on the battlefield are just a set of pure numbers. As long as they win the final victory and as long as they can use it to reap military rewards, they will not be able to do anything even if these numbers are doubled.
I won't care much.
The frontline soldiers fought with their lives, and in the end received only meager pay and pensions, but their names did not appear in the history books. In the end, they only served as a series of numbers that became circumstantial evidence of the glorious deeds of the big shots, the glory of war, and the rewards of the court.
The praise of the world will ultimately only belong to these civil and military officials in the tent, even if these civil and military officials just hid in the rear and shivered during the battle.
The reality is so cruel.
Therefore, after He Zhang's words fell, the civil and military officials in the tent had already forgotten their own damage figures, and couldn't wait to sing praises to Zhao Junchen!
"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy! Congratulations, Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy! After this battle, more than half of the Mongolian coalition forces that invaded our territory have been damaged and can no longer pose a threat!"
"Yes, this is all the credit of the Imperial Envoy. If it weren't for the Imperial Envoy's main battle, if it weren't for the Imperial Envoy's wise command, if it weren't for the Imperial Envoy's risking his own life in times of crisis, it would be difficult for our army to survive.
Today’s victory! The imperial envoy should be the first to achieve victory!”
"The victory in this battle is of great significance to the development of future wars! It is of great significance to the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu! It is also of great significance to the imperial court's border defense!"
"After the results of this battle reach the center of the imperial court, they will definitely shock both the government and the public. Everyone, our top priority now should be to jointly submit a letter to the imperial court to ask for credit!"
Seeing everyone's behavior, He Zhang's brows furrowed even more, but he finally endured it and did not throw cold water in front of everyone, but returned to his seat with an unhappy expression.
On the other side, when Zhao Junchen saw that everyone in the tent was eager to please him and share the credit, a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.
But on the surface, Zhao Junchen remained calm. He just raised his hand to stop everyone's heated discussion, and then said slowly: "Everyone, the main force of the Mongolian coalition is still outside Jiezhou City. Let's fight this
Although they have won, their own injuries are not light. The most important thing now is to discuss the next battle plan! According to the calculations of this imperial envoy, the main force of the Mongolian coalition now has nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses left.
, our military strength no longer has any advantage! If we finally allow this Mongolian army to escape back to the grassland, we will not be able to gain a complete victory, but will leave endless troubles, and the current victory will be meaningless! Everyone, what is still happening now?
This is not the time to be blindly optimistic."
After this battle, Zhao Junchen's status and prestige in the army were at its peak, and no one dared to question Zhao Junchen.
Therefore, as Zhao Junchen finished speaking, everyone quickly calmed down, and they all appeared to be ready to listen to Zhao Junchen's orders at any time.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhao Junchen nodded slightly to express satisfaction, and then asked: "As for our army's next battle plan, how should we wipe out the remaining main force of the Mongolian coalition army? Do you have any ideas to teach me?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, the warm atmosphere just now was completely lost in the tent, and for a while no one took the initiative to express their opinions.
After a moment of silence, Wu Qifan stood up and said: "Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, from the perspective of the following officials, although our army suffered heavy losses in this battle, it still has a clear advantage! First of all, after the Mongols have suffered repeated setbacks, their morale must be low.
I was frightened, but after this great victory, our army's morale was greatly boosted and its fighting spirit was at its strongest. Even with a small advantage in strength, it was enough to gain the upper hand; secondly, after all, our army was fighting within the territory and occupied the home field.
Advantage, they can delay time and wait for the fighter opportunity, but the Mongols have now fallen into complete passivity and are no longer able to take the initiative to launch an offensive. They can only desperately break through and escape; finally, according to the orders of the Imperial Envoy, the troops in Gansu Military Town can be used at any time
Came to support Gongchang Prefecture, and there is Qi Bin's new army on the north bank of the Weishui River to block the Mongolian coalition's retreat. Imperial Envoy, you can also recruit border troops from various places for support at any time. Our army's strength advantage is still there... As long as the plan is proper, if you want to defeat all the troops,
To annihilate the remaining main force of Mongolia, the chances of winning are still very high!"
Wu Qifan's words emphasized his own advantages and could boost morale. However, he was only a civil servant. After all, he did not understand military affairs and did not have any specific suggestions.
As Wu Qifan finished speaking, the civil servants behind him also made statements. However, like Wu Qifan, they could only express some strategic opinions, but they did not have any practical significance.
Zhao Junchen didn't expect them at first. He just nodded in agreement and then turned to look at the military attaches, hoping that these military attaches could put forward some practical opinions.
After the battle at Xiaochuan River, Zhao Junchen had made up his mind that he would no longer easily interfere with specific military arrangements. It was best to leave these matters to professionals.
However, Zhao Junchen was disappointed that most of the military attaches could not make any practical suggestions.
Maybe they didn't dare to take responsibility, or maybe they were used to relying on Zhao Junchen's decision-making. Most of the military attachés just said that they would obey Zhao Junchen's orders in everything, and would serve to the death as long as Zhao Junchen gave the order. This was certainly a commendable attitude.
But Zhao Junchen was inevitably a little disappointed.
This is not the first time Zhao Junchen has encountered this situation.
In the end, it was He Zhang who thought for a long time and came up with a more practical plan.
"Imperial Envoy, based on my humble position, since our army entered Gongchang Mansion, we have encountered unexpected situations many times. The battle plan you originally formulated has also been delayed in execution. But now everything is on track. We are not only annihilating
More than half of the Mongolian coalition forces have been defeated, and an encirclement circle has been formed against the Mongolian coalition forces. From now on, you might as well stick to the plan you originally made!
According to your order, the army from Gansu Military Town is now approaching the Mongolian Allied Forces under Jiezhou City, and the commander-in-chief of the Mongolian Allied Forces will soon receive news about the battlefields of Xiaochuan River and Zhenning Acropolis. By that time, the Mongolian Allied Forces will
So we have no choice but to flee back to the northern grasslands. When the Mongolian coalition forces escape near the Weishui River, our army can join forces with the Gansu military town and Qi Bin's new army to act together and wipe out all the Mongolian coalition forces!"
After hearing He Zhang's proposal, Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "Since entering Gongchang Mansion, there have been so many twists and turns, and I almost forgot the original battle plan.
Well... what General He said is reasonable. Under the current situation, the battle plan we originally formulated can be taken out and continued to be implemented!"
With Zhao Junchen's statement, the next battle plan is confirmed.
However, when Zhao Junchen originally formulated this combat plan, the situation was completely different from what it is now. If this plan continues to be implemented now, some detailed arrangements must be modified.
So, after determining the general direction of the battle, Zhao Junchen discussed with everyone for a long time. By the time everything was discussed, it was already half an hour later.
Zhao Junchen was already on the verge of reaching his limit, and now after exerting all his energy, he couldn't help but become more and more depressed. He only felt dizzy. However, he still forced himself to persevere and ordered: "I hope you will come back as soon as possible for all other matters."
The arrangements are in order... However, after these days of marching and hard fighting, everyone in our army is exhausted. In the next two or three days, our army will still focus on rest and recuperation. The wounded and sick must be properly arranged. Soldiers
The rewards and pensions must be calculated as soon as possible..."
After saying this, Zhao Junchen closed his eyes again and waved his hand: "The war is urgent and we must not waste the opportunity. Although the soldiers can take the opportunity to rest for a few days before the next war, we still need to continue to suffer for a while.
Everyone, go back and get ready!"
Seeing Zhao Junchen's behavior, all the officials understood that Zhao Junchen was in urgent need of rest and did not dare to disturb him any more, so they left one after another.
After most of the officials had left, only Zhao Junchen and Zhao Dali were left in the commander's tent.
Looking at Zhao Junchen's increasingly pale face, Zhao Dali's expression was full of worry, and he hesitated in his heart whether to call a military doctor to diagnose Zhao Junchen's body.
However, just when Zhao Dali was about to summon the military doctor, Zhao Junchen opened his eyes again.
After a moment of resting his mind, Zhao Junchen's drowsiness finally eased a bit.
Then, Zhao Junchen turned to Zhao Dali and asked: "According to He Zhang, our army captured two Mongolian leaders alive on the battlefield of Xiaochuan River?"
Zhao Dali nodded quickly and said: "That's true. One of them is Yasida, the general of the Junggar Khanate, and the other is Amul, the leader of the servant army of the Junggar Khanate. It seems that he was born in the Yarkand tribe."
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he ordered: "Bring them two here to see me! I have something to ask them!"