After lasting for more than two hours, this important military meeting finally came to an end.
Then, all the frontier officials, civil and military officials hurriedly left the Governor's Mansion, and many officials left Huamachi Camp overnight and rushed to their respective stations and jurisdictions.
Some of Liang Fuchen's plans and arrangements were very tight, the tasks were heavy, and they were of great importance. They not only related to the future situation of Shaanxi and Gansu, but also affected everyone's career prospects. All officials did not dare to
Sloth, bursting out with unprecedented positivity and enthusiasm.
In the next few days, the troops and horses in Shaanxi and Gansu were mobilized frequently, and the government officials continued to make moves. It was very lively.
*
Just as all the officials were leaving, Liang Fuchen and Zhao Junchen also left the main hall of the Governor's Mansion and came to Bagan's room again.
In the past few days, Bagan has repeatedly stated that he wants to meet Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen. He has obviously agreed to Zhao Junchen's cooperation proposal, but Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen deliberately ignored Bogen and did not immediately
The purpose of meeting each other was to let Bagan understand the primary and secondary relationship between the two parties.
Now that everything was ready, Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen finally gave Bagan a chance to meet.
When Liang Fuchen and Zhao Junchen pushed the door open and entered Bagen's room, Bagen immediately stood up and hurried towards them.
The last time the two saw Bagan, Bagan was in the most desperate moment of his life. He was like a soulless walking corpse. However, because of Zhao Junchen's cooperation proposal, Bogen rekindled his hope. To this day,
In just three or four days, Bagan's image changed again. His expression became calm and shrewd, his eyes became sinister, and even his figure recovered a lot.
Walking in front of Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen, Bagen's eyes were fixed on Zhao Junchen's face - like the officials from Shaanxi and Gansu, Bagen also ignored Liang Fuchen intentionally or unintentionally - and said coldly:
"This is different from what was promised! I have asked to meet with you many times in the past few days, but you have always avoided meeting. Have you changed your mind and don't want to cooperate?"
Liang Fuchen once again took the initiative to assume the role of translator, and he was already somewhat accustomed to it.
After hearing Liang Fuchen's translation, Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "Forgive me, General Bagan. Of course we want to cooperate. Please believe in our sincerity! It's just that this plan is too huge. We need to prepare a lot of things. These days
It’s just too busy.”
After a pause, Zhao Junchen asked: "So, General Bagan has agreed to cooperate with us?"
Bagan's expression was a little ugly, as if he thought it was a humiliation to cooperate with the Han people, but he finally nodded and said: "Yes, I agree to cooperate with you...only this time! But before cooperation, there are two more
I have to tell you something in advance."
Zhao Junchen looked easy to talk to and asked: "Oh? I wonder what it is?"
Bagan's expression was serious and he asked: "First of all, in your plan, after the Junggar warriors intercepted 200,000 stones of grain and grass, the Mongolian right wing will send troops to hunt us down, and you will take the opportunity to send troops to capture Hetao...
…But I need to know the specific timetable for you to send troops to attack Hetao! If you send troops too late, this cooperation will not be achieved! With the full pursuit of the Mongolian right wing, we cannot hold on for too long!"
Regarding this issue of Bagan, Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen had already discussed it.
So, Zhao Junchen said simply: "Three days! At midnight on the third day after you intercept the grain and grass, we will send troops to the grassland to regain the Hetao! This is our maximum support for you!"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Bagan's heart raced and he quickly calculated the specific time progress.
After the Junggar army intercepted the grain and grass, the Mongolian right wing would not receive the news immediately. It would be about a day before they responded, assembled their troops, and tracked the situation.
In other words, when the Ming Dynasty army set out to conquer Hetao, the Junggar army had been holding on for about two days under the pursuit of the Mongolian right-wing troops.
When the Ordos tribe discovers the Ming army's invasion, they will send messengers as soon as possible to urgently recall the army.
But at this time, the main force of the Mongolian right wing had already chased them thousands of miles away. It would take at least three days for the Ordos tribe's messenger to catch up with them and inform them of the news.
Therefore, under the pursuit of the Mongolian right-wing army, the Junggar army must persist for at least five days before they can wait for the pursuers to withdraw.
By the time the main force of the Mongolian right wing rushed back to the Hetao Grassland, it would be about ten days later.
This time is perfect for both parties.
For the Junggar army, considering the open environment on the grassland and their cavalry configuration, it is not particularly difficult to persist for five days under the pursuit of the Mongolian right wing!
For the Ming army, considering the lack of troops and insufficient defense in the Hetao Plain, ten days were enough for them to occupy the entire Hetao area and plunder all the Ordos tribesmen, cattle and sheep.
After thinking of this, Bagan said with a ferocious expression: "Okay, I believe you this time! I will persist for six full days under the pursuit of the Mongolian right wing! But after six days, if I still haven't discovered
If the Mongolian right wing recalls its pursuers, I will abandon this batch of food and grass, inform the Mongolian right wing of all your plans, and then return to Hetao with them to assist them in fighting you. I will definitely fight to the death!"
Hearing Bogen's threat, Zhao Junchen's smile remained unchanged and he nodded: "Don't worry, General Bagan, we are cooperating with you on behalf of the Han Emperor, so we will never breach the contract, and this approach has no consequences for us."
benefit."
Bagan's expression softened slightly and he asked again: "The second thing, I want to know...how many Dzungar warriors can I take away from your prisoner camp? How many horses will you give us?"
Zhao Junchen raised three fingers and said: "You can take away 300 able-bodied prisoners and 600 high-quality war horses! Please also ask General Bagan to understand that the prisoners in the prison camp are all Ming Dynasty officials.
Their political achievements and military exploits also represent the face of our emperor. The court also needs these prisoners to boost the morale of the people, so it is impossible for you to take too many away."
Bagan looked gloomy and said: "Too few! Give me at least a thousand warriors and two thousand horses! If the strength is too weak, I am not sure that I can last too long under the pursuit of the Mongolian right wing."
!”
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "There is also a Junggar army on the grassland, with more than 10,000 people. I asked you to take away a group of prisoners just to protect you from reuniting with that army safely! What's more, three hundred people
The quota is enough for you to take away all the higher-status Junggar prisoners in the prison camp!"
"Eight hundred men and 1,600 horses, this is my bottom line!"
"Three hundred and fifty people and seven hundred war horses. This is already the limit of my rights. There can be no more!"
"Seven hundred men and fourteen hundred horses. If the number is smaller, even if I safely reunite with the army on the grassland, I will not be able to convince the crowd at all!"
"There are four hundred men and eight hundred horses. General Bagan, please understand that I have overstepped my authority!"
"Six hundred men, 1,200 horses! It can't be any less!"
"You can take away five hundred people and a thousand horses! No more!"
"...It's a deal!"
In this way, after some bargaining, Bagan repeatedly exceeded his bottom line, Zhao Junchen also repeatedly increased his scope of power, and the two parties finally reached an agreement.
After discussing the details of the cooperation, Bagan finally left the house and rushed to the prisoner camp to select people.
After Zhao Junchen said goodbye to Liang Fuchen, he quickly returned to his office room.
At this time, Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen were obviously inseparable, and both sides only maintained a superficial courtesy.
A few days ago, the two of them discussed together the imperial court's plan to send troops to regain the Hetao. There was still some talk, but as all plans were confirmed, they stopped talking.
*
When Zhao Junchen returned to his office room, he was not surprised to see Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang waiting for him.
This time, Zhao Junchen assigned Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang to the left army to serve as generals and deputy generals. This seemed to be an attempt to give them opportunities to make meritorious deeds, but this arrangement was quite strange because
Zhao Junchen knew clearly that the relationship between the two of them was on the same level, and they would inevitably quarrel constantly when they cooperated, and they might miss important events.
Regarding this point, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang believed that Zhao Junchen must have thought of it, but since Zhao Junchen made this arrangement, he must have other considerations and arrangements.
Therefore, after the meeting, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang rushed to Zhao Junchen's office room, wanting to follow Zhao Junchen's instructions.
After meeting Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang, Zhao Junchen was not too polite. After the two parties sat down, he said directly: "I also know that the relationship between you two is not harmonious. I will arrange for you two to work together this time.
There are indeed other considerations!”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang both cheered up and said in unison: "Please give me some advice, Mr. Zhao!"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "After the left army invades the Hetao Grassland, you two will lead the army separately! Mr. Fang, after you enter the Hetao Grassland, act according to the original plan and quickly occupy the western part of the Hetao Plain.
Loot the tribesmen, cattle, sheep and horses of the Ordos tribe; at the same time, you must hand over all the soldiers who are from the new army of war soldiers to General He, and let General He lead an army alone..."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen turned to look at He Zhang and said: "General He, the soldiers of the new army are all your old subordinates. You will not need to participate in the planned mission when the time comes.
I rushed all the way to the vicinity of Helan Mountain west of Hetao, and lurked there to wait for the opportunity! I was not confident about Guan Wuyuan's ability, and worried that he would let go of the Ordos tribal nobles headed by Qiyan. If Qiyan and others escaped by then,
If so, it will inevitably pass through Helan Mountain, which is just right for you to capture!
In addition, you are also responsible for the scouting mission, and you must always be alert to the return of the main Mongolian right-wing army. Once you discover the appearance of the main Mongolian right-wing army, you must promptly notify Commander Fang, join up with Commander Fang, and withdraw the troops as soon as possible.
Join the army in the middle!"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang realized Zhao Junchen's deeper meaning and quickly accepted the order in unison.
At the same time, the expressions of both of them were somewhat concerned about gains and losses.
From Fang Zhenshan's point of view, if Guan Wuyuan really let Qiyan and the others go, wouldn't He Zhang eventually get the advantage and steal all the limelight?
But in He Zhang's view, if Zhao Junchen's speculation was wrong, Guan Wuyuan did not make a mistake and captured all the Ordos tribal nobles including Qiyan alive in one fell swoop. His ambush would be meaningless, and he would lose even more money.
An opportunity to build a career.
Seeing the expressions of Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang, Zhao Junchen naturally guessed what they were thinking, and said seriously: "The troops under your command are all my old foundation, and there must not be too much damage... Well, like this
Well, after passing through the three battles of Xiaochuan River, Zhenning City, and Weishui River, a large number of Mongolian war horses were captured. A large part of the war horses were concealed by me secretly. I will give you 10,000 of them.
, strengthen your strength and troop movement speed!
At the same time, out of fairness considerations, the two of you will ultimately share all the military merits equally, no matter what the harvest is this time, and no matter whether Old General He captures Qiyan and the others alive in the end!"
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang looked at each other with hesitant expressions.
They regarded the other party as an enemy and naturally did not want to share the military merits with the other party. However, out of concern for gain and loss, they finally nodded and agreed.
Next, Zhao Junchen asked the two of them some details.
Just when the conversation was about to end, Xu Qingyan pushed in the door, came to Zhao Junchen and reported softly: "Young Master, Shanxi Governor Li Xun came to Huamachi Camp. He concealed his identity and did not let anyone else know.
I know the news, and I’m waiting outside the Governor’s Palace now, wanting to ask to see you.”
Zhao Junchen frowned and said: "Why is Li Xun here? He is the governor of Shanxi. Logically speaking, he should not leave the jurisdiction easily, let alone conceal his identity and ask for an audience with me."
On the other side, seeing the soft conversation between Xu Qingyan and Zhao Junchen, Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang knew that Zhao Junchen still had something to deal with, so they hurriedly stood up and left.
After Fang Zhenshan and He Zhang left the room, Xu Qingyan asked again: "Master, do you want to see him?"
Zhao Junchen muttered: "Speaking of which, Li Xun is already sixty-two years old now, and he is about to retire and return to his hometown. He is quite old...According to the time estimate, he should have just received the news of the victory of the Weishui River.
, he immediately packed up his luggage and rushed to Huamachi Camp non-stop. His old bones could withstand such bumps. It was really hard for him to come all the way. He was very sincere.
Already..."
After Zhao Junchen sighed with a sigh on his face, he said coldly in the next moment: "No! Go and tell him that he is the governor of Shanxi and should not leave the station easily. Let him return to Shanxi as soon as possible."
Zhao Junchen's attitude changed so much that Xu Qingyan was stunned for a moment, finally recovered, then left the room and followed Zhao Junchen's instructions.
Zhao Junchen naturally knew the purpose of Li Xun's request to see him.
At the beginning, the governors of the northwest wanted to secretly beg for peace with the Mongols without telling the court. Although they were stopped by Zhao Junchen, they ultimately wanted to find someone to take the blame, otherwise the court and Emperor Deqing would not be able to maintain dignity.
Naturally, Shanxi Governor Li Xun was the most suitable candidate for this job.
For the imperial court, the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu had wiped out the Mongolian coalition forces in one fell swoop, and would have the merit of sending troops to recapture the Hetao in the future. Whether it was Shaanxi Governor Zhang Shengde, Hedong Governor Wu Min, or Hexi Governor Zhang Wenhui, they all demonstrated meritorious deeds.
You can't take action easily. On the contrary, the major military towns in Shanxi only performed mediocrely, and Li Xun didn't have any dazzling performance. Naturally, he is the best candidate to take the blame!
As far as Zhao Junchen is concerned, several governors from Shaanxi and Gansu are all in their prime, and their official careers still have a long time to go. Zhao Junchen has also established personal connections with them. He may be able to use them at some point in the future. Naturally
We cannot give up at will; on the contrary, Shanxi Governor Li Xun is already old and is about to retire and return to his hometown. He has no rescue value at all, so he is naturally the best candidate to sacrifice.
In short, both the court and Zhao Junchen have given up on Li Xun and intend to let Li Xun bear all the blame.
Under such circumstances, Li Xun will inevitably collapse. Li Xun is obviously aware of this, so he can't wait to see Zhao Junchen, hoping that Zhao Junchen can help him. Zhao Junchen is naturally unwilling to do such a laborious job.
It's something to please, so I don't want to meet him.
Of course, Zhao Junchen once promised Li Xun that as long as Li Xun showed meritorious service, Zhao Junchen would help him pardon his crimes.
However, Zhao Junchen has many advantages, including "keeping his word"!
Zhao Junchen is a qualified politician. If he keeps his word, can he still be considered a qualified politician?
For a politician, breaking one's word is the most basic quality requirement.
Besides, when it comes to politicians, can that be called breach of trust?
That is a helpless compromise forced by reality!
Therefore, Zhao Junchen immediately forgot about Li Xun.
At this time, Xu Qingyan entered the room again and handed Zhao Junchen a gift list. He said excitedly: "Master, after Li Xun heard that you didn't want to see him, he gave me this gift list!"
As long as you meet him once, no matter whether things work out or not, these gifts will be left behind!"
…
22/30
I have a meeting at short notice and I'm going home late, so I only have one update today and two updates tomorrow.