On the evening of November 27th, the snow fell more and more heavily. The lanterns on the walls of Zhending Fucheng were lit one after another, emitting a hazy yellow light in the snowy night. Outside the south gate of Fucheng, Lu Xiangsheng stood like a sculpture in the wind and snow.
There was a thick layer of snowflakes on his head and shoulders, and he was accompanied by a middle-aged man. Although he was not wearing official uniform, he still looked like a civil servant. This man was named Yang Tinglin.
, because of the impeachment of Yang Sichang, the target of the impeachment avenged his personal revenge, and appointed a director of the Ministry of War. Lu Xiangsheng was sent here to pay tribute to the army. He took office in Baoding on the 17th, and followed him to Zhending. Yang Tinglin was Shuji.
He was born as a scholar and was very familiar with court affairs. He could help Lu Xiangsheng handle many official documents, but he knew nothing about military affairs and could not draw anything. Facing the cold Zhending city in front of him, he was even more helpless.
There was no solution. The figure of the captain of the personal soldiers, Gu Xianyi, appeared in front. He ran forward despite the wind and snow, and reported in a low voice to Lu Xiangsheng, "Master Dutang, the commander who was sent has been waiting for a whole day, and came from the east gate.
Turn to the south gate, and then turn from the south gate to the west gate.
No one responded on the road, and only before dark did someone reply at the top of the city, saying that there was no true color to be gained, only the broken color."
Lu Xiangsheng's body shook slightly, and some of the snowflakes on his shoulders fell.
Yang Tinglin said loudly and angrily, "Zhang Qiping promised to allocate one day's food and grass first. How can he not keep his promise? He is still a high-ranking military sect."
Gu Xian glanced at the military camp at the rear. There were many soldiers huddled together near the camp gate, looking here and there. They were all waiting for today's food after hearing the news.
"Master Tutang, the army has been short of food for a long time. Today, the middle camp can only provide less than 20% of the rations, and the right camp can only receive 30%. More than half of the soldiers who left the camp have not returned. Both battalions only dare to let their servants go out." Lu Xiangsheng
Turning around, after just ten days of traveling south from Baoding, his face actually seemed to have aged ten years. News from Baoding and Hejian Prefecture were gradually confirmed, more and more cities had fallen, and the ministry advisories and imperial approval from the capital became increasingly strict.
, and declare
The situation of the army is getting worse and worse. When they arrived at Zhending Fucheng on the 21st, everyone from the Dubiao Camp to the three main town camp headquarters were short of food. This nine-sided elite had lost the ability to fight without a single battle.
We can only stay in Zhendingfu City and wait for local supplies, but after ten days
Although he went there, he failed to get any food and grass from Zhending Mansion. Now the largest official in Zhending Mansion is Zhang Qiping, Governor of Baoding. Although his official name is Governor of Baoding, his daily residence is in Zhending Mansion. After the Qing army invaded
First, he was transferred to the outskirts of Beijing by the Ministry of War to set up defenses, forming Baoding and Zhendingbing.
The power was empty, and Zhending even mutinied.
After the Qing army went south, he arrived in Baoding later than Lu Xiangsheng, and finally returned to Zhending Mansion together, barely breaking the siege of Zhending, but after entering the city, he ignored Lu Xiangsheng and never gave him a grain of food.
Lu Xiangsheng originally expected to get more adequate supplies in Zhending Mansion than Baoding, but he did not expect that it would be worse than Baoding. After moving south from the capital, the most powerful support he received turned out to be from the notorious eunuch Feng Quan. Continue in Zhending Mansion
After consuming the limited food reserves, the food crisis of Xuan Dajun became more and more serious. Each battalion could barely guarantee 50% of the rations for the servants, and horse feed could only be provided for the servants. Other ordinary soldiers could still get 10% or 20% of the rations at first.
, To this day, he has not eaten a grain of rice. Lu Xiangsheng is a veteran in the military. He himself can feel that the morale in the camp is low, and military orders cannot be passed. Not to mention fighting with the Qing army, the officers do not even dare to command the soldiers at will, and they will be killed if they are not careful.
May trigger mutiny. Lian Lu Xiang was promoted
Facing the generals who are leading the army, people can only carefully and gently persuade them, trying their best to keep this army from collapsing.
After the 25th, each town went its own way and searched for food in the countryside around the capital. However, more than 20,000 Qing troops had just left and everything in the vicinity was robbed. No food could be found anywhere. Lu Xiangsheng had no choice but to sell the governor's
Faced with asking for food, Zhang Qiping finally relented today and promised to give him one day's food. As a result, the food officer spent the whole day wandering outside the city, and only now did he get a sentence: There is no true character, only false colors.
When the Superintendent Biao Camp first came here, they still owed 69,000 taels of pay for this year, and now it is another two months. If it were a normal day, Lu Xiangsheng would naturally hope to make up for it, but it is definitely not now. After the war, the desolate reality is
Outside Dingfu City,
It's useless no matter how much money he gets, what he needs is the original food and grass.
The look of disappointment on Lu Xiangsheng's face flashed across his face, and he said to Yang Tinglin in a deep voice, "I will give you another urgent report and ask the Ministry of War to write it down. How can we use the troops now that we have no food and grass?" Yang Tinglin nodded silently.
He used to be an editor at the Hanlin Academy, and he was very eloquent in his lectures on military affairs. However, he never expected that when he got to the front line, the use of troops was not what he imagined. He had not even fought against the Jiannu slaves yet.
The army was already exhausted. The three of them looked at each other in silence. After a long while, Yang Tinglin raised his head and looked at Lu Xiangsheng. "Li Jiuhua, the Jingxing soldier, is here again. He knelt outside the tent and waited for the capital hall to return to camp. He said that he had won
The deer was besieged for several days, and tens of thousands of people in the city eagerly awaited reinforcements.
"
Lu Xiangsheng frowned and said, "Yesterday, Datong Town was sent to retrieve deer to relieve the siege."
Gu Xianyi whispered, "Wang Pu crossed the river to harvest deer the day before yesterday, but... there was a rumor from a sentry horse in the middle camp that when he saw Datong Town, he would stop crossing the river ten miles away and get food in the nearby countryside." Yang Tinglin kept saying.
He shook his head and said, "When Sun Junmen left, he also said that all the soldiers and generals were frightened and could not be forced to fight. Those who said that they would fight were either ignorant or deceitful. If they really forced the order, they would collapse in an instant. I didn't believe it at all that day, but today I will
of
Believe it." Li Jiuhua was originally in Huolu. After Zhang Qiping transferred the capital to the north, Li Jiuhua was transferred to Fucheng to take charge, so all his family members were in Huolu. One of them sneaked out of the Qing army and came to Fucheng for help. The distance between Huolu and Li Jiuhua was really high.
Dingfu City
For more than fifty miles, Lu Xiangsheng sent sentries and horses to conduct reconnaissance many times. The reports were that they encountered small groups of slaves fighting on the way, but there was no clear report whether there were large groups of slaves besieging the city. Lu Xiangsheng looked at the Zhending city in front, and Li Jiuhua asked.
Yu Xuan's army, but even so, Li Jiuhua could not extract food from behind this cold city wall. This Xuan army was the only hope for the people of Gyeonggi, but the actual available ones were far from the 33,000 that Yang Sichang first divided
The two Fubiao battalions were never really under the command of Lu Xiangsheng, and 60% of the Fubiao battalions were taken away. Lu Xiangsheng actually had 22,000 troops in his hands, including a considerable number of troops.
The quota is a customary quota. When a country with a population of hundreds of millions faces an invasion from outside, it can rely on this tired army that is on the verge of running out of food. Lu Xiangsheng not only needs to use this army to rescue local areas, but also needs to follow Yang Sichang's new instructions.
Instructions to copy
Before the war, the most difficult problem was that he lost traces of the enemy. Vague news came from everywhere, but they were not credible. It was impossible to confirm the whereabouts of the Qing army. This was another reason why Xuan's army was stranded. Previously collected
After receiving news from sentry horses and various places, a considerable part of which found that Jiannu was going to Longjing Pass and Guguan to Shanxi, and then went to Xuanda to cross the border. Lu Xiangsheng also wrote this information in Tangbao and reported it to the Ministry of War, but he could not finally determine the strength of the troops.
It cannot be delivered at will, but the longer it stays in Zhending, the more pressure Lu Xiangsheng will bear.
It’s getting bigger, and it’s not just from the lack of food. After a while, Lu Xiangsheng shook his head, “It was reported earlier that the slave establishment seems to be heading out of Longgu, and each group is in Beizhi and Shanxi. Soldiers are needed everywhere to capture deer.
In a county, the number of soldiers and horses to build slaves has not yet been ascertained, so Wang Pu was sent there before
, no longer divide the troops and send an order to Wang Pu, asking him to rescue and capture the deer effectively, and do not delay to take the blame."
At this time, the flag officer of the Chinese army rushed over. He whispered a few words to Lu Xiangsheng. Lu Xiangsheng suddenly shook and all the snowflakes on his shoulders shook off. He turned to look at Yang Tinglin and said with excitement, "We have found Jiannu.
The sentinel dispatched earlier witnessed Jiannu leaving Longgu on the 20th of this month. He had been gone for seven or eight days and was about to leave in two or three days. The Jiannu who had captured the deer might be a phantom soldier who had been delayed.
.”
Yang Tinglin's mood also improved. He finally figured out the movements of Jiannu, and at least he could use his troops. If he continued to waste time in Zhending Mansion, the Xuan army would collapse without fighting. Lu Xiangsheng walked a few steps, stopped and said to Yang Tinglin
He said, "Send an order to Wang Pu. Datong Town will leave Daomaguan tomorrow to intercept the signs of Jian Nu going north. Yang Shuai will go south to prepare for the unfinished slaves coming from the east. Hu Shuai will rescue the deer and contain the tail of his soldiers.
Jiannu must be allowed to step aside!"
…
"Yang Guangdi, are you rangers of any use? How come it's been so long that you don't even know where the Tatars are? What if they come here?"
On the east bank of the river southwest of Linqing, Tan Laizi huddled next to an adobe wall. While talking, he pulled hard on the hay on it, grabbed a handful and piled it on the ground not far behind him.
"Don't worry, Mr. Tan Qi. Wherever the Tatars have passed, there is no such hay. The horses have eaten it all. They must not have been to this place before."
"? What's the general flag? Now it's called Chief Tan. Chief, do you know?" Tan Laizi threw down another handful of hay and looked Yang Guangdi up and down. He came with the Far Sentinel Team and was responsible for providing food for the forwards.
The problem is, as soon as I arrived, I saw an acquaintance again. It was Yang Guangdi, the little kid who used to be in his headquarters. I haven’t seen him for a while. This little kid who was rescued from Chuzhou by the garrison battalion has grown quite a bit taller.
There is a waist knife hanging on his belt, and the most conspicuous thing is a long fire blunderbuss hanging on his back. He has a heroic appearance and is no longer
It’s a little baby. Tan Laizi curled his lips and turned around to grab hay again. He used to think that the winter in Hezhou was the coldest. Now in Shandong, it seems to be even colder. Fortunately, he has experience in Hezhou.
He also has money and comes from Xuzhou
When I sent it, I paid a high price to pick off the cotton-padded jackets of two passers-by. I put them on my body and it made me feel less cold. It was just a little bloated, but my face was a little unbearable and it was about to blow out. Yang Guangdi also had a few spots on his face.
When he saw Tan Leizi turning around, he smiled and pulled on the wound. His mouth trembled unnaturally twice, but in the end he didn't laugh. He continued to pull on the hay for a while.
It’s good for making beds. This place is called Chujia Circle. It’s by the river in the southwest of Linqing. Linqing is originally a prosperous place on the canal. The surrounding population is densely populated. Chujia Circle is usually a busy ferry, with people on both sides of the river.
The road paved with stone slabs, passing
After the river, you can access the road system on the other side.
Like other ferries at this time, large-scale towns were formed on both sides of the strait, many of which were brick houses. The Qing army had already appeared around Linqing, and all the people who could escape in Chujia Circle had left, and there were empty houses everywhere.
, but there are also some people who can't walk. There are two old men standing on the street opposite this thatched house, just standing there and watching.
Looking at Tan Laizi. Tan Laizi was worried about establishing a slave and was already in a irritable mood. The two old men were an eyesore. He cursed in the other direction, "What are you looking at? Do you know who Mr. Tan is? Just look. You can ask Anqing."
Go and ask around Xuzhou, can you afford to offend Mr. Tan...
…”
The two old men stood there numbly, showing no reaction at all. Tan Laizi scolded him boringly, and then turned to Yang Guangdi.
"Captain Lu of the Far Sentinel Team said when we came here that the rangers could cross the river and go to Beizhili to investigate." Tan Lezi licked his lips, "Brother Yang, tell the commander honestly, has Jiannu come?"
"Here we come, just across the river, there are Tatar soldiers." Yang Guangdi pointed to the other side of the river, "Yesterday, the First Division's Ranger Sentries saw a group."
"Have you looked at the pigtails?" Tan Leizi asked nervously, "Isn't it really fierce, taller and stronger than an ox or a horse?"
"That's not true. There are dozens of people in the group, all walking together. There are no hiding places around, and those rangers didn't dare to take action."
"Do it?" Tan Leizi's face changed, "What are you doing? You don't know that those Tatars are like evil ghosts... How far do you think that group is from here?"
"Just five or six miles away across the river."
"It's still across the river." Tan Laizi's expression suddenly relaxed, "Those Tatars were lucky and didn't let Mr. Tan encounter them."
Yang Guangdi added, "The river is frozen."
Tan Leizi shouted, this is the east end of the market town. He has not been to the river yet and has not seen the conditions on the ice. Before he could continue to ask, a figure came from outside. As soon as he saw Tan Lezi
He shouted, "Master Tan, all the old merchants in Chujiaquan and Youfangdu have left, and there is nowhere to look for food. There is food in Linqing City, but it can't compare with Xuzhou."
, I won’t go no matter how much money you give me now.”
Tan Lezi saw that it was Xuzhou who came to the dock. This man had connections along the canal, and the food supply on the road ahead was very smooth. This was the first time that he said he would not accept the order. The man did not give Tan Lezi a chance to speak.
He waved his hands directly and said, "There are guest troops outside the city. I can't figure out whose family it is. Only when I got to the north did I find out that they were Dengzhou soldiers led by Yang Junmen. Mr. He's soldiers were in the south. The people I sent from
The oil house crossed the river, but luckily he was not caught by the slaves. When he arrived outside Linqing City, guess what, his money was robbed by Dengzhou soldiers, his clothes were stripped off, and he almost lost his life. He didn't even see the city gate.
"
"Then add some money, you can discuss it with the Dengzhou soldiers..." "There are hills all around the city and outside the city... Soldier, what's the matter if people can go in? If the carriage is loaded with food, it would be a great mercy to cut the city gate in half.
There is also a soldier at Demenlai. It would be considered a great mercy to save his life, even if he has passed these two levels.
, we have to cross the river, and if we meet Jiannu on the way, he will die. Tell Mr. Tan that Jiannu is on the other side of the river. This is not a matter of money. I am going east to look for food. I would rather walk a little longer.
I'm not going to Linqing." Tan Leizi looked at the expression on the dock. His expression was very determined, and he didn't dare to force him at the moment. After all, he was the only one who could follow him here. The price immediately rose, and the price of grain was six liang and one stone.
, four ounces and one stone of beans. But it can still be
If we supply from the east, it will take a little more time at most. Linqing is close, but the risk is too high. Now we will renegotiate the price with the dock. This is the usual practice of the two. Both parties set the price based on the local risks and distance at that time.
Today, due to the sharp increase in risks in Linqing, the pier will rise by three liang when it opens. Naturally, Tan Laizi cannot let it go easily.
step.
The two sides fought fiercely, and several rangers gathered around to watch the fun. Both of them were thick-skinned and were not affected at all. In the end, after all, the price was only increased by one to two or five dollars.
The dock left in a hurry, and Tan Leizi turned back to pull hay. Yang Guangdi had already tied a large bundle.
Just as he was about to continue asking about the ice on the river, a voice from the street shouted, "Your team, go to the ferry to serve as sentry."
Then someone shouted one after another, and Yang Guangdi's name was called. Yang Guangdi threw the bundle of grass and went out.
Nine rangers stood in a row in the street. None of them rode horses, so they walked to the ferry. Seeing this, Tan Leizi wanted to see the ice, so he dropped the bundle of grass and followed the team.
It only took a moment to reach the ferry. He squinted and saw that there were some houses on the other side and no one could be seen on the road.
It was a rare sunny day in the afternoon, and the sun came out for a while. The sunlight shone on the ice, making it somewhat dazzling. Only a small part of the middle of the river was not frozen.
Not being completely frozen means that you can't pass people, let alone ride a horse. Tan Laizi was slightly relieved. At this moment, someone from the upstairs next to him shouted in a low voice, "Everyone is lying behind the wall, there is a horseman coming from the opposite side."
Tan Laizi quickly looked for a place and saw Yang Guangdi hiding behind the wooden platform of a shop, so he quickly ran over. After a while, the faint sound of horse hooves was heard from the other side.