On the Zhengdan Festival of the twelfth year of Jiajing, people in the Northern Expedition camp were feasting and drinking.
Even if it is not easy to transport food, grass and military supplies, after all, so many generals of the Ming Dynasty spent New Year's Eve outside the Great Wall.
Tight on the outside, loose on the inside.
It was actually Li Quanli and Guo Xun who volunteered to patrol the perimeter and be vigilant. They did this with their personal guards, so naturally they wanted to show off.
The emperor can come here to endure hardships with everyone, and if he suffers a little at such a special moment, that will be in line with the emperor's will and the morale of the army.
The great victories in Hetao continued, the morale of the Ming army was like a rainbow, and everyone looked forward to success.
And: God damn it, Zhen’an Bo Yan Chunsheng is coming.
Hasn't he made enough achievements in the Loop?
In the Xie Shou camp outside the main camp in Kaiping, the first Shuozhou Guard generals led by Yu Dayou were stationed here.
Now, the bonfire is huge and you can drink tonight. Zhao Benxue listened to their discussion with a smile.
"Damn it, Lao Bao followed Uncle Jingbian to Ningxia. He made great achievements this time, right?"
"What's the point? He is Tang Dutai's model general!"
They are naturally familiar with Bao Zhengchuan.
Nowadays, tens of thousands of prisoners have been captured in numerous battles, the captive chiefs have been captured alive, and countless enemies have been killed. Such extraordinary feats are even enviable by them, who wiped out Yongxiebu's Northern Expedition army.
These ten thousand households were much weaker than the ten thousand households in Ordos. In addition to the main force of Datong, those participating in the Northern Expedition also included soldiers from Xuanfu, Jizhou, and Jingying.
"I bet that at least one prince will be made a prince this time!" Someone wiped his mouth fiercely, "I don't know how many more princes there will be!"
"Tang Dutai, or General Yan?" they began to discuss, "I think it's General Yan! Not only did he destroy Haraqin here, he also ran all the way to the north of Yinshan Mountain, and was defeated first with the Marquis of Funing.
The three troops captured nearly 30,000 people alive. During the decisive battle, they also contributed to the battle. They blocked the north and captured Gunbilik alive among the thousands of troops! That was the second highest position in the Khan's court! Counting those of the past years.
Bodie…”
"Hey..." someone let out a long sigh, "It would have been nice if my uncle could have left Gunbilik behind in Jingping."
"...What nonsense are you talking about? How many brothers were lost in the battle that year." Someone recalled Huangya Mountain with a rather bleak tone, "Drink!"
After this battle, Yan Chunsheng's reputation will surpass all the generals in the world.
His contribution not only ran through the most important battles of the Jiajing Dynasty, but was also crucial every time.
During the Huguang rebellion, he infiltrated into the rebels and made great contributions from within, becoming a major general in the special operations battalion.
When Bodi invaded the south, he killed the Mongol Khan with one arrow outside Zhen'an Fort, and was granted the title of uncle for his merits.
But this time, the battle was more than a thousand miles away. With the help of the brave special operations battalion, the achievements were astonishing.
"You guys think, why is the special operations battalion so powerful?" Someone became confused, "I thought our uncle was the most powerful in training..."
"It's not the same thing at all! Right, strategist?"
Zhao Benxue was dumbfounded when he heard this: "How many times have I told you, don't call me that."
"You are uncle's teacher, aren't you the military advisor of our Shuozhou Army?" The soldiers laughed and laughed drunkenly.
Zhao Benxue shook his head helplessly: "These days, various generals have also said a lot. The special operations camp is different. If nothing else, weren't nine people selected to go there in Shuozhou?
?You are not clear about those nine people."
"...Yes. Those nine are all desperate. Not only are they desperate, they are also smart. My uncle originally wanted to promote them to serve as general bannermen and hundred households."
Zhao Benxue nodded: "This is just the beginning. I heard that after joining the special operations camp, the training subjects are also very different. In addition, the soldiers' armor, food and salary, and family education are all top-notch in the Ming Dynasty. What is the details?
Yes, only Jin Yiwei knows. I heard Prince Consort Lu mention that many of the training methods in the special operations camp were proposed by His Majesty. To put it simply, everyone must learn from Tatars, as well as arithmetic, astrology, and geography.
…”
The generals looked at him blankly.
"Don't think that Zhen Anbo was able to accomplish such great feats because he commanded a group of soldiers, all of whom were elite officers." Zhao Benxue sighed, "In this battle, the special operations battalion lost nearly 40 people.
Hands. Coupled with the disabled ones, the special operations battalion has suffered great losses. General Yan takes the lead in every battle and is brave and resourceful, which is not what ordinary people can do."
Everyone thinks of Li Jin, Marquis of Chicheng. In terms of bravery and daring to fight, Li Jin is not inferior to Yan Chunsheng. However, some people still say that he is a crazy general, but he is just less resourceful than Yan Chunsheng.
Less luck.
At a sentry post north of Kaiping, Guo Xun and Li Quanli did not lead the patrol in person, but just came here.
Now, the two of them were talking by the campfire, but they were not drinking.
"I'm afraid that guy will run west or north after hearing the news." Guo Xun sighed, "If Yan Chunsheng can't come, I'm afraid there is still a 10 to 20% chance. Yan Chunsheng is here again,
Even if I have some scruples, I will never get into trouble again."
"...I really don't know how he dared. And Tang Shunzhi, one against a hundred..."
"Isn't it true that Zhao Zilong riding alone as the savior is like entering an uninhabited country?" Guo Xun said that it was understandable. "Besides, the captives had already been defeated at that time. The captive chief was in Yan Chunsheng's hands, and the lives of tens of thousands of tribesmen were in Daming's hands."
How can we really fight for our lives? I know what you mean, Yu Dayou and Lu Bing both said that Tang Shunzhi's martial arts skills are unmatched by either of them."
Li Quanli looked at him and said, "Marquis Guo, what do you think we should do in the future?"
Guo Xun was silent for a while.
Then he spoke: "After fighting this battle, it's time to stay in the capital and teach our children and grandchildren. In the past, the five palaces were all in the hands of honorable ministers, and all generals and officers were selected through the path of honorable ministers. From now on, it will all be because of
No matter how talented you are, your majesty has used Li Yuan to point out the clear path for you and me."
"What is Marquis Guo saying?"
"If your own children and grandchildren are not good enough, you should help them more and train others. Just like Yu Dayou helped me obtain the gong, Li Jin helped you obtain the gong, and Yan Chunsheng helped Zhu Qi obtain the gong. In the future, our children and grandchildren will also have to rely on such people.
Get some merit. Not only must you dare to go to the battlefield, but you must also have this opportunity." Guo Xun looked away, "We people already have more opportunities than others."
Li Quanli silently threw another firewood into the fire.
The soldiers were guessing, but they knew very well that in fact, His Majesty and Zhang Bi were already discussing the details of the merits later.
After this battle is won, it is not a matter for a prince.
Yan Chunsheng's reward cannot be escaped. On the other side of the Hetao, Tang Shunzhi is a civil servant. He does not need such a high title, and he is too young. As for Zhu Qi, after all, he had two thousand people to bite Haochite first.
Judging from the results, the bravery of the third part happened to be the right choice.
Daning's contribution is not enough for Guo Xun and Li Quanli to receive such rewards. After the beginning of spring... it will be difficult.
Guo Xun laughed out loud: "At this point, it's fate! Don't get carried away. I used to be an uncle, but now I'm also a marquis. Why are you dissatisfied?"
"...Yes, it's all fate."
In any case, if the emperor can order them to lead the army, it is already a chance.
However, the battle situation is constantly changing. Who can make meritorious service and who will die on the battlefield? How can it be said clearly?
Suddenly a horse came from the southeast, and both of them knew they were not enemies.
"Report! Liaodong Dun Sentinel Army and Fuyu tribe reported that the Jurchen tribes were plundered by thousands of horsemen!"
Guo Xun and Li Quanli stood up and looked at each other.
"Jurchens? Are they from Jianzhou or further north?"
"Everything is there!"
This is the first time since the beginning of winter that we have received information on the movement of large-scale cavalry, and they actually went there.
"Intensify your patrols! Let's go to the palace!"
The two of them discussed with each other on the road what this meant.
Could it be that I went around to Liaodong to attack the Ming Dynasty? This is not impossible.
He said it was his life, but in his heart he still wanted to fight for the Duke's thoughts.
However, after arriving at the palace, Zhu Houcong looked at them and just said: "Celebrate the New Year well and wait for more news."
"Your Majesty, if the Tatars attack Liaodong..."
"Isn't that just right? When spring starts, you can just block the Muhewei area in the past." Zhu Houcong glanced at them and said, "Use your brains."
The two of them left in conversation, and now they are relatively sober.
Yes, if the Tatars change direction and enter the northeast, then there will be an opening to block them. The river mouth where the Greater Khingan Mountains and the Lesser Khingan Mountains are connected is blocked. I wonder if they can only stay in the northeast? Or they can go around further north.
Going back to Xing'anling?
Even though Nuergandusi has now withdrawn to Kaiyuan in the northernmost part of Liaodong, the Jurchens in the Northeast are still willing to work together to eliminate the Mongols who want to seize their homeland under the call of the increasingly powerful Ming Dynasty, right?
This news only proves one thing: I am afraid that Anda has successfully completed the integration of the left wing, at least by forcefully subduing it first. As for the actions against the Jurchens, firstly, they were to plunder supplies to appease the tribes, and even to prepare for migration and escape. Secondly,
, the Jurchen tribe will definitely complain, and if the Ming Dynasty wants to take care of it, it will involve a lot of energy.
As for rushing all the way to clear up the enemy now in the middle of winter, not to mention that it is definitely not my main force there - there are only a few thousand riders; just because of the food and grass problem, it is not a wise move to take the risk there.
Zhu Houcong sat in the palace and finally shook his head: "Have a rest."
Receiving such a report on New Year's Eve means that Anda's raid on the Khan's Court ended earlier.
The combat power of the Tumut tribe still cannot be underestimated. Now that they have gained more strength, it is even more troublesome to use tactics with more nomadic characteristics to deal with the Ming Dynasty.
The Mongols also celebrated this festival, but they called it the White Festival. After conquering the Central Plains, their original year was changed from April in the earliest Mongolian calendar to the first month.
In the new golden tent, tribal leaders of all sizes gathered here.
There are many new faces, which means that the old faces that refused to surrender have disappeared.
To be able to accomplish all this as a rebel in just one autumn and winter, Anda not only has the strength and determination, but also his words.
"Tell us how Ordos was defeated?"
The remnants of Ordos who were the first to flee to the north of Yinshan met the sentries sent by Anda, and in more than ten days, they were led across more than a thousand miles to the new Khan Court.
"They have a cavalry where everyone is a sharp archer. They have a powerful artillery that can be carried away by two people. The shield is very strong, and the muskets can hit farther than the bows and arrows..."
When the Ordos people who fled here talked about it, their eyes were full of fear.
Speaking of that battle, what is emphasized now is naturally the strength of the Ming army and the surprise that they were able to surround it from several directions.
When he finished telling the story, the golden knife in Anda's hand was firmly inserted into the small wooden table beside him.
"It doesn't matter if you question me or hate me!" Ida stared at them, "Five years ago, I sent a message to various tribes, saying that the Han people are no longer the same as in the past, and we should march south together! Bodi is on the move
, my brother also went out, but they didn’t believe me and were on guard against me!”
In that battle, Gunbilik was defeated at Jingping, and Bodi died outside Zhen'an Fort.
"This year, I lost Tucheng, but you still laughed at me, thinking I was alarmist! My brother, who is now captured by the Han, must be hating me for leaving Fengzhou Beach, allowing the Han to attack him from the east. However,
He is the lord of the right wing. How powerful is Ordos? There are so many tribesmen, more than 200,000, how many are left now?"
I shed tears again in my eyes, whether it was for performance or from the bottom of my heart.
"That's two thousand households!" Anda roared loudly, "Under the attack of the Han people, they were completely defeated in less than a year! Don't you still believe what I say?"
Even if others do believe that their failure was due to the sudden departure of the Tumote tribe, which resulted in no left wing to support them, and the Ming army lost pressure from the direction of Fengzhoutan. But now that the matter is over, the strength of the Ming army
It was indeed beyond their imagination.
Powerful foreign enemies make Anda's plan smoother.
First, he used the past conflict between the Khan Court and Ulyan Ha to let Ulyan Ha contain Khalkha; then he used the "life-saving grace" he had given to some tribes in Chahar to show his determination. After winning only
After more than half of Chahar's 10,000 households, it will be difficult for Khalkha to make any waves.
After all, the conflicts between Ulyanha and Khalkha in the past could not be resolved by Khalkha themselves, nor could Bodi. They also needed Tumote and Ordos to help them in their northern expedition.
Now, the Ming Dynasty used Anda's actions to destroy Ordos and Yongxiebu, and Anda also used the Ming Dynasty's actions to complete the initial integration of the Mongolian tribes.
Although the methods are brutal, there are still many hidden dangers.
The collapse of the Ordos tribe provided another opportunity for Anda.
"Only I can lead you to survive and become stronger!" An Da pulled out the golden sword, "During this White Festival, tribes and pastures will be re-divided. The right-wing people who escaped back are all the children of Changshengtian. You must listen
My order is to put down the hatred between each other first. I have brought blood and fire to the left wing, and I will also bring honey and wine to the entire grassland! If I cannot fulfill my promise, you will call me a sinner again!"
They also made alliances based on blood. He drank mare's milk wine and ate meat from his hands with the leaders of each tribe.
"Go and tell everyone what powerful evil spirits the Han people have become."
"Go and tell them how the Han slaughtered Ordos and Yongxiebu."
"Go tell them that the Han are preparing to continue north after the snow melts!"
"Go and tell them that Anda Khan is not fleeing to the north to avoid trouble, but to lead all the children of the Immortal God to resist the footsteps of evil spirits!"
"Only if we are like a family can we work together to resist them!"
"The descendants of Genghis Khan will never lose again!"
In the southeastern part of Yinshan Mountain, Noyendala is still fleeing with his remnants, but now there are fewer pursuits and interceptions.
In the northern part of Yinshan Mountain, more than 20,000 Ordos people have escaped. They are regrouping into small tribes, and they are just trying to survive.
Yan Chunsheng took some captives and Gunbilik, who was lying on the carriage to recover from his injuries, and went to Kaiping to present the prisoners.
The road went slowly because many gold and silver jewels, files, and ritual vessels seized from Ordos were also in custody.
Since it is a sacrifice of prisoners, naturally it is not just humans.
Everywhere along the way, Yan Chunsheng was treated like a hero.
It’s the Spring Festival, so there’s no shortage of good wine and good food.
In a place about three hundred miles northwest of Kaiping, Ma Fang's eyes were very bright.
"Now is the time when the Han people are celebrating the New Year, and their defenses must be much laxer than usual." He looked at his subordinates, "For the sake of the Great Khan, we should go and see what they are doing! If we bring back important news, the Great Khan will definitely be happy
!”
No one objects, it is their mission to come here for investigation and warning.
And they all knew Ma Fang's abilities. During this autumn and winter campaign, if it weren't for his Han origin, Ma Fang's contribution would have been enough to be made the lord of a thousand households or even a small tribe.
So Ma Fang finally led them towards the Ming Dynasty's Northern Expedition Camp.
Although New Year's Eve has passed, it does not prevent Ma Fang from returning home.
He knew that at such a moment, it would be difficult for him to gain trust when he returned from the north, and it was even more likely that he would be regarded as a spy sent by An Da and a traitor.
But Ma Fang doesn't care.
Because I believe that the subjugation of the Mongols is basically over, and even if there is subsequent suppression, it will not be Ma Fang’s turn.
And every arrow he fired after that might be aimed at the Ming army.
Ma Fang didn't want to.
A few days later, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, more news came from Kaiping.
The scope of the Mongolian cavalry's plundering only reached the north of the Jianzhou Jurchens, mainly Haixi Jurchens and Barbarian Jurchens, and affected a small part of the Fuyu tribe.
It was a complete plunder, from the population, to the iron tools, to the goods, cattle and sheep.
"Your Majesty, they can't move fast with so many people and things!" Li Quanli asked, "Should we go to the northeast to intercept them?"
Looking at them who were eager to try, Zhu Houcong shook his head: "With my wisdom, going to the northeast to plunder might not be a move to lure the enemy. Thousands of horsemen have captured nearly ten thousand Jurchens, and it is indeed not going fast. But you have to understand,
I don’t want to defeat the Ming Dynasty. Even if it’s just a small victory, it will be easier for him to win over the hearts of the tribes he just conquered.”
Zhang Bi and Chen Jiuchou also spoke one after another.
"The snow has not yet melted. If you want to intercept it and go hundreds of miles deep, the Marquis of Xiangcheng should not be impatient!"
"What your Majesty said is absolutely true. I answer that if all the tribes have been subdued, how many elite troops will there be in the tent? Since there are partial troops going out to plunder, there must be the main force to support them in order to win the battle. As long as he wins a small victory, he can fight again
In spring and summer, they move north and west to avoid the sharp edge of the king's division."
Li Quanli was extremely helpless and felt that this battle was no longer possible.
At this moment, there was another movement outside the palace.
"Report! The sentry cavalry in the northwest encountered the enemy and captured a small leader of the captive cavalry. He calls himself a Han citizen and has come to join the king's army!"
"Since they are captives, they can be killed. If the two armies are facing each other, how can we know that they are not careful?" Li Quanli spoke irritably.
After all, Guo Xun was a person who had been "trained" at the national policy meeting. He asked curiously: "Why do you need to report to the imperial court for such a trivial matter?"
In the past few months, the sentinels of both sides have fought against each other countless times.
At this time, the person who reported the news said strangely: "There are many captives in this team, nearly a hundred. The captive chief went crazy. He was chased by a team of five people with his captives first, but he didn't fight back. Instead, he
They went around and met another three groups of sentries. Except for him, this group of soldiers was able to be killed, but it was because the leader of the soldiers was the first to shoot his subordinates with arrows, and shouted that he was a Han citizen. The soldiers were confused,
He was actually shot dead by him together with four teams of sentries. This captive chieftain's riding skills and archery skills were extraordinary, and he was a brave general."
"Is there such a thing?" Guo Xun was also dumbfounded and looked at the emperor, "Your Majesty, if it were done carefully, it would be dozens of heads, and the certificate of merit is not small."
Zhu Houcong raised his hand, ready to let them interrogate him carefully and deal with it on his own, but then he hung his hand in the air.
How could he, who was always worried that he would not be able to find Tatars in the future, not think about a famous person?
It's just that the situation in the grassland has long been different. After so many years of war and chaos, who knows what the fate of that person will be? Zhu Houcong can't pin his hopes on this.
Now he was thinking about what to do after the snow melted, but he didn't react for a moment. It was only then that he hesitated and said: "What's that person's name?"
"Your Majesty, my surname is Ma Mingfang. I am from Yuzhou, Shanxi. He was kidnapped to Fengzhou Beach when he was eight years old. He is seventeen this year." When the person who came to report saw the emperor asking about it himself, he immediately answered more, "He said he helped me in the battle."
Chahar and Khalkha have just been awarded the title of Hundred Households for their merit, and they know a lot of news about the Tatars."
"Your Majesty, don't be gullible!" Chen Jiuchou said immediately, "First, they plundered the Jurchens to lure the king's troops to intercept them, and now there are Han people coming to surrender? What a coincidence, I must be a treacherous plot!"
But Zhu Houcong laughed: "Why don't you listen first? You and other virtuous ministers and generals are here, how can you not distinguish the true from the false? Guo Xun, go and bring it over."
If it was really him, it was because of Guo Xun's curious question that Zhu Houcong finally came back to his senses from his thoughts in the Northeast. Otherwise, such a trivial matter would have been hastily handled by the subordinates.
Guo Xun was a little surprised that the emperor asked him to bring him here in person, but he could only leave the palace in confusion.
Now, Ma Fang had been stripped clean of all his bits and pieces. He was still wearing a Mongolian robe, and his hands were tied tightly on both sides of his body. However, he was very relaxed and even looked around excitedly.
"What are you looking at?" His captor looked at the general flag on the side, "Why don't you just cut it down?"
"Your Majesty and your lords, the generals have decided. What are you in a hurry for?" The commander looked at Ma Fang, "Are you not afraid of dying on the spot?"
Ma Fang said calmly: "What I said is not a lie. If you want to kill me on the spot, then I can escape. Since you don't kill me and are willing to bring me back, that's fine."
"Tsk tsk..."
This general flag was the first person who was led by Ma Fang for dozens of miles. It was precisely because of Ma Fang's abnormality that he finally stopped other people's hostility towards Ma Fang and took the initiative to bring him back.
Report the news.
Of course, if what he said is true, that would be a credit.
In today's situation, how can there be too many opportunities to make meritorious deeds?
When he waited for more than an hour, and when Guo Xun came in person on horseback from the wall of Kaiping Village, he realized that things might have really been done right.
"The general will see you, Lord Marquis!" He was very excited. Guo Xun came in person, which was unusual.
Guo Xun dismounted and nodded. He also looked at the tied person in front of him curiously: "Are you that Ma Fang?"