weaving

Chapter 717 Could it be her?

Zhang Cheng believed that Jinzhou's city walls were strong and the food and fodder reserves in the city could last for several months, so there was no need to worry about it at the moment, and there was no need to rush to rescue the siege.

He felt that the top priority was to clear away the threats outside Songshan Mountain, such as Huangtu Ridge to the east of Songshan Mountain and Songshan Ridge to the southeast.

If we can capture these two places first and repel the Tartars, they will be transformed from the threat of Songshan Castle to the barrier of Songshan. In this way, we will not only solve the worries of Songshan, but also expand the strategy of the Ming army in Songshan. With more space, there are more directions for maneuvering and attacking.

At the very least, they could go east from here on to intimidate Xiaolinghe, thereby threatening the Xiaolinghe Fort occupied by the Tartars, and even the Dalinghe Fort City, etc., and then relieve the siege to the east of Jinzhou.

Zhang Cheng said: "The Tatar thieves have been besieging Jin for a long time, and Rufeng Mountain is the front of Songshan Mountain. It is naturally the key operation, and the defense is the most stringent. Today, my king's master has completed the assembly. If we follow the conventional method, we will focus on Rufeng Mountain to enter Jinzhou. around.

But in this way, wouldn't it be just in response to the thieves' plan, that you would hold my king's teacher by the nose? "

He paused, and then continued: "Furthermore, if our army can really capture Huangtu Ridge, Songshan Ridge and other places, we can not only threaten the Tartars from the flanks of Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain, but also cross the small road from here. Linghe, entered the siege to the east of Jinzhou, and threatened Xiaolinghe Fort and other places under the control of the Tartars.

And after the capture of Huangtu Ridge, there will be no obstacles on the west bank of the Xiaoling River. Our army can move the camp and the river bank. In this way, it will be much more convenient to fetch water from the Xiaoling River. My 10,000+ army of kings relies on some streams and wells. , as time goes by, it will be unsustainable. "

Zhang Cheng's thoughts are so deep that even the tens or nearly a hundred officials in this official hall are few in comparison!
As far as the water source is concerned, no one except Zhang Cheng has considered it. Nearly 20 troops have gathered around Songshan, and the daily water consumption is huge. Even if it is controlled, it will not be a long-term solution.

Now, when the army first gathers, the streams and groundwater are still barely enough, but as time goes by, the amount of water will only continue to decrease, and it will definitely become a big trouble for the Ming army in the future.

Sure enough, Wang Pu, the commander-in-chief of Datong, said in unison: "Yes, yes, yes. We must not be held back by the Tartars. The Tartars deployed heavy troops to guard Rufeng Mountain strictly. , we can't be fooled by thieves!"

As soon as he said this, all the officers and generals in the government hall were stunned: 36 plans, is there such a plan?
Wang Pu really didn't care what other people thought, he just listened to his self-satisfied self-satisfaction: "There is also the problem of drinking water, which is the same as food and grass, which is the key.

And the surrounding area of ​​Songshan Mountain is short of water source, my army of tens of thousands of kings is stationed here, and it is really difficult to maintain it with only the mountain streams and a few wells.

It was midsummer, and the sun was scorching hot. The sons and daughters only had a little water every day, which was just to quench their thirst. Don't think about washing up. If things go on like this, it will definitely lower the morale of the army and lose its vigor! "

At the end, he stretched out a little finger and added with gestures: "If you eat less grain, you can still last for a few days, but if the water source is not enough, it may be difficult to last for a day!"

As soon as Wang Pu finished speaking, many people in the government hall responded together. They also felt that the army camped and the lack of water was indeed the most difficult thing. All the soldiers in the army often complained.

Chen Jiugao, the former battalion commander of the Shenji Battalion, also agreed, saying: "I think Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wang are right. The source of water is really important, so we agree to capture Huangtuling first and send me to Jin The army is advancing in the direction of Xiaolinghe."

Seeing that what he said was supported, Wang Pu couldn't help being a little excited. He nodded his thanks to Chen Jiugao, and then continued vigorously: "There is another saying, 'How can others sleep soundly on the side of lying down'? This is Song Taizu There is definitely nothing wrong with what you said.

But Huangtu Ridge and Songshan Ridge are to the east of our army's camp, not far from our Songshan Fort, and now the Tartar bandits are stationed there, peeping at our Songshan camp, causing disasters all the time, how can our master of the Ming Dynasty allow it? Do you wait for the Tartars to dangle under your nose?
It must be cut off in one fell swoop! "

In the official hall, everyone started discussing loudly. Nearly a hundred officials gathered together, and it seemed like a pot of porridge was arguing.

In this situation, Hong Chengchou, the governor sitting at the top, still looked kindly, Zhang Ruoqi, the commander in chief, frowned, but he didn't say anything.

However, Wu Sangui ignored Wang Pu, turned his head and smiled at Zhang Cheng who was beside him and asked, "Sangui has something to ask Zongbing Zhang. I don't know if I should say it or not?"

Zhang Cheng nodded with a smile and said: "General Changbo, please tell me, I sincerely listen to you."

Seeing Wu Sangui throwing himself aside and ignoring him, Wang Pu was not only angry, his face became a little ugly, he snorted coldly, picked up the teacup and lowered his head to drink tea by himself.

Wu Sangui didn't care what Wang Pu was thinking at all, he continued to ask Zhang Cheng: "Just now Zongbing Zhang said that after our army captures Huangtuling, can we threaten the Tartars at Shishan Gate and Rufeng Mountain from the flank?

According to the information obtained by General Ke Yimo, the Tartars stationed heavy troops at the east and west stone gates for defense. If they want to attack Rufeng Mountain, it will not be so easy! "

Zhang Cheng replied with a smile: "Brother Chang's words are reasonable, but relatively speaking, the main force of the Tartar bandits is mostly between Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain, guarding the main road into Jinzhou.

Compared with the east and west Shimen, the west Shimen mountain is more gentle, which is beneficial for our army to climb the mountain and attack. If we can repel the Tartars stationed at the west stone gate, we can go up the mountains and hills, gather the strength of the whole army and then attack the east stone gate. , In this way, it can threaten the army of Tartars who besieged the south of Jinzhou. "

He breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at everyone in the hall, and then continued: "The two evils are the lesser! From a strategic point of view, after the Huangtu Ridge is captured first, the room for our army to operate will suddenly open up." .

To the east, you can cross the Xiaoling River, advance to Xiaolinghe Fort, and threaten the Tartars in Jindong; In sight, Jinnan and Jindong's Tartar defense lines are in front of us.

Only in this way can we not be held by the thieves by the nose of my king's army, and be at ease, the opportunity is in my hands, not in the hands of the thieves. "

Wu Sangui remained silent, as if he was deep in thought.

Hong Chengchou, governor of Jiliao, also had his eyes flickering, but his expression remained the same. He seemed to have concerns in his heart.

Qiu Minyang, Governor of Liaodong, also nodded approvingly. In his opinion, the strategy Zhang Cheng mentioned seems to be the most feasible in terms of the current situation.

Zhang Ruoqi, the commander in chief, was shaking his head secretly. He wanted to speak out several times, but he forcibly suppressed it. It is conceivable that if the person who made such a suggestion was not Zhang Cheng, he might have been furious and reprimanded him.

"Cough cough..."

Suddenly, Zhang Cheng seemed to vaguely hear the sound of a woman coughing from behind the screen. Immediately afterwards, Xie Sixin, a trusted aide standing beside Hong Chengchou, turned and walked behind the screen.

"How can there be a woman?"

Zhang Cheng secretly slandered: "What kind of woman would Hong Duchen allow her to attend such an important military meeting?"

Suddenly, he seemed to realize something: "Could it be her!"

(End of this chapter)