The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 291

On the dirt hill, more than 2000 soldiers under Wang Shouren's command were extremely excited, but they were also rectifying their troops and preparing to join the main force of Ming Dynasty.

But for the more than 1 prisoners of the Mongolian Goljin tribe who were captured, the scene in front of them was almost a death sentence. It seems that the days when cattle and sheep were seen as low as grasslands were grazing on the grasslands in the past, and it seems that they are gone forever.

And the males in their family may never see each other for the rest of their lives.

It could be their husbands, their sons, or their fathers...

"Boom boom boom!"

After the Ming army at the foot of the mountain came over, they fired cannons in the distance, and the sound of the cannons had to travel a long distance to be heard.

Even Wang Shouren was puzzled by this move.

Obviously, the cavalry from the Mongolian Goljin Department have already fled, so where are they going to fire the cannons?

Ma Yi rode up to Wang Shouren, and asked for instructions: "Young General Wang, the troops and horses have been prepared, and you can go to join the Chinese army at Zhang Zhitai at any time."

Wang Shouren said: "How can you be sure that it is Zhang Zhitai's men and horses? Stay where you are, don't move! Wait for the envoys from the mountain to come!"

"This……"

Ma Yi and other generals could not understand.

Ming Ming's army has already arrived, and the Mengguoljin Department has already retreated. Why is the head of the Ministry of War still so cautious?Floating after two victories?Is this because they are afraid that the Tatars will pretend to be the Ming Dynasty army?
……

……

The soldiers of the expeditionary army on the mountain were all waiting. After the Ming army stationed at the foot of the mountain, a group of troops came up the mountain first, and the leader was Zhang Heling, the deputy commander.

"Oh, it's quite lively."

When Zhang Heling came, he saw cattle and sheep everywhere on the mountain. The feeling was no different from that of Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden. Immediately, he felt that the scenery all over the mountains and plains was very fresh, and his face did not look like he had come to fight at all.

When Wang Shouren saw that it was Zhang Heling, he went out to greet him in person.

After a simple salute, Wang Shouren immediately asked where Zhang Zhou was.

"Mr. Zhang is at the foot of the mountain. If you don't go to greet him, you are very negligent, but he is too lazy to argue with you. He even asked me to come up to inform you to rectify the troops and horses, pass Maoerzhuang, and enter the Datong Pass!"

Zhang Heling smiled.

He found it even more amusing when he saw groups of captives tied to carriages.

Wang Shouren said: "Why would you shoot a cannon far away?"

"Ask Mr. Zhang himself. Go away!"

Wang Shouren nodded, and then called Ma Yi, Guan Jing and others to come over, and organized troops to drive the captives and livestock down the mountain.

……

……

Daming Yamashita's camp is only a temporary camp, but it's not in an offensive position, it's a bit defensive.

Wang Shouren led 200 soldiers from the former army to the camp at the foot of the mountain. Seeing that Zhang Zhou was already under his horse, he greeted him from afar with a gentle smile on his face.

"Zhang Zhitai!"

Everyone got off their horses, and Guan Jing, Sun Shangqi and others who came with Wang Shouren hurriedly saluted Zhang Zhou.

If Wang Shouren had won their respect before, then Zhang Zhou had always been deeply respected by them, as if Wang Shouren was a hero based on his military exploits, and Zhang Zhou had more military exploits than Wang Shouren.

Moreover, the current battle was all planned by Zhang Zhou. Even if Zhang Zhou didn't participate in it himself, Zhang Zhou still had to rely on Zhang Zhou to bring reinforcements to force the menguolejin troops back at the critical moment.

Wang Shouren stepped forward first, then cupped his hands: "I've seen Zhang Zhitai."

"Be polite, be polite." Zhang Zhou smiled, "Congratulations to Bo'an, you have played the prestige of Ming Dynasty in the two battles on the grassland, and the champion is no more than that!"

"Don't dare!"

Wang Shouren knew exactly how much he weighed.

He said: "Without Zhang Zhatai's mighty powder, artillery, and flint blunderbuss, the results of the previous two battles would have been difficult to judge. All of this came from Zhang Zhatai's strategizing."

Wang Shouren also knew it in his heart.

The victory depends entirely on the gunpowder and firearms given by Zhang Zhou. He just wants to temporarily dispatch the command to bring these gunpowder and firearms into full play, and how can his subordinates compete with the leader for credit?

Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head: "Without Bo'an, if your command is certain, there would be no such feat as Da Ming's second surprise attack on Wei Ninghai. But now is not the time to judge meritorious deeds. Hurry up and pack up your belongings and go south to Datong Town."

Guan Jing came over and clasped his fists and said: "Zhang Zhutai, the bandits have just retreated less than an hour, why don't you transfer a few thousand cavalry to the last general, and the last general is willing to go after them."

"Haha. It's really impressive. Are the generals of the Ming Dynasty so confident in the flat grassland? General Xiaoguan, don't worry too much. This is the territory of the grassland tribe. You see, I only brought 7000 troops, and I still have to ride, It’s a mixed bag, so many cannons have been transported from thousands of miles, and if the Huosai headquarters kills them, it will not be easy to deal with.”

What Zhang Zhou said, it seemed that he had no great ability, and he didn't dare to compete head-on with Huozhai.

This is obviously different from the expectations of Guan Jing and other expeditionary soldiers.

what's going on?
You have a discerning eye, and the head of the military department selected directly from the Xinke Scholars is so awesome. You brought more soldiers and horses, and you came here just to cover our retreat?
It doesn't make sense.

Facing the puzzled eyes of Guan Jing and the others, Zhang Zhou sighed: "Speaking of which, before this official, I prepared almost all the powerful gunpowder available in the Xuan Mansion for your soldiers and horses who surprise Wei Ning Hai. There are not many left. Why did you think I fired at them just now? In fact, I didn’t want to show my cowardice, and we don’t have many shells. I was ordered by the emperor to come to the grassland to perform cannonballs. To put it bluntly, I used artillery to shoot rabbits.”

"It's a fight outside the Xuanfu, and it's a fight in Mao'erzhuang. It's not against His Majesty's will. It's just that while hunting rabbits, with the help of Wang Zhongcheng, the grassland has achieved some results. Let's take the results back quickly. , what are you still delaying here?"

This time even Wang Shouren was surprised by Zhang Zhou's modesty.

But then he also noticed Zhang Zhou's change in addressing him. He only thought that Zhang Zhou was wrong and didn't refute anything.

Zhang Zhou said in front of the people present: "The king's master has made great contributions to this battle. After I return, I will recommend it to your majesty. I will take the king's master as the censor of the capital and governor of a town in the northwest."

"This……"

On the contrary, this remark made Wang Shouren a little embarrassed.

Although Zhang Zhou didn't say it clearly, even the dullest people present could think that Zhang Zhou probably asked Wang Shouren to govern Datong or Xuanfu as the censor of the capital, and the possibility of governor of Xuanfu was high... ...After all, Ma Zhongxi himself resigned, and it was perfectly reasonable to replace Ma Zhongxi with Wang Shouren, who had achieved military exploits.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "However, this is just my wishful thinking. After asking for rewards for meritorious service, today's meritorious soldiers will definitely be promoted by the imperial court. At that time, I am afraid that I will keep Wang Zhongcheng on the three sides. He was recalled to the capital by His Majesty, and bestowed with a title."

"What are you waiting for? Duke Bao, don't you rush to cooperate with the soldiers of our Daming Expedition and help them bring the spoils back to Daming?"

Zhu Hui smiled and said, "Decree!"

For Zhu Hui, although the expedition to the Weining Sea had nothing to do with him, according to the rules of rewards from the Ming Dynasty, even if he just brought troops to Maoerzhuang, he would have made a lot of contributions.

Moreover, he is still the chief soldier of Xuanfu, and his contribution in this battle may not be inferior to that of many frontline soldiers.

He doesn't want to raise his title...he doesn't have much room for promotion, but the accumulation of prestige in this battle alone is enough for him to protect the success of Duke Guo's lineage for ten or even decades in the future. is the point.

……

……

After the expeditionary force merged with Zhang Zhou's main force, they did not even take a break, and immediately headed south, retreating towards Yanghekou around Fangshan, the border gate outside Datong Town.

After marching overnight, the soldiers and horses began to station and rest.

This night was also Wang Shouren's first long rest after entering the grassland. He sat in the carriage and slept all night amidst the bumps.

With Zhang Zhou around, he finally didn't have to worry about major strategic issues, and could rest with his eyes closed.

"Are you okay?"

When Zhang Zhou saw Wang Shouren early the next morning, he saw Wang Shouren's drowsy face, obviously suffering from a cold.

This is a fault of exhaustion.

Wang Shouren saw that the generals had already left in the temporary camp, and he seemed to have missed an important meeting, so he hurriedly said, "It's the lower officials who have neglected their duties."

"It's okay, I didn't let them bother you, don't worry, I'm not trying to take credit from you." Zhang Zhou smiled.

"I don't dare to speculate like this." Wang Shouren was ashamed.

Zhang Zhou now not only understands his hard work, but also understands his situation.

If it is said that he used the two battles on the grassland to win the respect of the soldiers, he also felt the new gunpowder and artillery brought by Zhang Zhou through these two battles. Regarding the changes in the battlefield pattern, he also had to put away the special characteristics of the officials and eunuchs before. In spite of his arrogance, he re-examined Zhang Zhou from the perspective of a Ming commoner or a general in the army.

He also seemed to understand why the whole army respected Zhang Zhou so much, and why the emperor trusted Zhang Zhou so much.

At this time, he also felt that his father and his colleagues seemed to have a paranoid prejudice against Zhang Zhou, and now he thinks this prejudice is not advisable.

Zhang Zhoudao: "You didn't take the initiative to go down the mountain yesterday. It's very good. If soldiers from Datong Town come over, it's hard to say what will happen."

Wang Shouren originally wanted to explain to Zhang Zhou that he didn't mean to neglect Zhang Zhou yesterday. He had seen Daming's soldiers and horses, and he had confirmed with a telescope that they were not Di Yi's disguise, so he should hurry down the mountain without delay.

But the question he was thinking about was that there might also be credit grabbing within Daming.

There are more than 1 captives, as well as nearly [-] cattle, sheep and livestock. Individuals will be jealous. The soldiers and horses in the towns on the Nine Borders are doing their own thing. If the soldiers and horses in Datong Town insist that they will give them the captives and animals, What should they do if they are released into the pass around Datong?
If it's not good, for this military exploit, the soldiers and horses of the two towns of Daming will join forces in Mao'erzhuang.

Obviously, Zhang Zhou, like him, understands the pissing nature of the Daming frontier army.

Wang Shouren said: "Thanks to Zhang Zhitai's timely arrival, if it is delayed for a few more hours, the result may be very different."

Zhang Zhou sighed: "It can only be said that coming from Xuanfu, even if you walk along the border, the journey is not smooth. You should have arrived a day earlier, but after all, unlike you, one man and two horses, the whole army can march so quickly. I don't expect much anymore."

"Datong Town doesn't know why..."

Wang Shouren asked half a sentence, but didn't finish.

He actually wanted to ask, the border of Datong Town is only more than 100 miles away from Maoerzhuang, even if you start from Datong Town, it is only more than 200 miles to Maoerzhuang. reinforcements?
Didn't you say that the governor of Datong, Hong Han, had already been ordered, and he should have set off long ago?
"Hehe, Daming's frontier army has always been adhering to the principle that more things are worse than less things, and no fault is merit. Even if he is willing to send troops, the daily march will not exceed ten miles, and will he go to the front line of Maoerzhuang? How close it is is still unknown.”

What Zhang Zhou meant.

Hong Han or the garrison of Datong Town, knowing that Maoerzhuang has soldiers and horses from the front banner of the Mengguolejin Department, how could they concentrate on rushing to help?

The Mengguoljin Department is not just a cover in Maoerzhuang, but there are more than 5000 soldiers and horses deployed to guard against the north of the Ming Dynasty. It is precisely because these [-] soldiers and horses can deter the garrison of Datong Town... the effect Sure enough, it was obvious that the soldiers and horses in Datong Town did not dare to go north rashly.

It was also because the generals of Datong Town didn't believe that Zhang Zhou's surprise attack on Wei Ninghai would achieve any results, so they didn't think it would be beneficial to go all out with Di Yi from Maoerzhuang.

Even if we knocked down Maoerzhuang and wiped out the entire expeditionary force that went to surprise the Weining Sea, wouldn't we feel lonely?Who will be responsible for our casualties?If the army is defeated, who is responsible?
When Wang Shouren heard Zhang Zhou's words, he felt a sense of resentment in his heart, probably because he hated the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty for not being able to live up to expectations.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The towns on the nine borders of the Ming Dynasty need to be reformed, but this kind of reform cannot be completed overnight. Only when the soldiers have confidence and know that they can win the battle will they dare to fight. Don't look at the bravery of the cavalry of the various tribes in the grassland, but as long as there are more After defeating them a few times, look at the present... If they had tens of thousands of soldiers before, would they retreat when they encountered tens of thousands of us? This is a change!"

Wang Shouren thought for a while, then nodded.

Zhang Zhou came with seven thousand soldiers and horses, of which there were only three or four thousand cavalry, and there were three or four thousand infantry left, dragging artillery and so on, and the shells were not enough.

Even with the addition of Wang Shouren's expeditionary force, if they really had to fight the seven or eight thousand remaining cavalry assembled in Maoerzhuang by Meng Guolejin's troops, the outcome was still uncertain.

But now it is different from before.

When Zhang Zhou came, he casually fired a few shots at the open space, and the seven or eight thousand men and horses of Meng Guolejin's troops ran away in a desperate manner.

Changes in battlefield confidence come from changes in the battle situation, or changes in offense and defense, victory and defeat.

Wang Shouren talked to Zhang Zhou about the surprise attack on Weininghai with the expeditionary army, and Zhang Zhou listened carefully to his story.

Wang Shouren said with emotion: "All this is due to the new firearms and gunpowder brought by Zhang Zhitai."

"Brother Bo'an, if you don't mind, you can call me Bingkuan in the future. We are the same year and work together. You are still a few years older than me. There is no need to be so different." Zhang Zhou smiled, "We have experienced this battle together. , There are still many opportunities for cooperation in the Northwest in the future. Even if I return to the court in the future, you will stay in the Northwest, don’t you need me to help you plan and make more proposals in front of His Majesty?"

"This……"

Wang Shouren was somewhat defeated by Zhang Zhou's straightforwardness.

But what Zhang Zhou said now was the real truth.

After experiencing this battle, he, Wang Shouren, certainly felt that he was confident that he could establish a career in the Northwest and realize his ambitions. If he was allowed to return to the capital just like this... he would feel that it was the imperial court's suppression of him, or It was Xun Chen or Zhang Zhou who was dissatisfied with his achievements.

When Zhang Zhou said that, he clearly wanted to keep him in the northwest.

If he was in the northwest, facing so many bad things in the officialdom and the army, not everyone would obey him like the soldiers of the expeditionary army.

In the end, Wang Weining relied on four or five victories to establish his reputation. It was Wang Weining's own organization of troops and strategies to complete the victory, while he relied more on Zhang Zhou's ingenuity and weapons.

He needed Zhang Zhou. Apart from relying on Zhang Zhou's reputation, he also needed Zhang Zhou's contacts in front of the emperor.

"Hehe, Bo'an, don't mind." Zhang Zhou smiled.

"will not."

Wang Shouren also smiled.

The estrangement between the two seems to have disappeared.

Just as he was talking, a report came from the door: "Report...Master Tang, please see me."

"Let him in."

Zhang Zhou let Tang Yin enter the tent.

Tang Yin had been in charge of the logistics before, and he didn't go to greet Wang Shouren yesterday. When he saw Wang Shouren again today, he suddenly felt like "everything is different".

Before the expedition, you were in charge and I was in charge. Only a few days later, I am still in charge and you are already another famous "Wang Weining" of Daming, becoming a famous general of Daming.

Isn't it just missing the courage to surprise Weininghai?
Why didn't I go...

Wang Shouren did not shy away from Tang Yin, he asked: "Zhang Zhitai, this time going to Yanghekou, what if the guards deliberately make things difficult?"

"Hehe." Zhang Zhou said, "I am the Emperor Xuanda, who dares to stop me from entering the pass? Whoever blocks me, I will blow up the city pass to him! The responsibility is not on me! Since you want to lead the army , Naturally, you need some courage. Boan, you are so courageous in this battle, I think you will do the same, right?"

After Wang Shouren listened, he felt extremely ashamed.

Explode the gates of Ming Dynasty?

Or cannibalism?
Wang Weining has this courage, and you Zhang Banxian also has this courage, but I dare not compare with you.

Zhang Zhou said to Tang Yin who was listening to the excitement: "What are you doing with the stick? Go and tell the soldiers outside that you will continue to set off until noon, and you must not stop for two days. If there are cattle, sheep and herdsmen who are difficult to drive away, Kill! You must enter the customs within two days, and you must arrive before nightfall the day after tomorrow."

"Yes."

Tang Yin hurried out to deliver the order.

Annoyed in my heart, I have now become a messenger.

People are better than people... pissed off.

Zhang Zhou took out a draft battle report, handed it to Wang Shouren and said, "I have written a report report, please refer to it."

"Should we wait until we return to the border first?" Wang Shouren asked.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "It's no big deal. If Huozhai really chases after you these two days, you can bring the hostages into the customs, and I will meet him. Hehe, with me here, I'll see if he can still burn the fire of Huozhai. A fire sieve? I'll use him as a colander!"

(End of this chapter)