The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Mao has no actual experience in leading troops, but he still has basic tactical literacy.

He knew that his son and Ma Yi might fall into a Tatar trap, so he immediately mobilized his troops overnight to reinforce his son, while he... continued to sit at Piantou Pass.

"My lord, perhaps only if you go in person can you scare the Tatar wolves." Zhong Decai couldn't help but remind him after Zhang Mao finished mobilizing troops and returned to the governor's Yamen where he stayed.

Zhang Mao glared at him sideways and said, "Do you really think I can suppress that group of barbarians? Could it be that they will be more brave and fearless after hearing that I am leading the troops?"

"Uh……"

Zhong Decai was speechless.

Zhang Mao seemed to know very well how much he weighed, so it was okay for him to be a giant Buddha and a backer for others.

If we really let him go into battle on his own, I'm afraid there won't even be any scum left.

"Do you still want to say, what will happen if my son loses?" Zhang Mao said angrily.

Zhong Decai didn't know where Zhang Mao got such a bad temper, but he said cautiously: "Young master is young and energetic and has a lot of strategy. I think he can escape unscathed even if he doesn't win."

Zhang Mao said: "How hypocritical are your words? My son, don't I know this? He has only recovered from illness for a few days? He finally got on the horse, so let him charge into the battle. If I didn't trust others, I wouldn't let him go. Well... my Zhang family should be loyal and loyal, so should our grandson, and so should our son... of course."

Only then did Zhong De understand what Zhang Mao meant.

Previously, Zhang Lun accompanied Zhu Hui on an expedition. Although Zhu Hui was defeated and accused, resulting in the death of his family, Zhang Lun became a meritorious minister because he killed an enemy and was wounded while leading troops on an expedition. As a result, the British family became the biggest winner in that war.

After all, Baoguo Gong and Ying Gong are the important families of the admirals in Beijing, and one goes down and the other goes up.

Zhong Decai sighed secretly, could it be that the father-in-law said that he wanted his son to die for his country?

In this way, even if the army is defeated, Your Majesty will be embarrassed to punish the British government!

When it comes to ruthlessness, you, Lao Zhang, are still ruthless. That outdated Baoguo Gong can never compare to you!

……

……

Zhang Mao didn't feel sleepy at all that night, so he just sat in the house. Occasionally he stood up and looked outside, but he didn't seem too anxious. It seemed that many of the results were what he had expected.

Suiniang came in several times to bring him hot tea, but every time the tea was cold and no one drank it, so it was brought out intact.

New tea replaces old tea.

It wasn't until after dawn that Zhang Mao seemed to feel a little sleepy and yawned. Just in time when Sui Niang came over to bring tea, Zhang Mao pointed to the bed and said, "Please tidy up. I'll take a nap for a while."

"Yes."

Suiniang really wants to ask, what did you hear when you listened to my words last night, and why did you have such a big reaction?

Also, since you haven't slept all night, why do you want to sleep at dawn? Don't wait for the news?

Suiniang went over and simply tidied the bed. In the middle of the night last night, Zhang Mao tried several times to fall asleep, but all in vain, which also caused the bedding on it to be messy.

Suiniang was also thinking about it. It seemed that a military householder, even if he reached the level of a Duke, would be so worried when something happened. He was still as comfortable as a civil servant. In his next life, he would definitely be reborn into a scholar's family. That's the only way. Only then can I have the opportunity to be a daughter of a wealthy family.

Just when Suiniang was also distracted, Zhang Mao came up from behind her.

"Master."

When Zhang Mao approached, Suiniang was startled.

Zhang Mao said: "Stay, sit next to me, watch me sleep, and take care of me at any time if something happens."

Sui Niang finally regained her composure. After briefly calming down, she bowed and continued to make the bed.

……

……

When Zhang Mao lay there and fell asleep, he seemed to be still dreaming, and his lips moved as if he was saying something.

Sui Niang doesn't care about this either.

She suddenly felt like an old woman who was here to take care of a lonely old man. The old man looked a little fragile and didn't even dare to sleep by himself. He actually wanted someone to sit next to him and watch over him.

Suiniang sat there. After a while, her eyelids started to twitch.

Not only did Zhang Mao not sleep a wink all night, but she also stayed awake all night.

But when Suiniang was also in a daze, there was suddenly the sound of boots hitting the ground quickly outside, as if a large number of guards were rushing in.

"Master, Master..." was Zhong Decai's voice.

Although Zhong Decai was wearing cloth shoes, he walked in front of the group of people. He rushed to the door without knocking and just walked in.

Zhang Mao sat up from the couch with a start.

When Sui Niang looked at him, she realized that the old guy's eyes were red, as if he was drunk or had bloodshot eyes...

Zhang Maoren was still a little confused. He didn't think about where he was for a long time. After sitting there for a while, his pupils narrowed slightly and he looked at the person in front of him. After a while, he seemed to remember what he was doing.

"I retire." Suiniang felt that these important people were going to discuss important matters, so she quickly stood up and resigned.

Zhang Mao said angrily: "You are so virtuous, I have just laid down, who are you trying to scare to death? Why are you making such a fuss?"

Zhong Decai also looked confused and said: "My lord, you haven't forgotten that my lord is leading troops on an expedition, right?"

"Is there... any news?" Zhang Mao looked nervous.

Zhong Decai said: "It's Ma Zhongcheng who has entered the city, clamoring to see you. We don't know the situation with Young Master and General Ma at the moment."

"Oh! I'm scared to death..." Zhang Mao complained.

Only then did he realize that Sui Niang and a group of guards were still staring at him. He was the commander, and he was sleeping. He was making a fuss and scolding the counselors, saying that he was scared to death... This was a bit out of control.

"Bring water, I wash my face. Now go see that damn old man!" Zhang Mao cursed, "I don't want anyone to have a good night's sleep. Is he an unjust ghost who was resurrected? I'll be scared to death if I let him lead the army in the next life." His surname is not Zhang!"

……

……

The front hall of the governor's office.

Zhang Mao came from the backyard and saw Ma Zhongxi already there, listening to the generals in the city reporting on the dispatch of troops.

When Zhang Mao came out, Ma Zhongxi just looked up at the door and didn't even stand up to greet him. He seemed to despise Zhang Mao very much.

This also made Zhang Mao a little puzzled.

It is said that this civil servant has a high opinion of himself. How can you, a censor Zhongcheng who has retired and been re-appointed, have the confidence to challenge me?

"My lord, this is Ma Zhongcheng." Zhong Decai quickly introduced him.

Zhang Maogong cupped his hands and said, "I have met Ma Zhongcheng, Mr. Zhang." Ma Zhongxi then raised his head and interrupted the report of the people below. He stood up and said, "It turns out to be the British Duke. I heard that the Tatars invaded last night. You have sent Several people have left the city, but why are you, Lord British, still stranded in the city and have not left the city to meet the enemy?"

Zhang Mao was startled.

This Ma Zhongxi really doesn't give face.

The people next to him heard the smell of gunpowder in the conversation, and they all thought, if the coach doesn't go out in person, no wonder the Ma Junmen looks down on him.

Zhang Mao said: "I can't get a full picture of the Tatar enemy's situation, so how can I rashly send out troops and mess up the balance? I should send out troops steadily. This morning, I would personally lead the troops to reinforce, but last night, I had already We sent people there, and now we can respond back and forth, so there won’t be any big mistakes.”

"Really?" Ma Zhongxi said, "It seems that the British Duke is sure of victory?"

Zhang Mao still didn't understand why Ma Zhongxi's attitude was so indifferent. He said: "I dare not say that I have a chance of winning, but I am basically sure of it."

Suddenly he thought of this word, as if his son had mentioned it to him first.

He also taught Zhang Rui a lesson, saying that he must be sure of everything.

But now he doesn't have the confidence himself.

Ma Zhongxi said: "I have been ordered by the imperial court to supervise the dispatch of troops. Since the British Lord is not a local military general, and he is not here to regulate the soldiers and horses in remote areas, please leave quickly after dispatching troops. As for the supply of food and grass, etc. I will coordinate the matter. As a general, you should not stay in the city for a long time, lest you be criticized by others."

"That……"

Zhang Mao thought he was the host.

But now I suddenly realized that I was just a "visitor", and the official residence where I lived belonged to Ma Zhongxi, because Ma Zhongxi was the orthodox governor of Pianguan.

And he, Zhang Mao, was not even the commander-in-chief of Pianguan. He just led troops through Pianguan.

Zhang Mao said: "We need to rest for a few more days."

"No, Mr. British, if you linger around again, don't blame me for going to court for impeachment. I just do everything according to the rules. You stayed in the city for too long. Now that I can handle local affairs, there is no need for you to do anything." If you bother, we will have to send troops no later than tomorrow morning!" Ma Zhongxi showed no respect at all.

Zhang Mao said angrily: "Then you first prepare all the troops and horses that should be given! As long as there is no shortage of soldiers and food, I can leave at any time."

There was a quarrel.

This made the people around watching the excitement stunned.

This is probably a disagreement between the generals.

Ma Zhongxi seemed to be too lazy to pay attention to Zhang Mao, and said to the people who came with him: "According to what he said, let him coordinate so that he can send troops. The Japanese officials have too many things to deal with in these two days, and there are too many people to wait. goodbye."

Zhang Mao's eyes widened, and he thought to himself, why am I just waiting around?

Just when Zhang Mao was about to argue, Zhong De, who was next to him, knew his temper and quickly reached out to pull him away. He also said to smooth things over: "Now the young master is leading the army. He will send troops in coordination with General Ma of Datong. Maybe we will win soon." You should give it some time before replying."

"Who?"

It's okay if we don't mention "General Ma", but if we mention it, Ma Zhongxi's anger will rise.

When he was the governor of the Xuanfu, he was at odds with Ma Yi, and he was involved in impeaching Ma Yi for corruption and perverting the law, but Zhang Zhou disrupted the situation. Even now, Ma Yi's corruption and perverting the law is almost universally known, but no one has punished him. Ma Yi, this made Ma Zhongxi feel that the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty was dark.

It is precisely because of this that Ma Zhongxi has no good temper towards these generals.

Especially this British man.

He, Ma Zhongxi, had also long heard about the many misdeeds of the British Duke before him. He was corrupt and perverted when he was promoting the capital camp. This is what Ma Zhongxi hates the most. It is strange that he can give Zhang Mao a good look.

Lao Ma is also a principled person. Just because you are a British public, we cannot tolerate you doing things that violate laws and disciplines.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm not qualified to convict you, Old Man Zhang, I would have taken you down directly, and your honor would show no mercy.

Zhong Decai seemed to realize that he had made a mistake and said quickly: "No, it's just... it's not suitable to send troops at the moment."

"Hmph!" Ma Zhongxi said, "You are a raccoon dog who doesn't understand what you are talking about! Come and see the guests off!"

It means that you, old man Zhang, can get out of here. Now this governor's office belongs to me.

Zhang Mao almost wanted the guards following him to come up and beat up the old man, but he held back in the end because he knew... Ma Zhongxi was not simple either.

"Farewell!" Zhang Mao shouted angrily, his voice was deafening, and then he walked away.

……

……

"Madman, what a madman! Did I offend him? As soon as I met him, he looked like the enemy who killed his father!"

Zhang Mao left the governor's office, suddenly feeling like a lost dog, but he could only live with his mouth.

The war hasn't ended yet, and he doesn't even have a place to live, and he will be forced to leave Pianguan in the next day. From now on, he can only live in the camp in the barren mountains.

Zhang Mao thought about the glory and wealth he had experienced for most of his life, and suddenly felt that he was in desolation.

Zhong Decai persuaded him, "That's what this person is like. I heard that he can't get rid of the dirt in his eyes."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Mao said angrily, "You mean, I am the sand in his eyes?"

"I didn't mean that. What I meant was that this man was very harsh on others and an ignorant master. I heard that when Cai Guogong led his troops to Xuanfu, he didn't look good on him. He was someone who would not fight for the powerful. Broken...old stubborn." Zhong Decai tried his best to calm Zhang Mao's injured mind.

Zhang Mao said: "He even looks down on Zhang Bingkuan, no wonder..."

Zhong Decai said: "My lord, you should also know that most of these civil servants are bullying the weak and afraid of the strong. Just like Cai Guogong did not give him a good look at that time. He reported Ma Zongbing for corruption and perversion of the law, but Cai Guogong wanted to call Ma Zongbing. Now you Look, isn’t he still clueless?”

Zhang Mao said angrily: "You mean to ask me to knock off the barbs on his body? Even Zhang Bingkuan didn't do that! And this old boy now thinks that he is Zhang Bingkuan's person. What's the benefit of me going against him?" "

This also left Zhong Decai speechless.

You British man, you are so angry at Ma Zhongxi's behavior, so you seek comfort from me. I suggest you use something hard, but you actually told me that you are too timid to fight with such a person. ?

Who is the madman?

Zhong Decai said to himself, no wonder you can't defeat Cai Guogong. You don't even dare to offend a censor from the northwest. How dare you offend someone else's Minister of War? People can kill you at any time!

"How many troops and horses are available now?" Zhang Mao asked sharply.

Zhong Decai also recognized the old man's incompetence and rage, and sighed: "Excluding the 6,000 soldiers and horses brought out by Young Master Zhang and General Ma, as well as the more than 2,000 cavalry sent out last night, there are still more than 8,000 soldiers and horses in the city. For deployment, as long as we march to Yansui, we can mobilize tens of thousands of troops, I think... it will be enough!"

Zhang Mao said: "Zhu Hui brought 50,000 soldiers and horses, but it ended in a dismal outcome. What can I do if I only bring this few people?"

"But the father-in-law..."

"Okay! Go tell Ma and ask him to send me another...five thousand troops no matter what."

"Sir, the safety of that side gate may be in danger."

"What does it matter to me whether he chooses to harm or not? What I want is to win! How can we win without soldiers? If I don't give you five thousand, I will tear down his yamen!" (End of Chapter)