The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 615: Marquis Anbian who doesn’t want to be the head coach is not a good general
Fighting in the snow.

The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were only responsible for firing cold guns and could not pursue them. The Tatars were still more mobile than the Ming army.

It's just that the situation is very favorable to the Ming army. After seeing the artillery, the Tatars fled in all directions like frightened birds. Not to mention cattle, sheep, livestock and property, they couldn't even take care of the old, weak, sick and disabled. .

The scene is very confusing.

The two hundred death squads sent out by the Ming Dynasty were not able to rush to the front line immediately, but after entering the Tatar camp, they formed a complete harvest and massacre.

As a death squad, they also gained more than others, that is, Tatar heads.

Cui Yuan, as the commander-in-chief, was very anxious at this time. He saw that all the strong Tatars fled to the other side, but the people he sent out could not catch up. They could only pick the old, weak, sick and disabled, or they fell off their horses or were too late to escape due to congestion. The young and middle-aged Tatar man took action, which is obviously a great achievement, but it is likely to be greatly discounted because of it...

In Cui Yuan's heart, this is a good card. The artillery has such a great deterrent effect. If he cannot directly take the credit for Po Tian's work, it will really be a waste of life.

"Chasing... is not possible! If we go out again, the Tatars will know that we don't have many people... No, we should rush out. There are not many people now."

As the coach, Cui Yuan would be so nervous that he would get into chaos.

His military orders were not sent out.

The general next to him said: "Sir, it's a bit dark today. It's very dark. If the Tatars suddenly come back to kill us, it will be bad."

"What are you afraid of?" Cui Yuanli shouted, "The rest of the people rushed forward, first set fire to the Tatar stronghold, set it on fire, and also greeted Anbian Hou to let them know where to intercept."

"Yes."

The general knew that Consort Cui was now risking his life.

Obviously you don't have to work hard, you can already achieve a big victory just by relying on the current harvest, but you still have to continue to gamble abroad. It's probably a bit of a gamble. You can obviously give up when you see good things, so why do you have to risk your life?
Some people want to fight, and some people want to retreat. For most generals from Jizhen, fighting to the death is a bit far away from them. In the past few decades, the focus of the Tatar invasion has been Xuanda and the three sides. Ji Town has not experienced a war for a long time. The last war was when Governor Wang Xian and his troops suddenly attacked Huangshui. It was also such a snowy battle at night.

Many soldiers in Jizhou Town are also thinking that we are really destined to have this snowy day.

……

……

There were not many Ming troops to begin with, so this time they all rushed out.

Anyway, it's time to reap the rewards. Use all the cannons and muskets you can, and also prepare spears, sabers, etc. You can rush in and take care of them.

As the Tatar camp was set alight, the war was also developing in an unpredictable direction. The Tatars seemed to be inspired to a certain extent, and then sent a group of troops to sneak attack, hoping to attack the rear of the Ming army, but the number There weren't many. The Ming Dynasty's artillery turned around and bombed, but it had no results, but it successfully forced the Tatar cavalry back.

In this way, the goal of the Tatar cavalry was achieved, which was to delay the advancement of the Ming artillery array and buy time for the remaining members of their tribe to move.

Cui Yuan led his men and horses and rushed forward with torches. In order to make the momentum stronger, some soldiers even held two torches to create a sign that the Ming army had more soldiers. However, no matter how many there were, they were still not as good as the Tatar camp. One-tenth of the number of people inside, maybe even one-thirty or four-tenth. In the valley here in Tatar, there is a population of at least 30,000 to 40,000, which is almost equivalent to a 10,000-household camp in the Chahar tribe.

Just when Cui Yuan led his troops to advance.

At this time, Zhu Feng was also leading his troops to brave the wind and snow. Although it didn't snow much in the valley, it started to snow more than twenty miles away, and the road was very difficult to walk.

Because they walked almost through the desert, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who marched at night also had an unknown worry in them. Who knows whether this kind of march is meaningful? But their superiors told them that there were Tatars in front of them, who were there to make contributions. Most people felt that in this kind of weather and environment, they couldn't fight against the Tatars.

Fortunately, the main troops on this expedition were elite soldiers from the previous Huangshui battle. Two to three thousand of them had participated in that tragic battle. As veterans, they would lead the newcomers on the march and tell them about their experiences in the war. The experience of the Huangshui Battle also made more soldiers who had never been on a bloody battlefield feel less fearful and anxious.

"Master Marquis, the signal has been sent ahead."

Just when Zhu Feng was slacking off and even planned to let the soldiers rest first, a general came over to report to him.

"is it?"

Zhu Feng carefully looked at the surrounding sky and found no so-called signal.

The general said: "The scouts saw it from a high place. It was a signal for us to attack. It is obviously because General Cui has succeeded."

"Um……"

Zhu Feng could not agree.

Originally, what he and Cui Yuan reminded was that we had to fight this war. The result was not important, but the attitude was.

This is to prevent him from being impeached by the officials after he returns, not only harming his own interests, but also harming Zhang Zhou's interests. People say that the people chosen by Zhang Zhou will be timid on the battlefield.

As for the outcome of this war, he didn't attach much importance to it. He even felt that it was actually a good thing for the two sides to go their separate ways after the confrontation.

At least I don't have to work too hard, and the soldiers can return to the Ming Dynasty... Otherwise, what else can I do? In order to get yourself a higher title? Or gain a higher reputation in the military?
As a child of an aristocratic family, Zhu Feng is often an egoist, but many times he refuses to admit it. Others gradually despise him precisely because they see his lack of ambition and find that he cannot lead those below him. The soldiers achieved the desired military success.

This time Zhu Feng was appointed as the deputy commander, and Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou also had this consideration.

There must be someone who can spur Zhu Feng, and the best person would be Cui Yuan, who was known for his recklessness in the Ningxia War... But in fact, Cui Yuan's situation is not much better than Zhu Feng's. After receiving military honors and titles, I began to feel lazy, wanting to gain but fearing to lose.

"Where?" Zhu Feng asked.

Before, like Cui Yuan, he didn't want to fight hard.

But now they are two cobblers, encouraging each other, and in the end they have to join forces.

In other words, this opportunity is really great. I have a huge advantage in weapons. If I don't fight, it will be too cowardly.

"Over there, it seems...to the north..."

"Ah."

Zhu Feng said, "Give me the order to speed up the march. We must intercept the Tatars before they retreat."

"Do you want reinforcements? If it's Consort Cui..."

"Reinforcements are too late, but we are not far from them. If they encounter trouble, they will come closer to us. If we fight back, the Tatars will be equivalent to falling into a trap."

Zhu Feng's words surprised the generals on the side.

Is Anbian Hou planning to use Jingshan Bo Cui Yuan as a bait to lure the enemy deeper?
What a courage, what a strategy...You are treating the royal family as cannon fodder. No wonder you asked the coach to lead the troops on the front line. Feelings, you are planning to rebel and become the coach yourself.

insidious!

I usually see thick eyebrows and big eyes, why didn't I notice it?

……

……

late at night.

Zhu Youtang woke up from his sleep due to a severe cough, and immediately coughed twice. The little eunuch waiting on the side came over, and then Zhu Youtang asked Chen Kuan, who was reviewing memorials outside, to be called in.

Xinuan Pavilion, inside Zhu Youtang's bedroom. Chen Kuan stood there respectfully, waiting for Zhu Youtang to give instructions, while the little eunuch next to him was lighting a lamp.

"I've been here for a few days and want to go back to Kunning Palace." Zhu Youtang said.

These words made it difficult for Chen Kuan to respond.

Recently, Zhu Youtang has been sleeping alone because he is sick and is afraid of infecting the people around him. But just because he is sick, he probably prefers to have people around him.

"Ahem, aren't there any battle reports yet?" Zhu Youtang said, "I drank medicine today and am a little groggy."

Chen Kuandao: "Your Majesty, I have just received a report from Xinjian Bocong on the grassland, saying that no trace of the Tatars has been found and they are already on the way back. The heavy snow in the north this year came early. This war is likely to be..."

Zhu Youtang sighed: "Oh! Why doesn't God help us this time?"

When Chen Kuan heard this, the emperor now doubted God?
Does that mean that the emperor will also have some doubts about Zhang Zhou? After all, the emperor had always felt that God was blessing Zhang Bingkuan.

"Where are Zhang Mao and Wang Qiong?" Zhu Youtang asked.

"There is no news. I guess... they are about to be withdrawn. However, the report has just been reported. It is said that the Xinjian Bo faction's Datong general, Ma Yi, has 6,000 troops rushing to aid the British army. After learning that the Tatars evacuated from Huamachi After that, I have already gone to pursue him." Chen Kuan was careful.

Having learned from Xiao Jing's mistakes, Chen Kuan was much more cautious in handling his relationship with Zhang Zhou.

But he did not just cater to Zhang Zhou, or constantly praise Zhang Zhou in front of the emperor, but chose a more subtle way, that is, not to mention it as much as possible. Occasionally, when Zhang Zhou shined, he I will also follow the flattery.

Compared with Xiao Jing's aggressiveness in the middle and later stages of his tenure as Chief of Ceremonies, Chen Kuan was even more low-key, as if he was not there in the court.

Zhu Youtang said: "Zhang Mao is indeed not as good as Wang Shouren. He has the courage to lead troops to an expedition even if he sends a new general. Who is he? Ahem! I guess Zhijie and Mao Ren are not the same." What will be the outcome of the battle? They led troops to Daning before and wasted some time."

Chen Kuan heard it immediately.

Zhu Youtang addressed Wang Shouren more by title, while addressing Zhang Mao by his first name, and Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng addressed him by their cousin names.

This shows that in the emperor's heart, he is closer to Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng. One is the emperor's brother-in-law and the other is the emperor's godbrother. This relationship... can others compare to it?
Chen Kuan said: "Marquis Anbian and Uncle Jingshan have tried their best."

"Then let Bingkuan come back." Zhu Youtang said, "He has arrived at the port, right?"

"Yes."

"Come back early, we still have to walk a while...Is it snowing outside?"

"Yes."

"It's really warm here. I can't feel the snow outside. However, I've been feeling a little cold recently. I'll look at the memorial when I feel better tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, won't you... go to court tomorrow?"

"I can't go to court. Let's tell them. I may have to recuperate for a few more days this time. This winter, the illness comes at an untimely time."

……

……

One night of fighting.

When Cui Yuan led his thousand soldiers and horses out of the valley, his spoils were all in the rear.

"Preliminary summary, we have 602 heads, 64 captives, cattle, sheep, buildings, and more than a thousand horses..."

"War horse?"

"Yes, they are all fine war horses that they could not take away in time."

"Very good, very good..."

Cui Yuan also seemed a little happy.

The number of enemies killed was almost more than their total number of soldiers and horses, and war horses were also captured. This was something that was not often obtained before. The reason is that war horses are used to ride and run. When the Tatars did not want to fight, When the time comes, they will definitely take the horses away.

But this time... because the Tatars retreated in such a hurry that even their best horses were left behind.

Cui Yuandao: "The Tatars will probably turn back and prepare their cannons."

"I've been prepared for a long time, do you want to chase?" He Song asked for instructions.

"No, you know what time it is."

"It's just after midnight."

"That shouldn't stop here...but there are too few of us, plus, we can't pursue them."

Cui Yuan was a little confused this time.

I wanted to give chase, but I thought that I only had a thousand men and horses under my command, and a large number of artillery. If I chased so rashly, the artillery would have to be left behind. If I took the artillery with me... it would be strange to have speed.

"General, look!"

While Cui Yuan was still struggling with things, He Song suddenly pointed into the distance.

Cui Yuan first looked at it with wide eyes, then waved his hand and said: "First put out the torches around you!"

Because there was too much light around him, he couldn't see clearly what was going on in the distance.

After the torches went out, he took out the telescope, but the telescope was not very effective at night, but he could still vaguely see some red in the sky.

"It seems like... there's a fire!"

"Yes, General, it looks like... Marquis Anbian is also fighting with them."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Cui Yuan had a smile on his face and seemed to be relieved, "Zhijie is also a ruthless character. Will the Tatars get something good if they meet him?"

"Yes."

"But... forget it."

Cui Yuan wanted to comment on Zhu Feng a few more words, but then he realized that some words might be better said in private.

"The Tatars did not withdraw quickly. After all, they still brought many carriages with them, and the road was not easy to walk. Immediately...send a group of people with two hundred...three hundred people, and take the horses. The pincer attack from the front and back cannot allow the Tatars to retreat too easily."

After Cui Yuan discovered that Zhu Feng might have fought against the Tatars, he still paid attention to the strategic layout, that is, he wanted to send a group of people to rush to Zhu Feng's aid to achieve a pincer attack in the sense of the situation.

(End of this chapter)