Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 58 Ning Yuanbo’s teachings
  "The British longbowmen did make great contributions in this battle, but if it weren't for this group of French nobles who were eager to grab the credit and charge without permission, the longbowmen wouldn't have been able to play such a big role," Zhang Xiao said.

"Indeed, it is very important to have strict orders in the army. Such a must-win battle was caused by a disastrous defeat because of the lack of morale among the troops." Li Rubai said with emotion.

"Back then, I read a story about Wu Qi. It said that a soldier under Wu Qi was so brave that he entered the enemy's formation without authorization and beheaded him twice. As a result, Wu Qi wanted to kill him with military law. When I first heard it, I also felt sorry for this warrior. It’s not worth it, but after so many years, I have truly understood that if the army does not obey orders, then many people will die in vain. If a big battle is lost, the country and the country may be shaken." Li Rumei said.

After another chat, the two said goodbye.

……

In Uncle Ning Yuan's house, Li Chengliang sat on the main seat, with his sons sitting on both sides.

"Rubai, Rumei, have you delivered the book I wrote? What did Zhang Shidu say?" Li Chengliang asked.

"Zhang Shidu accepted it and said that the book was well written and could be published and printed after some polishing." Li Rubai said.

"That's very good. Then when you go to visit Zhang Shidu this time, did he talk to you about anything? You guys need to tell us everything, no more and no less." Li Chengliang said seriously.

"Later, I asked Zhang Shidu what books he had written recently. Zhang Shidu said that he was writing "The Complete Biography of Yue" about the deeds of Yue Wumu, and "The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" about the history of the late Sui and early Tang Dynasties. Ru and I Mei took a look at his manuscript..." Li Rubai told him and Li Rumei's evaluation of Zhang Xiao's two books.

"Then you just said it so bluntly that you think Zhang Shidu's story is boring after you've read it?" Li Chengliang asked.

"Yes." Li Rubai said.

"Zhang Shidu politely asked you to review it, and you really did it well. Rumei's few words are at least a patch to Zhang Shidu's book and complete the plot. You are good, but you still dislike other people's books. Doesn't it make sense to read? Is this how you usually talk to your superiors and colleagues?" Li Chengliang looked at his second son with a look of hatred for steel.

"Then Zhang Shidu said that we are just discussing the works, don't be too particular. Besides, we are all old friends with Zhang Shidu, so Zhang Shidu won't care about it." Li Rubai said with an indifferent look.

"My son, that's not what is said in the officialdom. Who is Zhang Shidu? He is someone who can directly reach the sky. He went to Ningxia and forced Dang Xin to resign. The powerful Kuaibai father and son in Ningxia were forced to leave Ningxia. Your father did not ask you to go to someone's home to criticize literature. If you don't make good friends with them now, if they are lucky in the future, who will remember what they said to you? Friendship, it would be nice not to bear your grudge." Li Chengliang said seriously.

"Dang Xin is not clean. Zhang Shidu also followed His Majesty's order and took up the official title of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Now, hasn't Zhang Shidu already removed the official title of Censor?" Li Rubai was still a little unconvinced. . "Forget it, children cannot be taught. Rumei, tell me, besides talking about these two books, what else did you and Zhang Shidu talk about?" Li Chengliang asked Li Rumei.

"Later, we talked about how infantry could restrain cavalry. Zhang Shidu cited the example of the Western Yi, saying that there was a Battle of Agincourt in Europe..." Li Rumei recounted the discussion among several people at that time.

"Those French nobles are really too stupid. They are so eager to grab the credit, but they all become the credit of others." Li Rubai said.

"No, no, no, these nobles are not stupid at all, they are all too smart. They feel that the King of England is under siege. As long as they rush forward, they can make military exploits at will, get rewards, and even get titles from the king. They are just a group of people. People rush to grab the credit, and the victory or defeat is not decided by them. I finally understand why our Liaodong cavalry suffered so many losses in the next few years. It stands to reason that even if the enemy army cannot be defeated, the whole body will be destroyed. It's not difficult to retreat. Everyone must be thinking about grabbing heads, and the reconnaissance is not good. Once they have captured something, they become a mess. As a result, they are ambushed by others. When they retreat, they also run for their lives and are chased by other people's cavalry. , I can’t even escape." Li Chengliang said.

"Father, has the situation in Liaodong become so corrupt? I thought it was all those literati who exaggerated." Li Rusong said.

"My family speaks their own language behind closed doors. Are those civil servants exaggerating? Of course they are. Of course, I have not fought any decent battles in the past few years. It is also a fact. Rusong, if His Majesty chooses you to aid Korea Pioneer officer of the army, you must implement military discipline. If you really want to enter the court, there will definitely be not only soldiers from Liaodong but also soldiers from the Beijing camp. Reinforcements will come from all over the country. Your military orders must be able to stand by then. , when necessary, you can not count the merits based on the head count, so as not to cause chaos in the military formation and delay the fighting opportunity." Li Chengliang said.

"Father, although there are indeed many disadvantages to this military meritorious service, if you don't perform meritorious deeds on a per-capita basis, the soldiers will not be rewarded. I'm afraid they will be dissatisfied." Li Rusong said.

"In addition to the merit of beheading, isn't there also the merit of ascending first and beheading generals? You can use this to promise the sergeants that the reward for conquering the city first will be higher. If you can defeat any Japanese prince Or if the general is beheaded, although the reward will definitely not be as generous as that of Subahai, it will certainly not be less. At that time, the report should also be decorated. As long as His Majesty is satisfied, there will be no reward." Li Chengliang explained patiently.

"That's true. Father, you used a trick to kill Subahai, and the reward from your majesty is quite generous." Li Rusong said.

"Also, doesn't this tell you to build a good relationship with Zhang Shidu? You are fighting life and death in the front, and sometimes your words may not be worth what others say. If nothing else, Yue Wumu's great military exploits, What happened in the end? Isn’t it because of court affairs? I can serve as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong for twenty years only because I have to have a good relationship with the governor of Liaodong, the governor of Jiliao and even the cabinet. Otherwise, why would anyone else? Help you. Especially you, Rusong, if you want to win the battle, you must not conflict with your chief officer, otherwise no matter how reasonable you are, it will still be wrong. You had a conflict with Governor Xu before, The commander-in-chief was dismissed. This was an expedition. If the civil and military incompatibility and the generals competing for credit resulted in delaying the battle or even defeating the battle, then your majesty would get angry and it would be too late. Back then, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Xun Shen and Yang Pu to attack and destroy Wei's North Korea obviously won the battle, but because of the previous disagreement between the two and the delay in fighting, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty finally blamed it. Xun She was killed and Yang Pu was dismissed. This is no joke." Li Chengliang said.

"I will follow my father's teachings. As long as he is a supervisor, manager or governor, no matter who he is, as long as he does not interfere with my march or war, I will let him and I will not argue with him," Li Rusong replied.

"You...forget it, just act according to the situation when the time comes. Anyway, you have to remember that no matter what opinions you have in private, you must be able to get by in terms of face. The most important thing for these civil servants is face." Li Chengliang warned.

(End of this chapter)