Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

Chapter 510 The Thousand Miles of Yellow River is Raging (Part )
"What is the intention of the Qing Dynasty in mobilizing heavy troops on the east bank of the Yellow River?" Xi Rimo, the commander-in-chief of the Wei army and the first-ranking Marquis of Turpan of the Kingdom of Wei, asked loudly when he saw the Qing envoy.

"The false king Zhangwu repeatedly invaded the territory of the Qing Dynasty and brought about his own destruction. I heard that his princess and prince fled into your country. General Pingxi ordered his subordinates to come and ask for it. I ask the general to hand over the false princess and prince to our army."

Xi Rimo, as an important minister, naturally knew that Princess Liu of Zhangwu fled into Gansu with her five-year-old son Zhu Liebin, but the old and cunning man shook his head like a rattle, "What? Princess Zhangwu and the Crown Prince? Your Majesty. It was a joke. Your army has occupied the central guard of Ningxia and cut off their retreat. How could they escape into David? Nothing, absolutely nothing!"

The envoy was actually not sure whether Princess Zhangwu and the Crown Prince had really escaped into Wei Realm. Seeing his firm denial, he immediately became more convinced. It's just that politics is a very magical thing. The truth doesn't matter, what matters is the interests. Since Tunqi felt that crossing the Yellow River to the west to attack Wei would be beneficial to itself and the Qing Dynasty, it must find a reason for launching the war. If there is no reason, it must be made up. Immediately with a sullen face, he said seriously: "Our army's sentry cavalry discovered that they crossed the Tengger Desert and entered the Wei Realm."

This was originally a made-up excuse, but unexpectedly it turned out to be true. Xi Rimo was shocked after hearing this. He did not expect the Qing army to learn about the news that Princess Zhangwu and the Crown Prince had entered Gansu so quickly. However, the shameless man's expression did not change at all and he denied it with a smile, "This must be your sentinel." It’s absolutely impossible for Qi Ji to be dazzled and see something wrong.”

The envoy had already thought of all the possibilities before coming, and when he saw his denial, he did not panic and changed his rhetoric again, "Since you do not admit that the fake princess and the fake prince have entered your territory, can our army cross the Yellow River to search? "

Xi Rimo, who was sophisticated in the world, understood the other party's intention as soon as he heard it. He was not trying to capture Princess Zhangwu and the Crown Prince, but he was clearly just looking for a reason to start a war.

"Crossing the Yellow River?" He sneered: "The waves in the Yellow River are strong, so your army must be more careful. See off guests!"

As soon as he heard the farewell, several wolf-like guards rushed up and dragged the envoy out.

In summer, the locust flowers are fragrant and the Yellow River is surging. Pingxi General Tunqi strolls on the bank of the Yellow River and calmly looks at the busy scene in front of him.

Soldiers one after another are slaughtering cattle and sheep, not for eating meat, but to hollow out the contents of the cattle and sheep, dry the outer layer of skin, inject air to form air bags, and then tie these air bags to the bamboo rafts. , the sheepskin raft is ready.

This kind of sheepskin raft looks simple, but it is very stable and has a history of thousands of years. Generation after generation of ancestors relied on it to cross the Yellow River. The lucky ones succeeded, but the unlucky ones were buried at the bottom of the river. It took too long to build a warship, so this sheepskin raft became the main river crossing tool for the Qing army.

"General, the boats and sheepskin rafts have been built," Han Dai walked to him respectfully and reported.

"Notify everyone in the future of the big tent meeting." After saying this, Tun Qi went to the big tent, with no trace of sadness or joy on his face. After the messenger returned from the Guards camp, he knew that he had found the reason for launching a war. However, the commander of the Guard Army's joke, "The waves in the Yellow River are big, so be careful" still made him doubtful. The other party was so confident, and he thought he was well prepared, so he couldn't easily let the Eight Banners warriors take risks! Since the Eight Banners warriors could not die, they had no choice but to let the Han army go.

In the big tent, in addition to Han Dai, Esai, Hahamu and other Manchu generals, the Han army is mainly divided into four parts: the Eight Banners Han Army led by the first-class guard Li Guohan. They are also bannermen and are the most trusted among the Han army. Let them be the vanguard; the Hexi Green Camp led by Shaanxi Governor Meng Qiaofang and Shaanxi Governor Huang Erxing is not only strong in combat, but also Meng Qiaofang is loyal to the Qing Dynasty, so it is difficult to send his men to danger; the northern Green Camp that reinforces Shaanxi, mainly Gansu The subordinates of Governor Zhang Wenheng, Gansu Commander Liu Liangzuo, Xuanfu Commander Li Gang, Linqing Commander Yi Yonggui, Baoding Commander Lu Guonan, Henan Commander Gao Di, and Hebei Commander Kong Xigui. The fighting strength of these troops varies, but it took a long time to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, so they would not sacrifice themselves if they could; the vassal soldiers under the command of Wu Sangui, the king of Pingxi.

Tun Qi looked at Wu Sangui's fair and handsome face, which combined the beauty of the north and the south. The calmness between his brows was like a deep pool of still water, with no bottom visible. This man has a humble appearance but a treacherous heart. Since he returned to the Qing Dynasty, the soldiers and horses under his command only know that he has "General Yanling" and does not know about the imperial court. He may become a serious problem for the imperial court in the long run. Well, I'll send him there. If he can't defeat the guards, it might as well use up his strength. Thinking of this, General Pingxi smiled warmly at King Pingxi, "Although the warriors of the Eight Banners rule the land, they are not good at water warfare. I have heard for a long time that King Pingxi's Guan Ning Army is brave and good at fighting. Please be the vanguard of our army!"

Wu Sangui felt cold and quickly declined, "Most of his subordinates are old troops from Liaodong and have little knowledge of water, so they may not be able to take on important tasks."

"I feel that only King Pingxi can take on this important task. As for the problem of knowing water, it doesn't matter. There are warships and sheepskin rafts to send you there." Tunqi's face sank, "What? King Pingxi doesn't want to be a great leader. Qingfeng?"

"The general's words are serious. I am willing to be a pioneer and go through fire and water, no matter what." Seeing him say this, Wu Sangui had to give in.

Wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and where there are rivers and lakes, there are factions. In the eyes of the Manchus, Wu Sangui's soldiers and horses were miscellaneous men who could be consumed at will, but there were miscellaneous men in this miscellaneous army. Wu Zhimao, Hu Guozhu, Wu Guogui and other former members of Guan Ning's army who followed him in the north and south were the lifeblood of Prince Pingxi, so they were naturally placed at the back during the attack; those placed at the front were the generals Zhang Tianfu.

Zhang Tianfu was originally a general of the Ming Dynasty. He surrendered to the Qing Dynasty in the second year of Shunzhi. He followed Li Chengdong to suppress the Kunshan and Jiabei armies, participated in the Jiading Three Massacres, and was later assigned to Wu Sangui's account.

He looked at the rolling water of the Yellow River as if looking at a reminder, and he refused to board the boat. A strong big hand put on his shoulder, and His Royal Highness Prince Pingxi came to his side, warm and amiable, "Mr. Zhang, most of your subordinates are from the south. They braved the wind and waves and won the Yellow River ferry for our army." , You must do it." He opened his mouth with words of encouragement.

"Your Highness, although most of the general's subordinates are from the south, they are infantry troops, not naval troops." Zhang Tianfu looked bitter.

"Are there people from the south who don't know how to swim?" Wu Sangui waved his hand, and suddenly his face sank, "What? Is it possible that Mr. Zhang doesn't want to serve the Qing Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianfu was trembling, and he patted his chest repeatedly. He who was born in a low-level position is a member of the Qing Dynasty, and his death is the ghost of the Qing Dynasty. I am willing to be a pioneer and go through fire and water without hesitation.”

"Come aboard!"

Following a military order, Zhang Tianfu's five thousand men boarded small boats and sheepskin rafts and rowed towards the west bank of the Yellow River, followed by Wu Sangui's direct lineage, followed by the Northern Green Camp, Hexi Green Camp, and the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners and the Eight Banners Han Army on the bank. While watching the battle.

(End of this chapter)