A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 556 The Final Battle
In the early morning of September 14th, [-]th year of Chongzhen.

The weather was a bit cold, and the north wind came and went. On the road from Songshan Fort to Shimen Mountain, amidst the smoke and dust, a group of fast horses came galloping.

This group of people hurried on the road in the wind and dust, hooves sounded fiercely, the leading generals were Wu Sangui, the commander of Ningyuan, Ma Ke, the commander of Shanhaiguan, and Tang Tong, the commander of Miyun.

Tang Tong's expression was tired, and he had long since lost the image of greasy hair and powder noodles in the past. Ma Ke's face was even more gray. Only Wu Sangui's waist was straight, and the north wind blew from time to time, blowing his silk cloak of thick velvet raccoon fur.

The retreat of the Qing army on Rufeng Mountain and the North Bank of the Naughty River has aroused great concern from the Ming army. All signs prove that the Qing army will launch a war against the Ming army in the near future.

How should Master Wang respond?Do you want to take this opportunity to fight the Qing army?Coupled with the urging of the emperor's decree, perhaps today, whether it is a battle or a confrontation, Hong Chengchou and others will have to make a decision.

The horse under his crotch was breathing white gas, and Ma Ke shrank his neck. He walked all the way, his face was expressionless, and he hardly spoke a word. Senhan's light.

Since the Battle of Shimen Mountain, Ma Ke has been in a bad mood. Although he has been commended by Hong Chengchou and others for his hard work, the Shanhai Navy suffered heavy losses and their morale was low. The generals complained, which often upset Ma Ke.

In the battle of crossing the river that day, Ma Ke and Tang Tong crossed the river at the same time, and the army was barely able to cross the bank. The Han army guarding on the opposite side, Gu Shan Ezhen Liu Zhiyuan, and the twenty mighty generals fired fiercely, and the Shan Haijun was almost defeated by the artillery. , Hastily retreated back.

Tang Tong's Miyun army was also besieged by Manchurian iron cavalry on the north bank, forming an formation to protect themselves. Thanks to Wu Sangui's rescue, they narrowly retreated.

Since then, in the battle of Xiaolinghe, Wu Sangui and Ningyuan Army are the main players, with Ma Ke and Tang Tongjing accompanying the last, basically playing the role of soy sauce.However, Wu Sangui is not someone to wait for. He leads the army to rush forward, and he will never forget Ma and Tang if there is any battle.

With Wu Sangui's deep-rooted influence in Liaodong, the two are not easy to resist. The battalions of the second town all took turns to fight, fighting with the Qing army on both sides of the Xiaoling River. The soldiers were exhausted physically and mentally, complaining a lot.

Seeing that the decisive battle is in sight, the battle is coming together, there will be more dangers than good luck, and neither Ma nor Tang are sure about the future. Only Wu Sangui is full of confidence. He looks at the sky and is full of confidence in rescuing Jinzhou and his uncle Zu Dashou.

The fast horse galloped past like wind and clouds, and soon arrived at the governor's camp in Songshan Fort.

At this time, many officials and generals have arrived, such as Zuo Guangxian, the commander in chief of the aid and suppression, Liu Zhaoji, the commander in chief of Liaodong, Meng Dao, the commander in chief of the auxiliary defense, and others.Among the music drums, there was an endless stream of civil and military officials entering the gate one after another, sitting or standing in the hall according to their grades.

Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, did not appear on the stage as usual, but sat on the chair early, concentrating on something. Beside him, there were Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Chengen, the angel Wang Dehua and others, talking without a word with.

Seeing Ma Ke, Tang Tong, Wu Sangui and others arriving and coming to pay a visit again, Hong Chengchou showed a smile on his face, praised Ma Ke and Tang Tong warmly, then looked at Wu Sangui and said: "Uncle, the battle is about to happen, it is our generation This is a good opportunity to serve the country, you are a hero, you have a lot to do."

There was a bit of meaning in his words, and Wu Sangui saluted solemnly: "Thank you for the teaching Hong Du, Sangui understands."

Soldiers are fierce and wars are dangerous, wars mean dangers, and they also mean good opportunities to make a fortune, especially Yang Guozhu's Feng Bo, who made many people see hope, and the same is true for Wu Sangui.

Since the Battle of Shimen Mountain, his army has performed outstandingly. He has the background of Liaodong giants inside, and Hong Chengchou and others outside support him. Perhaps after the Jinzhou War is over, he has a good chance to rise to the next level.

Seeing that Hong Chengchou was looking forward to Wu Sangui so cordially, Ma Ke's eyes flashed with jealousy. Looking at the hall again, most of the officials and generals from Eastern Liaodong arrived, only the officials and generals from Wang Dou's family were still missing.

He snorted coldly, this king's arrogance was getting bigger and bigger, and he was jealous and hated in his heart. He was a soldier all his life, and he didn't even have a uncle. This kid, who is so virtuous and capable, may be a marquis.

That day when Wang Dehua read out the imperial decree, Ma Ke was listening. He couldn't believe his ears. Wang Dou suddenly became the crown prince, the general of Zhenshuo, and the general officer of Xuanfu Town. They are all ranked first among the generals.

Now everywhere in Songshan, people are talking about Wang Dou being named a Marquis, and Yang Guozhu being made an Earl.

Whenever he hears these remarks, he feels his face is hot, and the injustice and resentment in his heart are hard to wash away even if the waters of the Nine Rivers are poured, especially now that Wang Dou is worshiped as the President of Aid and Suppression, he can justifiably control the mountains and seas of people.

Ma Ke also heard rumors that Wang Dou not only led nearly [-] strong troops to fight in the land of Liaodong, but outside the Great Wall, there was even a partial army coming, with as many as [-] troops.

Hearing this news, Ma Ke was frightened and trembling, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out where did Wang Dou get so many soldiers and horses, no wonder the emperor valued him more and more.

In the governor's hall, more and more civil and military officials will come to discuss matters. Overseer Zhang Ruoqi is sitting on the seat, stroking his long beard, and he is also a little absent-minded.

Recently he received letters from the capital, as well as news from various parties, that the emperor has made up his mind, and my soldier, Mr. Chen, under the pressure of all parties, his attitude also turned to a decisive battle.Governor Hong Chengchou dared not even disobey the orders of his own soldiers, and dared to disobey the imperial decree?So the day before yesterday the emperor issued an imperial decree, and they also quickly changed their attitudes, but...

Wang Dou's attitude was still unclear. After the imperial decree that day, no matter Hong Chengchou, Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Dehua, Yang Guozhu, etc., visited Wang Dou openly or secretly, and tried to test his attitude. Just know.

This made Zhang Ruoqi feel anxious. For him, his only purpose in coming to Liaodong was to carry out the meaning of Chen Xinjia, Minister of the Ministry of War.

He stood on the same boat with Wang Dou because of Chen Xinjia, and now that his soldier's attitude is inclined to a decisive battle, if Wang Dou still insists on fighting, what should he do?

After Wang Dou became the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town, his father-in-law became the governor of Xuanda. Wang Pu, the commander-in-chief of Datong, and Li Fuming, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi, immediately approached Wang Dou.Although Yang Guozhu was granted the title of Bo, he still had the taste of being led by Wang Dou, and Fu Yingchong, the deputy general of the Shenji Camp, was the same.

Cao Bianjiao, the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Association, and Wang Tingchen, the former commander-in-chief of the Tunwei, needless to say, even Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, wanted to approach Wang Dou.

He even paid homage to the President of Aid and Suppression, and sat on an equal footing with the Governor Hong Chengchou. The higher the prestige, the supervising army himself was able to be prestige in Liaodong because of Wang Dou's support. command, do I still have to stand with it?

After thinking about it, Zhang Ruoqi was in a mess.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the hall, and the gate official shouted loudly: "Assist the President, Zhongyong Bo Wangdou, Zhongzhen Bo Yang Guozhu has arrived!"

Hearing the sound of thunder in the second door, the drums inside and outside the hall started to beat harder, Zhang Ruoqi stood up unknowingly, looked at Hong Chengchou and the others, also stood up, and the officers and generals on both sides, everyone waited and looked at outside the door.

The gate officials responded layer by layer, making resounding voices. Amidst the exciting drum music, a group of well-armored generals rushed in. The leader was the President who aided the suppression, General Zhenshuo Wang Dou, and the person beside him, But it was Yang Guozhu, the general who helped suppress the vice president and suppressed the north.

There are also Wang Pu, the commander-in-chief of Datong Town, Li Fuming, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi, Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, Cao Bianjiao, the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Association, Wang Tingchen, the former commander-in-chief of the Tunwei, and Fu Yingchong, the deputy general of the Qianbattalion of Shenjiying, and others, followed closely behind.

The soldiers and horses of these people alone accounted for more than half of the Liaodong reinforcements, and these people followed Wang Dou's lead. From this, we can see that the prestige of the Jingbian Army in Liaodong can also be imagined. Wang Dou's attitude, How important it is to this meeting.

Watching Wang Doulong walk like a tiger, walking with a sword, with a confident and calm smile on his face, many people have the idea of ​​being a man like this.

Countless people stared at him, and the governor and the overseer greeted him together. At this moment, Wang Dou reached the pinnacle of warrior glory.

Wu Sangui had an envious look on his face, Ma Ke quietly clenched his fists, and Hong Chengchou's clear face had an indescribable meaning.Zhang Ruoqi suddenly felt empty in his heart, he realized that he was just pretending to be a tiger, while Wang Dou was the real strength and prestige.

Under the complicated gazes of everyone, Wang Dou walked up boldly, greeted Hong Chengchou and others, and then sat on a high position, side by side with Hong Chengchou.

At this time, three cannons were fired, the music stopped, and the whole governor's walk was silent. In all the halls, civil and military officials, Wang Dou and Hong Chengchou, who were headed up, signed up to pay homage, and then bowed down and waited for instructions.

Many people's gazes were secretly looking at Wang Dou, who was at the top. How many years has it been since the Ming Dynasty? This is the first time that warriors and literati officials sit side by side.

As for the situation when Wang Dou entered the arena just now, Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua also saw complicated expressions.Wang Dehua, as the angel of the proclamation of the decree, stayed at the right time at the right time, which also implied the meaning of observation and supervision. He sat in the guest seat, while Yang Guozhu replaced Wang Dou and took the first place in the general.

Wang Dou was sitting on the seat, his broad and strong palms were placed on the two side rests, and he quietly looked at everyone below.

Looking at it from this angle, the expressions of the civil servants and military generals in the first two columns can be clearly seen. They are either envious or jealous, eager or looking forward to it, or disapproving, or expressionless. taste?

Wang Dou was suddenly in a daze. When he traveled to Daming and was struggling to survive in Jingbiandun, he at that time would not have thought that such a day would come, right?

When everyone sat down, they all looked at Hong Chengchou and Wang Dou at the top.

Hong Chengchou coughed, his sharp eyes glanced down at the crowd, and then he said slowly: "Since the governor took office, he has been deeply favored by the emperor, and he is sincere and fearful. The former decree will be suppressed immediately, and in order to calm the area, all the lords can come together one by one."

There was no sound in the hall, and everyone looked at Wang Dou in unison. Although Hong Chengchou was determined to obey the order and start a decisive battle with Dongnu, if the President of the Aid and Suppression Suppression Wang Dou disagreed, the battle would still be lost.

To fight, or not to fight, the key depends on Wang Dou's intention.

While everyone was waiting, Hong Chengchou just looked over. For some reason, he felt a little nervous.

Everything was silent, everyone was looking forward to it, and they heard Wang Dou's thick and steady voice slowly say: "What Hong Du said is true, the time has come, and it is time to fight the slave."

For a moment, all the officials and generals in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, and all of them smiled. At this time, the most powerful army in Liaodong was Wang Dou's Jingbian Army. If Wang Dou refused to fight, they didn't know what to do. What to do.

Maitreya-like Wang Dehua first spoke in praise: "Loyalty and bravery are commendable, and he has made great achievements many times. He should be an example for all the troops... The time has indeed come for a decisive battle with the slaves."

He laughed, that kind of joy came from the heart.

If Wang Dou resolutely resisted the edict, he didn't know how to return to the emperor. After all, on the way to Liaodong, he heard that Liaodong was aiding troops. Only Wang Dou disagreed with the decisive battle and insisted on confronting the slaves.

While he was laughing out loud, he suddenly felt a little sad, he was the eunuch who was the supervisor of ceremonies, but at this moment he wanted to flatter a martial artist.Recalling how powerful the eunuchs Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian were back then, compared to them, I was like a grandson...

But Wang Dou is so majestic, it is also a wise choice to make friends with him.

Zhang Ruoqi also breathed a sigh of relief, and also praised: "The loyal and brave Boli kept the country safe, defended the border and fought hard, and made great achievements. He is really the pillar of the country and the model of the three armed forces."

All the civil servants in the hall also praised him like a wave: "Zhongyong Bo Gaoyi..."

"Zhongyong Boming sees thousands of miles..."

"Uncle Zhongyong...

"Loyal..."

Wang Pu and Fu Yingchong also loosened their heads at the same time. The army was exhausted from confronting the thieves and slaves. At this time, the emperor's imperial decree arrived and he was rewarded. It was the time when the morale was the highest. I don't know if I can hold on.

But the Jingbian army didn't move, and they didn't dare to move, but they resisted the imperial order, which made them fearful.Although they became one body with Wang Dou, after Wang Dou was promoted to Xuan Zongbing, they were even more flattering and flattering, but they were still worried about disobeying the imperial order, and the current result couldn't be better.

Wang Pu waved his arms and shouted: "Uncle Zhongyong is right. The time has come for a decisive battle with the Tartars. Now the king's master is in full swing. It's time to strike together and wipe out the bandits and slaves."

Fu Yingchong quickly agreed, Cao Bianjiao, the chief soldier of the Eastern Association, and Wang Tingchen, the former chief soldier of the garrison guards, also agreed. , also feel happy for Wang Dou.

Zuo Guang, the commander-in-chief of aid and suppression, muttered: "I have been impatient for a long time, and I have to fight the Tartars decisively."

Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, and Li Fuming, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi, also nodded slowly, affirming their words.

As soon as Wang Dou said a word, there was an aura of response immediately.

The eyes of Hong Chengchou, Qiu Minyang and others flickered, but Hong Chengchou still had a gentle and calm expression on his face. He said to Wang Dou gently: "The governor has heard some news that Uncle Zhongyong has tens of thousands of troops and is pressing towards the slave Yizhou from outside the Great Wall wait?"

For a moment, all eyes in the hall were on Wang Dou.

All the officials and generals in Liaodong were also very concerned about this news, but the information outside the Great Wall was mixed. There were rumors that Wang Doubi had an army of [-], or tens of thousands, or several thousand.

Seeing the expectant expressions of the crowd, Wang Doulue pondered for a while, and did not hide any more. He said bluntly, "There are more than ten thousand elite soldiers who are harassing, looting, burning and killing outside the Great Wall, with the intention of enslaving and robbing their allies. Presumably at this time, the army has already pushed towards us. Horqin, or Yizhou, etc."

Because Wen Fangliang's army was too far away from Jinzhou and other places, even if they kept in touch with sentry cavalry from time to time, it was impossible for Wang Dou to know their whereabouts at the first time, so he could only infer according to the situation ahead.

However, the sentry cavalry learned that due to the rich harvest outside the fortress, everyone in the army who went out of the fortress already has horses, is flexible and moves very fast.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the hall was overjoyed, the Jingbian army is the sharpest, the world knows it!Everyone also knew that in Wang Dou's army, there were Wen Fangliang, Gao Shiyin and other strong generals, none of them had arrived in Liaodong at this time, so it seemed that they were the candidates to lead the army out of the fortress.

Although Wang Dou was suspected of sending troops out of the fortress without authorization, it was a matter between Wang Dou and the court. If the news was true, Daming's chances of winning the Jinzhou War would increase a lot, no wonder everyone was happy.

Hong Chengchou said with a smile: "Okay, with Uncle Zhongyong's words, the governor will feel more at ease."

He looked at Wang Dou with both admiration and pity. For the victory of the great war, Wang Dou had exhausted all his means, not to mention spending a lot of elite soldiers, sending troops out of the fortress without authorization, and it was easy to arouse the court's suspicion. This step is very, very rare.

Zhang Ruoqi clapped his palms and praised: "No wonder the sentry cavalry reported back, and the northern captives in the bandit slave camp were panicked. It turned out that their hometown was raided."

While he was happy, his smile was also a little stiff. Although Uncle Zhongyong did this for the Jinzhou War and Daming's victory, it was just...

It seems that after the incident in Jinzhou, I still need to keep a distance from Wang Dou, so as not to cause trouble in the future.

Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua's expressions became more and more complicated. Most of the generals in the hall didn't think too much about it, they were only full of admiration for the Jingbian army's move out of the fortress.

In the past hundred years of Ming Dynasty, this is the first Ming army to go out of the Great Wall on a large scale. Its deterrence to the captives is unparalleled. If it were them, let alone the combat effectiveness of their subordinates. In war, the possibility of getting lost is as high as [-]%.

Of course, people like Ma Ke and others were overjoyed that this Wang Dou was too arrogant and went out of the fortress without permission, and the good times are coming to an end.

But at this time, not to mention Wu Sangui, even Ma Ke and Tang Tong no longer hesitated in the duel, and everyone shouted in unison: "Please give the strategy to Governor Hong and President Wang Da!"

Hong Chengchou stood up and said, "Okay, this battle is about the fate of the country. We have received the grace of the country, and we should fight with all our strength. Those who fail to fight will be severely impeached and punished by the governor, and will never be lenient!"

He looked at Wang Dou: "Uncle Zhongyong is good at war, and this governor has always admired him, so I asked Uncle Zhongyong to explain to the generals, and this governor will listen carefully and fill in the gaps."

He generously handed over the arrangement of the decisive battle army to Wang Dou. First, he was indeed inferior to Wang Dou in battle. Second, in Hong Chengchou's heart, he vaguely guessed that Wang Douji was the last of the epiphyllum. The fate of life will not be beautiful, and making a high profile will be beneficial and harmless to oneself.

To be honest, being suppressed by a warrior made Hong Chengchou feel unhappy, and at this moment he breathed a sigh of relief, Daming, in the end it was still the world of civil servants.

……

Old White Bull: At twelve noon tomorrow, there will be another chapter.

(End of this chapter)