weaving

Chapter 1179 The Lord Has a Strict Order

"what?"

Ding Qirui's face was full of doubt and he continued to ask, "Is it really someone sent by Earl Yongning?"

While helping him dress, the personal servant hurriedly replied, "Master, Deputy General Yu has already confirmed the badge and seal, so it shouldn't be wrong."

"Hahaha……"

After Ding Qirui was convinced, he laughed happily: "Great, great. We are saved. My army will not be defeated here."

He didn't have time to wait for the servants to help him get dressed, and hurried out: "Where is the visitor?"

"I haven't got the master's permission yet, so I'm still waiting outside the camp."

"Quick, please come in!"

"Yes. I will tell Deputy General Yang right away..."

The old servant agreed while tying the belt for Ding Qirui: "Master, the belt... tie the belt..."

"I will do it myself... Go and ask the people sent by Earl Yongning to come see me!"

…………

"General Wan Guangjin pays respect to Commander Ding."

"General Wan is under the command of Earl Yongning. What is his current position?"

"I am the deputy commander of the Yulin Cavalry of the Weiyuan Battalion of the Yongyi Army."

"General Wan is so powerful that even a large enemy army cannot stop him, but he is only a mere commander under the command of Earl Yongning. What a waste of talent!"

"Commander-in-Chief, thank you for your praise. Since I entered the capital in the eleventh year, I have fought in many wars, suppressed bandits at home and resisted the Tartars abroad. I am still alive today, not because of my military achievements, but because of my good luck. That's why my brothers in the army jokingly call me a 'jack of all trades'!"

Ding Qirui first had a desire to attract talented people and intended to win over Wan Guangjin to join his team, but it seemed that Wan Guangjin was not moved, so he could only sigh in his heart.

"General Wan is too modest."

He was very polite to Wan Guangjin, and not just in his tone. Even his deputy general Yang Deqin was standing by his side, but Wan Guangjin sat firmly on the big chair personally bestowed by Commander Ding. The difference in treatment was like heaven and earth.

However, after listening to what Wan Guangjin said just now, Ding Qirui also knew that he could not get him to join his army now, so he had to put aside his desire for talent for the time being and asked gently: "Excuse me, General Wan, how many troops did the Earl of Yongning bring this time? Where is the army stationed now?"

"There are more than 30,000 soldiers in the five battalions of our Yongyi Army, plus the troops of Governor Zhang of Baoding, General Wang of Datong, and General Li of Shanxi, totaling no less than 100,000."

Wan Guangjin clasped his fists and continued, "My uncle has led the army south and set up camp fifteen miles away from Zhuxian Town. He has specially ordered us to come and report to the commander-in-chief, hoping that he, Yang Wenyue and General Zuo Liangyu can hold out for a while longer so that they can attack the bandits from both north and south." "Emperor Yongning has already stated this in his letter, but our army has been without water for several days, and now the grain in the army has run out. Starting tomorrow, we will hardly have a full meal, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to hold out. Does Earl Yongning know this?"

"To the commander-in-chief, before I set out, my uncle knew that the bandits had cut off the water supply here, but I just heard about the army's lack of food. I'm sure my uncle hasn't known about this yet."

Ding Qirui showed a little disappointment on his face, but now his army was stuck here, not daring to fight or retreat. It was a critical moment, between life and death, although the problem of lack of water and food could not be solved for the time being.

But now, with the help of Yongning Earl's 100,000 strong soldiers in the north to contain the bandit army, neither the Chuang bandit nor the Cao bandit dared to attack Shuipo Ji with all their strength. The lives of more than 100,000 troops on his side could be temporarily spared.

"Excuse me, General Wan, what are the plans of the Earl of Yongning for the future military strategy? This letter only asks me, Governor General Yang, and General Zuo to defend the camp, but there is no mention of how to defeat the rebels."

"Please forgive me, Commander Ding. I am only here to receive a message. I know very little about military matters. If you have anything to say, I can bring it back to my uncle."

Ding Qirui stroked his beard and pondered for a while before saying, "This matter is not urgent. General Wan risked his life to break through the enemy's blockade and come to deliver the letter. He must be tired. He will rest for a night. After the Japanese commander discusses with Governor Yang tomorrow, he will write a reply letter to Earl Yongning. I will trouble General Wan to take it back and present it to Earl Yongning."

Wan Guangjin was stunned when he heard this. He stood up and clasped his fists to Ding Qirui and said, "Commander-in-Chief, my master gave a strict order before he left. He ordered us to ask him to send someone to inform the other two of the news that his army is coming to rescue us immediately, without any delay!"

Ding Qirui was stunned. Although he didn't know why Zhang Cheng insisted on doing this, hearing such aggressive words from Wan Guangjin made him feel extremely uncomfortable. The appreciation and respect he had for Wan Guangjin just now disappeared in an instant.

"It's late at night. All camps have closed for curfew. If we send someone to deliver the letter now, there might be misunderstanding."

He didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the matter, and continued, "Besides, there is no need to rush. When it gets a little brighter, I will immediately send someone to invite Governor Yang and General Zuo to come over. It won't be too late."

"Commander-in-chief, before I set out, my uncle has issued a strict order that no matter which governor or general I meet, I must immediately inform the other two masters of the military situation without delay."

Wan Guangjin finally insisted: "If it is inconvenient for the commander-in-chief to send someone to deliver the message, I can lead my cavalry to go, but please send someone to point out the direction for us!"

Ding Qirui's face became even more displeased, but he was also a very well-mannered person. Moreover, he really needed the powerful external aid of Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng at the moment. Moreover, as a commander-in-chief, he was still inferior to Yongning Earl, so he naturally would not lose his temper in front of him.

After a while, Ding Qirui's slightly rapid breathing returned to normal. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Since General Wan is so insistent, and it is the will of Earl Yongning, how can this governor resolutely stop it?"

He turned around and said to Yang Deqin, the deputy general of the standard camp standing beside him, "Deqin, immediately send someone with my token to the Baoding Army and the Zuo Army camp to inform them of the arrival of the Yongning Earl's army. At the same time, invite Governor Yang and General Zuo to come to our headquarters to discuss matters immediately."

"Yes."

After receiving the order, Yang Deqin did not dare to neglect it and immediately went out of the camp's tent. When he reached the door, he was stopped by Ding Qirui, who ordered him again: "Send someone to call the three generals Hu Dawei, Fang Guoan, and Yang Dezheng to come and discuss the matter together."

"Yes."

After Yang Deqin left, Ding Qirui said to Wan Guangjin calmly, "According to the order of Earl Yongning, this commander has sent people to Baoding Army and Zuo Army to convey the message. General Wan should also take a rest before dawn. After dawn, please ask General Wan to participate in the military discussion."

"Wan Guangjin will obey the commander's orders!"