weaving

Chapter 1584 How could I forget the grudge of the Banner Lord Prince?
On the 21st day of the first month of the 16th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, at the hour of Shen (3-5 PM).

A cavalry force of over two thousand men, led by Jiang Jianxun, the military commander of Datong, left Yutai, crossed Luqiao, and sped off in the southwest.

Wang Pu, the general of Datong, will lead the remaining thousand-plus elite cavalry and four thousand-plus infantrymen to break camp at dawn the next day and march southeast towards Tancheng.

At the hour of You (5-7 PM) on the same day, a cavalry force of over a thousand men also left Wenshang County, heading towards Ningyang County and then towards Sishui.

On the 22nd, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), another three or four thousand infantrymen, led by General Jiang Xiang, hurriedly advanced towards the Si River along the route taken by the cavalry the previous day.

Just as Jiang Xiang was leading his infantry force rapidly towards Sishui, the three armies originally stationed there—the Shanxi General Li Fuming, the Xuanzhen Yangbiao Ge Ruzhi, and the Xuanzhen Fubiao Pi Zhongyao—had already left their Sishui post and headed southeast towards Yizhou.

On the same day, at Chen hour (7-9 AM).

Commander-in-Chief Luo Rucai led the standard battalion stationed in Fengxian and Peixian and Yang Shengzu's right battalion on a hasty westward march towards Tancheng.

Early morning of the 23rd.

Cao Cao's general Yang Mingqi led his central camp troops from Dangshan County southeastward, intending to cross the Yellow River at Xuzhou Ferry and reinforce Yuan Shizhong's troops stationed in Tancheng.

Noon on the 24th.

Li Jiyu, who was stationed at Bianyutouji on the northwest shore of Luoma Lake, led his troops to break camp. Instead of heading north to reinforce Yuan Shizhong in Tancheng, Li Jiyu marched eastward toward Haizhou.

At noon on the same day, Zhang Guangda also led the main force of the Qinglong Camp away from Yizhou and headed north along the Yi River. It is unknown where he went.

The various units of the Western Route Army led by Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng seemed to have all sprung into action, advancing from different positions and directions, but all heading towards the same goal.

That look—it was just like a tabby cat that had smelled fish...

…………

On the east bank of the Shu River, there is a village called Shenma Village. This place was originally just an unknown little village on the banks of the Shu River in the southern part of Yanzhou Prefecture.

But now, the Manchu Bordered White Banner Gushan Ezhen, the deputy marshal of the Jurchen army that invaded the Ming Dynasty, and the Jurchen Grand Minister Tuerge are stationed here, so Shenmazhuang has become the headquarters of the Jurchen Western Route Army Deputy Marshal.

"Turghug Mountain, how much longer will we need to rest in Shushui?"

Turg sat on a low stool with a pot of red-hot charcoal fire in front of him. On top of the fire was a sizzling, oily leg of lamb, the crispy skin of which had turned a golden brown and looked extremely tempting.

Perhaps Turgh was also attracted by the golden-brown and fragrant lamb leg. He did not rush to answer the question from the Mongolian Plain Yellow Banner Gushan Ezhen Adai. Instead, he slowly cut off a piece of lamb leg meat, picked it up with the tip of his knife, dipped it lightly in a little salt in the bowl, and put it in his mouth to chew it heartily.

After a moment, Turgh opened his greasy mouth and said, "Yilegushan, it has been almost three months since we broke through the pass and marched south. The warriors have been plundering outside and are working hard. Even the warhorses that our warriors ride are much thinner than when we came."

Now, it's perfect to camp and rest on the banks of the Shu River. This will allow the warriors to recover their strength, replenish the fat of the warhorses, and also allow us to plunder the surrounding villages for money, grain, and people. It's a win-win-win situation!" As he spoke, he took another bite and cut off a piece of roasted, golden-brown, and fragrant lamb leg, which he then chewed heartily.

Yile was a Gushan Ejen of the Plain Yellow Banner of Mongolia. He was also a nobleman of the Khorchin Mongolian tribe who had followed his father to Laonu in the early days. He also rose to the position of Gushan Ejen because of the military merits he had accumulated over the years.

However, he was, after all, a Mongol. Even if he had joined Lao Nu earlier and made many military achievements, what difference would it make?
Let alone the pseudo-princes and beile of the Jurchens, even in front of the Manchu Eight Banners Gushan Ezhen of the Jurchens, his Mongol identity was no match. Compared to the Manchu Eight Banners Gushan, he still had no choice but to obey orders. He was only slightly more powerful than the newly established Han Eight Banners generals.

“Turghugshan is right. Our warriors are indeed exhausted and need a good rest before they can continue their raids.” After saying this, Ile cut off a leg of lamb and began to eat heartily.

Although Yile remained silent, Fei Yangwu, the chieftain of the Manchu Bordered Blue Banner, stepped forward again: "Turgh Gushan, I also think it's right to let the warriors rest for a while."

But lately, Ming Gou scouts have been appearing in the east, and their reports suggest their base is near Yushan, about twenty li east of Maling Mountain. I have a feeling something's not quite right here.

This Fei Yangwu was no different from Yile. He was not only a Jurchen from Jianzhou, but also a member of the Aisin Gioro clan of the Jurchen people. He was the nephew of Nurhaci, the old slave, and the eighth son of Shurhaci, who was known as "Little Wild Boar Skin" among the Jurchens.

Turgh's eyes were full of goodwill as he looked at Fei Yangwu. He smiled and said, "Fei Yangwu, don't worry. Abatai Beile is resting in the Juzhou area to the north, less than two hundred li away from me. If there is any alarm, he can arrive in a day or two."

After all, what Turg said was true, and Fei Yangwu couldn't refute it, but he always felt that something was wrong: "But I always feel that Yushan's spies are suspicious. Why did they have to come at this time of year? Could they be plotting something?"

Turg dismissed it: "What else could they be plotting? They just want to see if they can pick up some scraps while our army is stationed here."

“There’s one more thing… Turgh, there are Ming dogs stationed in Tancheng and Yizhou, and judging from the color of their flags, they seem to be from Xuanda…” Fei Yangwu’s eyes flickered: “You know, Zhang Cheng of Xuanfu… was quite a capable fighter in the battle of Jinzhou the year before last.”

"Hmph! Zhang Cheng?"

Upon hearing Fei Yangwu mention the old story of the Battle of Jinzhou, Turg's eyes turned cold: "Turg has never forgotten the grudge of my Bordered White Banner lord, Prince Yu."

At this moment, Buyandai, the chieftain of the Bordered Red Banner of Mongolia, spoke up to remind him: "Turgh Gushan, did Abatai Beile give any instructions? If we encounter the Ming dogs of Xuanda, we should not underestimate them, nor should we fight them head-on. We should deal with them slowly."

Turgh turned and glared at Buyandai, saying irritably, "What's there to fear from a mere Ming dog? Shandong isn't like Liaodong with its many valleys and ravines. It's a flat plain where our Qing cavalry can travel swiftly, covering a hundred miles a day. How could we be afraid of a mere Zhang Cheng?"

Buyandai sighed softly, lowered his head to cut the roasted lamb leg on the table in front of him, and began to eat and drink by himself without saying another word.

"Gadahun, tomorrow you will lead the warriors of the Mongol Plain Red Banner to Yushan to investigate and see what kind of Ming dogs are stationed there."

Gadahun, who was chewing on a piece of lamb leg, mumbled a "Yes, sir," which was taken as an acceptance of the military order.

"Yile, the two places of Tancheng and Yizhou will be investigated by your Mongol Plain Yellow Banner. Find out which Ming army they belong to and how many troops they have."

Iller shouted, "Yes, sir!"