prosperous age

Chapter 445 Chapter 444
"Uri Uri"

At this moment, on a wild field outside the northern border town, the dark Tatar cavalry shouted "Long live" and charged the enemy in front, and the battlefield showed an overwhelming situation.

The soldiers who were running for their lives were chopped down by the Tartar cavalry who were chasing up behind them wielding scimitars, and then trampled mercilessly by horseshoes.

Where the Tatar cavalry passed, there were countless corpses in fiery red battle suits lying on the ground, flags and weapons were scattered all over the place, wounded horses were still whining, and unowned horses kept circling around the body of their masters, as if they were at a loss.

Just in front of them, a group of red-clothed soldiers were quickly overtaken by the Tatar cavalry and surrounded them. They shouted and completed the outflanking from the left and right sides. However, after the two groups converged, they did not stop their horses. Two layers of surrounding circles are formed on the outside.

After the encirclement circle was formed, they were still urging their horses to walk and circle around, shouting incessantly, as if to put pressure on the prey in their circle.

The red-clothed soldiers quickly gathered together after being surrounded, leaning their backs on several large flags behind them, and one of the broken flags could vaguely recognize the word "Liu".

The Tatar cavalry didn't seem to intend to immediately wipe out the Ming army in the circle, but just kept running around them, shooting arrows into it from time to time. Hearing the wailing of someone injured in the encirclement, the Tatars on horseback let out a loud voice. laugh.

Not far away, a group of knights rushed forward, stopped not far from the encirclement, quietly looked at the group of surrounded people in the distance, and an old man with a bushy beard and a wrinkled face asked first: "Are you sure?" Liu Han leading the team?"

"Khan, I have already interrogated the captured captives. This time, it is Liu Jinchen who guarded the prison city of Ming Guoping, and Liu Han didn't come."

A strong man beside the old man replied.

"Hmph, it's cheap for that old boy."

The old man said something expressionless, then looked around, "No one escapes."

"Don't worry, Khan, there is absolutely no one missing."

The strong man hurriedly replied.

"You deal with it, let them surrender, and shoot them if they don't surrender."

After speaking, the old man turned his horse and walked back, not even looking at the prey in the surrounding circle not far away.

There was no Datong commander of the Ming Dynasty in it, it was just a garrison, not attractive to him at all, and it took him a lot of thought to surround people and prepare for a pot.

Capital City, Prince Yu's Mansion.

Hearing Wei Guangde's words, Zhang Juzheng frowned and said at this time: "But should I remind the Ministry of War that Datong has been a little active recently?"

Wei Guangde knew what Zhang Juzheng meant, maybe it was the huge result of the raid on Bansheng City. From last year to this year, Liu Han, the commander-in-chief of Datong, often sent troops out of the customs to attack.

"It should be said that Yan Shen Datong is guarding the city from all walks of life."

Wei Guangde also thought it was right, and said right away, it was only after he finished speaking that he suddenly realized that according to the information on the previous note, there were only [-] Tartars in the vicinity of Shaanxi and Ningxia, but there were six barbarians who entered Nanshan last time. As many as ten thousand.

If the Tartars in Shaanxi were the captives who were evacuated from Nanshan, where did the other 4 people go?

In an instant, Wei Guangde sweated.

Seeing the instant change of Wei Guangde's face, Zhang Juzheng hurriedly asked: "Shan Loan, what's wrong with you?"

In fact, Zhang Juzheng had this guess when he saw the note just now, and he wanted to see if Wei Guangde's opinion was consistent with his.

However, there is no need to ask now, he will know the answer just by looking at Wei Guangde's face.

"Immediately notify the people in the Ministry of War to remind the higher-ups, but, I'm afraid, it's too late."

Wei Guangde smiled wryly.

Both Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng could see this information, could it be that those senior members of the military department didn't know about it, it's just that they were involved in too many affairs every day, so they probably ignored this information.

After all, the situation in Fujian is too bad now.

Before, the energy of the Ministry of War had been gradually shifted to Jiangnan, and it was only an order to strictly guard the border town.

Hearing Wei Guangde say "it's late", King Yu frowned and asked him, "Why is it late?"

"Datong, I just hope that Liu Han didn't send troops out of the pass to sweep up the Tartar tribe these days."

Wei Guangde replied.

Hearing this, Yu Wang and Yin Shizhen also realized what was the conversation between him and Zhang Juzheng just now.

"Quick, Li Fang, hurry up and send someone to talk to the people in the Ministry of War."

King Yu then turned his head to Li Fang and said.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Fang also understood that the matter was of great importance, so she hurriedly ran all the way out to find someone.

"If something really happens in Datong, do you want to protect Liu Han?"

Li Fang went out, at this time Zhang Juzheng asked Wei Guangde.

Wei Guangde shook his head and didn't answer, but the meaning was obvious, he was not familiar with Liu Han, so don't worry about him.

King Yu had already sat back on his seat at this time, and he also understood the interaction between Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde just now. Liu Han and Wei Guangde had no connection, so naturally it had nothing to do with Mr. Xu Ge, otherwise Zhang Juzheng would not have asked about that. Come on.

This is the difficulty of being an official in this era. It doesn't matter if you are in the capital. If there is a mistake, you can only bear it yourself.

But if there are people in the capital, there is still a chance to save one or two, even if they can't be rescued in the end, at least some crimes can be mitigated.

To keep in touch with the capital, relying solely on correspondence, how can the friendship of the same year be achieved? At least send someone to the door to bring some gifts.

In this way, people who are officials in the local area rely solely on the little salary issued by the imperial court to support their families. Where does the money for these relationships come from?It's not just that we can only fish from places in different ways.

No matter what they said at the beginning of their studies was to "establish a heart for the world, establish a life for the people, inherit the sage's knowledge for the past, and create peace for all generations", after they are awarded the gold list, they still have to think about themselves.

Even if you tell yourself against your will, what you are doing now is only for promotion, and only after you are promoted can you help more people in the "future" and make decisions for all people.

Not long after, Li Fang came back and whispered to King Yu, "I have sent people there."

"Ah."

King Yu agreed, then looked at the sky outside the window and said, "It's almost there, let someone bring the lunch. I won't go back today, I'll eat here."

Although this incident left a shadow in the hearts of everyone in Prince Yu's Mansion, it was forgotten by everyone in a blink of an eye, and King Yu asked people to prepare lunch.

The strong smell of blood attracted predators from the grassland, but within a few days, the sentry sent by the Datong Army also discovered this battlefield, and the news was quickly sent back to Datong City, and the battle report was quickly sent to the capital through the military station.

The whole army was wiped out and the whereabouts of the guards were unknown. Liu Han dared not hide the news, let alone the prefect and censor in Datong City.

Liu Han could only play in a nervous mood, but he just said that he sent troops out of the pass to fight Caogu, saying that sporadic captive cavalry were found around Datong, and the guard Liu Jinchen asked to go out to investigate, the army fell, and Liu Jinchen's whereabouts were unknown.

While reporting the matter, they have to recruit troops from other towns and forts to supplement Pinglu City, and continue to send scouts to go out to inquire about news and search for survivors, which is also a mess.

After all, there were more than 3000 people, and Dong Xue, the censor of Datong, did not dare to conceal this matter, but after communicating with Liu Han, he still reported the news of the defeat of the Datong Army with the reason of Liu Han's battle report.

It's just that the Zou Shuli also made a result that Liu Han could accept, that is, how to deal with the aftermath.

When the Datong army went out to fight Caogu, the civil officials in Datong turned a blind eye. In fact, the reason is very simple. In addition to the army leaving some, they will also share in it.

It's just that the loss is too great this time, and someone must be responsible.

And Liu Han, of course, is the only one who can quell the matter, but only needs a result that everyone can accept.

Within a few days, the Datong Battle Report was finally sent to the Ministry of War.

Naturally, Yang Bo didn't believe what was said in the battle report.

In fact, in recent years, the Datong Army has repeatedly left the customs and rushed to the grassland tribes. The Ministry of War also has channels to learn about it, but they have gained something before, so naturally no one said anything about it.

But this time it was different. Losing 3000 troops at once would have a huge impact, not to mention the entire army was wiped out.

A defeat, a big defeat.

Contrary to what the later generations thought, in fact, in this era of military battles, the casualties of thousands of people is already a major event that is enough to cause a sensation in the government and the public.

The confrontation of tens of thousands, 10,000+ people only exists in novels, and the actual fighting force is only a few thousand people.

In fact, it can also be seen from the Ming Dynasty Weisuo system.

When a single guard is pulled out, there are no more than 5000 people at full capacity, which is enough to support a big battle.

More guards can join forces together, yes, then you need to set up an army formation to facilitate command. At this time, it is usually a guard by guard operation, but there is also a big trouble, that is, the problem of logistics supply .

The news of the disastrous defeat of the Datong Army was quickly sent to Xiyuan and reached the ears of Emperor Jiajing.

No one knows what kind of verdict the emperor will make. Pan En of the Metropolitan Procuratorate also received Dong Xue's report at this time.

After reading Dong Xue's impeachment memorial, Pan En just frowned slightly, and then added his own comments after the memorial.

"During September of this year, there were zero thieves in Datong. Liu Han, the general soldier, sent Liu Jinchen, the garrison of Pinglu City, to lead his troops to chase after them. They were caught by the thieves. Because of Shen Han's decline and illness, he repeatedly lost opportunities and the general Zheng Xiaoju. Knowing the crime of inappropriateness, due to the decline and illness of the Han Dynasty, it should be changed to another use."

Although Dong Xue's memorials were well written, Pan En can naturally see that Dong Xue, the censor, may also have something to do with it, so the impeachment of Liu Han is no longer competent in the general position of Datong.

Now that they have discussed this result, and someone was responsible for the defeat, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has no reason to hold on to it.

If Dong Xue really had a problem and was sent in, the Metropolitan Procuratorate would lose face as well.

As for the Ministry of War, they had the same thoughts as him when they received Liu Han's battle report and the pleading memorial.

Turn big things into small things, and small things into nothing.

The official document of the Metropolitan Procuratorate was half a day behind the Ministry of War, but it was quickly sent to Emperor Jiajing's imperial book case.

"What else can I say, Liu Han's dismissal is certain, and the general should be relegated and transferred."

The news was sent to Prince Yu's Mansion immediately, and the people in the Palace just looked at it casually and let it go.

As expected, it was not unexpected, but Wei Guangde asked Zhang Juzheng curiously, wanting to know how the cabinet voted.

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile: "Liu Han himself said that he was no longer competent, and Dong Xue also said that Liu Han was old and weak, and he had been sick for a long time and could not be a director. He just wanted the court to let him go, relegation and transfer, but it was just a rhetoric. Punishment is also an explanation for others."

Wei Guangde nodded, he would not get involved in this matter, the matter in Bianzhen is very complicated, unless Ma Fang is involved, he will not get involved.

"By the way, that Qi Jiguang is really good. I heard that he led his troops to win a big victory in Taizhou a few months ago. This time he sent troops to Jiangxi to recover Guixi and Qianshan, and drove Zhang Lian's rebels out of Guangxin Mansion. Where are you? You should feel at ease."

Zhang Juzheng said to Wei Guangde with a smile at this time.

A few days ago, when the news came that Zhang Lian's troops had attacked Guangxin Mansion, Wei Guangde was really frightened for a while.

No way, Zhang Lian's troops showed too much fighting power. If they continue to fight like this, no matter if they invade Nanzhili or sweep Jiangxi, Wei Guangde's family may not be safe.

"Hu Zongxian has been in Zhejiang for so long, it would be dereliction of duty if he didn't train an elite army."

Wei Guangde said disdainfully.

"Too."

Zhang Juzheng nodded, agreeing with Wei Guangde's statement.

As the governor in charge of suppressing the Japanese, if he can't train a strong army in his hands, what is the talk of suppressing the Japanese? Is so much military expenditure being fed to dogs every year?
"One more thing, does Tan Lunyou know him?"

Zhang Juzheng seemed to have just thought of it, and suddenly asked Wei Guangde again.

"Tan Lun?"

Wei Guangde thought about it and shook his head.

"Yang Shangshu of the Ministry of War went to the cabinet yesterday. I heard that he thought of Fu Tan Lun leading the army to destroy Zhang Lian."

Zhang Juzheng said.

"Yang Shangshu went to the cabinet to talk about this matter?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

"He first asks the opinions of the two great scholars in the cabinet, and if they don't object to him, he will go to the university."

Zhang Juzheng laughed.

"Recovery? Was Tan Lun dismissed before?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

"No, Ding You, the filial piety is over now, and the note has been handed over to the Ministry of Officials. It is estimated that someone will follow Yang Shangshu's path. If you want to be appointed as soon as possible, no one will recommend you."

Zhang Juzheng said.

"Did the two elders object?"

Seeing what Zhang Juzheng said, Wei Guangde asked directly without hesitation.

"I heard that what Yang Shangshu meant was to let Hu Zongxian concentrate on suppressing the Japanese, while Tan Lun led some Zhejiang troops to the south to destroy Zhang Lian."

Hearing this, Wei Guangde's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he was still planning to go to the south to participate in the extermination of Zhang Lian, and it might not be possible.

It seems that the Ministry of War has a complete plan to wipe out Zhang Lian's rebels, and now it has begun to dispatch troops and generals.

Smacking his lips, Wei Guangde didn't speak.

Seeing Wei Guangde's appearance, Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "Why, does Shandai still want to go to Fujian to lead the army?"

"Hehe, there and there."

Wei Guangde laughed dryly twice, and said perfunctorily.

Within two days, news came out from Xiyuan that Liu Han, the commander-in-chief of Datong, was dismissed, and the general Zheng Xiao was demoted and reassigned.

And on the same day, Yang Bo, Minister of the Ministry of War, made a statement, saying that the bandits in Jiangxi started from the bandits in the southern Jiangxi nest, and the officers and soldiers were not able to do so well, so that they did not spread. Previously, the ministers were ordered to repay the peace in September, but now it has expired. Please tell all the ministers to keep the peace in the future, and still order the banditry to be played every five days according to the border defense case. The minister is only the censor Gu Guyan, who has grown the border's idle strategy, so he can entrust the military affairs and guard the sea. Deputy envoy Tan Lun The local soldiers who have tasted and practiced are called wise and brave. Now they return to their hometown with the guard system. When there are many ancestral homelands, it is appropriate to let the ink decline and use it to calm the local area. Moreover, the thieves from Fujian and Guangxi rely heavily on the number of nest ears, so that the strong soldiers will take advantage of the weak points to attack them. They will save them. , the thief must be led inwardly, and chaos can be pacified.

(End of this chapter)