The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Side pass.

Zhang Mao met Ma Yi, the commander-in-chief of Datong, who came with the troops. As soon as Zhang Mao returned to his residence, he was informed that the Tatars were invading.

"Are you talking about She? The Tatars...are coming?"

Zhang Mao's expression looked very unnatural.

Zhang Rui, who came to deliver the message, said: "Father, what are you doing..."

Apparently Zhang Rui also noticed the abnormality in Zhang Mao's expression.

Zhang Mao said: "I'm not nervous. It's a good time. I finally took advantage of the opportunity."

Zhang Rui sighed inwardly, his father really had no experience in leading troops, so he was so unsure even when the enemy invaded. I didn't say anything. How did you know that I was talking about you acting nervous? You are trying to cover up your lies!

"Mark where they are on the map." Zhang Mao then thought that he had only learned that the Tatars were coming, but he had no idea how many and where they were.

Zhang Rui said: "It is one hundred and twenty miles northwest of Pianguan. According to the investigation at night, there are at least thousands of Tatars. That side is the land of the Hetao. The Tatars dare to invade the Hetao... I am afraid they have to be prepared. Come here, if we send out troops for a night attack, we can march overnight and arrive before dawn tomorrow. But this will make people and horses exhausted, which is not conducive to fighting."

Zhang Mao frowned and said, "How can you walk a hundred and twenty miles in one night?"

"That's alright, father. Some people in the army call them cavalry, but in fact, horses can only be used for carrying things, and they can't carry people at all. The cavalry we have on hand now is probably only the 6,000 soldiers Ma Yigang brought. About half the horses.”

Zhang Rui is more pragmatic than his father.

Zhang Rui also knew that his father had many disadvantages in fighting, and he, the son, had to take care of it.

Zhang Mao said: "I want to lead the troops myself."

"Father, you can't do this. If this is a plan by the Tatars to lure the enemy deeper, we will lose more than we gain by then. It is better to lead the troops with your son and Ma Yi and wait until dawn to see the situation clearly before deciding whether to attack. Father Just bring troops to reinforce at any time."

Zhang Rui obviously would not let his father, who had little practical experience, take risks.

In terms of experience in serving the army in the northwest, Zhang Rui has more experience than Zhang Mao. At least Zhang Rui once came to the northwest to manage the army, and he also served as a general in Liaodong.

Zhang Mao said: "What if others are afraid of being a father and shrinking from participating in the impeachment?"

"Father, you fight to win, not for other people's opinions. No matter what, the ultimate goal is to win. If you rush in hastily, it is indeed easy to go wrong. Besides, the army also needs you to be a soul-fixing needle. ." Zhang Rui tried his best to persuade Zhang Mao to prevent him from messing up.

Zhang Mao had no intention of charging into battle personally, it was all just to show his attitude.

At this time, the son's words can be regarded as letting him go down the slope.

"That's it... that's alright, you immediately order three thousand soldiers and horses at Pianguan, plus Ma Yi's three thousand soldiers and horses, equipped with artillery, etc., and head northwest overnight." Zhang Mao said.

Zhang Rui said: "Father, if you bring artillery, I'm afraid you won't be able to arrive before dawn. Before I came, I discussed with Ma Yi. He said that the firecrackers in the army are enough to suppress the Tatars. As long as they are surprised, they can It’s a sure thing.”

Zhang Mao said angrily: "It's not a sure thing, it must be a sure thing. If we lose, our family's fortune will not be guaranteed. You stupid kid, what a surprise attack. It is good to win, but we must also play steadily and steadily. Xu Tu gradually , otherwise it would be more appropriate for me to go instead of you."

"...Yes!" After Zhang Rui hesitated, he still chose to accept his father's proposal, "Then father, I will bring more than a dozen cannons. This will require a dedicated horse to transport them, as well as separate transport of fire bombs, etc. I'll gather my troops and set off now, and we'll definitely arrive before the next morning."

"Okay, go quickly!" Zhang Mao suddenly became excited.

"But father, it is said that he is the governor Ma Zhongcheng. He will arrive at Pianguan in the next two days tomorrow. You see..."

What Zhang Rui meant was whether to discuss this matter with the newly appointed governor of Pianguan, Ma Zhongxi.

Zhang Maodao: "Is it me who leads the troops, or him? The court sent him to assist me, not to take care of me, just send the troops!"

……

……

Zhang Rui and Ma Yi mobilized troops overnight.

The soldiers in the city were actually confused.

What important information would actually cause Pianguan to dispatch troops in such a hurry? He actually ordered 6,000 soldiers and horses and left directly... Forget about sending out troops. As the commander-in-chief, the British princess actually still stayed in Pianguan, just letting the generals below take orders from Zhang Rui and Ma Yi.

The troops were sent out in two groups at one time, with two commands, and there was no distinction between high and low weights...

No matter how you look at it, he looks a bit like a headless fly.

Before dark, the soldiers and horses had already left Pianguan. Zhang Mao originally said he was going to see them off, but when Zhang Mao's people arrived, Zhang Rui and Ma Yi's troops had already left in batches. Zhang Mao, who came to see them off, only came to see them off. Being able to watch his son lead the troops away from the top of the city.

"My lord, you don't have to worry. My lord is so talented. He will definitely be able to make great achievements in one battle." The man surnamed Zhong smiled beside him.

This time Zhang Mao sent troops, he also took this staff with him.

There are also many things that only Zhong can arrange for him.

"Decai, do you think I am... not suitable to lead troops in the northwest?" Zhang Mao suddenly asked.

Zhong Decai said: "Why do you ask this, sir? Why do you have to worry about this matter since you have been a prince for generations? You are not the one who leads the army, but you are the one who is leading the army now. You should not look forward or backward."

Zhang Mao looked at the setting sun in the west and the soldiers and horses retreating, and seemed to be thinking: "What if I personally lead the army?"

Zhong Decai couldn't help but smile bitterly.

The British father was actually sentimental now.

Probably because the dispatch of troops this time was too hasty, and Zhang Mao did not go there in person, and it was Zhang Mao's first time commanding such a war, Zhang Mao didn't know how to relieve his nervousness, so he "blamed" here.

"My lord, you should also rest early. According to the formulated tactics, you should personally lead all the troops out of the fortress tomorrow morning to assist the Young Master and General Ma in marching, so as to form a echo." Zhong Decai said.

"Ah."

Zhang Mao then turned around, but when he went down the stairs of the city tower, he seemed to be unable to keep up with his feet. He almost rolled down the stairs twice. Fortunately, Zhong Decai was also holding him up.

……

……

into the night.

In the dead of night, Zhang Mao went to bed twice, got up twice, and then sat at the table. The tea in front of him was cold. He was in a restless state.

The son and Ma Yi led the troops to send out troops, but he did not leave behind.

"No, this may be Zhang Bingkuan's trick. If I don't lead the troops out personally, then he will falsely accuse me of being the second Zhu Hui." Zhang Mao seemed to have realized it.

He immediately got up and went out to call some soldiers to follow him out of the fortress.

But before he could reach the door, he stopped again because he had no idea how to lead the troops out.

In other words, what can I do after I lead my troops out...

Maybe he was chasing his son and Ma Yi, but he definitely couldn't catch up. It was just that when the soldiers and horses led by his son and Ma Yi were in trouble, his reinforcements could be closer to them... but it was like trying to catch someone blind. , what if the Tatars run away and are no longer needed? What if the Tatars come in force and the son and Ma Yi are defeated, and even he will be trapped by the Tatars?

"Master..."

Just when Zhang Maoli was in a daze by the door, he saw a woman in her thirties coming in from the moon gate and standing in front of him. The woman was holding ginseng tea in her hand and was saluting him Tingting.

Zhang Mao said: "Sui Niang, you came just in time, give me a squeeze on your leg."

"Yes."

The woman called Suiniang walked in and put the ginseng tea on the table before walking over to give Zhang Mao a leg.

The woman was sitting on a small bench. Zhang Mao sat down and placed his legs on a bench, letting the woman beat his legs.

"How many years have you been here?" Zhang Mao asked.

It was obvious that the two of them were already familiar with each other. Suiniang was not someone Zhang Mao brought from the capital, but a local. It was the local general who found someone to serve Zhang Mao in order to curry favor with him.

Although Suiniang was not from a wealthy family, she was actually from a military household. After her husband died, a military household became a widow and had to bow down when the powerful came.

Suiniang beat her legs and said, "I have been here since I was born."

"Then you never left?" Zhang Mao asked.

"When the Tatars come, they may need to flee. When I was young, I followed my mother and family. After I got married, I took my family with me..."

Suiniang felt a little helpless when she said this.

It is clear that Pianguan is an important town of the Ming Dynasty, but at critical times it cannot protect its people, and it is more likely to allow the people to move elsewhere.

Zhang Mao said: "Then when Wang Weining came, where were you?"

Only then did Suiniang know that Zhang Mao wanted to ask about Wang Yue's situation when he was running the army in Pianguan. He was a man who had led troops in Pianguan and achieved great achievements. Zhang Mao wanted to imitate Wang Yue. everything.

But even a daughter and wife of a military household like Suiniang knew that Zhang Mao and Wang Yue were incomparable.

In terms of momentum, Zhang Mao was far worse than Wang Yue.

Suiniang said: "In the first few years when Weining Hou was here, the people in the city were moved to other places within a few days. I heard on the way that there was no place left intact in Pianguan City. They said that except for Weining Hou, No one dares to explode like this. Later...when I come back, I will have to rebuild my residence."

"fry……"

Zhang Mao thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Obviously, the tactics used by Wang Yue were not suitable for him.

"Then when did your husband... last?" Zhang Mao asked another very careless question, as if he didn't care about Suiniang's face at all.

Suiniang said: "It has been many years since I went to war. I didn't even see the body in the capital. They said it was robbed by the Tatars. Because there was no body brought back, I only gave three taels of silver as compensation. After that, It only took a few years to pay off more than one tael, and then... I can only live a hard life, after all, there are elders and younger ones..."

When Suiniang said this, she couldn't help but want to wipe away her tears.

It is unimaginable to others how much bullying a woman, a daughter of a military family, suffered when her husband died.

Being sent to Zhang Mao today, it was obvious that he would not have a good life in the past.

"Then how do you think I compare to Wang Weining?" Zhang Mao suddenly asked.

He seems to care about what others think of him.

Suiniang said: "My lord, you are as heroic and majestic as Marquis Weining. Naturally, Marquis Weining's title and influence in the court are not as good as yours."

"Really?" Zhang Mao seemed to have suddenly found himself after hearing the praise from a woman.

"But the local people remember Weininghou well and hope that there will be another Weininghou in the court." Suiniang immediately added.

Zhang Mao couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "He blew up Pianguan to pieces. Do you still remember him?"

Suiniang seemed sincere and said: "The house was destroyed by the bombing. It can be repaired, but if the house is occupied by the Tatars, it will be completely destroyed! Because of the bombing of Weining Hou, the Tatars never dared to invade again in the following years. , they all say that the good days now are brought to the people by Marquis Weining..."

"You guys..."

Zhang Mao really wanted to say, you guys really don’t care about food but fights.

Wang Weining will give you a stick and give you a sweet date, and you will forget about it.

But then Zhang Mao thought of something again and muttered: "The Tatars don't dare to invade, then...that's not good..."

"Master, what's wrong with you?" Suiniang became nervous.

I am a woman who brings you ginseng tea and beats your legs. If you insist on asking me questions, then my questions will not cause you any bad thoughts. If something happens later, you have to rely on me. ?

Zhang Mao said: "This has nothing to do with you. You can retreat! Go and call in those who can breathe. I have something to say to them!"

……

……

Zhang Mao wanted to hold a military meeting overnight.

After Zhong Decai learned the news, he hurriedly came to see him. He was also surprised by Zhang Mao's almost unreasonable idea.

"Master, what are you doing..."

Zhong Decai was also depressed.

You Zhang Maoke really want to do something.

Zhang Mao asked: "Is it true that in the past few years, the Tatars have not been rampant around Pianguan? Even if Wang Weining is dead, the Tatars will not dare to invade?"

"It seems... that's the case." Zhong Decai said, "But the Tatars haven't stopped either. The Tatars are fighting against Datong when they should, and they invade Liaodong when they should, and even attack from Huamachi..."

"Wrong. Only the battle at Huamachi was initiated by the Tatars. The rest were taken by the imperial court. If you don't even understand this, what kind of think tank are you doing?" Zhang Mao lectured with a straight face.

"You are right, sir, but what does this have to do with... what is happening in front of you?" Zhong Decai looked puzzled.

Zhang Mao took a breath and said: "Tatars will never appear around Pianguan for no reason. We will lose our way when we enter the grassland, but they will not. They know every plant and tree around here. How dare they come there easily?" Are you coming here? Or are you so blatant?"

Zhong Decai was shocked and said: "Is this a Tatar trap?"

Zhang Mao said: "It's not necessarily a trap, but I can't tell for sure. I don't know if I'm worrying too much, or if it's... ugh!"

Zhang Mao was in a state of confusion at this time.

Even Zhong Decai saw it.

Zhang Mao has the ability, but the problem is his lack of experience. In addition, he becomes more cautious as he gets older. At this time, he is probably "numb".

"My lord, if this is really the case, we should send someone overnight to call back the lord and General Ma's soldiers and horses. We can rely on the partial pass to at least ensure that we do not advance or retreat." Zhong Decai suggested.

"No way." Zhang Mao said with a sad look on his face, "If you don't advance, you will retreat. Now I have to enter. Even if I know that this is a trap, I have no choice but to jump in!" (End of Chapter)