My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 967 Digging a Well
"Of course I know about the drinking water problem, but how should we solve it?"

When Zhu Qizhen heard Kuang Ye's words, he asked impatiently. The problem of drinking water and food had always existed since he led his troops on the expedition. This made Zhu Qizhen feel very boring. After all, in his opinion , A war is a war, and it is really disappointing to think about these issues of eating and drinking.

"Your Majesty, although the Wara people have surrounded us, they only have 30,000 troops and horses. Therefore, they can only set up troops at important passes around them. On the road leading to Guichuan, according to my observation, there are only a few thousand Wara cavalry. If your Majesty gives me Ten thousand elite soldiers, I am willing to personally lead the army to open this water road!"

I saw a burly general standing up and saying loudly.

I saw that this military commander was about forty years old. Not only was he tall and powerful, but he also looked very powerful. The armor on his body was covered in blood and there were a few scratches on his face. He had obviously just returned from the battlefield.

This general was Guo Mao, the commander of the capital guarding Magukou. Due to his status, he was not qualified to participate in this meeting. However, he had previously guarded the Magukou leading to Tumubao with a small number of troops and attacked many times. It was his outstanding performance in repelling the Oara people's attack that led him to be specially summoned by Zhu Qizhen to attend the meeting.

"No, although the Wala people have few soldiers, they are extremely brave. Wu Kezhong's tens of thousands of troops were wiped out by the Wala people before. Therefore, we must not engage in a head-on battle with the Wala people now, lest the morale of the army be shaken!"

Unexpectedly, as soon as Kuang Ye finished speaking, Wang Zhen stood up and refused.

"My lord, it is because of the previous defeat that the morale of the army is low, so now we need a big victory to boost morale!"

Guo Mao insisted on his opinion and said again.

"Your Majesty, I think what General Guo said makes sense. After all, we have an advantage in terms of military strength. As long as we select some elite soldiers and concentrate our strength to attack one place, we still have great hope of breaking the Oara people's blockade. At that time, we only need to control the water source. With it in hand, you don’t have to worry about the siege by the Walas!”

Kuang Ye also stood up and expressed his position at this time. He also felt that the current situation was too passive. It was better to change from passive to active. As long as the army can win a battle, the morale of the army will definitely be boosted, and the siege of the Walas will be eliminated. It’s nothing.

Seeing Kuang Ye's support, other ministers also spoke one after another, and most of them agreed with the decision to send troops. This made Guo Mao very happy, thinking that his opinions would definitely be adopted.

But Guo Mao obviously doesn't know that there is no power in the court with more people.

Wang Zhen snorted coldly at this time and interrupted everyone: "Okay, now is not the time to send troops, so don't mention this matter again. As for the issue of drinking water, you can send people to dig wells, here in Tumu Fort There are already wells, which means there must be water underground. As long as a few more wells are dug, the current urgent need can be solved! "

After Wang Zhen finished speaking, he waved his sleeves and immediately announced that everyone should stand down. Guo Mao originally wanted to say something more, but was stopped by the minister next to him, mainly because he was afraid that he would anger Wang Zhen and it would not end well.

Zhang Fu had long been used to this situation. He sighed secretly, then turned around and prepared to leave. However, as soon as he left the living room, he saw Kuang Ye grabbing him and saying, "My lord, why didn't you express your support for Guo Guo just now?" General?"

"Kuang Shangshu, do you think adding me to the mix can change the minds of His Majesty and the Prince?"

Zhang Fu turned his head and glanced at Kuang Ye, then asked in a cold voice.

"This……"

Kuang Ye couldn't answer, but the answer was obvious. Even if ten Zhang Fus were added, Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen might not be able to agree to send troops.

"In addition, although General Guo's proposal is good, I am not optimistic about him. He has been able to repulse the attacks of the Walas many times before, mainly relying on the danger of Magukou. But if he takes the initiative to send troops, with the current morale of the army, Even if you give him 30,000 to 50,000 people, it may be difficult to achieve any results." Zhang Fu sighed at the end.

Once upon a time, when the Ming Dynasty faced off against the grassland people, even if they did not have superior strength, they could often win with fewer troops. However, now they need to send several times or even ten times the number of troops before they dare to fight head-on with the grassland people, and the results are often the same. It could end in defeat, or even annihilation of the entire army.

"My lord, I know the odds of winning in battle are not high, but it is better than us being trapped here and waiting to die!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Guo Mao suddenly came forward from behind and said. It turned out that he was behind Zhang Fu just now and heard the conversation between the two.

"But Commander Guo, have you ever thought about it? If you are defeated, it will only further weaken our military morale, and the Oara people will take the opportunity to attack fiercely. What should we use to resist then?"

Zhang Fu stared at Guo Mao and asked. It was not that he was afraid of taking risks, but that the current situation was no longer suitable for taking risks.

"I have considered what you said, Duke, and I also understand the situation in the army. As far as I know, Shenji Camp has tens of thousands of muskets and there is no shortage of ammunition. As long as these muskets are used, we can If we come into contact with the Oara people, we can drive them out and at least open up a road to get water!"

Guo Mao still insisted on his opinion.

The Ming Dynasty's muskets were influenced by the Han Dynasty and have undergone several improvements. Not only are their power greatly increased, but their range and rate of fire are also much stronger than before. The most important thing is that the muskets only need to be fired from a long distance, without the need for face-to-face fighting. , which reduces many requirements on the courage and training of the soldiers. Even an untrained scholar can theoretically kill a heroic general with a musket.

"If firearms are used properly and with several times more troops, it is indeed possible to defeat the Oara people in the wild, but it is too late to say this now."

Zhang Fu was finally persuaded by Guo Mao, but it was of no use because Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen had already rejected Guo Mao's proposal.

"The idea of ​​digging wells seems feasible. After all, there are wells in the fort. If more wells are dug, the drinking water problem can be solved."

Kuang Ye suddenly spoke at this time, interrupting the argument with Zhang Fu and Guo Mao.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Kuang Ye's words came out, Zhang Fu and Guo Mao shook their heads in unison and said: "Impossible!"

"Why?"

Kuang Ye was shocked when he heard this. When he heard Wang Zhen talk about digging a well, he thought it was a good idea, but he didn't expect that the two generals Zhang Fu and Guo Mao thought it was impossible.

"Kang Shangshu, you don't know something. Although the Tumu Fort is close to the Guichuan River, it is built between a river valley and a mountain. The terrain is quite high. You can take a look at the wells in the fort. They are all dug very deep to produce water, so I think If we dig out water in the fort, I’m afraid it won’t be possible in a short time!”

Guo Mao sighed and replied.

(End of this chapter)