In the late Ming Dynasty, rising from the grassland

Chapter 220 The Great Wall cannot stop the Han people

Compared with Lu Xiangsheng and Wang Pu, Hong Chengchou, who regarded Lu Xiangsheng and Wang Pu as if they were like fire and water, was smooth and always pursued the golden mean, but he had a good relationship with Wang Pu, so he set up his governor's palace directly in Datong City for convenience. Better defense against Loops.

Since taking office, Hong Chengchou was shocked after overtly and secretly inquiring about some information about the Lin Jiajun and Lin Rui. At the same time, he sent a large number of scouts disguised as traveling merchants to the grasslands to find out the true and false status of the Lin Jiajun.

Originally, Hong Chengchou planned to conquer some Tumut tribes, but who would have thought that he was still planning. Lin Rui conquered the entire Tumut tribe in the Hetao area in one fell swoop.

Hong Chengchou was not given any chance at all, which made Hong Chengchou immediately realize that he had underestimated Lin Rui, and he also felt tremendous pressure.

Although he originally valued Lin Rui, he was not too worried.

Because as long as the border wall is blocked and the Ming Dynasty's supplies are not allowed to flow to the Hetao, the Lin family army will inevitably compromise with the Ming Dynasty over time, and the Tumote troops will also fall to the Ming Dynasty.

But now, it only took Lin Rui a month or two to conquer the entire Tumut tribe and unify the Hetao area.

In this way, Tumut's cavalry plus the Lin family's army will probably exceed 10 people, and their strength is no less than that of the Liaodong Jiannu.

In addition, Lin Rui is a Han Chinese and is good at fighting. He still has very high popularity in Datong and Xuanfu. He now has more than [-] horse infantry troops...

Thinking of this, Hong Chengchou's scalp felt numb. He knew that if he didn't do anything right, the entire northern Ming Dynasty would face a disaster, so he immediately reported to Chongzhen, stating the interests and benefits, and wanted to transfer back Hu Dawei and Yang Guozhu who were in Liaodong. , strengthen defense.

Because at this time, the entire Datong Xuanfu only had Wang Pu's more than 2 horses and eight guerrilla generals' more than [-] men. In addition to the [-] Qin army standard battalions he brought with him, the total force was less than [-].

Such a force is more than enough to defend against ordinary Mongolian tribes, but facing the Lin family army that has annexed various Mongolian tribes, it is simply a drop in the bucket.

However, what he didn't expect was that His Majesty not only transferred Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei back to Datong Xuanfu, but also transferred most of the troops in Liaodong and other general troops from other places to Datong, and also asked him to take the initiative to attack next year Hetao, defeat the Lin family army.

This made Hong Chengchou excited and worried at the same time. He did not expect that His Majesty would be so wise and decisive this time. It was not until the news came from the court that he suddenly realized it.

It turned out that Lin Rui was so arrogant that he directly bypassed him as the Governor of Xuanda and sent an envoy to the capital to make nonsense.

The reason why he was excited was because if he succeeded in going out of the Great Wall and sweeping holes, he would definitely leave his name in history. What he was worried about was that the Lin family army was so powerful that the Ming army might not have much advantage in the field.

But the emperor's order had been issued. Even if he was still worried about the Lin family army, Hong Chengchou planned to go all out. But what he didn't expect was that all the armies were still on their way. New news came from the Hetao. The cavalry were actually gathering in large numbers.

At this moment, in the Datong Governor's Mansion, eight guerrilla generals including Wang Pu, who knew Lin Rui and Lin Jiajun, were panicking.

Although the elegant-looking Hong Chengchou, who was in his forties last year, had a calm face, he was also a little anxious in his heart.

"Where is Liaodong's army?"

"Return to the Superintendent, we just entered Shanhaiguan five days ago!"

"Why did you enter Shanhaiguan?"

When Wang Pu and others heard this, their hearts sank to the bottom, and they immediately started complaining, while Hong Chengchou also frowned.

I just left Shanhaiguan five days ago. If I want to get to Datong, it will take a month at the earliest. Besides, it may snow at any time. If there is heavy snow and the road is blocked, it may only take longer.

Thinking of this, everyone also knew that Liaodong's troops and horses were absolutely hopeless.

Because judging from the situation returned from inquiring, Nahua's army will definitely invade the border if it takes half a month or ten days.

Liaodong's troops could no longer be counted on for the time being, and Hong Chengchou had no choice but to pin his hopes on the three general soldiers transferred from the Central Plains.

In order to wipe out the Loop in one fell swoop, Chongzhen really went all out this time. Not only did he mobilize [-]% of the soldiers and horses from Jizhen, Liaodong to Datong, but he also removed the three generals Cao Bianjiao, He Renlong and Meng Ruhu who were encircling and suppressing the rebels from the Central Plains. The soldiers went north to join the battle.

However, when he learned that the three of them had just crossed the Yellow River and entered Pingyang Mansion three days ago, Wang Pu could no longer sit still.

"Director Hong, it is impossible for us to defend the border wall with just our few troops. Instead of dividing our troops to guard various places, we might as well withdraw all our troops to Datong, Shuozhou, Yanghe, and Xuanfu City to wait for reinforcements. .”

"Yes, the general also believes that the only solution for now is to concentrate our forces to defend the city, so that we can hold on until all the troops arrive."

"Yes, if you set up defenses everywhere, you may not be able to defend anywhere in the end."

The eight guerrilla generals also nodded in agreement.

"Everyone is too pessimistic. There are only a few mountain passes on the border wall between the two towns that can be used by the army. As long as you take strict precautions and don't slack off, it won't be a problem to hold on for a month."

Seeing that these guys were so scared, Hong Chengchou frowned and said rather unhappily.

If the war hasn't started yet, he will voluntarily abandon the border wall and retreat to the city, allowing the Chinese army to enter directly for a long time. Your Majesty knows that he, the Governor of Xuanda, will never be able to afford it. "Superintendent, this Lin family army is no better than other rebels or ordinary Tatars. Many of Lin Rui's subordinates are locals from Datong, including Lin Rui himself. Although we can prevent the army from attacking from the pass, , but you can't prevent a small group of elites from infiltrating!" Wang Pu explained earnestly.

"General Wang is also a person who knows military affairs. Even if a small group of elites infiltrates, they will be alone. What can they do?"

Hong Chengchou didn't care.

Obviously, they don't think there is any threat if a small force of hundreds or thousands of people comes in.

But Wang Pu didn't think so. He gritted his teeth and risked his life and said again: "Governor Hong doesn't know something. Lin Rui has won the hearts of the people in Datong and Xuanfu. As long as he raises his arms, there will be countless people." The common people and military households followed him in rebellion, and the civilian forts and military forts everywhere also feared him like a tiger. Does the supervisor understand what I mean?"

"What? How is this possible?"

Hong Chengchou stood up in shock and took a breath. He was sure to resist the Chinese army and wait until the various Ming armies arrived.

But if by that time, the Ming army resists the Chinese army on the border wall, and countless military and civilian households in Xuanfu and Datong take the opportunity to rebel and cause chaos everywhere, I am afraid that the entire Datong will fall in an instant, and the defense systems of the two towns will collapse. Even in the end Ming troops from all walks of life have arrived, but it may be of no use.

Because he knows very well that the core of the nine-border defense system is not the frontier army, but the countless military households and civilians. Only by relying on them can the military attaches defend countless acropolis, Qianhusuo, Baihu fort, and many civilian forts. , so that the invaders could only retreat in the end.

"Supervisor, it's absolutely true, so let's focus on guarding the big city. As long as the four cities of Datong, Yanghe, Xuanfu, and Shuozhou are not lost, it will be possible to expel the Chinese army from Datong and Xuanfu until all armies arrive. Otherwise, once the four cities are lost, it will really be over."

At this time, Wang Pu no longer dared to be passive and sabotage, and began to make plans wholeheartedly to resist the Chinese state.

Because once the Lin family army captures Datong, the Wang family will be finished. Even if it is not finished, it will lose its current power and status, so he is more anxious than Hong Chengchou.

The other eight guerrilla generals are similar to Wang Pu. At this time, regardless of whether Hong Chengchou agrees or not, they will choose to defend the city and take over part of their family and property.

When Lin Rui comes, they will hold on to wait for the imperial army. If the imperial army is defeated in the end and they can't hold on anymore, they will negotiate with Lin Rui in the city.

As for the life and death of other people in Datong, they don't care at all.

Hong Chengchou was not stupid, so he naturally heard the meaning of their words and fell down on the chair.

He also hated Wang Pu for not telling him the truth earlier. If he had known this was the case, he would rather go to Liaodong than become the governor of Xuanda.

But it was useless to hate him anymore. In the end, he had no choice but to sigh, nodded and said: "It seems that this is the only way. Mr. Wang, you will be the one to guard Datong City. Niu Guerrilla, Huang Guerrilla, Zhou Guerrilla, you three The three of you are responsible for guarding Shuozhou, Chang guerrilla, Ma guerrilla, and Qian guerrilla. You three are responsible for guarding Yanghe, Dong guerrilla, and Xu guerrilla. The two of you will accompany the governor to defend Xuanfu City!"

"This... Supervisor, Xuanfu has its own soldiers and horses to defend it. Most of the generals under the command are Datong people. How about letting the two generals guard Hunyuan Prefecture?"

"Yes, Supervisor, Hunyuan Continent is also a big city and there is no room for mistakes!"

Wang Pu and the other six guerrilla generals all stood up and answered. Only the two guerrillas Dong and Xu, who were going to Xuanfu, stood up and said to Hong Chengchou.

There was obviously some reluctance.

"That's nonsense. Although Hunyuan Prefecture is a state city, it is not a major military town. This is a military order and cannot be negotiated."

Hong Chengchou said without a doubt, how could the two people's little thoughts be hidden from him?

If it is true as Wang Pu and others said, after the Lin family army invades, all the military and civilian households in Datong and Xuanfu will rebel, then as long as the four cities of Datong Shuozhou and Yanghe Xuanfu are defended, even if all the other cities and forts are destroyed After the fall, various officers and soldiers still occupied the strategic advantage after arriving.

Once these cities are lost, it will be difficult for the imperial court to recapture the two towns. And once Lin Rui completely controls Xuanfu Datong, the entire Gyeonggi region and Shanxi will be under his military attack at any time.

At that time, the entire northern part of Ming Dynasty will be in a passive situation of being beaten.

That's why Hong Chengchou wanted to go to guard Xuan Mansion in person.

Dong Youyi and Xu Youyi hesitated for a moment, but in the end they still did not dare to directly disobey orders.

Three days later, Hong Chengchou took two guerrilla generals and set off for Xuanfu. Three of the guerrilla generals also quickly took their troops south to Shuozhou.

Wang Pu and the other three guerrilla generals began to busy strengthening the city defenses of Datong and Yanghe.

At the same time, Wang Pu also sent warning letters to all military attachés and gentry and landlords in the entire Datong area.

After receiving the reminder, the military attachés and gentry landlords in various places also began to expand their servants, preparing to rely entirely on their servants to defend the city.

As for the military households and civilians under the banner, they must not be allowed into the city.

(End of this chapter)