Jia Yujing of Red Mansion

Chapter 266 The mediocre and the brave general

Just when Jia Qiong was preparing a plan to destroy the Japanese.

Huaian Prefecture, thousands of miles away, is located in Andong County.

Wu Neng, the fat commander of Jincheng Guard, was marching south with more than 3000 Jincheng Guard soldiers.

Four days ago, he received an order from the governor of Jinling, ordering him to quickly lead his troops to Lianshui Town, Andong County to garrison troops to prevent Japanese pirates from landing at the ferry here to plunder villages and towns.

The distance from the Jincheng Guard Station to Lianshui Town is more than 130 miles. According to the speed of the rapid march, they should have arrived before yesterday evening.

However, because these guards soldiers have been neglected in training all year round, and many of them are elderly veterans, their progress is slow.

So at noon on the fourth day, they arrived in Andong County, still more than ten miles away from Lianshui Town.

Wu Neng felt a little hungry, and happened to see a village not far away.

He took out a small piece of silver from his arms, threw it to the guards beside him, and said: "The terrain here is open, perfect for setting up camp.

He ordered the whole army to rest and bury pots for cooking.

Let's fill our stomachs first, and then we'll go on our way in the afternoon.

You take people to the village ahead and get more meat to satisfy everyone's cravings. Remember to give money. "

The soldiers around him cheered, and the generals began to flatter him one after another.

"General Wu loves his soldiers as much as his sons. He is truly like a famous general."

"The general has commanded his troops well, and the morale of the soldiers is high, so they will fight bravely."

"Master Wu will definitely show his power and make great achievements in wiping out the Japanese pirates this time."

Only one Qianhu named Zhang Hongqing said: "Commander, we have been late.

This place is not far from Lianshui Town. The urgent march will take less than half an hour. Should we rush to the town first and then set up camp to rest? "

Wu Neng said displeasedly: "The men are going hungry. If they encounter Japanese pirates, they will not have the strength to fight."

Zhang Hongqing said helplessly: "Sir, all subordinates with low-level positions carry dry food.

Why don't you rest here first and let your subordinates lead the troops to garrison in Lianshui Town first. "

Wu Neng waved his hand and said, "You can go if you want."

Zhang Hongqing received the permission and immediately led a thousand soldiers under his command to continue marching forward. The remaining two thousand Jincheng Guard soldiers pointed at them with gloating.

A Qianhu man named Bai said to Wu Neng: "General, this Zhang Hongqing always goes against you. It's really abominable."

Wu Neng waved his hand and said: "Don't worry about him. Let's eat and drink before we go on the road. If he is willing to go hungry, let him go hungry."

Bai Qianhu said: "General Wu is really a great man, I admire him for his humble position."

In fact, it was not that Wu Neng had a big belly, but that he knew that the only one under his command who could fight was Zhang Hongqing.

So even though he didn't like Zhang Hongqing, he still had to rely on him.

Zhang Hongqing led his men to march quickly and arrived outside Lianshui Town in less than half an hour.

Lianshui Town is located at the intersection of the Huaihe River and Lianshui. There is a large ferry where large ships can dock.

The Japanese pirates were traveling on sea-going ships and could not dock at ordinary ferries unless they abandoned the ship and went ashore.

Once the Japanese pirates lose their ship, they have no way out, and under normal circumstances they cannot abandon the ship easily.

That's why Zhu Youzhen, the governor of Jinling, ordered the Jincheng Guards to garrison in Lianshui Town.

When Zhang Hongqing rushed outside Lianshui Town, a huge fleet consisting of more than a dozen large ships was slowly approaching the Lianshui Town ferry from downstream.

The government had already issued a notice. When the sentry standing on the watchtower saw the fleet, he immediately understood that this was the arrival of Japanese pirates and immediately sounded the alarm.

"Dong dong dong..." The rapid ringing of the bell rang through the sky. Zhang Hongqing, who was outside the town, heard the bell and immediately said to the messenger next to him: "The Japanese pirates are invading. You should report to General Wu immediately and ask him to rush for reinforcements." "

"Order!"

The messenger galloped away on horseback, and Zhang Hongqing immediately led his men to the ferry to form a formation to meet the enemy.

On the main ship of the Japanese pirate fleet, the Japanese pirate leader Masao Yoshida, wearing armor, was sitting in the cabin with a golden sword.

A skinny little old man said next to him: "General Yoshida, in front is the Lianshui Town Ferry, where large ships can dock.

This Lianshui town is a thoroughfare between north and south, and it is very rich.

Our master has arranged manpower in the city in advance. As soon as the general's army arrives, our people will wait for an opportunity to seize the city gate and let the general enter the city.

As long as the officers and soldiers in the city can be eliminated, all the wealth in the city will belong to the general. "

This little old man's name is Liu Laoer, and his master's name is Zhang Shicheng. He is originally from Taizhou and is a private salt dealer.

A few years ago, when he was selling illegal salt, he was deceived by a large family in Dong'an County.

Not only did he take a large amount of his personal salt without giving him any money, but he also entangled his servants in wanting to take it away from him and send him to the government.

Zhang Shicheng finally escaped and lost two good brothers.

He was forced to flee to another place and started a smuggling business. He accumulated a lot of wealth in a few years.

So he changed his name, bought land and property in Haizhou, Huai'an Prefecture, and became a landlord, but secretly his smuggling business continued.

Because he often traveled to and from Japan, Zhang Shicheng got to know many Japanese people, some of whom later became Japanese pirates.

This time the Japanese pirates planned to attack Huai'an Prefecture, so they sent someone to contact him in advance and promised him [-]% of the benefits and asked him to lead the way.

Zhang Shicheng sent Liu Laoer to lead the way for them, and planned to use the Japanese pirates to take revenge on the big family who cheated him.

Masao Yoshida was originally a minor nobleman in Akita. Because his territory was destroyed by the war, he went to sea to become a Japanese pirate.

Japanese nobles yearn for the culture of the Central Plains and generally speak Chinese, and Masao Yoshida is no exception.

He laughed and said: "Very good, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Liu.

After we enter the city, the treasures are at your disposal. You can take as much as you can, and it will be considered as my thank you gift. "

Liu Laoer said happily: "Thank you, general. My master has a small request. I hope the general can agree."

Masao Yoshida asked: "What does your master want?"

Liu Laoer said: "There is a wealthy family in Lianshui County named Jiao Huafu, who has a deep hatred for my master.

I hope that after the general breaks the city, he will cut Jiao Huafu into pieces and avenge my master. "

Masao Yoshida smiled and said: "What's wrong with a trivial matter?"

At this time, a Japanese pirate on the bow shouted in Japanese: "General, there are Chu troops forming formation on the ferry!"

Yoshida Masao and Liu Lao'er walked out of the cabin together. Liu Lao'er frowned and said, "This should be the field soldiers of Jincheng Guard. I didn't expect Wu to move so fast this time."

Masao Yoshida said nonchalantly: “It is simply wishful thinking to try to stop us with such a small number of people.

Give me the order to give me a round of fire with the iron cannon, and then rush up and annihilate this group of Chu soldiers. "

As Yoshida Masao's order was issued, more than a dozen Japanese pirate warships began to adjust their formation and slowly turn their bows.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Hongqing immediately understood that the Japanese pirates were going to attack with artillery. He immediately shouted: "The front troops raise their shields, and the rear troops enter the woods, quickly!"

"Bang bang bang..."

As bursts of thick smoke rose into the sky, the artillery on the Japanese warships began to fire, and the Battle of Lianshui Ferry officially began.

(End of this chapter)