I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 515 Now is a good opportunity for our Ming Dynasty
Qi Jiguang entered the big tent with generals and deputy generals including Chen Wu, Malu, Dong Yiyuan, and Niu Bingzhong.

Everyone bowed and said, "Your subordinates greet General Qi!"

"No need to be polite!" Qi Jiguang responded loudly, and then he went straight to the point: "The commander received an urgent report from the Rong government that something strange had happened in the Tumed tribe.

Adjutant Zhang, please brief everyone on the military situation!"

"Yes!" an adjutant answered loudly. He turned and walked to the huge wall. With a bang, two lieutenants pulled open the curtain, and a huge map appeared in front of everyone.

This is a map of the situation in the north and south of the desert.

The left and right wings of the Mongols south of the desert, as well as the tribes on the front wing north of the desert, rivers, mountains, approximate pasture areas, and tribal main accounts are all clearly marked, with the numbers of tribesmen and soldiers marked next to them.

Adjutant Zhang held a thin wooden stick, stood in front of the map, and began to report military intelligence.

"Shunyi King and Mongolian Left Wing Khan Altan Khan suddenly passed away. After a series of open and covert struggles, Sanniangzi, Bosihaer, and Henalin nominated Altan Khan's fourth son Bingtu as Khan, calling himself Boktu Khan, and sent envoys to the court to ask for the title.

The emperor issued an edict to confer the title of Shunyi Marquis on Bingtu, but Bingtu was displeased and refused to accept the edict.

Not long after, Buyan, Yeseng, Shaxing Taiji and Wusili Taiji openly opposed Bingtu's succession to the throne, and colluded with others to establish another Khanate.

Bingtu saw the situation clearly and formally accepted the imperial edict and was conferred the title of Marquis of Shunyi.

In March, Bodidala, Buyan, Yeseng, Gugeru, Darhanlab Taiji, Shaxing Taiji and Wusili Taiji openly formed an alliance and encroached on the Tumed, Yongshebu and other tribes.

On March 27, these people gathered in Ulan Hada, elected Buyan as Khan, formed a formal alliance, and declared war on Bingtu Khan. At the same time, Nalin led his troops to retreat westward into the Ordos tribe, proclaimed himself Ordos Jinong, announced that he recognized Buyan as Khan, and also declared war on Bingtu.

At present, Bingtu Khan mobilized 21,000 cavalrymen from Sanniangzi and Bosihaer tribes, of which 7,000 were deployed in Junzijin, Liancheng and Tianruibo of the Yellow River to prevent Nalin from leading his troops to cross the Yellow River from Dongtao and approach Dabansheng.

Another 14,000 cavalrymen gathered in the area around Chahannaoer Lake to guard against Buyan's troops.

The current comparison of the two sides' military strength is as follows.

Bingtu Khan had only 21,000 cavalrymen and was attacked from both sides.

Nalin's original cavalry consisted of 5,000 cavalrymen, but he retreated to the Ordos tribe in the east and gathered another 10,000 cavalrymen. He now had 15,000 cavalrymen, gathered in the area of ​​Quyechuan and Huangfuchuan, ready to march north at any time.

The Buyan tribe has a strong force, with about 31,000 cavalrymen, gathered in the area of ​​the Huangshui River and the Changshui River, less than 400 miles away from Dabansheng."

After the adjutant finished speaking, Qi Jiguang looked at the map, turned around and looked at everyone, feeling very emotional.

"Back then, Altan Khan led the right wing of Mongolia, commanded 100,000 cavalrymen, and marched across the southern desert. He once conquered Jinshan and Qinghai in the west, northern desert in the north, and Chahar in the east. He was the hero of Mongolia, and also a major threat to the Ming Dynasty.

Unexpectedly, within a few years, Altan Khan died and the right wing was torn apart. They could only gather 60,000 to 70,000 cavalry from here and there, and the 100,000 cavalry also disappeared with Altan Khan.

Qi Jiguang's eyes shone with blazing light. "This is a tragedy and a bad thing for the Mongols. But for the Ming Dynasty, it is a good thing! A great thing!"

Qi Jiguang pointed at the map and said excitedly: "Bodidala, Buyan and others sent troops to attack Bingtu. They are courting death! Don't they know that Bingtu is already the Shunyi Marquis of the Ming Dynasty?

When beating a dog, you have to look at the owner. Beating Bingtu is like beating our Ming Dynasty.

Ever since Bingtu accepted the title conferred by the Ming Dynasty, the disputes and fights among them are no longer just petty fights on the grasslands south of the desert, but unreasonable provocations to the Ming Dynasty!
The imperial edict has been issued, mobilizing seven cavalry regiments of the Mongolian Left Sixth Wing Guard and eight infantry regiments of the Yanbei Dusi Town Guard to converge at the old city of Kaiping and march westward.

In Ningxia, Li Chengliang led two mobile cavalry divisions to target Nalin and Ordos. Huo Jing and Huo Bian led the Xihai Camp out of the Juyan Sea and targeted the Hetao and Xitao areas.

The Governor of Shandong, Mr. Huo, and the General of Lanxi, Ma, kept their eyes on the Tumed tribe north of Datong.

In addition, Xiao Benkui led two cavalry divisions and one infantry division of Liaoxi Town to the west of Buyuer Lake to continue to force the Wuliangha and Khalkha tribes to surrender, while cutting off the route for the defeated Mongolian right wing to escape to the north.

Everyone! "

Qi Jiguang said loudly, "This is a great opportunity from heaven! The great leader Altan Khan has died of illness, and his disciples and nephews have been torn apart in their fight for the Khanship. Now is the best opportunity for the Ming Dynasty to eliminate the right wing of Mongolia in one fell swoop!

Once we eliminate the stubborn enemies and annihilate the right wing of Mongolia, there will be no more threat from northern enemies along the thousands of miles of border from Ningxia to Liaodong in our Ming Dynasty!
The eternal peace of the Ming Dynasty depends on this battle! You should move forward bravely and not shy away from the arrows! "

Everyone shouted loudly: "We will serve our country till our death!"

Qi Jiguang then summoned generals in batches to discuss matters and assign tasks.

At dusk, the lieutenant colonel came to the General Staff Office to invite Hu Zongmei.

"Colonel Hu, General Qi wants you to come over for dinner."

As soon as he arrived at the door of the signing room, Qi Jiguang came out, his eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was both excited and a little tired.

"Come on, Ziqi, let me treat you to some roasted lamb, a specialty of the Yanbei grasslands!"

Hu Zongmei followed Qi Jiguang to the backyard of the Dusi Yamen. There was a bonfire in the middle of the empty yard, and two military chefs were roasting a fat sheep.

The rich aroma hits you in the face, trying hard to get into your nose.

"These spices shipped from the South China Sea really enhance the flavor, covering up the mutton smell and making the mutton more delicious. Not only do we love to eat it, but the Mongolians on the grasslands also love to eat it.

Now this spice has become one of the best-selling goods on the grassland."

Qi Jiguang sat down and pointed to the seat next to him.

"Good spices go well with good mutton. Knowing you were coming, I asked them to shoot a yellow sheep. This is a rare treasure on the Yanbei grassland. It lives in the areas of Mayun Mountain and Dushan. The meat is fat and delicious, much better than ordinary mutton."

"Thank you, Qi Shuai."

"Now we are leaving the court, just call me Brother Yuan Jing." Qi Jiguang waved his hand, "How are you, Lord Ruzhen?"

"Ninth brother is very good. When I left the capital, he repeatedly reminded me to obey Brother Yuan Jing's command and not to disobey his orders in the slightest."

Qi Jiguang smiled and said, "Lord Ruzhen is also doing this for your own good. The army takes military law very seriously. This time our army is marching westward, which is a great opportunity to make achievements. But if you are a little timid and domineering, and disobey military orders, not only I can't protect you, but even Lord Ruzhen can't protect you. There are not only spies from the Jinyiwei in the army, but also spies from the Imperial Horse Administration.

They have all-powerful hands and eyes, and will quietly report our every move to the emperor. Lord Ruzhen warned you so earnestly, hoping that you would not make mistakes. "

Hu Zongmei was shocked. He had to make sure not to make mistakes himself or others. It didn't matter if he made mistakes, but he must not implicate his ninth brother and General Qi.

By then, I'm afraid even the family tree will be removed.

"Don't worry, General Qi. I am not a reckless person. I will follow your orders in everything."

"That's good. You should watch, listen, think and learn more in the General Staff Office. Don't shirk your responsibilities and be brave to take on your responsibilities. Don't ask about things that are not your business.

There are many secrets in the military. Ever since the Emperor took over the government and military as the Crown Prince, he has attached great importance to the confidentiality of military secrets. It is also one of the things that the Jinyiwei and the Imperial Stables keep a close eye on.

If you are targeted by the Secret Service and suspected of spying on military secrets or betraying military intelligence, it will be very troublesome."

"I'll remember it."

The cook cut two pieces of roasted lamb and placed them on a plate in front of the two of you. The refreshing aroma of the steaming lamb made you drool uncontrollably.

Qi Jiguang picked up a piece of mutton with a fork, put it in his mouth and started chewing.

Hu Zongmei watched him and took a piece of it. The mutton was fresh and greasy, and every taste bud in his mouth exploded. It was so delicious!

Qi Jiguang handed him a bowl filled with wine.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When you are on the grassland, you must learn how to drink kumis.

We will be going to war in two days. When the war starts, we can’t drink anymore. Let’s drink a few more times before the war starts.”

As Qi Jiguang spoke, he held a bowl of kumis in his right hand, opened his mouth full of sheep fat, and took a big gulp.

Hu Zongmei watched him and took a sip as well.

The taste is weird. When it first goes down my throat, I don't think it tastes good at all. But after the wine goes down my stomach and I savor it again, I find it has a different flavor.

"How's Jingli?"

Qi Jiguang continued to ask.

Hu Zongmei knew what Qi Jiguang wanted to ask, and he glanced at the busy cook.

Qi Jiguang waved his hand and said, "The mutton is ready, you can go down."

"Yes!"

Only Qi Jiguang and Hu Zongmei were left in the yard.

"Brother Yuan Jing, the situation in the capital has been largely settled. Those upright people who started the rebellion at the first meeting of February have been purged one by one.

Wang Lin's followers were either executed, hanged, or exiled. Most of Wang Shizhen's followers were exiled or dismissed from their posts. Mr. Yuanmei and Mr. Jingmei were dismissed from their posts and ordered to return to their hometowns to study.

Fortunately, my honors were not revoked, and I received no other punishment."

Qi Jiguang could not help but let out a long sigh of relief. "Yuan Jing was deeply indebted to Lord Sizhi (Wang Rong). When Lord Sizhi was pacifying Shandong, he recognized my bravery. Later, he was transferred to the southeast to eliminate the Japanese invasion and recommended Qi to the court.

I will never fail to repay your great kindness.

Later, Qi got to know the two brothers Yuan Mei and Jing Mei and became good friends. In times of crisis, how could he not lend a helping hand?

Now that the Yuanmei brothers have returned home safely, Qi is relieved."

Hu Zongmei continued, "Brother Yuan Jing, my ninth brother asked me to tell you not to worry and to fight the war with peace of mind. Although there are major changes in the court, it has nothing to do with the military.

The Emperor's plan will not change. Military affairs are divided between the military government and the cabinet, and all military strategies are decided by the Advisory Bureau, which is under the control of the Emperor. You don't have to worry about the Emperor changing his orders overnight."

Qi Jiguang nodded and said, "The emperor has newly established the Advisory Bureau. I also saw it in the court newspaper. The Advisory Bureau has the power to issue imperial edicts directly from the Supervisory Office and the power to draft the cabinet's bills. Its authority is greater than both.

Duke Ruzhen and Duke Zili have both joined the Council of State Affairs, so we have nothing to worry about."

After saying this, Qi Jiguang sighed for no apparent reason, a look of melancholy emerging on his face.

Hu Zongmei asked curiously, "Brother Yuan Jing, what are you worried about?"

Qi Jiguang shook his head: "I am not worried about anything, but I think of the two brothers Yuan Mei and Jing Mei, who were famous scholars in the southeast, leaders of the Jiangnan poetry world, and literary figures of their generation. I am afraid that they will never rise again in the future."

So that’s what happened!
Hu Zongmei said disapprovingly: "How can a talent for poetry and literature help the emperor? A corrupt scholar who only picks out sentences from books and quotes from the past, how can he build a country and make it rich?
What the Ming Dynasty needs now is talents of civil and military power like Ninth Brother and Yuan Jing who can fight against violence and defeat enemies and stabilize border affairs; what it needs is talents of practical work like Wang Ruguan (Wang Guoguang) and Pang Shaonan (Pang Shangpeng) who are smart and capable and can manage finances and plan for the country; what it needs is talents of Zhang Shuda who can manage the government and reconcile yin and yang. "

The revival of the Ming Dynasty and the well-being of the people cannot be achieved by just writing fancy words. "

Qi Jiguang could not help but say: "Ziqi has learned very well in the Imperial Academy. He has learned a lot from Mr. Zhuo Wu."

He cut off a piece of mutton and handed it to Hu Zongmei, "Come, Ziqi, eat your meat and drink your wine. In two days, the whole army will go out to fight, and it won't be so pleasant to sleep in the open air."

"Thank you, Brother Yuanjing!" Hu Zongmei gladly took the mutton, chewed it until his mouth was full of oil, and then took a big sip of mare's milk. The more he drank, the more addicted he became.

On the morning of the third day, the sound of a military bugle call woke Hu Zongmei up suddenly.

I rely on!

Today is the day to go!
(End of this chapter)