Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 674 Retreat Again
Before the troops entered the Great Wall pass, the scouts had already gone to Pianguan Town to report the situation on the front line.

At this time, the defenders of Pianguan had learned of Li Zisheng's heroic deeds and sent people to support him. However, the main force did not come, only a few teams of people near the earthen fort, which totaled less than two hundred people.

In Qin Chang's words, it seemed more like they came to serve tea and comfort the troops, rather than to assist in the battle.

This was a subtle reminder to Li Zisheng that our military achievements cannot be snatched away by those guys in Pianguan Town who have never been to the battlefield.

After entering the dilapidated city wall, the exhausted Qin Chang went to find a place to take a nap, while Li Zisheng still had to deal with military affairs.

"Lord Li, the Tatars have returned and are now stationed in the same valley as before. They show no signs of moving for the time being."

Wang Fang reported respectfully, "Our Yebushou is hiding in the mountains, monitoring the Tartars' every move, and continuously reporting the latest news.

"According to reports, a large Tatar army seems to be approaching the valley. Judging from the momentum, there may be tens of thousands of soldiers. We must be alert and respond carefully."

Li Zisheng couldn't help but look around after hearing this. Wang Fang asked curiously, "Master Li, is there anything I can do for you?"

Li Zisheng scolded angrily: "I'm looking at where Eunuch Qin has gone... With his shrewdness, it's not difficult for him to tell at a glance that you are bluffing and looking for an excuse for our army to continue to retreat.

"What's the matter? You just won a battle and you're passively avoiding the battle. You want to keep the fruits of your victory and flee before the main force of the Tartars arrives?"

"it's not true."

Wang Fang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and hurriedly explained, "Sir, you misunderstood. I did not lie about military intelligence. The main force of the Tartars did indeed move south."

Li Zisheng said with a mocking smile: "Captain Wang, we are one family, comrades who have fought with you on the front line, don't try to fool me with fabricated military intelligence.

"The Tartars can mobilize tens of thousands of troops to attack at once? Why do I not believe it?"

Wang Fang's ears turned red, he lowered his head in shame, and stammered, "Maybe... the number is not that large. They are all urgent military intelligence sent by Ye Bushou. There is no way to verify it through multiple channels for the time being. I really don't mean to fool you. How about... we send more people to investigate?"

"no need."

Li Zisheng waved his hand and said, "I'm just telling you, we're not kidding. The Tartars have experienced a defeat, and they must be angry and eager to find a chance to take revenge.

"The walls of this fortress are too dilapidated. We don't need to deploy siege vehicles or anything like that. We only need to use shield soldiers to protect the delivery of the logs to the fortress under our muskets and arrows. After a few attempts, the wall will collapse.

"Therefore, even if we evacuate here, it is not passively avoiding the war, but finding a more suitable place to stalemate with the Tartars. I remember Zhang Guozhang once said: If we lose the land but keep the people, both the land and the people will be saved; if we lose the people but keep the land, both the land and the people will be lost... In other words, as long as we have the manpower, we have the power to counterattack at any time, and even the possibility of further winning the battle."

"Yep."

When Wang Fang heard this, he instantly found it extremely pleasant to the ears.

You really care about our border troops!

You can talk about our incompetence and retreat so confidently. No wonder you, Lord Li, are a rare talent. All we have to do is follow you and drink some soup, and everything will be fine.

Li Zisheng pointed in the direction of the pass and said sternly, "Don't think I'm making excuses for my incompetence. When I was stationed here before, I found that several sections of the wall at the pass were in disrepair and the bricks and stones were crumbling. The people below would collapse with the slightest effort. I dare not defend in such a place. Wouldn't that be playing with my life?"

Wang Fang hurriedly said, "Sir, should we hurry up and repair it? As long as you give the order, I will immediately order someone to do it."

After saying that, he was ready to leave. "Wait a minute, can you please listen to what I have to say?"

Li Zisheng was a little annoyed, and said with a dark face: "The enemy has returned, and they are likely eager to find our main force to fight in order to save face. I understand your eagerness to fight and want to gain military merit, but we have to be pragmatic, right? Relying on this dilapidated fortress to defend the battle, isn't it just giving away lives in vain?
"We will take the supplies and march west after a short rest. After entering the Piantouguan Fortress, we can use the city defense there to resist the Tatars. Do you think this is feasible?"

Wang Fang was a little confused.

I thought to myself, this is great!
We, the border troops, do not want to fight in this broken place. It would be best for us to find a safe place to hide and wait for the Tatars to retreat.

Sir, you are truly talented to be able to explain avoiding war so tactfully and pleasantly!

I guess this is how they fooled the late emperor in the past, right?

Wang Fang flattered him, "Sir, I can see that you are well versed in military tactics and know how to avoid the enemy's sharp edge. Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years. It is like a sudden enlightenment for me, which makes me suddenly enlightened..."

"What on earth do you want to say?"

Li Zisheng frowned, obviously looking down on such low-level flattery.

Wang Fang said hurriedly: "I was thinking, should we send people to gather the troops in the surrounding earthen forts? If we enter Pianguan, we will have more troops and can fight the Tatars with peace of mind. But doing so is tantamount to letting the Tatars, a group of jackals and tigers, enter the Great Wall pass. If they do not go to Pianguan to fight us, but instead disperse and plunder on the spot... then..."

Li Zisheng asked back: "Don't we have reinforcements?"

Wang Fang said, "Sir, are you referring to the reinforcements from Datong Town or Shanxi Town? In many cases, it is difficult for the troops from these two towns to cooperate in battle. As for the garrison at Pianguan, there may not be too many of them, and they may not be able to follow your battle ideas, let alone have the courage to fight the Tatars."

Li Zisheng was a little dissatisfied and scolded: "Captain Wang, some things have already been arranged by His Majesty. Is it necessary for you and me to worry about it here? Do you think I only brought a few people with me?"

Wang Fang thought to himself, “Oh my god!” You even swindled these few people from my Jingping Qianhu Division.

Li Zisheng said, "Don't forget that the Beijing garrison led by the Duke of Baoguo is on their way here. He is a veteran of many battles. He made great contributions when he led troops in southern Xinjiang, Liaodong, and the northwest."

"Yeah."

Wang Fang said quickly, "If you hadn't told me, sir, I would have almost forgotten it."

"That won't work. A leader can fight a hundred battles without losing a single battle if he knows both himself and the enemy. You have to find out how much we have so that your men will have confidence."

Li Zisheng said, "Hurry up and tell every soldier in the army that we have reinforcements. Let them know that His Majesty has sent Duke Baoguo to lead tens of thousands of troops and horses and they are rushing here."

"Order."

Wang Fang agreed readily, but he was thinking in his heart.

I said the enemy had tens of thousands of people, and you said I was exaggerating and that I was boosting the enemy's morale and destroying my own prestige.

Now that you exaggerate the number of troops brought by Duke Baoguo to tens of thousands, isn't that considered lying?
It seems that officials even have the privilege to brag!

(End of this chapter)