Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 13 Going to the meeting alone
Guan Weifan had been leading his troops to camp in Baishitan for several days. The camp was not repaired, the trenches had not been dug, the barracks were scattered, the tents were dilapidated, and the flags were in disarray. The whole camp was filled with an atmosphere of laziness and relaxation.

Judging from their military appearance and deployment, their combat effectiveness was really worrying, and they were not as good as the Qing army in Gao Gushan. Cen Danchu was full of contempt. Although Guan Weifan had 3,000 soldiers and horses, he was actually not worthy of the title. If the two armies really fought, 300 heavily armored cavalry would be enough to defeat him.

Guan Weifan was known as a great general in Chen Bangbo's army. The poor condition of his camp showed that Chen Bangbo's title of Marquis of Si'en was in vain. A few days ago, he reported a great victory in Xunzhou, recovering Hexian, Yongchun and other places.

Perhaps this was not the case. Perhaps it was possible that the Qing army was defeated outside Guilin, the main general was killed, and the Qing army in Xunzhou was isolated and deep in the city, so they took the initiative to retreat.

The soldiers brought the captured Ming soldiers to the front of the camp. Cen Danchu shouted, "I am here to convey the military order and return the criminal soldiers according to the order of staying behind."

Guan Weifan did not dare to show up and waited on high alert in the camp. He sent someone to pass on the message that only Cen Danchu was allowed to enter the camp.

Danchu showed no fear and rode into the camp on horseback.

Everyone on both sides tried to stop him with an earnest attitude.

Danchu just smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. Guan Weifan is a coward, I have my own way to deal with him. The commander-in-chief is leading the army to exercise four miles away, Guan Weifan will not dare to act rashly. You all keep calm, and do not force your way into the camp without my order."

Guan Yu went to the meeting alone, and Danchu also rode into the camp alone. As soon as they entered the camp gate, several armored soldiers surrounded them, bows strung, swords unsheathed, with both hostility and fear in their eyes.

The Xuelihong warhorse felt the tense atmosphere and stepped on the spot restlessly.

Danchu remained calm, tightened the reins, held his spear in his hand, stood on his horse, looked around at the soldiers on his left and right, and said:

"This horse, Xuelihong, has carried me into battle, captured flags and killed generals, and has made countless contributions. This horse lance has killed countless people, and is best at taking people's heads. You all should keep an eye on the bow and arrow, and don't let it go. If you hurt my mount, the horse lance in my hand will not allow it!"

The soldier was frightened and took two steps back involuntarily, putting his horn bow aside.

A deputy general came forward cautiously and said, "Young general, the commander is waiting in the central army tent. Please come in and answer the question."

Cen Danchu dismounted and handed the bow, lance, and warhorse to the lieutenant, saying, "Watch them carefully. If even a hair is missing, you will be held responsible."

The deputy general was submissive and did not dare to offend this evil spirit.

There were also two rows of armored soldiers, each holding a sharp sword, lined up outside the central military tent.

Cen Danchu laughed and walked towards the central army tent calmly. A deputy general stopped him, pointed at his long sword and said, "Young general, you are not allowed to bring swords into the central army tent, please take them off."

The long sword was Danchu's last weapon for self-defense, so of course he couldn't take it off. He glared at the deputy general and said, "This sword is inseparable from me, even when I sleep, I carry it with me. I came here under the order to stay behind, why are you so rude?"

After saying this, he no longer paid attention to the deputy general and walked straight into the central military tent.

The guards could do nothing but watch him enter the central military tent.

Guan Weifan was sitting high on a tiger-skin chair. When he saw Cen Danchu coming in with a knife, he couldn't help but frown and tighten his buttocks.

In front of his men, he could only pretend to be calm and shouted, "Cen Danchu, I respect you for taking the flag and killing the general, you are a real man. But what right do you have to kill my commander and whip my subordinates?" Guan Weifan did not give him a seat, and Danchu was not polite either. He put one hand on the hilt of the knife, stood proudly in the tent, and said, "The governor is in charge of the army and money of the world, and the Xinxing Earl is the commander of the Guangxi army, both of them can control the Guangxi army.

"The two gentlemen ordered me to supervise the military discipline and granted me the power to deal with it at my convenience. I led the troops to inspect Baishitan and saw that the commander raped a civilian woman in broad daylight, which damaged the reputation of the governor. I wanted to arrest the commander and hand him over to the governor for punishment.

"However, he was stubborn and refused to be arrested on the spot. He even drew his sword and attacked me. I am a student who stayed behind and a brave general under the command of the Earl of Xinxing. How could I let him control me? So I drew my sword and fought back, but I accidentally killed someone. Please understand, sir."

Cen Danchu was quite polite in his words, giving Guan Weifan enough face. He also boasted that he was a student of Qu Shisi. Guan Weifan didn't dare to pretend anymore, so he took the opportunity and said:
"The young general is young and promising, but he has a hot temper. He should be more restrained to avoid suffering losses in the future. People in this town are generous and will not pursue today's matter. If it were someone else, it would be hard to say."

Danchu just smiled and said no more.

Qu Shisi defended Guilin and his prestige rose greatly. Cen Danchu became his disciple and his status also rose. Guan Weifan did not dare to neglect him, so he waved his hand and his personal soldiers brought a grand master's chair.

Danchu, wearing armor, sat down calmly, and then got to the point, saying: "This time, the governor gave me many instructions and asked me to convey a military order in person. This is the governor's handwritten letter, please take a look first."

The letter was not long, only one page, saying that Liu Chengyin, the Duke of Anguo, was sent by the emperor to aid Guilin, and that three thousand soldiers would arrive soon. Guilin had too many soldiers but too little money, which would only cause trouble. Guan Weifan was ordered to return to defend Xunzhou and move camp within two days.

Liu Tiegun wanted to send troops to Guilin, so he first sent people to spread the news, claiming that he was going to fight on behalf of the emperor to create momentum. Guan Weifan had heard about it before, but he was still skeptical. He sent someone to send a letter to the commander Chen Bangbo for advice, but he has not received a reply so far.

Cen Danchu stared at Guan Weifan, and seeing the uncertain expression on his face, he knew that he was timid and cowardly. He looked around the tent and saw that the furnishings were extravagant, the staff were shabby, and the guards were shabby, and he looked down on him even more.

If one's virtue is not in line with one's position, there will be disaster. Danchu said, "Taiwan Governor, there are some things from my heart that I don't know whether I should say or not."

Guan Weifan understood, but he did not dare to remove the guards in the tent, and said: "The people in the tent are all my confidants, so you can speak freely, young general."

"Then forgive me for being frank. The garrison stationed at Baishitan controls the Gantang Ferry, which is a major transportation route to the north of Guilin. When the Duke of Anguo sent troops to Guilin, Baishitan was the only way to go.

"This man is arrogant and domineering, with a strong army and powerful horses. He will definitely clash with the governor when he passes Baishitan. Staying here means that Guilin is safe for the time being and does not need too many soldiers and horses to garrison. There are too many soldiers and too little money here, and the income is not enough to cover the expenditure. Please ask the governor to return to Xunzhou for food."

Cen Danchu paused and continued, "It was not the governor who did it on purpose, but the Duke of Anguo acted erratically. He held the whole state hostage and led the emperor to war, with legitimate reasons and a strong army, which was beyond the capability of the governor."

After the last sentence was spoken, the Ming soldiers in the tent all looked ashamed and sighed in their hearts.

If a soldier wants to survive in troubled times, he must first have strong soldiers and horses. Liu Chengyin is well aware of this, but Chen Bangbo only cares about flattering his superiors and does not care much about training his troops.

If the leader likes something, the subordinates will follow suit. Chen Bangbo's followers are all uneducated and shameless scholars, and the five thousand personal soldiers are all old and weak people from the market. Guan Weifan has three thousand people under his command, most of whom are unemployed vagrants in the city. If you want to expect them to fight to the death, you must wait for the sun to rise from the west.

Guan Weifan exchanged glances with his right and left confidants and said, "Since the governor has issued an order, this town should obey it. However, this town still has something to ask the young general. If the troops of the Duke of Anguo are rampant and lawless, would the young general dare to kill them in the street?"

"Of course," Cen Danchu said generously, "I am just a young man. Xinxing Earl selected me from the army and took me in as his disciple. The court granted me an official position. I should eliminate violence and protect the good, punish evil and promote good. No matter whose soldiers they are, if they commit illegal acts, they should be punished as a whole."

"Okay," Guan Weifan said, as if to save some face, "In this case, this town will obey the order of the remaining troops and move out in two days. The young general must also keep his word and not break it."

(End of this chapter)