On the endless Monan Plain, Tuo Caspian led his tribe to march rapidly. Each of them had two horses, scimitars in their hands, and bows and arrows on both sides of the saddle.
These men who grew up on horses never know how to get tired. Their riding skills are unparalleled in ancient and modern times. Perhaps only their ancestors are better than them.
This is also the reason why they are called Iron Cavalry. They represent the pinnacle of the nomadic people, and no one can surpass them.
"Chief, the spies from Guan are back!"
Tuo Clihai immediately waved his hand to stop, and when the spy arrived in a hurry, he immediately reported:
"Chief, the movements of the Ming army are all clear to me. They have already left the customs in two groups, one from Zhangjiakou and the other from Gubeikou."
"When I was in Xuanda, I saw with my own eyes that soldiers and horses were gathered in these two towns. The leader was a high official of the Ming Dynasty, named Wang Zaijin, and the Ming Emperor regarded him as the governor of Xuanda!"
This period of time was the busiest time for the mutual trade, with such a large-scale mobilization of troops and horses, and Zhangjiakou was an important trading place. Not to mention this time, even in normal times, this was also a trading place between Mongolia and the Ming Dynasty.
Otherwise, why would those Shanxi merchants become so big? The most important thing is that they control the most important market in Zhangjiakou, which is designated legal by the imperial court. They only need to drag down the officials around them. Isn't that what they want to do?
Everyone must know that Zhu Youxiao launched such a big campaign this time, and he himself is the biggest propagandist. What Zhu Youxiao wants is this momentum, that is, everyone knows.
"How many Ming troops are there along the way? Where are they from?"
"I heard they are all Xuanda's frontier troops. That governor has thousands of soldiers from the capital under his command. There are 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers!"
And Tuo Lihai snorted coldly and said:
"Seven to eighty thousand? The total Ming army is only one hundred thousand. How many soldiers and horses are there along the way? It must be a conspiracy they are playing to confuse us.
"This servant doesn't know. Before I came back to resume my life, Zhangjiakou had been taken over by the Jin Yiwei. It was said that there was some kind of wartime control to ensure the logistics of the army. Xuan's army had already sent troops, so I didn't dare to stay for a long time."
"How many people are there on the other side? Which general is leading the army? Also, which side is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty on?"
The spy knelt down and said:
"Back to the leader, this servant doesn't know very well. I only inquired about this route. I don't know about the soldiers and horses on that route. I only heard about it on the way back."
"What a waste. I can't even get any news. What's the use of you?"
The spy quickly begged for mercy and kowtowed several times on the sandy ground.
"Chief, although I don't know the movements of the other Ming army, I know the whereabouts of the emperor. The Han people in the pass are saying that their emperor is commanding the entire army in Miyun."
As soon as he heard the location of Emperor Ming, Tuo Lihai's eyes immediately widened.
"Are you telling the truth? If you dare to lie to me in order to avoid being whipped, you must know the consequences!"
The spy said tremblingly:
"Chief, even if you lend a hundred courages to the slave, the slave will not dare. Everything the slave says is true. If the leader doesn't believe it, you can send someone to investigate again!"
"I'm sorry you, a dog slave, don't dare to do that. Okay, get out!"
After the spy left, Tuo Caspian thought for a while and finally decided to send his trusted aide to take a look.
He said to the two soldiers next to him:
"You two put on your best war horses and go to the pass to check. To determine the movements of the little emperor and all the Ming troops, go and come back quickly."
"twitter!"
…
"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, why does it take so long to repair a wheel? What do you do for food?"
A General of the Yulin Army was cursing at his subordinates. He was the food security officer appointed by the Prime Minister's Yamen to carry out the food security for this time.
The mission was to deliver 20,000 shi of military rations to Zhangjiakou. They just came out of Miyun City yesterday. Unexpectedly, this happened today. The wheels of the three carriages were all broken.
It's the day to pay food in two days. If the time is delayed, the law enforcement team will not be able to peel off their own skin after returning?
A scholar in official uniform came out and said:
"Okay, okay, mistakes are inevitable. What's the point of scolding them? There's no need to rush at this time!"
Mr. Qian didn't buy his account and said angrily:
"The food and fodder on this frontline must not be missed. Your Majesty has a clear decree to ensure the logistics of the army at all costs, otherwise all relevant people will be punished."
"Master Chen, if we really miss the time, as the grain supervisor, I'm afraid you will not be able to escape the blame!"
It turned out that this person was Chen Suoxue, the head of the Ministry of Household Affairs. A few days ago, when he tried to break into the palace, he was almost killed by the guards as a robber. For this reason, he was extremely afraid.
Then he used this as an excuse to apply to Wang Xiangqian for meritorious service, saying that he was guilty and that His Majesty might not give it to him when he comes back.
Wang Xiangqian saw his sincere attitude and his old age, so he became kind-hearted. He happened to be an official of the Ministry of Household Affairs, so he approved his request and let him serve as the grain supervisor this time.
In fact, he just used an excuse to leave the capital. He was already planning to murder the emperor. How could he be afraid of a small crime?
Today's incident was also planned by him, in order to temporarily get rid of the large army so that he could send people to contact Lin Danhan outside the customs.
When he was in Miyun City the day before yesterday, the personal eunuch Wang Chaofu actually showed up to check the military rations, and the Miyun Mansion was heavily guarded by layers of guards. He concluded that the emperor was inside.
The emperor's position was determined, and the two-pronged attack strategy was being implemented. Then he began to act according to the previous plan, and he said:
"How could I not know what you're talking about? It's just God's will. This happened today. I have to follow my will. I think you should lead the large army and continue to move forward. I'll stay to supervise and catch up later.
of."
The Qianzong didn't think much about it. This was indeed the best way at the moment. He immediately ordered the sergeant from the first sentry and a cavalryman to stay, and started to advance again with the large troops.
Chen Suoxue finally got what he wanted, and now he feels very happy and is one step closer to success.
It was late at night. The sergeants had been traveling all day. Now they simply spread out straw and lay down on the ground to sleep. They were snoring everywhere. Only two soldiers on duty did not sleep.
Chen Suoxue leaned against the carriage and pretended to sleep, but his heart was really impatient. It has been so long, why is there still no movement? Could Chen be asleep?
If you miss this important event for me, I'll see if I beat him to death when I get back.
Fortunately, Chen Suoxue is also a patient person. If anyone else had done this, he would probably be anxious to death.
With no other choice, Chen Suoxue didn't dare to make any movement and could only continue to wait patiently.