When the three people arrived, Zhu Ling was reading the book of war. Although there was a lot in it that he couldn't understand, he was still reading it reluctantly. When he saw the four people entering, he immediately put down the troublesome book of war and started discussing with everyone.
"I just received news that there are many bandits in Teng County and Hao County in the south of Yanzhou Prefecture. The man Wang Chengen sent yesterday was almost killed on the spot, and the Tangbao he brought was also burned. If we want to
To completely stabilize Shandong, Yanzhou Prefecture must be pacified as soon as possible. I don’t want such a group of bandits to run rampant in the territory of the Ming Dynasty. And in Jiaxiang County, there is a man named Liu Junxue with 30,000 volunteers! You also knew it before. "
Having said that, Zhu Ling was also a little angry, making the four of them a little intimidated.
"It's easy to talk about bandits. What's difficult is just unfamiliarity with the local situation and lack of information about this group of bandits. As long as they have these two pieces of information, they won't be able to make any big waves." Wang Jiayan immediately said with his hands over his hands, his words unsettled.
There is no need to worry. After all, they are just bandits. No matter how elite they are, they cannot withstand the encirclement and suppression of the imperial army.
"How you are familiar with the local situation and how to learn about this group of bandits is not what I need to ask. I have many things to do every day. If I have to pay so much attention to it just because of a few bandits every day, then don't do anything else!
"Zhu Ling was also helpless. He said it so simply, but it still bothered him.
"The general is asking your Majesty to allow the general to lead troops to suppress the bandits!" Fan Xianchao knew that this was an opportunity to launch an attack. Seeing that Meng Zhangming and Sima Jingru did not move, he immediately stepped forward and knelt down and said.
Seeing that Fan Xianchao wanted to lead troops to suppress the bandits, Zhu Ling glanced at the other people and asked: "General Fan is very loyal. Get up. How many people do you plan to lead to suppress the bandits?"
"Just give the last general four thousand men! Two thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry! No need for auxiliary troops, and no need for heavy cavalry! I will be able to wipe out the bandits around the county within half a month!" Fan Xianchao spoke sonorously and forcefully, obviously interested in
He was very confident in suppressing bandits this time. But in Zhu Ling's opinion, he was a little impatient.
"What about the rest?"
He did not answer Fan Xianchao's words, but raised his eyes and asked the other people what they thought. Finally, he set his sights on Meng Zhangming.
"I need five thousand men, two thousand light cavalry, and three thousand soldiers. Of these, two thousand swordsmen and axemen, and one thousand archers are enough." It didn't feel good to be watched closely by His Majesty, so Meng Zhangming had no choice but to stand up and said.
In fact, in his heart, he didn't want to compete with Fan Xianchao for credit. Although he couldn't explain why, Fan Xianchao was the first to stand up every time.
But even though he was so humble, Fan Xianchao was always a little competitive, thinking every time that he would seize this opportunity. For example, this time, it is not difficult to destroy the bandits. Therefore, whoever suppresses the bandits is equivalent to having merit. And
He never made a prelude to ask His Majesty to go and suppress the bandits, in order to give the credit to Fan Xianchao.
Unexpectedly, he still did not escape His Majesty's gaze.
"Sima Jingru, what do you think?" Zhu Ling once again asked the question to Sima Jingru. After all, he was a fierce general and he had the right to speak in this regard.
"Seventeen people will be enough at the end!"
Unexpectedly, Sima Jingru's words shocked everyone present. No one thought that he only needed seventeen people. They only thought that he would ask for one or two thousand people. After all, the bandits there were not weak people.
His officers and soldiers are often defeated and must not be taken lightly. But never expected that he would be so arrogant?
But whether it was arrogance or confidence, no one knew. Even Zhu Ling was stunned for a moment. There were at least five thousand bandits there, and they were entrenched in the mountains and forests, making it more difficult to suppress the bandits. There were only seventeen people anyway.
"Don't be arrogant, Sima, this is in front of His Majesty." Wang Jiayan was full of disbelief. Sima Jingru was able to defeat the five thousand invading army before. He used the method of capturing the thieves first to capture the king, which made the surrounding soldiers
The morale of the military collapsed. After all, most of the soldiers were transformed from ordinary people and were not a real army.
The bandits who are going to be exterminated this time have been entrenched for many years. They are already ruthless and cruel in their hearts. If they find that they are defeated, they will immediately flee into the mountains and rely on the dense forests in the mountains to stop the officers and soldiers. Then they will set up various mechanisms on the mountains.
Trap, which led to the defeat of the previous officers and soldiers.
Even if Sima Jingru could capture the bandit leader, maybe the bandit leader was dead, and there were two or three bandit leaders. After all this effort, he might not be able to eliminate them. So when he heard that he only asked for seventeen people, he immediately scolded him.
.
"Sima Jingru, suppressing bandits is not a child's play. The situation is very different from that." Zhu Ling also kindly reminded Sima Jingru that if he loses his brother, it will really outweigh the gain.
"General, I would like to issue a military order!" Sima Jingru didn't want to talk nonsense, he knelt down and said directly with his hands in hand.
This performance really shocked Meng Zhangming and Fan Xianchao. They had four thousand each and five thousand each, but when they arrived at his place, they became seventeen people. This is the greatest disdain.
"Okay." Zhu Ling promptly interrupted the discussion and immediately issued an order: "Take Sima Jingru and lead a thousand cavalry to Teng County to wipe out the bandits at night. Order Fan Xianchao to lead four thousand people to Hao County to wipe out the bandits.
. Order Meng Zhangming to lead 5,000 men and horses to Jining to obey the order. No action is allowed before receiving any orders. Let's go today."
"According to the order!"
Although I don’t know why His Majesty asked him to lead his troops to garrison in Jining, His Majesty did not inform him or ask him. He thought that he would tell him later, so he left with everyone.
After leaving the palace, Fan Xianchao said to Meng Zhangming with a proud look on his face: "As a brother, I have taken the first step, so that the bandits will be caught off guard. You should also set off as soon as possible. Although I don't know what your majesty means, I can't delay."
Hearing this, Meng Zhangming immediately raised his hands and said, "I respectfully send my brother off."
After the two saluted each other, they left. Sima Jingru, on the other hand, returned to the camp with a relaxed expression. After having a meal with his seventeen brothers, he started on his way unhurriedly.
That night
After Fan Xianchao led four thousand men and marched for forty miles, he ordered the army to rest on the spot as usual, set up a tent, and sent out scouts to explore everywhere. In the tent, he listened to several local people around him talk about the situation of the bandits.
After listening to the story and receiving some money, he ate his dinner alone in the tent. At this moment, someone suddenly walked in. Fan Xianchao was startled and immediately drew his sword and pointed it at the person.
"it's me."
After seeing the face of the visitor clearly, he discovered that it was Wang Jiayan, his father's colleague and the current Minister of War.
"Uncle Wang!" Fan Xianchao quickly retracted his saber and immediately stepped forward to greet him. He helped Wang Jiayan enter the tent, found a seat and sat down with his help. Then he said with an apologetic look: "Uncle Wang, why are you here?
Shouldn't we be in Yanzhou Mansion at the moment? Does Your Majesty know?"
After slowly taking off his cloak and taking a few breaths, Wang Jiayan said: "I only brought two guards with me. Your Majesty doesn't know. I came here to tell you something."
"Uncle Wang, please speak."
"Do you think that because your father is the current cabinet minister and you only have fame and no political or military achievements? And seeing that Meng Zhangming is highly appreciated by His Majesty, you are eager to make contributions?" The first sentence, Wang Jiayan
He went straight in, making Fan Xianchao feel embarrassed immediately.
"Uncle Wang, where did you hear this?"
"Many times, you have been extremely active whenever you can get His Majesty's appreciation and meritorious service. Can't you see this? You are too impatient, and impatience will only be a sign of immaturity in His Majesty's eyes." Wang Jiayan
I chased him all the way tonight just to warn him about this matter. After all, he has some friendship with Mr. Fan Ge, and he is still a junior. Now that Mr. Fan is not here, he naturally needs some help.
"My nephew just thinks that I have this ability! I can share the worries of the court and your majesty." Fan Xianchao was also a little aggrieved. Although he was impatient and eager to make meritorious deeds, he had no ill intentions.
"I know, but you also have to know how to measure." Wang Jiayan couldn't help but sigh: "You see, Meng Zhangming always seems extremely stable and never grabs credit. He has been consistent with His Majesty's wishes several times. If this continues, you can only fall behind.
He is a general, and Meng Zhang is very likely to join the cabinet in the future."
"Then let's see who has made the greatest contribution this time!"