Winter nights in the south of the Yangtze River, although not as cold and biting as those in the north, are still like gauze and nets, wrapping people tightly.
Qi Jin opened the sedan curtain and felt the cool night breeze blowing against his face.
During his decades of military service, he either rode a horse or walked. He was never like today, wearing the floral silk cotton brocade robes often worn by wealthy locals in Susong and riding in a sedan chair.
Li Daniu, who was dressed as a servant and following the sedan, hurriedly approached the sedan and asked, "Mr. Qi, what's the matter?"
Qi Jin waved his hand: "Nothing, I just want to get some fresh air. I have been marching and fighting all my life, and I am really not used to having a canopy above my head when I am on the road."
Li Daniu smiled in agreement.
Since the first year of Taichang, Mrs. Zheng has clearly divided the intelligence and espionage lines. Xuanda as far as the border towns in Liaodong is assigned to Xu San, the capital and surrounding areas are assigned to Hua Er and Chen Sanni, and the area from Shandong to Susong is assigned to Li Daniu.
This time, his wife asked him to invite General Qi to Nanjing to meet with Hong Chengchou in a disguised and secret way.
When Li Daniu saw Qi Jin, as soon as he opened his mouth, the old general realized excitedly that there must be a tough battle to be fought, and without Li Daniu's need to explain, Qi Jin understood that the Ministry of War did not openly transfer people to the south through the official mail channel, but Zheng Zheng
The State Council Temple, led by Haizhu, came forward and was so careful to prevent the news from leaking out.
Sure enough, after entering an inconspicuous house in the west of Nanjing and seeing Hong Chengchou, the other party took out a long wooden box and said straight to the point: "General Qi, I have brought the troop deployment order signed by Xiong Shilang of the Ministry of War."
Although Qi Jin was dealing with Hong Chengchou for the first time, seeing that he could be entrusted with such an important task like Li Daniu, and presumably regarded by Zheng Haizhu as his direct confidant, he did not shy away from it, and said frankly with pleasure: "Yes, the Ministry of War has
I have been a court official for several years and have gotten along well with you, Mrs. Zheng. It is not unusual for Zhang Quan to be like this, but Xiong Tingbi, a nine-headed bird, has a much hotter temper than Zhang Quan."
Since Hong Chengchou entered the State Affairs Temple, he often listened to Zheng Haizhu detailing the entanglements between the border guards and the civil servants of the capital. However, at the same time, he was repeatedly reminded by this superior to improve the central government's control over the border generals on the basis of solving the core issue of military pay.
Through the determination of winning battles and the gradual export of Sichuan troops, Zhejiang troops and other field armies outside the pass, the contradiction between local warlords and the imperial court can be alleviated.
Hong Chengchou then followed Qi Jin's words and said calmly: "The State Affairs Temple often consults with the Ministry of War in peacetime. Xiong Shilang is aware of side affairs and, like Zheng Siqing, regards the establishment of slaves in Liaodong as a serious problem. This time he
We will sincerely cooperate with our State Council. Mr. Qi, Shilang Xiong and Zheng Siqing will be in Liaoyang at that time, together with Yang Lian, the governor of Liaodong."
When Qi Jin heard this, the last few worries in his heart faded away.
Not being afraid of war is a trait engraved in the bones of descendants of famous generals like him.
But he is also a veteran who loves his soldiers as much as his sons. He has seen many dangers in his life. Coupled with the experience of the elite of the Qi family army who died at the hands of his own people in Ji Town, Qi Jin has to worry that his guest army will go far away again.
After Liaodong, will I still receive wise combat arrangements and fair merit recognition from the imperial court supervisors and civil servants as I did when I was in Fushun?
At this moment, after listening to Hong Chengchou's confession, Qi Jin was relieved that the officials of the State Council, like the officials of the Ministry of War and the governor of Liaodong, would personally visit the front line.
Even if he has no friendship with Yang Lian and Xiong Tingbi, he can at least trust Zheng Haizhu.
Qi Jin trusted that the latter would not lose his reason and benevolence for the sake of greed for merit. Sitting in the position of a civil servant in the Chinese army tent, Qi Jin easily issued orders to advance rashly, and did not distinguish between necessary sacrifices and fearless sacrifices for both the main army and the guest soldiers.
He sacrificed his life just to gamble on a big victory in exchange for a better career.
I only heard Hong Chengchou say again: "The grain and money will be transported to General Qi's army after the first month. After leaving the camp and heading north, we will take the sea route, so as to avoid the land route going north, the more slaves will work to deliver the news. At that time, there will be Zheng Zi from Chongming
General Xu of the battalion sent a sea ship to pick up your battalion soldiers. During this period, Commander Qi had better keep his mouth shut even if he is against General Xia Ya. After all, Zhenjiang is not far from Songjiang, and merchant ships from North Korea may be
There are also some fine works for which Nurhaci has promised a reward."
Qi Jin said clearly: "Hong Shaoqing, don't worry. My adopted son died in the hands of Jiannu Xizuo. How can I think that you, the minister, are too careful?"
"Okay, then General Lao Qi will tell me the weapons in the chariot camp, the number of chariots, the number of people and horses in the northern expedition, and I will meet General Xu a few days later and tell him to plan the ship."
Second-rate."
Qi Jin opened the wooden box and studied the transfer order from the Ministry of War. He saw that it only said to meet up with Mao Wenlong's troops in Dongjiang. He then turned to a piece of jute paper folded under the transfer order. After opening it, he found a carefully drawn topographic map.
Familiar place names such as Liaoyang, Fushun, and Qinghebao are prominently displayed on it. Of course, there is also Nurhaci’s hometown: Hetuala.
But the most detailed painting is the area between Hetuala and Fushun Pass.
"The imperial court wants to gather various Ming armies here?" Qi Jin asked.
Hong Chengchou nodded and said: "In this picture, Zheng Siqing only gave the commanders of the two guest troops, General Ma and General Qi. As for how to fight at that time, we have to adapt to the situation. General Qi's command mainly consists of chariots and firearms, so we can adapt to local conditions."
Formation is particularly important. With this map in hand, the general can make preparations in advance."
Qi Jin could hear the implication of Hong Chengchou's words. Zheng Siqing really cared about the interests of the guest troops and did everything possible to prevent them from being blinded. At the same time, he also trusted that he and General Ma were cautious and would know the location of the planned general attack.
Keep your mouth shut.
Qi Jin's eyes fell back to the three words on the map: Salhu.
It was almost midnight, Qi Jin walked out of the house, sat in front of the sedan chair, and looked up at the starry sky on the winter night.
"Old Wu, how are you doing with Bond in heaven? Have he and Amei given you a grandson? I guess I'll be here soon. Wait for me, I'll take my sons and I'll give you a fight
Have fun, avenge Bond, and come up and have a drink with you."
Two thousand miles away, the South China Sea.
In the same month, the Qinhuai River turns to ice, while Beigang, Taiwan, is as warm as spring.
Yan Siqi stood under the coconut tree in the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the sky, lost in thought.
My wife Wen Akun came over and asked, "Can't you sleep?"
"Um."
"The imperial court wants you to go on an expedition?"
Yan Siqi's eyes fell back on his wife's face: "How do you know?"
"I see you are sitting in the knife room tonight."
Yan Siqi's frowning eyebrows relaxed.
Over the past six or seven years, my wife, a Taiwanese native, has become not only fluent in Chinese, but also increasingly aware of her own subtle thoughts.
"Our navy is indeed going out to fight. Yang Tiansheng will take the boat away." Yan Siqi said to his wife.
"when?"
"Probably, next spring."
"Are you going to fight the Frankies on the island like last time?"
Yan Siqi shook his head: "Much better than them."
Wen Akun didn't seem to be interested in delving into how powerful this enemy was. He still asked with a gentle and calm face: "Brother Yan, do you want to take the boat yourself?"
Yan Siqi was silent for a moment, put his arm around his wife's shoulders, and answered his wife's question with silent movements.
Wen Akun gently stroked his swollen belly and said softly: "If you want to go, just go and bring your good knives."
The husband's arms moved.
Wen Akun still spoke calmly: "You just need to tell me, is that place colder than Hirado? I know how to prepare clothes for you."