Early the next morning, with the sound of the wake-up call.
Fourteen thousand soldiers got up one after another. The six thousand Rumi gunmen trained by Zhang Shize also followed Yang Fan's drill. It was very convenient to fight together at this time, and communication was not hindered.
They were all taught by the same master, and their military orders, flags, and tactics were all the same. There was no big problem with their coordination.
Yesterday, at the dinner, the whole army had a good meal of meat and noodles with sesame seeds. It was enough to eat. In this era, both fat and flour are rare things. Ordinary people can't afford it.
This was the first time that Cheying had eaten meat since he had followed His Majesty. They burst into tears with excitement, recalling the good days under Uncle Dingyuan.
Yesterday, the rebels saw the new reinforcements coming in force. Their appearance was very majestic, their formations were orderly, and their advance and retreat were orderly. They looked like elite soldiers at first sight. They also retreated ten miles and gave up the flat land under Tongzhou City.
The leaders of the rebel army studied for half the night last night, and they found that the number of people on their side was four times that of the other side. Although they were an army directly under the emperor's jurisdiction, they were also the elite of Ji Town. They had been fighting with the Mongols all year round.
Also considered elite.
After careful study, they felt that they still could not avoid fighting. Once their morale was exhausted, it would be impossible to organize them. This is the law of rebellion. At first, they rebelled out of righteous indignation, but later they relied on smooth robberies and continuous defeats of the officers and soldiers.
to maintain.
It only takes one disastrous defeat and they will be separated.
Therefore, these battalion leaders have no choice but to bite the bullet and go to the end. After opening Tongzhou City and defeating this, which should be the last field force in His Majesty's hands, they will plunder and claim the land of Gyeonggi, and the living space will be reduced.
opened further.
"Fight, four of them hit each other, don't worry about missing a ball." Yu Maochun said.
"Don't think too highly of the Jingying camp. My cousin is in the Three Thousand Battalion. They have all been disabled a long time ago. It's just that the equipment is better than ours. It looks bluffing." Li Jinjiang said.
Huang Tengyuan thought over and over again and said: "In order to boost morale, we left 40,000 people to guard the camp. I took 20,000 people to attack nearby Zhangjiawan. It is a good place for private merchants to disembark from the Grand Canal. There are many shops there, which is
A place where wealth gathers. Wherever we plundered, we used the property to reward the soldiers. These soldiers and horses on the opposite side look like tough opponents. We can't fight them without property. After all, there must be brave men under heavy rewards."
Everyone nodded one after another, saying that nothing else was of use, and those who served as soldiers would only accept the money.
If you pay the military enough, they will definitely do their best in fighting. If you don't pay the military or deduct it, the soldiers are not fools. We will pay you how much you pay.
Equivalent exchange, fair trade, no deception.
As long as you have enough money in your hands, you can drive these rebels to risk their lives.
Tong Jianye was a little reluctant and said: "We have been robbing it for so long, and those places combined are not as good as Zhangjiawan Town. The lords in Donglin have set up business there. Isn't it worth it to allocate it to these soldiers?"
Huang Dengyuan persuaded: "It's easier to get on the boat than to get off. It's like grabbing the two ears of a wolf with both hands. If you let go, you will be bitten. You can only bite the bullet and rush forward to find a way out. Don't be reluctant to leave a Zhang family member.
Bay. Opening to Tongzhou, the capital is surrounded by manors of dignitaries, and their wealth is in these manors."
Everyone nodded, this is indeed the truth. Don't be reluctant to give up money. Now that they have rebelled, these soldiers may not always follow them. They may scatter at any time. We can only rely on constantly opening channels and rolling down like a snowball. Wait for change.
, looking for a way out and vitality.
After noon, a large number of rebels left the camp and headed southwest.
Soon, the scouts from Xinghe Tuanlian discovered them.
"Commander, if such a large group of rebels is going to the southwest, it is likely to go to Zhangjiawan. We must send troops to rescue. Otherwise, there will be no way to resist so many rebels." Huang Hao said.
Zhou Yuji frowned, a little concerned about gains and losses.
Of course he knows that Zhangjiawan is Donglin's secret lair in Beizhili. Their people and their money are all there. If anything happens, they will offend the gentlemen of Donglin who are now popular.
But, does he dare to divide his troops? The Beijing camp is not here, and this chariot camp seriously lacks cooperating infantry. When Yang Fan went out to attack the Haraqin people, he personally participated. That battle was won by relying on the infantry in the chariot camp.
Finally the cavalry pursuit ended with a rout.
But now, the troops in his hands are insufficient. If he sends the Xinghe Tuanlian out to protect Zhangjiawan, he may be in danger of being attacked and breached by the rebels.
Zhou Yuji thought for a long time and finally said: "No, the enemy is powerful now and our infantry is insufficient. We rely on cavalry to raid the formation. If the cavalry is transferred and the other side launches an attack, I am worried that we will lose the battle. Once we fail, it will lead to
Everything around Gyeonggi is in decay. We cannot bear this responsibility."
Huang Hao sighed inwardly. After all, this Zhou Yuji was not in the master's system, nor had he attended the master's martial arts hall. He was qualified to be a brave general. But as the most elite force in the north of the Ming Dynasty at this time,
The chief officer's talents are somewhat lacking.
If it were the master, he would definitely order the cavalry to attack the 20,000 infantrymen at night, defeat them and disperse them while it was dark.
Huang Hao didn't say anything else. After all, he was not the commander-in-chief. Moreover, they were transferred here and could just do their jobs well. There was no need to worry about others.
That night, Wuying Hall was brightly lit.
The emperor asked anxiously: "Where are they? Have they fought with the rebels?"
Luo Yangxing hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, Zhou Yuji has arrived at Tongzhou City. He beheaded more than a hundred people in the first battle. The siege of Tongzhou has been solved. Now he has set up camp to confront the rebels."
Chongzhen was relieved when he heard that the siege of Tongzhou had been lifted. He had been worried about Tongzhou these days.
He calmed down and thought about it. After all, Zhou Yuji did not have enough troops, so it would be a good idea to adopt a prudent strategy. If he fought in a hurry, the consequences would be unbearable if he failed.
The cabinet ministers, six ministers, and dignitaries in Beijing are all here. They are all whispering and discussing Zhou Yuji's chances of winning.
At this time, a military officer in golden clothes rushed into the Wuying Hall, held up an urgent report, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, gentlemen, this afternoon, the rebels looted Zhangjiawan Town. They looted countless properties and released them after looting them.
With one fire, Zhangjiawan Town was in flames and was almost burned to the ground."
As soon as the news came out, the entire hall suddenly exclaimed. Especially the faces of everyone in Donglin changed drastically. Qian Longxi's hands were shaking.
Zhangjiawan had already been robbed by Japanese pirates once before. That time they came and left quickly, as if they were rushing to Donglin's bank. After taking the things, they left without fussing.
No shops or anything like that were touched at all.
But this time is different. These hungry and crazy soldiers are crossing the border like locusts. What will be left there?
