It could be seen that the barracks where the meeting was held had just been tidied up not long ago, and some scattered wood and debris could be seen in the corners.
Cao Wenzhao is not a carefree person. People who serve in the army are generally people who don't care about trivial matters. Of course, there are exceptions, but those generals who like to show off are the type of people Cao Wenzhao hates the most.
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As soon as he entered the barracks, he summoned three generals to discuss the military situation, so a simple military map was laid out on the only large table in the middle of the barracks, and several people gathered around this table to discuss the military situation.
"The targets of this crusade are Mongolian tribes such as the Ulut, Aohan, Naiman, Bahrain, Jarut, Horqin, and Nei Khalkha. Among them, the Horqin tribe is the most powerful, and they are close to Jianlu, so it is possible to build a
The captives will also send troops to pursue us. The other tribes are either small tribes, or their strength has been weakened in the fierce battle with Lin Dan Khan. But no matter which tribe, there are more people than us. Therefore, the danger of this expedition is very high." Cao Wenzhao issued an order.
Let me briefly introduce the situation first, which can be regarded as an opening statement.
"Commander, we all know how dangerous it is, otherwise we wouldn't have written a suicide note before setting off." Huang Chuangzi took the topic so-called. The whole army knows this, and there is no need to say anything more.
Because Cao Wenzhao was not yet the commander-in-chief, or even the deputy commander-in-chief, he could not be called a commander-in-chief. However, in the era of broken etiquette in the late Ming Dynasty, no one paid attention to these details.
"This general is just reminding you that you must be careful in this battle. I told you that the camp flag cannot be lost on the grassland, and the emperor is also looking forward to our return." Cao Wenzhao saw that the other two generals had the same look as Huang Degong, and couldn't help but remind him again.
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Cao Bianjiao is relatively young, so thinking of being in such danger and yet having to protect the camp flag is obviously too much for someone to do. Who knows if he will be able to come back after he leaves, after all, there are only more than 5,000 people there.
He frowned and suddenly had an idea, and said to his uncle: "Commander, why don't you leave the camp flag at Qingshui Mingyue Pass, so that it won't be lost in the grassland?" [
When Cao Wenzhao heard this, he was very angry and reprimanded: "Nonsense, the camp flag is the soul of the army, how can we leave the army?"
When Cao Bianjiao heard this, he reached out to scratch the back of his head, but hit his helmet, so he had to smile at his uncle.
Huang Degong and Zuo Liangyu pretended not to hear what their uncle and nephew said, and pretended to look at the map seriously.
Cao Wenzhao did not continue to scold this nephew who had followed him since childhood. He pointed at the map and said: "One of the biggest features of the grassland tribes is their settlement. The map shows their approximate nomadic range."
Cao Bianjiao just said something wrong. When he saw his uncle pointing at the map and talking, the light was a bit dim, so he quickly picked up the oil lamp on the side and brought it close so that everyone could see the map clearly.
Cao Wenzhao nodded to his nephew, and then continued: "Our purpose is to find them, eliminate them, avenge the people of the Ming Dynasty, and promote the prestige of the Ming Dynasty."
Zuo Liangyu looked at the map and heard Cao Wenzhao say this. He immediately caught the meaning of Cao Wenzhao's words and asked for confirmation: "Commander, are they all wiped out, including men, women, old and young?"
Cao Wenzhao looked at the excited expression on Zuo Liangyu's face, and his bloodthirsty nature was revealed. However, he didn't mind, and replied to Zuo Liangyu: "Did you hear when I gave the flag to the dead camp?
What?"
Huang Degong replied with some doubt: "Where the camp is, don't you leave any armor?"
Zuo Liangyu actually didn't care about this, he asked: "What about the trophies?"
Those Mongolian tribes robbed the land in the capital and went back with huge amounts of loot. Now that they are engaged in a war of genocide, the loot can be expected to be huge.
Cao Wenzhao stared at Zuo Liangyu for a while, and then said word by word: "No need to turn it over. Half of the spoils will belong to the individual, and the other half will be given to the general as a pension for the soldiers who died in the battle."
"Seriously?" Zuo Liangyu blurted out.
Birds die for food, and people die for wealth. Under the stimulation of this huge benefit, the soldiers who originally had the intention of death and went to the grassland for revenge are expected to explode with higher combat effectiveness.
Cao Wenzhao did not answer him. He had already said it once and there was no need to answer him again.[
"Tomorrow we will go deep into enemy territory. What is the current situation of each department?" Cao Wenzhao stood up straight and asked seriously.
Cao Bianjiao, Huang Degong, Zuo Liangyu looked at each other and said nothing, not knowing how to answer.
Seeing that they didn't reply, Cao Wenzhao said: "Six of the more than 2,000 people in the Chinese army have become ill due to freezing rain, and there are only 26 horses. Are you going to have none?"
When Cao Bianjiao heard this, he replied: "There are also two people in the general's department who are suffering from frostbite, but the symptoms are not serious. There are seven war horses."
"Five people in the general's department have a slight cold. They will be fine if they drink some ginger tea later. Eleven war horses are sick." Zuo Liangyu had no choice but to tell the story of his subordinates.
Huang Degong stood up straight, clasped his fists and replied: "At the end of the general's period, there are three people with signs of colds and diarrhea, and eight sick horses."
From the capital to Qingshui Mingyueguan, it rained non-stop. Although it was not heavy, it also made the people and horses wet. The weather was very cold at this time of year, and some people would get sick if they were not careful.
This is still within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, there are no enemies, and there is enough time to warm up and ward off the cold when camping. If this goes deep into the grassland, it may be difficult to predict.
Cao Wenzhao sighed slightly in his heart, and then ordered: "All war horses with symptoms will be replaced within the pass. All sick soldiers, regardless of the severity of their symptoms, will stay at Qingshui Mingyue Pass. You must remember"
When Cao Wenzhao gave the order, Cao, Huang, and the three generals from the left all stood up straight and waited for the general's order.
When Cao Wenzhao said this, he glanced at his three generals and saw that they were listening attentively, so he continued: "Our enemies in the grassland are not only the Mongolian Tatars or Jianlu, but another enemy that cannot be ignored is
In this weather, you must pay attention to keeping your soldiers warm and keeping out the cold, and try to reduce non-combat casualties, do you understand?"
"Understood." The three generals responded in unison, cupping their fists.
"Okay, go back and prepare. Let the soldiers have a good rest tonight. Early tomorrow morning, no matter what the weather is like, the troops must be quick and must set off."
"As ordered." The three generals loudly accepted the order and filed out, returning to where their subordinates were to make arrangements.
Early the next morning, the weather was unfavorable, and the spring rain began to patter again after stopping for half the night.
But in the school grounds of Qingshui Mingyue Pass, the soldiers of the death camp only wore a raincoat outside their armor, held the reins of their horses, and quietly lined up to wait for orders.
Cao Bianjiao, Huang Degong, and Zuo Liangyu stood at the front of the team and informed Cao Wenzhao, who had just arrived, that they could leave at any time.
Cao Wenzhao didn't waste any time and said goodbye to the pass guard who was seeing him off. Then he got on his horse, glanced at the more than 5,000 dead camp soldiers on the school field, and loudly gave the order to set off.
Cao Zijiang Banner and Death Ziying Camp Banner were still leading the way to the north gate of Qingshui Mingyue Pass. Cao Wenzhao stopped and looked at the pass. The team behind also stopped, and there was no confusion at all.
After exiting this gate, there is the grassland and the enemy's territory. Cao Wenzhao felt a surge of heroism in his heart and said secretly: The Han Dynasty has a general of hussars, but I, the general Cao, have a general.
He waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "Let's go." Then he took the reins and was about to urge the horse forward. At this time, he heard the rapid sound of horse hooves coming from behind.
Cao Wenzhao was startled when he heard this, and turned his head to look over. Other soldiers also looked over, wondering what was going on.
I saw a Guan Ning Army cavalryman coming on horseback. He saw the death flag at the front of the team and shouted: "General Cao, Marshal Cao"
Cao Bianjiao was startled when he heard this, and his brows furrowed. It couldn't be him.
Before he finished speaking, this man had reached the front of the team, rolled his saddle and dismounted his horse, knelt down on the slightly muddy ground, clasped his hands in his fists and said, "Commander, please let me go out with the army."
Cao Bianjiao had rushed over at this time. He looked at the man kneeling on the ground and found that it was indeed him.
"What's going on?" Cao Wenzhao asked with furrowed brows.
"Commander, this man's name is Zhu Yuanzhong, and he is the commander-in-chief of the general's command. Due to cold and diarrhea, the general ordered him to stay at Qingshui Mingyueguan to recuperate and not to go out to fight." Cao Bianjiao clasped his fists on his horse and reported to Cao Wenzhao.
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Zhu Yuanzhong raised his head, looked at Cao Wenzhao, and begged: "Commander, I know that General Cao is doing good for me. But last year, I had diarrhea and could not fight the enemy side by side with my brothers and be loyal to the country."
, I have dreamed about the villain’s brothers every night since then. Commander, the villain has recovered from his illness after sleeping all night. Please allow the villain to go out with the army and avenge his brothers!”
Cao Wenzhao looked at Zhu Yuanzhong and saw him looking at him expectantly, hoping that he could agree to his request.
"Do you know that if you go to war while sick, you will definitely be suspicious if your condition worsens." Although Cao Wenzhao was touched by Zhu Yuanzhong's deep brotherhood, he still wanted to persuade him that such a man who values friendship cannot be lost in vain.
in a meadow.
Zhu Yuanzhong kowtowed violently, causing mud and water to splash, but he didn't care at all. Then he raised his head and said firmly: "Please don't worry, Commander, I am in poor health. As long as I can kill a few more Tatars and avenge my brothers, I can also help my brothers underground."
If we give an explanation, the villain will be willing to die."
Cao Bianjiao originally blamed this man for being stubborn and not obeying his orders. Now that he heard his brotherly love, he was moved by him. This kind of brotherhood is the most important thing in the army.
"Commander, just accept him." Cao Bianjiao begged Cao Wenzhao.
"Okay, he is a man, let's return to the army." Cao Wenzhao nodded, praised, and agreed to go with the army.
"Thank you, Marshal, and thank you, General Cao." Zhu Yuanzhong saluted Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao one by one with his hands clasped in fists.
Cao Bianjiao admired Zhu Yuanzhong and said to him: "Get up. From now on, you will be my personal guard."
"Thank you, General Cao." Zhu Yuanzhong knew that Cao Wenjiao wanted to take care of him, so he was very grateful.
Cao Wenzhao watched his nephew lead Zhu Yuanzhong back to the army, and thought to himself that it would be great if all his troops were composed of warm-blooded men like Zhu Yuanzhong who valued friendship and loyalty.
"Soldiers of the death camp, avenge the brothers who died in the army, and avenge the people of the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who offends our Ming Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away they are. Victory will be won!"
Then, with the soldiers behind him shouting "Wan Sheng", Cao Wenzhao took the reins and clamped the horse's belly, rushed out of the gate and stepped onto the grassland.