Under the scorching sun, tens of thousands of troops were camped for more than ten miles to the west of Jinan and more than 20 miles north of Liaocheng. The main troops heading south were led by Li Yan, Huang Degong and others. Although they drove non-stop all the way, the weather was hot.
There are many foot soldiers and the pace is a little slow, but there is nothing we can do about it.
Under the shade of a tree, Li Yan just came out of the water, dried himself off and even blew the hot wind, frowning and looking into the distance: "It's too hot, and if you move in a hurry, you will hurt the soldiers and the horses."
Huang Degong put down the water bag in his hand and couldn't help but curse: "Damn it, it's so cold in winter and so hot in summer. At this moment, I just want to soak in the water and don't want to go anywhere."
"Why don't you get another two ounces of wine to make you feel more comfortable as a girl?" Ma Ke came over and scolded with a smile. Huang Degong laughed: "You can have wine, girl, I've been very tired recently..." He rolled his eyes.
, looking at Ma Ke and Wu Weiying: "Liaocheng is ahead. If we don't enter the city in time... cough cough cough."
Seeing the way he was winking, Wu Weiying cooed at Li Yan, which made it very clear whether she could pass him or not.
As expected, Huang Degong sighed and looked lonely, and asked casually: "General Li, can you go into Liaocheng to get some wine?"
"No, the governor gave an order before he left. He was not allowed to disturb the people during the march, and he was not allowed to enter the city unless necessary." Li Yan looked at a few people with a smile: "This is not to be unkind, but it is hard to disobey military orders."
Chicken feathers serve as arrows. Huang Degong cursed in his heart, but laughed: "Come on, it's not too late to have fun when you get to the end of the field."
"The land? That's thousands of miles away. General Huang can't bear it." Wu Weiying is old-hearted and smiles obscenely. Huang Degong disagrees: "It doesn't have to be so far. When we get to Xuzhou, Gao Jie can't be a landlord."
Friendship?"
Yes, everyone suddenly realized that the little eunuch must win over Gao Jie when employing people, and Gao Jie was eager to hug his thighs and naturally went up to the pole to please the little eunuch. It was their honeymoon period now, and when they arrived at Gao Jie's territory, they couldn't help but entertain all kinds of guests, and everyone also
Can get some light.
When everyone was looking at each other and thinking of good things, they suddenly saw a few horses approaching in the distance, and they couldn't help but frown, maybe there was trouble in Jinan.
Just a few days ago, Chang Yu sent an order to send a team of troops to Jinan to take over the food and salary. It was said that the amount was huge. Li Yan sent two fierce generals, Ji Jike and Hao Yaoqi, to take charge of the escort, but he was still afraid that something would happen.
There was a mistake. After all, there were many thieves in Shandong, and there was no precedent for robbing officials, silver, and grain.
"Report, General Li, Wu Sangui is ten miles behind. Please see the general!"
Wu Sangui, Li Yan and others were stunned!
Why did he come? If Li Yan had some psychological foreshadowing, after all, Chang Yu had briefly mentioned this matter to him, but Huang Degong, Ma Ke and others were completely stunned, it was really unexpected.
Ningyuan is the gate of the Ming Dynasty. Among the most important, Wu Sangui did not guard the gate and actually sent troops south?
What happened!
This matter is difficult to describe, and it is impossible to explain. Wu Sangui is like a mute who cannot explain the pain of eating Coptis chinensis. He has been holding back the anger since he was in the capital, but has no way to vent it, so he just rushes on his way.
His five thousand soldiers and horses were all on iron cavalry. It was a bit exaggerated to travel a thousand miles in a day, but it was not difficult to travel more than a hundred miles. He actually caught up with Li Yan and others a few days after leaving camp.
Wu Sangui and Huang Degong and Ma Ke were both old acquaintances. They had also been in contact with Li Yan during the Ningyuan War. Wen came to meet him in front of him. Although he felt a little embarrassed, he also knew that these people were now the confidants of the little eunuch.
, I want to go south to gain merit, even if I hate the little eunuch in my heart, I still have to do something superficial, at least maintain friendly relations with these generals.
"Old Wu, why did you follow south if you didn't guard Ningyuan?" Huang Degong was straight-minded and asked immediately. Wu Sangui shrugged: "We are generals and we obey orders. The emperor may think that I have no progress in that mountain corner."
So let me follow a few uncles and masters to develop my skills."
"Bah, your mouth is really damaging!" Huang Degong laughed and scolded: "Seriously, why did you go south?"
Wu Sangui said seriously: "I am really acting according to the order. There has been peace outside the Pass without war for at least a few years. The imperial court's strategic focus is on the Yangtze River Basin. I am afraid that the main force of the small governor will not be caught, so I have been asked to add fuel to the fire."
"Then...you are here, who will be in charge outside the customs? Although the Tatars suffered a disastrous defeat this time, we should not take it lightly! The court may be too careless in this way," Marco said worriedly.
There was no trace of displeasure on Wu Sangui's face, and he smiled and said: "Ningyuan is the most important gate of the country. How can the imperial court not make complete preparations? Now that my uncle is in charge, the Tatars can't even think of setting foot on it."
Your uncle? Huang Degong and others were startled, then horrified: "Zu Dashou? He's back?"
"Yes!" Wu Sangui nodded: "A few days ago, the young governor personally exchanged it from the Tatars, yes, in exchange for Azig."
He was entrusted with an important task and took charge of Ningyuan as soon as he came back. Not only Huang Degong, Ma Ke and others were surprised, but Li Yan also found it incredible. Several people looked at each other, and Wu Sangui observed their words. It seems that this matter was done secretly by the young eunuch and Emperor Chongzhen.
These people were also kept in the dark, and they felt a little relieved when they thought of this.
Under the shade of the tree, Wu Sangui, Li Yan and others were sitting on the ground, chatting about various topics over the past few days, talking all over the place.
"Where is the young governor at this time?" Wu Sangui asked curiously.
"I'm begging for food," Huang Degong said casually. Wu Sangui looked confused: "Begging for food?"
"These tens of thousands of mouths need to eat and drink every day. The imperial court is unable to cope with it all because the little governor is going around blowing the wind." Li Yan smiled bitterly. Only then did Wu Sangui understand: "Well, where are you... begging for food right now?"
Li Yan shook his head: "I was in Jinan a few days ago. I don't know at the moment. Maybe I am in Yanzhou or Xuzhou."
"Jinan? Isn't that Liu Zeqing's territory? Isn't the young governor begging for food from him?" Wu Sangui smiled half-heartedly: "I'm afraid even if the bowl is broken, I won't be able to get a bite."
Hey hey hey, Li Yan, Huang Degong and others laughed in a similar way. Wu Sangui was confused and a little weak when he laughed: "Is it possible that I guessed wrong? Liu Zeqing is famous for being a master who can only get in but not get out..."
"That fellow is indeed a master who can only get in and out, but the young governor is a master who can never escape." Li Yan said with a smile: "And Jinan not only has Liu Zeqing, there is also a vassal king..."
"That King of De is so poor and useless..." Wu Sangui said for a moment, then looked at Li Yan and said, "Is it the little governor..."
"Not only did I get it, but the pot was full," Ma Ke said seriously, "Eight hundred thousand dollars in salary, tens of thousands of stones, grain and grass..."
Ah! Wu Sangui had a big mouth and didn't come back for a long time.
How could the little eunuch be so capable? What method could he use to get so much from a tough rooster and a poor lord?
I don’t know how King Nade was willing to help with all his money, but he was certain that Liu Zeqing must have fallen into his scheme. Wu Sangui was sure in his heart, because even a shrewd person like himself would be plotted by the little eunuch, not to mention that stupid guy with a lot of money.
"Prince Lu of Yanzhou Prefecture has just assumed the title a few months ago. His little governor, who has no money or food, even comes to ask for it. He probably won't be able to get in. He should go to Xuzhou now," Wu Sangui said calmly after regaining his composure.
Li Yan and others agreed.
Immediately everyone discussed the march. It was still seven or eight hundred miles away from Xuzhou. The weather was hot and most of the troops were infantry, so the march was slow. Wu Sangui, on the other hand, was all cavalry. Although he could go first, his food and grass supply was limited.
problem, so they discussed going south, and finally decided to go with Li Yan and others first, and then listen to the little eunuch's decision after arriving in Xuzhou.