It had to go through two days of urgent marching. In the past, the army must have been complaining endlessly, but with Zhang Zhou and Wang Shouren sitting in the army, and even though it lasted two days and two nights, the march could only be more than a hundred miles, which was very difficult for the soldiers.
It's not that scary.
The Ming Pass is in front of us, and everyone in the army, especially the soldiers of the expeditionary force, is eager to return home.
After marching for a day and a night, we were now less than sixty miles away from Yanghekou, and the scope of Ye Bushou's exploration was already about a hundred miles away. With fast horses passing through, the intelligence from all directions could be clearly summarized.
Wang Shouren followed Zhang Zhou and saw Zhang Zhou's unique side.
"The Fire Sieve Headquarters is indeed here, but it doesn't seem to have any intention of making a large-scale invasion."
Zhang Zhou was riding on his horse, holding the Ye Bu Sheng battle report he had just obtained in his hand, and looked at Wang Shouren with a smile.
Wang Shouren looked at Zhang Zhou's leisurely and contented look, and thought of Zhang Zhou's previous talk of a decisive battle with Fire Sieve. He actually wanted to ask, "Why don't you give us all the mighty gunpowder, not even many cannonballs? Then Fire Sieve is here, you
How to fight him decisively?
Zhu Hui, who was standing next to him, smiled and asked, "Mr. Zhang, how many people did Huoshi bring this time?"
Zhang Zhou shook his head: "At present, we can only roughly speculate that he is a hundred miles away from us and has not yet reached Mao'erzhuang. When he comes, we will know how many people he has."
"Where is the direction of sending troops from Datong Town?"
Wang Shouren asked a question that concerned him.
It has always been said that Datong Town will send troops, but until now, not to mention the regular army of Datong Town, not even the shadow of the scouts coming from Datong has been seen. No matter how it looks, Datong Town does not look like it has sent troops.
Zhu Hui asked with a smile: "Major General Wang, what you are saying is that you want to gather your troops and fight the Tatars. Your courage is commendable."
After Wang Shouren experienced the two battles of Weininghai and Tushan, the soldiers of the expeditionary force first called him Major General, and now even Zhu Hui and others also changed their name.
There is probably a sense that Wang Shouren is a second-generation official. Wang Shouren does not think of himself as a soldier. He actually has some resistance to this title, but everyone else calls him that, so he acquiesces.
"In my opinion, if Huo Si retreats, he will bring back at least 30,000 to 40,000 cavalry. I'm afraid it will be difficult to win in a head-on battle." After Wang Shouren finished speaking, he seemed to doubt Zhang Zhou's previous bragging, and changed his words, "
Unless the troops of all parties cooperate and use the troops properly, there must be a plan to control the situation."
"Yes, we have to rely on Mr. Zhang." Zhu Hui heard that Wang Shouren was complimenting Zhang Zhou and also said something to help him.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "The troops sent out from Datong Town should have gone through Gudian. They left the Mashiguan Road in Fangshan and couldn't meet us. They probably missed it."
Wang Shouren wanted to ask, since you ordered Datong Town to send troops to coordinate with the emperor's order, and stated that you were going to send troops to Mao'erzhuang, now that the march of troops and horses in Datong Town has not achieved your strategic intention, how can you deal with it so easily?
"But who made them go astray, and they can't even get a share of the credit?"
Zhang Zhou joked with a smile.
Everyone around who heard it was laughing except Wang Shouren.
This is a proud smile.
Most of the credit goes to the expeditionary force, but Zhang Zhou personally led 7,000 soldiers and horses to rush to the rescue and drove back the pursuing troops of Mongol Jin tribe. The credit was not small. Zhu Hui and others were also waiting to go back to receive the reward.
.
Wang Shouren disagreed with this. If the soldiers and horses of Datong Town did not get credit, even if it was a punishment for them, then it would be too cheap.
They didn't send any troops, but they almost killed our expeditionary force.
Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Shouren with a smile. He probably meant that there are some things that are not convenient to say publicly. It is better to wait until we are in a suitable place before interviewing you alone.
…
…
Ming Dynasty said it was a rapid march, but because it was driving nearly 100,000 cattle and sheep, it was not moving very fast.
Sometimes people don't need to rest, but the horses do. At the same time, the cattle and sheep have to be fed with fodder, so the army will stop to rest for a while. They also take the temperament of these animals as the first priority. If they need to eat fodder, the man will stop.
To eat dry food, sometimes they would simply set up a stove and let the soldiers drink hot soup.
Enough broth.
With the addition of wild vegetables, it will taste delicious whether it is the soldiers of the expeditionary army or the seven thousand soldiers and horses brought by Zhang Zhou.
Ma Yi personally led an expeditionary force, together with some of the cavalry brought by Zhang Zhou, to take charge of the rear.
Except for the men and horses at the rear who might be a little nervous, the atmosphere in the army was very relaxed even though no one in the army had yet seen the side wall of the Great Wall.
When Wang Shouren inspected the marches of various units on horseback, he found that the soldiers looked relaxed and content, as if they were out to practice artillery. Even the soldiers of the expeditionary force who had marched with him for more than ten days and experienced two major battles seemed to be relaxed.
I feel that with Zhang Zhou here, this battle will definitely be stable.
Wang Shouren didn't know where this group of people got their confidence.
Huoshai personally led his troops back to rescue them, hoping to rescue the prisoners. According to Wang Shouren's estimate, Huoshai's headquarters should have thirty to forty thousand troops.
But Zhang Zhou once told him that Huo Si was not that awesome... It would be good if he could bring back 20,000 elite soldiers, which would probably be Huo Si's entire possessions.
After the army buried the stove and continued to set off, Wang Shouren took advantage of the fact that there were no people like Zhu Hui around Zhang Zhou and hurried over to ask what was going on.
"The Mongolian right wing has a total of 30,000 households. However, the Mongol Lejin troops are not satisfied with the number of households. There are about 8,000 households. I count that they have four warriors. Due to the losses in the battles such as Pianguan and Weininghai, he has the most
There are only 25,000 troops left, but the headquarters only has 17,800, and the remaining 7,000 or so are left behind at Maoerzhuang and other places... You have all met me."
When Zhang Zhou said this, it was as if he had a clear understanding of the situation in the grassland.
Wang Shouren asked: "But all parties in the court were saying that the Huoshan headquarters has more than 50,000 troops."
"That is an exaggeration." Zhang Zhou said, "Everywhere in the northwest is harassed by fire sieves, especially Xuanda and other places, which are often plundered by their troops. If his strength is not exaggerated, it is only said that he only has a total of 30,000
Of the soldiers, 10,000 of them are still old, weak, sick and disabled. Do the Ming frontier troops still have face?"
"Besides, you have captured all the family members of his headquarters in Weininghai. Except for a few who escaped and the women who accompanied the army, how many members of their family do you think are behind these more than 10,000 prisoners?
?To say that he can bring 25,000 troops and horses is considered a compliment from me!"
"However, there are also many tribesmen attached to him in his army, maybe several thousand. Just like when you used the fire horse formation to fight them before, there were many small and medium-sized tribes who were coerced into the battle in front of them.
"
"Even the Mengoljin tribe itself is divided into big banners and small banners. The grassland is a pattern of interests. If there is no profit, you can't afford it. At this time, for the sake of their own interests, it is difficult for most tribes to obey the orders of the fire sieve.
"
Only then did Wang Shouren realize that what the border troops knew was all lies.
No wonder Zhang Zhou was so confident that Huo Si did not dare to attack.
Wang Shouren alone had less than 3,000 soldiers and horses, which caused chaos in Weininghai and other places. Zhang Zhou personally went into battle and brought 7,000 soldiers and horses... It is difficult to investigate this digital fire screen clearly, even if the fire screen is clear
With his headquarters of about 20,000 men, how dare he directly confront Zhang Zhou?
I'm afraid you have forgotten how you lost in Pianguan and Weininghai, right?
Even if you are in Tushan, you have nearly tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, but my king led more than 2,000 people to cut you down by 20 to 30%?
Zhang Zhoudao: "Bo'an, the previous battle at Weininghai also put you in a difficult situation. If there were other generals, they might not have the courage you have. It seems that you have a lot of military attainments."
Now that Wang Shouren thought about it, Zhang Zhou was also very hardworking. He knew that Huoshii's remaining troops were probably close to tens of thousands, but he still dared to send 3,000 cavalry to attack Weininghai. In fact, he was just using time to make Huoshii station in front of Mao'erzhuang.
The flag soldiers and horses were unable to react in time.
Wang Shouren sighed: "Perhaps Huo Si doesn't want to start a war with our Ming Dynasty?"
"Yeah." Zhang Zhou nodded, as if he agreed with Wang Shouren's view, "You are right! Huo Si's withdrawal from the front line means that he has no intention of representing the Mongolian right wing to compete with Dayan Khan. Without him Huo Si
Even if their troops and horses are not stabbed, their chances of winning will be greatly reduced. Doesn't Fire Sieve understand the meaning of lips dying and teeth cold?"
"Then he...means to surrender to the Ming Dynasty?" Wang Shouren asked in surprise.
"Who knows?" Zhang Zhou was laughing.
Wang Shouren felt a strong "malice" from Zhang Zhou's smile. This malice was directed at Huo Si, and he was even mocking Huo Si.
It was only now that Wang Shouren suddenly figured out the pattern.
Originally, he thought that Huo Si felt that his lair had been attacked, and was so angry that he even ignored the battle with Dayan Khan on the front line, and led his troops to attack hundreds of miles back, insisting on a decisive battle with the Ming Dynasty.
Only now did he seem to understand why Huoshi led his troops and rushed over, but seemed not in a hurry to fight the Ming Dynasty. It was because Huoshi was afraid of Zhang Zhou, and was afraid that Zhang Zhou would kill the captured hostages of his tribe, and even more afraid.
Dayan Khan wiped out Yibula and other tribes, and then turned around and dealt with his fire sieve as well.
So Huo Si followed, mostly because he wanted to make peace with Daming...
Seeing Wang Shouren's complex and changeable expression, Zhang Zhou reminded him: "But from now on, we can't always catch a sheep like a fire sieve to extract wool. Half a year has not come yet, and the Mongolian tribe is about to be stripped of its skin. The Mongolian right wing
Showing weakness may not be a good thing for the Ming Dynasty, because it will mean that the little Tatar prince will rise completely on the grassland, and the era of grassland unification may be coming soon."
"Um."
Wang Shouren was also a little worried about this.
Although it seems that Ming Dynasty took advantage of the situation and became a fisherman.
But doing so indirectly helped Dayan Khan, the most powerful man in the grassland, and gave him the opportunity to complete his unification of the grassland.
Wang Shouren asked: "At this time, perhaps we should help the Mongolian right wing. Next time, should we send troops from Ningxia and other places to raid the rear of Chahar?"
Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Shouren with a smile.
Wang Shouren still doesn't understand why Zhang Zhou thinks of him so much. Is it because his proposal is a bit too radical?
Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Shouren, more because he felt that although Wang Shouren seemed young and had no actual combat experience, he understood the strategic intentions very quickly. In fact, many people could understand it, but there were few people who were willing to implement it, or even dared to implement it, like Wang Shouren.
There are very few.
"Bo'an, even if you put your proposal to Mr. Qin's desk, he may not have the courage to implement it. It's rare that you dare to think and do it. Then we will definitely need your help to pacify the grassland in the future."
Zhang Zhou asked Wang Shouren to help him, but more importantly, he was telling him that if the grassland tribes were to be completely wiped out in the future, I, Zhang, would definitely do it myself, and you would just have to provide support.
But Wang Shouren also heard that Zhang Zhou didn't seem to be in a hurry to pacify the grassland.
"We have already changed the pattern of the grassland, and there is no need to change it so drastically."
Zhang Zhou raised his head and looked ahead, sighed and said, "Let the grassland be turbulent for a few years, and let me, the Ming Dynasty, accumulate a few more years. Just like today, we have to fight a war, and all the artillery and gunpowder we can use
It’s still not enough. If the Ming Dynasty is given another three to five years, thousands of cannons will be deployed in a war, and every soldier will be able to carry a flint gun. Do you think this battle will still be fought?"
When Wang Shouren heard this, he understood.
Zhang Zhou is not afraid of war, but only fights well prepared wars.
The biggest problem in not pacifying the grassland at present is not the lack of opportunities, but the lack of preparation.
It is obvious that in a few years, we will be able to produce more superior weapons and it will be easier to pacify, so why do we force ourselves to take advantage of the fact that we are short of food, grass and baggage now?
It is very difficult to build a fire sieve, let alone Dayan Khan and other tribes who joined together... Once the Ming Dynasty takes the stance of conquering the grassland, the tribes in the grassland will definitely abandon their past grievances, unanimously open up to the outside world, and maybe even help.
The Mongolian right wing was saved from destruction.
Shoot and run away, this is Zhang Zhou's current strategy.
He, Wang Shouren, had completed the one-shot mission, and Zhang Zhou was now helping him execute the "run" strategy. It looked like he was retreating, but in fact he was giving up the ground, leaving Dayan Khan and the Mongolian right wing to fight dog-eat-dog.
.
"My next plan is to prepare to send troops from Yansui, with the trilateral commander personally leading the troops to recapture the Hetao. However, it may have to wait a month or two first, but I estimate that the Tatar ministries may wait for a period of time in the future.
In time, we will withdraw from Hetao and other places. This is also thanks to you, Bo'an."
Zhang Zhou looked at Wang Shouren with admiration.
Wang Shouren said hurriedly: "I don't dare to take it seriously."
He said this, but Wang Shouren also believed in his heart that the surprise attack on Weininghai and the battle of Tushan were of great significance to the Ming Dynasty.
It not only frightened the fire sieve, as Zhang Zhou said, the fire sieve would cut off the skin of the bald man, but also made Dayan Khan and other tribes realize that forcibly turning against the Ming Dynasty was not a good choice.
The Ming Dynasty's frontier troops are now showing their sharpness. Three thousand soldiers and horses dare to attack your home. How dare they garrison troops in the Hetao? This makes Ming Dynasty feel threatened. Once the Ming Dynasty sends troops, it is difficult to say what the pattern of the grassland will be like.
"Advanced to the pass, this time we will directly station troops in Datong. In fact, I also want to ask the governor of Datong. The military order is so clear, why is it so difficult to execute it?"
"It seems that it is time to think about whether it is better for you to be stationed in Datong, or whether I should let you go back to station in Xuanfu."
When Wang Shouren heard this, Zhang Zhou planned to replace Hong Han, the governor of Xuanfu?
But he also felt that this battle was worth fighting. It was enough to be promoted to governor, but he could actually choose where to be governor?
…
…
The soldiers and horses marched all the way to Yanghekou.
Because they had sent people to the pass to greet them in advance, the generals of the Yanghekou garrison and the commander of the Yanghe Guards, Song Xian, even led troops out of the pass to greet them.
Zhang Zhou was five miles north of the pass. While stationing troops and horses, he sent people to drive prisoners and livestock into the pass. At the same time, he saw Song Xian himself, who came to greet him by kneeling down.
"Commander Song, you are too polite to be polite. Get up. There is no need to be polite during war. Let me introduce to you. This is Wang Shouren and Wang Zhongcheng who led the troops to achieve great victories in the Weining Hai and Maoerzhuang battles."
Zhang Zhou did not forget to introduce Wang Shouren to Song Xian.
This made Wang Shouren a little embarrassed.
Wherever Zhang Zhou goes now, he wants to praise him. He knows that Zhang Zhou has no ill intentions.
According to his speculation, Zhang Zhou wanted people to know that he, Wang Shouren, was his right-hand man. He would station in the northwest for Zhang Zhou in the future and become the next Anbian Marquis Zhu Feng or the next Wang Qiong.
Although Wang Qiong had military exploits, his achievements were obviously not as outstanding as those of Wang Shouren. However, Wang Shouren also knew that he was just following orders. The battles of Weininghai and Tushan were nominally commanded by Ma Yi and Cao Shun, but he was not.
He was just the head of the Ministry of War, so he really needed Zhang Zhou as his "backer".
It is said that it is good to enjoy the shade under the big tree.
No matter how far-sighted and ambitious you are, no matter how capable you are, others will only respect you politely and not from the heart.
But it would be different if Zhang Zhou praised him in front of others. Even if others didn't look at Wang Shouren's military achievements, they would still look at Zhang Zhou's face.
Not only does Zhang Zhou have access to Heaven's will, but he also has the Sacred Heart. He can spread his military merits widely if he sprinkles them casually. Who among the northwest generals doesn't want to follow Zhang Zhou?
After the ceremony.
Zhang Zhou asked Song Xiandao: "I ordered Datong Town to send troops to Maoerzhuang by imperial order, but why there seems to be no movement until now? Commander Song, do you know the situation?"
"I heard that... the soldiers and horses left the pass, but a few days later... they were attacked by Di Yi, and the soldiers and horses retreated back into the pass..."
"hehe."
Zhang Zhou smiled and looked at Wang Shouren on the side, probably saying, now you know why I am so anxious to rescue you, right?
If I don't save you, there really will be no one to save you.
"But along the way, I heard that the Tatars were restrained in Maoerzhuang by Wang Zhongcheng's troops. Where did the Tatars come from to harass the pass? It seems that the governor of Datong and the local generals did not understand the meaning of the annex.
Ah." Zhang Zhou looked aggressive.
Song Xian didn't know how to answer.
Wang Shouren wanted to remind Zhang Zhou that now that we are on the ground in Datong, we should not criticize these local snakes casually.
It would not be good if the local snakes think that you intend to punish them, cause trouble for you, or even cause trouble for us.
On the contrary, the Xuanfu land is where we send troops and should go back. Even if there is Ma Zhongxi there... it won't be a big trouble.
Zhang Zhou said: "It is difficult for the governor of Datong to achieve great things."
This evaluation is very sharp.
In history, the Hong Han Dynasty was summoned back to the capital in June of the 13th year of Hongzhi precisely because of the unfavorable resistance during the fire-sweeping invasion of the border areas.
The person who succeeded Hong Han was Liu Yu, a member of the eunuch party who was good at bribery and ingratiation.
"Two days ago, I sent the battle report to the capital with a fast horse. I crossed Yanghekou. Didn't I encounter any obstruction?" Zhang Zhou asked.
Song Xian hurriedly said: "Not yet, we have successfully passed the pass."
"That's good. It is estimated that the news of the great victory on the grassland will soon reach the capital, which can be regarded as an explanation to His Majesty."
