There was no suspense. Zhu Youtang unilaterally informed Zhang Zhou about sending troops to Weininghai.
After the three cabinet ministers and Ma Wensheng came out of the Qianqing Palace, their faces were solemn but not overly anxious. On the contrary, Zhang Mao, who used to look relaxed and calm when discussing matters in front of the palace, had a very ugly face this time.
However, due to the previous estrangement between civil servants and military officials, Liu Jian and other civil servants would not discuss the pros and cons of Zhang Zhou's rise with Zhang Mao afterwards.
You Wu Xun have chosen the path themselves, and you have to walk it with tears in your eyes.
"Zhang Bingkuan controls the military affairs of Xuan Dapian Pass and other departments. It is only a matter of time to go to war, and the victory or defeat should have been predicted in advance."
Liu Jian made a comment in front of Ma Wensheng.
It expresses the cabinet's attitude on this matter.
"Um."
An old politician like Ma Wensheng can naturally understand the profound meaning of Liu Jian's words.
When Zhang Zhou was sent by the emperor to be the commander-in-chief of Xuanda, he should have thought that he might provoke a war. He could not be expected to continue to practice artillery and troops. Even if Zhang Zhou did not take action, the tribes in the grassland would not let you do it. The Ming army is wreaking havoc on our own territory.
It's just that Zhang Zhou took action too early and used troops too "unexpectedly", but in general it did not violate the policy of using troops since Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty.
That is to exchange for the highest benefit at the lowest cost.
Although the Ming Dynasty was mainly on the defensive in the northwest during the Hongzhi period, there was still a precedent of Wang Yue dividing his troops to attack Helan Mountain. Moreover, after the battles of Pianguan and Ningyuan, the prestige of the Ming border troops was lifted, and the initiative advocated by the emperor itself was also It has not violated the changes and needs of the border situation.
Under this premise, Zhang Zhou did not raise his troops to fight against Dayan Khan or Huo Si, nor did he wait to complete a frontal battle. He only used a sneak attack to attack the headquarters of Huo Si...
This is in line with Ming's interests.
If you win, you will gain a lot and directly change the pattern of the grassland. If you lose, you will only lose 3,000 cavalry...
In the Ming Dynasty, a "great victory" was achieved with considerable losses.
The victory reports of the Ming Dynasty were always based on the number of enemies killed. The imperial court would not publicize the number of losses suffered by its own side, because in almost every so-called great victory, the losses of Ming soldiers were higher than those of the Tatars. It can be said that It was a great victory achieved with piles of corpses. If this situation is publicized to the outside world, then who of the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops will dare to fight tooth and nail? How can the people's national pride be maintained?
The loss of three thousand soldiers and horses is not an unacceptable thing in the eyes of these cabinet elders and the Minister of War.
There is another meaning in Liu Jian's words.
If Zhang Zhou wins, it will be beneficial to Ming Dynasty and is desirable.
If Zhang Zhou lost, the emperor said that he would not be held accountable, but it would break the absolute respect given to him by everyone in the Ming Dynasty, which was also advisable.
Either way, we don't lose.
On the contrary, what we should be worried about is that this guy has won a big victory, and the interests of the nation and the country can be used as victims in a situation involving the ebb and flow of partisan struggles.
This is called politics.
…
…
After the three cabinet members returned, Li Dongyang immediately went to the Hanlin Academy to meet Wang Hua.
Wang Hua was a little surprised that Li Dongyang came to him, because he had also been helping to organize the "Da Ming Hui Dian" recently, and the final draft had been submitted once, but the emperor had not given his approval recently.
Once the "Da Ming Huidian" is written, Wang Hua will also receive an official promotion as a Hanlin lecturer.
The completion of the compilation of "Da Ming Huidian" was a carnival for everyone in the Hanlin Academy. After all, Qingshui Yamen like the Hanlin Academy usually didn't have much opportunity to make meritorious deeds and receive rewards.
"Dehui, I'm not here to talk to you about book repair, but about your son Bo'an."
Li Dongyang also made it clear.
Wang Shouren is a rising star that I admire, and even the orthodox civil servants of the Ming Dynasty admire. What did your Wang family do? It was just a matter of asking Zhang Zhou to transfer Wang Hua to the Yanwu Hall. Now the Ming Dynasty wants to send troops to Weininghai, but you actually let your son go.
Become a civil servant accompanying the army?
Of course, Li Dongyang could not directly tell him about the dispatch of troops to Weininghai. He could only make indirect inquiries about Wang Shouren's recent friendships and political stance.
Wang Hua sighed: "Speaking of which, I have been somewhat neglectful in my discipline of Bo'an. In the past few years, he has been traveling around to study and prepare for exams. He failed the exam twice, and his character has also changed a lot."
Li Dongyang interrupted Wang Hua and asked: "I'm asking him about his views on the military and politics of the northwest."
Wang Hua shook his head: "He told me that he admired Wang Weining in his heart, especially Wang Weining's surprise attack on Weininghai. He took the initiative to organize the funeral... but it seemed to have something to do with Bingkuan. He said that Bingkuan had asked about it.
If he wants to attend the funeral, he will agree to it."
"Zhang Bingkuan?"
Li Dongyang frowned.
After listening to Wang Hua's words, he immediately realized that Zhang Zhou had a good relationship with Wang Shouren.
If this is the case, it is not surprising at all that Wang Shouren recommended Wang Yue's surprise attack on Weining Hai, and Zhang Zhou, as a friend, asked Wang Shouren to coordinate the strategy of this surprise attack on Weining Hai.
"Has Bo'an ever mentioned his admiration for Wang Shichang to others?" Li Dongyang asked, "What about his personal relationship with Bingkuan?"
Wang Hua sighed: "Bo'an once told me that he didn't know why Bingkuan knew about his enthusiasm for military affairs. He didn't inform him in advance about the investigation of Wutang, but he was still ordered to go. As for Wang Weining's funeral,
, it was also Bingkuan who took the initiative. He and Bingkuan usually have no personal relationship. It is said that... they have never sat down and talked once."
Wang Hua is also very careful.
He could tell that maybe Li Dongyang was concerned about his son getting close to Zhang Zhou.
Although Zhang Zhou is now a lecturer in the Imperial Academy and will probably become a bachelor in the Imperial Academy, Zhang Zhou himself is not tolerated by orthodox civil servants, and he cannot say how close the relationship between his son and Zhang Zhou is.
Li Dongyang asked: "Did Bo'an tell Bingkuan that he admired Wang Shichang's breath and Wei Ninghai?"
Wang Hua shook his head: "I don't know. But...what does this have to do with it?"
"he!"
Li Dongyang was a little speechless.
You can't tell Wang Huaming that Zhang Zhou really wants to use your son to attack Weininghai. If Wang Bo'an didn't say it himself, then it can only be calculated by Zhang Zhou?
"If you have any questions, Binzhi, I can write to Quan Zi, saying that he is preparing to go to Daming Mansion. Call him back and you will know." Wang Hua was afraid that his son would get into trouble.
All fathers are like this.
While she hopes her son will be well, she is also afraid that her son will get into trouble. She wants to be a nanny, but what she says and does often seems to her son to be incomprehensible.
In Wang Hua's opinion, if Li Dongyang could ask him about Wang Shouren alone, this might be a big disaster.
Li Dongyang was a little helpless and was about to leave, but he still said: "No need to ask him, I don't expect him to come back for a while. You will naturally know what he is going to do in a few days! Alas!"
"this?"
Wang Hua was also a little confused.
No matter how scheming you are, Li Dongyang, you suddenly come to me to say such unclear words. What is your purpose?
Even if my son goes to attend Wang Weining's funeral, it is still an errand sent by the court. Who has he offended?
…
…
Wang Shouren arrived at Xuan Mansion on the morning of the day he sent out troops, which was the 30th day of May the day after Zhang Zhou formulated his tactics.
When Zhang Zhou invited Wang Shouren to the governor's office and told him about sending troops to Weininghai in front of Tang Yin, Wang Shouren shook his head first.
It's not that he wasn't willing to do it, it was just that he didn't understand what Zhang Zhou wanted to do.
"Let Bohu tell you more specifically." Zhang Zhou smiled.
It's time to practice Tang Yin's eloquence.
When you, Tang Yin, were a scholar, you were eloquent and unruly, but when it comes to major military affairs, you have to rely on your words to tell Wang Shouren everything you heard and understood yesterday, and to persuade Wang Shouren.
Accept this job.
It all depends on how talented you are.
Tang Yin first told Wang Shouren the general content of yesterday's meeting. When he mentioned that the Fire Sieve headquarters was on the north side of Weining Sea, Wang Shouren's eyes fell on the map hanging on the side, nodded and said: "Even if it is not based on divine speculation, just
Judging from the current situation, this is indeed very possible. But has Ye Wushou discovered such a situation?"
Tang Yin looked back at Zhang Zhou.
I mean, it’s up to you to tell me?
But seeing Zhang Zhou smiling and saying nothing, Tang Yin understood that Zhang Zhou was asking him to "keep up the good work," and he said, "There is no information that is not collected at all hours of the night."
Only then did Wang Shouren realize that everything was just Zhang Zhou's words.
Tang Yindao: "Three thousand fine cavalry, commanded by Wanquan Youwei, announced that the deputy commander Ma Yi will be the general, and the guarding officer Cao Shun will supervise the army. At present, Bo'an... You came to go out with the army. You left the fortress from Wanquan Youwei. After
Xinghe, Daqingshan, to the upper reaches of the Dongyang River, and directly to the north bank of Haizi in Weining, to make a surprise attack. It is agreed that after three days and four nights, the surprise attack will be carried out. If you encounter Di Yi going west, you will chase him quickly and return within five days."
"Hmm." After hearing this, Wang Shouren felt that it was quite reliable. He asked, "So, there are no traces of Hulu activities around Daqing Mountain now?"
"this……"
Tang Yin's eyes were looking towards Zhang Zhou again.
I'm still thinking, why do you, Wang Bo'an, have so many questions?
Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Last year, Daqingshan was used by the herdsmen of the Yibula tribe. However, after the drought, the water around Daqingshan dried up seriously and the grassland degraded. The Yongxiebu tribe of the Yibula tribe moved westward towards Xiashui Haizi.
And went... with the intention of trapping him. After the two battles in Pianguan and Ningyuan this year, Dayan Khan moved his tent to Ordos to prevent the Mongolian right-wing troops from trapping. This is how the war started. "
“Is the road feasible?”
Wang Shouren is obviously more independent than Tang Yin.
After discovering that there were no major strategic problems, he became concerned about whether this path would be good or not.
"this……"
Tang Yin didn't know how to answer.
Zhang Zhou had said before that this road was not easy to walk, but he didn't know exactly why it was so difficult.
At this time, it seemed that it didn't matter whether Tang Yin was there or not. Zhang Zhou said: "Daqing Mountain is the middle section of Yin Mountain. If you have to pass through Daqing Mountain to enter the northern foothills, the road is rugged and difficult to navigate. It may take you a few days. But after passing Daqing Mountain, you can reach the
The terrain in the upper reaches of the Dongyang River is relatively flat, and it takes time to cross the Lubao. Once you get to Weining Haizi, you can ride your horse and drive your troops straight in."
"What about the retracement?" Wang Shouren asked.
Tang Yin grabbed the opportunity this time and said, "Just go back the way you came!"
"Um?"
Wang Shouren obviously felt that Tang Yin's words were a bit unreliable.
Why did you go back the same way?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "To the outside world, we are going back the same way we came. But if the surprise attack on Weininghai is a complete victory, a large number of people and livestock will be captured. It will be impossible to go back the same way. I will personally lead the Chinese army there.
From the southern foothills of Daqing Mountain, cross the Dongyang River to Maoerzhuang, you can just go south from Weininghai!"
Tang Yin was surprised and said: "Isn't the place where the front flag of the Manguan Ai tribe in the south of Weining Sea is located in Mao'erzhuang?"
Wang Shouren nodded and said: "If this war succeeds, there will be a little Tatar prince in the west of the Manguan Hui tribe, and a Yongxiebu tribe in the south, and a Tumote tribe in the south, not to mention the border officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who will be in charge. No matter how powerful they are,
No matter how many troops were stationed around Ninghaizi, they all had to withdraw westward to join the main battle troops of the tribe."
"That's what I mean." Zhang Zhou felt that it would be better to talk about military affairs with Wang Shouren, because he wouldn't have to waste his breath.
It can be said that Wang Shouren has a clear understanding of the grassland situation, the rules of war between the Tatars and the Ming Dynasty, and the essentials of marching and managing the army.
It's okay to say that Wang Shouren is familiar with the art of war, or that Wang Shouren was also a warmonger with little talent when he was young. Now if you give him a stick, how can he not know how to climb up?
Does Wang Shouren also think that if he hangs out in official circles for decades and waits until he is in his forties or fifties before he has the opportunity to work in Jiubian, he will be able to fulfill his lifelong ambition?
If you have an opportunity, seize it.
Zhang Zhou was like this, and Wang Shouren was like this.
Because the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty followed the old-fashioned rules of seniority, it was very unfriendly to young and energetic young people like Zhang Zhou and Wang Shouren who had just entered the officialdom.
Wang Shouren continued to suggest: "Then sending troops from Datong will be crucial. I wonder how many troops Datong Town will send?"
Zhang Zhou said: "At least two groups, each with 5,000 troops and horses, mainly to respond to each other from a distance, to pave the way for you to withdraw troops from Weining Hainan. I have already informed Datong Governor Hong Han and asked him to send troops to cooperate."
"Will he listen to you?"
Wang Shouren was also very rude when asking questions.
Although you, Zhang Zhou, are the general secretary of Xuanda, Ma Zhongxi looks down on you when you first come here. Why do you think that the Hong Han Society will only follow your lead?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "You don't need to listen to me, just listen to the holy edict."
"oh."
Wang Shouren immediately figured it out.
It seems that Zhang Zhou was the leader in sending troops this time, but there was a "backer" behind Zhang Zhou, and Zhang Zhou represented the emperor.
Ma Zhongxi is the kind of loyal minister who doesn't rub his eyes, but Hong Han is relatively mediocre. He is probably the kind of person who Wang Shouren looks down upon who relies on his qualifications to get into power, but Hong Han himself has to listen to the emperor's orders.
.
"In addition, Pianguan will send 10,000 troops to coordinate from the left. Qin controls the platform in Yansui, and may also send 20,000 troops to respond. This battle does not seek to regain the Hetao, but it can make the tribes on the grassland dare not
Close to the border of Ming Dynasty."
When Zhang Zhou said this, Wang Shouren seemed to feel relieved instantly.
"I am willing to take orders and go!"
Wang Shouren immediately raised his hands and said.
Obviously Wang Shouren also heard that Zhang Zhou was not bragging. If Zhang Zhou was just a new scholar, he would not be able to mobilize the people from the nine towns.
But Zhang Zhou has two men with great military exploits. After Wang Yue's death, the entire northwest system was in some confusion. Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng, who were the most able to frighten the Tatars, were actually Zhang Zhou's people, and Zhang Zhou
I was directly in charge of the Xuan Mansion. In addition, Qin Hong was not too critical of Zhang Zhou. Zhang Zhou also had the support of the emperor...
Zhang Zhou is the chief instructor of Yanwu Hall, the developer of new artillery, and is responsible for casting cannons for the imperial court...
With this layer of halo, even Ma Zhongxi can't do anything to Zhang Zhou. Now Zhang Zhou has to use the four towns of Xuanfu, Datong, Pianguan and Yansui to coordinate and complete a raid on Weininghai. Is it really that difficult?
?
Of course Wang Shouren would feel...this is the right way for me!
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Brother Bo'an, as long as you are willing to go, I am worried about who will cooperate. Since you choose to go, it is not too late to leave tonight. But before you go, we have to study new weapons.
.”
"Cannon?" Wang Shouren was puzzled.
What weapons can you bring me?
Zhang Zhou said: "Ordinary cannons are too heavy to be carried by light soldiers in a surprise attack. I happened to have recently studied some lightweight cannons. Each one weighs only sixty or seventy kilograms and can be carried on horseback, but the range is not far.
, it’s only about a mile away and can be easily used.”
Tang Yin stared when he heard this.
Didn't we agree to attack with light troops and win with cold weapons and at most some firecrackers?
How could you still bring the cannon there?
The artillery mentioned by Zhang Zhou is actually a simple smoothbore howitzer. It is not a multi-piece cannon. It has high air tightness, but the barrel is thin and the caliber is small. The craftsmanship of this kind of artillery made by indigenous methods is not complicated.
Without the pure steel cannon body and the power of yellow gunpowder, this kind of cannon in the Ming Dynasty could only be used as a large firecracker about a hundred meters away. It would not have much power if it fired an iron ball. It all depends on whether it can be fired.
allow.
But after Zhang Zhou's technical improvements, this kind of gun already has the attributes of the Folang machine gun, that is, shotguns.
Except for the shorter range, everything else is pretty good.
It is used to suppress medium and close firepower. It has a longer range than ordinary crossbows and a large coverage area. It is especially effective against cavalry assaults.
…
…
Zhang Zhou took Wang Shouren to see the new cannon.
Wang Shouren was also surprised that Zhang Zhou could bring out something new at this time.
"Before the afternoon, I will give you a demonstration. They are all from the Yanwu Hall. I will also teach the army officers how to use them in the future." Zhang Zhou smiled, "As for the gunners you brought over this time, they are all old acquaintances.
He is from the Yanwu Hall or the Jingying Shenji Camp. There is no difficulty in scheduling, and he can understand all the flags and flares."
When Wang Shouren saw it, he saw that this was so considerate.
Not to mention the new lightweight cannon, the people still employed were the same people from Kenwutang who usually help fire the cannons. Everyone looked familiar and they had even talked to each other.
"I'll show you another kind of firecracker."
Zhang Zhou asked someone to bring over a new firecracker.
When Wang Shouren held it in his hand, he felt something was different, because there was no gap for placing the fuse in this firecracker. Instead, there was a trigger and other things he had never seen before.
"The previous match-rope guns required ignition and could not be used for emergencies at any time." Zhang Zhou said, "It is summer now, and there may be rain in the grassland, so the use of match-rope guns is limited."
"This is a flint gun. As the name suggests, flint is used to ignite the fire. Just move it here. It can fire two projectiles at a time, and the filling is more cumbersome. I only have two hundred here, and they are all standard projectiles. I call them
For bullets.”
"Because it is a short musket, its range is not far, about fifty to a hundred steps. It is used to kill at close range. It is the weapon of choice after rushing into the enemy camp and before entering hand-to-hand combat."
"This thing will continue to be improved in the future. This time we sent out troops in a hurry, I can't prepare much for you. Just take it with you for self-defense."
When Wang Shouren heard this, he took the flint gun in his hand and couldn't put it down, as if he had found a new favorite.
He had been completely moved by Zhang Zhou.
Zhang Zhou's thoughtfulness has already reached his grandma's house.
