In Badaling, Zhang Fu and Kuang Ye stood on the dilapidated city wall, watching the Ora army begin to retreat.
"The British Lord, have the Walas really withdrawn?"
Kuang Ye expressed doubts about the scene in front of him. He also thought that this old boy was very scheming. He was not planning another conspiracy, right?
Zhang Fu also felt the same way. During Ye Xian's attack on the city, no less than 10,000 people were lost, and corpses piled up like mountains under the city. So he just gave up?
"I also feel something is strange. We can't let down our guard yet and just wait and see what happens!"
Three days later, the Jin Yiwei sent back information that Wala had really withdrawn its troops.
Zhang Fu and others finally breathed a sigh of relief. The battle has been going on so far, and both sides have suffered heavy losses. I can’t remember how many times the Walas rushed to the city wall and were forced back by the Ming army. Even so, No one can guarantee whether the next round of attacks can be defended.
Both sides are already on the verge of collapse. They are relying on every breath to hold on. It depends on who loses his temper first.
In the end, the Ming army had the last laugh.
Upon confirmation of the news of the withdrawal of troops from Wala, the soldiers cheered like thunder, and their long-suppressed mood was finally released.
However, after the celebration, the smile on Zhang Fu's face slowly disappeared because the emperor had not returned yet.
According to the intelligence passed back from Gubeikou, Zhu Qizhen and the Three Thousand Battalion did not enter the pass, but turned around and headed into the grassland.
With the withdrawal of troops first, the situation of this lone army becomes even more dangerous.
At the temporary command post in Badaling, Zhang Fu, as the commander-in-chief, summoned all the generals to discuss matters.
There is only one issue this time, whether to send troops to the desert to welcome the emperor back.
Chen Ying volunteered and asked to lead troops on the expedition.
Chen Huai and others did not hesitate to give in, and suggested sending troops one after another. In their hearts, without the emperor stepping forward, everyone would have been trapped and died in the earthen fort.
The enthusiasm of the soldiers was high, but Zhang Fu remained silent.
As the commander-in-chief, he must remain calm. The Ming army still has more than 30,000 combat troops. Unless the troops are mobilized again, entering the desert with the current strength will mean death.
However, the emperor is still outside and does not send troops. Wouldn't it be disloyal?
Chen Ying was impatient and said: "British Lord, the emperor has appointed you as the commander-in-chief. What are you waiting for now? Give the order!"
Zhang Fu finally said: "Everyone, I have been thinking about a question, why did Wala Yexian withdraw his troops in such a hurry?"
Everyone was startled when they heard this. Kuang Ye seemed to have noticed something and said, "Mr. British, you mean... the withdrawal of troops from Wala has something to do with the emperor?"
"I'm just guessing." Zhang Fu said slowly, "Wala's troops are superior. If we insist on attacking the city, the result is not yet known. But why did you suddenly withdraw your troops first?"
Chen Ying couldn't help but said: "Mr. British, what exactly do you want to say? Don't lie about it!"
Zhang Fu turned to Yuan Bin and said: "Yuan Qianhu, please tell everyone the information that Jin Yiwei has found!"
Yuan Bin nodded and said: "The lower official dispersed all the Jin Yiwei and gathered information on the periphery. He learned that the Wala people had a supply route. However, some time before he also withdrew his troops, no team transporting grain and grass appeared.
, it can be inferred from this that the reason why the Oara people withdrew their troops was probably because they ran out of food."
After hearing this, Chen Ying wondered: "What does that have to do with rescuing the emperor?"
Yuan Bin continued: "If there is a problem with the grain and grass in the rear, the only possibility is that the emperor cut off the enemy's grain transportation route on the grassland, and may even destroy the grain and grass camp. In this way, the Oara people will definitely be exhausted.
Use all your strength to surround the emperor."
Chen Ying frowned and said: "In this case, wouldn't the emperor's situation be more dangerous?"
"Your Majesty has discussed this matter with the British Duke Kuang Shangshu. Your Majesty has led 3,000 battalions deep into the hinterland of the grassland. They can rely on the mobility of the cavalry to deal with the enemy. If our army enters the grassland, it will have no advantage against the Ora cavalry. Even
It will become a burden to the emperor!"
Everyone was silent for a long time. After a long time, Chen Ying slapped his thigh and said bitterly: "Are we just going to watch the Emperor being surrounded and suppressed by the Wala people, and we just... sit idly by and ignore it?"
Zhang Fu said calmly: "Before the emperor left the country, he issued an oral order that we must put the overall situation first and not act on impulse. If we can go out to the grassland to welcome the emperor back, I will accept it even if he is wrapped in horse leather. However, if we send troops blindly,
Sacrificing the lives of the soldiers in vain may even become a burden to the emperor. I cannot make this decision no matter what."
Although everyone was unwilling to accept it, they all knew that what Zhang Fu said was right.
There was no result from the discussion at this meeting, and everyone was in a very depressed mood, with no joy at all after a great victory.
That night, Zhang Fu sat quietly on the bedside, unable to sleep.
He is seventy-five years old this year. When he was twenty-five years old, he followed his father Zhang Yu in revolting in Jingnan, and then conquered Annan and Mobei. In his life, he fought in all directions and made countless military exploits. However, the one that left the deepest impression on him was
The most important thing is this battle.
Emperor Xuande died young, and the orthodox emperor succeeded to the throne at the age of eight. Many times, in Zhang Fu's eyes, he was still a child.
Blindly arrogant, favoring the eunuchs, and hastily sending out troops, the 200,000-strong army was defeated along the way, with only less than 80,000 left.
Just when everyone was in despair, the young emperor seemed to have changed into a different person overnight. He personally led an army to fight back and cut a bloody path, which made people look at him with admiration.
With you like this, the Ming Dynasty will have no worries.
Now, what to do?
If we send out troops, there will be no cover or obstruction on the grassland, and the infantry will be a living target when facing the cavalry, which will only increase casualties.
Not sending troops?
The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is far away in the Mobei grassland, and his life and death are uncertain.
What should we do...
Overnight, this 70-year-old veteran seemed to have aged several years older.
"British public, British public!"
Before dawn, Kuang Ye hurried to Zhang Fu's bedroom, looking very anxious.
Zhang Fu raised his eyes and asked: "What's the matter?"
"The Capital!" Kuang Ye took a breath and said, "Something happened in the Capital!"
Zhang Fu immediately became alert and said: "What exactly happened? Don't be impatient and tell me slowly!"
Kuang Ye handed over the memorial in his hand and said: "Yu Qian submitted a memorial. There is no news about the emperor so far. Someone supports the establishment of King Tan to supervise the country!"
Zhang Fu took the memorial, looked at it for a few times, threw it to the ground hard, and said angrily: "The emperor put himself in danger and personally led the cavalry to raid the rear of Oara. What are they going to do? Do they want to rebel?"
"The British Lord, now that things have come to this, we can no longer wait any longer. We must immediately return to the court and take charge of the overall situation!"
Zhang Fu's eyes showed cold murderous intent, and he gritted his teeth and said: "I will lead the troops back to Beijing right now, and then I will pick out these clowns one by one and chop off their heads with my own hands!"
Kuang Ye nodded and said: "That's how it should be!"
Zhang Fu suddenly looked lonely again and said: "But, Your Majesty..."
"I'll wait here!" Kuang Ye understood what he meant and said, "You lead the troops back to the capital first, and I'll stay here to wait for the emperor!"
Zhang Fu looked at him meaningfully and said: "Kuang Shangshu, I leave this place to you."
Kuang Ye bowed his hand and said, "The capital will be handed over to the British Duke!"