Chen Mingzhe stood on the bow of the boat, looking at the vast river sky and cloudy sky. The worries weighing on his heart could not be relieved at all. The low clouds seemed to be weighing on his heart, and the sky was so gloomy that it seemed like it was going to snow.
Hangzhou has not seen snow for several years. Chen Mingzhe looked at the sky and saw that it looked like it was going to snow. He was even more worried. In the rainy and snowy weather, Huaidong soldiers and horses would not be able to move north faster.
Although Xiaoshan is on the south bank of the Qianjiang River, it has always been under the control of Hangzhou. It was Huaidong who sent troops to regain Xiaoshan. The Hanghu Army wanted to use the Huaidong navy to fight against the Zhejiang and Fujian troops in the upper reaches of the Qianjiang River, so Xiaoshan was temporarily placed under the control of East Zhejiang.
Set up jurisdiction.
On the river south of the southern foot of Nanping Mountain, dozens of specially-made flat-headed boats were anchored, connected with iron chains, and laid with pallets to form a pontoon bridge more than ten feet wide and four miles long, spanning
On the Qianjiang River, it connects Hangzhou and Xiaoshan.
A team of mules and horses was transporting supplies across the river from Xiaoshan to Hangzhou.
After Lin Fu arrived in Xiaoshan, he sent people to Hangzhou to negotiate on the 13th, hoping to borrow a road from Hangzhou and Lake to aid Jiangning.
It is not just a matter of crossing the border by road. Taking the land route through Hangzhou and Lake into Jiangning is a big problem in terms of logistical supplies for tens of thousands of troops. Lin Fu intends for the Huaidong Army to directly take over the defense of Changxing County, Huzhou Prefecture.
After the Zhejiang-Fujian Army surrendered sufficient supplies from Huizhou that originally belonged to the Western Zhejiang Recruiting Army, the Huaidong Army rushed into the northern foot of Fuyu Mountain and would be at an extremely disadvantageous position.
Changxing County is located in the northwest of Huzhou Prefecture, close to Taihu Lake. Huaidong grain and grass can be launched directly from Chongzhou, enter Taihu Lake from Jiyang, and be transported to Changxing County. Using Changxing County as a logistics transfer base, it will be able to effectively support Huaidong troops and horses.
Fight against the Zhejiang and Fujian troops in a wide area from the northern foot of Fuyu Mountain to the front line of Maoshan.
But in the face of Lin Fu's request, not only after Meng Yishan left, but also Wang Yue, the general judge of Hangzhou Prefecture who was in charge of affairs in northern Zhejiang, and the Hanghu Army's inspection of the army, hesitated. Even Chen Huawen, the deputy general of the Hangzhou Army who stayed in Hangzhou, was confused for a while and did not
Stand up and support the Huaidong Army's request.
After a day of closed-door discussion in Hangzhou, they decided to send troops and horses to guard Changxing County together with the Huaidong Army. They also proposed to send officials to accompany them to supervise the transit of Huaidong troops and horses. When officials were sent to Xiaoshan to see Lin Fu, Lin Fu lost his temper.
Directly drive back the officials sent by Hangzhou.
Meng Yishan was ordered to lead troops to defend Liyang, and the situation suddenly became serious for the Hanghu Army. If the Huaidong soldiers and horses could not move north in time, the Hanghu Army would have ten thousand exhausted troops and would have to resist the Zhejiang and Fujian Army alone between the West Ridge of Taihu Lake and Maoshan.
’s military front.
The private letter between Meng Yishan and Chen Xiyan reached Hangzhou and reached Chen Huawen on the 16th. On the next day, the Hanghu Army engaged in repeated battles with the Zhejiang and Fujian Army in Yaojiachong, Saitang and other places south of Liyang.
After the defeat, he was forced to retreat to Liyang, which was undefeable. On the 17th, Chen Huawen took Meng Yishan's letter and forced Wang Yue to bow his head and agreed to hand over Changxing County to the Huaidong Army unconditionally. However, the most precious thing was wasted.
of four days.
On the 18th, more than 300 sentries and cavalry of the Huaidong Army went north first to spy on the enemy's deployment at the northern foot of Fuyu Mountain. Zhang Jiheng led a brigade of infantry and two battalions of light cavalry as the vanguard, crossed the river and headed north, first going to Changxing to take over the defense.
Clear the obstacles for the main force of Huaidong troops to move north.
Since there was no preparation for the 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers and horses to cross the border from Hangzhou to the northern Yan County Post Office, the soldiers and horses were not moved, and the food and grass went first. Although it was rainy on the 19th, fortunately, the rain was not heavy after the beginning of winter. Huaidong
The military supply troops still used a large number of mules, horses and camels to transport some supplies and followed the vanguard troops northward, but the main troops and horses were unable to leave in such weather.
Chen Huawen had to stay in Hangzhou and couldn't leave. He even had to prepare for the Zhejiang and Fujian troops to attack Anji and Linshui from Dusong Pass and Qianqiu Pass. He had to keep an eye on the defense there, and he was even more worried about the delay of Huaidong troops - Huaidong
The troops and horses were delayed for one day, and Meng Yishan who was guarding Liyang became more of a threat. Although Chen Huawen was not happy about Meng Yishan's greedy move, but Meng Yishan was going to be destroyed by the Zhejiang and Fujian troops in Liyang, and the Hanghu Army and others would be damaged.
The overall strength of Chen Xiyan's faction is definitely not what Chen Huawen wants to see.
Rushing Chen Mingzhe from Jiaxing to Hangzhou, Chen Huawen could only ask Chen Mingzhe to go to Xiaoshan to meet Lin Fu.
Chen Mingzhe took a boat to cross the river at Nanpingshan Ferry. On land, he didn't feel the wind was strong. After getting on the boat, he felt the waves were swaying. Even the floating bridge in the distance was swaying left and right with the river waves.
It is often necessary to use two or three people to pull the mules and animals across the bridge, so as not to frighten the mules and horses and interrupt the entire process of crossing the river.
There are military camps all over the south bank of the ferry. One after another, all the way to the outside of Xiaoshan North City, it is impossible to tell how many soldiers and horses Huaidong has assembled in Xiaoshan.
Huaidong sent officials, and Chen Mingzhe followed him into Xiaoshan City. He was catching up with Lin Fu entering the city from the south gate. He met Chen Mingzhe in front of the camp. Lin Fu was sitting on a horse with a whip.
, looked at Chen Mingzhe and said with a smile: "Why does Mingzhe have time to come to Xiaoshan?"
"General Yishan encountered an unfavorable battle with the enemy in Liyang and was trapped. He hopes that Huaidong soldiers and horses will come to relieve the siege." Chen Mingzhe bowed and saluted. Now Lin Fu's status was far beyond his. He said, "The Hanghu Army is just like those
If you can't stand it, please give me a helping hand!" Then he took out Chen Xiyan's private letter to Lin Fu from his pocket, "This is a letter from Prime Minister Chen to Duke Pengcheng..."
Lin Fu got off his horse, handed the whip and horse to his guard, took the letter, and opened it in front of the camp gate to read. From the lines, you can feel Chen Xiyan's sincere heart that he was tired of thinking but still devoting himself to the imperial court.
Lin Fu put the letter away, feeling very emotional.
It cannot be said that Chen Xiyan's moral character is flawless. In order to compete for power, he even condoned the Qu family's gangsters and even put Gu Wuchen and him to death in order to smear the Chu party. This method was not only far from bright, it could even be said to be extremely vicious.
It's true, but after Chen Xiyan became the first assistant, he rarely had any selfish motives and was always working hard to stabilize half of the Yuan family.
Perhaps in Chen Xiyan's heart, he could do anything for the sake of the overall situation. This was quite similar to Tang Haoxin, which made it difficult for Lin Fu to have an old grudge against Chen Xiyan.
"We are planning to cross the river to the north tonight, but with the weather, we might not be able to make the trip..." Lin Fu raised his head and looked at the sky without saying anything.
Chen Mingzhe had nothing to say. The pontoon bridge was originally steep and narrow. He had seen with his own eyes that it was shaken by wind and waves. If it rained or rained at night, it would not be able to allow large groups of soldiers and horses to pass. Even if the boats crossed each other, there would be no
With enough boats, it would be much slower to move 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers and horses across the river than by pontoon bridge.
Lin Fu invited Chen Mingzhe to walk side by side with him to the camp. As he walked, he introduced Huaidong's troop dispatch plan and said: "As long as it doesn't rain heavily tomorrow, I will send another 9,000 troops. Next, I will personally lead 20,000 troops."
Yu Bujia thought that the central army and the rear army would still have 20,000 infantry and infantry troops ready to go. However, when the main force of Huaidong troops marched westward along the southern foot of the West Ridge of Taihu Lake, it would be after the 28th. Will Meng Yishan be able to hold out in Liyang?
At that time?"
Crossing the river from Xiaoshan to Liyang is about 400 miles of twists and turns. In the situation where about 20,000 Zhejiang and Fujian troops started to intercept at the northern foot of Fuyu Mountain, Lin Fu planned to complete the journey in less than seven days. The speed is not bad. The key is
The question is whether Meng Yishan can hold out in Liyang until the main force of Huaidong troops arrives.
Chen Mingzhe was also worried, but he would not show timidity in front of Lin Fu. He was also afraid that Lin Fu would have more excuses to delay sending troops and that Meng Yishan would be in more danger in Liyang. He just said: "Prime Minister Chen has always said that Duke Peng Cheng values friendship.
A person who has the overall situation in mind, and the court is in danger, Duke Pengcheng must be the mainstay that the court can rely on..."
"I have always respected Prime Minister Chen. Even though Prime Minister Chen knew that Huaidong was worried about the Jiangning Incident and had tried hard to gather 10,000 troops in Hailing half a year ago, Prime Minister Chen ultimately hoped that the Hanghu Army would advance to Jiangning. I have no complaints.
!Even if Prime Minister Chen is worried and worried that I will become Cao Cao, I have no complaints against Prime Minister Chen! Prime Minister Chen wants to use Dong Yuan and Yue Lengqiu to check and balance Huaidong, but I still have no complaints against Prime Minister Chen!" Lin Fu said directly!
He led Chen Mingzhe into the official hall and saw that Chen Mingzhe trembled obviously when he heard the word "Cao Cao" uttered from his mouth. He stood at the door and said without changing his expression, "Even if there are all kinds of injustices and speculations, I am loyal to the imperial court."
Sincerity does not change and loyalty remains the same; presumably the same is true for Prime Minister Chen. This is also what I respect about Prime Minister Chen. This is called "not being surprised by favors and humiliations". However, no matter how much favors and humiliations are done, it cannot stop the monarch and his ministers from being suspicious. Before the autumn comes, Prime Minister Chen is here
Even though he kowtowed in front of the palace until his head was bleeding, it could not stop the emperor's determination to ruin the good situation with his own hands. Meng Yishan led the Hangzhou Army to the north, intending to enter Jiangning City to assist in the defense. Even though he was somewhat selfish, he was loyal and sincere to the imperial court.
, I think Chen Xiang meant the same thing, but what was the result? Ten thousand Jiangnan brave soldiers were forced to be delivered to the emperor's sword by the She family! The She family was struggling to defeat them without scoring, and at every opportunity to defeat them, the Huaidong soldiers
Before the horse moved, the Hanghu army took the initiative to send them to the sword. How could the She family be so merciful?"
Chen Mingzhe stood there blankly. He thought that Lin Fu would hide his ambition even if he had it. Who would have thought that he would accuse Emperor Yongxing of his fault without any concealment?
"The emperor's fault lies in his fear of wolves and tigers in front, and his indecisive temper. He personally ruined all the chances of victory and turning points one by one. It is so painful!" Lin Fu didn't care what Chen Mingzhe's face looked like.
, thinking to himself, he said, "Brother Mingzhe, do you think what I said is right?"
"..." Chen Mingzhe forced a smile and said, "Peng Chenggong's concerns are beyond Mingzhe's control..."
"You don't have to stay in Xiaoshan and watch Huaidong troops march out," Lin Fu said. "I will cross the river the day after tomorrow at the latest. I won't say anything casually to Brother Mingzhe. Just believe me. What's going on in Hangzhou?"
I also need Brother Mingzhe to coordinate on my behalf..."
Lin Fu had already spoken so hard and had no intention of staying as a guest. Chen Mingzhe could not stay in Xiaoshan. After meeting Fu Qinghe, Song Fu, Gao Zongting, Liang Wenzhan and others, he hurriedly crossed the river and returned.
Go to Hangzhou.
When crossing the river, sleet and snow fell from the sky. Chen Mingzhe felt even more melancholy and worried. In this kind of weather, even if the Huaidong soldiers and horses set out, their speed would be much slower than usual. He only hoped that it would also be rainy and snowy in Liyang, which could stop Luxury.
The home offensive against the Hanghu Army.
Meng Yishan led his troops to march north, Su Pinxiao also led a navy to march north to Taihu Lake, and Chen Huawen took on the responsibility of staying behind. Nearly 10,000 soldiers and horses were mainly stationed in Fuyang, Linshui, and Anji. He himself was in Hangzhou to coordinate Huaidong.
The matter of soldiers and horses crossing the border.
Seeing Chen Mingzhe returning home in the rain and snow at night, Chen Huawen asked eagerly: "When will the Huaidong troops and horses be able to leave?"
"As long as it's not snowy tomorrow, there will be nearly 10,000 elite soldiers heading north..." Chen Mingzhe only had a few bites of food in Xiaoshan, and his body was soaked by the rain and snow, so he went into the city to Chen Huawen's house in Hangzhou.
Cold and hungry, he was also a dignified fifth-rank magistrate of Jiaxing, but a little too depressed. Chen Mingzhe told his second uncle Chen Huawen the troop dispatch plan that Lin Fu had agreed to, and also told Lin Fu's judgment on the recent situation.
He also told them a few words and asked, "Second uncle, what do you think Lin Fu has in mind?"
Chen Huawen pondered for a moment, then took a breath and said, "I'm afraid Lin Fu's words were meant for our Chen family!"
Chen Mingzhe had never thought about this. After being reminded by his second uncle Chen Huawen, he thought: Well, Lin Fu is really warning the Chen family not to be indecisive and put the good situation facing the Chen family in front of them.
Buried!
Chen Mingzhe sat there with a pale face, saying nothing!